Today's Special - - Vanessa Kelly

Vanessa Kelly is back!  Vanessa is here today with the hero of her novella, "Lost in a Royal Kiss."  Read their interview below for all the dishy details about Sir Anthony Tait!

Vanessa is an award-winning author who was named by Booklist, the review journal of the American Library Association, as one of the "New Stars of Historical Romance." Her sensual, Regency-set historical romances have been nominated for awards in a number of contests, and her second book, Sex and The Single Earl, won the prestigious Maggie Medallion for Best Historical Romance. Vanessa's next series, The Renegade Royals, is due to hit the shelves on Nov. 26 with Lost in a Royal Kiss. Book one in the series, Secrets for Seducing a Royal Bodyguard, will release in January, 2014.

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Character Interview with Sir Anthony Tait

Vanessa Kelly

As always, it’s great to be here at The Romance Dish, ladies.  Thanks for having me on!  I hope you don’t mind but I’ve brought along Sir Anthony Tait, the hero of Lost in a Royal Kiss.  A few days ago I interviewed my heroine on another blog, and Sir Anthony is demanding equal time.  He’s very, er, masterful that way.

Sir Anthony, what can you tell us about yourself?

I’m thirty-seven and, as one of the youngest appointees to the position of magistrate, I have an air of authority and cool gravity far greater than most men my age.  I’m also the liaison between the Home Office and the Court of St. James, and I am a trusted advisor to their Majesties, King George and Queen Charlotte.  Oh, I’m also a very capable spymaster, but perhaps you shouldn’t put that about too much.

Hmm, modesty doesn’t seem to be your strong suit, that’s for sure. 

*Sir Anthony raised his imperious eyebrows* 

Was it Linnet St. Clare who put the absurd notion that I’m arrogant into your head?

Nope, came up with it all on my own.  But speaking of Linnet, rumor has it that you’re pretty sweet on her.

That’s certainly a vulgar way of putting it, but I won’t deny that I find Miss St. Clare to be an attractive and capable woman.  She’ll make the perfect wife for an important man who needs a competent partner to manage his household and servants.

How romantic.  No wonder Linnet’s been avoiding you these last several months.

I see that the court gossips have been at it again.  It’s simply not true that Linnet, er, Miss St. Clare is avoiding me.  She’s occupied with her younger siblings, and that scapegrace Dominic Hunter.  There’s no telling what that lad will get up to next. 

Sir Anthony, you might try asking Linnet if she needs any help with all her problems.  Her answer might surprise you.

Miss Kelly, do you actually know Miss St. Clare?  Hell and damnation, she’s the most stubborn woman I’ve ever met.  She’s also as adorable and soft as a kitten, and I can’t wait to get her into my—

Yes, well, moving right along, exactly how do you expect to convince Linnet to be your wife?  She seems rather skittish at this point.

I have a plan, although I have no intention of revealing it to Linnet.  It involves a bit of skullduggery, but as one of England’s most talented spymasters I’m not adverse to a little manipulation.  All in a good cause, of course.  Linnet will make me the perfect wife—she just needs a little convincing.

Okay, so what is your plan?

If I told you I would have to kill you.  Miss Kelly, I am joking.  There’s no need to pull out your smelling salts.

*Vanessa wipes her brow* 

I’m happy to hear that, Sir Anthony.  I would, however, not recommend you play that little joke on Linnet.

I wouldn’t dream of it.  Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have much to do to ensure that Linnet and I are married within the month.  By the way, Miss Kelly, I trust I can rely on your discretion in this matter?

You bet.  Really, silence is my middle name, Sir Anthony.  Good luck with that plan of yours!  If I know Linnet—and I do—you’re going to need it.


Thanks so much to Vanessa, and Sir Anthony, for visiting with us today.  Good luck with that plan, Sir Anthony.  I think you're going to need it!   


Okay, readers, as you can tell from the title, Linnet does eventually get "lost in a royal kiss."  So, tell me, if you had the opportunity to lose yourself in a royal kiss, who would you choose (real or fictional) to bestow that kiss? One lucky person leaving a comment today will receive an ARC (advance reader copy) of Vanessa's January book, Secrets for Seducing a Royal Bodyguard.  (U.S. and Canada only)

In this thrilling introduction to her Renegade Royals series, Vanessa Kelly transports readers to the court of King George III—where a London street urchin unwittingly plays Cupid, ushering in a new era—and ultimately a new kind of royal…

With her widowed mother working long hours as governess to the royal children, Linnet St. Clare must look after her siblings and run the household. Now she must add to her worries the fate of Dominic, a poor orphan who has inspired the wrath of the king himself. Clearly Linnet has no time to consider her own desires—much less notice the attentions of a certain handsome, powerful magistrate…

Sir Anthony Tait is at a loss for how to capture Linnet’s interest. If only she would be still long enough for courting. Outright seduction seems the only answer. But will his kisses be enough to persuade her—or might Anthony have something to learn from young Dominic about matters of the heart? And in saving the boy’s future, might Anthony and Linnet at last create their own?