Today we begin our week long party in celebration of our 1 year anniversary! Can you believe that it has been a year already? We sure can’t! It has been a year full of surprises, wonders and lots of love. But we will talk about all that another day. Let’s get this party started! And can there possibly be a better way to start the festivities than with a tale of wicked women and sexy men? I sure don’t think so!
A Tale of Four Wicked Women
Narrated by Kimberly Killion
*Let’s call her “Lady Jane” for discretion*
Ahem. Come closer. I’m going to tell you a tale that will make your ears burn… *Lady Jane checks over her shoulder for eavesdroppers, snaps her fan open to cover her mouth, and leans in as far as she can in a corset that is stealing her air.*
Once upon a time, in a land not so far away, there lived four wicked women: Lady Buffie, Lady Gannon, Lady Andrea, and the wickedest of all was Lady PJ.
A year past, at a soiree in Georgia, they formed this seedy little place now known as The Romance Dish. You cannot fathom the patrons that frequent this establishment—strumpets and vixens and vamps the lot of them. From time to time, you’ll even find a handsome rake hugging the wall. *Lady Jane pauses momentarily to admire the waiter (for he has a fine bum).*
“Excuse me, sir. Might I trouble you for a spot of your finest bubbly?”
*The waiter pivots on his heel.*
Oh my good Heavens! Is that…? It is!!! “Gerry, darling. So good of you to join us for the party. Come. Sit with me a spell until our honored guests arrive.
*Gerry does as he’s told (because that’s what every hero does in all the best books) and snuggles up next to Jane on the settee.
Now, where was I? Ah, yes, I was about to tell you about the ladies of The Romance Dish. They had a flaw—they loved to “dish”. Gossipmongers if you will. What one might call a blatherskite, a scandal-bearer, a long-nose. And all four ladies had a secret love for the written word and this is what brought them together and precisely what landed them into a scandal. You see, Lady Buffie, Lady Gannon, Lady Andrea, and Lady PJ were all having a secret love affair with the same man.
*Gerry gasps. His powder-blue eyes widen.*
Oh, I know. It was quite the scuttlebutt. Every scandal sheet in London was aflutter talking about it. His name was Alpha, better known as Mr. Male. He was mysterious. A man with a past if you will. Tall, dark and handsome, of course, but he’d been wounded and betrayed by a former love. *Sigh*
“What happened?” Gerry leans closer, his scent of pine and man is damn distracting.
Our ladies healed him. After that, the male patrons began to flock The Romance Dish. Each and every one had a story to tell and Lady Buffie, Lady Gannon, Lady Andrea, and Lady PJ were all eager to listen to their woes. Some had lost loved ones in wars, some had buried their children, and some had lost loves, but they all shared a single trait—they were heroic. When the girls get here, we must ask them who their favorite hero was.
Oh, here they are now. Ladies! Ladies! Over here.
Enters
Lady Buffie: Lady Jane! So lovely to see you here. I cannot tell you how excited I am to have you hosting opening day of our one year anniversary party!
Lady Jane: I wouldn’t have missed it for the world. I was just telling a few of the guests who arrived early about the scandal that started it all. You all have serviced so many here. What I want to know is who was your favorite rogue? *Lady Jane gestures for everyone to join Gerry on the settee. It’s a tight fit, but we manage.*
Let’s hear from Lady Andrea first…
Lady Andrea: Oh, my. There have been so many, but if I must choose . . . I will go with Jax Cullen from Simply Irresistible by Jill Shalvis. Because, you see, Jax is simply irresistible. Just ask his heroine. She totally agrees with me that there is nothing sexier than a hot biker (with tattoos in just the right places) and a heart of solid gold. *fans self* I mean, the man left his life as a successful, high-profile attorney to come back to his home town to do what he loves: work with his hands (mmm-hmmm) and help out his neighbors. Talk about sexy. Plus, he's smart, honorable, protective, and has a wicked sense of humor. Tell me, what's not to love?
Lady Gannon interrupts: Oh, you know I have a weakness for charming rogues *leans toward Gerry and winks*, and I have been fortunate to have crossed paths with many this year. Two who really stand out in my memory are Lord Mac Mackenzie (Lady Isabella's Scandalous Marriage by Jennifer Ashley) and Roarke (Fantasy In Death by J.D. Robb). Who wouldn't love a handsome Highlander like Mac? He is charming, rakish, sexy, often frustrating, but loving and loyal to a fault. Plus, he's an incredibly talented artist who paints wearing ONLY his kilt. Oh, yes! And then there's Roarke, a man who needs only one name. Richer than Croesus, tall, dark, and gorgeous with a lilting Irish brogue---Roarke is practically perfect in every way. *sigh* As you can see, I have a weakness for heroes with accents. *another wink and a pat on Gerry's knee*
Lady Buffie waves her hands: You ladies
know how much I love sexy men
(smiles seductively at Gerry and bats her lashes). And though it is hard for me to pick one favorite out of a sea of sexy men, I will have to chose Gabriel St. John, The Marquess of Ralston (Nine Rules To Break When Romancing A Rake by Sarah MacLean). Mercy, the man makes my heart pitter-patter with a single thought. Any man who says a kiss should not leave you satisfied, but instead it should leave you wanting certainly knows his way around a woman
AND the bedroom (or rather any room he pleases). My attraction to Gabriel is not based on physical needs only. Oh no! See, Gabriel is the kind of hero who shows his lady the joy of life and that life should be lived to the fullest every single day. Now what woman wouldn’t want days filled with fun and laughter and nights filled with (lightly strokes a finger along Gerry’s jaw) passion?
Lady PJ stands up, snaps her fan open and begins: You are all forgetting about those sexy Highlanders who were my very special guests this year. Of course, I’m talking about Jamie Sinclair (The Devil Wears Plaid by Teresa Medeiros) and Tristan MacGregor (Paula Quinn’s Seduced by a Highlander). Who can
resist Jamie, a strapping Highlander who literally rides to the rescue, storming a chapel on his huge black stallion and stealing his heroine from the evil old man she’s being forced to marry? Or Tristan, a charming Highland rogue, determined to overcome all obstacles, including two families and, at times, even the heroine herself, to secure the love of the one woman in the world capable of healing his wounded heart? ::Sigh:: Those certainly were memorable visits.
*Everyone sighs. Jane fears this may turn into Swoonfest 1810.*
Lady Jane: Well, I can see why so many keep coming back here. *A crowd has gathered.* Let’s hear from you all now. Who were your favorite heroes this year? And which heroes are you looking forward to meeting?
See, I told you this tale would be the perfect way to start the celebration. Now, be sure to answer Lady Jane's questions about your favorite heroes and who you are looking forward to meeting. Four random commenters will win prize packages. This giveway is open to everyone!
~ Buffie
Educating 
Taming a 
