Goodnight, Sweetheart, Well, I Hate to Go!

Sobs!

Wailing!

Gnashing of Teeth!

Riots in the plaza! 

Well, nice to know I'm going quietly...

This is my last post for the Romance Dish for a while. You never say never, right? I've so appreciated the chance to be part of this great blog and I'm so grateful that the original four Dishes asked me to be part of the lovely world they've built up here.

By the way, the photo at the top of the blog has three of the four originals (Gannon must have taken the pic). Left to right there's Jeanne Adams (who's a Romance Bandit!), Andrea, moi, Buffie and PJ. I'm not sure whether that photo was taken at RWA in Washington DC or Orlando. Perhaps PJ or Andrea will remember.

Anyway, as I announced two months ago, for various reasons, I'm retiring my Second Helping column for the moment. PJ asked me if I could devote my last piece to what I'm doing in 2015 which is very nice of her (but then, she IS very nice).

A whole column talking about little ole' me? Let me at it!

One big change I thought I'd be dealing with in 2015 was a new house, but fate has decreed I'm staying where I am. Given I'd prepared my mind for the shift, it's now taking a bit of a mental shift to come to terms with the fact that there will be no big move. However, at least one of my plans for 2015 is still in place, a big research trip to the U.K. although it's now going to happen in September instead of March. I'll miss spring over there, which is my favorite season, but on the other hand, I won't be trying to squeeze my travel in between other commitments.

And now a rundown of those other commitments! My fourth Sons of Sin book is out on 28th April, yay. A SCOUNDREL BY MOONLIGHT tells the Marquess of Leath's story - he plays a major part in WHAT A DUKE DARES and I've had quite a few people contacting me to ask if he's going to get a happy ending. Of course he is, but he's got a way to go before that happens! And he ends up falling in love with the last woman he ever imagined he would. I always relish seeing lords of all they survey sent into a spin when they're head over heels with someone completely unsuitable.

Don't you just love that cover? You can read the blurb on my website here: http://annacampbell.info/scoundrelmoonlight.html Look out for an excerpt in March and if you want an extra special sneak peek, I'm giving away ARCs in my January/February website contest.

At this stage, I'm not sure if that will be the last full lengther in the Sons of Sin series. There are at least two more novellas in the pipeline. One tells the story of Lady Marianne Seton, the woman Cam jilted to marry Penelope. I really like her and I've got a lovely hero lined up to put a sparkle in her eyes. I'm also writing a novella that gives us some backstory on Sirius, Sir Richard Harmsworth's clever dog. He helps to unite a pair of feuding childhood sweethearts before he places himself in Richard's custody. I've always had a very soft spot for Sirius who was usually the cleverest one in the room!

Otherwise I'm working on a new historical series based very much in the glamorous world of Regency high society. Apart from WHAT A DUKE DARES and the novella DAYS OF RAKES AND ROSES, most of the Sons of Sin books take place in the beautiful English countryside. The next series will be sexy, emotional stories revolving around the drama and extravagance of the London Season. I could tell you more but then I'd have to kill you!

Finally, I'm going to write another Christmas novella, featuring a Scottish hero. Those seem to be de rigueur for my Christmas stories (so far all three have featured Scottish noblemen!). I must say I've been overwhelmed at the reception this year's novella, HER CHRISTMAS EARL, has received and I just love having a story out for the Holidays. 

Which brings me to the fact that this isn't just my last Second Helpings; it's also Christmas Eve! However you celebrate at this time of year, I wish you all peace, love, good health and fabulous books to read. I'd also like to pause to send PJ and Andrea a pair of really mushy kisses and big hugs to thank them for letting me a part of this blog.

As my Regency society heroines would say, I've had a ball!

So what are your reading plans for 2015? Any books I should look out for?

STOP PRESS: Those kind people at Grand Central Forever have sent me some ARCs which arrived this very day (clearly they have great timing!). As a farewell gift to my friends here at the Romance Dish, I'll give one person who comments (international) the chance to win a personalized copy of A SCOUNDREL BY MOONLIGHT. Good luck!

Today's Special - - Anna Campbell

She's back!  It's always a pleasure to have Anna hanging out with us here at The Romance Dish.  Usually, she drops by to talk about someone else's book but today we're spotlighting Anna's newest historical romance, A Rake's Midnight Kiss.  It's the second book in her Sons of Sin series and it's awesome!

5 Unexpected Facts Behind A RAKE’S MIDNIGHT KISS!

Hi PJ! Hi Andrea! Thanks for having me as your guest to talk about my new Grand Central Forever release, A RAKE’S MIDNIGHT KISS, which is out in North America tomorrow.

Goodness me, I feel like I only just stepped out of the stylish Romance Dish premises and here I am back again for another delicious visit!  For those who don't know, on the 24 ^th of every month, I review a classic romance or a more recent one that perhaps slipped under the radar. Check out my review of new Harlequin SuperRomance author Jennifer Lohmann’s books from last Saturday. (click here for Anna's review)

Today I thought it might be fun to give you five random factoids that contributed to writing book 2 of my Sons of Sin series. This story is lighter than usual – I think of it as a sorbet to freshen the palate between the big roast dinners of SEVEN NIGHTS IN A ROGUE’S BED and Cam’s story which I’m currently writing.

So here go the 5 fun facts:

1. With Rake, I took a leaf out of the book of one of the greatest directors ever, Alfred Hitchcock. As anyone familiar with his films knows, many of his plots center on a THING that everyone wants. It doesn’t much matter what it is, whether it’s a reel of microfilm or a rare jewel or a dead body or a secret message. But the THING needs to get the characters excited and interacting and chasing madly after it. It creates the stakes in the story. Hitchcock called it a MacGuffin. There’s an extensive article about the term in Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MacGuffin Including an explanation of the name’s origin that is so bizarre it just has to be true! In A RAKE’S MIDNIGHT KISS, the THING everyone wants is the Harmsworth Jewel.
2. I’ve nursed the idea of using something like the Harmsworth Jewel in a story for a few years. I’m a devotee of BBC history and culture programs, and I remember seeing the Alfred Jewel, an ancient and very beautiful gold and enamel book pointer currently in the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford, in THE SEVEN AGES OF BRITAIN. If you picture the Alfred Jewel when you read about the Harmsworth Jewel, you’ve got the right idea. Again, I turn to my good friends at Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alfred_Jewel
3. Scholarly Genevieve’s academic pursuits and eventual fame were inspired by a real Regency woman. Mary Somerville was a remarkable popularizer of the Regency scientific revolution. One of her books stayed in print for over 40 years until 1877! Somerville College in Oxford is named after her – ironic given at the time it as founded, women weren’t admitted! If you’d like to find out more about this Regency prodigy, turn again to my friends at Wikipedia: http://www.regrom.com/2012/10/29/regency-women-of-character-mary-somerville
4. When I came up with the idea for Rake, I wanted to write about a man who becomes a hero in spite of himself. I pictured someone golden and spectacularly handsome who hides his inner turmoil behind an elegant manner and a nonchalant wit. The Scarlet Pimpernel immediately sprang to mind (although Sir Percy is pretty heroic all the way through!) so if you want to know what Richard looks like, check out gorgeous Anthony Andrews in the 1980s telemovie. 
5. Let’s go full circle and return to Alfred Hitchcock. Another inspiration for A RAKE’S MIDNIGHT KISS is the sexy and fun thriller from 1955, TO CATCH A THIEF. That stars another spectacularly handsome man, Cary Grant, and a young Grace Kelly sporting a breathtaking wardrobe. For Genevieve Barrett, the heroine of A RAKE’S MIDNIGHT KISS, I wanted that quality of outer coolness over a volcano of sensuality. Like GK’s character in TCAT, Genevieve isn’t nearly the naïve ingénue the hero expects to run rings around. In fact, the person with most of the answers in both Rake and TCAT is the heroine! Love that dynamic when Mr. Cool finds himself all at sea with a woman who’s smart enough to guess his game.

So in honor of Alfred and Grace and Cary (and Anthony!), let’s talk old-time movies. Do you have a favorite actress from the Golden Years of Hollywood? I must admit to a penchant for Audrey Hepburn. I think she was just magic on the screen. Are you a Hitchcock fan? What’s your favorite of his films? 

Grand Central  is offering a copy of A RAKE'S MIDNIGHT KISS to one randomly chosen person leaving a comment on today's blog and, as a bonus, they will also include a copy of THE KNIGHT'S TEMPTRESS by Amanda Scott.  (Open to U.S., Canadian and Australian addresses only.  Please indicate in your comment if you live in one of these countries.)  

IT TAKES A LADY

Brilliant scholar Genevieve Barrett's secret identity as the author of her father's articles is her greatest deception-until her father's handsome new student arrives on their doorstep. Genevieve recognizes him as the masked intruder who earlier tried to steal a priceless gem from their home. Keeping the seductive stranger's identity hidden is a risk, but she's got secrets of her own to keep.

TO CATCH A THIEF

Sir Richard Harmsworth fakes a rakish facade to show society that he doesn't care about his bastard status. Yet haunted by his unknown father's identity, Richard believes the Harmsworth Jewel will prove he's the rightful heir. Intent on seducing the stone away from its owner, Richard finds himself face-to-face with a beauty more breathtaking than any jewel. But even as she steals Richard's heart, Genevieve will be in greater danger than her coveted treasure . . . 

Blond-Haired Devil!

Good Morning, readers!  PJ here.  It's my pleasure to welcome one of my favorite people today.  A visit from Anna Campbell is always a special treat and this month we're blessed with her presence not once, but twice!  Today, Anna joins us to talk about two of my favorite topics:  heroes (we do love them, don't we?) and a new Anna Campbell story (always cause for celebration in my house!)  Anna's new historical novella, "Days of Rakes and Roses"  will be released tomorrow.

You can find more information about Anna and her books at her website and read an excerpt from "Days of Rakes and Roses" here.   Anna can also be found regularly blogging at Romance Bandits and, of course, is here at the Romance Dish the 24th of every month with her Second Helping reviews.  



BLOND-HAIRED DEVIL
By Anna Campbell 

(I use that title with apologies to Lisa Kleypas - but I read her BLUE-EYED DEVIL this week and wow, what a great book!)

Hi Dishes! Thank you for having me as your guest today. It's great to be here with my non-reviewer hat on. As many of you know, I'm a regular on this blog on the 24th of every month with a column called Second Helping, all about books I've enjoyed, often older publications, that you may have missed. Last month, I did Jennifer Crusie's wonderful MAYBE THIS TIME. 

But today I want to talk about a subject dear to my heart - heroes!

When I started out writing historical romance, I was tall, dark and handsome all the way. I liked them saturnine and devilish and black-haired! The Duke of Kylemore, the Marquess of Sheene, the Earl of Erith, Sir Gideon Trevithick, the Earl of Ashcroft, dusky to a man!

And then with my sixth book, MIDNIGHT'S WILD PASSION, something changed.

I went over to the...light side!

The wicked Marquess of Ranelaw in that book had golden hair. Then I went back true to form with Jonas SEVEN NIGHTS IN A ROGUE'S BED. He was dark both inside and out, at least at the start!
Merrick from

Since then, I've done two blond heroes! Shock! Sir Richard Harmsworth, the hero of A RAKE'S MIDNIGHT KISS (out from Grand Central Forever on 27th August) is blond. So is Simon Metcalf, the rakish hero of my e-novella DAYS OF RAKES AND ROSES which is out tomorrow. That makes three of my last four heroes blondies! What is the world coming to?

I don't think it's coincidental (although this theory doesn't hold water for Ranelaw) that both Simon and Richard are slightly lighter heroes in all senses than my usual beastly fare. One of the things I really enjoyed about writing this novella is it gave me a chance to tell a story that, while it hopefully had plenty of emotional depth, explored characters and conflicts that I'd have had to stretch past tolerance for a full-length novel.

Both Simon and his heroine, the Duke of Sedgemoor's sister, have baggage to deal with and problems to solve, not to mention that Simon returns from the Continent to find his childhood sweetheart Lydia about to marry someone else! But I don't think either Simon or Lydia counts as tortured - at least tortured in terms of the Anna Campbell universe!





It was also fun giving readers another glimpse of some of the other characters in the Sons of Sin world. Because this story is set before the events in SEVEN NIGHTS IN A ROGUE'S BED, Jonas gets a mere mention and Sidonie doesn't make an appearance - after all, she's not part of the glamorous world of Regency London when she meets her true love. But I had a lovely time with Sir Richard being nonchalant and witty and the Duke of Sedgemoor being Mr. Perfect. I hope readers will be champing at the bit to see both those guys get their comeuppance when they fall in love with completely unsuitable women!

Oh, and let me mention one other way this story is light - it's light on the pocket too! 99 cents strikes me as a bargain! I'd pay 99 cents just to see that beautiful pink cover!







So let's talk that really profound subject - hero hair color! Do you like your romance guys to be tall, dark and handsome like Cary Grant? Or blond and beautiful like Brad Pitt or Robert Redford? Do you have a favorite blond heart throb in a book or a movie or a TV show? Do you think hair color matters?

When you comment, please identify where you're from - for a very good reason, PRIZES! 

I've got a download of DAYS OF RAKES AND ROSES for someone from North America who comments today. For various complicated reasons, this new e-novella isn't available in other regions, but I've got a download of my e-novella THE WINTER WIFE for one international commenter. Good luck!

"Days of Rakes and Roses"
Grand Central Forever Yours
July 2, 2013

Lady Lydia Rothermere has spent the past decade trying to make up for a single, youthful moment of passion. Now the image of propriety, Lydia knows her future rests on never straying outside society's rigid rules; but hiding away the desire that runs through her is harder than she could have ever dreamed. Now as Lydia prepares for a marriage that will suit her family, but not her heart, Lydia must decide what's more important: propriety or passion?

Simon Metcalf is a rake and adventurer. But for all his experience, nothing can compare to the kiss he stole from the captivating Lydia Rothermere ten years ago. Simon can scarcely believe he's about to lose the one woman he's never forgotten. The attraction between them is irresistible, yet Lydia refuses to forsake her engagement. With his heart on the line, will Simon prove that love is a risk worth taking?

Download "Days of Rakes and Roses" from Amazon here and from Barnes & Noble here.  

A Rake's Midnight Kiss
Grand Central
August 27, 2013

It Takes a Lady

Brilliant scholar Genevieve Barrett knows how to keep a secret. Her identity as the author of her father's academic articles has always been her greatest deception-until a charming housebreaker tries to steal the mysterious Harmsworth Jewel from her. She doesn't reveal that she recognizes her father's devastatingly handsome new student as the thief himself. For Genevieve, this will be the most seductive secret of all...

To Catch a Thief

Sir Richard Harmsworth has been living a lie, maintaining a rakish facade to show society that he doesn't care about his status as a bastard. Yet long haunted by his unknown father's identity, Richard believes the Harmsworth Jewel will confirm his claim as the rightful heir. But when Richard sets out to seduce the bookworm who possesses the stone, he instead falls for its beautiful owner. But even as she steals Richard's heart, Genevieve will be in greater danger than her coveted treasure...

Pre-order A Rake's Midnight Kiss from Amazon here and from Barnes & Noble here.  

Review - - Seven Nights in a Rogue's Bed

Seven Nights in a Rogue's Bed
Sons of Sin - Book One
By Anna Campbell
Publisher:  Grand Central
Release Date:  September 25, 2012


 

Unfairly robbed of his birthright, Jonas Merrick has turned into a bitter, ruthless man focused solely on increasing his wealth and wreaking vengeance on his enemy.  When he discovers that his enemy's wife has a weakness for gambling, he uses it to put her in his debt then offers to erase the debt in exchange for seven nights in his bed.  His plans go awry when the woman who appears on his doorstep one dark and stormy night is not the shallow beauty married to his enemy but her lovely, innocent younger sister.  When that woman turns out to be smart, feisty, courageous and lit from within with an innate goodness, Jonas goes from annoyed to intrigued and a new plan is born.  He offers her a wager:  spend seven days and nights as his guest.  During that time he'll do his best to seduce her but sleeping with him will be her choice and, at the end of the seven days, Sidonie will be free to leave his home with her sister's debt paid in full, whether his seduction attempts are successful or not.

The last place Sidonie wants to be is standing on the doorstep of Jonas Merrick's castle but she'll do anything to help the sister who took care of her when they were children.  If sleeping with Merrick will keep her sister and nephews safe from harm then so be it; she'll go willingly to the man's bed no matter how hideous he may be.  It doesn't take long for Sidonie to realize that there's much more to Jonas Merrick than what he presents to the world.  Though his face is scarred and he continues to insist he's a bastard through and through, the more time Sidonie spends with him, the more convinced she becomes that a good man lurks beneath the hard shell life's experiences have built around his wounded heart.  Desire flares and, as walls begin to crumble, the first flickering embers of a deep and abiding love spring to life...if Sidonie and Jonas have the courage to reach for it.

I loved this book so much.  I think it's Anna Campbell's best writing to date and that's saying a lot considering the quality of the books she's already published.  She immediately grabbed my attention with the riveting first sentence:

Storms split the heavens on the night Sidonie Forsythe went to her ruin.

As someone who grew up devouring Gothic romances from Victoria Holt and Mary Stewart, all it took was that one sentence for me to know I was in for a treat.  Campbell then gave me a hero, damaged both physically and emotionally, and made me care deeply for him.  Jonas tries so hard to be a villain, and he has his harsh moments to be sure, but there's just too much goodness at his vulnerable core, waiting for the right woman to heal his heart and set it free, for him to truly be a bad guy.  He believes his scars make him repulsive; his actions, unlovable.  His response - the parts he shares and those he doesn't - when Sidonie finally gives herself to him made my heart ache.

     He propped himself on one elbow, keeping a careful eye on the edge of the bed, and took her hand.  "Are you all right?"
     After a hesitation, she nodded.  "Yes."
     He waited for more but she remained silent.  For a woman, she was deucedly closemouthed.  How he wished she'd confide in him, trust him.
     Why should she?
     Except she'd trusted him with her body.  He didn't underestimate what that meant.  He wanted to thank her.  He wanted to beg her to stay.  He wanted to tell her she was the most marvelous being in creation.  Emotion silenced him, made it impossible to express what lay in his heart.  He raised her hand to his lips and kissed her palm with a veneration that sprang from his soul.
     He wasn't good enough for her.  But by God, he meant to make her happy while he had her.  

Sidonie is a heroine worthy of our damaged hero.  She's strong, loyal and has so much love to give but she's only seen the bad side of marriage and has no desire to be under a man's control.  And her loyalty, one of her best qualities, causes her to make a decision that could ultimately cost her the love of the man who has captured her heart.  Ms. Campbell had me flipping pages as fast as I could to find out what happens to these two people who so deserve a happy ending.

Adding to the suspense of whether or not our couple finds happiness is a villain I could have easily sent to his just reward and Sidonie's sister, a woman who at times elicited my sympathy while other times I simply wanted to whack her upside the head for being shallow and selfish at Sidonie's expense.

Seven Nights in a Rogue's Bed is the first book in Campbell's Sons of Sin series.  I read it in one day then read it a second time more leisurely.  I'll most likely read it again before book two comes out. Yes, I enjoyed it that much. I highly recommend this book and am already counting the months until I can get my hands on the next two in the series.  We meet the heroes of those books, Richard and Cam in this book, along with Sirius, a mutt of undetermined origin with whom I tumbled immediately into puppy love and who Ms. Campbell has assured me has a significant role in the next book, A Rake's Midnight Kiss.  

~PJ