Winner - - The Match of the Century

The randomly chosen winner of a print copy of 

The Match of the Century by Cathy Maxwell is:

Deb

Congratulations!

Please send your full name and mailing address to:

theromancedish (at) gmail (dot) com

Today's Special - - Cathy Maxwell

The Match of the Century
By Cathy Maxwell
Publisher: Avon
Release Date: November 24, 2015





Her parents defied society to marry for love and that is what Elin Morris has always dreamed of for herself. She thought she had found that love when she was sixteen but Ben left to join the military without even a farewell and she hasn't seen him since. Now, seven years later, Elin is on the threshold of honoring the betrothal agreement made by her parents and their good friends when she was born - an agreement that will see her married to Gavin Whitridge, Duke of Baynton, oldest brother of the man to whom she, seven years earlier, gave both her heart and her virginity.

Ben Whitridge did not leave Elin willingly. Nor was joining the military his decision but it's been a good life for him and one he loves...until his brother, the duke, uses his influence to end Ben's military service and bring him home. Angry, betrayed and with no direction now that his career has been taken from him, the last thing Ben needs is a front row seat to his brother's courtship of the only woman Ben has ever loved.

Gavin Baynton has never once considered marrying for love. As Duke of Baynton, he knows his duty and will abide by it. For him, emotion holds no sway. Elin will be a good wife for him. She is lovely, well-spoken, a good political asset. Maybe, someday, love will follow but even if it does not, they will be a good match. His brother may think he loves Elin but she belongs to Gavin now and he is not about to give her up.

I devoured this newest story from Cathy Maxwell. I knew who I wanted Elin to end up with from the beginning but there were so many twists and turns throughout that I didn't know how everything would turn out until almost the very end. It's a complicated journey and Maxwell sure doesn't make things easy for her characters. This is a happy ending that requires hard work, sacrifice, and compromise but it's oh, so worth it in the end. I especially enjoyed the family dynamics in this book. It wasn't only a romantic journey of one couple but also the journeys of individuals as well as families. Elin, Ben, and Gavin all had to evolve and grow as individuals in order for relationships to be mended and love to win the day.

The scene where Gavin steps aside, and his reasons for doing so, are especially poignant. Gavin could have easily become the villain of this story and it's to Maxwell's credit that he did not. At the beginning of the book, he is black and white but as the story progresses, more layers of his character are revealed, not only to readers but to Gavin as well. I can't wait to tag along on the rest of his journey.

~PJ

I recently asked Cathy Maxwell a few questions about her new series and the first book, The Match of the Century. 

Welcome, Cathy! Your newest historical romance, The Match of the Century was released last week. Please tell our readers what they can expect from this book and from your new Marrying the Duke series.

I found myself wondering why is it that we hear of fabulously wealthy people with all the privileges being unhappy.  The romance reader in me knows that love is the only true measure of a well-lived life but how does one discover that truth for himself?  I am also a fan for “the one that got away” stories.  I want that happy ending.

Enter Gavin Whitridge, Duke of Baynton and his two brothers.  Gavin lives for duty, for the “shoulds” that keep so many of on the narrow road. His brothers are his counterpoint—rebellious and independent of spirit.  In many ways, these three books are Gavin’s journey toward love.  However, his brothers have more than a few lessons to learn as well.  

What is the obstacle standing in the way of Ben and Elin’s happy ending?

Making the right choices for them, while taking into account what matters for others—and isn’t that what stands in the way for most of us?  On some very important decisions there is a battle between what should be done and what speaks to our hearts, our souls.  I like honor and loyalty but they can become tripping points.

I’m intrigued by both Ben and Gavin and can’t wait to find out what happened to their missing brother, Jack. Will each of the three brothers have his own book? Do they have release dates yet? 

Would I leave you guessing?  I hope not.  Let’s see—Jack’s story, FAIREST OF THEM ALL will hit bookshelves and e-readers April 28, 2016.  A DATE AT THE ALTAR is scheduled for, I believe, December 2016 but don’t hold me to that date.  I’m always the last to know!

Everywhere I look, people are posting their Best of 2015 book lists. What are some of your favorite books that you’ve read this year?

Lorraine Heath’s FALLING FOR THE DUKE; Geri Krotow’s NAVY RESCUE; Kristan Higgins’s IF YOU ONLY KNEW—great reads! A new discovery for me was Claudia Connor and WORTH THE FALL.  Oh, yes, and Anna Richland.  She has a great novella HIS ROAD HOME that won the Rita.  After reading it, I downloaded her first Immortal Viking book, FIRST TO BURN.  I’m not a paranormal fan but this one pulled me in.  I love a good war hero.

Today is the official kick-off of my Christmas baking season. Are you a Christmas baker? Do you have a favorite recipe to share?  

Good luck with your baking.  I don’t have much time to bake although I took on a cookie project for a group of college students.  My fave recipe from that project was also easy to make and they looked and tasted fabulous:  Salted Caramel, Chocolate and Peanut Cracker Stack Bars.  Plus, the recipe makes well over three dozen which is good for holiday bakers.  Of course, even reading the recipe will put pounds on me!  You won’t believe what all is in them.  A demonic baker thought up the recipe. Here is the link- http://www.midwestliving.com/recipe/salted-caramel-chocolate-and-peanut-cracker-stack-bars/

I don’t make New Year’s resolutions but I do set goals at the beginning of each year. What are your goals for 2016? 

I prefer to choose a word to be my theme of the year. My word for 2016 is “thrive.”  I want to be very happy and present right where I am. No worrying about the future or yearning for the past.  Right here. This is where life happens.

Thank you for visiting with us today! Would you like to add anything? Would you like to ask our readers a question?

Of course!  My question: if you had to choose one word for 2016, what would it be? 

PJ here. I have a print copy of The Match of the Century for one randomly chosen person who leaves a comment on today's post. (U.S. only)

For more information about Cathy Maxwell and her books, visit her website and connect with her online at Facebook and Twitter. 

Review - - A Little Thing Called Love

A Little Thing Called Love
(a novella)
By Cathy Maxwell
Publisher: Avon Impulse
Release Date: September 22, 2015

Fyclan Morris has come a long way from his modest Irish roots. Educated, wealthy and successful, he's on the verge of being elected a director of the powerful East India Company and achieving all of his dreams, save one. His Romany-born grandmother had foretold it:

"You'll recognize her immediately," his Grand had said. "She'll be fair to your dark, a light to your step, a force you will not deny."

When Fyclan first sees Jennifer Tarleton on the street, he knows she's the one and is determined to meet her. When she reaches her destination, a private lending library, and he discovers his lass's love of books, the deal is sealed. There will be no other woman for him, regardless of the obstacles standing in their way. And there are many, seemingly insurmountable, obstacles.

Jenny Tarleton loves books. They are her refuge, her hope, her joy in a life fraught with strife. Her family doesn't understand but, then, they don't understand Jenny much at all. To them, she's a bargaining chip, a pretty object to sell to the highest bidder. The money her hand in marriage will bring them will erase her father's gambling debts, give her oldest sister's husband the promotion he craves and allow her other sister to marry where she wishes. None of them seem to care about Jenny's wishes. The only one who sees and appreciates Jenny for the person she is and not what she can bring them is the handsome Irishman who shares her love of books. Fyclan is certainly rich enough to meet her father's marriage price but he doesn't have the title her family craves and, unbeknownst to Jenny, he has a history with her father that makes him the last person her father would ever allow her to marry.

A Little Thing Called Love is the prequel to Cathy Maxwell's upcoming Marrying the Duke historical romance series. The first book in the series, The Match of the Century is the story of Elin Morris, the daughter of Fyclan and Jenny and will be released November 24th.

I thoroughly enjoyed Fyclan and Jenny's novella. It contains all the passion, humor and vibrant characters I've come to expect from a Cathy Maxwell story. At 86 pages, it's a quick read but I didn't feel at all shortchanged. Fyclan and Jenny pulled me into their world, into their hope, their despair, their passion and a love that refuses to be denied. I cannot wait to see them as parents and meet their daughter in The Match of the Century!

~PJ