Today's Special - Once Upon a Christmas

I love Christmas anthologies. Not only is Christmas my favorite holiday but it's also a very busy time of year. What better than a collection of short, delicious, bites of romance when time is at a premium? I also enjoy romances set in different eras which is something that makes Once Upon a Christmas unique and especially enjoyable for a reader like me. The stories created by these four talented authors follow one family from the Regency to present day; from glittering Regency and Victorian ballrooms to freezing WWII battlefields to a truly sigh-worthy modern day conclusion when an American woman and an English duke have a second chance at love after a brief meeting seven years earlier. I'm delighted to welcome Maggie Robinson, Tiffany Clare, J.K. Coi, and Elyssa Patrick, the authors of Once Upon a Christmas.  

Maggie Robinson is a former teacher and library clerk who now balances her time between writing historical romance and doting on her adorable grandchildren. She and her husband live in Maine when they're not exploring the world. Her next full-length novel, Schooling the Viscount, first in her new Cotswold Confidential series, will be released January 31, 2017. Learn more about Maggie Robinson and her books at her website and connect with online at Facebook and Twitter. 

Maggie: The best thing about Once Upon a Christmas? It’s given four friends a chance to collaborate on a book using our multi-genre experiences. JK Coi has a great “Dear Reader” letter in OUAC explaining, which got me a little misty-eyed. We all write such different things, but OUAC follows one ducal family for almost 200 years. That gave me a chance to dive back into the Regency again, Tiff to work her Victorian magic, JK to write her angsty World War II story, and Ely to finish up with her fun modern-day duke. We had a ball with it!

And speaking of balls, A Price Above Rubies begins at one. It is the first time in 20+ books I actually have written a hanky-panky behind the potted palms in a ballroom scene; I’ve generally avoided “the duke and the deb at the dance.” There’s a strong Cinderella element, but paid companion Helen leaves behind something more valuable than a glass slipper. It’s up to Gabriel, 6^th Duke of Ravenglass, to find her, return it, and make her his!

Tiffany Clare writes sexy historical romances set in the Victorian era. A Canadian, Tiffany lives in Toronto with her husband, two children, and two dogs. She's currently working on her next book. Learn more about Tiffany Clare and her books at her website and connect with her online at Facebook and Twitter. 

Tiffany: From the moment Elyssa mentioned collaborating on a family-through-the-ages saga, I knew this was our chance to write a story together. We’ve known each other so long, but have always written pretty far apart in style and sub-genre. This was like a breath of fresh air; a chance to tell a great holiday story, and to explore a family through each generation. (Though we had some pretty funny conversations along the way about which duke number we were at and what special items were being carried forward. BTW, our math—mine—sucks on occasion.)

My story starts the MacCallon legacy! I’m looking forward to writing the MacCallon series starting with the youngest sister Emily in Never Have I Ever Kissed a Duke, and yes, there is a game of Never Have I Ever! playing out in this story. It’s a best friend’s younger sister story, with a young independent woman finding her way in the world. But damn, reacquainting with the duke makes him rethink what he thought he knew about the world of falling in love!

J.K.Coi is an award-winning author of contemporary and paranormal romance and urban fantasy. J.K. spends her days in the world of insurance law while devoting her nights to her husband, son, and writing. Learn more about J.K. Coi and her books at her website and connect with her online at Facebook and Twitter. 

JK Coi: What I enjoyed the most about writing Loving Lord Spy for Once Upon a Christmas was brainstorming the themes with these three fantastic writer friends. They all have such unique perspectives, and while they have each always been a font of knowledge, it was amazing to be able to pick their brains on a common project for the first time.

One of the themes we brainstormed was the Cinderella fairy tale, and while not all of us ended up using the theme, Maggie and I did. Although she focused on the idea of the ball and the lost item, I focused on Cinderella’s backstory involving her stepmother and step-siblings. I hope you enjoy my twist to it!

Elyssa Patrick is a former English teacher who left school behind to focus her energies on writing contemporary romance. As noted in her website bio, Patrick pens "quirky romantic comedies that are full of humor, heat, and heart." Learn more about Elyssa Patrick and her books at her website and connect with her online at Facebook and Twitter. 

Elyssa:  I had so much fun working with my friends on this anthology! I love these fabulously talented women, and I’m so lucky that they’re also my dearest friends. They’re like family to me—I know they always have my back. It felt so right to have this anthology center around a family and to explore them through the ages. We each have a different writing voice and style, but all of our novellas fit so well together. There’s a strong connection throughout.

In my novella, I explore a particularly strong connection between my hero, Kit, and heroine, Belle. I had read one Missed Connection that had gone viral—and the ad really got to me. Plus, I have my own missed connection story, so I felt a personal pull to write this. I think we’ve all that moment in our lives where we’ve wondered What If. (For the record, the missed connection in my story is nothing like the missed connections I read or experienced.) I wanted to write about a missed connection that actually reconnected. What would happen if the hero and heroine met after seven years? I wanted to explore that What If. And I had such a blast writing this—I love the story so much. Belle and Kit were an utter delight, and I hope that, if you decide to read Once Upon a Christmas, that you feel that same delight in all of our stories as we did writing them.

Maggie again: Now I want to know what Elyssa’s missed connection is! 

We all hope you have the most wonderful holidays!


PJ here. Many thanks to Maggie, Tiffany, J.K., and Elyssa for stopping by today. I thoroughly enjoyed this anthology and give it my enthusiastic recommendation. I'm excited to read that Tiffany Clare plans to write more stories for the MacCallon family and am hoping that Elyssa Patrick's creative spirit might lead her to write stories for Kit's siblings! 

Today's authors are giving away an e-book of Once Upon a Christmas to two commenters. 

What’s your favorite time period to read about? 

Are you addicted to historicals or a contemporary gal all the way? 

Do you look forward to reading Christmas anthologies every year like we do? 

 (Deadline for comments to be entered for giveaway is 11:00 PM, EST, November 11, 2016.)

The holidays are a time for family, celebration--and the Dukes of Ravenglass to fall in love. Spend the Christmas season with the Wynter family, as the Dukes of Ravenglass find their happily-ever-afters in this delightful, heartfelt collection that spans from the Regency era to the present day.

In A Price Above Rubies by Maggie Robinson, set in the Regency era, paid companion Helen Lowe doesn't know the man she shares her first-ever dance--and first-ever kiss--is Gabriel Wynter, a reclusive, notorious duke. When Helen flees after being exposed, she leaves behind something of far greater value than a glass slipper. Can Gabriel find her, return it, and finally open his heart?

In the Victorian-era set, Never Have I Ever Fallen in Love with a Duke by Tiffany Clare, Alexander Wynter has a problem--his best friend's younger sister grew up. When he agreed to help Emily MacCallon make her debut, he didn't expect the beautiful, alluring woman before him--or for her to lead him on such a merry chase. Alexander knows one thing: the only man she'll be kissing forever and ever is him.

In the World War II-set, Loving Lord Spy by J.K. Coi, Winnie Jenkins, a combat nurse, and Lord David Wynter, an injured British spy, fall in love at the worst possible time. Each of them owes a duty to their country and must go their separate ways. They promise that when the war is finally over, they'll meet in Hyde Park on Christmas morning . . . but agree that if one of them doesn't make it, the other won't seek out the reason why. Can they keep their appointment? Or will secrets, lies, and the perils of war keep them apart?

A missed connection gets a second chance in the present-day contemporary romance, Saved by the Belle by Elyssa Patrick. Seven years ago, Kit Wynter met the woman of his dreams. Even after all this time, he's never been able to forget the American girl who captured his heart. When Belle Sweeney answers his ad--for she, too, never forgot him--it feels like there's something still there. Spending the holiday at Ravenglass Abbey is the perfect opportunity to figure out if this is love.

Amazon: http://amzn.to/2f3xURD
Nook
iBooks: http://bit.ly/ouac_ibk
Kobo: http://bit.ly/ouac_kobo
Google Play: http://bit.ly/ouac_gp

Review -- The Secret Desires of a Governess

The Secret Desires of a Governess
By Tiffany Clare
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Release Date: May 24, 2011

I’ve been lucky to read some really terrific historical romances so far this year and Tiffany Clare’s The Secret Desires of a Governess is no exception. Infused with a gothic feel, this highly sensual tale now has a permanent spot on my keeper shelves.

After accepting a position as governess, Abigail Hallaway travels to Brendall Castle, nestled in the wilds of Northumbria, to begin her new job. Abby doesn’t need to work—her two sisters are countesses and she has enough money of her own—but she longs to go her own way and gain a little independence. But when she arrives in the nearby village, she is shocked that no one is there to meet her and is forced to walk the many miles to the castle...at night...in the rain! On top of that, the master of the house, Lord Brendall, is gruff and rude to her the moment she arrives. But he soon learns that Abby is no frightened miss.


“Why is it that you don’t find me intimidating, Miss Hallaway?”

She didn’t miss the note of wonder in his voice. But it was an odd question to ask her. Was she supposed to run shamefaced and embarrassed from the stable? She should have protested his improper inspection of her injured knee.

“You are a bit of a brute at times.” She was proud of herself for keeping her voice level, uninterested. Even a bit superior.

“So I’ve been told,” he replied.

... “I doubt that.”


Elliott Wright, Earl of Brendall, is surprised to find that the new governess his long-time housekeeper hired for his son is not only young, but also pretty. He can’t help but be attracted to her, even though he knows he shouldn’t be since she is in his employ. He has too many secrets that he would like to remain hidden. After he gets to know her and sees how good she is to his son, Elliott knows he’s in over his head. And when terrible “accidents” start happening to Abby, much like ones that happened to his deceased wife, Elliott vows to do everything in his power to protect her. But at what cost?

The Secret Desires of a Governess is a book that I could not put down! Not only does it contain scorching hot romance (oh, yes!), there is also a hint of mystery. Ms. Clare does a great job by giving readers bits and pieces at the perfect spot to make you want to keep reading. Abby and Elliott are wonderfully drawn and the pull between them was potent.


Every second they were together made her want more between them.

A realization dawned on her with that admission: She was irrevocably, wholly his. Just as she’d wanted.

Which meant she’d allowed herself to do the one thing she’d always promised never to do...she’d lost herself to a man. Not because she hadn’t wanted it or because they had joined in the most intimate way a man and woman could, and certainly not because he was the only potential suitor in the wilds of Northumbria, but because he’d stolen into her heart bit by bit; wormed his way so deep that he was a permanent fixture there.


I absolutely adore these two! Abby is patient, strong, and gutsy—my kind of heroine. She sees through Elliott’s rough exterior to the good-hearted man beneath. He isn’t really a beast, but he allows people to assume he is for his own privacy and to protect his precious secrets. But to those who really know him, he is the very image of chivalry. What a guy! Add in some hot, passionate tension, a slightly aloof household, and one adorable little boy and you have the makings of a wonderful book! I can't wait to see what's next from this rising star in historical romance!

~Andrea

Review -- The Seduction of His Wife

The Seduction of His Wife
By Tiffany Clare
Publisher: St. Martin's
Release Date: February 1, 2011

You never write to me. I don't even know your whereabouts in the world.

It has been twelve years since Emma Hallaway-Mansfield, Countess of Asbury, has seen her husband. No longer the naive fifteen-year-old girl she was when they married, Emma lives her life as she pleases, indulging her passion for painting...erotic art. Her identity is a secret from society, but her paintings are highly sought-after by many. One of her paintings, a likeness of herself, has fallen into the hands of a disreputable man who threatens to expose Emma's identity. After receiving a letter from the scoundrel telling her where to meet him, Emma hastens to the arranged meeting place---a brothel! Wearing a demi-masque to protect her identity, Emma wanders through the bawdy house, trying to close her mouth which has dropped open in shock at all she sees. But nothing is more shocking than coming face to face than the last man she thought to lay eyes on. Her husband.

To say that Richard Mansfield, Earl of Asbury, is stunned to see his wife wandering through a brothel would be a supreme understatement. Although he hasn't seen her in the past twelve years, there is no mistaking her blonde curls and her tall, graceful body, demi-masque or no. What he can't fathom is what she's doing in a whorehouse, albeit a high class one. Emma doesn't tell Richard about her blackmailer or the fact that she's a highly sought after artist of nudes. Richard has decided he's had enough danger and adventure and is going to sell his business. It's high time he got to know his beautiful wife much better. Richard married Emma at his father's insistence, and while he found her lovely, he felt like he was taking advantage of a young girl on their wedding night. So he left England to be something other than what his father wanted him to be. No soft, easy lord-of-the-manor life for him. He traveled to the East to go into the trade business, which proved to be quite lucrative, but not dangerous and adventurous enough to suit him. Richard soon found himself in the opium trade, and though it brought him more money than he could want, the danger proved to be too much. And twelve years away from home, away from his wife was far too long.


Why had he wasted twelve years? Had he been less cowardly as a youth, she might be happier and more willing to receive his attentions now. Had he contacted her even once during their marriage, she might be warmer toward him. His own bloody fault she was at odds with him. He excelled at ruining good people.


Reconciliation stories are one of my favorite romance tropes. And Emma and Richard are in dire need of reconciliation. Emma has longed for any communication from Richard over the years, but as the years pass she begins to harden her heart toward him, protecting herself from any further pain. But when she finally comes face to face with him after twelve long years of separation, she still feels an attraction toward him, and a longing for companionship and love that she can't deny. Richard realizes that he must woo and seduce his wife, if he is to find any peace and happiness. And does he ever seduce! But Emma can give as good as she gets, and the dance of seduction and passion these two perform is as hot as the tango, and as smooth and romantic as the waltz.

Tiffany Clare has penned another superb and masterfully crafted romance. The Seduction of His Wife has all that I love in a book: humor, suspense, sigh-inducing romance, and fan-your-face, sizzling sex scenes. Ms. Clare's first book, The Surrender of A Lady was a bold and daring story, and her latest book is equally as entertaining. If you've never read a Tiffany Clare book, run to your nearest bookstore. You don't know what you're missing!

~ Gannon

Tiffany Clare Winners



Thanks to everyone who stopped by to chat with Tiffany Clare on Wednesday!  The randomizer has chosen our three winners and they are:

ANTONIA

MONICA M

Congratulations!  You've both won a signed copy of Tiffany's debut book, The Surrender of a Lady!

SHEREE

Congratulations, Sheree!  You've won a copy of Juliana Stone's debut book, His Darkest Hunger.

To claim your prizes, please send your full name and mailing address to tiffanyATtiffanyclareDOTcom.

Today's Special - - Interview with Tiffany Clare

Interview with PJ

I am so thrilled to welcome debut author, Tiffany Clare to the Romance Dish today!  Tiffany's first published book, a historical titled THE SURRENDER OF A LADY (check out my "5 Star" review here) will be released September 28th.  This rising star of romance hails from Canada where she lives with her husband and children. You can find more information about Tiffany and her books at her website, www.tiffanyclare.com and friend/follow her at facebook, twitter and goodreads.  You can also catch up with her at the Vauxhall Vixens blog.

Welcome, Tiffany!  Congratulations on the upcoming release of your debut novel, THE SURRENDER OF A LADY! Please tell us a bit about the book.

Thank you!


THE SURRENDER OF A LADY is about a woman’s determination to survive the worst that can possibly be thrown at her. She’s removed (forcibly) from everything she knows and is told to embrace a new lifestyle (living in a harem where her favors will be sold) all in the name of protecting her son. Rothburn is a man with a past that haunts him daily. Temptation isn’t something he can resist easily, especially when he finds the only woman he’s ever loved all his life in the greedy clutches of an Ottoman Prince. Desperation takes a new turn when he risks everything to save her.

Back cover blurb:

THE PRICE OF PASSION…
Sold. With one word, Lady Elena Ravenscliffe’s destiny changes forever. Forced into Constantinople’s slave market to pay off her late husband’s debts and save her son, Elena reinvents herself as Jinan—a harem girl adored by the rich lords who bid on her favors. But one man instantly sees through her façade.


…IS COMPLETE SURRENDER
Griffin Summerfield, Marquess of Rothburn, let Elena slip through his fingers years ago. When he recognizes her on the auction block, he pays an outrageous sum to possess her even if it is for a short period of time. But when his deadline looms, Griffin will risk all in a desperate bid to make her his—and his alone…

This is not your typical romance. Did you set out to write something exotic and different or did Jinan and her story come to you fully formed?

No, I didn’t set out to write something different. My imagination took me there and scared the bejesus out of me in doing so. For a long time I wasn’t sure I was even writing a romance (thank God my crit partners talked some sense into me). I didn’t even know the hero until I’d hit the halfway mark in the book because I was so focused on Elena’s growth and transformation into Jinan. Her story didn’t come to me fully formed, either. I just had an image of a slave woman who was in love and dancing (yet saying good-bye) to the man she loved. That was it. I wrote the scene down (now chapter 10) and went from there.

What would you like readers to know about Jinan and Griff before reading their story?

That true love knows no boundaries and that the heart remains true despite doing things that may be momentarily horrific. I’m still rather disturbed by the way Rothburn steals his princess away  But it’s done with his heart in the right place. And he is such a bad boy!

Is THE SURRENDER OF A LADY a stand-alone or will we meet characters from this story in future Tiffany Clare books?

Yes, the book is a stand-alone. However, you will meet Rothburn’s friend, Asbury, in this book. He is the hero of THE SEDUCTION OF HIS WIFE (Feb 1, 2011, St. Martin’s Press).

This book has been receiving some terrific reviews (including mine). I’m sure there are many unpublished writers who would love to be in your position. What’s the best writing advice you’ve received and what advice would you give to writers still working toward publication?

I was lucky to have this unusual and emotionally wrought book that readers have a hard time putting down whether they love or hate the premise. 

It’s tough to break into publishing, but once you do don’t ever stop pushing yourself because you can always be a better, stronger writer. It never gets easier. The writing path is very different for everyone. I’m no expert (and still learning) but if you really, really want something, you’ll find a way to get it and keep it.

I love discovering new-to-me authors and recommending them to my friends. What authors have you recently discovered who you would recommend?

One new to me author would be Juliana Stone. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed her jaguar shifters and have even talked her into giving me sneak peaks of her upcoming books. They are not to be missed. I know! I’m such a tease!

Yes, you are a tease!  I love Juliana's shapeshifters!  

We love call stories! How did you get the news that your book had sold? Did you do anything special to celebrate? Are you planning anything special to celebrate the release of THE SURRENDER OF A LADY?

My call story is kind of a dream come true. I got an email from my agent letting me know we had an offer (we had yet to receive any rejections) and that we had to stay hush hush because she was going to be her awesome self and drum up the interest with the other editors. So there was lots of silent squeeing as we waited. Another house was interested, and Jinan’s book went into bidding between two houses. Two weeks later I shouted it out to the world that St. Martin’s had bought my trilogy!

I can't imagine how difficult it must have been to keep all that excitement bottled up inside!  

Let’s talk fantasies! Many readers imagine themselves in the lives of the heroines they read about and I’m sure more than a few have fantasized about being forced into a harem like Jinan, stolen away to sea by a pirate, or, perhaps, carried off to a shapeshifter’s lair. Tell us about your favorite fantasy and, just for fun, who would star as the villain and the hero…or maybe they’re one and the same? 

I never pictured myself as a harem fantasy kinda gal. Okay, that’s a lie. LOL I thought I’d try it out. Uh, what’s not sexy about the exotic, lush setting? About a man who loves you so much that you are his WHOLE world! 

Now if we are talking complete fantasyland, I do love me some shapeshifters. I’d take any (or all) of Lora Leigh’s shifters any day, any time. Not sure who the stars of that show would be, though that lovely picture off to the side is what I envisioned Rothburn looked like. How could he not star in anyone’s fantasies? Fiction is sometimes so much more fun than reality. LOL!

I'd be more than happy to let him star in a few of my fantasies! :)

Okay, time for Quick Six!

City or country? City.
Early Bird or Night Owl? Early Birdy.
Bad Boys or gentlemen? Somewhere in between. I want the best of both worlds.
Sweet or spicy? Both.
Car or plane? Neither.
Main course or dessert? Dessert.

What’s next from Tiffany Clare? 

THE SEDUCTION OF HIS WIFE (Feb 1, 2011) 

AN INCONVENIENT SCANDAL


Emma Hallaway has not seen her husband in twelve years—and that’s fine with her. As a young girl, she’d agreed to a simple marriage of convenience, allowing her to pursue her private passion for painting. And though unknown to the rest of polite society, Emma is now one of the most daring and sought-after artists in London. However, when her secret is threatened to be exposed, Emma is forced to open her heart—and her home—to a total stranger: her husband…


AN UNEXPECTED SURPRISE


Richard Mansfield, Earl of Asbury, is all too familiar with danger. As a matter of fact, it is hard on his heels when he returns to England. Still, even he is shocked to learn of his wife’s scandalous double life as an artist. But once he sees the vibrant grown woman she has become—so passionate, so strong, and so alluring—his undeniable attraction to Emma stuns him. Suddenly Richard is determined to turn their sham of a marriage into a true and lasting love. But how exactly does a gentleman seduce his own wife?

THE SECRET DESIRES OF A GOVERNESS (May 24, 2011).

Gorgeous covers!  I can't wait to read the stories that go along with them!

Tiffany, thank you so much for being with us today.  Congratulations again on the upcoming release of THE SURRENDER OF A LADY! 

Would you like to ask our readers a question?

Do you have a harem fantasy? Would you want the love of your life to steal you away all for himself? What if he committed a grave mistake in doing so, would you forgive him?

Also, I’d like to give a signed copy of THE SURRENDER OF A LADY away to two lucky commenters. (I will mail the books as soon as I have my author copies or the day the book releases, whichever comes first).  

And, as a bonus, I'm also giving away one copy of Juliana Stone's first book, HIS DARKEST HUNGER.  (PJ here, popping to say that Gannon and I both loved HIS DARKEST HUNGER and are looking forward to Ms. Stone's next book, HIS DARKEST EMBRACE, due out October 26th!)

Review - - The Surrender of a Lady

The Surrender of a Lady
By Tiffany Clare
Publisher: St. Martin’s
Release Date: September 28, 2010

Every so often, a new author comes along who is willing to push the boundaries of traditional romance.  If we're lucky, that author will have the skill to weave a story that has us, the reader, opening our minds, and hearts, to something fresh and new and enthusiastically embracing her characters as we accompany them on their journey.  This year, that author is Tiffany Clare and in her bold, exotic and exquisitely written debut book, she brings us the compelling and deeply sensual story of Lady Elena Ravenscliffe and Griffin Summerfield, Marquess of Rothburn, a young couple in love, ripped apart by the ambitious treachery of others and reunited ten years later in a most unusual way.

In 1841 Constantinople, Elena, a new mother and English lady, is shocked and sickened to discover her miserable worm of a husband has gambled her away to a slave trader who drags her from their home and sells her to a Turkish harem on the Isle of Corfu. (Don’t worry. Said worm meets a very satisfying end.) Once in the harem, it soon becomes evident that there is no escape for either Elena or her baby son and, faced with unthinkable circumstances for a gently bred lady, she makes the only choice a mother can. For the safety and well-being of her child, she submits to the life and rules of the harem. Of necessity, Elena and her former life are forgotten and a new identity is born. She becomes Jinan and slowly, over time, adapts to the life of the harem, the attentions of Amir, the harem master, and to the reality of sharing her body with men who pay for the privilege. And gradually, as the initial shame and revulsion fade, a new woman emerges: a confident and strong woman who embraces her sensuality and her body as only the most desired woman of the harem can.

Every step toward the private harem quarters, toward the bedroom with Amir, reinforced that conviction. This was not duty but something she had accepted over the months.

With every step away from the men she felt a thrill pumping in her blood. Instead of the repulsion Elena should feel about catering to these men’s desires in the near future, Jinan felt liberated.

This was her. Jinan. A woman hiding beneath a veil but willing to take on any challenge, not a simpering miss hiding behind her fears.

Was it perhaps because she felt safe here? Because she knew her son was safe in this wanton world of sex, scandal and strange proclivities unfathomable to her as of yet?

Coming to terms with this life felt good in her soul. She’d been unleashed from her old restrictive life and felt a strange freedom of her senses, heart and mind.

Now she was and would forever be Jinan.

Ironically, this was paradise.

Her paradise.

Griff has been through his own fires of hell during the years he and Elena have been apart but he’s never forgotten the girl he had planned to make his wife nor has he ever stopped wanting her. While visiting the harem with a colleague, he’s understandably shocked, but undeniably intrigued to find a darkly seductive beauty’s favors being sold on the auction block – a beauty he suspects is the long lost Elena. He can’t resist having her and buys her time for three months, intending to sate himself with the sensuous woman now known as Jinan. He can’t imagine how Elena might have ended up in a harem but it isn’t long before he’s sure that the innocent young girl from London and the sensual woman from the harem are one and the same and as the end of their time nears, he vows to find a way to free her from the harem forever. What he doesn’t know, and could never imagine, is how firmly a part of the harem world Jinan now is and it never occurs to him that, whether she loves him or not, she may have very good reasons for not wanting to be rescued. By taking matters into his own hands, Griff may have finally found his one true love, only to lose her forever.

The Surrender of a Lady is one of the best books I’ve read all year or, for that matter, in any year. The story grabbed me from the opening paragraph…

“What do you mean, you’ll work this out? You’ve gambled me away! I’m your wife, for heaven’s sake!”

…and still hasn’t let me go. I’ll be thinking about these characters for a very long time. After reading late into the night and turning the final page with a heartfelt sigh, I immediately sent an email to the author. Perhaps sharing a portion of what I wrote (don’t want to give away any spoilers) will best describe my feelings about this book.

"OH. MY. GAWD! I started The Surrender of a Lady yesterday. I finished it last night. Not a single item on yesterday's "to do" list got done and you know what? I don't care! I loved this book!


Here's what I think...


First, you write beautifully - with words that flow across the page and draw me into time and place as if I'm actually there. From the first page to the last, you kept me on the edge of my seat, waiting to see what would happen next. You brought to life every one of my "forced into a harem" fantasies and I'm sure I'm not the only one out there who's had that particular fantasy. You gave me a heroine I could relate to (who doesn't understand the fact that a woman will do anything to protect her child?) but you also made her a sensuous woman who learned to embrace that sensuality and the power it carried.


Amir is basically a pimp dealing in the commerce of women and yet you made me care about him. He had to stay true to who and what he was and I understood that but I cared for him in spite of it.


Griff is a perfect hero for Jinan. I like that he's flawed and has been through his own "fires of hell" before the two are reunited. The love scenes between them had me reaching for a fan, and wishing for a Griff of my own, but it's his...unwavering love...that won my heart.


I think this book is going to rock the house, much in the same way that Anna Campbell’s Claiming the Courtesan did a few years ago, which makes it very fitting that she's provided the cover quote for The Surrender of a Lady.


I predict great things...for both the book and its author!"


~PJ