Guest Author - Jenna Petersen

Today we are thrilled to have Jenna Petersen (also known as Jess Michaels) as our special guest author! I've been a fan of Jenna since her debut book, Scandalous, hit the shelves. She is one busy lady, let me tell you. Not only does she write under and have a website for both of her pseudonyms, she also runs The Passionate Pen website, a valuable resource for anyone who wants to write and become published. Her latest book, What the Duke Desires, is the start of a new series and one that you don't want to miss! Check out my review here. So without further ado, please help me welcome Jenna Petersen to The Romance Dish!

Hi everyone! And thanks so much for having me today! I’m so excited to be part of The Romance Dish’s launch week!

So if you don’t know me, I’m Jenna Petersen and I write historical and erotic historical romances. Oh… and I also like to break heroes. It’s true. Think of my track record. In SCANDALOUS my hero was a bastard with a terrible mother and an even worse brother who is forced into a marriage. FROM LONDON WITH LOVE, accused of treason. DESIRE NEVER DIES, feels responsible for the terrible injury of his best friend and partner. SEDUCTION IS FOREVER, adrenaline junkie with a death in his past. LESSONS FROM A COURTESAN, another forced marriage and has to keep a terrible secret from his beloved brother. And my last book, HER NOTORIOUS VISCOUNT, dead twin brother, forced to take on a title he hates.

So, yeah, I like to take my men and twist them in knots. And my latest release, WHAT THE DUKE DESIRES, is no different. However, I do think I’ve reached the peak of my sadism against heroes in this book.

First, let me say that Simon Crathorne, Duke of Billingham is a decent man. He’s not your typical rake (though he’s certainly sexy as all get out) and he’s basically trying to do the right thing. That made breaking him a little harder in some ways. But I managed to do it by dismantling everything he ever believed about his father and ultimately everything he ever thought about his own life.

Twisted, right? And I had so much fun doing it. And even more fun knowing that my heroine had it out for him (at least for some portion of the book) even as he’s falling in love with her.

So you may now be thinking, “Sheesh, lady, why mess with a nice guy?” Well, I have to tell you, I love romances where the couple has to struggle and battle, ones that tie me in knots and make me wonder if it can all really work out. I think it makes the happily ever after all the sweeter. And there was nothing sweeter to me than getting Simon and Lillian there.

Oh yeah, and this book starts a series, The Billingham Bastards. And since the word “bastards” (one of my favorite themes, obviously) is in the title, you can bet I’ll be tying my other two heroes from the series into knots, too. But that’s for a different day…

So do YOU like the battle of a romance to get to the happily ever after?

And I have an extra special treat for you, dear readers! Jenna has graciously allowed me to post the cover for her upcoming Jess Michaels' release NOTHING DENIED!

So, what do you think? I love it and think it fits perfectly with the other books in the series. NOTHING DENIED is the third book in the Albright sisters series and releases February 2, 2010! I can't wait for this one!!

Guest Author - Lori Brighton

Debut author Lori Brighton is starting our week long Housewarming Party off with a BANG! Lori has a degree in anthropology and has worked in a museum, but she decided that the people in her imagination were more exciting than the dead things in a museum basement. Today she is sharing with us the moment when she received "the call" and a little bit about her debut release, WILD HEART. Please help me welcome Lori to The Romance Dish!



Recently I was talking to a neighbor’s father. “I’ve heard it takes a long time to get published,” he said.

I was surprised and delighted at his comment. Finally, I’d found someone enlightened, someone who understood the publishing world as it really was.

“Yes,” I admitted. “It took me about six years.”

The man gasped. Actually gasped in horror or shock, I’m not sure which. So much for being enlightened. For a moment I felt almost embarrassed; until I realized I should be proud of myself for sticking it out that long and not giving up.

So there it is; the truth: over six years and probably close to 100 rejections. And I’m not going to lie, each rejection hurt. Like a knife through the heart. And after each rejection I thought about quitting. Fortunately, I didn’t.

When I wrote my debut book Wild Heart, I had this gut feeling that this would be the book that would be published. My heart full of hopeful promise, I sent queries out to agents. A few asked to see the first couple chapters. I sent them off knowing things were finally happening for me. Then the rejections started rolling in, one after the other. When I’d exhausted every agent I could, I entered Wild Heart in contests. The judges seemed to like my book and I ended up finaling in three contests. But it was the last contest I entered that would prove the most important.

I received an email a month or so after entering The Golden Acorn contest. The coordinator was letting me know that I’d finaled and Hilary Sares, formally of Kensington, wanted to see my full book. Shocked and thrilled, I quickly copied all 400 pages and mailed it out. Then waited…and waited…waited some more. After three months I figured Wild Heart was destined to be set aside. I accepted the fact that once again I was going to get a rejection and I started to think about what to write next. I’d moved on.

A few more weeks went by when one day my phone rang. The caller I.D. said New York, but as I knew no one there, I let the voice mail pick it up. A few moments later I checked my messages, it was Hilary and she wanted to talk to me about my book.

An editor wouldn’t call unless they were interested, right? That’s what I hoped! I could barely breathe and it took me about thirty minutes to return her call. That was the just the beginning. I ended up signing with Kensington for their debut program; two books. That first book, Wild Heart, was just released. The second book, a spinoff of the first, will be out next year.

It certainly wasn’t easy getting published, but I wouldn’t change a thing.


WANTON…
Leo Roberts is next in line for an earldom and the power and fortune that come with it, but he is uncultured, unrefined—and completely untamed…until governess Ella Finch arrives upon the scene. Can so young and inexperienced a woman tutor him in the manners and mores of his class? Leo’s mysterious past has rendered him an outsider, too wild for polite society. But he finds her innocence most intriguing…


WILLING…
What manner of man he may be, Ella does not know. Yet he fascinates her and she must know more. Capturing Leo’s reckless heart is about to free her in ways she never dreamed of…and his sensual touch releases the deepest yearnings of her body and soul …

Interested in Wild Heart? Read the excerpt below!

“It’s lovely, the way the willow trees hang over the edge. Makes it quite…”

“Secluded? Romantic?” He was testing her, seeing how far he could push, and at the same time he found he liked to tease her.

She released a wry laugh. “Magical, I was going to say.”

It would be so much easier if she were the harlot pretending to be pure. As an innocent, he wasn’t sure how to deal with her. Yet, no innocent would have a necklace from India. It was too much the coincidence, wasn’t it? “As if fairies might be frolicking along the banks?”

She grinned. “Exactly.”

Leo stretched his legs out and leaned back on his hands, watching her. There was a shyness about her today that tempted him, and for a moment he forgot he was here to gather more information about her necklace.

“It’s rather warm.”

She picked a violet from the grass. “Hmm.”

“And you did promise to learn to swim.”

Her gaze jumped to his. “You’re teasing me.”

“Of course not. But, as I said, it is rather warm.”

“No, absolutely not, Leo. You may have bribed me into swimming once, but not again. Besides, you’re mad. We’d surely be spotted by someone.”

“Not where the rose bushes cover the windows, and that large yew tree would hide us from view.”

She shook her head. “No.”

“Suit yourself.” He stood and strolled down the bank, knowing she watched him and knowing, the way a man knows, that she was attracted to him. Damn, if that thought didn’t thrill him.

Without glancing back, he pulled off his shirt, letting the linen garment flutter to the ground with a swoosh. He heard her suck in a gasp and grinned. Lord, but he loved taunting her.

Thanks to everyone for stopping by! Leave a comment and three people will win a copy of Wild Heart!

Welcome to the very first Hot Dish!!!

On the 15th of every month I will do my very best to provide you with a new Hot Dish for your viewing pleasure. It's such a tough job, but someone has to do it. Might as well be me (very big grin). I'm such a giver.

Some months I will just post a picture worth more than a thousand words (or sighs!). Other months, in addition to a picture, I will go more in depth and provide titillating tidbits regarding our Hot Dish. Either way, I do not believe you will be disappointed.

Well, enough of this gabbing. Let's get on with the task at hand.

Without further ado, I present to you the inaugural Hot Dish. I do believe this picture will provide more than a sigh or two.

Enjoy ladies!!!

Best Friends Winner!

The winner of Too Good To Be True by Kristan Higgins from PJ's "Best Friends" blog is

                                                Janga

Congratulations, Janga!  Please send your full name and address to theromancedish AT gmail DOT com with "Best Friends" in the subject line.  Thank you!

REVIEW - WHAT THE DUKE DESIRES

What the Duke Desires by Jenna Petersen

Publisher: Avon

Release Date: October 27, 2009

After overhearing her father’s deathbed pronouncement to her brother for the reasons behind her mother’s scandalous suicide, Lillian Mayhew has sought revenge against the man responsible, the Duke of Billingham. Instead of avenging their mother’s death, her brother drowns his sorrows in a bottle. And then the old duke passes away and is praised as a saint. Lillian knows what she must do – find proof that the former duke is nothing like he is heralded as and expose the truth about him. The perfect opportunity arises in the form of a house party hosted by the current duke and his mother.

Simon Crathorne, Duke of Billingham, is seeking a respectable wife, thus the reason for the house party. From the moment he first sees Lillian, Simon feels an instant connection with her. And even though he knows she isn’t an appropriate choice in a bride, he can’t seem to stay away from her. While going through his father’s papers at the estate, he learns that his father isn’t the man that he and everyone else thought he was. But will the things he discovers ruin any chance he has for happiness?

What the Duke Desires is the first book in a new series by Jenna Petersen, and I must say that it looks to be a really good series if this one is any indication. Simon is unlike any of Ms. Petersen’s other heroes and I completely adore him! I love that despite his parents’ disastrous marriage, he believes in love and wants it and passion in a marriage. I also love that he didn’t let up with Lillian – he repeatedly goes to her, whether it’s to check on her after she claims a headache or just to walk with her. And he doesn’t care that all eyes are on him when he does. Even though Lillian doesn’t like the attention, he continues – not to be mean but because she truly interests him and he doesn’t care who knows it. He’s nothing if not determined! *sigh*

Lillian is a clever and very genuine heroine. She comes to the house party with a purpose, but once she meets and gets to know Simon, her priorities start to shift. She finds it more and more difficult to carry through with her original plan since doing so will hurt Simon. I like that she isn’t the typical I-don’t-want-marriage heroine. In fact, she isn’t against marriage at all, but has no illusions of such a lofty one – she’s over twenty-five, possesses no money, has a drunk for a brother and a scandalous mother. Her practicality is very refreshing.

This is now my favorite of Jenna Petersen’s books. In it, she brings readers a well-matched hero and heroine, a cast of attention-grabbing secondary characters, and a plot twist that will surprise you. You do not want to miss What the Duke Desires!

~Andrea

Winners, winners!

The winner of a copy of Rachel Hawthorne's Moonlight is

JulieJustJulie!

Congratulations, Julie! Please send your full name and address to trishmilburnATyahooDOTcom with "Teen Menu winner" in the subject line. Thank you!

***************************************

The winner of the Kimberly Killion drawing is

Nicki!

Congratulations, Nicki! Please send your full name and address to Buffie at theromancedishATgmailDOTcom with "Kimberly Killion winner in the subject line. Thank you!

BOOK REVIEW: SILENT NIGHT, HAUNTED NIGHT

Silent Night, Haunted Night
By Terri Garey
Publisher: Avon
Release Date: October 27, 2009








Nicki Styx sees dead people...and not by choice. Ever since her heart stopped a year ago and she saw the light, she has become the "go to" person for the dead who have unfinished business. No sooner does Nicki help one dearly departed than another one shows up looking for assistance. How's a girl supposed to have a personal life with so many interruptions?

At the center of Nicki's personal life is Dr. Joe Bascombe, the doctor who brought her back to life and eventually stole her heart. Joe knows about Nicki's "gift", and though he doesn't always understand her ability to see the dead, he tries to be as supportive as possible. Not an easy task considering some of the paranormal goings on he's been exposed to. But Joe will do just about anything for the woman he loves.

Nicki and Joe have already dealt with the devil himself. As in the Devil with a capital 'D', or as he chooses to call himself, Sammy Divine--blond, gorgeous, and sexy as sin. If Joe and Nick can handle Sammy D, anything else should be a piece of cake, right? But they didn't count on the Three Fates showing up and wreaking their own special brand of havoc! Especially Selene, a succubus who has set her sights on Joe. By seducing Joe, Selene plans to show Nicki what happens when she interferes with the "dark side." So much for Nicki's plans for a holly jolly Christmas! But Nicki must learn to trust herself and her gift, and not be afraid to ask for help from her friends....and that handsome devil, Sammy, too, if she is to win this fight for the love of her life.

Terri Garey never fails to entertain with her Nicki Styx series, and Silent Night, Haunted Night is full of fun, mayhem and just the right dose of spookiness. I've been hooked on this series since Book 1, Dead Girls Are Easy--a RITA winner--and I hope the adventures of Nicki continue for quite sometime. Although the books can be read out of order, it's much more enjoyable to start at the beginning: Dead Girls Are Easy, A Match Made In Hell, and You're The One That I Haunt. Treat yourself to a paranormal romance this Friday the 13th, and get your "woo woo" on with Silent Night, Haunted Night.

~Gannon

REVIEW - THE UNTAMED BRIDE

THE UNTAMED BRIDE
The Black Cobra Quartet - Book 1
By Stephanie Laurens
Publisher: Avon
Release Date: October 27, 2009

India 1822

Five army officers of the East India Company have undertaken a top-secret mission to end the heinous acts ordered by the evil Black Cobra. After one of them is killed while obtaining critical evidence of the villain's identity, the other four leave for England by separate, secret routes. Three carry copies of the evidence while one has the original. Their goal is to lure the Black Cobra back to his native England where they can bring him to justice and end his reign of terror forever. The first to arrive is Colonel Derek (Del) Delborough.

Del's task once he arrives in England is to safely deliver his packet of evidence to Royce Varisey, Duke of Wolverstone (Dalziel from the Bastion Club series), not to escort a woman he hasn't seen since childhood to her home. The last thing he needs is to be saddled with some simpering, English miss when so many lives depend upon his attention being focused on the deadly Black Cobra but his plan to shed himself of her as quickly as possible hits a snag when the woman in question saves his life, exposing herself to the Black Cobra's men and placing her own life in danger.

Since "the scandal" seven years earlier, Deliah (not Delilah) Duncannon has been living in exile with her uncle in the Caribbean. During that time she has remained an opinionated and independent thinker while suppressing her natural sensuality beneath a veneer of sensible practicality. Though firmly on the shelf, she longs for a family of her own but has been told her entire life that she does not fit the requirements of the type of woman English men marry. Not intimidated in the least by Colonel Delborough, she knows full well that he's keeping secrets about what he's really doing in England and Deliah has no intention of being left out of the action.

I really enjoyed the pairing of Del and Deliah. These are two mature people who match up well, becoming partners in every sense of the word, and I was in their corner cheering them on. I found Deliah's journey to self-worth and self-acceptance, thereby freeing her to accept Del's love, to be especially poignant. The story moves along at a good clip, keeping my interest engaged throughout, with plenty of action, lots of sensual heat and an evil villain who manages to stay one step ahead of the good guys. The participation of the Cynster men and their wives was a delightful surprise! I always enjoy visiting with old friends and they brought an added dimension to the story without overshadowing the hero and heroine. I hope we'll see more of them in the remaining three books.

The Untamed Bride is a terrific story, launching what looks to be an exciting new series from Stephanie Laurens. I'll be counting the days until the February 2010 release of The Elusive Bride, the second book in The Black Cobra Quartet.

~PJ

REVIEW - A FOREVER CHRISTMAS

A Forever Christmas by Missy Tippens
Publisher: Steeple Hill Love Inspired

Release Date: November 1, 2009

Devastated by the loss of her favorite student to cancer, kindergarten teacher Sarah Radcliffe returns to her hometown of Magnolia, Georgia, to spend the holidays with her parents and try to ease the pain of this recent loss. When Sarah arrives in Magnolia, she finds her friend Donna Rae in the last stages of her pregnancy and directing the children’s Christmas play at church. After receiving doctor’s orders to stay on best rest for the duration of her pregnancy, Donna Rae pleads for Sarah to take over the director position. Even though Sarah does not want to be around children so soon after young Peter’s death, she reluctantly agrees. From the first time Sarah met the children in the play, one little boy stands out. Well, he stands in the back of the group and rarely says a word, but his quietness speaks to Sarah. His name is Hunter Jones, and he is the oldest son of Gregory Jones, Sarah’s high school sweetheart. The boy who broke her heart into a million pieces.

Gregory Jones is living a very hectic life. After his ex-wife walked out on him and their two small boys a few years ago, Gregory has been mother, father, provider, and so much more. Owning his own business, Gregory is putting in a lot of extra hours to buy the gifts his boys want most for Christmas and hoping that will make up for a mother they never see. As he rushes into the church building to pick up Hunter and Chase from the Christmas play practice, Gregory never expected to run smack dab into Sarah Radcliffe. It has been at least a decade since Gregory had been this close to Sarah, and she is more beautiful than he remembered.

Forced to spend a significant amount of time with Gregory’s boys because of the Christmas play, Sarah heart quickly belongs to these two little boys and she realizes Gregory is working himself to the bone to provide toys for Christmas when all that Hunter and Chase want is to spend time with their father. Sarah soon comes up with several fun activities for the Jones family to do together, such as decorate the Christmas tree and deliver cookies to several homebound individuals. When Gregory finds the boys’ letter to Santa, which reads “Dear Santa, For Hunter – a whole day playing outside with Dad by myself. For Chase – to sleep in Dad’s bed for a week. For both of us – Miss Sarah as our mom.”, he realizes his boys just want him for Christmas, and a new mom too! But Gregory is not sure that he and Sarah can forgive each other for the transgressions of the past.

This is such a sweet Christmas love story. Personally, I have always loved stories where former loves are reunited, and when Christmas is involves it makes it extra special. This is a wonderful story of young love remembered, forgiveness, and not only loving another person but loving an entire family. I really enjoyed seeing Sarah show Gregory that spending time with family is the most important thing. Like most other people, I live a very busy life, but the message of this book spoke loud and clear to me. Spend more time with the people you love! So my family and I have started back on family game night and movie marathon night. Thank you, Missy, for reminding me what is most important!!

~ Buffie

The Teen Menu Debuts!

I am so thrilled to be here with the lovely ladies of The Romance Dish today. We all met through RomanceNovelTV, where I've been doing monthly posts reviewing YA books (both new and new to me) and sharing the latest in YA-related news. I was happy that PJ, Gannon, Andrea and Buffie agreed to let me move my column, retitled Teen Menu, here so I can share my love of all things YA on the 10th of each month. So, without further delay...

Moonlight by Rachel Hawthorne

I'll admit that this book originally caught my eye because of the beautiful cover. The cover model has a type of ethereal beauty and reminds me of both Molly Quinn, who plays Alexis Castle on Castle, and Rachelle Lafevre, who played Victoria in Twilight. But when I picked it up off the shelf, I noticed it was by someone I knew, wonderful author Rachel Hawthorne. It's the first in the Dark Guardian series, and I'm already really excited to read the next two in the series, Full Moon and Dark of the Moon. Luckily, I have them mere steps away from where I now sit.

In this opener to the series, teen heroine Kayla has returned to the wilderness where her parents were killed to face her fears. She's going to spend the summer working as a wilderness guide alongside her good friend, Lindsey; the incredibly hot but aloof Lucas; and several other teens. Things get more complicated when another guy, one member of a research team the guides are taking into the wilderness, expresses interest in her and she's not sure if he's honest or even sane. And even more complicated when she's told that not only are Lucas, Lindsey and the rest of the teens werewolves but that she, too, will soon begin to turn.

Author Web site: http://www.rachelhawthorne.net/


Highway to Hell by Rosemary Clement-Moore

In this third of Clement-Moore's fun Maggie Quinn: Girl vs. Evil series, Maggie (a Seer) and her sorceress best friend Lisa are headed to South Padre for spring break and some time as normal teenagers. But evil has other ideas when Maggie's Jeep runs over a dead cow in the middle of a deserted highway and the girls find themselves stranded in the one-diner town of Dulcina, Texas -- home to a ginormous ranch, a hottie rancher with eyes for Lisa, some very colorful and curious locals, and quite possibly El Chupabra, a demon with a taste for blood.

I love this series. It's a great mixture of paranormal spookiness, teenage drama and just the right amount of snark. Maggie is like like Buffy Summers and Veronica Mars rolled into one, and I couldn't pay a teen heroine a higher compliment. Plus, I love how Clement-Moore has created a sexy, lovable hero in Maggie's boyfriend, Justin. He's a great mixture of intellectual and action when necessary and isn't averse to riding to the rescue, even though Maggie's pretty darn good at taking care of herself and he knows it.

Author Web site: http://www.rosemaryclementmoore.com/

Haint Misbehavin' by Maureen Hardegree

This month I gave my first-ever cover quote to a fellow author. I was honored to be asked, and since the book is fresh in my mind I thought I'd tell you a bit about it even though it doesn't come out until June 2010. In Maureen Hardegree's YA debut, the first in the Ghost Handler series, Georgia teen Heather Tildy is dealing with a lot during the summer before her freshman year of high school. There's her ever-annoying hypersensitive skin, her desire to win over her older sister who thinks Heather is an unbearable embarrassment, her super-big crush on lifeguard Drew Blanton, and the onset of her first period. But she gets a little more with her entree into puberty than she bargains for -- suddenly, she can see a ghost named Amy, a little girl whom Heather thought was her imaginary friend when she was little. And let's just say Amy makes life way more difficult for Heather.

Readers who like paranormal stories a bit on the lighter side, such as Meg Cabot's Mediator series, will likely enjoy Hardegree's new series from Bell Bridge Books. So mark your calendars for June 1, 2010.

Author Web site: http://www.maureenhardegree.com/

Movie News

Squee! It's only 10 more days until New Moon hits theaters! How many of you are going on opening day?

WANT TO WIN? One lucky commenter today will win a copy of Rachel Hawthorne's Moonlight.

BEST FRIENDS

It was the spring of my ninth year. I was quiet and shy, she was loud and feisty, and I knew from that first meeting that she was destined to be my BFF. For the next sixteen years we were best friends. She was there for the celebrations of my triumphs and the one I turned to for comfort when I was sick, disappointed or nursing a tender heart broken by a careless teenage boy and I was there for her at the end, holding and comforting her as she passed from this world into the next. Her name was Trixie and she was my first Best Fur Friend.

Four other dogs have joined my family in the years since Trixie passed on. They have all had unique personalities and endearing quirks that have made them special. There was Bandit, a sweet, 98 pound Lab mix who never quite figured out that he wasn't a 10 pound puppy. He was terrified of bugs but fearlessly faced down a snake that threatened his mama (that would be me). One of his favorite games was playing in the sprinkler but he refused to step one paw outside at the first sign of rain and he never did get the hang of which leg to lift while standing on the side of a hill.

I remember the first time I saw Velvet at the shelter. My husband rubbed his hand across her fur and said she felt just like black velvet. She left us too soon, from cancer, at the age of six but she filled every single day of her six years with love and joy and filled many hearts with precious memories.



Bandit wasn't sure what to make of the interloper that had taken residence in our home, but Smokey settled right in and made a place for herself, making friends with her big brother and finding ways to be helpful. The most recent of my beloved friends to cross the Rainbow Bridge, Smokey was the smartest, most intuitive dog I've ever known. There were times when I swear she understood every word I said. She also understood, or at least tolerated, my passion for reading...to a point. As soon as the 11pm news was over she would stand in front of me and give me "the look", as if to say, "Okay, I've been patient but now it's time to close the book and come to bed." I'd usually be given a

couple minutes to get the message before she moved on to Plan B, which involved heaving a deep sigh and then flipping the book closed with her paw.
She was my loyal friend for 13 years. I guess she figured she had earned the right to make her feelings known!

Cassy is a 3-year old Lab/Shepherd mix who adopted me from Project HALO, a wonderful non-profit, no-kill rescue organization in Charlotte, NC.  She's a total sweetheart but she's also young, energetic and playful...very playful...which leads me to my current dilemma. Cassy needs a playmate. I've been the playmate of choice since June and though I hold my own pretty well, I'm no match for a young, energetic dog so the search has begun for a another fur friend to join our family. Since most of my dogs have chosen me, I have no idea what breed/color/size our next family member will be but I'm excited to have her, or him, join us!

Tell me about your pets. Are they fur friends? Feathered friends? Or, perhaps, your BFF is of a more exotic variety. Did you find them or did they find you? Do they indulge your reading habit or, like Smokey, do they let you know when enough is enough? 

One random commenter will win a copy of "Too Good To Be True" by Kristan Higgins, one of my favorite contemporary romances of 2009, featuring a memorable West Highland terrier by the name of Angus.


~ PJ

Anna Campbell's winner!

The winner of a signed copy of Anna Campbell's Captive of Sin is

Virginia C

Congratulations, Virginia! Please send your full name and snail mail address to annaATannacampbellDOTinfo with "The Romance Dish winner" in the subject line and Anna will send Gideon your way! Thank you!

REVIEW - A HIGHLANDER CHRISTMAS

A HIGHLANDER CHRISTMAS

An anthology from Dawn Halliday, Sophie Renwick and Cindy Miles

Publisher:  NAL

Release Date:  November 3, 2009

 

Christmas is less than two months away. At my house, that means it's time for certain pre-holiday traditions to begin and one of my favorites is checking out the new holiday romances that are being released. A Highlander Christmas is an anthology of three stories, connected by a magical brooch, and set in three different time periods.

Winter Heat by Dawn Halliday

This steamy historical is the story of Maggie MacDonald, a woman facing an unwanted marriage to a despicable clansman and Logan Douglas, a wounded Jacobite returning home from battle as the new laird of his clan, a position he neither sought nor wanted. A magical brooch brings them together and love follows but his responsibility to his clan and her laird's insistence that she marry another threaten to tear them apart. Has Maggie's brooch led her to her life's mate or were her mother's words just a silly, superstitious tale? In Winter Heat, Halliday (who also writes as Jennifer Haymore) gives us an intense, fast-paced story that, while not as racy as her single titles, is still hot and very enjoyable.

Yuletide Enchantment by Sophie Renwick

Isobel MacDonald has heard the tales of the Sidhe who inhabit the otherworld and has heeded the warnings to never enter the woods at night but when the White Hart with whom she has felt a magical bond since the age of six is injured, she is powerless to resist going to his aid. As Prince of the Sidhe and future King of Annwyn, Daegan can take the shape of both the White Hart and a human man. Expected to wed one of his own, he has resisted, as Isobel, a human woman, has held his heart from the day he first saw her. When they finally meet as man and woman, the feelings that have grown within their hearts over the years are set free to flourish but will the sacrifices required for them to be together be too great to overcome? I thoroughly enjoyed this sensuous, historical paranormal tale and was delighted to discover that Renwick intends to return to Annwyn in 2010 with the story of Bran, a secondary character readers will meet in Yuletide Enchantment.

A Christmas Spirit by Cindy Miles

Determined to not spend another Christmas alone, Paige MacDonald is on her way to Inverness, Scotland when her car breaks down in a snowstorm, depositing her on the doorstep of the seemingly deserted Gorloch B&B where she is greeted by a gorgeous, but decidedly inhospitable, Gabriel Munro. Gabriel reluctantly agrees to let her stay but refuses to help her with anything, making her get her own room key, carry her luggage and even fix her own meals. The reason for his rudeness becomes clear when Paige trips and falls...right through the man standing in front of her! Unless the storm clears, it appears that, this year, Paige will be spending Christmas with the ghostly spirit of a centuries-old Highland warrior. Miles has done a superb job of creating a life-like man with the limitations of a spirit in this finely crafted love story. The romantic scenes in particular were simmering with sensuality while, at the same time, very poignant. A Christmas Spirit is, by turns, a humorous, heartbreaking and heartwarming gift not to be missed.

Do you enjoy Christmas romances?  Do you re-read them every year like I do?  Which ones are your favorites and what titles are you looking forward to reading this year?

~ PJ

New Beginnings by Anna Campbell

Anna Campbell, how do I love thee? Let me count the ways: Kylemore . . . Matthew . . . Julian . . . Gideon . . . Oh! Sorry. Got carried away. *blush* I always do with an Anna Campbell hero. Now, where was I? Oh, yes! We have a VERY special treat for you today! We have someone who needs no introduction, but I will anyway. *VBG* She is a multi-award winning, multi-RITA nominated, and multi-talented author of dark, sexy Regency historicals and also a great friend of ours. So, without further ado, please help me welcome . . . Anna Campbell!!

Hi Romance Dishes!!! You’re all looking very delicious today! Thanks so much for asking me to blog here about my new release, CAPTIVE OF SIN, which came out on 27th October.

I’ve known Buffie and PJ and Andrea and Gannon through the internet for a couple of years now and most recently we worked together at Romance Novel TV where we all wrote reviews. I loved Romance Novel TV – Maria and Marisa were fun and professional and smart and basically just great people. Sadly time pressure meant that the Ms closed up shop a few weeks ago.

And out of the ashes rises…

THE ROMANCE DISH!!!!

This will be one of the must-see romance sites. How can it fail with such wonderful chefs running the kitchen? The recipe of a few old favorites, lots of great new stuff, and fun and laughter for dessert is just right! So good luck to the RD! Long may you serve up scrumptious tidbits for your hungry romance-reading audience.

Right, I think I’ve milked that metaphor as far as I can! In fact, you might say I’ve battered it flat like a piece of veal for schnitzel!

New Beginnings is actually a really apt topic when it comes to CAPTIVE OF SIN too.


At the age of eighteen, the brilliant Gideon Trevithick is recruited from his studies at Cambridge to work undercover for the East India Company in India. He’s a despised younger son of a brutish father and he has to make his way in the world unaided by family fortune or influence. He spends the next seven years immersed in a culture that fascinates him, although his work is hard, dirty and dangerous. By the end of his tenure, he has become so disillusioned with his masters that he’s determined to return to England. But the Company persuade him to undertake one last mission which turns into a disaster. Through his colleagues’ incompetence, Gideon is captured and imprisoned for a year before he’s rescued.

He returns to England a national hero, the man who endured unspeakable torture without betraying his country’s secrets. More, while he’s been away, both his father and his older brother have died, leaving him heir to a magnificent if rundown estate on the Cornish cliffs. The possibility of inheriting Penrhyn had always been so remote, he’d never considered he might end up as its master.

But Gideon is a broken man. His imprisonment has left him scarred and tormented. He’s utterly convinced he’ll never lead a normal existence and that his life, to all intents and purposes, is over. Yet now he’s responsible for the people on the estate and coping with celebrity.

Haunted by the howling ghosts of his past, he’s on his way home when he stumbles upon a runaway heiress, Lady Charis Weston. Impulsively he promises to keep her safe from her greedy and violent stepbrothers. Having been so recently the victim of violence and captivity himself, how can he abandon this spirited, determined woman? Little does Gideon know that this rash action will lead him to the most radical of new beginnings – a marriage in name only to a woman he desperately desires even though he’s convinced she deserves much better than a wreck of a man like him.

Charis vows that their marriage will be a true new beginning, the start of a life of love and fulfillment. Poor Gideon. He only has his honor to protect him from the woman he loves! His honor’s pretty unshakable, but you know…

So new beginnings galore in CAPTIVE OF SIN!

Do you have a favorite book that features someone’s life taking a 180 degree turn? Have you ever had to face a completely new beginning in your own life? And do you think Gideon will give in? Yeah, right…

Good luck! I look forward to lots of yummy answers. And my favorite serving will win a signed copy of CAPTIVE OF SIN! Good luck!