Today's Special - - Elizabeth Bevarly

I first discovered Elizabeth Bevarly in 1990 when I picked up a copy of her Silhouette Special Edition book, Donovan's Chance.  I've since followed this prolific writer (according to her website, she's working on her 60th novel!) through a variety of formats and publishers from those first categories to single title contemporaries to her wonderful new women's fiction novel from Berkley Trade, The House on Butterfly Way.  She's smart, savvy, a bundle of fun and a walking, talking encyclopedia of some of the best, and most eclectic, music around.  Please give her a warm welcome to The Romance Dish!

The Best Laid Plans of…

Revealed at Last! The Reason Why…

Dammit, Why Do Books Never Come Out the Way You Think They Will?

            Probably the most common question asked of novelists is, “Where do you get your ideas?” Fortunately, that’s an easy one to answer. We get our ideas everywhere—personal experience, song lyrics, overheard dialogue, magazine articles, you name it. A more difficult one to answer is one we—also fortunately—never hear from readers, but is one we often ask ourselves. Namely: “What do I do with all the stuff I thought was going to be in the book but never left the synopsis?” For that one, I never have an answer, even though I always have a lot of such material.

            The idea for The House on Butterfly Way was spawned when my family and I looked at a house that was for sale here in Louisville. What made the episode so memorable was that the house in question was in a horrible state of disrepair in a very upscale neighborhood where houses were normally showplaces. As we wandered through the house seeing room after room filled with peeling wallpaper, crumbling plaster, filthy carpeting and blackening mold, the writer voice in my head kept asking, “How did such a gorgeous estate home in such an expensive neighborhood come to this? Who lived here? Why didn’t they take care of the house? Why didn’t someone take care of them?” More to the point, I asked, “Hey, house, what’s your story?”

            Although the house never told me its story, I left fully confident that I would write about it. For weeks, my mind percolated, until I had a boatload of information about the story I would tell. By the time I sat down to write, I knew without question that the following aspects would all be integral to my story:

1. The house would be French. (Even though the house we looked at was a Tudor.)

2. It would be purchased by a brother and sister, both recently single, who were assuming the care of their aging mother and combining their families for both personal and economic reasons.

3. The previous owner was a French war bride, brought to this country by her WWII veteran husband, and her figurative—not literal—ghost would still pervade the house. My protagonist would spend a good deal of the story learning about the woman from the remnants of her home.

4.  The neighborhood surrounding the house would be filled with quirky characters who would add color and humor.  (In fact, the synopsis detailed six such neighbors.)

5.  The family cat, named Havoc, would, in almost every chapter, bring home something from one of the neighboring houses that would identify said neighbor in some way and further the story along.

6.  There would be a block watch group who made their own "superhero" type uniforms, all of whom already had names/identities in my head. 

7.  The book would be the first in a series, all set in this fictional neighborhood, a la Jan Karon's Mitford or Janet Evanovich's The Burg.  

         





So how many of these tidbits, all of which I was positive would be in the book and were in the original synopsis, do you think actually made it into the book? The answer? Only numbers one and two, which were the least detailed and, to me, most uninteresting. The rest all fell by the wayside, to be replaced by other characters and other themes that developed as I wrote. Havoc the cat didn’t even appear as window dressing. And the book isn’t the first of a series. It’s a complete stand-alone.

             That’s not to say, of course, that all these things won’t appear in future works. I’m sure they will. But why did they all come to me at one time for a story in which none of them appeared? Was I trying too hard? Was my brain on creative overload? Was my diet at the time inundated with exotic spices? Was I not getting enough sleep? Who knows? There are a lot of things about the creative mind that even those of us with creative minds can’t understand. So we’ve learned not to ask too many questions. Or, at least, we’ve learned not to expect too many answers.

            So how about you? What are your best laid plans that went awry? What was an event or experience you imagined materializing right down to the last detail that ended up being nothing like you thought it would be? And, just for fun, if you were a member of a superhero block watch, what would your identity/costume be? :o)


Elizabeth has brought three great giveaways with her today!  She'll be giving away a copy of The House on Butterfly Way, her Kentucky Derby Trilogy and a set of her two most recent Harlequin Desires.  The three winners will be randomly chosen from all comments left on the blog.  

Once upon a time, in Manitou Hills, there was a home so radiant and vivacious it was christened with its own name: Fleurissant. Now it's in ruins, forgotten and neglected-except by a woman who sees her own life reflected in the broken windows of that house on Butterfly Way...

As a child, from afar, Eugenie Dashner loved Fleurissant and the elegant, youthful fantasies it provided. Now, with a failed marriage behind her, a troubled son at her side, and a contentious and bitter mother to care for, Eugenie returns to the Louisville neighborhood of Manitou Hills to fulfill a dream: buy and renovate the house that once meant so much to her, and maybe, in the process, rebuild her own life.

Day by day, as the house reveals more and more of its forgotten beauty, Eugenie sees her dream come to fruition-especially when the attentions of two men help to reawaken in her feelings of romance and passion she thought were gone forever. As she navigates her rediscovered emotions, Eugenie comes to realize that there is no such thing as irreparable damage-not in herself, not in the house on Butterfly Way, and not in the family who now calls it home...

Valentine's Day Winners

Thank you to everyone who shared your Valentine's Day with me yesterday.  Your posts brought me many smiles throughout the day!  The three randomly selected winners from my Valentine's blog are:

SAVANNAH

STACIE D

MAUREEN

Congratulations, ladies!  Please send your full name and mailing address to me at theromancedish (at) gmail (dot) com.  Also, please put "Valentine Winner" in the subject line and indicate your preference of sub-genre (historical, contemporary, paranormal, romantic suspense).

~PJ

Hot Dish for February

Some pictures don't call for words. And I would definitely say this picture doesn't need words. Action, maybe. *wink wink* Words, nope.

And before you ask, I do not know this gorgeous man's name. And let's be totally honest with each other ... do we really care what his name is? LOL!

I hope your Valentine was good to you yesterday. And if he wasn't, well, maybe this Hot Dish can make it a little better.

~ Buffie

Love Sweet Love

Happy Valentine's Day!  

Yes, it's here again; the holiday that millions of people love to celebrate...or try their level best to ignore.  My feelings about Valentine's Day have always been a bit ambivalent.  Millions of roses are delivered every year on February 14th yet, in my entire life, I've only received flowers for Valentine's Day once.  Once!  To make matters worse, they were from an ex-boyfriend and, while very sweet and certainly appreciated by me, let's just say they didn't go unnoticed by the current-at-the-time boyfriend. ;-)

When I finally married, I chose a man who didn't believe in "commercial holidays."  Lest you think I suffered through 25 years of being unappreciated, let me assure you that nothing could be further from the truth.  My late husband showered me with affection and lovely surprise gifts throughout our marriage.  They just didn't arrive on the prescribed holidays.

Over the years, Valentine's Day has evolved into a different sort of holiday for me.  Instead of one where I celebrate romantic love, it's become a day when I celebrate all of the people (and other critters) who bring meaning to my life.  It's a day when I phone my best girlfriend just to say, "I'm so happy you're in my life"; when I send cute cards to the children who make me smile and melt my heart.  (Is there anything sweeter than a child spontaneously throwing their arms around your neck and saying "I love you?")  It's a day when my two dogs get special treats, an extra long walk and sigh-inducing tummy rubs.  How could I do any less for them when, every day, they treat me like I'm the most important person in their world?  It's also a day when I give total strangers homemade chocolate hearts and a smile because, who knows, maybe they don't have anyone in their lives to tell them how special they are and we - every single one of us - deserves to be loved.

All of this doesn't mean that I don't celebrate the concept of romantic love.  Twenty-five happy years of marriage and hundreds of romance novels tucked throughout my house attest to the fact that I do.  I've just chosen to expand my circle.

Let's celebrate Valentine's Day here at The Romance Dish by sharing our stories of love.  Tell me about the special people in your lives who make you smile, make you laugh and melt your hearts.  Maybe it's your husband, or a boyfriend, a pet, a best friend or a child in your life.  Maybe it's an author who's written a book that gave you hope or made your heart sing.  Let's dish about love in all its many forms and faces!

My goodie room (yes, it's moved from a closet to a room) is overflowing with books and swag so I'm giving away goodies to three randomly chosen people who leave comments on today's blog.  It's my Valentine's Day gift to you! 

~PJ

Today's Special -- Q&A with Jillian Hunter

Today, we welcome New York Times and USA Today bestselling historical author Jillian Hunter to the Romance Dish! Jillian's latest book, The Duchess Diaries, is the third book in her Bridal Pleasures series and released last Tuesday. Please join me in welcoming her to the Dish!







Hello and welcome to the Romance Dish, Jillian! We are delighted to have you dishing with us today. Congratulations on your latest book, The Duchess Diaries, which was released last week! I thoroughly enjoyed it. (See my review here.) Can you share with us a little of what the story is about?

Thank you! I’m happy that you’ve invited me to dish with all of you today. The Duchess Diaries opens as Miss Charlotte Boscastle is supervising the annual graduation ball for the Scarfield Academy for Young Ladies. Charlotte is the lead schoolmistress and while she celebrates her success for her girls, she can’t help feeling as if the romantic parade is passing her by. The young ladies she has trained are already attracting suitors. The members of Charlotte’s family find love wherever they look. But Charlotte’s only romance takes place in the pages of her diary.

In the story, Charlotte pours her thoughts and feelings into a personal diary. Have you ever kept a diary?

Yes. I’ve kept a few diaries in my day. Over the years they evolved from “I got up. I had breakfast. I went to school—” to more embarrassing entries.

LOL, I've been there, too! The Duchess Diaries is the third book in the Bridal Pleasures series. How are these books connected?

The series revolves around three rogues who are dedicated to the pursuit and protection of the women they love. A Duke’s Temptation and The Duchess Diaries have Boscastle heroines. The hero of the second book, A Bride Unveiled, is the master-of-arms for the family.

One of the first things that comes to romance readers’ minds when your name is mentioned is your popular Boscastle family (some of which are featured in this new series). What a loving and scandalous family! That’s my favorite kind! *g* Is it difficult to write such a large family? And how do you keep everyone straight?

It doesn’t seem more difficult to write about a large family because the characters have distinct personalities and storylines. What’s harder for me is keeping the sequence of events straight and I have to use several story boards for that.

Very interesting. Speaking of stories, which comes first for you—the characters or the story?

The characters always come first. They dictate the story.

I think a lot of authors feel the same. Of all the heroines you’ve created, which one is most like you and why?

Right now my two favorite heroines are Jane and Harriet. I love their no-nonsense/take-charge approach to life’s woes even if later down the line they create greater problems.

I simply adore Jane and Harriet! What a wonderful choice. Since you write historical romance, I’m sure you’re very familiar with research. How much do you do? And how often?

I do most of my research before I begin writing the book and after I’ve done a brief outline. I research for almost two months and scribble down ideas as I go. The trick is to detach from the research process before it becomes procrastination.

LOL, I believe we are all guilty of procrastination on some level! What is your favorite part about writing?

I love it best when a plot twist and an unexpected scene suddenly emerge organically to tie loose threads together.

Least favorite?

My least favorite part about writing is creating the skeleton of the story. It’s plain hard work.

It may be hard work, but we are so glad you do it. :) We all have hobbies or activities that we like to do in our spare time. Besides reading (which I’m sure is on everyone’s list *g*), what do you like to do for fun or to relax?

For fun I like to garden. Last year I grew an amazing amount of tomatoes, squash, and cucumbers. My sweet peas and tea roses rock. Barely a day goes by without something from my garden gracing our table.

I have always wanted to grow my own tomatoes. Home-grown ones just seem to taste better. Okay, I'm sure our readers are dying to know, so can you give us a sneak peek at what’s up next for you?

What I’m working on next is Collin Boscastle’s story—his return for revenge and of course, romance.

Yay! Another Boscastle! Sounds like another winner. Now it's on to our Quick Six Time!

Coffee or tea? I am definitely a tea person.
Early bird or night owl? Night owl!
Alpha or beta? Alpha.
Diamonds or pearls? Pearls.
Mountains or beach? I’ll take the beach over the mountains.
Chocolate or vanilla? Chocolate is great but I prefer vanilla.

Thanks so much for taking the time to answer my questions, Jillian! I really appreciate it. Now it’s your turn—is there a question you would like to ask our readers?

Thank you for these intriguing questions! Now I’d love to ask your readers about their favorite plot lines and when they find time to read between the demands of work, family, and all of life’s other distractions.

The Duchess Diaries

As headmistress of the Scarfield Academy for Young Ladies, Miss Charlotte Boscastle is tasked with keeping her charges free from notoriety. But when Charlotte's diary goes missing, she can't imagine having her most intimate secrets fall into the wrong hands.

Although the confessions in the diary he found spark his interest, the Duke of Wynfield has every intention of returning the journal. But when Gideon's encounter with Charlotte takes on an unexpectedly passionate nature, his indiscretion causes a scandal that only marriage can cure...


You can learn more about Jillian and her books at her website: http://www.jillianhunterauthor.com/ or you can find her on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/#!/JillianHunterBooks 

Cha Cha Cha Changes

It's still cold and blustery in our part of the world but warmer days can't be too far off so it seems like a good time to do some Spring cleaning here at The Romance Dish. Don't worry, we're not making any major changes! We're just moving things around a bit and adding some new touches to hopefully enhance your enjoyment when you drop by to visit.

First up is a change many of you asked for when we polled you during our Anniversary Celebration and one we Dishes are very excited to implement. You now have the ability to reply directly to any - or all - of the individual comments on our blog posts.  Isn't that cool? We think so!

The other changes aren't as significant as the comment upgrade but we hope that they will help you in searching for items on the blog and finding us around the Web. We've moved "News and Notes" to the first position at the top right of the page. Be sure to check there for interesting news from the world of Romance. Know of any Romance news we should be sharing with other readers?  Let us know by sending us an email at theromancedish (at) gmail (dot) com.

Did you notice the link for the February schedule below the "What's Coming" slide show? Clicking on that link will take you to our "Coming Attractions" blog for the current month.

Below the "What We're Reading" slide, we've added another link that will take you to Andrea's "New Releases" blog for the current month. This way you won't have to search for Andrea's all-important list while you're shopping for those must-read books!

Speaking of our slides, the site we were using for our slide shows (slide.com) is closing its doors. We're using the Picasa/Blogger slide show but would like to find one that gives us the ability to label each slide as slide.com did. Know of any sites that do that? Let us know!

Have you liked us on Facebook? Do you follow us on Twitter? We've added new buttons to the right sidebar that make following us easy peasy!

Following another suggestion we received during our last Anniversary Celebration, we changed our blog labels from a list to a cloud. Does that make it easier for you to search on our labels? Are there labels we're not using that would help you search for topics of interest?



Did you know you can follow us by email? Just enter your email address in the "follow by email" box below the Twitter button and you'll receive an email notification every time we post a new blog.  That way you'll never miss out on our great author visits, like this week's schedule of  Jillian Hunter, Elizabeth Bevarly and J.L. Saint/Jennifer St. Giles or Buffie's Hot Dish (this Wednesday!) or our great giveaways!

Whew!  Feels good to cross that task off my list.  Now what should I do next?  There's that pile of laundry on the washer (but I still have clean clothes in the closet so it hasn't reached the critical level), the dogs would probably enjoy a walk (but it's so cold outside!), there are dirty dishes in the sink (but again, still clean ones in the cabinet so not critical...yet), I should make a run to the grocery (but still have milk, flatbread and chicken; surely I can make a meal of that!).  Hmmmm....there is that new ARC of a book I've been waiting...and waiting...and waiting for that came in on my Nook the other night.  I'll be writing a review once I finish reading it so that makes it work, right?  I mean, it's not like I'll be curling up on the couch with my cozy blanket and my snuggly fur furnaces and my hot tea and my Nook for fun, right?  Right?

~PJ

One for the Movie

I swore I wasn't going to do it.  I had done it before and in all but a few instances, it had turned out to be a major disappointment.  I just wasn't going to set myself up for more of the same.  But then curiosity got the better of me and I figured what the heck?  I can endure anything for a couple hours and, who knows, it just may turn out to be enjoyable.  That kind of reasoning is what had me settling into a Senior discounted, matinee priced seat (because why pay full price when you can get the double discounted, Saturday afternoon, old folks fare?) at my local movie theater as I waited for the opening credits of One For the Money, the new movie based on the first book in the popular Stephanie Plum series by Janet Evanovich.  You should know that I love this series and have solid images of the cast of characters in my mind's eye so I approached the film with more than a bit of trepidation.  Would the script stick to the storyline of the book?  Would the actors match, or at least come close, to how I'd envisioned them?  Would I laugh as I had while reading the book?  Surprisingly, I enjoyed the movie more than I had anticipated.  No, all the actors did not match my idea of how the characters should look though a few - Lula and Grandma Mazur - were darn close and yes, the movie moved excruciatingly slow in some places but it followed the book closely and, overall, I enjoyed it more than I thought I would.  And that got me to thinking about other books I'd like to see on the big screen.

Kaki Warner's new Runaway Brides series is set on the Colorado frontier, against the backdrop of the rugged and beautiful Rocky Mountains.  I've been enthralled by Westerns since I was a kid and Warner's are tailor made to fulfill my love of romance combined with plenty of action, humor, danger and emotion in stories centered around smart women and the rugged men (including a Highlander!) who win their hearts.  Shoot, for her stories, I'd even be willing to fork over the full price of a ticket!

Christina Dodd's new Bella Terra Deception romantic suspense series is perfect for the big screen.  Set in the verdant California wine country, this series brings us the stories of three emotionally tormented brothers (who happen to be of Italian descent and gorgeous with a capital G) who join forces when their beloved grandmother is attacked in her home.  What follows are three sizzling, action packed stories that gradually unveil long-held family secrets, vendettas, priceless jewels, murder and a missing bottle of wine that combine to threaten not only the new-found happiness they've found but their very lives.  Yep, I can totally see this on the big screen!

We go back to the Colorado Rockies for Emily March's Eternity Springs series; contemporary small-town stories that break your heart then put it back together again stronger than before.  With a beautiful setting, a strong core of friendship among the female protagonists and deeply emotional tales of love, loss, hope and second chances, these are books that would translate beautifully to the big screen.  And I've already cast one role; Betty White would make a perfect Celeste, our motorcycle riding angel!

Okay, so there are a few of the books I've been reading that I'd like to see turned into a movie.  Now it's your turn!  Do you enjoy watching movies that have been adapted from books you've loved?  Do you find yourself seeking out the books you haven't read after seeing the movie?  What books would you like to see on the big screen?  Any thoughts as to who you'd cast as the characters?


~PJ

The Teen Menu

The past month has been crazy. I had to write two full books and revise another. As soon as that was over, I had to start in judging entries for RWA's annual RITA contest. So, as you can imagine, I haven't had time to read any YA books since before Christmas. However, that doesn't mean I don't have fun stuff to share from the world of YA. I did receive my copy of Beth Revis's A Million Suns, the sequel the awesome Across the Universe. So as soon as my RITA judging is over, I'm totally diving into that. Watch for that review in an upcoming edition of The Teen Menu.

YA News

We are only about a month and a half away from the premiere of The Hunger Games in theaters. Some friends and I are planning to see it together, and I can't wait! Everything I see about it looks awesome, including a new trailer and a cool behind-the-scenes look at the cover shoot with the cast for The Hollywood Reporter. And here's a cool Entertainment Weekly photo from right before Cinna lights Katniss and Peeta's costumes on fire, leading to Katniss becoming known as "The Girl Who Was On Fire". And Movie Web has some new photos from the movie.

Tomorrow is the release day for the DVD and Blu-Ray of The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn, Part 1. And to celebrate, about 500 Target stores are staying open late tonight to hold a release party at midnight. At 11 p.m., they will be showing an exclusive scene from the upcoming Breaking Dawn, Part 2. Read more here.

New Releases winner!

The random winner of a book from my prize stash is:

Dalila G

Congrats, Dalila! Please send your full name and address to theromancedishATgmailDOTcom with "Andrea's winner" as the subject and I'll get your book in the mail.

Thanks to everyone who stopped by!

Tawny Weber Winner!

The winner of the signed copy of Sex, Lies and Valentines is

runner10

Congratulations! Please send your full name and mailing address to Tawny at

tawnyATtawnyweberDOTcom

and she will get your book in the mail as soon as possible.

Make Your Reservations!

It's time again to mark your calendars and Make Your Reservations for March! Hold on to your hats because there are a bunch of books we are looking forward to next month. Lots of good reading ahead! Are any of these upcoming books on your list? If so, which ones? Also, can anyone tell me who the male model is on Renee Bernard's Passion Wears Pearls?? I'm dying to know!

Rainshadow Road
By Lisa Kleypas

Lucy Marinn is a glass artist living in mystical, beautiful, Friday Harbor, Washington. She is stunned and blindsided by the most bitter kind of betrayal: her fiancé Kevin has left her. His new lover is Lucy’s own sister. Lucy's bitterness over being dumped is multiplied by the fact that she has constantly made the wrong choices in her romantic life. Facing the severe disapproval of Lucy's parents, Kevin asks his friend Sam Nolan, a local vineyard owner on San Juan Island, to "romance" Lucy and hopefully loosen her up and get her over her anger. Complications ensue when Sam and Lucy begin to fall in love, Kevin has second thoughts, and Lucy discovers that the new relationship in her life began under false pretenses. Questions about love, loyalty, old patterns, mistakes, and new beginnings are explored as Lucy learns that some things in life—even after being broken—can be made into something new and beautiful.

(St. Martin's Griffin)





*******

A Rogue by Any Other Name
By Sarah MacLean

What a scoundrel wants, a scoundrel gets...

A decade ago, the Marquess of Bourne was cast from society with nothing but his title. Now a partner in London's most exclusive gaming hell, the cold, ruthless Bourne will do whatever it takes to regain his inheritance—including marrying perfect, proper Lady Penelope Marbury.

A broken engagement and years of disappointing courtships have left Penelope with little interest in a quiet, comfortable marriage, and a longing for something more. How lucky that her new husband has access to an unexplored world of pleasures.

Bourne may be a prince of London's illicit underworld, but he vows to keep Penelope untouched by its wickedness—a challenge indeed as the lady discovers her own desires, and her willingness to wager anything for them...even her heart.

(Avon)


*******

The Surrender of Miss Fairbourne
By Madeline Hunter

A woman running a prestigious London auction house? Preposterous! But that is exactly what Emma Fairbourne intends to do when her father dies, leaving her the reins of this fabulous enterprise. Of course, she is not addlepated enough to do this openly and scare away her wealthy collectors. So she and her friend concoct a deception, hiring a handsome and charming front man who will do her bidding...

All would have proceeded smoothly—if it weren’t for the maddening interference of Darius, the arrogant Earl of Southwaite, who has been her father’s “silent partner” and now shares ownership of Fairbourne’s. An earl, of course, has no interest in running an auction house—and Darius is certainly not interested in allowing Miss Fairbourne to run it either, her ludicrous scheme notwithstanding. Clearly the business must be sold, especially since Darius suspects that Fairbourne’s has been involved in shady activities that could embroil everyone associated with it in crime and scandal.

But the headstrong Emma is like no other lady he has ever encountered, refusing to follow his dictates. He finds her infuriating, but her direct speaking and lack of artifice create a powerful attraction as well, one that that has him following his inclinations to seduce her into surrendering to him about Fairbourne’s, and in every other way imaginable.

(Jove)


*******

Spellbound Falls
By Janet Chapman

Maximilian Oceanus arrives in Spellbound Falls just in time to save Olivia Baldwin from an overly aggressive suitor, only to find himself attracted to the beautiful, if rather aloof, widow. And although Mac has come to Inglenook to get a handle on fatherhood, his newly discovered six-year-old son has set his sights on finding his father a wife.

Olivia, however, is busy getting Inglenook ready for its new season, so she doesn’t have time to deal with her growing attraction to the dangerously seductive Mac. Besides, weird stuff seems to happen all around him. Take the fact that her seatbelt keeps getting stuck in his presence, or locks magically open for him without keys, and that he seems to have a talent for sensing things. Never mind the three lost albatrosses walking down the road in the middle of the night. Since when are there albatrosses in Maine?

But despite Olivia’s resistance to falling under the sexy man’s spell, Olivia is having trouble fighting her longing. Because she knows Mac is just the man to unlock the powerful passion deep within her...

(Jove)


*******

The Revenge of Lord Eberlin
By Julia London

Returning to Hadley Green after fifteen years, the young Lord Eberlin has but one goal in mind: to avenge the death of his father. But when he is reunited with the beautiful target of his smoldering wrath, his plans take an unexpected turn...

Tobin Scott has not been back to Hadley Green since Lily Boudine’s childhood testimony helped send his father to the gallows for stealing the valuable Ashwood jewels. Now a wealthy man, he intends to exact his revenge by destroying Ashwood and its lady. He offers Lily a choice between her life and the livelihoods of the people who depend on the estate. She chooses the former, certain she can hold his dangerous plans at bay.

Lily and Tobin’s game of one-upmanship quickly becomes a delicate dance of seduction, and she realizes he is not the cold, heartless man he tries to seem. In fact, she is certain he is right—his father was innocent. Together, they set out to find the jewels that will restore his family’s honor, and soon their unbridled passion uncovers a shocking secret that will change their lives forever.

(Pocket)


*******

Taking a Shot
By Jaci Burton

If you want to score, you have to get in the game...

The last thing Jenna Riley needs is more sports in her life. While her brothers are off being athletic superstars, she's stuck running the family's sports bar, whether she likes it or not. Then in walks pro hockey stud Tyler Anderson. As much as Jenna would like to go to the boards with him, she's vowed to never fall for a jock-even one as hot as Ty.

Ty, intrigued by the beautiful bar owner, becomes a regular. He senses that Jenna wants to do something more with her life. And as he gains her trust, the passion between them grows, as does Ty's insistence that Jenna should start living for herself. With his encouragement, Jenna starts to believe it, too...

But first, Jenna has to figure out what she wants, what she needs, who she loves, and if she has the passion and pride to take a shot at having it all-including Ty...

(Berkley)


*******

Between the Duke and the Deep Blue Sea
By Sophia Nash

Six Regency heroes—One royal hangover

An infamous night has been lost to memory. The scandalous Dukes of the Royal Entourage must make amends. The first step is a heroic rescue.

One of England’s most disreputable peers, Alexander Barclay, Duke of Kress, has stumbled upon a perfect opportunity for redemption. Having been exiled to Cornwall by the Prince Regent himself, Barclay discovers lovely Roxanne Vanderhaven clinging to the edge of a cliff, stranded there by her murderous blackguard of a husband...just waiting to be rescued.

Back on solid ground, Roxanne is desperate for a new life— once she’s retaliated for her husband’s despicable actions. Surprisingly, she finds herself drawn to her unlikely champion, certainly the last man in England she could count on. Yet, the infamous Duke of Kress isn’t quite the scoundrel he seems...

(Avon)


*******

By a Thread
By Jennifer Estep

When killing people is your job, there’s no such thing as a vacation.

Then again, how often does an assassin live long enough to enjoy her retirement? In this line of work, you either get lucky or you get dead. And since I destroyed my nemesis Mab Monroe a few weeks ago, all of Ashland’s lowlifes are gunning to make a name for themselves by taking out the lethal Spider—me, Gin Blanco. So I’m leaving behind my beloved barbecue joint and heading south with my baby sister, Bria, to cool my heels in a swanky beach town. Call it a weekend of fun in the sun. But when a powerful vampire with deadly elemental magic threatens an old friend of Bria’s, it looks like I’ll have to dig my silverstone knives out of my suitcase after all. Complicating matters further is the reappearance of Detective Donovan Caine, my old lover. But Donovan is the least of my problems. Because this time, the danger is hot on my trail, and not even my elemental Ice and Stone magic may be enough to save me from getting buried in the sand—permanently.

(Pocket)


*******

When a Scot Loves a Lady
By Katharine Ashe

London gossips are asking: What use has society of an exclusive gentleman's club if no gentlemen are ever seen to pass through its door?

After years as an agent of the secret Falcon Club, Lord Leam Blackwood knows it's time to return home to Scotland. One temptation threatens his plans—Kitty Savege, who warms his blood like a dram of fine whiskey. But a dangerous enemy stands in the way of desire, and to beat this foe Leam needs Kitty's help...

Kitty never wanted to spend her holidays in a wretched country village! With snow up to the windows, escape is nowhere in sight. A roguish Scottish lord, however, is. His rough brogue sends heat from Kitty's frigid toes to her chilled nose, but she's confident she can withstand that. What she cannot control is the reaction of her guarded heart when she discovers this beast is no beast at all...

(Avon)


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True Highland Spirit
By Amanda Forester

Morrigan McNab learned to survive with a sword in her hand. Taking command, she is determined to protect her impoverished clan, no matter the cost. When an elusive French knight offers gold to fight against England, she joins the call to arms. Sparks fly on the battlefield as a forbidden passion smolders between Morrigan and Sir Dragonet. Yet Sir Dragonet holds a secret that will destroy the hope for a life together, and will make them rivals on a dangerous quest for a mysterious relic. As they fight beside each other against the English, and against each other to find the treasure, their love becomes a greater force than either can control.

(Sourcebooks)





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Now or Never
By Michele Bardsley

Trapped...
Lenore Whyte’s blood might be able to open a portal to the underworld, but she doesn’t understand how to wield the powerful magic bound within her—knowledge that would have come in handy when she was kidnapped and set to be sacrificed.

...and Haunted
Tormented by nightmares of a woman’s death, Sherriff Taylor Mooreland is shocked to find the woman from his visions chained to an altar in the woods. Even though he barely knows her, Taylor is determined to protect the mysterious Lenore no matter what. Even if it means dealing with magic.

And when an investigation into a series of suicides leads Taylor deep into the town’s past, he discovers that the key to saving both Lenore and Nevermore may require the ultimate sacrifice...

(Signet)


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Passion Wears Pearls
By Renee Bernard

After the darkness of a dungeon in India, artist Josiah Hastings found that years of imprisonment left his eyesight weak and failing. So when the fiery beauty of Miss Eleanor Beckett appears in his vision amidst the bleak grays of a London winter, he knows he's found his muse and one last chance at a masterpiece...

(Berkley Sensation)





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Eventide
By Elle Jasper

Newly-bitten tattoo artist Riley Poe feels herself changing in unimaginable ways. Eli Dupre, her vampire lover, has seen the change in her and fears for her humanity. His rival, Victorian, tells her she must see the patriarch of the vampire cult that attacked her to save her soul. In the vampire cult's fortress in Romania, Riley will face her worst fears-and the dark powers threatening to destroy her. And she'll have to do the one thing she's been determined not to do-put her trust in Eli.

(Signet)

Jenn LeBlanc Winner

The winner of Jenn LeBlanc's full six-part serial novel, THE RAKE AND THE RECLUSE is

Pam P

Congratulations, Pam!  I've sent your information to Jenn and you should be receiving an email from her.

Remember, everyone who left a comment that included their email address has also been entered into the drawing for Jenn's Wicked Tour Grand Prize which will be awarded March 1, 2012.

Last Call for Kellie Kamryn winner!

LAST CALL for the winner of a copy of Eloisa James's When Beauty Tamed the Beast from Kellie Kamryn's visit!

Andrea I

Congrats, Andrea! Please send your full name and address to theromancedishATgmailDOTcom with "Kellie's winner" as the subject and I'll forward your info. If we don't hear from you by Friday (2/10/12) at midnight EST, we will choose a new winner. Thanks!

Review -- The Duchess Diaries

The Duchess Diaries
Bridal Pleasures—Book 3
By Jillian Hunter
Publisher: Signet Select
Release Date: February 7, 2012

It has been said that “sometimes small things can lead to big trouble”. This quote definitely applies to Jillian Hunter’s latest book in her Bridal Pleasures series, The Duchess Diaries, as one little diary causes all sorts of trouble.

Miss Charlotte Boscastle is the headmistress at the Scarfield Academy for Young Ladies and a member of the scandalous Boscastle family. However, Charlotte is one of the only members of the family who has not done something scandalous—at least not in public. Since she was a young girl, she has kept a diary where she has recorded her thoughts and feelings and the ups and downs of her life. But in recent months her entries have gotten a bit more . . . erotic in nature. They’ve centered exclusively on the sinfully handsome and decadent Duke of Wynfield. When her diary comes up missing and all clues lead to the duke, Charlotte knows she must do whatever it takes to get it back.

Gideon, Duke of Wynfield, finds the diary in his carriage while on the way to make arrangements with a new mistress. Once he reads a snippet of the diary, he can’t stop reading—especially the parts about him! When he returns home, he finds the owner of the shocking book in his bedroom. And when her cousin Grayson, the Marquess of Sedgecroft, finds out, the results aren’t pretty.

“She came to my house.” He concealed a smile as he remembered discovering her on his bedroom floor. “She broke in, I should say, in an apparent search for her diary. She made quite a muddle of my drawers.”

“Your—”

“Wardrobe drawers.”

Gideon does the honorable thing and agrees to marry Charlotte to hopefully avoid any scandal. He consents despite the fact that he had plans to never marry again after becoming a widower years before. When he returns to his carriage to fetch Charlotte’s diary . . . it’s gone. Now they must find the missing diary before someone uses it to hurt Charlotte and/or the school.

The Duchess Diaries is a great addition to this series. I enjoyed visiting the wonderful Boscastle family. There is certainly never a dull moment! Gideon and Charlotte are lively characters who had me rooting for them in their quest to find the diary and, of course, love. Gideon knew a good thing when he found it . . . or rather, her. Despite the fact that he knows how Charlotte feels about him (after reading her diary), he doesn’t get mad about what she wrote nor does he make her feel uncomfortable. He is flattered and that endeared him to me.

It didn’t matter anymore which one of them had instigated this burning attraction. Maybe she had poured all her passion into her diary. But he had unleashed it and transformed it from the page to the physical.

I loved this paragraph! To me, it captures the heart of the story. The secondary characters grabbed my attention and I hope one young lady in particular will have her own book one day. The Duchess Diaries is a wonderful book that I recommend to all lovers of historical romance.

~Andrea

Today's Special - - Francis Ray

It's our pleasure to welcome NY Times and USA Today Bestselling author Francis Ray to The Romance Dish today.  The award-winning author of more than forty books, Ms. Ray recently took time from her busy schedule to answer a few questions for me. 

Welcome to The Romance Dish, Ms. Ray.  It’s our honor to host you today.  Your newest book, A SEDUCTIVE KISS was released January 31^st.  What would you like readers to know about this story?

Thanks for the invitation.  I'd like readers to know that A SEDUCTIVE KISS is a passionate love story, but it's also about how love can make you stronger to face life challenges.

         

A SEDUCTIVE KISS is part of your Grayson Friends series, a follow up to your popular The Graysons of New Mexico series. Is it necessary to have read the previous books to fully appreciate the stories in this new series?

No, it isn't necessary to have read the other 4 books in the series to enjoy A SEDUCTIVE KISS.  In face, there's an update at the beginning of the book that is intriguing rather than confusing, and best of all A SEDUCTIVE KISS introduces you to the two heroes in WITH JUST ONE KISS and A DANGEROUS KISS.


Wonderful!  You've had a diverse and successful writing career, publishing in a variety of formats including confession stories, series romance, romantic suspense, Christian and women's fiction.  Do you have a favorite?  Will you continue to write in more than one sub-genre?

My favorite to write is contemporary romance.  However, I still receive mail from readers wanting a sequel to THE BARGAIN, my one and only historical.  I also want to return to Christian fiction one day.  I just need to figure out how to make the days longer.  Sigh.

If you ever figure that out would you mind sharing it with the rest of us?  I could use more hours in my day!  What inspired you to begin writing?  Was there a particular author or influence in your life that lit the creative writing fire in your soul?

Katherine Woodiwiss' SHANNA inspired me to read a romance book.   After the third book by her, I knew I wanted to write about love that lasts a lifetime no matter the obstacles.

I think that's why many of us enjoy reading romance.  How fortunate for us that it also inspired you to write!  In addition to being a prolific writer - with more than 40 published books to your credit - you are also a School Nurse Practitioner.  You must be a very busy lady!  How do you prevent the stress of multiple careers from taking over?

          

I love to work off stress by working in my flower garden, which also helps with research.  There are flowers in almost all of my books.  I also love to shop and read as well.

Do you have favorite authors to whom you turn when your writing is put to bed? 

I love books by Nora Roberts, Jayne Ann Krentz, Bette Ford, Kimberly Lawson Roby and Sherrilyn Kenyon.  All are fabulous with weaving stories with strong characters - a must for me when reading.

Your sixth book, INCOGNITO has the distinction of being the first made for television movie for BET.  That must have been a thrill!  What was it like seeing your creation brought to the screen?  Were you able to have input into the final product?

Seeing INCOGNITO being made, then being at the premier was an event of a lifetime.  At the premier in Dallas I was able to bring my family which was absolutely fantastic.  Unfortunately, I didn't have any input in writing the script.

Have you been approached about making any of your other books into movies?  Do you have a favorite you'd like to see on the screen?

I haven't been approached, but my agent is actively looking.  I'd love to see THE TURNING POINT on the screen. 

Speaking of THE TURNING POINT (republished in 2004 as TROUBLE DON'T LAST ALWAYS), after its original publication in 2001, you established The Turning Point Legal Fund which provides assistance to women touched by domestic violence and help in restructuring their lives.  I'm sure most of us know someone who has been a victim of domestic abuse and some may have even been in the situation themselves.  Please tell us more about this fund and how readers can contribute to this important cause.

 

While doing the research for THE TURNING POINT, I made the sad discovery of the high incidence of domestic violence.  My  heart went out to the women and their children.  I established the fund to help women leave their abuser and restructure their lives.  A percentage of all my royalties go to the fund so readers can purchase a book or mail a donation to:

Francis Ray

Turning Point Legal Fund

P.O. Box 764651

Dallas, Texas  75376

Your webpage says you will have four titles released this year.  Please tell us a bit about the other three books and when we can expect them to "hit the street."

A SEDUCTIVE KISS (01/30/12) is Alex Stewart's story.  He's a successful lawyer who has loved a woman all his life and finally gets a chance to show her.

WITH JUST ONE KISS (02/28/12) is about C.J. Callahan who owns a bar, runs his family computer software company and thinks he knows women until one kiss shows him differently.

WHEN MORNING COMES (06/05/12) is the heart-wrenching story of Dr. Cade Mathis' struggles to come to terms with being given up at birth by his single mother.

A DANGEROUS KISS (06/26/12) is Payton "Sin" Sinclair's story.  Sin has a dangerous secret and finds the healing power of love.

Looks like we have some great reading waiting for us this year!  Thank you so much for visiting with us today, Ms. Ray.  Is there anything you'd like to add for our readers? 

Thank you and bless you from the bottom of my heart.  Your support has given me the ability to live my dream as a published writer.  I couldn't have done this with out you.  For more information on everything Francis Ray, please visit my website at www.francisray.com.  I have an exciting program called Kiss & Tell where readers can win prizes for passing out bookmarks to help spread the word about my 2012 line-up.