Review - - The Game and the Governess

Morning, Dish friends!  I finally made it home from RWA last night - hot, sweaty, exhausted and five hours later than originally scheduled.  I dragged my luggage (filled with books and other goodies we'll be giving away here at the Dish) into the condo, sat down on the couch, promptly fell asleep...and didn't wake up until 9:30 this morning.  So, while I upload photos, write RWA blogs and give my poor, neglected dog the attention she deserves, please enjoy this review by Janga of The Game and the Governess by Kate Noble. It's the first book in what looks to be a terrific new series and, like Janga, I loved it.  Don't forget to check back later for installment one of What Happens in San Antonio!  

The Game and the Governess

By Kate Noble

Publisher: Pocket

Release Date: July 29, 2014

Ned Granville, Earl of Ashby, is known as “Lucky Ned” because of his phenomenal luck. He has proved lucky with cards, lucky with women, lucky in inheriting a title that, barring a tragic accident, should never have been his, and lucky to have returned from the Napoleonic Wars a hero. So confident is he of his luck that when his friend and secretary proposes a wager, Ned, after some hesitation accepts. If Ned can persuade a lady of good breeding to fall in love with him, not as the Earl of Ashby but as Mr. Turner, the Earl’s secretary, within two weeks, he will win the family mill that Turner has dedicated himself to restoring. If Ned fails, he will pay Turner 5000 pounds. The proof of Ned’s success is to be a dance, a token of affection, and intimate knowledge of the lady. The need to make a decision about the cottage and land he inherited from his mother provides a setting far enough from London to make the exchange possible. The two men, having exchanged identities for two weeks, set out for Hollyhock, a small town in Leicestershire where Ned lived in genteel poverty with his mother until at the age of twelve he became heir to his present title.

Ned’s life moved from poverty to privilege; Phoebe Baker’s journey was the reverse. She was only seventeen, still a student at an exclusive school for girls, when her father’s death left her destitute. No longer a cherished, sheltered young lady looking forward to a London season, she was suddenly a young woman on her own with no money, no family, and only references and the name of a family in need of a governess as a means of survival. Before she is forced to leave the school, Phoebe writes a letter to the man she holds responsible for her plight, an aristocrat who allowed a thief free to prey on others rather than appearing foolish in the eyes of his peers. Phoebe’s father was one of his victims. Phoebe swears if the opportunity ever affords, she will see that the aristocrat suffers the consequences of his action. The letter is addressed to the Earl of Ashby.

When Ned and Turner arrive at Puffington Arms, the home of Sir Nathan and Lady Widcoate, where they are to stay for their two-week visit to Hollyhock, they find a house filled with ladies, all of them interested in the Earl of Ashby and none of them interested in his secretary. When it becomes clear that Ned’s contact with the ladies in the party will be severely restricted, he focuses his attention on the thin, plain governess, particularly after he discovers that she once attended a prestigious school for girls, thus qualifying her as a lady and the likeliest candidate to help him win his wager. Phoebe does her best to avoid attention and blend into the background, but Ned’s persistence and charm gradually erode her defenses. Even more gradually, Ned finds himself captivated by Phoebe’s humor, courage, and quiet beauty. But the more deeply Ned falls in love, the more he recognizes the consequences of the deceit in which he has chosen to engage.  A careless wager may cost him what he wants most.

Noble gives her readers an intricate plot and a sizeable cast of characters in a story that is part romantic romp, part moral tale. The switched identities predictably lead to some humorous moments, and the secondary characters from the Widcoates and their guests to the townspeople are generally amusing. Ned is totally unprepared for the realities of life without the privileges that he takes for granted. Noble takes something as simple as bath water to draw chuckles and to make her reader aware of how encompassing the hierarchical structure of her world is. The taciturn, introverted Turner is no more prepared for the social responsibilities and lack of solitude that comes with Ned’s title than Ned is for the lack of status his secretary is given. Both men learn from the experience.

Phoebe is a wonderful heroine. She possesses intelligence, strength of character, a lively sense of the ridiculous, and integrity in the fullest sense of that word. She has a rare wholeness in that there is little distance between the beliefs she espouses and the way she conducts her life. The reader first sees her as a hurting, angry young woman who is given sound advice by one of the teachers as she leaves the school where she has spent five years of her life. Phoebe’s decision to follow the advice rather than surrender to bitterness occurs offstage. What the reader sees is Phoebe putting the advice into practice. She is not perfect (Thank goodness!), but she is an interesting, appealing, admirable heroine.

In the early chapters, Ned is an arrogant, self-absorbed young aristocrat bored with life. He is a man who lives on the surface, using self-indulgence to avoid thinking deeply about anything. While experiencing life as an earl’s secretary increases his awareness, it is his relationship with Phoebe that truly changes him. Although it happens in a way far different from that which the young Phoebe had envisioned, she does indeed show him that choices have consequences. Frankly, I found the first part of the book rough going because I disliked the hero, but the hero’s growth is central to this story. Ned grows into a man with a keener mind, a sharper conscience, and a larger heart, and I loved watching his growth.

If you like romance that combines the light and the substantive, I highly recommend this book. I have added it to my list of the Best of 2014, and I eagerly await John Turner’s story and hope for the story of Ned and Turner’s doctor friend, Rhys Gray, as well.

~Janga

On the road again...

The Dishes are taking a break!  

Andrea is going on vacation with her family and PJ will be attending the 

Romance Writers of America (RWA) national conference in San Antonio this week 

so we're closing the cyber doors for a few days.  

Not to worry though.  

We'll re-open on Monday, July 28th with RWA blogs, photos and giveaways!  

In the meantime, you can follow PJ's RWA adventures through her postings 

on Twitter and Facebook. 

Here are the links:

Facebook - The Romance Dish 

Twitter - @TheRomanceDish

See you all next week!

New Releases winner!

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

Pam Westfall

Congrats, Pam! Please send your full name and address to theromancedish AT gmail DOT com with "Andrea's winner" as the subject and I'll get your book in the mail. Thanks to everyone who stopped by!

Review - - Return to Homecoming Ranch

Return to Homecoming Ranch

By Julia London

Publisher: Montlake

Release Date: July 22, 2014

Effervescent Libby Tyler thought she had a perfect life. For four years, she had been in love with Ryan Spangler, living with him, sharing his life, and mothering his two young children. Libby thought she and Ryan were forever until one day Ryan told her they were over. She didn’t find out until months later that he had been cheating on her with his ex-wife. Rage over her blindness and Ryan’s betrayal caused her to lose control and attack Ryan’s prized pickup with a golf club. Broken truck windows and a furious Ryan were not the only result of her rampage. Libby ended up at Mountain View Behavioral Health Center for a week of “rest.” When she returns to Pine River, she is the subject of town gossip and the object of family concern. Ryan has a restraining order against her. She is not allowed within three hundred feet of Ryan and his family, which means that she can’t see the children, a restriction that she has great difficulty observing.

Sam Winters knows what it’s like to return to Pine River after your life has spun out of control. Back in the day when he and Libby Tyler worked together in the sheriff’s county headquarters, Sam was a man with a wife, a job, and a future, on track to becoming sheriff, but alcoholism ended that life. Sam came back to Pine River after three months at a treatment facility in Denver and another six months in a halfway house. His marriage was over, and Sam considered himself lucky to have a job as a rural deputy sheriff in Pine River. It’s the job he still has after two years of sobriety, and part of his job is to enforce the restraining order that Libby Tyler seems determined to disobey. For a man committed to fixing a lot of broken people and holding on to his sobriety one difficult day at a time, Sam is spending way too much time trying to see that Libby stays out of trouble.

With everything else in her life gone, Libby focuses on turning Homecoming Ranch into an event destination, but things are not going well on that front either. Just when Libby reaches a new low, she and Sam are snowed in at his cabin. The attraction that has simmered between them and flared briefly with some kisses they both agree should never have happened reaches fire point when they are trapped in Sam’s cabin. But Libby and Sam are both bound by their pasts: Libby can’t accept the new reality that has replaced her happy family fantasy, and Sam’s fear that emotional complications will cause him to lose his sobriety won’t allow him to take the risks that come with any relationship.  They can’t find happiness together until they find freedom separately.

The second book in London’s Pine River series has the emotional power and layered characters that her readers expect. Libby and Sam are flawed characters who are sympathetic even at their most wrong-headed moments because London allows her readers to see why the characters behave as they do. Choices and consequences are clearly linked.

As with the first book, the setting is superb. Geographically and sociologically, Pine River feels like a real place rather than a painted backdrop. The combination of warm-hearted support and busybody gossip will ring true for most readers familiar with actual small-town life. Even the minor characters have a dimensionality that renders them credible and individual. Strangely, my one quibble is that Madeline Pruett and Luke Kendrick, the heroine and hero from the first book who also have roles in this one, don’t seem to do anything but interact with their siblings and bill and coo. I kept wondering what they were doing with their lives.

Again, Leo Kendrick, Luke’s brother, a former football player with motor neuron disease, intermittently narrates chapters. Again, his humor and courage in the face of his continued physical disintegration mark him as a true hero even though he is not the romantic lead.

If you like small-town romances with atypical elements, if you like romances with protagonists who are deeply human with all the flaws and complications that implies, or if you like romances that make you laugh and squeeze your heart, I recommend Return to Homecoming Ranch.

~Janga

V.K. Sykes Winners

The two randomly chosen winners from PJ's Q&A with V.K. Sykes are:

Laura L

and

kaisquared

Congratulations!  Please send your email address and choice of e-book format to

theromancedish (at) gmail (dot) com

PJ's Sound Off Winners

Many thanks to everyone who took the time to respond to my questions.  Your information is much appreciated!  Random.org has selected our winners so here goes.

U.S. Winners

Each will receive a package of books from our prize stash.

librarypat

Di

kipha

Please send your full name and mailing address to us at

theromancedish (at) gmail (dot) com

International Winners

Bridget C

Kathleen O

Please send your full name and mailing address to us at

theromancedish (at) gmail (dot) com

Please tell us which one of the following books you would like:

Where the Horses Run by Kaki Warner

The Secrets of a Scoundrel by Gaelen Foley

Never Been Kissed by Molly O'Keefe

Christmas in July by Debbie Mason

Amy Andrews Winner

The winner of an e-copy of Risky Business by Amy Andrews is:

Texas Book Lover

Congratulations!  

Please send your email address to us at

 theromancedish (at) gmail (dot) com 

and let us know what e-book format you would like.

Today's Special - - Kate Noble

I discovered historical romance author Kate Noble early in her romance writing career and have happily devoured each new book she writes.  Several of them occupy places on my keeper shelves and her newest, The Game and the Governess is destined to join them. A national bestselling author as well as a RITA finalist, Kate has also earned coveted starred reviews from Library Journal and Publisher's Weekly. You can find more information about Kate at her website and connect with her online at Facebook and Twitter.

Welcome back, Kate!  It’s always a pleasure to host you here at the Romance Dish, especially since that usually means you have a new book out, something that makes Andrea and me very happy!  Speaking of your new book, will you please share with our readers what they can expect from The Game and the Governess?

-- Thank you so much for having me!  What readers can expect from The Game and the Governess is a little bit of silliness and a whole lot of luck.  (And some sexy times.)  The book starts off with the Earl of Ashby, known as “Lucky Ned” making a wager with his best friend and secretary John Turner, to see if Ned can get any young lady to fall in love with him without the benefit of his title.  Thus, on a two-week trip to the country, Ned and Turner switch places.  Nothing after that goes according to plan.  It’s my version of the Prince and the Pauper, and I enjoyed the hell out of writing it.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading it! 

Phoebe and Ned both have lessons to learn on their journeys of growth and discovery.  What do you want readers to understand about each of these characters?

-- That the surface they wear is not who they are.  Ned presents himself to the world as “Lucky Ned”, but he’s hiding a lot of pain from his past.  And Phoebe, while reduced to the hard life of a governess, is determined to be optimistic, no matter what life dishes out to her. They both can learn a lot from each other, in that sense. 

What was your greatest challenge in writing this book? 

-- Finding the right balance between silliness and seriousness.  Something I’m certain all us authors struggle with.

What was the most fun?

-- Finding those scenes with Ned and Phoebe together and being delighted by what they discover.

 Would you like to share an excerpt from The Game and the Governess?

Certainly!  Here’s a short excerpt about splitting a blackberry tart…

“There are no forks, so, by all means, you go first.”

She moved the plate closer to her, and picked up her half a tart, taking the smallest of bites.

It was delicious.

She made a small, throaty sound, a sigh of appreciation. Her eyes closed, and she let the blackberry juices fill the inside of her mouth, savoring.

When she opened her eyes, he was giving her the most curious look, his own mouth hanging open.

And he didn’t stop staring.

A self-conscious hand flew to her mouth. “I’m sorry, did I… am I a mess?” she asked.

“No!” he cried. “Not at all –” he remarked with a smile, one so wide it reminded Phoebe of a few short hours ago, when he had thought he had something stuck in his teeth. “I am pleased to see you enjoying the tart. It really must be exceptional.”

Are you able to give us a glimpse into the next book in the series?  When might we expect that book?

-- The next book is John Turner’s story.  And since it follows directly from the events of The Game and the Governess, I can’t tell you too much about it without too many spoilers.  But I will say this – where Ned has always been lucky, Turner has always been unlucky – but he’s determined to change that, especially since a certain countess has now entered his life. 

I'm looking forward to seeing how he accomplishes that! 

You have a lot of writing irons in the fire, Kate.  Romance readers may not be aware that as Kate Rorick you have written for television, the Emmy Award winning transmedia series, The Lizzie Bennet Diaries and the recently published book, The Secret Diary of Lizzie Bennet.  How did you come to be a part of the Lizzie Bennet writing team and did you have any idea that it would become such a mega-hit?   

-- Well, my friend Margaret Dunlap is sitting right next to me as I answer this question.  Margaret was co-executive producer on The Lizzie Bennet Diaries, and having worked together before on a different TV show, she knows about my secret life as a romance novelist (and devoted Austenite).  When they decided to expand the writing staff of the web series, she suggested me and a meeting or two later, I was hired.

I understand that you’re also working on an upcoming television series.  Are you able to share any information about that project?

-- I’m a writer for the upcoming television show The Librarians, on TNT (a 10-episode drama series scheduled to premier in December).  It’s based on the incredibly popular series of “The Librarian” movies, starring Noah Wyle.  It’s a mix of Indiana Jones, Doctor Who and the fun episodes of the X-Files, and it’s a total blast. 

Okay, so you have a book that released in June, a book coming out in July, a new television series you’re working on and, if that weren’t enough, you’re expecting a baby any day.  When do you sleep?  LOL! No, really, how do you keep all those balls in the air?  Any helpful tips for the rest of us multi-taskers?

-- Survive and advance.  All you can do is what you need to get done that day, and move on to the next one. 

Let’s turn the focus away from writing for a bit.  Summer has arrived which means I give myself permission to turn off the calorie counter every now and then to indulge in some special warm weather treats.  My favorites are root beer floats and frozen chocolate dipped bananas.  What summer treats do you give yourself permission to eat or drink?

-- Well, if I wasn’t expecting a baby any day, I would be enjoying a good beer at the ballpark right now.  But I love summer because it’s when all the delicious fruits come into the grocery store, which means the variety of pies I can consume goes up dramatically.  Anything with cherries is my kryptonite. 

As I type this question, I’m looking out my window at beautiful potted geraniums, a deep pink crepe myrtle tree, green grass and a bright white fence.  What’s the view from your window?

-- My window looks out onto the balcony, where my husband is in full summer gardening mode.  There are 3 different tomato plants, strawberries, multiple herbs, pepper plants and for some reason, marigolds.  All grown from seed.  Mind you, I do none of the work, but I partake in the deliciousness.

Your fairy godmother waves her magic wand and gives you one week in any place of your choice and an unlimited supply of books to read.  Where do you go and what books (or authors) do you reach for first?

-- I would kill for a week at a lakeside cottage.  Nothing to do but enjoy the view and go swimming.  As for books, I would grab my massive TBR pile, and let it surprise me J 

Thank you for taking time from your busy schedule to visit with us today, Kate.  It’s always a pleasure to host you here at TRD.  We wish you all the best with your many projects. Would you like to ask our readers a question today?

-- Of course!  Since The Game and the Governess is all about trading places – who would you trade places with (temporarily!) and why?

Leave your answer in the comments and someone will win a signed copy of The Game and The Governess! (US only, please)

Review - - Jane Austen's First Love

Jane Austen's First Love
By Syrie James
Publisher: Berkley
Release Date: August 5, 2014

Syrie James’ has written some lovely ‘what if’ books about Jane Austen previous to JANE AUSTEN’S FIRST LOVE, and each have been romantic, genuine, and charming. I found myself believing in the possibility that the story could be true in every book; and this one was no less believable and romantic.

In this story, Jane is only fifteen years old, so the youngest she’s been; however, she feels very authentically Jane, while still very authentically fifteen. While visiting her brother in Kent, Jane meets the ever-so-dashing Edward Taylor. Despite that a match between them is very unlikely (he’s wealthy and she’s penniless), the two enjoy spending time with each other and his interest in her seems genuine. She can’t help falling head over heels in love with him.

While Jane is trying to discern if his interest in her will lead to something more, or can lead to something more, she distracts herself with a little harmless matchmaking, which opens the door to the Reader seeing the author Jane Austen using her own experiences and observations to create a much-beloved character, Emma, with much the same disastrous results. And I do mean disastrous—because by the time all is revealed, one wonders how Humpty Dumpty is going to be put back together again and all is restored to right. But much like her heroines, Jane makes the necessary sacrifices and like her stories, the right happy endings happen for everyone. Well, except Jane, since we all know how the love story of Jane Austen ends.

Still, even though Jane is only able to have true love for herself through her stories, it is fun to read these stories that offer possibilities of where some of the ideas, scenes, and characters came from. In this story alone, I had glimpses of Pride & Prejudice, Emma, and Persuasion, and all felt natural and delightful. An extremely satisfying read. Syrie never disappoints!

~Hellie

Hellie Sinclair (a.k.a. Fran) was one of the founding members of the Romance Writer's Revenge, where she frequently got to satisfy her love of good books and her need to expound by writing reviews. Hellie loves to craft on projects she rarely finishes, watch British dramas as a sort of Olympic marathon event, and do most anything that fits the description "indolent and pleasurable." Fortunately reading falls into that category.  Connect with Hellie on Facebook. 

Review - - To Marry a Scottish Laird

TO MARRY A SCOTTISH LAIRD

By Lynsay Sands

Publisher: Avon

Release Date: June 24, 2014

 

Campbell Sinclair learns that no good deed goes unpunished when he steps in to help a lad who is being attacked by bandits and gets stabbed for his troubles. Fortunately for him, the lad he saved was actually a healer named Joan, and she patches him up, gets them away from there, and nurses him back to health. Cam soon learns that the lad is actually a lass and is actually traveling north to one of his allies, Lord MacKay. Cam offers to take her there in safety.

What happens next is what would happen if I found myself with a strapping young Highlander: they’re on each other like white on rice. So much so it takes them like two weeks to get to MacKay’s land, which, well, is a good deal longer than it should have taken Cam to return. What is soon learned by Cam and Joan is that Joan is not the nameless commoner she thought she was. Joan is actually the niece of MacKay; and once this bit is learned, Cam realizes he must marry her…despite the fact he spent the last two weeks telling her how he was never marrying again. And Joan certainly wasn’t expecting anything, being the little nobody she thought she was two weeks ago. Of course, nor did she want to be Cam’s mistress and then have him break her heart. They were going to part ways when they got to the MacKay’s; and now that is impossible. It’s hardly a marriage of convenience when you start falling in love with each other, right?

Meanwhile, Cam’s mother has still been operating under the assumption that her son won’t marry again—and keeps the castle full of marriageable girls in order to tempt him to change his mind. This seems benign—comical even once you meet the women—except that it appears the women are not that thrilled that some little nobody from nowhere has captured Cam…and Joan is nearly killed three different times before the real culprit is revealed. Figuring out who did it definitely kept the pages turning rapidly for me and I was a little shocked.

Action-packed, sexy, and full of surprises—it was a very charming read.

~Hellie

Hellie Sinclair (a.k.a. Fran) was one of the founding members of the Romance Writer's Revenge, where she frequently got to satisfy her love of good books and her need to expound by writing reviews. Hellie loves to craft on projects she rarely finishes, watch British dramas as a sort of Olympic marathon event, and do most anything that fits the description "indolent and pleasurable." Fortunately reading falls into that category.  Connect with Hellie on Facebook. 

Today's Special - - V.K. Sykes

It's my pleasure to welcome two of my favorite people back to The Romance Dish today. Historical romance author Vanessa Kelly and her husband Randy comprise the contemporary and romantic suspense writing team of V.K. Sykes.  Vanessa and Randy join us today to celebrate the release of the fifth book in their USA Today Bestselling The Philadelphia Patriots contemporary romance series. You can find more information about V.K. Sykes books at their website and connect with them online at Facebook and Twitter.  You can also find information about Vanessa's historical romances at her website and connect with her online at Facebook and Twitter.    

Hi Vanessa and Randy!  Welcome back!  It's always a pleasure to host you here at TRD.

Summer has arrived which means baseball season is in full swing, the perfect time to launch the newest title in your Philadelphia Patriots contemporary romance series.  Please tell our readers what they can expect from Payoff Pitch. 

Hi PJ and Andrea – thanks so much for hosting us at one of our favorite spots on the web!  Payoff Pitch is book 5 in our USA Today Bestselling series of sports romances about a pro baseball team, the Philadelphia Patriots.  What readers can expect from this book is a very alpha, sexy hero with a heart of gold, and a strong-minded but slightly insecure heroine who is working hard to support herself and save up for law school.  Noah and Teddy come from very different worlds, and it’s a challenge for both of them to reconcile how they live and what they believe in.  So, it’s probably a little more angsty than some of the earlier books—it has a bit of a New Adult vibe—but it’s also a very sexy story, too.  These two are really hot for each other!

Would you like to share an excerpt from Payoff Pitch?

Sure!  In this scene, the hero (Noah Cade) is going to pick up two dogs he’s just adopted.  Teddy Quinn, a dog walker and our heroine, is along for the ride to help him.

Noah could hardly believe how fantastic—mouth-watering, really—Teddy Quinn looked with the wind streaming though her coppery hair as they rocketed down I-95 with the Cadillac Escalade’s windows cranked down. He’d borrowed the loaded SUV from his buddy, teammate Nick Rome, since there was no way he could fit two huge dog crates into his BMW.

Though the wind noise was practically deafening, Teddy had asked him to shut off the AC and open the windows so she could breathe the clean air of an unusually fresh June evening. Ever since he picked her up at her place in Manayunk, he’d been fighting to keep his attention on the road. Her white shorts showed off her slim, athletic legs, and the tight red tank top left little to the imagination when it came to the upper half of her body. Earlier, she’d covered her shoulders with a light sweater, but now it lay folded in her lap, exposing a lot of smooth, pale skin and a cute dusting of freckles for his gaze to lock onto.

Noah had hoped in vain that Cristina might suck it up and accompany him to the airport to meet the dogs’ flight because he figured he could use some help to get them loaded up and safely home. But the housekeeper had balked. For the first time since she’d come to work for him, they’d had a heated argument and, for once, Noah had matched Cristina’s voluble temper. Still, she’d been adamant, and when Noah persisted she’d practically shouted that he should take along “that girl” if he couldn’t handle a couple of dogs by himself. Noah had winced at what might be a slur on his manhood, but what really got to him was Cristina’s tone of voice when she said “that girl”. It gave Noah serious worries about future relationships in his house.

Cristina hadn’t even met Teddy yet, but apparently she’d already conceived an irrational dislike of her. He’d humor her for now and see how the situation evolved. But as much as he appreciated Cristina’s work, he wouldn’t tolerate discord in his home from an employee that he paid damn well and treated almost like family. He needed Teddy, as was obvious from tonight’s little outing.

“This should be fun.” Teddy smiled as she turned her head toward him. Her hair whipped across her face in a stream of red shot through with gold, and she took a moment to push it back. “Thanks for including me in the welcoming party.”

Noah shook his head as he took the exit ramp for the airport parking garage. “No, I’m the one who should be thanking you. I wasn’t thrilled about having to wrangle two dogs and their crates by myself, and I wouldn’t even broach the subject with Cristina.” He’d decided to use that small lie since Teddy didn’t need to know about the confrontation he’d had with his housekeeper. “I’m just glad you were free tonight. Free in both senses, apparently, though I would have been more than happy to pay you for your time, like I said.”

Teddy dismissed that with a wave and a dazzling smile. “Think of tonight as an introductory special for a new client. Besides, it makes a lot of sense that the dogs see us together as soon as they get out of their crates. They’re going to have to get used to seeing a lot of both of us, right?”

“Oh, yeah,” he agreed, “an awful lot.”

And maybe in some interesting positions, too, with a little luck.

Okay, he’d like to think that particular thought had come out of nowhere, but he’d be lying. He wondered if she’d had any of the same lustful thoughts he’d been having since the day they chased down Buster. He thought maybe she had, since she always seemed a little flustered around him.

As Noah pulled into Garage C, Teddy’s pink mouth turned down at the corners. “I can’t stop thinking about your aunt. It must have been so wrenching for her to say goodbye to Toby and Sadie today. I can’t even imagine having to go through that.”

He grimaced. “Aunt Roz called me early this morning to tell me her friend and the dogs had hit the road for Dallas to catch the direct flight. She was pretty broken up.” Noah had been forced to brush away a tear himself after the short conversation. “I promised her again that I’d do everything I could to keep her darlings well and happy. And I made a point of letting her know that I’d hired a truly loving and responsible person to take care of them when I’m gone.” He gave her the warmest smile he could. “She was some happy about that, believe me.”

Teddy momentarily dropped her gaze as a blush of color spread over her face. “I appreciate that, Noah, but you don’t really know me. I’m not sure why you’d have that kind of confidence in me yet, especially after the Buster affair.”

He squeezed the Escalade into an empty slot on the first level and turned to her. She watched him with an earnest, almost wary expression in her eyes. “I know you enough, Teddy. For one thing, I saw firsthand how much you cared for Buster. And I saw how the dog reacted to you. That told me all I need to know when it comes to trusting you with my aunt’s dogs. It was a crazy day, and you handled everything really well. That was enough of a job interview for me.”

Her smile lit up her cute face as she glanced down at her elbow, no longer swathed in bandages but still obviously far from healed. “Then I guess this was a small price to pay for a great opportunity, huh?”

“I’m glad you think so,” Noah said as he got out of the car.

Opportunity? Teddy wasn’t his usual type—plus she was his new employee—but for some reason it felt like most of the opportunities in the current situation were his. And that was way more appealing than it should be.

***

You threw a mighty big – and very volatile - obstacle in the path of our hero and heroine’s happy ending in this book.  What is it about Noah and Teddy that convinced you they could overcome their differences and achieve that happy ever after?  

They’re both kind and responsible people who share a tendency to put the needs of others first.  That helped them get past their ideological differences and discover an emotional resolution to their problems.

Payoff Pitch is the fifth book in your Philadelphia Patriots series.  What is it about the athlete hero that appeals to you as a writer?  

Randy is a baseball fanatic and is incredibly knowledgeable about the sport, so it’s a world he’s really comfortable writing about. For me, I like the idea of these super-fit, sometimes slightly spoiled alpha males who live in this rarified environment. It’s always fun to see what happens when you give them smart, take-no-crap heroines who push them out of their comfort zones.

Noah wasn’t the only male who stole my heart in this book.  There were a few four-legged characters, and one in particular, that I’d be happy to have follow me home.  Is Toby based on a real-life dog or is he a product of your imagination?  Are there any four-legged creatures that share your life? 

Toby is based on a real life dog—my last standard poodle, also named Toby.  Honestly, he’s a ringer for my old guy, who died some years back.  Randy also used to be a dog breeder so there’s very little he doesn’t know about dogs. Sadly, Toby was my last dog since we now live in a condo.  But there’s a family dog—a lovely Norwegian Elkhound—and we do get to babysit him on occasion.

Will there be more Philadelphia Patriots books?

Yes, we have the first draft of the next book—the hero is a catcher.

Let’s talk about the two of you for a bit.

Summer is a great time for picnics and get-togethers.  If the Patriots players and their families invited you to a potluck picnic what dish would you bring?  Which of you would do the cooking or, like your writing, would it be a team effort?  

Randy, who is super-competent at almost everything, is kind of a disaster in the kitchen.  He does have one dish he’s good at—chili—but that’s probably too hot for the summer.  I think I’d make my mother’s macaroni salad recipe.  I LOVED it growing up—it’s so simple and still so good.

I love loading up my Kindle and relaxing on the beach while I catch up with oodles of great summer books.  Where’s your favorite summer place to read and relax?  What books are on your summer reading list?

We have a nice balcony on our condo, which is lovely in the late afternoon when the sun is off it.  I’m on a bit of a historical binge right now—I’m currently reading Vixen in Velvet by Loretta Chase, and next up is the last MacKenzie book by Jennifer Ashley and one of the Amelia Peabody mysteries.

Earlier this year, you released Lethal Confessions, a gritty romantic suspense novel, also with a baseball connection.  Do you have more romantic suspense novels planned?  Will you be taking readers back to south Florida anytime soon?  

We actually have a completed draft of the sequel to Lethal Confessions.  We’re hoping to get that out sometime within the next six months, or so.  Lots of books to work on!!

Thank you so much for visiting with us today.  Would you like to ask our readers a question?

I’d like to know if they watch summer sports, and who’s their favorite athlete!  Two people who comment will win digital copies of our Philadelphia Patriots anthology, which contains the first 3 books in the series.

He’s a billionaire ballplayer…

Noah Cade, pitcher for the Philadelphia Patriots, has big problems. He’s recovering from a serious injury and he’s just been saddled with his sick aunt’s crazy dogs. Then there’s his dad, a wealthy oilman who wants Noah to retire from baseball and step into his shoes as CEO of the family corporation. All Noah wants is to pitch again and help his team win the World Series, but his family keeps dragging him in the opposite direction.

She’s a small town girl…

Teddy Quinn moved to the city to start a dog walking business for rich people, hoping the income will pay for law school and help her fight the oil corporations drilling the county where she grew up. When Noah Cade hires her as a full-time dog sitter for his high-energy pets, it seems like the answer to Teddy’s financial woes. But the boundaries get blurred when she starts falling for her boss, who uses all his formidable charm to lure her into his bed.

When Teddy discovers Noah’s father owns Baron Energy, she’s devastated. How can she work for—or love—a man whose family stands for everything she hates?

Payoff Pitch is currently available in e-book format for only 99 cents!  Buy links follow:

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1jD2UCv

Nook:  http://bit.ly/1qagZgr

iTunes: http://bit.ly/V2UwGL

Kobo: http://bit.ly/TwEX8T

Smashwords:  http://bit.ly/1z2pcY3

Sound Off

Wow!  Can you believe 2014 is half over already?  Crazy!  I hope the first half of your year has been filled with good times, good friends and good books!  And, I hope our crew here at The Romance Dish can help fill the remainder of your year with great books, interesting authors, fantastic giveaways and lots of fun. I have a few questions for you that will help us accomplish that...and a special prize at the end so keep reading! :)

WHO are you?

No, you don't have to tell us your real name but give us some info about the type of person you are.  Are you under 30?  From 30 - 50?  Over 50?  Are you working?  Retired?  Married? Single?  Do you live in the United States or another country? (If you're not comfortable posting this publicly but want to share to help us, just send us an email at theromancedish (at) gmail (dot) com.)

WHAT do you enjoy reading?

Contemporary?  Historical?  Paranormal?  Young Adult?  Romantic Suspense?  Something else?  Do you read other genres besides romance?  Which ones?  What qualities draw you to a certain sub-genre, book or author?  What book(s) are you reading now? What upcoming books are you looking forward to reading?

What would you like to see (or see more of or, in some cases, less of) in romance publishing?  Share your thoughts on everything from the covers to the sub-genres to monthly publication dates to format to paperback print size to story content, etc.  We want to hear it all.

WHERE do you learn about new books or previously published books you haven't yet read?

Do you read reviews? Follow authors on social media?  Subscribe to review sites or magazines (such as RT)?  Participate on street teams?

Where do you buy books?  Do you use online sites?  Do you prefer brick and mortar stores? Do you have a preferred online site?

Where do you visit us at TRD?  Do you only visit the blog?  Do you follow us on facebook or twitter?  Do you subscribe via email or Google? Do you do the same for other romance blogs?

WHEN do you usually visit The Romance Dish?

How often do you typically stop by? Do you visit more than once a day?  Do you comment or are you primarily a lurker?  If you mostly lurk, what would entice you to comment?

WHY do you visit with us at TRD?

What are we doing that makes you want to spend time with us? What could we do to improve the experience?

Why do you read romance?  Tell us what qualities bring you back to these books time and again.

What goes into your decision to buy a book?  Why do you pick up book A and not book B?  Is it the cover?  The back blurb?  Author name recognition?  A review you've read?  A friend's recommendation? The price?

HOW do you read?

Are your books paperback?  Hardback?  Do you use an e-reader?  If so, which one?  Do you read on your phone?  Tablet?  Some other device?  What are your pros and cons for reading print vs digital?



Thank you for your help!  

Three randomly chosen people who leave answers to our questions will receive a package of books from our prize stash.  (U.S. addresses only)

Two international readers will receive their choice of The Secrets of a Scoundrel by Gaelen Foley, Never Been Kissed by Molly O'Keefe, Christmas in July by Debbie Mason or Where the Horses Run by Kaki Warner.

Please put a US or I (international) in your comment! 

Make Your Reservations

It's time again to mark your calendars and Make Your Reservations for August! There are a ton of great beach reads coming out next month. Here are just a few of the ones we are anticipating. Are any of these books on your list? If so, which ones? If not, which books are on your list?

How the Scoundrel Seduces

By Sabrina Jeffries

The third deliciously sexy novel in the New York Times bestselling Duke’s Men historical romance series, featuring an investigator who sets out to find gypsies—and unexpectedly finds love.

Investigator Tristan Bonnaud has one aim in life—to make sure that his half-brother George can’t ever ruin his life again. So when the pesky Lady Zoe Keane, the daughter of the Earl of Olivier, shows up demanding that the Duke’s Men find a mysterious gypsy woman, he seizes the opportunity to also hunt for a gypsy friend who knows secrets about George. Tristan doesn’t expect to uncover Lady Zoe’s family secrets, as well…or end up falling for the woman who will risk all to discover the truth.

(Pocket)

*******

Taken by Tuesday

By Catherine Bybee

He’ll do anything to keep her safe…for the rest of their lives.

Romance and excitement tie the knot in Taken by Tuesday, the fifth book in Catherine Bybee’s bestselling Weekday Brides series.

Judy Gardner: College graduate Judy stands ready to conquer the world…if she can get a job. Hoping to transition from aspiring architect to famous architect as quickly as possible, the dark-haired beauty moves to LA, staying in the home of her celebrity brother, Michael Wolfe. But it’s hard for Judy to focus on work when the sexy bodyguard she fell for last summer keeps showing up in her life and leaving her breathless.

Rick Evans: With his hard body, green eyes, and easy smile, Rick could have any woman he wants. But the Marine-turned- bodyguard only has eyes for Judy and her spitfire attitude. When a faceless villain attacks Judy, Rick will stop at nothing to protect the woman who opened his heart from the monster hunting her.

(Montlake)

*******

A Good Debutante’s Guide to Ruin

By Sophie Jordan

The last woman on earth he would ever touch . . .

Declan, the Duke of Banbury, has no interest in ushering Rosalie Hughes, his stepsister, into society.Dumped on him with nowhere else to go, he's determined to rid himself of the headstrong debutante by bestowing on her an obscenely large dowry . . . making her the most sought-after heiress of the Season.

. . . is about to become the only one he wants

But Rosalie isn't about to go along with Declan's plans. Surrounded by fortune hunters, how is she supposed to find a man who truly wants her? Taking control of her fate, Rosalie dons a disguise and sneaks into Sodom, a private club host to all manner of illicit activity—and frequented by her infuriatingly handsome stepbrother.

In a shadowed alcove, Declan can't resist the masked temptress who sets his blood afire . . . any more than Rosalie can deny her longing for a man who will send her into ruin.

(Avon)

*******

Why Lords Lose Their Hearts

By Manda Collins

Perdita, the widowed Duchess of Ormonde, keeps a dangerous secret—the truth of how her brutish husband died. But a mysterious avenger seems to know it, too, and when anonymous threats turn into public attacks, there's only one friend she can turn to for help—her husband's former secretary, Lord Archer Lisle. The man who witnessed her every heartache. The kind of man whose love she can only dream of...

The youngest of the Duke of Pemberton's five sons, Lord Archer Lisle is used to waiting his turn. For years, he could only stand by, seething, as Perdita suffered at the hands of her husband, but now she's under threat from another source—one who will stop at nothing to make her pay for the late duke's death. But the good-natured Archer can be dangerous when crossed—and he'll do anything to keep the woman he's adored for so long safe in his arms.

(St. Martin’s)

*******

Between the Sheets

By Molly O’Keefe

After years of running, Wyatt Svenson has now parked himself in Bishop, Arkansas, trying to do the right thing and parent a son he didn’t even know he had until recently. Over six feet tall and packed with muscles and power, Ty likes to get his hands dirty, fixing his motorcycle at night and keeping his mind away from the mistakes he’s made. Then his pretty neighbor shows up on his driveway, doesn’t bother to introduce herself, and complains about the noise. First impression? She should loosen up. Funny that she turns out to be his son’s elementary school art teacher—and the only one willing to help his troubled boy. Ty needs her. In more ways than one.

Though Shelby Monroe is safe in her structured life, she is drawn to Ty’s bad-boy edge and rugged sexuality. What if she just lets it all go: her worries about her mother, her fear of heartbreak, and her tight self control? What if she grabs Ty and takes a ride on the wild side? “What if” becomes reality—intense, exhilarating . . . and addictive. But Ty wants more than a secret affair. He wants it all with Shelby. But will she take a chance and open her heart? Ty is determined to convince Shelby to take the biggest risk of her life: on him.

(Bantam)

*******

I Adored a Lord

By Katharine Ashe

Three very different sisters beguile society with their beauty and charm, but only one of them must fulfill a prophecy: marry a prince. Who is the mystery Prince Charming, and which sister will be his bride?

All that clever, passionate Ravenna Caulfield wants is to stay far away from high society's mean girls.

All that handsome, heroic Lord Vitor Courtenay wants is to dash from dangerous adventure to adventure.

Now, snowbound in a castle with a bevy of the ton's scheming maidens all competing for a prince's hand in marriage, Ravenna's worst nightmare has come true.

Now, playing babysitter to his spoiled prince of a half-brother and potential brides, Vitor is champing at the bit to be gone.

When a stolen kiss in a stable leads to a corpse in a suit of armor, a canine kidnapping, and any number of scandalous liaisons, Ravenna and Vitor find themselves wrapped in a mystery they're perfectly paired to solve. But as for the mysteries of love and sex, Vitor's not about to let Ravenna escape until he's gotten what he desires . . .

(Avon)

*******

Harvest at Mustang Ridge

By Jesse Hayworth

When former lovers reunite at Mustang Ridge, old feelings run wild.

With guest season about to start at the ranch, Krista Skye needs to track down a new head wrangler fast. Unfortunately, the best man for the job is the last person Krista wants to see—Wyatt Webb, the college sweetheart who left her behind. Wyatt has major reservations about working with Krista as well, but he has his own reasons for wanting to stay in town.

Although Krista and Wyatt are all business at first, sparks fly as they work side by side, preparing for an upcoming country fair. Even though rekindling their relationship brings up painful memories, they’re not the same people they used to be—and neither can deny that there’s still something special between them. They have one last opportunity to save a good thing before it’s too late, but one of them will have to find the courage to take a chance on love...

(Signet Eclipse)

*******

The Highlander’s Bride Trouble

By Mary Wine

Her clan is in chaos...

Raised by her father and brother, Nareen Grant is strong, confident, well-educated-and skilled with a bow and dagger. It's a tumultuous time for Scotland, and events conspire against her. Betrayed by her family, she makes her way alone, until she lands in the lap of Saer MacLeod. But she wants no help from a savage man of the Isles.

And rivalries are deadlier than ever

Raised on the rugged Scottish Isles, Saer MacLeod is considered fierce even by Highlander standards. He's enchanted by the independent and headstrong Nareen. But when an old feud endangers her life, Saer's fascination with her escalates into a ferocious desire to protect her... and claim her for himself.

(Sourcebooks)