The randomly chosen winner of a set of
Tracy Brogan's Bell Harbor books is:
Lisa W
Congratulations!
Please send your full name and mailing address to:
theromancedish (at) gmail (dot) com
U.S. addresses only
Friday, April 21, 2017
Winner - - Lenora Bell
The randomly chosen winner of
Lenora Bell's Disgraceful Dukes books
and a chocolate treat is:
LSUReader
Congratulations!
Please send your full name and mailing address to:
theromancedish (at) gmail (dot) com
Winner: Susan Mallery Tulips
The randomly chosen winner of a beautiful
bouquet of tulips from Susan Mallery is:
Janga
Congratulations!
Please send the following information to
theromancedish (at) gmail (dot) com:
Your full name and phone number
The name and mailing address of
the person you want to receive the tulips
Today's Special - - Nancy Herkness
Nancy is a member of Romance Writers of America, New Jersey
Romance Writers, and Novelists, Inc. She has received many honors for her work,
including the Book Buyers Best Top Pick, the New England Readers’ Choice award,
and the National Excellence in Romance Fiction Award. She graduated from Princeton University with
a degree in English literature and creative writing.
A native of West Virginia, Nancy now lives in suburban New
Jersey with her husband, two mismatched dogs, and an elderly cat.
For more information about Nancy and her books, visit www.NancyHerkness.com. Visit with her online at:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nancyherkness
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NancyHerkness
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/nancyherkness/
Welcome back, Nancy!
It’s always a pleasure to host you. I have thoroughly enjoyed each of the stories
in your Wager of Hearts trilogy. Please share with our readers what they should
expect from these three books.
PJ, it’s ever and always a delight to be your guest on the
Romance Dish. You ask the best
questions.
I love my Wager of Hearts billionaires, so it makes me sad
that The VIP Doubles Down is the last
book in the series. Of course, my next series is set in New York and also
features ultra-wealthy heroes which means there’s a good chance that some cameo
appearances will occur.
What to expect? My three self-made billionaires—a CEO, a
quarterback, and a bestselling author--meet in the bar of an exclusive New York
club and discover a common problem: money gets in the way of love. So they make
a bet on finding the women who can love them for themselves and not all the
trappings of their wealth. Each book traces one man’s journey of the heart. I
take readers into the world of the hyper rich: mansions, penthouses, private
jets, glamorous parties, designer clothes, and fast cars. All these things
could easily dazzle my working girl heroines, but they are well-grounded,
fiercely independent women who see past the sparkly package to the men who need
their love and understanding to be whole.
The third book, The VIP Doubles Down was released April
18
and I have to say, Gavin’s story was well worth the wait. What
would you like readers to understand about this brooding author hero?
I am delighted to hear that you enjoyed The VIP Doubles Down. It’s a book of my heart.
Gavin covers his pain with his biting wit. The truth is that
he’s quite sensitive underneath all the snark. He has a lot of issues from his
past that could have turned him into a bitter man; instead he has channeled his
desire to escape into a hugely successful career as a writer of spy novels. But
it’s lonely at the top and he needs the warmth and healing of Allie, his new
physical therapist.
As with the previous
two heroines in this series, Allie’s life is so far removed from Gavin’s
billionaire lifestyle, they may as well be from different planets. What
qualities does she possess that convinced you she would be the right heroine
for Gavin?
Gavin has many wounds and Allie is a healer by nature. She’s
also warm, generous, and without pretension. His former fiancée, the actress
Irene Bartram, was none of those things, so Allie makes a wonderful antidote to
the poison Irene poured over Gavin’s heart. But Allie is no pushover; she calls
on her country-girl strength to stand up to Gavin’s strong personality when he
tries to walk over her. As a result, sparks often fly between them.
Pundits often advise
people to “write what you know.” I’m curious. As an author, were there any
unique challenges in creating a fictional author as the hero of this book?
Quite the opposite. I understood Gavin’s problems so well
that the book just flew from my madly typing fingertips. I love the way he uses
words to mask his wounds and vulnerabilities. In Luke’s book, The All-Star Antes Up, when I revealed
that Gavin is a romantic at heart, some readers were surprised, but I knew it
all along, of course. For some reason, the third books in my trilogies seem to
gravitate toward darker heroes and deeper emotional issues, and Gavin is no
exception. But I love my tortured heroes the most because they make me cry,
first with sadness and then with joy when they find the soulmate who will heal
them.
Readers of your
Whisper Horse series will no doubt enjoy the crossover characters in The VIP Doubles Down while others, like
me, who haven’t read those books yet will likely be intrigued and want to know
more about Sanctuary, West Virginia and the fictional characters who live there. What should readers new to the Whisper Horse
series expect from those stories? Do you plan more crossover characters for
future books?
I’ve become addicted to crossover characters. Even in my
earlier standalone books, I have the main characters from A Bridge to Love show up for cameo appearances in Shower of Stars and Music of the Night. When I fall in love with characters, I just
can’t let them go. In fact, I’m working on the first full-length novel in my
new Second Glances series, and I’ve already written a scene between the hero
and Nathan Trainor from The CEO Buys In.
It even takes place at the Bellwether Club. I didn’t plan for it; it just
popped into my writer’s brain.
Tim and Claire, who make the brief appearance in The VIP Doubles Down, are from the first
Whisper Horse book, Take Me Home. The
Whisper Horse novels are titled with phrases from Almost Heaven, the famous John Denver song about my mountain state,
because the setting is integral to the stories.
Allie may be meeting
Gavin for the first time when she accepts a position as his physical therapist
but she’s no stranger to his dashing fictional hero, Julian Best. In fact,
Julian has starred in many of her dreams and fantasies. Have you ever had a
book boyfriend? What made him stand out above all the others?
True confession: I’m a bit fickle in my book boyfriends.
I’ve had many. The first was Mr. Rochester in Jane Eyre. I melted over his dark, brooding edge of mystery. Then
Mr. Darcy. No explanation necessary. I adore Lord Damerel and the Marquis of Vidal
in Georgette Heyer’s Regency romances. Both are untamed rakes with that
delicious hint of dissipation. There’s nothing more satisfying than seeing the
heroine bring them to their knees. Damerel and Venetia trade literary
quotations which utterly delights me. The Marquis of Vidal is a very bad boy,
who still makes me sigh. For more modern heroes, I’m still madly in love with
Dan Calebow in Susan Elizabeth Phillips’ It
Had to Be You. He might have fed into my creation of Luke Archer in The All-Star Antes Up. There’s something
about the drive and discipline required to be an elite-level athlete that makes
my pulses race. Not to mention their perfectly honed bodies. Sad to say, I
could go on, but I’ve proved my point: I love the one I’m with.
Allie’s pet cat in
this story is inspired by a very special real-life feline who shares your life.
Please tell us about Pie.
Ah, Pie, the cat who came for Christmas…and stayed. Let me
preface this story by saying that I already had two dogs. I did not need a cat.
Pie, however, had other ideas.
My daughter, Rebecca (who is now a veterinary student at
Iowa State), worked at a homeless cat shelter in Pittsburgh where she found
Pie, the little gray cat whom no one would adopt because she had multiple
health issues and didn’t get along with other cats. She had nearly been
euthanized because of that.
Pie was no dummy. She curried my daughter’s favor by
greeting her with loud, enthusiastic meows, purring every time she was touched,
and showing a decided preference for her company. Pretty soon Pie had moved
into Rebecca’s apartment as a foster until someone was found to give her a
permanent home.
When my daughter came home for Christmas, of necessity, Pie
came with her…only for the holidays. When Rebecca returned to Pittsburgh after
the holidays, Pie somehow remained behind. And thus their goal was achieved:
Pie found a forever home.
Pie is the perfect illustration of a profound truth:
Sometimes we don’t know what’s missing from our lives until the universe sends
it our way. She has brought unexpected joy and love and comfort into my life.
Since Gavin in The VIP Doubles Down is
a writer like me, I decided he needed a cat too, even though he didn’t know it.
So Pie found her way into his story.
The sad news is that Pie was recently diagnosed with a very
aggressive form of breast cancer. She’s an elderly lady and has been through
three surgeries in the last year. Our vet says that another surgery would kill
her, so the cancer will win this time. Right now Pie is doing fine, and I
treasure my time with her, whether petting her or having her curled up on my
lap or basking in the spring sunshine on our back patio.
I loved the concept
of the Barefoot Ball that all three couples attend in The VIP Doubles Down. Was this a product of your imagination or
fashioned after an actual event? What’s the most unique event you’ve attended?
The Barefoot Ball is entirely imaginary. I love the feel of
cool, soft sand on my bare feet, so it popped into my head to require all these
fancy folks in their ball gowns and tuxedos to go barefoot on the beach in the
middle of winter. Of course, there are giant heaters but the sand will still be
chilled and delicious on their soles.
As for a very fancy real event, I once attended a private
party at the Metropolitan Museum of Art when the Edgar Degas exhibit was there
(which dates me, alas). When I walked into the grand entrance of the museum,
the first sight that met my eyes were actual ballerinas dressed in costumes from
the Degas paintings posing on the grand staircase to the music of a live
orchestra. I was escorted to the Temple of Dendur for hors d’oeuvres, proceeded
to the American Wing for dinner, and then toured the exhibit with only the
party guests, no public crowds. As I departed, I received a goody bag
containing gourmet chocolates and notecards printed with Degas’ paintings. That
was an evening to remember!
Gavin’s bestselling
books have been made into enormously successful movies. Which of your books
would you most like to see on the big screen? Any thoughts on which actors you
would want to portray the leads?
I think all of my books would make great movies, of course.
However, I understand that movies need less internalization and more action, so
I would choose Shower of Stars (one
of my standalone novels) or The Place I
Belong (the third Whisper Horse novel) for a movie script. Both offer
plenty of external events to hang the visuals on, but they also offer strong
emotional scenes for a really good actor to sink his teeth into.
I love casting the heroes of my books; I seem to be less
picky about the heroines. I see Colin Farrell as Jack Lanett in Shower of Stars; he has that edge of
danger that Jack projects, as well as a dark brooding presence. We’d have to
change his accent from Irish to Deep South but I’m sure Colin could manage
that.
For Adam Bosch, the world-class chef and restaurateur in The Place I Belong, I would cast Hugh
Jackman. He has that smooth, charming façade, but there are depths to plumb
there. Adam could even be turned into an Aussie for the movie because I love
Hugh’s accent. And a few other things about him.
What’s next?
I’m just proofreading the kick-off story for my new Second
Glances series, a novella titled Second
to None. The new series combines billionaires, New York City, children,
dogs, and second chance love stories…all my favorite things! Second
to None will be released September 12th. It’s set at Christmas
time, too. Below is the story summary…and your readers are the first ones to
see this!
Billionaire chemist
Max Varela is selling his company and leaving New York for good when Emily Wade
bursts into his office, desperate for his help in funding her program for
disadvantaged kids and shelter dogs. Seven years ago, he fell in love with her
when she was married to another man. To fight the unbidden attraction, he cut
off all contact but he’s never forgotten her.
Ever since her husband
died, Emily has poured her heart and soul into the after-school care center.
Seeing Max reawakens the pain of her loss, but it also brings unexpected hope
for the future. As emotions thought long gone resurface, they begin a
passionate affair that seems destined for a fairytale ending.
Until Max reveals that
he’s moving to Chicago in a matter of weeks and wants Emily to uproot her
daughter and her life to come with him. If a second chance at love is possible,
someone’s got to give.
Thank you for sharing us! I'm off to mark the date!
Will you be attending any events this year where readers will have the opportunity to meet you in person?
Will you be attending any events this year where readers will have the opportunity to meet you in person?
I will be at RWA’s “Readers for Life” Literacy Autographing
on July 29th from 3:00 – 5:00 at Disney’s Swan and Dolphin Resort. I
am also the luncheon keynote speaker at the New Jersey Romance Writer’s “Put
Your Heart in a Book” conference on October 14th in Iselin, NJ. Hmm,
I need to get out more.
Thanks for visiting
with us today, Nancy. Would you like to ask our readers a question?
I have so many questions for readers, but today I’ll ask:
How much does a book’s cover affect your decision about whether to buy it or
not? (I’m asking this because I love, love, love the cover of The VIP Doubles Down.)
Two randomly chosen people who leave a comment before 11:00 PM (EST), April 22, 2017 will each receive an autographed copy of The VIP Doubles Down. (U.S. only)
Two randomly chosen people who leave a comment before 11:00 PM (EST), April 22, 2017 will each receive an autographed copy of The VIP Doubles Down. (U.S. only)
Writer’s block is killing his spirit and jeopardizing his contracts with his publisher and his Hollywood producers. Prodded by his agent, Gavin reluctantly agrees to see Allie Nichols, a sassy physical therapist tasked with treating the novelist’s severe neck and shoulder pain—and maybe his writer’s block, too.
The tempestuous Gavin and no-nonsense Allie soon find themselves entangled in a steamy affair that sparks Gavin’s creativity again. But their manipulative ex-lovers and Gavin’s lingering childhood scars threaten their happily ever after. Can Gavin and Allie find their way to love when the stakes are high and the obstacles are overwhelming?
Thursday, April 20, 2017
Today's Special - - Emily March
Welcome, Emily! I’m happy to have you join us today to talk about
a very important topic. In past years, you’ve run a March
Madness promotion to publicize your inspiring and heartwarming Eternity Springs
book series but this year you’re doing something different. Will you tell us
about the special inspiration behind your 2017 March(ing) Madness project?
Hi PJ. Thanks for inviting me back to The Romance Dish!
I can tell you about my special inspiration for this year’s
March(ing) Madness book giveaway, but I think I should show you, too. Meet The
Gift, my precious new grandson who was born in January.
The Gift was born with cystic fibrosis, a life-threatening
disease that affects the cells in the body that make mucus, sweat and digestive
fluids. Normally, these fluids are thin and slippery, but in people with CF a
defective gene causes them to become thick and glue-like. Instead of
lubricating, the secretions plug up tubes, ducts, and passageways, especially in
the lungs and pancreas. Some with CF say it feels like they are breathing
through a straw. More than 30,000 children and adults in the US and 70,000
worldwide are living with CF.
Healing is an underlying theme in all of my Eternity Springs
books. Since I’ve been doing a March Madness promotion each year since the
first ES book came out, and I planned to participate in the CF Foundation’s
Great Strides annual fundraising walk in May, combining the two projects and
making March(ing) Madness 2017 a book giveaway with a purpose seemed like a
great fit.
As you mention above, the purpose of this year’s project is
to raise funds for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Please tell us about the
Foundation and the work they do.
When my son shared the heartbreaking news of my grandson’s diagnosis,
I set out to educate myself about cystic fibrosis and the challenges that The
Gift and his parents face.
I discovered that families have a great resource available in the
Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. It is a proven leader in the field of rare disease research
and is recognized globally for its unprecedented advancements. It is the
authoritative source for information about the disease. At a particularly
challenging time in our lives, our family reached out to the local CFF office.
With kindness and concern and a fabulously informative website, they provided
the facts we needed—rather than the horror stories internet searches provided.
When the Foundation was established, children born with CF were
not expected to live long enough to start school. Today, thanks to research and
care supported by the Foundation, many people with CF are living into their
30's and 40's.
The CF Foundation leads the search for new treatments and a cure.
They’ve spent nearly 3 billion dollars on its mission and advancing new therapies
over the past 25 years.. Virtually every approved CF drug available today was
made possible because of Foundation support.
Research toward the ultimate goal—a cure—is promising. Currently,
more than 25 promising therapies are in development. The Cystic Fibrosis
Foundation funds that research.
One last, very important thing about the Foundation that I want
to mention—they are careful stewards of every dollar raised in support of their
mission. They are rated four out of four stars by Charity Navigator and are an
accredited charity of the Better Business Bureau's Wise Giving Alliance,
meeting all of its Standards for Charitable Accountability.
They are one of the good charities out there that you can feel
comfortable supporting.
Thank you for sharing that information, Emily. It isn't always easy to know which organizations are worthy of our charitable dollars.
People may not be aware of what the
diagnosis of Cystic Fibrosis means. Will you please share with us how living
with this disease impacts a patient and their family?
Oh, wow. That’s an involved answer. Remember, we’re only three
months into this new reality and I can’t speak for those who’ve been living
with it for years.
From our perspective, it was a devastating diagnosis. I make my
living with words, but I honestly don’t have ones to share what it meant to my
son and his wife to learn that The Gift would be born with CF. To have this
disease, both his parents had to be carriers of the defective gene and he had
to inherit it from both them. Neither family knew we carried it, so it was
quite a shock. This is usually the case for CF families.
As far as living with the disease, it’s high maintenance
management. The Gift is pancreatic deficient, which means he can’t properly
digest his food. At two weeks of age, he began taking enzymes to assist with
that. He must take them every time he eats, for his entire life—or until we get
that cure. He needs special vitamins and salt added to his food. (When you kiss
him, he is a salty little guy.) As he grows, he’ll need chest physical therapy
to loosen the mucus in his chest from one to four times a day. On average, CPT
takes two hours per day. That’s a month out of every year spent having CPT!
It’s imperative to keep him away from anyone who might be sick.
The common cold can be very serious for a CFer. Since he was born in January at
the height of the cold and flu season, his parents kept him home except to go
to his many doctors appointments. He’s getting out a little more now, but we
are vigilant with the hand sanitizer. Having CF meant that being in daycare
wasn’t safe for him, and that introduced a whole other level of financial stress
to a family where both parents worked.
The bottom line is that cystic fibrosis will more than likely
significantly shorten The Gift’s life unless that cure is found. That reality
is enormously stressful for CF families. Our efforts focus on giving him as
many tomorrows as we can manage, and since the doctors tell us the possibility
of a cure is very promising, we are determined to see that he’s ready for it
when it comes.
How can readers participate in March(ing) Madness?
It’s easy! To enter, all you need to do is to join Team Eternity
Springs or make a donation in one of our team member’s name. You can do that at: Fight CF with Team Eternity Springs
Donations are not required to enter the giveaway, although of
course, we hope you will. You can read more about the giveaway at: March(ing) Madness 2017
Over thirty authors have contributed books, raffle baskets, and
swag to the giveaway. My publisher, St. Martin’s Press, and Grand Central
Publishing have also sent boxes of books, as have my agents at the Jane
Rotrosen Agency. My office is overflowing with books, so the odds of being a
winner are great!
I've always been impressed with how the romance community rallies to support one another and this is just one more example.
Do you have a fundraising goal?
Yes! We hope to raise $10,000 and we are well on our way to
achieving that goal. As I write this we have raised around $7500.
What if readers live in the Ft. Worth, TX area? How can they sign
up for the actual walk on May 21st?
I’d LOVE to have readers join us at the walk! When you join Team
Eternity Springs, you have the option of signing up as a physical walker or
virtual walker. Sign up as a local walker and drop me an email to let me know
you’re coming! I’ll have a Team Eternity Springs t-shirt for you!
Is there anything else you’d like to add?
My next book in the Eternity Springs series is A STARDANCE SUMMER
and it comes out June 27th! I invite readers to come camping with the Callahan
brothers this summer. :)
I already have this marked on my calendar. I'll go anywhere with your Callahan brothers!
Thank you for visiting with us today, Emily. I’ve joined Team
Eternity Springs, made a donation, and am happy to spread the word about this
worthwhile endeavor. I’ll also be
keeping your precious “The
Gift” in my prayers.
Thank you so much, PJ.
Readers, I encourage you to support Emily and her family in this endeavor by joining Team Eternity Springs, spreading the word on social media, and, if you are able, making a donation. A single dollar can make a difference for "The Gift" and others who live with a Cystic Fibrosis diagnosis.
Wednesday, April 19, 2017
Today's Special - - Tracy Brogan
Hi Tracy! Welcome to The Romance Dish. It’s a pleasure to
host you today.
I’m always happy to visit the Romance Dish! Thanks for
inviting me.
My Kind of You,
the first book in your new Trillium Bay series, released yesterday. Please tell
us about this new series.
Trillium Bay is located on Wenniway Island, a place so small
that
cars have been banned and everyone gets around by horse, bike, or on foot.
Most of the 600 year-round inhabitants are from families who’ve lived on the
island since the 1700’s. Naturally this
gives the town a very distinct and unique personality. Everyone knows
everyone’s business and secrets are a luxury. Tourism is their main source of
income and during the summer there are as many as 15,000 visitors in one day.
They’re called “fudgies” because they come for the famous Wenniway Island
fudge.
What should readers expect from My Kind of You?
There are three Callaghan sisters and this book is Emily’s
story. She’s the middle child, the wild child, who has returned to the island
after a long absence to renovate her grandmother’s rental property and to mend
fences with her father. Readers can expect lots of eccentric, colorful
characters caught up in peculiar circumstances. There is romance, redemption,
forgiveness, moments of personal growth, and lots of yummy romance.
Though Emily and Ryan have instant chemistry, the obstacles
between them and a happy ending keep mounting. What is it about these two that
convinced you they were right for one another even though all signs indicate
the opposite?
Ryan is visiting the island for a few months while working
on a building project with his father. Then he intends to return to Sacramento.
Emily has been living in San Antonio, so distance is the first obstacle to
their long-term prospects. The other obstacle is much more significant, and I
don’t want to say what it is because that’s half the fun of the story! What I
will say, though, is if that big obstacle was not present, Ryan and Emily could
have easily have been together. They’re both single, with romance on their
mind. Both hard workers, creative thinkers, and both very loyal to the people
they love. And there is that instant chemistry, of course!
Living in Michigan, Mackinac island continues to be one of my favorite vacation spots. It has a charm like no place else. Seeing horses and buggies, people on bikes, and all the Victorian architecture, it all blends together to create this Brigadoon-like feeling. The chamber of commerce has worked hard to maintain the old-world ambiance. In June, the Lilac festival brings thousands of visitors to the island, and it’s the only place where you can find this unique aroma of lilacs, fudge, and… horse manure.
Ah, yes. I remember that aroma well!
I lost track of the number of times I laughed out loud while reading this book. In fact, I was laughing so loud around 2:00 AM when I reached the horses-in-the-lake scene, that I was sure my poor condo neighbor would start pounding on the wall. Have you always had the ability to make others laugh? Do you crack yourself up while writing?
I lost track of the number of times I laughed out loud while reading this book. In fact, I was laughing so loud around 2:00 AM when I reached the horses-in-the-lake scene, that I was sure my poor condo neighbor would start pounding on the wall. Have you always had the ability to make others laugh? Do you crack yourself up while writing?
Thank you! That’s a great compliment! Sometimes when I’m
writing, I’ll let myself go off on a tangent and that’s when the best jokes
happen. I love when characters do things
I wasn’t expecting. In the Bell Harbor books, I had a character named Fontaine
who always says the most inappropriate things. Things I personally would never
say. But there he is on the page. A few characters in MY KIND OF YOU did the
same thing. Dmitri Krushnic, the man who always wears his beekeeping hat even
when he’s nowhere near his bees, comes to mind! He’ll definitely be back in the
next book!
I'm glad we'll be seeing more of Dmitri and, hopefully, other quirky secondary characters from My Kind of You. I'm already eager for my next visit to Wenniway Island!
You have a May-December secondary romance in this book – a storyline not frequently seen in contemporary romance but one that struck a chord for me. What inspired you to create this relationship?
You have a May-December secondary romance in this book – a storyline not frequently seen in contemporary romance but one that struck a chord for me. What inspired you to create this relationship?
The May-December romance is a sweet secondary story element
of MY KIND OF YOU. It’s between two people who decide to follow their hearts no
matter what everyone else thinks. They are both at a place in their lives where
they want to throw caution to the wind and just see where it leads without
over-thinking it. In spite of their age difference, they communicate on a level
that transcends the years. I’m not sure it’s a long-term relationship, though.
You might want to read the third book in the series to find out about that!
Your books never fail to keep me flipping pages well beyond
my normal bedtime. What’s the last book that kept you reading into the wee
hours?
The Idiot’s Guide to Training a Puppy.
LOL! I've been there! This has nothing to do with your book but, because I’ve
fallen in love with her via your Facebook photos and posts, will you tell us
about Piper and the impact she’s had on your life?
See above! Piper has
had a huge impact on my life. Literally and
figuratively. She’s currently 8
months old and weighs nearly 90 pounds. She’ll top out at about 130 pounds, or
so they say. Time will tell. In spite of her big-ness, she has all the attributes
of a playful puppy and ohmygoodness, when she comes running at you at full
speed and bulldozes into you? You feel it. I have bruises. But she’s also very
snuggly and she wants to be with me all the time. One day I was in the shower
and watched as she, very methodically, dragged every towel out of the bathroom.
What’s next?
I’m putting the finishing touches on the second Trillium Bay
book. It’s Brooke’s story. In the first book, she’s thinking about running for
mayor. Now she’s been elected and holding a public office in such a tiny,
close-knit place turns out to be not quite what she was hoping for. And there’s
a jewel thief. And a funeral for a guy who died ten years ago. And more
secrets, and more reveals. And romance. There is always romance!
Where are the best places for readers to connect with you
online?
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/AuthorTracyBrogan/
and my website http://www.tracybrogan.com/
are the two best places. I’m rarely on Twitter or other platforms although I’m
trying to broaden my scope! Readers can always feel free to send me at
email at tracybrogan@att.net, too!
Will you be attending any events this year where readers
will have the opportunity to meet you in person?
I’ll be at the Barbara Vey Reader Appreciation Weekend April
28-30th. Then I’m speaking at the Huron Valley Council for the Arts
Luncheon on May 16th, and at the Mid-Michigan RWA Chapter on May 20th.
I’ll be rounding out my summer with a trip to Houston to be a guest speaker at
the Starfish Conference of the Houston Bay Area RWA, September 22-23, 2017.
I'm looking forward to seeing you at Barbara Vey's Reader Appreciation Weekend in a couple weeks!
I'm looking forward to seeing you at Barbara Vey's Reader Appreciation Weekend in a couple weeks!
Thank you for visiting with us today, Tracy. Would you like
to ask our readers a question?
Thanks so much for having me, PJ! It’s an honor to share
time with your readers today! As for my own question, I’d love to know what
readers wish they saw more of in contemporary romance today. More steamy
novels? More sweet romance with a PG-13 rating? More humor? Stories about
circus folk or synchronized swimmers? What do readers wish we’d write more
about?
One randomly chosen person leaving a comment before 11:00 PM (EST), April 20, 2017 will receive a set of Tracy's Bell Harbor books: Crazy Little Thing, The Best Medicine, and Love Me Sweet. (U.S. only)
One randomly chosen person leaving a comment before 11:00 PM (EST), April 20, 2017 will receive a set of Tracy's Bell Harbor books: Crazy Little Thing, The Best Medicine, and Love Me Sweet. (U.S. only)
Emily Callaghan never expected to spend another summer on Wenniway Island. Yet here she is, back in her quaint northern Michigan hometown of Trillium Bay, divorced, flat broke, and dragging along her precocious twelve-year-old. It’s a simple arrangement: Emily, a house flipper, will renovate one of her grandmother’s rental properties in exchange for a much-needed loan. Once a wild child, the reformed Emily also hopes to remodel her reputation and show her family she’s all grown up.
But coming home is never simple. Emily’s dad is more distant than ever. Her younger sister is dating a much older man, and Emily’s worried it’s a mistake. The cottage remodel grows increasingly daunting. And then there’s handsome out-of-towner Ryan Taggert…
Ryan has his own family drama. A smart, ambitious land developer, he’s come to Wenniway to rescue his father from the grips of a new girlfriend and protect their family business. But he’s quickly distracted by gorgeous, witty Emily Callaghan.
There’s no denying the attraction between Emily and Ryan. But will their conflicting interests destroy any chance at love? Or will Emily finally get the chance to rebuild her life—and repair her heart?
Barnes and Noble
Tuesday, April 18, 2017
Today's Special: Review, Q&A & Giveaway - - Lenora Bell's Blame It on the Duke
Blame It On The Duke
By Lenora Bell
Publisher: Avon
Release Date: April 18, 2017
Reviewed by PJ
Blame It on the Duke is one of the few romances I've read where I already adored the heroine before beginning the book and had my fingers crossed that the author would create a hero worthy of her. She did. Alice is intelligent, quirky, opinionated, adventurous, and an absolute delight. Nick is a handsome, arrogant, and sensual man who embraces his sexuality and reputation as a rake proudly but, beneath his exterior, lives a much more complex and vulnerable man. The cast of characters surrounding Nick and Alice is just as expertly crafted as our hero and heroine with Bell's depiction of Nick's father and his household staff being particularly poignant. The way Bell brings these people together, the journey she takes them on, and the growth they experience is a blend of humor, heart, angst, adventure, and sizzling passion. I highly recommend going along for the ride.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Welcome back, Lenora and
congratulations on the release of your newest novel, Blame It on the Duke.
Thanks so much, PJ! It’s always such a pleasure to visit The
Romance Dish!
I was intrigued by Nick from the
glimpses of him in How the Duke Was Won but I fell head over heels in love with
him during his own journey to love. What do you want readers to understand
about this character?
Well thanks for warming an author’s heart, PJ! I’m so glad
you fell in love with Nick. He’s one of those classic dark and dangerous
Regency rakes who indulges his hedonistic urges and lives only for today. But
he has his reasons. He lives with the fear that he will go mad just as his
father and grandfather did before him. He doesn’t believe in the future or in
the possibility of a deeper relationship…until he meets Alice.
I was so excited when I learned
that Miss Alice Tombs would be the heroine of this novel. I adored her in How the Duke Was Won! At first glance, she
and Nick seem to be the mismatch of the century. What was it about this
character that convinced you she could be his salvation instead?
Alice has definitely been a reader favorite! I think I
receive more emails about her than anyone else. So I knew I had to do my best
to give her a gloriously satisfying story. She’s a bookish lady who is fluent in seven
languages and longs to travel to India. When she’s forced to marry Nick, she
thinks she’s found a way to protect her heart while gaining the freedom to
travel. But I knew that Alice’s exuberant nature and love for adventure would
be the perfect tools to destroy the ironclad walls Nick has built around his
heart.
Nick’s father is another character
who captured my heart. I enjoyed his love of orchids and how caring for them
grounded him. What flowers bring a sense
of joy and peace to you?
It’s funny you should ask that, PJ, because I was actually
growing orchids while writing the book! A coworker left me some shriveled,
dried-up orchids in plastic pots. Everyone told me to just throw them away but
for an entire year I tended, watered, and cared for those orchids, holding out
hope that they would eventually blossom. When they finally flowered I couldn’t
believe how gorgeous they were! One of them was purple, one of them was white,
and one of them was the most delicate cream shade with violet on the inside. Bringing
those orchids back to life gave me a deep sense of pride and joy and I wove
those feelings throughout the book.
The more I see of Patrick (who we first met in If I Only Had a Duke), the more enamored I become. Do you have plans for him?
I would be thrilled to write a book about Patrick someday
because he has such an interesting history and he’s such a good father to his
young son, Van. I’m hoping that one of these days I will be able to return to
this series and tell his story!
Alice’s cat, Kali came to life
through your words. Please tell us about your pets. Are they as lively and
inquisitive as Kali?
I guess you can tell that I’m a cat lover. I modeled Kali on
the two rescue kittens my husband and I adopted last year. They are
tiger-striped brothers named Dorian and Percy who are the sweetest, most
naughty fluff balls in the world! They love to watch squirrels in the yard,
chase each other around (we can’t leave any breakables out), and curl up at
night and purr in our ears. There’s a scene in Blame It on the Duke that I modeled
after the silly songs my husband likes to sing to the cats. There’s just
something about a manly guy crooning to a cat that gives me all the feels ;)
Will you be attending events this
year where readers can meet you?
This year is going to be busy with lots of fun events! I
can’t wait to connect with readers at the Barbara Vey Reader AppreciationWeekend, the Romantic Times Convention, the North Words Writers Symposium, the
RWA Annual Convention, the Historical Romance Retreat, and the Buns & RosesRomance Tea for Literacy.
Where can readers find you online?
I adore hearing from readers! Find me at my website: www.lenorabell.com or follow me on Facebook
for fun giveaways and musings: www.facebook.com/lenorabellauthor.
Thanks for visiting with us today, Lenora!
Would you like to ask our readers a question?
Thanks so much for hosting me, PJ!
Do you have a favorite flower that brings you a sense of joy
and peace? Do you enjoy reading books that feature pets? Which books with pets
are your favorites?
One randomly chosen person leaving a comment will receive a signed set of the three Disgraceful Dukes books and a special chocolate treat. U.S. only
Connect with Lenora online at:
Blame It on the Duke
The future Duke of Barrington has just been gambled away by his father. To an heiress!
The delicious details thus far...
Nicolas,
Lord Hatherly, never intended to marry—nor add to the “mad” Hatherly line—but
now he must honor his father’s debt to a social-climbing merchant or lose the
family estate.
A
notoriously wild marquess, won by her father at a game of cards, is the very
last thing Miss Alice Tombs wants. She’s spent the last three seasons repelling
suitors in spectacular fashion so she’d be at liberty to explore the world.
She’ll just have to drive this one away as well.
Until
Nick proposes an utterly tempting arrangement: one summer together to prove the
legitimacy of their union, then Alice is free to travel while Nick revels
in the time he has left before the Hatherly Madness takes hold.
It
will be easy to walk away after a few months of make-believe wedded bliss—won’t
it? Alice and Nick are about to find out...one sultry night at a time.
This
ought to be fun . . .
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