Tag Archives: Kate Noble

Guest Author: Kate Noble & Giveaway!!

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I’m thrilled to have the awesomely talented Kate Noble visiting the blog today.  Kate is the national bestselling author of the acclaimed Blue Raven Series, earning starred reviews from Library Journal and Publisher’s Weekly (Follow My Lead), as well as a spot on the Best Romance list from Kirkus Reviews (The Summer of You) and a RITA nomination for best Regency Historical Romance (Revealed).  She’s also a member of the writing staff for the Lizzie Bennet Diaries, a modern-day adaption of Pride and Prejudice.

Let’s find out what’s going on in Kate’s world, shall we?

You studied TV and film in college, and eventually worked in that profession.  Why the switch to romance writing?

It’s not a switch!  I’ve always loved romance novels, and I’ve always loved TV, so I decided to have a career in both. I write novels, but I also work for the small and smaller screen, my latest project being The Lizzie Bennet Diaries, the hit web series retelling of Pride and Prejudice.  (You can visit Lizzie’s world on YouTube, folks)

How does your background in that visual medium help (or hinder) your writing?

I think it helps, honestly.  It makes me think differently about how I write my novels.  It make me think about what would be the best setting for a scene, the iconography of one place versus another.  It also makes me think about chemistry, and how much can be said without saying anything.

What can you tell us about your new book?  Is it part of a series?

My new book is set in the same Blue Raven world as my previous novels, but very much stand alone.  Bridget Forrester longs to meet a gentleman who doesn’t mention her beautiful sister (Sarah, heroine of If I Fall) upon shaking her hand. But since being branded a shrew after a disastrous social season, Bridget knows she’s lucky to even have a man come near her. It’s enough to make a lady flee the country…

So Bridget heads to Venice for music lessons with the renowned Italian composer Vincenzo Carpenini, with whom she’s been corresponding. But not only is Carpenini not expecting her, he doesn’t even remember her! His friend, theater owner Oliver Merrick, does, though. And one look into her tantalizing green eyes has him cursing his impulsive letter-writing, which brought her across the continent. Yet before Merrick can apologize, Carpenini has ordered her away.

Little does either man know that they will soon be embroiled in a wager that will require the beautiful Miss Forrester’s help—or that there’ll be far more at stake in this gamble than money…

What’s next in Kate’s writing world?

I am very excited about my next trilogy, the first of which will be out in 2014.  I’m also working on a comic book with Javier Grill-Marxuach (The Middleman) and artist Kel McDonald, as well as the Welcome to Sanditon web series.  Other than that, I have a couple of pet projects in the pipeline, that I hope to make see the light of day.

Wow!  Your plate is full with some very cool stuff, Kate!  Thanks for taking the time to be with us.  Readers, Kate is graciously giving away a copy today of If I Fall.  Since her latest book involves music and composers, let’s talk about that.  What’s your favorite music to listen to?  One person who comments will win a copy of If I Fall.

And don’t forget to check Kate’s website for more info on Let It Be Me, her new book.

 

 

We Have Winners!

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The winners of the copies of my first book, Mastering The Marquess, are Kanya Chhet and Eileen Dandashi.  Congratulations, ladies!  I’ll be in touch.

Thanks to everyone for stopping by the blog for Kate Noble’s fun interview.  I’ve got some great guest authors coming up in the next week, including historical romance writers, Bronwen Evans and Monica Burns!

 

Guest Author: Kate Noble & Giveaway!

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Those of you who stopped by the blog last week know that I did a feature on historical romance writer, Kate Noble.  I’m pleased to say that Kate is back on the blog today with an interview.  Pull up a chair, and let’s get to know her a little better!

What drew you to the Regency period as the particular setting for your novels?

I’ve always loved the Regency. I read Pride and Prejudice at the impressionable age of 15 and haven’t looked back. Since the Regency Era was mainly what I was reading, it makes sense that it would be what I started writing, right?

Also, the Regency is just jam packed with so much goodness. From Prinny to Beau Brummell to the Napoleonic Wars to Byron to Austen herself, the era is such a fascinating time for London – a sprawling city that was as old as Hadrian’s Wall but felt new, like it was bursting at the seams to grow.

Your new historical romance is out, and it combines passion, adventure, romance, and a little danger, too. Can you tell us a little bit about it? What gave you the idea for this book?

The idea from this book sprang from a slightly sad tale. Once upon a time, I got dumped. Don’t worry, I survived it, but recalling that time got me thinking – what would it take for someone in the Regency Era to survive getting dumped? What if it was a broken engagement? What if it had been to a duke? How could you ever go out in society again?

Well, Miss Sarah Forrester goes through all that (her heart cruelly broken at the end of my previous book Follow My Lead) and she not only survives, but she thrives! Reinventing herself as the Golden Lady, Sarah becomes the most sought after young lady of the ton, and the façade not only saves her socially, but keeps her vulnerable heart safe. The only person who can see through the façade is her childhood friend, Lieutenant Jackson Fletcher. And he will do anything – even dressing up as Sarah’s girlhood crush, the mysterious spy known only as the Blue Raven – to bring her out from behind the mask and back to the sweet and loving girl he once knew.

Too bad the real Blue Raven isn’t nearly as amused by Jack’s costume. Although he does need his help in solving a murder…

When you were writing the book, did anything surprise you? A bit of research, characters going off in an unexpected direction?

I’m always surprised by what my character end up doing and saying to each other – but sometimes the most interesting things are in the development of my secondary characters. Sometimes one random line makes the light bulb ding over my head and I think “Oh, that would make an excellent storyline for this other character’s book, next!”

Was there a model for your dashing hero, or did you pull him straight from your mighty brain?

Well, I sort of modeled him on Wesley from The Princess Bride with a dash of Captain Jack Aubrey from Master and Commander: the Far Side of the World. Although, in my head, he looks exactly like Taylor Kitsch.

Thus he sprang forth from the depths of my mind and, after a quick lesson, began to swashbuckle with aplomb!

Thanks so much for being with us today, Kate!  And since you gave away books last week, I’d like to return the favor today.  I’ll give away two copies of my first book, Mastering The Marquess, to two folks who comment on the blog today.  I was thinking the other day about dinner parties and fun guests.  If you could sit next to anyone in the world at a dinner party, who would it be?  Feel free to select from the past or present.  I mentioned on facebook the other day that I’d love to sit next to Ellen DeGeneres at a dinner party.  I think she’d be a hoot!

We Have Winners!!

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We have lots of winners from our Rock*It Reads mega-giveaway earlier in the week.  Here’s the list:

Love’s Portrait by Monica Burns: Landin

Skin Deep by Pamela Clare (Available May 2012): DeborahR

Carnal Gift by Pamela Clare: Fedora

Sweet Release by Pamela Clare: Betty Hamilton

Undone by Lila DiPasqua (Available May 2012): Savannah Miller

Hot Number by VK Sykes (aka Vanessa Kelly): Tonya

Fastball by VK Sykes (aka Vanessa Kelly): Mary Doherty

Hardball by VK Sykes (aka Vanessa Kelly): Mina DeCaro-Petril

His Wicked Revenge by Vanessa Kelly: bn100

Claiming Her by Kris Kennedy (Available May 2012): donna ann

Stolen Fury by Elisabeth Naughton: Megan G

Fever by Joan Swan (print copy): Cate Sparks

Intimate Enemies by Joan Swan: Tina Rucci

And the winner of Kate Noble’s book is Shannon.  Congratulations to all the winners!  We’ll be in touch.

Thanks to everyone who stopped by the blog this week – it was great fun!  Kate Noble will be back next week for an interview, and historical romance author Bronwen Evans will also be stopping by.  Please join us!

 

 

 

Guest Author: Kate Noble & Giveaway!

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As you can imagine, I love historical romance and I love featuring historical romance authors on my blog.  And today I’ve got one of the best — She’s Kate Noble, and she’s one of the new breed of historical romance authors like Kieran Kramer and Kris Kennedy, writing one fantastic book after another.

Kate’s first book, Compromised, was published in 2008 to wide-ranging acclaim, including this stellar review from RT Book Reviews: 

“Noble’s dazzling debut is witty, filled with the atmosphere of the era and brimming with unforgettable characters and a refreshing plot.”

Subsequent books earned starred reviews from Booklist and Publishers Weekly, and were even named as a Kirkus Reviews Best Romance.  Kate also received a prestigious RITA nomination for Revealed, which is no surprise to anyone who’s read her books.

Kate’s most recent book, Follow My Lead, received some of her best reviews yet, including this amazing one from the Chicago Tribune:

“If Austen were alive and writing novels today the result might be something exactly like “Follow My Lead,” a wickedly witty and superbly satisfying romance.”

How awesome is that?!  As you can probably tell, Kate writes wonderfully witty and romantic books.  Even better, she has a new book out and I’m positive that If I Fall will receive the same fantastic accolades as her previous books.

Don’t you just adore Kate’s covers?  Here’s the blurb for If I Fall:

Every great romance comes with a risk…

After a duke’s betrayal, the resilient Sarah Forrester reinvents herself as the Golden Lady: society’s leading light, the beautiful and witty life of the party. It’s all a façade of course-one that protects her from another intimate disloyalty. When her old friend, Lieutenant Jackson Fletcher, returns to London, he is determined to rediscover the true and trusting Sarah he once knew. It’ll take more than a kiss and a promise. It might even call for an innocent and necessary deception.

Then Jackson is enlisted to help capture the lead suspect in a murder— a man who happens to be Sarah’s most ardent suitor. Jack must continue the deception, and weathering this newest and gravest betrayal will be Sarah’s ultimate test. But as Jack’s passion for her grows, he must also reveal his own secrets. And as the killer turns his attention to his pursuers, more than love and trust is put at risk.

If I Fall is now in stores.  Stop by Kate’s website for all the details, and to read an excerpt.  For those of you who are not familiar with Kate’s books, I know you won’t be disappointed!

For my readers today, Kate has graciously donated a copy of Follow My Lead.  Today’s question is a little silly but fun:  If you could only take one romance novel with you to a desert island, what would it be?  One person who comments will win Kate’s book.

 

We Have A Winner!

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The winner of Gabi Steven’s book is catslady.  Congratulations!  I’ll be in touch.

Thanks to everyone for stopping by the blog.  My guest authors next week are romantic suspense writer Joan Swan and historical romance writer Kate Noble.  You won’t want to miss either of them!

Guest Author: Lila Di Pasqua & A Midnight Dance

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Today’s guest author is Lila DiPasqua, who writes lush and sexy historical romance with a fairy tale twist.  In fact, she writes “Fiery Tales,” classic fairy tales cleverly reimagined into sensual and sophisticated romances.  The first in her Fiery Tales collection is Awakened by a Kiss, which retells Sleeping Beauty, Puss In Boots, and Little Red Riding Hood.  This debut collection got great reviews, including a 5 star review from The Romance Dish:

“Every now and then a debut author knocks my socks off with her first novel. . . AWAKENED BY A KISS is a magnificent debut!!!! …Purchase it right now!!!” — The Romance Dish

I have to tell you, I love the idea of taking classic fairy tales from our childhood and retelling them as sensual and romantic adult tales.  It’s one of those great high concepts that makes a writer think…damn, I wish I’d thought of that!

Here’s the book trailer for Awakened By A Kiss, which gives you a sense of what these stories are about.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qoNZ9In935c&feature=player_embedded]

Lila’s second collection of Fiery Tales is The Princess in His Bed, which got phenomenal reviews including this one from Publishers Weekly:   “Ripe with steamy affairs, these lusty stories are hot enough to warm the coldest winter night.”

Wow!  Or steam things up on a hot summer night too, eh?  Romance Junkies gave the collection a coveted 5 ribbon review:

“Lila DiPasqua weaves another sumptuous collection. The heroines are ladies in every way, the heroes just rakish enough to be adored… I recommend this to all adult fairytale lovers. – 5 RIBBONS!

For historical romance lovers, what could be more enticing than all those handsome princes from days gone by, coming back to life as sexy romance heroes between the pages of Lila’s books – fun!

Lila has a new book coming out in August. A Midnight Dance is a full-length historical romance, inspired by the tale of Cinderella.

Of all the fairy tales we know, Cinderella is perhaps the most romantic and just perfect for Lila’s unique talents.  Here’s the blurb:

Born into wealth, Sabine Laurent and her twin sister lived a life of luxury, their father’s prestigious theater frequented by royalty and aristocracy alike. And Sabine dreamed of her own prince charming—the devastatingly handsome Jules de Moutier.

That was before the loss of her sister and her family’s fall from grace—a disaster Sabine blames on the Moutier family. Now, with her father’s death, she’s inherited his sizable debt and the responsibility of caring for his spoiled long-time mistress and her two wastrel daughters. But with the help of Sabine’s eccentric friends—the balance of her father’s acting troupe—she plans to get very close to her old infatuation, seduce the rake—and make away with a fortune.

Resisting Jules’s skillful mouth and tantalizing touch is not as easy as Sabine supposed. And soon she must decide whether her desire for vengeance is greater than her desire for her one and only prince…

Doesn’t that sound great?  Jennifer Ashley, the acclaimed New York Times bestselling author of The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie would agree:

“A MIDNIGHT DANCE is a fun, spicy, historical romp that’s sure to delight! A lovely twist on the Cinderella fairy tale, with a deliciously dark hero and a heroine who’s more than a match for him.”— Jennifer Ashley, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author

A Midnight Dance is available for pre-order on Amazon, and at all your favorite booksellers.  You can find more info about the book, including an excerpt, on Lila’s website.  And while you’re on Lila’s website, be sure to check out her amazing contest for her upcoming blog tour and party.  And here’s another one of Lila’s interesting and totally fun twists – the blog party is being hosted by her husband, and will feature interviews with the husbands of romance writers, including mine!  Yes, DH will be appearing on Lila’s blog on July 21.  Mr. DiPasqua will also be hosting the husbands of Sophie Jordan, Kris Kennedy, Kate Noble, and Kieran Kramer, among many others.  The whole thing sounds like a riot, so you’d best get yourself over to Lila’s blog and check out the details.

Lila has very graciously donated a copy of A Midnight Dance, which I will give away to one person who stops by the blog today or tomorrow morning.  Just tell me what’s your favorite fairy tale, either as a child or as an adult.

 

We Have A Winner!

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The winner of Kate Noble’s latest book, Follow My Lead, is Laney 4!  Congratulations, Laney!  I’ll be in touch with you soon.

Kate’s book is now in stores and on-line, and you can also order it from Amazon.  Trust me.  You will want to read this book!

Thank you to everyone who stopped by the blog to comment – it was a really fun discussion.  I’ll be having some other great guest features on the blog in the next few weeks, so please check back often.  I’ll be hosting Elisabeth Naughton on June 1, and you won’t want to miss that!

Enjoy the rest of your weekend!