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.
Hm, maybe LORD OF SCOUNDRELS?
I love that FOLLOW MY LEAD cover by Aleta Rafton but why did the man disappear?
LOS would be right up on my list.
What man are you talking about?
Hee! The cover originally did have a man on it, Vanessa — but it was never published that way. I wrote a blog about it: http://katenoble.com/blog/2011/10/cover-art/
I’d take WUTHERING HEIGHTS. All that angst might actually stir me into doing something to get myself rescued. I can totally picture myself ranting & railing at Heathcliff & Cathy … and then madness descending.
I really should have chosen another book. Something more upbeat & positive.
LOL! Mary, that’s hilarious!
I have no idea, I guess I would take my NOOK and hope there was solar power and an outlet to charge it.
Linda, I hope that island has a power outlet!
excellent idea!
I hate this question, I can never pick ONE book. If I can’t have my kindle, can I take a series. If yes, I’d take Jennifer Ashley’s Highland Pleasures series. If not, I’ll second Infinitieh and bring Lord of Scoundrels. That book still cracks me up and makes me sigh.
Beebs, it is a pretty evil question. I like your idea of expanding it to a series. I think I would have to take Loretta Chase again, because LOS has several related books.
Hi Kate and Vanessa,
It is really difficult to select just one book but if I really have pick just one I would take my favorite book of all time. It is called Willingly Bedded Forcibly Wedded and it was written by the brilliant Australian author Melanie Milburne. I could reread that one over and over and over and I will never tire of it.
Thank you so much for the chance to win your book.
Desere
Desere, I have books like that on my keeper shelves – old friends that we want to read over and over!
I guess I would take whatever I was reading at the time… just because I can’t stand the uncertainty of not knowing the end… I’m going to watch for more book recommendations.. thanks for the recommend of Melanie Milbourn!!
Very sensible, Cate!
That is tough! For me, I have a FEW favorite books that change all the time depending on my mood. BUT if I have to choose only one, I’ll probably pick Eloisa James’ It’s in His Kiss. Something light and cheerful to keep me entertained!
Good choice for a deserted island, May! Keep your spirits up.
Oh, I love Eloisa James! Good choice!
I would bring The Viscount Who Loved Me by Julia Quinn. I could read that book over and over!
It’s a really fun book, Nicole, that also has a lot of emotion.
Well because this is my fantasy, for some reason I had a box full of my favorite books on the plane with me when it crashed on to a desert island. The list is to long so I will just leave it at that. LOL! I just love my fantasy world. Thanks for the giveaway!
LOL! Mary, I like your fantasy world.
Not to cheat, but I’d probably find an anthology or a collection of books in one – just to maximize my options LOL Or if I could bring my e-reader with me, problem solved 😉 LOL
Best wishes to Kate!
Very clever, Shannon!
Thanks Shannon — and I love the idea of an anthology. Multiple stories in one book.
That is such a tough question. I would probably choose one of the Mammoth Books of Hot Romance. A huge anthology that would give me variety. I might choose a Mammoth Book of Paranormal Romance or Romantic Suspense.
Also a good choice!
I would choose Elizabeth Hoyt’s The Raven Prince. I love that book.
Yes, that one would be on a lot of people’s lists, I think.
I would take Kate Douglas’ Wolf Tales 12. She is an awesome author and WT12 is the last in the series and had all the characters from previous books included. What a read!!!
Kate is an amazing writer and an equally amazing person!
Slightly Wicked, Mary Balogh. There could never be too many books of course. But if I had to pick just one, I could read this one over and over. 😉
MB is a fantastic writer, Lisa.
The upcoming Invitation to Scandal by Bronwen Evans! I really enjoyed her previous novel, Invitation to Ruin. 😀
Cool choice! I hadn’t thought of bringing a book that’s not yet out.
“Once and Always” by Judith Mcnaught. Mainly because it’s the first romance novel that I’ve read courtesy of my best friend. Used to read horror and suspense books, but now I’m hooked with romance novels! I want to always be reminded how I fell in love with the genre. 😀
It’s a classic, Lory, and I love that you’d bring the book that first brought you to the genre. For me, it would be a book by Victoria Holt, Mary Stewart, or Georgette Heyer.
Old school Judith McNaught is the best!
Hm, not a silly but a deadly serious question Vanessa! 🙂 Hm, let’s see.. my first thought would be to say Pride and Prejudice, but I would gobble up in an afternoon, no we need something with a bit “more meat”. I know! OUtlander by Diana Gabaldon, and if there is an omnibus of the first 3-4-5-6 books, all the better (I don’t need my writs, could put it in a cast, I just need my stories :-D)
Congratulations on the reelase of If I Fall Kate! 🙂
There are so many to choose from but Lord and Lady Spy by Shana Galen is one of my favorites. Can’t wait to read “Follow My Lead”.
Thanks for the opportunity to enter giveaway.
Vanessa –
Since I normally pack my Kindle and an entire suitcase of books when I travel I don’t think your question is silly at all – books are a necessity for a joyful life!
I icould only take one romance novel with me whether to a desert island or just a trip to the park I’d choose the first “romance” I ever read which was Don Quixote de la Mancha by Cervantes! I consider him the as the first historical romance writer so if I could only have one book it would have to be his! Actually there were two books written about Dox Quixote so I’d probably cheat and try to find one volumne with both stories!
That’s a very erudite choice, Jeanne – I applaud you!
Does The Mammoth Book of Regency Romance count as one book? That way I would have several stories to keep reading! Love you, Kate! and Vanessa!
Absolutely it counts! And good choice!
Thanks!!
I would take Outlander by Diana Gabaldon because it is a really good and interesting book and it is a lenghty one. I would then hope a coconut would fall on my head and I would be transferred to a place where the men are in kilts and sound like Sean Connery
LOL! Good thinking, Joy!
I’d take one of the Dark Series by Christine Feehan. I never get tired of her books. Perhaps I’d take Dark Guardian. I’d pretend that I’m Jaxxon, able to take care of myself, but would hope that my lifemate would hurry up and find me to take me the hell out of there!
Yeah, a lifemate would be very handy in a situation like that!
Ok.. here’s where I admit that I shipped 50 paperbacks to the Cinnamon Bay National Campgound on the island of St. Johh, USVI… I left them all there… Only 50 because my sister was also shipping & we were only there for 2 weeks.. I always try to leave books with a post-it in it saying, ‘pass along after you’ve enjoyed this’ Ok, it doesn’t help authors payday…but it may get someone to read something that they normally wouldn’t just because its free!
That’s so awesome that you do that, Cate!
I would take Scandal’s Bride by Stephanie Laurens, as Richard Cynster is HOT ! and I can imagine it’s me lying there in cold Scotland with him keeping me warm . mmmmmm
He certainly is, Jayne! Although I think I would have to go with Devil’s Bride, myself. Love that book!
The book I would take with me is “Ravished” by Amanda Quick.
Gosh, I love those old AQ regencies!
Hello Kate & Vanessa,
This is a very unfair question. I have been trying to answer this one all day and I finally have given in and decided I could not go with out my Nook. I still read non ebooks allot. But to be stranded I would need my Nook for sure!!
Thank you both!!
Crystal 🙂
Yes, Crystal – it was a very evil question on my part!
I’m enjoying hearing everyone’s picks. I am going to say Clan of the Cavebear by Jean Auel. Besides being my favorite book, there are a lot of survival tips included which I’d need if I was stranded lol.
Very practical!
I would choose Almost Heaven or Paradise by Judith McNaught. She writes such heart-wrenching, yet witty novels.
Another classic!
I would take The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie by Jennifer Ashley. Such a touching, lovely, romantic book. I don’t think I would ever tire of reading it! 🙂
Chelsea, that is an awesome book. Loved it!
I too am in love with her covers! And the blurb for this one looks incredible. It’s definitely on my to-read list.
Just ONE? *whimper* I have a hard time narrowing it down to the stereotypical TEN. Um… um… LORD OF SCOUNDRELS is in my top ten, too, but just to be different I’m going to say Julie Anne Long’s LIKE NO OTHER LOVER, which has THE funniest archery scene in all of Romance.
Oooh yikes, just one. What romance book is the longest?? Outlander, but that one is almost too emotionally demanding. Or is it? Maybe a good light hearted romance like Forever and a Day? Or would I read it too quickly… Maybe I would want a little more action, and if I was stuck on a desert island I might be hoping for a pirate to come sailing by so then I could bring The Rogue Pirate’s Bride…what a tough decision!
The Darkest Seduction by Gena Showalter
Very hard question, but I’m thinking maybe Outlander by Diana Gabaldon because it’s really long, so atleast it would take a long time to read. But I would really want some more, maybe some Gena Showalter, and Courtney Milan.
Thanks for the giveaway! I’d love to enter if it’s international.
Lisa Kleypas’ Somewhere I’ll Find You. Love her books! I’d want to bring all of them plus a bunch of other author’s books too. One is really hardly enough, more like one hundred…..
I would love to win the books sounds sooo romantic and hard to put down
I think I would bring Devil in Winter by Lisa Kleypas but that is a hard choice.