I’m thrilled that my friend and acclaimed historical romance author Miranda Neville is on the blog with us today. Miranda writes sexy and witty romances that are rich in history. Her first book, Never Resist Temptation, was published in 2009 to great reviews, and with each book those fab accolades continue to roll in. Take, for instance, The Wild Marquis, book one in her Burgundy Club Series.
This is the book that New York Times bestselling author Eloisa James called “sizzling, addictive, and deeply romantic…a joy to read.”
The Wild Marquis received a “Best of 2011” from Dear Author, and Top Picks from Romance Junkies and Night Owl Reviews.
“Filled with secrets, mystery, romance, sizzling love scenes, witty, realistic dialogue, an imaginative plot and charismatic characters, this lighthearted story is captivating. A riveting novel, I hated to see it end. Do not miss THE WILD MARQUIS. It is a keeper!” — 5 ribbons, Romance Junkies
The fourth book in The Burgundy Club Series,Confessions from an Arranged Marriage is now in stores.
As you might guess, it’s already gotten great reviews, including this one from Romance Novel News:
“Fans of historical romance should not miss “Confessions from an Arranged Marriage.” Miranda Neville has crafted a magnificent story with a wonderfully emotional romance and a flawed, yet unforgettable hero. This is a story that will tug on the heartstrings, cause emotional heartbreak, but in the end satisfy on almost every level. “
And here’s the blurb:
They couldn’t be more different, but there’s one thing they agree on.
In London after a two-year exile, Lord Blakeney plans to cut a swathe through the bedchambers of the demimonde. Marriage is not on his agenda, especially to an annoying chit like Minerva Montrose, with her superior attitude and a tendency to get into trouble. And certainly the last man Minerva wants is Blake, a careless wastrel without a thought in his handsome head.
The heat and noise of her debutante ball give Minerva a migraine. Surely a moment’s rest could do no harm … until Blake mistakes her for another lady, leaving Minerva’s guests to catch them in a very compromising position. To her horror, the scandal will force them to do the unthinkable: marry. Their mutual loathing blazes into unexpected passion but Blake remains distant, desperate to hide a shameful secret. Minerva’s never been a woman to take things lying down, and she’ll let nothing stop her from winning his trust … and his heart.
I don’t know about you, but I love the theme of arranged marriages and marriages of convenience, and this one is sure to please. And I love Miranda’s books. If you like intelligent, sexy historical romance, I think you’ll love them too!
For my readers today, Miranda is giving away a copy of Confessions from an Arranged Marriage. Let’s continue talking about this theme. What’s your favorite marriage of convenience story, either historical, contemporary, or paranormal? There are lots of good ones out there, so let’s start listing them! One person who comments will win a copy of Miranda’s book.
It’s been a while since I read THE CONVENIENT MARRIAGE by Georgette Heyer, but I do remember enjoying it immensely.
Love GH!
That has to be the original Marriage of Convenience (MOC)! I love that book, even though the heroine is 17 and the hero 35! When I read it as a teenager the age difference didn’t bother me. Now, it does squick me out a bit.
I enjoyed “This is All I Ask” by Lynn Kurland..
Cate, I’ve never read that book. I’ll have to check it out.
Neither have I. I love having these discussions – I always discover great new books to read!
I like A Duke of Her own. The male protagonist must find a suitable wife for his illegitimate kids. It’s one of my favorites because the heroine is so strong and grows so much in the novel!
Yes – great choice, May!
That book had such a great plot twist in that the duke stupidly overlooked the heroine who was actually perfect for the job!
Oh it is so hard to choose just one. I have read so many books over my life span. 🙂 A recent one was Never Love a Highlander by Maya Banks, I enjoy reading against all odds they find true love. Hard to find in this day and age, sooo I must find it in my ready.
That one’s on my TBR list
I’ve never read Maya Banks (blushes). Clearly I need to take care of this gap in my education.
Reading sorry
Just read “A Rogue By Any Other Name” by Sarah MacLean about a month ago. It is now one of my top favorite books. Marriage of convenience books are one of my favorites.
Yes, I really want to read this book – too many good books to read!
Sarah M is a superstar! Fabulous book and great choice.
I have enjoyed all of her books so far….can’t wait to read the newest one
Thanks, Linda! Hope you enjoy this one too.
I’ve read a lot of “marriage of convenience” books. But I love “Devil in Winter” by Lisa Kleypas. The story was so good for me, that I finished it overnight. 😀
Lory: Sebastian St. Vincent is on many lists of Best Hero Evah! It is a wonderful book 🙂
Oh, yeah. St. Vincent. *dreamy sigh*
I have read many book, hard to choose one. I recently read Bride by Mistake, i love and enjoyed it, it’s very fun to read 🙂
Anne Gracie is a fabulous author, Filia. Great choice!
Wow, some of my faves were mentioned already…
Yes, mine too!
I have read a lot marriage by covience, I think I love “First Comes Marriage,” by Mary Balogh. However, the list can go on forever.
Mary Balogh has written a number of MoCs, Melody. Slightly Married is another good one.
Have read so many of this type, but the latest that I really loved was Invitaion to Ruin by Bronwen Evans. Really, really good!
I haven’t read that one, Sue. [adds to TBR list]
I’m horrible at remember titles but it is a theme I enjoy and I’ve also enjoyed Miranda’s books.
Hi Catslady 🙂 Glad to see you here.
Hi Miranda and Vanessa,
One of my favorites is Lisa Kleypas’ “Worth Any Price.”
LK pretty much rules everything, IMHO!
The Devil in Winter by Lisa Kleypas
Yep! Love that book!
Hi Miranda And Vanessa!
I have read the majority of the above mentioned books, all wonderful reads.
Off the top of my head I can’t think of just one favorite, I like them all!! Especially DEVIL IN WINTER by Lisa Kleypas, what a story. Le sigh…
I have read almost all of Miranda’s books, let me tell you, worth it!! If anyone hasn’t read any of her books you must! Keep at it Miranda and I’ll keep reading your books.
Please do not enter me in contest, already have book! 🙂
Dalila, I’m with you all the way!
Thanks, Dalila! And I do love The Devil in Winter 🙂
Devil in Winter by Lisa Kleypas is my favorite marriage of convenience story. Sebastian St. Vincent…sigh!
St. Vincent certainly seems to have the top vote!
The most recent one I read was The Wolf Who Loved Me, a fun “have to marry to keep the secret safe” book.
Though any book with this theme and a historical I am going to pick up =)
I don’t know that book, Lexi – sounds like fun!
It is fun, paranormal and historical mixed together. A light read. There are sure a lot of good books being mentioned.
I loved Shana Galen’s Lord and Lady Spy. This couple married basically as a cover for their respective spying careers, not knowing that the other was doing the same thing.
Great book – and an unusual twist on the MoC plot.
MOC is a favorite trope of mine and many of the great titles have already been mentioned…so I’m taking my comment/question in a different direction. Hope you don’t mind!
OK, so you named your heroine Minerva. Well, I don’t particularly like that name…no offense but it’s just me I guess. Anyway, my point is that over the past several years many of my favorite authors (Miranda included) have named their heroines Minerva. There’s Miranda’s CoaAM; Tessa Dare with A Week to be Wicked; Sabrina Jeffries with How to Woo a Reluctant Lady; Elizabeth Boyle with Lord Langley is Back in Town and Stephanie Laurens Mastered by Love. And those are just over the past 3 years! Then there’s other books using the name for a home for women in need (Sarah MacLean) and a family heirloom (Candice Hern). So tell me, what is it with the current popularity of the name? Does this mean we will start to see a rash of baby girls being named Minerva?
OK, I’m done now….I’ll turn the floor back to you!
Good question, Karen. I can’t speak for any other author but I know how I named my Minerva. She was the heroine’s little sister in The Dangerous Viscount. Her family named their four sons after the first four Norman kings of England so it seemed likely they’d have a pattern when it came to girls too. The elder sister was Diana so I stuck with Roman goddesses and used Minerva. It might just as easily have been Juno. (Perhaps you’d have liked that better!)
I do think there’s something in the air with certain names. They seem to come in clusters even though I know (quite the contrary – we’d avoid the overlap if we could!) the writers don’t plan it that way. I remember there was a time a few years ago when every single hero seemed to be called Marcus! I’m writing a book at the moment with a Marcus and I kind of dread that the name will suddenly bubble back into fashion.
Lucas was big back in the day, too. And guess what my next hero is name? Yep, Lucas!
Vanessa –
My favorite was Bride By Mistake by Annie Gracie. I love all her books and she always has that one scene that just gets me smiling!
(I get strange looks from my husband when it happens and he once asked me why I was smiling and I had to tell him I just read something that reminded me of when we were dating!). One of our friends asked him one time how he asked me to marry him and he said it was a mistake and that he didn’t mean to! We’ve been married for 42 years so it just goes to show you that laughing and making mistakes can work out well in the long run!
LOL! Your husband sounds like a character, Jeanne!
can’t pick just one as a fave though it may come down to picking (einy-menie-moe style) btwns some of the fab ones done by Lindsey or Garwood in their midieval & highland stories as those come to mind first. well, at least until I get a chance to read Miranda’s new one 😉
There are a lot, donna ann!