Today’s featured author is the fantastic Pamela Clare. Pamela, as most of you know, writes both romantic suspense and historical romance, and she’s adept at both. Her I-Team series, about a group of crack investigative reporters, is enormously popular. Breaking Point, the fifth book in the series, was named one of the Top 10 romance novels of 2011 by the editors of Amazon.com and readers voted it the Best Romantic Suspense book of 2011 in All About Romance’s annual reader poll, making this the second year in a row she’s won that category.
But today I want to highlight Pamela’s historical romances, which are every bit as exciting as her romantic suspense novels. Her new release, Defiant, is book three in The MacKinnon Rangers Trilogy, and is set during the conflict known in the United States as the French and Indian War — the war made famous by the film Last of the Mohicans, which starred Daniel Day Lewis.
The trilogy tells the stories of three brothers — Iain, Morgan and Connor MacKinnon — transplanted Highlanders who came to North America as boys when their father was exiled from Scotland. Raised on the frontier, they know several Indian tongues and count themselves kin to the Mahican Indians of Stockbridge. Having learned how to track, fight, and hunt from their Mahican friends, they’re at home in the wilderness.
Defiant is already getting great reviews, including 4 stars from RT Book Reviews and a Blue Ribbon Review from Romance Junkies. Here’s the blurb from Defiant:
Major Connor MacKinnon despises his commander, Lord William Wentworth, beyond all other men. Ordered to rescue Wentworth’s niece after the Shawnee take her captive, he expects Lady Sarah Woodville to be every bit as contemptible as her uncle. Instead, he finds a brave and beautiful lass in desperate peril. But the only way to free Sarah is for Connor to defeat the Shawnee warrior who kidnapped her—and claim her himself.
Torn by tragedy from her sheltered life in London, Lady Sarah is unprepared for the harshness of the frontier-or for the attraction she feels toward Connor. When they reach civilization, however, it is she who must protect him. For if her uncle knew all that Connor had done to save her, he would surely kill him.
But the flames of passion, once kindled, are difficult to deny. As desire transforms into love, Connor will have to defy an empire to keep Sarah at his side.
This is just the kind of meaty historical I love to read. If you liked Last of the Mohicans, you will love this book! As far as I’m concerned there aren’t enough historical romances set in this period of American history, and I’m really glad Pamela helps fill the gap with her wonderful books.
Speaking of movies, Pamela has made the most incredible book trailer for Defiant. Trust me when I tell you that you’re going to want to watch it. It’s live action, with the hunkiest guy I’ve seen in a LONG time playing Connor MacKinnon. You can watch it here on YouTube.
Be sure to visit Pamela’s website to learn about all her books, to read excerpts and to catch up on her latest news. You’ll also want to pop by her blog, which has tons of smart, fun content.
For my readers today, I’m giving away a copy of Defiant and a copy of my first historical romance, Mastering The Marquess. One person who leaves a comment will win both books. Let’s talk about historical settings. Some settings, such as Colonial America, are under-represented in historical romance. What settings and periods do you wish got more coverage? Tell us about it for a chance to win!
I wish I could read more about Colonial America, as well as the Midieval times.
Both under-represented and so wonderful, Cindy.
I love medieval romances, as well. It’s just hard to find them these days, isn’t it?
I know this period always gets books is the Civil War period in America- I would like to see more of the time period around the Roaring 20’s.
Audra, there used to be more romances set during the Civil War, but that hasn’t been the case lately. It would be great if there were more of them. And the Roaring Twenties – great idea!
Civil war romance vanished a while ago. I think the slavery issue made the period difficult to write about. But American-set historicals are rare outside of westerns.
Always looking for new authors and dang look at that cover!! i would love to win one!
Lovely cover, isn’t it?
Thanks! I love the cover too. Here’s a bit of trivia: I drew the tattoos on his arms. I worked off an image of the cover and scanned my drawing so that the artist in NY could use it. It’s the first time I’ve contributed to a cover like that.
I love the last of the mohicians… That’s one of my favorite movies because of Daniel Day-Lewis. The story is compelling too.
I think colonial american is interesting….
One of my fave movies too, May!
I love that film!!! Daniel Day Lewis is all kinds of sexy.
It’s one of my favorite movies, too!
Loved LotM–great movie and this story is right up that alley. The historical venue I’d like to see is Romanov Russia and Colonial America.
Romanov Russia – love it! Take about lots of drama and intrigue.
I would actually love to write about Romanov Russia. It’s a growing interest of mine. And, of course, Colonial America is what I love writing.
I would like to see more pre-Civil War era books.
Yes, I’d like to see more Regency Era and Early Victorian books set in America, too.
During the Renaissance..
Yes, please!!
OMG!
My fave movie of ALL TIME even more than Braveheart and Titanic is LOTM and I am on these books like a fly on honey!!!
The vid was AWESOME!!!
As for the question, I think the restoration period is way under represented and one of my fave books from that era is Judith James’ Libertine’s Kiss.
BTW we need to book you for b2b 😀
Mel
http://www.bookworm2bookworm.wordpress.com
Melanie, the Restoration would be fab. Such great intrigue – and the clothes!
I’m glad you enjoyed the trailer! It was SO fun to shoot.
I love LOTM, too.
I agree, would love to read more Colonial America to set a different mood. I think people will love it. I remember reading a book with that era and it was just as good as the others. :>
Maria, publishers often under-estimate what readers actually want. I also think Colonial settings would be popular – especially in the U.S.
That is so true! Publishers focus heavily on what sells best and easiest, and in the process become averse to trying new things.
This was an *excellent* article. I’ve read several reviews of Defiant and this is the most informative.
And of course I cannot wait to read it.
Thanks, Sallie!
She was very thorough, wasn’t she, Sallie! 🙂
Thanks so much, Vanessa!
I, too, would love to read more books set during colonial American times like the French-Indian War.
Agreed, Claudia!
Hi, Claudia — You and me both!
i definitely want more historicals set in colonial or civil war america. i remember reading quite a few back when i was still in high school but there’s hardly any published these days. i also like historicals set in exotic places like india or the middle east.
chelleyreads, I remember reading them too when I was growing up. In fact, I probably could did a few out from the bottom of my bookcase. And I’d love a historical set in the India of the Raj.
There was a time in the early to mid-80s when there were lots of book set Colonial America, especially during the Revolutionary War. Almost no one is writing that period now.
Wow..I would love to win and read these wonderful books….I love reading romantic suspense and historical romance…love to win….Defiant and Mastering The Marquess…..they both sound soo wonderful…I have shared on facebook and twitter
Thanks so much, Linda!
I’m glad they sound interesting to you. A fun combination — a marquess and colonial rangers. 🙂
Honestly, I love them all. Historicals have always been my favorite types of reads. I want to learn history but not from the history books – it’s so much better in a romance 🙂
Historicals are my favorite, too, Catslady!
regency romances. There are times that a short love story is perfect for when you have to work or when you’re on the go. I love historical romances but I read those when I have time to b/c I usually have to read the whole thing b/c I can’t seem to put the book down.
Regencies are very popular, aren’t they?
I would love more books written during the Tudor Dynasty. I’ve always been fascinated by both Henry VIII and Elizabeth and would love to read about their contemporaries. I also love the Russian aristocracy (before the revolution).
jlhmass at yahoo dot com
Those would both be fascinating eras for historical romance. I recently watched a documentary about the Romanov jewels. AMAZING! I’ve never been a jewelry hungry person, but some of that stuff was just art. Beautiful!
Thanks, everyone, for your comments. And thank you, Vanessa, for this every comprehensive blog post. It’s like a DEFIANT Wiki or something. 🙂
LOL! Pamela, thank you so much for being with us today!
This a hard question. I guess the medieval times. I haven’t found to many books that written during that time. Most of the ones I have found have been really good.
Melody, have you read any books by Kris Kennedy? She writes wonderful Medieval romances.
I have and I totally agree with you – she writes wonderful stories!
I just got a couple of her books on kindle.
I agree with everyone about the medieval times. I can’t wait to read Defiant! It seems like I’ve been waiting forever for this book 🙂
Fun to have something to look forward to, Julie!
RT Bookreviews said I’d made readers wake a decade, but it was only four years. Still, when you’re the one doing the waiting, that’s a LONG time.
I, too, am happy it’s out!
So love Pamela’s books, but have not read this series. All the hype I’ve read about Defiant though makes me want to get to this series sooner rather than later! And so loved Last of the Mohicans, so if the book is a reflection of that, I’m in. Loved the trailer. What a hunk! So love regency and contemporary titles. Love Egypt, so would love more archeaology based books and also early American History and th West.
Sue, I have one word: Egypt!! Isn’t that a great setting? I don’t know if you’ve ever read Loretta Chase, but she has a fab book called Mr. Impossible, set almost entirely in Egypt.
Hi, Sue —
I hope you do get a chance to give them a try.
Bonnie Vanak has a series that is set in Egypt during the Victorian era. I really loved it. Great stuff!
enjoyed that trailer, peaks my interest in the book 😉 I admit I haven’t read many american based historicals over the past few years & many of the few out there seem to be western/frontier based rather than colonial/early america. While it’s nice to see stories outside of england/scotland, I tend to stick the tried and true, but some more in early Ireland would be nice.
Early Ireland would be great. My pal Kris Kennedy wrote a great medieval romance set in Ireland.
I am in love with medieval romances, and wish they were a little more popular!
Me too, Chelsea!
I feel the same way. I just love the medieval period. I hope one way it will bounce back.
I enjoy Colonial America and I like the 1920’s America and Victorian era America as well, but I don’t see many stories set in those times.
Barbara, there are some more Victorians these days, but the other periods are woefully underrepresented.
Hi Pamela and Vanessa! *waving*
Thanks for visiting with us today. Big congrats on your new release!
I have read SURRENDER and UNTAMED, LOVED them!
I couldn’t wait to get my hands on DEFIANT, now it’s finally here….YAY me! I can’t wait to start reading the story of Connor and Sarah.
I first started reading your books with the Blakewell/Kenleigh Family trilogy, another set of wonderful books, thank you!
Wishing you all the best!
I just wanted to drop in and say a quick ‘HI’.
Please do not enter me in great give-away, I already have both awesome books! 🙂
Have a nice evening ladies!
Thanks for stopping by, my good friend! Always wonderful to “see” you on the blog, Dalila!
Hi, Dalila! Thanks so much for your sweet words!
I hope you enjoy Connor’s story. Thanks so much for stopping by! Good to see you. 🙂
I like all types of settings. Books about the American West are interesting.
Love Westerns, bn100!
Thanks for the giveaway. Love thr cover. look likes some great books to read.
Thanks for stopping by, kiki!
I would like to see the WWII time period written about. Young girls weeped as their hoped to be husbands were taken from them and sent to war. Husbands were taken and mothers were left to run the homes. And women became more independent wether they wanted to or not. And there were empty beds all over the country.
Shari, I think there’s a fair amount of women’s fiction set during WWII. It might still be a little too close in time for readers to be comfortable with it as a romantic setting. But I think stories set during wartime are SO dramatic!
I think midieval times and regency – thanks for the interview and the giveaways!!
kerryjcj@verizon.net
spelling would be great too 🙂 medieval…
The Middle Ages is fascinating, but no one seems to be writing about it a great deal.
I live right near Washington Crossing so I do enjoy stories set in Colonial America.
I would love to read more on the time frame that you use in your MacKinnon Rangers series. They rank in with my favorite books of all times. I just love thema dn would LOVE to read more from you about the rangers and their friends. Thank you!!