The tag line on Miranda Neville’s website is: Sexy Sophisticated Historical Romance. And are they ever! Miranda’s books are both sexy and sophisticated, and so beautifully written they are pure joy to read.
Miranda grew up in England, and like many historical romance writers she fell in love at an early age with the novels of Georgette Heyer and Jean Plaidy. This misspent youth (as she refers to it) set her on a path to Oxford to study history. She then went on to spend several years working for Sotheby’s, the famous auction house, writing catalogues of rare books, original letters, and manuscripts. How cool is that? Not to mention being a perfect background for a future historical romance writer.
And that background did pay off. Miranda’s first published book was released by Avon Books in 2009 to great reviews.
Here’s what Publishers Weekly had to say about Never Resist Temptation: “Neville throws disguises, secrets and vows of vengeance in the way of true love…the byplay between the hero and heroine is genuine, lusty and fun.”
Who doesn’t like genuine, lusty fun, I ask you?
One of the things I really love about Miranda’s writing is how skilfully she uses the conventions of the genre while creating unique characters and unusual storylines. The Wild Marquis is the first book in The Burgundy Club series, and the heroine is not a society miss but a shopkeeper who owns a bookstore. In Never Resist Temptation, the heroine is forced to disguise herself as a pastry chef in a royal kitchen—I love that!
Here’s what RT Book Reviews had to say about The Wild Marquis and its wonderfully unusual setting:
“Neville brings on the sizzle along with an intriguing and unique Regency backdrop — a nobleman’s “addiction” to rare book collecting — in the well-crafted start to the Burgundy series.”
What a great idea for a story, don’t you think? You can read all of Miranda’s blurbs and reviews, and check out her excerpts on her Books page.
Luckily for us, Miranda has a new book out: The Amorous Education of Celia Seaton. First of all, great title! Second of all, check out this fabulous cover:
Rowr! Already the book has been getting great reviews, including this one from the New York Journal of Books:
“The best description for this new novel from Miranda Neville is wonderfully adorable. The spirit, the joie-de-vivre, and the wit make the dialogue sparkle and the characters pop… Readers looking to be delighted won’t have to look any further than this novel.”
And here’s the blurb:
Being kidnapped teaches Miss Celia Seaton a few things about life
LESSON ONE
Never disrobe in front of a gentleman … unless his request comes at gunpoint.
LESSON TWO
If, when lost on the moors, you encounter Tarquin Compton, the leader of London society who ruined your marriage prospects, deny any previous acquaintance.
LESSON THREE
If offered an opportunity to get back at Mr. Compton, the bigger the lie, the better. A faux engagement should do nicely.
LESSON FOUR
Not all knowledge is found between the covers of a book. But an improper book may further your education in ways you never guessed.
And while an erotic novel may be entertaining, the real thing is even better
Oh, I am so there!
You can find The Amorous Education of Celia Seaton on Amazon and at all the usual booksellers. Just check out Miranda’s website for all the handy buy links. While you’re looking around her website, check out Miranda’s group blog, The Ballroom. New to the blogosphere, The Ballroom is home to six noted Avon authors, including Katharine Ashe and Sarah MacLean, plus Lady B and Albert the parrot. Stop on by to check out the gossip and dancing!
Miranda has very graciously donated a copy of The Amorous Education of Celia Seaton for my readers today. Since Miranda’s first book involves pastry, let’s do something with that. What is your favorite kind of pastry? Petit fours, a chocolate croissant, or are there some days when nothing else but a Krispy Kreme donut will fit the bill? One person who comments will win a copy of Miranda’s book.
This book is on my Amazon Wishlist! I downloaded a sample of it and was impressed with Celia’s spunk right off the bat. Can’t wait to see how her revenge on Tarquin will play out. My favorite pastry is a cherry croissant. I adore them, and they make any day much better!
Miranda’s heroines are wonderful, Sandy – completely agree!
It’s lunchtime so I thought I’d come and see what tempting goodies you’ve all thought of to lure me from my diet. Good start, Sandy! Luckily I don’t think cherry croissants are available in my town.
Hope you enjoy Amorous Ed. Celia is not a girl to back down!
Oh I can`t wait to read this! I love just plain Croissants.
Nothing better than a buttery, flaky croissant right from the oven.
My favorite breakfast (with lots of highly caffeinated coffee).
My favorite pastry is…. Shoo Fly Pie!! Its Pennsylvania Dutch and one that my Mother (and her mother) used to bake for our family. I recently retrieved the recipe and my sister and I baked a couple. My kids wouldn’t touch it because of the odd name. LOL However, my granddaughter LOVES it and she and I have already baked a few more.
I love Miranda’s books and look forward to reading this new one! Winning one would be fantastic!!
How cool, Betty! I’m originally from the Philadelphia area and we used to go to the market in the Reading Terminal. The Amish stands always had Shoo Fly Pie on sale.
Thank you, Betty! I have a friend who makes Shoo Fly Pie at Christmas (though she’s from Schnectady NY). It bears some resemblance to an English treacle tart made from black treacle. Yum.
Congrats on the new release Miranda! whether I win or not I’m still getting it but I’m here trying my luck. Oh and it’s croissants. Delicious soft, buttery croissants. Too bad I’m on a no-carb diet for the foreseeable future LOL *facepalm*
Oh, dear! No pastry for Camille!
I’ve been doing low-carb too, Camille. It had its pros and cons. No croissants in a definitely con.
I’ve been doing low-carb too, Camille. It had its pros and cons. No croissants is a definitely con.
croissant are so yummy no matter what kind:)
Thank you for the chance to win!!
elliott2668(at)yahoo(dot)com
So far, croissants by a mile!
Yay Loretta! Enjoy
Hi Vanessa and Miranda,
I’m such big fans of both of your work–thanks for a fun interview. If I had to choose a favorite pastry, it would be a flaky-crusted fluffy coconut cream pie. Such a treat but I probably don’t even get to enjoy it but once or twice a year.
Although I will be reading Amorous Education one way or another, it is always a special treat to win a copy (especially signed) from the author. *fiingers crossed*
Thanks,
Laura
heartoftexasbooks[at]yahoo[dot]com
Thank you so much, Laura. And I LOVE coconut cream pie!
Thanks, Laura. It’s a pleasure to be here with Vanessa. Aren’t her books great?
There’s a Truck Stop near where I live that serves the most incredible array of pies – with HUGE slices. Coconut Cream is one of their most evil and delicious temptations. Now I must resist the temptation to go there for lunch…
Good luck in the drawing!
Found some orange-cranberry scones that I adored, now if I could just find a recipe to make them!
Sounds like a great book! Can’t wait to read it!
Thanks for the chance to win!
Scones are a wonderful classic, Deborah. Love them!
Orange and cranberry is a great combination – in a scone, a cookie, or in cranberry sauce. Bet you could find a recipe online, Deborah.
Wow it sounds like an awesome book. Going to put on my wishlist..
Thanks, Christine!
Thanks, Christine! And thanks for not testing my will power with another pastry suggestion 🙂
[Pep talk to self: Think about lettuce, Miranda, and cucumber, and soda water]
Book sounds awesome! And my fav – strawberry cream cheese croissants.
Holy cow, Sue! Where do you get those? They sound great.
There goes the resolution. Ditto, Vanessa. Where does Sue get ’em?
Anthing filled with cream cheese.
Truth.
Or whipped cream. AND whipped cream.
I love coffecakes!!! Thanks for the chance to win another great book!!
Especially when it has lots of crumbly topping on it!
Me too! Entenmann’s makes a great one.
Oh, there are so many choices and too many calories! SIGH! But I’d have to say a really good coffeecake. Love the cinnamon streusel topping! But then I love chocolate filled croissants too. And let’s not forget Krispy Kreme donuts….have to put blinders on everytime I walk by the KK display in the grocery store. But then Tim Horton’s has a really great Chocolate Walnut Crunch goody that is too good for words!
I gotta quit now..just put on 10 pounds!
LOL. It’s OK, Karen. You really don’t gain weight merely by thinking about food. (Or wait… maybe that explains it.)
Miranda and Karen, I love the Entenmann’s coffee cake – it’s the best! Sadly, we do not get Entenmann’s in Canada.
I would have to say my favorite pastry would have to be a cheese danish. With a cold glass of milk. lol. This book is on my Amazon wishlist as well. Since I just bought a bunch of books my hubby has forbid me to buy anymore til i finish them. I am currently reading a Samantha James novel which so far is good.
Thank you for another chance to win this book!!
Hi Tina. I’m agree about the pastry but I’m afraid I only tolerate milk when it’s diluted with lots of lovely coffee.
What a mean hubby! You mean he doesn’t like tripping over piles of books wherever he goes? Sigh. Men can be sooo unreasonable.
Totally unreasonable husband! Besides the Samantha James I am working on…I have 3 Sandra Hill’s (all on Vikings) lol and I have a new Charlaine Harris short story novel that i bought from the Borders in my local mall that was going out of business. So boo to him when I told him that your new one came out and I wanted it he said finish the ones you have!! lol. I still have to read the first of that set since i had no idea it was part of a threesome. Dummy me. 😐
After looking into Vanessa’s book above now I want that one too! He is really gonna kill me! lmao!
I do love coffee too but i prefer my coffee with half and half 🙂 very light and sweet!
Hi Miranda and Vanessa,
Congratulations on your new release of “The Amorous Education of Celia Seaton”.
My favorite pastries are fresh cream slices (layers of flaky pastry covered in strawbery jam and fresh cream with icing on the top layer. I also love and adore fresh cream strawberry tarts. Unfortunately, I can only enjoy them when I go home to England, as they’re not to be found here.
Thank you for this opportunity.
Oh Diane! I hadn’t thought of those cream slices in years. I have made something similar with puff pastry (bought frozen) but they never come out quite the same as the English bakeries make them.
You gals are killing me here with the fresh cream slices!
I can’t wait to read both your books! I have had them on my wish list! Thanks for sharing with us today!
My favorite pastries are apple fritters! Yummy!
Hi Johanna! Nothing like an apple fritter hot from the pan, served with vanilla ice cream.
My hubby turns into a maniac in the presence of apple fritters.
Anything with cream cheese…oh and Baklava is a sticky sensual experience!! LOL!! I love to read romance novels where the sharing of sweets are involved….
I like sweets in novels, too, Brigett. And I like baklava. I would not, however, advocate reading a book and eating baklava at the same time. Pages would stick together and you might miss some good bits.
When I was in university, there was a great lebanese sandwich shop in my neighborhood. I used to eat their baklava almost every day. Sigh. The good old days.
I love anything chocolate, so a chocolate croissant sounds good, but they very best thing to get if I’m at a fair is a fullel cake, with strawberries and whipped cream…YUM! Can’t wait for this book.
I’m not familiar with fullel cake, Sheila. But if it comes with strawberries and cream I’m there.
I love all types of chocolate desserts and fruit tortes but one of my all time favorites is tiramisu, yuuuuum.
Yes, yes, and YES! Love triamisu
Word. And that word is tiramisu!
I like a fruit compote (made with a good brandy). This book sounds great!
I’m very fond of fruit desserts, Deanna. They are popular in England (and France, which is where both compote and brandy originate).
Since I am new to reading as Miranda is well aware lol…I have to admit I am getting a little overwhelmed with how many authors are out there! I want to read all of the books!! I am gonna be in the poor house!! I am enjoying reading again. So why complain! I am spending way less time on the puter at home! lol
It makes me happy that you enjoy reading, Tina. But no one can keep up with *all* the different authors. You need to find the ones you really like (not everyone has the same taste, it’s OK). Lots of readers use the public library and used book stores to discover new authors without spending a fortune.
Great suggestion, Miranda. Hubby and I use the library all the time. We have to or our book buying habits would put us in the poorhouse!
When I went to Borders when they were going out of business I got 4 paperbacks for 90 cents each, my Charlaine Harris also paperback but they considered it a different type book was 2.50. Thought that was a bargain. I have ALL of her books. I also want to hit my local library when they have their local book sale. I would like to start a little library of my own. I got from freecycle.org in my area about 150 Harlequin Romance that i shared with the ladies at work for FREE. Nice right? I haven’t read any of those yet since I had bought all those other prior. LOL. 🙂 I will be a busy girl. I’d much rather read the historical romance over the modern though.
Oh and please someone tell me what a RAKE is!!! It just came up in the book and I have asked in previous blogs and no one has told me. I know i can look it up but supposed to be working…. 🙂
Hi Tina! A rake is the Regency equivalent of a playboy. A sexy bad boy who cuts a swath through all the ladies of the ton. He’s often a VERY bad boy, but usually finds his comeuppance at the hands of the heroine.
In real life, the rake could actually be a pretty rotten guy, but in historical romances he’s usually redeemed when he falls madly in love with the heroine.
Thanks Vanessa! Funny i have never head this ever. lol.
*heard oops
Perfect definition, Vanessa!
I love tiramisu, too. I also love eclairs.
Forgot to say congrats to Miranda on the new release.
Love eclairs!!
Thanks, Jane. Ii love eclairs too. And I’ve actually made choux pastry since it is heavily featured in my first book.
I Love Sweets.. My favs are home made Lemon Ice Box Pie and home made Red Velvet Cake. yummy and so many calories.. But they are worth it. lol
Can’t wait to read your newest release and begin my reading journey with you.
Thanks for the opportunity to enter giveaway.
misskallie2000
Brenda, the first time I had real Red Velvet Cake, I was in heaven. so good! Lemon Ice Box Pie sounds great, too. Do you have a family recipe?
Lemon Ice Box Pie sounds to die for. I adore anything with lemon.
Yes, Yes & Yes I love all those pastries. But just the other day I was thinking about an Almond Puff Pastry my Mom used to make. Maybe I can find the recipe and try to make it. It would taste great while reading The Amourous Education.
Diane, my mother had the best pie crust recipe ever. I have to pull it out now and make a pie!
Will you post it on your blog?
Was that a pastry with ground almonds in the dough? Or a pastry with an almond filling? I love almond flavored croissants, also almond macaroons.
I’m not sure – haven’t found the recipe yet, but I don’t think there was ground almonds in the dough (it was very light) but perhaps almond flavoring. There are ground almonds on top (along with a sugar glaze).
I pretty much love anything with cream, and one of my favorites is cream puffs. I pretty much demolished the box we got from Costco on my own. :/
Oh, yes. Everything goes better with cream. And butter!
Truer words were rarely spoken, Vanessa.
I must say almond croissant dusted w/ powdered sugar & drizzled w/ white chocolate,fresh straberries on the side please!
Gaaa! That’s me, drooling!
OMG I love white chocolate!
I’ve so got to read your 1st book — I love to bake though I do very little of it any more (alas 🙁 no one wants the calories). I love all kinds of pastries — cakes, cookies, pies, etc. I couldn’t possibly pick a favorite, it changes with my mood and what looks good at the bakery 😉 I will admit though when I would go visit my mom, I’d often pick up some thumbprint cookies (never see them around here) and I’ve always had a soft spot for ladylocks/french horns (flaky dough filled with rich sweetness=yum) and few things top good traditionally made baklava (a little piece of heaven on earth) 🙂
It’s true that one has to watch the calories so baking on a regular basis isn’t on. I do enjoy making a pie – with all butter crust. I used to like making cakes from scratch but I hardly do it these days.
I bet you are a terrific baker, gamistress!
Anything with chocolate & I’m very happy. For a chocolate brownie I would climb mountains & swim oceans.
marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com
How could we forget brownies!
Mary – after all that swimming and climbing you deserve two brownies. At least.
Isn’t it amazing, Vanessa, that after all these comments Mary is the first to mention brownies? We’ve got a very varied bunch of guests, here.
I’m popping in to say Hi!
Speaking of food, I have a craving for some freshly made apple tarts. It would be perfect to eat while I’m receiving an amorous education 😉
Yum! I think that’s a great idea!
Thanks for popping, Na. Yes, there’s nothing like an apple tart. I have a terminology question: in the US it usually called an apple pie but in England an apple tart. Where are you writing from?
I love coffee cake!
robindpdx (at) yahoo (dot) com
Me too. And since it’s now breakfast time, Robin, I may go and get some!
Congratulations on the new release. My favorite dessert are chocolate eclairs.
It is so hard to decide on the tastiest bakery treat don’t you think? But if I must choose then it would be a fairy cake or cup cake that I have bought from an expensive bakery on visits to Cape Town, South Africa – I have never tasted better icing anywhere!
Definitely something chocolate…Tops on my list right now would be chocolate croissants. Mmmmmmm….
Congrats on the new release. I look forward to reading it.
To me, croissants are the ultimate baked goods. They’re fried or at least baked with oil/butter, and not gooey. Love flakey, not too sweet or gooey bakery goods.
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