One of my favorite historical authors is returning to the blog today. She’s Katharine Ashe, and she writes passionate, exciting, character-driven romances. Here’s what Katharine’s official bio says:
The American Library Association’s Booklist named Katharine Ashe among its “New Stars of Historical Romance.” She is a two-time nominee in the Reviewers’ Choice Best Book Awards, and her novella, A Lady’s Wish, launched Harper Collins Publishers’ e-book imprint, Avon Impulse, to rave reviews.
All this is very true, but I’ll tell you something else about Katharine–she’s smart and funny, and a lovely person to boot. Can’t you just tell that from her picture? I think she’s the bee’s knees, and if you’re not following her on Twitter or Facebook, you really should.
Katharine’s first book was Swept Away by a Kiss, which got rave reviews, including this one from RT Book Reviews:
TOP PICK!
“An incredible romance with enough sexual chemistry to singe your fingers. The characters are complex and highly sensual, the plot riveting and the backdrop vividly detailed. This is both a page-turner and a keeper.”
I bet you won’t be surprised to hear that Katharine’s subsequent books also received stellar reviews, right? You can pop on over to her website to read some of those reviews, and to get the deets on each book, including excerpts.
Katharine’s readers (including me) are thrilled that she’s got a new series coming out, with the first book releasing this week. It’s called When A Scot Loves A Lady, and it kicks off her Falcon Club Series. Not surprisingly, it’s already getting great reviews:
FIVE QUILLS!
“A staggeringly intense love story… gripping, engaging, sublime… Ashe is a virtuoso… Her books are filled with an undeniable love, with arresting characters, and with plots that twist and turn, keeping a reader bound to the pages from beginning to end.”
— Romantic Crush Junkies
Isn’t that a beautiful cover? Here’s the blurb for When A Scot Loves A Lady:
London gossips are asking: What use has society of an exclusive gentleman’s club if no gentlemen are ever seen to pass through its door?
After years as an agent of the secret Falcon Club, Lord Leam Blackwood knows it’s time to return home to Scotland. One temptation threatens his plans—Kitty Savege. The scandal-plagued lady warms his blood like a dram of fine whiskey. But a dangerous enemy stands in the way of desire, and to beat this foe Leam needs Kitty’s help…
Kitty never wanted to spend her holidays in a wretched country village! With snow up to the windows, escape is nowhere in sight. A roguish Scottish lord, however, is. His rough brogue sends tingles of heat from Kitty’s frigid toes to her chilled nose, but she’s confident she can withstand that. What she cannot control is the reaction of her carefully guarded heart when she discovers this beast is, in fact, no beast at all…
Sounds awesome, doesn’t it? There’s an excerpt of When A Scot Loves A Lady on Katharine’s website, along with lots of interesting extras. And be sure to stop by Katharine’s wonderful group blog, The Ballroom Blog, which she hosts with other fabulous authors like Miranda Neville and Gaelen Foley.
For my readers today, Katharine is giving away a copy of When A Scot Loves A Lady. Just tell me the title of one of your favorite historical romances, and why you love it. One person who comments will win a copy of Katharine’s fabulous book!
It sounds like a great read! Going to download my copy ASAP! ;o)
Suzan
I hope you enjoy, Susan! 🙂
I bought the ebook today. I can’t wait to read it.
Hi, Ora. It’s lovely to see you here. Thank you! 🙂
my favorite historical romance novel is Passions of the Realm, Joan Balser. Now I have my new favorite authors. But this book was the very first novel I read in my teens. And its what got me HOOKED on historical romance. This genre is by far my favorite. The characters were well thought of and just well written. I wish I could get this book for my Kindle. I have requested it at Amazon though lol.
Hi, Tina. I haven’t read Passions of the Realm. Another for my wish list! Isn’t it true, though, how our first romance novels hold a special place in our hearts? My first historical romance was Jennifer Wilde’s Once More, Miranda. I adored it and was a devotee of historical romance from then on. 🙂
Georgette Heyer got me started.. An Infamous Army..
Can you tell that I’m almost older than dirt?
LOL, Cate! Georgette Heyer novels were some of my first historical romances too! As for age, I’ll take experience and wisdom over naivite and ignorance any day. 😉
I guess one of my favorite hisoricals would be Lynsay Sands DEVIL OF THE HIGHLANDS, because it was probably the first one I read. I started reading her PNR and became addicted to them and when I had read them all, I moved on to her historical romances. I really blame Ms. Sands for my addiction to romances, lol.
I’m sure she doesn’t mind being blamed at all, June! 🙂
I adore Katharine! She’s so lovely! It’s a lot of fun to talk to her in twitter 😛
First of all congrats on the book :*
Can’t wait to read it 😀
um.. A favorite historical? Just one? I have SO MANY!!! Starting with Pride and Prejudice.. What’s not to love about Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth!? 🙂
Lord of Scoundrels by Loretta Chase.. Why? One word: Dain. Plus, I love all the sarcasm in the interaction between him and Jessica. So much fun and lots of romance 🙂
and last but not least: Lisa Kleypas’ Wallflowers! Love all of her books, but especially these! 🙂 She’s my favorite: all those dreamy heroes *sigh*
Hi, Monika! I love chatting with you on twitter, too. 🙂 Loretta Chase and Lisa Kleypas are two of my favorite authors of all time. I love everything they write!
One of my faves has to be Love in the Afternoon by Lisa Kleypas. The whole plot of someone wanting someone they think they should want, then discovering who they really need is something completely different is one I’ve always loved. And Beatrix writing the letters to Phelan (under the guise of another woman) that kept him alive and in love… *sigh* Plus, I love Beatrix because she’s a little bit of an outcast and Phelan is one of my favorite heroes.
Oh, that was dreamy, wasn’t it? Loved it!
Hi Katharine! 🙂 It’s lovely to see you here. And I’ve had so much fun chatting with you on Twitter and Facebook!
I am so looking forward to reading When a Scot Loves a Lady!! If only my bookstore would get it to me. UUGGHH
But, I have to say one of my favorite historical romances would have to be JQ’s The Viscount Who Loved Me. It’s a great battle-of-the-sexes story (love a heroine who can stand her ground and give as good as she gets :)) and the Pall Mall scene is just classic! But really, if you don’t stop me, the list could go on and on, lol
That’s my favorite JQ novel too!
Hi, Lisa. It’s great to see you here! Kate and Anthony are really fabulous, aren’t they? 🙂
One of my favorite Historical Romance titles is “The Danger of Desire” by Elizabeth Essex. The title screams out to me that the book is going to have danger, desire, passion and intrigue, which I really do love and enjoy in a book.
Thank you for this opportunity.
Thank you for this opportunity.
Hi, Diane. Oo, I haven’t read that one. Must remedy that!
I’d have to go with Jamie from Outlander.
Always a classic!
I’m quite fond of Scottish heroes myself, Gwen. 😉
I haven’t read any of Katherine’s books, but have eard lots of great things about them. Favorite would be Pleasure for Pleasure by Eloisa James I loved Josie and Mayne. They are just too cute together.
I LOVED that book!
Oh, Alisha, I totally agree! That was a great read.
Oh I enjoy anything Highlander and these sound wonderful. You have some beautiful and striking covers too.
Thank you, ma’am! I adore the covers the Avon art department makes for my books. 🙂
that sounds like a terrific book! 🙂
My favorite historical romance is A duke of one’s own by Eloisa James… I really like how the heroine stands up for herself…
Also loved that book!
It’s so good, isn’t it, May? Eloisa always writes such fabulous heroines.
Sorry, I forgot to answer the question. Although not Scottish, Clan of the Cave Bear is one of my favorites.
Catslady, what a fabulous book! I loved that series. I haven’t yet read the new one she just published (last year??). Have you? I’m looking forward to it!
No, I’m afraid I haven’t got it yet. Last two times a new book came out I reread the whole series and I probably need to do that again (and I’m not usually a rereader). I think she made us wait between books more than any other author but I do enjoy them.
So happy to have you on the blog with us, Katharine!!
Thank you for hosting me today, Vanessa! I’m thrilled to be here. 🙂
I love Katharine’s bks; I’ve 3 so far & hoping to rapidly amass the rest! Wish they were available as ebooks internationally tho. I hate geo restrictions on ebooks! 🙁
Gosh I couldn’t pick just ONE fav bk. I hv prblms even saying who my fav author is. Probably a Lisa Kleypas? I’ve recently discovered Anne Gracie & Margaret McPhee & their bks are great!
LK is one of my favorites, too. Especially the Wallflower and the Hathaways series.
Hi, Linda. Thanks! If you’re in the UK, my new series (beginning with WHEN A SCOT LOVES A LADY) is available for Kindle from Amazon.co.uk.
I completely agree with you that it’s so hard to choose my favorite. I have several! Lisa Kleypas is definitely one of my favorite authors.
My favorite book ever is Broken Wing by Judith James. I guess I have a thing for the broken man. (only in my books of course) lol.Thanks for doing the giveaway.
Hi, Mary. I love tortured heroes, scarred heroes, heroes with tragic pasts. I’m a sucker for them! 🙂
My fave Historical romance is Raven Prince by Elizabeth Hoyt because it blends fairy tale thing and romance
Oh, Irma, I love it when authors blend fairy tale and romance. Lovely!
If I’m name a favorite I have to say GONE WITH THE WIND. This classic still gives me goosebumps. Scarlett & Rhett are truly memorable as is the period in history.
Mary, it’s a great book, although I think the ending places it more in the love story category than a historical romance with an HEA. But Rhett and Scarlett do burn up the pages!
Mary, it’s a classic among classics. Love it!
Favorite historical would have to be The Soldier by Grace Burrows it was one of the most powerful reads ever. Thanks for bring Katherine to us Vanessa and thank you for the great giveaway!
I have Grace in my TBR pile. I really MUST read her!
Hi, Desere. Lovely to see you. 🙂 I haven’t read The Soldier. I’ll have to!
These sound like fun, would love to win.
Hi, Linda. Thanks for stopping in. 🙂
I like Karen Hawkins and her Scotsmen. Favorite Sleepless In Scotland when twin Catriona thinks she’s rescueing her sister Caitlyn from making a huge mistake, kidnapping the MacLean laird, Alex and ends up being kidnapped by Alex’s brother, Hugh!
Laurie, Karen Hawkins does write a mighty fine Scotsman, doesn’t she? And I adore her book covers too! 🙂
hello ladies!
my favorite historical romance so far is A Midsummer Night’s Dream by William Shakespeare.
thank you for the giveaway, ladies ^^
Very interesting choice, Kristiana. I love that play!
It’s a marvelous play. In fact, both my hero and heroine in WHEN A SCOT LOVES A LADY quote from it, to each other, in rather intimate circumstances. 😉
An easy one to anwer — Shanna by Woodiwiss – the first historical romance I read, the start of many years of enjoyment
Donna, I have a very soft spot in my heart for my “gateway” historical romance as well, Jennifer Wilde’s ONCE MORE, MIRANDA. Loved it then, and I still do. There’s nothing like your “first time”, LOL. 🙂
One of my favorite Historical Romances is “flowers From The Storm” by Laura Kinsale I can’t wait to read your books Ms.Ashe are your books part of a series?
Katharine’s latest is the first in her new series. You can find all the details on her website, Gail.
Hi, Gail. I haven’t yet read that book by Kinsale. I will now! 🙂
My new book, WHEN A SCOT LOVES A LADY, is the first in a series. Here’s the page of my website with information on my two series. You can click on the book covers for more information on each book. http://www.katharineashe.com/books.html
My first romance book I read and my favorite was “The Dragon Lord’s Daughters” by Bertrice Small. It is what started me on this addiction 😉
Addiction is right, Crystal. And now I’m addicted to both reading and writing them! As addictions go, though, I think we’re in a good place. 😉
A favorite current historical, just finished it yesterday. The Rogue Pirates Bride. What a wonderful, lovey, fun story. And a new baby girl at the end! 🙂 An older historical favorite…So many….Kris Kennedy, Defiant. Margaret Mallory, The Guardian. The entire Slightly series with Mary Balogh. Oh goodness, I could go on. Love reading romance. Love reading historical romance. 🙂
Me, too! And I love Shana and Kris’ books!
Lisa, oh, those are all wonderful! I agree!! 🙂
My favorite would have to be the series by Mary Balogh, both the Simply Quartet and espec1aly the Bedwyn Saga. and i love how they kind of interact.
Hi, Tina. It’s lovely to see you here again. Mary Balogh is really a fabulous story teller, isn’t she?
Katherine’s book sounds wonderful. Love the cover. One of my favorite historical romances is The Raven Prince by Elizabeth Hoyt. Great hero and heroine.
Crystal, I’ve heard The Raven Prince is wonderful. I’m going to have to put that on my tbr pile now!
Hmm, this is a hard choice. I guess I’d have to say my favorite historical is Love in the Afternoon by Lisa Klepyas. I loved Beatrix and Christopher and the way their relationship developed. The letters they wrote to eachother were at turns beautiful, funny, touching and sad.
I’m so much better expressing my thoughts and feelings through the written word as opposed to the spoken so the fact they they started out through letters, even if Christopher thought Beatrix was someone else, is very interesting to me. I enjoyed it very much.
Carrie, that’s a wonderful book. I also adored Married By Morning. Cat and Leo were a fantastic couple.
It was a beautiful romance, wasn’t it, Carrie. I love Kleypas’s books.
Like many commenters, I’m a fan of Eloisa James. My favorite book is Pleasure for Pleasure because of the chemistry between Josie and Mayne.
Thanks for the giveaway, Katharine! When A Scot Loves A Lady is on my TBR List!
Kanya 🙂
PFP was a perfectly lovely book!
Hi, Kanya. Eloisa is one of my favorite authors too, and Josie and Mayne really were wonderful. Thanks for commenting! 🙂
I love historical romances. I haven’t read anything from Katharine Ashe yet, but I certainly have some favorites :] One of them is The Perfect Scandal by Delilah Marvelle. I’ve read many great historical romance, but this one is unique, and I also fell in love with the characters ;]
Thank you for the giveaway!
Vojalyn, you’re so right — Delilah’s books are truly unique and powerful. 🙂
I just found Katharine earlier today, and I so thrilled – her books sound so appealing to me!
The first author that pulled me into historical romance was Johanna Lindsey, and my favorite of hers is the Malory series…I adore them! They are like family to me. So I would have to say Love Only Once, by Johanna Lindsey will probably always be my #1 favorite.
Great choice, Gena!
I’m not surprised you were sucked into historical romance by Johanna Lindsey, Gena. Her books are fabulous!
One of my faves – no joke! – is “Sex and the Single Earl”. Not only are the characters and the story engaging, but it has one of THE hottest Paul Marron historical covers! This is the cover that got me asking the question, who is this guy? and started me on my path of Paul Marron (and other cover models) fandom.
“Swept Away by a Kiss” is an excellent read, too, but it doesn’t have enough Paul Marron on it. 😉
LOL! You are the best, infinitieh!
LOL, infinitieh. I’m so sorry there was so little of Paul on that cover. It’s still an awfully nice jaw and mouth. But I promise, next time he’s on one of my covers I’ll ask for more of him. 😉
Hi Katharine, I have “Captured by A Rogue Lord” on my tbr stack and Looking forward to reading.
I just finished reading “Nowhere Near Respectable” by Mary Jo Putney and I loved Damian and Kiri’s love for each other and England. Great spy story.
I already have “When a Scot Loves a Lady” on my wish list and would love to win a copy.
Thanks for the opportunity to enter giveaway.
Hi, misskallie. Oh, I’m glad you have CAPTURED BY A ROGUE LORD. It introduces many of the characters in my new series, and it was nominated for the Reviewers’ Choice Award! I adore Mary Jo Putney’s books. She was my favorite (alongside Mary Balogh) when I was still reading traditional Regencies back in the 80’s and early 90’s. I loved their books. 🙂
One of my favourite historical romances is Ashes in the Wind by Kathleen E. Woodiwiss. The heroine was gutsy and witty and the hero worthy. Their love had so much to overcome and they endured wartime. The journey was a memorable one for me.
That book is one of the classics, Na. Much beloved and rightly so!
Hi, Na. It’s nice to see you here! It’s so true how the classics never fade. Woodiwiss was a master. 🙂
Here I am just minding my own business on Twitter and now I have 74 new books to read or re-read! Every entry was like “yes, Quinn! yes, Kleypas! yes, Burrows! yes, Eloisa! Yes, Kinsale (sigh, Katharine, drop everything and meet Jervaulx…just…sigh)” And of course, Yes, Katharine Ashe! Downloading the Scot and crawling into bed with him. Right. Now.
Thanks, Megan! Yes, my TBR list has grown by leaps and bounds today because of Vanessa. But I think I’ll forgive her for it. 😉
Thank you for the post and giveaway, Katharine and Vanessa.
I wish I could respond to your request. But the fact is, I don’t have a favorite historical romance. Or a favorite anything, really.
I’m not comfortable with the idea of having favorites. It implies that there’s something wrong with all the examples that didn’t make first place. Of course, they don’t.
What’s more, I try not to think in terms of comparisons. One book is different from another; I don’t want to call one good and one bad, or even one better and one worse, until there’s a pressing reason for me to do so. And there very rarely is.
The same holds true of authors. One appeals to a certain set of readers, and one to another. I’d rather not grade them. I’m not their teacher and they’re not my students.
Still, I can answer part of your question. When I really dig a historical romance, usually it’s because it deals in a powerful and convincing manner with the power, beauty, and wonder of love.
The same is true of romances in any subgenre. But the historical subgenre happens to be especially rich in literary possibilities.
The author has such a wide range of periods, places, and social milieux to work with. She can choose numerous themes and fashion them into fiction in countless creative and fascinating ways.
Good luck with the release of “When a Scot Loves a Lady”!
Mary Anne, I usually have a number of favorites, depending on what mood I’m in or what kind of read I’m looking for. Sometimes I want something light and fun, and other times I’m looking for more angst. But I usually have favorites within those expectations. Doesn’t mean I dislike other authors or think they’re less talented. I think individual tastes in reading are fairly subjective. Which is fun!
I love Eloisa James’ A Kiss at Midnight – actually I love all her fairy tale retellings, they’ve all got quirky characters and lovely romance.
One of my very favorite books ever is “The Madness of Lord Ian Mackensie” by Jennifer Ashley. Here’s just a snippet from my 2009 review of that book: “This was a hauntingly beautiful story that kept my attention from the very beginning. I adored the main characters for being so straight-forward in their feelings almost immediately. (Unlike so many heroes/heroines who can’t seem to figure out what they want.)”
This was the first book I had ever read by Ms. Ashley but it guaranteed that all of her historical romances are on my “auto-request” in the future.
I ADORED that book, Laura!
Hi Katharine and Vanessa!
Great post, thanks for sharing.
I have all of your books so far, THE ROGUES OF THE SEA is a wonderful trilogy and I am eagerly waitng for my copy of WHEN A SCOT LOVES A LADY, the fisrt in your FALCON CLUB series….YAY me!
If only our mailman would hurry up and get here with my book! LOL!
I do follow THE BALLROOM BLOG, it always has some interesting post.
Wishing you the best!
P.S. ~ please do not enter my name in giveaway. 🙂
Oooops…forgot to mention my book, anything by Kathleen E. Woodiwiss is tops on my list. In my opinion she’s just AWESOME!!
I’m not sure if it’s The Wolf and the Dove or Shanna or A Rose in Winter or So Worthy My Love or
Forever in Your Embrace……well, you get the picture….
Hi Vanessa,
Sorry I didn’t have a chance to stop by yesterday. I love Katharine’s books and have loved reading the books her Falcon Club series.
When you asked about a book where the title caught my interest I immediately thought of Kieran’s Kramer first release When Harry Met Molly. Boy did that take me back to going to the movie theatre with my husband and seeing the movie When Harry Met Sally and the scene in the restaurant. Anyone who saw the movie will know exactly what I’m talking about! I don’t think I’ve ever laughed harder in a movie theater! Kieran’s title definately made me buy her debut novel but her other titles have kept me coming back for more – Dukes to the Left of Me, Princes to the Right followed by Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs and then the last book in her Impossible Bahelors Series If You Give a Girl A Viscount. Even better her stories are as great as the titles and all the stories that have given me that same reaction as the movie did way back when.
With the quality or lack there of the movies now adays my husband orders a NetFlix movie occasionally to watch at home but that’s fine with me because it gives me more time to read books like yours and Katharine’s!