Kensington – Vanessa Kelly, Author

Diana Cosby & Giveaway!!

March 15, 2016December 1, 2013 by VanessaKelly

I’m always happy to welcome fellow Kensington author Diana Cosby back to the blog. Diana is a best-selling author of Scottish medieval historical romantic suspense, whose books have won awards and a great deal of acclaim. She’s here today to tell us about her new book.

His Enchantment is book six in your bestselling MacGruders Series. Is it a bit different from some of the other books in the series?

Hi Vanessa, and my sincere thanks for having me back on your blog, always fun being here. 🙂 Yes, His Enchantment is unique in several ways, including the fact that it’s a prequel, like they had in the Star Wars series. His Enchantment is the much awaited grandmother’s story. In addition to the love story, the reader learns how her chamber in Lochshire Castle came to be and where it’s special powers came about. Plus, the reader discovers how the halved stones within the bowl came to be, the origin of the myriad of intriguing gifts in the castle we are introduced to during the series, and how the family division began. I loved writing His Enchantment, and I sincerely hope my readers enjoy Trálin and Catarine’s story as well!

Did you find it a challenge to weave together historical and paranormal elements, particularly in an existing series?

That I added paranormal elements to His Enchantment as well as historical facts along with drawing together the how’s and whys of questions raised during the MacGruder Brothers series proved to be an interesting challenge, but one that I loved. As with every book I’ve written, I’m not quite sure how I’ll figure everything out, but through the magic of story, somehow it all comes together by The End.

What is it about Highland romance that readers love so much?

I think readers enjoy Highland romances due to the depth and passion of the characters who fight for what they believe in as well as the rich history, and the amazing surroundings of the Highlands. The kilts are an added bonus!

What can you tell us about your work with the International Food Bank Drive?

I firmly believe that each of us can make a positive difference in others lives. I support many charities, and one that I’m trying to help raise awareness for is our food banks. A warm meal and a kind word can go a long way in helping someone who is trying to overcome life’s challenges. It’s more than a meal, but donations from the community that let the person that they’re supported by those around them.

How the Diana Cosby’s 4th International Food Bank Challenge works:

Starting on the 1st of November, when you donate to a local food bank, post on my Facebook page or Facebook Fan page, beneath the daily International Food Bank Challenge post, add your donation along with your name and contact information. On December 5th I will use www.random.org to draw from all of the names of people who donated that I received. The winner will receive an autographed set of the bestselling MacGruder Brother series to date; His Captive, His Woman, His Conquest, His Destiny, and His Seduction. I will sign the set, then send them priority to whoever you want to make a personal holiday present.

For more details: http://www.dianacosby.com/authorevents.html

That’s an awesome thing to do, Diana! And thank you for joining us today. Readers, Diana is giving away a copy of His Captive, the first book in The MacGruders Series. For a chance to win, just tell which is your favorite movie from the Star Wars movie series. One person who comments will win a copy of Diana’s book!

Guest Author: Mia Marlowe & Giveaway!!

March 15, 2016October 7, 2013 by VanessaKelly

I’m so happy to have Mia Marlowe featured again on the blog. Not only is she a fellow Kensington author, she’s a fantastic historical romance writer. An award-winning author, Mia writes for several publishers in a variety of historical romance sub-genres, including Regencies, Highland historicals, and in Viking historicals. Cool!

Mia has a brand new book out called Plaid Tidings. As you might be able to guess from the title, it’s both a Christmas romance and a Highland historical romance. It’s already been getting great reviews, including this stellar one from RT Book Reviews:

“Marlowe has penned a wonderful tale, rich in romance and wit. Replete with memorable characters and a touch of Scottish legend, this well-written romance is both poignant and highly entertaining. Not to be missed by fans of Scottish Regency.” ~4-1/2 Stars

Here’s the blurb for Plaid Tidings:

Christmas in the Highlands…

Not any dashing English lord’s idea of a good time. But now that Lord Alexander Mallory has won a Scottish estate in a hand of cards, he is the unlikely laird of the wild, snowy Bonniebroch. Worse yet, the ancient pile of stones comes with a betrothal. To a fiery red-headed virgin. And a curse.

Alex will have his hands full honoring the first, seducing the second and breaking the third … all by Twelfth Night.

I’ve got this one lined up on my Kindle, and I know it’s going to be great! And here’s something fun–for my readers today, Mia is giving away a digital copy of Plaid to the Bone, the prequel novella to Plaid Tidings. Just tell us what your favorite holiday recipe is–drink or food–for a chance to win a copy of Plaid to the Bone.

Guest Author: Mia Marlowe & Giveaway!!

March 15, 2016September 12, 2013 by VanessaKelly

I’m so pleased to be hosting fellow historical romance author Mia Marlowe on the blog today. Mia is a fantastic writer who can fashion a captivating tale and place it in just about any historical period. It’s no mystery to me why she’s a bestselling, award-winning author! She’s with us today to share some very exciting news.

Plaid to the Bone is your 20th book, which is an amazing accomplishment. How do you feel about that? Has your writing career given you any surprises along the way?

I’m thrilled! And no one is more surprised than me. I’ve been published since 2006 and of course, my career has had its ups and downs. Please don’t ask me about the fiasco with my first agent (whom I had to threaten with legal action to get the advance on my debut!) or the sad sinking of Dorchester. Fortunately my editors (Alicia Condon at Kensington & Leah Hultenschmidt at Sourcebooks) have championed me and kept me in print. I have a wonderful agent now (Natasha Kern) and readers have kept reading. I’m a very lucky girl and I know it.

The heroine in Plaid to the Bone is pledged to murder her husband, which is an awesome basis for conflict! What can you tell us about the book, and how did you come up with such a splendid idea?

I had already written Plaid Tidings (October 2103, Kensington) in which my hero becomes laird of Bonniebroch Castle. Only trouble is, there’s a pretty hefty curse on the place which he must lift before Twelfth Night. My editor asked if I’d write a novella that explains how the castle came to be cursed in the first place, so Plaid to the Bone took shape in my head.

I reasoned that the curse was the result of a betrayal. At her father’s behest, Cait Grant has sworn a blood oath to kill Adam Cameron after they’ve been wed a month. What more heinous betrayal could there be than a bride who plans to murder her new husband?

You have another book coming out soon – what can you tell us about it?

In Plaid Tidings, 300 years have passed since the events in Plaid to the Bone. It’s 1821 and my hero Alexander is part of the advance team preparing the way for Prinny’s visit to Scotland. He’s on the look out for any remaining Radicals who might threaten the king. To hide his true purpose for being in Scotland, he wins Bonniebroch and the accompanying barony in a game of chance. What Alex doesn’t know is that the title comes with a betrothal to a Scottish lass whose brother is a notorious Radical. And to add to his troubles, the castle to which he brings his unwanted bride is haunted!

The final book in my Songs of the North trilogy will be out in November and the last of the Royal Rakes releases in January. I just signed contract with both publishers for more Scottish and Regency romances. Please check my Coming Next page for the latest news!

You’re running an amazing contest right now – what’s that about?

I’m hosting a 20Days/20Books Celebration on my blog to mark my 20th published work milestone. Each day I share a bit about Plaid to the Bone, host amazing guests (like you, m’dear!) and reminisce about one of my backlist titles. There are multiple daily giveaways and the Grand Prize is a Kindle Paperwhite! I hope your readers will join me at http://www.miamarlowe.com. The celebration runs till September 15th and the winners will be announced the next day.

That all sounds awesome, Mia! And for my readers today, Mia is giving away a digital copy of her 3-book anthology, The How To Series. Just tell us why you love Scotland, or why you might like to visit there someday, for a chance to win.

Guest Author: Adrienne Basso & Giveaway!!

March 15, 2016August 1, 2013 by VanessaKelly

I’m very pleased to welcome fellow Kensington historical romance author Adrienne Basso to the blog. Adrienne writes wonderful Highland, Victorian, and Regency-set historical romance, and she’s gotten tons of acclaim over the years. She’s here to talk with us about her new book.

Take it away, Adrienne!

I’d first like to thank Vanessa for graciously inviting me to be a guest blogger today. Like many other authors, in addition to my writing career, I have a rather demanding full-time job. Consequently, I don’t get out much! I therefore really appreciate this opportunity to connect with romance readers.

How to Be a Scottish Mistress was released in early July and I’ve been so pleased with the response. This book is big change in setting and time period for me – medieval Scotland. My previous historicals have taken place in Regency England and my holiday romances are set in Victorian England.

Yet as I contemplated my next project, I wanted to tackle a new challenge. Here’s what I came up with:

As Robert the Bruce struggles to unite the clans of Scotland and free his country from English rule, a newly widowed English noblewoman turns to a proud, powerful Scottish earl for sanctuary and justice. Since the earl must marry to secure a political alliance, she offers to become his mistress. The bargain they strike thrusts them into passionate danger – both outside and inside their bedchamber. As treachery and vengeance loom, they must decide how far they are willing to go to fight for the survival of their forbidden love.

Interestingly, the basic premise of this plot, along with the two main characters, Fiona and Gavin, had been rolling around in my head for years. My original idea was to set the story in England circa 1120, but when I proposed it to my editor, he asked me to consider changing the location to Scotland. I did some research, thought it over and decided Scotland, in the time of Robert the Bruce, would be an excellent choice and further enhance the story.

There was one other aspect of this novel that I debated in my mind for weeks before making a decision – should I use any Scottish “words”? As a reader I usually like the Scottish dialog – yet it isn’t always necessary.

What about ye, lasses? Yay or nay to those phrases? Please, let me know. One commenter will win a signed copy of How to Be a Scottish Mistress.