The winner of Monica Burns’ book, Kismet, is Mary Preston. Congratulations! I’ll be in touch.
Thanks to everyone for stopping by the blog. My featured author tomorrow is paranormal and suspense author, Rebecca York. Be sure to stop by!
And don’t forget that I’m participating in the Reader Rally sponsored by Romance at Random.
Great books and prizes await! Check out the details on Romance at Random, or start the blog hop on my blog–just click this link and hop away!
I’m so thrilled to have my good friend Monica Burns featured on the blog today. Monica is a fabulous, award-winning historical and erotic romance writer. She’s also a hard-working woman and a real survivor of everything that life can throw in your way. I have tons of admiration for her, both as a woman and as a writer.
One of Monica’s most popular books was Kismet, which won the 2010 CAPA Award for Best Erotic Historical Romance from The Romance Studio. Monica is very thrilled that, come Feb. 7, Kismet will be available in mass market format. If you never got a chance to read it, this is very good news!
Here are some of the many accolades that the book has received:
“… romance akin to a Johanna Lindsey classic. Relax and enjoy the sizzling show…
“I was hooked and spent the whole day reading this sizzling, sensual, engrossing tale.”
— Barbara Vey, Publisher’s Weekly – Beyond Her Book
And here’s the blurb for Kismet:
It was a gamble she was born to make…
Raised in a brothel at a young age, Allegra Synnford quickly learned that survival meant taking charge of her destiny. Now, a renowned courtesan skilled in the pleasures of the flesh, she chooses her lovers carefully—vowing never to be vulnerable to any one man. Until a mesmerizing Sheikh strips that control from her…
With a man who wasn’t used to losing.
Sheikh Shaheen of the Amazigh has been hiding from his past for a long time, but not enough to forget how another courtesan made him abandon his life as the Viscount Newcastle. It’s why the yearnings this dangerous temptress ignites within him are so troubling. Worse, thoughts of Allegra pervade every fantasy, threatening to undermine his cover. With old enemies circling, experience tells him he must resist her charms at all cost. In fact, he’s betting on it. That’s a risky wager when it comes to a woman of pleasure. But Allegra has her own reasons for playing games…with a man who can’t afford to lose.
What happens between them is Kismet…
I read this book when it first came out, and I can tell you that it’s passionate, emotional, and very sexy. I’m so thrilled that Monica now has the opportunity to reach new readers with her mass market release. Be sure to stop by Monica’s website for all the details, including an excerpt, a book trailer, and the buy links.
Like many authors these days, Monica is also moving into the world of indie publishing. She currently has a wonderful novella out called Love’s Portrait.
Gorgeous, eh? Here’s the blurb for Love’s Portrait:
When Julia Westgard commissions a nude portrait of herself, the painting is much more than a rebellious act. It’s an attempt to regain her self-worth after years of a loveless, repressive marriage to her late husband. But the private portrait puts her directly in the path of Morgan St. Claire, one of the Marlborough Set’s most notorious seducers. A man who doesn’t take no for an answer.
From the first moment Morgan sees Julia’s portrait, he’s determined to have her. But the woman he meets is a far cry from the image on canvas. What starts out as a simple exercise in seduction quickly evolves into a quest to reveal the true Julia. With each sensual encounter, he employs every erotic weapon at his disposal in hopes of making Julia see she really is the woman in Love’s Portrait.
So romantic! Again, please visit Monica’s website for all the details.
For my readers today, Monica is graciously giving away a copy of Kismet. Since I’m featuring a historical writer today, let’s stick with something close to that. What’s your favorite historical movie or TV show? Did you fall in love with Col. Brandon in Emma Thompson’s Sense & Sensibility, or do you prefer a series like Downton Abbey? Tell all to have a chance to win a copy of Monica’s book!
It’s my absolute pleasure to be featuring paranormal and historical romance author Monica Burns on the blog today. Monica is one of my favorite people in the romance world. Not only is she a super-talented writer, she’s a strong and courageous woman who has overcome a lot of adversity in her life – I mean, a lot. And she’s not shy about talking about these challenges because she knows that being up front about her experiences is a way to both heal and help others.
In a word, Monica is a survivor. She survived date rape at the age of 19 and a diagnosis of bipolar disorder many years later. But rather than giving into a sense of victimhood, Monica used her indomitable will and her belief in happy endings to craft a good life – a life which includes fabulous romances. In fact, Monica will tell you that writing erotic romance aided in her life-long process of healing and reclaiming her self-worth. Her courage leaves me awestruck, and very grateful that she has poured her creative energies into writing such wonderful romances.
And let’s talk about those books, shall we? The first Monica Burns novel I read was Kismet, and I loved it. It’s a historical romance which builds on that beloved old romance trope, the desert sheikh book. Monica brings several interesting twists to the sheikh myth, and the result is an adventurous, very sexy, very emotional book.
Kismet won the 2010 CAPA from The Romance Studio for Best Erotic Historical, and garnered oodles of great reviews. Like this one from RT Book Reviews:
“Burns’ story is hotter than the desert sands! She succeeds with a classic captive/captor romance akin to a Johanna Lindsey classic. Relax and enjoy the sizzling show — complete with a lesson in bananas and seduction.”
Bananas and seduction? How can you resist that?!
As I mentioned, Monica also writes fantastic paranormal romance, and she has a new novel out next month, which will be the third book in her acclaimed Order of the Sicari series. This series (which is SO cool) explores a very old and very deadly feud between the Roman Praetorian Guard and the legendary Sicari assassins. The first two books—Assassin’s Honor and Assassin’s Heart—received rave reviews and picked up some awards, too. You can check them out and also read the first three chapters of the books on Monica’s website.
The third book in the series, Inferno’s Kiss, will be released by Berkley Books on October 4th.
Already, Inferno’s Kiss is getting great reviews, just like the other two books in the series. Here’s the blurb:
The laws of desire…
Dante Condellaire, heir apparent to the Sicari Lords, knows that being a true leader means sacrifice. For Dante it was relinquishing all erotic pleasures. But he never expected his willpower to be tested so fiercely by Cleopatra Vorenus, expert assassin of the Order, and daughter of the man he is positioned to succeed.
The rules of battle…
Cleo prefers working alone—until she meets Dante who shares her goal: to destroy a Praetorian stronghold where Sicari women are imprisoned for devious purposes. Bringing the mission off without a hitch pumps up more than their resolve. It sets off a sexual spark too combustible to ignore.
Are all made to be broken.
As their attraction flares like an inferno, the stakes are raised. So are the risks. Before the mission is over, Dante and Cleo will be plunged into a dangerous conspiracy where a traitor threatens the very foundation of the Order, as well as the fiery bond between Dante and Cleo—warriors and lovers now torn between duty and desire.
Sounds great, doesn’t it? I’m really looking forward to this book! You can read the first three chapters of Inferno’s Kiss on Monica’s website. And while you’re there be sure to check out the other features – including some great articles – and also make sure you stop by her blog. There’s always something interesting going on in Monica’s house!
For my readers, Monica is giving away a copy of her historical romance, Pleasure Me, and a copy of Inferno’s Kiss. Just tell me what your favorite romance movie is—old or new! Two people will win the books!
I’m so pleased to feature one of my favorite romance authors today, Monica Burns. Monica is not only a talented writer, she’s a strong, intelligent, and wonderful person – one of my favorite in all of romancelandia. I met her several years ago at a Romance Writers of America conference, and I was immediately struck by her combination of wit, maturity, and heart, which shines through in her writing. The first book I read of hers was Kismet, and I adored it. It’s the story of a courtesan and a sheikh, which is totally cool to begin with, but it also has some interesting twists and a deeply sexy, emotional story.
Kismet won a CAPA in 2010 from The Romance Studio for Best Erotic Historical Romance, and garnered wonderful reviews, including this one from the Sacremento Book Review:
“Kismet is a strong debut, and a strong historical romance in general, and Burns has a charismatic and confident writing style.”
You can check out all of Monica’s earlier books on her Wicked Bookshelf.
Monica’s latest book is Pleasure Me, and it’s another passionate, deeply emotional love story with an unusual heroine and hero. And that’s one of the things I love about Monica – she always brings something new to the table. She writes great love stories, fulfilling all the conventions of the genre, but with incredible intelligence and sensitivity, and with striking characters or settings.
Here’s the cover for Pleasure Me, which is truly beautiful.
Pleasure Me has been garnering wonderful reviews, including the coveted Desert Island Keeper status from the review site, All About Romance. You can check out all of Monica’s great reviews for the book on her website.
Here’s the blurb for Pleasure Me:
Youth and beauty are a courtesan’s greatest assets. At forty-one, Lady Ruth Attwood appears to have lost both, as her latest lover just abandoned her for a younger mistress. Struggling with the knowledge that she’s no longer considered desirable, she’s uncertain whether to be offended or flattered when a younger man makes her an unusual offer. In need of funds, she agrees. But then she does the unthinkable. She falls in love.
Despite his reputation as a man’s man, Baron Garrick Stratfield has never been with a woman. His physical impairment is such that he knows not even a whore will touch him, and he needs a mistress who’s willing to be kept without sharing his bed. But passion is just a delicious kiss away because his new mistress is wreaking havoc with his senses. Worse yet, someone is not only out to ruin his reputation, but frame him for murder.
Doesn’t that sound like a FABULOUS story? You know you want to read this one! Pleasure Me is now in bookstores, and available from Amazon and other on-line retailers. And you can read an excerpt on Monica’s website.
And we’re giving away a copy of the book! Let’s talk about unusual settings. Just tell me what kind of unusual settings you like, or would like to see, in historical romance. One person who comments will win a copy of Pleasure Me.