The winner of Manda Collins’ new book is Eileen Dandashi. Congratulations! I’ll be in touch.
Thanks to everyone for stopping by the blog. Please drop in tomorrow when my guest is historical romance author Adrienne Basso!
Manda Collins
Guest Author: Manda Collins & Giveaway!!
I’m featuring one of my favorite people in the world today. She’s Manda Collins, and she writes wonderful and witty Regency-set historical romance with a dash of mystery. Manda’s first series, The Ugly Ducklings, received a great deal of acclaim for its engaging heroines, thoroughly decent heroes, and smart, fun stories.
Happily, Manda has a brand new series, The Wicked Widows. The first book is called Why Dukes Say I Do, and it’s already received 4-1/2 stars and a Top Pick from RT Book Reviews:
“Witty and smart, Collins’ prose flows smoothly as she merges a charming, compassionate love story with gothic suspense….Add strong pacing and depth of emotion, and there’s no doubt this is a winner.”
Here’s the blurb for Why Dukes Say I Do:
Even in London society—where everyone knows what you did last season—you never know who’s next in line to walk down the aisle…
TRUE LOVE IS OFTEN FOUND
With her whirlwind social life in London, Lady Isabella Wharton has little interest in the customs of the country. But when her godmother asks her to pay a visit to her bachelor grandson in Yorkshire, Isabella can’t refuse. It behooves her to please the old dowager, since she harbors one of Isabella’s most scandalous secrets. So off she goes to see the newly-titled—and notoriously rustic—Duke of Ormond…
WHERE YOU LEAST EXPECT IT
Trevor Carey doesn’t care about what goes on
behind ballroom doors. He is content with the simple life—and isn’t ashamed to admit it to a society flirt like Lady Isabella. But the country air brings out a different side of Isabella—one full of longing and passion. Can her sophistication be hiding a desire for love? When a blackmailer from the city arrives to threaten Isabella, Trevor will shield her from harm—even travel to London. Can the duke tackle the ton on Isabella’s behalf …and manage to keep her all to himself?
Sounds great, doesn’t it? If you like smart, witty storytelling with a lot of heart–and you haven’t tried one of Manda’s books–then I suggest you get cracking!
And for those of you who loved Manda’s last series, The Ugly Ducklings, you can pick up her recently released novella, The Perks of Being a Beauty, which winds up the series.
For my readers today, Manda is giving away one copy of Why Dukes Say I Do. Just tell us who and what are some of your favorite historical authors and books. One person who comments will win a copy of Manda’s new book!
We Have A Winner!
The winner of Michele Hauf’s book is Erin. Congratulations! I’ll be in touch.
Thanks to everyone for stopping by the blog. Please check back this week–I’ll be hosting historical romance authors Manda Collins and Adrienne Basso.
Winners Galore!!
A backlog of winners to post today!
The winners of Manda Collins’ novella are: Jackie Wisherd, Kim, and Maria
The winner of the Brenda Hiatt book is: Judith
The winner of the Brenda Jernigan book is: Kristine
The winner of the Dana Marton book is: Erin
Congrats, ladies! I’ll be in touch.
Thanks to everyone for stopping by the blog. I’ll have lots of guests appearing on the blog this summer, so be sure to check back often!
Guest Author: Manda Collins & Giveaway!!
I’m always excited when my good friend Manda Collins visits my blog. Manda writes witty Regency-set historical romance with a dash of mystery. Her next book, Why Dukes Say I Do, just received a prestigious Top Pick from RT Book Reviews. Dukes will released on July 30th.
But Manda has a new novella out tomorrow, and it’s another of her witty, emotionally appealing stories. She’s here to talk with us about it!
How does your novella fit into The Ugly Ducklings Trilogy?
The Perks of Being a Beautyis the story of Miss Amelia Snowe, who is the nemesis of Cecily, Juliet and Maddie in the Ugly Ducklings trilogy. In Book 3 of the trilogy, How to Entice an Earl, we see Amelia coming to the realization that she’s been behaving rather badly during her reign as the toast of the ton. Well, in The Perks we see Amelia in seriously straitened circumstances. Her mother has died, leaving Amelia not only penniless, but also owing a great deal to her mother’s creditors. Forced to make her own living, Amelia has become the companion to a wealthy cit’s daughter. It’s a far cry from being able to wind the gentlemen of the ton around her little finger!
Your heroine is looking for redemption. Why do you think that particular theme resonates so well with readers?
You know, I’m not all that sure it does. I know that readers have a ton of love for redeemed rakes and villains, but I think it takes a bit more for them to forgive a villainous heroines. I’m not sure if it’s because most romance readers are women, and we tend to be harder on our own sex, or what. Still, I do think there is much to touch readers hearts in this kind of story. We’ve all done things that we aren’t particularly proud of, and by watching a character like Amelia make amends to the people she’s harmed, we see the possibility for our own redemption–whether it’s harsh words to a loved one or something more serious.
Hopefully, after seeing how truly repentant Amelia is, readers will begin to root for her.
The book trailer for The Perks of Being a Beauty is awesome. How did you come up for the idea for it?
I’ve been a fan of the Dos Equis commercials about “The Most Interesting Man in the World” since they first came out. And I’ve been thinking about fun promo ideas for my upcoming series, but I knew that the only character who could pull off “The Most Interesting” theme was Amelia, who is somewhat larger than life in the Ducklings books. Coming up with her character traits was the most fun I’ve had in a long long time! Readers, you can watch this adorable trailer here.
What’s up next in Manda’s writing world?
On July 30, the first book in my new Wicked Widows trilogy, Why Dukes Say I Do, will be released. I’m really excited about this new series and seeing how readers respond to it. I’ve just gotten my review from RT Book Reviews and was floored to see it was not only a Top Pick, but my hero Trevor (a real dish, if I may say so myself!) was named a Knight In Shining Silver (or K.I.S.S.) hero! “Witty and smart, Collins’ prose flows smoothly as she merges a charming, compassionate love story with gothic suspense….Add strong pacing and depth of emotion and there’s no doubt this is a winner.”
And I can’t wait to read it! For my readers today, Manda is graciously giving away three copies of The Perks of Being a Beauty. As someone who’s also written a book about a bad girl reformed, I’d like to talk about that. Can you think of any heroines from books, a TV show, or movies who redeemed herself? Three people who comment will win a copy of Manda’s novella!