Guest Author: Kate Noble & Giveaway!!

I’m thrilled to have the awesomely talented Kate Noble visiting the blog today.  Kate is the national bestselling author of the acclaimed Blue Raven Series, earning starred reviews from Library Journal and Publisher’s Weekly (Follow My Lead), as well as a spot on the Best Romance list from Kirkus Reviews (The Summer of You) and a RITA nomination for best Regency Historical Romance (Revealed).  She’s also a member of the writing staff for the Lizzie Bennet Diaries, a modern-day adaption of Pride and Prejudice.

Let’s find out what’s going on in Kate’s world, shall we?

You studied TV and film in college, and eventually worked in that profession.  Why the switch to romance writing?

It’s not a switch!  I’ve always loved romance novels, and I’ve always loved TV, so I decided to have a career in both. I write novels, but I also work for the small and smaller screen, my latest project being The Lizzie Bennet Diaries, the hit web series retelling of Pride and Prejudice(You can visit Lizzie’s world on YouTube, folks)

How does your background in that visual medium help (or hinder) your writing?

I think it helps, honestly.  It makes me think differently about how I write my novels.  It make me think about what would be the best setting for a scene, the iconography of one place versus another.  It also makes me think about chemistry, and how much can be said without saying anything.

What can you tell us about your new book?  Is it part of a series?

My new book is set in the same Blue Raven world as my previous novels, but very much stand alone.  Bridget Forrester longs to meet a gentleman who doesn’t mention her beautiful sister (Sarah, heroine of If I Fall) upon shaking her hand. But since being branded a shrew after a disastrous social season, Bridget knows she’s lucky to even have a man come near her. It’s enough to make a lady flee the country…

So Bridget heads to Venice for music lessons with the renowned Italian composer Vincenzo Carpenini, with whom she’s been corresponding. But not only is Carpenini not expecting her, he doesn’t even remember her! His friend, theater owner Oliver Merrick, does, though. And one look into her tantalizing green eyes has him cursing his impulsive letter-writing, which brought her across the continent. Yet before Merrick can apologize, Carpenini has ordered her away.

Little does either man know that they will soon be embroiled in a wager that will require the beautiful Miss Forrester’s help—or that there’ll be far more at stake in this gamble than money…

What’s next in Kate’s writing world?

I am very excited about my next trilogy, the first of which will be out in 2014.  I’m also working on a comic book with Javier Grill-Marxuach (The Middleman) and artist Kel McDonald, as well as the Welcome to Sanditon web series.  Other than that, I have a couple of pet projects in the pipeline, that I hope to make see the light of day.

Wow!  Your plate is full with some very cool stuff, Kate!  Thanks for taking the time to be with us.  Readers, Kate is graciously giving away a copy today of If I Fall.  Since her latest book involves music and composers, let’s talk about that.  What’s your favorite music to listen to?  One person who comments will win a copy of If I Fall.

And don’t forget to check Kate’s website for more info on Let It Be Me, her new book.

 

 


Guest Author: Alexandra Hawkins & Giveaway!

 

I’m featuring a fantastic author on the blog today.  She’s Alexandra Hawkins, and she’s a USA Today bestselling writer of historical romance.  In The Lords of Vice series, Alexandra has combined her love of English history, mythology, and romance to create sensual, character-driven stories that readers have enthusiastically taken to their hearts.

Alexandra burst onto the romance writing scene with her first book, All Night With A Rogue.

 

Awesome cover, isn’t it?  Whew – talk about hot!  And the reviews for this book were great.  Here’s what Loves Romances and More had to say about it:

“A truly fantastic debut novel! ALL NIGHT WITH A ROGUE is one of the best Regency romances that I have read for quite awhile.”

And RT Book Reviews said that “Hawkin’s first Lords of Vice tale calls to mind the highly sensual reads of Bertrice Small and Susan Johnson.”  Very nice!

Alexandra followed up her first book with two more in the series:  Till Dawn With The Devil and After Dark With A Scoundrel.

 

Goodness, what beautiful covers!  Needless to say, Alexandra’s subsequent books received great reviews as well, including this one from Fresh Fiction for Till Dawn With The Devil:

“Ms. Hawkins weaves a fantastic tale threaded heavily with scandals, secrets, and sins, yet gentled with blossoming friendships and budding romance. TILL DAWN WITH THE DEVIL promises an intoxicating journey, and delivers with an exciting series of twists and turns that leave the reader disoriented and begging for more.”

Fortunately for her readers, Alexandra has a new book in The Lords of Vice series – Sunrise With A Notorious Lord.

 

It’s got everything you’ve come to expect from Alexandra’s books, including a sexy new Lord of Vice:

FOREVER THE BACHELOR

Christopher Courtland, Earl of Vanewright—known around London as “Vane”—is the very picture of a rich, handsome ladies’ man. Why shackle himself to just one lady when he’s free to sample them all? In spite of his own mother’s attempts at matchmaking, Vane has sworn to stay single. Until he has a chance run-in with Miss Isabel Thorne…

NEVER IN LOVE—UNTIL NOW…

A modest and refined beauty, Isabel is a lot more brazen than she appears. When a pickpocket tries to make way with Vane’s bejeweled snuffbox, Isabel attempts to thwart his escape…and manages to steal Vane’s heart. But the harder he tries to seduce the sharp-tongued, strong-willed Isabel, the more she resists. Now it’s up to this tried-and-true bachelor to find a new way to play the game…or risk losing the one woman who’s ever captured his heart.

Doesn’t that sound great?  I don’t know about you, but I’m a total sucker for this kind of delicious story.  The details are on Alexandra’s website.  And make sure you check out the book trailer for Sunrise With A Notorious Lord on YouTube.

For my readers today, Alexandra is giving away not one but two copies of her new book!  Just tell me what your secret vice is (mine is cupcakes) for a chance to win Sunrise With A Notorious Lord.  Two people who comment will win the book.


Because Sometimes You Just Wanna Be Silly!

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EVwlMVYqMu4&feature=player_embedded#at=216]

And this video is silly and hilarious AND about dogs, which is the best combination ever.

Just to be clear, the people who made this video adore their dogs and didn’t force them to do anything they didn’t want to do.  The two dogs are best friends and apparently had great fun making the video since they both loved all the attention.  The owners practiced how to use the cutlery in advance and pretty much let the dogs run the show in terms of interpreting their responses.

The video was shot in one take with no cuts!  Amazing.


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