It’s a special Regency Friday Fun on the blog today because I’m featuring the uber-talented Kate Noble. Kate’s books are wonderfully romantic and beautifully written, with great stories and unique, engaging characters. Her first book, Compromised, became a national bestseller and received a starred review from Booklist, the prestigious review journal of the American Library Association. Kate went on to write Revealed, which was nominated for a RITA Award from The Romance Writers of America, and The Summer of You, which was named a Kirkus Reviews Best Romance of 2010. As you can tell from this short writing bio, Kate is truly one of the new stars of historical romance!
Follow My Lead is Kate’s latest book, which came out on May 3rd.
Aside from having one of the prettiest covers I’ve ever seen, the book has been getting phenomenal reviews. It got a starred review from Publisher’s Weekly, and a starred review from Library Journal:
“The classic titled-hero-falls-for-independent-bluestocking-heroine plot gets a refreshing spin as Noble propels her characters on a passionate, whirlwind adventure. It will keep readers thrilled and on edge until the very end.” — Library Journal, April 2011
Here’s the blurb for Follow My Lead:
Jason Cummings, Duke of Rayne is feeling the weight of his responsibilities – one of which is to get married. Being the most sought after bachelor in London can be trying, so who can blame him if he seeks refuge from the voracious hordes of young debutantes at the decidedly female-free Historical Society? Female-free, that is, until Winnifred Crane marches up to the door, demanding entrance.
Despite her prowess as a historian, Winn is denied membership to the Society. So she daringly offers an unusual bargain: if she can prove the authenticity of a certain painting, she’ll be granted recognition, fame, and respect. But to do that, she must go abroad. And to go abroad, she must have an escort, even a stubbornly unwilling one…
Jason has no desire to accompany Winn on her adventure across Europe, but even he is not immune to Winn’s passion for her profession. As the journey proves more difficult than planned, they must work together to stay one step ahead of their rivals… and the closer they get to the proof Winn seeks, the closer she and Jason become. But as their adventure turns dangerous, can Jason keep this headstrong bluestocking safe? And what will become of their growing bond when the adventure ends?
Now, does that not sound like a heck of a fun read? I’m a sucker for a good road story/romance, so I’m telling you that I’m running out to buy this book today!
Kate also has one of the cutest book trailers I’ve seen in a long time, which you can view on her website. And while you’re looking around Kate’s website make sure you check out her contest page. She’s giving away great prize bundles of books to celebrate the release of Follow My Lead. One of those bundles contains a copy of My Favorite Countess, by yours truly.
As you can tell, I’m a huge fan of Kate’s books and if you haven’t read her I’d like you to be, too! So I’ll be giving away a copy of Follow My Lead to one person who leaves a comment by Saturday evening. Just let me know what your favorite historical romance of all time is for a chance to win this fabulous book!
Vanessa Kelly Author 
I must confess that I only started reading historicals this year, so I don’t have a vast selection from which to sort, nor have I even heard of Kate Noble before. (Sorry!)
That being said, I just LOVED Amelia Grey’s AN EARL TO ENCHANT. She wrote witty dialogue and included charming characters (just like the cover said, LOL). There was a bit of a mystery to unfold, and it kept me reading until I was done the book the same day I started it.
Thanks for sharing Kate’s book(s) with us, Vanessa!
Laney, Amelia’s book sounds wonderful. I haven’t read it, but I’ll check it out.
This book sounds so good and I love the cover! Now as for choosing my favorite historical I don’t know how someone can have a favorite, there are just way too many. As I am sitting here looking at all of my books the ones standing out and which pushed me into loving historicals would have to be The Mallory series by Johanna Lindsey and The Bride series by Catherine Coulter. Once I was read those I have not stopped reading historicals and I love that there are so many out there to read now.
Melanie, we’re drowning in a sea of wonderful books, aren’t we?
My fave romance & most memorable is *Dreaming of You* by Lisa Kleypas. I read *Then Came You* & wanted to read more about Derek Cravens character & sure ‘nough I found his story. I love bad boys in books.
Amy, I love the bad boys, too! My favorite Kleypas is Devil In Winter, with Sebastian – the ultimate bad boy!
Haven’t read that one yet. Definitely will buy from my Kindle now (if its e-book)!
My favorite Historical romance is Katie MacAlister’s Noble Intentions. I’ve read it over & over.
Great choice!
I am also new to historical novels. I actually have a favorite series by Julia Quinn, the Bridgerton Series. I loved every book in that series, and I saved them so that I could read them over again in the future.
Pat, the Bridgerton novels are wonderful!
I love all of Julia Quinn’s older books including the Bridgertons and all books by Lisa Kleypas and Pamela Clare. One of my newer favourite historical romance authors is Sarah MacLean. I love her books, especially Nine Rules. I don’t know how many times I’ve read it already. I would love to try a book by Kate Noble!
Claudia, Sarah is fabulous. I featured her on the blog a few weeks ago.
My favorite is Devil in Winter. I love Evie and St. Vincent and it’s my go-to book when I’m in the mood to read but don’t have anything new on hand. I loved Kate Noble’s Summer of You and I’m excited for Follow My Lead.
Thanks for the chance to win. I guess if I had to pick a single book as a favorite historical, it would be Rosemary Rogers, Sweet Savage Love. But I love so many other authors of historicals, it’s really hard to choose just one.
Betty, that book is a classic!
I’m rarely reading historical romance, but my favorite all time is Lisa Kleypas’s books! Hers was the first historical romance that I’d read. I love her writing style and the character was adorable :D.
Ren, I adore Lisa Kleypas. I can’t think of any books of hers that I didn’t like!
So far EVERY historical romance is my favorite. What’s not to like? The romance is always strong and it’s like taking a trip back in time!
Heather, historical romance writers everywhere are cheering!
It’s so hard to choose as they’re are so many wonderful and talented authors out there. Amongst my favorites are of course you Vanessa, Kate too and Lisa Kleypas and Stephanie Laurens.
I would so love to win this book for one of my sisters’ who has just had a major organ transplant.
Thanks for the giveaway.
Thanks, Diane!
And I’ll have my fingers and toes crossed that your sister’s health improves every day!
Thanks Vanessa. It was a kidney transplant and, she is having a hard time coming to terms with how she got it. It was from a young person. So terribly sad……
I would have to say Devil in Winter by Lisa Kleypas is my all-time favorite historical romance. I never tire of rereading it.
Thanks for the great giveaway! I’ve wanted to read Follow My Lead ever since I read the first excerpt a few weeks ago.
Stacie, I am so with you on this book!
It is so hard to choose. I just started reading historical and they are good. I never thought any would catch my interest, especially since I despised social studies in HS. : )
Its like trying to pick 1 author from here. I have met so many and am blessed to get the chance to learn about everyone and their writings.
Christne
chrissy6341@aol.com
Chrissy, I’m glad you found us!
I have to confess that I haven’t had the pleasure of reading Kate yet but I do look forward to it!
My favorite is The Black Lyon by Jude Deveraux, although almost any of Ms Deveraux’s historicals could be my favorite!
Candy
Candy, Jude Deveraux would have to be at the top of any list of favorites.
Any Julie Garwood historicals. I had one of her books for months and didn’t think i’d like historicals so i didn’t bother with it and then one day i got curious. The rest as they say is history. lol Her her stuff. I’ve also read some Johanna Lindsey and those were great too.
Lisa B
modokker at yahoo dot com
Both wonderful authors, Lisa!
Mine is The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie by Jennifer Ashley! It’s one of my all-time favorite books– EVER! Yes, manily because of the hero… I am not above saying it 😉 Really, though, the whole book was fabulous!
Oh, Chelsea, I love that book! It really blew me away.
Oh MY, my favorite? Well, I’ll go with one I’ve recently read — Julia Quinn’s “Dancing At Midnight”.. Dang, there really are too many to choose from..
Cate, I haven’t read that JQ – I’ll have to try it!
Vanessa –
I must admit that my all time favorite “romance” book is Don Quoixote by Cervantes. That one book turned me into a romance reader when I was in highschool. Who doesn’t love a hero who sees only the best of his “true love” and none of her flaws.
Now if I could just get my husband to see things that way!
Jeanne, that is really cool! And you tell your husband that he needs to read him some romance!
Vanessa –
I wish I could get my husband to read them! No man is too old to get some pointers! I do end up reading his favorite historicals though including quite a few of Rutherford’s books including London and New York.
He did admit when I took him on a trip to England and Scotland how impressed he was about the history I knew from my reading and places we ended up visiting because I had read about them in historical romances! We ended up not even needing to buy any travel guides. Who knew that buying books could save you money!
We have to choose one? What got me back into reading a few years back was Stephanie Laurens’ Devil’s Bride and then had to read the whole series! But there are about 75 authors I read regularly.
Sue, I love Devil’s Bride. It’s definitely in my top ten.
What a question! There’s “Lord of Scoundrels”, but “Dangerous in Diamonds” and “What I Did For a Duke” made me giggle. Hm…
LOS is the one for me -top of my list!
I agree with you, Jeanne. There’s a lot of history to be learned from a good historical romance.
I’m very lucky to have a husband who not only reads romance, but writes it with me!
I love!!! GOLLOW MY LEAD! great story, and a gorgeous Ginger hero!!!
Kate is awesome, isn’t she?
I don’t have a favorite book as it seems each one makes me want to read another one. So now a have another book to add to my TBR list
Glad to help, Barbara!
I would have to agree with Heather F. She has loaned me ALOT of books and she has turn me on to these types of books. I LOVEM! 🙂
That’s great, Misty!
Vanessa –
I keep checking back to get book ideas! You really had a great idea when you picked this subject.
Thanks, Jeanne! I’ve gotten some good ideas, too.
I’ll be posting the winner of FOLLOW MY LEAD on Sunday. Stay tuned!