Guest Author: Shana Galen & Giveaway!

I have a HUGE treat in store for my readers today.  I’m featuring the very talented author Shana Galen, who writes adventurous and romantic Regency-set historicals.  Shana is a wonderful writer who was first published in 2005, and she’s been wowing critics and readers ever since.

Interestingly enough, Shana’s first book was a contemporary romance called The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly Men I’ve Dated, which she wrote under the pen name of Shane Bolks.  That book was nominated for a RITA, the prestigious award sponsored by the Romance Writers of America.  It’s the same book that Meg Cabot—yes, THAT Meg Cabot—said was a “fun, snappy read” that she couldn’t put down.

Oh, boy.  If I ever got a cover quote from Meg Cabot, I would probably faint on the spot!

Shana has garnered even more acclaim for her historical romances.  Take, for example, Blackthorne’s Bride, which was also nominated for a RITA.

Blackthorne’s Bride received a Top Pick from RT Book Reviews and tons of critical acclaim, including this review from the Chicago Tribune:

“Shana Galen adds a generous dash of action and adventure to the already irresistible mix of sexy romance and sharp wit in Blackthorne’s Bride, her latest fabulously fun Regency historical.”
—John Charles

This book is part of the popular Misadventures in Matrimony series, which was preceded by the Regency Spies series.  She also has a more recent series called The Sons of the Revolution, a trilogy about three brothers struggling to restore their noble heritage in the aftermath of the French Revolution.  Doesn’t that sound great?!

You can find out about these series on Shana’s website, and read some fab excerpts from the books.  Trust me—you won’t be sorry you stopped by!

Shana has a new book out, and I’ve been waiting several months to read this one.  It’s called Lord and Lady Spy, and it features the adventures of two out-of-work spies who just happen to be married to each other.

It’s been getting great reviews, including this one from RT Book Reviews: “Lively, utterly delightful adventure romance. The witty, sexually charged dialogue fuels the rivalry between the realistic characters and sets the pages flying.”

AND the book was chosen as one of Publishers Weekly Top Romance Picks for Fall!

Here’s the blurb for Lord and Lady Spy:

Meet Lord and Lady Smythe, England’s preeminent spies. Their identities are guarded even from each other. After years of secrets and lies, their marriage is little more than a crumbling façade. But even love isn’t as important as The Mission—to defeat Napoleon Bonaparte.

But what happens when the mission is complete?

Meet Lord and Lady Smythe, out of work spies. Lady Sophia Smythe will scream if she has to attend another tea party. Lord Adrian Smythe will hit someone if he’s forced to while away another evening in Parliament. What are secret agents to do when the war is over?

There’s one chance left to get back into the game. The prime minister needs a murder investigated. The problem? Two spies. One position.

All’s fair in love and war.

Oh, my God!  Doesn’t that sound like so much fun?  I’ve got this one sitting right at the top of my teetering To Be Read pile.

You find read all about Lord and Lady Spy on Shana’s website.

To celebrate Shana’s new release, her publisher has donated two copies of Lord and Lady Spy for a giveaway to my readers in the U.S. and Canada.  Just tell me who your favorite book, movie, or TV spy is, and why.  Two people who comment will win copies of the book!

Guest Author: Alix Rickloff & Giveaway!

Don’t you wish there were more historical paranormal romances out there?  I do.  I really do.  Especially Regency-set paranormal romances.  There have been some excellent ones, but they generally seem few and far between.  So imagine my excitement when I discovered Alix Rickloff, who started her career with Kensington Publishing penning Regency-set paranormal historical romances.

Alix’s first two books, Lost in You and Dangerous as Sin, are part of her Bligh Family Series. 

From the beginning, Alix was one of those talented newbies who got phenomenal reviews, including this one for Lost in You from Booklist, the prestigious review journal of the American Library Association:

“Rickloff presents a fascinating debut filled with sensory details and a deep sense of lore.”

Her second book, Dangerous as Sin, garnered this great review from the Chicago Tribune:

“Rickloff deftly blends equal measures of danger and desire into the intriguing plot of her latest paranormal-spiced, splendidly satisfying historical Regency.”

Now, big newspapers like the Chicago Tribune only occasionally review romance novels, much less paranormal romance novels, so I’m here to tell you how impressive that is!

I love the concept behind Alix’s books, where readers are introduced to the Other—mortals bearing the blood of the Fey, and who move in a world that lies beyond the glittering balls and scandals of the Regency that its inhabitants think they know so well.  How utterly cool is that?  Talk about Regency with a twist!

The first book in Alix’s new trilogy, The Heirs of Kilronan, is Earl of Darkness.

This book was a Top Pick from RT Book Reviews and got this tantalizing review from Publishers Weekly:

“Secret societies, baffling documents, monstrous stalkers—Rickloff has studied the textbook thoroughly, then added more sex.”

Oh, I am SO there!

Her next book, Lord of Shadows, will be released this month.

Here’s the blurb to give you a taste:

Who is working the demon arts . . .

Was it her murdered father? Her fugitive brother? It has been seven years since Lady Sabrina Douglas cloistered herself with the Sisters of High Danu, but the questions remain.  She is Other—a mixture of Fey and mortal—quietly using her powers to heal.  That is, until she saves a half-drowned man, his soldier’s body a roadmap of scars, his fathomless eyes filled with heartbreaking loneliness. The inexplicable connection overwhelms her defenses, touching her heart, mind  . . . and body.

. . .  and to what end?

A man with no memory, Daigh MacLir seeks his past, even as unknown threats fill him with monstrous rage and inhuman abilities. But as a desperate game of hunter and hunted is played out from ballrooms to bedrooms, what Daigh discovers is more chilling than anyone could possibly imagine. Defying death was only the first step in the task he has been set, and Sabrina his last hope. But dare he risk involving her? Daigh has been summoned to find an ancient king, and even the powers of love may not be enough to win the battle against the powers of darkness.

Yep.  Sounds great, doesn’t it?  You know you want this book!

You can read an excerpt of Lord of Shadows on Alix’s website, plus check out her other books and her latest news as well.

To celebrate her upcoming release, Alix is giving away a copy of Lord of Shadows.  Just tell me if you like your historical romance straight-up, or with a paranormal twist.  One commenter will receive a copy of this awesome book!

Featured Guest & Giveaway: Elisabeth Naughton!!

Most of you know that I usually feature authors who write  historical romance.  Today I thought I’d mix it up a bit.  If you haven’t yet read her, I’d like to introduce you to Elisabeth Naughton, who writes sexy, globe-trotting romantic suspense and dark, seductive paranormal romance.  She already has one romantic suspense series in the stores – the Stolen Trilogy – which revolves around an antiquities gallery in Miami.  These books will definitely appeal to fans of Romancing The Stone and Indiana Jones, and what’s not to love about that?

The Stolen books have garnered fantastic reviews, including this one from the prestigious Chicago Tribune:  “Naughton deftly distills deadly intrigue, high adrenaline action, and scorchingly hot passion into a perfectly constructed novel of romantic suspense.”

Elisabeth’s latest story is now in stores.  It’s a novella called Acapulco Heat in the anthology, Bodyguards In Bed.  Is that not a most excellent title?  It sure makes me want to run right out and buy it!  Here’s the blurb for Acapulco Heat:

Sun, sand, skin and plenty of sex. That’s the name of the game in beautiful Acapulco.

Bodyguard Finn Tiernay’s new gig in the sultry city is nothing short of perfect. Too bad he can’t stand it. Hired to protect supermodel Lauren Kauffman during her very public, very sexy cosmetic shoot on the beach, Finn’s itching for a serious assignment and the chance to get away from the hot bod who’s set her sights set on him. Their mutual attraction has been brewing for some time, but he’s got no use for the super wealthy, isn’t about to become another diva’s boy toy. His no-fun-at-work motto might get him booted out of her bed, but when danger strikes, she won’t be able to shake him. And when he discovers things aren’t what they seem and that she’s more than a pretty face and smokin’ body, all bets are off. Lauren Kauffman’s about to take Finn for a ride he never saw coming. And there’s no telling who will survive.

You can read an excerpt from the novella on Elisabeth’s website.

The first book in Elisabeth’s new paranormal series, The Eternal Guardians, will be out in September.  It looks awesome, so I’ll be sure to feature it in a few months.

Bodyguards In Bed and Elisabeth’s previous books are all in bookstores or available at on-line retailers like Amazon.  To help Elisabeth celebrate the release of her novella, I’ll be giving away a copy of Bodyguards In Bed.  Just tell me what kind of romantic suspense you like to read – do you like stories with hot FBI agents and serial killers, police procedurals, or ordinary men and women caught up in dangerous situations?  Feel free to tell me your fave romantic suspense writers, too.  One person who comments will win a copy of the anthology.