Guest Author: Manda Collins & Giveaway!

I’m SO thrilled to have one of my favorite people on the blog today.  She’s Manda Collins, and she writes fabulous and witty historical romance with a dash of mystery to spice things up.  Manda’s debut book, How to Dance with a Duke, will be released by St. Martin’s Press in January, 2012.  It’s a wonderful book, and I predict it will be one of the best Regency-set historical romances of the year.

Without any further ado, I’ll turn the blog over to Manda!

Thank you so much, Vanessa for having me here today!

A couple of weeks ago, I attended the Moonlight & Magnolias Writers Conference in Atlanta. I’ve attended the conference, which is one of the best regional romance writers conferences around, before, but this year’s was special. Not only did the fabulous Vanessa Kelly win a Maggie Award for Sex and the Single Earl, but this year’s keynote speech was given by one of my very favorite authors, Eloisa James.  Which, in turn, afforded an opportunity for those of us who were regulars at the now defunct Squawk Radio (a group blog featuring Lisa Kleypas, Christina Dodd, Teresa Medeiros, Eloisa James and Liz Bevarly), and Eloisa’s Bulletin Board with Julia Quinn, to have a mini-reunion.

Now, I don’t know about you, but when I get together with old friends there’s a lot of talk about the past, catching up on the present, and prognosticating about the future. And with this particular group of women, we talked again and again about how lucky we all felt to have found each other. What brought us together was our love of romance, but what forged our friendships into lasting ones was, for want of a better term, our “kindred spirits.”

When I got the idea for my Ugly Ducklings trilogy, I wanted to create a world not based on a brotherhood, but instead upon a sisterhood. Not unlike what I have with my friends. Cecily, Juliet and Madeline are cousins who have grown up in the spotlight, but not because of their stunning beauty. Instead, they are compared to their mothers, the Fabulous Featherstone sisters who, a generation earlier, took the ton by storm with their beauty and ensnared three of society’s most eligible bachelors in the parson’s mousetrap, and found wanting. Not only are they not as beautiful as their mothers, they also have bluestocking tendencies. Is it any wonder they find themselves still unmarried? Especially when the season’s toast enjoys nothing better than putting them in their place every chance she gets.

What I love about the friendship between these three women is the way that they support each other. No matter how harebrained the scheme, or how scandalous the scheme, Cecily, Juliet and Madeline can always count on one another.  When an accomplice is needed, they’re there. And when a scold or a stern talking-to is called for, they’re there for that too. They might argue and fuss from time to time, but always, always, they’ve got one another’s backs. Especially when the naysayers of the world try to tell them that they can’t succeed in their chosen fields simply because they had the misfortune to be born women. That really makes us…I mean them angry.

The first book How to Dance with a Duke comes out January 31, 2012.

Here’s a sneak peek at the back cover:

What’s a wallflower to do when she’s suddenly in need of a husband? Use all the pluck and moxie she can muster to get what she wants…

SHE’S IN NEED OF A PARTNER

Miss Cecily Hurston would much rather explore the antiquities of Egypt than the uncharted territory of marriage. But the rules of her father’s exclusive academic society forbid her entrance unless she weds one of its members. To clear her ailing father’s name of a scandalous rumor, Cecily needs to gain admission into the Egyptian Club—and is willing to marry any old dullard to do it.

AND HE HAS ALL THE RIGHT MOVES

Lucas Dalton, Duke of Winterson, is anything but dull. He’s a dashing and decorated war hero determined to help Cecily—even if that means looking the other way when she claims the dance card of Amelia Snow, this season’s most sought-after beauty. But Lucas has a reason for wanting Cecily to join the Egyptian Club: His brother went missing during one of Lord Hurston’s expeditions to Egypt. An alliance with the explorer’s bluestocking daughter could bring Lucas closer to the truth about what happened…or it could lead him to a more dangerous love than either he or Cecily could have imagined….

So, let’s hear it for the sisterhood! And friendships! What are some of your favorite books about female friendship? Inquiring minds want to know!  Because I’m feeling generous I’m going to give away one of my precious, precious ARCs! So comment for a chance to win!

Wow!!  Vanessa, here.  An Advanced Reader’s Copy of How to Dance with a Duke!  Manda isn’t kidding when she says it’s precious!  I’m also going to throw in a copy of my first book, Mastering The Marquess.  It’s my birthday today, and I want to celebrate that along with Manda’s appearance on the blog.  So, one person who comments will win a copy of Manda’s book AND a copy of  Mastering The Marquess.

Hanging Out With My Pal

Hubby and I will be doing something fun this weekend.  We’ll be in Atlanta, hanging out with some pals and spending time at the fabulous Moonlight & Magnolias Conference, sponsored by the Georgia Romance Writers (GRW).  My second book, Sex And The Single Earl, has been nominated for Best Historical Romance in the GRW’s prestigious contest, The Maggies.  Naturally, I was THRILLED to be one of the finalists, but the best reason for finaling was that it gave me an excuse to visit with all my friends in the Atlanta area!

Along with putting on a dynamite conferenece, the ladies of the GRW sponsor a fantastic book fair and autographing session, which is open to the public.  I’ll be signing along with some phenomenal authors, including Sherrilyn Kenyon, Eloisa James, Karen White, Shiloh Walker, and Haywood Smith.  Zounds!  What a line-up!  The signing will take place on Oct. 1, from 4 to 5:30 pm in the ballroom of the Decatur Hotel and Conference Center.  If you live in the Atlanta area, you really should stop by.  The session is free, and I know it’s going to be a lot of fun.  Details are available on the GRW website.

I’d also like to announce the winner of Marie Force’s latest book, Georgia On My Mind.  It’s Gail S.  Congratulations!  I’ll be in touch.  My next guest on the blog is New York Times best-selling historical romance novelist, Sophie Jordan.  She’ll be here this Friday, so be sure to stop on by!

Kris Kennedy And DEFIANT

Kris Kennedy is a good friend of mine, and she’s also one of a new crop of historical romance writers that is hugely talented.  And I’m not just saying that because we’re friends – she is that good.  Her last book, The Irish Warrior, was featured in Eloisa James’s column for Barnes and Noble, and was also a Fresh Pick at Fresh Fiction.

Kris and I both have a book coming out in May.  Hers is entitled Defiant, and I was lucky enough to read it in draft form.  It’s fabulous!  It’s got passion, adventure, smart writing, and sexual tension that leaps off the page.  Kris always creates strong, engaging characters, and I particularly love her heroes.  Jamie Lost is definitely swoon-worthy, and I have a feeling that Defiant will bring Kris a lot of new fans.  She deserves every one!

Here’s the blurb from Defiant:

England, 1215, the eve of Magna Carta

Jamie Lost is the king’s most renowned commander, an audacious knight ordered to kidnap an exiled priest before rebel forces close in. The mission is simple–until he comes up against a mysterious woman on a mission, a thief who will first steal his quarry and then his heart.

Eva is also seeking Father Peter, but she intends to protect him from a secret that endangers his life, even if it costs her own.  She is well aware danger lies everywhere, especially in the knight showing too much interest in her activities.  But deep inside, Eva knows the danger lies not in Jamie, but in her, in the desire he awakens in her body and her heart.

When a mysterious band of armed mercenaries upends both their plans and abducts the priest, Jamie and Eva must form an uneasy alliance, and as civil war unfolds around them, they embark on an epic journey that betrays the truth about their identities, their unexpected loyalties, and the dangerous attraction that could seal their fates forever.

Okay, doesn’t that sound great?  You can pre-order Defiant at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Borders, and all other booksellers.  I would really encourage you to do so – it’s a wonderful book!

To celebrate the upcoming release of Defiant, I’ll be giving away a copy of Kris’s last book, The Irish Warrior. Just tell me what’s your favorite period for historical romance.  I’ll announce the winner tomorrow.

 

Gift Baskets Galore!

I normally try to blog three days a week, on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.  Despite my best intentions I didn’t manage to do that yesterday, because I was too busy making up fabulous gift baskets for the First Coast Romance Writers mini-conference that’s happening this Saturday, March 12, in Jacksonville, Florida.

Okay, I have a confession to make.  I didn’t really make up those baskets; my uber-talented stepmother did.  I did buy all the candy and treats for the baskets, though, and made sure my stepmom was well supplied with high-test coffee while she worked.  As you can tell by the pictures, she does do great work.

Here’s the basket that contains a whole mess of books from Kensington Publishing.  My editor, John Scognamigio, very kindly contributed a box of books to the conference, and other generous Kensington authors like Kate Douglas, Susan Fox, Marilyn Brant, Diane Whiteside, and Elizabeth Amber all sent books.

It will be a lucky pup who wins that basket, I can tell you!

And here are the two baskets I’m contributing.

The basket on the left contains books donated by friends and some of my favorite authors, like Eloisa James and Courtney Milan.  The basket on the right contains my books, including Mastering The Marquess, Sex And The Single Earl, An Invitation To Sin, and also contains an Advanced Reader’s Copy of my upcoming May release, My Favorite Countess.

How do get your hands on one of these lovelies?  Easy!  Just go to the First Coast Romance Writers website and sign up for our mini-conference on Saturday.  Our featured speaker is the fabulous CL Wilson, and we’re also hosting pitches with Avon editor Tessa Woodward and literary agent Emmanuelle Morgen.  It’s going to be a great day!

An Invitation To Sin: Introducing My Fellow Authors

Tomorrow marks the release of my novella in the anthology, An Invitation To Sin. There are four stories in this collection; the lead author is Jo Beverley, showcased on the blog on Friday.  Today I’d like to introduce you to the other authors in the anthology (although you likely already know who they are!):  Sally MacKenzie and Kaitlin O’Riley.

Sally MacKenzie is the USA Today bestselling author of the Naked nobility series, funny, sexy, Regency-set historicals.  As the NYT bestselling author Eloisa James said, “Naked, noble, and irresistible–who could resist one of Sally MacKenzie’s heroes?”  Her last book, The Naked Viscount, got a starred review from Booklist, and Sally’s books are published in Spanish, Russian, Portuguese, Japanese, and even Slovakian!  Clearly, readers around the world agree that the Naked books are great, sexy fun.

Sally’s novella in An Invitation To Sin is called “The Naked Prince,”  and you can read an excerpt here.

Acclaimed author Kaitlin O’Riley writes passionate love stories filled with romantic intrigue. Publisher’s Weekly had this to say about her book, When His Kiss Is Wicked:  “O’Riley’s believable, charismatic characters…set this novel well apart from the usual romance fare.”

Her latest book, Desire In His Eyes, is book two in the Hamilton sisters series.  You can read an excerpt here.

The title of Kaitlin’s novells “A Summer Love Affair.” You can read an excerpt here.

One book and all these great authors!  Stop by my blog tomorrow for the release of An Invitation To Sin. I’ll be giving away two copies of the anthology to celebrate.

 

Breaking Out Of The Box

It probably won’t surprise you to learn that I read a lot of historical romance novels.  I love the genre, of course, and have ever since my big sister introduced me to the delights of Georgette Heyer when I was just a tween.  And there are so many historical romance writers to love, monster talents like Loretta Chase, Teresa Medeiros, and Eloisa James, not to mention all the newer talent like Anna Campbell and Meredith Duran. Their books are marvelous reads and, as a writer, I always learn from them.

But sometimes, as both a writer and reader, I need to break out of the box.  It’s important to cross-pollinate ideas and themes – to not get stuck in the rut of doing the same thing over and over again.  I do that by reading other romance sub-genres, other types of fiction, and lots of history.  In doing so, I become a better writer and, I think, a more thoughtful person.

Two new-to-me authors that I’ve just discovered are Kelly Hunter and Meljean Brook.  I recently read a book by Hunter called Red-Hot Renegade, put out by Mills and Boon.

Hunter is really, really good.  Her writing is smart, sexy, and well-crafted, with surprising turns of phrase that, as  an author, had me seething with appreciative envy.  Her characters are engaging and sympathetic, and the emotion is intensely and movingly portrayed.  This book is category length, but Hunter packs a big punch into a shorter book.

Meljean Brook’s The Iron Duke made it onto many best book lists of 2010, and rightly so.  It’s a phenomenally creative story that took the Steampunk genre by storm.  One of the things that first attracted me to the book was the riff on the Duke of Wellington’s nickname, the Iron Duke.  When Wellington was Prime Minister, he went through a period of extreme unpopularity.  His house was the target of window-smashers, which compelled him to have iron shutters installed to protect the glass.  In the case of Brook’s hero, the Iron Duke actually has iron in his bones.  That’s just one of the many cool details in the hugely imaginative and thought-provoking alternate reality that Brook creates.  If someone were to lock me in a dungeon and force me to name the best book I read last year, it would probably have to be The Iron Duke. It’s that smart, that thoughtful, and that damn enjoyable.

So, anybody else read something outside her usual box, lately?  Discovered any new-to-you authors that you want to share?