Monday, December 29, 2008

Lorraine Heath returns to the Lair!

by Suzanne Welsh

One of our favorite guests is back in the Bandit Lair with us today, NYT Bestselling author, Lorraine Heath. Lorraine, pull up a barstool and let's talk about your newest release. (By the way there's Tim Tam's in the Lair today!)

Suz: BETWEEN THE DEVIL AND DESIRE is the second in the Scoundrels of St. James series. Can you tell us about the story?

Lorraine, nibbling on a TimTam while giving a quick wave to the Bandits: The story involves Jack Dodger, the owner of a notorious gentleman's club. One of his patrons-the Duke of Lovingdon-bequeaths Jack his London residence in exchange for which Jack is to serve as guardian of the duke's 5-year-old son. Needless to say, the young widow is outraged that this scoundrel is charged with leading her son into manhood. And Jack, who trusts no good fortune, is working hard to discover why the duke would want him to be guardian. Yet, he can't deny that he's intrigued by the young widow.

Suz, eyes twinkling: Mmmm, we met Jack Dodger in your last book, IN BED WITH THE DEVIL. Jack's a scoundrel of the first order and quite happy in that state. What made you want to bring him change? And how did you achieve that?


Lorraine: Jack has had a very rough life. All of his role models have been the dregs of society, quite honestly, and yet there is a core element of goodness in him that he doesn't want to acknowledge and that few see. He's had to fight to survive and on the surface he always puts himself first. In IN BED WITH THE DEVIL, Jim tells Luke that he would follow him into hell without ever asking him why they were going. None of the scoundrels would do that for Jack because they'd think he was going for his own gain. Yet, in truth, there isn't anything that he wouldn't do for them. He might grumble about it, be unhappy about it, but he'd do it.

So in BETWEEN THE DEVIL AND DESIRE I matched Jack against a woman who has never even fantasized about doing anything improper. I put him in a situation where he has to behave. Suddenly a 5-year-old boy is looking to him for guidance, and all Jack knows is how to be a scoundrel. He doesn't want this lad to grow up to be like him and he has to change his ways in order to be what the boy-and eventually his mother-deserve.

There is nothing Jack won't do to earn a coin. To earn what Lovingdon has left, he must change. And in the changing, he acquires more than he ever thought possible.

Suz: What is it about the heroine, Olivia, the Duchess of Lovingdon, that intrigues Jack the most in your mind?

Lorraine: Good question. What intrigues him the most, I think, is the very thing that irritates him the most: she's so blasted proper. She believes in following rules, honoring duty, and never straying from the righteous path. She represents everything he abhors, but her conviction in what she believes to be right fascinates him.
Suz: There are at least three more members of Feagan's kids who have been featured in the first two books in this series. Any plans for them?

Lorraine: Oh, yes. Frannie's book, Surrender to the Devil, will be released in July 2009. The one thing Frannie never wanted was to be part of the aristocracy so, naturally, there is a duke in her future. Jim's story, Midnight Pleasures with a Scoundrel, will be released January 2010. Jim's story has been the most challenging to write so far.

Suz, leaning in to whisper: Which of the scoundrels do you like the best?

Lorraine, laughs: Whichever one I'm writing a story about. I like them all for different reasons. Luke was so tormented; Jack is such a scamp; Frannie is the glue that holds them all together; Jim is the one who truly loved Frannie; and Bill . . . well, he's a bit of a mystery.

Suz: I'm not sure if our readers are all aware, but you also write YA under two different names, Rachel Hawthorne and Jade Parker. Care to tell us what's going on in that world?

Lorraine: After 3 consecutive months of releases in the summer of 2008, Making a Splash: Robyn; Making A Splash: Caitlin; Making a Splash: Whitney; Jade doesn't have anything on the horizon. Rachel, however, has been a very busy girl. Suite Dreams hit the bookstores Dec. 23. It's the story of an Aussie who comes to the States for holiday and ends up sleeping on the couch in the heroine's dorm room and sweet dreams ensue. Bandit Anna Campbell (hi, Anna!) was a tremendous help with the story, helping me to create a character who didn't sound quite so American. It was a lot of fun having Anna answer my questions, because she has such a lovely accent even when she's writing. (And I can't wait to get my little fingers on Tempt the Devil. You, Bandits, are all on my "to read" list-you are quite a talented group.)

Then beginning in March, the Dark Guardian series-which involves werewolves who live among us, unknown to us-will begin hitting the stores. Moonlight in March, Full Moon in May, Dark of the Moon in July. They were very different from anything I've written before. A little darker, and just a bit sexier (how can shapeshifters not be sexy?) than the beach and winter reads I've written for teens up until now. Each story involves a different girl striving to find her place within the pack and with her destined mate while their existence is threatened by a research company who wants to discover what makes them a unique species (and somehow market it). My personal tagline for the series is-Each girl will be asked: What price will you pay for love?

Lorraine: And while that would be a great question to leave you with-what price would you pay-we're so close to New Year's Eve and since my New Year's resolution is to read more in 2009 what reads do you recommend?

Lorraine will be giving away a gift card to the one lucky winner's choice of Borders, Barnes & Noble or Amazon.com!!

110 comments:

Jane said...

Is he mine?

Jane said...

Welcome Lorraine,
Congrats on your upcoming release. Only one more day to go. I can't wait to see how a scoundrel like Jack will deal with being a guardian to a impressionable 5 year old. "A Matter of Temptation" is one of my favorite books of all time. I love Robert. It's hard to put a price on the sacrifices one makes for love. I would guess most people will give up everything if they had to just to be with mate. I would like to read more, too. Some great books I read recently include Stephanie Laurens'"The Edge of Desire" and Charlotte Mede's "The Midnight Man."

Unknown said...

WTG Jane you did get him, congratulations on a job well done!!

Donna MacMeans said...

Congrats Jane on the nabbing!

Lorraine - I absolutely love the sound of BETWEEN THE DEVIL AND DESIRE. This one is definitely going on the ever teetering TBR pile.

I can't imagine writing in so many different genres. How do you keep them all straight? Can you work on two different stories simultaneously or must you complete one set before switching?

jo robertson said...

Welcome back to the Lair, Lorraine, so good to have you with us again. Your books sound so intriguing, especially the hero Jack. I do love a reformed scoundrel!

I'm going way back into the early fifties and taking a look at Raymond Chandler's books.

Unknown said...

Hi Lorraine, welcome to the lair! Your books sound fabulous, right up my alley. I love historicals. These are sure going on my wish list!

I plan on checking out your YA books because I have a thirteen year old niece that just started reading. So far she seems to be into the paranormals, she is reading the Twlight series. Do you write this type of book?

I just finished reading Carrie Lofty's debut book What a Scoundrel Wants and it was a great read.

Pat Cochran said...

Thank you, Ms. Heath, for visiting with us today. Your series' sound
just wonderful! I can see that you are going to keep us busy reading
all your great books!

Pat Cochran

Minna said...

Well, this time of the morning when I'm still not completely awake yet, the only reads I can think of are books written by Nora Roberts/J.D. Robb. In fact, I'm hoping some of her new books would have arrived in the library, as I might be going there today.

Helen said...

Well done Jane have fun with him

Lorraine I love your books and I am so looking forward to Between The Devil And Desire I loved the last one read it in one sitting once I start one of your books they are very hard to put down. I put my order into Rendezvous last week and your book and Anna's Tempt the Devil are on the order they tell me I should have them the first week in Jan I certainly hope so.

How great that you write different types of books under different names is it hard to jump from one type to the next ?

I look forward to reading more in 2009 as well. As for recomendations I have read all of the Bandits released books except 2 of them I still haven't managed to get and they have all been fantastic and there are a few more coming out in the next few months, a book that I read not long ago by Australian author Bronwyn Parry As Darkness Falls a romantic suspense set in an Australia outback country town excellent read.

Have Fun
Helen

Carol L. said...

Hi Lorraine,
I am so excited that "Between The Devil and Desire" is Finally here. :)
I can not wait to see how Jack will handle being a guardian to a 5year old. My reading is cut out for me with this series and only the wait till they all come out
will be the hard part. :)
Just finished "A Wallflower Christmas" by Lisa Kleypas and Stephanie Lauren's "Edge of Desire".

Elyssa Papa said...

Hi, Lorraine! I'm so excited about BETWEEN THE DEVIL AND DESIRE (what a fabulous title!)---one of my favorite literary characters is the Artful Dodger. I like those bad boys. *g*

And I like how you made Bill, who's a complete villain in Charles Dickens' tale, not a villain in this series. (I'm assuming you did this, but forgive me if I'm wrong). I'm quite excited to read that there might be a book in the future for Bill.

By any chance, will Faegan make an appearance in any of the future stories, or has he died???

danie88 said...

Hi Lorraine! Your books sound great!

Reads I recommend:
~Kelley St. John's Sexth Sense Mini-Series from Blaze
~Marley and Me by John Grogan
~The Stolen Princess by Anne Gracie
~Anything For You by Sarah Mayberry
~Castle of the Wolf by Sandra Schwab
~When The Duke Returns by Eloisa James

I hope you have a great New Year! Happy 2009 everyone!

Fedora said...

Hi, Lorraine! I love stories about reformed scoundrels--Between the Devil and Desire sounds like a fabulous read! Those bad boys who have a core of morality make such delicious heroes...

And I didn't know that you also wrote YA! I'm definitely glad to know that and will be looking up your other titles.

As for recommended reads, I'm eagerly awaiting Monica McCarty's new Highland trilogy; Stacey Kayne's next books; and all the Banditas' upcoming releases--being impatient, those can't come soon enough!

Congrats on the GR, Jane!

Sue A. said...

Lorraine BETWEEN THE DEVIL AND DESIRE sounds so good. The reforming of a scoundrel should be fun to read about as long as he's not reformed in the bedroom.

A few of my recommended reads of 2008:
Promises Reveal by Sarah Mccarty
Demon Bound by Meljean Brook
Scandal's Daughter by Christine Wells
Three Nights of Sin by Anne Mallory

Maureen said...

Congratulations to Lorraine on her new release. I have been reading her books for many years so I definitely have to check out Jack's story. He sounds like quite a different kind of hero.

hrdwrkdmom aka Dianna said...

Oh my, oh my, I loved Lucian and I know Jack is going to make my heart go pitty pat.

I don't know how you write in different genres Lorraine, in my work I have to switch from task to task and it makes me nuts. Of course I have been told I was nuts to start with so that may be my problem..LOL

Laurie G said...

Lorraine, I've been reading and enjoying your books as they come out for years!!
I didn't know that you did YA. Good luck with the paranormals.
Love is priceless!

Unknown said...

The new release sounds awesome

Lorraine said...

Good morning! I have to run to an appointment but will answer all questions when I get back. Just wanted to stop by quickly to say hi.

And to congratulate the first person to post. I know that's a big deal around here. Way to go, Jane!

I'm thrilled to have a chance to visit with you all today. Will be back soon.

chris k said...

good morning lorraine

I'm sure between the devil and desire is going to be as fascinating a book as In Bed with the Devil.

I'm always amazed at how you can take an old premise and turn it into a page turning book.

And I've learned to make no plans for my day after picking up one of your stories. lol.

I am very much looking forward to all the scoundrel books.

chris k said...

oh dear -

this thing seems to have run amuck!

I have no idea why it would tell me my password was wrong- then print the comment anyhow- shrug.

So sorry ladies!!

HistoricalGoddess said...

Hi Lorraine, I cannot wait for Jacks book. I have it on my wish list to be sent. I love your books. I am going to have to check out the other books you write as well.

Gannon Carr said...

Hi, Lorraine! I just wanted to pop by before I leave for work. I'll come back this afternoon.

You know how much I loved BETWEEN THE DEVIL AND DESIRE! And I made sure I let everyone know just how fab it is in my review at RNTV. For those who want to read it, it was posted on Dec. 26:

www.romancenovel.tv

This is such a fantastic series! I can't wait to see what you have in store for Frannie and the rest of the gang!

Gannon Carr said...

Hi, Lorraine! I just wanted to pop by before I leave for work. I'll come back this afternoon.

You know how much I loved BETWEEN THE DEVIL AND DESIRE! And I made sure I let everyone know just how fab it is in my review at RNTV. For those who want to read it, it was posted on Dec. 26:

www.romancenovel.tv

This is such a fantastic series! I can't wait to see what you have in store for Frannie and the rest of the gang!

Anonymous said...

Hi Lorraine! I am here trembling at your release list and trying to figure out WHEN you wrote all those books that are coming out over the next 12 months. Do you write a book a month (and are you bewitched? and if so, can I get some of that?) :-) You must be utterly disciplined about cranking out the words everyday. I bow down to you!

I also write YA, and haven't sold in adult romance, but would love to someday. LOL. I am hard at work on Book Two of a series (if you have any advice for writing a series, I'd appreciate it!) so your fabulous new book will have to sit in the TBR pile for a little while. But have no fear, it will be read in an orgy of romance reading when this draft is done!

For recommended reads, I'll give you a couple of YA titles, since everyone else has given such great romance titles:

The Knife of Never Letting Go, Patrick Ness
The Adoration of Jenna Fox, Mary Pearson
and then my personal favorite, by an Aussie author no less, and oldie but a goodie..
The Am the Messenger, Markus Zusak

Diana Cosby said...

Hi Lorraine,
I enjoyed your interview. Jack Dodger sounds like a fascinating and complex man and an amazing hero. I look forward to reading Between the Devil and Desire. I wish you an amazing 2009!

Diana Cosby
www.dianacosby.com
His Captive/Alexander MacGruder
His Woman/Duncan MacGruder - 4 star Romantic Times review
Title TBA/Seathan MacGruder - Date TBA
Title TBA/Patrik [Cleary] MacGruder

Suzanne Ferrell said...

Hey, good morning everyone!Glad to see y'all here today.

Cogratulations, Jane on getting the GR today.

Hey Lorraine! glad to see you back here in the Lair. You're always a welcome guest among this zaniness.

Suzanne Ferrell said...

Hey, Donna!. I've not only wondered how Lorraine writes so many genres, but how she does it so well and witl so much speed.

Suzanne Ferrell said...

Hy, Jo! Aren't scoundrels the best kind to watch fall in love? You know it's coming but they fight it for all they're worth. hehehe

elainec said...

Hi Lorraine,
I can't wait to read Jack's story. He's got some massive changes in store for him. I really liked IBWTD.
Good luck with BTDAD.
elainec

Kay Thomas said...

Hi Lorraine,

I loved IN BED WITH THE DEVIL and can hardly wait for BETWEEN THE DEVIL AND DESIRE. I was fascinated with the "twist" on the "Oliver Twist" story and can hardly wait to read Jack's story. Those are some lovely covers, too!

My favorite read this year was The THIRTEENTH TALE by Diane Setterfield (not a new book but new to me) and then a debut novel released earlier this month called TALK OF THE TOWN by Sherrill Bodine.

Suzanne Ferrell said...

Ah Virginia, you definitely need to get Lorraine's YA paranormal books coming out in March. This is what she had to say in the interview about them:

Then beginning in March, the Dark Guardian series-which involves werewolves who live among us, unknown to us-will begin hitting the stores. Moonlight in March.

Lorraine, are these going to be under Rachel Hawthorne or Jade Parker?

Buffie said...

Hey Lorraine!! I have heard some fabulous things about BETWEEN THE DEVIL AND DESIRE and can't wait to add it to my stack!

The last two books I have read have been wonderful reads. Both are January releases. Jacquie D'Alessandro's SEDUCED AT MIDNIGHT and Margo Maguire's WILD. I highly recommend both!

Suzanne Ferrell said...

Hey, Pat! This new series of Lorraine's, The Scoundrels of St. James series is a very great reading experience, and one of my favorite group of heroe's to read about.

Suzanne Ferrell said...

Morning, Minn! Grab a cup of coffee/tea so you can wake up with the rest of us!

Suzanne Ferrell said...

Helen said: Australian author Bronwyn Parry As Darkness Falls a romantic suspense set in an Australia outback country town excellent read.

Helen, this sounds yummy. I'll have to go order it.

Speaking of ordering, y'all know if you click on the picture of Betweenn The Devil and Desire on the blog, it will take you to Amazon.com to order Lorraine's books, don't you? Same thing for any of the Bandit books on the sidebar.

Minna said...

Ok, here are some more ecommended reads:
vampire books by Maggie Shayne. Her book Miranda's Viking isn't bad, either.

Kara Lennox said...

Wow, those teen paranormals sound crazy fun. Can't wait for those! I had no idea you were writing werewolf books, you sneaky vixen!

Minna said...

I also like the series about the agents of Omega by Merline Lovelace and the series about the Morelands by Candace Camp. Now if I just would be able to get ALL the books in those series...

peachy_pam said...

Hey Lorraine,
I love your books and can't wait to read the new one!

CrystalGB said...

Hi Lorraine. I love your books. Your new series sounds wonderful.
I just read Kathryn Caskie's To Sin With a Stranger and I loved it.

jo robertson said...

Yes, Suz, I love when a scoundrel's moral compass becomes engaged. He's always slightly surprised that he even has one, but of course, the reader isn't at all.

limecello said...

Congrats on the GR, Jane! And welcome to the lair, Lorraine - thanks for visiting with us!

Those books sounds great - I'm definitely going to have to look into them :)

cheryl c said...

Your "Devil" books sound delightful! I resolve to read them in 2009.

Cheryl/Cheri

Louisa Cornell said...

Lorraine Heath is in the Lair! SQUEEEEEE Major fan girl moment. I LOVE your books, Lorraine! And I am very excited to hear about your YA books as my 15 year old niece is now addicted to YA romance novels - thanks to her dear old auntie!

I can't wait to get my hands on the next scoundrel! This series has been so much fun so far!

And I have to agree with Kirsten. How on earth do you get all of these books written. I'm tired just reading your list!

My New Year's resolution is to read more, write more and get published!

When I think of the things people sacrifice for love I remember my late DH and myself as we went through graduate school and medical school. I put all of my ambitions aside to put him through medical school and was perfectly fine with it. He did everything he could to get me to audition for the music department at USM. When I did audition and got in he was thrilled. We went without so many things so we could fulfill our dreams. And when I got accepted to the Mozarteum he told me I had to go. We lived on separate continents for almost three years with visits back and forth few and far between. He was my biggest fan.

Great reads? Anything by the Banditas!! They have some great books on the shelves and some great books coming out.

Karin Tabke's Master of Surrender and Master of Torment were recommended to me by someone whose taste I trust completely.

Julia London's Book of Scandal and Diane Gaston's Scandalizing the Ton - one can never have too much scandal!

Loved - Marley and Me
Dewey the Library Cat

One of my favorite reads of all time is Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil by Berecht. Great study of human nature.

Anything by Loretta Chase

TracyG said...

Good morning Lorraine and Banditas!

I can't wait for tomorrow to come. I loved Luke's book and I've ben counting the days for Jack Dodger!

Tracy Garrett

Lorraine said...

Jane: Thanks for the recommendations. Have THE EDGE OF DESIRE in my TBR stack. Will have to move it up the pile. Like the sound of MIDNIGHT MAN.

Donna: Thanks for finding the premise of BTD&D interesting. I did enjoy playing with Jack. As for writing different genres, I do have to stick to writing one book at a time, but I’m been fortunate in scheduling deadlines so nothing is conflicting. I write the teens in 1st person and the historicals in 3rd and that also helps to give me a different voice and the books a different feel.

Jo: Thanks for the welcome back. And reformed scoundrels are so much fun!

Virginia: The Dark Guardian series that begins in March is similar to Twilight in that it revolves around werewolves. I keep thinking there are vampires lurking around somewhere but they haven’t made an appearance yet. Since I’m a by-the-seat-of-my-pants writer, I don’t always know what’s going to happen. I have a general idea of where I want to go, but no roadmap.

Pat: I hope to keep you busy. Enjoy!

Minna: Love the J.D. Robb books. Oh, Roark!

Helen: Thanks for finding my books difficult to put down. That means so much to us writers. Surprisingly I haven’t found it difficult to jump from one type of story to the other—I think because they’re so vastly different.

Carol: I appreciate the excitement. I’ve been really pleased that the books in this series on a relatively short release schedule—6 months between books isn’t too bad, so hopefully readers will stay intrigued by the series.

Elyssa: Yes, Bill is a good guy (His story, Midnight Pleasures with a Scoundrel, will be out next January), although he’s not fashioned after Bill Sikes, the brutal villain who I think you’re referring to. I suspect a Sikes’ like character will be appearing in one of the stories, maybe this summer. ;) And, yes, Feagan is alive and well. But don't want to ruin all the little surprises in the series.

Maureen: Jack is different from my usual heroes I think. A bookseller who received an ARC said, “He’s such a scamp, not at all like the hero in In Bed with the Devil.” But I don’t want all my heroes to be the same.

Dianna: I do hope Jack will win your heart. And laughing about your comment that you’re nuts!

Chris: I didn’t originally plan to tie the Scoundrels in with Dickens. . .I just knew they were children of the street but the more I researched, the more I found references to Oliver Twist being a documentary of the time. So I started reading Oliver Twist and it hit me that these characters could be the children upon whom Oliver Twist was based—very loosely of course. I’ve taken a great many liberties.

Gannon: Thank you so much for the wonderful review! I’m just thrilled that you enjoyed Jack’s story so much.

Kirsten: Thanks so much for the YA recommends! I’ve been reading a lot of YA lately (am hooked on the Vampire Academy series). I’ll definitely check these out. And no, I’m not bewitched. But the life in front of the computer is more exciting than dealing with the dust bunnies gathering beyond the computer.

Hey, Suz! Thanks for asking the great questions that you did. Your interviews are always fun.

Hi, Kay! Great to see you here. Can’t wait for BETTER THAN BULLETPROOF to hit the stores. It’s going on top of TBR stack.

Suz: The Dark Guardian series will be written as Rachel Hawthorne. The covers aren’t yet ready because there’s been some last minute tweaking—but can’t wait until I can post them. Rachel has her own website www.rachelhawthorne.net

Hi, Kara, great to see you here! And yep, I was keeping the werewolves under wraps for a while.

Peachy Pam: Hi! Glad you were able to make the link work and join us.

Thanks for all the great recommendations, everyone! My gotta read list is growing!

Lori Ann said...

Hi Lorraine,

I just re-read IN BED WITH THE DEVIL a few days ago in preparation for the release of BETWEEN THE DEVIL AND DESIRE and was reminded how wonderful that book is. I cannot wait to read Jack Dodger's story. I just know he is going to make a sexy, interesting hero. I am glad to read that Frannie and Jim have stories coming soon, but I am most intrigued by Bill. I cannot wait to learn more about him.

I had no idea that you also wrote YA books. They sound great. The Dark Guardian series sounds like something I would really enjoy.

As for books that I recommend:
Kathryn Smith - Night After Night
Pamela Clare - Untamed
Eloisa James - When the Duke Returns
Lara Adrian - Veil of Midnight

Happy New Year!

Lorraine said...

Hi, Buffie. It's great to see you here. As a matter of fact, it's wonderful to see so many familiar faces, uh, well, names. The Bandits have a terrific following.

Louisa: Your story of sacrifices is so heart-touching. I appreciate your sharing. And best wishes on making your New Year's resolution. May this be the year you get that sale!

Hey, Tracy!Thanks for stopping by. TOUCHED BY LOVE was such a wonderful read. You have a way with cowboys.

Lorraine said...

Raven: Bill is a bit of a mystery and my apologies for my earlier post when I said his story was coming out next January. That's Jim's story.

Good news, though, as crazy as it sounds, Bill has been opening up a bit lately and his story is going to be quite intriguing I think.

It's interesting to see how different readers connected with different characters. Something about each of the characters intrigued someone. And I've had requests for each of their stories--which is good, yes?

Suzanne Ferrell said...

Hey, Kay Thomas!!

Glad to see you here today. Y'all, Kay is going to be with us on Friday to talk about her first sale and new book, Better Than Bulletproof!!

Suzanne Ferrell said...

Hey, Tracy G!!

Glad to see you in the warm confines of the Lair. You keeping warm up north there? And yes, Between The Devil And Desire is a great read...will keep y'all warm no matter where you're at!

Suzanne Ferrell said...

Louisa, I loved Karen Tabke's The Master of Seduction, too. Am currently reading the Master of Torment.

Suzanne Ferrell said...

Hey, Kara Lennox is in the Lair today, too! Y'all, Kara is the author of more than 50 Harlequin books!! whoohooo!!

Suzanne Ferrell said...

OKay, looks like Lorraine is back from her appointment...Have fun, y'all...I'm taking my funny nose and sore throat back to bed!

Anonymous said...

Oh me, January I think will be rereading Jane Austen month. I read all of them only once except Northanger Abbey, that will be the third time, and Pride and Prejudice, will be the fourth time, I believe. And in between a number of Harlequin Presents and Desires. :)

I just finished A Wallflower Christmas too. . . and will be finishing a reread of Scarlet Pimpernel. Love rereading, but need to get some new stuff too! LOL :)

Lois

Elyssa Papa said...

Lorraine, I was thinking of Bill Sykes.

I'm really excited about also reading TEMPT THE DEVIL. Only one day away, too! So many great books are coming out tomorrow.

Nancy said...

Waving from the beach to the Banditas and Lorraine! I can hardly wait to get my hot hands on BETWEEN THE DEVIL AND DESIRE! And THEN on the YA werewolf triology!

What price would I pay? Um, depends on what it is I'm paying for. :)

I've found a lot of new-to-me authors as well as some dynamite debut authors this year. The books I'm waiting to read? The new ones by Jan Burke and G. A. McKevett are two of many. I keep hoping Joan Hess will have another Maggody book out, too. :)

Happy New Year!

Light,
Nancy Haddock
La Vida Vampire
Last Vampie Standing

Lorraine said...

Elyssa: I thought it was Bill Sikes. There are actually two Bills in Oliver Twist. One is a gravedigger.

Hello, Nancy! I have a fire going in the hearth and you're dancing on the beach. Can't wait for Last Vampire Standing to hit the stores!

Minna said...

I also recommend Karen Whiddon's series about shapeshifters who can turn into wolves and Sandra Hill's Viking books.

flip said...

Hi Lorraine:

I don't think that you can pay for love. What would I sacrifice for love? For my children, husband, and siblings, I would gladly give up my life.

Crianlarich said...

Lorraine - I'm ashamed to say that I haven't yet read you. But I'm planning to visit BN soon and will pick up Between The Devil And Desire. It sounds fabulous.

As for prices to pay for love... well, I moved halfway around the world to marry my one true love. Not that moving to Europe was any hardship, of course. But it did mean leaving my family, giving up a home I adored, and quitting a career that was my dream job.

Would I do it again? Absolutely.

And anyway, although I missed my family something fierce, I loved my new home immensely and -yay!- soon was able to resume my dream career, albeit with the loss of my old seniority and in a different language.

In short, if you love truly, no price is too high.

Anna Campbell said...

Hey, Jane, I think he IS yours! Huzzah!

Lorraine, welcome back! I think we should just make you up a nice bed in the back of the lair (a four poster, nach!) and just keep you here forever. The new book sounds great - I love how you've taken this new spin on the Dickens world.

Oh, and you're most welcome for any Aussie help I can gave you. It was great fun. Christine and I have trained a lot of people here to say 'chook' rather than chicken so we'll have to move on to more complicated vocabulary now! By the way, I think your Aussie guy sounds gorgeous!

Hope you enjoy Tempt the Devil. It's officially out tonight (tomorrow your time) but a few people seem to have picked it up around the place so clearly it's getting out early in some of the bookstores. Huzzah!

I've been on a reading binge lately - just finished Never Romance a Rake by Liz Carlyle which I thought was great and I'm about halfway through A Woman of Virtue by Liz Carlyle which is also great. She does wonderful complex characters, especially her heroes.

Wilma said...

The new book sound great! I'm always looking for new reading material.

Lorraine said...

Crianlarich: Don't apologize for not having read me yet. There are so many authors out there and so many wonderful books . . . it's impossible to keep up and read everyone. I've recently discovered a couple of new authors for me, but they've been around awhile.

Helen said...

With all of these recomendations my TBR pile is getting bigger not that I mind of course.

Have Fun
Helen

Addison Fox said...

Lorraine:

I'm so excited you're in the lair today! I absolutely love your books - In Bed With the Devil was just incredible. I'm anxiously counting down the hours until I can pick up Jack's book.

What wonderful book suggestions from everyone...I've got a running list going (and some holiday gift cards burning a hole...)

Happy New Year, everyone. Wishing you a wonderful 2009 and many, many good heroes to curl up with! (I've got a delightful gambling hall owner at the top of my list...)

Addison

Minna said...

And here are some different kinds of books:
Roger Fouts: Next of Kin
Bear Heart: The Wind is My Mother
David and Leigh Eddings:
Belgariad and the Malloreon books and Elenium and the Tamuli books
Arto Paasilinna: Howling Miller

Lorraine said...

Addison: It's so wonderful to see you here! What a lovely surprise!

peachy_pam said...

Lorraine, It is always fun to join these blogs and see what everyone is saying. I think Jack's story is going to be interesting. I also can't wait for Fannie's story to come out in july!

Shari C said...

Thank you for the interview and congratulations on your newest release, 'Between the Devil and Desire'.

Ohh, I am so jealous as you are enjoying a Tim Tam...can you send me one (or a dozen via the internet so I can join you...please.

Cali said...

Happy Holidays All! =)

And welcome back Ms. Heath!!

I can't *wait* to read Jack's story!! Woohooo!!

Cheers! =)
Cali

elainec said...

I am looking forward to Frannie's story, too. I love books in a series. I often reread the previous books to remind myself about what was happening with the other characters.
elainec

Laurie M. said...

I just finished a paranormal called "Halfway to the Grave"

I highly recommend it!

Fascinating read. I didn't want to finish it since I was sooo wrapped up in the world and the characters!

Laurie M. said...

I've read all of your books, Lorraine except for the last one.
My TBR pile is getting out of control! I should take a speed reading course.LOL

You are such an entertaining writer! I laugh-out-loud which makes you one of my MUST BUY authors. I love to laugh

I already have "Between the Devil and Desire" on my shopping list for this week.

Elizabeth Banda said...

Hi Lorraine,

My sister recently got a copy of one of your older books, Texas Glory and we both loved it! Now we are going crazy trying to find the other two books in the series (Texas Destiny and Texas Splendor. So far we haven't had any luck finding them, but I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

Can't wait to get Between the Devil and Desire!

Elizabeth

Elyssa Papa said...

I had to look it up. Bill Sikes is Nancy's lover and the antagonist of OLIVER TWIST, the same one who eventually kills Nancy and almost does the same to Oliver. I couldn't find a mention of Bill the grave-digger, but Dickens had so many characters that I probably blocked Bill the grave-digger out.

Is Frannie loosely based on Nancy?

Lorraine said...

Laurie M: You know when I started writing my goal was to make the reader smile at least once and bring at least one tear to her eye.

Lorraine said...

Elizabeth: Those Texas books are so hard to find. (Hint: try amazon or bn.com for some fairly reasonably priced used copies). I do hope to someday re-sell the rights and get them all back in print.

Lorraine said...

Elyssa: I just remember when I was younger and watched the movie "Oliver!" that Bill Sikes gave me nighmares. Oh, he was so horrible.

Frannie is sort of based on Nancy. More of her background will come out in her story.

pjpuppymom said...

Hi Lorraine! Welcome to the lair. I've heard wonderful things about BETWEEN THE DEVIL AND DESIRE. Reading Gannon's review sent it straight up my tbr stack.

Some books I've read in the past few months that I would recommend are Warrior of the Highlands, a wonderful time travel by Veronica Wolff; Bedeviled, a very entertaining urban fantasy by Maureen Child; historicals To Sin With a Stranger by Kathryn Caskie, When the Duke Returns by Eloisa James and Like No Other Lover by Julie Anne Long and Seeing Red, a terrific romantic suspense by Susan Crandall.

pjpuppymom said...

Suz, sending gentle hugs and get-well wishes your way.

Anna Campbell said...

Shari, sending you cyber Tim Tams as we speak. Watch out for those cyber calories! Actually, nah, don't do that! If we have to imagine Tim Tams, the least we can do is NOT imagine how they settle on the hips and stay there in real life.

Lorraine, have you seen the David Lean version of Oliver Twist with Alec Guinness playing Feagan? The Bill Sykes in that is EVEN scarier than the Bill Sykes in Oliver. There's a brilliant scene that they show in film courses where the director doesn't actually show Bill killing Nancy, he just shows the dog going crazy with fear at what it's seeing. Just getting chills thinking about it. It's an amazing piece of imaginative film making. Awful but completely unforgettable.

pjpuppymom said...

Lorraine, definitely move The Edge of Desire up that stack. It's one of my top books for 2008 and I think it's the best Stephanie Laurens has ever written.

pjpuppymom said...

Anna, I think watching the dog going crazy with fear would be *worse* than seeing him kill Nancy. *shudders*

The Scarf Princess said...

Lorraine,

Your Texas series is one of my faves. It has a special spot on my keeper shelf as do a lot of your other books.

As for future books I'll be reading. I'm getting the new Suz Brockmann and Jan Evanovich hardbacks (since I have no patience to wait for the pb editions). And a slew of paranormals release in January and February by Lynn Viehl, Lara Adrian, Sherrilyn Kenyon, Kressley Cole, and Susan Grant. And of course I'm getting your new one too. Haven't missed one of your books yet.

Karen H said...

Welcome Lorraine, Great interview and I love the tidbits about the new book and titles of upcoming books in this series.

What's on my list to read in '09? Way more than I can list here. I'm currently reading 'Snowy Night with a Stranger' and loving it (especially Sabrina Jeffries' story). Speaking of Sabrina, I still have a couple books from her Swanlea series to finish and a couple books she wrote under the name Deborah Martin. Guess those will be pulled out in January...in addition to some of your books too! LOL

I have a copy of 'The President's Therapist' by John Wareham that I bought for my son-in-law as part of his Christmas present and didn't get it in time so I'm reading it before I send it to him. This book is billed as a psychological thriller and sounds great.

I also have several books written by the Banditas on my TBR shelves to get to...and hope to in '09.

Wishing everyone a happy, healthy and successful New Year!

Lorraine said...

Anne: No, I haven’t seen that one. Will have to run to the video store. Sounds chilling just reading about it. It’s like with Jaws; the scariest moments were when you didn’t actually see the shark. And it wasn’t even the original plan. They just couldn’t get the mechanical shark to work so they had to improvise.

PJ: Thanks for moving BTD&D up your stack and for the great recommends. Will definitely move Stephanie’s book up on my stack.

Joder: Thanks for the special spot. Can you see my big smile?

Karen: Thanks for the welcome. I’ll have to check out that psychological thriller. Dexter is one of my favorite shows on TV – at first I wasn’t quite sure I should admit that I liked a serial killer.

Beth Andrews said...

Welcome back to the lair, Lorraine! Between the Devil and Desire sounds fabulous! And as a happy coincidence, I'm just about to place an Amazon order so I can add your book to my overflowing cart *g*

I'm reading Christie Ridgway's Unravel Me which is really good.

I just finished The One Hundred:A Guide To The Pieces Every Stylish Woman Must Own by Nina Garcia

Next up are Flat-Out Sexy by Erin McCarthy and Become A Better You: 7Keys To Improving Your Life Every Day by Joel Osteen.

So many books, so little time :-)

Lorraine said...

Hey, Bandits and Banditas! Not sure how late y'all hang around so just wanted to thank you for having me here today. I'm licking my Tim-Tams coated fingers (my son looked them up on the Internet and read that it's common practice to bite off each end and use them as a straw...Is that true, Anna? He gave it a go but said it didn't work very well.), refusing to step on the scale in the morning (oh, that's right, they're calorie-less), and ever so glad you all invited me to join you again.

I hope you all have a wonderful New Year. May 2009 bring you many sales and plenty of good reading!

Fondly,
Lorraine

Unknown said...

Hey Lorraine, just checking back in and was wondering what Pen name do you write under for your YA books? The Dark Guardian series even sounds interesting to me, what pen name will it be written under!

Anna Campbell said...

Lorraine, as ever you've been an exemplary guest! You know, I've heard of the Tim Tam straw thing but I've never done it. I tend to just attack the packet and eat until I feel sick or they're finished, whichever comes first ;-) Happy New Year and here's to your Jack hitting the lists in a big way!!!!

Caren Crane said...

Jane, you wicked thing, I hope you've kept the GR out of trouble today. I mean, I heard nothing on the news, but...

Lorraine, welcome back to the Lair! We always love having you here. I can't believe how prolific you've been and in so many subgenres! We bow to you (which is hard to do when holding a frosty beverage, but we try).

Two books I read this year that were real stand-outs were "Never Romance a Rake" by Liz Carlyle (with the most seriously rakish hero ever!) and "Your Scandalous Ways" by Loretta Chase. LOVED THEM BOTH. Seriously masterful writing.

Right now, I'm plowing through the latest J.D. Robb, "Salvation In Death". I am a total sucker for the In Death books. This is the 25th one. Yikes! I hope sometime in my LIFE to have 25 books, let alone in a single series!

Come to think of it, maybe you're giving Nora a run for her money with all those books you're whipping out, Lorraine. *g*

Caren Crane said...

Lorraine, Helen is a proponent of the "Tim Tam straw" maneuver. She swears it's the best way to eat them, though it sounds a bit suspect to me. I'm sure if she puts that grandbaby down and stops cleaning the house, she'll tell us all about it. *g*

Caren Crane said...

I also must recommend the Jasper Fforde books if anyone has missed them. They clever and all about our favorite thing...books!

traveler said...

Congratultions on your new release. Wishing you a wonderful new year.
Novels that I enjoyed recently have been Safe Passage by Ida Cook,
Windswept by Ann Macela, and The Legacy by T.J. Bennett.

Helen said...

Lorraine and Caren

They are called a Tim Tam slam and you bite off a corner diagonally from a biscuit put one corner in your mouth the other bitten corner in coffee or tea I prefer coffee suck the coffee thru and put in the mouth yummo they really just melt in your mouth.

Lorraine it certainly has been a great day in the lair. I loved Jack in In Bed With The Devil so I am really looking forward to his story and then Frannie's. Thanks for a great day everyone

Have Fun
Helen

Anonymous said...

Hi Lorraine, Hope you had a great Christmas and I hope everyone has a great New Year!!

Kammie said...

A scoundrel for a hero..I just love those "not so nice" types. Adding this one to my wish list.

I recommend the book Life Happens by Sandra Steffen. It's a family drama that will require a box of kleenex by your side. Don't worry, you'll be left feeling good not bad.

Unknown said...

Hello Lorraine, i absolutely adore your books. You are one of my favorite historical writers. Thank you for this post today I enjoyed it. You new book is definetly on my TBR

Anna Campbell said...

Hey, Caren, isn't Never Romance a Rake brilliant? I'm raving about it everywhere. What a fantastic hero!

Lorraine said...

Virginia: The Dark Guardian series will be written under the name Rachel Hawthorne.

Anna: I'm with you on the best way to eat Tim Tams.

Caren: I'm no where near giving Nora a run for her money. She must have published 200 books by now. The woman is a goddess.

Helen: I'll send my son the instructions on the proper way to do the Tim Tam Straw Maneuver. Think he just tried biting off the ends. Yes, I had real Tim Tams today ;)

Traveler: A wonderful new year to you as well.

Sarabelle: Thank you so much for enjoying my stories. It's always a treat to know people enjoy them.

Night, All!

Lorraine said...

Back at you regarding the lists, Anna. Slots 1 & 2 would be nice, don't you think? I plan to have Tempt the Devil in my hot little hands tomorrow.

Unknown said...

Great interview! Between the Devil and Desire sounds great!

Caffey said...

Hi Lorraine!!! So have loved reading your books!!! I realized I'm a little behind (shame on me!) But I still have ALWAYS TO REMEMBER on my keepers shelf! I have these Scoundrels of St. James on my wishlist, absolutely sound fab! neat on the YA Werewolves books too! I didn't know, so I do have much news to catch up on so it was so good to read your interview!

Oh, I love recommending books! Its the best way to pass on the word too about books! I recommend Jillian Hunter's Bocastle series but you might be ahead of me with those! But I was thrilled to discover her historicals. Too Carrie Lofty has a debut out, WHAT A SCOUNDREL WANTS. A Zebra Debut and great read too!

Anna Campbell said...

Lorraine, I love a woman who thinks BIG!!!! 1 and 2 may it be!!!

kim h said...

congrats on teh book. love the contemps,. count me in.

Nathalie said...

Thank you for blogging with us.

My resolution is also to read more! I like anything by the Avon Ladies :)

Gail said...

Lorraine,
I enjoyed your first book in the scoundrel series. I am really hooked on series books right now. It is so much fun to revisit characters. I purchased Jack's story this morning. Now I have a great book to welcome the new year. I recommend Delilah Marvelle's books. I have enjoyed this new author.

Asylumgirl said...

I recommend Karen Marie Moning and Charlaine Harris. Both of them are wonderful authors that I can't get enough of.

Deidre