Friday, March 4, 2011

The Highlanders and Julianne MacLean!

by Anna Campbell

It is my very great pleasure to introduce Julianne MacLean, one of the STARS of historical romance, to the lair! Julianne is a three-time RITA award finalist and her books have hit the USA Today list.

When I first started reading Julianne's books, she was writing about American heiresses marrying into the British nobility but she seems to have come over all Scottish lately with her Highlander trilogy, the first of which, CAPTURED BY THE HIGHLANDER, comes out this month from St. Martin's.

Romantic Times chose CAPTURED BY THE HIGHLANDER as one of their Top Picks for March and said:

MacLean ensnares readers with her powerful writing and emotional love stories, once again crafting a book to cherish. Her richly portrayed characters and intriguing, fast-paced plot combine in a read that will leave you speechless with delight. This new novel reinforces her reputation as a premier writer of Scots-set romance.

You can find out all about Julianne and her delicious Highlanders on her website: http://juliannemaclean.com/index.php

Julianne, welcome to the Bandit lair! I can’t believe it’s taken us so long to lure you here. Clearly you need TLC. Sven, a message! Paolo, a margarita! Gladiators, a sword! Um, perhaps I should rephrase that! Congratulations on the release of your latest historical romance, CAPTURED BY THE HIGHLANDER (capture and Highlander, you’ve got me at hello!). Can you tell us about this story?

CAPTURED is the first book in my new Highlander trilogy, and it’s a classic tale about a savage beast of a Highlander (he always carries a big axe, and they call him The Butcher of the Highlands) who kidnaps his enemy’s fiancĂ©e for revenge, but OF COURSE he falls crazy in love with her in the process! There are bunch of twists and turns after that, but I have to keep most of them secret, otherwise I would be guilty of the “spoiler” offense, and we can’t have that!

I notice the fabulous CAPTURED BY THE HIGHLANDER is being followed a mere month later by CLAIMED BY THE HIGHLANDER. Can you tell us about that story too?

CLAIMED picks up not long after CAPTURED leaves off. A lot happens in the first book, and I don’t want to spoil too much by giving stuff away, but the hero’s best friend does something bad which betrays the hero, and is banished from his clan. Two years later, he returns to find that his father’s castle has been overtaken by another clan, and he brings an army to win it back. After breaking down the gates and winning the battle, he claims the daughter of the fallen enemy chief as his wife, but she’s a real spitfire, and he finds he has a few more challenges ahead of him when she defies him and tries to deny him his “husbandly rights.” You know the ones I’m talking about, right? Wink wink, nudge nudge.


What? She won't share her haggis? For shame! Snicker. So, Ms. MacLean, what IS it with you and Highlanders?

I’ve been writing about dukes and earls for too long. I needed to get out of the polite London ballrooms and get down and dirty with some seriously old school, savage heroes who aren’t afraid to sleep in a cave and swing a really big sword.
Oh, no, not with more sword jokes! Where is the decorum? What’s coming up next for Julianne MacLean?

The third and final book in the Highlander series – SEDUCED BY THE HIGHLANDER - is coming out in October, and that one was my editor’s favorite. I think I had a soft spot for that hero, because he was as tortured as they come, and I, for one, love a tortured alpha male! I’m also working on a new series set in Regency England, called The Royal Weddings Trilogy. Though I loved being in the wilds of Scotland – and will probably go back there again - I felt ready to return to the charming gentlemen of London, and the clothes. I love the clothes.

You also write contemporary romance as E.V. Mitchell. Can you tell us about your alter ego and the stories she tells?


THE COLOR OF HEAVEN
is a book I started working on six years ago, and finally put the finishing touches on last summer.It’s a contemporary women’s fiction novel with romantic elements about first love, but it’s not a romance novel, which is why I felt it was necessary to adopt a pseudonym, so that my readers would know it’s something very different.It was born out of a few personal events in my own life that have changed me as a person. I had a serious car accident when I was twenty-five, and there is a scene in the book that is very similar to what I experienced, but I explore what could have happened if I wasn’t so lucky that day.I’ve always had a fascination with near-death experiences, where a person can float outside of their body and experience something strange and unusual – so I was inspired to write a story about a character who experiences such a thing. But that’s only one part of it. Mostly, it’s a story about a woman’s journey through some hard times, and how she learns to overcome those challenges, having learned something about life and love.

Do you have any advice for unpublished writers?

Step one: Write. Step two: Write some more. Step three: Polish and revise and get feedback from others who know the genre. Step four: Revise some more. Step five: Decide you’re in it for the long haul, and that giving up is not an option. Step six: When you get rejected, go back to step one, and always remember step five. Because we all get rejected. Even multi-published authors still get rejected.

That's great advice, Julianne. Thanks for hanging out with us today. The cabana boys were all agog when I told them were coming - and an agog cabana boy is a sight to see, don't you agree? Do you have a question for the Bandits and Bandita Buddies?


So here’s my question: All three heroes in my Highlander trilogy are dangerous, tortured alpha males. Tell me – who is your all-time favorite tortured alpha male hero? And name the book. Let’s spread the joy!

Just to whet your appetite for Highlanders (yeah, like that's a big job!), Julianne has very generously offered a signed copy of THE MAMMOTH BOOK OF SCOTTISH ROMANCE to one lucky commenter today. Good luck!

154 comments:

Landra said...

Hola!

Landra said...

Julieanne, thank for coming to lair. You are now next on my purchase list and tomorrow's payday! Yippee!

My ultimate tortured Alpha Male is the Duke of Tresham in Mary Balogh's 'More Than a Mistress'. Absolutely one of my favs!

*Swoons!

Mary Balogh's Constantine Huxtable is a close second for me too. Don't know why her Alpha Males seem to stick with me.


FYI: The rooster has come back to me for some delectable treats, while I courageously devour another historical.

Anna Campbell said...

Slush, he's yours today! He can tell you about eating Tim Tams with Barb yesterday. Yes, he's a mean old rooster! LOL!

Anna Campbell said...

Slush, enjoy your historical! I love Mary Balogh. Great choice! You'll definitely enjoy Julianne's books too!

Anonymous said...

I love, love,, love Julianne's books. I'm really looking forward to this new series. One tortured alpha that I always remember and have reread many times is Dash Sinclair in Elizabeth's Wolf by Lora Leigh. I just love him. It's kind of funny that he is the one that stands out most to me because I really love historical romances.

Marie said...

It has to be Jamie from the Outlander series, without a doubt! Talk about tortured male! Whoa!

Anna Campbell said...

Interesting choice, Phyllis. I've heard great stuff about Lora's books - I'll have to check that one out. Glad you're already a fan of Julianne's!

Anna Campbell said...

Marie, I hang my head in shame and admit I've never read Diana Gabaldon. Whenever I run a favourite hero contest, he wins (along with Rourke from J.D. Robb's In Death series). Both guys have huge...followings. Snort!

Kim in Baltimore said...

Aloha, Julianne! Congrats on your new series. I would like to be captured by a Highlander, whisked away to a crumbling castle, and read romance books as the cabana boys, er, clansmen do my biding.

My favorite tortured Alpha hero is
Patrick MacLeod from Lynn Kurland's A GARDEN IN THE RAIN. It was my first "Scottish" and "time travel" romance. Patrick was, in fact, tortured as a teen in Medieval Scotland before he traveled forward in time.

The book inspired me to visit Scotland, especially Culloden, where the heroine first meets the hero in modern times.

June M. said...

One of my favorite tortured alpha males would have to be Anthony Dalton from LET SLEEPING ROGUES LIE by Sabrina Jeffries. There is just something about that character that I have loved since first reading the book.

Donna MacMeans said...

Hey Slush - I heard that the GR smuggled some TIm Tams out of Australia for you. Check under those feathers.

Hi Julianne (waving) - I'm the one in the hat that sometimes ends up next to you at booksignings. The new series sounds great! Yeah - I can see another RITA flag next to me (grin).

Now that you have me thinking Scottish heros - I'd cast a vote for Jamie Fraser of Outlander. Marie has the right of it. He's one of my all time favorites (and Anna, you should really do yourself a favor and read the book - it's wonderful).

Anna Campbell said...

Wow, Kim, that sounds like a heartrending story! I'll have to check it out!

Anna Campbell said...

June, Sabrina is great, isn't she? I've got her latest on my TBR pile. So many good books, so little time!

Anna Campbell said...

Donna, you're not the first person to tell me this! ;-) How cool that you and Julianne get to sit together on signings. I was lucky enough to have Bandita Kate Carlisle next to me in San Francisco! Mayhem galore!

Jen said...

Hi Julianne & Anna!

Julianne...The Color of Heaven is a great title. Was that your working title too? I've enjoyed your books immensely.

Tortured alpha dudes...poor Gideon in COS and my fave, the Duke of Kylemore. :)

Congrats on the GR, Slush.

Cheers!
Pink P.

Anonymous said...

ANNA sent me from Facebook! LOL Thanks, Anna!

This is soooo funny, because I LITERALLY had the Mammoth Book in my hand the other day, looked at my watch, realized I had 4 minutes to be at the dentist's office and didn't have time to wait in line!

I have had my eye on Julianne for awhile now. OK, if Anna loves her I will, too. (fires up Kindle)

Heather

Anna Campbell said...

Jen, the Color of Heaven IS a great title, isn't it? And don't these new Highlander books sound like the bee's knees? Yum!

Oh, aren't you lovely mentioning my Gid and my Kylemore. Well, Charis's Gid and Verity's Kylemore but who's counting? Tortured Alpha Dudes forever!

Anna Campbell said...

Hey, Heather, nice to see you accepted my invitation to visit. LOL! Well, it might have been SLIGHTLY more strongly phrased than a mere invitation! I've got the Scottish Mammoth book on my bedside table - it's next off my list once I read a couple of review books first. There's such wonderful authors there, apart from Julianne. Anne Gracie and Connie Brockway just to mention two. Is it possible to have too much of men in kilts? Hmm, I don't think so!

Fedora said...

Woot, Slush--congrats on the GR!

Hi, Julianne! I've got a couple of yours on the TBR :)

Hmm... tormented alpha heroes? Anna has done those quite beautifully :)

And Anna, I have yet to read Gabaldon either--they seem longer and weightier than I can manage!

Helen said...

Well done Slush I am sure he has had his fill of Tim Tams but he may be on a bit of a high I would watch him carefully you never know what he might get up to LOL

Julianne

I so love your stories and this new one is on my list already I can't wait to read it and the series whoo hoo I do love me a Scottish beast LOL.

I gotta say that one of my all time favourite tortured heros is Gideon from Captive of Sin he makes my heart flutter, there have been many more that I have read over the years I do love a tortured alpha hero Annie West has written a couple of good ones as well and after a long day with my grandchildren my memory has drawn a blank on the names.

Congrats on the new series Julianne and thank you Anna for having Julianne visit today.
BTW I have The Color Of Heaven on my e book reader and I am looking forward to reading it

Have Fun
Helen

Carol L. said...

I have to go with Jamie Fraser, as he's the most tortured Hero I've ever read besides Acheron in Sherrilyn Kenyon's Dark Hunters. I love Highlanders and I don't think we can ever get enough of them and their BIG swords, do you ? :)
Carol L
Lucky4750@aol.com

Jennie Marsland said...

Hello ladies! Julianne, I have to say again, all your covers are yummy.

My favourite Highlanders? Hmmm...Jamie is one, but I'm also partial to Pamela Clare's MacKinnon brothers, especially Morgan. He's tough, but it isn't too much of a stretch for him to be gentle. Julianne and Donna, do you think we should start a petition to get more men in NS to wear kilts?

hrdwrkdmom aka Dianna said...

Oh I so love me some Highlanders. My all time fav tortured alpha male is St Vincent from Lisa Kleypas' The Devil in Winter. He even tries to kidnap a heroine in another book.
I also love our Anna's heroes, they are all tortured.
I already have the Mammoth Book of Scottish Romance (not signed of course).

Margay Leah Justice said...

Edward Rochester, Jane Eyre.

Julianne MacLean said...

Hi Slush! I love Mary Balogh, too. She's one of my faves, and I agree - More Than A Mistress is a fantastic book with an amazing hero.

Julianne MacLean said...

Hi Phyllis - I have never read Lora Leigh before, but I hear such great things about her books. I must give her a try. Thanks for posting!

Julianne MacLean said...

Hi Marie - you have great taste - I loved Jamie, too! Gabaldon was such a great inspiration when I was writing my Highlander books. She's such a gifted writer.
Thanks for stopping by!

Julianne MacLean said...

Hi Kim - Patrick MacLeod sounds like a great character. It's been a while since I've read a time travel. I remember when they were all the rage. One of my first manuscripts before I sold was a time travel. Maybe some day I'll dig it out and revise it and try to publish it. The heroine travels back in time to the old west, and I called it Junebug Jess, LOL!

Julianne MacLean said...

Hi June! I am a fan of Sabrina Jeffries as well, but I haven't read that particular book. Thanks for the rec!

Julianne MacLean said...

Hi Donna! Maybe we'll be sitting near each other in NY this summer. Are you going to the conference? I'm also going to RT in April if you're planning to be there. I haven't been to an RT convention in a number of years, and I confess I'm looking forward to the cover model pageant!

Julianne MacLean said...

Hi Jen - you asked if The Color of Heaven was my working title - yes it was. The book was called that from the beginning six years ago, and I can't imagine it as anything else! Normally I'm not that attached to titles, but I would have fought hard if a publisher had wanted to change it!
Thanks for commenting today :)

Julianne MacLean said...

Hi Heather! That's funny about the Mammoth book. Good luck here today, and I hope the dentish appointment went smoothly!

Thanks for visiting :)

Julianne MacLean said...

Hey Anna - I am a big fan of your alpha heroes as well. I just loved how you pushed the envelope with your characters in Claiming the Courtesan. One of my favorite romance novels of all time!

Julianne MacLean said...

Hi Helen - thanks for the lovely words, and I hope you enjoy The Color of Heaven!
It's strange... After not having a book out for two years (my last book with Avon came out in Feb 2009), I have three books out this month, and can barely catch my breath! Thanks everyone, for all your kind words :)

Julianne MacLean said...

Fichen1 - You should give Gabaldon a try. I know what you mean about the books being long and weighty, but I just blew through the first book, Outlander. I couldn't put it down, and I felt like I'd been to Scotland after I read it. Gabaldon really knows how to put the reader into that wonderful bubble, where you are transported and hours can go by, when you don't realize how long you've been reading.

Julianne MacLean said...

LOL Carol! You know what they say about men with big swords... :)

BADklv said...

I'm really interested in The Color of Heaven. I read so much romance it's nice to step outside the box sometimes. All the books look great!

Julianne MacLean said...

Hi Jennie! Thanks for stopping by! I'm always happy to see a man in a kilt here in NS. It happens occasionally, but a petition would be a good idea :)

Julianne MacLean said...

Dianna - you are a woman after my own heart - I LOVED St. Vincent from Devil in Winter. One of my favorites, too!

Julianne MacLean said...

Margay - Rochester is a favorite of mine as well. He got me started on romance novels. I read Jane Eyre in college many years ago, but before that, I had never read a romance in my life. Someone suggested I try a contemporary written romance novel, and I've been hooked ever since. Thanks for mentioning him!

Julianne MacLean said...

BADklv - I hope you give Color of Heaven a try. It's definitely different from my historical romances, and I hope to write another book like it in the future. It was nice to do something a bit different - because you know what they say - variety of the spice of life!

Anna Sugden said...

Welcome Julianne - good to see you in the Lair.

I just returned from a few days in Scotland *g*, so it's rather appropriate to have you visiting!

Favourite tortured alphas? So many to choose from! Suz Brockmann does some awesome tortured alphas as does Jess Andersen. I think JD Robb's Roarke is very powerful when he is tortured and having to face his past. Beth Andrews' Dillon and Brady. Terri Garey's Sammy (can't wait for her next release this summer!)

Margay Leah Justice said...

Oh, Julianne, it was my pleasure! I actually don't remember reading Jane Eyre when I was younger; it was really more recent, after borrowing the movie (the Toby Stephens version) from the library. Let's just say that, after that, I had to have a copy of the movie myself and I borrowed my daughter's copy of the book and read it in just a couple of days. Looking forward to the new version of the movie with Michael Fassbender.

Julianne MacLean said...

Hi Anna! I'm jealous that you just came back from Scotland - lucky you! Thanks for the recommendations. I've never read JD Robb's books, but Roarke has been mentioned a few times here today, so maybe I should give those books a try.
So many books, not enough hours in the day!

Julianne MacLean said...

Hi Margay - I've been watching those trailers for the new version of Jane Eyre as well, and I will definitely see it as soon as it comes out. There have been so many film versions of that book. The Toby Stephens one was great.

Rebekah E. said...

I don't know how tortured he is but my favorite alpha hero is Brodrick from Julie Garwood's Ransom.

pjpuppymom said...

Hi Julianne! I'm a huge fan of both highlanders and your books. Put the two together and I'm in romance reader heaven! Can't wait to pick up a copy of your newest.

I love a good tortured hero. A few historical tortured alphas that come immediately to mind are Dare from Jo Beverley's To Rescue a Rogue, Gideon from Anna Campbell's Captive of Sin, Alistair from Elizabeth Hoyt's To Beguile a Beast and Christian from Laura Kinsale's Flowers from the Storm.

One of my all-time favorite alpha heroes of any type (but certainly possessing a tortured soul) is Adrik from Christina Dodd's paranormal, Into the Shadow.

Sara said...

Loved the interview! Also love me a Scotsman in a kilt...with a big sword! ;) Favorite tortured hero would have to be Jamie from the Diana Gabaldon series.

Anonymous said...

Loved the interview and NEED to have this series. Men in kilts and the Highlands are an automatic draw. Throw in a tortured hero and I'm hooked. You can have the Regency pretty boys, give me a rugged Highlander anytime.
As for tortured alpha heroes, there have been so many good ones. I go back to some of the first romances I read. These heroes may not be as tortured as some, but they made an impression. First Wulfgar from THE WOLF AND THE DOVE by Kathleen Woodiwiss. A tortured hero and heroine in this one.
Julie Garwood has some great heroes, many of them Highlanders. Hers are not as darkly tortured as many of the more recent heroes being written. Baron Duncan of Wexton, the Wolf, in HONOR'S SPLENDOUR is one and Connor MacAlister in THE WEDDING are both tortured by their need for revenge. As it turns out, they end up being tortured in a different way by the spitfire heroines they end up with.
I have THE MAMMOTH BOOK OF TIME TRAVEL and THE MAMMOTH BOOK OF SCOTTISH ROMANCE is at the top of my Wish List.

I have all the Gabaldon books on my TBR Mountain, but it is overwhelming to think of starting the series. I know once I start, I'll not want to stop until I've finished everyone.

Thanks for the interview and adding more books that I must have. Too many men in kilts? Not a chance.

Sara said...

Forgot to say, I'm at sweetbrier at shaw dot ca

Kirsten said...

I adore Gideon from Captive of Sin too - by Anna Campbell. Such a great story/Hero!!!

Or Sabrina Jeffries Hero, Lucas from her book Never Seduce a Scoundrell.

Julianne MacLean said...

Hey Rebekah - thanks for commenting. I agree - Julie Garwood is awesome.

Julianne MacLean said...

All great authors, PJ!!

Julianne MacLean said...

Hi Sara - clearly you are among like minded friends here :). Jamie is a favorite!

Julianne MacLean said...

Hi Libraraypat! Thanks for stopping by, and I'm glad you enjoyed the interview. I love your recommendations and what you said about the tortured heroes. You're right, authors are pushing the envelope further these days.

Leagh said...

I would have to say that I have a group of favorite tortured heroes. Donna Grants highlander series. The first three books are about Lucan, Fallon, and Quinn. They are brothers and very tortured but they do find their way :) They are also Highlanders so it makes them very yummy!!! Congrats on the release Julianne :)

Leagh said...

Oh forgot my email...

leaghchistensen@yahoo.com

Jenn3128 said...

This turned out to be harder to answer than I thought it would...I'd have to go with Mikhail Dubrinsky from Dark Prince. I'm such a sucker for those paranormal romances!

Deb said...

I LOVE Highlander stories; ooh, men in kilts, sigh.

I agree with Jenn. This is a hard question to answer. I'm copping out for the moment on an answer and will try to think about it a bit.

Hellie Sinclair said...

Favorite tortured Alpha male?

Kyrian of Thrace in Night Pleasures (Sherrilyn Kenyon), though I also love Zarek, Val, and most of the other tortured alphas in the Dark Hunter series. But Kyrian is my first love--and best.

EternalsBlissy said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Hellie Sinclair said...

Sounds like everyone is naming Scottish tortured heroes.

Okay, Monica McCarty's new series set in Robert the Bruce's time period--they're awesome and tortured.

My favorite is Hawk (Erik), but he's not as tortured as the others. :)

And I love Gabriel from Saving Grace by Julie Garwood. :) Again, I'm not sure he's particularly tortured, but he's a great Scottish hero. :)

EternalsBlissy said...

Hello again Julianne!
I cannot wait to read one of your books. I must admit Highland men have always been a fascination of mine. Strange that many real ones I meet today have such soft lovely voices...until pushed or angry and man oh man they are scary indeed! I have thought very long and hard and my most favourite tortured Alpha Male would be Jondular in the Mammoth Hunters when he believed he lost Ayla. Then he won her back. The passion he had for her..and the passion she has for him makes the entire series one of my fave. You can kinda call it my Pre-Highlander series since it took place BEFORE there were even highlands!
I really truly cannot wait to read your books...you are so down to earth and I really enjoy bantering with you!
Ti Colluney/EternalsBliss

Deb said...

Ok, I'm not sure he's a tortured hero, but one of my fave bad boys is Saint from Suzanne Enoch's ENGLAND'S PERFECT HERO. He redeemed himself in the end and the HEA.

Julianne MacLean said...

Hi Leagh - I love Donna Grant's books! She's awesome. Thanks for commenting today!

Louisa Cornell said...

Slush, you two are becoming quite the item !! Enjoy yet another fun-filled day with the GR!

Julianne, I thoroughly enjoy all of your books! I think I have told you before my very favorite of yours is Love According to Lily. I read it at least once a year!

And I am definitely looking forward to reading your Highlanders! Men in kilts! SIGH!

My favorite tortured Alpha? Oh now that is a long list!

Kylemore from Claiming the Courtesan followed closely by Gideon from Captive of Sin

Christian from Flowers from the Storm

Dain from Lord of Scoundrels. When he puts his son up on the horse in front of him and his heart just opens up to this little boy I get misty eyed every time I read it.

Ivan from Rexanne Bechnel's Dangerous to Love

Valerius from Sherrilyn Kenyon's Seize the Night

See, I told you the list goes on forever. LOVE a scarred tortured Alpha!

Jeanne M said...

My favorite tortured hero is Don Quioxte from the book of the same name by Cervantes. He comes
from his village of La Mancha to perform acts of chivalry in the name of his grand love Dulcinea.

Any man that can see only the beauty within (whether it's actually there or not) is the man for me. Hum, maybe that's my husband - at least he has put up with me for over 41 years!

jo robertson said...

Hi, Julianne, welcome to the Lair! What an impressive trilogy. Doesn't everybody love a Highlanders, sweaty or not LOL?

Mr. Rochester is one of my favorite tortured heroes. Naturally! There's a new version of JANE EYRE coming out this month starring Michael Fassbender. Can't wait to see his one!

Margay Leah Justice said...

Jo, I am right there with you! Did you see Michael in the series Hex? Omg, talk about a gorgeous, tortured hero! Or should that be anti-hero? He was trying to create nephilim after all.

Anna Campbell said...

Fedora, I've said before I find books about Culloden too sad. I've got Outlander on the bookcase and I've picked it up a few times but I've never got further than that. Hey, cool you mention my heroes! I must say when I saw Julianne's question, I thought, "Hmm, I've written a few of those!"

Unknown said...

OMG!!!! Highlanders!!!! Something I LOVE more than my SOCKS....LOL (and we all know I love my socks)

Julieanne your book is already sitting on my table, my mom thought the cover was hot so she bought it for my B-day yesterday. So, I can't wait to get to reading it even more now knowing there's two more to follow :0)

as for the question of the day- I would have to say: Connor Buchanan from Kerrelyn Sparks' Love at Stake series ( He's in like every book). He is totally my favorite tortured alpha male hero!!!!!
He Finally gets his own book on the 29th-Vampire Mine!

Anna Campbell said...

Helen, the chook is scary after Tim Tams, isn't he? I bear the scars!

Hey, cool you mentioned my Gideon! I love it when my guys get some love - seriously, they've had such a rotten time of it, they NEED da lurve! Annie West writes a wonderful tortured hero too. I'm so glad she's up THREE times for awards at the Australian Romance Readers Convention in March.

Anna Campbell said...

Carol, snorting about the swords. Oh, you ARE naughty! LOL! That Jamie F is getting some love this morning!

Anna Campbell said...

Jennie, I LOVE Pamela Clare's Highlanders and she's currently writing more of them, did you know? I think RIDE THE FIRE is a magnificent book!

Anna Campbell said...

Dianna, the MBOSR is sitting on my bedside table ready for me to dive in and read it. It looks absolutely delicious, doesn't it? And I love reading short stories when I'm working on a story because I don't sit up to the middle of the night to find out what happened like I do with a good full-length novel. Hey, thanks for mentioning my guys! St. Vincent is another guy who gets mentioned when I run favorite hero contests - that's a wonderful book, isn't it? I love the title too!

Anna Campbell said...

Great choice, Margay. He's definitely an uber tortured hero!

Anna Campbell said...

Julianne, lots of action here first thing! And it looks like you're already talking to fans!

Anna Campbell said...

Junebug Jess? I'd buy it for the title alone. Actually I love a good time travel - love the fish out of water element. Some of my favorites were those early Karen Marie Monings with her dark Highlanders and their big SWORDS!

Anna Campbell said...

Wow, Julianne, thanks for saying that about Courtesan! It means a lot.

Anna Campbell said...

Three books, Julianne? I'd be reeling in the aisles! I hope every one of them is a huge success!

Anna Campbell said...

Bad, I like to see authors stretching their wings too and The Color of Heaven sounds like a real emotional rollercoaster. Love those books!

Anna Campbell said...

Ah, I've finally worked out what NS is - it's Nova Scotia! Isn't it? Hmm, I'd like to see a man in a kilt on the Sunshine Coast too! Although he might get prickly heat, it's been so hot here lately.

Anna Campbell said...

Julianne, how interesting that Jane Eyre got you hooked on romance. I was already hooked on romance when I read it in first year of university and loved it because I recognized so many of the themes from the books I'd devoured all my life. It's like Victoria Holt on speed, isn't it?

Anna Campbell said...

Anna, lucky you, going to Scotland. I'm definitely getting my yen for the Highlands at the moment. Actually did a typo there originally and I had a HEN for the Highlands. Darn rooster, I can't get away from him! Great choices!

Anna Campbell said...

There's a new movie of Jane Eyre? Yum! Although often the movies skimp on the story - I want it all in there!

Johanna R Jochum said...

I love a good tortured hero book. I have read so many of them its hard to pick. One hero that stands out for me is Edward the Earl of Swartingham from Elizabeth Hoyt's THE RAVEN PRINCE. This was a wonderful Beauty and the Beast themed book! Keeper shelf material!

Anna Campbell said...

Julianne, I LOVED the Toby Stephens version. I'm currently writing a piece for my website on Haddon Hall, the house where that was filmed. When I visited, they had an exhibition of the costumes from that series in the long gallery. Great to see them in the 'flesh'.

Terri Osburn said...

Goodness, I'm late as usual. I have THE COLOR OF HEAVEN on my eReader awaiting its turn, and I haven't traveled to the Highland area of Romancelandia in far too long. Must fix that!

I recently finished the latest by Eloisa James and Piers was quite the tortured hero. With a savage tongue. He's shot quite high up on my list of tortured heroes.

Anna Campbell said...

Rebekah, you can never go wrong with a Garwood, can you? Great choice!

Julianne MacLean said...

Hey Ms. Hellion - they don't just have to be Scottish tortured heroes. I love em in all shapes, sizes, and time periods :)

Anna Campbell said...

PJ, Gideon sends you a big sloppy kiss! And he's waving his sword in your direction! Actually Laura Kinsale's tortured heroes are in a category of their own, aren't they? Those guys definitely drew the short straw when it came to fate!

Anna Campbell said...

Sara, another Jamie fan? You're certainly among friends there!

Julianne MacLean said...

Louisa - thanks for mentioning LOVE ACCORDING TO LILY. You are so sweet! I am amazed that you read it once a year. That is music to an author's ears :)
And I love all your tortured hero descriptions. Thanks for commenting!

Julianne MacLean said...

I love what you said, Jeanne! So right about the beauty within. Sounds like you have a wonderful hubby. Hang on to him :)

Julianne MacLean said...

Jo and Margay - I really need to familiarize myself with Mr. Fassbender. I don't know if I've seen him in anything yet.

Julianne MacLean said...

BJ- LOL about the socks! I confess, I've never heard anyone go ga ga for their socks before, so you are a true original :)
And you have a great mom if she buys you hot Highlanders for your birthday! Tell her thank you from me :)

Julianne MacLean said...

Hey Ti/EternalsBliss - we have to stop meeting like this :). Thanks for popping by here, too!

Julianne MacLean said...

Anna - cool that you got to visit Haddon Hall! That must have been like a dream.
And yes, NS is Nova Scotia, otherwise known as New Scotland. We have our own NS tartan (it's blue), and there are lots of bagpipes around here :)

Julianne MacLean said...

Hey Johanna! I'm a big fan of Elizabeth Hoyt as well. She's such a gifted writer.

Julianne MacLean said...

Hi Terri- I'm so delighted to hear you have Color of Heaven on your e-reader. Hope you enjoy it!

And I haven't read Eloisa James' latest. I loved her last one though - A Kiss at Midnight. Such a romantic tale.

catslady said...

I tend to remember the last good book that I've read and in this case it was very good and about a Highlander - Monica McCarty's Tor MacLeod in The Chief. Definitely a tortured alpha male! I am sure I am going to love your Highlanders too!

Anna Campbell said...

Pat, I'm taking it you like a good (or perhaps BAAAAAD Highlander!)? I'm just picking up that vibe but then it's VERRRRRRY subtle. LOL! Oh, Wulfgar! That's the first American-style historical romance I ever read and I've been hooked ever since. It was definitely the sexiest book my teenage self had ever read!

Anna Campbell said...

Hey, Kirsten, thank you. Gideon's sending you a big sloppy kiss too - Charis is getting cranky! I love Sabrina's books!

Anna Campbell said...

Leagh, those books sound delicious. I'll have to check them out. Thanks for swinging by the Bandits!

Anna Campbell said...

Jenn, for a minute I thought you were talking about one of my favorite historicals - with coincidentally a massively tortured hero! MY DARK PRINCE by Julia Ross is great - and has some wonderful horse scenes. I love a book with a good horse scene or two. I haven't read the Christine Feehan Dark Prince. I'll have to check it out.

Anna Campbell said...

Deb, I always find chocolate helps me think (and even if it doesn't, who cares? LOL!). Yeah, the men in kilts kinda have us at och aye, hello, don't they?

Anna Campbell said...

Hellion, Kyrian is a great name, isn't it? Not sure I'd get away with it in a Regency, though!

Anna Campbell said...

Hellion, I've met Monica. She's great in person - really smart and funny. I've got her books in the tottering TBR pile. Must drag them out. They sound like my sort of thing!

Anna Campbell said...

Hi Ti! Thanks for swinging by. Oh, Jondalar! I remember when he and Ayla got it together the first time. Majorly sexy scene! Great choice! Goodness, we're covering the time periods today!

Anna Campbell said...

Oh, Deb, he was DEFINITELY tortured. He had awful PTSD, poor guy. I LOVE that story. I think it's my favorite of Suzanne's books. I cried! And that heroine was just perfect for him.

omahablack said...

My very favorite hero is James Alexander Malcolm MacKenzie Frazer or Jamie from the Outlander Trilogy by Diana Gabaldon

Anna Campbell said...

Hey, Louisa, Gideon sends you a big sloppy kiss too. As you can imagine, Kylemore wouldn't be seen dead sending people big sloppy kisses although he offers to kill someone for you ;-) Thank you! Great list. I think Dain is a superb example of a tortured hero - that bit where she kisses his nose and he nearly breaks down always makes my eyes mist up. Sigh! And such a lovely happy ending to that book.

Anna Campbell said...

Jeanne, goodness, a vote for 16th century Spain! We really ARE covering the world (and the paranormal world as well!). Great choice!

Anna Campbell said...

Jo, how come everybody but me knows about the new Jane Eyre? Clearly I live under a rock! I need a strong man in a kilt to come and dig me out! Julianne, got any spare Highlanders going?

Anna Campbell said...

BJ, you and your socks are the talk of the town! I even heard you and them mentioned on Entertainment Tonight yesterday. And I look forward to reading your tell-all autobiography - Lost SOLES!

Anna Campbell said...

Johanna, I always love a great Beauty and the Beast story. It's a theme that always works for me. Great choice!

Anna Campbell said...

Terri, a tortured hero with a savage tongue? Let me at him! That book sounds great - I've seen all the great buzz for Eloisa's last couple of books with their fairytale themes. And you're not late!

Anna Campbell said...

Julianne, I haven't seen Mr. Fassbender either. Sounds like he's worth checking out!

Anna Campbell said...

Julianne, how great about the tartan! I'll have to check it out. Ooh, just did. Pretty! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Tartan_of_Nova_Scotia.png

Anna Campbell said...

Catslady, another vote for Monica! I'm sure you'll love Julianne's Highlanders too!

Anna Campbell said...

Omaha, I don't know if you've read the other comments but Jamie is getting plenty of love! He's definitely a popular laddie!

Book Chatter Cath said...

Probably Acheron in Sherrilyn Kenyon's Dark Hunters.
Or Jamie Fraser from Gabaldons Outlander series.
Or Connor McLeod from the Highlander movies!!!

Too hard to pick just one

Anna Campbell said...

Cath, it IS tough to pick just one, isn't it? Another vote for Jamie, I notice! He's blushing! ;-)

Minna said...

My all-time favorite tortured alpha male hero? Rolf in Miranda's Viking by Maggie Shayne.

Anna Campbell said...

Minna, I LOVE Miranda's Viking! What a great choice.

Margay Leah Justice said...

Julianne, here's Michael's IMDB page in case you - or anyone else - want(s) to check him out:


http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1055413/

Christine Wells said...

Hi Julianne, welcome to the lair!
Thanks for bringing Julianne to us today, Anna.

Wow, I admire your diversity, Julianne. Wild Highlanders, Regency bucks and then a contemporary women's fiction. Is there anything you can't do? Those Scots of yours sound luscious. I do love a tortured alpha male! I know it's probably been said a dozen times but I love Dain from Loretta Chase's Lord of Scoundrels. I re-read that book every year or so. It keeps me humble!

Congrats on getting our very own tortured alpha, Slush!

Anna Campbell said...

Christine, isn't Dain the bee's knees? That's two votes for him! Yes, Julianne has an amazing variety in her output, doesn't she?

Annie West said...

Hi Julianne,

It's great that you could come here. I've loved hearing about your books. I must say I'm a sucker for that 'trapped by the enemy' sort of story your highland women find themselves in.

Fave tortured hero? How about Dain in Loretta Chase's 'Lord of Scoundrels' or Gideon in Anna Campell's 'Captive of Sin'? Both know how to torture a hero so deliciously!

Anna Campbell said...

Annie, lovely to see you here! And congratulations on all the buzz for Protected by the Prince and the Cataromance Award for one of the best romances of the year. Well deserved! Ooh, Gideon gets some love! He won't send you a sloppy kiss as he's already in the doghouse but he's most grateful. Oh, and you can't go past Dain, can you?

Mariee said...

My all time favorite is Nicholas Blackthorne from A Rose At Midnight. He's really dark, torture and brooding.

marieimy (at) gmail (dot) com

Suzanne Ferrell said...

Welcome to the Lair, Julianne!

Tortured Alpha Males, huh?

Zsadist of Lover Awakened. I bawled throughout that book! He was such a tortured soul. And he still has issues.

Pissenlit said...

*perks up* Kilts! :D

Tortured alpha male hero? Yes, please! Heh, I don't think I have an obvious favourite.

I'd sign that petition to get more men in the NS to wear kilts and so would my best friend! Though, while we're at it, let's not discriminate and open it up to the rest of Canada too. *grin*

Anna Campbell said...

Ooh, Mariee, SUPERB choice! That's one of my favorite books EVER and he's such a deliciously dark hero and yet Anne Stuart makes his redemption really realistic. Love it.

Anna Campbell said...

Suzanne, Zsadist was literally tortured, wasn't he? Love that story. Actually I think my fave was the second one with Rhage where there's this kinda doppelganger thing going on.

Anna Campbell said...

Pissenlit, very community minded of you extending the kilt rule! Snort! Hmm, if everyone in Canada starts wearing kilts, I think I'm emigrating over there!

Anna Campbell said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Gannon Carr said...

Hi, Julianne! I cannot wait to read your latest series. I have a weakness for Highlanders. *g*

Oh, yes, Jamie Fraser is my all time favorite tortured hero. Love, love, love him!!!!

Anna Campbell said...

Gannon, Jamie gets another look-in. I think he's winning the popularity poll!

Audra said...

I know i am not the first or only one that thinks of Jamie From OUTLANDER series as the most tortured alpha hero.
audie@wickerness.com

Anna Campbell said...

Audra, there are lots of people here who agree with you wholeheartedly! ;-)

Annie West said...

Anna, it feels ages since I popped in! My blog time has been so restricted.

Thanks for your congrats on 'Protected by the Prince'. As for the kiss from Gideon - why don't I get one? Hm? From my recollection he's quite a kisser. Might have to go and double check though.

Donna MacMeans said...

Julianne - Sorry, RT is on the wrong side of the country for me this year, but I hope to be at the 2012 RT. And I didn't have a book out in 2010 (next one is out this August) so - though I will be in NY - I won't be signing. BUT - I'm sure our paths will cross again. MacLean and MacMeans are too close not to be bumming into each other on the book shelves and in person (grin).

Anna Campbell said...

Annie, Charis got cranky because he was kissing other women. Can't blame her really! He told me he'd love to kiss you but his wife won't let him ;-)

Pat Cochran said...

My favorite tortured hero is not from a book, he's the Beast as
portrayed by Ron Perlman, in CBS's
Beauty and the Beast. Thinking of
the stage, there is another hero
whom I favor: the Phantom from
Phantom of the Opera. Hero, could
be questionable. Tortured? You
don't get more tortured than him!

Pat Cochran

Julia Phillips Smith said...

Hi Julianne and Anna! ...shh...don't tell anyone, but I've been sipping sinfully delicious pinot grigio over in that corner there with Sven...

But now I'm here at the lair in time to mention my very first favorite tortured hero - Prince Rilian from C.S. Lewis' 'The Silver Chair'. He set the stage for my lifelong appreciation for tortured alphas in all their glory.

Landra said...

Thanks for all of the well wishes with the Rooster. He has been a little devil today, but then again so have I.

Pat, The Phantom of the Opera is a fav of mine too. Has been since I was a young child.

Anna Campbell said...

Pat, great choices. And bravo to you for looking outside the box! Actually I think any of the beast heroes count as great tortured heroes!

Anna Campbell said...

Julia, I don't know this guy but just the name - Prince Rilian - has me interested! I'll have to check it out. So glad you're enjoying the special vintage we save for our guests in the lair! We used to have champagne but the cabana boys kept shaking the bottles and playing shower games!

Anna Campbell said...

Slush (and Pat), I think it's something to do with that endless passion that the Phantom has for the heroine of the story that makes him into a great tortured hero. Tortured heroes really suffer when they fall in love. It's great - bwahahahahahaha!

Anna Campbell said...

Well, guys, the cabana boys have all got circles under their eyes, which means it's time to draw the curtain on another fantastic day in the lair. Thank you so much for your fabulous efforts today. Julianne, thank you for being such a fantastic guest and I wish you all the best with your Highland trilogy. Sounds like a winner to me!

Don't forget to check back to see who won the signed copy of the MAMMOTH BOOK OF SCOTTISH ROMANCE!

LilMissMolly said...

My favorite tortured hero is Black Niall from Linda Howard's Son of the Morning.

Unknown said...

My all time favorite hero is Rhett Butler from Gone with the wind.

Janet said...

Cavan Sinclare from "Return of the Rouge" by Donna Fletcher.