Surrender to Tiffany's Winners!

Wow, we had a blast of a day in the lair yesterday! Thank you to everyone who came by and a special welcome to all the new faces!

As you know, Tiffany went wild with prizes, offering five books in total to readers from North America. I threw in a signed copy of CAPTIVE OF SIN to someone outside NA. So without further ado, here is the (long!) list of lucky winners:

The winners of Tiffany's fabulous debut historical romance, THE SURRENDER OF A LADY, are:

LAURIE
DANIELLE GORMAN
MISSKALLIE2000

The winner of Courtney Milan's latest TRIAL BY DESIRE is:

SUZANNE FERRELL

The winner of Maggie Robinson's MISTRESS BY MISTAKE is:

BARB

The winner of CAPTIVE OF SIN is:

KAETRIN

Congratulations, ladies! We just need your snail mail details and we're cooking with gas. For Tiffany's prizes, please email her on: tiffany @ tiffanyclare.com (no spaces). For Anna's prize, please email her on anna @ annacampbell.info (no spaces). Happy reading!

Kate Walker talks about A Good Greek Wife?

By Anna Sugden

I'm delighted to welcome back a Lair favourite - the fabulous Kate Walker. We always have so much fun with Kate and I know today will be no different.

So without further ado, here's Kate

It’s so good to be back in the lair with the Banditas – it feels like I’ve never been away.

No – honestly. It really does. Have you had one of those years? One where you’re sure someone has got hold of the timing mechanism on the days and has wound it up so hard and so tight that spinning at speed and there’s this ‘blink and you’ll miss it’ feeling about everything.

This year has seemed like that. I’ve been celebrating 25 years as a published author. I hit a milestone birthday ( I was a child author so you’ll not be surprised that I’m now hitting 30 – again!) I’m sure it was only two seconds ago when I was hugging Anna S for real in the burning heat of the summer at the RNA Conference (and it was hot wasn’t it Anna? Extremely, and with no air conditioning too! Anna) Now the scene outside my window is cool and wet and foggy – all the things that make it a real autumn (or Fall) day.

But around this time I start to think in terms of a New Year, much more than in January. January is too bleak and cold and dark (well, it is here in Lincolnshire). And October with its new term, new school year appeals much more. So it’s sort of appropriate that right now I’m rounding off the celebrations for my 25th year in publishing and looking forward to the new and 26th year of this writing career of mine.

And things have changed so much since my very first book ever (The Chalk Line) was published in 1984. The covers for one thing. When I had my first book out the covers were just picked from a selection the Art Department had in stock , not commissioned for the book itself. Which is why my black haired, rough-edged hero turned into a smooth, sleek blond! Last month Mills & Boon started bringing out their new look covers and they are very different. Unfortunately I don’t have a new cover on any of my titles yet (that will come in March ’11) but I’m looking forward to seeing it. But I have to say that I do love the cover for my latest book – The Good Greek Wife? It represents the story well too, with the big carved bed and the sea out beyond the room. They’re both very important in the story.

I said this book was different – so why is that? Well, for one it’s my first book with one of the new-style titles. M&B Have published their last Greek Billionaire’s Blackmailed Amnesiac Virgin (Did you hear the cheers back in the summer when editorial announced it? That really brightened up every author’s day, I can tell you.) Secondly, this book is the result of something of a challenge.

My editor rang me up one day and said she hoped I’d like to write a book for a brand-new mini series they were planning. A series of books based on the stories of the ancient Greek Myths, bringing them right up to date and modernising them. I really wanted to be involved but first I had to find the right story to bring modernise. Weren’t all Greek Myths about monsters and battles and sword fights? But then I remembered the story of Odysseus. A man who goes missing for years and whose wife waits at home, never knowing if he is coming back or not. That was just the inspiration I needed.

And that’s the reason why this title has that intriguing question mark at the end . I have to keep remembering to put it in as I’m always tempted to write just The Good Greek Wife, with no ? And that’s something very different. Because the story of The Good Greek Wife? (I remembered that time) is one of two people who don’t really know each other well enough. They married in haste, in a red haze of passion, and were just beginning to learn about each other when tragedy struck and tore them apart. For years Penny believed that her husband was dead but now he’s back . . . and she doesn’t know if he’s the man she married. Or have the years in between and all that he’s been through changed him – for better or for worse? Zarek, her husband, needs to get to know his wife too, all over again. But has she waited for him faithfully, like Penelope, Odysseus’ wife in the old legend - or has she sided with his enemies, to take over his company? Is she still – or does she still want to be – a Good Greek Wife?

I loved writing this book – it was as I said, a real challenge. And it involved some heavy duty research - like watching the movie Troy once or twice (Brad Pitt, Eric Bana . . it’s a tough job, research!) It was as I was writing this story that I got a new insight into why Harlequin romances are so consistently popular and have been for so long. The emotions and the passions that the authors write about are truly the ‘classic’ emotions - feelings that are as old as time and never change fundamentally, no matter what era or place the book is set in. Whether the hero is an ancient Greek warrior or a Modern Greek Billionaire, the central core of the story – that love conquers all – is always essentially the same. And that’s what makes a classic love story. And a classic love-story is what I hope I've created in A Good Greek Wife?

And I’m so happy to have this book to round off the celebrations for my 25th year as a romance writer. I’m ending this special year on some very happy notes. There’s the publication of A Good Greek Wife? and I just got the news that the book has actually sold out since it was published over here in the UK. So I really hope that it has the same success when it appears in Presents Extra in America. Another sell-out book has been my second edition of the 12 Point Guide To Writing Romance. My publisher tells me there isn’t a single copy left in the warehouse and he’s busy reprinting a 3rd edition which will hopefully be out at the end of this month. I have a new book coming out in March and right now I’m just finishing a new story – another of those ‘challenge’ books ready for another series coming out next year.

It’s been a great 25 years and I’m really looking forward to what’s coming next. And to round of this year I’m running a big contest over on my web site (www.kate-walker.com). This time I’m giving away not just a couple of prizes but 25 prize giveaways, one to mark each year of publication. I can tell you that Sid the Cat who of course helps me pick all the winners to my contests is feeling pretty happy at the thought of having to choose 25 cat crunchies to give me the names of my winners. Of course so that he can do this, I'll need at the very least 25 entries. So I hope you’ll come along and enter. But just for the Romance Bandits I have a special giveaway - I have two signed copies of The Good Greek Wife? and one of my special Kate Walker tote bags to give away to someone who comments today.

Just tell me if you had to modernise a story and turn it into a modern romance – which one would you choose? Would it be another Greek myth – or one of the fairy tales and fables? Or perhaps a tale from Shakespeare or even a nursery rhyme? You never know – you might inspire yourself – or me!

I’ll try to drop in and chat with you as often as I can but I’m travelling today – teaching a workshop in Halifax (that’s Halifax West Yorkshire, not Halifax Nova Scotia) at the weekend and I’m doing a series of 1to1s today. But I’ll hope to connect with the internet – and you all – along the way.

Tiffany Clare Shares Her Brilliant Debut!

by Anna Campbell

It's my great pleasure to introduce a debut author who is no stranger to regular visitors to the lair (because she IS one! We love it when Bandita Buddies make good!).

Tiffany Clare's debut historical romance THE SURRENDER OF A LADY is a scorching hot, clever, intensely sensual, emotional rollercoaster of a story. I read the tempestuous, dramatic story of Lady Elena Ravenscliffe and the man who has never forgotten her, Griffin, Lord Rothburn, in one sitting and then said:

Dazzling, daring and different! Exotic and erotic! THE SURRENDER OF A LADYwill have you turning the pages until you finish, no matter how late it gets. Tiffany Clare is a brilliant new talent in historical romance.

I wasn't the only person bowled over by Tiffany's debut. The reviews have been amazing, including a Top Pick from Romantic Times Book Reviews!


RT said:
Debut author Clare bursts onto the scene with a unique, unforgettable, sensual love story sweeping from the harems of the east to staid Victorian ballrooms. Watch out for this sizzling new talent to rise to the top.

You can find out more about Tiffany and read excerpts from her books at her website: www.tiffanyclare.com

Because Tiffany loves us (she must!), she's very generously giving away...wait for it...FIVE BOOKS TODAY!!! And I'm throwing in a bonus Anna Campbell opus for good measure! So make sure you comment! And don't forget that if you click on the book covers, you can go straight to Amazon and order this fantastic debut!

So without more ado, HERE'S TIFFANY!

Tiffany, huge congratulations on the release of your brilliant debut THE SURRENDER OF A LADY. Can you tell us about this story?

I can’t thank you enough for having me here! It’s very exciting to be blogging with you wonderful gals! THE SURRENDER OF A LADY is about a woman, who’s sold into slavery by her no good husband, to pay off his debts. To be reunited with her infant son, she agrees to become part of a harem where her favors will be sold to the highest paying bidders. She reinvents herself as Jinan, a Turkish princess, and never expects the only man she ever loved to find her in the harem. Nor does she ever expect him to bid for her favors for three months. Rothburn is a man broken and learning to live life one day at a time. His fall started when the one woman he loved married another. It’s been ten years since Elena slipped from his grasp and he’s been on a long road to recovery from opium addiction. When he sees her on auction, he knows he can’t walk away from her again, and he knows he’ll never be able to walk away again, despite the end of their contract looming.

Back cover blurb:

THE PRICE OF PASSION…

Sold. With one word, Lady Elena Ravenscliffe’s destiny changes forever. Forced into Constantinople’s slave market to pay off her late husband’s debts and save her son, Elena reinvents herself as Jinan—a harem girl adored by the rich lords who bid on her favors. But one man instantly sees through her façade.

…IS COMPLETE SURRENDER

Griffin Summerfield, Marquess of Rothburn, let Elena slip through his fingers years ago. When he recognizes her on the auction block, he pays an outrageous sum to possess her even if it is for a short period of time. But when his deadline looms, Griffin will risk all in a desperate bid to make her his—and his alone…

The research for this story must have been fun – I speak from experience because of my courtesan books! Can you tell us some of the surprising and interesting things you unearthed and what resources you found particularly inspirational?

Oh, there was a lot of reading and research for this book. I knew nothing of the time period, the setting I had chosen, and the cultures of the Middle East and East. There was a lot of surprising information I uncovered . . . One thing in particular: Women of all cultures were sold into harems. Fathers with beautiful, nubile daughters, rich men who seized women in wars, pirates who stole women on the high seas, all seeking the a sultan or emperors favor. That was a major source of inspiration for the story. I thought to myself, why not sell my English beauty into a harem? She could be well sought after if this wasn’t your typical harem.

And yes, that was something I had to change. In the harems of the Ottoman Empire, the only man allowed inside the harem women’s quarters was the Sultan or his eunuchs (who were de-manned, so to speak). So I needed a reason for Amir (Jinan’s owner) to not follow this ‘rule.’

I uncovered that the sons born to sultans did not have an easy life. There were often death plots and attempted murders towards those in line for the ‘throne.’ Those not directly in line for the ‘throne’ were kept like prisoners in the dark and survival was slim, and madness common. I mention it very briefly in my book that Amir did not have an easy life growing up and despises how harems work. This is why he won’t impregnate (and thereby be forced to marry) his harem girls. I made his mother English, so he would ‘understand’ Jinan/Elena ‘culturally.’

I also did a lot of research on the opium trade. In the mid-Victorian era, England controlled much of China, and subjugated the population by giving them easy access to addiction—opium (it was banned in England at this time). It took me a long time to figure out Rothburn’s character because I was so focused on Jinan.

One thing I knew was that he had fallen into a dark life. Just think of the type of man he would have had to be to slowly kill off another nation. It’s justifying in a sense that he fell victim to the drug. With the life he led, there is nothing that can shock him (including seeing an English woman on auction in an Ottoman Prince’s harem), nothing that can intimidate him, and most certainly nothing that he won’t take if he wanted it bad enough. He admits freely that he is a man driven by one addiction or another.

Oh dang, this was a question about research, not the psychoanalysis of my characters!

Anyway, that’s just a few of the things I found out. There were many, many more. But I don’t want to bore anyone.

Tiff, I found all that absolutely fascinating! Thank you for sharing it. Here in the lair, we love call stories. Can you tell us yours?

It started with an email. My agent thought she’d tease me with a message that said something like, ‘today is going to be fun,’ then make me suffer a few hours before she called to give me the news that we had an offer! The best part of that was that no one else had offered, which meant drawing up interest to get other editors to respond with either a rejection or another offer. There was bidding for the book. It was full of much tenseness and silent squeeing for a few weeks. Actually, it was the most intense two weeks of my life, but it was totally awesome when St. Martin’s came in with a final offer! I’ve been very blessed with an awesome house, awesome covers, and awesomeness all around. You’d think, as a writer, I could find another adjective! :) But, really, it was totally awesome!

You’re an active blogger with the Vauxhall Vixens (and a regular visitor to the Bandits where we love to see you!). Do you think your web presence has helped your writing career?

I have no idea. I feel a little more connected to the internet romance community as a whole because there are a number of people I’ve met and gotten to know over the years online, but I’m not sure how that translates into helping my career (aside from meeting my amazing critique partners who kick my ass when needed). I’m still a baby in the industry; maybe I’ll have an answer in a few years :)

Can you tell us about your writing journey?

There were lots of ups and downs. It’s not an easy path; you have to really, really want it to help you get past the rejection and deal with the slow pace the industry moves at. For me, I needed writing partners. People—and now my dearest friends—who I was accountable to daily for word counts and finishing the next scene, chapter, and finally the book! I always wanted to publish my first book, but once I got over that (I thank God every day that it wasn’t published), I continued to write, and a few books later… Jinan came along!

What’s coming up next?

THE SEDUCTION OF HIS WIFE. A marriage of convenience and reconciliation story. Emma and Asbury married 12 years ago when they were both incredibly young, she 15 Richard only 19. Richard felt stifled and longed to explore the world and make riches of his own, so he left after their wedding night. Emma grew up, found her passion in life (her art) and she doesn’t really know what to think of her husband’s return…


Back cover blurb:

AN INCONVENIENT SCANDAL...

Emma Hallaway has not seen her husband in twelve years—and that’s fine with her. As a young girl, she’d agreed to a simple marriage of convenience, allowing her to pursue her private passion for painting. And though unknown to the rest of polite society, Emma is now one of the most daring and sought-after artists in London. However, when her secret is threatened to be exposed, Emma is forced to open her heart—and her home—to a total stranger: her husband…

AN UNEXPECTED SURPRISE...

Richard Mansfield, Earl of Asbury, is all too familiar with danger. As a matter of fact, it is hard on his heels when he returns to England. Still, even he is shocked to learn of his wife’s scandalous double life as an artist. But once he sees the vibrant grown woman she has become—so passionate, so strong, and so alluring—his undeniable attraction to Emma stuns him. Suddenly Richard is determined to turn their sham of a marriage into a true and lasting love. But how exactly does a gentleman seduce his own wife?

Wow, Tiff, that sounds fantastic! I can't wait to read it! Thanks so much for giving us some insight into your work! Do you have anything you'd like to ask the Bandits and Bandit Buddies to get conversation started?

What are your favorite tropes in romance? I’m giving away THREE copies of THE SURRENDER OF A LADY, ONE copy of Maggie Robinson’s MISTRESS BY MISTAKE and ONE copy of Courtney Milan’s TRIAL BY DESIRE (North America only).

For our faithful non-American visitors ONLY, I'm giving away a signed copy of the Australian edition of CAPTIVE OF SIN with that wonderfully over the top cover!

So it's a positive plethora of giveaways today! How can you resist? Get commenting people - oh, and please tell us when you comment where you're from so we know which section of the draw to put you in. Remember that's FIVE books to share among North American readers and a bonus CAPTIVE OF SIN for non-American readers! Good luck!

Launch Party!!

It’s party time again in the lair.

Today we’re celebrating Christmas a little early with my October release, SCANDAL OF THE SEASON. So sit back and have the cabana boys bring you some eggnog or any other holiday drink. Sven has his Santa cap on and is giving out free massages.

Scandal of the Season is the book I’d wanted to write ever since I first started writing about a particular secondary character in my first book Every Night I’m Yours. As soon as I started interacting Anthony Somerton with some of the other characters in the book, I knew he must have his own story. Somerton is the most alpha hero I’ve written to date. He's a sarcastic rake who didn’t seem to care about anything. So I immediately knew there must be some dark secret he was keeping from everyone. And there was, it just took me a book or two to figure it out. (yeah, that's my muse for Somerton--Jensen Ackles from Supernatural)

But the issue that held me up was which of the spinsters would be a perfect match for him. Somehow, I just knew that the timid mouse, Victoria Seaton might just be his match. You wouldn’t expect a shy, retiring woman to match wits with a sarcastic rake, right? But Victoria isn’t what she seems. Her entire identity is a fraud, created to make her look better in the eyes of society. And she is far from the timid mouse everyone believes she is.

Here is the back cover for the book:

For ten years, Anthony Westfield, Viscount Somerton, hasn’t been able to forget the woman with whom he spent one scandalous night. When their paths cross again, he’s shocked to discover Victoria Seaton is an accomplished pickpocket. But Somerton leads a double life of his own. Working on an undercover assignment, he makes Victoria a proposition: pretend to be his mistress or risk ruin. Yet soon he’s tempted to turn their charade into reality—and surrender to an explosive passion…

Victoria can’t believe the man who almost destroyed her life a decade ago is now threatening to unravel her secrets. But posing as his mistress at a holiday country party is a game she can play well. For just one look into Somerton’s eyes still weakens her with lust. And with Christmas fast approaching, every kiss they share under the mistletoe only makes Victoria fall more deeply in love…

Now, sit back and tell me what holiday drink you’re enjoying today. While you’re at it, tell me what you think about alpha heroes— like them, hate them, why? And since it’s Christmas in October today, what do you want for holidays (whichever holiday you celebrate).

I'm giving away two copies of Scandal of the Season today. Just leave a comment for a chance to win!

Double Bandita Booty

My apologies for being so late in announcing a winner, but the September 23rd blog posted while I was in Florida and I was running to conference after conference the week I returned. But I'm catching up (Yay!)

The winner from the Key West blog is Barbara E. If you'll send your contact information to DMacWeb@wowway.com, I'll send out a tote bag from Lora Leigh's RAW event with several author's signatures.

The winner of Sunday's blog on books that make us laugh and cry is Minna. Please send your contact information again to Dmacweb@wowway.com and I'll send a copy of Sandra Hill's Desperato.

Thanks to everyone for sharing your comments.

Bandita Favorite: NYT Bestseller Lorraine Heath Returns

Interview with Suz

One of the great parts of being a Romance Bandit is the fun of introducing our friends and readers to new authors, or in this case, a new series by a very much loved author. NYT Bestselling author, Lorraine Heath has been a good friend and great guest to the Bandits since our very first year on the blog. We've traveled into the world of Dickens' grown up street children in her Scoundrels of St. James series with her. Now she's turned her wonderful story telling to a trio of brothers known as London's Greatest Lovers series. And lucky us, the first two books are coming out in November and December!

Suz: Welcome back to the Lair, Lorraine. It's always a pleasure to have you with us. Can you explain the premise behind this new series?

Lorraine: I love writing stories about brothers, but one of the challenges in writing English-set stories is that we usually have only one brother who inherits the title, so I thought it would be fun to have a family where two of the brothers would inherit titles and that the youngest would actually hold the most prestigious title. To tie them all together is their scandalous mother.

Suz: In the PASSIONS Of A WICKED EARL, we meet Morgan, the Earl of Westcliff. Despite already being married, he's cutting a wide path through London's ladies. Why?

Lorraine: On his wedding night, he was betrayed by his new wife and younger brother-the untitled Stephen. Stephen has always resented that he won't inherit a title. Westcliffe has always felt abandoned by their mother because it was obvious she loved Stephen more. So there is a little sibling rivalry going on there. Westcliffe's experience with love, however, has made it difficult for him to accept or give love. He holds himself apart to spare himself pain. Therefore, Claire doesn't really know him-other than his reputation in the bedchamber-and she's rather terrified of him. She and Stephen have always been friends so she turns to Stephen for comfort and that creates a mess for them all.

Suz: Claire is Westcliff's wife. She made a mistake years ago and now needs to find a way to deal with her errant husband. Why?

Lorraine: She's matured. She's no longer a naïve, foolish girl, and she wants to step up and be a true wife to her husband. But he has decided he no longer wants her. Rather than face the scandal of being set aside, she decides to put her efforts into making him desire her. In doing so, she comes to know the man he hides from everyone and falls deeply in love with him.

Suz: One of my favorite parts of reading a Lorraine Heath novel is the depth in which you take the reader into the pathos behind the heroes/heroines lives. How are you able to make Westcliffe a man worthy of finding love and Claire a woman able to teach him about love?

Lorraine: Magic...? You know, I love delving into characters' personalities and motivations. Must come from all those hours of psych courses I took in college. I felt like a man who guarded his heart as closely as Westcliffe does would have a wellspring of love to give if he ever trusted someone not to hurt him. Claire knows what it is to love, longs for love. With her initial betrayal of Westcliffe, she comes to understand the power of her actions so she knows she must demonstrate her love, reveal her heart in order to lure him into revealing his heart.

Suz: In the second book coming out in December (November 30 is the exact release date), PLEASURES Of A NOTORIOUS GENTLEMAN we meet the rakish, badboy second brother, Stephen. (Boy do I love a good badboy!) He is heading off to war in the Crimea. Why is he headed to such a dangerous place with few women for him to pursue and how does the war affect him?

Lorraine: When the Crimean War began, people expected it to be over quickly and for Britain to be victorious. For Stephen, it was simply another ad2venture. One sure to involve Russian women. While readers might expect the war to have a significant impact on Stephen, he is wounded and loses two years of memories-so he doesn't remember fighting, being in a war, being a hero. Therefore, he doubts himself. Was he really a coward? Why else would he not remember what happened?

Suz: Stephen's tomcatting ways come back to haunt him after his return to England, doesn't it?

Lorraine: It certainly does. Mercy shows up on his doorstep with a babe in arms-a babe she claims is his. Stephen, doubting there is any goodness in him at all, seeks to prove himself by marrying her. Mercy was one of Miss Nightingale's nurses. Here is a bit of dichotomy: Stephen desperately wants to remember what happened when he was in the Crimea and Mercy desperately wants to forget what she witnessed there.

Suz: I was rather impressed with the details you gave of the nurses and their roles and duties during the Crimea War. As my friend Anna S. would say, you were "spot-on". What research, other than channeling Florence Nightingale, did you do to get this right?

Lorraine: I read Mark Bostrich's biography on Florence Nightingale. It included information on many of the nurses who traveled with F.N. I also read Thin Red Line which had personal accounts from soldiers and what it was like from their end, waiting for medical help. Then, of course, I have a friend who is a nurse and she's always helpful when I have specific questions. (Wink.)

5,000 British soldiers are buried near the hospital where F.N. worked. It was a horrendous situation. I don't know that I did it justice and it's always a challenge when writing a romance novel not to totally depress the reader with the gruesome realities.

Suz: So the third brother is actually the higher on the nobility food-chain, a duke. When is his story coming out and what is it titled? How do you plan to bring him his HEA?

Lorraine: WAKING UP WITH A DUKE will be out in July 2011. Yes, Ainsley is higher up on the nobility ladder. He has always taken his responsibilities so seriously. He's always acted as though he were the oldest brother, although he's not. But one night, he is terribly irresponsible and it ruins the lives of his long-time friend and his friend's wife. His story involves his efforts to make amends. His devotion to duty and responsibility will motivate his actions-and unfortunately plunge them all deeper into hell. ? Getting them all out is proving quite challenging.

Suz: So, there is a recurring love story going on through these books involving the men's mother and her artist lover, Leo, who I personally think is yummy. Do you have plans for them?

Lorraine:Yes, actually. I had always planned to resolve her story in the third book. Quite honestly, not to ruin anything, I had expected Tessa, the duchess, to end up with the lover of her youth-but like you, Suz, I find Leo so yummy that I'm not quite sure she's going to be able to toss him aside as easily as I'd originally envisioned.

Which brings me to a question for the bandits and your followers: do you prefer a love story where it's clear from the beginning who is destined for a HEA or do you prefer to be left guessing which characters come together until the end?


Drawing prize: $20 giftcard to Borders, B&N, or amazon - winner's choice.

**For those of you who are new to Lorraine, her earlier works, wonderful historicals set in Texas, will be released soon as ebooks. Check out the covers at http://lorraineheath.com/ **

Why I Love Romance...

by Donna MacMeans

I've been in conference mode all week. First with Accounting conferences (zzzzzzz), then - this weekend - the Central Ohio Fiction Writers conference with Suzanne Brockman as the keynote speaker.

Suzanne was great! She's a dynamic speaker and a wonderful teacher as well. As part of her presentation, she asked the 200 or so people in the audience to raise their hand if a romance ever made them laugh or smile.

I think every hand in the room went up. Mine did. Susan Elizabeth Philips never fails to get me smiling. Kristin Higgins, Susan Sey, Susan Heino, Lisa Cooke ...

Then Suzanne asked, "how many have read a romance that brought them to tears?" Again, the hands were raised. Now, I have to admit that while I may feel anxious over a particular romance, they rarely make me cry...but I remember tears tracing a path down my cheeks while I was reading an old Judith McNaught book. Jude Deveraux had me in tears over one of her medieval scenes as well. Newer romances haven't had that effect on me, but that might be the result of my reading choices. I'd rather laugh than cry.

Suzanne then asked, "how many have read a romance that brought them hope or solace during a particularly difficult time?" I was surprised by the number of hands raised, though mine was not one of them. I can't say I've had that particular experience. Reflecting on it, my life has been blessed (knock on wood) so I can't say I found a romance uplifting in the sense of giving hope. Of course, I've always assumed that given sufficient time, all difficulties will work out for the best in the long run. What-doesn't-kill-you-makes-you-stronger sort of philosophy.

So I thought I'd ask you the same questions. Have you read a book that made you laugh or cry? Have you read an uplifting romance that gave solace in a dark time? Spill some titles and share.

I won a basket of books at the conference. To be honest, I forgot I even dropped a raffle ticket in the bag (grin). So let me grab one - here we go - a copy of Sandra Hill's DESPERADO to someone leaving a comment.

Riding the Unicorn

by Kirsten Scott (and her mysterious friend Inara)

My secret identity recently did a blog post entitled "Riding the Unicorn" in which she told all about her recent book tour. Because there is a small chance you aren't all following Inara Scott's blog, and because I wanted an excuse to GIVEAWAY some of the adorable Delcroix Academy notebooks I got while on tour, I decided to post a little about the tour here.

First, let me explain the phrase "Riding the Unicorn." Because this is an adult blog, those of you with dirty minds (Tawny) may find yourself thinking this means something it does not. Riding the unicorn is a phrase coined by my sister, and it means doing something extraordinary -- something so wonderful and unexpected that you never need for it to happen again. If you ride the unicorn once in your life, you can die happy. You don't complain and say, "Man, I can't believe the unicorn only showed up at my window ONCE! What a rip-off!" Instead, you say, "Wow, I can't believe I got to ride a UNICORN!"

That, dear readers, is how it feels to go on a book tour. My tour was relatively short (four cities, six days) and because I'm an unknown debut author, they weren't packing in the aisles to see me at Borders. Nope, for this tour they needed ready-made audiences.

They found them at schools.

Yes, most of my book tour consisted of me showing up at a school, where an assembly of students (mostly eighth grades, but some as young as sixth grade and some as old as seniors) was corralled for me to entertain. I did this primarily by showing them pictures of me as a walrus in the high school musical, and images of the many (many many) rejection letters I received along my path to publication. Oh yeah, and talking about writing and the path to becoming an author. I gave lots of advice about staying in school, persevering, and the need for making your own luck.

The tour also consisted of me being treated like royalty -- or at least like a debut author in a strange city. I was picked up by black town cars and taken to hotels, most of which did not have mice in the restaurant (note I said MOST! eek!). I had a "media escort" in each city to take me from school to school (where I did up to three school visits a day!), and incredible kids made me billboards, bought my books, and generally acted as though I knew something special about writing

(Ha! Did I ever fool them!)

It was incredible. I'd never experienced anything like it before, and I doubt I ever will again. I adored talking to the kids, not to mention the amazing independent booksellers who helped organize the tour, the media specialists and librarians at the schools who had to give time out of their busy day to deal with me, and the teachers who love reading and literature enough to expose their kids to an author who is hardly the next Mark Twain (but sure hopes to entertain along the way).

At each stop along the way, we had these adorable little Delcroix Academy notebooks to hand out.














I have a few notebooks left over, and I'd love to give them away! So tell me about a time you rode the unicorn, OR about a humiliating incident from high school (a la my experience as the Walrus). Five awesome comments win a notebook!

October - Coming Attractions

posted by Donna MacMeans

Prepare yourself for a wild time in the lair this month. We have loads of guests, a launch party and Halloween to celebrate. I've had to restock confetti, streamers, champagne and chocolate - just so we can make it through the month.

We'll start with Lorraine Heath on October 4th. Lorraine and Suz talk about a brand new series Lorraine has titled, LONDON'S GREATEST LOVERS. They'll discuss the series and the first two books, PASSIONS OF A WICKED EARL and PLEASURES OF A NOTORIOUS GENTLEMAN. Don't miss these very sexy brothers!



Tighten the bolts on the chandelier! Christie is launching SCANDAL OF THE SEASON on October 5th. Talk about a hot cover! Our launch party might well be the scandal of this season (grin).



On Wednesday, October 6th, Anna Campbell hosts debut historical author Tiffany Clare. We'll be talking about Tiffany's sizzling October release THE SURRENDER OF A LADY. (I do love meeting new debut authors, don't you?)

On October 7th Banditas Kim Howe and Jeanne Adams will talk about their fabulous experiences at Writers Police Academy in Greensboro, NC.

Lair favorite Kate Walker will be back on October 8th to talk about her new - and slightly different - Harlequin Presents Extra novel THE GOOD GREEK WIFE? She'll be telling us why the question mark is very important and why this novel is a bit different - and rounding out the celebration of her 25th year in publishing. (Yay Kate!)



October 12th, another bandita favorite, Dianna Love, returns to the lair with a prelude to the spooky Halloween season and things that go bump in the night, as we talk about the unexplainable and give a sneak peak of her latest colaboration with Sherrilyn Kenyon, BLOOD TRINITY, first in the Belador series.

Madeline Hunter joins us on October 16th to chat about her new release, SINFUL IN SATIN. (That heroine sure looks sinful in pink!)

Breaking News Janet Mullaney will join us on October 17th to talk about Jane Austen and vampires - what a perfect month for her to guest blog! (sorry no cover picture)

My old friend, Cathy Mann, will join us again on October 19th. THE MAVERICK PRINCE will be out in November, so we're diving a little ahead, but look at this cover!!! Well worth the anticipation!



After talking about Cathy's November release, it won't be much of a stretch to look forward to Christmas and WICKED WONDERLAND. Luann McLane will join us on October 21st to talk about this fun anthology. Three bestselling authors steam up the pages with sexy tales of women who earn spots on Santa's naughty list...



Desire author Jules Bennett will take us FROM BOARDROOM TO WEDDING BED on October 23rd. Priorities becomes skewed when faced with blackmail...will Cole Marcum risk his heart once again to confront the truth from the past?



All in the lair know about the Adam's legendary Halloween parties. With a name like Adams, can we expect anything less? We'll close out October with a bang as Jeanne Adams invites us to celebrate her favorite holiday, Halloween.

This month's contests:

After the huge success of Anna Campbell’s last contest where she gave away a pile of signed books, she’s doing it all again in her latest website contest. The question is really easy. Other than English, please name three languages in which Anna’s books are available. You might just find the answer on this page of her website: http://www.annacampbell.info/about.html She’ll choose TWO winners at random and those lucky entrants will receive signed copies of:

MY RECKLESS SURRENDER by Anna Campbell

DARK AND DEADLY by Jeanne Adams

NINE RULES TO BREAK WHEN ROMANCING A RAKE by Sarah Maclean

THE WICKED MARQUIS by Miranda Neville

PROOF BY SEDUCTION by Courtney Milan

Either WHAT HAPPENS IN LONDON or THE DUKE AND I by Julia Quinn

Good luck! The contest closes 30^th November, 2010. Email your answers toanna@annacampbell.info For more information, please visit Anna’s contest page:http://www.annacampbell.info/contest.html

It's a full exciting month in the Lair. Don't miss a day of it!