Jaunty P. Quills here, having a chat with Kristan Higgins, who has rectified her mistakes of the past and finally written a porcupine hero. Kristan, welcome.

Kristan: Thanks, Jaunty!

JPQ: UNTIL THERE WAS YOU hits the shelves today, and I understand it features a certain smokin’ hot porcupine named Liam, who has returned to the town where he once rendered women helpless with love.

KH: Yep. Except that Liam is a human.

JPQ: Excuse me? I—a human. Oh. Well, Posey’s a porcupine, right?

KH: Yeah…no. All the characters are people. But really interesting people, Jaunty.

JPQ: Is that supposed to make me feel better?

KH: So yes, it’s the story of the return of the bad boy and the woman whose heart he broke a long time ago. Except that Posey and Liam never back then…she was a scrawny, awkward kid, and he was the bad-boy king of testosterone. But Liam remains the only man who’s ever broken Posey’s heart, and she’s less than thrilled to see him back in town again…with the same effect he had on her back then.

JPQ: I understand Liam has a daughter. Is she a  porcupine, at least?

KH: Well, sometimes, in the way that most teenage girls can be prickly.

JPQ: Great. Another metaphor. I’ll just make a noose here…don’t mind me.

KH: You bet, Jaunty. One of the things I wanted to do with this book was look at the Bad Boy classic and maybe twist it a little bit. We women love the idea that we can tame the Bad Boy and make him into a perfect husband, that true love can change the most difficult, wounded hearts. Sigh! But Liam’s tried that already. He really loved Emma, the golden girl of high school, and truly believed that he’d found his happily ever after. Didn’t work out the way he thought it would.

JPQ: So what about Posey? What’s her deal? Oh, sorry. I’m not at all interested. I’m busy hacking at my little porcupine wrists.

KH: Great question! Posey always feels a little…second best. Her brother’s a doctor, her cousin is a celebrity chef, which her restaurant-owning parents view as a Loaves-and-Fishes type miracle. She knows she’s grown up a lot since high school, but she’s not sure Liam’s any different from the playah he was back then. She thought she’d glimpsed a secret side of him, but his actions kind of erase that notion. Then again, maybe not.

JPQ: Go ahead. Give us an excerpt. You know you want to.

KH: I do! Thanks, Jaunty! You’re the best! Give us a kiss, will you?

JPQ: Absolutely not. And no hugging either, Higgins. Jeesh.

KH: Have it your way. So prickly today! Okay, to set the scene, here’s Posey, age 15, learning that Liam, age 17, will be working in her parents’ restaurant.

And then came that miraculous day when she tore into the kitchen of Guten Tag for her after-school strudel fix, and he was there. Him! Liam Declan Murphy! Was here! In her parents’ kitchen! She could smell him…oil and soap and just the slightest hint of something warm and spicy, like pumpkin pie.

Posey managed to close her mouth, abruptly aware that it was hanging open. Her backpack slipped from her limp fingers, alerting her mother to her arrival.

“Oh, hi, sweetheart! Liam, this is our daughter, Cordelia,” Mom said. “But everyone calls her Posey.”

“Niih,” Posey breathed. This was amazing! God so loved her!

“Hey,” he said.

“Liam will be working here in the kitchen,” her father said. “Washing dishes, cleaning up.”

“I…that’s…hi,” Posey said. Working here? Unbelievable! They’d become friends, she could see it immediately. They’d hang out, Liam would grin and talk about those dumb popular kids. They’d become BFFs…then, yes, she could see it so clearly, they’d fall in love. High school would be a dream of happiness. Prom queen, okay? No more invisibility, no more slinking through the halls. He’d wait for her to graduate, then they’d head off for the same college. Get married, have a house on the water, make out every single night. Oh, Elvis Presley, they’d sleep in the same bed!

JPQ: Okay. I admit it, I can relate. I once loved a certain beautiful porcupine from afar back in Minnesota, and we—

KH: Thanks for having me, Jaunty! Oh, and I’d love to give away a prize to someone who leaves a comment…how about this cute mug and a copy of MY ONE AND ONLY, in which I specifically use the word “porcupine.” Thanks, gang!

Kristan

www.kristanhiggins.com

www.Facebook.com/KristanHigginsBooks

To buy UNTIL THERE WAS YOU from Amazon, click here

To buy from Barnes & Noble, click here

To by from a local, indie bookstore, click here

Hellooooooo, Jaunty Readers! It’s me, Jaunty P. Quills, P.E. (Porcupine Extraordinaire) I have returned from the land of Facebook to regale you with daring tales of my latest extremely courageous exploits. I—eek! It’s the New Jaunty Quill!

Secret Jaunty: *blinks at Jaunty behind purple mask* *flips cape dramatically* Hello, Jaunty. I, too, have been off on extremely courageous exploits. Adventures reaching far into Romancelandia! Escapades that will take your breath away! Dangerous missions that will—

Jaunty P. Quills, P.E.: How should we refer to you? Is Miss Secret Jaunty, okay?

Secret Jaunty: Yeah, Miss Secret Jaunty is fine. Actually…perhaps it should be Mrs. Secret Jaunty, as I’ve hinted that I am married. Wouldn’t want my husband to disapprove of my mystery name, you know.

Jaunty P. Quills, P.E.: So tell us how you like being part of the Jaunty Quills so far. Especially tell us how you like the JQ’s resident mascot—that cute, lovable porcupine.

Secret Jaunty: I love being part of the Jaunty Quills! Not only are the other authors fabulous, but the readers here are wonderful, too! *smiles* As for the resident mascot, I must tell you that I’ve recently tried to convince my daughter that bunnies are out and porcupines are in, but… Unfortunately, she’s not having it.

Jaunty P. Quills, P.E.: As you know, we’re having a contest and giving away 12 signed books and an Amazon gift card for $50. You’ve seen some of the guesses. Has anyone guessed correctly yet?

Secret Jaunty: Why, yes. Yes, they have. Wait, it is okay that I say that, right?

Jaunty P. Quills, P.E.: We already know you like listening to the oldies, you’re from Texas, you’re married, have kids, and like motorcycles (vrroom, vrroom—you should see my motorcycle!). Can you tell us anything else about yourself?

Secret Jaunty: Ooh, Jaunty, you have a motorcycle! No one told me this! I knew there was a reason you’re my favorite porcupine. Let’s see…something else about myself. I’ve never been outside the United States, which is a sad, sad truth. Well, unless you count the time my family drove across the border to Mexico to do some tourist shopping and my older brother almost got run over by a truck. There is that.

Something else…I was almost eaten by a great white shark. It’s true! My family and my aunt’s family went to North Padre (*ahem* apparently South Padre was not en vogue that year) for a vacation. While the adults MAYBE had a few too many wine coolers and MAYBE fell asleep on the beach lying beneath the sun, my brother and my two cousins and me drifted far out into the ocean on an inner tube. So far, in fact, we nearly lost sight of the land! I’m sure there were sharks nearby. I used to watch Shark Week, and I know they’re EVERYWHERE. Fortunately, my brother (who, that day, I was grateful had not been run over by that truck in Mexico) saved the day by swimming to shore, alerting my uncle to the fact that we actually needed help and no, we were not just waving hello from WAY out in the ocean, and we were all rescued. Of course, as a younger sister I don’t usually remind him that he saved my life once, because there was the time that he nearly killed me when we were riding a snowmobile…but that’s a story for another day.

Jaunty P. Quills, P.E.: Tell us about your most recent book. But change the details so you retain your ano…anony…

Secret Jaunty: Anonymity, Jaunty?

Jaunty P. Quills, P.E.: Right. So maybe you could call your hero Jaunty and your heroine Secret Quill. (flutters eyelashes).

Secret Jaunty: *stares enviously at Jaunty’s long, thick, luxurious eyelashes* *mutters* Of course, I can! *mutters again*

In my most recent book, my hero—Jaunty—and my heroine—Secret Quill—fall in love. As this is a romance novel, that shouldn’t be a big surprise. However, what really sets this book apart is that Jaunty and Secret Quill have both been married before, so this is a second chance at love kind of story. Neither Secret Quill nor Jaunty are looking to fall in love again due to what happened with their previous spouses, but you know that Jaunty… he just has a way about him (I think it’s those sharp shiny quills—they make him appear very debonair, you know), and Secret Quill can’t help but love him. Fortunately for Jaunty, he is successful at Romancing the Secret Quill, and they have a very wonderful and very beautiful happily ever after.

Jaunty P. Quills, P.E.: Have you figured it out yet, readers? One more question. Have you ever blogged with the Jaunty Quills before? Have you been a past guest?

Secret Jaunty: I have, indeed! Once in 2010 and once in 2011. *eyes Jaunty* Speaking of sharp shiny quills, since I’m part of the group does that mean I get to touch them now? *extends hand* Ow! Okay, okay, I guess that’s a no-no. Warning, readers. Never touch the quills, even if he does look adorable.

Jaunty P. Quills, P.E.: And that’s it, readers! Post your comments and guesses. Here’s a recap of the rules.

Everyone who guesses will be entered to win a gift certificate for $50 to Amazon.com. Those who guess correctly will also be entered to win a signed copy of a book from each of us (that’s 12 signed books!). In the unlikely event that no one guesses correctly, the first person who is randomly chosen from our secret Jaunty Quill’s posts will win and get to choose her prize.

We’ll reveal the new Jaunty’s name, and the winners on Sunday, October 2nd. So visit us all through the month of September, and don’t forget to comment on all of those Guess the Jaunty blogs to enter the contest!

Hello, it’s me, Jaunty P Quills, Porcupine Extraordinaire. The Jaunties are in New York with moi, and I thought you might like to know what we’re up to.

Catherine Kean claimed she wasn’t coming to the Big Apple, but she has been spotted—incognito, of course—sitting at the bar with La Nora. They were drinking whiskey and whispering. I heard something about an anthology.

Cindy Kirk, our resident wild child, interrupted the annual literacy signing Tuesday evening to serenade us with her rendition of Sinatra’s “New York, New York.” It was truly rousing.

Emily McKay crashed the Harlequin party with two men who looked suspiciously like Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones from “Men in Black.” The rumor is alien babies are the new hot thing. Perhaps that was the topic for Catherine and Nora’s anthology…

Janette Kenny showed the Quills how two-stepping is really done at the Pig and the Whistle Tuesday evening. She danced on the bar a la “Coyote Ugly.”

Katherine Garbera and I had lunch at a famous deli known for its pine cone sandwiches. We were spotted by none other than Woody Allen and Katie Couric. They asked if they could guest blog. Katherine said she might be able to find them a spot.

Kathryn Smith and I attended the Avon party and drank way too much with Eloisa James and Julia Quinn. There was a hot tub later…

And that’s where we met up with Kristan Higgins. This girl plays like she’s all sweet and innocent, but in a hot tub with Jaunty, all bets are off. Oh, and she wore her Rita dress from last year. It even looks good wet!

Margo Maguire took me sightseeing. We went to the top of the Empire State Building. I admit, I was sort of expecting a proposal from Margo because I know how she loves me. Alas, she made a futile attempt to throw me off the top.

I survived to have dinner with Nancy Robards Thompson. You may not know this about Nancy, but she has connections. We dined at a suite in the Plaza…in matching peignoirs. Mine was very masculine, of course.

Robyn DeHart invited me to have tea with her, and we brainstormed ideas for her next book. I promised I wouldn’t reveal too much, but I can give you a little info. It features a very sexy, peignoir wearing porcupine. We’re not sure about the title, but The Porcupine Tycoon’s Hot Tub is a contender.

Then there was Shana Galen. Shana and I are seeing Wicked together tonight. She thinks she’s going with Ultimate Sportsfan. Silly, Shana!

Last, but not at all least, is Terri brisbin, one of my favorite Quills. I interrupted her chatting with Anna Campbell and Teresa Medeiros. Something about working on a new idea together…But I insisted she escort me to the Statue of Liberty. Terri, ever chivalrous, agreed. But somehow we lost each other while waiting for a cab.

And now, Jaunty Readers, you have the full, truthful scoop from New York!

Madeline Hunter graciously offered signed copies of the first three books in The Rarest Blooms series, or, if preferred, a choice of another backlist title.

The winner of those books is. . . . JANE!

Jane – I’ll email you with info! Congrats and thanks to everyone who visited while Madeline was our guest here!

Welcome, Margaret Mallory!

When I started my research for my new Scottish series, THE RETURN OF THE HIGHLANDERS, I expected to find clan feuds, rebellions, royal intrigues, and larger-than-life historical figures I could include in my book. Happily, I found these in abundance in the Western Isles in the year 1513. But I also discovered something I didn’t expect: chieftains in the Western Isles changed wives with a frequency that rivaled Henry VIII.

Although they were good Christians, of course, these chieftains didn’t let the rules of the church interfere with their Gaelic traditions. The times were violent and chieftains needed heirs, so that was often their excuse for “putting aside” one wife for another. Other times, a chieftain might change wives when he changed alliances—and these clans changed alliances all the time.

Women could leave their husbands as well, though this did not always work to their advantage. I came across a couple instances where married heiresses were kidnapped and forced to divorce their husbands so they could marry their captors.

As you might guess, the chieftains’ blended families did not always get along. When I found the MacDonalds of Sleat, I knew I had the clan for my series. The first chieftain had six sons by six high-born women, and the animosity between these six half-brothers led to two generations of violence and murder. Yes!

In THE GUARDIAN, Book 1 of this series, my four warriors return home after years in France to find their chieftain dead, their clan in peril, and the worst of the half-brothers in the chieftain’s castle. Saving the clan from disaster is not the only daunting task facing my first hero, Ian MacDonald. He must also win the bride he thought he didn’t want.

Ian left for France immediately after his uncle, the former chieftain, put a dirk to his back and forced him to say wedding vows to Sìleas, an awkward and unattractive thirteen-year-old heiress. When Ian returns, he changes his mind about the marriage:

“What are ye doing in my bed, Ian MacDonald?” Sìleas lit the candle and turned furious eyes on him.

“It’s my bed, too,” he said.

“How dare ye come in here and think ye can have your way with me.”

“You’re my wife,” Ian said. “That means I can have my way with ye.”

“So I’m your wife now, am I? Ye didn’t think so before.” She folded her arms beneath her breasts, and his throat went dry.

“I’m ready to take ye for my wife now.” He swung his legs over the side of the bed and gave her a slow look up and down. “Quite ready.”

“Are ye now? And what has made ye come to this decision after all this time?”

She was tapping her foot, not a good sign. Ach, Sìl even had pretty ankles. He stood up and pulled her against him. Finally, she seemed at a loss for words.

“We are going to bed eventually, Sìl,” he said against her ear. “Don’t make me wait.”

 I hope readers enjoy Ian and Sìleas’s adventurous love story in THE GUARDIAN.

 ★ ★ ★ ★ ½ TOP PICK! Mallory’s “passionate tale grabs the reader and doesn’t let go.” ~ RT Book Reviews

“A sizzling romance with high impact adventure that captures the Scotland readers long for…I am impatiently awaiting the next of this spectacular series!” ~ Fresh Fiction

A Perfect 10! “[An] extraordinary novel…with the intoxicating combination of fearless warriors, loyal family, and the unmistakable pull of the Scottish Highlands.” ~ The Season

I’d love to respond to comments or questions. I’ll give a signed copy of THE GUARDIAN to one of the commenters. You can find more information about me and my books @www.MargaretMallory.com.

Jaunty P. Quills here, talking to Kristan “Not My Favorite Quill” Higgins about My One & Only, which comes out tomorrow. Finally, a book about me, in which Kristan examines her feelings toward a certain porcupine. Am I right, Kristan?

Kristan: Yes.

JPQ: And in this story, you and I reunite–after a long separation–during a wedding in beautiful Glacier National Park?

KH: Mm-hm.

JPQ: Where we fall in love once more, despite our past differences.

KH: Yes. That’s it exactly.

JPQ: Finally! Other Quills, take note! It’s about time I got my—

KH: Actually, let me jump in here. There is a destination wedding, and it does take place in Montana, and in a sense, yes, there is a porcupine in the book. So let’s say your spirit is represented in the form of divorce attorney Harper James, who’s less than thrilled to be seeing Nick, her ex-husband, after twelve peaceful years without him.

JPQ: (Silence). So I’m not in it?

KH: Metaphorically, you are.

JPQ: Metaphorically? You think you can fool me with that, Higgins? Fine. It’s not like I have feelings. I’m just a simple porcupine. Go on, go on, tell us about the book, and don’t mind me while I suck a little carbon monoxide.

KH: Thanks, Jaunty! Okay, well, Harper and Nick married young and found that marriage was more complicated than two kids in love. Heartbreak and a quicky divorce ensue, and Harper figures she’s lived and learned. But when her stepsister tells her she’s marrying Nick’s brother, the long-estranged couple is thrown together as maid of honor and best man at the wedding. The instant they lay eyes on each other, Harper can smell doom. Nick has always known her weak spots…but she knows his, too. When her travel plans break down, Harper finds her only option is an impromptu road trip with the last man on earth with whom she wants to spend time.

JPQ: Look at you, showing off your fancy grammar.

KH: My mom’s an editor. She’ll ground me if I end a sentence with a preposition.

JPQ: Go ahead, you know you want to. Give us an excerpt from the book. I’ll just be over here, throwing myself off this high branch.

KH: I would love to share an excerpt, Jaunty! Thank you!

I could practically feel scales break out on my body as I walked down the aisle. Nick stared at me, his gypsy eyes narrowed. I narrowed my own eyes back. Jerk. Christopher gave me a shy little nod and a half-smile. Sure, he was sweet. All of Willa’s husbands had been sweet.

There. I arrived at the altar and didn’t look at Nick.

“I thought I asked you not to infect them,” he murmured. “What were you doing? Giving closing arguments?”

“I was trying to infuse some common sense into the proceedings,” I ground out.

“You make me sad,” he said.

“And you make me feel like kicking you in the shins,” I returned.

I could feel the irritation crackling off him. He glanced at me, then dropped his gaze to my low-cut dress, where the boobage was so generously displayed. “Thanks for the show,” he said.

“Bite me, Nick,” I muttered.

JPQ: Well! Now that I’ve read this, I see that yes, you really do represent me! Hear that, other Quills? Kristan put me in a book, metaphorically speaking. Time for the rest of you to pony up! Readers, leave a comment, and I’ll make Kristan send one of you something fun—a t-shirt of My One & Only and a signed copy of the book.

KH: Thanks, Jaunty. Are we friends?

JPQ: Down, girl. Let’s not get ahead of ourselves.

Jaunty P. Quills: Hello! It’s me, Jaunty P. Quills, Porcupine Extraordinaire. Did you miss me? Never mind. Of course, you did! I missed you too. In fact, I cut my vacation short when I heard Robyn DeHart has a new book out and (pine cone roll, please)…it’s about me! Finally, my favorite Quill, Robyn (hear that, Kristan Not-My-Favorite Higgins?), has seen fit to immortalize me. I must say, this is long overdue.

Robyn: Jaunty, I hate to disappoint you, but you aren’t featured in my book.

Jaunty P. Quills: I don’t understand! I read on your website the book features an exciting adventure whereby two legend hunters search for a legendary beast. Darling, look no further. I am that legendary beast (wink, wink).

Robyn: Oh, I see what you’re thinking. But no, you’re not that legendary beast.

Jaunty P. Quills: If the book isn’t about moi, which I find very hard to believe—it’s okay to flatter me, Robyn—what is it about?

Robyn: I’m so glad you asked since that is why we’re doing this interview, to talk about my book. *clears throat* So Treasure Me is set in the Highlands of Scotland along the shores of Loch Ness and is the third in my Legend Hunters series. It’s about Graeme Langford, an English duke who feels more connected to his Scottish roots. He’s on a quest to find the legendary Stone of Destiny. Vanessa Pembrooke is a runaway bride fleeing England from her cheating fiancé and runs to Scotland to finally conduct some hands-on research as a paleontologist. When their paths cross we get lots of chemistry, a few actual explosions and a potentially deadly search for a lost treasure.

Jaunty P. Quills: So let me get this straight. The book isn’t about me?

Robyn: Jaunty! Have you even been to Scotland?

Jaunty P. Quills: I’m actually a little afraid of the Loch Ness monster. Once my Uncle Jolly visited the area near Loch Ness and was never seen again. I don’t mean to brag, but porcupines are rather tasty.

Robyn: I’m not exactly sure how to respond to that, Jaunty. If it makes you feel any better I’ve never had any porcupine, alligator, yes, but never once porcupine.

Jaunty P. Quills: Obviously this interview isn’t going as planned. And we all know who’s responsible for that…someone—ahem, Robyn Not-My-Favorite DeHart—didn’t send me an advance copy of the book.

Robyn: I was trying to save you from nightmares, Jaunty. After you read Seduce Me, you were so afraid of the Raven, you couldn’t sleep.

Jaunty P. Quills: I don’t know what you’re talking about. (whispering) He’s not in this one, is he?

Robyn: Well, yes, he is. He was such a great villain and already introduced into the Legend Hunter world so it seemed fitting to have him come after Graeme and Vanessa. And I should probably warn you, he’s deadlier than ever in this book.

Jaunty P. Quills: Robyn, you’re scaring me! Rather, you would be if I wasn’t so strong and heroic. I would make a great hero (right, Margo My-New-Favorite Maguire?).

Robyn: Okay, how about this, Jaunty. I’ll share a little sneak peek of the book to see if you like it. And for the rest of you, one lucky commenter today will win the entire Legend Hunters trilogy.

A hand clasped her wrist.
“Looking for something?”
In one quick movement she found herself flipped over the bed and upon her back, a large and heavy and very seductive husband atop her.
“I merely thought to—“
“To steal my treasure,” he said, his voice dark and full of sinful promise.
She shivered in response.
Desire coursed through her, making her focus on his every breath. Graeme’s arm tightened around her, pulling her into his body so that her bottom nestled snugly against his legs.
Hot breath slid across her neck and down her shoulder as he leaned closer. His well-muscled chest pressed to her back. Even without the benefit of seeing it in the movement, she knew what that chest looked like. Knew every sinewy line that traced the hard muscles of his abdomen.
He kissed her neck. One hot, moist kill that proved to be her complete undoing. She knew in that moment that she would not leave this bed tonight.

Robyn: Thank you, Jaunty, for an interesting interview. I can’t celebrate a release without giving away a book, so one lucky person will win autographed copies of the entire Legend Hunters series, that’s SEDUCE ME, DESIRE ME and TREASURE ME. Comment to win!

is Lori Ann!

Congrats!

Email Shana at shana@shanagalen.com with your address, and she’ll send a signed copy!

Jaunty P. Quills: Hello! This is Jaunty P. Quills, Porcupine Extraordinaire! I am here with author Shana Galen, and we’re discussing her new book The Making of a (cuts eyes to glaring Shana)…Porcu—

Shana: Jaunty!

Jaunty P. Quills:Gentleman! The Making of a Gentleman.

Shana: I knew it. I only agreed to this interview so you would stop harassing all the squirrels in my yard.

Jaunty P. Quills: And throwing pine cones at your window all night. Don’t forget that.

Shana: I haven’t. But you promised you would actually talk about the book.

Jaunty P. Quills: And Jaunty P. Quills, Porcupine Extraordinaire always keeps his promises. So, Shana, I understand there are no porcupines in this, your latest porcupine-less, novel.

Shana: (Sigh). That’s right, Jaunty. As usual, my books are about people, not porcupines.

Jaunty P. Quills: That’s Jaunty P. Quills to you, Shana. Might I ask why you have this aversion to porcupines?

Shana: No. You could ask me about the book.

Jaunty P. Quills: What about it? We already know it doesn’t have any porcupines.

Shana: You could ask me about the plot or where I got my inspiration…

Jaunty P. Quills: I already know the plot. The hero (who is not a porcupine, by the way) has been in prison for twelve years. He was imprisoned after some little uprising in France—

Shana: The French Revolution.

Jaunty P. Quills: Whatever. And when he’s finally set free and living in England—does England have porcupines or only hedgehogs?—he’s unable to speak, communicate, and he doesn’t know about wearing cravats or holding forks.

Shana: Manners. And that’s where Felicity, the heroine, comes in.

Jaunty P. Quills: Just FYI, she’s not a porcupine.

Shana: Anyway! She’s been hired to tutor Armand and, they fall in love.

Jaunty P. Quills: But what about the bad guys? Of course, the bad guys are never porcupines—

Shana: Except on this blog.

Jaunty P. Quills: —they show up and threaten everything. My little quills were actually all aquiver with worry for Armand and Felicity.

Shana: Really, Jaunty? That’s the nicest thing you’ve ever said to me.

Jaunty P. Quills: I keep telling you I’m nice, and you keep saying you’ll put a porcupine in one of your books…

Shana: I have never said that. But I think everyone reading this has suffered enough and deserves to be rewarded with a chance to win a copy of The Making of a Gentleman. Just comment below. Tell us—

Jaunty P. Quills: Your favorite prickly mammal.

Shana: Or what has you excited about Fall. I know I’m excited about all the books out this month!

Hiya!  It’s Jaunty P. Quills again, back for the second consecutive day. Hmm… I’m thinking maybe we should talk about changing the name of this gig to something like Sisterhood of Adoration for Jaunty P. Quills. Has a nice ring to it, huh? But I suppose that’s another matter for another day. Right now, I’m here with our very own Nancy Robards Thompson, ready to dish about her about her brand new Silhouette Special Edition, Accidental Father. Hey, Nancy! What do ya think about the proposed name change?

Nancy: Jaunty, you know we adore you, but I think the others Quills will agree we should leave the blog’s name alone.

Jaunty: Ah, you’re breaking my heart. Will you at least salve my wounds by sharing the inside scoop on your inspiration for Accidental Father? <nudge, nudge, wink, wink>

Nancy: I’d love to! Thanks for asking. Actually, three separate components led to the inspiration for this story—

Jaunty: What? I thought I was your one and only muse? I’m crushed.

Nancy: You’re a funny guy, J. Now, to answer your question — Julianne and Alex’s story first gelled after my daughter’s flute teacher said, “Hey, why don’t you write a story about a flutist?”   And I said, “Hey! Why not?”  Then, around the same time, I’d stumbled upon a sad news story about a young woman who was killed in the line of duty as she did humanitarian work in war-torn Afghanistan; and another story about an organization that was bringing music education into the lives of inner-city children who couldn’t afford instruments and lessons. The three ideas melded and emerged as Accidental Father, a story about three unlikely people coming together to make a family. But don’t worry, it’s not a sad story. It’s a tale of the redemptive powers of love.

Jaunty: Ahhh, l’amour …

Nancy: I know. That’s why I love writing romance.

Jaunty: So how did you blend those elements into one book? I mean, what’s Accidental Father about?

Nancy: Here’s the back-cover blurb:

All Julianne Waterford knew about Alex Lejardin was that he’d rejected her sister and never claimed their baby, Liam, as his own. But she didn’t know that he was a royal—or that he’d never known the child existed. And from the moment she saw Alex’s unexpected tenderness for his son, Julianne discovered that the not-so-wicked royal posed a passionately tempting danger…to her.

Alex always felt guilty for letting Liam’s mother walk away for good, and vowed to do whatever it took to be a father to the son he hadn’t known he had. But earning Julianne’s trust was a formidable task he’d never expected. And winning her heart was a challenge he couldn’t resist….

Jaunty: Yowsa! That sounds like good read.

Nancy: Well, thank you! I hope so. RT Book Reviews liked it. They gave it 4½ stars (out of five). Reviewer Melanie Bates says:

“When Julianne Waterford confronts French attorney Alex Lejardin, she expects to be in and out of his office within a few hours with a commitment from him to support Liam, his son by her late sister. Instead, her life takes an unexpected turn as she and Liam end up staying with Alex’s family on his home island of St. Michel. Though Alex is the enemy, as his intent is to keep Liam with him, Julianne falls for him. Alex is amazed at the change in his life now that Liam and Julianne are in it and he soon finds he doesn’t want to live without them. This heartwarming story with strong, genuine characters and a strong plot to match is definitely hard to put down.”

Jaunty: So, this is the third book you’ve set in St. Michel, right? Where is this place?

Nancy: I see you’ve been reading my books, Jaunty. I’m impressed! Thank you!

Jaunty: Yep! Do I get a kiss for that? <puckering>

Nancy: No.<giving him the hand> But you do get my undying gratitude. Come on, let’s stay focused. You asked about St. Michel. Accidental Father is the third book (joining Accidental Princess and Accidental Cinderella) set on the fictional island of St. Michel. I’ve imagined it to be right off the coast of France… and very similar to Monaco. Accidental Father is available now, and there will be one more in this series – Accidental Heiress – out in November 2010. There may even be a few surprises after that, but it’s too soon to say.

Jaunty: Thanks for giving us the Accidental scoop, Nancy. Now if you could help me accidentally change the name of this blog -

Nancy: Jaunty, you’re impossible! It’s a good thing we all love you so much. Thanks for interviewing me!

Jaunty: Wait, aren’t you giving away any free stuff?

Nancy: That’s a great idea! How about if I give away the first two books in the Accidental series? One copy each of Accidental Princess and Accidental Cinderella. I’ll draw a name from all who post today and send the books to the winner. You can post about anything – your plans for the 4^th; how your day’s going; or you can just say, ‘Hi!” Whatever you feel like. I’ll post the winner’s name tomorrow.