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.    

Hello! It’s me, Jaunty P. Quills, and I am so honored to accept this award. I want to thank my mother, my agent, the Academy—

Robyn: Jaunty, this is a lovely speech, but…I just can’t do it.

Terri: I hate to break it to you, Jaunty. You didn’t win an award.

Jaunty: Yes, I did! I won…well, I don’t know what I won, but look at the title of this blog. I won something.

Kristan: You didn’t win, Jaunty.

Katherine: You’re announcing the winner.

Jaunty: The winner? I’m the winner.

Jan: No, Jaunty. You’re announcing the winner of the Sony e-reader.

Jaunty: E-reader? What are you talking about! I won.

Margo: Okay, Jaunty, just calm down. Here’s a pine nut.

Shana: While he’s distracted, I want to congratulate Lulu (lnichols2000…). You’re the randomly chosen e-reader winner! Contact me at shana@shanagalen.com with your address, and I’ll mail you the Sony E-Reader ASAP.

Kate: Congrats, Lulu!

Nancy: If you didn’t win, don’t forget to check back often. We do lots of giveaways and will have another big one soon.

Emily: We’re planning it as we post this.

Catherine: It’s going to be good.

Jaunty: Another giveaway? Can I win that one?

Cindy: No, Jaunty. You’re not eligible to win.

Jaunty: (sniff) Fine. But I’m not done here. I’ll be back tomorrow. Tune in when I interview Nancy Robards Thompson about her July Silhouette Special Edition, Accidental Father. RT Book Reviews gives it 4 ½ stars and says: “…This heartwarming story with strong, genuine characters and a strong plot to match is definitely hard to put down.”

Now scroll down to read Kate’s blog about Canada Day!

”

The Jaunties are kicking off summer with a contest! We’re giving away a Sony e-reader, and all you have to do to win is comment on the blogs you read here every day. A winner will be randomly picked from all those who comment until Wednesday, June 30. So the more you comment, the more chances you have to win! Keep visiting and keep commenting. Not only could you win a Sony e-reader, you won’t miss any of the dish on books, life, and (of course!) me, Jaunty P Quills, Porcupine Extraordinaire.

Hello! It’s me, Jaunty P. Quills. Yes, I’m still upset with Shana (read below). She’s a tricky one. But the other Quills convinced me to return, just briefly–like a cameo–to announce I’m having a contest! Or, rather, the Jaunties are kicking off summer with a contest.

I’m–I mean, they’re–giving away a Sony e-reader, and all you have to do to win is comment on the blogs you read here every day. A winner will be randomly picked from all those who comment between Monday, June 14 and Wednesday, June 30. So the more you comment, the more chances you have to win! Keep visiting and keep commenting. Not only could you win a Sony e-reader, you won’t miss any of the dish on books, life, and (of course!) me, Jaunty P Quills, Porcupine Extraordinaire.

Hello! It’s me, Jaunty P. Quills, Porcupine Extraordinaire! Miss me? I’ve been away on sabbatical. (That’s a fancy way of saying I haven’t been doing any work!).

But I had to return when I heard about Shana’s new book, The Making of a Porcupine. I’m sure she won’t admit it, but she certainly based it on moi. There is no sexier porcupine, and who but moi could give lessons on—

Shana: Jaunty.

Jaunty P.: –how to become a sexy por—

Shana: Jaunty!

Jaunty P.: What? You’re interrupting.

Shana: That’s because you’ve got everything wrong again. The books doesn’t have anything to do with porcupines. It’s titled The Making of a Duchess. Duchess, not porcupine.

Jaunty P.: What? I-I don’t understand.

Shana: Jaunty, the book isn’t about you at all. It’s about a simple English governess forced to spy on Julien Harcourt, the duc de Valére. He’s an émigré from France, forced out by the French Revolution, and the British government thinks he’s a traitor. Sarah, my governess, has to uncover his treachery.

Jaunty P.: Yes, yes, all of this sounds very exciting. But what has it to do with porcupines?

Shana: Nothing. That’s my point. There are no porcupines in the book.

Jaunty P.: I see. You think people would rather read about duchesses than porcupines?

Shana: Um, yes.

Jaunty P.: I see.

Shana: Jaunty, is that a little tear?

Jaunty P.: No. I’m too manly a porcupine to cry, but let me just say I won’t be buying any more of your books until you add a porcupine.

Shana: Jaunty, where are you going? Don’t be like that.

Well, readers it looks like I can either add a porcupine or have Jaunty angry with me forever. While I think about how to add porcupines to a story set in Regency England and Paris, France, let me just say The Making of a Duchess is in stores today. It’s full of adventure, romance, passion, and humor. I think it’s the perfect summer read. I hope you’ll grab a copy (even though there’s no porcupine).

Check out an excerpt of my website, and enter my contest to win a signed copy.

Welcome back, Anne Mallory, who left me a year ago for a life of crime! I even promised to be Bonnie Porcupine to her Clyde! Wait…Clyde Porcupine to her Bonnie! But she said my quills made me too much of a deadly killing machine.

Anne:  I still have those outfits! I mean… *looks around suspiciously* I still remember you “talking” about those outfits.

*waggles brows* They were good, weren’t they?

*Robyn disappears to look for photographic evidence*

So, Anne. I notice the lack of porcupines in your current release.

Anne:  Er…

And it’s a book about SEDUCTION. And SECRETS. True porcupine stuff! The tales I could tell…

Anne:  Which is why I would not rob you of the telling, Jaunty! Truly. I know you said you’d split the profits with me 10/90 if I wrote your memoirs, and 10% would totally be worth it, but I’m just not sure I’m qualified.

There, there. *pats head* I’ve come up with my own list in order to help you! Behold! The Seven Secrets of Porcupines!

#1: They have quills.
#2: They have tails.
#3: They like bark.
#4: They enjoy a good salt-lick.
#5: They are awesome.
#6: They like romance.
#7: They can move time and space.

Anne:  That last one must really come in handy.

You have no idea. I told you that you should take the 10%. *meaningful look* Hey, did I ever tell you about the Seven Secrets of Porcupine Seduction?

Anne:  *blinks* No. What IS involved in Porcupine Seduction?

Well, first you rub-

*Margo Maguire hastily grabs the microphone from Jaunty*

Margo: Um, Anne, why don’t you tell us something about your book.

Anne:  Sure! It’s about a bookshop clerk whose writings draw a viscount to her store. For you Jaunty, think of a quiet porcu-lass with big dreams and a brooding porcu-rake who is desperate to believe in something.

Here is the back cover blurb:

Scandalous and provocative, The Seven Secrets of Seduction is an intoxicating insight into the mind of men and the desires of women – and the book has all the ton talking.

Secret #1: Every good seduction begins with a baited hook…

Well-educated, but not part of society, Miranda Chase is just as captivated by the erotic pages as everyone else in London. Intrigued by the layers she sees beneath the book’s surface, she writes an editorial about it, never realizing that her passionate words will draw an actual viscount to her uncle’s bookshop.

Maximilian, Viscount Downing, has very particular ideas about passion and sees truth only in desire. He freely flaunts his sensual power and seeks nothing more than another conquest – the one that could justify his entire debauched existence. But Miranda’s blend of innocence, trust, and love cause a strange thing to happen on the way to this seduction. Something that just might threaten the very fabric of his jaded heart…

That reminds me EXACTLY of the fifth secret of porcupine seduction, Anne! You take your baited quill hook and stick-

*Shana Galen hastily puts hand over the microphone*
*Jaunty is disgruntled*

Fine, fine. I still think it would have been better with porcupines, but we always have my memoirs. Now, let’s go rob some banks!

Have a comment for Anne? One commenter will win a $5 gift certificate to Amazon!

Anne:  Thanks for having me, ladies and Jaunty!  I’ve missed you all!

Jaunty: Hi there – It’s me, Jaunty P. Quills, just coming out of hibernation.

Margo: Jaunty, porcupines don’t hibernate.

Jaunty: Well, this one does. Did you see what it was like last winter? Geesh! No way was I leaving my den. And since I’m the enormously wealthy prince of the forest—

Margo: Anything like the prince in my new book, The Rogue Prince?

 Jaunty: Exactly! And just as sexy. 

Margo: Somehow I don’t think so. There aren’t many porcupines who can compare to Thomas Thorne, the hero of my new Regency-era romance from Avon Books.

Jaunty: What’s so special about Thomas Thorne?

Margo: First of all, he’s not a prince at all. He’s a man who wants revenge against the two spoiled jerks – Shefford and Blackmore –  who framed him for a crime he didn’t commit. Tom was sent away to a brutal penal colony for it, and now that he’s back, he’s going to destroy Shefford and Blackmore and ruin their families.

 Jaunty: Well, I once—

 Margo: Don’t even go there, Jaunty. You were never in prison.

 Jaunty:

 Margo: Don’t sulk. It’s fiction, Jaunty! Fiction!

Jaunty: If Tom Thorne went to a penal colony, how did he get to be so rich?

Margo: That’s all in the book. But let me tell you about the problem he runs into when he returns home to get his revenge.

Jaunty: My quills are all aquiver.

Margo: He meets a young woman – the mother of two little kids – and falls for her.

Jaunty: So? They live happily ever after, right?

Margo: Well, maybe they could if she didn’t happen to be Backmore’s widow and Shefford’s sister.

Jaunty: Ouch. That’s a dilemma

Margo: To say the least. For years, he’s been planning a sting that will absolutely destroy the two culprits who set him up. And now he has to choose between love and revenge. 

Jaunty: What does he do?

Margo: You’re going to have to read it to find out. Luckily, The Rogue Prince hits bookstores today!

Jaunty:

Margo: You are so transparent, Jaunty. OK, I’ll send you a copy.

Jaunty: [clapping his little paws together]. Tell us more about The Rogue Prince!

Margo: I came up with the premise for this book after reading The Count of Monte Cristo (again). It’s one of my favorite books with the themes of revenge and forgiveness, but for my tastes, there’s not enough romance.

I decided to fix that, and ended up with a completely different story. So in reality, the germ of the idea came from The Count of Monte Cristo – but The Rogue Prince is a tale all its own.

I hope you’ll give it a try!

Jaunty: I’m going out by my mailbox to wait.

Margo: Mailbox? Porcupines have mailboxes in the forest? That’s rich.

Jaunty: Don’t mock our forest culture, Ms. Maguire.  There is plenty to love in a . . .

Margo: I’ve got things to do, Jaunty. Maybe you can tell me about your forest culture next time.

Hello! It’s me, Jaunty P. Quills, Porcupine Extraordinaire! Happy Thanksgiving, JQ readers. I am, as ever, your humble servant. And I do mean servant. The JQs have all taken the day off to spend time with their families, while I am left here alone to work. I’ll have you know that I have a family too! Well, at least I hope to one day.

But never mind that! I wouldn’t let the Quills off that easily. Being the investigative reporter that I am, I asked the Quills a tough question today. “What romance heroine are you thankful you’re NOT?”

Ouch! Okay! So Emily asked the Quills that tough question. But here are the answers anyway.

TERRI: I’m thankful that I’m not Lydia Bennett (Pride and Prejudice) because one day I would wake up and realize that I’d stupidly ran off and married Wickham was now a no-good, gambling drunk and know my sisters married men like Darcy (who looks surprisingly like that popular English actor Colin Firth….) and Bingley (who is kind of warm and snugly)!

EMILY: I’m thankful I’m not Maddygirl from Flowers from the Storm. Yes, Christian is simply wonderful, but I don’t think I would have made a very good Quaker. I would have found the sanctimonious Cousin Edward so annoying I might have kneed him in groin.

KRISTAN: I’m thankful that I’m not Lady Katherine (Island Flame), the virginal 17 year old who is kidnapped and ravished by Captain Jonathan, a terrifying pirate whose throat I plan to slit until I, alas and o wondrous day, fall madly in love with him. Because that’s just too complicated for me.

ROBYN: I’m also thankful I’m not Bella from Twilight. While Edward is intriguing and sexy, I find it creepy that he watches me sleep and that he loves me only because he likes the way my blood smells. Not to mention he doesn’t seem bothered by the fact that I’m clumsy as hell and freakishly pale.

KATE: Hmm, I’m thankful I’m not Lizzie from Pride and Prejudice. I never would have made it to the altar with Darcy because I’d be in prison for murdering my mother.

CINDY: I’m thankful I’m not Bella Swan in Twilight because I would find it extremely hard to choose between Edward and Jacob!

KATHY: I’m very grateful not be Offred in The Handmaid’s Tale and not to live in a world where I’d be forced not to read or think or have the right to decide if I wanted to bare a child or not.

SHANA: I’m grateful I’m not Stephanie Plum from Janet Evanovich’s series. I wouldn’t want bad guys shooting at me and my cars blowing up and two hot guys fighting over me…wait a minute. Hmm. Maybe it’s not so bad to be Stephanie Plum!

JAN: I’m thankful I’m not the King’s bastard daughter Philippa de Beauchamp who is rescued from a wool wagon and then taken prisoner by rogue Dienwald de Fortenberry, for while he is charming and funny and sexy as hell, I’d knock his block off for constantly calling me his “big girl who was sure to break his back.” Even then men were clueless about the weight thing…

MARGO: So thankful I’m not Princess Leia with those awful ear-buns and the ambiguous brother (am I mistaken, but wasn’t there some chemistry between them in the first film? ew.) And Darth Vader as my dad? No thanks.

NANCY: I’m thankful I was never married to Henry VIII. Even though Jonathan Rhys Meyers has elevated the crazy king to a new level of super-sexy studliness, I prefer to keep my head intact, and would hate being married to a man who PMSed worse than I did.

CATHERINE: I’m thankful I’m not Kahlan Amnell, the Mother Confessor from the Legend of the Seeker, a medieval/fantasy series my family and I have really enjoyed watching. Kahlan is the ideal heroine: she’s beautiful, intelligent, has magical powers, and can kick butt in a fight. However, she can’t ever be intimate with the man she loves because her magical powers will enslave him to her, and she’s not willing to take his free will. Wow. Talk about heart-wrenching story conflict.

Oh, and you want my answer? Considering it’s Turkey Day, I’m glad I’m not a turkey!

Farewell for now, dear readers!

Well, it looks like I have a newly renovated home! Welcome to the spiffed up version of Sisterhood of the Jaunty Quills! My authors and I are so glad you’re visiting! In addition to the new digs, there are a few new authors I’d like you to meet!

Terri Brisbin…A three-time RWA RITA® finalist, Terri has been writing romance fiction since 1995 and has had 18 historical and paranormal romances published since then. She’s now working on more romance novels, novellas and short stories for release in 2009, 2010 and 2011 from Harlequin Historical Romances and Kensington Brava. Her latest release, The Conqueror’s Lady, was praised by BookList as “…an expertly crafted medieval romance with a dangerous hero and a smart, stubborn heroine.”

Catherine Kean…Catherine writes medieval historical romances featuring headstrong heroines and emotionally-tormented alpha male heroes. Her latest release, A Knight’s Temptation, was praised by Coffee Time Romance, which described the book as “…filled with stunning descriptions, hilarious events, remarkable emotions, and unforgettable characters.” Among her writing awards, My Lady’s Treasure won the historical category of the 2008 Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence Contest and finaled in the 2008 Next Generation Indie Book Awards.  A Knight’s Reward was a 2008 National Readers’ Choice Awards finalist.

Janette Kenny…Bestselling author Janette Kenny writes sexy western historical romances for Kensington and emotionally intense contemporary romances for Harlequin Presents. RT called her “a powerful new voice,” and Merrimon Books called her “a rising star in western historical romance.” Coming in October is A Cowboy Christmas from Kensington and Proud Revenge Passionate Wedlock from Harlequin Presents. 

Kathryn Smith…Kathryn is a USA Today bestselling author of more than 20 books. She has been published in Young Adult, Urban Fantasy, Paranormal and Historical romance. Writing wise Kathryn’s known for the emotional intensity of her characters’ relationships, but personally she’s more likely to be known for her inability to keep quiet! When she’s not playing video games with her husband, or playing with the cats, she’s more than likely playing with the plot to a new book.

And don’t forget the old gang, too…

Robyn DeHart… Robyn DeHart loves her job and the fact that most of the time creating great characters and putting them in dangerous situations distracts her from daily grindings like real estate nightmares, cleaning up kitty hairballs and mountains of laundry. A two-time Romantic Times Reviewers’ Choice award nominee, Robyn’s most recent release, Seduce Me, launched her exciting new Legend Hunters series hit stores in August. Romantic Times gave it a 4 ½ star TOP PICK and said “Indiana Jones meets Lara Croft in this pulse-pounding adventure romance.”

Shana Galen… Rita-nominated author Shana Galen recently signed a contract with Sourcebooks to write 3 Regency historicals. The first will be out in June 2010. Shana lives in Texas with her husband, Ultimate Sportsfan, and two adorable cats.

Katherine Garbera… Katherine is the national best-selling author of more than 40 books. Writing is the chief focus of her time after her family and the only thing she likes more than working on her own books is reading other authors.  She is a frequent speaker at conferences and loves the opportunity to talk about writing with anyone who’ll listen. Katherine writes for Silhouette Desire and for Brava. Her latest releases are The Mercenary and Taming the Texas Tycoon.

Kristan Higgins… The RITA-award winning, bestselling author of four contemporary romantic comedies and hailed as “one of the most creative and honest voices in contemporary romance,” Kristan loves to write big love stories set in small towns. “When I started writing romance,” the author says, “all the heroines seemed to be tremendously beautiful and staggeringly talented. I wanted stories for the rest of us.” Kristan’s most recent release, Too Good To Be True was featured on National Public Radio’s Weekend Edition this summer, causing great squeals of excitement in the Higgins family. Look for The Next Best Thing this February.

Cindy Kirk… Cindy Kirk, is the author of more than 24 contemporary romance novels, including Your Ranch or Mine? Cindy has written books ranging from inspirational to sexy contemporary. She loves to write for Silhouette Special Edition because it allows her to write the kind of stories she likes; stories about everyday people who find their happily-ever-after with someone special in a context of home, family and community. Look for her next release this November.

Margo Maguire… The Chicago Tribune says, “Margo Maguire gives the classic historical Regency story a fresh, clever new twist…” She is the author of 17 historical romance novels, re-printed in 24 languages. Her books are full of adventure and soul-sighing happily-ever-afters.

Emily McKay… Emily writes for Silhouette Desire. When she’s not procrastinating, picking up toys, or cleaning up after her pets, that is. Somehow, amidst the chaos of her life with two small children, three pets, and one geeky, robot-programming husband, she’s managed to write nine books for Harlequin and Silhouette. In the Tycoon’s Debt is out now.

Nancy Robards Thompson… Award winning author, Nancy Robards Thompson/Elizabeth Robards has reinvented herself numerous times. She’s worked as a newspaper reporter, television show stand-in, production and extras casting for movies, and has had several mind-numbing jobs in fashion and public relations. She earned a degree in journalism only to realize reporting “just the facts” bored her silly. Much more content to report to her muse, Nancy has found Nirvana doing what she loves most – writing contemporary and historical women’s fiction full-time. Since doing that, she’s sold fourteen books, which critics have deemed “…funny, smart and observant.” In October 2009, Harlequin will release Nancy’s book, An Angel in Provence, as a title in its Next Novel trade paperback program. That same month, Silhouette will release her Special Edition, Accidental Cinderella.

So enjoy the new digs, poke around the website, and drop in daily for a smile and a chat. Until then, cheerio!

Jaunty