Thank you everyone for commenting. Jaunty thanks you too.

Shana: Hi, Jaunty Readers. I know what you’re thinking. Why do you keep allowing Jaunty to interview you when he constantly interrupts and always focuses the interview on himself? It’s simple, really. He threatens me.

Jaunty P. Quills, Porcupine Extraordinaire: Shana! That is not true. I never threatened you.

Shana: Jaunty, you said you’d post covers of The Rogue Pirate’s Bride you Photoshopped with your face over my hero’s all over the internet, including my Facebook page.

Jaunty P. Quills, Porcupine Extraordinaire: That wasn’t a threat. I thought you wanted me to put my face on their cover as a way of apologizing for not writing a book with me in it yet.

Shana: Jaunty, really? Are we back to that again? Can’t we just talk about my new book?

Jaunty P. Quills, Porcupine Extraordinaire: It’s always about you and your books, isn’t it, Shana? What about me?

Shana: Have you written a book?

Jaunty P. Quills, Porcupine Extraordinaire: Um… So, Shana, tell us about your new book, The Rogue Porcupine’s Bride.

Shana: It’s The Rogue Pirate’s Bride, Jaunty, and do you know, I think you and Bastien, my hero, would get along. He’s a pirate, but he insists on calling himself a privateer. Neither of you live in reality.

Jaunty P. Quills, Porcupine Extraordinaire: I live in reality!

Shana: Jaunty, your Facebook page says you’re a romance cover model. Please.

Jaunty P. Quills, Porcupine Extraordinaire: It could happen, but I wouldn’t want to pose for your book cover. The female model is holding a sword.

Shana: That’s because Raeven is every bit as tough as Bastien. In fact, in chapter one, she challenges him to a swordfight.

Jaunty P. Quills, Porcupine Extraordinaire: Does she win?

Shana: Jaunty, I thought you said you read the book.

Jaunty P. Quills, Porcupine Extraordinaire: I might have just skipped to the good parts. And, might I add, there are some very steamy good parts.

Shana: Did you read any of the sea battle scenes? I had to do a lot of research for those.

Jaunty P. Quills, Porcupine Extraordinaire: Do you want me to have nightmares? I’m a lover, not a fighter. There is one thing I’m confused about. Is this book the third in your Sons of the Revolution series? I thought it was titled The Making of a Rogue.

Shana: Yes, it is the third in that series. The first two are The Making of a Duchess and The Making of a Gentleman. But Bastien’s book can be read independently. And it was originally titled The Making of a Rogue. It was even titled Once a Rogue and, very briefly, The Dread Pirate’s Bride. But now it’s The Rogue Pirate’s Bride. Nothing else changed. Only the title and cover.

Jaunty P. Quills, Porcupine Extraordinaire: I suppose now you want me to end by telling everyone more about where to find you.

Shana: I’ll do it, Jaunty. Check out my website for an excerpt from The Rogue Pirate’s Bride  which officially comes out tomorrow, and my blog tour schedule. I’ll be blogging everywhere and giving away books at each stop. In fact, I’ll give away two copies of The Rogue Pirate’s Bride here! Just comment below.

Jaunty P. Quills, Porcupine Extraordinaire: Yes, please comment. Tell Shana why she should include a porcupine in her books or give her a romantic title with the word porcupine in it.

It sounds kind of crazy, but it’s absolutely true. Every idea comes to me differently. Some I manufacture and some just spring to life from some inspiration or other–an article I read, a movie I see, even a TV commercial.

The idea for my new book, The Rogue Pirate’s Bride, had been percolating in my head for several years before I ever set down to write it. I’ve always wanted to write a pirate book. I think the desire started years and years ago when I read the definitive pirate book, The Wind and the Sea by Marsha Canham. I adored that book and read it several times. I wanted to write a book that was that exciting, that sexy, and that much fun.

But it wasn’t until recently that I had the opportunity to do something with my idea. I needed a third book for my Sons of the Revolution series, and when I began it, I had in the back of my mind that the third book would be about a brother who’s a pirate. Then, of course, I got to the third book and realized I actually had to write this book about a pirate brother. I couldn’t even change my mind because both previous books had mentioned Captain Cutlass, and they were both in production.

The problem was that I didn’t know anything about pirates. I didn’t even know anything about ships and sailing. And that was only one problem. The other problem was that when I began the book I had a three-month old newborn. I didn’t exactly have time to do research.

No problem, I thought. I’ll just write what I can and put XX when I get to a place where I need to look something up. You know what happened next, right? The story read like this.

Bastien walked down the XX to the XX. He lifted the XX and peered out at the XX.

I needed help and quickly. So what did I do? I did what every girl does–I called my dad. It just so happens I have a dad who knows how to sail. And it just so happens I have a dad who loves to know all there is about sailing. He’s read all the Patrick O’ Brien books and does his own research on sailing. (Just FYI, I read one Patrick O’ Brien book, but it didn’t have any kissing.) Yes, I also got a stack on books on ships from the library, and those helped me fill in some of those XXes, but what really helped was sitting with my father and reading passages of the book to him. He would tell me the right term or correct an error or ask me a question I hadn’t thought of (like what kind of ship was my pirate on). Of course, he also pointed out other things I didn’t ask about. He told me repeatedly no woman would ever be on a British naval ship-of-the-line. I told him we were going to have to leave that part in there since we needed the woman for the romance (too much Patrick O’Brien, I think).

So, here’s to my dad for all his help and support. To tell you the truth, the book isn’t even dedicated to him. It’s dedicated to my mom and my mother-in-law. but that’s another blog.

Tell me about your dad.  Has he ever gotten you out of a scrape? I’ll randomly choose one person who comments today to win a copy of The Rogue Pirate’s Bride.

Speaking of pirates, The Rogue Pirate’s Bride releases next month and I’m really excited!

Would you like an advance copy? Join my mailing list! I’m sending a newsletter out tomorrow and one lucky subscriber will be randomly chosen Friday to win an advance copy of The Rogue Pirate’s Bride. You can still win it if you join soon!

The Rogue Pirate’s Bride is the last in my Sons of the Revolution series. It’s undergone a couple of title and cover changes, but the story has remained the same. Bastien, the youngest brother of the three Harcourt brothers, is a pirate—I mean, privateer—whose often at odds with the British Navy. He has no idea his brothers Julien and Armand are alive and living in England. He’s too busy seeking revenge on the Barbary pirate who murdered his friend and mentor.

Until he meets Raeven Russell.

Well, he doesn’t so much meet her as he is challenged to a sword fight by our heroine Raeven. She’s the daughter of a British Admiral, and she hates Captain Cutlass because he killed her fiancé in a naval battle.

If you like spunky, fearless heroines and charming roguish heroes…If you like adventure on the high seas and fast-paced sword fights…If you like passion and romance and poignancy, you’re going to like this book!

And one more bit of news for you. My publisher Sourcebooks is hosting an e-book promotion celebrating the “First in Series.” My own The Making of a Duchess, the book that began my Sons of the Revolution series, is available digitally for $1.99 via participating e-retailers (Amazon, Barnes & Noble, iTunes/Books, etc.) until January 8, 2012. If you received an e-reader for Christmas, this is a great time to add The Making of a Duchess to your e-collection.

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At first it was a means of escape from the stress, but then it became something so much more. It became a way for me to sort through what really mattered and revealed a new road I needed to follow. Here I am three years later with four books written—book one never to see the light of day—a fifth book in the works, several short stories published in a magazine, and a novella recently released as part of an anthology, A Summons from the Duke (Regency Christmas Summons Collection 2).

Have you ever been drawn to a project but you had a thousand reasons why you couldn’t participate? That was me a few months ago. The writers in my critique group had an idea to create a collection of novellas that were connected while still being able to stand alone. The premise is the Duke of Danby has summoned his wayward grandchildren to Yorkshire for Christmas, and he has matchmaking on his mind. Each writer took a grandchild and told his or her story of falling in love.

The idea appealed to me, but I didn’t think I could pull it off. I was in the middle of revising my second book for Sourcebooks and finishing up a third book for a December deadline. I told my group I would love to be part of the anthology, but there just wasn’t time. But like an annoying tickle at the back of the throat, I couldn’t ignore the pull to be involved. As their ideas flew back and forth through email, one took root in my mind. I wrote the first scene in thirty minutes and I was hooked.

It’s interesting that this small project was what helped me define what I believe deep down is important. You’ll often hear authors talk about theme. Each book may have a separate idea, but over several books recurring themes will emerge. It wasn’t until I wrote my story “Twice Upon a Time” that I realized what my recurring themes are: Love me, love my family (which may or may not be connected by blood). Nothing is ever what it seems on the surface, so withhold judgment until you know the real person. And of course, love will prevail.

I think this may be the reason we as readers are drawn to certain authors or stories. Deep down we hold similar values and the stories tap into that fountain of meaning for us. My favorite stories seem to suggest this: I Know this Much is True by Wally Lamb, Twenties Girl by Sophie Kinsella, Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. All three stories are about imperfect families the protagonist loves anyway, discovering the truth about another, and love prevailing in the end.

What are your favorite stories, and do they have any common themes? (Today one commenter will win a copy of A Summons from the Duke, and everyone who leaves a comment will be entered into the Regency Christmas Summons Prize Extravaganza for a chance to win books, gift cards, and a Kindle. Please remember to include your email address to enter the drawing. Winners will be announced December 15th.)

Excerpt set up:
Julian Beckford, grandson to Duke of Danby, is up to his top-boots in one of his cousin’s mad schemes only days after his return to England. Baron Penlow wants to engage an actress to play his wife over the holidays at Danby Castle, and he has asked for Julian’s assistance in casting the role. Here’s a sneak peek at their evening…

Excerpt:
Julian nodded. “She’s the one.”

He would never trust his judgment again. He’d chosen a wildcat.

Samantha loves to hear from readers. You can find her on Twitter, Facebook, and Goodreads. To learn more about Samantha’s books and appearances, you may visit her website.

Pirates have nothing to do with Christmas, but they have a lot to do with my next book, The Rogue Pirate’s Bride, which will be in stores on February 7. I thought I might tell you a little about this book in case you get everything you want for Christmas and are looking for things to put on your Valentine’s Day list.

Revenge should be sweet, but it may cost him everything…
The Marquis de Valère escaped certain death in the French Revolution and is now an infamous privateer. Out to avenge the death of his mentor, Bastien discovers himself astonishingly out of his depth when confronted with a beautiful, daring young woman who is out for his blood…

Forgiveness is unthinkable, but it may be her only hope…
British Admiral’s daughter Raeven Russell believes Bastien responsible for her fiancé’s death. But once the fiery beauty crosses swords with Bastien, she’s not so sure she really wants him to change his wicked ways…

Interested yet? Okay, how about some early reviews?

“Readers seeking wildly exciting escapades, nonstop action, rapier-sharp repartee and a heated romance need look no further.”
—Kathe Robin, RT Book Reviews, 4 1/2 stars, Top Pick!

“The highborn swashbuckling hero and the resourceful, fearless admiral’s daughter make an unusual, intriguing couple, and steamy romance heats up the pages.”
—Publishers Weekly

“…a fast-paced, swashbuckling tale of piracy, dangerous scheming, and intrigue. You’ll love the predicaments Raeven gets into and her inventive ways of getting out of them. Don’t miss this historic treat. It’s one you can’t put down.”
—Viki Ferrell, Fresh Fiction

Still on the fence? Maybe you’d like to win an advance copy. I’m giving one away to one lucky member of my mailing list the first week of January, so if you haven’t joined my list join today.

Oh, and happy holidays!

The other day Baby Galen and I were looking at a book and talking about the different shapes. By which I mean, she was pointing to a picture of a shape, and I was telling her the name. She would get so excited to learn a new shape. When she learned oval, she ran around the house looking for anything oval she could point to an practice her new word.

I know Baby Galen is not the only kid like this. I see toddlers and pre-schoolers act like this all the time. They are so excited to learn and incredibly enthusiastic about gaining new knowledge. Their brains really do seem to be endless sponges that just soak and soak and soak up everything they see and hear.

But, as a former teacher of middle and high school, I can tell you this love of learning does not last. Most seventh graders do not rush into class excited to learn about pronouns. Most high schoolers do not pick up The Taming of the Shrew and exclaim joyfully.

So what happens? When does learning become something to be dreaded instead of something fun? I know teachers try to make it fun. I know I did, and I often succeeded. And I know I also had to say, “School isn’t always fun. Sometimes it’s work.” But I didn’t do anything to make learning shapes fun for Baby Galen besides introduce the book and spend time looking at it with her.

I won’t say I always enjoyed every class. I certainly never found the Pythagorean Theorem or the laws of physics exciting. But I did have a basic love of learning all through school, and I still do. The other day I was writing a new proposal and used the word castrati. I needed to look it up to make sure I was being historically accurate, and of course, that meant I had to read lots of articles unrelated to my tiny mention of the word and even listen to a castrati sing.

I didn’t need to do any of this research. One click would have answered my question. But I love learning. I wanted to know more. And I want to thank my parents for spending time teaching me new things, answering all my questions, and helping me find the answers when they couldn’t. I know the subjects dear to my heart weren’t always the ones they would have chosen for me, but they always supported them.

And for that I’m thankful.

This might be a little heavy for the day after Thanksgiving, but what are your thoughts on learning? Why do kids start to dislike it? Why do those who retain their love of learning keep it?