from Mia Marlowe...

Today, I’m turning the Jaunty Quills over to romance reader and blogger extraordinaire, Kim Lowe. I first met Kim online when she hosted me on one of my many blog tours. Then when I visited Hawaii with my family last year, our online friendship blossomed in real life! Kim met us the day before we boarded our cruise ship and took us on a wonderful, behind-the-scenes tour of Pearl Harbor and Hickham AFB. Then after our cruise, she met us at the dock with a rental van and drove us into the fragrant hills overlooking Honolulu for a tour of Queen Emma’s Summer Home. Kim was so knowledgeable and such fun, she was the highlight of our vacation!

And true to her giving spirit, Kim is here today to share a great read with us all. Ok, Kim. The Jaunty blog is now yours.

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Mahalo, Mia, for hosting me today at the Sisterhood of the Jaunty Quills.   I love the name of this blog – the sisterhood.  Blogs like Jaunty Quills offer me entrée into a cyber sisterhood of romance readers.  Perhaps this is why I enjoy continuing series – I grow comfortable with the extended cast of characters.   Yet all good things come to an end, including series.

Today I chat about the bittersweet anticipation of Cathy Maxwell’s THE DEVIL’S HEART, the finale of the Chattan Curse.    The series began with a 17^th century curse,

When a Chattan male falls in love, strike his heart with fire from above…

Charles Chattan abandoned his Scottish sweetheart, Rose MacNachtan, for an English heiress, prompting Rose’s mother to cast a devastating curse on the Chattan family.   Fast forward to the 19^th Century where the Chattan family is socially connected in Regency England.  Yet Neal Chattan, Lord Lyon, desires a family in Book 1, LYON’S BRIDE.   He hires society matchmaker, Thea Martin, to find him a bride he cannot love … only to fall in love with Thea.

Neal’s willing to risk his life for love prompts his brother, Harry, to wake up from his drunken stupor to find a witch to reverse the curse in Book 2, THE SCOTTISH WITCH.  He encounters a desperate Portia Maclean posing as a witch, only to fall under her spell.

With both brothers in peril, their sister Margaret, a London lady, ventures into the heart of the Highlands in Book 3, THE DEVIL’S HEART.   She confronts the witch’s descendent, Heath Macnachtan, a sensible laird who cannot understand Margaret’s fear of the curse – a fear that his clansmen also share.   Despite that fear, Margaret is welcomed into the sisterhood of his household, where she sees love abound despite their financial difficulties.   Margaret draws from her brothers’ courage and Heath’s compassion to track down the long dead witch.

As much as I wanted Margaret to find a resolution, that meant the story (and series) would be over.   As hard at it was for Margaret to let go of her brothers so they could find love, it is hard for me as a reader to let go of this series set in Scotland.  In the end, Margaret proved that she, too, deserves her own HEA along with Neal and Harry.  But how did she secure the HEA for all three siblings?  Let me just say that Cathy Maxwell surprised me and satisfied me with the climax.   THE DEVIL’S HEART should be labeled, “Read with a box of tissue”, as Margaret also learns that love is worth the risk.

I would like to offer a print copy of THE DEVIL’S HEART to one commenter here at the Sisterhood of the Jaunty Quills.  Three seems to be the magic number in a series – how many books do you think is “just right” for a series?

About Kim: Kim Lowe is a military spouse and romance enthusiast.  After four years in Hawaii, she is moving back to Baltimore this summer, ready for in person sisterhood with other romance readers.   Check out her travel blog, ALOHA ON MY MIND, at alohaonmymind.blogspot.com.

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Mia here again. Thanks, Kim! The Devil’s Heart sounds great.

Ok, now it’s your turn. What’s the right number of books for a series? (I’d also be interested to know your favorite series!)

Actually, you have the power. The world of publishing has been all but turned upside down in the last year or so. The ease of indie publishing and the bestsellerdom of books that don’t fit the mold the editors in New York have set for romance and other genres means that we’re entering a new time in the publishing industry.

It’s easy to worry about what this might mean for authors and books and readers. I worry about it a lot, as I assure you, do all of the authors I know. But we’re also excited.

We’re excited because now we have options. If our books don’t perform as expected and our publisher drops us, we have options other than obscurity. Book promotions and sales are everywhere. Readers can download books in a matter of seconds. We’re also excited because even those of us still writing for traditional publishers, like most of us here at the Jaunty Quills, now have more freedom.

Editors and publishers are listening to you, readers. How do I know? Because you did what I couldn’t.

When I was discussing Lord and Lady Spy with my editor in preparation for going to contract, I told her I wanted to make it a series. She was against a series. She said the book was a stand-alone, and the contract I received was for one book.

But guess what happened? The book sold well, and readers asked for more. Readers asked for more of Adrian and Sophia, more of the world I created in the book, and more of the other characters. In this new day and age, editors and publishers are listening to you, readers. The proof is the novella I have coming out in August, featuring Blue, a secondary character in Lord and Lady Spy that I never thought of as a hero. But readers asked over and over for his book. Who am I to argue? So here’s Blue’s book: The Spy Wore Blue.

In September the second of what has become a three-book series will be out. True Spies revisits Adrian and Sophia and also introduces a new couple, Winn and Elinor.

Currently, I’m working on Love and Let Spy, slotted for release in August 2014.

These are books I was desperate to write. These are books you made it possible for me to write. So I’m excited about the new publishing landscape. What about you? Have you noted any changes? Do you think they’re good or bad? I just received ARCs for True Spies. I’ll randomly pick a reader who posts to receive one!

The Jaunty Quills are excited to host Kate Noble for Bring a Friend Friday. Kate’s new book, Let It Be Me, is the next book in the Blue Raven series. Keep reading to find out how to win one of Kate’s books.

Shana: I have serious cover envy whenever I see your books, Kate. Do you have much say in your covers?

Kate Noble:  I have always been so lucky with my covers. I am lucky too, in that my editors allowed me in on the process a little bit.  They ask me in advance of their cover conference about the book, the characters, and what is important and should be featured.  And they take what I say into account when creating the cover.  (I actually wrote a blog about it a little while ago.)

Shana: Tell us a bit about the Blue Raven series and Let It Be Me. Why did you set the new book in Italy?

Kate Noble:  Bridget Forrester has long lived in her sister’s shadow (Sarah, from If I Fall), and earned a reputation as something of a shrew because of it.  I knew I had to get Bridget out of London and get her a fresh start. Venice is a city that exists like a dream to me – an island bisected by canals, literally living on the water.  A perfect place to fall in love.

Shana: Your heroine, Bridget, is a musician in Venice to study piano. Music is an enormous part of her life and a major part of the book. Do you play? Did you do any research or listen to any period music when writing the book?

Kate Noble: I took piano lessons growing up, but then quickly moved onto something more my speed (the trumpet, only three keys).  But I am nowhere near the musician that Bridget is, and so I did a ton of research on playing techniques, on music from the period – I must have listened to Beethoven’s piano sonata no. 23 about six hundred times while writing this book.

Shana: You were one of the writers for The Lizzie Bennet Diaries. Are you sad that it’s over? Any similar projects in the works?

Kate Noble: Of course I’m sad it’s over, it was a wonderful project to work on the fan response was so fervent, it was such a rush.  I feel like every generation gets their Pride and Prejudice and I just feel so lucky that I got to be a part of this one.  I am also going to be involved in the Gigi spinoff Welcome to Sanditon, coming later this summer.

Shana: Very exciting! Tell us what you coming soon.

Kate Noble:  I’m hard at work on my next historical romance trilogy, the first of which will be out in 2014.  And of course, there is Welcome to Sanditon.  I’m also working on a comic book with Javier Grillo-Marxuach of the Middleman fame, and artist Kel McDonald.  I have another couple of pet projects that I can hopeful make see the light of day.

Readers, now it’s your turn. Do you enjoy novels set in romantic locales like Venice or do you prefer authors to stick to London or the USA? One reader who comments will be randomly chosen to win a copy of Let It Be Me. This giveaway is open to U.S. residents only.

London weather is chilly—and the social scene even more so. Luckily, Bridget Forrester is just getting warmed up…

I sat down this morning to write this blog and I found I had nothing really to say. It’s not because I’ve run out of words, or God forbid, opinions, it’s simply that I’m so preoccupied with other stuff it’s hard to articulate anything else. I’m in the middle of a ridiculously tight deadline and know I have another tight one waiting as soon as this one is done. So there might be a light at the end of the tunnel but frankly I’m just wandering around in the dark.

When I first started writing seriously, I knew I needed to work to deadlines – I needed to practice. I’d heard lots of published authors say that and so I made self-imposed deadlines and I forced myself to work to a schedule. It was challenging, but nothing ever happened to me if I didn’t make those deadlines. I almost always did, but there were no consequences if I did not. And I’m here to tell you that while I don’t think self-imposed deadlines are futile, but they certainly did not prepare me for real, in the flesh, turn-it-in-or-else deadlines. Frankly, I’m not sure anything can. And it has only gotten worse since I became a mom because now I don’t have the luxury of writing all-day.

This business can be wonderful and rewarding and a myriad of many other wonderful things, but it is also extremely stressful. I was put on blood pressure medicine while on my first deadline, I’ve had full-blown panic attacks, cried more tears than I can count and been dangerously close to rocking myself in a corner. So if writing is this harrowing, why in the world would we ever want to do it?

The easy answer, because we can’t NOT write. I would imagine at some point in our careers, each Quill has thrown up the arms and said, “I quit!” I know I have. Twice (well, maybe three times.) I quit because I just couldn’t take it anymore. Each time I’ve quit, it’s lasted about a day. I won’t go so far as to say, it’s who I am, because I believe I’m much more than just my career. But writing is a huge part of me, it’s something I’ve always done, and it is something I’ll always do. I simply can’t walk away. (I tried sorta after we got the girls, but I just couldn’t quit…)

Despite the heavy stress, I love this job. Even in the midst of my deadline-induced delirium, as I sat at my love-seat, earbuds in, writing frantically while my girls buzzed played around me – it hit me: I am a writer. Even after all these years and so many books, sometimes that revelation hits and I marvel a little at it. It still gives my heart a little flip (and the good kind, not the bad kind – although it has done that too). I love this job. I don’t love everything about it. In fact there are aspects that I down right hate. I spend more time loathing the books I’m working on than I ever do feeling proud of my accomplishments. Still I love this job. I’ve always said that a bad writing day is better than a perfect day at any other job.

I get books with my name on them (and the covers are so pretty!) I get to create worlds where wrongs get right and average geeky girls win hunky men who can’t keep their hands off them. I get to meet readers who’ve read my books and loved them. I get to use words like plucky and rippling and gooseflesh. I get to write books full of trials and growth and strengths and weaknesses and passion and happy endings and all the other things that make life so worthwhile. And today in the midst of this tight deadline while I’m loathing this particular book, I wanted to celebrate that.

…He’ll Ask for a Pine Nut, or so I have found, which is why I really tried to avoid doing the Jaunty interview for my new book If You Give a Rake a Ruby. Here’s the pretty cover!

But Jaunty is threatening to interview me anyway. If I can’t get out of it, you’ll have to check back on Saturday to see that…ahem, “interview.”

In the meantime, before he catches on to what I’m up to, I wanted to tell you a little about the book. It’s the second in my Jewels of the Ton series about three glamorous Regency courtesans. This one is about the Marchioness of Mystery, Fallon, and how she gets mixed up with (that’s a nice way of saying blackmailed by) Warrick Fitzhugh, a spy for the Crown, who is targeted for assassination.

One of my favorite things about writing romance novels is writing the hero’s point of view. Here’s a scene featuring Warrick and the Duke of Pelham, the hero of my last book, When You Give a Duke a Diamond.

 Impatient now, Warrick pulled out his pocket watch. Pelham was never late, but he was also a newly married man. He had been less than enthusiastic about leaving his bride to meet Warrick. But Warrick had insisted, most persuasively.

And he could be very persuasive when necessary…as evidenced by the sight of Pelham striding into the dining room. His clothing was perfectly in order, his blue eyes clear and hard, his mouth set in a firm slash. But something was different about the man. Warrick narrowed his eyes. Pelham’s hair, perhaps? It appeared a bit…tousled.

He rose when his friend spotted him and didn’t hide his grin.

“What are you looking so cheerful about?” the duke asked, taking a seat without being invited.

“Do I look cheerful?” Warrick sat, signaling to the waiter to bring the port he had already requested. It was a vintage Warrick knew Pelham liked. “Have you done something different?”

Pelham glanced at him sharply and shifted. Oh, now Warrick was going to enjoy this. Making Pelham uncomfortable was one of the few joys he had in life. “Your coat cut differently?” He pretended to study Pelham’s conservative coat. “Your cravat tied in a new sort of knot?” He reached out and touched the perfectly tied neck cloth—perfectly tied in the same fashion Pelham had always worn it. “No, that isn’t it.”

“Stubble it, Fitzhugh. There’s nothing different.”

“Oh, I think there is.” He looked pointedly at Pelham’s hair and could all but see the duke leaning back in his chair, away from Warrick’s scrutiny. “It’s your hair. Why, Pelham. It’s positively fashionable.”

“My hair is exactly the same. Now why the devil did you call me here?”

“I don’t believe so.”

The waiter set the port in front of Pelham and Fitzhugh waved the man away.

“It looks a bit tousled. That’s how the dandies are wearing it these days.”

Pelham slapped the table with his palm. “I’m no bloody dandy. Stop looking at my hair.”

“Can I assume this is the new Duchess of Pelham’s doing?” Fitzhugh asked with a satisfied smile.

“I don’t wish to discuss my hair. If that’s the only topic you want to converse about—” He stood, and Warrick yanked him back down.

“What the devil are you about?” Pelham adjusted his sleeve. “Have you gone quite mad?”

“No. I have a serious matter to discuss with you.”

Pelham narrowed his eyes. “It had better not be the state of my cravat.”

“No. I fear we must suspend our fashion discussions for the moment. I need to ask you about one of your wife’s friends, one of The Three Diamonds.”

Pelham drank his previously untouched port, swallowed, then said, “Why?”

“I’m not at liberty to discuss that. I can say it’s a matter of state.”

“I thought you’d retired from the Foreign Office.”

“On occasion I am still called upon to exercise my skills.”

“I see.”

“What do you know about the Marchioness of Mystery? She calls herself Fallon, I believe.”

Pelham shrugged. “Not much. She’s not as friendly as Lily.”

“She’s secretive,” Warrick remarked.

Pelham sipped his port. “I don’t know that I’d say that, but I don’t believe all that rot about her being foreign royalty or a gypsy queen.”

“No, that’s rubbish,” Warrick murmured.

“How do you know? I don’t think Juliette even knows where Fallon came from. And what does a courtesan have to do with a matter of state?”

“I’d love to discuss that with you, old chap…”

“But you can’t. Well I will tell you this. I don’t know who you’re looking for, but if it’s a spy or a traitor, looking at Fallon is looking in the wrong direction.”

Warrick leaned forward. “Go on.”

“She’s fiercely loyal—to her friends and to the Countess of Sinclair. The last time I saw her, she told Juliette she was relieved this business with Lucifer was over and done. She said he was…” Pelham rubbed his fingers together, obviously searching his memory for the exact words. Warrick appreciated his friend’s effort to be precise, but then again, he expected nothing less from the orderly Duke of Pelham. “Ah! She said Lucifer was a thorn in the side of the city and had been for years. Struck me as rather patriotic.”

A tingle ran up Warrick’s spine all the way to the base of his skull and then down his arms. So this Fallon knew of Lucifer. That was interesting because the very existence of the man was not common knowledge among anyone who did not frequent London’s gambling hells. And those were certainly not the usual haunts of glittering courtesans like The Three Diamonds.

Pelham didn’t know it, but by trying to defend his wife’s friend, he’d just confirmed everything Warrick had learned, thereby dooming her.

Want to win a copy of When You Give a Duke a Diamond? Just leave a comment about what you love about romance novel heroes. The winner will be randomly chosen, and I’ll notify her by email. As per usual, all blog winners are posted on Sundays.

If You Give a Rake a Ruby by Shana Galen—in stores today!

HER MYSTERIOUS PAST IS THE BEST REVENGE . . .

Fallon, the Marchioness of Mystery, is a celebrated courtesan with her finger on the pulse of high society. She’s adored by men, hated by their wives. No one knows anything about her past, and she plans to keep it that way.

ONLY HE CAN OFFER HER A DAZZLING FUTURE . . .

Warrick Fitzhugh will do anything to protect his compatriots in the Foreign Office, including seduce Fallon, who he thinks can lead him to the deadliest crime lord in London. He knows he’s putting his life on the line . . .

To Warrick’s shock, Fallon is not who he thinks she is, and the secrets she’s keeping are exactly what make her his heart’s desire . . .

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Jaunties, today we are thrilled to welcome bestselling historical romance author Grace Burrowes to the blog. Read on to learn about her newest endeavor and to find out how you can win a copy of Lady Eve’s Indiscretion.

Writers talk about “the book of my heart,” and “the book that writes itself,” usually in awed, respectful tones. We aren’t as vocal about the hard books, but some books come kicking and screaming to the page, even some novellas.

My first historical romance series, about the Duke and Duchess of Moreland’s eight children, will wrap up this fall with “Lady Jenny’s Christmas Portrait.” Perhaps realizing that the series is coming to a close, or maybe out of genuine curiosity, readers have started asking me about the story behind courtship and marriage of Percival, Duke of Moreland, and his duchess, Esther.

I came up with a house party romance for Their Graces, and was quite pleased with the results. First, it fit with the stories I’d crafted for the series going forward—Percival was not in expectation of the title, and he was a seasoned cavalry officer—and second, it was a fun, romantic read.

Madam Editor was pleased too, but she also pointed out that I’d left a lot of questions unanswered: When did Percival’s two by-blows, Devlin and Maggie, join the ducal household? When did the title befall Percival and Esther? How did Esther cope with these changes?

I didn’t want to write that story, though it took me a while to figure out why: I’d never written a romance for a married couple. Married people love each other. They are living the happily ever after. THESE ARE THE RULES, and they are the rules, says I, despite the fact that in my day job, I’ve handled the legal side of divorces for twenty years.

I recall all too well, though, that awful, uh-oh feeling when a committed relationship hits the rocks. It’s a far, far worse loneliness than when a casual relationship becomes troubled, or when life presents a stretch of solo years. I pondered that miserable, wretched, upset feeling at some length, and then began to write.

“The Duke and His Duchess” is the result, a novella of about 35,000 words. We come upon Percival and Esther when they’re broke and exhausted, overwhelmed with four small children, an aging duke who’s losing his memory, an heir whose heart is not strong, and an estate suffering significant neglect. Add to this two illegitimate children Percival and Esther were unaware of, Esther’s low spirits and lack of energy, and things are bleak indeed.

Some happily ever after, Madam Author.

The novella pretty much wrote itself. From those beginnings, which probably resonate with every married person who’s ever read a romance, Percival and Esther face choice after choice, and what saves them is that they choose to keep their faith in each other and in their love. They show courage despite fear, understanding despite resentment, and determination when giving up beckons.

The happily ever after won this time around is sweeter than the first, because now, now, I know that Percival and Esther’s devotion has a direct impact on the lives of their many children. And when the children grow up and face their own challenges, the example set by the Duke and Duchess helps the Windham siblings choose love too.

What about you? Does the romance crafted for a married couple appeal to you, or would you rather read about a courtship romance?

To one commenter, I’ll send a signed copy of “Lady Eve’s Indiscretion,” the most recent Windham sibling romance.

I knew I would cry when I saw the film version of Les Miserables. I wept at the play when I saw it in London. I cry half the time I listen to the soundtrack.

What I didn’t expect was to be moved beyond the sad stories of Fantine and Eponine and Jean Valjean. I didn’t expect for Victor Hugo’s theme to hit home.

Sometimes I think classic literature is wasted on the young. I’m a former high school English teacher, so I have led many young students through the perils of Shakespeare, Dickens, and their kin. I read the same books when I was in school, and what I found was that I appreciated and understood them so much better when I read them as an adult.

This is the way it was for Les Miserables as well. I read it in high school or as an undergrad in college, and I didn’t get it. I mean, I got it enough to write an essay about it. I got an A too, but I might owe that more to my writing ability than my insights. To me, the book was about a guy imprisoned for no good reason and the cop who seems to have nothing better to do than harass him.

But after I saw the movie a few weeks ago, I re-read the book, and I saw Hugo’s novel differently. It wasn’t a story about a convict. It was a story about revolution. Not the student revolution because those guys have it all wrong. The revolution was one of kindness and love. What really made a difference in the life of Jean Valjean, and subsequently Cosette and Marius and even Eponine, was the kindness shown to Valjean by that bishop. One man’s magnanimous gesture inspired another man to do the same for others.

I wish I had understood that as a young adult. I understand it now, and I often write about the poor and miserable (as much as one really can in a romance novel). In my forthcoming If You Give a Rake a Ruby, the heroine is from the slums of London and she would have had a life very much like the poor wretched souls on the streets of Hugo’s Paris.

Were there any novels you read as a young adult that you re-read later and experienced differently? Do you think forcing high school kids to read the classics turns them off to reading in general?

Recently, I got the most awesome opportunity. My editor emailed me images of three couples (that I cannot share–boo!) and asked me to choose the couple I wanted on the cover of an upcoming novella.

I haven’t been in publishing for a long time, but my first book did come out in 2005, and I promise you, in 2005 no editor was asking any author which couple she wanted on her book. How times have changed!

So I fretted and paced and looked at the pictures over and over. I asked questions (to which the answer was no, you cannot mix and match) and I looked at my Pinterest inspiration board for the novella. I chose a couple and hoped I’d chosen well.

And then, two days later, I received another email with four poses from the models I’d chosen. Now I had to pick which pose I wanted. Oh, the pressure! The one where they’re looking at one another? The one where his shirt is off? The one where he’s looking directly at the reader, and she’s looking slightly overwhelmed by his handsomeness? I picked one, closed my eyes, and pressed send on my reply to my editor.

Is it over yet? I don’t know. I was told to disregard costumes and everything except the pose. I sure hope I get to see more of the cover as it evolves. I love having such a big part in what will go on the book.

And this has also given me some insight into how covers are created. It’s a process of picking and choosing and then, I imagine, some Photoshopping.

Of course, there are some photo shoots, too, but I haven’t been invited to one of those yet. In case you’re interested in how those work, here’s a link to a video from a recent romance novel photo shoot my publisher hosted.

Are you surprised many authors have so little input in their covers? Would you be surprised to know that of the covers I’ve posted here, I had no input in When You Give a Duke a Diamond and the designers followed my suggestions almost exactly for If You Give a Rake a Ruby? Let me know your thoughts. One person who comments will win either When You Give a Duke a Diamond or If You Give a Rake a Ruby–your choice!

The Jaunty Quills are excited to welcome back New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author Sophie Jordan. Her newest release is an historical novella The Earl in My Bed, which is already on sale!

Keep reading to find out how to win your copy of Sophie’s Lessons from a Scandalous Bride.

Shana: Welcome back! Tell us about The Earl in My Bed. Isn’t this a part of your Forgotten Princesses series?

Sophie Jordan: Yes, it serves as a story to bridge my last book, LESSONS FROM A SCANDALOUS BRIDE, and my next book: HOW TO LOSE A BRIDE IN ONE NIGHT (Annalise’s story – and the last book in my Forgotten Princesses Series).

That said, this is a stand-alone romance. Only novella-length. I always prefer novellas that have their own contained stories. I want a beginning, middle and end. Lots of smexy stuff and, of course, a happily ever after. And that’s what you’ll get with THE EARL IN MY BED.

Shana: Paget, the heroine in The Earl in My Bed, is in love with the hero’s brother at the start of the book. What makes her fall for Jamie?

Sophie Jordan: Much of what drives this story is the forbidden love/can’t be together premise. Annalise and Jamie never got along as children. She was his brother’s best friend. Everyone assumed she would end up marrying Jamie’s brother, Owen. Even she assumed it. Only now, grown up, she begins to question whether she really loves Owen or just the ‘idea’ of them.

When Jamie returns from war before Owen does, sparks fly between them in a way they never did between Annalise and Owen. Except a good brother doesn’t hook up with his brother’s “girlfriend” — past or present. Right? And Annalise certainly doesn’t want to betray Owen either. Yes, cue the angst and misery and longing and explosive-finally-MUST-kiss-her-moment. Naturally, the more they can’t have each other, the more they want each other.

Shana: You just sold a contemporary adult series. Tell us a little bit about it.

Sophie Jordan: Yes!! Yay! I just sold a new adult trilogy. In case you’re unsure what new adult means, it’s basically contemporary romance with a hero and heroine between the ages of 19-24.  The trilogy follows three college suite-mates – each one gets their own book. The first book is called FOREPLAY and it will hit shelves THIS November!

The first book is about a shy, repressed 19 year-old who has been in love with her best friend’s older brother forever. But it’s his last year of college. It’s now or never for her to make something happen. Who better to teach this never-been kissed college sophomore than the hot twenty-four year old bad boy who runs the local college bar and is reputed to have a revolving bedroom door? So – yeah, the title might tip you off. He agrees to teach her some skills at foreplay. No strings attached for either of them. I think you can guess things are not going to be so simple. Plenty of conflict, angst and sexiness abound.

Shana: Will you be writing any more young adult books?

Sophie Jordan: I do have another young adult coming out in early 2014. It’s called Uninvited. It was pitched as the first in a two-book series pitched as The Scarlet Letter meets Minority Report; in which a teen’s perfect world unravels when mandatory genetic profiling reveals she’s a carrier for HTS (Homicidal Tendency Syndrome), otherwise known as the “kill gene” and she’s forced to question herself, her world, and her love.

And what until you see the cover!! It’s AMAZE!

Shana: Finally, tell us what you have coming next.

Sophie Jordan: Aside of this novella, you can look for my next historical: HOW TO LOSE A BRIDE IN ONE NIGHT, the final Forgotten Princesses book, this August. Here is the fabulous cover … and that might give you some idea of the book. But if not, here’s the summary:

He saved her life…

When Annalise Hadley is tossed over the side of her honeymoon barge, the newly-minted duchess knows she’s been left for dead — for her husband’s only interest is in her vast dowry, not her muddied lineage. However, she didn’t count on a savior. Especially not an honorable, sinfully intriguing earl who will tempt her to risk everything—again.

Now he will seduce her heart and soul

A man with his own demons, Owen Crawford, the reclusive Earl of McDowell, is enchanted by the mysterious, courageous woman he rescued. He will help her heal, teach her to protect herself, and then send her away—so that she’ll never see he’s far from the hero she believes him to be.

But days and nights alone prove that some secrets are meant to be discovered…some desires are too powerful to resist…and some wounds can only be healed by love.

AND….You can read the first chapter in the back of The Earl In My Bed – download it for just 1.99!

Readers, now it’s your turn. From Cinderella to Kate Middleton, why do we love stories about princesses so much? One reader who comments will be randomly chosen to win a copy of Sophie’s Lessons from a Scandalous Bride (U.S. only).

And learn more about Sophie (and all her alter egos) at www.sophiejordan.net on Facebook and Twitter (@SoVerySophie).

Buy The Earl in My Bed at Amazon, Barnes & Noble or your favorite online bookstore!

The best part of being a romance writer is writing heroes who are manly and powerful, but sweet and tender. It’s also the most challenging task. But we romance writers have had great role models. We’ve seen all kinds of wonderful heroes between the pages of our favorite romance novels — from the men whose words make us melt, to the silent types whose actions speak louder than any words they might say.

Do you remember the heroes of Julie Garwood’s early books? How about Lord Royce, Nicolaa’s hero in The Prize. He was a gruff Norman knight but there was a kind and gentle side to him that was irresistible. And the heat they generated between them…  Oh baby.

Then there was Katherine Woodiwiss and all her wonderful heroes: Lord Saxton, who buys Erienne at an outrageous auction in A Rose in Winter, and Ruark Beauchamp, who is saved from a wrongful execution in Shanna. These were unquestionably
drool-worthy heroes. And what about Jude Devereaux? In Sweet Liar, Jude wrote a hero for everybody’s tastes – Michael Taggert. And Stephen Montgomery, the Englishman who – against all odds – fell in love with Bronwynn, a highland lass. Their larger-than-life love gives me the shivers just thinking about it.

Along came the Clan of the Cave Bear series, which was more about the heroine than the hero, but Jondalar came through, quite amazingly. These books were original and incredibly imaginative. Who would have thought a story about a prehistoric woman would be so fascinating? Or so romantic?

Does anyone remember Judith McNaught’s A Kingdom of Dreams? The conflict and the hero’s love for his woman nearly cost him his life. He was willing to give it in order to prove his love for her. It was maddening and brutal, and yet one of the most powerful love stories I’ve ever read.

Karen Robards wrote some truly fabulous historicals before switching to contemporary romantic suspense. Nobody’s Angel and This Side of Heaven were two sensual historicals set in colonial America. Very hot, very emotional.
Unfortunately, it’s nearly impossible to find a romance set in pre-Revolutionary America any more, and it was such a vast, ‘anything is possible’ time with plenty of opportunity for adventure and romance. And heroes in buckskin?  Daring rescues from dangerous situations? 

My two Highlander books have heroes who are more apt to do something than talk about it, which is really my favorite kind of hero. I want him brawny and brash – a man’s man – but I also want him to be gentle with the heroine. I want her to get under his skin, and make him willing to sacrifice anything for her. (The Highlander’s Desire will be out later this year).

Now that I’ve told you some of my early favorites, what are the books that brought you over to the romance genre? Did you start with historicals like I did? Or was there something else that grabbed you?