Connie!  Congratulations!!!!!  Connie, I emailed you privately so we can finalize how to get your eBook copy of Dance of Desire to you, so please check your inbox.  Thanks to everyone who left a comment on my post on Saturday.  Stay tuned to the blog for more chances to win books!

Hands.  I’ve been thinking about mine a lot lately.

I dream of smooth, unblemished hands with pretty, long, painted nails—like the hands on the models in the O.P.I. magazine ads.  Hands like those look great holding fancy pens, like the special ones I reserve for autographing copies of my books at signings.  Hands like that show off sparkly rings and bracelets with enviable elegance.  Hands like that… Well, they’re a far cry from my hands right now.  I look at my dry, parched fingers and short, split nails and sigh with despair.

I guess I shouldn’t be surprised at the state of my hands.  This wintery time of year—and yes, it does get cold in Florida!—wreaks havoc on everyone’s skin.  I also demand a lot from my hands as I wash dishes, do laundry, houseclean, garden, drive, grocery shop, prepare food for my family, care for my kitty, exercise, and write on my computer.

To pamper my hands, I avoid liquid and bar soaps with Sodium Laureth Sulfate; this seems especially hard on my skin.  I also slather on hand cream whenever possible.  I read about special gloves to wear at night after your hands have been slathered with lotion, but that doesn’t appeal to me.  In fact, it sounds slightly icky.  :(

What do you use on your hands in the winter months?  Do you have a special remedy or favorite beauty product that you use when your hands are lizard-scaly-dry?

I’m eager to hear what you have to say—and my poor hands will thank you.  I’ll gift a Kindle or Nook eBook copy of my award-winning medieval romance Dance of Desire to one person who leaves a comment.  To learn more about this book as well as my other medieval romances, please visit my website.

Happy Friday and Happy 2012! I know it’s the middle of the month already (already?!? *sigh* Time just flies by faster the more brain cells my children kill… ), but this is my very first post of 2012, and I am thrilled to see what this year holds. I’ll get to the reason for the post title in a moment, but for now, I’d like to list a few reasons why 2012 is already off to a great start for my family.

1) SuperGirl (my 2 year old) has officially started potty training. Although terrified of the process (truly, there seems to be nothing as horrifying as this in our parenting experience so far), my husband and I started with her after the first of the year. I am excited and *relieved* to report that after a few horrifying incidents (see, we knew it would be bad, although I must say these incidents DID happen on my husband’s watch ), it looks like it’s working. I’m keeping my fingers crossed still, though.

2) My husband is chasing after his dreams. Not only does he plan to publish his first upper middle grade novel at the end of the month under his pseudonym Lukas Holmes (seriously, the book rocks, and I’m not just saying that because I’m his wife. Well, maybe I am a little bit…but it still rocks ), he also has decided to start performing as a stand-up comedian. If you’ve read any of his guest interviews with me this past year on various blogs, you know that this is ideal for him, as he’s one of the funniest people I know. As much as I love what I do, it’s a wonderful feeling to see my significant other having the chance to do what he loves to do, too.

3) WonderGirl (my 1 year old) is still not sleeping through the night. Okay, I have to admit, this isn’t something I like saying. I’d *prefer* for the sake of my sanity to be able to say that she sleeps through the night every night, especially since SuperGirl began sleeping through the night when she was 7 months old. But I’m choosing instead to say that this is a wonderful thing because, the truth is, I love that she still needs me. It seems like the time with SuperGirl has gone by really fast, and knowing this makes me treasure the very early years with WonderGirl even more. (And can you really complain when all she wants to do is snuggle? It melts my heart.)

And now for the reason of this post’s title. If you follow me on Facebook or Twitter, you probably already know this, but for those of you who haven’t heard, I’ve decided to change my name to Elise Rome in celebration of the new journey I’ll embark on this year with self-publishing.Very soon, the name on the Jaunty Quills website will change from Ashley March to Elise Rome–but I promise, it will still be me! =)

You probably know a lot of authors who have changed their name over the course of their writing careers, most often because they switch genres or publishers. While I still intend to write Victorian romances (they’ll always be my first love), I also intend to explore other historical periods in the coming years, such as the 1920s and the Elizabethan era, World War II and the medieval ages…and more. And I even have ideas for contemporary novels rolling around in my head, too.

For now, though, I’m looking forward to publishing a new Victorian series under my new Elise Rome name at the end of January/beginning of February (I’ll be sure to keep you posted with a specific date!). The UNMASKED series is about four women who discover their independence by becoming owners of a gaming hell after the previous owner dies and leaves the establishment to his lover (Rachel, his lover, is the heroine of the second full-length book). They create an exclusive environment where only people who receive an invitation may enter the hell, and to protect their identities and add to the mystery of the place, the women all wear masks. The series launches with THE SINNING HOUR, a novella featuring Miranda, the hell’s maid, and Simon Astley, her former employer–whom you may recognize as the portraitist who painted Charlotte’s nudes in my Ashley March title, SEDUCING THE DUCHESS. I’m so excited about this series. I’ve always wanted to write about a gaming hell, and here I also I get to explore characters of different classes along with the changing roles of women in the Victorian era.

Here is a sneak peek at Simon Astley, the hero of THE SINNING HOUR.

***

Simon lifted a brow at the sight of yet another door—the seventh so far. Unlike the others, this one was covered in green baize, a relief to the previous monotony of uninspiring brown wood.

To any other man, this change might have signaled that something interesting was soon to come. Another man might have leaned forward, anticipating his entrance—at last!—into the secret rooms within. Yet, since Simon was unreasonably perverse, he neither leaned forward nor encouraged himself to care what lay ahead; instead, he allowed the color of the door to summon thoughts of her.

He tried to recall her eyes, the emerald green of the baize taunting his powers of recollection. Had they been jewel bright like this, or a softer, darker moss? For a moment she wavered before him, her lashes thickly fringed, her gaze wary as he attempted to coax her from her shyness. Her irises—

Simon blinked, dismissing the vision. Enough. Attempting to remember her clearly had become something akin to self-flagellation, and he’d never been one to enjoy the cutting whips of his conscience.

His giant of an escort knocked against a grate inlaid within the baize, and soon a different pair of eyes peered through at Simon.

“It’s the artist. Let him in.”

At the mildly disgusted way in which his escort said artist, Simon’s other brow lifted. He waited wordlessly as the seventh door swung open to reveal— Ah, the inside of the hell. At last. Then again, he supposed eight doors would have been too much.

With the barest trace of a smile–to annoy the guards, not to show his amusement–Simon acknowledged the summary of directions from his escort, then continued forward on his own.

The gaming hell was much as he’d expected and yet surprising all the same. He climbed the grand staircase to the first floor, studying the mark of wealth and privilege on each side. Ivory silk hung on the walls, adorned with gold flecks and glinting beneath the heavy crystal chandeliers. Plush carpet sprawled underfoot, the soft, welcoming color of a woman’s bare thigh. Smoothing his hand along the stair banister, he admired the gleaming mahogany, the polished slide of it sensuous beneath his palm. Velvet curtains were drawn at the windows, blocking out the harsh invasion of the afternoon sun. At night he presumed they guarded against envious gazes, maintaining the hell’s reputation of exclusivity while keeping safe the identities of those fortunate enough to have been invited inside.

It was this, perhaps, which roused his curiosity. Finally stepping onto the floor of the gaming area, he searched for something magnificent, a clue as to why the proprietors felt confident enough to demand a hundred pound fee simply for entrance into the establishment. A reason why the most coveted invitations in all of London for the past month came not from the Queen or the Duchess of Sayers’ pen, but rather from 114 Jermyn Street.

He glanced at the hazard table and roulette wheel. The balcony to his right and the ceiling above. The building carried the hushed air of a museum, silent and provocative with secrets, concealing a spectacular history of things which had gone before. He wasn’t a man who usually cared to wager recklessly on a spin of the wheel, but even he felt a tug of promise as he surveyed the room, a whisper of possibility for winnings beyond imagination.

A man could begin anew with such a fortune. Doubtless he could also acquire a new sort of morality, something which wouldn’t cause him to surrender to tireless nudges of nobility and honor.

Alas, he hadn’t received an invitation to play. He was here to sketch.

Following the guard’s directions, Simon ducked inside an alcove set into the right corner of the room and climbed up the private stairs. He paused outside the owners’ suite and listened, his satchel of paper and instruments tucked loosely beneath his arm.

He’d heard the rumors, of course. Most everyone in Mayfair was privy to the stories of those sated with victory and broken by loss, of the men who had passed through the hell’s doors and returned to regale those less fortunate. Even so, and even though the notes Simon had received were written in a decidedly feminine script, he’d had his doubts.

But the voices and shouts of laughter echoing from within the room were obviously female. Yes, they could belong to the proprietors’ mistresses or hired doxies. Or the rumors could be true. The gaming hell could actually be owned by a group of women, masked and mysterious, beautiful and wickedly remote. It was impossible. Inconceivable. And also…rather delightful.

Simon rapped against the door and waited.

***

Hope you enjoyed the excerpt!

One of the things I’m most looking forward to in writing as Elise Rome is being able to continue to write Victorian romances as well as romances in other historical periods. If you could ask your favorite historical authors to write about specific times/places outside of the Regency or Victorian England, what would those time periods/places be?

For your convenience, here are my new links:

www.eliserome.com

www.facebook.com/eliseromeauthor

www.twitter.com/eliserome

It occurred to me the other day that I really love to learn things while I’m reading. No, I don’t want a history lesson when I’m reading a historical romance, and I don’t want to feel like I’m reading a police procedure manual when I’ve got a suspense book in my hands. But I love picking up the bits of information that skillful authors filter in throughout their books.  I think this is why I can read just about any kind of book I pick up, and of course I can read romance endlessly. But it’s not only because of the fun of experiencing the hero and heroine navigating the joys and perils of new love and moving on to their HEA. It’s all the details that make each book different and compelling.

Take almost any contemporary novel. The main characters are usually engaged in some kind of work or profession, right? An author who’s done her research can give some insight into what those professions entail. I’ve read scenes that make me feel as though I’m actually sitting at a police detective’s desk in a tiny cubicle, or flying over the mountains in a small plane. Or driving a tractor through a field. I read a novel recently that was about the characters who worked and lived near a hospital in Ethiopia, and I almost felt as though I could find my way around the little town where the book was set.

Sometimes it’s the author’s insight into personalities that hooks me. Maybe it’s not specific details about what anarchitect or an FBI agent does, or how to create the perfect bakery pastry – but an understanding of what makes those characters tick. It’s relatable to real life. An author can make the sorrows and joys of the fictional characters resonate. It makes me stop and think about people I know… or situations I might not have understood before.

I love it when I read something that makes me want to delve deeper into the subject matter. Whether it’s historical detail or something about astronomy. Or cooking. Or race car driving.

I’m guessing most of you are book lovers – is there anything besides the romance that  compels you to sit down with a book?

Thanks everyone for blogging with me. My winners are: Lizzie Lamb, Jane and Stacie D. Drop me your snail mail at kathy@katherinegarbera.com

I just got one of my favorite yearly emails — the one telling me to expect a package of books in the mail! Now, c’mon, what kind of romance reader would I be if that didn’t make my heart beat a bit stronger? LOL — and I AM a romance reader through and through.  So, after I have fun with that box of books, what do I have planned? Well, after reading the other Jaunty Quills upcoming releases, I’ll be looking forward to:

Okay — you all know (or some of you know) that I swear I don’t like vampire romances…….for sooooo many reasons. And I stand by that except when a new Midnight Breed romance comes out from Lara Adrian! LOL!  Her vamps are a different twist on the ‘same old’ vampire mythology and these stories are dark and steamy as are the heroes in them. Wow….. This one is special because it also marks Lara’s first  hardcover release AND because we finally get to Sterling Chase’s story — woohoo!

Next up on my anticipation list is Kerrelyn Sparks’ WANTED:UNDEAD OR ALIVE — hey! wait a sec! It’s a vampire romance! How could that happen?

Well, I am hooked on this series, too — Kerrelyn’s Love At Stake series has a lighter approach to vampires as well as those other paranormals I’ve sworn never to read — shapeshifters!  But I do enjoy these stories about the good vamps fighting the bad vamps to protect humanity — the good vamps’ leader Roman isn’t too bad either!

Okay, okay, before you all think I’ve lost my mind actually talking about vampire romances — I am sooooo waiting for the first book in Madeline Hunter’s next historical series – THE SURRENDER OF MISS FAIRBOURNE – coming in March. OH NO!! Why do Madeline Hunter books always come out on or near my own writing deadlines? I guess I’ll have to work something out with her publisher because there is no way I can NOT read this the day it hits the shelves….. It’s the first of her new Fairbourne Quartet and this time she tackles the world of auction houses. Since I love the rich, historical texture of her stories, I can’t wait for this one.

My newest addiction is Gaelen Foley’s INFERNO CLUB Regency historicals. I found a reference online to Gaelen’s stories involving a secret order of warriors founded in the Middle Ages and still operating in Regency England and France – I was hooked! I raced through the first two and am in the middle of the third — just as the fourth one was released — AND there’s a fifth one coming too! Woohooo for me!

So, how about you? What’s coming up in your reading future in 2012? Readers — what book or series are you looking forward to? Authors — what can readers expect to see from you in 2012? I’m looking for a few more suggestions for once I finish these….so what do you suggest?

     Terri is thrilled to see her 2011 short story WHAT THE DUCHESS WANTS included in the Mills&Boon Special Release – ROYAL WEDDINGS THROUGH THE AGES in February! Since it’s a M&B release, it can be ordered online here or here. For lots of exciting info about Terri and her upcoming books, visit her website. 

Crystal! Congrats on winning a copy of Anne’s book and thanks for visiting!

I’m a little late to the actual world of fashion designers. I like clothes and shoes and handbags but I buy on instinct based on what I like and what looks good on me. I’m not tall and my body is pretty much 50/50, meaning my legs aren’t super long. So over the years I’ve learned what I can and can’t wear. I’ve never looked good in khakis and a polo shirt. Despite knowing this I have attempted the look many times, but then I grew up in the 80s so might have an excuse!

While browsing in Waterstones (a UK book chain that’s similar to BN in the US) I found a book that looked intriguing…Parisian Chic. My husband and son were both still in search of a gift for moi so I grabbed it and handed it them before turning away so I could be surprised on Christmas morning!

And I was. I have read and re-read the book a number of times. The fashion advice from Ines de la Fressange is almost simple and as soon as I read a number of things I could easily see how even though I didn’t know these “rules” I had already been instinctively doing some of the things she suggests. I wish I did it as well as she does but then I’ve never been the face of Chanel so I think I might be excused.

To bring this blog into focus a bit, I will say that reading this book reminded me of writing. The first manuscript I ever wrote had mistakes and plot holes and was very contrived but the bones of the writing craft were there. This fashion book felt the same as writing does to me. It was like I knew the basics but not the right way to apply them. And for me the practice of writing every day honed what I knew and I still learn things from my own writing process and from reading the books of others.

My question today is a two-parter: Have you ever stumbled onto something that was new to you and found you knew more about it than you had suspected? And if so, what was it?

I’m giving away a copy of His Royal Prize to three lucky bloggers today!

Kathy

More than the love scenes, the kissing scenes, the ball scenes, the wedding scenes, the eating scenes…even more than the bad date scenes…I love me a fight scene. Oh, yeah! If someone asked me, “Higgins, what’s your favorite part of romance novels?” my answer would be instant. “Fighting! Bring it, baby!”

Now, in real life, I don’t like fighting at all. Ask my children how many times a month I bellow “No bickering!” McIrish and I rarely fight (we’re more of the “sulk and stew” variety, although, ah, spirited discussions have been known to take place). As for those shows where people fight all the time? Hate ’em. Real Housewives, Jerry Springer, People’s Court = hell as far as I’m concerned.

But in a romance novel, it’s fair to say that I love, love, LOVE fighting. And so, my list of elements I adore.

1. Snark, not sincerity. Do NOT say what’s truly bothering you. If you’re honest, then the fight’s gonna end, and we don’t want that!
2. Avoid eye contact by crossing arms and glaring at something else. The cat. The sheep. The mantel. The rug. If you look into his/her eyes, you might start to feel a little melt-ish, and we don’t want that. Not now. Uh-uh.
3. Bring up the old wounds. Yes! By all means, don’t let this fight stay focused on this issue. “Oh, this is just like you. Remember the time when—” Yes! This IS the time to dig  up that particular memory corpse. Do it!
4. Make use of innocent bystanders. Really. An audience makes fighting so much more interesting. Let’s poll them, shall we? See whose side they’re on.
5. Throw food. I don’t like any kind of physical violence in fights. Face-slapping used to be a standard in romance novels; I’m not a fan. Food-throwing, however, is in a different class. Messy food. Not bouncing-off food. Pudding works beautifully, for example, whereas Brussel sprouts would not.
6. Refuse to be serious when the other is getting more and more frustrated. “Wow. Your face is really getting red. And that vein in your forehead looks like it’s gonna blow.” This will result in #7…
7. Growling noises. You KNOW when someone growls, things are really heating up.
8. Use the words “You know what your problem is?” at least once during the fight, because those words are gas on a fire, baby. Have those words ever stopped/redirected/ended a fight? No. Never. Those are conflagration words, baby! Speak them!
9. When frustration and irritation cannot be contained another second, grab and kiss. And what a kiss it’ll be! Filled with emotion, passion, anger, etc., which will abruptly soften to something really, really hot…but then,
10. 10. Storm out before resolution can take place.

Sigh!

Got anything to add? Any memorable fight scenes to share from romances you love?

The winner of the drawing from my blog earlier this week is Leanna Morris. Congratulations, Leanna. I’ll try to contact you by email, but if you don’t hear from me — please shoot me an email. margomaguire@yahoo.com. (And congratulations on your husband’s good news, too!)

Margo