LynneC’s review of Star Crossed Seduction (Lords of the Seventh House, Book 2) by Jenny Brown
Historical Romance published by Avon Harper Collins August 30th 2011

If I’d read the book described in the blurb, I would have been a happy woman. Unfortunately, it’s nothing like that.  The description of this one intrigued me because it’s about an army officer and a street rat. No lords and ladies, even though the previous book had a lord for a hero. But I soon got bogged down in a welter of historical detail and astrological didacticism. If, like Ms. Brown, you’re a devotee of astrology, then this book might be for you, and certainly I can’t complain a huge amount about the history in this one, unless that there’s too much of it (I know, don’t faint!).

Captain Miles Trevelyan, Trev to his friends, is home on leave from India, so it’s a bit odd that he and his friend choose to wear their uniforms on occasion, because it was the convention for off-duty soldiers on half pay not to do that. But, anyway, a niggle, and it doesn’t bother me a great deal. He’s handsome, a professional soldier, not used to England, since he’s lived all his adult life in India.

Temperance is a street rat, a pickpocket, who gave her heart to a man called Randall, who is now, she believes, dead. When she tries to pick Miles’ pocket, he pursues her, and, in the ensuing struggle, gains the locket she always wears. But here comes my first disconnect. He kisses her and they get the instant connection thing. Wait—he kisses a street rat? These people had rotting teeth and stank more than somewhat. As a gentleman, he might just have noticed that.

Temperance and her friends are taken in by the heroine of the previous book of the series, to her refuge that she runs on astrological principles. Not too far a stretch to make, since there were all kinds of eccentrics around at the time. But in 1821, astrology wasn’t taken seriously in scientific circles and was derided by most. Everyone seems to take this woman seriously. She does the horoscopes of the girls she takes in and decides what to do with their lives accordingly. That is, to me, nuts. As is the assertion that when Temperance lies and gives not her birthday but that of her dead sister, Lady Hartwood spots that the owner of that birthday is dead. Does that mean everybody with the same birthday and time and place of birth are dead? So, as you can see, I’m an astrological skeptic, which makes me a hard sell for this book.

But I read books with elves and write books with vampires, so surely I can take a bit of astrological stuff and accept it for the space of the book? Well, I would, except there is so damned much of it. And it does read like didacticism. I gave up on the book after I got another lecture from Lady Hartwood and realised that, and my other disconnects, make me uninterested in what happens to the characters or the plot. I just don’t care.

There is a lot of history in this book and a lot of references to things that happened at this time. While I am familiar with the time and took most of it in stride, I don’t know how regular readers will take it and I don’t know why they should care. It’s set in 1821, firmly established as this is the year George IV finally was crowned as King, after all his years as Regent, and there are references to the Indian campaign and to the growing discontent among political firebrands, as they were known at the time. One of these themes would have been interesting, but it’s a bit like scattershot, especially in the early chapters—it is sprinkled all over in the hope that some of it might take. I wonder about the reference to Peterloo, for instance, which was a completely local affair and only became a national scandal after the military overreacted.

And the references to “dragoons,” as if they all belonged to the same regiment, is a bit off, too. Dragoons are only one type of soldier – light cavalry, i.e., they carried light weapons, were mounted, and were the lightning forces of the day – and the reference to Miles’ blue tunic (tunics came in a bit later for the army—at this period they were still coats) and blue trousers make me wonder. My father-in-law was a dragoon, but he was in an Irish regiment, so his uniform was green. Temperance’s assertion that the dragoons are all the same, that the ones at Peterloo were the same as the ones in India had me puzzled, but Temperance is a tempestuous heroine, much given to acting first and thinking later.

I really couldn’t like Temperance. She flings herself from one situation to another, and although we’re told she has a kind heart, it is the kind that gives things away to people and doesn’t really work for me. She accepts poverty, and worse, instead of taking what she was born with and making it better. She has the kind of idealism that people who have never known poverty imagine that poor people have for each other. Brown seems to want to make Temperance a bit of everything – intelligent, charitable, streetwise, gracious, a woman born to wealth who gave it up for an ideal—not only gave it up, but flung herself into the gutter. I think Temperance is a servant of the plot more than a living, breathing character, and I couldn’t warm to her. That’s the main reason I gave up on this one.

Miles is, well, the hardened military man thrown into schemes and devices not of his making. I think Miles is the more interesting character, but in the half of the book that I read, I didn’t get enough of him. I might have read on, but the heavy plot and the building “why should I care?” feeling eventually made me give up.

The dreariness of the prose, the throw-everything-at-it-until-it-sticks plot, and the dislikeableness of the main female character made me give up on this one. Oh, yes, and all that astrological stuff.

Grade: DNF

Summary:

Lovers or Enemies?

Captain Miles Trevelyan, on leave from active service in India, is heading out for a night on the town when he rescues a beautiful pickpocket from arrest. She’s the perfect choice for a few days of dalliance–beautiful, cunning, and completely disposable.

But Temperance has no intention of becoming the plaything of a man who wears the uniform of the solders who murdered her lover. Disarming Trev with a kiss, she escapes. But her sultry kiss opens the two Scorpio adversaries to an obsessive attraction that neither can elude–or possibly survive.

Following the success of her sensational debut novel, Lord Lightning, Jenny continues her Lords of the Seventh House series–in which each hero is a different sign of the Zodiac. A dark and sensual story reminiscent of the acclaimed novels of Loretta Chase, Anna Campbell, and Mary Balogh, but with a very tantalizing touch of the occult thrown in, Star Crossed Seduction is top-flight historical romance with a uniquely unforgettable difference.

No excerpt available.

Sandy M’s review of The Ranger (Highland Guard Series, Book 3) by Monica McCarty
Historical Romance published by Ballantine Books 28 Dec 10

I’m so thoroughly enjoying this Highland “black ops” series that Monica McCarty has created. She’s taken actual events in history and integrated her idea of the elite and dangerous fighters needed during some of Scotland’s blackest days, giving each hero a military or superhero “power” to make him a mean, lean fighting machine. On top of that, Ms. McCarty has taken her stories to the next level, twisting the lives of the hero and heroine in such a way that the emotion is wrung out of you till there’s nothing left. Then there’s only happiness all around.

We, of course, met Arthur Campbell in The Chief where he trains with those hand chosen by Robert the Bruce to be part of his new Highland Guard. Arthur’s special abilities are a sort of Spidey sense, able to detect danger and people and the like seemingly out of thin air, which has caused problems for him in the past with folks becoming suspicious when he does his thing. Therefore, he spends a lot of time alone, it’s just easier that way. During the training, Arthur is tossed out of the Guard – there’s no tolerance for any behavior but following the rules and learning what they need to know. As I felt at the time, we find out in this book that it was all a setup so that Arthur could infiltrate the English, spy where needed to give Bruce and his men the edge in his quest for the crown and trying to keep peace in the Highlands.

Arthur’s latest assignment is to insinuate himself into the good graces of John of Lorn to learn what he can to hasten Bruce’s conquest of the man. He’s been waiting for this opportunity for fourteen years after witnessing his father’s death at Lorn’s hands. Vengeance has been so much a part of his consciousness for so long that not even coming face to face with the most beautiful woman he’s ever seen can deter him from his path. He’s relieved that Anna, Lorn’s daughter, doesn’t recognize him from a dangerous encounter a year before. He couldn’t leave her at that time to walk into the middle of an ambush, and now he may pay for that with his life.

So Arthur does the only thing he can – he avoids Anna or ticks her off, anything to keep her distracted. But things just don’t work that well for him. Circumstances happen that require both his extraordinary senses and his incredible speed, and Anna is much too perceptive – and irked that he appears to dislike her – so Arthur must be even more careful around her than he’s ever been before. But the woman has her own ideas, over and above what her father has asked of her, which is, of course, unbeknownst to Arthur. She sees things in him that no one else does, things he’d rather have left alone. Arthur’s tightrope becomes more precarious by the moment in this mission he never wanted to begin with.

What makes this book for me is the situations Arthur finds himself in that require the use of his abilities. More than once he saves Anna’s life with those abilities and that makes Anna suspicious. She never could imagine what she learns about this intriguing enemy of her family, though. The emotion between them goes back and forth between longing and hurt, because Arthur wants to do the right thing when it comes to Anna, even if there really isn’t a right way that will turn out any way but bad for her. But the man puts what he can into it, refusing to fail in his mission. The action scenes are done very well, sword fighting and flying arrows at the worst times.

The historical research that’s going into this series is incredible. Ms. McCarty has interwoven her characters into past reality that makes reading it a delight, even despite the dire circumstances of the time. I believe this is her best work to date, giving these characters such an emotional roller coaster in life to get through. It all actually seems impossible at the end, but then that’s why we read romance, for the impossible to happen.

Grade: A+

Summary:

The legend of the Highland Guard continues…

Handpicked by Robert the Bruce to help him in his quest to free Scotland from English rule, the Highland Guard is an elite fighting force unlike any the world has ever seen. They are the best of the best, chosen for their superior skills in each discipline of warfare. As the tides of war turn, one elite warrior is all that stands between victory and defeat.

Embedded deep behind enemy lines, Arthur “Ranger” Campbell is Bruce’s secret weapon as he wages his final assault on the enemies who stand against him. Recruited to join the Bruce’s secret elite fighting force for his prized scouting skills, Arthur’s razor sharp senses and ability to blend into the shadows make him the perfect spy. But when this shadow warrior must infiltrate the clan of the chieftain who murdered his father, his heart is locked on revenge. Inside he faces unexpected resistance from the sweetest of obstacles—a honey-haired siren who is his enemy’s daughter. But the vivacious, enchanting Anna MacDougall is a woman whose skill at uncovering deception rivals his own.

Intrigued by this ruggedly handsome newcomer to her father’s forces, Anna accepts the challenge his determined indifference to her arouses. Though anxious for the war to end and yearning for a quiet life with a good man to love, Anna is drawn to this mysterious knight whose eyes devour her but whose words push her away. But as danger, treachery, and the threat of looming war draw them closer into each other’s passions and secrets, a warrior made of steel must make a choice from the heart: love or revenge.

Read an excerpt.

Other books in this series:

Lawson’s review of Tempt the Devil by Anna Campbell
Historical romance released by Avon 30 Dec 08

One can always count on Anna Campbell to deliver an emotional story with a bit of a different view. Tempt the Devil is set in the same world as Claiming the Courtesan, but it’s not a sequel. Another notorious woman, another nobleman and another battle of wills between to very strong people. What comes out by the end is a different sort of story from Campbell, and an unexpected ride.

Olivia Raines is bored with all the men of London lusting after her. They’re all the same, and though she’s a courtesan and used to such things, she doesn’t find any interest anymore in coaxing jewelry out of men and finding young dandies worshiping the ground she walks on. A challenge comes for her last conquest in the form of Julian Southwood, Earl of Erith, a diplomat home for his daughter’s wedding.

Olivia knows what to do to keep a man lusting after her, but she is the one who has rules to follow and when Julian shows that he bows to no rules, Olivia does everything she can to push him away. Julian, though, has his own demons to fight and with Olivia he feels the first cracks in the armor around his heart in many, many years. Though he doesn’t like her rules, he gets past her defenses as well and discovers someone worth treasuring. But can Julian give up some things that he’s gained in coming back to England from abroad to be with Olivia forever?

The potential to be a great, heart-wrenching, emotional story is completely lost in everything else that is happening in this book. Olivia’s rules hide an abused and vulnerable woman, Julian’s actions hide a scared and lost young father who can’t cope with loss. Both act badly on a number of occasions, though not at the same time. The up and down of their actions to each other demonizes one, then the other, than back again and absurd tug of war.

Olivia’s past is horrifying, but it doesn’t justify the things she does to all men, not just Julian, nor does Julian’s past justify how he’s lived his life for the last 20 years and his treatment of women in the meantime. Throw into this Julian’s rocky relationship with his children, Olivia’s many secrets, the censure of London society, Olivia going from wanting him out of her life to demanding everything over a short amount of time and Julian always thinking he’s right and should be the center of the world and it just makes a mud puddle that they’re all struggling way to hard to get out of.

Neither Olivia or Julian are likable characters through much of the book because they are good, then do something bad, then sort of redeem themselves, then hurt someone else, then . . . it just gets to be too much. I suppose I can understand what Campbell was trying to do with these characters, but it comes across as a big mess of shattered expectations, shady actions and the idea that the past justifies your actions and you shouldn’t change.

Grade: D

Summary:

Any man in London would worship her. Yet Olivia is, quite frankly, bored of them all. Despite her many dalliances, she’s never felt true passion, never longed for any lover’s touch . . . until Julian, London’s most notoriously wanton rake, decided to make her his mistress.

From the moment he first saw her, Julian knew he must possess her. And when he discovers her greatest secret, a scandal that could ruin her reputation and end her career, he knows just the way to use this damaging information to his most delightful advantage. He offers Olivia a deal with the devil: he’ll keep her secret . . . if she allows him the chance to show her true ecstasy.

But Olivia must be careful, for Julian has a secret of his own: he will not rest until she is completely, shamelessly his.

Read an excerpt.

2009 Review Index

C2
— January —
1. Talk Me Down by Victoria Dahl	B, Contemporary romance, HQN, 1 Jan 09
— February —
2. Dark of Night by Suzanne Brockmann	A-, Romantic suspense hardcover, Ballantine, 27 Jan 09
3. Vexing the Viscount by Emily Bryan	C+, Historical romance, Leisure, 24 Feb 09
— March —
4. When a Stranger Loves Me by Julianne MacLean	B, Historical romance, Avon, 27 Jan 09
5. Always a Scoundrel by Suzanne Enoch	A, Historical romance, Avon, 28 April 09
— May —
6. The Secret Wedding by Jo Beverley	A, Historical Romance, Signet, 7 Apr 09
— July —
7. The Legend of the Werestag by Tessa Dare	A, Historical Paranormal Romance novella, Samhain, 12 May 09
8. Sins of a Wicked Duke by Sophie Jordan	B-, Historical romance, Avon, 31 Mar 09
9. Hot Pursuit by Suzanne Brockmann	A, Romantic suspense, Ballantine, 28 Jul 09
10. One Week As Lovers by Victoria Dahl	B+, Historical romance, Zebra, 1 Aug 09
— August —
11. Mastered By Love by Stephanie Laurens	B-, Historical Romance, Avon, 28 July 2009
12. Since the Surrender by Julie Anne Long	A, Historical romance, Avon, 28 July 2009
— September —
13. The Infamous Rogue by Alexandra Benedict	C+, Historical romance, Avon, 28 July 2009
14. Beauty And The Duke by Melody Thomas	C, Historical romance, Avon, 28 July 2009
— November —
15. To Wed A Wicked Earl by Olivia Parker	A, Historical romance, Avon, 25 Aug 09
16. The Earl Claims His Bride by Cathy Maxwell	D, Historical romance, Avon, 29 Sep 09

…

Devon
— January —
1. Seduced at Midnight by Jacquie D’Alessandro	C+, Historical Romance, Berkley Sensation, 6 Jan 09
2. Zen and the Art of Vampires by Katie MacAlister	B-, Contemporary paranormal romance, Signet, 2 Dec 08
3. Come Toy With Me by Cara Summers	B-, Contemporary Romance, Harlequin Blaze, 1 Dec 08
4. A Voice in the Dark by Jenna Ryan	C, Contemporary romantic suspense, Harlequin Intrigue, 1 Jan 09
5. Ravenous by Sharon Ashwood	B-, Paranormal romance, Signet, 3 Feb 09
6. A Witch’s Beauty by Joey W. Hill	B+, Paranormal Romance, Berkley Trade, 6 Jan 09
— August —
7. A Duke of Her Own by Eloisa James	A-, Historical Romance, Avon, 28 Jul 09
8. Red Kiss by Deirde Knight	B-, Paranormal romance, Signet, 2 Jun 2009
— November —
9. Big Bad Wolf by Christine Warren	B-, Paranormal romance, St. Martin’s, 29 Sep 09
— December —
10. A Mermaid’ Ransom by Joey W. Hill	A-, Paranormal romance, Berkley, 1 Dec 09

…

Gwen
— January —
1. Demon Bound by Meljean Brook	B, Contemporary paranormal romance, Berkley, 4 Nov 08
2. Murder Game by Christine Feehan	A, Contemporary paranormal romantic suspense, Jove, 30 Dec 08
3. Veil of Midnight by Lara Adrian	B-, Contemporary paranormal action romance, Dell, 30 Dec 08
4. Night Shadow by Cherry Adair	B+, Contemporary paranormal romantic suspense hardcover, Ballantine, 25 Nov 08
5. Immortal Warrior by Lisa Hendrix	B, Historical paranormal romance, Berkley, 4 Nov 08
6. Where There’s Fire by Maureen McKade	B+, Contemporary romantic suspense, Berkley, 7 Oct 08
7. Primal Needs by Susan Sizemore	D+, Contemporary paranormal romance, Pocket Star, 30 Dec 08
8. Secrets of Surrender by Madeline Hunter	A, Historical romance, Dell, 20 May 08
— February —
9.  Mortal Sins by Eileen Wilks	A, Urban fantasy suspense, Berkley, 3 Feb 09
10. Faefever by Karen Marie Moning	A, Urban Fantasy hardcover, Delacorte Press, 16 Sep 08
11. Dogs and Goddesses by Crusie, Stuart, and Rich	C+, Contemporary paranormal romance, St. Martin’s, 3 Feb 09
12. The Vampire’s Bride by Gena Showalter	C+, Paranormal fantasy romance, HQN, 1 Mar 09
— March —
13. A View To A Kiss by Caroline Linden	B+, Historical romance, Avon, 27 Jan 09
14. The Sins of Lord Easterbrook by Madeline Hunter	A, Historical romance, Dell, 3 Feb 09
15. Fallen by Claire Delacroix	B-, Urban fantasy romantic suspense, Tor, 30 Sep 08
16. Witch Heart by Anya Bast	B, Contemporary paranormal romance, Berkley, 6 Jan 09
17. The Bride Price by Anne Mallory	A+, Historical romance, Avon, 28 Oct 08
18. Highland Scoundrel by Monica McCarty	C, Historical romance, Ballantine, 24 Mar 09
19. Confessions of a Little Black Gown by Elizabeth Boyle	B+, Historical Romance, Avon, 31 Mar 09
— April —
20. Red by Jordan Summers	B, Urban Fantasy Romance, Tor Paranormal Romance, 4 Nov 08
21. At Last Comes Love by Mary Balogh	A+, Historical romance, Dell, 28 Apr 09
22. Eve of Darkness by S.J. Day	B+, Urban Fantasy, Tor, 28 Apr 09
23. A Perfect Darkness by Jaime Rush	C-, Contemporary paranormal romance, Avon, 27 Jan 09
— May —
24. Nobody But You by Francis Ray	C+, Contemporary romance, St. Martin’s, 3 Mar 09
25. Ashes of Midnight by Lara Adrian	B, Contemporary paranormal romance, Dell, 26 May 09
— June —
26. Eve of Destruction by S.J. Day	A-, Urban Fantasy, Tor, 2 Jun 09
27. Atlantis Unleashed by Alyssa Day	A, Contemporary paranormal romance, Berkley, 2 Jun 09
28. Skin Trade by Laurell K. Hamilton	B+, Urban fantasy hardcover, Berkley, 2 Jun 09
29. The Betrayal by Pati Nagle	A, Romantic fantasy, Del Rey, 24 Mar 09
30. Faeries Gone Wild by Davidson, Greiman, Hauf, and Logan	B, Contemporary paranormal romance anthology, St. Martin’s, 2 Jun 09
31. Seduce the Darkness by Gena Showalter	A, Futuristic paranormal romance, Pocket Star, 30 Jun 09
— July —
32. Desire Untamed by Pamela Palmer	C+, Contemporary paranormal romance, Avon, 30 Jun 09
— August —
33. Immortal Outlaw by Lisa Hendrix	B+, Historical paranormal romance, Berkley, 2 Jun 2009
34. Wicked Is The Night by Catherine Mulvaney	D+, Contemporary paranormal romance, Pocket, 25 Nov 2008
35. Atlantis Unmasked by Alyssa Day	B+, Contemporary paranormal romance, Berkley, 7 Jul 2009
36. Branded by Fire by Nalini Singh	A, Paranormal romance, Berkley, 7 Jul 2009
— September —
37. Beyond the Rain by Jess Granger	A, Science fiction romance, Berkley, 4 Aug 2009
38. Hidden Currents by Christine Feehan	C, Contemporary paranormal romance, Berkley, 30 Jun 2009
39. Doomsday Can Wait by Lori Handeland	C, Urban Fantasy, St. Martin’s, 28 Apr 2009
40. The Price of Desire by Jo Goodman	A, Historical romance, Zebra, 1 Sept 2008
41. Hunting Ground by Patricia Briggs	B++, Paranormal romantic suspense, Ace, 29 Aug 09
42. Demons Not Included by Cheyenne McCray	B-, Urban Fantasy, St. Martins, 2 Jun 09
43. Holding Out For A Hero by HelenKay Dimon	B, Contemporary romance, Brava, 29 Sep 09
— October —
44. Burning Alive by Shannon K. Butcher	C, Contemporary paranormal romance, Onyx, 5 May 09
45. Covet by J.R. Ward	B-, Contemporary paranormal romance, Signet, 29 Sep 09
46. Tempt Me At Twilight by Lisa Kleypas	A, Historical romance, St. Martin’s, 22 Sep 09
47. Undead On Arrival by L.A. Banks	C, Urban Fantasy, St. Martin’s, 31 Mar 09
48. Heart Of Gold by Jessica Bird	B+, Contemporary romance, Ivy, 3 Jun 03
49. The Warlord’s Daughter by Susan Grant	A, Sci-Fi romance, HQN, 1 Feb 09
50. Deep Kiss Of Winter by Kresley Cole & Gena Showalter	B, Paranormal romance, Pocket, 13 Oct 09
51. Blaze Of Memory by Nalini Singh	A, Paranormal romance, Futuristic paranormal romance, Berkley, 3 Nov 09
— November —
52. Born Of Night by Sherrilyn Kenyon	B-, Sci-fi romance, St. Martin’s, 29 Sep 09
— December —
53. Vampire Sunrise by Carole N. Douglas	C+, Urban fantasy, Pocket, 24 Nov 09
54. Divine Misdemeanors by Laurell K. Hamilton	B-, Urban fantasy, Ballantine, 8 Dec 09
55. Never Romance A Rake by Liz Carlyle	B+, Historical romance, Pocket, 22 Jul 08

…

Holly
— March —
1. Devil of the Highlands by Lynsay Sands	B+, Historical Romance, Avon, 27 Jan 09
— April —
2. The Key by Lynsay Sands	B+, Historical Romance, Leisure, 1 Feb 99
— May —
3. Runaway Bride Returns by Christie Ridgway	B, Contemporary Romance, Silhouette Special Edition, 1 May 09
— June —
4. Wyoming Wedding by Sara Orwig	C, Contemporary Romance, Silhouette Desire, 9 Jun 09
5. Summer At the Lake by Linda Barrett	B, Contemporary Romance, Harlequin SuperRomance, 12 May 09
6. She’s Got It Bad by Sarah Mayberry	B+, Contemporary Romance, Harlequin Blaze, 1 Apr 09
7. A Not-So-Perfect Past by Beth Andrews	C+, Contemporary Romance, Harlequin SuperRomance, 14 Apr 09
8. The Bravo Bachelor by Christine Rimmer	B+, Contemporary Romance, Silhouette Special Edition, 1 Apr 09
— August —
9. The Doctor’s Surprise Family by Mary J. Forbes	D+, Contemporary romance, Silhouette Special Edition, 1 May 2009
— September —
10. Magnate’s Make Believe Mistress by Bronwyn Jameson	B, Contemporary romance, Silhouette Desire, 14 July 2009
11. Make Me Yours by Betina Krahn	A, Contemporary romance, Harlequin Blaze, 1 Jul 2009
12. A Fortune Wedding by Kristin Hardy	D, Contemporary romance, Silhouette Special Edition, 1 Jun 09
13. Inherited: One Child by Day Leclaire	B+, Contemporary romance, Silhouette Desire, 14 Jul 09
— November —
14. Burn by Linda Howard	B, Romantic suspense, Ballantine, 7 Jul 09
15. Texas Wedding by Kathleen O’Brien	D, Contemporary romance, Harlequin Superromance, 14 Jul 09
16. Taming The Texas Tycoon by Katherine Garbera	C, Contemporary romance, Silhouette Desire, 14 Jul 09
17. The Daddy Audition by Cindi Myers	C+, Contemporary romance, Harlequin American, 14 Jul 09

…

LauraD
— January —
1. Fall Into Me by Linda Winfree	A, Contemporary Romance eBook, Samhain, 6 Jan 09
2. At Grave’s End by Jeaniene Frost	B+, Urban fantasy, Avon, 30 Dec 08
3. Whisper No Lies by Cindy Gerard	B+, Contemporary romantic suspense, Pocket, 30 Dec 08

…

LauraJ
— January —
1. Winter Heat by Thompson, Lee and DeStefano	A, Contemporary romance anthology, Harlequin, 13 Jan 09
— February —
2. My Favorite Phantom by Karen Kelley	B+, Contemporary paranormal romance, Brava, 1 Jan 09
3. Unraveled by Jaci Burton	B, Contemporary Romance eBook Novella, Samhain, 23 Dec 08
4. Tangled Up In Love by Heidi Betts	A+, Contemporary Romantic Comedy, St. Martin’s, 3 Feb 09
5. One On One by Cathryn Fox	B+. Contemporary erotic romance eBook short story, Samhain, 3 Feb 09
— May —
6. Casual Hex by Vicki Lewis Thompson	B, Contemporary Paranormal Romantic Comedy, Onyx, 3 Mar 09
— June —
7. All Tied Up by Cathryn Fox	A, Contemporary Erotic Romance novella, Samhain Publishing, 19 May 09
— July —
8. How to Seduce a Texan by Karen Kelley	B+, Contemporary Romantic Comedy, Brava, 1 Jun 09
9. Taking Chloe by Anne Rainey	A, Contemporary Erotic Romance, Samhain Publishing, 2 Jun 09
— August —
10. Jinxed by Inez Kelley	B-, Contemporary Romantic Comedy, Samhain, June 9, 2009
11. Flirting With Temptation by Kelley St. John	B+, Contemporary Romance, Grand Central, 1 Feb 2009
12. Loves Me, Loves Me Knot by Heidi Betts	A, Contemporary Romance, St. Martin’s, 4 Aug 2009
— September —
13. How To Tame A Modern Rogue by Diana Holquist	C+, Contemporary Romance, Grand Central, 4 Aug 2009

…

Lawson
— May —
1. Passionate by Anthea Lawson	B-, Historical romance, Zebra, 1 Oct 08
2. The Pagan Stone by Nora Roberts	B, Paranormal romance, Jove, 25 Nov 08
3. Seducing An Angel by Mary Balogh	C, Historical romance, Delacorte Press Hardcover, 19 May 09
4. Vision in White by Nora Roberts	B, Contemporary romance, Jove, 28 Apr 09
5. Memoirs of a Scandalous Red Dress by Elizabeth Boyle	A-, Historical romance, Avon, 28 Apr 09
6. This Duchess of Mine by Eloisa James	A, Historical romance, Avon, 26 May 09
7. A Bride for His Convenience by Edith Layton	C-, Historical romance, Avon, 25 Nov 08
— June —
8. Not Quite a Husband by Sherry Thomas	A, Historical romance, Bantam, 19 May 09
9. Night After Night by Kathryn Smith	B, Historical paranormal romance, Avon, 27 Jan 09
10. Secrets of the Knight by Julia Latham	C+, Historical romance, Avon, 26 Aug 08
11. Taken and Seduced by Julia Latham	C-, Historical romance, Avon, 31 Mar 09
12. Revealed by Kate Noble	C+, Historical romance, Berkley Sensation, 3 Mar 09
13. A Hint of Wicked by Jennifer Haymore	A-, Historical romance, Grand Central, 1 Jun 09
14. To Beguile a Beast by Elizabeth Hoyt	B, Historical romance, Grand Central, 19 May 09
15. The Immortal Hunter by Lynsay Sands	D, Paranormal romance, Avon, 31 Mar 09
16. Tempt the Devil by Anna Campbell	D, Historical romance, Avon, 30 Dec 08
17. How to Score by Robin Wells	C+, Contemporary romance, Grand Central, 1 Jun 09
18. What Happens in London by Julia Quinn	B+, Historical romance, Avon, 30 Jun 09
— July —
19. Bound by Your Touch by Meredith Duran	C+, Historical romance, Pocket, 30 Jun 09
20. When His Kiss Is Wicked by Kaitlin O’Riley	D+, Historical romance, Zebra, 1 Apr 09
21. Wicked Little Game by Christine Wells	C+, Historical romance, Berkley Sensation, 7 Jul 09
22. My Wicked Marquess by Gaelen Foley	D+, Historical romance, Avon, 30 Jun 09
23. Four Dukes and a Devil by Maxwell, Fox, Frost, Nash and Warren	B-, Mixed sub-genre Romance Anthology, Avon, 30 Jun 09
24. The Legacy by T. J. Bennett	B+, Historical romance, Medallion Press, 1 Apr 08
25. Double Play by Jill Shalvis	A-, Contemporary romance, Berkley Sensation, 7 Jul 09
26. The Promise by T. J. Bennett	A-, Historical romance, Medallion Press, 1 May 09
— August —
27. Written on Your Skin by Meredith Duran	B+, Historical romance, Pocket, 28 Jul 09
28. Sliding Home by Kate Angell	C-, Contemporary romance, Love Spell, 25 August 2009
— December —
29. To Desire A Devil by Elizabeth Hoyt	C-, Historical romance, Grand Central, 1 Nov 09
30. Bed Of Roses by Nora Roberts	A-, Contemporary romance, Berkley, 27 Oct 09
31. With Seduction In Mind by Laura Lee Gurhke	C-, Historical romance, Avon, 25 Aug 09

…

Limecello
— January —
1. The Tycoon’s Pregnant Mistress by Maya Banks	B, Contemporary romance, Silhouette Desire, 13 Jan 09
2. Sam’s Creed by Sarah McCarty	B, Historical erotic romance, Harlequin Spice, 24 Jun 08
3. Reckless by Tori Carrington	B, Contemporary romance, Harlequin Blaze, 1 Nov 08
4. This Is What I Want by Megan Hart	B+, Erotic fiction short story, Harlequin Spice Brief, 1 Dec 07
5. Stranger by Megan Hart	A, Erotic novel, Harlequin Spice, 1 Jan 09
6. Pregnancy Proposal by Tessa Radley	B-, Contemporary romance, Silhouette Desire, 9 Dec 08
7. Falling In Love by Pauline Trent	C, Contemporary romance, Zebra, 3 Feb 09
— February —
8. Glitter Baby by Susan Elizabeth Phillips	A- Fiction re-released, Avon, 30 Dec 08
9. Simply Unforgettable by Mary Balogh	A-, Historical romance, Dell, 25 Jul 06
10. Seven-Year Seduction by Heidi Betts	B-, Contemporary romance, Silhouette Desire, 14 Feb 06
11. He’s Just Not That Into You by Greg Behrendt and Liz Tuccillo	A-, Self-help, Simon Spotlight Entertainment, 7 Sep 04 (Re-released in paperback on 6 Jan 09)
12. Restless by Tori Carrington	A-, Contemporary romance, Harlequin Blaze, 1 Dec 08
13. What I Did for Love by Susan Elizabeth Phillips	B+, Contemporary romance hardcover, William Morrow, 27 Jan 09
14. Only Tyler by Jess Dee	B+, Erotic romance eBook, Samhain, 20 Jan 09
— March —
15. Kiss of a Demon King by Kresley Cole	A, Paranormal romance, Pocket, 20 Jan 09
— April —
16. She’s Got It Bad by Sarah Mayberry	A, Contemporary romance, Harlequin Blaze, 1 Apr 09
17. Smooth Talking Stranger by Lisa Kleypas	A+, Contemporary romance, St. Martin’s, 31 Apr 09
18. Diamond in the Rough by Diana Palmer	B-, Contemporary romance, Harlequin Romance, 14 Apr 09
19. Riding On Instinct by Jaci Burton	B+, Erotic romance, Berkley, 7 Apr 09
20. Taking Care of Business by Megan Hart and Lauren Dane	A-, Erotic romance, Black Lace, 31 Mar 09
21. Yule Be Mine by Jennifer LaBrecque	A-, Contemporary romance, Harlequin Blaze, 1 Dec 08
22. Bargained Into Her Boss’s Bed by Emilie Rose	C, Contemporary romance, Silhouette Desire, 14 Apr 09
23. The Untamed Sheik by Tessa Radley	C+, Contemporary romance, Silhouette Desire, 14 Apr 09
24. Mr. Strictly Business by Day Leclaire	B-, Contemporary romance, Harlequin Blaze, 10 Feb 09
25. An Officer and a Millionaire by Maureen Child	B-, Contemporary romance, Silhouette Desire, 13 Jan 09
26. Under the Influence by Nancy Warren	B, Contemporary romance, Harlequin Blaze, 1 Feb 09
— May —
27. Relentless by Lauren Dane	A, Futuristic erotic romance, Berkley Trade, 5 May 09
28. Tycoon for Auction by Katherine Garbera	C, Contemporary romance, Silhouette Desire, 1 Apr 03
29. The Legend of the Werestag by Tessa Dare	B+, Historical romance ebook, Samhain Publishing, 12 May 09
30. Private Property by Leah Braemel	B-, Erotic romance ebook,Samhain Publishing, 29 Jan 09
31. Caught In the Act by Saskia Walker	B+, Erotic Romance short story ebook, Harlequin Spice, 1 Sep 08
— June —
32. Butterfly Tattoo by Deidre Knight	A-, Contemporary romance, Samhain Publishing, 21 Apr 2009
33. The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams	B, Children’s story re-published by Harper Collins on 9 Mar 99 (originally pub’d 1922)
34. A Hint of Wicked by Jennifer Haymore	B+, Historical romance, Grand Central, 1 Jun 09
— July —
35. On His Knees by Beth Williamson	C+, Contemporary erotic romance, Samhain Publishing, 1 May 09
36. Instant Gratification by Jill Shalvis	A+, Contemporary romance, Brava, 30 Jun 09
37. Always by Lauren Dane	B, Contemporary romance, Samhain, 14 Apr 09
38. Scandalized by Lori Foster	B-, Contemporary romance, Harlequin, 1 Oct 97, rerel’d 1 Mar 09
39. Man Beneath the Uniform by Maureen Child	B+, Contemporary romance, Silhouette Desire, 1 Feb 04
— August —
40. Storm Watch by Jill Shalvis	B+, Contemporary romance, Harlequin Blaze, 1 Aug 2009
41. The Tycoon’s Secret Affair by Maya Banks	B+, Contemporary romance, Silhouette Desire, 11 August 2009
42. Hot On Her Tail by Saskia Walker	C+, Erotic romance short story ebook, Spice Briefs, 1 Nov 2008
43. Goddess of the Hunt by Tessa Dare	B+, Historical romance, Ballantine, 28 July 2009
44. Heartless by Diana Palmer	B-, Contemporary romance, HQN, 28 May 2009
— September —
45. Holidays Abroad Series by Merline Lovelace	B, Contemporary romance, Silhouette Desire, Nov 2008 – Jan 2009
46. One Night, Two Babies by Kathie DeNosky	B-, Contemporary romance, Silhouette Desire, 8 September 2009
47. Uniformly Hot & Passion Series by Rhonda Nelson & Lori Borril	B+, Contemporary romance, Harlequin Blaze, June – August 2009
48. Out of the Light, Into The Shadows by Lori Foster, Erin McCarthy & L.L. Foster	C-, Contemporary & paranormal romance anthology, Berkley, 8 Aug 2009
49. Tasting Fear by Shannon McKenna	C-, Romantic suspense anthology, Brava, 1 Aug 09
50. Surrender Of A Siren by Tessa Dare	D+, Historical romance, Ballantine, 25 Aug 09
— October —
51. The Hardcastle Progeny by Jennifer Lewis	B-, Contemporary romance, Silhouette Desire, Feb – Apr 09
52. Sweet Seduction by Maya Banks	A-, Erotic romance, Berkley, 6 Oct 09
53. Holding Out For a Hero by HelenKay Dimon	A-, Contemporary romance, Brava, 1 Oct 09
54. Taming The Texas Tycoon by Katherine Garbera	B-, Contemporary romance, Silhouette Desire, 14 Jul 09
55. Laid Bare by Lauren Dane	C+, Erotic romance, Berkley, 4 Aug 09
56. The Oilman’s Baby Bargain by Michelle Celmer	C, Contemporary romance, Silhouette Desire, 13 Oct 09
57. The Mistress Diaries by Julianne Maclean	A-, Historical romance, Avon, 29 Jul 08
58. Tails Of Love by 10 Authors	D+, Romantic fiction anthology, Berkley, 1 Jun 09
59. Secret Baby, Public Affair by Yvonne Lindsay	B+, Contemporary romance, Silhouette Desire, 10 Mar 09
— November —
60. The C.O.O Must Marry by Maxine Sullivan	B+, Contemporary romance, Silhouette Desire, 10 Feb 09
61. The Santorini Bride by Anne McAllister	A-, Contemporary romance, Harlequin Presents, 1 Feb 07
62. Circle of Friends: Steve’s Story by Jess Dee	D, Contemporary romance, Samhain, 28 Apr 09
63. Burn For Me by Dee Tenorio	B, Contemporary romance, Samhain, 3 Nov 09
64. Million Dollar Baby Bargain by Tessa Radly	B-, Contemporary romance, Silhouette Desire, 11 Aug 09
65. Power Play by Nancy Warren	B, Contemporary romance, Harlequin Blaze, 1 Nov 09
66. The Billionaire’s Unexpected Heir by Kathie DeNosky	B-, Contemporary romance, Silhouette Desire, 13 Oct 09
67. To Tame Her Tycoon Lover by Ann Major	B+, Contemporary romance, Silhouette Desire, 8 Dec 09
— December —
68. No Reservations by Megan Hart and Lauren Dane	A-, Erotic romance, Black Lace, 10 Nov 09
69. The Maverick’s Virgin Mistress by Jennifer Lewis	C, Contemporary romance, Silhouette Desire, 10 Nov 09
70. One Night Mistress, Convenient Wife by Anne MacAllister	C+, Contemporary romance, Harlequin Presents, 1 Nov 09
71. The Maverick by Diana Palmer	D-, Contemporary romance, Silhouette Desire, 8 Dec 09
72. Jealous Lover by Brandi Michaels	C, Contemporary romance, Samhain, 16 Jun 09
73. Double the Heat by Foster, Martin, Bevarly, Ridgway	C-, Contemporary romance anthology, Berkley, 1 Dec 09
74. Powerful Italian, Penniless Housekeeper by India Grey	B+, Contemporary romance, Harlequin Presents, 1 Jan 10

…

Liviania
— January —
1. Magic to the Bone by Devon Monk	B+, Urban fantasy, ROC, 4 Nov 08
2. The Black Ship by Diana Pharaoh Francis	C+, Fantasy, ROC, 4 Nov 08
3. Kiss of a Demon King by Kresley Cole	A-, Paranormal romance, Pocket, 20 Jan 09
4. The Stepsister Scheme by Jim C. Hines	B+, Fantasy fiction, DAW, 6 Jan 09
5. Dragon Wytch by Yasmine Galenorn	B-, Paranormal romance, Berkley, 1 Jul 08
— February —
6. Plum Spooky by Janet Evanovich	B-, Contemporary mystery hardcover, St. Martin’s, 6 Jan 09
7. Bone Crossed by Patricia Briggs	A-, Urban fantasy hardcover, ACE, 3 Feb 09
8. Pride by Rachel Vincent	B-, Contemporary paranormal romance, MIRA, 1 Feb 09
9. Silent On the Moor by Deanna Raybourn	B, Historical romantic suspense, MIRA, 1 Mar 09
10. When Twilight Burns by Colleen Gleason	B-, Historical Paranormal Romance, Signet, 5 Aug 08
11. Undying by V.K. Forrest	C-, Paranormal romance, Kensington, 1 Dec 08
12. Deathwish by Rob Thurman	A, Urban fantasy, ROC, 3 Mar 09
13. Made to Be Broken by Kelley Armstrong	B+, Thriller, Bantam, 24 Feb 09
— May —
14. Red-Headed Stepchild by Jaye Wells	B+, Urban fantasy, Orbit, 1 April 09
15. Night Huntress by Yasmine Galenorn	C, Paranormal romance, Berkley, 6 Jan 09
16. Swallowing Darkness by Laurell K. Hamilton	A-, Paranormal romance, Ballantine, 4 Nov 08
— June —
17. Skin Trade by Laurell K. Hamilton	D-, Urban fantasy, Berkley, 2 Jun 09
18. Prey by Rachel Vincent	B+, Contemporary paranormal romance/urban fantasy, MIRA, 1 Jul 09
— July —
19. His Cavalry Lady by Joanna Maitland	B+, Historical romance, Harlequin Historical, 1 Mar 09
20. The Wallflowers Series by Lisa Kleypas	B+, Historical romances, Avon, Oct 2004 – Jul 2006
21. Amazon Ink by Lori Devoti	B-, Urban fantasy, Pocket, 26 May 09
22. The Confessions of a Duchess by Nicola Cornick	C, Historical romance, HQN, 1 Jun 09
23. Thorn Queen by Richelle Mead	B-, Urban fantasy, Zebra, 28 Jul 09
— August —
24. My Soul to Take by Rachel Vincent	A-, Young adult urban fantasy, Harlequin Teen, 1 Aug 09
25. Carter Finally Gets It by Brent Crawford	B+, Young Adult, Hyperion, 7 Apr 2009
26. The Highwayman by Michelle Haul	B, Paranormal romance, Silhouette Nocturne, 1 Jul 2009
27. Wild Wolf by Karen Whiddon	B+, Paranormal romance, Silhouette Nocturne, 1 Jul 2009
28. Return of the Wolf by Karen Whiddon	DNF, Paranormal romance short story ebook, Silhouette Nocturne Bites, 1 Jun 2009
29. The Illegitimate King by Olivia Gates	C+, Contemporary romance, Silhouette Desire, 14 Jul 2009
30. Endless Summer by Julie Kenner, Karen Anders & Jill Monroe	C+, Contemporary romance anthology, Harlequin Blaze, 1 Jul 2009
31. Queene Of Light by Jennifer Armintrout	B, Paranormal romance, Mira, 29 Sep 09
32. Freudian Slip by Erica Orloff	A, Contemporary paranormal romance, HQN, 1 Jun 09
— October —
33. Ice Song by Kirsten Imani Kisai	B-, Science Fiction/Fantasy, Del Rey, 19 May 09
34. Soul Catcher by Leigh Bridger	DNF, Paranormal romance, Bell Bridge Books, 20 Oct 09
35. Blood Kin by Maria Lima	DNF, Urban fantasy, Juno, 27 Oct 09
36. The Darkest Whisper by Gena Showalter	B+, Paranormal romance, HQN, 25 Aug 09
— November —
37. Apocalypse Happens by Lori Handeland	C+, Urban Fantasy, St. Martin’s, 3 Nov 09
38. (Re)cycler by Lauren McLaughlin	B+, Young Adult, Random House, 26 Aug 09
39. Intertwined by Gena Showalter	B-, Young Adult urban fantasy, Harlequin Teen, 1 Sep 09
40. The Fire King by Marjorie Liu	B, Paranormal romance, Leisure, 28 Jul 09
— December —
41. Going Bovine by Libba Bray	A+, Young Adult, Delacorte, 22 Sep 09
42. Newly Fallen by Megan Hart	D+, Paranormal romance, Spice Briefs, 1 Dec 09

…

LynneC
— January —
1. The Spymaster’s Lady by Joanna Bourne	B+, Historical romantic suspense, Berkley, 2 Jan 08
2. Murder Game by Christine Feehan	B+, Contemporary paranormal romantic suspense, Jove, 30 Dec 08
— February —
3. The Italian’s Ruthless Marriage Command by Helen Bianchin	B+, Contemporary romance, Harlequin Presents, 1 Mar 09
— March —
4. The French Tycoon’s Pregnant Mistress by Abby Green	B, Contemporary romance, Harlequin Presents, 1 Apr 09
— April —
5. The Money Man’s Seduction by Leslie LaFoy	B+, Contemporary romance, Silhouette Desire, 14 Oct 08
— June —
6. Bedded by Blackmail by Robyn Grady	C+, Contemporary romance, Silhouette Desire, 9 Jun 09
7. Ripping the Bodice by Inara Lavey	D, Contemporary erotic romance eBook, Ravenous Romance, 7 Feb 09
8. Ashes of Midnight by Lara Adrian	B-, Contemporary paranormal romance,  Dell, 26 May 09
9. Surrender to the Playboy Sheikh by Kate Hardy	A, Contemporary romance, Harlequin Presents, 1 Jul 09
10. The Greek’s Convenient Mistress by Annie West	A-, Contemporary Romance, Harlequin Presents, 1 Jun 09
— July —
11. The Brunelli Baby Bargain by Kim Lawrence	C, Contemporary romance, Harlequin Presents, 1 Jul 09
12. Inherited: One Child by Day Leclaire	A, Contemporary romance, Silhouette Desire, 14 Jul 09
13. The Sicilian’s Marriage Arrangement by Lucy Monroe	C-, Contemporary romance, Harlequin, 1 Feb 07 (U.S. rls date)
14. Savas’ Defiant Mistress by Anne McAllister	B+, Contemporary romance, Harlequin Presents, 1 Apr 09
15. The MD’s Mistress by Joan Hohl	D, Contemporary romance, Silhouette Desire, 17 Jul 09
— August —
16. Blue Smoke and Murder by Elizabeth Lowell	B-, Romantic suspense, Avon, 31 Mar 09
17. The Sicilian’s Marriage Arrangement by Lucy Monroe	C-, Contemporary romance, Harlequin Presents, 1 Feb 07
18. Blackmailed Into the Greek Tycoon’s Bed by Carol Marinelli	C-, Contemporary Romance, Harlequin Presents, 7 Aug 09
19. Magnate’s Make Believe Mistress by Bronwyn Jameson	B-, Contemporary romance, Silhouette Desire, 14 Jul 2009
— September —
20. The Innocent’s Dark Seduction by Jennie Lucas	D-, Contemporary romance, Harlequin Presents, 1 Sep 2009
21. Getting Physical by Jade Lee	B+, Contemporary romance, Harlequin Blaze, 1 Sep 2009
22. The Sheikh’s Chosen Queen by Jane Porter	B-, Contemporary romance, Harlequin Presents, 1 Apr 2008
23. The Greek Tycoon’s Reluctant Bride by Kate Hewitt	C-, Contemporary romance, Harlequin Presents, 9 Feb 2010
24. Hot Shot Tycoon, Indecent Proposal by Heidi Rice	B-, Contemporary romance, Harlequin Presents, 1 Sep 09
— October —
25. The Venetian’s Midnight Mistress by Carole Mortimer	D-, Contemporary romance, Harlequin Presents, 13 Oct 09
26. Millionaire In Command by Catherine Mann	C+, Contemporary romance, Silhouette Desire, 13 Oct 09
27. Rot by Michele Lee	C+, Horror fiction novella, Skullvines Press, Aug 09
28. Playboy Boss, Live-In Mistress by Kelly Hunter	A, Contemporary romance, Harlequin Presents, 1 Nov 09
— November —
29. Getting Red Hot With The Rogue by Ally Blake	A-, Contemporary romance, Harlequin Presents, 1 Nov 09
30. Shadowlight by Lynn Viehl	B, Paranormal romance, Onyx, 6 Oct 09
31. Next Comes Love by Helen Brenna	B+, Romantic suspense, Harlequin SuperRomance, 13 Oct 09
32. The Christmas Love-Child by Jennie Lucas	B, Contemporary romance, Harlequin Presents, 10 Nov 09
33. High Powered, Hot Blooded by Susan Mallery	B, Contemporary romance, Silhouette Desire, 8 Dec 09
— December —
34. The British Billionaire’s Innocent Bride by Susanne James	F, Contemporary romance, Harlequin Presents Extra, 8 Dec 09
35. Blaze of Memory by Nalini Singh	B, Futuristic paranormal romance, Berkley, 3 Nov 09

…

SandyM
— January —
1. A Seduction at Christmas by Cathy Maxwell	A, Historical Romance, Avon, 28 Oct 08
2. Gone with the Witch by Annette Blair	A+, Contemporary Paranormal Romance, Berkley, 6 May 08
3. Locked in His Heart by Catherine Stang	B+, Contemporary Romance, Whiskey Creek Press, 1 Jan 08
4. Any Time, Darlin’ by Julia Barrett	C-, Contemporary Romance ebook, Cerridwen Press, 30 Oct 08
5. Rough, Raw and Ready by Lorelei James	B+, Contemporary Erotic Romance eBook, Samhain, 4 Nov 08
6. Prognosis by T.D. McKinney	B+, Contemporary Inspirational Romance eBook, Devine Destines, 15 Jan 09
7. A Hard Man to Love by Kathleen Lawless	C+, Contemporary Romance, Pocket, 1 Aug 06
8. Tapestry of the Past by Alvania Scarborough	B+, Contemporary paranormal erotic romance eBook, Ellora’s Cave, 24 Sep 08
9. Superb and Sexy by Jill Shalvis	A, Contemporary Romance, Brava, 1 Jun 08
10. Untouchable by Linda Winstead Jones	B+, Paranormal Romance, Berkley, 5 Aug 08
11. Mayhem In High Heels by Gemma Halliday	C-, Chick Lit, Making It, 30 Dec 08
12. Wounded Hearts by M.C. Scout	C-, Historical erotic romance eBook, Whiskey Creek Press
13. Tempting Fate by Alissa Johnson	A+, Historical Romance, Leisure, 27 Jan 09
— February —
14. So Enchanting by Connie Brockway	A-, Historical Romance, Onyx, 3 Feb 09
15. A Highlander of Her Own by Melissa Mayhue	C+, Time Travel Romance, Pocket, 27 Jan 09
16. Her One Desire by Kimberly Killion	B-, Historical Romance, Zebra, 1 Jul 08
17. Menagerie by Lara Santiago	C-, Erotic Sci-Fi Romance, Siren, 23 Jul 08
18. Prey by Melina Morel	DNF, Contemporary Paranormal Romance, Signet, 2 Sep 08
19. The Magic Knot by Helen Scott Taylor	A+, Contemporary Paranormal Romance, Love Spell, 27 Jan 09
20. Vampire’s Betrayal by Raven Hart	A+, Contemporary Paranormal Romance, Ballantine, 29 Apr 08
21. Talk of the Town by Karen Hawkins	A+, Contemporary Romance, Pocket, 18 Nov 08
22. Hotter Than Hell by Jackie Kessler	B, Contemporary Paranormal Romance, Kensington, 1 Aug 08
23. Broken Wing by Judith James	A+, Historical Romance, Medallion Press, 1 Nov 08
24. Tall, Dark and Kilted by Allie Mackay	D, Contemporary Paranormal Time Travel Romance, Signet, 4 Nov 08
25. The Viscount Claims His Bride by Bronwyn Scott	C+, Historical Romance, Harlequin Historical, 1 Jan 09
— March —
26. Don’t Tempt Me by Sylvia Day	A, Historical Romance, Brava, 1 Apr 08
27. Enticing the Prince by Patricia Grasso	B-, Historical Romance, Zebra, 1 Nov 08
28. Crux by Moira Rogers	B+, Contemporary Paranormal Romance, Samhain, 3 Mar 09
29. The Last Bride by Sandra Landry	C, Historical Paranormal Romance, Berkley, 2 Aug 05
30. Caressed by Ice by Nalini Singh	A-, Paranormal Romance, Berkley, 4 Sep 07
31. Lone Star Woman by Sadie Callahan	B, Contemporary Western Romance, Signet, 6 Jan 09
32. Branded as Trouble by Lorelei James	A, Contemporary Western Erotic Romance eBook, Samhain, 3 Mar 09
33. The House of Cards Trilogy by Barbara Metzger	B, Historical Romances, Signet, Sep 2005 – Jun 2006
34. Heart of the Wolf by Terry Spear	B-, Contemporary Paranormal Romance, Sourcebooks, 1 Apr 08
35. Flirting in Traffic by Beth Kery	A, Contemporary Romance, Cerridwen Press, 5 Mar 09
36. Love Without Blood by Raz Steel	B, Paranormal Romance, Love Spell, 30 Dec 08
37. Tantalizing Secrets by Lynne Connolly	B-, Historical Romance, Samhain, 24 Feb 09
38. One September Morning by Rosalind Noonan	A-, Contemporary Women’s Fiction, Kensington, 1 Jan 09
39. As Luck Would Have It by Alissa Johnson	A+, Historical Romance, Leisure, 30 Sep 08
40. Dragon’s Lair by Denise Lynn	A-, Contemporary Paranormal Romance, Silhouette Nocturne, 1 Feb 09
41. Cat of a Different Color by Dana Marie Bell	A, Contemporary Paranormal Romance eBook, Samhain, 18 Nov 08
42. The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie by Jennifer Ashley	A+, Historical Romance, Leisure, 28 Apr 09
— April —
43. For the Love of Jazz by Shiloh Walker	B+, Contemporary Romance, Samhain, 25 Nov 08
44. Montana Creeds Trilogy by Linda Lael Miller	A, Contemporary western romances, HQN, Feb – Apr 09
45. The Book of Scandal by Julia London	A, Historical Romance, Pocket, 19 Aug 08
46. Lone Rider by Lauren Bach	B, Romantic Suspense, Grand Central, 1 Nov 01
47. SEALed with a Kiss by Mary Daughtridge	A+, Contemporary Romance, Sourcebooks Casablanca, 1 Apr 08
48. Love, Suburban Style by Wendy Markham	B+, Contemporary Romance, Forever, 1 Jul 07
49. Enchanting the Beast by Kathryne Kennedy	A+, Historical Paranormal Romance, Lovespell, 28 Apr 09
— May —
50. Eternal Craving by Nina Bangs	B, Paranormal romance, Leisure, 28 Apr 09
51. Notorious Rake, Innocent Lady by Bronwyn Scott	A, Historical Romance, Harlequin Historical, 1 May 08
52. Daring Time by Beth Kery	B+, Time Travel Romance, Berkley Trade, 5 May 09
53. Kindred Spirits by Jocelyn Kelley	B+, Historical Paranormal Romance, Signet, 4 Mar 08
54. Ecstasy by Jacquelyn Frank	A+, Paranormal Romance, Zebra, 1 Jan 09
55. Saved by the Monarch by Dana Marton	B+, Contemporary Romantic suspense, Harlequin Intrigue, 12 May 09
56. Unmasked by Nicola Cornick	A, Historical Romance, HQN Books, 1 Jul 08
57. My Dearest Enemy by Connie Brockway	B+, Historical Romance, Dell, 6 Jul 98
58. McAlistair’s Fortune by Alissa Johnson	A+, Historical Romance, Leisure, 26 May 09
59. Gotcha! by Christie Craig	A+, Contemporary Romance, Love Spell, 26 May 09
60. A Little Light Magic by Joy Nash	A+, Contemporary Paranormal Romance, Leisure, 26 May 09
61. Touch of Darkness by Christina Dodd	A+, Contemporary Paranormal Romance, Signet, 7 Aug 07
62. Devil of the Highlands by Lynsay Sands	A+, Historical Romance, Avon, 27 Jan 09
— June —
63. Animal Attraction by Charlene Teglia	B+, Contemporary Paranormal Erotic Romance, St. Martin’s, 17 Mar 09
64. Hot In Here by Sophie Renwick	B+, Contemporary Erotic Romance, NAL, 2 Jun 09
65. Not Quite a Husband by Sherry Thomas	B+, Historical Romance, Bantam, 19 May 09
66. A Scotsman in Love by Karen Ranney	B-, Historical Romance, Avon, 28 Apr 09
67. A Reputable Rake by Diane Gaston	B, Historical Romance, Harlequin Historical, 1 May 06
68. Dark Needs at Night’s Edge by Kresley Cole	A+, Paranormal Romance, Pocket, 1 Apr 08
69. The Sinful Life of Lucy Burns by Elizabeth Leiknes	B+, Paranormal Chick Lit Women’s Fiction, Bancroft Press, 15 Jun 09
70. In His Mind by Cheryl Dragon	D, Contemporary Paranormal Erotic eBook short story, Cerridwen Press, 4 Feb 09
71. Langley Family Trilogy by Lucy Monroe	A, Historical Romances, Berkley, Sep 2005 – Oct 2006
72. Wickedly Ever After by Michelle Marcos	A-, Historical Romance, St. Martin’s, 30 Jun 09
73. A Hint of Wicked by Jennifer Haymore	A+, Historical Romance, Grand Central, 1 Jun 09
74. Ice by Stephanie Rowe	A+, Romantic Suspense, Love Spell, 30 Jun 09
— July —
75. Lover Avenged by J.R. Ward	A+, Paranormal Romance, NAL, 28 Apr 09
76. The Bridesmaid Chronicles by Kendall, Adams, and Kenner	B, Contemporary Romances, Signet, Jun-Sep 2005
77. Branded by Fire by Nalini Singh	A+, Paranormal Romance, Berkley, 7 Jul 09
78. Tekgrrl by A.J. Menden	C-, Futuristic Paranormal Romance, Leisure, 26 May 09
79. Sanctuary Lost by Moira Rogers	A-, Contemporary Paranormal Romance, Samhain, 9 Jun 09
80. Midnight Sins by Cynthia Eden	A-, Contemporary Paranormal Erotic Romance, Brava, 1 Dec 08
81. Bride of a Wicked Scotsman by Samantha James	A, Historical Romance, Avon, 24 Feb 09
82. Tooth and Claw by Annmarie McKenna	B+, Contemporary Paranormal Romance novella, Samhain, 28 Apr 09
83. Fortune’s Promise by Karen Erickson	B, Contemporary Erotic Romance, Samhain, 20 Jan 09
84. Steel Beauty by Dana Marie Bell	A-, Contemporary Paranormal Romance ebook, Samhain, 21 Apr 09
85. Through Her Eyes by Beth Kery	A-, Contemporary Paranormal Romance ebook, Ellora’s Cave, 29 Apr 09
86. UnRidden by Cat Johnson	B+, Contemporary Erotic Romance ebook, Linden Bay, 26 May 09
87. Stolen Fury by Elisabeth Naughton	A, Romantic Suspense, Love Spell, 30 Dec 08
88. In Bed with the Devil by Susan Mallery	D-, Contemporary Romance, Silhouette Desire, 7 Aug 07
89. Till There Was You by Lynn Kurland	A+, Time Travel Romance, Jove, 28 Apr 09
90. The Devil’s Daughter by Laura Drewry	D, Historical Paranormal Romance, Leisure, 1 Apr 08
91. Stolen Heat by Elisabeth Naughton	A, Romantic Suspense, Love Spell, 28 Jul 09
92. Belonging by Shiloh Walker	B+, Contemporary Paranormal Romance ebook, Ellora’s Cave, 25 Feb 09
— August —
93. My Everything by Julia Barrett	B+, Romantic Suspense ebook, Cerridwen Press, 1 Mar 09
94. The Brides of Fortune Trilogy by Nicola Cornick	A-, Historical Romances, HQN, Jun – Aug 2009
95. The Bridegroom by Linda Lael Miller	A, Historical Romance, HQN, 28 Jul 09
96. Miss Firecracker by Lorelei James	B+, Contemporary Western Erotic Romance ebook, Samhain, 30 Jun 09
97. Sapphire Dream by Pamela Mongomerie	B+, Time Travel Romance, Berkley, 7 Jul 09
98. Rapture by Jacquelyn Frank	A+, Paranormal romance, Zebra, 1 Jul 2009
99. Between the Devil and Desire by Lorraine Heath	A, Historical romance, Avon, 30 Dec 2008
100. Mr. & Mrs. Darcy: Two Shall Become One by Sharon Lathan	A-, Historical romance, Sourcebooks, 1 Mar 2009
101. Where The Wind Blows by Caroline Fyffe	B, Historical romance, Leisure, 28 Jul 2009
102. Highland Obsession by Dawn Halliday	B, Historical romance, NAL, 4 Aug 2009
103. Breath of Fire by Tammy Kane	A+, Paranormal romance, Love Spell, 30 Jun 2009
— September —
104. Loving Mr. Darcy by Sharon Lathan	A-, Historical romance, Sourcebooks, 1 Sept 2009
105. Kiss And Kin by Kinsey Holley	B+, Paranormal romance novella ebook, Samhain, 23 Jun 2009
106. Deeper by Megan Hart	B-, Paranormal romance, Harlequin Spice, 1 Jul 2009
107. Retreat From Love by Samantha Kane	B-, Historical erotic romance, Ellora’s Cave, 21 May 2009
108. Kiss Me Again by Dee Tenorio	B, Contemporary romance, Samhain, 1 Jul 2009
109. Dare to Believe by Dana Marie Bell	B+, Paranormal romance ebook, Samhain, 28 Jul 2009
110. Wrath’s Embrace by Tawny Taylor	B+, Contemporary paranormal romance, Ellora’s Cave, 1 May 09
111. Haunting Beauty by Erin Quinn	A+, Paranormal time travel romance, Berkley, 4 Aug 09
112. Seduction Persuasion by Frances Stockton	D, Paranormal historical romance, Cerridwen, 30 Aug 09
113. Beyond The Rain by Jess Granger	B, Futuristic romance, Berkley 4 Aug 09
— October —
114. Warrior Of The Highlands by Veronica Wolff	A, Historical time travel romance, Berkley, 6 Jan 09
115. Pleasure by Jacquelyn Frank	A+, Paranormal romance, Zebra, 25 Aug 09
116. Highland Dragon by Kimberly Killion	A, Historical romance, Zebra, 6 Oct 09
117. In Over Her Head by Judi Fennell	B, Paranormal romance, Sourcebooks, 1 Jun 09
118. The Scot And I by Elizabeth Thornton	B-, Historical paranormal romance, Berkley, 2 Jun 09
119. Never Love A Lawman by Jo Goodman	A+, Historical romance, Zebra, 1 Sep 09
120. Surrender To The Devil by Lorraine Heath	A+, Historical romance, Avon, 30 Jun 09
121. My Wicked Vampire by Nina Bangs	A, Paranormal romance, Leisure, 29 Sep 09
122. Sanctuary’s Promise by Moira Rogers	B, Paranormal romance, Samhain, 27 Oct 09
123. One Lucky Cowboy by Carolyn Brown	D, Contemporary romance, Sourcebooks, 1 Nov 09
124. The Wicked Wife by Alice Gaines	C-, Erotic romance ebook, Red Sage, 1 Nov 08
— November —
125. Wild Blue Under by Judi Fennell	B+, Paranormal romance, Sourcebooks, 3 Nov 09
126. Silver Silence by Joy Nash	A, Historical paranormal romance, Love Spell, 27 Oct 09
127. Knight Dreams by C.C. Wiley	B-, Historical paranormal romance ebook, Samhain, 6 Oct 09
128. Destiny of the Wolf by Terry Spear	A, Paranormal romance, Sourcebooks, 1 Mar 09
129. Wicked Ties by Shayla Black	C-, Erotic romance, Berkley, 2 Jan 07
130. Lucan by Susan Kearney	A, Futuristic romance, Grand Central, 5 Sep 09
131. Queen of Song and Souls by C.L. Wilson	A+, Fantasy romance, Leisure, 27 Oct 09
132. Rion by Susan Kearney	A+, Futuristic romance, Grand Central, 24 Nov 09
133. Vision Captured by Lorie O’Clare	A, Paranormal romance, Ellora’s Cave, 1 Jun 09
134. Warrior’s Release by Tea Trelawny	B+, Paranormal time travel ebook, Ellora’s Cave, 1 Jun 09
135. My Unfair Lady by Kathryne Kennedy	B+, Historical romance, Sourcebooks, 1 Dec 09
— December —
136. Summer of Two Wishes by Julia London	B+, Contemporary romance, Pocket, 18 Aug 09
137. Beneath a Christmas Moon by Robins, Dupre & McCullough	C, Paranormal romance anthology, Cerridwen Press, 26 Sep 08
138. Divorce, Desperate and Deceived by Christie Craig	A, Romantic suspense, Love Spell, 24 Nov 09
139. Santa In A Stetson by Janet Dailey	D, Contemporary romance, Zebra, 1 Oct 09
140. Never Been Witched by Annette Blair	A+, Paranormal romance, Berkley, 3, Feb 09
141. A Cowboy Christmas by Janette Kenny	C, Historical romance, Zebra, 1 Oct 09
142. Luke: Armed & Dangerous by Cheyenne McCray	B+, Romantic suspense, St. Martin’s, 27 Oct 09
143. A Highlander Christmas by Janet Chapman	A+, Paranormal romance, Pocket, 27 Oct 09
144. The Most Wicked Of Sins by Kathryn Caskie	B+, Historical romance, Avon, 29 Sep 09
145. The Christmas Kite by Gail Gaymer Martin	B, Inspirational romance, Steeple Hill, 1 Oct 08
146. The Phoenix Charm by Helen Scott Taylor	A+, Paranormal romance, Love Spell, 29 Dec 09
147. A Highlander’s Destiny by Melissa Mayhue	A-, Paranormal romance, Pocket, 29 Dec 09
148. Hunting Julian by Jacquelyn Frank	A+, Paranormal romance, Kensington, 29 Dec 09
149. Breakfast in Bed by Robin Kaye	B+, Contemporary romance, Sourcebooks, 31 Dec 09
150. Getting Lucky by Carolyn Brown	C, Contemporary romance, Sourcebooks, 1 Jan 10

…

ShannonC
— January —
1. Don’t Tell by Karen Rose	A-, Contemporary romantic suspense, Grand Central, 1 Jul 03
2. Seduced by Magic by Stephanie Julian	C-, Fantasy erotic romance eBook, Ellora’s Cave, 5 Mar 08
3. Visions of Heat by Nalini Singh	A-, Paranormal science fiction romance, Berkley Sensation, 6 Mar 07
4. Secrets of a Summer Night by Lisa Kleypas	B+, Historical romance, Avon, 26 Oct 04
5. Retreat by Mari Carr	F, Erotic romantic suspense eBook, Ellora’s Cave, 27 Nov 08
6. Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead	A-, YA urban fantasy, Razorbill, 16 Aug 07
7. Enchanting the Lady by Kathryne Kennedy	B, Historical paranormal romance, Love Spell, 1 Jan 08
8. Burning Spiral by Edita A. Petrick	C, Paranormal romantic suspense eBook, Cerridwen Press, 7 Aug 08
9. The Flame by Jean Johnson	B+, Fantasy romance, Berkley Trade/Sensation, 2 Dec 08
— February —
10. Shades of Dark by Linnea Sinclair	C+, Science fiction romance, Bantam, 29 Jul 08
11. Becoming Miss Becky by Shannon Stacey	D+, Western romance eBook, Samhain, 23 Sep 08
12. Moonfire by Lynne Connolly	B, Contemporary paranormal romance eBook, Ellora’s Cave, 12 Nov 08
13. Demon Bound by Meljean Brook	A-, Paranormal romance, Berkley, 4 Nov 08
14. Mean Streets by Butcher, Green, Richardson, and Sniegoski	B, Urban fantasy anthology, Roc, 6 Jan 09
15. Dancing With the Devil by Laura Drewry	C, Historical paranormal romance, Leisure, 25 Nov 08
16. Last Hope by Moira Rogers	B-, Paranormal erotic romance eBook, Loose ID, 6 Jan 09
17. Biting Nixie by Mary Hughes	B, Paranormal erotic romance eBook, Samhain, 13 Jan 09
— March —
18. Hope’s Folly by Linnea Sinclair	B+, Science fiction romance, Bantam, 24 Feb 09
19. Crux by Moira Rogers	B+, Urban fantasy/paranormal romance, Samhain, 3 Mar 09
20. Bound by Steel by Kirsten Saell	B, Erotic fantasy romance eBook, Samhain, 14 Oct 08
— April —
21. Pleasure Unbound by Larissa Ione	B+, Paranormal romance, Forever, 20 June 08
22. Angels’ Blood by Nalini Singh	B, Paranormal romance/urban fantasy, Berkley, 3 Mar 09
23. Practice Makes Perfect by Julie James	B, Contemporary romance, Berkley, 3 Mar 09
— June —
24. Desire Unchained by Larissa Ione	B, Paranormal romance, Grand Central, 3 Mar 09
— July —
25. The Accidental Human by Dakota Cassidy	B, Paranormal romance, Berkley, 3 Mar 09
— August —
26. The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie by Jennifer Ashley	B+, Historical romance, Leisure, 28 April 2009
27. Burning Alive by Shannon K. Butcher	C, Urban Fantasy, Onyx, 5 May 2009
28. Tomorrow by Samantha Kane	D+, Sci Fi romance, Ellora’s Cave, 22 Apr 2009
29. Strange Attractions by Emma Holly	B+, Erotic romance, Berkley, 1 Nov 2005
30. To Beguile A Beast by Elizabeth Hoyt	C+, Historical romance, Grand Central, 19 May 2009
31. Truth and Consequences by Linda Winfree	B+, Romantic suspense, Samhain, 29 Apr 2008

…

Sybil
— January —
1. The Rules of Seduction by Madeline Hunter	A, Historical romance, Dell, 31 Oct 06
— February —
2. The Sins of Lord Easterbrook by Madeline Hunter	A, Historical romance, Dell, 27 Jan 09
3. Highland Warrior by Monica McCarty	B-, Historical Romance, Ballantine, 27 Jan 09
4. Fragile by Shiloh Walker	B, Romantic Suspense, Berkley Trade, 3 Feb 09
5. Caught by Jami Alden	B-, Romantic Suspense, Brava, 1 Oct 08
6. Kept by Jami Alden	A, Romantic Suspense, Brava, 24 Feb 09
— October —
7. Never Love A Lawman by Jo Goodman	A, Historical romance, Zebra, 1 Sep 09

…

Wendy the Super Librarian
— January —
1. High Seas Stowaway by Amanda McCabe	C+, Historical romance, Harlequin Historical, 1 Jan 09
2. Reining In The Rancher by Karen Templeton	B, Contemporary romance, Silhouette Special Edition, 1 Jan 09
3. A Man She Couldn’t Forget by Kathryn Shay	C, Contemporary series romance, Harlequin SuperRomance, 1 Jan 09
4. Pictures of Us by Amy Garvey	B-, Contemporary women’s fiction, Harlequin SuperRomance, 1 Jan 09
5. The Rake’s Intimate Encounter by Ann Lethbridge	B, Historical Regency romance eBook, Harlequin Historical Undone, 1 Jan 09
6. The Viscount Claims His Bride by Bronwyn Scott	C, Historical romance, Harlequin Historical, 1 Jan 09
— February —
7. Sexile by Lisa Lawrence	B-, Erotic thriller, Delta, 27 Jan 09
8. The Concubine by Jade Lee	B-, Historical romance, Harlequin Blaze, 1 Feb 09
9. The Texan’s Tennessee Romance by Gina Wilkins	D+, Contemporary romance, Silhouette Special Edition, 1 Feb 09
10. Wanted In Alaska by Kate Bridges	B-, Historical romance, Harlequin Historical, 1 Feb 09
11. Pleasured By the English Spy by Bronwyn Scott	B, Historical romance eBook short story, Harlequin Historical Undone, 1 Feb 09
12. The Earl’s Untouched Bride by Annie Burrows	C-, Historical Regency romance, Harlequin Historical, 1 Feb 09
— March —
13. Once An Outlaw by Debbi Rawlins	C+, Time travel historical western, Harlequin Blaze, 1 Mar 09
14. Kidnapped: His Innocent Mistress by Nicola Cornick	A-, Historical romance, Harlequin Historical, 1 Mar 09
15. A Texan On Her Doorstep by Stella Bagwell	D+, Contemporary romance, Silhouette Special Edition, 1 Mar 09
— April —
16. A Night Of Wicked Delight by Joanne Rock	B, Historical romance ebook short story, Harlequin Historical Undone, 1 Mar 09
17. Flower Arrangement by Adelaide Cole	C, Historical erotica ebook short story, Spice Briefs, 1 Mar 09
18. His Substitute Bride by Elizabeth Lane	C+, Historical romance, Harlequin Historical, 1 Apr 09
19. In A Mother’s Arms by Jillian Hart & Victoria Bylin	B-, Inspirational historical romance anthology, Steeple Hill, 14 Apr 09
20. Someone Like Her by Janice Kay Johnson	B-, Contemporary romance, Harlequin SuperRomance, 14 Apr 09
21. A Cowboy’s Promise by Marin Thomas	C-, Contemporary western romance, Harlequin American, 14 Apr 09
22. The Rake’s Inherited Courtesan by Ann Lethbridge	C+, Historical romance, Harlequin Historical, 1 Apr 09
23. A Not So Perfect Past by Beth Andrews	A-, Contemporary romance, Harlequin SuperRomance, 14 Apr 09
— May —
24. Wet by Lauren Hawkeye	D-, Erotic romance eBook short story, Harlequin Spice Briefs, 1 Apr 09
25. The Unlacing Of Miss Leigh by Diane Gaston	B, Historical romance eBook short story, Harlequin Historical Undone, 1 Apr 09
26. Temperatures Rising by Brenda Jackson	C+, Contemporary romance, Kimani Romance, 1 May 09
27. The Diamonds of Welbourne Manor by Gaston, Marlowe and McCabe	B, Historical romance anthology, Harlequin Historical, 1 May 09
28. The Man Most Likely by Cindi Myers	B+, Contemporary Romance, Harlequin American, 12 May 2009
— June —
29. Twice The Pleasure by Portia Da Costa	B, Erotica short story ebook, Spice Briefs, 1 May 09
30. Let It Ride by Jillian Burns	B, Contemporary romance, Harlequin Blaze, 01 May 2009
31. Tonight, My Love by Tracie Sommers	D-, Erotica short story ebook, Spice Briefs, 01 May 2009
32. A Holiday Romance by Carrie Alexander	B+, Contemporary romance, Harlequin SuperRomance, 9 Jun 09
33. Disrobed and Dishonored by Louise Allen	C+, Historical romance ebook short story, Harlequin Historical Undone, 1 May 09
34. Menage On A Train by Alice Gaines	B, Erotica ebook short story, Spice Briefs, 1 Apr 09
35. Pleasured By the Secret Millionaire by Natalie Anderson	C+, Contemporary romance, Harlequin Presents, 1 Jun 09
36. Pulling The Trigger by Julie Miller	C+, Contemporary romantic suspense, Harlequin Intrigue, 9 Jun 09
37. From Friend to Father by Tracy Wolff	B-, Contemporary romance, Harlequin SuperRomance, 9 Jun 09
38. The Heiress’s Two-Week Affair by Marie Ferrarella	C+, Romantic suspense, Silhouette Romantic Suspense, 1 Apr 09
— July —
39. The Border Lord by Sophia James	C, Historical romance, Harlequin Historical, 1 May 09
40. Second Time Around by Portia Da Costa	B-, Erotic romance ebook short story, Spice Briefs, 1 Jun 09
41. Sultry Storm by Celeste O. Norfleet	D+, Contemporary romance, Kimani Romance, 1 Jun 09
42. A Night For Her Pleasure by Terri Brisbin	C+, Historical romance short story ebook, Harlequin Historical Undone, 1 Jun 09
43. Afternoon Delight by Kayla Perrin	B, Erotica short story eBook, Spice Briefs, 1 Jun 09
44. No Longer Forbidden by Portia Da Costa	C+, Erotic romance short story ebook, Spice Briefs, 01 July 2009
— August —
45. Mountain Wild by Stacey Kayne	B-, Historical romance, Harlequin Historical, 1 Jul 09
46. Sensual Winds by Carmen Green	C, Contemporary romance, Kimani Romance, 01 July 2009
47. Sierra Bride by Jenna Kernan	B-, Historical western romance, Harlequin Historical, 1 Aug 09
48. Hard to Resist by Samantha Hunter	D+, Contemporary romance, Harlequin Blaze, 1 July 2009
49. His L.A. Cinderella by Trish Wylie	C+, Contemporary romance, Harlequin Romance, 14 July 2009
50. Cowboy Comes Back by Jeannie Watt	C+, Contemporary romance, Harlequin SuperRomance, 14 July 2009
51. Full House Seduction by A.C. Arthur	C, Contemporary romance, Kimani Romance, 1 Aug 2009
52. Evil At Heart by Chelsea Cain	B+, Mystery/Suspense, St. Martin’s Minotaur, 1 Sep 2009
— September —
53. The Daddy Audition by Cindi Myers	C-, Contemporary romance, Harlequin American, 14 Jul 2009
54. Eye of the Storm by Delilah Devlin	B, Erotic romance short story ebook, Spice Briefs, 1 Aug 2009
55. The Warrior’s Forbidden Virgin by Michelle Willingham	B, Historical romance short story ebook, Harlequin Historical Undone, 1 Sept 2009
56. The Countess’s Client by Alison Richardson	D+, Historical erotica short story ebook, Spice Briefs, 1 Sept 2009
57. Silent Watch by Elle Kennedy	C-, Romantic suspense, Silhouette Romance Suspense, 1 Aug 09
58. Texas Wedding For The Baby’s Sake by Kathryn Albright	C-, Historical romance, Harlequin Historical, 1 Sep 09
— October —
59. His Secret Agenda by Beth Andrews	B-, Contemporary romance, Harlequin SuperRomance, 13 Oct 09
60. An Impolite Seduction by Alison Richardson	C, Historical erotica short story ebook, Spice Briefs, 1 Oct 09
— November —
61. Under the Boss’s Mistletoe by Jessica Hart	B+, Contemporary romance, Harlequin romance, 10 Nov 09
62. Cowboy Christmas by Finch, Lane & Crooks	C, Historical romance anthology, Harlequin Historical, 1 Oct 09
63. Touch Me by Jacquie D’Alessandro	B, Historical romance, Harlequin Blaze, 1 Oct 09
64. From Waif To Gentleman’s Wife by Julia Justiss	B, Historical romance, Harlequin Historical, 1 Oct 09
65. The Christmas Stranger by Beth Cornelison	B-, Romantic suspense, Silhouette Romantic Suspense, 1 Oct 09
— December —
66. Taming Her Irish Warrior by Michelle Willingham	C+, Historical romance, Harlequin Historical, 1 Oct 09
67. Her Colorado Man by Cheryl St. John	B, Historical romance, Harlequin Historical, 1 Dec 09
68. The Birthday Present by Alison Richardson	C+, Historical erotica short story ebook, Spice Briefs, 1 Nov 09
69. The Tale of the Dancing Girl by Grace D’Otare	B+, Historical erotic romance short story ebook, Spice Briefs, 1 Nov 09

Reader Blogger Marg, you can find her at Reading Adventures and Historical Tapestry, was nice enough to agree to share with us her adventure at the Australian Romance Readers Convention this past weekend.

If we get lucky we can talk her into sharing some more photos and stories.

Ever since I have been blogging, each year when everyone started talking about going to either RWA or other major romance conferences, I have sat here in my chair in suburban Melbourne, Australia turning various shades of green. Whether people were posting about meeting their favourite authors, or the goodies rooms, or the signings, I read all the posts thinking about how it was all kinds of awesome that they were getting to do such fun things. The thing was, no matter how envious I became, the simple fact was that at this point in my life there is no way that I would be able to go to the US to attend such an event.

So when I just happened to read something about an Australian Romance Readers Convention back in December 2007, I was over the moon! And then when it was announced that it was in Melbourne, I was again really excited. And then, in what seems like no time at all, the inaugural ARRC is over, all the delegates have gone home and I am sure that the organising committee members are all collapsed in a heap in exhaustion.

It is difficult to give just the highlights so that this guest post isn’t as long as the weekend itself, so instead I will try to just give a taste of the flavour of the weekend. The most obvious place to start is with the keynote speakers – those who were invited to travel half way around the world to come to visit their Aussie fans, and I can tell you those fans were very appreciative! Mary Janice Davidson, Susan Grant, Liz Maverick, Sherrilyn Kenyon (with special guest Dianna Love), and not forgetting Stephanie Laurens (who didn’t come half way around the world, but we still appreciate her nonetheless). We laughed until we cried, we were inspired, we were challenged and above all we were entertained!

One of the things that I often say on my own blog is that I don’t read enough Aussie authors, and I have to say that I learnt something that kind of surprised me this weekend! There are a LOT of Aussie authors out there. They write in various different subgenres, from Mills and Boon (Harlequin), to the big NY publishing houses, to e-books and other publishers like Samhain. I have come home determined that I am definitely going to read more Aussies – Keri Arthur, Denise Rossetti and others, I am talking about your books! An Aussie author that I already read is Anna Campbell and it was great to see her latest book, Tempt the Devil, officially launched in Australia by Stephanie Laurens on Saturday afternoon.

At Saturday night’s dinner, I was lucky enough to be sitting with the gorgeous Kat O from Book Thingo, plus her librarian (yes, librarian and borrower attended together – how great is that!) with some other girls, including two Samhain authors and we had an absolutely fantastic time, so much so that I forgot to take pictures of some of the award winners and of the people sitting at the table. Kat, Vassiliki, Jess Dee and Lexxie Couper, thanks ladies. And don’t worry, what happened at dinner and what we talked about at dinner, stays at dinner. Have to say though – those mini cakes were to die for!

One of the things that the conference coincided with was the National Day of Mourning on Sunday for the bushfire victims from the terrible fires that started in early February with such devastating loss of life and property. As I write this on Monday night, we have been reminded that the fire crisis is not over with existing firest still burning and new fires starting on the outskirt of Melbourne this afternoon with more loss of homes. My point in mentioning this is that one of the initiatives of the organisers was a silent auction with the proceeds being donated to the Red Cross Australian Bushfires Appeal. There were many, many generous authors and organisations that donated great items, and there was over $7000 raised through the auction, plus an impeccably observed minute of silence on Sunday morning at 11am.

There’s so much more that I could mention, but I have to save something for my own blog (*grin*), but I haven’t mentioned the panelists, the books, the signings. So much to talk about!

In closing I want to say to the organizers of ARRC – thank you, thank you, thank you.

You did an amazing job. I don’t think that I can pay any higher compliment to you than to say my friends and I started to make plans on Saturday night to attend the next ARRC – whenever it is and wherever it is held – with at least two more of our friends. I know that I overheard other delegates making their own plans too!

Marg

This just in…

Avon has three terrific historicals on their site that you can read right now at no charge whatsoever!!!

~ Lorraine Heath’s In Bed with the Devil, Sarah Gabriel’s Keeping Kate, and Margo Maguire’s The Bride Hunt are 100% free to read on the Avon website.

~ Plus, with HarperCollins’ new Browse Inside feature we told you about recently, you can also check out other goodies like Glitter Baby by Susan Elizabeth Phillips, At Grave’s End by Jeaniene Frost, Tempt the Devil by Anna Campbell, The Highland Groom by Sarah Gabriel, and Wild by Margo Maguire, most of which are brand new, upcoming titles, to see if they’re something you’d like to read before you actually buy.

~ Check it all out here.

Consider yourself flashed.

Anna Campbell, author of some amazing books (Untouched and Claiming the Courtesan) and fellow Valenduckie, shares with us her top 10 most romantic ”Places I’ve been” and “Places I Gotta Go Before I Die.”

—

OK, this Valentine’s Day my mind is roving far afield. Come back, Mind, I need you! I have a book to write!

Um, right. OK, I thought I’d list the ten most romantic places I’ve been and then the ten most romantic places I want to get to before I turn up my toes.

So here is my official romantic places I’ve actually seen list:

1. Hever Castle, Kent
2. Leeds Castle, Kent
3. Chateau de Chenonceaux, Loire Valley
4. Coeffin Castle, Isle of Lismore.  Actually pronounced “Coffin” (snort) but it has this wonderful legend about a Viking maiden falling in love with a warrior who was killed while he was out a-Viking and she just faded away and still haunts the place, sigh. Would have been nicer if he came back, though!
5. Calgary Beach, Isle of Mull
6. Venice, Italy
7. Rome, Italy
8. Tintagel, Cornwall
9. Cordoba, Spain
10. The Alhambra, Granada, Spain

Here is the official romantic places I want to go list (anyone listening with a credit card?):

1. The Taj Mahal
2. Darjeeling to see the Himalayas in the distance [Ed.: that's those white things in the background.]
3. Topkapi Palace in Istanbul
4. St. Petersburg in the Midnight Sun [Ed.: this photo was taken at 00:05, or 12:05am.]
5. Halong Bay, Vietnam
6. Macchu Picchu, Peru
7. Petra, Jordan
8. Montreal, Canada
9. Big Sur, California
10. The Blue Grotto, Capri

If you could go anywhere for Valentine’s Day, where would you pick? And why? Happy Valentine’s Day, everyone!

Anna Campbell, author of Untouched and Claiming the Courtesan, shares her list of 12 tearjerkers with TGTBTU’s readers – get your hankie…

My 12 Days of Favorite Weepies…

12. As You Desire by Connie Brockway

11. A Countess Below Stairs by Eva Ibbotson

10. Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë

9. Persuasion by Jane Austen

8. Cry No More by Linda Howard

7. The Perfect Rake by Anne Gracie

6. Flesh and the Devil by Teresa Denys

5. Crown in Candlelight by Rosemary Hawley Jarman

4. Lady Luck’s Map of Vegas by Barbara Samuel

3. Possession by A.S. Byatt

2. Flowers from the Storm by Laura Kinsale

1. Checkmate (Lymond Chronicles, Book 5 6) by Dorothy Dunnett

Lawson’s review of Untouched by Anna Campbell
Historical romance released by Avon November 27, 2007

Blurb:

Beautiful Grace Paget has no reason not to believe these words. After all, she was kidnapped, spirited away to a remote country manor, and told she is to grant this man his every desire . . . or lose her life. But Grace is no common trollop. So she risks everything to save her virtue by planning a daring escape, even though she finds herself tempted by this handsome man. There is something in his eyes that makes her wonder if he is as dangerous as he would have her believe.

Sheene knew nothing of the plan to bring him this woman. Locked up as a prisoner, called “mad” by all of the world, he will do anything to reclaim his life, and Grace’s sensuous beauty has distracted him from his goals. And although he finds her irresistible, he is horrified to hold her against her will. Now, together, they must both revolt against the strange set of circumstances that have forced them together—for only then will Grace truly surrender to him . . . forever.

Excerpt. 

Isn’t the cover so pretty? I personally love it and think it is a great fit for this book. But . . . on to the review.

Grace Paget hasn’t had the easiest life, especially since she has recently become widowed. Things have become much worse when she’s kidnapped off the streets of Bristol while looking for her cousin. Spirited away to a country estate, she awkens in a room with two thugs arguing about whether she looks like a prostitute or not. Grace soon finds out the two thugs are bodyguards on a walled estate that’s a prison for Matthew Landsdowne, Marquess of Sheene.

Grace has been brought to keep Sheene in line by his uncle. Thinking that a woman will distract him, Sheene’s uncle is doing all he can to keep his nephew locked away so that he can continue to dig into the family fortune for his own benefit. As much as she tries, Grace cannot escape the estate and is at the mercy of the two jailers and the daunting gaze of Matthew himself, who she doesn’t believe is wholly sane.

Though a childhood illness made Matthew an invalid, he is recovered and chafes at his prison. He’s attempted escape numerous times, but his uncle catches him and does everything in his power to punish those who helped Matthew leave the prison built for him. Far from sane, yet tired of his uncle’s manipulations, he doesn’t trust Grace and does what he can to make her life as miserable as his is.

Soon though, Matthew realizes Grace is as innocent as he is, and he works to trust her. But when they don’t share a bed, Matthew’s uncle issues an ultimatum. If Grace doesn’t get Matthew into her bed in a week, he’ll give her to the two thugs to rape and then she’ll be killed. Matthew does what he can to save her, but the close quarters lead to temptation and feelings that have no place in a prison such as theirs, unless they take the risk to secure freedom from captivity. . .and to love each other.

As out of the realm of realistic it seems like, life in the 18th century was rough. There are a lot of books that seem to gloss over that, but if someone was ill and out of their senses without modern medicine, I’m sure that locking them away would be a reasonable option. Especially if the guardian of said person was a greedy, grasping person like Matthew’s uncle, Lord John, and had the power to sweep it all under the table. The treatment of those who were deemed madmen was unfair and helped Lord John to keep his true actions hidden.

Even with the unfair imprisonment and treatment doled out to Matthew, he’s still an intelligent, caring person who is there for Grace and saves her as much as she saves him. Being unfairly imprisoned for eleven years would drive any sane person nuts in the first place. Every obstacle that Matthew’s uncle throws at him Matthew is able to turn around for his own benefit and triumph in his own way.

Once Grace is able to get Matthew to believe that she’s not in league with his uncle, sexy things start to happen. For two people that are rather sexually inexperienced, there was some hot stuff going on between the sheets. The story works so well because these two characters, though forced together, are still believable and use their minds to get out of situations rather than wait on fate to come along and help them.

Lord John and the two prison guards, Monks and Filey, are drawn as the worst of humanity, which understandably they are. The resolution of the evil they inflict, while not satisfying, was realistic and fit with the rest of the tone of the story. The end also was not as satisfying as the rest of the book, but it was realistic and though I felt Grace’s choice was not the best one to make, however in her situation I might make the same one.

Where the title for this one came from though. . .it makes one wonder who or what is supposed to be untouched. Grace, when Matthew doesn’t trust her? Grace because of her past? Matthew because he’s been locked away from the world for so long? How the title fits in with the story is a bit beyond me. . .but it didn’t take away from the power of the book either.

Another dark love story from Campbell, but it keeps with the times in terms of what would happen to people, the characterizations and above all it gives a HEA.

Grade: B+

Untouched by Anna Campbell

“I am many things,” Lord Sheene said. “Kind is not one of them.”

Beautiful Grace Paget has no reason to doubt these words. After all, she was kidnapped, spirited away to a remote country manor, and told she is to grant this man his every desire…or lose her life. But Grace is no common trollop. So she risks everything to save her virtue by planning a daring escape, even though she finds herself tempted by this dangerously handsome man. There is something in his eyes that makes her wonder if he is not as cruel as he would have her believe…

Sheene knew nothing of the plan to bring him this woman. Locked up as a prisoner, called “mad” by all of society, he will do anything to reclaim his life, and Grace’s sensuous beauty has distracted him from his goals. And although he finds her irresistible, he is horrified to hold her against her will. Now, together, they must both revolt against the strange set of circumstances that have forced them together—for only then will Grace truly surrender to him…forever.

I heart the last line….

And I do not think you can see this ANYWHERE else. right now That Anna is just too good to us *g* Read on below the cut.

After another revoltingly drawn-out moment, Filey shuffled away. Dimly through the pounding in her ears, Grace heard the door shut.

Finally she was alone. She gave a great sobbing gasp and opened her eyes.

She was in a pleasant room with white walls and two doors. The first was closed and the other opened onto a sunlit garden. Her sensation of unreality heightened. Surely she hadn’t been abducted off the public street and brought here to service strangers.

The laudanum’s mind-dulling effects ebbed. Some dissolute aristocrat meant to use her before handing her to his abhorrent henchmen.

She needed to get away now. Before her jailers returned. Before the mysterious Lord John who’d ordered a nice clean tart—she cringed at the description—arrived to see what his minions produced for his delectation.

The opiate still clogged her senses and the vile taste filled her mouth. She desperately wanted a drink of water.

No, she desperately wanted to be back at the Cock and Crown waiting for Cousin Vere.

Panting and sobbing, she began to struggle against the leather ties.

“That won’t do you any good.” As if to confirm what she’d already guessed, a man spoke from the garden doorway. “I should know. I’ve tried to break those bonds often enough.”

She whipped her head around in his direction. Light dazzled her. All she could make out was a tall figure with broad shoulders.

But she heard the voice clearly.

A deep voice smooth and rich as the cream she scooped from the new milk on her farm in Yorkshire. That beautiful cultured baritone frightened her more than all Monks and Filey’s ribald speculations.

Then she realized what he’d said. “They’ve tied you to this table too?”

The man stepped into the room. “Of course,” he said mildly as if the admission held no consequence.

The gold-limned shadow resolved into a gentleman in his middle twenties wearing a loose white shirt and buff breeches. He was more than six feet tall and overly slender for his height, although she didn’t mistake his physical strength. He might be lean, but it was sinewy leanness.

He was the most beautiful man she’d ever seen. Even terrified as she was, she couldn’t help measuring each detail of his appearance.

Fine dark hair grew back from his high forehead. A long straight nose. Sharply cut cheekbones, prominent because of his thinness. His eyes remained downcast under his winged dark brows. He looked like one of God’s angels humbly awaiting direction from the Deity.

Except no angel would study her prone body with quite that level of curiosity.

The heated inspection licked its way up her form with leisurely thoroughness. It lingered at her breasts, making her burningly conscious of her gaping neckline. Every muscle contracted in fear and refusal.

Grace had lived with fear long enough to know facing it down was her only strategy. She glowered at the man. “Are you Lord John?”

His mouth quirked in an unamused smile. “No. Lord John is my uncle.”

“If you’re not Lord John, will you help me? Your uncle has brought me here for…” Words failed her, although she doubted any description she chose would shock this superb and lascivious angel.

That ghost of a smile again. Like the rest of him, his mouth was perfect. Wide enough to be expressive. A sharply defined upper lip. A generous sweep of lower lip.

“His amusement?” The deep voice darkened with irony as he chose the innocuous term for something they both knew was anything but innocuous. He shifted closer so his shadow fell across her. She fought another wave of panic.

Her fingers curled beneath the restricting straps. “Yes. You must help me get away.”

“Must?” The young man stretched out one long-fingered hand to stroke her cheek. His touch was cool but she jerked away as if scalded. He took her chin and held her for his scrutiny. “Hmm. Pretty.”

He terrified her. But he was her only chance of escape before the unknown Lord John arrived. She moderated her tone. “Please, sir. Please help me.”

She’d closed her eyes. Although somehow she knew that fleeting smile flickered and vanished again.

“Better. Much better.”

The monster toyed with her. He’d toyed with her from the first. She swallowed nervously. “I appeal to your honor, sir. You cannot…” No, insistence hadn’t worked. “I appeal for your help.”

“Ah, I knew you could manage the right note. I find myself moved, madam. That slight break in your voice is a masterstroke. Well done.”

Her eyes snapped open. Strange to be both so annoyed and so scared at the same time. “I protest, sir. You speak like I’m an…an actress trying out for a part.”

“Do I indeed?” He bit out the words. With a flick of his fingers, he released her as though touching her offended him. “How remiss of me when it’s quite clear you’ve already been cast for this particular role.”

He swung away from her with a restlessness she noticed even through her fear. Knowing as she spoke that she’d fail, Grace made one last try for this singular young man’s help. “Your uncle means to rape me. You cannot just abandon me.”

He turned back to her, his remarkable face a mask of well-bred contempt. “This confusion charms, madam. And almost convinces. But we both know you’re here for my use, not my uncle’s. Unless one discounts your purpose as his cat’s paw.”

She licked dry lips. “You must be mad.”

He gave a short huff of humorless laughter and met her gaze for the first time. He had rich brown eyes marked by a sunburst of gold. Beautiful, unusual eyes, colder than anything she’d ever seen.

He spoke quite gently as those strange striated eyes stared into hers. “Of course I am, my dear. Unquestionably and incurably mad.”

RWA will host the “Readers for Life” Literacy Autographing on July 11, 2007, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. This is during the 27th Annual RWA Conference in Dallas, Texas at the in the Hyatt Regency hotel.

There will be over 450 romance fiction authors will be signing books donated by publishers with the proceeds of the sales going to literacy charities. It is a great excuse to spend money on books *g*. You do not need to be attending the conference to go.

When I lasted checked this was the list of authors who will be signing:

Shana Abe, C.T. Adams, C.H. Admirand, Lara Adrian, Jami Alden, Lacey Alexander, Victoria Alexander, Renee Alexis, Regan Allen, Karen Anders, Jessica Andersen, Bella Andre, Gina Ardito, Kelley Armstrong, Judith Arnold, Keri Arthur, Jennifer Ashley, Melanie Atkins, Kate Austin, Lori Avocato, Jina Bacarr, Kathleen Bacus, Roz Bailey, Mardi Ballou, Nina Bangs, Jill Barnett, Linda Barrett, Gerry Bartlett, Beverly Barton, Shelley Bates, Elizabeth Batten-Carew, Alexandra Benedict, Jules Bennett, Renee Bernard, Heidi Betts, Elizabeth Bevarly, Jo Beverley, Jenna Black, Shayla Black, Sandy Blair, Toni Blake, Stephanie Bond, Lori Borrill, Marie Bostwick, Elizabeth Boyle, Eden Bradley, Shelley Bradley, Shelley Brannigan, Jean Brashear, Cynthia Breeding, Helen Brenna, Allison Brennan, Dee Brice, Kate Bridges, Terri Brisbin, Pamela Britton, Suzanne Brockmann, Connie Brockway, Gemma Bruce, Nina Bruhns, Niki Burnham, Monica Burns, Jaci Burton, Nancy Bush, Gayle Callen, Candy Calvert, Dawn Calvert, Anna Campbell, Linda Cardillo, Opal Carew, Kathy Carmichael, Teresa Carpenter, Robyn Carr, Dixie Cash, Kathryn Caskie, Mary Castillo, Maureen Caudill, Michelle Celmer, Victoria Chancellor, Janet Chapman, Layla Chase, Lisa Childs, Judy Christenberry, Ann Christopher, Cathy Clamp, Pamela Clare, Jaycee Clark, Debra Clopton, Kresley Cole, Debby Conrad, Kristina Cook, Jerri Corgiat, Beth Cornelison, Nicola Cornick, Leigh Court, Tami Cowden, Gretchen Craig, Susan Crandall, Megan Crane, Susan Crosby, Claire Cross, Melinda Curtis, Victoria Dahl, Claudia Dain, Jacquie D’Alessandro, Margaret Daley, Kathleen Dante, Kay David, Patricia Davids, Stephie Davis, Geralyn Dawson, Alyssa Day, Sylvia Day, Gail Dayton, Kimberly Dean, Cindy Dees, Ann Defee, Robyn DeHart, Claire Delacroix, Jana DeLeon, Kathie DeNosky, Anna DeStefano, Thea Devine, Delilah Devlin, Lori Devoti, Helenkay Dimon, Christina Dodd, Susan Donovan, Kate Douglas, Cheryl Dragon, Dianne Drake, Isabelle Drake, Laura Drewry, Eileen Dreyer, Judy Duarte, Michele Dunaway, Natalie Dunbar, Diana Duncan, Lois Faye Dyer, Kathleen Eagle, Jennifer Echols, Anne Elizabeth, Simone Elkeles, Suzanne Enoch, Jennifer Estep, Wendy Etherington, Anna J. Evans, Molly Evans, Lillian Feisty, Tina Ferraro, Caridad Ferrer, Honora Finkelstein, Gaelen Foley, Jacey Ford, Elaine Fox, Mara Fox, Kit Frazier, Barbara Freethy, Patricia Gaffney, Barbara Gale, Shelley Galloway, Diane Gaston, Cindy Gerard, Tina Gerow, Rachel Gibson, Blythe Gifford, Debby Giusti, Colleen Gleason, Kristi Gold, Linda Goodnight, Carol Grace, Donna Grant, Jane Graves, Samantha Graves, T.L. Gray, Carmen Green, Jennifer Greene, Shannon Greenland, Leigh Greenwood, Diana Groe, Elizabeth Guest, Laura Lee Guhrke, Shirley Hailstock, Stephanie Hale, Gemma Halliday, Lori Handeland, Kristin Hannah, Beth Harbison, Kristin Hardy, Fiona Harper, Kim Harrison, Celia May Hart, Raven Hart, Ellen Hartman, Karen Hawkins, Rachel Hawthorne, Jasmine Haynes, Lorraine Heath, Candice Hern, Kristan Higgins, Sandra Hill, Cindy Holby, Emma Holly, Diana Holquist, Hannah Howell, Elizabeth Hoyt, Charlotte Hubbard, Jan Hudson, Janis Reams Hudson, Kalen Hughes, Madeline Hunter, Laura Iding, Jessica Inclan, Jackie Ivie, Lisa Jackson, Myla Jackson, Ann Jacobs, Delle Jacobs, Allyson James, Elle James, Eloisa James, Marcia James, Marianna Jameson, Anna Jeffrey, J.M. Jeffries, Sabrina Jeffries, Beverly Jenkins, Sophia Johnson, Linda Winstead Jones, Brandy Jordan, Sophie Jordan, Wayne Jordan, Shirley Jump, Julia Justiss, Lisa B. Kamps, Virginia Kantra
Gayle Kasper, Kathy Kaye, Stacey Kayne, Karen Kelley, Karen Kendall, Julie Kenner, Janette Kenny, Alison Kent, Cassidy Kent, Sherrilyn Kenyon, Megan Kerans, Shayla Kersten, Joan Kilby
Cindy Kirk, Mindy Klasky, Angela Knight, Deidre Knight, Amy Knupp, Betina Krahn, Jayne Ann Krentz, Pamela Labud, Lynn Lafleur, Judith Laik, Jill Marie Landis, Elizabeth Lane, Ruth Ryan Langan, Kaenar Langford, Leslie Langtry, Julia Latham, Stephanie Laurens, Kathleen Lawless, Day Leclaire, Jade Lee, Kara Lennox, Marion Lennox, Julie Leto, Cathy Liggett, Caroline Linden, Julie Linker, Cathie Linz, Marjorie M. Liu, Kimberly Llewellyn, Julia London, Beverly Long, Julie Anne Long, Gennita Low, Denise Lynn, Janice Lynn, Kate Lyon, Heather MacAllister, Ann Macela, Kinley MacGregor, Sally MacKenzie, Donna MacMeans, Margo Maguire, Anne Mallory, Marianne Mancusi, Michelle Marcos, Lynne Marshall, Kat Martin, Sandra Marton, Jolie Mathis, Liz Maverick, Cathy Maxwell, Melissa Mayhue, Amanda McCabe, Dinah McCall, Penny McCall, Erin McCarthy, Monica McCarty, Barbara McCauley, Melissa McClone, Judi McCoym, Cathy McDavid, Denise Belinda McDonald, Maureen McKade, Morag McKendrick Pippin, Annmarie McKenna, Lee McKenzie, Terry McLaughlin, Suzanne McMinn, Teresa Medeiros, P.J. Mellor, Marliss Melton, Christine Merrill, Tanya Michaels, Cindy Miles, Janet Miller, Micqui Miller, Stevi Mittman, Lisa Mondello, Rae Monet, Alexis Morgan, Pamela Morsi, Brenda Mott, Sophie Mouette, Janet Mullany, Debra Mullins, Hannah Murray, Sophia Nash, Carla Neggers, Tara Nina, Hailey North, Brenda Novak, Terry Odell, Jana G. Oliver, Robin D. Owens, Sharon Page, Liza Palmer, Pamela Palmer, Nancy J. Parra, Kate Pearce, Kate Perry, Marta Perry, Diane Pershing, Jenna Petersen, Carly Phillips, Susan Elizabeth Phillips, Andrea Pickens, Barbara Pierce, Michelle M. Pillow, Caridad Pineiro, Allie Pleiter, Robin T. Popp, Jane Porter, Patricia Potter, Mary Alice Pritchard, Amanda Quick, Julia Quinn, Tessa Radley, Susan Ralph, Francis Ray, Shelby Reed, Virginia Reede, Cynthia Reese, Eileen Rendahl, T.A. Ridgell, Christie Ridgway, Leigh Riker, Kelle Z. Riley, Christine Rimmer, J.D. Robb, Nora Roberts, Farrah Rochon, Joanne Rock, Maya Rodale, Emilie Rose, Karen Rose, Pam Rosenthal, Ann Roth, Mandy M. Roth, Robin L. Rotham, Stephanie Rowe, Michelle Rowen, Gerri Russell, Hank Ryan, Sharon Sala, Barbara Samuel, Lynda Sandoval, Lynsay Sands, Patricia Sargeant, Melissa Schroeder, Sharon Schulze, Sandra Schwab, Brenda Scott Royce, Alice Sharpe, Isabel Sharpe, Kathryn Shay, Gena Showalter, Eve Silver, Misty Simon, Elizabeth Sinclair, Linnea Sinclair, Nalini Singh, Jennifer Skully, Susan Smily, Kathryn Smith, Barbara Dawson Smith, Jeri Smith-Ready, Maria V. Snyder, Sharon Sobel, Jamie Sobrato, Annie Solomon, Teresa Southwick, Catherine Spangler, Kerrelyn Sparks, Susan Squires, Roxanne St. Claire, Jennifer St. Giles, Sloan St. James, Kelley St. John, Cricket Starr, Carol Stephenson, Kay Stockham, Kelly L. Stone, T.A. Stone, Todd Stone, Deb Stover, Amie Stuart, Cara Summers, Sunny, Karin Tabke, Hope Tarr, Teri Thackston, Jacquelin Thomas, Melody Thomas, Colleen Thompson, Vicki Lewis Thompson, BA Tortuga, Anne Tourney, Jessica Trapp, Janet Tronstad, Stephanie Tyler, Leah Vale, Bonnie Vanak, Evelyn Vaughn, Rachel Vincent, J.R. Ward, Christine Warren, Linda Warren, Nancy Warren, Tracy Anne Warren, Margaret Watson, Jeannie Watt, Debra Webb, Peggy Webb, Tawny Weber, Phaedra Weldon, Karen Whiddon, Karen White, Loreth Anne White, Pat White, Karen White-Owens, Diane Whiteside, Merrillee Whren, Andrea Wilder, Eileen Wilks, Beth Williamson, Michelle Willingham, Dolores J. Wilson, Ruth Wind, Lois Winston, Lenora Worth, Trish Wylie, Cathy Yardley, Susan C. Yarina, Mia Zachary

So this contest is uber easy. Tell us at least five authors you would stand in line to have sign your book if you were or are going. Jane and I will be there, in fact we have volunteered for the set up, I think, at some ungodly hour of 8am or something.

So give a shout and maybe we will meet up .

Comment with your list until Thursday June 14, 2007 @ midnight CST. The winner will 3 books:
Karma Girl, Dinner, First, Me Later? and A Dangerous Beauty

All unsigned and donated by the publisher (Berkley, Grand Central Publishing, Avon).

I know this has been said before and it will be said again and probably things won’t change much. But I really miss the variety of settings I used to find in romance novels. Am I alone here? Perhaps I am!

I don’t subscribe to the conspiracy theory that publishers for their own nefarious reasons only like Regency England even though the punters are screaming for that fabulous romance set in 9th century Albania or amongst the whaling crews on South Georgia in 1912. Actually, perhaps they could pass that one off as a pseudo Regency by mentioning the Prince of Whales (sorry!).

Hey, I love the Regency! I hope to keep writing books set then and I’ll certainly read them so this is in no way a “Never darken my door with witty story featuring dukes in cravats and high boots” whine. But for the last month or so, I’ve been blogging all over the universe and inevitably I’ve been talking about the books I loved when I was younger and it made me realize how narrow the scope of historical romance has become.

Two absolute classics I read when I was at university (unfortunately, not as part of the syllabus or I would have blitzed those literature classes!) were by a writer called Teresa Denys. One was set in renaissance Italy and one was set in 17th century Spain and those books were utterly compelling, partly because she used the places and the times to build a really convincing world that formed a vital part of the story. I doubt those books would find a publisher today.

Recently I read a Harlequin Historical by Nicola Cornick called Lord Greville’s Captive which was set during the English Civil War. It was a wonderful story that completely integrated the political conflict into the personal conflict between the characters. It was also breathtakingly romantic. I finished it and wondered why more romances weren’t set in that period. It’s not as if it doesn’t provide a dramatic background!

So am I Robinson Crusoe here? Are there settings you’d like to see more of? Sybil, I know you’re a Western fan! Why do you think readers have turned off anything that hints at the exotic? Is it because the Regency is just so comfortable, like an old pair of slippers waiting at home after wearing the Manolos all day at work (snort – last time I wore heels, Victoria was on the throne)?

Dear Author has an interesting post today about idealism vs realism.

Now I am the first person to raise my hand and say I am a cynical lil bitch but I question how short Bob Meyer’s seems to sell men. Jane says:

Bob Mayer, the male half of the writing team of Crusie and Mayer, wrote in an interview with All About Romance about the difference between a male writing and a female writing male characters. In Don’t Look Down, the hero, JT, is faced with a naked starlett and does, according to Mayer, what any unattached male would do, and has sex with her. Mayer writes that a female author would have had JT walk away from the starlett but that JT, as Mayer has written him, represents the true male POV.

Really? Don’t get me wrong I agree some men are whores and will fuck anything that stays still long enough and says ok. Some don’t need the ok, but really no need to get into Anna Campbells book right now *g*.

But most boys do grow up and become men or it turns green and falls off. ::poof problems solved:: I find it funny such a degrading thing is being said by a guy. Is that to be all macho and cool in front of the lil women romance readers? Or is it just a bad interview?

I mean really from the tone of it I wonder why in the world he is even writing a book that has women as the main audience. I didn’t take realism away from Bob’s thoughts on ‘real’ men. I took away the male fantasy of what a man’s man is, was that just me?

WordPress has issues with their ‘search box’. (working on fixing that too – PLEASE let me know if you have found a work around) So my fear is readers will have a hard time finding nifty stuff once they fall off the front page.

Jane We added to the sidebar “HOUSE SPECIALS” which will be the nifty stuff. And I am trying to figure out what is the best way for people to be able to find old Guest Day’s stuff – posts, interviews and the like – until the evol search box thing is fixed.

If you are looking for just ‘reviews’ on the very top left click on ‘reviews’ (should work now). It will bring up reviews only.

soooooooooooooooooo

suggestion, wants or problems with the blog I can’t fix other stuff

If you can please include what browser (and version) you are using it would be most helpful.

THANKS!!!

I’m the kind of person who packs three books when I go away for the weekend. There’s the book I want to read, there’s the back-up book (in case the first book fizzles) and there’s the book I should be reading. I also usually bring a PEOPLE magazine, but that’s a different story. (And don’t look at me that way. I’m merely reading the PEOPLE for the news, although recently I picked up a STAR and was shocked – shocked – by the trashiness of the articles. I may have to switch.) 

Ahem. Where was I?

Oh, yes, reading. I like to read. I think most authors do (I can’t imagine wanting to write if you don’t like reading.) I’m one of those horrible people who often have more than one book going at a time. At the moment I’m reading a vintage A.A. Fair paperback, Beware the Curves, which I found at my parents’ house and Karen Rose‘s latest, Count to Ten (in my own defense, I’d started Karen’s book a couple of weeks ago and then misplaced it. V. frustrating.) Other books I’ve read recently are:

Claiming the Courtesan by Anna Campbell

And Then He Kissed Her by Laura Lee Guhrke

Storm Front by Jim Butcher

Dark Lover by J.R. Ward

If This Bed Could Talk, an Avon Red anthology by Liz Maverick, Kimberly Dean, & Lynn LaFleur

Darkly Dreaming Dexter by Jeff Lindsay, followed immediately by

Dearly Devoted Dexter, by same

The Passion by Lisa Valdez

The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold

What Mrs. McGillicuddy Saw! by Agatha Christie

The last I probably read for the millionth time. Agatha Christie, Dorothy L. Sayers, and P.G. Wodehouse tend to be comfort reads for me.

Claiming the Courtesan by Anna Campbell

Oh the things we do for love. Or in the name of love. I think that’s what I’m going to go with on this review, since there’s so much brouhaha about aspects of this novel. And I am going to stick with a straight review, personal feelings may (or may not) come in a later post.

Justin Kinmurrie, the Duke of Kylemore, is a cold, arrogant, autocratic duke. He has won the favors of the most sought courtesan in London and he plans to keep her. In fact, he wants to marry her, since he knows it will upset his mother and his time with her is the only happiness he experiences. However, the courtesan in question has other things in mind.

Soraya is ready to leave her life in London and move to a quiet existence in the countryside. There she can be herself, Verity Ashton, and not Soraya, the infamous London courtesan. Though she meets with the Duke one last time, she leaves without a word. Kylemore searches the ends of England for her and when he finds her, he kidnaps her to a remote hunting lodge in Scotland to exact his revenge. When they are at the cottage, imperious Duke and former mistress engage in a battle of wills in which they both end up loosing their hearts.

The characterization of this book is amazing. AMAZING. Kylemore is arrogant, unfeeling, proud and so tortured it boggles the mind. Yes, he forces his passions on Verity, but Campbell’s journey through his mangled emotional state explains why he does what he does. And Verity is a prim, proper woman of her time. It’s easily forgetten that a straight-laced middle-class English girl would give up her life for one that is seen as that of a fallen woman without thoughts of regret or remorse. Verity subjects her natural tendencies to do what is necessary to support her family. However, at the same time as Soraya she is able to explore her desires as an experienced woman.

Also, after Kylemore lets down his guard Verity acts as any abducted woman would. There is no idea of Stockholm syndrome from Campbell’s prose, just the desperate acts of two people who are so scared of what would happen to them if they lost their rigid control.

For a debut, it’s written extremely well and the characters are fully fleshed out, even Kylemore’s malicious, vindictive mother. The ending does seem a bit contrived, but it still generally fits in with the rest of the very dark, contemplative tone of the rest of the novel. Be warned: don’t read this if you want light-hearted comedy, it is a very deep, emotional tale and not for those who may be disturbed by the story.

Grade: B+

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Romancing the Blog

Over the years TGTBTU has hosted many Guest Author Events.  This page is designed to give readers a look back at all of our hard work (and damn, is all this a lotta work!).  We’ve done our best to list all of the posts here, but it’s extremely possible we’ve “lost” a few along the way.  Also, be advised that some of the older posts are seriously wonky, due in large part to our Blogger to WordPress migration.  We’ve been cleaning up a lot of these older posts, but it’s been slow going.  Be patient with us.  We are a pond, but it’s a small pond.  In the meantime, enjoy!

2011

HelenKay Dimon – Guest Post; Deirdre Martin – Duck Chat; Marie Force – Guest Post;  Leigh Michaels – Guest Post; Julia Justiss – Guest Post; C.H. Admirand – Guest Post; Mary Wine – Guest Post; Melissa Mayhue – Guest Post; Kat Martin – Guest Post

A Royal Day: Celebrating Royal Weddings – Introduction; Bronwyn Scott – Guest Post; Michelle Willingham – Guest Post; Terri Brisbin – Guest Post; Elizabeth Rolls – Guest Post; Ann Lethbridge – Guest Post

Marie Treanor – Duck Chat;  Sharon Lathan – Guest Post; Jennifer Estep – Guest Post; Alissa Johnson – Guest Post; Shiloh Walker – Guest Post; Lorraine Heath – Guest Post; Kaki Warner – Duck Chat; Sandy Blair – Guest Post;

Kathryne Kennedy – Guest Post;  Tawna Fenske – Duck Chat;

2010

Melissa Mayhue – Duck Chat; Carolyn Brown – Duck Chat; Sabrina Jeffries – Guest Blog; Karin Tabke – Duck Chat; Adele Ashworth – Duck Chat; Alexandra Hawkins – Duck Chat; Laura Kinsale – Duck Chat; Ciji Ware – Duck Chat

Julia Barrett – Duck Chat; Kate Collins – Duck Chat; Addison Fox – Duck Chat; Cara Elliott – Duck Chat; Julie James – Duck Chat; Dee Tenorio – Duck Chat; Lydia Dare – Duck Chat; Anne Gracie – Duck Chat; Cathryn Fox – Duck Chat

Bonnie Hearn Hill – Duck Chat; Tawny Weber – Duck Chat; Caroline Fyffe – Duck Chat; Dee Tenorio – Guest Blog;

C.L. Wilson – Guest Author, Guest Blog, Guest Blog From Reader.

Kathryne Kennedy – Guest Blog; Beth Kery – Guest Blog.

2009

Megan Hart Makes A Splash

Monica McCarty – Duck Chat; Connie Brockway – Duck Chat

Anya Bast Makes a Splash

Bonnie Vanak – Duck Chat; Stacey Kayne – Duck Chat

Heidi Betts Makes A Splash

Jami Alden – Duck Chat; Mary Balogh – Duck Chat

Moira Rogers Quacks About Writing

Lorelei James – Duck Chat; Jo Barrett – Duck Chat; Jennifer Ashley – Duck Chat; Beth Kery – Duck Chat

Lauren Dane Makes a Splash!

Sloan McBride – Duck Chat

Lynne Connolly reports from Romantic Times 2009!

Karen Ranney – Duck Chat; Kathryne Kennedy – Duck Chat; Lisa Renee Jones  – Duck Chat; Dana Marton – Duck Chat; Deb Marlowe – Duck Chat

Alissa Johnson – Duck Chat; Julia Justiss – Duck Chat; Terri Brisbin – Duck Chat; Jillian Hart – Duck Chat

Jennifer Haymore – Duck Chat; Sophie Renwick – Duck Chat; Sherry Thomas – Duck Chat; Christie Craig – Duck Chat

Marsha Zinberg, Harlequin Editor – Guest Post

Bronwyn Scott – Duck Chat; Nancy Haddock – Duck Chat

Jenna Petersen – Duck Chat; Karen Whiddon – Duck Chat; Judi Fennell – Duck Chat; Beth Williamson – Duck Chat

S.J. Day – Duck Chat; Dana Marie Bell – Duck Chat; Elisabeth Naughton – Duck Chat; Joey W. Hill – Duck Chat

Alexis Morgan – Duck Chat;  Tessa Dare – Duck Chat; Nicola Cornick – Duck Chat; Janet Mullany – Duck Chat

Cynthia Eden – Duck Chat; Sasha White – Duck Chat; Annette Blair – Duck Chat;

TJ Bennett – Duck Chat; Sharon Lathan – Duck Chat; Sabrina Jeffries – Duck Chat; Tracy Wolff – Duck Chat; Meredith Duran – Duck Chat

The Great Western Drive!

Kylie Brant – Duck Chat; Kathryn Smith – Duck Chat; Sandy Blair – Duck Chat; Tammy Kane – Duck Chat

Duckies Go Bovine With Libba Bray; Sara Angelini – Duck Chat; Jami Alden – Guest Post; Monica Fairview – Duck Chat; Amelia Grey – Duck Chat

Erin Quinn – Duck Chat; Kari Thomas – Duck Chat; Elizabeth Hoyt – Duck Chat; C.L. Wilson – Duck Chat

Shiloh Walker – Duck Chat; Jessica Andersen – Duck Chat; Helen Scott Taylor – Duck Chat;

2008

Valenduckie Event – Countless authors, oodles of contests (sadly all closed – but hey, you can still read about all the fun!)

Noelle Mack – Q&A

Pamela Clare – Goldilocks Goes To Jail Part I, Part II, Part III, Part IV, Part V, Part VI

Silhouette Nocturne Spotlight: Bonnie Vanak – The Healing Power of Werewolves, Patrice Michelle – The Cool Idea, Then What?, Merline Lovelace Plays Mind Games

Sherry Thomas – Learning English The Passionate Way, Seven Reasons to Read Sugar Daddy, Six Reasons Not To Read My Book, To Old Or Not Old Enough?,

Pamela Clare – The Truth About Prison,  Q&A

Silhouette Special Edition Spotlight: Shannon Stacey on SSE , Karen Templeton – Real People, Real Life, Real Love , Karen Sandler – Sex and SSE , Christine Rimmer Confesses…. , Lynda Sandoval - Love, Loss, Resilience and Inspiration

Laura Drewry Loves Series

Madelynne Ellis – Q&A

Michele Hauf – Takes A Bite

Harlequin SuperRomance Spotlight: Kathryn Shay – In The Hot Seat , Debra Salonen – Heads For The Hills , Ellen Hartman – All About Men

Harlequin Historical Spotlight: Deborah Simmons Returns!, Pam Crooks Gets Competitive , Patricia Frances Rowell Gets Mythic , Deb Marlowe – Can You Do That In A Regency? , Jillian Hart’s Insane Summer , Michelle Styles – Devote to More Than One Time Period , Michelle Willingham – A World Of Settings , Kate Bridges – These Boots Were Made For Walking , Blythe Gifford Admits Her Indiscretion , Elizabeth Lane – Good Boys Vs. Bad Boys , Charlene Sands – The Western Hero or Why I Write Westerns , Georgina Devon – Researching Betrayal , Nicola Cornick’s Not Looking Ahead , Louise Allen – Where Do Heroes Come From? , Terri Brisbin – Can You Do That In A Harlequin Historical? , Julia Justiss – Real People, Real Life, Real Love….and Just A Little Sex , Jenna Kernan – Gremlins In The Keyboard , Carol Townend Meets One Persistant Warrior , Denise Lynn – Truth Stranger Than Fiction? , Cheryl St. John – Beware Babies Ahead! , Kathryn Albright – Remember the Alamo , Victoria Bylin – Risky Love Scenes , Diane Gaston – Tales From The Regency Underground

Jessica Andersen – Where Will You Be?

Shiloh Walker – Kalen In The Hot Seat

Cherie Feather – Not Just Another Pretty Body Part

Jessica Andersen & J.R. Ward – The Doctor Takes on the WARDen

Jessica Anderson – Did You Know Part I,  Did You Know Part II

Sandra Brown Talks Movies And Books

Roxanne St. Clair - The Luuuuuve Triangle

Harlequin Historical Undone Week: Michelle Willingham Hits The Harlequin Title Jackpot!, Nicole Cornick’s Standing Pie Order , Bronwyn Scott’s Tale Of Thievery , Amanda McCabe Sails The High Seas

Suite 606 Holiday Round Robin

2007

Meljean Brook, Meljean Reveals Her Inner Fangirl, Meljean On The Blind Leading The Blind, Demon Angle YouTube Soundtrack

Robin Schone, The Men and Women’s Club,  What Burns Your Pages?, A Scandalous Q&A, Blog Virgin No More

Lorie O’Clare, The Power Of Three

Alluring Tales Week, Sasha White Tempts Grace,  Q&A With Sasha White, Sasha Takes On A Hero, Sylvia Day’s Magic Trick, Sylvia Day Takes Ten, Q&A With Sylvia Day, Myla Jackson Steps Out Of The Shadows, Q&A With Myla Jackson, Myla Jackson’s Type Of Character, Vivi Anna Transports, Vivi Anna Five On Writing, Vivi Anna Five On Reading, Q&A With Vivi Anna, Q&A With Cathryn Fox, Lisa Renee Jones Explores Freedom, Q&A With Lisa Renee Jones, Delilah Devlin Does Light & Funny, Q&A With Delilah Devlin

J.R. Ward, A Little Q&A

Lisa Kleypas, The Sum of Lisa Kleypas, Devil Of A Dream, Disinfrancised But Hunky Heroes

Shiloh Walker, Shiloh Does Drama Queen,  Most Asked Question, The Power Of Three, Climbs A Mountain

Anna Campbell, Why She Would Have Been A Courtesan,  Gets Down And Gritty, Bad Bad Ultra Alphas, So Long And Thanks

Toni Blake’s Big Secret Revealed!

Elizabeth Hoyt, Attempts To Explain the Deal With Fairytales, Top Five Questions, More Time In The Day To Read

Claire Cross, Getting Crosswise With The Rules, Book Meet Wall, Getting Loaded, Taboos & Danger Zones, Takes Five + One, Claire Asks Questions

Caroline Linden Ponders on the Whatchamacallit

Christine Wells, A Heroine And Horse Walk Into A Bar

Jennifer Estep, Always Wanted To Be A Superhero, It’s a Bird, It’s A Plane!, Has A Database, Questions For You!

Kelley Armstrong, Communicates With The Dead,  Just the FAQs, The Perils Of Reading For Pleasure

Kristina Cook, Q&A, Anticipation…, Tall Tales In Timelines

Meljean Brook, Inner Child Gives Advice, On Writing, Missy Reads A Book, Demon Moon Soundtrack, Meljean and Missy Ride A Horse

Cheryl St. John, Road To The Preacher’s Daughter

Elizabeth Lane, I Love Villains

Pam Crooks Gets Gritty

Lora Leigh Breeds A Different Kind Of Romance

Jennifer Ashley, Gives Us Five, Unashamed Genre Reader

Liz Carlyle, To Virgin Or Not To Virgin,  Take Seven

HelenKay Dimon, Q&A,  Tales Of Kauai

Mary Reed McCall, The Appeal Of Medieval Romance

Shomi Spotlight, Shomi Daze,  Liz Maverick Collides Genres, Liz Maverick Q&A, Marianne Mancusi Manga & Moongazing, Marianne Mancusi Q&A, Eve Kenin Colors Outside the Lines, Eve Kenin Q&A

Shannon McKenna, Bears Uh Bares All, Shares a Peak Into Her TBR, Q&A, How Do You Take Your Heroines?

Julia Quinn, All Along, 10 With, Two Men Are Better Than One

Jessica Bird, A Few Minutes With

Susan Mallery, The Meaning Of Life,  Something Sheik, Super & Sweet, Climbs A TBR Mountain

Maureen McKade, A Reason To Western, Q&A

Immortals Authors, Calling Jennifer Ashley,  Joy Nash A Celtic Awakening, Robin T. Popp Top of the Pop, Pop Goes The Reader, A Little Bit Of Celtic Chaos

Lisa Marie Rice, It’s Not Just About Sex, Thank You Erotic Romance, I’m Not A Man, Gives Us The Skinny, Riff On Alpha Males

Caroline Linden, Does A Bad Bad Thing,  Q&A, Shares A Peek At Her TBR

Elizabeth Hoyt On Writing Simon Iddesleigh

E.C. Sheedy, Just Keep Swimming,  A Peek Into Her TBR

Beth Williamson, The Devil Made Me Do It, Top Five Questions, The Thrill Of New Books

Madeline Hunter, We Don’t Need No Stinkin’ Rules,  What Version Did You Read?, Ever Popular Medieval Question

Lisa Kleypas, How Moi Gets Ideas,  Q&A, The Rock, Old Faithful & Cucumbers

Western Winter Wonderland Authors, Cheryl St. John’s Grandma’s Spice Cookies, Jenna Kernan’s Strange Resemblance, The Three Lives Of Pam Crooks

E.C. Sheedy Starts Something Scary

Meljean Brook and Poe Scare Us For Free

Meljean Brook and George Romero Think You’re Not Scared Enough

Kathryn Smith’s Ghost

Jennifer Estep Wants All Your Candy

Kathryn Smith, A Peek At Her TBR, Taken By The Ripper

Jami Alden, Quest For A Great Title

Nora Roberts Q&A

Rona Sharon, Rakes Are From Mars, Heroines Are From Venus

Dee Tenorio’s (Potentially) Fabulous Penmanship

Duodecimal Event – Authors and bloggers offer up their lists of 12 in celebration of the holidays.

2006

Pamela Clare, Top Five Questions People Ask Me

J.R. Ward, Knock Knock, Click Click, Bang Bang , FAQs and WTFs and Loose Lips

E.C. Sheedy, Without A Bad Boy, Midnight Plane To Georgia

Jo Goodman, Beyond Forbidden Nights And Wicked Seasons, Scoundrels…Able To Leap Tall Buildings In a Single Scamp, Give Us Five

HelenKay Dimon, Viva Las Vegas, Thinking Bad Boy Thoughts, Hard Tools and Vegas Boys

Sabrina Jeffries, Dukes Do It Better, Leaving On A Bus, Sabrina Take Five , With Wendy Corsi Staub, Two Tales Of A Bus Trip

More J.R. Ward, Ward Takes On Five, Can I Get A Rec Here?

Karen Kelley, I’m Talking ‘Bout Texas, Close Encounters With Bad Boys

Maureen McKade, Why Western Romances?

Caroline Linden, What A Gentleman Wants, Women, Rogues & Gentleman

Avon Red Week – Kat Spencer’s Desert Island Survival Kit, Getting Swept Away with Toni Blake, I Can’t Find Anything To Read by Toni Blake, Swept Away In Your Wildest Dreams with Toni Blake, Webs of Pleasure with Cathryn Fox, Tales Of Darkness with Delilah Devlin, Stranger Nights with Sylvia Day

Lisa Valdez – Just A Little Patience

I so don’t think that is right… and I am too lazy to go look up the song lyrics right now… sorry I promise to be more creative soon

Since I am sure you just can’t get enough of Anna’s wit and wisdom. Or you just may wanna run after her and tell her what you thought of the book…

Anna Campbell’s Guest Blogging Schedule

Monday, 2nd April – interview on Debra Parmley’s Make Believe Mondays

Tuesday, 3rd April – talking about my writing journey on History Hoydens

Thursday, 5th April – talking about research on History Hoydens

Saturday, 14th April – interview on Risky Regencies about CLAIMING THE COURTESAN

Monday, 16th April – guest author day on Romance Vagabonds where I’ll be discussing writing naughty bits

Tuesday, 24th April – blogging for the day on Romance Reader at Heart
xxxxxxx

Dear Author has a review up here…. very interesting and gives even more reasons you might want to try the book out

Saturday, 31st March – guest author with Sandra Barkevich

April 1st interview with The Ink Spot aka Christine Wells

Hey, guys, guys!!!

I had the best time yesterday on this blog. Thank you to Sybil for asking me and letting me take over for the day. My dreams of world domination were satisfied at last! And thank you to everyone who read the posts and especially to everyone who commented.

Now for the bits you’re waiting for (I hope – well, the chocolate at least!).

This was really tough as you all had me laughing, but I think my favorite and a timely choice for Easter is CindyS and her mutilated bunnies. The coverflats go to Angie, Marg and Jenny, who was so close with her febreezed husband. I would have sent one to Ladydawgfan whose Hind Lick maneuver had me in stitches, but she got one in Feb. But seeing that was so funny, LDF, you can have a Caramello Koala or two!

Now, the Caramello Koalas for the alpha heroes go to Anne D because I’ve lived in the Northern Hemisphere and I so understand that longing for comfort food from home. Someone sent me a bag of Violet Crumbles for Christmas when I lived in the UK (local delicacy) and I cried all over them!

Would everyone who won something please email me on annasbooks@optusnet.com.au with your snail mail details (LDF, I’ve got yours from my website contest) and I’ll send everything away to you pronto? Congratulations!

Happy reading!

Warmly

Anna Campbell

Untouched by Anna Campbell

Back cover copy here

I heart the last line….

I know… december… pretty long wait… do you really wanna read this… heeee you know you do

And I do not think you can see this ANYWHERE else. right now That Anna is just too good to us *g*

After another revoltingly drawn-out moment, Filey shuffled away. Dimly through the pounding in her ears, Grace heard the door shut.

Finally she was alone. She gave a great sobbing gasp and opened her eyes.

She was in a pleasant room with white walls and two doors. The first was closed and the other opened onto a sunlit garden. Her sensation of unreality heightened. Surely she hadn’t been abducted off the public street and brought here to service strangers.

The laudanum’s mind-dulling effects ebbed. Some dissolute aristocrat meant to use her before handing her to his abhorrent henchmen.

She needed to get away now. Before her jailers returned. Before the mysterious Lord John who’d ordered a nice clean tart—she cringed at the description—arrived to see what his minions produced for his delectation.

The opiate still clogged her senses and the vile taste filled her mouth. She desperately wanted a drink of water.

No, she desperately wanted to be back at the Cock and Crown waiting for Cousin Vere.

Panting and sobbing, she began to struggle against the leather ties.

“That won’t do you any good.” As if to confirm what she’d already guessed, a man spoke from the garden doorway. “I should know. I’ve tried to break those bonds often enough.”

She whipped her head around in his direction. Light dazzled her. All she could make out was a tall figure with broad shoulders.

But she heard the voice clearly.

A deep voice smooth and rich as the cream she scooped from the new milk on her farm in Yorkshire. That beautiful cultured baritone frightened her more than all Monks and Filey’s ribald speculations.

Then she realized what he’d said. “They’ve tied you to this table too?”

The man stepped into the room. “Of course,” he said mildly as if the admission held no consequence.

The gold-limned shadow resolved into a gentleman in his middle twenties wearing a loose white shirt and buff breeches. He was more than six feet tall and overly slender for his height, although she didn’t mistake his physical strength. He might be lean, but it was sinewy leanness.

He was the most beautiful man she’d ever seen. Even terrified as she was, she couldn’t help measuring each detail of his appearance.

Fine dark hair grew back from his high forehead. A long straight nose. Sharply cut cheekbones, prominent because of his thinness. His eyes remained downcast under his winged dark brows. He looked like one of God’s angels humbly awaiting direction from the Deity.

Except no angel would study her prone body with quite that level of curiosity.

The heated inspection licked its way up her form with leisurely thoroughness. It lingered at her breasts, making her burningly conscious of her gaping neckline. Every muscle contracted in fear and refusal.

Grace had lived with fear long enough to know facing it down was her only strategy. She glowered at the man. “Are you Lord John?”

His mouth quirked in an unamused smile. “No. Lord John is my uncle.”

“If you’re not Lord John, will you help me? Your uncle has brought me here for…” Words failed her, although she doubted any description she chose would shock this superb and lascivious angel.

That ghost of a smile again. Like the rest of him, his mouth was perfect. Wide enough to be expressive. A sharply defined upper lip. A generous sweep of lower lip.

“His amusement?” The deep voice darkened with irony as he chose the innocuous term for something they both knew was anything but innocuous. He shifted closer so his shadow fell across her. She fought another wave of panic.

Her fingers curled beneath the restricting straps. “Yes. You must help me get away.”

“Must?” The young man stretched out one long-fingered hand to stroke her cheek. His touch was cool but she jerked away as if scalded. He took her chin and held her for his scrutiny. “Hmm. Pretty.”

He terrified her. But he was her only chance of escape before the unknown Lord John arrived. She moderated her tone. “Please, sir. Please help me.”

She’d closed her eyes. Although somehow she knew that fleeting smile flickered and vanished again.

“Better. Much better.”

The monster toyed with her. He’d toyed with her from the first. She swallowed nervously. “I appeal to your honor, sir. You cannot…” No, insistence hadn’t worked. “I appeal for your help.”

“Ah, I knew you could manage the right note. I find myself moved, madam. That slight break in your voice is a masterstroke. Well done.”

Her eyes snapped open. Strange to be both so annoyed and so scared at the same time. “I protest, sir. You speak like I’m an…an actress trying out for a part.”

“Do I indeed?” He bit out the words. With a flick of his fingers, he released her as though touching her offended him. “How remiss of me when it’s quite clear you’ve already been cast for this particular role.”

He swung away from her with a restlessness she noticed even through her fear. Knowing as she spoke that she’d fail, Grace made one last try for this singular young man’s help. “Your uncle means to rape me. You cannot just abandon me.”

He turned back to her, his remarkable face a mask of well-bred contempt. “This confusion charms, madam. And almost convinces. But we both know you’re here for my use, not my uncle’s. Unless one discounts your purpose as his cat’s paw.”

She licked dry lips. “You must be mad.”

He gave a short huff of humorless laughter and met her gaze for the first time. He had rich brown eyes marked by a sunburst of gold. Beautiful, unusual eyes, colder than anything she’d ever seen.

He spoke quite gently as those strange striated eyes stared into hers. “Of course I am, my dear. Unquestionably and incurably mad.”

Untouched by Anna Campbell

“I am many things,” Lord Sheene said. “Kind is not one of them.”

Beautiful Grace Paget has no reason to doubt these words. After all, she was kidnapped, spirited away to a remote country manor, and told she is to grant this man his every desire…or lose her life. But Grace is no common trollop. So she risks everything to save her virtue by planning a daring escape, even though she finds herself tempted by this dangerously handsome man. There is something in his eyes that makes her wonder if he is not as cruel as he would have her believe…

Sheene knew nothing of the plan to bring him this woman. Locked up as a prisoner, called “mad” by all of society, he will do anything to reclaim his life, and Grace’s sensuous beauty has distracted him from his goals. And although he finds her irresistible, he is horrified to hold her against her will. Now, together, they must both revolt against the strange set of circumstances that have forced them together—for only then will Grace truly surrender to him…forever.

Excerpt to come…

Okay… this is really sort of funny

I think

It could be the drugs… Sad thing is my head still fucking hurts. oh, I get really whiny about right now sorry… what was I saying?

tra la la

Being the nifty chick I am, always concerned about you nifty peeps, I went to my gmail to get stuff to post.

Because I should have three reviews, an excerpt from Lisa Kleypas, an excerpt from Anna Campbell, an excerpt from Shiloh Walker and a super spoiler back cover summary from kleypas. OH! And winner from ward, kleypas, campbell, sylvia day, delilah and lisa renee’s contests to post! hmmm I know the winner for my contest… I could post that! Oh and I got something today from Berkley and I think it is for a contest. Pretty sure at least, since I already have it.

All this… to share with you fine folks.

And since the drugs knocked my ass out last night I didn’t get to post any of it.

Soooo off to my gmail I go and….

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We’re sorry, but Gmail is temporarily unavailable. We’re currently working to fix the problem — please try logging in to your account in a few minutes.

Reading about ultra alphas has always been a guilty pleasure for me. My mother gave me my first romance, a Harlequin (although in Oz, they’re Mills & Boons), when I was eight.

It featured an overbearing Portuguese senhor who bossed the Aussie nurse heroine until they finally got married. Sad to say, this to my childish self was bliss!

My taste for haughty, arrogant males in books (and I LOVED it when the woman stood up to the guy and the sparks really flew) continued through the ‘70s and ‘80s with Anne Mather and Violet Winspear and their Spanish/Greek/Sheikh/generic Mediterranean Man heroes. Clearly, Englishmen (all these writers were British) didn’t cut the mustard when it came to bullying some poor innocent governess or penniless ward or sweet waif-like creature into breathless passion.

When I discovered American historicals, the gates to romance heaven opened wide. Give me Wulfgar! Give me Brandon Birmingham! Give me Ruark! Give me Steve what’s-his-name from Sweet, Savage Love – and isn’t that a title that promises a baaaadd alpha?

Why am I telling you this? Because when I began to write Claiming the Courtesan!, that early reading channelled into my hero, Justin Kinmurrie, the mad, bad and dangerous to know Duke of Kylemore. Apologies to Lady Caroline Lamb. But when you say something as cool as that, you’ve got to expect people to plagiarize it. I like to excuse my hero’s behavior by saying that eventually he learns from his mistakes, but, man, he was fun to write!

Does anybody else share my guilty pleasure? Do you read vampires and werewolves and teeth-gnashingly bad dukes, earls and knights to get your alpha fix? Are you a sheikh geek? Best comment wins a chocolate Caramello koala or two from Australia just because Caramello koalas would have to be the sweetest, most beta boys I know. Even if I can’t help biting their heads off!

Actually, I really did ask two of my writing friends to suggest questions so this blog is real, it’s actual, it’s gritty! It’s more factual than the nightly news!

1. Where do you get your ideas?

Ah, the old chestnut! Hmm, why are chestnuts old? Anyway, I wish I had something exciting to say about this but it’s all pretty basic. I watch TV and listen to music. I think about things going on in my own life or people I know and extrapolate from there. I never use actual situations or characters but I’ve certainly used a germ of an idea from something that’s happened to me. I’ve always been a booky kinda gal and it’s amazing how something from one story will make friends with something from another story and wham, a new idea is born. I read a lot of nonfiction, especially history, biography, travel, popular science, then ask myself what if those particular events had happened in the Regency.

2. Are there issues (social/moral) that you’ve included in your work which readers might find a bit twisted or off-putting?

What an interesting question! Thanks, Jen! When I started writing about a courtesan and her lover, it was a couple of years ago and what was acceptable in a romance was completely different to what’s acceptable now. I have a theory that with the rise of erotica, an erotic edge has seeped into mainstream romance. I certainly know I’m reading things in romances now that were unthinkable a short time ago. And I delight in the energy this new element has lent the romance genre. Oh, dear, getting on my soapbox here. Back to my story. When I started writing Claiming the Courtesan, I assumed no publisher would touch it with a barge pole because of the heroine’s profession. Timing is everything – the courtesan element worked as a real hook for an agent (the first agent who read the whole thing signed me), editors (it went to auction where three houses fought over it for FOUR days) and potential readers. Who would have thought, huh?

Oh, dear, this is turning into a tome. I’ll pick easy questions for the next three:

3.Where is the most romantic place you’ve ever been?

Venice or the west coast of Scotland, where a lot of Claiming the Courtesan is set.

4.What keeps you writing?

These days? A deadline and the prospect of a check! For all twenty-seven years it took me between finishing my first book and selling Claiming the Courtesan, sheer bloody-mindedness which is a quality that I think is often maligned unjustly!

5.What is the best advice on writing you’ve been given?

Robyn Donald, who writes for Harlequin, once said at a workshop that the people who don’t make it are the people who give up. Sounds really obvious but it’s made a lot of sense to me recently. So if you’re trying to write, hang in there!

Ha! I bet that got your attention.

Well, maybe not, as you’re not getting the full glory of me sitting here in a torn t-shirt and faded madras shorts on a very sweaty morning. My hair is already forming lank hanks. Ugh! Aren’t you glad video email is in its infancy? If you’re not, YOU SHOULD BE!

Firstly, thank you, Sybil, for inviting me to blog. I’m really looking forward to a lively discussion! I admire the way you girls don’t pull your punches.

There were questions a while ago on this site about whether my heroine was a real prostitute or not. Even though the book was called Claiming the Courtesan. Apparently too many people had seen virginal widows in romance novels and suspected I might be touting a chaste courtesan as a variation on a theme.

Mind you, a chaste courtesan story has possibilities…

The idea for Claiming the Courtesan came to me as I thought about the lot of most women in early 19th-century Britain (or anywhere, really).

Career and educational opportunities were extremely limited and if you were poor and without the support of friends and family, life could be dangerous, insecure and unpleasant, at the very least.

My heroine, Verity Ashton, loses her parents when she’s fifteen and is left with a much younger brother and sister to support. She takes a place as a maid at the local manor but unfortunately for her long-term prospects, she’s beautiful enough to stop traffic (bet her hair doesn’t go nutty in humidity!) and she’s fair game for the son of the house.

All this is backstory and only emerges as the book progresses, but bear with me. Verity is forced into a position where selling herself is her only choice. That’s a common story – the streets of Victorian cities thronged with prostitutes who’d once been servants and had lost their reputation and therefore any chance of finding respectable work. But Verity triumphs over her circumstances. She’s brave and smart and resourceful and raises herself up to become Soraya, the most sought-after courtesan in late Regency London. There she catches the attention of the Duke of Kylemore and you have the basis of Claiming the Courtesan.

Faced with Verity’s choices, I don’t think I would have had any alternative. And at least a courtesan had some control over her affairs. I like to believe I’d have managed that. Being beautiful enough to stop traffic, however, might be a bit more of a stretch…

Where’s that shampoo?

From The Sound Of Music:

The funny thing is I have never ever seen this movie, nuns scare me. But the title of this song kept running through my head while trying to come up with an intro for Anna Campbell.

Now, now before anyone gets all puffy, the problem was what to do for the intro (you never wanna be around while I am doing them trust me). And once it was stuck in my head, I thought what the hell and went to view it on youtube. Then I laughed and laughed and laughed because in an odd sort of way it fits.

Anna is a complete nut. She is amusing and probably the type that understands what the titles of my blog posts mean more often than most.

What does that mean?

Be afraid… be very afraid… But it should be an interesting day *g*.

Anna is down under in case you don’t know, so expect to see her around noonish. I will prolly start posting around 9-ish. She is more than ready to talk and more than happy to answer questions. So do bring some…

But trust me, neither of us are nuns.

Anna Campbell will be here Monday March 26, 2007.

It shall be a fabulous time and we shall have good fun that is funny.

And on that note… if you are looking for a spoilery review… Sandy of AAR has her review of Claiming the Courtesan up.

Yes I have read the book and no I don’t agree with a lot of the review. I will tell ya all about it later.

You may have seen me mention this book once or twice.

Anna Campbell is a new Avon treasure and her first book Claiming the Courtesan will hit the shelves in April. Which I think in avonspeak that will really mean the end of March.

This is her debut book and I think many of you are going to love it. It is a strong historical with an equally strong voice for a first time author. If you haven’t had a chance yet, you can read an excerpt here. And we will have another one for you soon. Let me know if you have trouble reading the excerpt on her site. My monitor isn’t at it’s best so it could be me.

Anna is a trip and should be grand fun to have around. I will have a date up for her soon but plan on end of March beginning of Aprilish. Hey, this way you can start getting together your questions to ask the newbie. Sadly I don’t think we will be her first, so we will have to try to be her best.

He would marry her, and possess her in every way possible.

The Duke of Kylemore knows her as Soraya, London’s most celebrated courtesan. Men fight duels to spend an hour in her company. And only he comes close to taming her. Flying in the face of society, he decides to make her his bride; then, she vanishes, seemingly into thin air.

Dire circumstances have forced Verity Ashton to barter her innocence and change her name for the sake of her family. But Kylemore destroys her plans for a respectable life when he discovers her safe haven. He kidnaps her, sweeping her away to his isolated hunting lodge in Scotland, where he vows to bend her to his will.

There he seduces her anew. Verity spends night after night in his bed… and though she still plans her escape, she knows she can never flee the unexpected, unwelcome love for the proud, powerful lover who claims her both body and soul.

No cover yet but There is an excerpt on Anna Campbell’s site. This is her first book and is being released as a Avon Romantic Treasure in April, 2007 – which I guess is a big deal. (I know nothing about avon’s lines) But we will learn… together… it shall be fun. Until then I am gonna read the book *g*