Guest Blogger, Lydia Dare

Please join me in giving a warm welcome to debut romance author Lydia Dare as the guest blogger here today at Thoughts in Progress.

As you can tell from Lydia’s photo, “she” is actually the writing team of Tammy Falkner and Jodie Pearson. The duo has teamed up to write “A Certain Wolfish Charm,” the first in a new paranormal historical trilogy.

If you’ll remember my review from Sunday, March 28, “A Certain Wolfish Charm” is oh, so much more than you can image. Thanks to Lydia and Danielle at Sourcebooks, I have two copies of “A Certain Wolfish Charm” to giveaway. Please see the end of the post for details.

Lydia has joined us today to talk about how she keeps her version of werewolves fresh and exciting.

When you think of a Regency-era gentleman, what do you think of? A man who is, of course, sinfully handsome, a wonderful  and passionate lover, and he’s waiting for the love of his life, who can reform him and make him want to bestow all the lessons-in-lovin’ he’s learned throughout the years upon her. 

Right? He’s probably horribly flawed, yet perfect all at the same time. After all, the heroine has to have a purpose, right? She has to transform the rake.

When you think of wolves, what comes to mind?  Wild animals that are fiercely loyal to their pack and their mate. What else do we know about wolves?

They howl at the moon for no discernible reason (to us) and we might even be led to believe they’re controlled by the phases of the moon. Their migration. Their mating rituals. It might be easy for us to have preconceived notions about all of that, right? Yet they’re still fascinating simply because of what they are. 

Now, take the wild wolf and the rakish Regency-era gentleman and combine them.

Lycans are wild men in waistcoats and starched cravats in my fantastical world. They keep all the wild properties of the wolf, but they also keep their familial faith and loyalty, their devotion to their pack, their acceptance of the pack order. Yet they adopt the very things that make men so endearing to the women who love to read romance novels. They take on a little vulnerability and keep all the sinfulness that is the human alpha-rake.

They say a wolf in sheep’s clothing will always be discovered, simply by the deeds he does. But what if he wears the clothing, walks on two feet, follows all of society’s rules (with a little give for the expected bad behavior that makes them so damn lovable), and has more money than the average bloke? Will he still be discovered? Maybe. Maybe not.

That’s what’s fresh and exciting about the Westfields. All three brothers blend into society with very little trouble. They’re handsome and witty and dearly love one another. It’s obvious despite all their griping and arguments. But then finally they each meet that one special woman who makes them want to show her all that he is. And that’s where the excitement comes in. 
Come now… how many women do you know who would not only be intrigued by a man who transforms into a wolf under the light of the moon but would fall in love with him even after finding out his sinful secret?

Simon Westfield, the dangerous Duke of Blackmoor is the oldest of the three brothers who round out the trilogy. And he finally meets Lily Rutledge, who just happens to stumble upon him right before the moon hits its fullest mark. In A Certain Wolfish Charm, Lily not only has to figure out what he is, but she has to make him come to terms with it as well.  Loving him is inevitable, but can she make him accept the beast within as readily as she can?

I hope you’ll read each of these stories to find out what happens with all of these dashing, daring, dominating men.

Here’s a brief synopsis of “A Certain Wolfish Charm” (in stores now): “He gets crankier and crankier as the moon gets full…
 
The rules of society can be beastly—especially when you’re a werewolf and it’s that irritating time of the month. Simon Westfield, the Duke of Blackmoor, is rich, powerful, and sinfully handsome, and has spent his entire life creating scandal and mayhem. It doesn’t help his wolfish temper at all that Miss Lily Rutledge seems not the least bit afraid of him, and in fact, may be as untamable as he is… 
 
A woman whose charm is stronger that the moon…
 
When Lily’s beloved nephew’s behavior becomes inexplicably wild, she turns to Simon, the boy’s cousin and guardian, for help. But Simon’s idea of assistance is far different than hers, and Lily finds herself ensconced in his house and engaged to the rogue. 
 
They both may have bitten off more than they can chew when each begins to discover the other’s darkest secrets… 
 
Lydia (Tammy and Jodie), thanks so much for guest blogging here today. Simon and Lily remind me so much of the old movies with Cary Grant and Katherine Hepburn. With the push and pull between them, as well as the slight arguing they do, I couldn’t help but laugh out loud at some of the things that happened.

Now a little background on Tammy and Jodie, both are active members of the Heart of Carolina Romance Writers and live near Raleigh, North Carolina. They are working together on their next paranormal historical trilogy as Lydia Dare, which will be released by Sourcebooks Casablanca in Spring 2010! For more information, please visit them at http://www.lydiadare.com/.

Now for the giveaway. I have two copies of “A Certain Wolfish Charm” to award to visitors commenting on Lydia’s post between now and 8 p.m. (EST) Saturday, April 17. Be sure to include your e-mail address in the comments if your profile doesn’t include it.

What are your thoughts on men in wolf’s clothing - no wait that’s wolves in men’s clothing?