If The Duke Demands {+ Giveaway}

Earlier this week I was unable to participate in the Release Day Blitz for IF THE DUKE DEMANDS by Anna Harrington. But I’m delighted to be sharing the information with you today.

As part of the celebration, you can read an excerpt from IF THE DUKE DEMANDS. In addition, you can enter to win one of ten (10) copies of IF THE DUKE DEMANDS being given away. Please see the end of the post for more giveaway details.

◊ Title: If the Duke Demands

◊ Author: Anna Harrington

◊ On Sale: February 28, 2017

◊ Series: Capturing the Carlisles, Book 1

◊ Publisher: Forever

◊ Format: Mass Market Paperback

◊ Price: $7.99 USD

Be sure to add IF THE DUKE DEMANDS to your shelf on Goodreads.

A LESSON IN SEDUCTION . . .

Miranda Hodgkins has only ever wanted one thing: to marry Robert Carlisle. And she simply can't wait a moment longer. During the Carlisle family masquerade ball, Miranda boldly sneaks into his bedchamber with seduction on her mind. Soon she's swept into rock-hard arms for the most breathtaking kiss of her life. But when the masks come off, she's horrified to find herself face-to-face with Sebastian, the Duke of Trent-Robert's formidable older brother.

Shocked to find Miranda in his bed, Sebastian quickly offers her a deal to avoid scandal: He'll help her win his brother's heart if she'll find him the perfect wife. But what begins as a simple negotiation soon spirals out of control. For the longer this reformed rake tries to make a match for Miranda, the more he wants to keep her all to himself.

IF THE DUKE DEMANDS is available to purchase at the following sites: Amazon, B&N, iBooks, Google Play, and Kobo.

Now here’s the excerpt for your reading pleasure.

Her eyes narrowed as she took in that bit of dubious advice and contemplated what he asked of her, with a curious look of deep study and concentration. For a moment, her expression was damnably disconcerting as she tried to think up a compliment to give him, as if she had never truly noticed him before as a man. Which inexplicably irked him to no end. How could she have not noticed him before as someone other than the Duke of Trent, other than just a friend?

“What you’re asking of me is impossible.” She shook her head with a soft sigh of defeat. “Every man in this room knows the rank you hold, the power and influence you’re gaining in Parliament. As for the ladies, you should have seen the way they all watched you when you crossed the room to ask me to dance.” She shrugged. “What could I possibly add to what everyone has already told you about how wonderful you are?”

He stared at her, momentarily stunned speechless. What she’d just said was exactly the kind of compliment a man wanted to hear from a beautiful woman . . .

And he didn’t believe a word of it. When he saw her lips twitch with amusement, his eyes narrowed. “You are incorrigible.”

She laughed happily. “Perhaps.” Her eyes shined, and for a brief moment, she shifted closer, somehow rising up on tiptoes as she danced to bring her mouth close to his ear. “But it is all true, you know.”

Then she pulled back into her original position and looked at him shyly through lowered lashes even as the tip of her tongue darted out to wet her lips. The paradoxical effect of innocent seduction was mesmerizing, and for a moment, he forgot they were dancing in the middle of a crowded ballroom. For a moment, there was only Miranda. And the pull of her was undeniable.

Anna also answered some questions for me.

What is the hardest part of writing a series and what is the easiest?

Anna:

For me, the hardest part of writing a series is coming up with an overall series idea that fits each novel together so that the entire series has its own “story arc” but also so that each novel can be read on its own. For me, I want to have the entire series planned out before I start writing each book, which as a writer you can’t always do in advance. The easiest part is that I’ve got all the characters already knowing and interacting with each other, so there’s a built-in familiarity between all the characters to draw upon.

Do you have any rituals you do when writing that helps put you in the right frame of mind (place, time, favorite music, etc.)?

Anna:

I love to write in my sunroom, from where I can watch the squirrels shamelessly raiding the bird feeder and yell at the neighbor’s cat for sneaking into my rose garden. I have to have a mug of coffee at my fingertips. I also like to listen to music when I write, but it can’t be anything I know or anything that has words. I like having it on as background “mood” music, so I’ll often play different types of music depending on what kind of scene I’m writing. Classical music for scenes that set up the plot or involve balls, musicales, strolls through the park, etc. Soundscapes for emotional scenes or country house stories. Jazz for love scenes. But I can’t concentrate if I know the song or can listen to the words—I find myself singing along and not getting any work done!

If you were a character in your book (or maybe you already are), who would you be and why?

Anna:

I would definitely be Miranda Hodgkins! Always spontaneous and willing to follow her heart, Miranda isn’t afraid to embrace life, and she throws all of herself into every endeavor she attempts, especially when she’s trying to help the people she loves. She doesn’t let society’s silly rules from stopping her from experiencing all that life and the world has to offer. I’d like to think I’m a bit like her in that. I love adventure, traveling to new places and trying new things. Of course, wouldn’t be grand if a handsome, wealthy duke fell in love with me, too? SIGH.

What book would your heroine Miranda Hodgkins have to read on her night stand?

Anna:

One of those old-fashioned Gothic novels, with lots of suspense, romance with a brooding and mysterious hero, and moody atmosphere! I can just picture Miranda in bed at night during a rainstorm, with the covers pulled up to her chin because she’s gotten all wrapped up in the book and is frightening herself silly by reading it yet unable to put it down!

Thanks, Anna! I like the idea of Miranda and the rainstorm.

Anna Harrington fell in love with historical romances--and all those dashing Regency heroes--while living in London, where she studied literature and theatre.

She loves to travel, fly airplanes, and hike, and when she isn't busy writing her next novel, she loves fussing over her roses in her garden.

For more on Anna and her writing, visit her website and connect with her on Facebook, Twitter, and Goodreads.

Extra author goodies:

If you are interested in learning behind the scenes information about Anna’s books, be sure to visit the “extras” page on her website for deleted scenes, insider info, and bonus shorts.

You can also follow FOREVER online by visiting their website and connecting with them on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest.

This tour-wide giveaway is for 10 copies of IF THE DUKE DEMANDS! To enter just click on the Rafflecopter widget below and follow the instructions. The widget may take a few seconds to load so please be patient.

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