Thanks and More

Today is Thanksgiving Day in the U.S. and there is so very much to be thankful for even though at times it may seem hard to remember that.

Everyday I’m more and more surprised and touched by the friendship and support shown among bloggers throughout blogdom. We rally together when something is wrong and celebrate together when things finally go right for someone. I can’t begin to express how honored I am to consider each and every one of you friends. I want to wish everyone is who celebrating today a HAPPY THANKSGIVING and for those who don’t celebrate, I’m wishing you a HAPPY DAY just because.

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My thanks portion of this blog may seem short, but I haven’t the words to express how truly thankful I am so I’ll just say THANKS everyone and share a few more things with you.

I don’t know if you’ve noticed the new little banner under the play list on the right sidebar yet are not. I don’t know the full details of this event, but it’s one I think is a wonderful idea. I got this banner and information from Kaye @ Meanderings and Muses. Drop by and find out more about this great event.

With Christmas only a month away now, I’ll be changing the play list music this week. I’ll put the Christmas music I had last year back on as a number of you seemed to enjoy it very much. Maybe it will help us get into the Christmas spirit, if you’re not already (I know I’m not).

With talk of Christmas and the holidays, I have a wonderful giveaway to share with you. Thanks to Anna and the great folks at Hachette Book Group, I have 3 sets of a Romantic Holiday Giveaway package up for grabs. See the giveaway guidelines at the end of the post for more information.

 

So before the year ends it’s time to celebrate and be jolly this holiday season with these four great romance books.

TO SIN WITH A SCOUNDREL (ISBN: 9780446541299) by Cara Elliott.

A reclusive widow known for her scientific scholarship, Lady Ciara Sheffield is shadowed by rumors that she poisoned her husband . . . A rakehell rogue notorious for his devil-may-care antics, Lucas Bingham--the Earl of Hadley--is not accused of murdering anything--save for the rules of Polite Society. The only thing they have in common is seeing their names featured in the lurid gossip columns of London's newspapers. Until an ancient manuscript draws them together.

Ciara needs a titled fiancé to quell the slanderous speculations which may send her to the gallows. Lucas needs brilliant scholar to help his elderly uncle decipher the secrets of the mysterious manuscript. So when her friends urge her to accept the earl's proposal of a temporary alliance, Ciara decides that she has no choice but to make a deal with the Devil. And so begins a seductive dance of sinful pleasures and hidden desires as the two of them waltz through the mansions of Mayfair. Lies, intrigue, treachery, sex. They find themselves facing slanderous whispers, unscrupulous relatives-not to speak of their own simmering passions, which quickly ignite into dangerous flames. It's a potent mix and the result may be explosive-and perhaps deadly-if they don't watch their step.

A TOUCH OF SCANDAL (ISBN: 9780446540278) by Jennifer Haymore.

The last thing Garrett, Duke of Calton, expects to find while tracking his sworn enemy is the delectable, mysterious Kate. This beautiful servant girl rouses a longing the battle-scarred ex-soldier had never hoped to feel again. But when she turns out to be the sister of the man he seeks, he's convinced he's been betrayed.

Kate knows her duty to her family, yet how can she ignore Garrett's powerful pull on her heart? Or the heady temptation of his stolen-and sizzling-kisses? Scandal has followed the duke since the war. Now the greatest shock of all is on its way-the one that can separate Garrett and Kate forever.

BOUND TO PLEASE (ISBN: 9780446541923) by Lilli Feisty.

From fantasy to ecstasy Ruby Scott is a beautiful, quiet event planner who leads an oh-so-respectable life. Yet the things that go on in her secret fantasies are anything but. She has every intention of keeping her hidden desires under wraps-until she meets a gorgeous, hard-muscled man ten years her junior. Mark St. Crow is a gifted, up-and-coming musician who collects erotic art and loves to "play" women as much as his piano. After one night of uninhibited passion, Ruby realizes there's no turning back.

A HIGHLANDER NEVER SURRENDERS (ISBN: 9780446619134) by Paula Quinn.

Defending Her Was His Duty

Skilled with a sword and quick with her wit, Scottish rebel Claire Stuart cannot be tamed. And nothing can deter her from rescuing her beloved sister and saving them both from arranged marriages--not even the handsome Highlander who vows to protect Claire. His scorching gaze and fiery kiss bring her to the brink of surrender, but she belongs to no man...

Seducing Her Would Be His Reward

Graham Grant has had his share of lasses. But he has never met one as headstrong or as bonnie as Claire--or one with such desperate, dnagerous plans. Helping her could betray his honor, his country, and more. Graham can't claim her. Yet everything in him says: Take her, make her yours, teach her pleasure, and never let her go.

Now for the package giveaway guidelines. To enter the giveaway, send me an e-mail (mcbookshelf@gmail.com). Your subject line should read, “Win Holiday Giveaway.” Your message should include your name and mailing address. The contest is open to residents of the U.S. and Canada only and no post office box addresses can be accepted. In addition, Hachette is advising winners that they will be subject to the one copy per household rule, which means that if they win the same title in two or more contests, they will receive only one copy of the title (or one set in the case of grouped giveaways) in the mail. (Winners here have always be great about letting me know if they have already won the book somewhere else so another winner can be selected. However, this announcement is something that has to be passed along from Hachette). And, just so you know, I don’t share the mailing information or use it for any other purpose. The deadline to enter this giveaway will be 8 p.m. (EST) on Thursday, Dec. 16. Remember you have a chance to win a package of all 4 books for the holidays.

Have a HAPPY THANKSGIVING or just a wonderful day. 

Guest Blogger, Jennifer Haymore

Today I’d like to welcome author Jennifer Haymore as the guest blogger here today at Thoughts in Progress as she begins her blog tour.

“A Touch of Scandal” is Jennifer’s second book and it’s scheduled for release in April. Here’s a brief synopsis of the book: The last thing Garrett, Duke of Calton, expects to find while tracking his sworn enemy is the delectable, mysterious Kate. This beautiful servant girl rouses a longing the battle-scarred ex-soldier had never hoped to feel again. But when she turns out to be the sister of the man he seeks, he's convinced he's been betrayed.

Kate knows her duty to her family, yet how can she ignore Garrett's powerful pull on her heart? Or the heady temptation of his stolen-and sizzling-kisses?
Scandal has followed the duke since the war. Now the greatest shock of all is on its way-the one that can separate Garrett and Kate forever.

Thanks to Jennifer, and Anna and the folks at the Hachette Book Group, I have five copies of “A Touch of Scandal” to giveaway. Please see the end of the post for more information on the giveaway.

Jennifer stop by today to talk about why she writes historical romance.

If you asked me when I was 5, 15, or 25, what my favorite books of all-time were, I would have listed historical fiction books at the top. When I was five, I loved the Little House on the Prairie series. When I was fifteen, my tastes were more eclectic but still historicals were up at the top—I loved everything from The Witch of Blackbird Pond to Mary Renault’s books set in ancient Greece. And then when I was twenty-five, I’d have probably said Outlander by Diana Gabaldon and River God by Wilbur Smith. 

 
At first, I didn’t know that there was such a great market for historical romances with UK settings. Before I started writing seriously, I was obsessed with genealogy, and I learned that just about every one of my ancestors was from England. 

I visited there and was enthralled by the historical sites, by imagining my ancestors living, breathing, fighting, and loving in these places. 
 
So while I love the history of the world and of all the places in it, it seemed natural for me to turn to the homeland of my ancestors to write about.
 

So my tastes always leaned towards historicals. I love history—I love how so many things that have happened in history are truly stranger than fiction. I think writing in a historical context lets me explore so many interesting and exciting events, cultures, and ideals while still staying true to the core of humanity and the thrill of falling in love.

 

Thanks Jennifer for stopping by today. It’s always interesting to learn why authors write in the genre they do.

Now for the giveaway, I have five copies of “A Touch of Scandal” to giveaway. The giveaway is open to residents of the U.S. and Canada and no post office box addresses can be accepted. The deadline for entering the giveaway is Wednesday, April 14. To enter, send me an e-mail (mcbookshelf@gmail.com) with “Win Scandal” in the subject line and include your name and address in the body of the e-mail. 

For a little background on Jennifer, as a child she traveled the South Pacific with her family on their homebuilt sailboat. The months spent on the sometimes-quiet, sometimes-raging seas sparked her love of adventure and grand romance. Since then, she's earned degrees in Computer Science and Education and held various jobs from bookselling to teaching inner-city children to acting, but she's never stopped writing.

You can find Jennifer in Southern California trying to talk her husband into yet another trip to England, helping her three children with homework while brainstorming a new five-minute dinner menu, or crouched in a corner of the local bookstore writing her next novel. To learn more about Jennifer visit her website: www.jenniferhaymore.com.