To Charm a Naughty Countess (+Giveaway)

It’s always a delight to welcome author Theresa Romain back to Thoughts in Progress. Today she joins us on her Lit Connect Virtual Book Tour for her latest release, TO CHARM a NAUGHTY COUNTESS.

As part of the tour stop, Theresa is sharing an excerpt from her book and also providing an awesome giveaway. Please see the end of the post for the giveaway details.

TO CHARM a NAUGHTY COUNTESS is a regency-set historical romance with a passionate and lighthearted tone. Published by Sourcebooks Casablanca, the book hit the bookshelves Tuesday, May 6. This is the second installment in Theresa’s Matchmaker trilogy.

Here’s a brief synopsis:

CAN A RECLUSIVE DUKE …
        Brilliant but rumored mad, Michael Layward, the impoverished Duke of Wyverne, has no success courting heiresses until widowed Lady Stratton takes up his cause–after first refusing his suit.

WIN LONDON’S MOST POWERFUL COUNTESS?
        Caroline Graves, the popular Countess of Stratton, sits alone at the pinnacle of London society and has vowed never to remarry. When Michael–her counterpart in an old scandal–returns to town after a long absence, she finds herself as enthralled with him as ever. As she guides the anxiety-ridden duke through the trials of society, Caroline realizes that she’s lost her heart. But if she gives herself to the only man she’s ever loved, she’ll lose the hard-won independence she prizes above all.

TO CHARM a NAUGHTY COUNTESS can be found at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Books-a-Million, Book Depository, iBooks, Sourcebooks, Indiebound, and Goodreads.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Historical romance author Theresa Romain pursued an impractical education that allowed her to read everything she could get her hands on. She then worked for universities and libraries, where she got to read even more. Eventually she started writing, too. She lives with her family in the Midwest.

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

You can also connect with Theresa tonight (Wednesday, May 7) during a special TWITTER PARTY held from 8 p.m. until 9 p.m. (EST) using the #NaughtyCountess. For more information, click HERE.

AN EXCERPT …

      “What on earth is the matter, Michael?”
      “I don’t care for your society type of ball.”
      She should have realized that a man ill at ease with touch would not care for the press of crowds or the din of voices. “Ah. That’s why you were out on the terrace at Applewood House. You were escaping.”
      He pressed at his temple with the heel of one hand. “I was enjoying the weather.”
      “Rubbish,” said Caroline. “No one’s enjoying the weather this year, especially not you. Very well, let me consider this. Because you will have to take part in society if you are ever to be accepted by it.”
      She fiddled with the bugled trim that adorned the skirt of her gown. Michael swallowed heavily, watching her fingers.
      “All right,” she decided. “We’ll figure this out using one of your scientific methods, as we did with the whispering.”
      “You didn’t figure out anything related to the whispering. You only said something coarse to amuse me.”
      Coarse? He had no idea. But she only smiled as though he’d caught her in a pleasant little trick. “If you were amused, then I am delighted. But let us call it a hypothesis too. That sounds like something you might enjoy. You do enjoy dealing in hypotheses, do you not?”
      He inclined his head, giving her permission to continue.
      “My hypothesis, Michael, is that when people whisper about you, it is because they are either admiring you or are intimidated by you. They hope, yet fear, that you will take notice of them.
      A word from you, a few minutes at your side, can give them a memory to feast upon for long days ahead.”
      Thus she revealed her long-ago self to him, cloaking it in wrong pronouns and false hypotheticals. Though her memories had held their sweetness only for a short time; they had long since grown stale. She was determined not to let them become bitter, though. She had gained too much to dwell on that old loss.
      And it was sweet again to have him watch her so intently. “That is what you truly think?” His lips pressed together; his dark lashes shadowed his cheekbones with every blink.
      She ached to take away the pressure and the shadows, to learn every angle of his body and mind.

GIVEAWAY DETAILS:

Theresa is generously gifting all five of her books to one lucky commenter!

*Season for Temptation

*Season for Surrender

*Season for Scandal

*It Takes Two to Tangle

*To Charm a Naughty Countess

The giveaway is open internationally. To enter, just click on the Rafflecopter widget below and follow the directions. It may take the widget a few seconds to load, please be patient.


Thanks so much for visiting. What is it about regency-set historical romances that draws you in? Do you like the setting, the language or just the whole atmosphere of the era?


*This post contains affiliate links. a Rafflecopter giveaway

Season For Scandal Tour And Giveaway

I’m delighted to be participating in author Theresa Romain’s  Lit Connect Virtual Book Tour for her new historical romance novel, SEASON FOR SCANDAL.

This is Book #3 in Theresa’s Holiday Pleasures series. SEASON FOR SCANDAL, published by Kensington Zebra, released this week and is available in print and digital formats.

Here’s a brief description of SEASON FOR SCANDAL……

UNLADYLIKE RISK
    Jane Tindall has never had money of her own or exceptional beauty. Her gifts are more subtle: a mind like an abacus, a talent for play-acting—and a daring taste for gambling. But all the daring in the world can’t help with the cards fixed against her.
    And when Edmund Ware, Baron Kirkpatrick, unwittingly spoils her chance to win a fortune, her reputation is ruined too. Or so she thinks, until he suggests a surprising mode of escape: a hasty marriage. To him. On the surface, their wedding would seem to satisfy all the demands of proper society, but as the Yuletide approaches, secrets and scandals turn this proper marriage into a very improper affair.

Theresa has graciously answered some questions about her book and writing, and then she’ll share about the wonderful giveaway being held with her tour.

Mason - When writing a series, is the first book the hardest or do the installments get harder as you go, especially if you make each book where it can be read as a standalone while tying to the other books?

Theresa:
A little of both! With the first book in a series, a whole world of characters, buildings, personalities, and traditions have to be created. That requires a greater level of planning, but also a greater freedom, because (within the bounds of history) anything is possible. Because later stories in the series have those ground rules established, the writing might go a little more quickly but there are some things that can’t be done. 

Jane, the heroine of SEASON FOR SCANDAL, appeared in my previous holiday romance as a brash, blunt-spoken poor relation with a talent for acting and a not-so-secret love for longtime family friend Edmund. When it was time to write her story, it had to suit the personality I’d written for her—which was fun. In SEASON FOR SCANDAL, Jane and Edmund wind up in a marriage of convenience and begin to see each other in a whole new way.

Mason - With the book’s release, as you look back what was the biggest surprise that occurred while you were writing the story?

Theresa:
I had a story arc planned out for Jane and Edmund’s marriage and the way it would fall apart. But as I wrote, the things that drove them apart surprised me. There were more layers to their relationship than I had ever expected. As they got to know each other in a more honest way, I was getting to know them too!

Mason - Have you always wanted to write or was there an event that lead you to writing?

Theresa:
I’ve always made up stories, but I never thought of being a writer—even though my parents have both written books, so they set that

example for me. When I was in grad school, I researched and wrote huge amounts of nonfiction. Once I graduated, I missed the writing. That’s when I started thinking about what I’d enjoy writing next. The obvious answer was historical romance, because that was my favorite sort of book to read for fun. It took me nine months to plod through the first draft of my first romance novel, which I’m sure read more like nonfiction than a love story! Next lots of revising and rewriting, then more and more stories.


Mason - How would you encourage someone who has never read your genre to give it a try?

Theresa:
I’d mention that most people enjoy romance, even if they don’t realize it. What would Star Wars be without the witty flirtation between Han and Leia? Or Casablanca and Gone with the Wind without the heartbreaking love stories at their center? If I learn about a person’s favorite stories, I can usually think of a romance he or she might enjoy. The great thing about the romance genre is that there’s a story for every time period, age, race or ethnicity, sexual orientation, and heat level a reader might prefer.

Mason - What can readers look forward to next from you?

Theresa:
I’m very glad to be working on two series right now. My next “Matchmaker” historical romance, TO CHARM A NAUGHTY COUNTESS, is a Pygmalion story with a rakish heroine and a super-responsible duke. That’ll be out in May 2014, and in October 2014, my next holiday historical romance will be released. My books all stand on their own, so readers can jump in at any point in a series.

Theresa, thanks so much for joining us today and sharing this look at how SEASON FOR SCANDAL came about. I like that you got to know your characters as they developed.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Historical romance author Theresa Romain pursued an impractical education that allowed her to read everything she could get her hands on. She then worked for universities and libraries, where she got to read even more. Eventually she started writing, too. 

She lives with her family in the Midwest, where she is working on her next book. Last month she began a new historical romance trilogy with IT TAKES TWO TO TANGLE.  

For more on Theresa and her writing, visit her website and find her on Facebook and Twitter.

GIVEAWAY DETAILS….
One commenter per the total number of tour stops will win a signed print copy of SEASON FOR SCANDAL, open internationally. Additionally, Theresa is generously offering a Grand Prize of all three Season books (signed print copies), open internationally! You can find all the tour stops here!

Please follow the Rafflecopter widget for ways to enter, as well as for Terms and Conditions.

 a Rafflecopter giveaway


SEASON FOR SCANDAL can be found on Goodreads and purchased at the following locations:
    Print: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Book Depository, Books-A-Million, IndieBound, Kensington, Posman books, Powell’s, and Watermark.
    EBook: ibook, Kensington, Kindle, and Nook.

Thanks so much for stopping by today. Have you ever considered just how much romance is woven into other genres?

Author Kaylea Cross On Tour With Tactical Strike

It’s my pleasure to welcome author Kaylea Cross here today as she makes a stop on her Lit Connect Virtual Book Tour for her latest release, Tactical Strike, the second book in her Bagram Special Ops series.

Tactical Strike, a romantic suspense novel, was published by Carina Press. The 87,000 word digital release has a sensual heat level. Here’s a brief synopsis:
    Gunship pilot Captain Candace Bradford has worked long and hard to earn her rank and position within the male-dominated world of Air Force Special Operations. She’s not about to let anything or anyone jeopardize that, let alone one sinfully tempting man who seems determined to cause her nothing but trouble. Even if she’s starting to fall for him.
    As an elite Combat Controller, Staff Sergeant Ryan Wentworth is used to overcoming adversity in order to complete a mission. Breaking through Candace’s prickly exterior and into her heart is a challenge he can’t let go. But just when he’s begun to gain her trust, they’re thrown together in the field facing an overwhelming enemy force.
    Candace and Ryan find themselves on the run, searching the skies for an emergency extraction. But one dangerous enemy has an agenda in mind and he’ll use whatever means necessary to achieve it, including using American forces to do his dirty work.

Giveaway Details:

Kaylea is gifting a 11 total digital backlist titles, one for each number of tour stops! The more tour stops you comment on, the greater your chances of winning. Please follow the Rafflecopter directions and see the terms and conditions on the widget for additional rules. Additional stops can be found at http://litconnect.com/virtual-book-tour-tactical-strike-by-kaylea-cross

Kaylea joins us and has graciously answered some questions about her writing from me.

Mason - Have you always wanted to write or was there an event that led you to writing?

Kaylea - I’ve always wanted to be a writer! For my sixth birthday I got a manual typewriter and I remember being beside myself with the urge to write little stories. I still have a few.

Mason - How do you go about doing research for your writing? Is it a process you enjoy or just find it necessary?

Kaylea - I do a mixture of online research, reading non-fiction books, interviewing people when I can (and I’m so lucky to have a recently retired PJ who’s been so wonderful in answering my questions) and watching documentaries.
 
Mason - Of all the authors (past and present) you enjoy reading, has any one (or more) been an influence in your writing?

Kaylea - I’d have to say Suzanne Brockmann, in terms of content and multiple points of view. I love that she introduces her readers to a cast of characters we get to fall in love with as the series unfolds. Though I won’t read any romantic suspense while I’m drafting a new story, because I don’t want other authors to influence my voice or tone in my work.
 
Mason - In what order do your characters come to life - name, physical description, personality?

Kaylea - Personality first, then physical description and name. I like to start off with a strong personality, then craft some conflicts, goals and motivations so I can make sure they either complement or enhance the other characters’.

Mason - What can readers look forward to next from you?
 
Kaylea - The third book in the series is coming out in September, and I’m also self publishing a stand-alone Civil War era romance this summer. Right now I’m working on another romantic suspense series featuring military contractors working overseas.
 
Kaylea, thanks for stopping by today and giving us a look at your writing. I love the fact that you got a typewriter for your sixth birthday.

Kaylea is an award winning author of edge-of-your-seat romantic suspense. A Registered Massage Therapist, she is an avid gardener, artist, Civil War buff, Special Ops aficionado, belly dancer and former nationally-carded softball pitcher. She lives in Vancouver, BC with her husband.

For more on Kaylea and her writing, visit her website and blog, and find her on Twitter, Facebook and Goodreads.

Tactical Strike is available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Carina Press.

Thanks so much for visiting today. Do you enjoy stories where the heroine is making her way in a man’s world? Be sure to enter the contest below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

A Feast Of Souls On Tour And A Giveaway

I’m delighted to be a part of the Lit Connect Promo Tour for author Hailey Edwards’ second installment in her Araneae Nation series, A FEAST OF SOULS.

Born in the Deep South, Hailey is a lifelong resident of Alabama. Her husband works for the local sheriff’s department and her daughter is counting down the days until she’s old enough to audition for American Idol. Her doxie, Black Ilex, helps Hailey write by snoozing in his recliner in her office.

Hailey’s desire to explore without leaving the comforts of home fueled her love of reading and writing. Whenever the itch for adventure strikes, Hailey can be found with her nose glued to her Kindle’s screen or squinting at her monitor as she writes her next happily-ever-after.

Here’s a brief blurb of A FEAST OF SOULS, a fantasy romance with a heat level of mainstream:
The only way to save her is to bind their souls as one.

Araneae Nation, Book 2

Born with the ability to communicate with the dead, few things take Mana by surprise. But when a canis lopes into her life, announcing himself as the long-dead father of a childhood friend, she’s shocked. To make matters worse, he has a dire message that she alone can deliver.

Now Mana must face Vaughn, the male who inspired one too many girlish fantasies, and impart the spirit’s message—without acknowledging her source—so the soul can be laid to rest.

With rumors of a burgeoning clan war setting his nerves on edge, the last thing Vaughn needs is for an innocent to get caught in the crosshairs. But the woman he remembers as an awkward girl refuses to leave his side until he’s heard her out. That’s not the only change in her that calls to him. Her kindness soothes his battle-scarred soul—and he craves her in ways a warrior shouldn’t.

When they are both captured, they learn of an even greater threat. The plague devastating the southlands has come to his clan home. And his best—and only—chance to keep his people alive is the female who walks among the dead.

Product Warnings: This book contains one fierce hero with a nose for danger, one stubborn heroine who smells like trouble, and one wolfish spirit who makes most relationships with the in-laws seem downright tame. Fur, fangs and some biting should be expected. But never fear, the hero has a sword, and he knows how to use it. 

A FEAST OF SOULS is available from Samhain Publishing, Amazon, and Barnes and Noble.

To entice your reading buds, here’s an excerpt from A FEAST OF SOULS:

     “Admit it.” The familiar sounds of a fire starting drifted to me. “You find me charming.”
     “I find you…” I struggled for words less insulting than the truth, “…kinder than I recalled.”
     “Hmm.” Had he moved closer? “And how did you recall me?”
     “You were Rhys’s older, more intimidating brother.” And you terrified me.
     With a hearty sigh that weighed on my conscience, he cupped my elbows and got me on my feet. Wood scraped as he kicked the stool closer to where warmth ebbed from the crackling fire.
     “Sit. I’ll melt some snow and find a rag.” Hinges groaned. Frigid air nipped at my cheeks. A door shut. Fabric tore. More metal grated. I removed my gloves and touched my eyes before he lowered my hands. We sat like that for a bit, until, “Let’s get those eyes of your open, shall we?”
     I let him tilt my head back. Water dripped to my right. Then a hot cloth was draped over the upper portion of my face. I sighed with bliss as Vaughn dipped and dabbed at me. “Thank you.”
     His hands stilled, and his reply took so long I gave up on it coming. “You’re welcome.”
     I leaned into his touch and relished playing the role of patient for once.
     Several hot cloths later, light seeped beneath a crack in my lids. For some reason I held my tongue and used the opportunity to steal a glimpse of Vaughn. His face filled my vision. His eyes were warm and held sparks from the fire. His brow crinkled, and his large, warrior’s hands were so adept as they wrung water from the cloth—which I now saw was a scrap from his shirt—and cleared the melting ice from my face. Seeing him like this snapped some tight thing in my chest.
     Water splashed as he tossed the rag. Big hands cupped my cheeks. “Try to open your eyes.”
     Blinking came easy. Though my lids were raw, pain was a distant hurdle while Vaughn kept his hands on me. His expression was too gentle, too soft. Surely it was a trick borne of firelight.
     When he leaned down, his lips a whisper from mine, I held my breath.

Giveaway Details
Hailey is gifting one lucky commenter from each tour stop, a digital copy of a title from her backlist. (A FEAST OF SOULS isn’t included in the options.) The contest is open internationally and will run the duration of the tour (ending 12:01am EST Saturday, Dec. 22, 2012). The winner(s) will be randomly selected and notified via email. To enter, sign up with the Rafflecopter below.

 a Rafflecopter giveaway

Additional Tour Stops
For additional chances to win, be sure to check out the other stops in Hailey’s tour. The more stops you comment on, the greater your chances of winning.

For more information on Hailey and her writing, visit her website and find her on Goodreads, Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.

Thanks everyone for stopping by today. Do you enjoy escaping to other locations and worlds through reading?