Griffin Is Great!

Posted by Anna Campbell Apr 5 2013, 12:03 am in Allegiance Sworn, Alliance Forged, Anna Campbell, Australia, Australian Authors, Australian Romance Readers Association Awards, Bandita Booty, fantasy romance, Kylie Short, Light Blade Series, paranormal romance, series, Vengeance Born

I’m always delighted to welcome Aussie author Kylie Griffin back to the lair. Today’s she’s here to tell us about the next instalment in her wonderful Light Blade series, ALLEGIANCE SWORN.

RT Book Reviews gave ALLEGIANCE SWORN a great review, saying, “The third outing in Griffin’s rousing Light Blade series provides readers with a breathtakingly strong and dedicated heroine willing to fight and sacrifice for her people. Griffin keeps the tension running high as the world she created heads ever closer to war.”

Here’s the blurb:

Kylie, congratulations on the release of ALLEGIANCE SWORN. Can you tell us about this story?

ALLEGIANCE SWORN is the third book in the Light Blade series and one I was very excited to write as it features Arek, a rather deliciously tormented (yes, I do like torturing my heroes), secondary character, and one of my Light Blade warriors, who appeared in both VENGEANCE BORN (#1) and ALLIANCE FORGED (#2).

At the end of ALLIANCE FORGED Arek was wounded and captured by demon-slavers. In ALLEGIANCE SWORN he’s claimed by Imhara, a demon Clan leader.

He’s sworn to die fighting before allowing her to enslave him but then discovers she’s been living a double-life; that her Clan don’t enslave humans and accept half-bloods. And more significantly, they have one goal in common – to kill Na’Reish leader Savyr, the demon who murdered their families and destroyed their lives.

I had a LOT of fun making Arek face his greatest fears in this book but what surprised me the most was the way a couple of plot threads within the story ended – I intended the story to finish with the characters achieving certain goals but they refused to take that path and led me down another!

Lives being threatened, fighting, the death of a major character – all of this was supposed to occur, and it did, but not in the manner I expected and it brought about an entirely different conclusion to the story. 

What were the inspirations behind this book?

Two ideas inspired ALLEGIANCE SWORN.

The first was Arek, the hero, and his hatred for all things demon. Throughout the series and of all the characters he’s probably had the toughest time. He’s found out he has a demon half sister. His grandfather not only tried to kill her but he kept the secret that demons and humans once lived harmoniously together and then betrayed the human race by leading a rebellion to keep the war between them going.

In ALLEGIANCE SWORN, Arek is confronted by the truth that his whole life and every decision and action he’s made has been based on a lie, one fostered by his grandfather’s deception.

And having been captured by demon-slavers at the end of ALLIANCE FORGED, he now faces one of his greatest fears – being the blood-slave of Imhara Kaal, his new owner. Anyone who’s already read the series will know Arek prefers death over serving as a blood-slave, so you can imagine the conflict this is going to create!

The idea of a double agent gave me the plot thread for Imhara Kaal, the heroine, in ALLEGIANCE SWORN. Unlike other demons, Imhara and her people have create a utopia of sorts where human, demon, and half breeds live peacefully and equally in the Old Ways but they’ve had to sacrifice a lot to remain undiscovered. Living a double-life and adopting two separate lifestyles was essential for their survival.

But it puts Imhara and Arek at odds right from the get go because she had to portray her alter-ego in order to claim him as her slave. You can image how well that went down with Arek, and trying to convince him of her other persona is nigh impossible.I loved being able to throw these two opposing personalities together and watching the sparks fly!

 Ooh, sounds delicious. I love enemies into lovers stories. What’s coming up next for Kylie Griffin?

Besides a manic blog tour to promote ALLEGIANCE SWORN (and the mass market version of VENGEANCE BORN which was also released on April 2^nd)? Well, I have a few plans I’m juggling. I’d like to write books #4 and #5 in the Light Blade series but that depends on whether the book-gods smile on a new contract.

I’m also keen to write a new post-apocalyptic romance, one that’s been mulling in the back my mind for a few years now. A change of genre would be refreshing and I’m quite excited about this one as I’m venturing into new territory. It’s rather more erotic in tone than I anticipated.

Delish! You’re now three books into your Light Blade series. Would you like to share your thoughts on writing a series? Has everything continued as you expected or were there some surprises with writing linked books?

As a fantasy reader from way back – I think I read my first book in this genre at age 10 – I love the scope a series allows me as far as world building and developing an over arching story line. While each story is complete within itself, I love being able to play with the external plot, dropping hints, showcasing certain events that will one day impact the timeline further on in the series. And looking back readers will see this and, hopefully, appreciate the depth and growth of the series.

There were some surprises along the way when I wrote the series. A couple of characters I intended to be only background figures decided they wanted a story of their own and as a result they’ve taken more prominent roles in the stories than I anticipated.

One of these characters was Zaune, one of the half-blood scouts. He appeared in VENGEANCE BORN then he popped up in ALLIANCE FORGED and again in ALLEGIANCE SWORN. Over time he’s become quite a strong character in my mind, so much so I have a book planned for him.

Another shock in this series came when I wrote ALLEGIANCE SWORN, I’d planned the death of a major character but as I wove various plot threads together, the story of Arek and Imhara began to stall. No matter the direction I wanted them to go – the scenes, their dialogue, their actions, the revelations I wanted to hint at, or uncover or confront, the action I saw taking place – they point blank refused to walk the path I wanted them to take.

Turns out I was trying to force a scenario that would have given the story a too easy solution, too convenient an ending to the thread I was trying to tell. Robbing the characters of conflict also meant swindling readers out of the emotional roller coaster ride that came with the conflict. So in the end, I ignored the voice inside my head and listened to my characters.

Did the story thread have a “happily ever after”? It depends on your point of view. Happily ever afters do occur but sometimes not in the way we anticipate or expect and this was definitely the case for Arek, Imhara and me. What exactly did the HEA involve…well, you’re going to have to read ALLEGIANCE SWORN to find out the details! 

Kylie, congratulations on winning favorite futuristic, sci-fi or fantasy romance of 2012 at the recent Australian Romance Readers Association awards. I was absolutely delighted to accept your award on your behalf! Could you tell us a little about how you felt about receiving this award?

Thanks, Anna, for the congrats and accepting the ARRA award on my behalf!

I was away on a writers’ retreat the weekend of the ARRA convention with some writing buddies. We were following the awards dinner via Twitter on the night. Some of the books and authors nominated were MY favourite reads for 2012 – so to have gone head to head to them was an achievement in itself.

Seeing as I don’t own a mobile phone (yes, I know, I’m one of the rare few) I was relying on my friends to announce the results. When they read out my name, I honestly thought they were pulling my leg and kidding around but when I saw the same tweet on four phones I had to accept the win was fair dinkum!

I’m sure I looked like a stunned mullet. I know I see-sawed between incredulous laughter and shocked crying. I think I did a bit of both!

Honestly, it’s a very humbling experience to know there are readers who voted ALLIANCE FORGED as their favorite read for 2012, and I’m ever so grateful! The ARRA award now sits on proud display on a shelf in the lounge room!

 What do you like to read when you’re not writing dramatic and adventurous romance? 

Paranormal romance is my first port of call when I pick up a book to read – some of my favourite authors span the gamut of sub-genres and include Nalini Singh, Denise Rossetti, Joss Ware, Joey W.Hill, Bec McMaster and Kylie Scott!

I’m also partial to science fiction and fantasy authors like Anne McCaffrey, Andre Norton, and Rowena Corey Daniells. But outside these genres I enjoy reading Maya Banks, Debbie Macomber, Jo Davis, and our own, Anna Campbell! (Anna says, why, thank you!)

I’m fairly selective, basing my choices more on the connection I feel with the author’s characters and their writing than the particular genre. I’m sure Anna won’t mind me using her as an example, but she’s one of two historical romance authors I read. I don’t usually indulge in this genre but I really enjoy her books because of her engaging characters and rich style of writing.

My nonfiction section of my library revolve around subjects likes names for babies, weapons, self-defence, herbal medicines, ancient cultures, myths & legends, and craft books like patchworking, photography, calligraphy and Lonely Planet Guides for travelling.

And my favourite place for reading these books – my garden! I have a couple of lovely spots where I can sit back, relax with a book and more often than not be interrupted by the wildlife that like to visit during the day. 

Anna, thanks for having me here in the Lair – I always enjoyed my time here interacting with your readers. Knowing this, I’d love to ask them a question, if that’s all right.

I’ve just revealed Arek’s greatest fear – becoming a blood-slave to the Na’Reish demons – now I want to know – What’s your greatest fear?  Is there anyone brave enough to answer this question? How about I dangle a signed copy of ALLEGIANCE SWORN Light Blade #3 as incentive to participate? Go on, I dare you! Face your fear, just like Arek does in ALLEGIANCE SWORN!

Thanks for that great interview, Kylie! And best of luck with ALLEGIANCE SWORN. It sounds like a corker. Get commenting, people. I’m sure you all want to win the signed copy of Kylie’s new book!

115 Comments

Maggie Robinson Has Got a Little List!

Posted by Anna Campbell Dec 3 2012, 12:02 am in 12 Bandita Days of Christmas, Anna Campbell, Captain Durant's Countess, Edwardian Romance, erotic romance, historical romance, In the Arms of the Heiress, Ladies Unlaced, Lady Anne's Lover, Lord Gray's List, maggie robinson, series, the London List

With apologies to Gilbert and Sullivan!

I have for you today the very model of a modern romance novelist, Maggie Robinson.

OK, fine, I’ll forget the G&S from now on. I promise, under threat of the snicker snee.

Maggie is a lair favorite and goodness me, she’s been busy lately. She has a whole stack of great things to tell us about, including her latest release LORD GRAY’S LIST, the first instalment in the London List series. This sounds absolutely luscious.

You can read reviews and an excerpt here: http://www.maggierobinson.net/books/lord-grays-list/

Maggie, absolutely lovely to have you back again! We love having you visit us. Congratulations on LORD GRAY’S LIST, the first book in the London List series released by Kensington Brava on 30^th October. Can you tell us about this story?

I’m so happy to be back! The Banditas throw the best parties. LGL is a war of wits and will between Evangeline Ramsey, a strong, independent businesswoman, and Lord Benton Gray, the man who inadvertently broke her heart years ago. Here’s a little blurb:

Sometimes scandal comes looking for you…

Every Tuesday, The London List lands on the city’s fashionable doorsteps. Valets and viscounts alike can’t wait to read all the news that’s not fit to print. When Benton Gray’s scandals appear week after week on the front page, he’s forced to take desperate measures—he’ll make a gentleman’s agreement to buy the newspaper and shut it down. But when he meets the person responsible for reporting the gossip, Ben finds he’s no gentleman. It’s his lost love Evangeline Ramsey, wearing trousers and wielding a poison pen!

Sounds like great fun! What were the inspirations behind this book?

I saw an article on the illustrated blog “Missed Connections,” followed shortly thereafter by vintage lovelorn ads. I dreamed up a Regency-era newspaper that would be a clearinghouse for needy people looking for love and jobs, financed by the scandal on the front page. Originally, the book was called “Lord Craig’s List”, but the marketing department was a little leery of that, LOL.

Well, gray is definitely the shade du jour! The London List sounds like a delicious source of scandal. Can you tell us about the list and also about the series as a whole?

The paper has all the lists of anything one might need, naughty or nice. In the next book, February’s e-book exclusive CAPTAIN DURANT’S COUNTESS, Captain Durant reports for a very unusual job with scandalous consequences. The last book, LADY ANNE’S LOVER (August) has Lady Anne going undercover as a housekeeper who burns everything but the hero’s heart.

Love the titles. I notice that you’ve sold a series set in Edwardian London to Berkley Sensation for release next year. Yay, more Maggie Robinsons to read. Can you tell us about the Ladies Unlaced books?

Oh, I’m so excited about these. I’ve been dragged into the twentieth century, LOL. There are cars! The Evensong Agency finds a temporary husband for the heiress of IN THE ARMS OF THE HEIRESS in the first book (July), and Mrs. Evensong finds her own in the second (November). Yep. That’s four books next year. People are going to get sick of me.

Never! Maggie, you write a sizzling hot love scene. Can you give us any insight in how you go about creating these steamy encounters? 

My agent kept writing “more” in red when she looked over my manuscripts, so you can blame her. I used to be satisfied with a sentence or two. I always think my scenes are much more mental than physical, so what do I know? I had one reviewer rate the heat level as “YIKES!” which I thought was a little bit of an exaggeration.

Personally, I often skim those long, long sex scenes in a book, and have to gird my own loins to write one. Speaking of which, here’s my question: Are you a skimmer or do you savor every thrust, lunge and lick? Who has written the hottest scene you’ve read? (I need inspiration.)

One commenter will get a copy of LORD GRAY’S LIST, or any book from my backlist if you’ve been wonderful enough to have already bought a copy.

Get commenting, people! This book sounds delicious!

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107 Comments

Lights, Camera, Action! with Nancy Robards Thompson and Katherine Garbera

Posted by Anna Campbell Nov 16 2012, 12:02 am in Anna Campbell, Bandita Booty, Calling all the Shots, Category Romance, Desire, Harlequin, Katherine Garbera, Mickey Mouse Club, Nancy Robards Thompson, reality TV, series, Special Edition, Texas Christmas

I’ve got a real treat for you all today! Good friends Katherine Garbera and Nancy Robards Thompson are going to interview one another and give away their great new releases TEXAS CHRISTMAS (Nancy) and CALLING ALL THE SHOTS (Katherine).

TEXAS CHRISTMAS (Harlequin Special Edition) sounds like the perfect read for this time of year. Debbie Haupt at RT Book Reviews said, “Featuring both new and familiar characters from past tales, Thompson’s holiday romance will stay with readers long after the end. Her protagonists are clearly meant for each other from page one, and you’ll love how she brings them together.” Here’s the blurb:

Busted! When Pepper Merriweather’s superwealthy daddy is arrested for fraud—and the family fortune is kaput—just before the holidays, Pepper suddenly finds herself in need of a job. Despite her high-society connections, no one wants to give her a chance—no one except gorgeous billionaire recluse Robert Macintyre.

When he proposes a position that comes with more strings attached than a symphony orchestra, Pepper knows it’s an offer she should refuse. But beggars can’t be choosers. Besides, Pepper knows she has what it takes to rise to the challenge—but does she have what it takes to keep her hands off her irresistible new boss?

CALLING ALL THE SHOTS (Harlequin Desire) sounds like great fun too. Harlequin Junkie said, “The more that you get to know these amazing characters the more you fall in love with CALLING ALL THE SHOTS. If you are looking for a fun, sweet, romantic read then this is the book for you.” Here’s the blurb:

The irony of working on a matchmaking reality TV show hosted by the guy who broke her heart in high school has producer Willow Stead tied in knots. Not only that, but Jack Crown even has the nerve to ask her out. Should she risk taking him up on his offer?

Jack sees Willow Stead all grown up and has to have her. Soon passions erupt that rival the drama on the show. But does Willow have a trick up her sleeve that will throw the celebrity pitchman a major curveball?

You can find out more about Nancy and her books at her website: http://www.nancyrobardsthompson.com/my_weblog/

You can find out more about Katherine and her books at her website: http://www.katherinegarbera.com/k/Home.html

Kathy: The two of us have known each other for more than fifteen years. So it was a nice surprise when we discovered we both had third books in a series out this month. Not only that, but both of our stories are set in the world of reality TV.  

We got the ideas for our books because we’ve both worked behind the scenes of a television show. That leads to another happy coincidence of our friendship: we both realized that we worked on the same show, THE NEW MICKEY MOUSE CLUB, but at different times.

Nancy: Gosh, that seems like another lifetime ago, but it was definitely one of the best jobs I’ve ever had. It was fun and always changing. Still, I wouldn’t trade my writing career to work in TV and movies, but I’m glad I had the opportunity. How did you get the job on the MICKEY MOUSE CLUB, Kathy?

Kathy: I was part of the opening crew for the Disney-MGM Studios and we were hired about three months before the park opened so we recruited audience members at the Magic Kingdom each day and then took them to the Studios for the tapings.  Everyone was new to the show including the cast so we all sort of hung out together.  Since I was 18 I wasn’t that much older than most of them.  But Nanc, the Mouse Club wasn’t your only job in that industry was it?

Nancy: No, my time on THE MICKEY MOUSE CLUB was bookended by two movies.  I helped with extras casting on the movie D.A.R.Y.L. and then I was on set when Michael Damian (The Young and the Restless) and James Best (Dukes of Hazzard) filmed the short HOUSE OF FOREVER. I wasn’t employed by HOUSE OF FOREVER‘s  production company. I was in public relations for the non-profit organization that owned the set where the film was made. I was the nonprofit’s contact person. So, I was on set every day. Even though each TV/film project I worked on was distinctly different, the action going on behind the scenes had a bit of the same feel. You know what I mean? Not to be cliché,  but the lights, camera, action bit gave each project the same feel.

Kathy: I know exactly what you mean, Nanc.  I also worked on the set of SUPERBOY which was filming at the Disney-MGM Studios before it moved to Universal (bit of rivalry back then).  My fav memory is when my pal Judy and I were sent to pick up a prop on the production golf cart.  We were goofing around on it and got it stuck in a ditch.  Boy was that fun to explain!  But you are right in that behind-the-scenes feels very similar the only thing that was different was when I worked on WWF’s MONDAY NIGHT SMACK DOWN and the game show TEEN WIN, LOSE OR DRAW! Because the action wasn’t scripted necessarily.  On the game show I was stationed in the audience to remind people not to call out the answers while we were taping.  If they did, we had to start that part of the show all over again.

Nancy: Working in TV and movies is definitely a hurry-up and wait game. Depending on your job, there can be a lot of standing around and waiting… and the days are usually long and demanding of your time. One of the biggest challenges I faced was when I handled the extras for D.A.R.Y.L. I actually had to book people to be extras in the movie. At first people were excited because they were going to be in a movie AND they were going to get paid for it! Woot! Woot! After the first few days of shooting reality set in that they were getting a flat fee for a very long, boring day. I think they got something like $50 or $75 for each day that they worked. Call time was early and the same for everyone, but I couldn’t tell them if they would be there one hour (if their scene was in was shot first thing) or if it would be a twelve or fifteen hour day (if their scene was toward the end).  A lot of people would get upset because they had to sit around and wait for hours on end. The director wouldn’t let me release them and they couldn’t leave even for a few minutes. If they were there during a meal time craft services (the catering truck) provided their meals. So, really their compensation was a flat fee and sometimes up to three meals. On long days, I had a lot of cranky extras on my hands. Sometimes, I had to do a lot of tap dancing and sweet talking to appease them. If I remember right – that was a long time ago – my portion of the project lasted about a month. Toward the end, it got very hard to get people to agree to be in the movie.

Kathy: Haha! That’s something I never thought I’d hear anyone say that they had to beg people to be in a movie.  We had to beg people to be in the audience for the NEW MICKEY MOUSE CLUB at first because it was a new show.  We didn’t pay them but gave them complimentary tickets to come back to the Disney parks.  One of my favorite memories was of when I got to sit in on the table readings for the show.  It was so interesting to the kids take direction prior to shooting and then really show their skills when taping started.  What was your most memorable experience on the set, Nanc? 

Nancy: In D.A.R.Y.L., there was a car chase scene. When they were filming they closed down a portion of the highway between 2am and 4am. We needed A LOT of extras with cars who were willing to come out in the wee hours of the morning and drive. This is really a two-part memory – first, because I was so intrigued by the way they shot the scene. They had the extras drive 10mph so that when the “fast cars” drove by at 35mph, they looked like they were driving at breakneck speeds.

Kathy: What was the other memory? You said this was a two-parter.

Nancy: Oh, yes! The other fond memory is of the woman who started complaining about having to go to the bathroom the minute we got on the highway. Once we were there the director wouldn’t let anyone leave because we only had a very short period of time to shoot the scene (before they reopened the highway to regular traffic). There were no bathrooms and the exit ramps were blocked off by the police to keep cars not involved with the movie off the road. If she’d walked away to take care of business, her car would’ve been in the way of the shot.

Kathy: Oh, no! If only I’d been there since I was a Production Page I would have asked her before we left!   Seriously, Poor woman! What did she do?

Nancy: Umm…I found a cup for her. I’ll let you figure out the rest.

Kathy: Oh. Sorry I asked.  To change the subject… that’s a picture of me in my official MICKEY MOUSE CLUB jacket and Nanc is somewhere in that group shot.

Nancy: It’s sort of like “Where’s Waldo,” right?  Actually, I’m standing just to the right of center (in the very center of the picture). I’m wearing a yellow blouse near that person in green and sandwiched by the people in pink. Haha! We were a colorful bunch, weren’t we? Look at some of those hairdos! We won’t talk about how long ago that was…

Kathy: Reliving all these memories has been fun! We’d like to ask Romance Bandit readers to share a memory of their favorite job or something unusual they’ve done. Nancy and I will select one lucky winner to receive signed copies of our books.  

Ooh, great prizes, girls! Thanks for the great interview! Get commenting, people!

82 Comments

15 Nights until 7 Nights!

Posted by Anna Campbell Sep 10 2012, 12:02 am in Anna Campbell, Bandita Booty, Fun and Games, Gothic Romance, Grand Central Publishing, historical romance, Launch Party, Mark Twain, series, Seven Nights in a Rogue's Bed, Sons of Sin Series

by Anna Campbell

Ooh, I’m excited!

Although not QUITE as excited as I’m going to be on the 25th September.

Sheesh, this Bandita lair is turning into Grand Central Station. A girl can’t book a launch party any closer to her release day than a fortnight ahead. But, hey, let’s party like it’s 1999.

What’s that? Oh, right, I’ll rephrase. Let’s party like it’s 9/25/2012!

Yes, today is one of the infamous lair launches. And it’s for a full-length historical romance by MEEEEE! There hasn’t been a new one of those on the shelves since May 2011. Which perhaps explains the excitement. Although I’m eating chocolate right now so that probably helps.

I’m delighted that SEVEN NIGHTS IN A ROGUE’S BED is out from Grand Central Publishing in a bit over two weeks. The first book in the Sons of Sin series is a gothic retelling of Beauty and the Beast. Tortured hero with wicked intentions. Brave, innocent heroine. Crumbling castle. Evil forces massing against our lovers. Pretty much the whole enchilada!

Here’s the blurb:

And if you’re a Romance Bandits lair member (and why wouldn’t you be?), there’s another excerpt coming up next month. If you want to access exclusive content like interviews and excerpts and prizes, just click on the Members Den button at the top of the blog. We’d love to see you!

For Barnes and Noble (paperback and Nook), it’s: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/seven-nights-in-a-rogues-bed-anna-campbell/1108616416?ean=9781455512072

The Book Depository link (post free all over the world) is: http://www.bookdepository.co.uk/Seven-Nights-Rogues-Bed-Anna-Campbell/9781455512072 As an added bonus, you get 15% off the recommended retail price if you preorder with the Book Depository. Bargain!

And don’t forget the Tantor Audio Version which is also out 25th September: http://www.tantor.com/BookDetail.asp?Product=B0888_SevenNights (They’ve got a new cover up – it’s pretty sexy!).

You guys know that, in the immortal words of Mark Twain, there’s no such thing as a FREE LAUNCH. I’m giving away three copies of SEVEN NIGHTS IN A ROGUE’S BED (my lovely Australian publishers have sent me a few ahead of release date) today, but you have to play the game.

I like my title, SEVEN NIGHTS IN A ROGUE’S BED, but I want you to make it funny. So you can do either or both of:

Insert ‘Rogue instead of a word in a well known film or song or book. So for example, SNOW WHITE AND THE SEVEN ROGUES, or HOW TO MAKE FRIENDS AND INFLUENCE ROGUES.

And/Or:

Alter the title to something funny. So for example, SVEN NIGHTS IN A ROGUE’S BED: A SWEDISH MASSEUR GETS A RUDE AWAKENING.

Extra points for funny and/or clever and/or surprising.

Let the champagne flow! Let Sven massage (once he’s got over his recent experiences!)! Let Paolo shiver in terror! Let the gladiators loose! It’s launch time in the lair!

So be the first person in your neighborhood to get a copy of SEVEN NIGHTS IN A ROGUE’S BED. Three (3) copies up for grabs today. Have at it, people! Good luck! Giveaway is international.

183 Comments

Shana Galen’s Diamond Sparkles!

Posted by Anna Campbell Sep 7 2012, 12:03 am in Anna Campbell, Bandita Booty, courtesans, historical romance, If You Give a Rake a Ruby, Jewels of the Ton, Lord and Lady Spy, Regency romance, series, Shana Galen, SourceBooks Casablanca, The Rogue Pirate's Bride

by Anna Campbell

One of the loveliest people I met at my first Romance Writers of America conference in Atlanta in 2006 was debut historical  author Shana Galen. I remember going to my first Avon party with her and having an absolute ball.

It’s been lovely watching Shana’s career over the years since and now I’m delighted to welcome her to the lair as my guest to tell us about WHEN YOU GIVE A DUKE A DIAMOND, the first book in the “Jewels of the Ton” series.

Here’s the blurb for WHEN YOU GIVE A DUKE A DIAMOND (SourceBooks Casablanca):

He had a perfectly orderly life…

William, the sixth Duke of Pelham, enjoys his punctual, securely structured life. Orderly and predictable—that’s the way he likes it. But he’s in the public eye, and the scandal sheets will make up anything to sell papers. When the gossip papers link him to Juliette, one of the most beautiful and celebrated courtesans in London, chaos doesn’t begin to describe what happens next…

Until she came along…

Juliette is nicknamed the Duchess of Dalliance and has the cream of the nobility at her beck and call. It’s disruptive to have the duke who is the biggest catch on the Marriage Mart scaring her other suitors away. Then she discovers William’s darkest secret and decides what he needs in his life is the kind of excitement only she can provide…

You can find out more about Shana and her books and read an excerpt of WHEN YOU GIVE A DUKE A DIAMOND on her website: http://shanagalen.com/

Shana, welcome back to the lair! Congratulations on the release of WHEN YOU GIVE A DUKE A DIAMOND, the first book in the “Jewels of the Ton” series. Can you tell us about this story?

Thank you for having me, Anna!

WHEN YOU GIVE A DUKE A DIAMOND is the first book in a trilogy about three glamorous Regency courtesans who get involved with some dangerous diamonds and equally dangerous men. The first book centers on Juliette, called the Duchess of Dalliance. She’s in the wrong place at the wrong time and witnesses a murder that ties her to William, the sixth Duke of Pelham. He’s rigid, stodgy, and wants nothing to do with her. In the end, they realize they need one another for so many more reasons than simply uncovering the mystery of the diamonds.

The series sounds fantastic, Shana. What were the inspirations behind this book?

The inspiration for this book, and really the whole series, is MY LADY SCANDALOUS by Jo Manning. It’s the biography of Grace Dalrymple Elliott, who was a courtesan and spy during the Georgian Era/French Revolution. The descriptions of her life as a courtesan intrigued me and started me thinking about courtesans as heroines.

Can you tell us about the “Jewels of the Ton” series as a whole?

The series is really about these three women who have secrets and tarnished pasts, who come together in order to survive in a time when women who had the slightest blemish on their name were ostracized from Society. But if you’ve ever read any of my books, you know there’s going to be a lot of adventure and intrigue, and that’s where the mystery of the missing diamonds comes in. In each book, the hero and heroine are embroiled in a dangerous mystery having to do with a set of missing diamonds. It won’t be until the last book that the mystery is revealed.

I love that over-arching plot. People will be really eager to discover the solution to the mystery! What’s coming up next for you?

The second book in the series releases in March, and it’s titled IF YOU GIVE A RAKE A RUBY. Then I’ll release another Lord and Lady Spy book in fall 2013. There will also be a Lord and Lady Spy themed novella sometime before the second book in that series.

Readers seem to have an endless appetite for sparkling historical romances set in the Regency period. What do you think is the secret to this era’s enduring popularity?

Readers tell me they love the return to chivalry. Men were gentlemen and treated women as ladies. When you married someone, you stayed married. It was a time when people believed in honor, integrity, and duty. I think there’s something about the glittering ball gowns too!

We’d love to have a glimpse into your writing life. What’s a day like for the fabulous Shana Galen?

Well, it’s not fabulous. I have a three-year-old, so most of my day is spent with her. I usually get up about 4:30 a.m. to either write or go to fitness boot camp. When I get home, she’s waking up, and I have to feed her and entertain her until nap time. I usually write during her naps and then after she goes to bed. I spend a lot of time at the park, the children’s museum, the zoo, and the local inflatable bounce house play center. Fortunately, I have a great husband who cooks and often takes my daughter for daddy-daughter activities on weekends so I can get some writing in.

Sometimes when people I meet find out what I do, they’re surprised I’m so normal. I don’t know what they expect—a feather boa and a tiara maybe? In that way, I think authors are a lot like my courtesan heroines. Our lives aren’t nearly as glamorous as people suppose.

Hey, my life is glamorous, she said, contemplating cleaning bathrooms. Sigh. Do you have a question for the Banditas and Bandita Buddies to get the conversation rolling along?

What do you think of courtesans as romance novel heroines? Do you love them or prefer the virginal miss?

Ah, a question close to my heart! Shana has very kindly offered an international giveaway of WHEN YOU GIVE A DUKE A DIAMOND for one lucky commenter today so get commenting, people! Good luck!

106 Comments

How to Romance Manda Collins

Posted by Anna Campbell Aug 2 2012, 12:02 am in Anna Campbell, Bandita Booty, historical romance, How to Dance with a Duke, How to Entice an Earl, How to Romance a Rake, interviews, Legally Yours, Manda Collins, series, Ugly Ducklings

by Anna Campbell

I’m delighted today to bring back to the lair the thoroughly delightful Manda Collins who is here to tell us about the second book in her acclaimed “Ugly Ducklings” trilogy, HOW TO ROMANCE A RAKE.

Manda visited us back in January to talk about her debut HOW TO DANCE WITH A DUKE here: http://romancebandits.com/whistle-while-you-work-manda-collins-on-her-how-to-dance-with-a-duke-playlist/ Like HTDWAD, HOW TO ROMANCE A RAKE is getting lots of love from reviewers and readers. RT Book Reviews said:

Collins’ second installment of the Ugly Duckling trilogy is both a lovely, sensitive romance and a taut thriller. Collins brings a dashing hero and a wounded wallflower together in the type of love story readers take to heart. With compassion and perception, she delves into the issues faced by those who survive physical and emotional trauma. Brava to Collins!

Here’s the blurb:

You can lead a wallflower to the ball, but you can’t make her bloom–unless one daring young bachelor turns up the heat…

What’s a nice girl like Miss Juliet Shelby doing at a place like Lord Deveril’s ballroom? With her shy demeanor, she’s a total stranger to the dance floor and a source of mockery for the ton. So imagine her surprise when Deveril gallantly comes to her defense–and offers to teach her to dance! Juliet can hardly believe the most handsome bachelor in London would notice her, until he takes her in his arms and sets her heart ablaze…

Lord Alec Deveril has never felt such a spark of attraction for an unmarried lady before. Unlike the “fashionable” ladies he’s accustomed to, Juliet possesses a generous spirit, a fiery intelligence–and an explosive secret. Deep in the London underworld, a dear friend has vanished, and Juliet fears the worst. Deveril insists on helping, escorting her through the darkest alleys in town. But he too is hiding a shocking secret–and the only way he can defeat the devil in his past is to seduce the angel in his arms…

 You can find out more about Manda and read excerpts from her books on her website: http://www.mandacollins.com/

Manda, welcome back to the lair! Congratulations on the success of HOW TO DANCE WITH A DUKE, the first book of your “Ugly Ducklings” trilogy. Now the second book HOW TO ROMANCE A RAKE has been released.  Can you tell us about this story?

Thank you so much for having me, Anna! I’m thrilled to be here with the Bandits again! You guys rock! Now, on to the story! HOW TO ROMANCE A RAKE is your basic dandy/wallflower romance with a mystery plot thrown in for good measure. Juliet is the quietest of the Ugly Ducklings and has been schooled harshly by her mother to stay out of the spotlight because of her infirmity. The only place where she feels free to let herself go is when she’s at the piano. When her music teacher—her mentor—goes missing, Alec, Lord Deveril, offers to help her find out where she’s gone. He’s basically the most sought after bachelor in the Beau Monde, but he’s carrying around a secret from his past that he’s desperate to keep to himself. Together these two unravel the mystery of the missing music teacher, and fall in love in the process.

What were the inspirations behind this book?

I’ve always been a fan of the dandy, who I think of as the Regency equivalent of ZZ Top’s “Sharp Dressed Man.” So when it came time to write my trilogy I knew one of my heroes would be a man with a penchant for a perfectly starched cravat.

For Juliet, I wanted to take a risk. I know there’s a tradition in romance novels to have heroes with physical disabilities, but I wanted to write a heroine who is truly disabled. And who won’t be magically cured by the end of the novel. I wanted to capture some of the reality of what it’s like to be disabled, like I am. Juliet is NOT me by a long shot. But I did use some of my own experiences  as an amputee to create her character.  

As for the mystery plot, it was actually inspired by an episode of LAW AND ORDER: CRIMINAL INTENT. (I’m a huge Bobby Goren fangirl.)  Though it involved photography rather than painting.

I notice that book three in the series, HOW TO ENTICE AN EARL, is available next February. Can you give us a sneak peek at this story?

HOW TO ENTICE AN EARL is the story of Lady Madeline Essex and Christian Monteith, who has just been elevated to the Earl of Gresham. To gather research for her novel, Maddie blackmails her brother into taking her to a gaming hell. But once there she stumbles upon (literally) a dead body. And who else should be there, but Christian, who is not best pleased to find the woman he’s only recently begun to notice as…you know…a woman, stumbling upon dead bodies in gaming hells. Mystery and romance ensues.

You’ve got a sexy contemporary LEGALLY YOURS out right now. Can you tell us about this story? What differences do you find between writing Regency and contemporary romance? Are there more contemporaries coming?

LEGALLY YOURS is something of a departure for me, and is my first attempt at a contemporary. It’s a secret crush/reunion story about former law school classmates Julie Streeter and Matt Ellis.  Unbeknownst to either of them, Juliet and Matt were crushing on one another back in law school. But nothing ever happened because Julie had to drop out suddenly. Now, years later, they meet again at the firm where Julie is working as a paralegal and Matt is visiting corporate counsel. When Matt finds Julie’s list of things she’d like to do before her upcoming 30th birthday, he’s more than happy to offer his help in her quest to check them off—especially the sexy ones!

I’d say the most different thing between writing  Regency and writing Contemporary is the language. They require completely different sets of vocabularies and sentence structures. And of course there are the social mores of each time period to be considered, which affect character motivation more than anything else.

I’m hoping to release another contemporary novella in the coming months. It all depends on my Regency writing schedule, since those are the ones I’m under contract for and come first!

Manda Collins, Élodie Michels, Anna Campbell and Dianne Gaston at the RITA after party in San Francisco in 2008.

Your first book HOW TO DANCE WITH A DUKE came out in January, 2012. What have your first months as a published author been like? Any surprises?

I’d love to be able to say that as soon as my book went on sale I was transformed into a glamorous, feather-boa wearing, caviar eating diva, but the naked truth of it is that life is basically the same. I think like any other big event in life, becoming a published author has been remarkable in its unremarkability. It’s sort of like waiting for a big birthday. And then you wake up and you don’t really feel any different than you did before. You still have to do laundry, put gas in the car, and eat breakfast. Even so, it’s been lovely to finally have my book out there in the wild, being read by complete strangers. And the best part is that many of them seem to have actually liked it!

We’d love to have a glimpse into your writing life. What’s a day like for the fabulous Manda Collins?

Since I’m still working the day-job, most days start off with me getting dressed and going to work! I try to get some writing in during lunch breaks and sometimes after work, but for the most part my writing is done on the weekends. Mostly with my cat Stephen (named for Stephen Colbert) overseeing my work. I like to listen to WMVY, an independent radio station broadcasting out of Martha’s Vineyard—where I’ve never been, incidentally—or I’ll put on a playlist for that particular book I’m working on and listen to it in a constant loop. It’s been different for each book so far. In fact, I could say that about everything from book to book. Now that I’m working on my fifth manuscript, I’ve realized that the only dependable thing about writing a novel is that no two novels are written via the same process. Which can be frustrating, but now that I know not to expect that whatever trick I used to get the previous book finished will work on the present book, I’m philosophical about it. And I can’t help but admit that the unpredictability of it keeps me on my toes!

I have to wonder whether you call your cat a “cah” if he’s named after Stephen Colbert (colbair!). Thanks for your great answers to my questions. I love a dandy in romance – I’m currently writing one myself and having great fun with him (so does my heroine – EVENTUALLY!). Do you have a question for the Banditas and Bandita buddies?

What are some of your favorite romances featuring dandies? Just to get things started I’ll toss out one of mine: THE FAMOUS HEROINE by Mary Balogh. Francis is wonderful in his utter devotion to his own fashion point of view. And in his devotion to Cora!

Manda has very generously offered a copy of HOW TO ROMANCE A RAKE for one commenter today. Good luck!

97 Comments

They Seek Him Here, They Seek Him There!

Posted by Anna Campbell Jul 17 2012, 9:28 pm in Anna Campbell, historical romance, series, Seven Nights in a Rogue's Bed, Sons of Sin

by Anna Campbell

I’ve just finished the first draft of the second book in the Sons of Sin series, the story to follow SEVEN NIGHTS IN A ROGUE’S BED which is out on 25th September. Just about to start editing my messy draft. I really enjoyed writing this story and I hope readers will enjoy it too. The heroine is strong and smart and refuses to be bamboozled by the hero in spite of his best efforts at provocation. The hero is a Scarlet Pimpernel character who hides a heroic soul under a languid, nonchalant facade. Sink me, as they say in the classics! This book should be out next year from Grand Central Press.

No Comments

Kylie Griffin’s Superhero Alliance!

Posted by Anna Campbell Jul 6 2012, 12:02 am in Alliance Forged, Anna Campbell, Australian Author, Bandita Booty, interviews, Kylie Griffin, Light Blade Series, Paranormal elements, romantic fantasy, series, Vengeance Born, writing life

by Anna Campbell

I’m delighted to welcome back my very talented Aussie pal, Kylie Griffin. Kylie’s first book VENGEANCE BORN received great buzz in Romancelandia and her second book ALLIANCE FORGED looks like it’s going to continue the magic (pun intended). To give you an example, RT Book Reviews said of ALLIANCE FORGED that, “Griffin does a stellar job envisioning her world and its compelling protagonists. Well worth your time!”

You can read an excerpt of ALLIANCE FORGED here: http://kyliegriffin.com/AF_Excerpt.html

Kylie, welcome back to the lair! Congratulations on the success of VENGEANCE BORN, the first book of your Light Blade series. Now the second book ALLIANCE FORGED has been released.  Can you tell us about this story?

Anna, it’s wonderful to be back in the lair. I received such a warm welcome last time from everyone that I’m really looking forward to this visit!

Thanks for the congrats on VENGEANCE BORN, it’s been such an amazing ride so far (hard to believe that was back in February) and it’s all due to the readers who have been so supportive! And here we are, on my second bog tour, celebrating the release of ALLIANCE FORGED, and I’m so excited to be sharing more about the story with your readers.

Let’s start with the blurb.

There is no mercy in the demon realm. No escape. In this place of desperation and conflict, anyone who is not purebred is virtually powerless. Until a blind priestess lays claim to a half-breed warrior, body and soul…

Hunted and marked for death by Na’Reish demons for their half-blood heritage, the Na’Chi are searching for a new home—something an alliance offered by the human leader could provide. With both races divided by prejudice, when Light Blade rebels brutally attack the Na’Chi, the alliance seems doomed to fail.

Varian, leader of the Na’Chi, a hybrid race of gifted warriors, is cursed with the darker impulses of his demon heritage. Controlling the part of himself that craves the high of the battle is a struggle he’s afraid he’ll lose—until he meets Kymora Tayn, a priestess driven to serve her deity. While he’s unwilling to trust anyone outside his people, he finds himself drawn to Kymora’s strength and passionate nature, and discovers she has the power to calm the darkness inside him.

When the Na’Reish raid human territory for blood-slaves and kickstart a war, the key to the survival of both races—Na’Chi and human— is an alliance. However, when Kymora is kidnapped, pitting human against human, Varian realizes he must embrace his darker half, not only to save the alliance…but also the woman he loves.

ALLIANCE FORGED picks up just a few short months after VENGEANCE BORN finishes. The humans and Na’Chi (half-bloods) have formed a tentative alliance but there’s still a lot of uncertainty from both sides as to whether this partnership will work.

Prejudice and acceptance of those with differences were themes explored in VENGEANCE BORN, and they weave their way through ALLIANCE FORGED, but the theme of journeys and the significant lessons they teach us is also explored.

Kymora’s spent most of her life committed to the Temple in the service of her deity. From acolyte to high priestess and spiritual leader of her people, it’s a role she expects to spend her life fulfilling.

Varian, the warrior-leader of the Na’Chi, a half-human half-demon race, fights to protect his people from those who consider them abominations because of their mixed blood heritage. He seeks a safe haven for them.

As you can see both Varian and Kymora start on very distinct paths, ones well defined, but it isn’t long before they discover how quickly events can change and their journeys twist in a direction they least expect.

Whether Varian and Kymora end up at the same destination…well, that’s something readers will have to discover for themselves! 

Sounds great! What were the inspirations behind this book?

Much of my fantasy writing up until the Light Blade series were stories based around human characters, human relationships, human conflicts and I wanted to try something that involved a non-human element.

At the time I was writing VENGEANCE BORN vampires, werewolves, and shifters dominated the market, and the stories were set in a contemporary world or very urban fantasy based. Creating a fantasy world with different races (al la LORD OF THE RINGS style) really appealed to me. It’s as simple as that.

But why demons? No idea. All I can tell you is they’re not styled or based on any familiar mythology. In the Light Blade world my demons are known as the Na’Reish and they’re all-powerful, dominating the humans physically as well as in numbers. They’re taller, built larger, have enhanced senses and strength and the balance of power lies in their favor.

In VENGEANCE BORN, it’s revealed that humans and demons once coexisted peacefully and that with the pairings of human and demon couples hybrid children could be produced. The revelation that anyone who possessed a Gift (as these special abilities are known) – Na’Chi or human – came from a mixed bloodline, something that shocked and appalled many.

Annika, the heroine from VENGEANCE BORN, has remarkable healing abilities that can also be used to kill. In ALLIANCE FORGED readers will get to see some of the different abilities of the Na’Chi (the hero Varian), as well as those humans who possess Gifts (the heroine Kymora).

I notice that book 3 in the series, ALLEGIANCE SWORN, is available next April. Can you give us any hints about this story and where it takes the series?

I’d love to share the blurb for ALLEGIANCE SWORN but it contains information that will spoil a secondary plot twist from ALLIANCE FORGED, so I won’t post it here. All I can say is that one of the characters in this story has already appeared in VENGEANCE BORN and ALLIANCE FORGED. The hero and heroine are an unlikely pairing, and one of them must overcome a tormented past in order to move forward. Readers will see the plot move from human territory to deep within Na’Riesh territory. They’ll learn more about the demon’s caste-based lifestyle and brutal culture of slavery. And the war between the humans and Na’Reish concludes in ALLEGIANCE SWORN and finishes off an over-arcing storyline that I began in VENGEANCE BORN.

As I said, I won’t include the blurb here, but if readers are interested, it’s up on my website.

Your first book VENGEANCE BORN came out in February, 2012. What have your first few months as a published author been like? Any surprises?

Phew, where to start! A little background would probably be helpful before summing up the last few months in one word.

After taking a two-year sabbatical, I returned to teaching. The school term began just as VENGEANCE BORN was released, and I began my February blog tour. On top of that I was juggling line edits for ALLIANCE FORGED and writing the first draft of ALLEGIANCE SWORN.

So the term I’d use is manic. It’s been a lot of work, but honestly, I wouldn’t swap it for anything!

The biggest surprise has been the emails from readers. I’ve loved receiving them, and most have been so positive, with messages of how much they enjoyed reading VENGEANCE BORN.

The real kicker were the men who’ve read VENGEANCE BORN, enjoyed it, and let me know! One fellow said, and I quote, “You could have cut back on the mushy stuff but the rest was pretty good.” High praise considering I hadn’t expected a lot of men to read a fantasy romance!

I’ve always been so impressed that you’re not just a brilliant writer, but a superhero! Can you tell us about your work with the Rural Fire Service and the NSW State Emergency Service? I bet you’ve got some great stories!

I don’t know about the superhero bit, Anna! LOL

I enjoy volunteering and helping others, so joining the Rural Fire Service and NSW State Emergency Service was something I just did when I moved here. And I apologise in advance for the lengthy response but this is a huge part of my life and something I feel passionate about.

Our little rural village has a local pub, a one person police station, a one teacher school with 10 children, two churches, a general store that doubles as a post office and an agricultural supply business. Being so isolated where we are, it can take emergency services up to an hour to respond to emergency calls from the nearest towns.  Our volunteer fire brigade consists of five members – I’m the deputy captain and only female in the unit and we respond to both bushfires and structural fires. 

The SES unit helps out in floods and storms and because of our isolation, we’re also tasked with the responsibilities of search and rescue, road crash, and community first response (aka ambulance calls). With only six members (and two of us are in both organizations) I’ve been Controller, deputy controller and grunt in this organization.

Our RFS unit trains once a month and the SES unit trains once a week, while our CFR team (aka ambulance response team) has an extra night of training per month. The skills are part of what I love about the organizations – they’re so different from my day to day job (teaching). I’ve learned how to back-burn, black out (the perimeter of a fire). I’ve operated a chainsaw, communications equipment, cut up vehicles to free trapped casualties, monitored floods, helped people stranded by flood waters, been on line searches for the missing, and learned how to use a defibrillator, an oxy-viva machine, and administered drugs.

And yes, some of our call outs are quite memorable.

One of the most heartbreaking emergencies involved attending an incident with two infants. A team member and I had to perform CPR on both of them until the ambulance arrived. One child survived, the other was declared DOA at the hospital. In such a small community as ours, this had a devastating effect, not only on the family but many of the locals who knew them. Myself included because I taught their children.

 A more light-hearted and amusing call out involved us heading out to assist a woman who’d gone into labor. She lived on a property in the middle of the bush and to get to their place we had to traverse a goat track, in torrential rain (which had been coming down for hours) which made driving the dirt track hazardous. There were three of us on the call out. When we got there we made the decision to evacuate the family of five as we knew we’d never make it back in there a second time. With two of us in the front of our 4WD vehicle, the pregnant woman and her family piled in the back seat and me in the canopied back sitting on top of all our medical supplies, we only just made it out of there. 

Then we discovered the driver of the ambulance who had responded from the nearest town had managed to bog their vehicle twelve feet inside the front gate. So we transferred the family into the ambulance then used our road crash gear to pull the ambulance out of the bog and tow them back onto the tar road. We didn’t get to see the woman’s child born but then, I think the “rescue” of her and the ambulance was adventure enough for one night!

 I’ve been to catastrophic bushfires, house-fires, motor vehicle fatalities, searches for missing people (whom we’ve found alive and deceased), ambulance call outs involving amputated limbs, heart attack casualties and emergencies where I’ve used CPR to sustain life.

Every call out gives me an adrenaline rush, but it’s the camaraderie of working within a tight knit team (members I trust with my life, and have done on some occasions) and the satisfaction of knowing you’ve helped someone that keeps me going back week after week to train and responding to my pager when it goes off. I wouldn’t swap that for anything.

Wow, Kylie, I’m not joking with the superhero moniker! Is there anything you’d like to ask the Banditas and Bandita Buddies?

Anna, thank you so much for hosting me here in the lair again. I’ve had a great time sharing a little bit about ALLIANCE FORGED (and a lot about my volunteer work! ).

I’d love to ask you readers if they have any interesting tales about emergencies they’ve experienced. Are there any fellow fire fighters or rescue workers out there? Or volunteers of any sort, who help out their communities? I’d enjoy hearing your stories.

Kylie has very generously offered a commenter today a copy of her latest book ALLIANCE FORGED (international giveaway). So get commenting people! Good luck!

111 Comments

Series ARC–A Duchess to Remember Giveaway

Posted by Christina Brooke Apr 11 2012, 1:57 am in A Duchess to Remember, Advance Reading Copy, ARC, Bandit Booty, Bones, Christina Brooke, Happy Days, MI5, Ministry of Marriage, series, Spooks, Twin Peaks

Over the weekend, they aired the final episode of the final series of one of my favourite TV dramas of all time: Spooks, or as you in the United States know it, MI5, a drama about the domestic British secret service.

I only realized after I saw the credits roll that it was the final episode and felt that jolt of sadness I always experience when a great book ends. This was a series full of complex characters and heart-stopping suspense. It was different from many other spy thrillers because yes, the good guys could die–and often did. One thing I’m grateful for is that this series IMHO never ‘jumped the shark’. I will watch all 10 series again and again.

Another series I’m glomming at the moment is Bones. I couldn’t care less about the whodunnit mystery most of the time–it’s the interplay between the wonderful forensic anthropologist Bones (Temperence Brennan) and David Boreanaz’s character, FBI agent Booth that draws me in.

Bones uses logic to solve problems. Booth goes with his gut instinct. Booth often has to explain to the emotionally shut down Bones about feelings. It’s a refreshing change from the female = empathetic, male = unfeeling stereotype. The best episode of the series was the one where Bones must save her father from a prison sentence not by any amazing forensic analysis (her strength) but by allowing her emotions to hold sway. That was wonderful writing because it’s a far greater challenge for Bones to tap into her emotions than it is for her to work out what blunt instrument caused a head trauma. I do not want this series to end. Luckily, I came in late so I have a lot of episodes left to watch.

Then there are the series that let us down at the end. Anyone remember Twin Peaks? I loved that series but have never watched it again because of that crapola ending. If anyone here can explain it to me, that would be much appreciated!

Or Happy Days, which I think should have ended when Ron Howard left the show. And then again, there are some wonderful series that get cut off in their prime because they don’t garner enough of an audience. The Australian Crownies is an example. I wanted that series to continue but apparently I was among the few.

Which brings me to the end (sort of) of my Ministry of Marriage series–in A Duchess to Remember (out June 26), Cecily meets her match in the enigmatic Duke of Ashburn. This ties up the series from the three girls’ point of view. I hope readers will find it a worthy finale and that I won’t be ‘jumping the shark’ if I move on to the three Westruther men–Lords Beckenham, Lydgate and Steyne. I’ve had enough reader mail begging for these gentlemen’s stories to hope that’s not the case.

Here is the blurb:

Lady Cecily Westruther is nothing if not practical. By agreeing to marry an older duke who already has an heir and a mistress, she can assume a wifely role—without the wifely duties. Only one thing stands in her way—a  letter that could destroy her betrothal. Desperate to retrieve that letter, Cecily must match wits with the most dangerously seductive man she’s ever known…

Disguised as a footman, Cecily gains entry to her adversary’s house—only to be unmasked by London’s most powerful man. Rand, Duke of Ashburn, is accustomed to getting any woman he wants—and he wants Cecily. He will stop at nothing, including seduction, to make her his. But Rand holds a secret more shocking and destructive than that letter could ever be…

I mention Duchess today because I have an Advance Reading Copy to give away to one lucky commenter. Woohoo!

So tell me: do you likes series? What’s your favourite romance novel series? TV series?

Do you know what the heck that ending in Twin Peaks was all about? Inquiring minds want to know!

116 Comments

Ch-Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes!

Posted by Anna Campbell Mar 10 2012, 12:02 am in Anna Campbell, anya seton, Australian Authors, Avon Books, Bandita Booty, contests, David Bowie, dunstanburgh castle, Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence, Grand Central Publishing, historical romance, john of gaunt, katherine, Midnight's Wild Passion, series, Seven Nights in a Rogue's Bed, Sons of Sin

by Anna Campbell

Always happy to share a David Bowie video and I think Changes is such a great song. Hmm, maybe I can work my all-time fave David Bowie song Heroes into a blog in the future. I think it’s got potential!

There have been Ch-Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes in Campbellandia over the last year. And I’m finally in a position to let my Banditas and Bandita Buddies know all about them. Huzzah!

A few of you have contacted me asking when the next book is out. The answer is…

October 2012!

In North America, I’ve changed publishers from Avon to Grand Central Publishing (I’m still with HarperCollins in Australia). SEVEN NIGHTS IN A ROGUE’S BED (I love that title – it was actually my working title and I’m so glad that Grand Central have decided to keep it) is the first book in my first series called “Sons of Sin”. The link between the books in what is currently projected as a trilogy is that scandal surrounds the birth of each of my aristocratic heroes. I’m currently working on the second book which has a vaguely Scarlet Pimpernel feel and I’m having a wonderful time with the story.

Anyway, back to SEVEN NIGHTS IN A ROGUE’S BED. It’s a very gothic take on Beauty and the Beast. I know all my stories are BATB but this one’s really OVERT. In fact, even the characters know they’re in a Beauty and the Beast story, LOL! It opens with brave, beautiful Sidonie Forsythe presenting herself at half-ruined Castle Craven on the Devon Coast to save her sister from a fate worse than death. But while  the man she meets might be scarred and tormented, he’s no monster. I fell in love with beastly Jonas Merrick, the ‘rogue’ of the title, and I hope readers will too.

Here’s the blurb:

WILL A WEEK OF SEDUCTION . . .

Desperate to save her sister’s life, Sidonie Forsythe has agreed to submit herself to a terrible fate: Beyond the foreboding walls of Castle Craven, a notorious, hideously scarred scoundrel will take her virtue over the course of seven sinful nights. Yet instead of a monster, she encounters a man like no other. And during this week, she comes to care for Jonas Merrick in ways that defy all logic-even as a dark secret she carries threatens them both.

. . . SPARK A LIFETIME OF PASSIONATE SURRENDER?

Ruthless loner Jonas knows exactly who he is. Should he forget, even for a moment, the curse he bears, a mere glance in the mirror serves as an agonizing reminder. So when the lovely Sidonie turns up on his doorstep, her seduction is an even more delicious prospect than he originally planned. But the hardened outcast is soon moved by her innocent beauty, sharp wit, and surprising courage. Now as dangerous enemies gather at the gate to destroy them, can their new, fragile love survive?

The picture above is of Dunstanburgh Castle in Northumberland. Castle Craven in ROGUE is actually on the Devon coast but I used this magnificent ruin (it once belonged to John of Gaunt which will make admirers of Anya Seton’s KATHERINE leap about with excitement) was the inspiration for the setting. Mind you, Jonas’s castle does have the odd habitable room, unlike Dunstanburgh! I mean, I need somewhere for the ‘bed’ of the title!

STOP PRESS! THE COVER IS UP ON AMAZON AND

YOU CAN PRE-ORDER IT! HUZZAH! ISN’T THIS A BEAUTIFUL COVER? I’M IN LURVE!!!!

Anyway, as you can imagine you’ll be hearing MUCH more about SEVEN NIGHTS IN A ROGUE’S BED over the next months, but I just wanted to give you all a heads up as to what’s happening and when you can expect a new Anna Campbell book. Over the next little while, I’ll be sharing an excerpt and I’m sure dropping many, MANY more hints about this new story.

Speaking of Anna Campbell books, I’m delighted to say I just heard that my 2011 release MIDNIGHT’S WILD PASSION has finaled in the Birmingham Southern Magic Chapter’s Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence. Even better, my lovely Bandita friend Donna MacMeans has finaled too with her great REDEEMING THE ROGUE. Congratulations, Donna!

So I thought I’d hold a giveaway to celebrate my publishing news and also this Award of Excellence final. One lucky commenter today will receive a signed copy of MIDNIGHT’S WILD PASSION.

So obviously that’s your October reading sorted (snork!). What other books are you looking forward to hitting the shelves this year? I know I’m really looking forward to all my Bandita sisters’ releases (that’s a no-brainer) and the new Madeline Hunter series “The Fairbourne Quartet” starting with THE SURRENDER OF MISS FAIRBOURNE this month. Tell me some of your reading plans and you might win MIDNIGHT’S WILD PASSION! How’s that for a deal?

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