Guest Author Sabrina York Talks About Steamy Regency Romance

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My guest today is Ellora’s Cave author Sabrina York, aka “Her Royal Hotness,” whose book Dark Fancy has just been released.

(Note that Sabrina is giving away a gorgeous tiara to some lucky subscriber to her newsletter. See photo below.)

Raving Reviews and (Steamy) Regency Romance

I’ll admit it. I LOVE writing erotic romance. It’s so much fun tying together deep, gripping emotions and really hot sex. But it surprised me how much I really LOVED writing erotic Regencies.

There’s just something about historical romance, the dashing heroes, the ridiculous rules of the time—the elbow length gloves. Something that makes me want to incite my characters to mischief.

Imagine how delighted I was that my first attempt at this intriguing era was met with rave reviews! Night Owl Reviews said: “Folly is one of the best historical romances I’ve ever read…everything I like about romances; a handsome, mysterious hero, a strong, but vulnerable heroine, comical side characters, a cruel villain, and just the right amount of a physical relationship between characters. York keeps the romance going, while keeping the book a page-turner. I couldn’t put down. York really knows how to write a truly steamy, exciting, and satisfying romance.”

How fortuitous that I had already finished and edited the prequel, Dark Fancy. This short and steamy novel tells the tale of James Tully, Earl of Darlington and the wayward waif who captures his heart, Helena Eloise Simpson.

James is betrothed to marry some faceless woman when he meets this adorable runaway. He has it in his mind to seduce her and introduce her to his darkest fancy—which of course, is quite naughty. By the time he realizes Eloise is really Helena, his betrothed, it’s too late. She’s fled.

You know he has to chase her!

I hope you enjoy this blurb and excerpt from Dark Fancy. Please pick up the book if you can, and be sure to let me know how you liked it.

About Dark Fancy

When Lady Helena Eloise Simpson flees an unwanted marriage to a revolting lord, she finds refuge with James, a charming, handsome man unlike any she’s ever known. Helena concocts the perfect solution to her problem. She asks—begs—James to ruin her. Surely her betrothed will repudiate her if she is no longer pure. And if all her efforts fail and she still ends up married to a horrid man until the end of her days, she will—at least once—have known true passion.

But James is not all he seems. He is, in fact, a wicked lord with a dark fancy. When Helena awakens his desire, he becomes determined to take everything she has to offer and more. No matter the cost.

Excerpt

“Men are very possessive, are they not?”

He shrugged. “Some are.”

“But would those men, the ones who are, would they want a bride who was not pure?”

He licked his lips again although there was no droplet there. “What are you proposing, Eloise?” The low throb of his voice excited her. He knew what she was proposing, and judging from the cant of his head, he liked the idea.

“I was just thinking, if you spoiled me, maybe he wouldn’t want me anymore.”

“Spoiled you?” His brow wrinkled. He said the word as though it tasted bad.

“Deflowered me.”

He swallowed. “You’re a virgin.” Not a question. He was just clarifying the facts. But the prospect concerned him. His thoughts were plain on his face.

“I’m a desperate virgin. Please, James. Won’t you consider it?”

“I’ve been considering it since the instant we met.”

A shard of heat sliced through her. “You have?” She traced the edge of her cup. “I was wondering if you found me attractive.”

He snorted. Then took an altogether too deep draw of wine. Coughed. Once he recovered, he said, “Yes, my dear. I do find you attractive. And as much as I ache to…spoil you, I find myself clutched in the claws of conscience.”

“Haven’t you ever ruined a woman before?”

His laugh came out in a bark. “Indeed, I hope I have. Ruined her for other men, at least. But no. I’ve never had a virgin.” He sobered. “I am told it can be painful.”

She threw back her shoulders. “I’m sure I could bear it. If it released me from this abominable betrothal.” She flicked a look at him beneath her lashes. “I should so like to try.”

James stared at Eloise, brave, proud, innocent Eloise. He could relate to the passion in her plea. He had a sudden desire to be released from a betrothal himself. He fiddled with the corner of his napkin. “There is always the chance your betrothed won’t care if you’re ruined.” Some men did not.

Her lashes fluttered. When they rose again, there was a look in her eye that sent lust coursing down his spine. It settled in his lap. “If I’m to be married to a bilious flounder of a man for the rest of my life, I should like to know passion just once. Just once, James.”

“J-just once?” His voice cracked.

Her smile blossomed. “Perhaps more than once.”

He had to laugh, although this was clearly no laughing matter. “My dear. I would be happy to oblige.”

“Excellent!” She clapped her hands with glee.

Unfortunate, that, because it made her look, once again, like a little girl. But then she picked up her cup and ran her pink tongue around the rim, lapping at the wayward drops. He reached for the second bottle.

She held out her cup for a refill. “You will need to show me what to do.”

He almost forgot to stop pouring. Hell yes. He’d love to show her what to do. He’d love to instruct her—in elaborate detail—what, precisely, to do. Something snarled in his belly. His palm itched.

He forced down that decadent desire. Chained the beast.

For God’s sake. She was an innocent, a virgin. If he opened with that card, not only would she truly be ruined, she would probably hie off to the nearest nunnery and spend the remainder of her life in seclusion.

Oh, he would bed her. He would despoil and beguile her, but only in the very gentlest of fashions.

But his fantasies, the darkling imagery of what he would truly like to do, simmered.

“Are you…” He cleared his throat. “Are you ready for your bath?”

“Heavens, yes.” Once again, she clapped her hands.

The childlike gesture was off-putting since, at the moment, he was thinking of sinking into her body and swallowing her moans with his mouth. But he liked her enthusiasm. It also made him desire—very deeply—to tie those hands to the bedposts. So she couldn’t clap them.

Why that thought made him salivate, he didn’t know.

Ah hell. Of course he knew.

Despite the lust snarling through him, he managed a modicum of chivalry, although it was perfunctory at best. “I’ll fashion a curtain.”

Her next words nearly unmanned him. “You don’t need to.”

“I b-beg your pardon?”

“You don’t need to bother with a curtain.” For a shy and demure innocent, she had something of a brazen streak. “I mean, if we’re going to…you know…”

“Make love?”

“Yes. If we’re going to make love, you will see me naked anyway.” A frown crossed her brow. “Won’t you?”

He chuckled. “Most certainly.”

“I thought so. But people are not very forthcoming when one asks about such things.”

“Really?” That had not been his experience in the slightest. Then again, she was a girl. The world sought to save and protect innocence. Until it ravaged it.

He did not know why he trembled as he poured the heavy buckets into the tub. He was a man of the world. Jaded and used to much more decadent fare than initiating virgins to the delights of the flesh. He should hardly be nervous about the prospect of having her.

Then again, maybe it wasn’t nerves. Maybe it was just pure, seething desire…

Dark Fancy is now available for preorder on Amazon.

About Sabrina York

Sabrina is an award winning author of erotic romance with over a dozen titles available, ranging from sweet & sexy erotic romance to BDSM to erotic horror. Connect with her on twitter @sabrina_york or Facebook.

Check out Sabrina’s books and read an excerpt on her webpage (www.sabrinayork.com) or explore on Amazon or at Ellora’s Cave.

Dark Fancy: Erotic Regency
Folly: Erotic Regency
Adam’s Obsession: Contemporary Erotic Romance
Extreme Couponing: Contemporary BDSM
Pushing Her Buttons: Contemporary BDSM
Rising Green: Steamy Erotic horror
Training Tess: Contemporary BDSM
Trickery: Magical Domination
Tristan’s Temptation: Contemporary Erotic Romance

Coming Releases

Man Hungry (Short Story): Available March 31, 2013 from Ellora’s Cave

Win a Tiara From Her Royal Hotness!

Enter to win a gorgeous tiara by signing up for Sabrina York’s Royal Hotsheet (new book and contest info only—no spam! Your e-mail address will not be shared). If you’re already getting the newsletter, don’t fret. You’re already in the drawing. Send an email with “Enter Me” in the subject line (this is erotica, after all) to sabrina@sabrinayork.com. The drawing will be March 31, 2013.

One entry per person.

Refer Your Friends Bonus Entries

Tell your friends about Sabrina York, Her Royal Hotness. If they sign up for Sabrina’s Hotsheet you earn another entry, plus a chance at a Referrals Only drawing for more bling. (NOTE: They must tell me that you referred them in the message box so I can give you credit).

Good luck!!!

Mary Balogh: Regency Author Extraordinaire

Feb21

Most writers dream of publishing a best-seller, quitting their day jobs, and basking in the glory of riches, readers, and glowing reviews. Unfortunately, a significant percentage of wannabe authors fall by the wayside when the path to fame becomes littered with rejections and disappointments.

Mary Balogh is one of the exceptions. She wrote her first novel, A Masked Deception, in longhand in the kitchen after the dishes were done. Three months later, Signet offered her a two-book contract. The first book was published in 1985 and she won the Romantic Times Award for Best New Regency Author the same year.

Balogh grew up as a Jenkins in Swansea, Wales, married a Canadian who likes to play Santa Claus during the holidays, and taught high school English for twenty years before she was finally able to leave teaching to become a full-time author in 1988. She discovered Georgette Heyer during a maternity leave when she was working through a Grade XI reading list, and was instantly addicted to the world she’d only known before through the novels of Jane Austen.

The Baloghs live in the city of Regina, Saskatchewan in the winters and Kipling, a rural farming community, in the summer months.

Discovering Mary Balogh

Coincidentally, my own interest in Regency romance was piqued with Georgette Heyer as well, and eventually I discovered the Signet and Zebra lines. I can’t recall which of Balogh’s I stumbled upon first, but I can tell you that after that I scrambled to find everything she’d ever written. When she announced that she had written her last Signet in order to write longer-length novels, I felt betrayed. While I enjoy her later books as well, for some reason, I still think of Mary Balogh as a Signet Regency author.

What Is It About Balogh’s Writing?

It’s the characters. In A Secret Pearl, which I’m re-reading right now, I feel the desperation of the young girl forced to offer herself to a man in order to survive. She’s alone in the world, fleeing from a villainous cousin, unable to find respectable work, and her options are few. I have tears in my eyes just thinking about her dreadful situation. Then suddenly she is whisked away to a ducal estate to be serve as governess, as it turns out, to the daughter of the man who took her virginity. A married man. And then her cousin shows up…but I was hooked long before that. I must find out how my heroine gets her happy-ever-after when it seems hopeless.

As you can see, Balogh doesn’t shy away from the darker themes. While the typical balls and waltzes do feature in her Regency stories, they often take a back seat to the seamier, more uncomfortable topics, such as adultery and prostitution. In fact, one of the books I will never forget is about a prostitute named Priscilla who becomes a mistress. Here is what Balogh herself says about A Precious Jewel.

This is the book of mine that seemed impossible to write but had to be written. Sir Gerald Stapleton was a minor character in The Ideal Wife and was forever lamenting the loss of Priss, his long-term mistress, who had left him to marry someone from her past. I found myself not only fascinated by that relationship—Gerald had taken Priss from a brothel to be his mistress—but also obsessed by it. I couldn’t stop thinking about it and weaving a story about it—and dreaming up a reconciliation and happy ending for them.

The problem was obvious. I was writing traditional Regency romances at the time, and it was clearly impossible to use a working prostitute as a heroine. And Gerald himself was a beta male, not the dashing, rakish rogue so beloved of Regency readers.

But the story would not leave me alone. I finally wrote it—it took me two weeks!—and shelved it for a while. No one would ever publish it. It had been written for my own satisfaction. But one day I sent it to my editor anyway, just to see how she would react. She reacted by sending it straight through to copyediting! And when it was published, it became a reader favorite.*

*http://www.marybalogh.com/preciousjewel3.html

Which of Balogh’s books is your favorite? Do you prefer her earlier, shorter Regencies or the later, longer ones? What do you think of her use of themes commonly considered taboo in the Regency sub-genre?

Web site: http://www.marybalogh.com

Susana Welcomes the Heartbreaker Blog Hop!

Feb8

Damian Ashby, Lord Clinton

Why is Lord Clinton the target of marriage-minded misses and their ambitious mothers?

He’s a viscount and the heir to an earldom.
He’s wealthy.
He’s considered to be “exceedingly well-favored.”
His exceptional fashion sense makes him one of the most imitated gentlemen of the ton.
He’s single.
He’s also intelligent, well-educated, does not gamble excessively or live beyond his means.

What’s not to like? Well…

He’s surrounded by sycophants and admirers, has no close family to rein him in, and he’s become arrogant.
He is intolerant of the faults of others and his set-downs have sent more than one young girl home in tears.
He looks down on country folks as being uncivilized.

On meeting Lady Theresa, he dismisses her as a mannerless country chit. One with amazing blue eyes, but still…he’d never consider marrying a girl like her. Even if he were thinking of marriage, which he definitely is not. No, when he takes on a leg-shackle—years into the future—it will be a well-bred society lady who is eminently suitable to become his countess.

But Lady Theresa is more than what she appears at first. And Damian, too, has depths to him that have been sadly neglected in recent years. But she is a country lady, first and foremost, and he is one of the top Corinthians in London. A marriage between them would be a disaster. Wouldn’t it?

Do you think a match between two completely opposite people is a good idea? Why or why not?

Treasuring Theresa is a Regency short story available at Ellora’s Cave, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, Sony, Google Play, All Romance E-books, and Bookstrand.

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To be eligible for the grand prizes, comment on the blog post, making sure to leave your email address. Be sure to answer the question at the end of the post before moving on to the Rafflecopter contest (below).

Win a $20 Amazon Gift Card

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Treasuring Theresa Coffee Mug

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Guest Interview: Berengaria Brown

Jan31

Today my guest is Berengaria Brown, who writes in many sub-genres of romance, although today she’ll be discussing her Regency series. Welcome to Susana’s Parlour, Berengaria!

What is your favorite historical period or region and why? Did you enjoy history while you were in school or was it frankly boring? How would you suggest we teach history to kids now—(i.e.) can fiction maybe be a tool here? Do you think we can and should learn from the past or is it now irrelevant to modern times and issues?

I loved history in school and have always enjoyed reading history textbooks, and biographies as well as historical fiction. Likely my favorite era is Regency England, thanks to an addiction to Georgette Heyer developed in my early teenage years, but I also enjoy medieval. One of the first biographies I read was of Queen Elizabeth I of England and I developed, and have maintained, a great deal of admiration for her.

People and what motivates them don’t change, but the means by which they achieve their ambitions may change. I think kids enjoy history more when they hear the stories of the people. Learning the dates of battles may be boring but hearing about the people who lived through those battles is more engaging.

Do you think historical accuracy is important in fiction? How about the use of modern speech and politically correct ideas instead of those that faithfully portray the period? Do you find this good, bad, a necessary evil or something you shun?

Factual accuracy is essential. People didn’t know about germs, microscopes and antibiotics had not been invented. They would never have sterilized the wounds. But your hero can fall into a river and wash off the dirt that way. Politically correct is a bit different. You do need to be correct to the ideas of the times. For example “bloody” was not used as a swear word as it was considered a reference to menstruation—something that was never discussed. The further back in history you go though, the more difficult it is to use the correct language as we have lost the words or their meanings have changed. But I consider it very important not to use a concept that was not yet understood. No psychology in medieval times, but you heroine may be considered mad or a witch.

Can you share a favorite author and title that perhaps inspired you to write in the historical genre?

Georgette Heyer. Any of her Regencies. She is the epitome of the era for me.

If there were such a thing as a time machine, where would be the first place you would go once you had a ticket to ride? Do you think you’d want to stay or just look around and then come right back to today?

I would like to go to the Court of Queen Elizabeth I of England. It was a very exciting time historically and she was an incredibly powerful ruler.

But I would likely miss not having bathrooms and heating or air conditioning, and the Internet, and come home after a little while—in winter if not before.

Please give us a bit of information about the book or books you’re sharing today.

The Virgins No More series consists of three MF erotic Regency-set historical books featuring the Arnott family.

The Vicar’s Virgin is Georgina’s story, Almost a Virgin is Theodora’s story, and A Promising Virgin is Sapphira’s story.

Book 1: The Vicar’s Virgin

The Reverend Mr. Ridley needs a wife so he focuses his attentions on Georgina Arnott, a sensible, intelligent, yet attractive woman.

On their wedding night he’s relieved to discover she enjoys the pleasures of the bed, and, after a slow start, their evenings are full of passion and joy for both of them.

Unfortunately, when she takes an interest in his parish, it seems to involve filling his house with noisy people tramping muddy boots through the hallways, and filling his kitchen with dirty children.

He loves his wife. But can this marriage work?

Buy link: http://www.evernightpublishing.com/the-vicars-virgin-by-berengaria-brown/

Book 2: Almost a Virgin

Theodora has loved John Smith ever since she was a little girl. But he’s very wealthy and she is only a vicar’s daughter and sister.

John had been waiting for Theodora to grow up. When he kisses Theodora in the garden at the ball, lust roars through him and he takes her there in the garden, fully dressed, only a few yards away from a hundred people. She’s warm and more than willing in his arms, and it’s not until the deed is done that he realizes he’s just dishonored his best friend’s sister.

Theodora doesn’t regret what she’s done. She enjoyed it and wants more of him. Even though he’s only marrying her because he dishonored her, she doesn’t care. She’ll make him so happy in bed and in his home he’ll stay with her even though he may never love her.

Buy link: http://www.evernightpublishing.com/almost-a-virgin-by-berengaria-brown/

Book 3: A Promising Virgin

Zethan, Earl of Mitcham, decides, after careful thought, that the stunningly beautiful Miss Sapphira Arnott will make him the perfect wife. It’s only when she declines his oh-so-flattering offer, that he realizes how rude and arrogant he’d been to her and her brother, and how much he loves her. The only solution is to woo her properly.

Meanwhile Simeon Arnott is in love with Miss Anne Smith. But she’s incredibly rich and he’s a mere baronet. Fortunately her brother and she herself accept his proposal and they have an extremely successful wedding night. Their ball, however, is almost less than successful thanks to the “help” of the three youngest Arnotts and their plans to go one better than a recent much-talked-about society event.

The Season is almost over. Can Zethan win his lady’s trust?

Buy link: http://www.evernightpublishing.com/a-promising-virgin-by-berengaria-brown/

STORY EXCERPT

The earl was standing at the window, his back to her. He was a very good-looking man—tall, with broad shoulders, and muscled arms and legs. She knew he rode well and played all sorts of manly pursuits. And, of course, he was rich and titled. Simeon was right. She wouldn’t get a better offer than this one from him. And she did like him. She enjoyed his company. He was always a considerate dance partner and his conversation was intelligent and witty. Her heart always beat faster when he held her in his arms for a waltz. She’d known herself very jealous of other women if he danced the waltz with them. Did that mean she loved him? She looked at his taut ass in his tight breeches. His body looked mighty fine and being older than her he’d know well how to please a woman. Her belly clenched at the thought of a man’s hands in all her secret places. She rather thought she’d enjoy the marriage bed. Especially with a well-built, good-looking man like Mitcham.

“Have you finished looking at me, Sapphira? Shall we have the wedding one month from today? In the cathedral of course. No other church will be big enough for all the guests I’ll need to invite.”

Sapphira took a step back in surprise. “You haven’t asked me yet.”

Mitcham stared at her then came closer and took her hands in his. “Dear Miss Arnott, please accept my offer to unite my house with yours in holy matrimony.”

“Do you care for me at all?” she asked hesitantly.

“You’re beautiful. Your wealth and lineage are adequate. You suit me well enough. I’ve never proposed to anyone before, if that’s what you mean. Now, I’ll send my man of affairs to the Bank of England to my lockbox to retrieve the diamond and ruby ring. You can go to Rundell and Bridge tomorrow so they can alter it to fit your finger properly. Then—”

She pulled her hands out of his grasp. “But you don’t care for me as a person. I’d always hoped to marry a man who cared for me at least a little.”

“Of course I care for you. I’m about to spend a monkey altering a family heirloom ring to fit your finger.”

“That’s not what I mean. My mama and papa loved and respected each other. They had a happy marriage. Georgina and Barnabas have found happiness together. They too love each other. I want to marry a man I can love and who loves me in return.”

“Love is for peasants, not for people of our class. You can love our son when he’s born. I will provide you with everything you can possibly need.”

“No. No you can’t. Because what I need is to be loved. I’m sorry, my lord, but I cannot accept your very flattering offer.” Sapphira turned and ran out of the room.

Where can our readers find out more about you and your writing? Please share your web site, social network pages, blogs or any other contact areas you maintain

Berengaria is a multi-published author of erotic romance: contemporary, paranormal (magic, ghosts, vampires, fairies, dragons, and werewolves), futuristic, medieval, and Regency-set historical. She loves to read all different kinds of romance so that is what she writes: one man/one woman; two women; two men; two men/one woman; three men, two women/one man, three men/one woman…. Whatever the characters need for their very hot happily-ever-after, Berengaria makes sure they get it.

I update my blog several times a week: http://berengariasblog.blogspot.com/

Website: http://berengariabrown.com/

Friend me on Facebook, follow me on Twitter

Susana, thank you so much for inviting me into your parlour today.

Berengaria

A Treatise On Lady Theresa

Jan25

One might expect an earl’s daughter to have been raised with every conceivable luxury—with the finest wardrobe and jewels money can buy, along with her own personal lady’s maid and a host of servants to do her bidding. Young ladies of the nobility would naturally be expected to attend balls and routs and a host of society events in order to attract a suitable parti for marriage. A charmed life indeed, by the standards of the day.

Not, however, by Lady Theresa’s.

Oh, Lady Theresa had her come-out, made her curtsy to the Queen, danced with eligible gentlemen, swallowed dry cakes at Almack’s, like every other aristocratic young lady. Unlike the majority, however, she did not enjoy it. In fact, she disliked it excessively.

Because Lady Theresa, despite her lofty title, despised the superficiality of the London ton. The dandified gentlemen with their pretentious manners and outrageous clothing who would stare through their quizzing glasses at unfortunate young ladies judged to be defective in some way or another. Lady Theresa herself ran afoul of them on more than one occasion, but only because she went out of her way to “rescue” the victims of these tormenters, these useless fribbles, who seemingly had everyone in the ton kowtowing to them. They disgusted her.

She preferred living in the real world. The country—specifically the Granville estate and the village where she had grown up all her life. Where people worked for a living, producing food for themselves and the rest of the country, yes, even for the indolent upper crust of society who scorned them. Where people lived—really lived—their lives and cared for their neighbors in times of need. These people—the tenants, the villagers, the families of the neighboring estates—were her family every bit as much as her father was, social status notwithstanding.

So Lady Theresa was one young lady who did not wish for a brilliant marriage and the whirl of London society. She’d rather stay in the country and marry the boy next door who also happened to be her best friend, and bring her children up among those she cared about. Was that really too much to ask?

She didn’t mind that much that someday her father’s estate would go to his distant cousin and heir, Damian Ashby. Titles and entailed property passed to the closest male heir. It wasn’t fair, of course. But that was the way of things. She’d be long married to Reese Bromfield, her childhood sweetheart, by then. By all accounts, Ashby was a London swell who would probably never spend more than a week at Granville Manor, so she’d probably see him only on rare occasions. So much the better.

But Lady Theresa’s life was about to take an unexpected turn. Not even an earl’s daughter can stop the hand of fate as it weaves its way through people’s lives. Will she have the courage to endure the afflictions heading her way and find an alternate route to happiness? Or is she doomed to a life of bitterness and misery?

Treasuring Theresa, a sweet Regency short story, is available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, AllRomance eBooks, Ellora’s Cave, Sony, Kobo and Bookstrand.

Win a $20 Amazon Gift Card

To celebrate the release of Treasuring Theresa, I am offering contests each week of January. Winners will be chosen on January 9, 16, 23, and 31. You can’t win if you don’t enter, so enter now, by clicking below or the Treasuring Theresa cover at right.

To return to the TRR Romance Madness Blog Hop, click here.

Georgette Heyer: The Grande Dame of Regency Romance

Jan24

I suppose you could say that Jane Austen was actually the first, but while she simply wrote about life in the time in which she lived, Heyer had to do so from a distance of a hundred years.

Heyer took pride in the historical authenticity of her novels, which was possible only as a result of a great deal of research on such things as daily living, fashion, transportation, famous personages, and the language that was used at the time. While critics complained that her books included too much detail of daily life at the time, in reality, this was necessary because Heyer’s readers needed it in order to understand the historical setting. And in Heyer’s stories, the setting is nearly as important as the plot!

Heyer’s first novel, The Black Moth, was written in serial form to entertain her brother in his sickbed. Her father liked it so much that he sought to have it published, which it was, in 1921. In 1935, the first of her Regency romances, Regency Buck, was published, and even though she also wrote thrillers and a few contemporary pieces, her Regency romances far outsold them. In spite of the fact that she refused to do anything to promote them.

I think the first Heyer Regency I read was Cousin Kate, which had come out only a couple of years before. I was a freshman in high school and had won a $25 gift certificate (for being the top Spanish student) to the local college bookstore. I think my teacher expected me to buy a dictionary or something, but instead, I found the romance section and loaded up. (I think most of the books were 75¢ or less, so I had quite a bagful when I left the store.)

And that was how it all started. After reading all of Heyer’s Regencies—more than once, mind—I moved on to other authors. Historicals were always my favorite, but the Regency time period has always had a special place in my heart. Why? I’m not sure I can pin it down. I did make a stab at it in a recent blog post for The Romance Reviews, though.

“…the Regency was also a time of elegant manners, fabulous balls, and glittering aristocratic lifestyles. The traditional Regency romance, à la Georgette Heyer, involves dashing heroes, spunky heroines, witty dialogue, and an unexpected, “sweet” romance.”

What’s not to like?

If you haven’t discovered Georgette Heyer’s Regencies yet, don’t wait any longer! And if you find yourself as crazy about them as I am, you might want to buy the whole lot of them. Last year, all of her books were made available for $2.99 each during the month of August, Heyer’s birthday. Make a note in your calendar and stock up!

Which of Georgette Heyer’s books is your favorite? What do you like most about her stories?

Susana Welcomes the Happy Endings Giveaway Hop!

Jan19

Hello and welcome to the Happy Endings Giveaway Hop.

Susana’s Parlour is offering two giveaways for participants of this hop:

One lucky commenter will win a free e-copy of my new release, Treasuring Theresa, a sweet Regency short story. (Be sure to answer the comment question at the end and include your email address in the comment.)
Click on the Treasuring Theresa cover at right and enter the Rafflecopter contest for a $20 Amazon Gift Card.

When you’re ready to move on, click either the Happy Endings image in this post or the link at the bottom of the post to go back to the main giveaway page.

Moving on to today’s main course:

A Happy Ending Is Not a Disney Movie

As a child, I loved fairy tales like Cinderella where the fairy godmother makes things right for the poor, abused heroine. One likes to think there is a fairy godmother out there somewhere to make things right for us when things go wrong. And it’s not just children who indulge in such dreams—people who faithfully buy lottery tickets every week do so with the hope that someday their persistence will be rewarded. Is luck a reward, though?

As an adult, however, I realize that something crucial is missing in the Cinderella story…Cinderella’s character. What did she do to solve her own problems? Not a thing. Remove the fairy godmother from the story, and what would you have? A poor, downtrodden waif. Where’s the story there?

As much as we adore rooting for the underdog, it’s because the underdog, with nothing to lose, is giving everything he’s got to bring down the favorite team. Would the movie Hoosiers be as emotionally satisfying if the big city players were all weak from the flu and the hick town team won because of a fluke? Hey, they still got the trophy and the prestige, didn’t they? But without both teams playing at their top level, there will always be doubts about the result.

And so it is with romance. The grownup in me wants to see my protagonists earn their happy ending. Luck is not enough. What did each of them do to deserve it? No fairy godmother or buried treasure. Because if I am convinced their love is strong enough for them to fight for it, I can feel certain that the pair will face the future with the same determination and will end up victorious no matter what hardships come their way.

What do you think about Cinderella-type happy endings?

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In Treasuring Theresa, both Theresa and Damian must get beyond their narrow-minded prejudices in order to see each other’s true characters. It’s not enough that Damian is attracted to Theresa’s astonishing blue eyes and feels guilty about inheriting her father’s estate. Or that Theresa finds Damian charming and handsome and knows he can rescue her from penury. A marriage of convenience is not a happy ending. To come to a true meeting of the minds, this pair is going to have to face some hard truths about themselves.

Treasuring Theresa is a sweet Regency short story available at Ellora’s Cave, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Sony, Kobo Books, Bookstrand, and AllRomance E-books.

Note: Free bonus reads include character sketches of both Damian and Theresa, a prequel, and an epilogue (be sure to read the story first, though). Enjoy!

http://www.susanaellis.com/pub.html

Click here to continue on your journey through the Happy Endings Giveaway Blog Hop.

Guest Interview: Author Cecilia Gray

Jan7

Today I’m pleased to introduce Cecilia Gray, author of The Gentlemen Next Door, a series of delightful Regency novellas, and also a series of YA romances, The Jane Austen Academy.

Welcome, Cecilia!

Thank you so much for having me! I read through your blog and saw your Deal Breakers and confess to possibly having broken one or two. Even though I am in complete agreement with them!

Tell us something about your newest release that is NOT in the blurb.

The heroine of A FLIRTATIOUS RENDEZVOUS is my most traditional regency-style heroine. My other heroines are ahead of their time (although not quite anachronistic!) in their pursuit of engineering or business, Hanna has few pursuits beyond that of the boy next door.

When I started writing Hanna, I thought I was crazy because how could a reader like a character with little individual identity? But I found myself charmed with the idea that her entire sense of herself is based on how much she loves her family and especially how much she loves Hayden Banks. I really did end up feeling protective of her and wanting her to find happiness.

(I know that makes me sound crazy, to talk about her like she’s real and like I had no control over her fate.)

Are you working on something at present you would like to tell us about?

Yes! While The Gentlemen Next Door series is complete, I’ve become fascinated with one of the side characters. I’ve since imagined her entire life and I think she deserves her own book—with a hero that doesn’t live next door and may not be so gentlemanly.

What are you reading now?

I’m reading Days of Blood and Starlight by Laini Taylor, the second book in a superb fantasy series about an epic battle between angels and demons that spills out of their world into ours.

What is your work schedule like when writing?

Unfortunately I don’t spend a lot of time writing because of other obligatons during the week—like my job! I spend a lot of time thinking about writing but usually won’t write actual words until midight and even then only for an hour. Once a month I’ll get away for a weekend and write my ass off. If it weren’t for those weekends, then I’d probably only release a book every decade.

The Gentlemen Next Door series are historical regency romance novellas. The entire series, including the latest release, A FLIRTATIOUS RENDEZVOUS, is available now.

Book #1 A DELIGHTFUL ARRANGEMENT is currently free at Apple, Kobo and Google and just 99 Cents at other retailers:

Phillip has a duty to marry Francesca. He has always protected his former neighbor and childhood companion, and now that she is of marriageable age, he will give her what she needs most – a real home where she is welcome and wanted.

Unfortunately for him….she is done with being dutiful.

After years of being an obedient daughter to a hateful father, Francesca jumps into her first Season. Francesca is ready to dance every dance, flirt with every bachelor and snatch what she wants most – a man she loves who will make her swoon.

Unfortunately for her…he now sees making her swoon as his duty, too.

And Phillip takes his duties very seriously.

http://www.ceciliagray.com

Win a $20 Amazon Gift Card!

Jan3

To Celebrate the Release of Treasuring Theresa

January 3, 2013 at Ellora’s Cave

Susana is hosting a series of contests for the month of January!

All you have to do is answer a question about the Regency period (and/or Tweet about this contest) and your name will be entered for the next drawing!

Free Bonus Reads Available!

in-depth character sketches of Lady Theresa and Damian, Lord Clinton
an extra scene and an epilogue, both not included in the published story

Feel free to tell all your friends!

Winners will be chosen on January 9, 16, 23, and 31.

http://www.susanaellis.com

Featured Regency Anthology: A Christmas Cotillion Surprise

Dec21

An Amazon Traditional Regency Anthology

Blair Bancroft, Barbara Miller, Kate Fox, Kate Dolan

Amazon Buy Link

The Last Surprise by Blair Bancroft

http://www.blairbancroft.com/

Not all surprises are good ones. In the midst of a glorious first season, Lady Christine Ashford’s life is wholly disrupted by tragedy. The death of her father, the Earl of Bainbridge, leaves herself and her younger sisters summarily exiled from the family estate to distant relatives in Yorkshire to wait for the return of the elusive heir to her father’s title. There, life quickly becomes untenable.

The new earl’s return from the colonies gives Christine and her sisters a chance to escape their scheming Yorkshire relatives, but only through an unexpected marriage to this new, unknown man who has taken her father’s title and his lands. As the year turns to Christmas, the season of new life and joy, Christine must decide if she can embrace the spirit of the season—and her new husband.

Christmas Bequest by Barbara Miller

Blush sensuality level: This is a sweet romance (kisses only, no sexual content).

The shocking news comes right before Christmas—Patience Mayhew’s beloved brother Jack was lost in the Battle of Nivelle. Since his son is but a toddler, Jack left his estate in trust to his best friend Stuart—the man who, years ago, broke Patience’s heart.

Stuart Marsh is just as shocked as Patience at Jack’s bequest. How can he possibly run Heatherfield when Jack’s widow resents him and sister detests him? But as he settles in and sees how much work Heatherfield needs, he realizes it’s his chance to prove himself to Patience all over again. He wants nothing more than to lift the burden from her shoulders and prove that Christmas miracles exist—and that love, real love, never truly fades away.

A Blush® romance from Ellora’s Cave

Double Masquerade by Kate Fox

Blush sensuality level: This is a sweet romance (kisses only, no sexual content).

Jane, the Honorable Miss Lumley, is in a bind. She can’t help boasting about her friendship with author Mr. Michael Girard, whose sweeping new series of adventurous tales set on the high seas have fetched a high price at a Nottingham book auction.

Darkly debonair bookseller Lachlan, Lord Stathmore, finds Girard’s stories improbable but knows they will sell. When Jane’s impassioned defense wins him over, he asks her to arrange a meeting with the mysterious Mr. Girard.

But how can she, when she herself is the stories’ scribe and she is forced to keep the real seafarer’s identity secret? A Christmas cotillion offers a solution. But while men’s clothes and a mask might be enough to hide her identity, will her double masquerade be enough to conceal her rising passion?

A Change Of Address by Kate Dolan

http://www.katedolan.com

Blush sensuality level: This is a sweet romance (kisses only, no sexual content).