tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13466344784943812812012-02-24T09:25:46.461-05:00Miranda Neville, historical romance writer, blogs about books, publishing, and anything else that takes her fancyMiranda Nevillehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08542553244957079317noreply@blogger.comBlogger74125MirandaNevillehttp://feedburner.google.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1346634478494381281.post-14022057498817256102012-02-17T08:29:00.000-05:002012-02-17T08:29:13.410-05:00

I've got a great giveaway this week, a signed copy of The Untamed Bride by the legendary Stephanie Laurens. This is the first volume in the The Black Cobra quartet so if you're interested in starting a series this is a great moment. And the other three have already been published so they'll be no need to wait once you are hooked! He is a man who has faced peril without flinching, determined to

Miranda Nevillehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08542553244957079317noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1346634478494381281.post-5369544997100350942012-02-15T15:26:00.000-05:002012-02-15T15:26:40.391-05:00

I enjoyed the comments when I posted the Goya Maja paintings here. I've drawn from elements of both these Titian portrayals of Venus in my current work in progress.  Which do you prefer, and why? Venus and Cupid with an Organist Venus of Urbino

Miranda Nevillehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08542553244957079317noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1346634478494381281.post-81010079021932844192012-02-11T09:33:00.002-05:002012-02-11T09:33:58.357-05:00

I've posted the whole of Chapter 1 of Confessions from an Arranged Marriage, plus a wicked scene a little later in the book. Read it here

Miranda Nevillehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08542553244957079317noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1346634478494381281.post-62679150456457092152012-01-31T21:31:00.000-05:002012-01-31T21:31:39.464-05:00

As you may know, I have a book coming out March 27th. It's the story of Minerva Montrose (Diana's younger sister from The Dangerous Viscount) and Lord Blakeney (Blake), Diana's ex-fiancé.  He's a jock, she wants to run the world, and they really can't stand each other. When they are forced to wed, they discover a few things: Minerva isn't always as clever as she thinks;  Blake isn't as stupid as

Miranda Nevillehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08542553244957079317noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1346634478494381281.post-90537918512322065222012-01-26T19:36:00.000-05:002012-01-26T19:36:58.521-05:00

I'll admit I haven't read this one. It hasn't yet been released and SOME PEOPLE haven't got hold of an ARC. But ever since I heard Manda Collins had a book coming out, I've been excited. I know this one's going to be a winner. Read the blurb and see what you think: What’s a wallflower to do when she’s suddenly in need of a husband? Use all the pluck and moxie she can muster to get what she

Miranda Nevillehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08542553244957079317noreply@blogger.com28tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1346634478494381281.post-50978142698071025572012-01-17T13:16:00.000-05:002012-01-17T13:16:20.557-05:00

This brief snippet has already appeared on my Facebook page. It's a glimpse of the first meeting between Minerva and Blake in the book. (They already know each other quite well, to their mutual disgust.)  ***A gentleman staggered through the double doors and skidded on the polished parquetry floor. At a distance of twenty feet, Minerva saw the newcomer preserve his balance by grabbing the

Miranda Nevillehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08542553244957079317noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1346634478494381281.post-21733688002410623582012-01-13T09:18:00.002-05:002012-01-13T09:22:53.891-05:00

It's been a while since I had a giveaway. I often hear kvetching on the interwebs about how all historicals are Regencies and why don't other periods get published. To which I reply: 1) you call that a problem? and 2) it's not true. There are lots of terrific books set in other periods. And to prove it to you, I'm giving you a chance to win a signed book by my friend and fellow Richard Armitage

Miranda Nevillehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08542553244957079317noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1346634478494381281.post-2270760814556095822012-01-07T17:45:00.000-05:002012-01-07T17:45:49.665-05:00

The book I'm writing now involves a lot of research into the art of the period, something I enjoy very much. I thought I'd share this pair of Goya portraits from the Prado Museum: The Naked Maja (c. 1797-1800) and The Clothed Maja (ca. 1803). The model may have been the Duchess of Alba, rumored to be the artist's lover. She certainly looks like a very sexy woman.  By the way, I love the

Miranda Nevillehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08542553244957079317noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1346634478494381281.post-49515054032803791532012-01-05T19:35:00.001-05:002012-01-05T19:54:10.343-05:00

I’m doing a lot of it these days. I’m well into my next book and it’s the first of a brand new series. Each character–major or minor, hero or butler–has to be named. So does every village, house, and street. It’s exhausting. I have a lot of ??? in the manuscript, indicating a name to be named later. When I name a character, the first thing I consider is his/her parents. Who were they and what

Miranda Nevillehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08542553244957079317noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1346634478494381281.post-67991950347370814972011-12-20T15:49:00.001-05:002011-12-20T19:35:54.484-05:00

I wrote this for a 12 Days of Christmas celebration on Rita and Dani's blogs. My theme was Five Gold Rings ... Stolen by a Highwayman. In case you missed it, here it is again. Insanity must run in the family. How else to explain her father’s obsession with Mesopotamian antiquities and her own current escapade? Disguising herself as a highwayman and holding up a coach in the December 23rd

Miranda Nevillehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08542553244957079317noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1346634478494381281.post-86485053706008220572011-12-10T16:02:00.000-05:002011-12-10T16:02:07.563-05:00

This week my publisher, Avon,  put THE WILD MARQUIS on sale. For a while (I don't know how long, but at least through the end of the year) the ebook is available for only $2.99. That's a $5 reduction from the usual $7.99. THE WILD MARQUIS is the first book in my Burgundy Club series so if you've never read me, this is a good place to start.  (Here are links to the book at some of the more common

Miranda Nevillehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08542553244957079317noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1346634478494381281.post-90584632855124566742011-12-04T18:44:00.000-05:002011-12-04T18:44:20.429-05:00

Ashley March burst onto the historical romance scene this year, garnering enthusiastic praise for her Victorian romances, Seducing the Duchess and Romancing the Countess. This week's contest offers a signed copy of Romancing the Countess. Sebastian Madinger, the Earl of Wriothesly, thought he'd married the perfect woman-until a fatal accident revealed her betrayal with his best friend. After

Miranda Nevillehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08542553244957079317noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1346634478494381281.post-69211128570847771982011-12-02T14:19:00.000-05:002011-12-02T14:19:52.410-05:00

Thanks to you all for entering my contest. I am SO sorry for all of you that didn't win, and hope you'll try Joanna Chambers' The Lady's Secret anyway. The winner in my random.org drawing is @girlygirlhoosier.  Please contact me at miranda[at]mirandaneville[dot]com with your email addy and let me know which kind of ebook you read. If it's Kindle I'll know what to do. If different, I may need some

Miranda Nevillehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08542553244957079317noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1346634478494381281.post-65308262056175218062011-11-25T14:13:00.001-05:002011-11-25T14:16:08.738-05:00

I'm very excited about this week's contest. The Lady's Secret is a debut novel by Joanna Chambers and it's a winner. Seriously, I loved this book. Here's the blurb: London, 1810 Former actress Georgiana Knight always believed she and her brother were illegitimate–until they learn their parents were married, making them heirs to a great estate. To prove their claim, Georgy needs to find evidence

Miranda Nevillehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08542553244957079317noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1346634478494381281.post-65492443662795639512011-11-25T13:44:00.001-05:002011-11-25T15:42:22.571-05:00

This was one popular contest. I got a ton of entries, both in the comments and through the contest entry form. Just for fun, I decided to tabulate the votes on the most popular fairy tale. Cinderella was an easy winner, which I expected. Beauty and the Beast came second, which I also expected. I adore that story and the Disney movie is one of my all time favorite movies, period. A lot of people

Miranda Nevillehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08542553244957079317noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1346634478494381281.post-46792609040875536532011-11-19T13:25:00.000-05:002011-11-19T13:25:30.277-05:00

Fairy Tale retellings always appeal to me. I guess I'm not the only one, given the success of Disney! Lila DiPasqua is making quite a career out of those princesses, though her versions are anything but PG. Her Fiery Tale series offer smoking hot versions of our childhood favorites. This week I have a signed copy of Lila's A MIDNIGHT DANCE up for grabs. Inspired by the tale of Cinderella, Lila

Miranda Nevillehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08542553244957079317noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1346634478494381281.post-64977848675980574782011-11-19T11:30:00.000-05:002011-11-19T11:30:09.486-05:00

Thanks to all who entered my Kate Noble contest. In addition to those who commented on the blog, entrants through the contest form came up with some lovely romance writer names. My favorite was Colleen's Ellie Cloud. Such a pretty name. Colleen didn't win the drawing so I'm going to send her a signed cover flat for Confessions From an Arranged Marriage. And the winners, drawn at random are ...

Miranda Nevillehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08542553244957079317noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1346634478494381281.post-44327867922378187012011-11-14T10:32:00.000-05:002011-11-14T10:32:40.974-05:00

Confessions From An Arranged Marriage (coming in the spring) now has a cover. I'll be posting it here soon, but in the meantime you can get a sneak over at The Ballroom Blog. I'm also looking for ideas for future stories involving some of my secondary characters. There are three lades over there, each in need of a hero.

Miranda Nevillehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08542553244957079317noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1346634478494381281.post-32806333904921319662011-11-11T08:27:00.001-05:002011-11-11T08:29:27.752-05:00

Kate at the RWA Conference book signing in New York. Kate Noble is witty, talented, funny, kind, and has naturally curly hair. Because her name begins with "N", I often sit next to her at book signings and that makes me happy. She's a wonderful neighbor. She also writes wonderful books (with beautiful covers) which are definitely not the run of the mill historicals. Her settings and

Miranda Nevillehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08542553244957079317noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1346634478494381281.post-85590206352462835182011-11-08T17:36:00.008-05:002011-11-09T16:35:06.669-05:00

I awoke in the middle of the night screaming. The Trial of Queen Caroline was in the summer!  That seminal event of 1820 may have given some people nightmares: the peers who had to spend August listening to scurrilous testimony in the stuffy Lords chamber, instead of relaxing on their country estates. But why did I care? Why did I rush with trembling hands to my history books praying

Miranda Nevillehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08542553244957079317noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1346634478494381281.post-59770056596091883292011-11-04T14:04:00.000-04:002011-11-04T14:04:44.508-04:00

I have to admit I wasn't much of a fan of Mr. and Mrs. Smith. I didn't enjoy the movie and it resulted in the relationship of its stars Brad Pitt and Angela Jolie, from whose faces/dramas/children no trip to the grocery store is safe. But I love Shana Galen, so when I heard she'd written a book pitched as a "Regency Mr. and Mrs. Smith" I knew I was in safe hands. Here's the blurb: No man can

Miranda Nevillehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08542553244957079317noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1346634478494381281.post-82340284447543605742011-11-04T08:17:00.000-04:002011-11-04T08:17:42.372-04:00

Congratulations to Melissa from Ohio, the winner of A Night to Surrender. New contest later today!

Miranda Nevillehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08542553244957079317noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1346634478494381281.post-8152199438823241152011-10-28T05:00:00.004-04:002011-10-31T10:40:50.735-04:00

I have a treat for you all, my darlings. (Not a Halloween treat, though that would be seasonal). If you aren't familiar with the books of the fabulous Tessa Dare, then you should be. Even if you know her deliciously witty, sexy, and emotional stories, you may not yet have her latest release, A Night to Surrender. Believe me, you want it. A Night to Surrender is the first book in Tessa's brand

Miranda Nevillehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08542553244957079317noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1346634478494381281.post-47706867149656186332011-10-23T14:16:00.000-04:002011-10-23T14:16:56.368-04:00

I blogged at The Ballroom Blog about the debate over the Pantheon Marbles in the British Museum and whether they should be returned to Greece. A commenter brought up the fact that the new Acropolis Museum in Athens was built over the remains of an ancient building. The excavations are visible and will eventually be accessible to the public. Here's a photo I took from above.

Miranda Nevillehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08542553244957079317noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1346634478494381281.post-45594593644935041972011-10-10T07:21:00.001-04:002011-10-27T13:30:44.078-04:00

I've made no secret of the fact that Minerva Montrose is the heroine of CONFESSIONS FROM AN ARRANGED MARRIAGE, coming in late March. But who's her hero? His identity is revealed today at The Ballroom Blog where I have convened a special meeting of The Burgundy Club.  I'm frantically doing final edits on the book now. As soon as I've sent them to my editor, I'll sort out the winner of my current

Miranda Nevillehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08542553244957079317noreply@blogger.com4