Vauxhall Vixens

Cover Art

noreply@blogger.com (Elyssa Papa) — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0000

I'm no artist but put me around Paint and I become very, very dangerous.

Behold --- reimagined cover arts for books that are either published, coming soon, or existing solely in my really messed up imagination.

So what would you reimagine as book covers?

The Craft of Short Stories

noreply@blogger.com (Tiffany Clare) — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 09:02:00 +0000

Every writer has their own writing process. For me, I tend to fly through the first half of the book I'm working on, then I basically stop and let the story sit for a month or two. During that time of trying to figure out the second half of the book, I am not idle. I'm editing, I'm forcing out scenes/or chunks of the story that happen in the latter half of the book, sometimes I'll move on to something else as I wait for the book to completely gel in my head, etc. This has been my process since I started writing. As you can see, I'm not much of a plotter :)

Every so often I try my hand at a short story while I wait for lightning to strike on my *big* story. I started a short story last year, and boy did I have a lot of fun with it! It's not done yet since I had to put it aside to work on a project with an actual deadline. I haven't written a short story since I sold my first series to St. Martin's, and can I tell you how refreshing it was? I felt rejuvenated. The one thing I love about writing short stories (and I had forgotten this since I wrote my last one) I don't have any hangups when I get to the middle because you don't generally have to hit the same plot crisis points or black moments in a short story as you do in a full length novel.

For those wondering about my short story, I will have more information in the next month or two on availability to my readers before my next release (November 2012) of the first book in my Mayfair Chronicles series. And remember, information will always be available to my newsletter subscribers first, so if you haven't already done so you can join my newsletter HERE!

Are you a fan of short stories? What do you like in a short story?

A Delicate Balance

noreply@blogger.com (J.K. Coi) — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0000

My first post on the pretty new pink blog J I love it!

Thinking about what to write today was tough, though. I mean, it’s the beginning of the year. I should be witty, right? At least for a month or two. But the thing is, I’m not going to entertain certain topics, no matter how strong the provocation. Reacting to reader reviews? Not going there. Balancing promo so you don’t look like a self-serving douche? Well…that one I might touch.

I’m kind of surprised by how much of my social media “streams” feel like a constant commercial break. It makes me wonder how many authors who are so worried about their Amazon rankings, who troll the net for five star reviews and beg for more “likes” on their Facebook pages are really still enjoying the most important part of all this…the writing.

I know that I have a hard time getting any writing done when I have to do a lot of promo for a newly-released book. Sure, it’s important to a certain extent but at the same time, who am I really blogging for? I like to think that readers follow me online, but the majority of those people are other authors and I think that’s true for most of us. That’s not a bad thing, necessarily, because writers are readers too. But if I focus too much of my energies on the online stuff my writing suffers and I cheat the others, the ones who are just looking for the next good book to read and who don’t care that I blogged about how my cat likes to sit on my lap while I’m on the computer. (He does, by the way, it’s very awkward.)

I realize this is not a popular opinion. As authors, we’re supposed to be completely available, friendly, and also very prolific. But I have a family and a full time day job and the writing is something I do just because I love it so much. Something’s gotta give…and if it has to be some of my family time, I’d rather it be because I’m writing, not promo-ing my ass off into the massive black hole that is the internet.

Wow, happy new year, eh? :)

Pretty in Pink

noreply@blogger.com (Maggie Robinson/Margaret Rowe) — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0000

New year, new look! And some changes are afoot. The Vixens will be posting regularly every Tuesday, with guest posts and news on other days as needed. We hope our friends will continue to check in and see what we're up to!

Speaking of pink...I've got a brand new pink laptop that is heading south on JetBlue even as you are reading this. The Robinsons are fleeing winter in Maine and will be renting a condo in Florida for two months. The new laptop will hopefully swing into action once we get settled. I have the last third of the current WIP to write. The rest of the time I'll be slathering on sunblock so I don't get too pink myself.

We'll be living in an area with SIDEWALKS. I have not lived near a sidewalk since 1995. (!!!) We want to walk every day. Eat healthier, too. Shh...don't say diet. I'll let you know how things are going next month.

Happy New Year! What are you looking forward to in 2012?

Merry Christmas!

noreply@blogger.com (Elyssa Papa) — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 17:58:00 +0000

Need a Romance?

noreply@blogger.com (Elyssa Papa) — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0000

Holidays means presents means, hopefully, gift certificates to bookstores, Amazon, etc. So, if you're shopping for a great read, you should totally consider these:

HOW THE MARQUESS WAS WON by Julie Anne Long

I loved this. And I will read anything Julie Anne writes--her stories are delightful, charming, and swoon-worthy. I'm still sighing over how awesome this book was, and I cannot wait for her next one!

Here's the blurb:

The Scandal Sheets call him Lord Ice.

Ruthless, cold, precise, Julian Spenser, Marquess Dryden, tolerates only the finest— in clothes, in horseflesh, in mistresses. And now he’s found the perfect bride, the one whose dowry will restore his family’s shattered legacy and bring him peace at last: the exquisite heiress Lisbeth Redmond.

She's about to play with fire...

But one unforgettable encounter with Lisbeth’s paid companion, Phoebe Vale, and the Marquess is undone. This quiet girl with the wicked smile and a wit to match is the first person to see through the icy faÇade to the fiery man beneath. But their irresistible attraction is a torment as sweet as it is dangerous, for surrendering to their desire could mean losing everything else they ever wanted.

Read an excerpt here.

And you can pre-order it here. (Note: the Kindle pre-order price is discounted to $4.99!)

A LADY AWAKENED by Cecilia Grant

First, I loved this. Second, I loved this. Third, I loved this. Fourth, you need to get this book.

And isn't that just a gorgeous cover?

Here's the blurb:

Newly widowed and desperate to protect her estate and beloved servants from her malevolent brother-in-law, Martha Russell conceives a daring plan. Or rather, a daring plan to conceive. After all, if she has an heir on the way, her future will be secured. Forsaking all she knows of propriety, Martha approaches her neighbor, a London exile with a wicked reputation, and offers a strictly business proposition: a month of illicit interludes . . . for a fee.

Theophilus Mirkwood ought to be insulted. Should be appalled. But how can he resist this siren in widow’s weeds, whose offer is simply too outrageously tempting to decline? Determined she’ll get her money’s worth, Theo endeavors to awaken this shamefully neglected beauty to the pleasures of the flesh—only to find her dead set against taking any enjoyment in the scandalous bargain. Surely she can’t resist him forever. But could a lady’s sweet surrender open their hearts to the most unexpected arrival of all . . . love?

Read an excerpt here.

And you can pre-order it here.

TROUBLE AT THE WEDDING by Laura Lee Guhrke

I very much enjoyed this one, and I think others will too. LLG is an author I always enjoy reading, and I really enjoy the different era she's writing in for this series.

I love the rich gold of the cover. And doesn't the model look a little like Anne Hathaway?

Here's the blurb:

Annabel is about to marry the perfect man . . .

The last thing Miss Annabel Wheaton desires is true love. She learned the hard way that love makes a woman foolish and leads only to heartache. That’s why she agreed to marry an earl who needs her money. He’s got a pedigree and a country estate, and he won’t ever break her heart. There’s only one problem . . .

Christian isn’t about to let her marry that pompous prig . . .

Christian Du Quesne, Duke of Scarborough, thinks the stubborn heiress is about to make the biggest mistake of her life, and he’s determined to stop her. Tempting beautiful women is Christian’s forte, after all. When her family offers him a nice sum of money to stop the wedding, he’s happy to accept.

Falling in love with Annabel was never supposed to be part of the bargain . . .

Read an excerpt here.

You can pre-order the book here. (The Kindle price for this one is also discounted to $4.99.)

There's also . . .

THE DUKE IS MINE by Eloisa James

Destiny will be decided between the sheets in this all-new tale of “The Princess and the Pea.”

For Olivia Lytton, betrothal to the Duke of Canterwick—hardly a Prince Charming—feels more like a curse than a happily-ever-after. At least his noble status will help her sister, Georgiana, secure an engagement with the brooding, handsome Tarquin, Duke of Sconce, a perfect match for her in every way . . . every way but one. Tarquin has fallen in love with Olivia.

Quin never puts passion before reason. And reason says that Georgiana is his ideal bride. But the sensual, fiery, strong-willed Olivia ignites an unknown longing in him— a desire they are both powerless to resist. When a scandalous affair begins, they risk losing everything—Olivia’s engagement, her sister’s friendship, and their own fragile love. Only one thing can save them—and it awaits in the bedroom, where a magnificent mattress holds life-changing answers to the greatest romantic riddle of all.

UNRAVELED by Courtney Milan

I loved this. Defintiely read it!!!

Here's the blurb:

Smite Turner is renowned for his single-minded devotion to his duty as a magistrate. But behind his relentless focus lies not only a determination to do what is right, but the haunting secrets of his past—secrets that he is determined to hide, even if it means keeping everyone else at arm's length. Until the day an irresistible woman shows up as a witness in his courtroom...

Miranda Darling isn't in trouble...yet. But she's close enough that when Turner threatens her with imprisonment if she puts one foot wrong, she knows she should run in the other direction. And yet no matter how forbidding the man seems on the outside, she can't bring herself to leave. Instead, when he tries to push her away, she pushes right back—straight through his famous self-control, and into the heart of the passion that he has long hidden away...

MY RUTHLESS PRINCE by Gaelen Foley

The Inferno Club: To London Society, they’re notorious for their scandalous pursuits. In private, these warriors would risk their lives for king and country.

His brother warriors fear the Earl of Westwood has turned traitor, but Emily Harper knows this is impossible for the man she has loved since childhood . . . as impossible as a marriage between them could ever be—she, the gamekeeper’s daughter and he, a bold and adventurous nobleman.

Driven by hatred and revenge, Westwood is playing a deadly game of deception, bent on destroying the enemy’s dark conspiracy from the inside, and he’s furious when Emily plunges herself into danger for his sake. Forced into close quarters, their long-suppressed desire explodes into all-consuming passion.

Emily knows her love can save him . . . but Westwood is a man who doesn’t want to be saved.

And what better way to celebrate the holidays other than to read a light, sexy novella? That's why you should definitely pick up ONCE UPON A WINTER'S EVE by Tessa Dare--which, I believe, is still available for $0.79 digitally.

Any books you're looking forward to reading over the holiday?

Headline Inspiration

noreply@blogger.com (Maggie Robinson/Margaret Rowe) — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0000

I read my local paper online. This week the front page was filled with articles that could get a writer itchy to take the basic facts and run with them.

Shipment to Bath Iron Works contains unexpected cargo: two dozen black widow spiders

Hampden rescue crews extricate man stuck in sand for more than 2 hours

Woman driven out of job by inappropriate, sexual comments, rights panel says

I see plots everywhere. My upcoming London List series (November 2012's Lord Gray's List) was inspired by two articles I chanced upon in the Huffington Post about vintage lonely hearts ads and the blog Missed Connections. I strayed very far afield from those original sparks, but it's interesting to see what sets the mind to meandering.

Have you used or recognized a current event in your writing/reading? Where did you find your last inspiration?

James Tissot's "Bad News"

The Agony! The Ecstasy! And Christmas!

noreply@blogger.com (Maggie Robinson/Margaret Rowe) — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0000

Yippee! It's release day! Today half of the Vixens are represented in the Berkley Heat anthology Agony/Ecstasy.

J.K. Coi's "Caged" is an edgy paranormal whose ending will make you long for more. Margaret Rowe's(Maggie Robinson) historical short story, "Wicked Wedding Night"features a bridegroom who gets much more than he bargained for.

The book has its very own website where you can read excerpts of all twenty-one stories. The collection was edited by romance blogger Jane Litte of Dear Author, and it should keep you toasty on cold winter nights. Maggie and JK were super-excited to be part of this publishing project which is filled with fun stories, dark stories, and angsty stories. They’re all very different but have one thing incommon—hot sex and great writing!

JK is also celebrating the release of “Far From Broken” in the Clockwork Christmas anthology out this week from Carina Press! Far From Broken is a heart wrenching tale of a couple whose marriage has been torn asunder by devastating events brought on by secrets and lies. Here’s the blurb:

FAR FROM BROKEN

Soldier.Spymaster. Husband.

Colonel Jasper Carlisle was definedby his work until he met his wife. When the prima ballerina swept into his life with her affection, bright laughter and graceful movements, he knew that she was the reason for his existence, and that their love would be forever.

But their world is shattered when Callie is kidnapped and brutally tortured by the foes Jasper has been hunting. Mechanical parts have replaced her legs, her hand, her eye...and possibly her heart. Though she survived, her anger at Jasper consumes her, while Jasper's guilt drives him from the woman he loves. He longs for the chance to show her their love can withstand anything...including her new clockwork parts.

As the holiday season approaches, Jasper realizes he must fight not just for his wife's love and forgiveness...but also her life, as his enemy once again attempts to tear them apart.

Far From Broken is available separately or in the anthology entitled “A Clockwork Christmas”

We Wish You a Steampunk Christmas

Changed forever after tragedy, a woman must draw strength from her husband's love. A man learns that love isn't always what you expect. A thief steals the heart of a vengeful professor. And an American inventor finds love Down Under. Enjoy Victorian Christmas with a clockwork twist in these four steampunk novellas.

Anthology includes:
Crime Wave in a Corset by Stacy Gail
This Winter Heartby PG Forte
Wanted: One Scoundrel by Jenny Schwartz
Far From Broken by JK Coi

About that Nano

noreply@blogger.com (Elyssa Papa) — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 05:01:00 +0000

Yeah.

I didn't do it.

I totally suck.

A. Lot.

But in other good news . . .

Friend of Vixens, Tessa Dare, made the USA Today Bestseller List with her novella Once Upon a Winter's Eve! Yay, Tessa! It's still available for $0.79 so if you haven't read it yet, you totally should. Also, you can buy A Night to Surrender for $4.99 and pre-order A Week to be Wicked for $4.99 on the Kindle. (There are also other Avon $4.99 deals.)

And I really love this cover. I also really want to read The Fireman Who Loved Me--why do I have to wait until late April 2012?!!! Wah. I'm sorry, I couldn't save the pic so just click on the link below to see the cover!

http://www.amazon.com/Fireman-Who-Loved-Me-ebook/dp/B00655X79K/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1322714390&sr=8-2

And is anyone else Tumbling? Avon has one. I have one (that I need to update more frequently).

Oh, and Juliana Stone (who is chaptermates with Tiff and J.K., agentmates with Maggie, and friend to us all) sold a contemporary trilogy to Sourcebooks. You guys! She has a rock star hero in book one!!!!

And we all know how much I love rock stars.

In case you don't know, I love rock star heroes. Like a lot. I wrote one in fact but it didn't sell. Boo. Hiss. Grr. *kicks stone really hard*

Let's see...what else? I finally read Jeaniene Frost's Halfway to the Grave, thanks to Tiff insisting that I should, and I totally loved it. I definitely want to read the others. And I watched Crazy Stupid Love and thought it really cute--I love Emma Stone, and there's a really good first kiss between her and Ryan Gosling.

And I especially love how first kisses are filmed, written, etc. (For the record, I also really like the movie Life As We Know It but I think the first kiss between Heigl and Dushamel could have totally been filmed better and differently--the director TOTALLY MISSED THE MARK WITH THEM.)

But in Crazy Stupid Love there's this scene where Emma Stone storms into the bar and kisses Ryan Gosling, and you see his arms kind of just hanging there (like he's not sure what he should do) before they finally wrap around her and pull her in, and THAT little thing gets to me every single time. Go watch it. Seriously.

I have to get writing. Which has been really hard to do. I've lost my mojo. Anyone know where I can find it? ;)

Hidden Talents, Home Made Presents for the Holidays

noreply@blogger.com (Tiffany Clare) — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0000

I recently said to a friend (and I think it was Elyssa) that I was teaching my daughter how to crochet. She said, I didn't know you could crochet! I guess I probably hadn't ever said anything because I haven't crocheted for a number of years now (it's a time suck and I used to do it simply to kill the time when my kids were babies and sleeping in their bouncy chairs--bouncy with the aid of my foot)<--now you see why I had a lot of time to kill.

I recently picked it up again because my daughter has shown an interest, and because crocheted items make GREAT xmas presents. I'm making a total of five scarves plus one for my daughter (already made).

I can't knit at all, but I can crochet quite well. I think my love came from my great grandmother. I remember when I was growing up how she would make all her kids and grandchildren --there are like 50 of them (my mum, aunts and uncles, great aunts and uncles)--a lace doily every Christmas. Without fail. And when I was old enough she would make me one at Christmas, too! When she passed away a few years ago I asked the relatives if they had any doilies I could have, and they did not disappoint! So now I have a collection of the most beautiful lace doilies (stored right now) and a passion for crochet. I wonder if I would have ever learned how to crochet if I hadn't grown up with my great grandmother's beautiful doilies all around ours and our relatives houses!

Do you have any hidden talents? Do you make your Christmas/Holiday presents? If not, what would you like to learn how to make/create?

Giving Thanks

noreply@blogger.com (Elyssa Papa) — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0000

Let's just put it out there... 2011 has really, really, REALLY sucked. But there are some things to be thankful for amidst all the suckitude.

In no particular order...

1.) My cps/friends. Maggie, Kris, & Tiffany, I don't know what I'd do without you girls. You've been there for me during a very trying year, and poor Tiff has listened to my broken record. They deserve medals. xo you all.

2.) Sara Lindsey, who's literally survived Hell with me and been someone I can talk to. XO. And thanks to friends--you know who you are--who have also supported me.

3.) My family. Because without them, I wouldn't have anything. I'm very thankful my parents are supportive and have always been there for me.

4.) Books. I'm always thankful for awesome reads. I've read some really great romances and YAs out there. And I love when things get discounted for Kindle or other e-reader for those who use something else.

Specifically there's....

Winning the Wallflower by Eloisa James. It comes out 12/6 and has a great pricepoint (99 cents!). It's a prequel to The Duke is Mine and features TDIM's heroine's best friend as heroine in WTW. Lucy. I love the name Lucy! It's fun and typical EJ. Plus, who doesn't love a story about wallflower?!

Another wallflower story is Once Upon a Winter's Eve by Tessa Dare. It's also 99 cents, although it might still be at 79 cents. This is a fairy tale for wallflowers and is romantic, charming, and sexy. You get to see what happens when a wallflower blooms at night. Hint: it involves a lot of kissing. ;)

5.) Chocolate. Because, really, shouldn't we all give thanks to this? (Unless, of course, you're one of those sad souls who's allergic or doesn't like chocolate.)

What are you giving thanks to this holiday season?

Interview with Jessica Scott!

noreply@blogger.com (Elyssa Papa) — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0000

1. Welcome, Jessica! Congrats on the release of your debut, BECAUSE OF YOU! Can you tell us about the story?

Thanks so much for having me! It’s kind of surreal that I’m doing a blog tour instead of hosting one, so I’m kind of enjoying myself tremendously. The premise behind BECAUSE OF YOU is what happens when the thing you’ve devoted your life to goes away. The hero of the story, Shane Garrison, is completely focused on deploying and being in the middle of the fight with his soldiers to the point where he lets his marriage, his social life, everything ebb so he can work. When he’s injured downrange, he has to confront the person he is without the rank on his chest.

2. What would you like readers to know about your hero and heroine? Did you base Shane and Jena on any celebs in particular?

Shane and Jen aren’t based on celebs, per se but I do look at Jason Statham as a physical reference for Shane.

3. The story is fabulous (I’m lucky and read Jessica’s books—they’re awesome)! What’s your writing process like? Are you a plotter or pantser? What was your favorite part of writing BOY?

Thank you! Shane and Jen have been a long time coming to the page. I used to be a 100% seat of the pants writer. The problem with that was that I’d write the entire book, only to discover that I was all over the place. Earlier this year, I read Alexandra Sokoloff’s Screenwriting Tips for Writers and a whole lot of pieces of the puzzle fell into place. Now, I do have a tendency to story board, to work out what the character’s goals and arcs are as well as figuring out what the story premise is. If I’ve got those things worked through, I can start to write. My favorite part of BECAUSE OF YOU was really watching the story take shape through revisions. The story today is completely different than that first draft over four years ago, but the characters have grown and molded along the way. I love the revisions process.

4. Please tell us more about the setting. Were there any books or links that were helpful to you? Were there any interesting facts you learned while writing BOY?

BECAUSE OF YOU takes place at Fort Hood and in Iraq. I used a lot of articles and stories about Iraq to build my fictional brigade and the units that fall under it. And I spent 2009 in Iraq and went to the National Training Center in 2008 prior to deployment, so I’ve got firsthand experience with those settings, as well as Fort Hood.

I did a lot of researching into breast cancer in young women as well and one of the things I learned that really surprised me was that, while it’s not as common in young women as in older women, if younger, it’s typically more aggressive.

5. Who are some of your favorite authors and books?

I read a lot of nonfiction about the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. One of my favorite fiction books lately has been Nalini Singh’s Archangel’s Blade. Even if you’re not a fan of paranormal, the characters in this book are so torn and damaged, it’s absolutely riveting. It’s one of my favorite books of the year.

6. I love hearing about call stories. Will you tell us yours?

My call story is kind of funny and one I’m sure editors and agents on twitter will cringe when they read. Shane and Jen had just been sitting under my bed, so to speak for about a year or so. Right around the time that the SEALs had killed Bin Laden, the romance world went nuts for all things military romance. Sue Grimshaw had a blog up about wanting to read a contemporary military romance that was not romantic suspense. I didn’t have a current email address for her, but I’d chatted with her a few times while I’d been deployed so I shot her a note on twitter that basically said, hey I’ve got this contemp military romance, do you want to take a look. She said yes and I figure it would be months before I heard anything but she basically got back to me in like a week and said she loved it but wanted to talk about revisions. At this point, I got my agent on the horn and let him take over negotiations. “I was sitting in my dentist’s chair, getting ready to get fluoride when he called and said congratulations, you’re a published author.”

7. What’s next for you?

Right now there are 2 more books in the Coming Home series for Loveswept and I suspect there will be a couple more. I’m still an active duty army officer so we’ll see where the Army wants to send me next!

8. Thank you so much, Jessica! Is there anything else you would like readers to know?

I hope they’ll enjoy Because of You as much as I had fun writing it. It’s so hard to let characters go, especially since I spent so much time developing them. But Shane and Jen are off to bigger and better things. I suspect they’ll keep popping up, though, through the series and for more than a look how happy they are scene here and there.

Thanks so much for having me here today!

You can order BECAUSE OF YOU where ebooks are sold. Here's a linky link to Amazon. And you can find Jessica at her website.

Deadlines and the craziness that is life

noreply@blogger.com (Tiffany Clare) — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0000

Yup, that sums up my life right about now. I'm on deadline for something by the end of the month, so I'm a writing maniac. I'm on deadlines galore for the day job, so I'm not really sure if I'm coming or going anymore. I don't think I've had a breather since . . . since . . . okay, I don't know when my last breather was. I'm totally taking a vacation with the kids in the very early spring because I don't feel like I've done that in an eon, either!

Not that I'm writing nearly as much as my NaNo friends, I do plan on putting 10K to paper in the next week and a bit. Here's the bit where I say I need competition. Cause I actually do. That actually makes me write faster if I think I can win (that's my competitive Aries ruling me)!

Who wants to write 10K this week with me? Come on, you know it'll be fun and full of stressful awesomeness that is a reward in and of itself. So who's in? Anyone else feel like the universe is playing a crazy trick on them by making life hectic for the past few months?

Update

noreply@blogger.com (J.K. Coi) — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0000

How is everyone doing this November? NaNo'ers, how are those word counts coming along?

For someone who said she wasn't doing NaNo, I'm pretty impressed with myself. I've managed at least 1000 words every day since November 1 and I hope to continue the trend right up until this book is done. I only have about 10000 words left on it.

But I'm also looking forward to release day. My EC novella BRAZEN GAMES is due out on November 25!

It's the first time in a little while I've written a contemp--no wolves, or demons, or angels, or anything but two people with their lives and hearts on the line.

As Jack watches the pole dancer up on stage, all he can think about is that sultry green-eyed stare and the brazen way she moves. Trouble is, he knows this particular siren is a distraction he can’t afford, despite the gut-clenching desire she stirs in him. As right-hand man to a mob boss fighting a violent turf war, his life expectancy is already significantly reduced, and that’s if his damning secrets don’t get him killed first.

Tasha Morris is keeping secrets of her own, and she knows all about the real Jack, the one he can never afford to let anyone see. She’s turned on by the danger and roughness of his life. She also knows he’s close to the edge of no return. It’s her job to make sure he doesn’t implode and get them both killed, but to do that she’ll have to trust him with more than just her body, something she hasn’t been able to do with anyone.
Pretty cool cover, eh?

Clips and Such

noreply@blogger.com (Elyssa Papa) — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0000

Because. This is hilarious.

And this looks like a really interesting adaptation of WUTHERING HEIGHTS. Confession, every time I see a mention of WUTHERING HEIGHTS, I think of Maggie Robinson's MISTRESS BY MIDNIGHT, which, unlike Bronte, has no puppy drownings and no madness, thank god. ;)

And I think I'll be resorting to YouTube soon if I get too impatient for January for Downton Abbey's second season:

It will surprise no one when I say how much I love kissing scenes, especially writing them:

But I especially love proposal scenes---even if they are disasters in the beginning. Oh, Darcy. Sigh.

And, lastly, I thought this video was really done:

I am so excited for Lisa Kleypas's new book, coming in February. Isn't the cover gorgeous? Read an excerpt here: http://bit.ly/j5qdP8.

I am one of "Lisa's Divas" - a group of select fans who share info & content related to Lisa's novels and get sneak peeks & swag in return.

Winners!

noreply@blogger.com (Maggie Robinson/Margaret Rowe) — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 12:49:00 +0000

It's an "L" festival! The winners of coverflats, bookmarks and other goodies are Layna, Loraine and Leanne109! Please send your mailing address to maggie@maggierobinson.net

Dear Desk Diary

noreply@blogger.com (Maggie Robinson/Margaret Rowe) — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 04:00:00 +0000

Happy new Year! What, you say I'm early? Listen, I have things scheduled already for 2012, and nowhere to write them down. I need a calendar to keep myself straight. For the past two years, I've found a desk planner in TJ Maxx, which I can scribble in. (see my September never-ending blog tour for Mistress by Marriage at left. Also, my sandcastle-making pig, one of the "lucky charms" on my desk)

I'm old-fashioned. I know I could load all this on my cellphone or a spreadsheet, but I'm one of those people who needs to have something concrete in my hands to see the big picture. When I was in college, I loved filling in the official Adelphi University day runner with tests, projects and activities--it made me feel more of a student somehow. And there's something to be said for low-tech when the computer crashes or the cellphone battery dies. I still know what I'm supposed to be doing.

This year's planner was pink reptile. 2010's was red. You have your month at a glance, then weekly entries, and a notes section big enough to write a novella in. I admit, I don't use most of the book, but my granddaughter Sadie will take care of that for me when I'm done. I've ordered a new planner online from the Gallery Leather Company right here in Bar Harbor, Maine. I've gotten used to the format and can't expect to be lucky three years in a row at TJ's. Next year's model is a smaller, purple pocket planner, in honor of the purple cover of April's Master of Sin.

How do you keep yourself organized? Can you read your handwriting? What's on your desk? I'll send a coverflat of Master of Sin (hubba hubba), bookmarks and magnets to three commenters!

BREAKING NEWS: The Romantic Times 2011 Reviewers Choice Awards list is out! Tiffany Clare's THE SEDUCTION OF HIS WIFE has been nominated in the Best British-Isle Set Historical category, and Margaret Rowe (i.e.,me) has been nominated for Best Erotic Fiction with ANY WICKED THING! Go, Vixens!

NaNoWriMo

noreply@blogger.com (Tiffany Clare) — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 08:22:00 +0000

It's National Novel Writing Month! I wasn't going to blog about this since I often don't participate in this event annually (and I'm not sure I can write 50K in one month--most I've ever done is 40K), but I do cheer on friends and set significant writing goals for myself for the month of November.

How many of our blog readers are joining the NaNoWriMo madness?

While I might not be officially signed up, I do have writing goals this month - to work on two projects simultaneously and accomplish a great deal of writing on both before the edits come in for the first book in my new trilogy--which I'm calling The Mayfair Chronicles.

So, let this be a goal setting month, readers.

Share your goals with us in the comments. And we can all hold each other accountable for achieving those goals!

Halloween Horrors

noreply@blogger.com (Elyssa Papa) — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0000

First, I switched my website from Wordpress back to Blogger. Go take a look if you'd like to --> Click this Link of Awesomeness

I looked at Marnee Bailey's blog a few weeks ago and thought her design was cute. So I hoped that I would find something I would like on shabbyblogs.com, and I did. :)

Now, onto the blog, in which I torture you with a "scary" story.

The Princess Curse

Once upon a time, in a far away land, lived a princess. Like all other princesses, this princess had untold wealth, a docile white horse known as Shadows, and, of course, lived in a huge white castle.

And she also had a curse, thanks to her very stupid, thoughtless parents, who had decided, out of spite, to not invite a powerful witch to their wedding. The witch promised they would pay, but King Theo the Thoughtless and Queen Isadora the Ignorant, which were indeed their true names, put the silly thought out of their heads.

In truth, their brains weren't that very big so keeping thoughts in their brains for any length of time was an impossible feat.

The witch, however, never forgot. But she waited until the day the new princess would be named, when the princess was still rosy-cheeked and sweet-tempered.

"What do you call her," asked the Priest of Old. "For her name shall be what she is known by and carry great weight with the world."

King Theo the Thoughtless and Queen Isadora the Ignorant looked at each other, as they were wont to do, and thought how lucky they were; that they, such beautiful, rich people were to find each other and have such a beautiful baby.

King Theo the Thoughtless cleared his throat. "She shall be known as--"

And here a gust of wind blew open the doors, ushering in a swirl of purple smoke. The smoke cleared and there the witch stood, in a black dress with purple swirls, her features harsh and her eyes . . .

Well, no one ever looked the witch in her eyes for there were stories if one was to do so that she would know all your deepest secrets, desires, and fears.

"What are you doing here," King Theo the Thoughtless demanded.

"I am here because I made a promise, one you and your queen have forgotten." The witch cast a disdainful glance around the crowded room and her gaze settled on the baby princess.

The baby princess did not look away.

And the witch stared and stared and stared. "How odd," she murmured. "How very, very odd."

For this witch could indeed know all your deepest secrets, desires, and fears, but she did not need to look into your eyes to do so. She just knew, for she was powerful, smart, and if she was wicked, it was because the people thought her to be so.

But this baby princess . . . well, the witch could not know all with her. And this troubled the witch.

"I curse this princess," the witch said, "to a life of ugliness, where none shall see her past her looks. Birds will not flock to her when she sings, animals will scurry away, and princes . . ."

"What of princes?" Queen Isadora bit her lower lip, worried.

"Princes will not want her." The witch clapped her diamond-studded staff against the floor. "The curse will only be broken by true love."

"How dare you," the king shouted. "Guards, seize this beast!"

The witch laughed and disappeared in puff of smoke. The king and queen watched in horror as their baby princess started to transform. Her nose grew bigger, her eyes small and black, and the tuft of hair turned a thick and harsh silver.

"What shall be her name," the Priest of Old asked again after all was quiet.

"Name?" The king looked at his monstruous daughter. "We shall call her Beauty."

"But . . ."

"She is not beautiful," the king asked in a dangerous voice. "Well, she shall have some beauty in her life, even if it is her name."

As years went by and the princess got older, whispers of her ugliness spread. The princess came to be known as Beauty the Not Beautiful.

And, indeed, no one wanted her.

It was Beauty's twenty-fifth birthday and her parents had given up on all hopes she would be wed. Beauty was very glad of this for she could not stand when princes would come and run away in horror when they saw her face.

Yet this also made her very, very sad. For did she not deserve love? Why should it matter if her nose was now crooked, her figure big, and her skin covered in scars thanks to the chicken pox? She could not sing, or play the pianoforte, or even sew. But she knew how to do other things, which she wagered, other princesses did not.

Beauty, who did not call herself Beauty the Not Beautiful, but instead Beauty the Brave, resolved that if no one else figured out how to break the curse, then it would be up to her.

So she called over her trusty horse, Shadows, and fled away from the palace in the dead of night. For this princess was not stupid or thoughtless or ignorant like her parents. She was very, very smart. And if one were to break a curse, then why not start with the person who uttered it?

Yes. The princess was going to see the witch.

The witch also lived in a castle--a dark imposing thing with spiky vines and real-life gargoyles covering it. Beauty was granted entrance and brought to the grand room where the witch sat on her throne.

"What is it you want, Beauty the Not Beautiful," the witch asked, for she still could not see what it was Beauty wanted.

"My name is Beauty the Brave." Beauty was proud her voice did not waver. "And it should be obvious what I want--the curse to be broken."

"Ah, of course." The witch leaned forward, a smile on her purple-painted lips. "You wish to be beautiful and have princes fall at your feet."

"No," Beauty said with a shake of her head, her thick silver hair covering half of her face. "I know I shall not ever be beautiful. But I would like to be loved."

"Well, for me to do this, you must, of course, do something for me."

"What is it?"

"How smart you are to ask. So unlike your parents." The witch held up her hand. "You must do three tasks. I doubt you'll succeed with one."

Beauty squared her shoulders. "I will show you otherwise."

"The first task . . . you must shoot the golden bird that flies across the sky with the rising sun."

"Done."

Beauty was not surprised when the witch had the guards bring her to a room in the dungeons. All rooms but one were empty. Beauty was placed in the cell opposite the other occupied one where the most gorgeous she'd ever seen had been placed. His golden head was bowed but he looked up when he heard the rustle of chains.

Though the dungeon was very dark, his eyes shone a brillaint blue.

And, to his credit, he did not flinch when his eyes met hers.

But they did not focus on anything, and Beauty realized that this golden-haired man was blind.

"Hello," he said. "I'm Nick."

"Nick the . . .?"

He smiled, showing a flash of white. "Just Nick."

Beauty hesitated for her true name was well-known but there were many Beautys in the land, too, and no one ever called her by this name but her. "I'm Beauty the Brave."

"You must be very beautiful to have such a name, and very brave, too."

She was not beautiful and as to brave . . . well, she was not very brave either. She'd never left the castle before now--but if she didn't think of herself as brave then who else would?

"Why are you here?" she asked.

"To break a curse." His smile turned rueful. "I was cursed to a life without sight and really seeing what's before me, and to get my true love, Princess Georgina the Gorgeous, I must see to fight for her hand."

Oh. Princess Georgina the Gorgeous was very, very gorgeous. And she was also very, very mean. She'd locked Beauty in a tiny closet and left her there for the night.

"Oh," Beauty said. "I am also here to break a curse."

"What's your curse?"

Beauty fell silent. She did not want Nick to think of her as ugly as all others did. "I can't say," she said. "If I do--"

"Ah, say no further. It's the Unspeakable Curse." Nick sat down on his cot. "I have one task to complete but have failed thus far."

"I have three." Beauty watched the twinkling stars through a small window and wondered how exactly she was going to shoot a flying golden bird.

"It's very nice to have someone else to talk to. It's been very lonely here," Nick said.

Beauty knew what loneliness was, and they talked some more before she wished him goodnight.

Early, before the sun rose, Beauty was woken by the guards. She was handed a bow and arrow and brought to a clearing.

"Good luck, Beauty the Not Beautiful," one guard said.

"Beauty the Brave!" she called out after him.

Beauty looked at her arrow and bow, and frowned. The sky was starting to turn a rosy pink, heralding the rising of the sun. She had never killed anything before, and she didn't want to start now. But she also must complete her task. The witch expected her to fail.

Everyone always expected her to fail.

Beauty sat down in the meadow. And then she started to sing as the sun rose.

"Please stop!"

Beauty looked up. A golden bird was perched on her knee.

"You cannot sing!" The birg sang. "I must tell you to stop since I have the golden voice."

"I know. I have heard rumors of the Golden Singing Bird my whole life," Beauty confessed. "I could not kill you, even though the witch wants me too."

"The witch," the bird sang. "She just wants my voice."

"But I'll fail and I'll never break the curse."

"Curse! Curse! What curse," the bird warbled.

"Why, my curse, of course. Surely you see how ugly and fat I am. Beauty the Not Beautiful is my name."

"I do not see, I do not see. I just hear your voice and have heard your name. But not that name you speak of, Beauty the Brave." The bird flew to Beauty's arm and peered into her eyes. "I will give you something, Beauty the Brave for letting me go. For with this, you shall win your task."

"How?"

"Open your mouth, Beauty the Brave."

Beauty did so and the bird sang into her mouth: "Beauty the Brave, let me show you the voice you have, the one you do not use. Oh, Beauty the Brave, with these notes, you shall be able to speak and sing as you were meant to be. And when next you speak to the witch, you'll give her these words."

And the bird lowered its voice: "Witch, oh witch, your curses do hurt those you shouldn't. Use your powers for something good."

"Thank you," Beauty said, and her voice was rich, powerful, and not as rough and harsh as it used to be.

The golden bird nodded its head and flew away on the rays of the sun.

Beauty hurried to the witch's throne and the witch gave her an imperious look.

"You failed, I see. No bird you bring to me."

"Wrong," Beauty sang, entrancing everyone but the witch. "The bird showed me my voice, and I give you this."

Beauty approached the witch and softly sang the words into the witch's ear.

The witch grew angry and pushed Beauty back. "I see! You got around me this time, Beauty the Not Beautiful, but with this next task, you shall fail. For no one has solved this--you must tell me my name."

The guards brought Beauty back to the dungeons, and Beauty was quiet and sad. How would she ever find out the witch's name? No one knew this.

"Beauty," Nick said. "You're back! I heard you did well."

Beauty nodded. "And you?"

Nick's smile dropped. "I failed, yet again. How am I supposed to see when I do not see?"

"I do not know. It seems a rather hard thing to do," Beauty said. "I have to now find out the witch's name."

"Oh, but that is easy," Nick said. "I know it well."

"You do?"

"Of course," Nick said. "She is, after all, my mother."

The witch had locked up her own son? How . . . mean.

But why would Nick help her out? Beauty can only think of one thing. "And I assume you'll want something from me if you tell me this?"

"No, no," Nick said. "One of us should get out of this prison. And we are friends, I hope?"

Yes, friends, since if Nick ever regained his sight, he would draw away in horror. But maybe if she was beautiful, he would forget all about Georgina the Gorgeous.

"Of course we are friends," Beauty said. "And I'll also figure out a way to help you, too."

Because that's what friends did, and what you do when you fell in love.

And Nick told Beauty the witch's name.

The next day, Beauty was once again summoned to the witch's throne.

"Have you failed again, Beauty the Not Beautiful?" The witch cackled. "Because there is no way--"

"Your name is Whitney the Wise."

The witch stood, anger in her face. "Bring up my son!"

"Oh no!" Beauty fell to her knees. "Do not harm Nick! He was only trying to help me!"

"You love him," Whitney the Wise Witch said. "Of course. He is beautiful, after all."

"I do not love him for his beauty," Beauty said. "He is kind and smart--"

"He's not that smart. He thinks he loves Georgina the Gorgeous."

Beauty couldn't argue this point. "He is my friend."

"Do you think he coud love you?"

"No, I am not--"

"Beautiful? What of that? You are smart and brave, are you not Beauty the Brave?"

"I'm not so smart and brave." Beauty glanced down at the floor. "I wanted to be loved for me but no one will unless the curse is broken."

The witch studied her. "And this I have your third and final task: Be brave."

Beauty was confused how to do this, and then Nick was brought into the room.

"Dearest son, I see you have betrayed me. Again."

Nick also fell to his knees. "Mother, do not harm Beauty. I beg of you."

"Son," Whitney the Wise Witch watched Beauty. "What do you see?"

"See?" Nick frowned. "I don't see anything."

"Do you still love Georgina the Gorgeous?"

Nick was silent and Beauty's heart stuttered.

"I cannot love her." Nick stood, his demeanor proud. "My heart belongs to another. I love Beauty."

"You'd love her without ever seeing her?" The witch snorted. "How could you?"

"I do not need to see her to love her. I know her heart."

Beauty felt true joy but just as quickly her joy was crushed. If he got his sight back, he would run away in horror. He would not love her. He could not.

Whitney the Wise Witch placed her hand on Nick's head and purple smoke flew from her fingers, enveloping her son. "Your curse is lifted."

Beauty stood behind the witch. Fear pumping into her veins and then the witch's words echoed in her head: Be brave.

Beauty stepped around the witch and met Nick's now-seeing eyes. "I love you, Nick. But I do not expect you to love me since I'm not beautiful and you're a prince--"

"Not beautiful?" Nick crossed to her and hugged her. He drew away, his hands still holding onto her arms fiercely. "You're brave, kind, smart, and funny. You're the most beautiful woman I've ever seen. And I'm not a true prince."

"Nicholas the Noble, you are a prince, for the thousandth time," Wendy the Wise Witch said.

"I have to agree with your mom, Nick." Beauty the Brave smiled. "You are a prince. My prince. And I love you so."

And then Beauty the Brave kissed her prince, for she was smart and she wasn't going to wait any longer for her true love to do it.

"Thus the curse is lifted," the witch said.

Beauty the Brave didn't become beautiful. She was still the same Beauty when she started but for those who loved her--and there were many who did--she was the most beautiful queen they'd ever seen.

And Queen Beauty the Brave and King Nick the Noble indeed lived very happily ever after.

Fun Facts & Author Bios!

noreply@blogger.com (Tiffany Clare) — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 09:00:00 +0000

Most authors I know hate writing their bios. It's so odd talking about ourselves when we make up stories about fictional characters for a living. My bio is incredibly short because I don't like to talk about myself, though funnily enough, it tends to be all about me one-on-one with friends.

I have a secret -- I don't like my bio. I want my about page to be full of fun so I'm thinking of updating it with fun facts. I know other authors do this (I can't recall which at the moment) but I always enjoy fun odd facts about people.

Some things you might no know about me:

I don't drive. I don't even have a driver's license. I once had my learner's permit, but let it expire because I didn't like driving.

My friend calls me Sheldon (Big Bang Theory) because I have major lunchroom OCD. Yes, I make people get out of my seat if they've daringly tried to steal it! And I will make others move on occasion to sit in the seats they are supposed to occupy while I'm in the lunch room.

That's all I have for now.

So what questions do you have for me? Which authors bios do you like most? Do you even read author bios?

Nostalgia

noreply@blogger.com (Maggie Robinson/Margaret Rowe) — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 10:56:00 +0000

Maggie here. We've had a change to our Vixen schedule, and I've had a change to mine. My mornings are usually spent in my nightgown typing away, and it takes a bomb under me to get me dressed and out of the house.

BOOM! This weekend we'll be at a reunion of my husband's football teams. When I last saw these boys (my husband was their prep school coach for four years), they were skinny and had long hair. (hey, it was a small private school in the late 70s, not a Texas high school powerhouse) I think some of them might be old enough to be grandparents now--we were only about 10 years older--and I'll bet their hairlines might be receding and their bellies more pronounced. I told my husband the reunion will kind of like be going to his own funeral, only he'll have the advantage of still being alive.

So the upcoming weekend has made me think about the past, and how things change. When we were teaching at Christchurch School, I never dreamed I'd become a romance writer. I was busy with two toddlers and teaching three sections of English. My hair is thinner now, and after having a total of four kids finally, my girlish figure is a thing of the past. I'm still me, but a different me.

How about you? Are you doing something now you never expected? Have you been to any reunions? How have you changed since your heyday?

Kieran Kramer Winner!

noreply@blogger.com (Maggie Robinson/Margaret Rowe) — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 09:08:00 +0000

Beebs, you've won a book from Kieran's backlist! Please contact maggieATmaggierobinsonDOTnet with your choice and mailing info! Now go scroll below to see Elyssa's latest crush!

Hexed

noreply@blogger.com (Elyssa Papa) — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 05:19:00 +0000

So. A while ago, I watched X-Men First Class, which wasn't that great with the exception of Michael Fassbender, who practically oozes sex off the screen.

http://youtu.be/XhBKr40kPpU

And then I watched Jane Eyre and my love for Michael Fassbender grew. Who was this man? And why did he seem so familiar to me? Somehow, I'd seen him before . . . but from what?!

Sigh. Proposal scenes. I love proposal scenes.

So, whenever I find an actor who I like, I usually hop onto imdb.com to look the actor up. I'm scrolling down Michael Fassbender's roles and I see THE ROLE, the one I KNOW him from.

And I want to hit my head.

How could I have forgotten that he played THAT role? Azazeal from HEX, one of my favorite BBC series, ever. Fassbender was darkly dangerous, darkly romantic, and just . . . well, you can see for yourself:

So. Yay or nay on Fassbender?

Shagging with Kieran Kramer

noreply@blogger.com (Maggie Robinson/Margaret Rowe) — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0000

What else would you expect on the Dark Walk of Vauxhall Gardens? ;) But it's not quite what you think. The Vixens are delighted to welcome back Kieran Kramer, who has generously offered a choice of one of her backlist books, WHEN HARRY MET MOLLY, DUKES TO THE LEFT OF ME, PRINCES TO THE RIGHT,or CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF MARRIAGE to one commenter. Read Kieran's hilarious account of her International Incident, and then tell us what you like best about Scottish-set romances for a chance to win! Here's Kieran:

My next book is set in the Highlands of Scotland--IF YOU GIVE A GIRL A VISCOUNT. The hero is an Englishman, and the heroine is Scottish. I lived in Scotland for a year in college, dated a Scotsman the whole time, had a job pulling pints of ale at the university pub--stayed there rather than travel to the Continent the way a lot of American students did during breaks--and in general, felt like a Scottish nationalist by the time I left (e.g., even though I'm half-English myself and am an avid Anglophile, occasional thoughts such as, "Oot wid ye, ye bluidy English!" would hit me, especially when I stood on Culloden fields).

At any rate, I know my Scotland really, really well. Which is why I purposely kept my references to it in the book low-key. The last thing I wanted was to make a caricature of a country that had come to be my second home and still has a piece of my heart. So VISCOUNT has its loch, castle(s), salmon, deer stalking, and kilts, but my characters' shouldnae's, dinna's, and och,aye's are kept to a minimum, LOL!

But let me tell you a good Ugly American story that happened to me when I was a brand new student there. My first night at the University of Strathclyde, I went to a dance. I was a brazen American lass, you see, so when I saw a good-looking crowd of Scottish boys who appeared straight out of the 1950's, with white T-shirts rolled up at the sleeves and worn blue jeans, I thought the sight completely charming. You see, in America at the time, the preppy look was all, especially where I live in the South. Guys back home were layering pink Oxfords and Izods, sporting khaki pants with little whales on them, and in general, being posers.

So these raw, rugged adorable Scotsmen in their vintage 50's garb really caught my eye. Oh, and I think it wasn't actually 50's to them? It was more punk. But I was too unworldly (which is a nice way to say stupid) to know that.

So anyway, I went up to them, smiled, and said, "Oh. My. Gosh! They're playing 'Miss Grace!'"

They didn't seem to be aware that this was the ultimate shagging song in Charleston, SC, which is the ultimate shagging capital of the world after Myrtle Beach. You dance with a beer in one hand and bee-bop along, your other hand clinging to the hand of your dance partner, and together you look all wholesome and bouncy.

These guys in Glasgow all just stared at me.

They weren't wholesome and bouncy!

And then I said it. I said the stupidest thing in the world. But you have to give me a break--Austin Powers did not exist at this time. The movie was a mere twinkle in Mike Meyer's eye. So being the Ugly American, I had no idea that what I was about to say would be so very wrong:

"Would any of you like to shag?"

Yeah. What you think happened happened.

I was the laughingstock of the evening. Oh, you should have seen those boys fall over each other!

But a really good thing came of it. At the end of the evening, one of the boys was behind me on the stairs and he kept saying, "Hey, jimmy! Hey, jimmy!" And I stopped and said, "Who's Jimmy?"

And he said, "You."

(I later found out that was a pretty rough thing to call a girl--we were usually beckoned by the word hen if someone didn't know us. But hell, I like jimmy better.)

So then the guy--Alastair--and I started dating. I'd never met a boy named Alastair. Plus, he was tall and cute. AndthenImethisbestfriendandstartedatinghiminstead--

I'm, um, a wee bit ashamed of that, which is why I made it hard for you to read, but give me another break. Love is war. Love stinks. Or sucks, or whatever the saying is. And Alastair's best friend and I were an item the entire year, and I had the most amazing, splendid, glorious Scottish romance you can imagine! Or not imagine. Maybe you're not sure what one would look like.

Well, I'm not gonna tell. There are some secrets a girl keeps. Forever.

But to this day, all these years later, when I'm happily married to a wonderful American man who has gifted me with 22 of the best years of my life, I still have to say that my year in Scotland is one big reason I'm a romance writer. I learned a lot about passion--not just romantic passion, but all kinds of passion. I learned about standing up for myself and about being open to new adventures. Which is why I had to set an Impossible Bachelor book there.

So, cheers, Daisy and Charlie! Cheers to Robbie Burns and his beautiful poems, several of which are featured in the story. And cheers to anyone whose 'heart's in the Highlands.'

***

Cheers to you, Kieran! Here's the clever book trailer for If You Give a Girl a Viscount:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U4YLobfKztY

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MAGGIE!!!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Elyssa Papa) — Sat, 08 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0000

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MAGGIE!!!!!!

Someone wanted to stop by and wish you the bestest of birthdays....

Here's Ioan, looking at you with those smoldering dark eyes, unshaven jaw, and that mussed hair that gives an appearance as if someone has run her fingers through and let him ruin her in all the ways that matter.

Here's Ioan, drinking a cup of coffee, giving you that look that he's about to place the cup down and sweep you into his arms and show you the best way to wake up in the morning.

Here's Ioan thinking really hard how he wants you. Naked, of course. But how exactly is the question?

Ah. He decided. I think we all approve of this choice. Rwor.

And here Ioan decides to join in the birthday celebrations by showing off the back of his birthday suit. Double Rwor.

Maggie, we all love you and wish you the happiest birthday! Eat some cake, drink some wine, and have lots of fun!

Yay! It's Maggie's birthday!!! Time to CELEBRATE!