Unwrapping: Review of TREACHEROUS TEMPTATIONS by Victoria Vane

If you are a regular reader of this blog then you already know what a huge fan of Victoria Vane’s stories I am … well, if it’s possible, I’ve become an even bigger fan after reading TREACHEROUS TEMPTATIONS.

***I’m happy to say I purchased this one for my personal reading but am happy to share my honest and unscripted thoughts with you.

Blurb for TREACHEROUS TEMPTATIONS:

A reluctant heiress resigned to her fate… Mary Elizabeth Edwardes has one of the largest fortunes in England, but has no desire to leave her quiet country existence… and even less to acquire a husband she cannot choose for herself.

A dissolute nobleman bent on retribution… Trapped in a duplicitous existence since scandal destroyed his fortune and family name, Lord Hadley Blanchard has spent the better part of a decade posing as a disaffected exile while spying and seducing in the service of the English Crown.

A dangerous game of seduction, and intrigue… When summoned from abroad by a former lover, Lord Hadley perceives an opportunity for vengeance at last. By employing the full measure of his seductive charm, he woos the ward of the man who destroyed his life, little knowing that winning Mary's fortune will mean risking his own treacherous heart.

 

**AUTHOR'S NOTE
TREACHEROUS TEMPTATIONS was very much inspired by the dark and romantic novels of the 18th century in which virtue vs. vice and plots to despoil virgins were very popular themes, books like Clarissa Harlowe by Samuel Richardson or Les Liaisons Dangereuses by LaClos. Similar to these classic tales, my story features an innocent country girl who, unlike the former heroines, is neither insipid nor naive, but still inadvertently becomes a pawn in a deadly game of revenge and intrigue.

 

                                                             *                      *                      *                    *                     *

 

Mary Edwardes is unhappy after being informed by her guardian, Sir Richard, that her choice of husband has been placed in his hands. Mary has no desire to marry at all, much less marry someone whom she has no choice in consideration. Now, under Sir Richard’s insistence, she is placed in the care of Lady Barbara Blanchard, a beautiful widow who will teach her all that she needs to know to win a proper husband in London.

 

Lord Hadley Blanchard wants only to regain what rightfully belongs to him as the proper Earl of Blanchard. He wishes to regain the title and estate stolen from him based on false accusations against his father through the ruthlessness of Sir Richard. If only he had the proof in the form of the ledgers that would prove that Sir Richard was, in fact, the one involved in bringing about the worst financial scandal to ever touch the British Isles.

 

Drawn back to London by Barbara’s promise that she has a plan to not only gain revenge against Sir Richard but to ensure their financial solvency once more, Hadley comes across a breath of fresh air in the form of a lovely young woman being tormented on the dance floor by her dance teacher. Only after he learns that Mary is the victim in Barbara’s plan to pull the girl into marriage with Hadley so that they may steal her money and rid themselves of Sir Richard, does he begin to rethink his own motives.

TREACHEROUS TEMPTATIONS by Victoria Vane is an exceptional historical romance, filled with intrigue, backstabbing motives, vicious intentions, and stars a man who thinks himself beyond redemption but is instead a hero in the making. My only regret is that there wasn’t a bit more satisfaction when Hadley comes to Mary’s rescue. I would’ve been much more vengeful, but that’s all I will say because TREACHEROUS TEMPTATIONS is a must read if you love historical romance with plot twists aplenty and truly evil villains.  Unlike the humorous and devilish Devil DeVere series penned by Victoria, of which we so enjoy, this venture into historical romance pulls from the darker side of Georgian society and may not be for everyone, but I think you may be immensely surprised. Victoria warned me more than once about its darkness but I found it most enjoyable and not nearly as dark as I expected.

 

I highly recommend TREACHEROUS TEMPTATIONS by Victoria Vane if you love strong characters, intriguing plot lines, and most importantly an excellent story with a heroine who needs saving, and hero who will have you cheering for him to redeem himself. Victoria weaves fiction and history together so expertly that you don’t know where reality and make believe begin, and end. Read TREACHEROUS TEMPTATIONS by Victoria Vane and be amazed.

 

***Be sure to read Victoria’s Tidbits at the end to understand the real history involved in this story – not to be missed and always interesting.

 

Happy Reading Everyone!

 

TREACHEROUS TEMPTATIONS by Victoria Vane, Entangled Publishing, available now in ebook formats.

                                                                

Unwrapping: Review of THE DEVIL'S HEART, a Chattan Curse novel by Cathy Maxwell

Having already read the first two Chattan Curse novels, LYON’S BRIDE and THE SCOTTISH WITCH, I had no choice but to find out if Margaret would be able to solve the mystery of the little white cat, end the curse, and fall in love in THE DEVIL’S HEART by Cathy Maxwell. Well, I was not disappointed. In fact, the final book of this series is by far the best of the trio and concludes with a fabulous and heart-wrenching finish.

***eARC provided by publisher via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest and unscripted review.

Blurb for THE DEVIL’S HEART:

They call her the Unattainable. Lady Margaret Chattan spurned every suitor for her hand, vowing never to marry. The only way to break the curse plaguing her family for two centuries is this ultimate sacrifice. But now her brothers' lives are in danger. Determined to save them, she risks her very soul by traveling into the heart of the highlands to battle a force that has transcended time.

Heath Macnachtan is not superstitious. Laird of the most independent, nonconforming, madly infuriating clan ever to grace Scotland, he believes he has his hands full. And then, a woman lauded as one of the most beautiful in England, arrives on his doorstep with wild accusations and a mystical quest . . . one that just might help him discover who murdered his own brother.

But the real danger for Heath and Margaret is not a supernatural foe, but a very real love that could destroy them both.

                                                      *                     *                      *                      *                      * 

With the urging of her ailing brothers, Margaret Chattan has traveled to Loch Awe in an attempt to end the curse that threatens to claim two more Chattan men. On the way, she encounters the elusive Owl, a white cat with folded ears and large round eyes. When told that no one else in the group can see the cat, Margaret leaves it by the side of the road but then as if no longer protected, a storm develops that throws the carriage off the road. Broken and battered, Margaret lies dying alongside her companions and fears the curse will win after all.

 

Heath Macnachtan is the Laird of Marybone, home to the remaining direct descendants of Fenella Macnachtan, the witch that put the curse upon Charles Chattan, and his descendants, after he jilted her daughter, Rose, to marry an Englishwoman.  On the verge of losing all that has been in his family for generations, Heath feels he’s failed the memory of his murdered brother, Brodie. Returning home with news that will not change his family’s circumstances, he stops at the site of his brother’s murderous death and discovers a dreadful scene and a sleeping beauty untouched from the accident. If I tell you more I'll spoil it for you.

Excerpt:

She lay on her back upon a bed of pine needles, her hands folded at her waist, her eyes closed, her face serene … and she was beautiful. Her lips were red, her complexion flawless.

Heath recognized her immediately.

This was Lady Margaret Chattan, the Unattainable. He’d seen her once on a London street. She’d been followed by a flock of male admirers.

Hers was a face no man could ever forget. It was said men fought over her, they begged for her favors, they worshipped her – and yet no man had ever claimed her.

That day, almost a decade ago, a much younger Heath had gazed upon her and had the feeling that one day their paths would cross. He’d even said as much to other men. They had assured him he was deluding himself.

But Heath’s belief had not been so outlandish. She was a Chattan; he a Macnachtan. There had been a moment in time when their histories had entwined.

And now she was here in his wood. And she was alive. - THE DEVIL'S HEART

 

THE DEVIL’S HEART, book 3 of the Chattan Curse series by Cathy Maxwell is an excellent conclusion to a wonderful series. Cathy has conjured a mystery on top of a mystery, a battle of good against evil, and leaves us truly believing that love conquers all. I thoroughly enjoyed the buildup to the end and wasn’t disappointed. Margaret is headstrong yet yielding, and Heath is compassionate yet steadfast in his role as Laird, protector, lover, and conqueror. His disbelief in the curse begins to wane as his need to protect Margaret and to aid her in her search for an end to the curse becomes all consuming. When all seems lost to both, his strength and need to prove his love for Margaret is what saves them. More than the curse is resolved in this thrilling historical romance that has a truly heart wrenchingly sweet happily-ever-after.

 

I highly recommend THE DEVIL’S HEART by Cathy Maxwell to anyone who believes that love can bring anyone together, even enemies. To anyone who believes that good will always overcome evil and to anyone who loves a truly wonderful read. Whether or not you’ve read the first two books, LYON’S BRIDE and THE SCOTTISH WITCH, Cathy provides enough backstory to draw you in so that you’ll be wondering what you missed, but will still keep you hooked straight through to a tissue grabbing ending. However, to experience the full impact of the Chattan Curse and the fight to free the Chattan siblings from Fenella’s evil, I do recommend reading from the beginning of the series. It’s very worth it.

 

Happy Reading Everyone!

 

THE DEVIL’S HEART, a Chattan Curse novel by Cathy Maxwell, Avon Romance, releasing April 30, 2013 in print and ebook formats.
 

                                                                  

Tasty Review Tour Blog Stop: THE EARL IN MY BED, a Forgotten Princesses novella by Sophie Jordan

Welcome to my stop on The EARL IN MY BED by Sophie Jordan Blog Tour. Already a fan of the Forgotten Princesses series by Sophie Jordan, it wasn’t a difficult decision to read and review this lovely novella that was released in time for Valentine’s Day. I may be a little late in bringing it to you, my dear readers, but believe me if you haven’t read it yet, by all means, do – it’s very worth it.

***eARC provided by publisher via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest and unscripted review.

Blurb for THE EARL IN MY BED:

Intended for one man…

All her life, everyone assumed Paget Ellsworth, the vicar’s daughter, would marry the Earl of Winningham’s youngest son. And when he left for war with his older brother, Jamie, words and promises were not necessary. She would wait.

But destined for another…

Four years pass, and the death of his father forces Jamie home to take up the reins as the new earl, leaving his brother fighting on the front lines a world away. Maddening, infuriating, sexy Jamie makes Paget question her feelings. One glimpse, one word from him awakens desire in her heart. When a simple kiss spirals out of control at the annual Valentine’s Day ball, she realizes the man she never wanted is the man she needs…but will Paget cast aside all she’s ever thought to be true to win the man of her dreams?

                               *                *                *                *                *                 * 

Paget Ellsworth grew up with the sons of the Earl of Winningham. She loved two but barely tolerated the third. When her best friend, and the one she had always thought she'd marry, Owen, went off to war she remained close to the eldest and heir to the title, Brand. She wrote to Owen often but rarely heard back after a few times at the beginning. While she worried for Owen's safety, she gradually began to realize that perhaps her love for him was more as a friend than as a future husband, but still held out hope. Now, things have changed. Brand has died and the next in line, the brother that was always so taciturn and kept himself as an outsider to the group, Jamie, has returned from the same fight that holds Owen a world away to take on the title of Earl. Paget is not thrilled to have him home and wishes he were Owen instead.

 

Lord James Winningham has returned from war, left his younger brother alone to survive war, and knows he's not the one that anyone wants to see take the place of his father or his older brother as the Earl of Winningham. One person in particular will be most disappointed to see his return, Paget Ellsworth, the vicar's daughter and good friend to his brothers, but not to him. Coming face to face with Paget leaves him with a handprint on his cheek and an ache in his heart. She belongs to his brother Owen, yet he finds himself longing to have her for himself.

 

THE EARL IN MY BED by Sophie Jordan is a sweet Valentine of a novella. I am always amazed at how some writers can manage to put so much into such a short expanse of pages. Sophie does this in THE EARL IN MY BED. Fast-paced, informative, not only with backstory but progression, Sophie takes us through the low points of Paget and Jamie's relationship to the very hot, very high points with ease, and without holding back. This is one of those novellas that I found myself wishing had been told full-length, but since Owen's return comes in the next Forgotten Princesses novel, I'm sure we'll be seeing more of Jamie and Paget.

 

I highly recommend THE EARL IN MY BED by Sophie Jordan for anyone who is already a fan of her Forgotten Princesses series and for anyone who has yet to dip their reading toes into this delightful historical romance series. If you're looking for a fast read for a lazy afternoon, THE EARL IN MY BED, a Forgotten Princesses novella by Sophie Jordan is the one for you.

 

About the Author:

 

Sophie Jordan, a former high school English teacher, resides in Houston with her family. When she’s not writing, she divides her time between inventing what she likes to call culinary masterpieces -- her husband won’t always agree -- and visiting her family’s pecan ranch in the scenic Texas Hill Country.

 

If you'd like to learn more about Sophie Jordan and her books, please visit her website and feel free to follow her on Twitter, Facebook, and Goodreads.

 

Happy Reading Everyone!

 

THE EARL IN MY BED, a Forgotten Princesses novella by Sophie Jordan, Avon Romance, available now in print and ebook formats at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Indiebound, and iBookstore.
 

                                                                

Wacky Wednesday: Review of EMMA: The Wild and Wanton Edition by Micah Persell & Jane Austen Blog Tour

Welcome to my stop on the EMMA: The Wild and Wanton Edition by Micah Persell and Jane Austen Blog Tour presented by Tasty Book Tours. When asked if I wanted to join this tour, I didn’t just jump at it, I leaped! A sexy version of one of my favorite Jane Austen novels – was there any doubt that I wanted to read this? No! Have you ever wondered what was really happening behind the scenes at Hartfield?

***eARC provided by author in exchange for an honest and unscripted review.

Blurb for EMMA: The Wild and Wanton Edition:

Emma Woodhouse and Mr. Knightley won the literary world’s heart 200 years ago when Jane Austen first penned the story of their friendship-turned-love.

 

Emma is the young, rich, beautiful heroine with too much time on her hands and an overactive imagination; Mr. Knightley is her long-suffering friend who is always trying to steer her in the right direction. Their love story is one of deep, dedicated affection blooming into passion.

 

But what about all of that sexual tension that crackles in the subtext? In this Wild and Wanton edition of Austen’s classic, Emma and Mr. Knightley burn up the pages as they give in to their baser natures. Discover the sexy scenes that readers of Emma have been imagining between Austen’s lines since 1815.

                              *                     *                      *                    *                     *

Emma Woodhouse is a lady of leisure with little to occupy her time and so fancies herself a talented matchmaker. Taking credit for the successful match between her former governess, Miss Taylor, and the widower, Mr. Weston, she now sets her sights on bringing more unmatched friends together all the while trying to ignore her own desirable thoughts of the noble Mr. Knightley.

George Knightley has known Emma Woodhouse since her birth and until recently had not thought of as anything more than a spoiled girl who he enjoyed goading into temper. But something about Emma has changed, at least in his eyes, and he now finds his thoughts and his desires straying into a territory that has him feeling unhinged. 

Excerpt (a spicy one):

She was his own Emma, by hand and word.

He made a noise that seemed to emanate from deep within his chest, and the light kisses he had been gifting her with continued to travel up from her wrist to her inner forearm, to the hallow of her elbow at which point she completely forgot how to breathe. 

He began to talk again, his breath caressing her skin as completely as his lips had seconds ago.  “You have made me a very happy man, my Emma.”  He punctuated the endearment with another kiss to her upper arm.  “I had dared not to hope—” a kiss to her cloth-covered shoulder “—dared not to dream.”

His words trailed off as he pressed an open-mouth kiss to her collarbone.  She felt the sweep of something velvety and wet, and her body jolted as she realised it was his tongue.  She heard herself make a noise, and heard him echo it.

“I am forgetting myself, dearest,” he said hoarsely into the patch of damp skin.  “Remind me,” he begged.  “Remind me of how I should behave.”

Her Mr. Knightley, Emma thought with exultation, always so concerned with how one should behave.  Emma was entirely uninterested in proper behaviour at this moment. “Not yet,” she whispered into his hair, the scent of the garden and sunshine greeting her as she rested her cheek against his head.  “Please not yet.”

He groaned and his kisses moved to the hallow of her throat.  “Your wish, my lady.”   ***

EMMA by Jane Austen is one of my favorite of her works simply because of Mr. Knightley and the way he stands back and allows Emma her lead. Of course, he does so while keeping her check without her notice, until she makes a fool of herself and then scolds her out of fear of losing her to Frank Churchhill. Micah Persell has taken this beautiful story with its lively banter and unspoken attractions and filled in the blanks for us bringing EMMA to life in a way that I’m sure Ms. Austen would surely have approved - if it would not have shocked her into a blushing silence. Keeping true to the voice of Jane Austen, Micah has improved upon a classic. She has made it even more romantic, if possible. She's filled in the gaps for us. From Mr. Weston’s proposal to Miss Taylor and her wanton acceptance in the garden clear through to the Knightley’s wedding night, which was just as I would imagine it to be since Emma was most assuredly a virgin, when she married her Mr. Knightley. As Ms. Austen ended her own edition, there was most certainly a perfect happiness in the union. 

I highly recommend EMMA: The Wild and Wanton Edition by Micah Persell and Jane Austen to every fan of Ms. Austen’s works who has ever wondered about the true romance hidden between those lines of expert and exquisite prose. Mr. Knightley has always been my favorite Austen hero but now I’m totally in love with this most honorable, noble and sexy man. 

About the Authors:

Jane Austen is one of the most beloved authors of all time.  She never married, and as far as we know, she died a virgin.  More’s the pity.

Micah Persell is the award-winning author of the paranormal romance series Operation: Middle of the Garden.  She holds a bachelor’s degree in English and a double master’s degree in English pedagogy and literature, and she found particular delight in driving her professors to madness by imagining the characters’ salacious untold stories during class discussions of “serious literature.”  She is beyond thrilled that the object of her professors’ horror is now her profession.

To learn more about Micah Persell and her books, please visit her website and feel free to follow her on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Goodreads.

Also, Micah Persell is offering a ROMANCE GIFT BASKET to one randomly drawn commenter tour wide. Basket includes:  Books, Chocolates, Wine and Bubble Bath. Please use Rafflecopter below to enter. Good Luck and be sure to click on the Blog Tour Banner to visit all the stops - more chances to enter!

Happy Reading Everyone!

 http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/521ac429/

 

EMMA: The Wild and Wanton Edition by Micah Persell and Jane Austen, Crimson Romance, available now in ebook formats.

                                                                                    

Unwrapping: Review of NEVER SAY NEVER by Aimée Duffy

When I read MONSTER OF FAME, book one in the Price of Fame series by Aimée Duffy back in October 2012, she surprised the beejeebers out of me by actually getting me to enjoy a contemporary romance about, of all things, a reality TV show. So, when she came to me asked if I’d like to read a copy of her second book in the Price of Fame series, NEVER SAY NEVER, no strings attached, I didn’t hesitate to say yes - much to her surprise. She was worried that I wouldn’t want to because it had a reality TV star as the hero. Oh, poo!

***eARC provided by author in exchange for an honest or unscripted review – whether she wanted it or not.

Blurb for NEVER SAY NEVER:

When pretend turns to desire, heartbreak is unavoidable.

 

Sander Chase needs a date for his ex-fiancée's engagement party, but he doesn't have time for a woman in his life. Between working on the TV show Do You Have What It Takes? and his band reforming, he's too busy for a relationship. What he needs is a pretend girlfriend. He thinks he may have found the perfect woman for the job, and the bribe he offers means she's sure to accept.

 

After losing her job in the film industry, breaking up with her movie star boyfriend, and finding out her mum has dementia, Chloe Butler returned to the UK determined to put her life back together. The last thing she needs is to parade around London on the arm of a celebrity, and after the heartbreak caused by her ex, she swore she'd never again date a star. But when Sander offers her a chance at her dream job, it's not something she can turn down.

 

As Chloe gets to know Sander she learns he's nothing like her scumbag ex. But she struggles to fight her attraction to him, knowing their relationship is only for show and their separation date is closing in fast.

 

Ignoring the insane chemistry between them should be easy for Sander, especially since he carries a secret that means there can be no future for them, but the more time he spends with Chloe, the harder it is to keep his hands to himself.

 

{Content Warning: contains more denial than you'll find in a courtroom, more sexual tension than most people could handle, and explosive sex that some readers may find long overdue.}

 

                                                       *                      *                   *                    *                      *

Chloe Butler returned to London with a broken heart to care for an ailing mother and no prospects for a job doing what she loves. Instead, she finds herself working as a waitress in a coffee shop dreaming about what could be, including what can never be between her and the gorgeous Sander Chase, actor and star extraordinaire, who comes in for coffee every day.

 

Sander Chase is caught between a rock and a hard place. His ex, who cheated on him with his band partner, is having an engagement party and he’s expected to attend with a smile and an eagerness to let bygones be bygones. The problem is that he has no one in his life right now and doesn’t want to go without a beautiful woman on his arm. Having noticed the lovely young woman who works in the coffee shop on more than one occasion, he decides to offer her a proposition that she just can’t turn down.

 

Their relationship is supposed to look real from the outside but remain pretend on the inside. Pretty soon, it’s beginning to look real to more than just those watching. It’s beginning to feel real to Chloe ...  and Sander.

 

NEVER SAY NEVER, book 2 in the Price of Fame series, by Aimée Duffy is a contemporary romance that plays out similarly to nearly everyone’s favorite movie, PRETTY WOMAN. Just as in the movie, our hero simply needs a companion who can play the part of his date, his girlfriend, even his lover. Chloe is NOT a prostitute, but in order for Sander to secure Chloe continuing in her role, he arranges for her to get an interview for her dream job, he pays for new clothes (actually takes her shopping), and arranges a caretaker for her mother so that she’s free to attend to his needs – as a companion, of course. Everyone benefits, no one is hurt, Chloe gets what she needs, and Sander doesn’t lose face. What neither expects is that with one kiss, everything changes and they both find themselves fighting the electric connection sparking between them – a battle they both fight hard not to lose.

Aimée creates an atmosphere of a developing friendship, kindred spirits, and a couple with whom you'll fall in love. I love that she sprinkles her prose with bits of British slang that, although it means looking things up occasionally, lends a London air to the environment of the story that draws you in even deeper. Her characters are full-bodied and charismatic which is quite amazing considering the modest length of the book.

 

I highly recommend NEVER SAY NEVER by Aimée Duffy to anyone who loves a fairy tale romance that’s simple yet complicated, subtle yet explosive, and that will have you urging the hero and heroine to stop fighting what is inevitable and just go for it – to NEVER SAY NEVER - and pursue their happily-ever-after.

 

Happy Reading Everyone!

 

NEVER SAY NEVER, a Price of Fame novel by Aimée Duffy, Beachwalk Press, available now in ebook formats.

 

                                                                                          

And a Copy of A PLAYBOY'S LOVE AFFAIR by Emily Quinn goes to ...

THANK YOU EVERYONE

for taking the time to visit

with the lovely
Emily Quinn
and
a great big thank you,
to Emily,
for being such a wonderful guest.
You're welcome back here any time! 

I hope you will all enjoy
reading this fun contemporary romance.
It isn't available in all vendors yet
but come mid-July, it will.
In the meantime, if you've got
a Kindle or Kindle app, it's fast reading
and well worth the time.

 As promised, one lucky commenter is

going to win a Kindle copy of
A PLAYBOY'S LOVE AFFAIR by Emily Quinn,
 

so without further ado,

the winner is: 

 

SUE G

 

 Congrats to Sue, she has been notified by email

and she will be receiving her copy of this
wonderful debut romance by an author I expect to
see more good things from in the future, Emily Quinn. 

 Please check your SPAM folder so you don't miss the message.

Since Sue must have either a Kindle or Kindle app
to read this delightfully fun romance, I will wait until
I hear from her to send her book. If by chance, 
I don't hear back from her by end of day,
Thursday, April 18, 2013, or she is unable to accept the
prize copy, I will choose another winner
from the valid entries. So ... Sue, check your mail!

Congratulations, Sue, and thank you

to everyone who visited and played.

Happy Reading Everyone!

Wacky Wednesday: A Visit With Emily Quinn, debut author of A PLAYBOY'S LOVE AFFAIR

On Monday, I reviewed the debut novel, A PLAYBOY’S LOVE AFFAIR by Emily Quinn. If you haven’t read my review, please feel free to click on the title and do so, but hurry back because the lovely author of this fun contemporary romance will be joining us shortly.

Emily Quinn writes sexy contemporary romances with irresistible bad boys, feisty heroines, a bit of conflict, humor and a dash of spice. She loves books and falls in love with every hero she reads. She lives in sunny Southern California with her husband, two kids, and her dog.

Please join me in welcoming Emily Quinn, debut author of A PLAYBOY'S LOVE AFFAIR, to Unwrapping Romance … 

Amy: Welcome Emily, it's an absolute delight to have you with us today, and thank you for taking time out of your busy day. Congratulations on your debut novel, A PLAYBOY'S LOVE AFFAIR. 

Perhaps you'd like to tell us a little bit about yourself for those who don't know you yet. 

Emily: I love to read about bad boys as much as I love to write about them, which is why I write sexy contemporary romances with irresistible bad boys, feisty heroines, a bit of conflict, humor and a dash of spice.  

Amy: Well, we do love bad boys, right everyone?! As a debut author, you're fresh from the journey from initial idea to the release date. What was it like for you when you heard the news that A PLAYBOY'S LOVE AFFAIR was going to be published? 

Emily:  Oh my gosh, I couldn’t believe it. The story was passed by a few other publishers so I thought the last one I was waiting to hear back from would pass as well. Instead, the publisher asked to see more of the manuscript. Then, I was asked to make a few minor tweaks but there was no mention of contract yet. Next thing I knew, I received an offer for a contract a week before Christmas. Needless to say, that was the best Christmas present I’ve ever had. Even when edits started I was still processing whether it was really happening. But now that it’s actually out there for the world to see, it’s a feeling I can’t explain. I’m beyond thrilled. 

Amy:  That certainly was a great Christmas gift! I am so jealous. The title of your book, A PLAYBOY'S LOVE AFFAIR, is definitely intriguing and quite provocative. Perhaps you'd like to tell us what inspired you to write this particular story. 

Emily:  I love this question. One day I was listening to a song and the lyrics grabbed me. I thought, “Oh my goodness, wouldn’t it be a great love story if a beautiful woman meets a drop dead gorgeous troublemaker at midnight and that it’d only take a kiss for him to fall in love with her?” I played with the title quite a bit, I wanted something that would make people think, “How can a playboy have a love affair if he is that… A playboy?” 

Amy:  Leave it to music to inspire. They say that scent is the greatest stimulator, I'm beginning to think music does more to inspire romance than anything. Most writers are prolific readers, do you have any favorite authors or genres that have influenced the direction of your writing? 

Emily:  Some of my favorite authors are: Jude Deveraux, Lisa Kleypas, Suzanne Enoch, Julia Quinn. I fell in love with their historical romances. In fact, historicals were all I read for a very long time. I’ve read most of these authors’ books and never get tired of them. These authors inspire me and I always tell myself, “I want to be like them when I grow up.” 

Amy:  Great role models! A PLAYBOY'S LOVE AFFAIR is a contemporary romance. Is contemporary romance where you see yourself staying with your writing or do you see the possibility of dipping your pen into other romantic directions? 

Emily:  I like a little bit of everything but I think I will stick to contemporary romance with erotic elements (that’s where my dash of spice comes in) for now. Perhaps, later I may try my hand at writing a historical but I’d have to give that some thought. 

Amy:  Go with what works, I say, but never say never. So what's next for Emily Quinn? 

Emily:  Well, I just got a new contract with a different publisher for a Contemporary Erotic Romance Novella titled ONE WICKED NIGHT. This one will be out very soon. 

Amy: How exciting? Congratulations and I know, I'm looking forward to it. Love the title - you know a title like that can only hold trouble! My last question for you and my personal favorite. If you could be ANY character in ANY book, who would it be and why? 

Emily:  I’d be Dougless from A KNIGHT IN SHINING ARMOR by Jude Deveraux. I guess the reason is because I like Colin (the hero) so much that I want to be her just to get to him.  : )
You may call me shameless. Hey, but what’s a girl to do with a guy like him?  

Amy:  I'd never call you shameless for wanting to be her.  I wouldn't mind being in her shoes either.
Emily, thank you so very much for joining us today and for sharing A PLAYBOY'S LOVE AFFAIR with us. Congratulations on your debut and I wish you the greatest luck and success. 

Emily:  Thank you so much for having me on your blog today. It’s been lots of fun!

Now, for the giveaway. One lucky commenter will win an ecopy of A PLAYBOY'S LOVE AFFAIR. For your chance to win just leave us a comment and tell us:  

If you could have ANY hero from ANY book, who would it be and why? 

Amy:  Well, my dears, Emily has given you a task and a chance at a prize.
If you’d like to learn more about Emily and her books, please feel free to visit her website. Also, follow her on Twitter, Facebook, Goodreads, and Pinterest. 

In the meantime, enjoy a taste of A PLAYBOY'S LOVE AFFAIR by Emily Quinn.

Excerpt from A PLAYBOY’S LOVE AFFAIR: 

Alex walked through a stunningly tall garden arbor, admiring the beautiful roses clambering up its sides. He came to a halt at its end, and closed his eyes as he slowly inhaled the tranquility mixed in the rose sweet smelling cool night air. Instinct told him he wasn’t alone, and was glad to see his gut feeling never failed him. His gaze followed a path leading up to a woman in a midnight blue gown, standing under a timeless giant tree a few steps away from him.

“Trying to get away?” the mysterious woman purred, coming out of the shadows with a cat-like walk. 

He nodded. His gaze traveled the length of her body, and his hands itched to touch her long chocolate waves resting on her left shoulder. 

“I don’t blame you.” She lifted her hand offering him the bottle of wine she’d been drinking from. “Alex St. Jones, is it?” Her moonlit cosmic green eyes met his caramel brown moss. 

Alex was sure he’d never crossed paths with this woman before tonight. “And you are?” He puckered his brow in inquiry. He shouldn’t have been surprised to hear she knew who he was, but he was. Alex had yet to meet a woman who claimed she’d never heard of the St. Joneses. He didn’t know whether he owed a “thank you” to his wealthy-as-sin dad or not. 

“Carly Mitchell… Are you going to have some wine or should I just do the deed myself?” Her upper lip curled showing straight pearl white teeth. “I certainly don’t mind.” 

Alex grabbed the bottle of wine from her and took a long sip. “Who are you trying to get away from?” 

“My ex.” Carly rolled her eyes. 

“Your ex?” His gaze drifted around them. 

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GIVEAWAY:  A Kindle Copy of A PLAYBOY’S LOVE AFFAIR by Emily Quinn 

Blurb for A PLAYBOY’S LOVE AFFAIR:

What a playboy wants, a playboy gets…

Alex St. Jones, black sheep of the famous St. Joneses, is the playboy of playboys whose only love affair is his freedom. He lives by one rule: Enchant them. Seduce them. Leave them. But that’s about to change when a midnight temptress stumbles upon him and demands he kiss her.

Carly Mitchell wants nothing to do with Alex St. Jones. She hates his good looks, his arrogance. Plus, he won’t leave her alone no matter what she does. Most importantly, she hates that she’s falling for him. But she’s determined not to go down without a fight and to teach him a lesson at that. Alex may have met the one woman he cannot tame, but he doesn’t plan on letting that stop him.

Will Carly withstand his charms? When two strong personalities collide, sparks are sure to fly.

GIVEAWAY RULES:

***This Giveaway is OPEN TO EVERYONE with a Kindle or Kindle App, international included. (void where prohibited) 

***For VALID ENTRY, commenter must leave a VALID EMAIL ADDRESS. Remember the Magic Formula for Entry:  

THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED. THANKS FOR VISITING.
 

***This Giveaway will run until 11:30PM EST, Friday, April 12, 2013 at which time one lucky valid entry will be chosen by randomizer to win a Kindle Copy of A PLAYBOY’S LOVE AFFAIR by Emily Quinn. The winner will be notified by email, and announced in a special Saturday post. If the winner doesn’t respond by end of day Thursday, April 18, 2013, a new winner will be chosen by the same process. Good Luck! 

Happy Reading Everyone! 

A PLAYBOY’S LOVE AFFAIR by Emily Quinn, A Wild Rose Press release, available in ebook format for Kindle at Amazon but all other retailers will be available on July 17, 2013.