Joining me today is the
lovely and talented author of TAKEN BY THE DUKE as well as many other wonderful
reads, Jess Michaels. I’m so excited about this new series – The Pleasure Wars –
and can’t wait to read the next one. Jess Michaels began writing full-time in 1999 after being
encouraged by her husband to follow her dream. In 2003, she sold her first
novella to Red Sage Press, an erotic historical romance about an Egyptian tomb
and a very sexy curse. Since then she has published (or has contracted to
publish by the end of 2013) 37 novels and novellas under three different pen
names with several major publishers, small presses and via self-publishing. Her
erotic historical romances have been national bestsellers and won awards from
booksellers and readers.
Please join me in welcoming Jess Michaels, author of TAKEN BY THE DUKE, to Unwrapping Romance …
Amy: Welcome Jess, it's an absolute delight to have you with us today, and I'd like to thank you for taking time out of your busy day to join us. Perhaps you'd like to tell us a little bit about yourself for those who don't know you yet.
Jess: Well, I write erotic historical romance set
in the Regency period. I've written for Red Sage, Avon, and now Samhain, as
well as some self-published projects. I'm married to my best friend and high
school sweetheart. He does book marketing for a living so... I pay him in hugs.
We live in Tucson with our two cats. I love reading, I'm a fan of UFC and cycling,
I need to hike more and I love my two nephews like crazy. It's a really charmed
life.
Amy: With a husband who’s willing to accept
payment in hugs, you do have a charmed life and obviously, a romantic one - great
environment to inspire you. So TAKEN BY THE DUKE is the first book in your new
series, The Pleasure Wars. Would you like to share a bit of what the series has in store for us?
Jess: Sure! The Pleasure Wars is a series about two
families who have been in a war for decades, one that heats up when the son of
one family tries to run away with the daughter and they're involved in a
terrible accident when her brother makes chase. When she is killed, it sends the families on a
pounding warpath toward each other. Only the one thing none of them expects is
love.
Amy: Love conquers all – love it, that’s exactly
what we look for in our romance reading, right folks?!
Jess, I envy your
ability to write erotic romance. I don't think I'm brave enough to get that
sexual in words. I'm curious about what inspired you to write such juicy romances. Do you have a preference in your own personal
reading?
Jess: I've always loved sexy romances so it was
definitely a great fit. For me, the trick is to make sure that the sexy scenes
are a real, strong part of the story. Otherwise, readers don't connect.
Amy: I think that’s exactly what I enjoy so much
about your romances, I do connect with the characters, and the sexiness plays
into that. So what do you enjoy most about writing erotic romance and what do
you find the most difficult about writing erotic romance?
Jess: I guess I don't
sub-categorize it down to erotic or not erotic romance. I love writing romance
because it's such an uplifting genre. I get great notes from readers who loved
books and maybe the story brightened their day a little. That's a good thing
every time. The most difficult is really more about publishing. I control so
little of what happens when a story releases, and that is hard.
Amy: Always knowing there’s a happily-ever-after
coming does make even the most heartrending story a bright spot in our days, I
think, and it’s why we love the genre. I know TAKEN BY THE DUKE left me
believing in the healing power of love.
Speaking of which, TAKEN
BY THE DUKE is a wonderful story built around a kind of Romeo and Juliet style
feud between two families but goes far beyond - in my opinion. There is a lot
of emotion in this story, which is one of the reasons I loved it. What inspired
you to pull so many different fractured emotions together?
Jess: I think Christian
and Ava's story just naturally has so much emotional punch, it was easy to find
a lot of it. Here he is, a man scarred emotionally and physically and looking
to lash out at anyone to make it better. And she's her very own casualty of
war, but she's still strong and empathetic and willing to fight for what she
wants. She uses her kidnapping as a mission of peace and I loved watching her
take control and heal Christian (and herself) with love.
Amy: I couldn’t have expressed
that better from the reader’s point of view. My dears, sincerely, whether you
normally read erotic romance or not, this story will capture your heart. You’ll
find yourself cheering for Ava. And if you’re like me, you’ll be in tears a few
times. Do read it. I promise you’ll love it.
Jess, you write both
historical and contemporary, do you ever see yourself delving into any other
genres?
Jess: As Jess, I've really only done a
couple of contemporary books and I don't see myself doing any other
genres. Right now, I'm focused entirely on erotic historical and my writing
schedule and contracts for the next couple of years reflect
that. Basically, if you like my Jess Michaels books, there are a LOT of
books on the horizon, so sign up for my newsletter!
Amy: I know I’m all in for a LOT more of your
erotic historicals. I love them – the Mistress Matchmaker series was one of my
favorites, but it might get surpassed by The Pleasure Wars series.
Well, it’s time for my
last question for you and my personal favorite. If you could be ANY character
in ANY book, who would it be and why?
Jess: I think I'd be Anne from Anne of Green
Gables. Actually, I might be Diana so I could be FRIENDS with Anne. :) She's
still my favorite character from my childhood and I would love to hang with
her.
Amy: That’s a great answer and one I never
considered before. Being friends with a favorite character would be a wonderful
adventure.
Jess, thank you so very
much for joining us today, it was truly a delight having you with us. Thank you also for sharing some wonderful insight
into TAKEN BY THE DUKE with us. Congratulations on your new series. I’m already
a big fan, but I hope everyone reads TAKEN BY THE DUKE and becomes as addicted as
I am.
Jess: Thanks you so much
for having me!
Amy: Jess is offering up a paperback version of AN
INTRODUCTION TO PLEASURE, book one in her Mistress Matchmaker series to one
lucky commenter. In addition, because I love this new book so much, I’m
offering up a digital copy of TAKEN BY THE DUKE to one lucky commenter as well.
So folks, you have two opportunities to win today. I'll leave it to Jess for the
question you’ll need to answer to enter. Jess?
Jess: I'd love to ask your readers,
WHICH HISTORICAL TIME PERIOD IS YOUR FAVORITE?
Amy: Great question. I’ve got far too many to pick
just one so it’s a good thing I can’t enter our contest. If you'd like to learn more about Jess and her books, please feel free to visit her website, and follow her on Twitter, Facebook, and at Goodreads.
Please read the Giveaway Rules carefully since you’ve got
two chances to win and follow them exactly or you’ll be left out.
GIVEAWAY PRIZES:
PRIZE ONE: One
Print Copy of INTRODUCTION TO PLEASURE, book one in THE MISTRESS MATCHMAKER
series by Jess Michaels to one lucky commenter – US & Canada entries only.
Blurb for INTRODUCTION TO PLEASURE:
An innocent lady’s
education could be a gentleman’s wicked seduction.
GIVEAWAY RULES:
Lysandra Keates is
running out of options. Her father is dead, her mother is ill, and her efforts
to find respectable employment have ended in failure. With her small savings
bleeding away, she swallows her pride—and her terror—and turns to Vivien
Manning, an infamous courtesan, to match her with a wealthy protector.
For years, Viscount
Andrew Callis has lived a monastic existence at his country estate, hardening
his body against the snobbish, lazy young man he once was, hardening his heart
against grief over the deaths of his wife and infant son. When Vivien asks him
to spend one month training a young woman in the ways of a mistress, his mind
resists…but his body responds with an ache he thought long dead.
As Andrew begins his
gentle tutelage, he finds himself falling under the spell of Lysandra’s
innocent charms. And as they give in to the powerful hunger, the last thing
Andrew ever expected, or wanted, forms between them. An emotional connection
that could carry them well past the training period—if only Andrew can open his
heart to the possibility of love.
PRIZE TWO: One Digital Copy of TAKEN BY THE DUKE, book
one in The Pleasure Wars series by Jess Michaels to one lucky commenter - open to all entries, International included.
Blurb for TAKEN BY THE
DUKE:
An eye for an eye, a sin
for a sin…
Amid all the lies and scandals that fuel Society’s gossip mill, one truth has stood out: House Rothcastle and House Windbury have always hated each other.
Lady Ava Windbury prays the feud will someday end, to no avail. One dreadful night, her brother accidentally causes the death of Christian Rothcastle’s sister, a tragedy that leaves both men maimed.
Amid all the lies and scandals that fuel Society’s gossip mill, one truth has stood out: House Rothcastle and House Windbury have always hated each other.
Lady Ava Windbury prays the feud will someday end, to no avail. One dreadful night, her brother accidentally causes the death of Christian Rothcastle’s sister, a tragedy that leaves both men maimed.
Consumed by grief,
Christian makes a grim decision. He will kidnap Lady Ava so that her family
will feel the pain of loss as keenly as he feels the loss of his own sister.
But once he has Ava in his clutches, desire takes unexpected hold. Even more
surprising, she willingly surrenders to his every sexual whim—after haggling
over the terms of giving up her virginity.
Too late, he realizes she is using her body for peace, not war. But just as their affair of revenges turns into an affair of the heart, the past rears its ugly head to take matters into its own hands…
Too late, he realizes she is using her body for peace, not war. But just as their affair of revenges turns into an affair of the heart, the past rears its ugly head to take matters into its own hands…
Product Warnings: This
book contains scenes of erotic seduction, sexual revenge and the healing power
of love.
GIVEAWAY RULES:
***This Giveaway is OPEN
TO THOSE AS STATED WITH THE PRIZE. (void where prohibited)
***Please note whether
you are eligible for the prize. US & Canada are eligible for both prizes
and if you have a preference you may state that. International entries are
eligible only for the digital copy.
***Please be sure to
state in your comment whether you are US, Canada, or International. Thank you.
***For VALID ENTRY, commenter must leave a VALID EMAIL ADDRESS. Remember the Magic Formula for Entry:
***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, July 5, 2013 at which time two lucky valid
entries will be chosen by randomizer to each win a prize. One lucky comment
will be chosen to win the print copy of INTRODUCTION TO PLEASURE and one lucky
comment will be chosen to win a digital copy of TAKEN BY THE DUKE. The winners
will be notified by email, and announced in a special Saturday post. If the
winners don’t respond by end of day Thursday, July 11, 2013, a new winner, or
two, will be chosen by the same process.
Good Luck Everyone and Happy Reading!
Good Luck Everyone and Happy Reading!
TAKEN BY THE DUKE, book
one in The Pleasure War series by Jess Michaels, Samhain Publishing, available
now in ebook formats at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Kobobooks.
INTRODUCTION TO
PLEASURE, book one in The Mistress Matchmaker series by Jess Michaels, Samhain
Publishing, available now in print and ebook formats at Amazon, Barnes &Noble, and Kobobooks.
***click on links for purchasing information or covers below.
9 comments:
These sound interesting. Please enter me for both. Prefer print book
US
bn100candg at hotmail dot com
OMG!!! Taken By the Duke sounds Divine! I just read a small excerpt of it on another blog and it was fab!
As for which Historical time period I love...it'll have to be Regency! Most of my authors or books come from this period and so it's my all time favorite.
US
kp_kazamei(at)yahoo(dot)com
I'm not a big historical romance fan but these books sound so good!!! Thanks for the interview and for the chance to win!! The covers are gorgeous also!
ehaney578 at aol dot com
I think Jess's historicals might surprise you! Careful, you might just end up as hooked as me. : )
Thanks for coming by and good luck!
Happy 4th of July!
I have read many Jenna Petersen and a few Jess Michaels. I have enjoyed them all.
April
Aprilfunshowers @ gmail.com
Love the sound of the story! I'd love a digital copy of the book please.
I'm an international reader.
Thanks!
thumbelinda03 at yahoo dot com
I had read both books on my nook and I love them. I had actually read all of Jess Michaels historical romance books and love them. I would love to have An Introduction to Pleasure though because that was the first book I read from her and I do want it in print.
Thanks for the giveaway :)
Sorry for double posting but I forgot to post my email address
paaj_xyooj(at)yahoo(dot)com
No problem Sandy, got your entry. I assume you're US or Canada though, if you want the print. So glad you enjoy Jess's books, I do too. I want everyone to sample them so there'll be more members of the Jess Michaels addicts. : )
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