I am delighted to announce that my Vintage Rose novella, Dear Julia, topped the polls in the annual Preditors & Editors poll, in the Short Romances category.
Dear Julia is set in 1920s England, a gentle story with an Emma-like heroine and a Mr Rochester-like hero.
In the words of Angie from Romancing the Book, "Rosalie likes fixing things – and people. William doesn’t want to be
fixed, but he really doesn’t have much say. He underestimates her one
time too many, but is soon just as captivated by her as she is with him."
"The writing is as airy and bright as Rosalie herself. The characters are
drawn with the sure strokes of an accomplished author. The pacing is
just right, leading us deeper and deeper into the emotions of two
sympathetic people. And the ending is as satisfying as any I’ve read.
Dear Julia will wedge itself into your heart."
Thank you very much to all the Wild Rose Press authors and readers who voted for this story!
Imagine a lazy summer's day in a sleepy Italian fishing village. A shadow falls across you. You look up ... into the face of the most beautiful man you've ever seen.
This is exactly what happens to Isobel Harrington. It's the early 1920s, and skirts and hair might be a little shorter than before the war, but Isobel has never been beyond the confines of her rigid world before, and she's certainly never met a man like Stefano before.
Will she be brave enough to embark on an illicit love affair with the man who awakens the passion inside her, or will she find happiness with the man her parents want her to marry?
An Innocent Abroad is a coming of age story set on the Amalfi coast of Italy in the early 1920s.
Fresh
from finishing school, Isobel Harrington is sent to spend the summer in
Italy with cousins in order to catch the eye of the eligible Hon.
Christopher Barrett.
But rather than Christopher, it is enigmatic
Italian Stefano who awakens Isobel's sensuality, and who introduces her
to the daring new idea that anything is possible, if only you want it
enough.
My 1920s historical romance, Dear Julia, launched today with a splash. You can surf the opening chapter of the book across eight blogs, starting at http://minxesofromance.blogspot.com.
Join the party, tweet your feedback, and there's a contest too: a chance to win a copy of Dear Julia on my own blog at http://raesummers.wordpress.com
My thanks to everyone at The Wild Rose Press, especially my editor Nan Swanson and the cover designer Tina Lynn.
About Dear Julia
The discovery of a long-lost love letter in a house she’s redecorating sends Rosalie Stanton on a quest to find its rightful owner.
Since his return from the Great War, William Cavendish has lived as a recluse. His peaceful existence is shattered by the return of the letter that once held all his hopes — and by its bearer, the irrepressible Rosalie, who bears an uncanny resemblance to his lost love.
As Rosalie sets out to lure William back into society, she realises that in him she might just have met her match.
This Vintage Rose novella is the tale of a forbidden love, set against the backdrop of London in the Jazz Age, when champagne flowed, jazz music played, and girls with bobbed hair danced the Charleston.
You can read more about Let's Misbehave here, including reviews and excerpts.
The winner of this ebook will be announced at the end of the week.
Good luck!
Today is the big day -- release date for my Vintage Rose edition World War II romance IN THE ARMS OF THE ENEMY!
Here's the teaser and an excerpt:
Isabella Ricci has pledged her life for the cause – to free Italy from Nazi oppression. Her mission for the Resistance, to seduce a German officer into revealing military secrets, could be deadly. Can she complete her assignment before losing her heart…or her life?
Massimo Baricelli, commander in the Resistance, and Isabella’s ambitious lover, charges her to uncover intelligence that the Allies need to vanquish the Nazis. But can he hold onto his woman while sending her into the arms of another man?
Günter Schumann is handsome, chivalrous, romantic…and a captain in the Army of the Third Reich. When he meets Isabella, he falls for her instantly, never imagining that she is a spy and he her unwitting target. What will he do when forced to choose between love and duty?
How much must be sacrificed for the cause of freedom? Will love survive the cruelest betrayal?
Excerpt:
Before she could make sense of what was happening, the men were there inside the room. She wanted to scream, to flee, but she knew the slightest movement could be her undoing. She shook and her eyes filled with tears. But she discovered that if she concentrated on each breath, her lips tightly sealed, no sounds would escape. Crouched beneath the desk, she pressed her hands and feet against the floor to keep them from knocking against anything.
The two men spoke casually to each other, almost lightheartedly, in contrast to the deadly terror she felt. Though she struggled to comprehend what they were saying, she couldn’t decipher all the words. She thought about reaching for the dictionary that lay by her side, but that was too risky. The Germans had turned on the lights and were walking from desk to desk, apparently looking for something. Oh, God, what if they are looking for the supply log? She considered putting it back in the drawer, but instantly realized how foolish that would be. They’ll find me anyway, if they approach this desk, and I can’t make a move without giving myself away.
Every second was agony, as if death might come at any moment. But she admitted to herself that a swift demise would be easy compared to her fate if discovered. She would face humiliation, torture, and then finally, mercifully, death. The thought made her throat constrict painfully, as if a noose were being tightened around it. Was this what Marco felt when he died? Fear evolved into despondency. Just breathe...slowly, deeply...focus only on that—don’t think about anything else. Concentrate only on breathing.
Please visit my the "News" page of my website at www.lisbetheng.com for coming events (blog tour and personal appearances) and sign up for my newsletter on the "Contact" page.
By Cate Masters On March 19, visit http://catemasters.blogspot.com/ for a chance to win a copy of Seventh Heaven! That’s the day TWRP will release my Vintage Rosette story set in the late 1960s. I incorporated the music I loved while growing up in the Lambertville/New Hope area, where the story is set. The hero, James, is named for James Paul McCartney (pardon me, I should say “Sir” these days), my childhood idol. The Music Circus existed until the late Seventies, and Judy Collins did perform there, as she does in my story. But I won’t give too much away – you’ll have to come back on March 19 to try to win a copy, or go to the Wild Rose Press site and purchase a copy! The excerpt follows the trailer, below.
Here’s the excerpt: James stands in the open doorway. The choker gleams from his neck. “I came by to say thanks.” The distance she’d felt between them last night is gone. His warm eyes search hers, reaching again for a connection. “I didn’t know it was you.” She steps from behind the counter. No more barriers between them. He closes the door. “So. Thanks.” “You’re welcome. It looks good. It’s an--” “An ankh. I know.” Something seems to be holding him back, but somehow she knows she must be patient, let him come to her. “The Egyptian symbol of eternity.” She doesn’t know what to do with her hands, and her breath is jagged. “Sorry. I mean, Ben told us. It really stinks you’re leaving.” He runs a finger across a glazed jug. “Bad timing.” She clasps her hands in front of her. “I guess it’s never a good time…” He glances up and flashes a switchblade smile. “I mean, I wish we had more time.” His soft voice rushes at her like the wind and billows the sails of her heart’s rocky boat. The air thins, seems rarified. “Me, too.” He takes a step closer. Time feels maddeningly slow. She wants to run to him, fill her arms with him. She folds her arms. “I hope you’ll write me, if you get a chance.” “Yeah?” He’s within arm’s reach. His gaze flows over her inch by inch, over every curve and hollow. The floor needs sweeping. And needs to be smaller. Or his steps need to be more expansive. “Sure, I’ll keep you up on the local gossip. Send you goodie packages.” A lock of her hair. A photo of herself so he’ll think of her every day. And night. His eyes lock on hers. “That’d be nice.” “We’re going to miss you around here.” “You will?” The timbre of his voice rumbles inside her like an earthquake. With his last step, he is so close her skin tingles with his heat. “No one can make a margarita like you.” He fingers her hair, tucks a strand behind her shoulder. “Come back tonight. I’ll make you all the margaritas you can drink.” In her head she is already there, sipping at a wide-rimmed glass, serenaded by Dylan in the background, James attending to her alone. “OK.” “See you about seven, then?” She smiles. “Seven it is.” He backs toward the door, slowly, as if still taking her in. The silver ankh winks in the light as he turns to leave.
I'm thrilled to announce that my debut book "A Daughter's Promise" is being released tomorrow, Oct. 17 from the Wild Rose Press.
Thank you so much to my editor Nan Swanson! You were such an incredible support and helped me make this book the best it could be!! And thank you Rae Monet! The cover is so gorgeous. Everyone at TWRP have been so supportive. What an awesome experience meeting the other authors too. You rock, roses!
Here is an excerpt:
Serene’s heart pounded as she peered around the silent restaurant, alive hours earlier but now masked with an eerie paleness. This room and her life would never again be the same. She whisked off the wetness around her eyes, sucked in a daunted breath, and remembered her purpose.
“Are you all right?” She hoped her English was still understandable.
No response from the American.
Leaning a little closer, she gently placed her hand beneath his, finding it warm and moist with life.“Can you hear me?”
Still nothing.
“If you can hear me, squeeze my hand.”
Serene checked behind her. She unbuttoned his coat, soaked in warm blood, and slid her hand inside, relieved to feel at least a slight rise and fall to his chest.
“I want to help you, but not now. I have to go, but I’ll be back. Can you hear me? I’ll be back.”
“Halten Sie!” Boots clicked toward her on the stone floor.
As she let go of the American’s hand, the slightest pressure passed her fingertips.
Cinderella Dreams is a sweet, emotional story that held my attention the whole way through, and made me smile several times. I love the characters, especially the hero, who drew me in from the first moment he appeared. Wendy Davy
Wow, thanks, Wendy! Cinderella Dreams was a fun story to write. Your 5-star review means a lot, especially coming from another Wild Rose author.
September is Vintage Rose month at the Wild Rose site. Cinderella Dreams (are tough to shake) is a free read - go on over and download yours now! Other Vintage Rose titles are discounted ten percent in September, too. What a great way to get acquainted with some of the other great Wild Rose authors!
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