Wendy the Super Librarian‘s review of One Wicked Christmas by Amanda McCabe
Historical Romance short story ebook published by Harlequin Historical Undone 01 Nov 11

I always pick up books by Amanda McCabe because she never gives readers the same thing twice.  She’s done everything from the 15th century to the 1920s.  Any author who delivers that kind of variety gets my attention.  I wish I could say I loved this latest, a Christmas short story set in Regency England, but, alas, it didn’t really work for me.

Lady Cassandra Osborne is a young widow who loved her kind, gentle husband.  They led a quiet life and made lovely companions.  Since his death she’s locked herself away, and her best friend is urging her that it’s time to take a lover.  The problem is that the only man who interests her is her husband’s roguish BFF, Sir Ian Chandler.  Ian came around a lot after her husband died and looked after her.  But after they shared a smoldering kiss?  Yeah, Ian has been out-of-sight, although not for one moment out-of-mind.  When it turns out that Cassandra and Ian are invited to the same Christmas house party?  Yeah, we all know where this is going.

I actually tend to like plots of this nature, but in a short story format it’s really problematic.  When strung out over a full-length novel, the author has time to explore the internal angst of the characters and slowly unfold the developing romance.  In a short story?  It comes off as distasteful.  I honestly find myself feeling sorry for the dead husband when it’s revealed that Ian, his best friend!, has had the hots for Cassandra since the wedding day!  Then there is the manner in which Cassandra and Ian fall into bed together.  She sneaks into his room expecting a romp with another man.  Eww.

That being said, McCabe’s writing style continues to really work for me, and I zipped through this short story in quicker manner than is my usual custom.  While it doesn’t work for me, it certainly hasn’t put me off from this author’s work, and who knows?  Maybe it will work better for you.

Grade: D+

Summary:

London, 1806

Lady Cassandra Osborne is ready to take a new lover to her bed—and knows exactly the man she wants: Sir Ian Chandler, her late husband’s rakish best friend. The single kiss they’d shared had made her feel alive again, awakening dark needs she didn’t even know she had…though Ian had quickly pulled away. Cassie is sure he doesn’t want her, until their reunion at a Christmas house party tempts them to succumb to the desire that has haunted them both….

No Excerpt Found.

Wendy the Super Librarian‘s Quick Quack Reviews of Two Harlequin Historical Undones by Amanda McCabe
Historical romance digital short stories released by Harlequin Historical Undone Apr – Aug 2011

In what has become a familiar song and dance around The Pond, Wendy has once again been hording short stories on her e-reader.  Oh, who am I kidding – I never really stopped.  So in a bid to clean out some of the back-log, I thought I’d bundle up two reviews in one for Amanda McCabe’s most recent work for Harlequin Historical Undone.  McCabe is an author who has generally worked for me in the shorter format in the past, so I settled in with high hopes for some solid reads.  One worked pretty well, while the other?  Not so much.

Unlacing The Lady In Waiting
August 2011

16th century Scotland is all about making favorable alliances, which explains how Lady Helen Frasier has found herself betrothed to James McKerrigan.  This an arrangement she is unhappy with, given that all she has heard her entire life is how vile, evil, and barbaric every McKerrigan is.  But what’s a girl to do?  Defy her father?  Yeah, not an option.  So instead she takes off for some solitude to collect her thoughts, where she runs into the most dashing man.  Gee, guess who our mystery man is?  Yeah.  Anywho, everything seems to be going along swimmingly, until word gets to Daddy that Helen has been chosen to be a lady in waiting for Mary, Queen of Scots.  The engagement is, naturally, broken – so when Helen returns to Scotland years later?  Good ol’ James is there to meet her and claim his bride.

This is one of those stories where I knew where it was going before it got there.  There’s nothing inherently wrong with this, and I’m still capable of enjoying themes, tropes, and various plot bits I’ve read numerous times before.  The problem here is that we have a massive case of Insta-Lurve.  Some stolen kisses and heavy petting with James (prior to knowing he’s James, of course) is enough for Helen to fall madly in love with him.  And James with her.  Sorry, not buying.  It takes more than that for me to believe these two are in love and pining for each other while they are apart.

Grade: C

Summary:

Scotland, 1561

Lady Helen Frasier thought Highlanders were barbaric—until she shared an intimate encounter with her betrothed, James McKerrigan. Though their families were enemies, the Highland lord roused a surprising passion in Helen. Then she was chosen to become a lady in waiting to the queen, and their engagement was broken.

Now, Helen has returned to Scotland and her jilted lover, who has vowed to take revenge and claim his promised bride….

No Excerpt Found

Girl in the Beaded Mask
April 2011

Lady Louise “Lulu” Hatton has escaped from her first season in London to return to the country.  She suffered through dreadfully dull debutante balls and shared more than one sub-par stolen kiss with would-be suitors.  The only man she has ever wanted is her brother’s best friend, David Carlisle.  However, when David returned from World War I, he came home a changed man.  Wounded, scarred, and haunted by the death of Lulu’s brother.  When an invitation shows up for a local house party where David will be in attendance?  Lulu defies her parents, dresses for the masquerade, and sets out to get her man.

This is a pretty solid story with a wonderful 1920s back-drop.  Most of my issues stem from this tale not being long enough.  Given the constraints of the Undone line, David’s PTSD is glossed over considerably, and while I could buy these two being in love?  There’s hardly any mention of her parents, and no mention whatsoever of the fall-out of David deflowering Lulu.  I mean, by all accounts her parents “like” David – but would they consider him a suitable match for their daughter?  That’s another kettle of fish.

Grade: B-

Summary:

England, 1922

David Carlisle believes no woman would want to marry the broken and isolated man who has returned from the trenches of France. Especially vivacious Lady Louise Hatton, better known as Lulu—the one woman who makes his heart begin to thaw with her bright smile.

What David doesn’t realize is that Lulu has been fantasizing about him her whole life. And at a scandalous masked ball, she’s determined to show David just how badly she wants him….

No Excerpt Found

One of the reasons I tend to glom on to Amanda McCabe’s work is that she’s not afraid to tinker around with different settings and time periods.  Just looking at her short story work for Undone, she has refused to be pigeon-holed into writing one “type” of story.  Which these two particular examples illustrate quite beautifully, even if one story worked better for me than the other.

Wendy the Super Librarian‘s review of To Court, Capture and Conquer by Amanda McCabe
Historical Romance ebook short story published by Harlequin Historical Undone 01 Nov 10

I am in awe of Amanda McCabe.  Besides the fact that she’s one of the hardest working writers in romance (she’s also Laurell McKee!), she’s always willing to explore a variety of settings.  To Court, Capture and Conquer is the latest of her work set in the criminally under-utilized Elizabethan time period – and there’s plenty to enjoy here packed in a small word count.

A favorite at court, Lord Edward Hartley has been carefully plotting his revenge against the odious Sir Thomas Sheldon.  Edward has settled on the idea of kidnapping Sheldon’s virginal young bride-to-be — just long enough to cast the girl’s reputation in doubt.  Edward strikes back at Sheldon, and, in return, the poor innocent escapes the clutches of a man who has already buried two wives.  Naturally the plan goes awry (doesn’t it always?) and Edward discovers he’s kidnapped the girl’s chaperone, Lady Elizabeth Gilbert, by mistake!  Whatever shall they do? ::wink, wink, nudge, nudge::

I read a lot of these Undones, and McCabe always manages to deliver so much story in such a short word count.  This story feels fully fleshed out, with well-developed characters, and an extremely interesting setting.  It also delivers on the sexy sizzle that this line is built around.

That all being said, the declarations of love do come off a bit abrupt (although it helps that the couple knows each other from court), and there are some unanswered questions.  Namely, the fall-out regarding the young, virginal would-be bride, and the villain still needs to be dealt with.  However, the curtain falls nicely on the romance, and the author leaves the door open to return to this world (and her villain) with a future release.  All in all, good show!

Grade: B

Summary:

London, 1589

Lord Edward Hartley plans to get revenge against Sir Thomas Sheldon, the man who destroyed his brother, by stealing Sheldon’s intended bride. Standing in his way is Lady Elizabeth Gilbert, the girl’s chaperone and a reputed paragon of virtue.

Yet Edward cannot help but notice the sensual longing in her eyes. He is sure that her cool exterior conceals a passion waiting to be set free. And when Edward kidnaps Elizabeth by mistake, neither can resist unleashing their desire….

No Excerpt Found.

Wendy the Super Librarian‘s review of The Maid’s Lover by Amanda McCabe
Historical romance short story ebook released by Harlequin Historical Undone 1 Dec 09

Amanda McCabe is quickly becoming one of my go-to historical authors when I’m in the mood for “different.”  Her latest short story for the Undone line features the criminally underused Elizabethan England locale to tell the story of two clandestine lovers.

Anne Percy may be related to nobility, but she’s a poor little orphan girl with few prospects.  There isn’t a lot of joy in her life, until she hooks up with Robert, Viscount Langley, a darling in Queen Elizabeth’s court.  These two cannot keep their hands off each other, arranging secret trysts in the woods near Anne’s home.  However the girl does see the writing on the wall.  She has zero prospects, while Robert is an heir – one expected to make a spectacular match.  He says they just have to be patient, but as the woman in this 16th century affair, she has everything to lose.  So even with her heart breaking, she cuts him loose.  Months later, now living at court, Anne has once again fallen under Robert’s spell – and this time, he’s not letting her get away.

This is ultimately a story about two people unwilling to compromise and communicate with each other.  Robert says they need to be patient, while Anne wants to scurry off and elope.  He’s definitely the more prudent of the two, but it’s easy to understand Anne’s fears.  Her and Robert have spectacular sex together, but he’s not exactly falling on bended knee declaring his undying love for her either.  Still, I couldn’t help but think that Anne was being a bit rash and silly – especially when later in the story she pulls a stunt to gain Robert’s attention.  Why she does this I have no idea.  I mean, the guy has sex with her in a hallway after a dinner at court and she still thinks she doesn’t have his attention?  Trust me cupcake.  You do.

What McCabe does exceedingly well is write about this time period.  It was downright refreshing to read about the Elizabethan era, and the excitement at court surrounding the Christmas holiday.  It’s a setting you don’t see every day in historical romance, and the author must have really thrown herself into research to include some of the interesting details that are found in the story.

Ultimately this was an OK read that kept me entertained on my lunch break.  The chemistry between Anne and Robert really sizzles, but there were moments when I was a touch annoyed with our fair heroine.

Grade: C+

Summary:

Anne Percy lived for her secret trysts with Robert, Viscount Langley, heir to a wealthy earldom and star of Queen Elizabeth’s court. Only then could she forget her life as a poor orphan at the mercy of her noble relatives and lose herself in the delights of his body. Every time they came together, it was just as passionate and wonderful as their first encounter. But even though Robert seemed to want her as much as she craved him, marriage appeared to be one thing they couldn’t share.

Now the lovers are reunited at the Queen’s Christmas feast—where Robert vows to show Anne they should never be apart…and to give her a very sensual Christmas Eve surprise.

No excerpt found.

Other books in this series:

Wendy the Super Librarian‘s review of The Diamonds of Welbourne Manor by Diane Gaston, Deb Marlowe & Amanda McCabe
Historical romance anthology released by Harlequin Historical 1 May 09

Anthologies can be great fun, and provide great reading, when they are well executed. Such is the case with The Diamonds Of Welbourne Manor, a connected anthology about the scandalous Fitzmanning clan, written by three friends and fellow Harlequin Historical authors. The authors provide everything one would expect in a full-length story. A fully realized setting, plenty of history, several characters the reader comes to care about, all while providing three romances and dividing it up in anthology format. It’s a tall order, and they pull it off to marvelous effect.

Justine And The Noble Viscount by Diane Gaston

Gerald Brenner’s mother abandoned her first husband and son when she fell in love with the Duke of Manning. It was quite a scandal, especially since the Duke and Brenner’s mother had several illegitimate children and only married four months ago….after spending 20 years as lovers. Now the Duke and Duchess are dead, and Brenner is left with the task of telling his half-siblings that they are gone. There’s also the small matter that he has been appointed their guardian.

Justine Savard is the illegitimate daughter of the Duke and his French lover (for those keeping track – that makes Brenner and Justine step-siblings). She has lived at Welbourne manor for many years, and is the steadying force to her more rambunctious siblings. So when Brenner breaks the news that the Duke and Duchess are dead, it’s her job to help pick up the pieces. Now if she could just keep her mind off the distracting presence of Viscount Brenner.

Justine and Brenner both have suitable amounts of baggage. Brenner, still stung over his mother’s abandonment, has no desire to be the guardian to the scandalous Fitzmannings . Justine has resigned herself to a life as a spinster, having been suitably ruined and with having no attractive suitors on the horizon. These two are a perfect fit, and their romance progresses at a lovely pace. However, given Brenner’s place in society, and his disapproving father, I couldn’t help but wonder why there weren’t more objections to the romance.

Grade: B-

Summary:
.
Guardian to the unconventional and newly orphaned Fitzmannings is not a role that brooding Gerald Brenner relishes. But Justine, the illegitimate daughter who strives to hide her shame, calls powerfully to something deep within him…
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Read an excerpt here.

Annalise and the Scandalous Rake by Deb Marlowe

Ned Milford is a member of society, but lives a double-life drawing scandalous caricatures lampooning the ton. He befriends two of the Fitzmanning boys and is rewarded when he’s invited to a house party. Surely there will be plenty of gossip fodder to be had at the notorious Welbourne Manor, and he’ll be drawing for months to come! However, upon his arrival he meets the quiet, observant Annalise Fitzmanning, an accomplished artist. Too bad society is hung up on her being a female to notice just how talented she truly is.

Annalise is quickly smitten with Ned, who she sees as a bit of a kindred spirit. However, she doesn’t know a thing about his double-life and given that the Fitzmannings are routinely gossiped and written about in the scandal sheets, it’s highly unlikely she will approve of his profession.

This was my favorite story of the bunch, because Annalise is my favorite type of heroine. The kind of heroine who the other characters tend to underestimate, but who has a backbone forged in steel. Ned is her perfect foil, and naturally when it hits the fan, with secrets tumbling out, he does everything in his power to win back her trust.

Grade: B+

Summary:
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House party guest Ned Milford can see the inner passion and beauty that Annalise Fitzmanning hides. But how close should they become when his reason for being at Welbourne Manor would prompt a society scandal, not a society marriage!
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Read an excerpt here.

Charlotte and the Wicked Lord by Amanda McCabe

Charlotte Fitzmanning has had a crush on Lord Andrew Bassington since she was a young girl. A friend of her brothers’, Drew was always part of their mischief, pranks, and teasing. She followed him around like a love sick puppy. However, time has passed. Drew’s older brother is dead, and he’s now charged with looking after his sickly mother, widowed sister-in-law, and young nephew. Fun, games and mischief are no more. However he accepts an invitation to the latest Welbourne Manor house party in the hopes of snaring a suitable wife. One who will help pave the way to a political career and be perfectly respectable on his arm. So how come he can’t get the high-spirited Charlotte out of his mind?

This is a nice story, although at times I think the author was trying to do a little too much. Besides Charlotte and Drew, the author sows the seeds for two other stories – one involving an eligible young lady, also a house guest, and Drew’s sister-in-law. Both intriguing tid -bits that I’m anxious to read more about, but it does take away page time from the romance at hand. That said, given that Charlotte and Drew already have a past together, it helps keep the story humming along and the final moment when they finally admit their love for each other really shines.

Grade: B

Summary:
.
Charlotte may be the youngest Fitzmanning girl, but she knows her own mind-and she wants Lord Andrew Bassington! Drew requires an eminently proper bride, something free-spirited Charlotte has never been. So how can she make him see the beautiful woman she has become…?
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Read an excerpt here.

Overall Grade: B

I’ve never made a secret of my enjoyment of anthologies, but connected ones such as The Diamonds of Welbourne Manor are my favorite. It allows all of the authors quite a bit of freedom, and more opportunity for world-building. That’s what makes this anthology shine. I could see and feel Welbourne Manor. I got to know all of these characters, not just within the confines of their own stories. I fell for it hook, line and sinker, and here’s hoping that Gaston, Marlowe and McCabe haven’t permanently closed the book on the Fitzmanning clan.

Wendy the Super Librarian‘s review of High Seas Stowaway by Amanda McCabe
Historical romance released by Harlequin Historical 1 Jan 09

One of the main reasons why I continue to be devoted to the Harlequin Historical line is that they aren’t afraid to publish stories set outside of England and the United States. Such is the case with Amanda McCabe’s latest, which starts in 16th century Venice in the prologue, and quickly sets sail for the Caribbean islands back when the Spanish ruled the high seas. This setting is employed for excellent effect, although I wish I could say the romance was as much of a slam dunk.

Bianca Simonetti, like all young girls in dazzling Venice, is horribly infatuated with Balthazar Grattiano. However, she knows her place. While her mother is a well-respected fortune teller, Balthazar’s ruthless father possesses power beyond imagination. Despite their differences in social status, while their parents conduct business, Balthazar and Bianca become friends. He tells her his dreams of traveling beyond Venice, and his fascination with the sea. For her part, Bianca listens to his every word and never belittles his dreams. However, tragedy soon strikes and Bianca’s beloved mother is dead. She blames the Grattiano family for this lose and vows revenge.

Fast forward several years and Bianca is a widow who runs her own tavern in Santo Domingo. It’s a life of hard work, but she owns a business and is making her way in the New World. Then her past comes breezing through the front door in the form of the famed Captain Balthazar Grattiano. In the years since she last saw him, he has become captain of the famed Calypso, a ship surrounded by numerous legends and tall tales. However not everyone is happy to see Balthazar, and he is wounded in a fight. Bianca vows to patch him up, if only to exact her own revenge on the man who ruined her life.

The main issue here is that I never felt the author explored or explained Bianca’s motivations. She supposedly wants revenge against Balthazar, but she didn’t do a good job of convincing this reader. One moment she’s holding a knife to his throat, the next minute they’re tearing each others’ clothes off. One moment she’s angry with him, the next minute she’s acting like a schoolgirl mooning over the cutest boy in class. The “revenge” plot is pretty toothless and lacks any bite whatsoever. Bianca seems like a nice enough girl, one who isn’t afraid of hard work and adventure, but she never seems to have a clear plan – illustrated by the fact that she stows away on the Calypso. When Balthazar demands to know “why,” she can’t really tell him or the reader because she doesn’t know. This makes her come off as flighty and unsure, two qualities that are bothersome in a heroine.

What does work very well in this story is the lush, high seas setting so often absent from today’s historical romances. If you’re a reader who cut your teeth on those adventurous pirate romances of yesteryear, High Seas Stowaway has the same type of feel without the hero being a pirate, or for that matter, a rapist who believes in forceably “seducing” the heroine. Also, it was nice to see characters, both protagonists, secondary characters and villains, who had last names that ended in vowels.

While I never really connected with the heroine, and felt her motivations could have been better explored, I did enjoy this story for it’s lush depiction of the Caribbean and found the love scenes between hero and heroine romantic and sexy. While High Seas Stowaway didn’t knock my socks off, it was a pleasant read that kept me entertained during my holiday travels. Readers hungry for a change of scenery would do well to give this one a look.

Grade: C+

Summary:

Balthazar Grattiano, captain of the infamous ship Calypso and renowned seducer of women, has just walked into the one tavern in all of Hispaniola he should have avoided. For Bianca Simonetti, his sworn enemy, is the owner–and she has vengeance on her mind.

But before she can take her revenge she is captured by this rogue’s kiss. Her only chance for retribution is to stow away on his ship for a passionate adventure that will either kill them–or bring them together once and for all!

Read an excerpt.

Wendy the Super Librarian‘s review of Shipwrecked and Seduced by Amanda McCabe
Historical romance eBook released by Harlequin Historical Undone 1 Nov 08

One of the things I really love about Harlequin Historicals is that they’re not afraid to publish stories that take place outside of England. For her new story for the Undone line, Amanda McCabe takes readers back to 1535, when Spain was a major player in the New World.

Maria Gonzales was a lowly tavern maid in Spain, so when the opportunity arose for her to accompany Contessa Isabella de Valadez to the New World, she jumped at it. Certainly she’s heard the tall tales, but faced with the unknown or staying in Spain for a life of getting pawed by drunken louts, she figures she’ll take her chances with the savages. Then their ship runs into a storm, with Maria being the only one to survive. Naturally everyone assumes she’s the Contessa, and Maria, wanting a better life and protection, doesn’t dissuade them.

That is until she arrives in Santo Domingo and meets Carlos de Alameda. Carlos works for the governor, and isn’t a man to be trifled with. He has his suspicions about the shipwreck survivor, and he’s determined to uncover her secrets. So how come all he can think about is getting her out of her clothes?

Normally I’m not fond of heroines who spend the majority of the story lying through their teeth, but it’s easy to understand where Maria is coming from. On one hand, being honest gets her a one-way ticket back to scrubbing floors for a living. On the other, she has the chance to be a pampered, spoiled Contessa living in the lap of luxury. Unfortunately she soon finds herself hopelessly in love with Carlos. The question isn’t if her conscience will get the better of her, but when.

Carlos is a smart man, driven to distraction by a beautiful woman. When these two succumb to their passion, it’s enough to set the wall tapestries ablaze! I did think the declarations of love were a bit on the hasty side, but with so much passion between them, I think they’ll make a go of it. Especially if they never stray too far from the bedroom.

Grade: B-

Summary:
Maria Gonzales had hoped for a fresh start in the New World as a contessa’s servant, far away from her old life as a tavern maid in Seville. That hope is shattered when a storm destroys the ship off the coast of Hispaniola. The lone survivor, Maria sees no harm in pretending to be the contessa and enjoying a little luxury for once in her life…especially if it brings her closer to the irresistibly attractive governor’s aid, Carlos de Alameda.

Dedicated to his career and to regaining his family’s honor, Carlos has gone too long without the comforts of a woman. He instantly feels a powerful connection to the beautiful young survivor…and an overwhelming lust. Yet he also harbors suspicions about the contessa. First he will explore her body…then he’ll uncover the truth…

The current crop of historical romances got you down?  Tired of being stuck in a Regency ball room, or on the back of a horse with a cowboy who hasn’t had a proper bath in two weeks?  Well, Amanda McCabe‘s launch title for the Harlequin Historical Undone line is the cure for what ails you.  In honor of the novella’s launch, Amanda agreed to swim by the pond to give readers the scoop on her intrepid Spanish heroine’s determination to start a new life.

A terrible shipwreck gives the maidservant Maria the chance to taste life as a wealthy countess in exotic Santo Domingo. But what will happen when her deception is discovered by the sexy, mysterious-and very dangerous-Carlos de Alameda?

Santo Domingo in 1535 is full of exotic treasures, and perilous secrets. Maria hopes to leave her old life behind in Spain when she travels there as a maidservant, only to see her hopeful plans destroyed in a shipwreck where she is the only survivor. When she is mistaken for Contessa Isabella, she makes the hard decision to go on with the masquerade-until she is faced with Carlos de Alameda.

Spanish nobleman, official at the island’s royal fortress-and spy for the King-Carlos has battled against every danger in the New World. But he has never met anyone like the beautiful contessa, and he is determined to discover her every secret, by any means necessary-even seduction…

My January ‘o9 book, High Seas Stowaway, features Carlos de Alameda as a minor character.  I was very intrigued with him, and happy to get a chance to tell ‘his’ story! I got to a do a lot of fascinating research for these stories, and only some it involved tropical beaches! I had to learn about ships, caravels in particular, navigation and mapmaking, the early history of the Spanish in the New World, pirates, and, er, rum.

Readers, intrigued by Amanda’s research?  Be sure to check out more at the “History Behind the Book” section at her website.

by Michelle Styles
The end of September and beginning of October has been taken up with doing workshops for the National Year of Reading, writing and helping my eldest navigate the shoals of applying to universities. Why oh why was it so much easier when I was a student? And why did I think going on holiday at this time of year was a good one — Sorrento, Italy in case anyone is interested.

The BIG news is that November sees that launch of Harlequin Historical Undone. This is a short ebook line and is HH’s most sensual series yet. I was able to catch up with the four launch authors and find out more. Libertine Lord, Pickpocket Miss author Bronwyn Scott said:

The Undone e-book series is a great opportunity to take Harlequin Historical into the electronic age and reach a new population of reader. It’s also a great chance to show readers how much historical romance has changed over the past two decades.

Nicola Cornick added:

I’m very excited about the whole concept of the Harlequin Historical Undone e-books because I love reading and writing hot historical short stories! My launch title, The Unmasking of Lady Loveless, is a humorous and very sexy Regency tale and I’m really looking forward to reading the other launch stories too–they sound fabulous!

Michelle Willingham (whose entry, The Viking’s Forbidden Love-Slave, is connected to her full length novel Her Warrior Slave) explained:

I am absolutely thrilled to be a part of the Harlequin Historical Undone launch. The new line is meant to be short, very sexy historical stories that sweep you away, and when I wrote my story, I intended it to be pure fantasy. I have three children, all under the age of seven, and there are times in my life, when I desperately need an escape!

And finally, Amanda McCabe said:

I’m so excited to be part of the launch of the Undone line of ebooks for Harlequin! There are always stories I have a hard time letting go of when I reach “The End,” and my full length Harlequin Historical January 09 book High Seas Stowaway was one. I loved the setting (the Caribbean in the 1530s) and the characters–and I wondered what Carlos de Alameda’s story was. He seemed so mysterious and dangerous! In my Undone Shipwrecked and Seduced, I got to find out what that story was, and revisit Santo Domingo with the heroine Maria (a maidservant masquerading as a contessa). It was great fun to create a fantasy for her–and myself. I hope to get to do more of these stories in the future, and that readers enjoy them, too!

Across the pond, Mills & Boon is now releasing all of its front list as ebooks. You may purchase them through the Mills & Boon website.

Entering Harlequin Presents Instant Seduction writing contest proved a winner for Lynn Raye Harris. After being awarded an editor for a year, working hard on revisions, she received the Call in October. Her book, Spanish Magnate, Red Hot Revenge, will be released in North America next summer.

The winner of the Feel the Heat competition was Lucy Roberts and she will now work with an editor. Fingers crossed that she is able to emulate Lynn.

November also sees the re-release of Ida Cook’s (aka Mary Burchill) autobiography Safe Passages (previously published as We Followed Our Stars). For those who are not familiar with her life story. Ida Cook and her sister used the proceeds from Ida’s romance writing to help rescue Jewish people from Nazi Germany. There is a new foreword as well as some previously unpublished photographs. Besides writing well beloved romances for Mills and Boon, Ida Cook was a true heroine in her own right.

The Christmas season at Harlequin/Silhouette always starts in October/November. I love Christmas themed books. Harlequin Historical has two anthologies out this season: The Magic of Christmas by Carolyn Davidson, Victoria Bylin and Cheryl St John and One Candlelit Christmas with stories by Julia Justiss, Annie Burrows and Terri Brisbin.

Until next month, when hopefully there will be news about Harlequin’s upcoming 60^th anniversary celebration as well as more on the holiday season, Happy Reading!