Wendy the Super Librarian‘s review of The Perfect Concubine by Michelle Styles
Historical Romance short story ebook published by Harlequin Historical Undone 01 Feb 11

Of late, my quality of reading material has been more than a little lacking.  One lackluster story after another is leaving me twitching for something entertaining, and non-frustrating, to read.  Bless Michelle Styles’ heart – turns out she has the solution.  All I needed to do is travel back in time to ancient Rome!

Valeria is a desperate woman.  Her family has fallen on hard times, and now there is word that her missing brother might be alive and well, living in North Africa.  She’s determined to find him, but it means finding a man crazy enough to set sail when the weather is all wrong for such a venture.  When every other option dissolves, she’s left with Piso the Greek, the one man brave (and crazy) enough to say yes.  The fly in the ointment?  Piso and Valeria share a past, one rife with pain, heartache, and betrayal.

Piso, once a common sailor, is now a very wealthy man.  However, he’s still bitter over what he construes as Valeria’s betrayal.  So it’s partly for that reason, along with the fact that he’s never gotten over her, that he agrees to help her – on one condition.  She becomes his concubine.

Now, admittedly, this sounds a tad unsavory.  And it would have been had it not been for the heartbreaking back-story.  It’s easy to understand why Piso is so angry.  It’s easy to understand the choices Valeria felt she had to make.  The conflict stems from Piso not knowing exactly what poor Valeria has had to endure.

I suspect some readers will find this short story a bit rushed, and certainly it could have been longer given the emotional angst the characters have had to endure.  However, it also probably could have gotten a bit tiresome as a longer read, given Piso’s animosity and that the reason for it is because of a lack of communication.  As is, I think it’s just about right.  Now to hunt up the connected book, Sold & Seduced, to add to the ol’ TBR.

Grade: B

Summary:

Rome, 68 B.C.

Valeria’s life is in the hands of Piso the Greek—the very man who had risen from a common sailor to wealthy ship owner following their doomed romance. He is the only man brave enough to sail the dangerous seas to Alexandria to reunite Valeria with her missing brother and restore her family’s fortune. But Piso demands a high price for his help: Valeria must become his concubine and share his bed once more….

No Excerpt Found.

Other books in this series:

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!

by Michelle Styles
Actually this was written a little while ago, but things became crazy. Do not ask. I am in currently doing massive revisions and am reminded of the Maxine cartoon where she asks if there is a vaccine for stupidity. Eventually, it will be a good book. So massive apologies. [Ed. Note: No worries, Michelle, things are always crazy here at the pond.]

When summer first starts, you think you have all the time in the world, but suddenly the long slow days of August end and it is September [Ed. Note: Word]. Lots of new beginnings and things to celebrate at Harlequin this month.

If you have ever wanted to comment on a series, or give your opinion about cover design, then Harlequin has a new program with you in mind. Tell Harlequin is meant to encourage reader participation in a wide variety of surveys. As a thank you for participating, readers can earn free books. So consider signing up today – it is free but it is only open to North American residents.

It is also time for the annual Romance Report Survey. This year, Harlequin has a dedicated site and wants to encourage everyone to answer the questions. The Romance Report comes in February and is aimed at media around the world. The survey does not take long to fill in.

Acting Senior Editor, Joanne Carr, asked that the “Feel the Heat”contest be highlighted. The strict closing date is 15 September 2008. Full details of how to enter are on I heart Presents as well as lots of tips about what the editors are looking for. As Trish Wylie (author of the September 2008 Harlequin Romance, The Millionaire’s Proposal) explained on her blog, this year the RWA Nationals buzzed with excitement about this vibrant new line. Modern Heat has arrived.

At the RWA Nationals, Presents author Sandra Marton received a Tiffany key chain for writing 75 books for Harlequin. This month sees the start of her new Sheikh Tycoon Trilogy and this is what Sandra had to say about it:

One of the things I love about writing for Presents is the freedom I have to combine the elements of writing I most enjoy. For instance, I delight in creating my own mini-series and giving my characters ample opportunity to relate to each other from book to book. I love, too, creating heroes who have allegiances to the old world as well as the new. As for sheikhs… well, they’re among the ultimate Alpha heroes. Strong, proud, wealthy, often torn between what their people want from them and what they want for themselves, sheikhs can be the ultimate fantasy lovers. My heroes in the Sheikh Tycoon trilogy are old friends. Not one of them is looking for love. Lust? Well, that’s different. These guys are in their prime. They’re accustomed to having women fall at their feet. But none of my heroines would do such a thing. None would bend to a man’s wishes, and none would take orders. That’s when my very Westernized sheikhs begin to lose their civilized veneer. And that, I think, is the start of really entertaining escapist fiction.

September also sees the start of Harlequin Intrigue author Dani Sinclair’s new two book mini-series with the release of Bodyguard to the Bride. The sequel, The Missing Millionaire, comes out in December. Dani calls this “one wedding, two stories” and explained how the books came about:

I actually submitted the proposal for The Missing Millionaire first and my fantastic editor suggested it would be fun to tell two different stories that center around the same wedding and a pair of bodyguards. From a writing standpoint I’m not so sure about the fun part, but it was certainly challenging. Since both books take place at the same time and in the same area, details in Bodyguard to the Bride have to mesh with details in The Missing Millionaire. This proved to be more of a challenge than I expected. For example, a thunderstorm that played an integral role in the first book, had to be accounted for in the second book as well. I had to keep an hourly chart to tell me where the characters in each book were at any given time.

And as September is supposed to be a TGTBTU spotlight on Presents/Modern, I wanted to highlight the editorial podcast from the Modern/Presents editors. Among other things, Tessa Shapcott and Sally Williamson discuss the reasoning behind the titles! So if you want to hear more, make sure you listen to the podcasts.

The September RWR has reported its annual romance statistics. Romance was the largest genre in the US book market in 2007 with $1.375 billion in sales. Harlequin remains the top Romance publisher. Of all the romance books published in 2007, 25.7 % were contemporary series romance.

Next month, I will be giving news of the annual Association of Mills and Boon Author’s lunch and toast which happens on the 18^th as looking at more milestone authors and seeing what is coming up for Christmas. Until then, happy reading and for all writers out there — may your revisions make your book stronger!

Michelle Styles shares some interesting tidbits of information floating around. Note the awesome sale, and a new writing contest!

***The current BIG news is that www.eharlequin.com is having a Buy One, Get One Free sale (across all lines and books on 12,13, 14 August.***



As there is a TGTBTU spotlight on Blaze, Kira Sinclair is Blaze’s debut author this month with Whispers In the Dark. When asked, Kira explained about her books:

When a reader picks up one of my books, she can expect a sinfully sensual romance that isn’t afraid to tackle tough, true life issues in order to find the healing power of love.

Mills and Boon has revamped its website. It now has a “browse the book” feature as well as widgets for its covers. The site is far easier to navigate, but still no sign of the promised ebooks…

Harlequin won 7 out of the 12 Ritas. Many congratulations to all the winners.

Apparently the Harlequin party was wonderful but very crowded. Next year’s party should be huge as Harlequin will be celebrating its 60th anniversary. All sorts of exciting things are planned including special mini series.

Longtime Presents author Carole Mortimer announced that in addition to her Presents novels, she has sold her first historical to Mills & Boon Historical — to be published in the UK in April 2009. It is the start of Regency series. Carole is a longtime Regency fan and said that it felt like she had sold her first book all over again.

Following on from the success of the “Instant Seduction” contest, there is a “Feel the Heat” contest that is aimed solely at would-be Modern Heat writers. The top prize is an editor for a year. Deadline for entry is 15 September 2008. Full details about the contest are on I Heart Presents. Modern Heat novels are released as both Presents and Presents Extra in the US, but they are flirtier than the more traditional Presents. Read about them here.

by Michelle Styles

July is a time for summer beach reads or just taking advantage of the hot summer sun and reading. Or at least I am hoping that July will see lots of sun. Last year was a washout in the UK, and this year is not much better. I have taken to counting the number of leaks in the summer room as I bury my head in a book and escape elsewhere. But whatever the weather, July is a great time to escape into reading.

July marks the start of the Reader’s Choice 12 book continuity series, Thoroughbred Legacy. If you want to get a flavour of the series, Joanne Rock has written an exciting prequel, Winner Takes All, available now free on eHarlequin as an online read. Chapters will be posted every Tues. & Thursday in June and July.

Joanne explained why the series is close to her heart:

I first came in contact with the glittering world of Thoroughbred racing while working summers at the Saratoga Racetrack in upstate New York. The whole town of Saratoga changes during racing season as exotic cars line up at the rail with Kentucky and Tenessee plates and this historic, charming community becomes the site of glamorous parties and world-renowned racing figures. I couldn’t wait to explore more of that world in Thoroughbred Legacy and I hope readers will follow me to Woodford County, Kentucky.

Joanne also wrote Book #4, Something to Talk About, a July release along with the first three books in the series. The next four are published in September and final four in December.

And I know this has been highlighted before, but it is very exciting news. July sees the launch of the first Blaze historical. Bound to Please has been burning up the ebook chart at eharlequin and is now finally in the shops. Hope Tarr said:

I’m absolutely over the moon to have been asked to help launch Harlequin Blaze historicals with Bound to Please. A Blaze historical offers readers all the opulence and magic, that fairytale “get-away” experience, of a single-title length historical along with the strong heroines, super-sexy heroes, and sensual plotlines for which the line is known.

For those of you who love Regency, Louise Allen has a major new mini series starting in July. Louise is an auto buy for me. I love her slightly different take and settings.

I loved writing Those Scandalous Ravenhursts because I was finding out so much about the characters as the series progressed – they kept surprising me, which kept me on my toes, and they still are as I’m working on number 6, the Piratical Miss Ravenhurst. And it was such fun having the chance to revisit characters I’d loved when I was writing ‘their’ story. I hope readers will enjoy following the Ravenhursts through their adventures – they turned out to be a much more adventurous group than I had first expected – and will have fun travelling with them too, from the mythical Grand Duchy of Maubourg to the West Indies via Burgundy, fashionable London and chilly South Coast beaches.

Louise Allen said, explaining about how the Ravenhursts have taken over her life. And if you read her blog post in June about her Ravenhurst heroes, you will be able to see why I am so excited about this series.

2009 sees the 60^th anniversary of Harlequin’s founding and as with things in publishing, preparations are well in hand. According to Julie Miller, Harlequin Intrigue is celebrating with an eight-month long continuity called The Kenner County Crime Unit. Set in the Four Corners region of the Southwest U.S., you’ll meet FBI agents, CSI investigators, a Native American tracker (Julie’s hero), profilers, wealthy inventors and more–all trying to solve the murder of an FBI agent, which leads to uncovering the theft of millions of dollars, which leads to a crime family, which leads to… Twisty mystery. Droolworthy heroes. Strong heroines. Danger and action. 2009 will also see the 25^th anniversary of Harlequin Intrigue.

The end of July will be the annual RWA National conference which is being held in San Francisco. There is sure to be lots of news from the conference, not the least of which will be the winners of this year’s Rita awards.

Until next time, happy reading and may your summer be wonderfully lazy.

By Michelle Styles

Some writers just write about one time period – whether it is the Regency, the American west or even in the case of contemporary writers – the eternal present. Some readers are eternally faithful to their chosen period. They will not read anything outside of that period, or even sometimes that setting. They are monogamous readers and writers. I am not.

I write in a number of time periods – from Romans to Vikings to Regency and Victorian. And my reading habits are all over the place. I simply can’t stay faithful. There are just too many places to go out and explore.

There are pros and cons to both approaches. My big problem is that I love too many time periods. I have always read historical novels set in a wide range of periods, and would hate to think that historical romance is confined only to a narrow set of dates and locations, even though the late Regency/early Victorian period is one of my own personal favorites.

One of the great things about Harlequin Historical is that they let me explore different periods, both as a writer and a reader.

As a writer, I have been encouraged to experiment. Generally, I agree a time period and possibly a location, then I am free to create the sort of story I want to tell. The time period always puts certain restrictions on the story. For example, a story that would be appropriate for the early Viking period would probably not be appropriate for the more staid early Victorian period. The Romans are a far more urban based culture in many respect than say even the Regency period. And what I love to do is to see echoes and connections. To figure out why certain things evolved in certain ways. No time period is an island sort of thing. Basically for me, it is a chance to indulge my love of research. What is really great is when a new time period also allows me a chance to travel. For example, I was able to go to Iceland and Norway to do research on the Vikings.

HH has a policy of publishing at least one Unusual Historical – i.e. not one set in the Georgian/Regency/Victorian or rural American West per month. This means that readers can visit medieval Europe or ancient civilization or even the early 20^th century. Recent locations include: Bohemia (Joanne Rock‘s A Knight Most Wicked ), Edwardian England (Nicola Cornick‘s Last Rake in London), the Scottish Highlands (Terri Brisbin‘s Surrender to the Highlander), the fall of the Roman Empire ( Louise Allen‘s Barbarian King, Virgin Slave) and Viking Scandinavia (my Taken by the Viking and in the UK Viking Warrior, Unwilling Wife). And even within the Georgian/Regency/Victorian slots, the editors encourage books set outside the London drawing room as well as the perhaps more traditional story.

From what I understand, the editors plan to keep offering unusual locations and time periods in the mix. The one constant is the focus on the romance as the central spine. It is probably the reason why I love Harlequin Historical so much – no matter which time period, or which setting, you know the core of the book is going to be a satisfying romance. And ultimately that is what I crave — a satisfying romance in a vivid setting.

So what about you? Are you faithful to just one time period? Or do you like to jump around? Is there any time period that you would like to see more of?

I am running late today and thought I had done this. Sorry! Today we will have a guest post by our own Harlequin Insider Michelle Styles (so she is used to me running late ).

If you haven’t already, go read Lawson’s review on Taken by the Viking. There are a couple of things in the review I want to talk about later but for how we shall focus on this…

It’s rather odd though that the first one I read is about Vikings. I had a bad experience with a Viking romance some years ago and haven’t really liked them since. I think Michelle Styles has made me change my mind about that though.

I think that says a lot, as does her coming over yesterday and leaving with Michelle’s next HH as well as another HH or two.

We will have a guest post from Michelle today at 11 am but until then you can read not one but two excerpts from her.

Taken by the Viking excerpt can be read here.

and

Viking Warrior, Unwilling Wife, which was released this month by Mills & Boone, can be read here. I am not sure if a US date has been set yet but I will double check.

So going back to what Lawson said, what is your take on Viking romances? What have you read before and do you like them?

Lawson’s review of Taken by the Viking by Michelle Styles
Historical romance released by Harlequin Historical 1 May 08

I have to admit that I’ve never actually read a Harlequin Historical. For whatever reason I’ve just never picked one up. Even when Sybil threw one at me. I was rather excited that this month’s feature was Harlequin Historicals, so maybe I could finally start reading them. It’s rather odd though that the first one I read is about Vikings. I had a bad experience with a Viking romance some years ago and haven’t really liked them since. I think Michelle Styles has made me change my mind about that though.

Annis of Birdoswald is at Lindisfarne monastery visiting her uncle and getting his advice about an possible betrothal with a second husband. While there a group of Vikings land with a missive giving them gold from the abbey’s coffers. After a scuffle on the beach which one of the monks start, the Vikings attack Lindisfarne pillaging, stealing and taking captives. While hiding, Annis and her maid are discovered and nearly killed by a berserker overcome with blood lust.

Haakon Haroldson comes to her rescue, only to trip while her maid is escaping. Annis stabs the berserker in the neck and kills him, saving Haakon’s life. Though he tries to see her to safety and freedom, she gets caught by his brother and is taken captive and sails back to Haakon’s estate. Treated as a servant and forced to work, Annis makes the best of things, but there be schemes and plots afoot and Annis can only hope to make it out alive so that she can be with Haakon.

Not knowing much about the Vikings, there was a great feel to the book. More than just pirates, pillagers and marauders, Styles gives all the Vikings, noble or villainous good characterization and makes it all seem rather real. The lifestyle, the customs and the protocols all make the most sense with the small amount that I do know about Viking culture and history.

Annis is a pretty good character. She’d been rejected in her marriage because she brought the wealth and didn’t get pregnant after only a few nights with her husband. She’s in constant fear that Haakon with get his pleasure and move on, which makes here a little spineless at times, but she never does anything that doesn’t make sense. She does what she needs to survive and always holds her head up.

Haakon is her Viking captor and is dealing with so many threats to the peace and safety to his home, it’s a wonder he’s as nice as he is. He’s got a stepmother who’s shady and manipulative, fellow Jaarls (nobles) that want his lands and idiotic monks who escape their captivity. He still treats Annis pretty well, until he lets his own judgment get clouded by his emotions. He’s afraid to care fully about any woman.

With some things that were rather cliched, such as the villainous Jaarl and Haakon’s stepmother’s behavior toward Annis, it still was a good read and I breezed through it with a satisfied feeling by the time the epilogue came around. I’ll have to give Vikings more chances, especially if Styles writes them.

Grade: B+

Blurb:

A Viking raid. They claimed they came in peace, but soon Lindisfarne was aflame. Annis of Birdoswald fled in fear, but she could not escape the Norse warriors.

An honorable captor. One man protected her—Haakon Haroldson. The dark, arrogant Viking swept Annis back to his homeland, taking her away from all she held dear.

A new life—as his mistress! Now Annis must choose between the lowly work that befits a captive, or a life of sinful pleasure in the Viking’s arms!

Read an excerpt.

by Michelle Styles

Lots of things always seem to be happening in June. I was a June bride 20 years ago, and this is why I never forget that the anniversary of Waterloo is 18 June. Lots of jokes about meeting Waterloos and it being a close run thing punctuated the speeches. And my advice to any June bride is not to lock your knees as fainting just after you say ‘I do’ – tends to get remembered.

June also marks the 10^th anniversary of Nicola Cornick becoming a Harlequin Historical author, as well as the release of her 25^th book: The Last Rake in London. It features Jack Kestrel, whose ancestors were in the Regency Bluestocking Brides trilogy. Nicola says:

“It was a huge thrill and an honour for me to be asked by Mills & Boon to write a book set in 1908 as part of the centenary celebrations. That book, The Last Rake in London, is also my 25th for Mills & Boon, so it is even more of a celebration for me! I had never written an Edwardian era book before and found the research challenging but was soon swept up in the fascinating history of the period. It had a very personal resonance for me because my beloved grandmother, to whom the book is dedicated, was born in 1908 and died this year, a month short of her 100th birthday. She was a true Edwardian lady and a great inspiration to me.”

It was out last month in the UK, and is a great read. It is tremendously exciting to see what she has done with the Edwardian era. Also her next HQN book Unmasked is out in July.

Seduction Summer begins for Silhouette Romantic Suspense, starting with Nina Bruhns’ Killer Temptation in June. Other titles are: Killer Passion by Sheri Whitefeather (July) and Killer Affair by Cindy Dees (August). Nina explained why she is so excited about the launch.

If you’re looking for pure page-turning sizzle for those lazy days reading on the beach, this series is for you! For Killer Temptation, I loved working with the Fiji setting…spent hours on the Internet just drooling over the gorgeous scenery. And I so fell in love with these characters, Zoe and Breeze. This book was so much fun, it practically wrote itself. One of my personal faves! And working with Sheri and Cindy on the series was a blast. Such talented writers and great ladies.

Jill Sorenson makes her debut with Romantic Suspense this month. Jill said,

Dangerous to Touch is special to me for many reasons. It’s my debut and I couldn’t be more excited about seeing my first book in print. I absolutely love the cover. But most of all, the book is important to me because I thought it might be my last. I wrote it during my second pregnancy and was afraid that with two little ones underfoot, I’d never find the time to write again. It wasn’t easy, but I managed to complete another manuscript. That book, Dark Canyon, and my single-title debut, Crash Into Me, will be released by Bantam Dell in 2009.

Julie Miller’s first book in her latest miniseries for Intrigue, The Precinct: Brotherhood of the Badge, is Protective Instincts and features Sawyer Kincaid and Melissa Teague from Up Against the Wall.

The details of the Desire pitch contest are now up on the eharlequin.com site. It is a wonderful opportunity for anyone interested in writing for the series. Certainly, the editors are keen to find a new author before the RWA National. Deadlines for entires is 30 June.

Kate Walker’s latest, Spanish Billionaire, Innocent Wife, will be available as a free download with DailyLit starting on 1 June. The offer continues until 31 August. The book will be sent in short email/rss segments.

“We have had a wonderful response from Harlequin fans using DailyLit to receive these novels, and we wanted to give them something back in return,” said Susan Danziger, President and Publisher of DailyLit. “We thought what better way than to offer them a brand new title by one of their most popular authors.”

Over 200 Harlequin titles are currently available for purchase from DailyLit.com.

The long awaited exhibition to celebrate Mills & Boon’s centenary opens this month in Manchester. Nicola Cornick is giving a workshop on “Regency Pleasures and Pastimes” 14 June at the Manchester Library in connection with the exhibition. Mills & Boon editors have been busy visiting literary festivals. To see the full list of where they will be, plus see some great early covers, visit the M & B Facebook fansite.

On the website, Mills & Boon has a signup for those of you interested in getting M & B ebooks. I am not sure when this is starting, but it is a great development. You can sign up to get more news about the launch date.

One of my favourite things about June is that it marks the start of summer holiday reading, and a chance to indulge. Happy reading, and I will be back with more news in July.

2008 is the National Year of Reading in the UK.

It is about celebrating reading in all its forms and highlighting the importance of libraries. It is about encouraging parents to read to their children, and people in general just to read.

It is about challenging employers to turn their old smoking rooms into quiet reading rooms, and encouraging workers to read. Natasha Oakley whose Wanted: White Wedding is out this month explained further ‘Setting aside the fact I earn my living writing books,as a mum of five this is something I really want to be involved in. The hope is that the campaign will reach people who don’t consider themselves ‘readers’. The slogan is ‘Reading – Anytime, Anything, Anywhere’. I’m all for taking the snobbishness out of books. It should be fun!’

Authors from literary authors to series romance authors are involved in a wide number of events. As part of the NYR nine Mills & Boon authors have been asked to be ‘Writers in Residence’ in nine of England’s library authorities. The timing and the match could not be more perfect, as Mills & Boon celebrates its 100^th birthday, there is no one who knows a good book like a Mills & Boon author – or reader! It’s a fantastic accolade and tribute to the importance of Mills & Boon to libraries and all the hard work done by so many of our authors in them.

The Mills & Boon ‘Writers in Residence‘ for the NYR are

Louise Allen – Peterborough

Susan Stephens – Kirklees

Kate Hardy – Norfolk

Nicola Cornick – Wiltshire

Sharon Kendrick – Hampshire

Caroline Anderson – Suffolk

Michelle Styles – Northumberland

India Grey – Cheshire

Natasha Oakley – Bedfordshire

A spokesperson for Mills & Boon said : ‘Mills & Boon is extremely proud to support the National Year of Reading, a government-backed initiative which aims to get more readers reading more! It will be supported by a TV advertising campaign featuring Geri Halliwell, Lenny Henry, Bill Bailey, Jon Culshaw and Jo Brand amongst others. The NYR will see a nationwide campaign reminding reluctant readers, hesitant readers and even prolific readers of the joy of reading. It’s a wonderful opportunity for Mills & Boon to be part of this fantastic year celebrating reading!’

You can see the launch video

UPDATE: as Michelle Style’s reports looks like The Dark Viscount by Deborah Simmons is already up at amazon… (no cover yet) but WOOT! CAN’T wait! Comes out in October 1, 2008.

first posted May 21, 2006

Deborah Simmons is an author I picked up because of All About Romance. They have some great reviews and interviews up on her.

At that point I had never read a Harlequin Historical but picked up The Last Rogue to try. I was glad I did.

The whole series is a delight – The Vicar’s Daughter, The Devil Earl, Tempting Kate, and The Last Rogue. If you can find them, grab them. She also has some great novellas in a few Harlequin Anthologies. The Officer’s Bride is one of my faves and The Brides of Christmas was recently rereleased.

Most of her books are written for the Harlequin Historical line, although the last two were for Berkley and her first book, Heart’s Masquerade, (one I picked up not too long ago) was Avon.

We haven’t had a new book from Deborah Simmons since, A Lady of Distinction, was published in May of 2004. When I checked in with her to see what she is up too, she told me:

I’ve spent some time working on a contemporary romantic comedy, but haven’t abandoned my historical writing.

Personally I have my fingers crossed her new historical proposal gets picked up but at this point I would be happy to just see her with a new book.

April showers bring May flowers, or at least that is what I am hoping, as it has been very rainy here in the UK throughout April. May also brings lots of Harlequin news and great books to read.

First of all, Taken By the Viking is published in Harlequin Historical this month. It is the first of my Viken jaarl mini series and features the Viking jaarls who raided Lindisfarne in 793. The second book -Viking Warrior, Unwilling Wife will be published as Mills & Boon Historical in June. Taken is also being published in Spain at the end of May as La Amante del Vikingo and is part of the Amantes del Romance collection. The covers for the collection are very hot when seen in the flesh.

Also this month from HH, the second in the Undone! mini series–Notorious Rake, Innocent Lady–is published. This is HH’s most sensuous mini series and has a corset flash in the US. HH is still offering a wide range of sensuality from sweet to super sexy.

According to editor Joanne Carr, Deborah Simmons is making a welcome return to HH with a gothic Regency in October 08 entitled The Dark Viscount.

May is the debut month for Nocturne Bites with a thrilling offering from Michele Hauf –Racing the Moon. It is on special offer at eharlequin for $0.89. It is a great way to sample the Nocturne offerings. [ed. note: See here for an opportunity to win a free download.]

May also sees the Desire debut for Olivia Gates with The Desert Lord’s Baby. Olivia has written for Medical and Bombshell in the past. She says about her new release:

I’m very excited that The Desert Lord’s Baby, Book One in my THRONE OF JUDAR miniseries, is a Top Pick at Romantic Times, and also an eHarlequin bestseller. And the cover is divine! It’s my debut in Silhouette Desire where I felt at home at once, creating irresistible, larger-than-life heroes who meet their destinies in committed, passionate heroines. I love writing those tempestuous, high-octane emotional and passionate journeys to indisputably earned and glorious happy endings. And Farooq and Carmen’s story was indeed a joy to write, one filled with glamor, heartaches and pleasures in the depths of the exotic Kingdom of Judar. And though it’s still to hit the actual shelves, what with advance ordering, I’m already thrilled with reviewers’ and readers’ response!

Look out for The Desert Lord’s Bride, then The Desert King in July and September 08.

Silhouette Desire is doing a pitch contest with the title “Sell by the RWA”. Desire editors are hoping to find the perfect Desire manuscript. Please see eharlequin for more details.

Editor Suzanne Clarke gives details of what they are looking for in a Modern Heat author on the I Hearts Presents blog, including that they are really searching for new American voices.

If you are interested in writing category, Kate Walker has just published the second edition of her highly regarded how to book: Kate Walker’s 12 Point Guide to Writing Romance. It has expanded from the first edition and now includes tips for a variety of authors, including me. Kate is also excited because it is going to be published in India as well. Harlequin Mills & Boon have recently gone into India and are hoping to find an Indian author someday. Kate hopes that her book might help aspiring writers of all nationalities.

Also starting in May is Gail Barret’s new miniseries for SRS, “The Crusaders”, with Heart of a Thief. Gail says:

I’m excited about this series for a lot of reasons. First off, I love the settings. The first book is set in Spain, the second in Peru, the third in the Himalayas. I also love the whole concept of the trilogy — the legendary artifacts, the archeology involved. Doing the research has been a blast. I even took trips to Spain and Peru to get the details right (I’m still hoping for a trip to the Himalayas!). But most of all, I’ve discovered some fascinating characters who have really leaped off the pages and come alive. These books have been fun to write.

The podcasts this month featured SRS and Blaze. SRS highlighted that they have a new author, Jennifer Morey, debuting soon. The Blaze editors highlighted the fact that not only do they have a Blaze historical where the Scottish heroine captures the hero for her own pleasure coming out, but they are also putting out five in one short story collection and a slight departure: a heroine who accidentally sleeps with two different men in the course of the book. New authors to look out for include Karen Foley, Stephanie Tyler, Jordan Summers and Tawny Weber.

Join me next month when I will have details of a 25^th anniversary book celebration and a new major miniseries and much more. Until next time, happy reading and remember the e-Harlequin 100,000 book challenge.

Ok I am going to work toward getting all the nifty prizes logged today and we will start giving them out. Some of them will go to random comment in a post with these icons. WHAT icons?

SSE EXCERPT: Dear Santa by Karen Templeton

EXCERPT Part II: Thigh High: Thigh High by Bonnie Edwards

EXCERPT: Give Me a Texan: The Love Letter by Linda Broday

EXCERPT: Give Me a Texan: No Time for Love by Phyliss Miranda

EXCERPT: Give Me a Texan: A Shade of Sunrise by DeWanna Pace

EXCERPT: Give Me a Texan: Amarillo By Morning by Jodi Thomas

EXCERPT Part III: Thigh High: Twinkle Twinkle Little Thong by Bonnie Edwards

Excerpt from Viking Warrior, Unwilling Wife by Michelle Styles
new historical release from Mills & Boone with a UK release in June 2008

Yours, Mine…or Ours is book two in Karen Templeton’s Guys & Daughters series (Dear Santa, Yours, Mine…or Ours? and Baby, I’m Yours)

Excerpt of Taken by the Viking by Michelle Styles, coming 1 May!!
Historical romance released by Harlequin 1 May 2008

Excerpt Unlawful Contact by Pamela Clare aka the one to steam the screen

I am missing some and will add them tomorrow (I see Kresley Cole’s aren’t here). More excerpts to come from Lisa Kleypas, Jill Shalvis, Lynne Connolly, Stephanie Tyler, Caroline Linden, HelenKay Dimon, EC Sheedy, Liz Carlyle, Hope Tarr, Lora Leigh, Sabrina Jeffries, Jenna Petersen, Laura Drewry, Sydney Croft, Roxanne St. Claire, Jennifer Estep, Cheryl St.John and many more….

As well as some nifty prizes from t-shirts and books *g*. Some you will have to answer questions from the excerpts and other will be random drawings from the comments.

first recap can be found here

How Flashdance… LOL 

It’s Raining Excerpts!EXCLUSIVE EXCERPT: Secrets of Surrender by Madeline HunterEXCERPT Part I: Thigh High: Parlor Games by Bonnie Edwards

EXCERPT: Phantom Pleasures by Julie Leto

EXCERPT Part I: Unlawful Contact
EXCERPT Part II: Unlawful Contact
EXCERPT Part III: Unlawful Contact
EXCERPT Part IV: Unlawful Contact

SSE EXCERPT: Dear Santa by Karen Templeton

EXCERPT Part II: Thigh High: Thigh High by Bonnie Edwards

EXCERPT: Give Me a Texan: The Love Letter by Linda Broday

EXCERPT: Give Me a Texan: No Time for Love by Phyliss Miranda

EXCERPT: Give Me a Texan: A Shade of Sunrise by DeWanna Pace

EXCERPT: Give Me a Texan: Amarillo By Morning by Jodi Thomas

EXCERPT Part III: Thigh High: Twinkle Twinkle Little Thong by Bonnie Edwards

Excerpt from Viking Warrior, Unwilling Wife by Michelle Styles
new historical release from Mills & Boone with a UK release in June 2008

Yours, Mine…or Ours is book two in Karen Templeton’s Guys & Daughters series (Dear Santa, Yours, Mine…or Ours? and Baby, I’m Yours)

Excerpt of Taken by the Viking by Michelle Styles, coming 1 May!!
Historical romance released by Harlequin 1 May 2008

Excerpt Unlawful Contact by Pamela Clare aka the one to steam the screen

I am missing some and will add them tomorrow (I see Kresley Cole’s aren’t here). More excerpts to come from Lisa Kleypas, Jill Shalvis, Lynne Connolly, Stephanie Tyler, Caroline Linden, HelenKay Dimon, EC Sheedy, Liz Carlyle, Hope Tarr, Lora Leigh, Sabrina Jeffries, Jenna Petersen, Laura Drewry, Sydney Croft, Roxanne St. Claire, Jennifer Estep, Cheryl St.John and many more….

As well as some nifty prizes from t-shirts and books *g*. Some you will have to answer questions from the excerpts and other will be random drawings from the comments.

Look what Michelle gave us! An excerpt!!

Excerpt of Taken by the Viking by Michelle Styles, coming 1 May!!
Historical romance released by Harlequin 1 May 2008

**E-X-C-E-R-P-T**

Chapter One

8 June 793 Lindisfarne, Northumbria

Annis pressed her lips together, trying to keep her head from moving as her maid plaited her hair. What had she really hoped for? That her uncle, the Abbot of St Cuthbert’s priory, would give her money to fight her step-father? His only alternative had been the church. She could have a good position as long as she brought her dowry with her.

‘My lady, it will take less time if you bend your head slightly this way.’

Annis regarded the wall of the guesthouse at St Cuthbert’s priory with its mural of Mary kneeling at the base of the cross and concentrated harder.

It had been a mistake to come. Last night’s conversation still rang in her ears. Her uncle refused to listen to her arguments. Why had she ever thought otherwise?

She’d leave the monastery and the island tomorrow at low tide when the causeway was passable, Annis decided. She would have to return home to Birdoswald on the River Irthing in the west of Northumbria. And face the future her way.

‘Is this suitable, my lady?’

Her new maidservant, Mildreth, finished plaiting her hair and handed her a small mirror. Annis took a brief glance in the mirror. Her wayward tumble of brown curls had been tamed into two neat plaits on either side of her head. Annis considered her hair to be her best feature, perhaps her only feature, but something with a will of its own. Mildreth knew what she was doing, she’d allow, but Annis refused to trust her.

Mildreth was her step-father’s creature. Had to be. Her step-father had forced all her maids and retainers to be changed after her husband died and she returned to the family lands. There had been no excuse for her to stay with Selwyn’s family. She had no child and her sister-in-law had always resented her. So she had returned, hoping for a better reception and discovered her step-father firmly in control of the family lands.

‘Soon we will be preparing for your betrothal.’

‘If God wills…’ Annis placed the mirror back on the dressing table and forced her face to remain bland. She had no intention of marrying her step-father’s son – the odious Eadgar with his damp hands and even damper manner. Neither did she intend on retiring to a convent as her uncle had suggested. There had to be another way.

‘You will have to marry sometime. Eadgar, your step-father’s son is a fine–’ Mildreth stopped and her face grew distressed. ‘Mistress, I can not lie. I have grown fond of you. Eadgar is a terror. All the maidservants fear him if they are caught alone with him. Please say nothing.’

Annis caught Mildreth’s hand. A faint pink tinged the maid’s cheeks making her almost pretty. Annis felt happier than she had been in weeks. Her journey to Lindisfarne had not been in vain. She had discovered an ally of sorts.

‘We share the same view of Eadgar.’

‘They said you were kind, my lady and you are.’

‘It is far too soon to speak of remarriage in any case.’ Annis straightened the neck of her gown. ‘My husband is barely cold in his grave. There will be time enough to speak of marriage later after I have finished mourning him. I came here seeking my uncle’s advice and having received it, I will return to my home.’

‘As you say, my lady.’

A sudden fierce tolling of the bells resounded in the room, crowding out all thought or speech. Every fibre of Annis’s being tensed.

‘We are going to be attacked!’ Mildreth wrung her hands. ‘Murdered in our beds!’

Annis forced a breath from her lips. Despite the increasing shrillness of the bells, she had to stay calm. It could be any thing. Blind panic never solved anything.

‘Attack? Really Mildreth, you must not let your fears take hold. Who would dare attack this place?’ She forced her voice to sound normal. Annis wasn’t quite sure who she was trying to convince – her maid or herself. ‘The bells will be ringing for another reason. A pilgrim misjudged the tide and is stuck on the causeway.’

Mildreth gave a tremulous smile and ducked her head as the bells continued to peel. Annis offered up a small prayer that her words were correct. They had to be. Who would risk eternal damnation by attacking one of the most holy and learned sites in Northumbria, if not Europe?

The protection it offered was why her family chose to store the bulk of their coin with the monks rather than keeping it in locked chests on their estates. The vast majority of landowners in Northumbria used simple but effective way ensuring their coin was truly safe.

Then, as suddenly as the bells started, they stopped. The silence became deafening.

‘It will be nothing.’ Annis’s voice sounded loud, echoing off the wooden walls. ‘A ship might have been stranded and a monk panicked. My uncle says some of the newer monks can be excitable. Whatever it was, it is sure to have been solved.’

‘As you say, my lady.’

Mildreth gave another nod but her thin face bore a distinctly unhappy look to it. Annis reached out and touched her hand.

‘All will be well, Mildreth. We are in God’s place. He will look after us.’

‘There have been portents in the skies,’ Mildreth said and then dropped her voice to a whisper. ‘One of the monks said he saw dragons flying across the moon. And strange fires in the night. Whirlwinds in the skies. Something to punish us for our wicked sinful ways. They were speaking of it in the Abbot’s scullery only yesterday as the drought has been fierce this year.’

‘Tales to frighten young maid servants without a doubt.’ Annis gave an uneasy laugh. ‘By Michealmas, after the harvest, no one will remember. It is the way of things.’

Annis rose and crossed quickly to the small window that overlooked the sea. Yesterday, she had admired the view of clear yellow sand and bright sparkling water, empty save a few fishing boats. Today, an entirely different sight lay before her.

‘I may have been wrong, Mildreth. The monastery has company.’ Annis fought to keep the sound of rising panic out of her voice. She must not jump to conclusions. She was too impatient, her imagination too active or so her uncle had admonished her several times this visit.

The early morning sunshine threw sparkles on the water but the sea was no longer empty. Three boats with serpents on their prows, round shields on their sides and red and white striped sails were in the shallow bay. One had drawn up on shore and while the others followed closely behind.

As Annis watched, warriors disembarked from the first serpent ship, wading through the surf. They were dressed in trousers and chain mail, carrying their helmets and round shields. An air of wildness hung about them. No two were dressed alike. Heathens. Pagans. Raiders.

Annis leant out the window to get a better look. The leader had dark hair that touched his shoulders and several days’ growth on his beard. An intricate design of a serpent and beast fighting covered his shield. The warriors behind him ranged from a wild-man with flowing hair and beard to a slim blonder version of the leader. The leader glanced up towards the window. His startling blue gaze held hers for a heartbeat. A brief smile touched his lips as he turned to greet the group hurrying from the monastery. Annis put her hand to her throat.

Had he seen her?

Her uncle stood at the front of the group in his white habit, taller than rest but not as tall as the barbarian leader, with an air of confidence and command. Annis gave a half-smile. She had been wrong to worry. Her uncle’s skill as a politician was renowned throughout Northumbria and Mercia. She was certain he would have the measure of these heathen warriors in no time.

Her uncle held out his hand to be kissed in the traditional manner. The pagan warlord ignored it, and inclined his head before he handed her uncle a tablet.

The colour drained from her uncle’s face and his hand shook.

What did these barbarians want?

copyright 2007 Harlequin Mills & Boon

Excerpt from Viking Warrior, Unwilling Wife by Michelle Styles

This is Michelle’s new historical release from Mills & Boone with a UK release in June 2008. We’ll update you once we have a US release date. We’ll also update for you once we have a purchase link.

Chapter One

794 Central Norway

‘Prepare shields! Raise spears! Unsheathe swords! The gables of Bose the Dark’s stronghold are on the horizon.’ Vikar Hrutson, jaarl of Viken, shouted to his men.

‘It is serious step you take, Vikar,’ Ivar said in an undertone. ‘What if you are wrong. What if Bose desires peace with Viken?’

Vikar turned from where he studied the headland with its inlets and rocky islands toward Ivar, his fellow jaarl and co-leader of the felag. His dark green eyes regarded his friend and comrade. ‘The time Bose is at peace is when he sleeps. The raid on Rogaland was only the beginning. He has broken the truce and declared war.’

‘But will Thorkell agree?’ Ivar shifted uneasily. ‘It was pure good fortune we had stopped at Rogaland. My sister and her husband could never have withstood the raid alone.’

‘It was a victory for the felag, for Viken.’

‘It was your sword and shield that brought down Hafdan. He could have been acting alone. He sailed under his own standard.’

‘Only one man could have ordered that raid and he still breathes with his lands intact.’ Vikar tightened his grip on the railing, and looked towards where the dark walls of the great hall rose from the fjord. ‘Bose the Dark ordered that raid, that destruction. Hafdan never dare draw a breath, let alone attack a Viken jaarl’s main hall without his express order. I warned Thorkell that Bose would strike again. It gives me no pleasure to be right’

Ivar banged his fist against the railing. ‘Thorkell should never have spared him. What he nearly did to Haakon was unthinkable! He should have known that Bose would not be content in the north.’

‘I am not a soothsayer. I have no great insight into the king’s mind. Haakon lives and thrives. Our friend is very happy with his new wife and child.’ Vikar gave a slight shrug. ‘Bose twists words to suit his purpose. The only thing he understand is deeds. This time, he will lose…everything.’

‘And Thorkell what he do when he discovers what you have led raid on Bose’s stronghold?’

‘He will reward me. Bose broke the truce. This time I administer the punishment.’ The breeze whipped Vikar’s blonde hair back from his forehead. ‘The battle will long and bloody, old friend but Thor and Tyr will be with us. Underestimate Bose at your peril. The man is a master strategist, slipperier than Loki.’

‘If you say such things, I believe them.’ Ivar tapped the side of his nose. ‘You were once married to his daughter.’

‘Thankfully it was a short alliance.’ Vikar refused to think about his former wife today. Was she there with her long blonde hair, tempting curves and pig-headed temper? Or had she married again? Someone who was more willing to be Bose’s lapdog? Vikar stared at the intricately carved gables. It no longer mattered. She was the symbol of all that was wrong with women, why he would never marry again.

‘Is it true Bose’s daughter never appeared in Thorkell’s court after the divorce? And that the hall was built on the bones of wild men who will rise up and fight any invader?’

‘Men at oars tell too many tales.’ Vikar pushed off from the railing and strode towards the prow of the boat. There he could catch a glimpse of how his new red sail fared in the wind. A sail fit for one of the leading jaarls in Viken, a man who had made a fortune through one single raid last summer, a man whose exploits were lauded by the skalds in the latest poems.

A low horn sounded across the water of the fjord. Their boats had been spotted. The battle would begin when he set foot on the shore.

‘Exactly what are you planning, Bose the Dark, up there in your splendid hall? I can not help but think you expected this. You longed for it.’ Vikar’s jaw tightened and his hand felt for his sword’s hilt. ‘I have ceased being the gullible warrior who married your daughter a long time ago. We will meet, and this time, this time Bose, there will be only one victor.’

‘Sails round the headland. One dragon ship, maybe more.’ Sela forced her voice to remain calm as she entered her father’s bedchamber.

Unlike the hall, the bedchamber was resplendent with furs and tapestries, and in the centre, a gigantic bed where her father, Bose the Dark, lay. She winced as her father struggled to sit up right, each movement an effort with his paralysed side.

He had been such a vigorous man a few months ago. Then the affliction struck. Cursed, some muttered in the shadowy corners of the hall. His fabled luck gone. Sela ignored such doom mongers. Her father had suffered enough.

‘Friendly?’ he croaked out of the side of his mouth.

‘Impossible to say. It is far too soon to see if they will lift their shields or leave them hanging.’ Sela smoothed a stray strand of honey blonde hair from her forehead, a nervous gesture from her girlhood, one she was positive he’d know. She hid her hands in the folds of her apron-dress and concentrated on the bedstead. How much dared she reveal?

‘What is the lead ship’s sail pattern?’ Her father’s eyes suddenly focused and he plucked restlessly at the furs. ‘You are keeping things from me daughter, but I remain the master of this hall. I deserve to know the worst.’

‘The sail pattern is not one I recognise.’ She paused, and watched her father’s face become grave. He made a small gesture with his hand, telling her to continue. ‘Maybe if Hafdan were here, he would know the answer.’

‘We had to find new markets for our goods. Kaupang is closed to us now.’ Her father’s face reddened. ‘The East offers the best hope. Thorkell must allow me to feed my people. Hafdan will return and once again our coffers will cascade with gold.’

‘Did I say a word? Hafdan has departed to find new markets.’ Sela pressed her lips into a firm line. ‘And you remain jaarl of Northern Viken.’

Her father gave his crooked smile and held out his good hand. ‘I want your inheritance to overflow with wealth, daughter, not be a silver arm-ring and a much-mended sword like mine was. It was right to send Hafdan. You will see in time.’

‘Hafdan wants his own glory. He could do anything.’ Sela crossed her arms, and glared at her father.

‘Hafdan has ambition but he will return.’ Her father’s eyes twinkled. ‘I have seen how he looks at you. He has much to recommend him. Once I am gone, you must have a strong man…’

‘I tried marriage once, thank you.’ Sela snapped her mouth shut to prevent more words from tumbling out. Her former husband had been a man of ambition as well. She had no wish to relive the memories or the bitter taste they left.

‘You were younger then.’ Her father waved a dismissive hand. ‘Vikar Hrutson was a poor choice. He did not like to listen to my counsel. I sincerely regret that I did not see my mistake until it was far too late to prevent you getting hurt.’

‘It was nearly four years ago. You weren’t to know.’ Sela touched her father’s withered cheek. When her father had discovered the situation, he had moved swiftly, rescuing her and her unborn child, rather than letting her face the humiliation of a woman scorned.

‘Four years? Sela, it is time you laid your ghosts to rest. Other men…’

‘I have no ghosts in my life, father, far from it. If I remarried, who would look after you?’

‘Hafdan is different.’ Her father gave a crooked smile. ‘He is loyal. You will see…in time.’

‘We have these unexpected visitors, and few men to protect the hall.’

‘We shall have to be wary– wait and see.’ Her father gestured towards the iron bound chest. ‘Send someone to dress me. My mail shirt, and the sword Thorkell gave me in happier days. I am not without pride. I want to give the ships a proper welcome, one that shows Bose the Dark remains jaarl of the north. They will not find easy pickings here.’

‘Far, you can not fight. I forbid it,’ Sela said, positioning her body between her father and the chest. ‘Your legs may hold you upright but your sword arm is useless. How long do you think you would last in a fight? You would be a danger to the men.’

‘Do you think you are telling me something I don’t know, daughter?’ Her father attempted to move his arm and nothing happened. He set his jaw and managed with difficulty to move it slightly. ‘I am the one who has to live with it. With the arm and the face. May Odin send curses on the witch who caused this.’

‘Stay here, in this chamber.’ Sela caught his hand. ‘Let me greet them in the correct manner. I will hide your infirmity as best I can.’

‘Daughter, you are the best daughter a man could hope for,’ her father said, holding out his hand and tears forming in his eyes.

Sela straightened her back. She understood her father’s wordless plea. ‘I will handle our unwelcome callers, come what may.’

‘I know you will.’

‘Morfar, Morfar.’ A blonde boy rushed in, holding a bird’s nest. ‘See what I have found. The nest had fallen down on the ground. Thorgerd says that there will have been starlings in. it.’

‘Kjartan, how many times must I tell you not to burst in on your grandfather like that?’ Sela looked at her son and saw his shining face fall, his deep green eyes became less bright. Instantly she regretted her harsh words, but Kjartan had to learn the proper respect. If he was eventually to be a jaarl, he had to have proper training. But with whom?

‘Sela, Sela, he is only three. Time enough for ceremony later.’ Her father patted the side of his bad. ‘Kjartan, come here and greet your grandfather properly.’

‘You were never like that with Erik or me.’

‘Grandchildren are different. You will understand in time, Sela.

‘Mor, I want to show Morfar my bird’s nest.’ Kjartan held out a jumble of sticks and mud. He wore a serious expression on his face. ‘I found it by barns. I’m a good warrior. Someday I’ll be great like Morfar, and like my father.’

‘Your face is dirty and you have torn the knee of your trousers. Even great warriors wash their faces before they greet their jaarl,’ Sela said with a smile as Kjartan immediately started to scrubbed his cheeks with his filthy hands. Her heart expanded. She had never thought that she could love one scrap of humanity so much.

‘Thorgerd says a dragon ship is coming. My father’s?’

‘Kjartan, show your grandfather the nest.’ Sela spoke around a sudden lump in her throat. She looked down at the blonde tousled curls and the trusting dark green eyes, eyes that reminded her every day of who Kjartan’s father was and of the humiliation she had suffered at his hands. A great warrior like his father– where had that notion come from? But she refused to destroy his illusions. Life would do that soon enough.

She bit her lip. If the ships were from Thorkell, her father with his infirmity was not only one who would have to remain hidden. Her son would have to as well. Vikar remained an integral part of the court, Asa’s chief confidant if the rumours that reached this far north were true. And she had every reason to believe them.

Kjartan advanced towards his grandfather, holding out the nest and chattering away. The two took great pleasure in each other. A pleasure that could be easily destroyed. Under Viken law and custom, her son belonged to his father. She was married when Kjartan was conceived, but she refused to give him up, to turn him over to someone who had little concept of the notion of love and devotion. How could she permit that to happen to her only child?

Her eyes met her father’s slate grey ones. He gave a slight nod and held out his good hand.

‘Come here, Kjartan, you can keep me company for awhile. We can recite some of the sagas together.’

‘Will you tell me about Loki and the tricks he played? I like that god.’

Sela listened to her father’s gravely voice begin to solemnly recite a story. Kjartan would be safe with her father, and she would be able to see about defending the hall.

‘Far,’ she said softly.

He raised his eyes, paused in the story.

‘If there is any problem, you know what to do. The hut in the woods…’

‘I know, Sela. You have other things to think about me. I am not so feeble that I cannot look after one small boy. Send Una to me if you wish. Your former nurse can do something besides warm her bones by the fire for a change.’

‘Yes, Thorgerd can look after the women. She is sensible. Una and her tales make the women nervous.’

He cleared his throat as Kjartan drew closer to the bed. ‘Now, if you will excuse us, the gods are in a rather tight spot and Loki needs to rescue them.

She gave one last backward glance. Grey hair next to blond, engrossed in the tale of Loki’s mischief. Then she walked away, walked toward her responsibilities.

copyright 2008 Michelle Styles and Harlequin Enterprises

Read on for April’s TGTBTU Harlequin Insider from the fantabulous author Michelle Styles. Read on and learn more about what we will see from TGTBTU in April – showers of books and deluges of contest (is “deluges” a noun?)…

TGTBTU Harlequin Insider: April showers us with books and contests
by Michelle Styles

April marks the publication of Liz Fielding‘s 50^th book for Harlequin Romance. Liz is a two time RITA winner and one of the most popular authors in the Romance series as well as being a dear friend. She is doing a year long series of contests on her blog, featuring books from her author friends.THE MARRIAGE MIRACLE , the 2006 RITA® winner for best short contemporary feature an unforgettable wheelchair-bound heroine.My favorite Fielding featured the curvy heroine, Dodi who has seriously good taste in hamburgers and chocolate — THE BRIDESMAIDS REWARD.And her latest, THE BRIDE’S BABY, is full of the same wonderful Liz Fielding magic. This is the start of a new mini series – A Bride for All Seasons. Other authors participating in the series will include: Trish Wylie, Fiona Harper, and Shirley Jump.

Shirley Jump is the launch author in a major new continuity for Harlequin Romance – The Wedding Planners – with her book SWEETHEART LOST AND FOUND. Six friends from Boston are the Wedding Belles who specialize in making other people’s weddings come true. But are they always the wedding planner…never the bride? The authors of the series have created a website full of information about the series. According to Melissa James, the concept for the series came from the authors and features former SR authors: Shirley Jump, Myrna Mackenzie, Melissa McClone, Linda Goodnight, Susan Meier and Melissa James. All the authors involved are really excited about the series which starts in April.

April sees the Harlequin Historical debut of Sarah Mallory with MORE THAN A GOVERNESS. Sarah is a new and exciting voice for Harlequin Historical. She is also published in the UK as Melinda Hammond with Robert Hale [publishing house] where she writes Georgian adventure romance.

Presents Extra is being launched this month with its own flash and numbering system. Book Number 1 of the series is Julie Cohen‘s MISTRESS IN PRIVATE (UK title: ALL WORK AND NO PLAY). Julie is especially proud of her ironing board surfing scene in the book. She keeps hoping that it will be mentioned in reviews, so it gets a mention here. Anyway, it is a fun and flirty book and she laughed a lot when she wrote it.

The winners of the Presents Instant Seduction contest have been announced. Lynne Rae Harris who also finalled in the Golden Heart contemporary romance series – suspense/ adventure won first prize with her entry THE SPANISH MAGNET’S REVENGE. Many congratulations but I suspect she will be one busy lady in the coming months. The runners up were Dani Collins and Elba Junco writing as Eve Powers. The editors were very impressed with the overall standard of writing and the great love of Presents that the over 600 entries showed. A successful contest all around.

Any aspiring Nocturne Author should be sure and enter the Nocturne Editorial Pitch with Ann Leslie Tuttle. The deadline for entries is 9 April and the pitch takes place on 23 April. Full details of how to enter on the e-harlequin site. Online pitches at e-harlequin have proved a popular method for finding new authors as the Desire editors indicated in their February podcast. So look for more pictching opportunities in the future.

This month’s podcasts are SSE and American. SSE podcast contained the information that US Today bestseller Christine Rimmer who pens the very popular Bravo Family Ties will be revisiting an older family mini series – The Jones Gang – with a Bravo meets Jones book in January 2009 – THE STRANGER AND TESSA JONES. It is part of the SSE First Families series. SSE is two-thirds mini series and includes books from a wide emotional range and on a number of different topics — from Karen Templeton‘s humor to Raeanne Thayne‘s emotional Women of Brambleberry House mini series. If SSE had to be a television series, it would be along the lines of Brothers & Sisters.

A new SSE series from Crystal Green — The Suds Club — has just started with MOMMY AND THE MILLIONAIRE being the launch book. The other two books in the series will be coming out in June and October.

SSE is also the subject of this month Harlequin Spotlight here on TGTBTU.

May promises to hold lots more exciting things happening at Harlequin including the start of my Viking mini-series, the debut of Desire’s latest author and much more.

Here is the next TGTBTU Harlequin Insider entry from the fantabulous author Michelle Styles.  Read on and learn more about how Harlequin authors fared in the latest RITA nominations…

TGTBTU Harlequin Insider: Harlequin’s RITA Finalists
by Michelle Styles

One of the more exciting times to be a Harlequin/Silhouette author is when the RITA nominations are coming in. There always seems to be several authors that I know and whose work I have read. Or more importnatly books and authors that I just have to read…  One of the major perks of being an author is being able to write books off against tax.  And Harlequin is really well represented this year.  Earlier I was able to catch up with a few of the finalists and get their reactions as the news came in. After all there is a certain thrill in living vicariously.

Harlequin Historical author Cheryl St.John was one of the first to reveal her success for her story ‘Christmas Day Family’ in A Western Winter Wonderland. Romantic suspense legend Linda Howard called her with the good news. Cheryl said:

”I’m delighted to be nominated for a RITA in the novella category this year.  When I see all the fine authors whose work is recognized, it’s an honor to be counted among them.  This is my third shot at the gold, and I have a spot all ready for that statue above my workspace! My next release is ‘A Baby Blue Christmas’ novella in HH The Magic of Christmas anthology this October.”

As I am a huge of fan of Cheryl and her writing, I can’t wait.  

‘Fallen Angel’, Jenna Kernan‘s novella from the same anthology (AWWW) also made the finals. I did a quick check and Amazon is still showing copies available.

In the Regency Historical category, Nicola Cornick‘s Lord of Scandal was one of the finalists. It took a little while to reach Nicola but she said:

”I am still so stunned and excited! I can’t quite believe it. It’s a huge honour to be nominated along with authors whose writing I admire so much. I love the fact that the RWA encourages romance writers from across the globe and gives them this opportunity. It’s fantastic.”

Nicola’s 25^th book, The Last Rake in London is a Harlequin Historical release in June. Rake is a slight departure for Nicola as it is set in the Edwardian period.

Samantha Hunter is one of the first time nominees. Her Blaze novel Untouched has made the finals for best contemporary series romance -suspense/adventure. Sam had this to say about her nomination, once she could catch her breath:

“What the final means to me is that my writing has been affirmed by my peers, and that means a lot to me. To have my book held up as one of the best among all the wonderful books out there, well. . . there aren’t many words for how incredible that feels. The experience of a lifetime. Beyond that, it also confirms for me that that particular book, Untouched, was very special. It was a very unique book for me, and the nomination has reminded me about what energies I need to tap into to do my best writing, and to trust my instincts, even (maybe especially) when I am going out on a limb with my ideas.”

Sam’s next book is a novella “No Reservations” which is part of the Blaze What I Did for Summer Vacation anthology in July 08.

Heidi Rice‘s The Mile High Club was a March 08 Promotional Presents release. Heidi is one of the bright new Presents Extra stars. She explained why her book was important and why she is so excited to have an excuse to go to  the SF conference:

”The Mile High Club was my second published book and has a lot of stuff close to my heart in it. First off, my hero Jack Devlin – an elusive American crime writer with a dark past – is a bad boy Yank (my favourite type of hero), my heroine Mel Rourke is an editorial assistant at a tabloid magazine (one of the jobs I did back in the dawns of time) and she comes from a big Irish/English family like mine (the Christmas Dinner scene comes directly from my own family Christmases).”

Heidi’s next book, The Tycoon’s Very Personal Assistant, is out September 08 and promises to be an exciting read.

Other Harlequin authors who were called included Nina Bruhns for her Silhouette Nocturne Night Mischief. and Cindy Dees for her double final with both The Medusa Affair and The Medusa Seduction.

You can read the full 2008 RITA list and the full 2008 Golden Heart list at the RWA home page. All the authors listed are to be congratulated.

March’s TGTBTU Harlequin Insider gives us the skinny on a new ebook line, Harlequin’s efforts against illiteracy, and info on some very cool podcasts. And have we mentioned lately how much we love Michelle Styles?  Read on and stay informed…

TGTBTU Harlequin Insider: March BITEs Literate Podpeople
by Michelle Styles

Following on from the hugely successful Spice BRIEFS, Harlequin is launching another direct-to-ebook novella line – Nocturne BITES. These 10k-15k word novellas will pack all the dark sensuous punch of the longer Nocturne’s urban fantasy. They will feature both established and new authors and will provide readers with an opportunity to get to learn more about the world of their favourite Nocturne series. For example, Vivi Anna who writes the Valorian Chronicles has signed up to BITE. Her Bite is scheduled the month before her next Valorian Chronicle. Aspiring writers can find out more on the eHarlequin BITES guideline site.

E-harlequin is currently having a 100,000 Book Challenge. For every book read, Harlequin will be donating a book to National Center for Family Literacy. If the 100,000 total is reached, it will be the same as donating approximately $700,000 as the average price of the books they donating is US$7. You do need to blog about the book on the eHarlequin site and they do ask that 50% of your books be from one of their many series. There is no limit on how few or how many books you can read.

Betina Krahn, winner of the 2007 Rita for Best short historical, has announced that she is writing two Blazes – one historical, one contemporary. Her first will be a historical, as Blaze is adding historicals to its offerings with Hope Tarr’s Bound to Please out in July 08. Rumor has it that Jacquie D’Alessandro will also be doing one. Of course, a number of Blaze authors write historicals including Joanne Rock whose A Knight Most Wicked is out 1 March 08 with Harlequin Historicals.

It is one more indication, if anyone needed it, that historical romance is on the upswing.

March sees the debut of Harlequin Historical author Bronwyn Scott with Pickpocket Countess. Bronwyn has also published historical romance for Avalon under her real name of Nikki Poppen.

C.J. Carmichael has a new Three Good Men trilogy starting with Superromance. The first one is The Dad Next Door and has a father struggling to cope with the demands of his young daughter who is desperate for a mother.

Sometimes, people dismiss secret baby stories, but Donna Alward‘s The Soldier’s Homecoming (coming 11 March) demonstrates why secret baby stories are a perennial favourite. The story deals with the reunion facing a now battle-hardened and wounded Canadian soldier, who returns to the town where he enjoyed a basic training romance, only to discover that he has a daughter.

Kate Hardy‘s In Bed with Her Italian Boss is in April (and therefore March on eHarlequin) as a Present Promotional. Kate won the Romantic Novelists Association’s Romance Prize with this book under its British title of Breakfast at Giovanni’s. At the moment, when the Modern Heats are coming to the US, they are coming with more Presents-type titles. This can make it confusing but whatever the title, it makes for a heart-warming read with all the heat of the line thrown in.

For aspiring authors, there are now half-hour long podcasts with editors discussing various lines. The podcasts are introduced by Randall Toye, Director of Global Series, and feature one line per podcast. First up are the editors of Silhouette Desire discussing what makes that line — passionate, powerful, and provocative. They also explain the differences between Desire alpha males and Presents alpha males as well as why they love mini-series. Authors they suggest reading include Maureen Child, Day Leclaire, and new to the line author Olivia Gates.

Be sure to read April’s column when I will bring you news about a two time Rita winner’s 50^th book, the start of a major new mini-series in Romance, and much more.

And now we give you the last of Michelle Styles’ columns to date. Problem is, I (Devon) somehow neglected to notice that this is actually January’s column. Oops! No matter, there is some stuff that I was unaware of and will definitely be of interest to readers.

Join us in March for more from Michelle Styles!

TGTBTU’s Harlequin Insider: New in 2008
By Michelle Styles

January is a month of beginnings and this January is no exception. This column intends to bring you news of what is happening within Harlequin Enterprises, the world’s largest publisher of romantic fiction.

For any aspiring author, debut authors are very important to read. It is here that you are most likely to see the direction that the editors are taking the line. January sees the publication of Nocturne’s new author — Patrice Michelle. It is the start of her Scions series–entitled Scions: Resurrection – the next one will be released in May 2008. [Ed. Note: See Devon’s review and Alicia Thomas’ review.]

January also sees the expansion of the Presents line to twelve titles per month. Within these twelve titles, two Modern Heat titles will be included. Modern Heat was formerly known as Temptation. However, in the time that it has been abroad, the line has changed and has gained a whole new crop of authors and London-based editors.

As the writing guidelines say: Take an international city background that vividly conveys the sophistication and buzz of cosmopolitan life, an independent woman who knows what she wants from love and her career and a guy who’s very much an alpha male—charismatic, confident, gorgeously sexy—and you have the Modern Heat line. Recent settings have included: Hong Kong, London, New York City and Melbourne.

Modern Heat writers to seek out include Julie Cohen, Trish Wylie and Kate Hardy. Kate Hardy’s The Pregnancy Ultimatum is out this month. It was originally published in the UK as In the Gardener’s Bed. [Ed. Note: Ooh, ooh! I read a Kate Hardy that I really liked.] Kate got her start writing for Black Lace and she is also one of the Medical stars. Julie Cohen’s His for the Taking (originally Driving Him Wild) is a February release.

To help celebrate the expansion, the Presents editorial team is running a writing contest . The top prize is an editor for a year. There are several runners’ up prizes of a telephone consultation with an editor. Exactly who the editor will be has not been disclosed, but ALL the editors in the London office are excellent. Tessa Shapcott, the executive editor for the line, is known to produce legendary revision letters. The prize really emphasizes the Harlequin commitment to growing authors. Harlequin doesn’t simply buy books; they buy authors. Presents is also the engine that drives Harlequin. It is the most popular line worldwide. There is no limit to the times a person can enter BUT they are emphasizing Quality. The contest closes on 14 February. [Ed note: Ummm…hope ya’ll saw this already...oops.]

The I (Heart) Presents blog has lots of tips and helpful hints for anyone wishing to submit. In addition to the contest, the editors are still accepting submissions in the normal fashion: query letter, one to two page synopsis and, most importantly, the first three chapters.

The other big new look is at e-harlequin. In recent months, they have totally revamped the community portion of the site and it goes live on 2 January. The primary purpose of e-harlequin will still be to sell its books, but its community pages will have more of a social networking approach.

As we promised, here is the second edition of TGTBTU’s Harlequin Insider, where author Michelle Styles discusses some upcoming events. Let me also note that Harlequin loves Valentine’s Day soooo much that they have extended the holiday special for free shipping on all orders at EHarlequin.com through February 24. Some magic words there, FREE SHIPPING…they get me every time (sniffle).

Stay tuned as we continue catching up with Michelle tomorrow, February 21.

TGTBTU’s Harlequin Insider: Harlequin Loves to Party
By Michelle Styles

Harlequin takes anniversaries pretty seriously.  They believe in their authors and celebrate when they reach milestones. For twenty-five books, the author receives a silver pin, and for fifty a gold pin. These pins are given out either at the RWA national Conference or at the Mills & Boon annual toast to the authors in September. This month, two time Rita winner, Liz Fielding, sees her 50th book, The Sheikh’s Unsuitable Bride, published. In April, her 50th Harlequin Romance will be published. Liz is celebrating this milestone through out the year. She has invited author friends to have weekly giveaways on her blog . First up will be Presents author Annie West.

Mills & Boon is also celebrating its 100th anniversary this year.  They have lots of things planned. They will be issuing special limited editions, special reprints of old favourites, competitions and much more. The Vanishing Viscountess by Diane Gaston is the first special edition book, and features as a bonus book – The Mysterious Miss M, also by Gaston. Other events such as an exhibition in Manchester and a cocktail party at the Wallace Collection are also planned to help celebrate 100 years of Mills & Boon.

Harlequin and Silhouette typically make a big deal about Valentine’s Day.  This year is no exception and Friday saw the launch of the Special Treat website . At the website, readers can find free online reads for the new Historical Inspired line, NASCAR and Nocturne. They can also send a postcard, listen to music and read the 2008 Romance Report. Every Harlequin or Silhouette book published in February will have the Special Flash on the cover.

Not so long, long ago or far, far away, the Duckies were all aglow with the flush of the coming year. The new year is so full of promise, isn’t it? The promise of new releases, new authors to discover, new ideas for the blog. Sigh.

Then came The Move. Sigh again. The difficult, nearly disastrous move to a new server and a new template. With the head Duckie’s full attention so thoroughly engaged, some of our wonderful plans did not quite happen. Almost. But…

We have been planning to spotlight Harlequin for several months and we’re finally getting around to it. Like them or not, one cannot deny the publishing house’s impact on the genre. No other publisher offers such a wide variety for romance readers. Therefore, to celebrate this variety and the publisher’s commitment to our obsession hobby, each month we will spotlight a different Harlequin/Silhouette line. We hope from that people will see some favorite authors and find some new ones.

The lovely and talented Michelle Styles, author of The Roman’s Virgin Mistress and The Gladiator’s Honor (among others) has agreed to write us a monthly news column from the Harlequin front. In fact, she has been far more diligent than us, already turning in several columns. Over the next few days, we will be catching you up on Michelle’s tidbits. And stay tuned for more things Harlequin.

So, without further ado, I give you the first edition of TGTBTU’s Harlequin Insider…

TGTBTU’s Harlequin Insider: The State of the Historical
by Michelle Styles

Is the Historical genre on the upswing?

There have been rumors of a historical upswing for months. Or maybe it is simply the realization by publishers and booksellers that a large proportion of romance readers enjoy reading Historicals. Harlequin remains committed to providing quality reading for this segment. Not only with its Harlequin Historical program (which provides four books per month in retail, six per month direct and through its e-book program), but also through its single title programs, HQN and Mira and new venture Love Inspired Historical.

On 27 January 2008, when asked what HQN was looking for, Keyren Gerlach, editorial assistant for HQN stated on the blog Magical Musings: ‘Sexy historicals, romantic comedies, dark paranormals, fantasy, emotional tearjerkers. You name it, we do it, as long as the romance plot is the main star of the narrative. (But we are anticipating that historicals are poised to make a comeback.)’

The Love Inspired Historical line debuts this month with two strong offerings

The Briton, a Medieval from debut author Catherine Palmer, and Homespun Bride, a Western from veteran Harlequin Historical author, Jillian Hart. Love Inspired Historicals will publish two books per month which feature overt religious themes as well as providing a great romance. The authors will be a mix of new and multi-published authors, including Victoria Bylin and Cheryl St John. As Bylin pointed out recently, her westerns often have featured preachers and so this is a natural progression for her work.

According to the guidelines: “… the time periods included in the series will be biblical fiction, Americana (e.g. Westerns, post-Civil War, etc.), European historical eras (e.g. Tudor, Regency and Victorian England, eighteenth-century Scotland, etc.) and twentieth-century (turn-of-the-century through World War II). We are also interested in stories featuring missionaries abroad in exotic locations during various historical periods. We are not looking for stories set in Colonial America or the Civil War at this time.” You can the full guidelines on EHarlequin.Com. The books are 70,000- 75,000 words (computer count).

M& B celebrates 100 years!

Interest in the Mills & Boon centenary continues to grow, with extensive coverage of the Mills & Boon story featured in the British quality press including The Times, The Sunday Observer and the Daily Mail. Most articles make reference to the infamous Violet Winspear quote from 1970 about how her heroes had to be capable of rape. It should be noted that Violet Winspear was a shy spinster whose personal experience of life may have been lacking. Today’s Mills & Boon authors reject that notion, pointing out that the category hero has changed with the times and reflects the fantasies of today’s reader rather than the social mores of the late 1960s.

The articles also mention real life heroine and Mills & Boon novelist, Ida Cook (Mary Burchill), who used the proceeds from her writing to help rescue Jewish people from Nazi Germany. Afterwards, she continued to support Jewish refugees. The Observer’s article contains a quotation from best selling novelist Jilly Cooper: ‘After all, life’s bloody tough. Mills & Boon is much better than binge drinking.’ [Ed note: how about binge brinking while reading Mills & Boon?] For those interested in such things, Harlequin was founded in 1949 in Winnipeg and started buying in Mills & Boon Medical romances in 1954. Harlequin purchased Mills & Boon in 1972.

M&B in India

Mills & Boon also received coverage in the Times this week for its move into India. This is seen as confirmation of the burgeoning middle class in India, who seem to want to purchase their books rather than borrow them from the numerous circulating libraries. Despite the mention of Louise Allen’s Virgin Slave, Barbarian King by the Times, the offerings at the moment are limited to the Romance, Presents and Desire lines.

If they prove a success, the other lines will be included. Andrew Go, the managing director of Harlequin Mills & Boon India, also confirmed that he is hoping to discover several India-based authors. As with any of Harlequin Enterprise authors, these authors would be published on a global scale.