I want to thank everyone for stopping by last week for our Spotlight on the new Harlequin Historical Undone line.  As promised, here are our four lucky contest winners.

The grand prize winner of the Harlequin Historical goodie baseket is:

Pam P.!

Our three runner-up winners, who will each receive a coupon code for a free HH Undone story are:

Sandy (Strlady)

MB (Leah)

TarotByArwen

All the winners need to e-mail me by Friday, November 21 to claim their prizes.  Thanks again to Harlequin, and our four guest authors – Michelle Willingham, Nicola Cornick, Amanda McCabe and Bronwyn Scott.  A hearty congratulations to all our winners!

Sandy M’s review of Libertine Lord, Pickpocket Miss by Bronwyn Scott
Historical Romance published by Harlequin Undone 1 Nov 08

I have a feeling these new Undones by Harlequin are going to be as addictive as the Nocturnes were since I’ve just read my first one.  The Undones are shorter reads, but they’re full of intrigue, fun, and, of course, romance.  I do admire an author that can give the same impact of emotion, that can make me love the characters, and keep me interested with a lot fewer pages than the norm.  It’s not easy and very few can do it well.  I’m happy to say my first Undone scores high all the way around.

Julian is a spy of sorts, one with sticky fingers to return historical/important items to either Britain or their true owner.  His current assignment is a diamond necklace that’s been long lost to the crown and that is also being coveted by an Italian count. Julian is a lover of women and delights in the sensual aspects of his occupation with aristocratic European ladies who don’t hang on and cause a scene when he must move on.  But the night he thinks to get his hands on the necklace is the night he meets Miss Sophie DuPlessy, a woman after his heart and his jewels.  From the moment they meet, not only do sparks fly, but witty banter and repartee are zinging off the pages.

Sophie is beautiful, intelligent, and, on this last job that will finally help free her, she’s in big trouble.  And she doesn’t know it yet.  She tries to concentrate on the job at hand, but memories of Julian keep interfering, and then the man himself keeps her from her goal.  Even when danger is all around them, when they’re together you can feel their mutual respect, their want for each other, and you hope Sophie will see her way clear to give up a little of her independence to rely on Julian to keep them away from the violence suddenly cropping up everywhere around them.

Besides the fun to be had in this book, I also enjoyed the fact that Julian and Sophie worked together to parlay any conflict the story needed, instead of being separated while danger abounds and then finding their way back to one another after all is said and done.  They are a likable and complementary couple.  I also liked Viscount St. Just, Julian’s friend and co-operative and who has some secrets back home in England, and look forward to his story in The Viscount Claims His Bride due out in January.  I think Harlequin has done it again, and we can expect more compelling yet fun books in this new line.

Grade: B+

Summary:

Julian Burke’s reputation as a libertine was famous throughout Vienna. Few people know his debauchery is merely a pleasant way to mask his true mission: to recover jewels stolen from the British monarchy by a French comte. When he spots Sophie DuPlessy at the comte’s party, he thinks the vivacious beauty is just another debutante who can help his charade. But Julian soon learns Sophie is no innocent young miss – she’s a passionate, daring woman who challenges and arouses him like nobody else. A woman playing a dangerous game of her own…

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.

So how’s everyone enjoying Undone week so far?  Hopefully you all are having as much fun reading about it as I did putting it together!  And to whet your appetite even further?  We have news on upcoming Undone titles for your consideration.

December 2009 brings Notorious Lord, Compromised Miss, a Regency by Annie Burrows.

Debutante Katherine Malahithe has come to London determined to resist the fortune hunters only interested in her money. Her efforts to appear unattractive successfully ward off most suitors–except for Viscount Maldon, a man who wants to avoid marriage as much as Katherine. The handsome, provoking Viscount becomes an unlikely ally, but can either of them escape the altar when friendship turns to passion…and scandal?

Ooooh, doesn’t that sound delicious?  Harlequin is still working on finalizing titles and plot descriptions, but here’s what’s on tap after the new year:

In January 2009, readers will have The Rake’s Intimate Encounter by Ann Lethbridge to look forward to!

Anthony Darby thinks he is ready to give up his life of pleasure–until finds himself at an exclusive club where ladies of the ton indulge their secret desires…and he spies the most alluring woman he’s ever laid eyes on.

Lately widowed, Margaret is determined to savor some of the joys she missed while married to a cold-hearted Russian count. After paying her dues as a dutiful wife, she’s ready to begin living for the moment–starting with a night of passion with Anthony.

Squeeeeee! I can’t wait!

Wendy the Super Librarian‘s review of Libertine Lord, Pickpocket Miss by Bronwyn Scott
Historical romance eBook released by Harlequin Historical Undone 1 Nov 08

One of the more recent authors to join the Harlequin Historical universe is Bronwyn Scott; who gives readers a spicy Regency era story of spying and thievery for her first story for the new Harlequin Historical Undone line.

Julian Burke is in Vienna to recover a diamond necklace that was stolen from the English crown years ago. While ferreting out the information he needs, he spends his time making a name for himself in ballrooms and drawing rooms by bedding every willing aristocratic woman who bats her eyes at him. He finds European women so refreshing. They know the game, the dance, and there are no bothersome tears when the affair runs its natural course.

However he’s done for the minute he spies Miss Sophie DuPlessy. She’s, simply put, a breathtakingly beautiful woman, with brains and wit to match. He intends to only use her as a distraction before he steals back the necklace, but imagine his surprise when he discovers the lady has her own motives and she too, is after the necklace. A battle of wills and wits is most certainly in the cards.

For readers who love snappy dialogue and bantering couples, this is the story you. Scott excels during the verbal sparring scenes between Sophie and Julian, both of whom are charming, intelligent, and not above using their wiles to get what they want. Naturally they cannot both have the necklace, and by the end, it’s up to Julian to save Sophie, who finds herself in a spot of trouble.

While a quick, engaging read, with sparkling dialogue and plenty of chemistry, I did feel the author rushed through her ending a bit. The last ten pages are positively frantic, with the reader running along just to keep up. That being said, the author ties it all up quite well, and readers have an upcoming sequel to look forward to. The Viscount Claims His Bride, featuring Julian’s friend, Viscount St. Just, is due out in January 2009.

Grade: B-

Summary:

Julian Burke’s reputation as a libertine was famous throughout Vienna. Few people know his debauchery is merely a pleasant way to mask his true mission: to recover jewels stolen from the British monarchy by a French comte. When he spots Sophie DuPlessy at the comte’s party, he thinks the vivacious beauty is just another debutante who can help his charade. But Julian soon learns Sophie is no innocent young miss – she’s a passionate, daring woman who challenges and arouses him like nobody else. A woman playing a dangerous game of her own…

In honor of her launch title for the Harlequin Historical Undone line, Bronwyn Scott has stopped by the pond to tell us all about her novella, Libertine Lord, Pickpocket Miss.  A hero on a secret mission, a heroine with plenty of secrets of her own, and plenty of witty banter to go around!  What could possibly go wrong for the intrepid romantic couple?

Sophie DuPlessy has everything to gain. Julian Burke has nothing to lose.

Vienna of the 1820′s is Europe’s new glittering capital both in culture and in politics. No one knows the potential of such a setting better than Sophie DuPlessy. Europe has been ravaged by Napoleon’s wars and re-structured by the Vienna conferences and Europe’s premier statesmen. In the aftermath, kingdoms have been absorbed, national boundaries have been redrawn. In the wake of such upheaval, heirlooms have been lost. In certain circles of dubious repute, Sophie DuPlessy has earned a reputation for discreetly recovering such objects. Now, she’s been hired by an Italian count to retrieve a set of jewels, a supposed heirloom of the family. This will be her last job. The reward promised for recovering the jewels guarantees her the financial resources to re-make her life as a horse breeder. But she’s not the only one looking for them.

Julian Burke, second son of an earl, has been sent on crown business to Vienna to ferret out the truth to the rumors that an heirloom once part of the royal treasury during the time of Charles II has surfaced in Vienna. When the Crown wants something badly, Julian Burke is the man for the job. Julian is the most dangerous of men; a man with nothing to lose. No wife to protect, no estate to risk, a fortune so large he cannot be bribed, no care for his reputation and according to most-no heart to break. He is unassailable when it comes to blackmail and other forms of traditional leverage.

But Sophie DuPlessy is about to change that!

One interesting research tid-bit I enjoyed working with for this story was the neighborhoods of Vienna. The neighborhood Sophie lives in is still marked with a lantern today. In her time, the neighborhood housed bakers and other middle working class citizens.

Readers, be sure to visit the Bronwyn’s blog starting November 1 for links to a few of the research sites she used for the story!

Wendy the Super Librarian‘s review of The Unmasking Of Lady Loveless by Nicola Cornick
Historical romance ebook released by Harlequin Historical Undone 1 Nov 08

It’s official, I have not been reading enough Nicola Cornick. After reading and enjoying her Edwardian Harlequin Historical earlier this summer, I was anxious to read her launch title in the new “short” eBook-only Harlequin Historical Undone line. While it features some plot devices I normally don’t care for, I was really impressed with how much story the author gives readers in such a brief format.

Lord Alexander Beaumont is stunned to hear the latest gossip making the rounds at Whites. It seems that scandalous erotic writer, Lady Loveless, is none other than his estranged wife Melicent! Being forced to marry her thanks to his odious father, their marriage was so rocky that when her hypochondriac mother took ill, Melicent took off to Yorkshire to take care of her. After hearing the gossip, Alex decides it’s time for a visit.

Melicent, expecting the doctor at her door, is floored to discover Alex standing there. Damn it all, he’s even more handsome since the last time she saw the man, but she’s determined to guard her heart. She knows he doesn’t love her, and even though her mother is a shrew and her brother is a womanizing gambler, it’s better to be in Yorkshire with them than to continually have her heart trampled on. That is until Alex decides to right the wrongs of their past and go about getting to know his wife in a proper manner.

This is a quick, fun and sexy story that Cornick must have thrown herself into. There’s a little bit of everything going on, without making the story feel crowded or overstuffed. There are moments that read like a witty comedy of manners, and other moments where the chemistry between Melicent and Alex could burn down the house! There’s a Big Misunderstanding central to the conflict, but given the quick pace, and short word count, it works very well in this story. Melicent has moments where she’s a bit too uptight for my tastes, but her scenes with Alex show a woman more than willing to let her hair down. The sex scenes, a bit hotter in temperature than normally found in the traditional Harlequin Historical line, added some spice and sizzle to the proceedings.

I found this to be a very enjoyable read. A definite must for Cornick fans, or for those readers eager to try this author at a reasonable price.

Grade: B

Summary:

All of London is buzzing about The Adventures of a Woman of Pleasure by Lady Loveless, a book of barely disguised accounts of the ton’s sexual escapades. Reputations have been ruined and society is scandalized, but no one is more shocked than Lord Alexander Beaumont when he learns that the mysterious Lady Loveless is none other than his estranged wife! He remembers Melicent as a shy, innocent young woman and is determined to find out where she’s been getting her information…and who has turned his inexperienced bride into a brazen author of erotic literature. There’s only one solution: Alex will seduce his errant wife and learn all her wanton secrets…

Nicola Cornick is quickly becoming one of my favorite “new-to-me-where-the-heck-have-I-been” authors.  To celebrate the launch of the Harlequin Historical Undone line, she’s stopped by the pond to tell us all a little bit about her Undone title, The Unmasking Of Lady Loveless.

The Unmasking of Lady Loveless is set in the same fictional Yorkshire village, Peacock Oak, that I used for the background for my July HQN release Unmasked and also features some of the same characters. I wanted to write a Christmas story and the idea of the beautiful Yorkshire countryside under the snow seemed the perfect setting!

Research Tidbit:

Being a Yorkshire girl by birth I feel very happy when I write books that are set in that county. It’s like going home! One Christmas tradition I particularly liked when I researched the story was the idea of the Standing Pie. This was a huge pie filled with turkey or game, which had a separate pastry crust that stood up on its own! Apparently the pies were huge and one made for the Lord Chancellor in 1832 was so big that it collapsed under its own weight! When I read about this I remembered that my grandmother used to make pies and cook the pastry crust separately. She must have been following this very ancient tradition.

Summary

Erotic author Lady Loveless is scandalising the Ton with her shocking tales that are based on the real life high jinks of society. Engagements are being broken, inheritances lost as a result of her wicked pen and the gentlemen decide that enough is enough – she may spin the most naughtily seductive tales, but Lady Loveless must be stopped!

Lord Alexander Beaumont is convinced that the outrageous Lady Loveless is none other than his estranged wife Melicent, for the manuscripts are coming from the Yorkshire village where Melicent took refuge after the end of their brief, bitter marriage. Alex travels to Yorkshire determined to unmask his errant wife and put a stop to her wicked ways. But when he reaches the beautiful village of Peacock Oak, Alex finds that Melicent – and Lady Loveless – are not what they seem. Will Christmas in the beautiful Yorkshire countryside reunite Alex and the bride he lost years before?

Wendy the Super Librarian‘s review of The Viking’s Forbidden Love Slave by Michelle Willingham
Historical romance eBook released by Harlequin Historical Undone 1 Nov 08

Every now and then I run across a discussion online about the sad state of the Alpha hero. Where have all those heroes from the bygone era of the 1980s gone? You know, the guys that were barely housebroken? Well, I’m happy to report that Michelle Willingham’s short story of the Harlequin Historical Undone line should make Alpha-hero-loving readers’ hearts flutter. Heck, even I was swooning by the end of it, and that’s out of character.

After a long, hard winter with people starving to death, Aisling O’Brannon, a chieftain’s daughter, finds herself taken captive by a Norse warrior. This brute has spirited her away to his home and has plans to hand her over to his vile king. While escaping his clutches will be a daunting task, Aisling is not about to go gently into that good night.

Tharand Hardrata is a feared warrior, even among his own people. His younger sister is currently residing in the king’s castle, and wanting to rescue her, he figures he can trade her for the beautiful Irish captive. Unfortunately, he finds himself drawn to Aisling’s spirit and beauty. He desires her, but figures she despises him. So imagine his surprise when she responds to his touch. Too bad it changes nothing. He must rescue his sister.

The spirited female captive succumbing to her captor’s charms is about as politically incorrect as it gets. This is normally not the type of story that works for me, but after I locked my inner feminist in a closet, I found myself really enjoying this story. It also helped tremendously that Willingham avoids the pitfall of “forced seduction,” and Aisling willingly responds to Tharand’s ministrations. Scorching chemistry doesn’t hurt matters either.

The ending is a bit abrupt. The romance is tied together, readers get a happy ending, and the conflict is resolved. However, if readers wish to know what happens to Aisling’s brothers, they will need to read her November Harlequin Historical release, Her Warrior Slave.

Grade: B-

Summary:

Aisling Ó Brannon should hate the Vikings who raided her village…especially after she’s captured as a gift for King Magnus by warrior Tharand Hardrata. But while her head says one thing, her body says quite another. Her attraction to the fierce and forbidding warrior cannot be ignored…even though she’s intended for another man’s bed.

Tharand has vowed not to conquer Aisling, saving her for the king instead. But the beautiful Irish noblewoman awakes a powerful desire in him. He can’t stop himself from arousing her, bringing her to the peak of pleasure while trying to honor his promise. As they near Magnus’s domain, Tharand’s restraint is tested beyond endurance. Soon he must choose: please his king…or keep his captive love-slave for himself.

Read an excerpt.

Other books in this series:

Readers, ever lament that they don’t publish medieval romances like they used to?  Are you like me and ever wondered why Ireland isn’t used as a setting for historical romances more?  Well have no fear, because Michelle Willingham is busy killing two birds with one stone!  And with her latest novella for the Harlequin Historical Undone line, she’s hit the jackpot with a title that would make any Harlequin Presents author weep with jealousy.  In honor of it’s release, Michelle stopped by the pond to give us the scoop behind her story’s inspiration.

Upon a trip to Dublin two years ago, I had visited the archaeological museum in order to research medieval artifacts. But while inside, I found an amazing display of Viking lore. With further reading, I learned that a Norse King, Magnus the Barefoot, attempted to take over Dublin in 1101. Such a daring move made him a fascinating historical figure, and as I plotted my Viking story, I imagined that such a king might indeed be a ruthless and an interesting foe for a Viking warrior.

One of the more tragic stories that I learned about was the massacre at Dunmore Cave, in Kilkenny. During a Viking raid, over 1000 of the Irish were killed, including women and children. The tribesmen and women fled to the cave, where they were caught and killed. It led me to understand the fear that the Irish held for these raids, and how a young woman might feel if a Viking warrior took her.

The Viking’s Forbidden Love-Slave tells the story of Tharand Hardrata, a member of the Norse warrior class who steals an Irish noblewoman from her clan. He intends to trade Aisling Ó Brannon for his sister’s life, after she was taken by King Magnus. If Aisling succeeds in pleasing the king with her body, Tharand believes Magnus will let his sister go. But the Irish captive enslaves him with a pleasure he’d never before known.

Fortunately for my heroine Aisling, Tharand is a man of honor, and with each forbidden moment they share, she learns how very different he is from the stories she heard of Viking warriors, long ago. If you’ve ever wondered what it was like to be carried off by an amazingly hot Viking, then I hope you’ll enjoy this fantasy story!

At the end, Aisling asks Tharand to help her discover what happened to her brothers during the Norse raid. Readers can learn about both brothers in Her Warrior Slave, the story of Kieran Ó Brannon, which is on sale now from Harlequin Historicals.

Readers, for more behind-the-scenes details, be sure to visit Michelle’s fabulous website.

Continuing to offer more digital content than any other traditional print publisher out there, Harlequin launches their brand new ebook-exclusive Harlequin Historical Undone line this month. Much like the successful Nocturne Bites and Spice Briefs lines, Undone are short stories, set in a variety of historical locales, and are spicier reads than what can traditionally be found in the regular Harlequin Historical line.

Harlequin is giving Undone a big push in November, with four launch titles to tantalize readers. After that, the normal publishing schedule will take hold, with one new Undone title being offered a month.

As some of you know, Sybil and I are both massive fans of the Harlequin Historical line, and to celebrate the launch of Undone we’re shining the spotlight all this week. We’ll have reviews for all four launch titles, guest posts, and even some news on upcoming titles. So sit back, relax, and be sure to have that wish list handy.

Contest Alert! 

In honor of Undone Week, we have some goodies to give away to readers!  Sybil’s been busy cleaning her house and recently uncovered a horde of delectable Harlequin Historical goodies.  One grand prize winner will receive a bundle of books, and other assorted HH inspired goodies.  Three runner-up winners will receive a coupon code for a free Undone title at eHarlequin’s eBook Store.   To be eligible to win, simply comment on any of our Undone Spotlight posts this week.  Winners will be drawn at random on Monday, November 10.  Good luck!