Tag Archives: giveaway

Does it matter if your heroine is wearing a red shirt or a white one? Does it matter if the hero notices the color? I firmly believe in adding sensory details – what the characters experience on every level: see, hear, taste, smell, feel, and think. But it’s been argued that such details are unnecessary, boring, weigh the story down, or that the reader might prefer to fill in the blanks.

Certainly, a fine line exists between too hard, too soft, and just right. That sweet spot in the middle between too many details and too few is the “just right” of writing. But it’s not so much how many details you use as how you present them.

If I want to show the reader how my heroine is dressed, I can describe it.

She chose a red shirt with a plunging neckline and flared sleeves, then pulled on the pair of faded blue jeans with the wide bell bottom hem.

Well, we know what she’s wearing but even I yawned halfway through the sentence, and I wrote it. Now, we could have her examine herself in the mirror and think about how the red adds a bit of vibrant color to her skin and she doesn’t look so pale. We could mention pulling on her favorite red shirt and then describe the outfit from the hero’s point of view.

So what’s the most relevant part of the description to the story? What do I want to show? A flash of color maybe? Or the fact that she’s casually dressed? What the plunging neckline does for the hero? In this case, I opted to show that the shirt was loose and red because the color is what will come back later in the story (when she sees the splash of red and finds her ruined shirt in her suitcase).

The breeze whipped around the side of the house and plastered the loose red shirt to her body, outlining every delicious curve and asset for his eager eyes.

But this doesn’t show the plunging neckline or the flared sleeves. Are they important? Not especially but in order to paint a fuller picture, I can add these details in a sprinkling can fashion further along in the passage. For instance, the hero can embrace the heroine and trail kisses from her neck along the plunging neckline of her shirt to stop where it meets in between her breasts. Or the breeze can make the heroine chilly and she can rub her arms, pushing her hands beneath the flared sleeves of the shirt.

The trick is to use a watering can to sprinkle in the details rather than a fire hose to saturate the reader with sensory overload. Happy reading and writing!

Happy Holidays everyone! This year we are doing a fun and special contest called a blog hop. This means that a number of blog owners will give away stuff on their blogs, and you can hop from site to site entering each contest.
Check out this and other blogs anytime between Dec 16th and 23rd and leave comments to be entered to win each blog’s giveaway.
All entrants will also be entered to win the Grand prize, a Nook Color.

Crushing Desire
Reena Harrison is anything but the fashion, but despite her flaws, she has several suitors. Unfortunately, the one man she has always loved is not one of them. After things go dreadfully wrong with a suitor and her family, she finds herself asking Joshua a peculiar favor.

Joshua Sinclair has long had a fascination with the tall beauty. After years of denying his feelings for Reena in pure military fashion, he finds himself thrown together with her in an out of control scheme. How can he possibly rule his emotions when he finds himself posing as the sensuous woman’s husband?
A Surprising Day

Todd thinks Debbie is the sexiest woman alive, despite the hideous Happy Burger uniform she’s wearing. The tatts peeking from beneath her tan outfit and the band-aid that’s not quite covering the ring in her nose tell him she’s just the girl for him. Unfortunately, she seems to think he’s a geek. Damn, why didn’t he change his clothes after his interview? It doesn’t matter, though. He’ll just have to convince her to take it all off him with a game of strip poker. Then she’ll see who he really is, and he’ll see what hides beneath her bland clothes.

Debbie can’t believe the dorky-looking guy who’s been staring at her since he and his friend sat down has the nerve to ask her out. No way! She’d never agree to go out with such a square. Then Todd bets he can surprise her, and Debbie accepts the challenge. Partly because she loves a good bet, but mostly because something dark and sexy in his eyes tells her he might be worth it. She’s shocked when he comes to pick her up in a sexy black truck with barbed-wire on the grill, and when he gets her back to his place for a game of strip poker, she finds the evening’s surprises may never stop.

Then check out the other blogs (click on the pic above to go to the originating blog), each dedicated to different romance writers and genres, like Stockings and Stays, which is dedicated to historical romance, or Just Romantic Suspense, which is dedicated to, you guessed it, Amish romance. JK.

Have fun on your blog hopping and good luck. I’ll be posting a winner for the books (and the Nook) after the contest ends and the winners have been selected through random.org.

Today’s chat is with New Zealand author Jane Beckenham. Jane writes both contemporary and historical romance and next week (Tuesday May 25th) sees her 10th book released. HE’S THE ONE is being released byhttp://www.samhainpublishing.com

Abbey: Jane. Tell us a bit about He’s the One.

Jane: Well, HTO is set here in New Zealand, actually in Auckland where I live, a city known as City of Sails, because we’re surrounded by harbor on both sides, the Tasman Sea on one side and the Mankau Harbour on the other. I wanted to write about a heroine who was a wedding planner, I think because secretly it’s a job I would love to do. And my hero, well he is just pure hunk material. He owns vintage cars, and in particular a red Mustang. When I was out ‘doing lunch’ with authors Eve Summers and Melody Knight one day, this guy drove up and parked beside us in his red mustang. He walked right by. Oh it was drool heaven!

Reviews so far have been great….

Review from Single Titles…. “Jane Beckenham scripts
a beautiful tale woven with remarkable insight to
the emotions of a new couple finding their way. He’s
the One reminded me a lot of the emotions you feel
when you find someone special you’re attracted to.
I thought it believable and felt like I had stepped into the
story with Taylor and Cade. Curl up with a festive drink
and spend the day enjoying this remarkable story.”
Read more….

And from Romance Junkies… HE’S THE ONE by Jane Beckenham is a unique story. So many parts of the plot had this reviewer laughing out loud. The chemistry between the characters is strong enough to keep the reader turning the pages. I would recommend this book for the romantics out there that are looking for a fun, simple read to relax with.

Here’s the blurb: Taylor Sullivan doesn’t trust Cupid, but she plays one for a living. As a successful wedding consultant, she creates a couple’s ultimate fantasy—even though she’s never managed to create her own. And when her clients start asking her for wedding night advice, she’s sensible enough to know when to enlist help.
Cade Harper knows two things about women. They either abandon him, or use him as a walking bank. He doesn’t do commitment, and marriage is a dirty word—witness the string of broken hearts he’s left in his wake
Warning: Contains explicit, straight-to-the-heart sex between a hopeless romantic heroine and an abandon-all-hope hero. No need to dress up for this party—just curl up with a glass of bubbly and a box of tissues!

Abbey: He’s The One is quite quirky, I mean the opening line is out there.

Jane: The opening line Virginity is overrated came to me one night while I couldn’t sleep. My poor heroine is a virgin and her clients (the brides) keep asking her questions about sex she can’t answer. Like a sensible business gal she decides she’s going to learn a new skill!

Abbey: What do you think books set in New Zealand bring to your work.

Jane: Well I’d like to think I can bring a sense of NZ life and culture. I mean we’re upside down and when the northern hemisphere is deep in snow for Christmas, it’s summer here and all about bbqs and the beach. I think that is why I tend to set a lot of my stories around summer time, so I can showcase our different worlds. New Zealand has some spectacular native plans one of which is the Pohutukawa and is our ‘NZ Christmas tree” For example my book Always a Bridesmaid was set in Rotorua and the Ureweras – in the very heart of Nzs North Island, an area steeped in Maori culture and myth and legend which featured in the book. It’s also an area my husband and I lived in over 25 years ago.

Abbey: Do you write every day?

Jane: This is where I cough and splutter and hang my head. I should be, in fact I usually do, but at the moment I’ve been a tad slack and had some time off. I’ve even discovered the joys of window cleaning – which is incredibly sad and pathetic. But I’m slowly getting back into it, now the writing well is getting refilled with some down time, not something I do easily!

Abbey: Since you set a lot of your books in New Zealand, tell us a bit about life there.

Jane: Well NZ is a special place and of course if you saw the Lord of the Rings movies, you will have noticed a lot of our landscape. We’re 2 islands, (the North Island and South Island – not very original I know) though there is a tiny third one way at the bottom called Stewart island. Our native language is Maori and we’re officially part of Polynesia. We have a sub-tropical climate and a population of only 4 million. A nation for outdoor activities, anything from surfing and sailing to bungee jumping and skiing. Plus of course Rugby which is our national sport.

Abbey: What’s next on the writing front?

Jane: He’s The One is being released on 25th May from Samhain, then in the coming months I have a Regency, A Traitor’s Heart and a sheikh story – In Love With the Sheikh being released from Red Rose Publishing.
I have a couple of other contemporaries I’m fine tuning, plus an historical set in the late 1600s (in France/England) which is in edit mode too. No rest for the wicked.

Abbey: Thanks Jane for popping in to chat to us. How can readers find you?

Jane: Thanks for having me Abbey. You can check out my web site at Jane Beckenham.com and I am on twitter

It’s Abbey again. So Jane’s been kind enough to gift to one lucky commenter a pre-released copy of He’s The One. 🙂 So if you’d like a chance to win, leave a comment. 🙂 I’ll draw the winner on Sunday.

Can Poppy find the courage to risk triple the love — and triple the heartbreak? Poppy Maguire is tired of being a loser. Emotionally neglected as a child, she wants to find the courage to leave her family and the job she hates. She desperately wants to make a change. Little does she realize how much of a change sexy brothers Cody, Michael and Trevor Paraby will bring to her life when the friendly shoulders they offer turn into so much more. Comfort turns to passion and Poppy learns what life could be like in the arms of not one, but three men who love her. But what happens when the pink line on a pregnancy test doubles and she’s expecting twins, courtesy of one of a Parabys? The brothers blow her mind by offering her the family and love she’s always longed for. But do they realize what they’re in for? Cody is moving a little too fast, Michael may not be in for the long haul, and Trevor is a bit self-centered.In order for Poppy to have the extraordinary love she fears she hasn’t earned, everyone is going to have to do some growing. But can she break free from the bad seed of her abusive family and have the courage to bloom?

Any comment will enter you to win the ebook, but tell us what you love about multiple love (twins, brothers, etc…) romance novels and you may be quoted in a future A History post.

Good luck to everyone.

Contest runs until next Saturday, midnight. Stay tuned for the announcement of the winner on our next contest coming next week for Monday Madness.
—
April Dawn -Author of Crushing Desire and
Bound by Love available now through Breathless Press.

Time to announce the winner of our last Monday Madness! And the winner is…

Kathleen

Congratulations on winning . Thanks to everyone for their entries.

And now for some more fun…As always, you must be 18 to enter.

Today we have a gift package from Ava Delany, Author of The Soldier’s Return, The Librarian’s Love, and The Wedding Night which comes out March 12th. She is also working on the release of her Fetish Club series, coming soon from Breathless Press.
Comment and be entered to win. Tell us what you love about our site (and you may be quoted in a future A History post).

Good luck to everyone.

Contest runs until Friday. Stay tuned for the announcement of the winner on our next contest coming next week for Monday Madness.
—
April Dawn

Today at A History of Romance , I’m interviewing m/m erotic romance author, Ava March.http://www.avamarch.com
Hi Ava!
Thanks for joining us at A History of Romance.
First, let’s hear a little bit about you. Where do you live and write from. Tell us a little about yourself.

Ava: Hi Abby! Thanks for having me at A History of Romance. I live in the Midwest and write from home, usually in the basement and usually late at night, since I have an evil day job. I have a hubby and a kidlet and ss for other interests, I read when I can find the time.

Abbey: When did you first become interested in becoming a writer? What was the deciding moment for you? What prompted you to write m/m erotic Regency romances? What is it that drew you to that specific subgenre?

Ava: I had been reading m/f historical romances for a couple years when the first plot ideas for my own stories came to me. It took me another couple years to gather the courage to sit down and try to write those stories spinning in my head. I never before envisioned myself as a writer, but I always had an over-active imagination. So now I have an outlet for it. *g*

Abbey: Makes two of us. I’ve always had an active imagination myself. You have to be if you’re a writer. *g*

Ava: I love the Regency era – the emphasis on proper decorum and maintaining one’s reputation, yet anything can happen behind closed doors (and lets not forget the gorgeous clothes – I *heart* a man in a suit). I also love sex and angst in books, and with a Regency there is an extra layer of angst to mine since homosexuality was illegal. As for m/m books, it’s the relationship dynamic between the heroes that draws me to them. It’s different than a m/f relationship, and not because of the obvious reasons. I can let heroes be…almost more vulnerable in m/m than I can with a m/f, yet still have that inherent strength of a man. Plus, I just adore men, so having two heroes is just more fun. 😉

Abbey: That’s fascinating! I [heart] me too some alphaness and vulnerability and hotness all rolled into one nicely-dressed package. *g*

What do you find most challenging about writing m/m? Giving the men their happily ever after? the characters? The research? Something else?
What do you enjoy writing about the most?

Ava: The most challenging aspect is crafting a believable HEA, given homosexuality was a crime in the Regency. But it’s also the most satisfying element of the story. If a relationship can survive and flourish in the Regency, then it must be very strong and meant to be. A true love match.

Abbey: Getting to the HEA is the best part of a story. It not only means you’ve completed it, but that if you’ve done your job well, the characters will have that believable HEA.

How many books have you written? Which is your favorite? why?

Ava: I’ve written five books, and my favourite is…oh, you’re going to make me pick one? Okay, then BOUND BY DECEPTION.It has a strong unrequited love theme, a hero who’s into BDSM but quite determined to deny he’s gay even though he hires men at a brothel, and a best friends turned lovers theme. Lots of sex, lots of angst. Lord Oliver Marsden is my favourite hero I have created thus far. He wants nothing more than to submit to Vincent, to give himself completely to the man he has loved for years, and because of that he holds Vincent in the palm of his hand, though he’s not even aware of the hold he has on Vincent. The relationship and power dynamic in that one was very fun to write.

Abbey: I loved that story! I found Marsden very tortured.

Who are some of your favorite authors both past and current?
Dare I ask who some of your favourite m/m authors are, or is that too unfair a question? *g*

Ava: My all time favourite author is Jane Austen. Favourite m/f authors are Julia Quinn and Lisa Kleypas. I don’t read as many m/f books as I used to, but Quinn and Kleypas remain auto-buy authors for me. Favourite m/m authors include K.A. Mitchell, J.L. Langley, Shawn Lane, T.A. Chase and Amanda Young.

Abbey: Did you always want to write romance? m/m erotic?

Ava: Once I started writing, it was only romances. I couldn’t see myself writing anything but. I write what I love to read – Regencies and m/m romances. I’ve always strayed to the spicier and more unconventional books, so m/m Regency erotics are a perfect fit for me.

Abbey: Where would you go for the perfect vacation?

Ava: At any other time of year, I’d say England. But given it’s February, I have to say someplace warm. With lots of sun. The destination doesn’t matter – as long as there isn’t any snow.

Abbey: I second that. England would be lovely to visit. But not if you want to get away from the snow.

What are some of your favourite snacks/foods that you like to have near you while you write?
Where do you find your inspiration? Music? Meditation?

Ava: I’m not a big snacker when I write, though there is currently a box of Goldfish crackers on my desk. I get my inspiration from everywhere – music, movies, books, etc. It’s usually the emotion in a particular scene or lyric that perks up the muse and gets her spinning on a new book idea.

Abbey: I love when I hear a song or read something that triggers an idea, especially if I’m not feeling particularly inspired. *g*

Ava: I don’t really have one favourite movie. My favs span a spectrum from comedy to action to drama. Like Office Space, Good Luck Chuck, Emma and Vanity Fair. I’m a motown and old Jazz kind of gal, and I love Al Green’s live version of Love and Happiness, though lately hubby’s got me hooked on Pomplamoose (an indie band). Favourite of favourite books is Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen.

There have been some models who have caught my eye during my travels to find man-candy for my blog, though I don’t model a character directly after them, more specific features, like gorgeous eyes or a perfect, kissable mouth. Have I modelled any characters after actors? Um…yes, loosely modelled characters after actors, though not the type of actors most people would think of. I do write m/m erotics, after all, and I’ll just leave it at that 😉

Abbey: Um…hmm…all right, then… 😉 On that note. [clears throat]

Chocolate or vanilla?

Ava: Vanilla, though I don’t write anything remotely close to vanilla. *g*

Abbey: LOL

Are you an animal lover?

Ava: Yep. I currently have an old, deaf dog and an old cat who is allergic to himself.

Abbey: Aw, sounds like a sweet dog. Poor cat.

Tell the History of Romance readers about your latest release.

Ava: FROM AFAR is a m/m paranormal Regency-set erotic romance, and it’s available from Samhain

It’s my first paranormal (vampires) and it was quite fun to write. It features a very lonely Georgian-era vamp and a dissolute third son of a duke. Here’s the blurb –
Some rules are destined to be broken.
Loneliness. A concept with which Raphael Laurent is very familiar. He’s lived a solitary life for thirty-six years, shunning the excesses of the local vampire clan—until he spots Lord Aleric Vane, the handsome and dissolute third son of a duke. For three years Raphael has watched from a distance, for only when he is near Aleric does the hollow, empty ache in his chest ease.
Cut off from his family for refusing to follow his father’s dictates, Aleric’s nights are filled with vice. But after three years in London, the city has lost all appeal. Desolate and penniless, his future appears bleak. Until a mysterious man drops from the shadows to drive off a trio of murderous thieves.
When Aleric awakens, he finds himself forever changed. The itch for more that drove him to London is gone. In its place is the feeling that he’s known the beautiful Raphael all his life.
But to save Aleric, Raphael had to break the rules, giving him a chance to love the one man he never thought he could have—a chance that could be ripped away by Aleric himself…
Warning: This book contains hot m/m action with a new vampire with a ramped up sex drive, and a dash of voyeurism of the m/m, m/f, and m/m/m varieties. Definitely not your traditional Regency romance.

Abbey: That sounds awesome! 😉

Do you have any upcoming releases you’d like to share?
Where do you see your career in a year? in five?

Ava: I’m currently working on the last and final book in the Bound series. Well, that’s what I want to finish next, though the muse has been having a field day lately. Perhaps my next release will end up being a different book. For the first time in well over a year, I don’t have any deadlines hanging over my head, so I’m just letting the muse go where ever she wants.

Abbey: I’m sure I’m not the only one who can’t wait to read that last instalment once it’s finished. 😉

Ava: In five years, I’d like to still be writing and still have publishers and readers interested in my books.

Abbey: Thank you again, Ava, for stopping by A History of Romance!
And to you, dear reader, if you leave a comment, one lucky soul will win a copy of one of Ava’s titles from her backlist. 😉
To find out more about Ava’s books, visit her site at:http://www.avamarch.com

Time to announce the winner of our last Monday Madness! And the winner is…

Beth C.

Congratulations on winning. Please watch for the email. Thanks to everyone for their entries.

And now for some more fun…As always, you must be 18 to enter.

Today we have a signed copy of Forever Yours by Jackie M Smith

Europe is torn apart by World War II and a feisty and beautiful heroine, Liz, answers the call to battle as a pilot in the Royal Air Force. Philip, her childhood friend and superior in the air force, is in a position of authority to stop her, but Liz is determined. Before she leaves on a dangerous reconnaissance mission, the two share a passionate night and Philip proposes, giving her his grandmother’s ring.

Liz’s plane goes down during her mission in enemy territory while Philip is sent to train with an elite team of paratroopers. The two discover other loves during their time apart, each thinking the other is lost forever.

Will these two star-crossed lovers find each other or will a war that has destroyed so much destroy the greatest love each has ever known?

Any comment and you will be entered to win. Tell us what you love about war themes and you may be quoted in a future A History post.

Good luck to everyone.

Contest runs until Saturday Midnight. Stay tuned for the announcement of the winner on our next contest coming next week for Monday Madness.
—
April Dawn

Time to announce the winner of our last Monday Madness! And the winner is…

Jeannene Walker

Congratulations on winning. Please watch for the email. Thanks to everyone for their entries.

And now for some more fun…As always, you must be 18 to enter.

Today we have a goodie bag. In the goodie bag we have Forbidden Nights With a Vampire by Kerrelyn Sparks

Vanda Barkowski is in trouble.

As the owner of a hot nightclub, she’s more unconventional than most of her fellow vampires, and if some think her a little out of control, then so be it. But after three former employees filed a complaint about her temper, Vanda is sentenced to an anger management class. Worse, Phil Jones agreed to be her sponsor. Phil, the mortal who is forbidden to her . . .

If Vanda knew who-or what-Phil really is, she’d reconsider her attraction to him, for his true nature is wilder than anything she’d ever imagined. He has tackled the beast within and now is the perfect person to help Vanda with her rage . . . if only he can keep his cool when she makes him so undeniably hot. But with rogue vamps on the loose, will they ever have their forbidden nights?

Comment and be entered to win. Tell us what you love about Vamps and you may be quoted in a future A History post.

Good luck to everyone.

Contest runs until Saturday Midnight. Stay tuned for the announcement of the winner on our next contest coming next week for Monday Madness.
—
April Dawn

Cass Abernathy is heading to Oregon to claim an inheritance. She doesn’t expect to find sexy twin brothers determined to make her theirs, or an amorous attorney holding on to her inheritance. Will she accept the love offered, and discover the truth about her inheritance before it’s too late?

Comment and be entered to win. (Tell us what you love about stories with older women and you may be quoted in a future A History post).

Good luck to everyone.

Contest runs until Saturday Midnight. Stay tuned for the announcement of the winner on our next contest coming next week for Monday Madness.
—
April Dawn

Reena Harrison is anything but the fashion, but despite her flaws, she has several suitors. Unfortunately, the one man she has always loved is not one of them. After things go dreadfully wrong with a suitor and her family, she finds herself asking Joshua a peculiar favor.

Joshua Sinclair has long had a fascination with the tall beauty. After years of denying his feelings for Reena in pure military fashion, he finds himself thrown together with her in an out of control scheme. How can he possibly rule his emotions when he finds himself posing as the sensuous woman’s husband?

Any comment will enter you to win. Tell us what you love about crush stories and you may be quoted in a future A History post.

Good luck to everyone.

Contest runs until Saturday Midnight. Stay tuned for the announcement of the winner on our next contest coming next week for Monday Madness.
—
Also I am offering virtual signings for all copies of Crushing Desire purchased during the week of its release. Find out more.
—
April Dawn

February is a month all about spreading the love. So I wanted to spread the love to the authors, publishers, etc out there. Order any promo spot for any week and you are automatically entered to win 4 weeks of the advertising of your choice. (You can even mix it up with one cover, one spotlight and two banners. However you would like to do it.)

Our ads-
Four cover advertising slots – each available at $5 per week
Banner at the top of all pages-except the blog page and author spotlight page. Available for $5 per week.
Author Spotlight on your work is $15 per week. (Allows you a picture, trailers, and cover art if you wish. Also allows you links. Includes an Author Spotlight announcement post on the first of the week. Weeks are available first come first serve starting Feb 1st. Check out the current spotlight page with Missy Martine.)

So, spend just $5 for a cover ad, and you get your cover on the site for a week, and you could also win up to $60 worth of advertising.Order today. Contest runs until Feb 14th midnight. Winner will be announced on Feb 15th Monday Madness.

Time to announce the winner of our last Monday Madness! And the winner is…

Tracy D

Congratulations on winning. Thanks to everyone for their entries.

And now for some more fun…As always, you must be 18 to enter.

Today we have our first ever Choose Your Darkness contest. This fabulous contest offers two even more fabulous prizes. First, you get to pick your choice from the Darkness series. Then you also get a gift certificate from Shiela Stewart to Cafe Press to choose from any number of fantastic items.

Seducing the Darkness – An outcast by her kind, Trinity Ford has learned to live on her own…not an easy thing to do when you’re a vampire.

Desiring the Darkness – With the cloak of darkness surrounding Jacob’s Cove, Dante Vega must work to protect the humans from the blood-thirsty vampires trying to take over the human race.

Embracing the Darkness – Jonah’s lost the will to face another day, which could be a problem, considering he’s just been turned into a vampire and is now destined to live for eternity.

Charming the Darkness – Born from witches, Starla Raine has spent her entire life learning to control and manage her powers. Then she discovers and is drawn to Jacob’s Cove, a city magically cloaked in darkness.

Tempting the Darkness – As love blooms amidst the Darkness, and still no cure in sight, loneliness drives Cooper to drastic measures. He awakens Gabriella and breaks his last promise to her—by turning her into a vampire.

Penetrating the Darkness – Dusty Ryder didn’t ask to be turned into a vampire. Even now, on the brink of his unwilling initiation, he is looking for a way out.

Consuming the Darkness – Detective Nathan Powers lost his partner to the aptly named Heartless Killer, and the trail of bodies leads him straight to Jacob’s Cove. However, this is no typical small town. It’s a strange world populated with bloodthirsty demons and run by a vampire.

Surviving the Darkness – When death is on your trail, the only thing you can do is run.

—
Comment and be entered to win. Tell us what you love about ebooks (and you may be quoted in a future A History post).

Good luck to everyone.

Contest runs until Friday (extended to Saturday) Midnight. Stay tuned for the announcement of the winner on our next contest coming next week for Monday Madness.
—
April Dawn

I found a nice bin of books on sale at a small bookstore nearby, so you know what that means. The last Monday of the month goodie bag giveaway will have books!
Today we have a goodie bag featuring Susan Wiggs The Maiden’s Hand.

—
Roguishly handsome Oliver de Lacey has always lived lustily: wine, weapons and women are his bywords. Even salvation from the noose by a shadowy society provides no epiphany to mend his debauched ways.

Mistress Lark’s sole passion is her secret work with a group of Protestant dissidents thwarting the queen’s executions. She needs no other excitement—until Oliver de Lacey drops through the hangman’s door and into her life.

As their fates become inextricably bound together in a struggle against royal persecution, both Oliver and Lark discover a love worth saving…even dying for.
—

Enter to win this novel and other goodies by commenting. If you tell me what you love about Tudor romance, or historical romance in general, you may be quoted in a future A History of Romance post).

Good luck to everyone.

Contest runs until Friday Midnight CA time. Stay tuned for the announcement of the winner on our next contest coming next week for Monday Madness.
—
April Dawn