Picture Day Friday

[Thanks to Janga for the picture.]

Giveaway: Winners

The Randomizer has spoken.

The winner of My Favorite Countess by Vanessa Kelly is: Cate Sparks.

The winner of Sweet Revenge by Andrea Penrose is: Pam Pellini.

To Tempt A Rake by Cara Elliott is still up for grabs if anyone wants it.

Winners, please send me your address via email: keira (at) keirasoleore (dot) com.

Giveaway: My Favorite Countess by Vanessa Kelly

In order to win an advance review copy of My Favorite Countess by Vanessa Kelly:

—Read the Fresh Meat blog on My Favorite Countess on the Heroes and Heartbreakers site.
—Post a comment there.
—Also post a comment here on C&M or on Facebook to let me know that you commented on the Heroes and Heartbreakers blog.

All comments before 12pm PT, Thursday, May 5 will be considered. The winner will be chosen at random. (Contest is open only to residents in the U.S. and Canada.)



[I was sent this advance review copy by the author.]

Giveaway: To Tempt a Rake and Sweet Revenge

I have been reading Cara Elliott's books since her first spy books as Andrea Pickens, and I have enjoyed every one of them. However, with these historical novels as Cara Elliott and the historical mystery novel as Andrea Penrose, her writing's become more assured and delves into complex characterization and plotting. These are books you don't want to miss reading this year.

Have you read any books by Andrea Pickens, Cara Elliott, or Andrea Penrose? If so, which one is your favorite? Which one of the two books would you like to try?

In order to win...

an advance review copy of To Tempt A Rake by Cara Elliott

or

a published copy of Sweet Revenge by Andrea Penrose

please comment on this post here or on Facebook before 12pm PT, Thursday, May 5. The winners will be picked at random. (Contest is open only to residents in the U.S. and Canada.)

[The advanced review copy of To Tempt a Rake by Cara Elliott was sent to me by the publicist at Grand Central Publishing. Sweet Revenge was sent to me by Andrea Penrose's publicist at Obsidian, Penguin.]

Picture Day Friday

In honor of the royal wedding I got up at 1 o'clock this morning to watch...

Princess Charlotte's dress when she married Prince Leopold in 1816. From La Belle Assemblée May 1816: "Her dress was silver lama [lamé] on net, over a silver tissue slip, embroidered at the bottom with silver lama in shells and flowers. Body and sleeves to correspond, elegantly trimmed with point Brussels lace. The manteau was of silver tissue lined with white satin, with a border of embroidery to answer that on the dress, and fastened in front with a splendid diamond ornament."

Royal Wedding Stories

In conjunction with Prince William and Kate Middleton's Royal Wedding, publishers Harlequin and Avon through their imprints Historical Undone and Impulse, respectively, have commisioned novellas from established authors on Royal Weddings. Each book costs $1.99.

Halequin's six novellas revolve around Prince William's forebears from the 12th to 19th centuries.

"Once we heard about Prince William and Kate Middleton's engagement, it got the editorial and historical authors' creative juices flowing," says Mills & Boon Editorial Director Linda Fildew. "These seven short stories brilliantly capture the drama, pomp and ceremony and high passion of real-life royal weddings. From Eleanor of Aquitaine to Queen Victoria, these royal romances through the ages bring history vividly to life."

What the Duchess Wants by Terri Brisbin (Eleanor, Duchess of Aquitaine and Henry of Anjou, the future Henry II, 1152).

With Victoria's Blessing by Mary Nichols (Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, 1840).

Lionheart's Bride by Michelle Willingham (King Richard and Prince Berengaria, 1191)

Prince Charming in Disguise by Bronwyn Scott (Prince George and Caroline of Ansbach, 1704)

A Princely Dilemma by Elizabeth Rolls (George, Prince of Wales—future George IV—and Princess Caroline of Brunswick, 1795)

Prince Charlotte's Choice by Ann Lethbridge (Princess Charlotte and Prince Leopold, 1816)

The Problem with Josephine by Lucy Ashford (Emperor Napoleon and Archduchess Marie-Louise of Austria, 1810)

Avon's entrée is the Royal Weddings anthology with stories by Stephanie Laurens, Gaelen Foley, and Loretta Chase all set against real-life British royal weddings.

The Wedding Planner by Stephanie Laurens (Lady Margaret and Gaston Devilliers, backdrop of a royal wedding)

Ever After by Gaelen Foley (Eleanor Monford and Earl of Archer, Princess Charlotte and Prince Leopold, 1816)

The Jilting of Lord Rothwick by Loretta Chase (Marquess of Rothwick and Barbara Findley, Queen Victoria's wedding to Prince Albert, 1840)

Since both Ann Lethbridge and Gaelen Foley unwittingly chose to tell stories about the same couple, I'd be interested in reading how each story unfolds.