Romance for Christmas!

Christmas time always brings out the romantic in many of us, and this year the romance is bright and glowing with great authors and stories to choose from!  Here are some titles that might tickle your fancy and your romantic nature during the holiday season!

His Christmas Pleasure by Cathy Maxwell

Isn't this cover gorgeous!!!

Cathy Maxwell is one of my favorite romantic authors, and her holiday romance "His Christmas Pleasure" is just a delight to read! She employs just the right amount of sensuality, drama and humor to create a tale that will resonant with her readers long after the last word is savored! (Yes, she is really that good!)

About The Book:

When her father threatens to marry Abigail Montross off to a man twice her age (and with thirteen children!), she decides to elope instead with the irresistibly handsome Barón de Vasconia. She knows all about his notorious reputation. He is the most seductive man in all of London, but he's vowed to protect her, so she allows herself to be tempted into his bed, promising to guard her heart at all costs.
 
Andres believes he's entered into nothing more than a marriage of convenience with a charming and very wealthy young woman. But the days—and nights—Abigail spends in his arms soon reform this rogue. He'll do anything to gain her love—until they each discover the truth about the other and old wounds are revealed.

It's the season of miracles and passion—when love not only awakens the senses but delivers the greatest gift of all!


A Christmas Waltz by Jane Goodger

This charming book is set in a little dusty Texas town outside of Fort Worth, then travels to the English shores along the Irish Sea! This is the first book I've read by Jane Goodger, but after this, it won't be the last!

About the Book:

To Lady Amelia Wellesley, it seems utterly romantic to surprise her dashing fiancé at his home in Texas so the two can marry by Christmas. But Amelia's surprise goes awry when Carson Kitteridge calls off their wedding as soon as she arrives, leaving Amelia in disgrace.
 
With nowhere to turn, Amelia finds an unlikely savior in Carson's brother, Dr. Boone Kitteridge. Boone offers to marry Amelia, sparing her the shame of returning to England unwed. But Boone isn't just protecting Amelia's honor; secretly, he finds her irresistible, and the thought of indulging his desire for her is too tempting to ignore.

As Boone and Amelia forge a fragile bond, something goes terribly wrong—and it will take nothing less than a Christmas miracle for Amelia to discover who she is destined to love.

Two other romances you might find interesting are:

Christmas With The Duchess by Tamara Lejeune and The Christmas Knight by Michele Sinclair

So Break out a little mistletoe and grab a Christmasy romance to enjoy by the fire!

Happy Holiday Reading, Ya'll!



Author Interview with Western Romance novelist Linda Broday!

I am so thrilled to welcome my good friend Linda Broday to the blog today, and she has graciously agreed to answer a few question about the romance writing industry, and her new book, GIVE ME A TEXAS RANGER.

Sharon: When did you know that you wanted to be a writer? Is there any particular book that inspired you to say “Hey, I can do that!”

Linda: As far back as I can remember, I knew I was meant to be a writer. I was telling stories long before I even knew how to write. But it took me a while to get the courage to tackle a full-length book. In fact, I was married with young children before that moment came. It happened when I read a romance book that didn't end the way I thought it should. I rewrote that ending to suit me and from there I decided I could write long books. I wish I could remember the name of the book but it's lodged in the deep recesses of my brain and won't come forward.

Sharon: How did you get interested in writing western romance?

Linda: I particularly decided on the western romance genre after reading Johanna Lindsay's "Angel." That was like a lightning bolt. Suddenly, it felt so right, a perfect fit for me.

Sharon: What led you to work with Jodi Thomas, Dewanna Pace and Phyliss Miranda on the “Give Me A …” series?

Linda: Phyliss contacted me after she got together with Jodi and the two of them decided to write an anthology. They went over a list of the writers with compatible voices that they'd like to work with and my name rose to the top. Phyliss approached me with the invitation and I said yes. I've never regretted it. It's an unbelievable honor to work with Jodi, Phyliss and DeWanna and have my name mentioned along with theirs.

Sharon: What appealed to you about working with four other ladies, on a project with all with the same/or about the same subject matter?

Linda: The fact that we're all good friends and we share the same ideas in regards to the level of sensuality and profanity. One of the greatest compliments came from Hilary Sares who was our agent at the time. She said reading GIVE ME A TEXAN and GIVE ME A COWBOY was like reading a single title, the individual stories had that type of cohesiveness.

Sharon: In your new book, “Give Me A Texas Ranger,” One of your character is a handsome but tough Texas Ranger- where did you gather your inspiration for this guy?

Linda: From watching western movies and reading the nonfiction book by Walter Prescott Webb called "The Texas Rangers." I wanted Stoney Burke to be as close to the real thing as I could get him.

Sharon: In the romance genre, do you see the competition for readership becoming more fierce? What do you do to keep your readers coming back for more?

Linda: The competition is extremely fierce. There has been an explosion of new romance writers and new books that push the boundaries in the last few years. To publish, a writer has to have a book that stands out above the rest. It's crucial to give the readers fresh plots and outstanding characters. I think my stories do that.

Sharon: The cover art on your compilation books are just gorgeous - very eye-catching! Who does the artwork for each book, and are you or the others consulted as to how it will look?

Linda: Thank you for the compliment about our anthology covers. We're very proud of them. Kensington Publishing is responsible for the high quality. They design the covers with no consultation with us.

Sharon: Who are some of your favorite authors? Who inspires you?

Linda: Linda Lael Miller, Jodi Thomas, Stacey Kayne, Lorraine Heath, and a new author on the scene named Kaki Warner are some of my favorite authors. I'm inspired by all of them. They push me to new heights.

Sharon: What do you have coming up in the future?

Linda: GIVE ME AN OUTLAW, our fourth anthology, comes out in July 2011 with A TEXAS CHRISTMAS releasing in December 2011. Then, we have a Valentine anthology on tap in February 2012. So we'll be very busy.

Sharon: What advice would you have for anyone wanting to break into the writing profession?

Linda: Read every book you can in the genre you want to be published in. Dissect their stories and find out what makes them work. Then write. And write some more. There's no substitution for writing. It's only by putting words on paper that you learn. I also have to mention perseverance. Even after you write the best story you know how, you have to have tenacious determination because of the volume of work being submitted to each publishing house.

My Thanks to Linda for taking the time to stop by! GIVE ME A TEXAS RANGERS is now in stores, and is it a hum-dinger of a book!

Synopsis:

Born to protect and serve, these rugged lawmen are the stuff of Texas legend. New York Times bestselling author Jodi Thomas teams up with Linda Broday, Phyliss Miranda and DeWanna Pace to bring you four red-blooded Rangers and the women who tame their hearts....

When Annalane Barkley whispers her dreams to Wynn McCord, the Texas ranger has a new battle on his hands. For the sweet beauty's words awaken his every protective instinct and he knows he's found a woman worth fighting for...

When Stoney Burke finds Texanna Wilder in need of rescue, he's caught between his hardened heart and his duty to his best friend's lovely widow. Marriage is merely a solution to keep Texanna safe, but Stoney is suddenly aching for the wedding night...

Forced to take feisty Ella Stevenson into custody, Hayden McGraw has his hands full. But when he discovers the spitfire is on his side of the law, they're soon working as a team—up close and very personal...

Thomas Longbow only plans to use Laney O'Grady as his cover on his latest assignment. But the passion that explodes between them threatens to expose his plot—and his heart...

My Review:

GIVE ME A TEXAS RANGER is an adventure-filled, heart-racing novel by four of the premiere writers of Western Romance today - Jodi Thomas, Linda Broday, Dewanna Pace and Phyllis Miranda.

A compliation of four individual stories, my favorite of the bunch, (of course) would beLinda Broday's. Her story follows the adventures of a lively widow named Texanna Wilder, and her husband's best friend, Ranger Stoney Burke. Burke arrives in Devils Creek where Texanna Wilder is struggling to raise her son and keep her husband's half-brother from taking her, and her barber shop/ undertaking business that she has made successful. It's up to Stoney to put a halt to Marcus' plans and help out Texanna, but he didn't count on losing his heart to the fiesty Texas lady.

Step into the West and experience romance Texas style with GIVE ME A TEXAS RANGER!

Ten Things I Love About You by Julia Quinn

In Julia Quinn’s new book, “Ten Things I Love About You,” her heroine, Annabel Winslow, makes lists of ten things (or more) whenever she gets into a stressful situation. And Annabel finds herself in plenty of stressful situations.

Brought to London by her eccentric grandmother to find a husband, Annabel finds herself almost betrothed to the wealthy, but old and obnoxious Earl of Newbury, a man old enough to be her grandfather and who makes her skin crawl whenever he is around. But she is resigned to take the plunge for the sake of her mother and family who are desperately poor.

But one night, in a garden, Annabel meets the mysterious, handsome and notorious Sebastian Grey and with one kiss is in danger of falling head over heels in love with him…but when she finds out that he is the nephew of the repulsive Earl…well, things are about to get mighty hot in London!

“Ten Things I Love About You” is a pure delight from start to finish. Quinn’s characters are so personable, and her storytelling so creative and imaginative, that you feel like you are a part of the story and know these people as well as you know your own family – that is true writing talent!

So, in tribute to Miss Annabel’s passion for ten things, here are ten things I loved about “Ten Things I Love About You” …

1. Annabel Winslow is a sassy gal who’s not ashamed of having a few curves.
2. Sebastian Grey secretly writes romantic novels under an assumed name, and is proud of his work.
3. Annabel enjoys Sebastian’s novels, but isn’t gaga over them like her cousin Louisa.
4. Sebastian’s cousin’s wife Olivia is a sweet, beautiful and caring lady who takes Annabel under her wing.
5. Annabel’s grandmother is a lusty old bat who takes quite a shine to Sebastian, to his horror.
6. Annabel isn’t afraid to laugh out loud or say exactly what she means.
7. Sebastian finds those qualities endearing in Annabel.
8. The love scenes between Annabel and Sebastian are tender and sensual without being too over-the-top! There’s got to be a little mystery!!
9. Julia Quinn’s description of the parties and gowns are exquisite and makes you long for a gown in sage green.

And finally …number 10 - There is excitement, romance and lots and lots of laughs in this book, making it a perfect way to spend a day of reading.

Be sure to check out Julia Quinn’s website (www.juliaquinn.com) for information on her previous books, and what fun events she has coming up.

And as a special treat…tonight Julia will be the guest of a virtual booksigning party being sponsored by Avon Books, Powell’s Bookstore, and FreshFiction.com, beginning at 7 p.m. PST. You can watch the fun at http://freshfiction.com/julia-quinn.php.

Thanks to Avon Books for the review copy of “Ten Things I Love About You.” My review is my opinion and I was not compensated for my thoughts.

Click on the Avon Books Romance blog link on my sidebar for more info on great books and great authors!


Check out this cute book trailer!!