14 June 2009

Guest Author: Sarah Parr

Welcome to our Sunday guest post featuring Kensington Debut author Sarah Parr. She's here to celebrate the release of her first novel, an adventure romance called RENEGADE, set in 1762 Constantinople. Here's the blurb:

Far from England, alone for too long, Captain Jonathon Barry is captivated the instant he saw Jaline--she is too magnificent not to notice. There is a grace to her movements, an elegance to her bearing, that sets her apart even before she lifts her exotic black eyes or speaks. Her voice is intoxicating, soft as velvet with a sweet, lilting quality, as she recounts an evil bargain made against her will. She is to be his mistress, and he may do with her as he pleases...

Jonathon is deeply torn, for Jaline is indeed his by right. She is only a slave, the prize he has won in a Constantinople gambling den. Trembling, bared to him, body and soul--he can see how cruelly she has been treated. It is clear that Jaline is in danger still and he may well be her only hope. Yet even a renegade like Jonathon would risk anything to save so beautiful a woman...and to love her, if she will let him.
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Thanks for stopping by today, Sarah! So tell us about what sort of romance you write.

I write historical romance adventures. They are page turners--think Romancing the Stone and Indiana Jones with a heavier dose of romance. The pace is fast, the action is quick and the romance is hot.

Why did you choose Istanbul for your opening location?

I fell in the love with it, studied it and had the chance to visit it a few years ago. In 1762, it was known as Constantinople. The Seven Year War in Europe was coming to a close and power--power was shifting and the Ottomans were close to falling. Exciting and exotic, it was the perfect place where Jonathon and Jaline could meet.

What was your journey to publication?

RENEGADE and the untitled sequel that comes out in July 2010 are the first two manuscripts I have written. I sold them at my first RWA conference after my first editor meeting with Hilary Sares. It has been a whirlwind! Before writing, I worked for Carnival Cruise Lines in marketing and sales.

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Reviews:

"Lyrical, sensual, passionate." -- Shannon McKenna

"With non-stop action, humorous situations and plenty of emotion evoking scenes RENEGADE is one book that demands the reader’s attention right from the beginning." -- Romance Junkies

"Parr's debut is a wild ride of an adventure." -- Romantic Times

"Sarah Parr pens a wonderful tale that is both sparkling and fresh." -- Coffee Time Romance

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Again, thanks to Sarah Parr for joining us today! If you'd like a chance to win a copy of RENEGADE, leave a comment or question. I'll select a winner on Monday evening, after I get back from vacation! So you have plenty of time to enter and no excuse not to throw your name into the hat. Good luck!