Margaret Mallory has a new cover and information about her upcoming new series from Grand Central. THE GUARDIAN, set for an April 26th release, is book one in the "Return of the Highlanders" series set in 1513. In the series, four fearless warriors return to the Highlands to claim their lands and legacies. But all their trials on the battlefield can't prepare them for their greatest challenge yet: winning the hearts of four willful Scottish beauties. Here's the blurb for THE GUARDIAN:After years of fighting abroad, Ian MacDonald comes home to find his clan in peril. To save his kin, he must right the wrongs from his past...and claim the bride he's long resisted.***
As a young lass, Sìleas depended on Ian to play her knight in shining armor. But when his rescue attempt compromised her virtue, Ian was forced to marry against his wishes. Five years later, Sìleas has grown from an awkward girl into an independent beauty who knows she deserves better than the reluctant husband who preferred war to his wife. Now this devilishly handsome Highlander is finally falling in love. He wants a second chance with Sìleas--and he wont take no for an answer.
Both Margaret Mallory and Stephanie Dray were nominated for RT Reviewers' Choice Awards for 2010. Margaret's KNIGHT OF PASSION was nominated in the "British Isles" category, while Stephanie, writing as Stephanie Draven, received a nomination in the "First Series Romance" category for her mythic paranormal POISONED KISSES. RT Book Reviews reviewed more than 3000 titles this year, and this list of nominees was compiled by their editors and reviewers Winners will be announced in Los Angeles at the next RT Booklovers' Convention. Congratulations, ladies!***
Lila DiPasqua's latest "Fiery Tales" collection of 17th century French-set novellas, THE PRINCESS IN HIS BED is out now! Here's the blurb:The Marquis' New Clothes: To save her cousin, Aimee de Miran must retrieve a jeweled ring from the most sinfully seductive man at court, the Marquis de Nattes. But to search his considerable wardrobe she'll have to get very close to the notorious rake...and soon she finds herself very close to him indeed, with his clothes--and hers--utterly forgotten...***
The Lovely Duckling: Reputed for his carnal skills, Joseph d'Alumbert prefers amorous encounters without emotional entanglement--until a quick-witted lady stirs tender feelings and hot desire. Emilie de Sarron suffered burns to her body as an infant, and keeps her scars--and her heart--well hidden. But Joseph is determined to peel away her inhibitions, one slow steamy kiss at a time, to reveal the beautiful swan inside...
The Princess and the Diamonds: Princess Gabrielle can't sleep at night. There is something hard in her bed. No, not just the stolen diamonds tucked under her mattress, but the handsome Marquis on it...whose carnal talents she can't resist. But he threatens her secret mission, and worse, she stands to lose far more than the diamonds--her heart is at stake!
Zoe Archer's latest is also available now. REBEL, the third of the "Blades of the Rose" series, is set in wilderness of British Columbia. Here's the blurb:A LONE WOLF***
Nathan Lesperance is used to being different. He's the first Native attorney in Vancouver, and welcome neither with white society nor his sometime tribe. Not to mention the powerful wildness he's always felt inside him, too dangerous to set free. Then he met Astrid Bramfield and saw his like within her piercing eyes. Now, unless she helps him through the harsh terrain and the harsher unknowns of his true abilities, it could very well get him killed...
AND THE WOMAN WHO LEFT THE PACK
Astrid has traveled this path before. Once she was a Blade of the Rose, protecting the world's magic from unscrupulous men, with her husband by her side. But she's loved and lost, and as a world-class frontierswoman, she knows all about survival. Nathan's searing gaze and long, lean muscles mean nothing but trouble. Yet something has ignited a forgotten flame inside her: a burning need for adventure, for life--and perhaps even for love...
Michelle Styles' December release, A QUESTION OF IMPROPRIETY has its cover and blurb, and is available for purchase on eHarlequin. Here ya go:Diana Clare has had enough of London--the balls, the rakes you can never trust... Now, having returned home in disgrace, she is trying to forget what drove her from the ton.***
Rake and gambler Brett Farnham, Earl of Coltonby, seems intent on making Diana remember exactly what it was like to be whirled around the ballroom and seduced by the glint in her partner's eye.
But Brett has "mistress" rather than "marriage" in mind, and Diana is not sure her reputation can stand up to another scandal....
Join us Sunday when Jane Goodger will be here to chat about her latest "Christmas" romance, A CHRISTMAS WALTZ, set in 1894 Texas and England. She'll also be giving away a copy to one lucky commenter! Be sure to join us then.***
We'll also draw the winner of Delia DeLeest's latest 1920s-set romance, NOT LOOKING FOR TROUBLE, from her guest appearance on Sunday. You still have time to leave a comment or question for your chance to win.***
Stay with us through the coming weeks when we'll be featuring the best unusual historical authors! Kristi Astor, Kate Allan, Zoe Archer, and Michelle Styles will be our guests. Join us!
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Have a good weekend! Remember, you don't have to be an Unusual Historicals contributor to submit good news to the weekend announcements. If it has to do with unusual historicals, we'd love to shout it out to the world! Send announcements to Carrie. See you next week...
