Weekly Announcements - 18 June 2010

Free short story! Michelle Willingham wants everyone to know about special download available now at eHarlequin. Enter the code MWHAREM06L by June 30 to get a free copy of Michelle's "Innocent in the Harem," set in the 16th century Ottoman Empire. Enjoy!

EDITED TO ADD: Sorry! The code could only be used one. Michelle had intended this as a random drawing, which I misunderstood. My apologies for the confusion!

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Michelle Styles' COMPROMISING MISS MILTON received a 4.5 star review from CataRomance. "COMPROMISING MILL MILTON is Michelle Styles' most exciting book yet! In her stunning new novel for Mills & Boon, award-winning author Michelle Styles deftly combines superb characterization, passionate romance, nail-biting suspense, exciting adventure and heartwarming pathos in an irresistible new story that will keep readers on the edge of their seats."

Michelle also has an interview with CataRomance, celebrating the UK release of COMPROMISING MISS MILTON and the US release of AN IMPULSIVE DEBUTANTE.

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Summer means rodeo, and rodeo means DOWN HOME EVER LOVIN' MULE BLUES. To win some cool prizes from Jacquie Rogers, visit her website and click on contest for entry details. In addition, there's always a contest running at 1st Turning Point. This month the prize an original print from artist Dar Albert, and all you have to do to enter is comment on any 1st Turning Point article in June. Check it out!

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Blythe Gifford's IN THE MASTER'S BED placed third in historical category of the Lories. (First went to Kimberly Killion for HIGHLAND DRAGON and second went to Stacey Kayne for MOUNTAIN WILD, both of whom have been previous guests on Unusual Historicals. That's a UH hat trick!) Congratulations Blythe, Kimberly and Stacey!

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If you're going to be in the Bloomington-Normal region of Illinois on Saturday, June 19, stop by to join Heart & Scroll RWA as they host Carrie Lofty as their morning seminar leader. The event is open to the public. Learn more here.

Carrie's SONG OF SEDUCTION, set in 1804 Austria, has been receiving some excellent reviews. RT Book Reviews gave it four stars, while Book Binge gave it 5/5 and wrote, "[It]...Encompasses everything I find fascinating about musicians and wraps them in a beautiful melody of angst, pain, betrayal, acceptance and love." The best, however, was from Wendy Crutcher at The Misadventures of Super Librarian who wrote a lovely, lovely review about SONG OF SEDUCTION's seductive storytelling: "...As the author peeled back the layers, challenged her characters, revealed more of them, I realized how remarkable this story is. True, unadulterated, pure passion."

And don't forget to become a Facebook fan of Blythe and Carrie as they continue their "Race to 200" contest. Click here for details.

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Join us Sunday when Carrie will be here to chat about SONG OF SEDUCTION and give away a signed copy to one lucky commenter! Be sure to join us then.

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We'll also draw the winner of Margaret Mallory's KNIGHT OF PASSION guest appearance on Sunday. You still have time to leave a comment or question for your chance to win.

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Stay with us through the coming weeks when we'll be featuring the best unusual historical authors! Laura Navarre, Jack Woodville London, Michelle Willingham, and Moira Rogers will be our guests. Join us!

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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! For example, reader Pat Brown currently has three agents looking at her manuscript set in 1929 Los Angeles. Best of luck, Pat!

Send announcements to Carrie. See you next week...

HIGHLAND DRAGON Winner!

We have a winner for Kimberly Killion's HIGHLAND DRAGON guest blog. A free copy goes to:

CAROL LUCIANO!

Contact Carrie to provide your mailing address. The book must be claimed by next Sunday or another winner will be drawn. Please stop back later to let us know what you thought! Congratulations!

Weekly Announcements - 17 Oct 09

Michelle Styles is excited that Kindle is going international, which means all the Mills & Boon ebooks are going to the Kindle platform. Her UK ebooks--AN IMPULSIVE DEBUTANTE, A QUESTION OF IMPROPRIETY, and IMPOVERISHED MISS, CONVENIENT WIFE--are now available on Kindle.

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RT Book Reviews gave KNIGHT OF PLEASURE, the 2nd book in Margaret Mallory's "All the King's Men" series, 4 Stars! "[A] riveting story, intertwining adventure and history...with a constantly increasing level of sensuality....[A] rare treat." KNIGHT OF PLEASURE will be in bookstores November 24th, and we'll be featuring her here on Unusual Historicals that week.

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Lindsay Townsend is also thrilled with her 4-star review from RT Book Reviews for FLAVIA'S SECRET. "The ancient locale that is now modern Bath lends a vivid backdrop to a tender love story surrounded by mystery, danger and deceit. Readers will appreciate Townsend's thorough research and fluid style. Well-written secondary characters complement the action."

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Join us tomorrow when author JoAnn Smith Ainsworth will be here to chat about MATILDA'S SONG, set in 12th century Britain!

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We'll also draw the winner of Kimberly Killion's newest Scottish romance, HIGHLAND DRAGON. You still have time to leave a comment or question for your chance to win.

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And stay with us through the coming weeks when we'll be featuring the best unusual historical authors! Jennifer Linforth, Anthea Lawson, Amanda McCabe, and Elizabeth Lane will be our guests. We hope you'll join us!

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Have a good weekend! If you have an announcement to make for next week, email Carrie. See you next week...

Guest Author: Kimberly Killion

The bad news: A slight weekend scheduling glitch means we don't have a Q&A post from Kimberly Killion about her latest sexy Scottish historical, HIGHLAND DRAGON.

The good news: She's still willing to give away a copy! Just leave Kim a question or comment and we'll do this Q&A on the fly!

I'll draw a winner in one week. Void where prohibited. Good luck!

Excerpt Thursday: Kimberly Killion

It's Thursday on Unusual Historicals, which means another fantastic excerpt from one of our talented guest authors. This week we're welcoming the return of Kimberly Killion as she celebrates the release of her second Kensginton romance, HIGHLAND DRAGON. Stop back on Sunday when we'll be talking with Kim and giving away a copy!

A desire that defies all limits...and a love that was meant to be...

Scotland 1502. Akira Neish has been raised as a peasant, her belly often empty and her family subject to the cruel whims of her clan's laird. To the clan's children, the horned shaped birthmark she bears means she is a witch. But she is neither peasant nor witch--and now the man who knows the truth has returned to claim her for his own.

Calin MacLeod has kept Akira's secrets and to avenge his father, the sensual young laird must marry her. He is more than a match for the fiery nature of the woman he adores. Yet the passion they share--and truths that can no longer remain hidden--could rip all of Scotland apart...

"A captivating, finely written romance...with excellent pacing and characters who are honorable, intelligent and full of humanity. This is a tale to cherish." ~ Romantic Times, 4-star review

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Scotland Highlands, 1484

Hidden behind a false panel, ten-year-old Calin MacLeod covered his ears with sweaty palms. The screams echoing throughout Brycen Castle were loud enough to loosen his teeth.

Lena Kinnon cried for mercy with every gut-wrenching contraction, but didn't receive the slightest morsel of compassion from the many men present. Her position held no dignity, sprawled atop the council table like a sacrificial lamb. The wool of her soiled sark draped between her raised knees and provided her little privacy. No one wiped her brow or offered soothing words of comfort.

A woman was supposed to suffer during childbirth to pay for the sins of Eve. Even at his young age, Calin knew the laws of the church. He also knew Lena had already suffered more than any woman in Clan Kinnon. The bruises speckling her pale skin were evidence of the constant torture she endured at the hands of her ruthless husband.

The sliver of space between the wooden planks where Calin hid was no wider than the trunk of a sapling, but provided a view of his da, Laird MacLeod, who stood against a stone pilaster opposite Laird Kinnon. Da's dark hair had grayed at the temples over the recent months, and his face sagged in weariness, but his rigid stance displayed his contained rage. With his eyes narrowed, Da stroked the golden bull's head engraved into the signet ring he wore and glared at his enemy.

Two pairs of MacLeod warriors flanked each side of his da, while four Kinnon warriors surrounded Laird Baen Kinnon. All were unarmed as was previously agreed upon by both lairds.

"Ye keep screamin', wife. It'll cleanse your black English soul." Laird Kinnon paced the council chamber, a sneer twisting his pitted face.

Calin hated the chieftain of his neighboring clan as much as Da did. Laird Kinnon was a cold-hearted demon. Anyone who would beat his lady wife during her childbearing time walked upon this earth with the devil's black blood flowing through his veins.

"Ye bear me another bitch and it will be your last."

"Please, Baen, have ye no mercy? Send for the midwife, please." Lena gripped the sides of her belly and arched her back.

Laird Kinnon slapped her across the face with an open palm. Sweat sprayed over the tabletop. "Still your tongue, wife, or I'll cut it out." He spread his arms wide, gesturing to the many warriors present. "There be plenty o' eager hands awaitin' to catch my male bairn as soon as ye free him from your spoiled womb."

Calin bit his tongue to avoid cursing the man as venomously as his da always did. Calin had lived his whole life without a mam to kiss his cheek or offer him praise. Over the past few months, Lena had been like a mother to him. She was kind and gentle and Laird Kinnon should burn in the deepest pit of hell for the way he abused his lady wife. Calin didn't have to be an aged warrior to know this was wrong. Lena's child was nothing more to Laird Kinnon than a binding contract.

A contract that affected Calin's future. Which was precisely why he'd disobeyed Da's direct order not to follow him to the Kinnon keep when word of Lena's lying-in arrived. If Lena bore a daughter, the babe would become his betrothed.

Calin and his friend, Kendrick Neish of Clan Kinnon, had discovered the secluded compartment just two months past after stumbling into the pitch-black caverns beneath the castle. Since then, they had become privy to every council meeting between their clans. They knew of war and how the English wanted to reign over Scotland. Both had heard the gruesome tales of entire villages being slaughtered. Neither he nor Kendrick wanted their clans to suffer such a fate. Calin knew they were supposed to be enemies, but they wanted the same thing--an alliance.

For five hours, Calin had hugged his twisted limbs in the narrow space while Lena labored in the corner. His arse tingled, and his toes had gone numb hours before inside his leather brogues. The dank odor of moldy floor rushes drifted into his hiding place. A prayer floated into his ear.

"Fàilte dhut a Mhoire, tha thu lan de na gràsan..." In the Gaelic tongue, Father Harrald prayed to the Blessed Mother while he paced the edge of the chamber. The granite beads of his rosary clattered with his every movement. The young priest had been summoned to perform the baptism or to administer Last Rites in the event this child didn't survive--as Lena's previous three babes had not.

Lena pushed and Calin sucked in air.

He exhaled when she did. Her whole body convulsed, his shivered. Wet ropes of black hair clung to her face and neck. Propped on her elbows, her head fell back. Her mouth opened, and she screamed in agony.

One of the warriors caught the babe just as it slid from Lena's body.

Calin held his breath awaiting the outcome.

"A lass, Laird Kinnon," the old man announced grimly while he held the babe by the ankles and slapped her rump. He then laid her atop Lena's quivering abdomen.

Lena pulled the crying child to her breast and stroked her newborn skin. Relief washed over her face and tears spilled over her cheeks when she smiled at Da. All would be well now.

"Seal off the hall and bring me the other child." The cord still attached his infant daughter to his wife when Laird Kinnon commanded his seneschal. Dark eyes blazed with contempt as he stared directly at Da. "Ye will ne'er hold claim to my land. Nor will ye e'er touch my wife again."

"I have ne'er wanted your land." Da stepped closer to Lena.

"But ye dinnae deny touching my wife."

Da glanced at Lena.

A dozen broad-shouldered men materialized from the darkened recesses of Brycen Castle. Their weapons flickered beneath golden wall torches. A raw-boned nursemaid, escorted by another warrior, entered the chamber, her fear evident in sunken wide eyes. In her arms, she held another babe swaddled in striped wool, its fists swatted the air. With trembling hands, she placed the babe in the crook of Laird Kinnon's arm.

Confused, Calin studied the exchange. Laird Kinnon had agreed to unite their clans if Lena bore a daughter.

Laird Kinnon turned to his warriors. "Send their miserable souls to the devil. All of them." His tone was devoid of mercy. Of compassion. Of any emotion except contempt.

He stepped out of the keep onto the stone rampart. "I have a son!" he shouted.

The villagers of Dalkirth roared their approval while the words echoed in Calin's ears.

Nay! 'Tis a lie! He gawked in horror as the shadowed knights charged his clansmen. Da's devoted seneschal used a flaming pitch-pine torch to defend the attack. His efforts were futile. With one swing of a halberd, a Kinnon warrior beheaded him. Another fiend slashed one of the MacLeod warriors from gullet to navel. Fists clutched enemy plaid as he fell to his knees.

Calin's heart tripped. His hands flattened against the panel. His nose pressed into the crack. Oh saints, help them!

From the book Highland Dragon by Kimberly Killion. Copyright © 2009 by Kimberly Killion.

Weekly Announcements - 27 Mar 09

Carrie Lofty is hosting a spring contest, so hop on over to her website for the chance to win a $25 gift certificate to either B&N or Amazon. Contest ends March 31.

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Michelle Styles has learned that her untitled third Viking book will be a Dec 2009 release in the US. Also, she'll be appearing as part of the Mills & Boon panel at the Hexham Book Festival on 2 May.

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Unusual Historicals would like to offer our hearty congratulations to Kimberly Killion and Anthea Lawson for their "Best First Book" nominations in the 2009 RITA contest sponsored by Romance Writers of America. They were guests of ours in 2008, Kimberley for HER ONE DESIRE and Anthea for PASSIONATE, both of which are Zebra Debut releases from Kensington. You can read their interviews here (Kim) and here (Anthea). Congratulations and best of luck! Three cheers for unusual historicals!

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Join us Sunday when veteran Harlequin Mills & Boon author and long-time contributor Michelle Styles will be here to talk about her latest release, IMPOVERISHED MISS, CONVENIENT WIFE, which comes out April 3rd in the UK. Don't miss it!

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We'll also draw the winner of Bonnie Vanak's THE SCORPION AND THE SEDUCER. There's still time to leave a comment for your shot at winning!

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Have a good weekend! If you have an announcement to make for next week, email Carrie. See you next week...

Guest Blogger: Kimberly Killion

Hello! This Sunday we welcome Kimberly Killion, whose first novel, HER ONE DESIRE, is a Zebra Debut release from Kensington. We're doing things a little differently this week; instead of a Q&A, Kim is going to give us the low-down on all the grisly means of bringing about an official execution. Grim!

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Astride a stolen horse, encircled by the shackled arms of Broderick Maxwell, a Scottish spy escaping certain death in the Tower of London, Lizbeth Ives rides to the north, hidden by the merciful darkness. By stealth and by cunning, the daughter of the Lord High Executioner has undone her father's cruel work, compelled to save the innocent man with her. There is no turning back--they are bound as one in his iron chains. Consumed by mortal fear, driven by passion, they disappear into the night...

A single raven follows them. Is it an omen? Or only the first of those who would capture them? They must ride on. If captured, they will face death together. But if they reach Scotland, he will claim her for his own...forever.

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TORTURE and EXECUTION. Not two words you would associate with romance? No, they are not, which is what makes HER ONE DESIRE so unusual.

Lady Lizbeth Ives, the heroine in HER ONE DESIRE, is the daughter of the Lord High Executioner. A woman born to the Reaper of the Realm. I would ask you to form a mental picture of this man. Who do you see? A man in a black cloak with an ax who mercilessly takes the lives of both the guilty and innocent. While most of us might picture this man as grotesque, he was not a vigilante, but an officer of the court. The executioner was, no doubt, tormented by a profession that might have left him soulless, but it is also possible that he might have been a gentle man who loved his wife and his children.

Intrigued? I was when I started researching Lizzy’'s character. I walked with her through the cold corridors of the Tower of London, witnessed a beheading, and even felt what it was like to be pressed to death. *shiver*

So without further ado, let's talk about medieval torture. Probably the most common were BEHEADINGS. Severed heads were used as a means to deter criminals. Oftentimes, the heads were boiled in salt (ew) and displayed on pikes, as in London Bridge. A man or woman sentenced to death by means of beheading could only hope the executioner was skilled and the blade sharp. A good executioner could sever a head in a single blow, as was the case with Anne Boleyn. The strike was so abrupt her eyes and lips were still aflutter when the executioner held her head aloft for the crowd to see. It took three blows to end Mary, Queen of Scots' life, and 29 blows were required to decapitate Comte de Chalais in 1626.

Margaret, Countess of Salisbury, did not go quietly to the scaffold. Upon being led to Tower Green, on the grounds of the Tower of London, she declared she was no traitor. The executioner had to chase her down 'swinging wildly.'

WHIPPINGS were accepted forms of punishment for many crimes, not excluding impudence, violence, theft, lascivious thoughts, and lewd behavior. Floggings rarely resulted in death, but, once again, a skilled executioner could dislocate his victim's neck in a single stroke. In Russia, executioners used a knout--a wooden handled whip with braided thongs--which could be frozen or threaded with wire to increase the sting.

Another of the more interesting forms of punishment I discovered along my research was in the form of water torture. The DUNKING STOOL was used to torture women. She was bound to a stool or chair and lowered into the river repeatedly. The rapid descent into cold water caused fatalities among older victims. Of course, there were those who were boiled to death as well as those who were force-fed water as was the case with Scotsman William Lithgow. He was accused of spying in Spain in 1620 and was stretched on a rack at which point water was funneled down his throat expanding his stomach to painful proportions.

The device you see strapped to this woman's face is called SCOLD'S BRIDLE or a BRANK. It was a type of metal helmet that contained a gagging strap that prevented a woman from speaking. A 'scold,' you see, was a troublesome woman who was often angry. She disturbed the peace and was simply a nuisance. I for one can think of a handful of woman I would like to see sentenced to an hour or two in this contraption. Men too. *wicked grin*

Other forms of public humiliation used to punish criminals were the PILLORY, A device that held a person's head and arms immobilized, and the STOCKS--a similar contraption to the pillory except that the ankles are bound in place while the criminal is forced to sit atop a bench. One of the worst parts of being bound in the stocks was the constant tickling of the soles of the feet.

On a final note, I would like to introduce you to a form of punishment I found to be...well...breathtaking. PEINE FORTE ET DURE: Pressing to death. This form of torture was delivered upon a cell floor and used on a prisoner who refused to plead. A board was placed across the prisoner's chest and stomach and heavy iron weights were added to the board until submission or death. For 366 years, until 1772, pressing to death was a standard punishment in England.

If I've intrigued you, then don't miss my debut release: HER ONE DESIRE.

You can read an excerpt here.

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Kim is offering to give away a copy of HER ONE DESIRE to TWO random commenters, which we'll draw next Sunday. Your task? Kim asks:

Would you prefer to be beheaded or suffer through the long drawn out process of 'pressing to death'?

None, you say? Good choice. But what if you had to choose one in order to save the man you love?