Guest Author: Michelle Beattie

This week on Unusual Historicals we're welcoming back Michelle Beattie as she celebrates the release of A PIRATE'S POSSESSION, available now from Berkley Sensation. Michelle has become known for adventurous romances set on the high seas of the 17th century--the Age of Sail. Here's the scoop:

Love and gold have one thing in common: they can only be buried for so long...

Abandoned by her father and married to a deceitful man, Claire Gentry fled from her life. Disguised as a man, Claire wagers all she owns in a poker game to locate the treasure her father sought. While her disguise holds, it doesn't protect her when one of her opponents turns out to be the only man she ever gave her heart to.

Nate Carter is no fool. Raised in an orphanage and sailing as the mysterious pirate Sam Steele, Nate is looking to gamble for a map that will lead him to a treasure. But when he looks over his cards, he's reminded of a past he'd rather forget--and the woman who could have given him everything he truly wanted.

After Nate wins the map, Claire has no choice but to accompany her old love on his quest. But running for their lives soon replaced running from the past. And if they survive the bloody battle for the treasure, they may just realize that what they really have been searching for isn't riches--but each other...

***

A PIRATE'S POSSESSION is the third book of your pirate series. How is this one different than the other two?

Unlike WHAT A PIRATE DESIRES and ROMANCING THE PIRATE, most of A PIRATE'S POSSESSION takes place on land. I did that specifically to change things up a bit though of course I have scenes taking place on the ship because it's such an intimate setting. It's hard to avoid each other on a relatively small ship.

What similarities can we expect in this book as compared to the others?

Lots of action, gun battle, sword fights. The lovely, sultry setting of the Caribbean. A strong heroine who can more than hold her own. Villains. I always have a villain and like Sam and Luke from WHAT A PIRATE DESIRES and Blake and Alicia from ROMANCING THE PIRATE, both Nate and Claire have a past to deal with before they can move on.

You mention Luke and Sam, Blake and Alicia. Will we be seeing them again in this latest installment?

Yes. Part of the fun of a series is seeing characters you've fallen in love with come back. They don't steal the show, but you will see them again. They're family. Not all by blood, but this unlikely group of pirates and civilians have become family, so of course it makes sense that you'd see them pop up here and there.

One of the great things in ROMANCING THE PIRATE was the fun camaraderie between Nate, Vincent and Blake. Was that fun to write? And can we expect more of that dynamic in A PIRATE'S POSSESSION?

It was SO much fun to write! I love these men together. They have a real friendship with all the frustration and humour that goes along with it. Writing them together was so easy, it was just a matter of letting them go! You will definitely see much of that continue with Nate and Vincent in this book, and toward the end, when Blake steps in.

What's on your horizon as a writer?

I'm currently switching gears a bit and trying to sell a contemporary that I wrote and have begun another. I'm toying with a few ideas. I really love historical westerns but that market isn't strong right now so I may try a contemporary western. We'll see. First I have to finish this new book.

So no historicals in the future?

For sure! I can't see myself ever NOT writing historicals, but I would like to branch out and write both historicals and contemporaries.

***

Are you ready for some pirates? Leave a comment or question for Michelle to be entered in her contest. I'll draw a winner at random next Sunday, who will receive a copy of A PIRATE'S POSSESSION just in time for the new year! Maybe this question to get you started: Who is your favorite pirate in film or literature, or which is your favorite pirate story? Void where prohibited. Best of luck!

ROMANCING THE PIRATE Winner!

We have a winner for Michelle Beattie's ROMANCING THE PIRATE guest blog. A free copy goes to:

MARISKA!

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 - 2 Oct 09

This is also the last weekend you can sign up for Carrie Lofty's upcoming online workshop with CORW RWA. Entitled "Snakebite Scenes and Hollywood Plots," Carrie presented this workshop at Nationals this past July as a multi-author panel. Now it's interactive! Learn more about it here.

In addition, Carrie has been hard at work designing new bookmarks for her forthcoming January release, SCOUNDREL'S KISS. You can request free bookmarks of your own by emailing her. She also helped celebrate Florence Parry Heide Day in Kenosha, Wisconsin, where the famous American children's author resides.

***

The wonderful Michelle Styles has a new 3-in-1 collection of her novels to be released in Australia this month. You can get TAKEN BY THE VIKING, VIKING WARRIOR, UNWILLING WIFE, and IMPOVERISHED MISS, CONVENIENT WIFE all in one!

***

Join us tomorrow when author Michelle Willingham will be here to chat about TAMING HER IRISH WARRIOR, her latest Irish-set medieval from Harlequin Historicals!

***

We'll also draw the winner of Michelle Beattie's newest pirate romance, ROMANCING THE PIRATE. You still have time to leave a comment or question for your chance to win.

***

And stay with us through the coming weeks when we'll be featuring the best unusual historical authors! Kimberley Killion, JoAnn Smith Ainsworth, and Jennifer Linforth, and Anthea Lawson will be our guests. We hope you'll join us!

***

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

Cover Art used by arrangement with Harlequin Enterprises Limited. All rights reserved ®and T are trademarks of Harlequin Enterprises Limited and/or its affiliated companies, used under license.

Guest Author: Michelle Beattie

This week on Unusual Historicals we welcome the return of author Michelle Beattie as she celebrates the release of her second high-seas romance ROMANCING THE PIRATE. Here's the blurb:

Alicia Davidson thought her memory loss and scar were the result of a childhood fall. When she discovers the truth, and that she has a sister she doesn't remember, Alicia will stop at nothing to fill in the missing pieces of her past. Her determination will pit her against a man who not only resents her, but who awakens a flood of desire.

Blake Merritt makes it clear he wants nothing to do with Alicia or anyone bearing the Davidson name. Only when Alicia stows away on his ship does he concede to take her to her sister. His hope is that the faster he gets rid of Alicia, the faster he'll forget her. But he hadn't planned on falling in love with her.

The trip to find her sister is a rocky one filled with fiery emotions, the shocking confession of Blake's anger toward her family, a passion that runs hot as the Caribbean sun and the discovery of a traitor who wields the power to once again take away everything Alicia holds dear.

***

Carracks the parrot stole the scenes in WHAT A PIRATE DESIRES. Does he come back in ROMANCING THE PIRATE?

Yes, Carracks is back in ROMANCING THE PIRATE, and every other book of the series as well! Funny how something so small can turn into a big deal. Several reviewers, including Publisher's Weekly, commented on Carracks and so of course we had to bring him back!

Alicia, the heroine in ROMANCING THE PIRATE, is Sam's sister from WHAT A PIRATE DESIRES. I thought she was killed in a pirate attack when she was a young girl?

Sam believes Alicia is dead but as we see in the beginning of ROMANCING THE PIRATE, Alicia is alive and doesn't remember anything of her life before she was twelve (which is when the pirate attack took place). She soon learns of Sam and the book is her quest to find her sister.

Who, then, is the hero?

Ah, Blake Merritt. Though not a true pirate, he makes a living as a privateer and he's a man with his own troubled past. He loathes the Davidsons, the family that raised Alicia, and so when Alicia asks for him to take her find her sister, Blake refuses to use his ship to help her. It's an interesting dynamic seeing them together and his struggle not to like Alicia, despite the fact that she is, as far as she knows, a Davidson.

Will there be battle scenes like there was in WHAT A PIRATE DESIRES?

Of course, you can't have pirates and villains without battles!

Any other new characters that were fun to add?

Oh my, yes. Blake has two first mates, a tall gorgeous man named Nate and a tender-hearted dwarf named Vincent. I absolutely love the dynamic and the friendship between these three men and you'll see some more of them in PLAYING THE PIRATE, which comes out fall of 2010.

So each book of the pirate series stands alone but some of the same characters come back?

Yes, my plan is for each book to have it's own characters and plot line, but you will see many of the same faces pop in and out.

WHAT A PIRATE DESIRES was your first release. What fun things came your way with that?

Well, my first book signings which were in my hometown and more like family reunions! Being a finalist in the Bookseller's Best Awards, doing two book signings at the Romance Writers of America's conference in DC this past July. Being reviewed in Publisher's Weekly and seeing all the good reviews come in. It makes all the long hours at the computer and the rejections worthwhile!

What's next for you?

I'm currently revisiting the first book I ever a wrote, a western, and am trying to beef it up a little and turn it into a trilogy.

Which authors inspired you?

Those that did and still do: Nora Roberts, Sandra Brown and Janet Evanovich. Some new authors I've recently read and loved include Cherry Adair, Robyn Carr, Carla Neggers, Susan Mallery.

You write historicals and yet none of those authors mentioned write them. Don't you read historicals?

Not many, no. Because my favorite historicals are westerns, and for the most part westerns have been non-existent in recent years, it forced me to read elsewhere. Now that I'm writing westerns again, I will be reading those again.

What do you do when you're not writing?

I always have a book nearby. I know some people say they're too busy to read, I've never had that problem. I can't NOT read, especially before bed. And reading inspires me to write, so it's also necessary. I also spend time with my kids, I enjoy the company of my friends, lately I've been busy in the garden. I enjoy movies and sadly, I'm addicted to word games on Facebook!

Any suggestions for aspiring writers?

Never give up. If you want this, REALLY, want this, then work hard. Work every day, or as often as you can and force yourself to work when you don't feel like it. Accept that rejections are part of the business and learn to put them aside so that you can keep writing. Not everyone will like your work and that's okay. Write well, write often, never stop submitting. Believe in yourself even when it seems like nobody else does and keep writing.

***

Thanks so much for visiting us again, Michelle! For readers of Unusual Historicals we have...you guessed it...a giveaway! Just leave a comment or question for Michelle and you'll be entered in a drawing for one free copy. I'll draw a winner next Sunday, so spread the word! Void where prohibited. Good luck to everyone!

Excerpt Thursday: Michelle Beattie

For this week's Excerpt Thursday, we're featuring a sample of Michelle Beattie's sexy, adventurous high-seas romp ROMANCING THE PIRATE. Join us Sunday when Michelle will stop by to answer questions and give away a free copy! Don't miss it!

Alicia Davidson thought her memory loss and scar were the result of a childhood fall. When she discovers the truth, and that she has a sister she doesn't remember, Alicia will stop at nothing to fill in the missing pieces of her past. Her determination will pit her against a man who not only resents her, but who awakens a flood of desire.

Blake Merritt makes it clear he wants nothing to do with Alicia or anyone bearing the Davidson name. Only when Alicia stows away on his ship does he concede to take her to her sister. His hope is that the faster he gets rid of Alicia, the faster he'll forget her. But he hadn't planned on falling in love with her.

The trip to find her sister is a rocky one filled with fiery emotions, the shocking confession of Blake's anger toward her family, a passion that runs hot as the Caribbean sun and the discovery of a traitor who wields the power to once again take away everything Alicia holds dear.

***

"You're Blake Merritt?" she asked.

"Last time I checked."

Alicia exhaled heavily. "Well, this is unexpected."

"As is your presence here." He looked over her brown trousers and white shirt. "Mourning periods must be getting shorter and shorter."

Her mouth pinched. "I am in mourning, but it's not practical to travel in a heavy skirt. And I'm here because I require your help."

Blake crossed his arms over his chest. "I wasn't aware that I'd given you the impression of someone who cared."

"You haven't" she answered. "And had I known it was you he'd sent me to, I may have reconsidered."

Blake gestured to the door. "It's never too late."

"And give you the satisfaction? I think not."

"Well, let's say I am not in the giving mood. Whatever it was you needed from me, you'll have to find elsewhere."

"What is it ya need?" Captain asked.

"I'm looking for someone. Her name is Samantha. She was last seen five years ago leaving Port Royal on a stolen sloop."

"Well, now that we have so much to go on, let's not waste any more time. I mean, five years. Why, she's practically around the corner," Blake taunted.

"Samantha..." Captain said with some thought. "Are ya family?"

Alicia nodded. "She's my sister. But I don't know where she is."

"And she's in a sloop, ya say?"

"No," Blake corrected. "She was five years ago."

"That's what I was told," she said, once again talking to Captain.

"Hmm..." Captain said, rubbing his protruding belly. "I don't know 'ow much value this is to ya, but me knows a Samantha."

"Oh, good. I'll go ready the ship," Blake muttered.

"She's about yer height, a little older. Her hair is darker than yers, but I know her and Luke own a sloop." He shrugged. "Might be the same girl."

"You expect me to sail off to..."

"St. Kitts."

Blake choked. "You want me to sail to St. Kitts on the chance that this is the same woman?" He looked from Captain to Alicia, not sure who was more mad. "I won't waste my bloody time, nor that of my crew."

"How far is St. Kitts?" Alicia asked.

"At least a six day's sail, longer if ya get bad weather."

"Doesn't matter how long it takes as I won't be taking you."

Her hand dropped back to her side. "We've never met. Why is it that you hate me so?"

Though the rum was starting to work, it wasn't enough to shut out her words. And it certainly wasn't enough to tell her the reason for his hatred.

"I've heard of you, let's leave it at that. And I won't sail you anywhere, therefore it appears you've wasted your time."

She pulled an envelope from the bag she carried and dropped it on the table.

"Perhaps this will change your mind."

He recognized the swirl of letters and knew who'd written his name.

"Where did you get this?" he demanded, all fuzziness gone from his head.

"I found it in my father's effects. There was a letter for me as well. He was the one who told me that should I look for Samantha, I should seek your help."

"How is it ye don't know where she is?" Captain asked.

"We were separated years ago and I lost my memory. I don't remember anything before I was twelve, and that includes Samantha."

Blake sneered. "Let me guess. You're loving father knew all along you had a sister and he only decided to tell you after he'd died?"

She looked down her nose at him, her color returning. "That's right."

"Why am I not surprised?" he muttered.

"He also said you were a good man that I could trust."

Her tone left no doubt that she believed the complete opposite.

Blake didn't open the letter. It was too late for words, or apologies, or anything else that could be written on that parchment. And her sad tale didn't change that. If anything, it infuriated him further. He refused to let himself be used.

"Well?" Captain asked, his gaze darting between her and Blake. "What'll it be?"

Blake leaned forward, shoving aside the letter with his elbow. "I'll tell you what it'll be," he answered, his gaze piercing hers. "It'll be a cold day in Hell before I take you anywhere."

Her jaw clenched and her eyes hardened. She braced her hands on the table and leaned forward. "I don't know who you are, or how you knew my father, but clearly he was mistaken about you."

"That, my dear, is the first thing you've said that I agree with." And because the truth of that haunted him every day, he raised his cup to his lips and drank.