Guest Author: Michelle Styles

This week on Unusual Historicals, long-time contributor Michelle Styles is joining us today to discuss her latest releases. We're calling it...a feast of books!

Okay, Michelle, why a feast of books?

Because of the dark arts of scheduling, I have ended up with several books out. A NOBLE CAPTIVE, the second book I wrote for Harlequin, was an April Direct and ebook release in the US. COMPROMISING MISS MILTON is a May 2010 UK paperback release. And AN IMPULSIVE DEBUTANTE is a June 2010 Direct and e-book release for Harlequin Historical, which means it will be out at e-harlequin in May. In addition, Mills & Boon Australia is releasing a 3-in-1 book of THE VIKING'S CAPTIVE PRINCESS, COMPROMISING MISS MILTON, and A QUESTION OF IMPROPRIETY in May.

That's a lot of books!

Yes, and I didn't want to clog UH Sundays up. As you can see, Mills & Boon helpfully now provide the first chapter of their offerings, so you can read the first chapter of both COMPROMISING MISS MILTON, and AN IMPULSIVE DEBUTANTE, which out in the UK back in September 2008.

Can you tell us a bit more about the books?

A NOBLE CAPTIVE was written after I turned GLADIATOR'S HONOUR in and thought--okay, what did happen to Valens? And what if he had been a more mature person when he was first captured and what if he had fall for a woman who had captured him? I had a lot of fun writing the book as I had visited various islands in the Mediterranean. The blurb reads:

Roman soldier
Strong, proud, honourable--Marcus Livius Tullio embodied the values of Rome. Captured on the high seas and brought to the Temple of Kybele, he was drawn towards the woman who gave him refuge.

Pagan priestess
Fierce, beautiful, determined--Helena despised all that Rome stood for. In sheltering Tullio, she had to subdue her awareness of him – or she might confess all! The soldier's strength and nobility tempted her to lean on him, but she knew that to succumb would be to betray her people...

COMPROMISING MISS MILTON is my latest book and is set in 1837 Gilsland Cumberland. It is the book in my governess duo. The blurb reads:

Marrying the Governess!

Buttoned-up governess Daisy Milton buries dreams of marriage and family life in order to support her sister and orphaned niece. But maddeningly attractive Adam, Viscount Ravensworth, is one distraction that shakes Daisy's safe, stable existence.

Now ghosts from Adam's past in India threaten Daisy's future. Just what will it take to convince a tightly laced miss to forgo society's strict code of conduct...and come undone in the arms of a reformed rake?

AN IMPULSIVE DEBUTANTE is the linked book to A CHRISTMAS WEDDING WAGER. I adored writing it as I was able to take a minor character, Lottie Charlton, and give her a happy ending after she went through a few trials and tribulations. The blurb reads:

A kiss, a carriage ride, a hasty wedding!

Carlotta Charlton can't wait for her first season--until her impulsive behaviour lands her right in the lap of notorious rake Tristan, Lord Thorngrafton!

Tristan is cynically convinced that she's a fortune-hunter. But he can't keep away from her. Several heated kisses lead to scandal and, one outraged mama later, they're on their way to Gretna Green.

Catching his breath on the carriage ride to the border, Tristan decides it's time that Lottie learns her lesson. If she wants to play with fire, he'll notch up his seduction and set her ablaze

What is next for you?

Good question. Because I enjoy it, I am writing more in the Victorian and Regency eras but with slightly unusual settings than I am writing in earlier eras. I am going to see my editor on 10 May to discuss which book she wants me to write. I am hoping to get the go ahead to write Dagmar and Thrand's story but it all depends on what my editors want. I also just came back from a research trip to the Sinai and so I am quite keen to write those stories. The Sinai was wonderful--I visited St Catherine's which has some of the oldest icons in the world and is built over the place where Moses reputably encountered the burning bush, and rode camels in the desert with the Bedouin. I was also very aware of the recent history of that troubled land.

How much input do your editors have about what you write?

We always discuss the time periods. There are scheduling considerations and they do help me to sort what best meets their needs. But I have the freedom to write the stories I want to write.

Are you still writing Roman set books?

I have written a Roman Undone but it remains to be seen if it meets their needs. I have never tried writing short before. I may go back to Rome but I do like writing in a variety of time periods.

What is great about the time period is that there are new authors who are starting to be published. Carla Capshaw's debut is up for a Rita, and Christina Philips's first with Berkeley is out in September. Stephanie Draven also has a book on Cleopatra's Daughter coming out soon. So the market for Roman set books is growing. Hooray!

Thank you, Michelle, for being here today!

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Michelle is giving away to one lucky poster signed copies of all three books: A NOBLE CAPTIVE, COMPROMISING MISS MILTON, and AN IMPULSIVE DEBUTANTE. She suggests answering the question: why do you like Unusual Historicals? We'll draw one lucky winner at random next Sunday. Void where prohibited. Best of luck!

Excerpt Thursday: Michelle Styles

This week on Excerpt Thursday we're featuring Michelle Styles' latest U.S. release, A NOBLE CAPTIVE, set in the Mediterranean in 75BC. It's Roman Empire time! Join us Sunday when Michelle will be here to discuss A NOBLE CAPTIVE and her next two releases: COMPROMISING MISS MILTON and AN IMPULSIVE DEBUTANTE. So much to discuss! You'll also have a chance to win all three of these great books.

75 BC on an island in the Mediterranean, a few miles north of Crete. Helena, the sybil's assistant has problem. Not only has her aunt the sybil collapsed, but also pirates are seeking to further their influence on the island and Helena, masquerading as the sybil was manipulating into allowing captured Roman soldiers to have shelter in the temple while they wait for their ransoms to arrive. And despite her hatred for Rome and all it stands for, Helena finds herself attracted to the tribune Marcus Livius Tullio. Will their passion destroy everything she holds dear?

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You can read the start of the book here.

In this excerpt, Tullio has arrived at the temple, and Helena discovers her problems are getting worse instead of better...

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"The sibyl made no mention of this when she returned." Helena tapped the tablet against her mouth. She must say nothing to indicate who was at the quayside. After all that, she could not give into her temper. She had to stay calm. "No mention at all."

The sailor with his gold ring in one ear leaned forward. His finger twisted a strand of his greasy beard. Helena struggled not to recoil in disgust.

"These men are dangerous, my lady. You will need extra help," he said. "See how they seek to defy you. If they could, they would be beating their swords against their shields to signal the start of battle."

"The sibyl would have informed me if she felt in danger," she repeated, disliking the man more with each word he uttered. The good Captain Androceles had set a crude trap, one which she had no intention of blundering into. These Roman soldiers were not going to be a pretext for stationing his armed men within the temple. "We are not without protection."

"I tell the truth, Lady," the seafarer whined. "And as you were not there, will you trust the word of a Roman or the word of your ally?"

"I trust the sibyl's judgment. Kybele guides her." Helena's fingers tightened around the tablet, snapped it in two. The faint crack brought her back to her senses. Any more provocation, she'd start blurting out the whole story.

"But the captain is only thinking of your welfare." Gold Earring continued his protest and the rest of the seafarers echoed his sentiments.

"The lions roam the grounds at night," Helena said as if he had not spoken. "We have our guards during the day. Above all Kybele protects and defends this temple. I doubt the Romans will be foolish enough to abuse our hospitality and risk the wrath of Kybele. Where would they go? All the triremes and boats are guarded. The harbor provides the only way on or off the island."

Her gaze met Tullio's steady one.

How dangerous was he? She remembered his fingers on her hand, the way the tingles dashed up her arm. Her whole body seemed to be aware of him in a way she had not felt before. She offered a prayer up to Kybele that her face showed none of her disquiet.

"The captain's concern is solely for the temple," Gold Earring said, his hand going to where his sword belt normally hung.

"The temple thanks you for your concern." She crossed her arms and squared her jaw. Perhaps she should be grateful to the Romans for showing her Androceles's naked ambition. "But I shall trust the Sibyl's judgment. You have delivered the guests. You may return to your captain."

"Captain Androceles has ordered that we remain as guards, in case the Romans try anything." The seafarer planted his feet firmly and rocked back and forth. The other seafarers bristled. "I must respectfully request for our swords to be returned. We desire to provide the proper protection for the Sibyl."

Helena's arms started to tremble. Androceles's stratagem was obvious to any who had spent time a latrunculi board. If his men became guards at the temple, he would try to dictate the Sibyl's pronouncements, destroy her aunt's carefully built neutrality between rival factions of sailors. All because she had made an error.

"You may thank the good captain from me but when we need assistance, the Sibyl will ask for it." Helena increased the volume of her voice so that it echoed through out the antechamber. She knew the guards in vestibule would here and start their final preparations. Captain Zeno had believed six months ago but would Gold Earring be so gullible? Did she dare take the risk of revealing the true extent of the temple's weakness? "The temple is a place of peaceful contemplation. No arms are allowed to sully that. The Sibyl refuses to allow the Temple to be desecrated."

"I am very grateful to the Sibyl for providing us with lodging as we wait for the tribute," Tullio stepped forward, his metalled sandals ringing out on the mosaic floor.

Helena ignored him. Romans were less a danger than Gold Earring. He had to leave.

"Your job has finished. The guests have been delivered safely. Go," Helena used the same intonations her aunt used when she was declaring what the goddess wanted. Forceful but with no hint of desperation she beginning to feel.

Gold Earring took a step towards the gateway, then hesitated. "Captain Androceles ordered--"

"This is not the captain's ship." She moved towards the main altar. In her mind, she recalled the number of times, Aunt Flavia impressed on her to the need to glide and not run. Gold Earring must have no hint of what was to come. If it taught the Roman with his knowing smile a lesson as well, so much the better. "Perhaps you will believe after a small demonstration but I warn you, Kybele protects her own."

She gave a small clap of her hands and then pulled the curtain cord and allowed the mirrors to show. Instantly temple guards swarmed into the vestibule and stood in line behind Helena, each brandishing a long curved sword. She bit her lip. Hopefully the concealed mirrors and dim light would make Gold Earring think there was twice the number of guards.

"You called, My Lady," the lead guard boomed.

"The seafarer expressed a concern about our ability to look after the Temple properly."

"We have never had any trouble before, Helena."

Tullio took pleasure in watching the pirates shift uncomfortably as Helena stood, head held high in front of her troop of guards. Helena was unexpected. She managed to confront the pirate without flinching. He doubted many women of his acquaintance in Rome would have the courage to do such thing. Most women like his elder sister and his ex-wife would have run screaming before they dared speak back to a man like that.

From where he was standing, he could see the trick she had played with the bronze mirrors. It had been the vogue when he had been a boy and his mother had gone from temple to temple searching in vain for a cure for his younger sister's illness.

The question was whether or not the pirate would know about the trick or would he simply see the images without questioning and leave?

"I had no idea the Temple had that many guards." The pirate uttered before he brought his sandals together and gave an elaborate bow. "Captain Androceles thinks only of your welfare."

"Should the temple be in mortal danger, someone who is of pure heart would blow Neptune's trumpet, and aid would appear." She indicated a large bronze trumpet etched with shells and inlaid with precious stones. "No doubt the good captain has forgotten the legend."

"No doubt." Droplets of sweat shone on the pirate's face.

Weekly Announcements - 08 Nov 08

Michelle Styles' A QUESTION OF IMPROPRIETY received a four-star review from Realms on Our Bookshelves. "Lovely is the first word that came to mind after finishing Michelle Styles' A QUESTION OF IMPROPRIETY. With it I reconnected with the genuine Regency historical romance, complete with the society gossips, the secretive seduction and wooing, the misinterpreted intentions and the budding feelings of love."

Also, the cover for AN IMPULSIVE DEBUTANTE appeared on the opening credits of the BBC 4 production of Consuming Passions, a docu-drama about the history of Mills & Boon.

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Join us tomorrow when our guest author will be Unusual Historicals contributor Jennifer Linforth. Jennifer will be talking about her debut release MADRIGAL, which continues Gaston Leroux's The Phantom of the Opera.

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We'll also draw the winner of Elizabeth Lane's THE BORROWED BRIDE. 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...

Weekly Announcements - 29 Sept 08

Sorry about the delay in this weekend's scheduled posts. Family issues means I'm late. Here's the news:

Michelle Styles' newest release, AN IMPULSIVE DEBUTANTE is one of the launch books for Waterstones.com's e-books in the UK, where the Sony e-book reader has just been released. Mills & Boon is now making all of its frontlist available. You can read more here.

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Jacquie Rogers' latest book, DOWN HOME EVER LOVIN' MULE BLUES was released on September 25 from Highland Press.

It Happened in the Idaho Desert

The rodeo clown: Brody wants the thrill of bullfighting and the wind at his feet.
The actuary: Rita doesn't want anything to do with a busted up cowboy--and odds are, Brody will be.
The mule: Socrates understands humans. And love, even if humans don't.
Can Socrates lead Brody to Rita's heart? Will Rita let herself take the biggest risk of all?

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Jean Adams just sold a new contemporary to her publisher, Highland Press. YESTERDAY'S DREAMS is a contemporary set in the Bay of Islands, New Zealand. More details as they arrive!

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If you have an announcement, email Carrie. See you next week...

Weekly Announcements - 20 Sept 08

Carol Spradling's COST OF FREEDOM received a great review from Long and Short, and has been nominated for their "Book of the Week." You can read more about COST OF FREEDOM here.

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Elizabeth Lane's upcoming books now have release dates. THE BORROWED BRIDE will be available in November, and her San Francisco earthquake-set romance will be released in April 2009.

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Michelle Styles has received a two lovely reviews for her November UK release, A QUESTION OF IMPROPRIETY--one from cataromance and another from the Pink Heart Society.

Michelle Styles is a skilled wordsmith who can make any period of history come gloriously to life and AN IMPULSIVE DEBUTANTE is a testament to her breathtaking storytelling prowess. Sexy, stunning, heartwarming and absorbing from start to finish, Michelle Styles proves once again that she's one of the most refreshing and original voices in historical romance writing today!

You can read an excerpt of A QUESTION OF IMPROPRIETY here.

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Join us tomorrow when long-time contributor Vicki Gaia will discuss LIGHT IN A HOLLOW PLACE, the third book in her WWII trilogy from Awe-Struck.

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We'll also draw the winner of Tracy L. Ranson's PIRATES OF THE MIST. 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...

Weekly Announcements - 13 Sept 08

Carrie Lofty will be teaching a workshop in February for the STAR chapter of RWA. Titled "Beyond Research: Fact and Fiction for the Historical Romance Author," Carrie--a recovering historian--will discuss the importance of integrating historical research that reinforces point of view and creates the most compelling story. The workshop runs from Feb 2-27, 2009 and will be $20. Sign-up begins soon, with details posted here when available. For more information about STAR's workshops, visit their website.

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Michelle Styles has received the cover for her November UK release, A QUESTION OF IMPROPRIETY. Here's the blurb:

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.

But 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 your 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...

You can read an excerpt of A QUESTION OF IMPROPRIETY here.

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Join us tomorrow when guest author Tracy L. Ronson will discuss her high-seas adventure romance, PIRATES OF THE MIST.

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We'll also draw the winner of Jean Adams' BEATS A WILD HEART. 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...

AN IMPULSIVE DEBUTANTE Winner!

We have a winner for Michelle Styles's AN IMPULSIVE DEBUTANTE giveaway:

KIMMIE L!

Contact Michelle to give her your 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 of her book! Congratulations!

Weekly Announcements - 6 Sept 08

Hello! I'm running a tad behind this week, so here goes our announcements:

Carrie Lofty's new website is up and running, a labor of love that she put together herself. Props to her husband for kid wrangling over the Labor Day weekend. To celebrate, she's holding a September contest. Register for her Yahoo! Group (aka, the newsletter) and you'll be entered in a drawing for a $25 B&N or Amazon gift certificate.

Also, Carrie's short story "Sundial" received a 5 Angels review from Fallen Angels. "'Sundial' is a wonderful exploration into the emotional effects of time travel [and] an extremely spicy historical, bordering on erotic, yet the passion fits perfectly with this emotional story."

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Carol A. Spradling's COST OF FREEDOM was reviewed by Romance Reviews Today, who called it "not to be missed"! You can read the entire review here.

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Michelle Styles wanted to share this video clip about Judy York, who talks about how she does covers. She mentions Harlequin Historicals and Michelle's TAKEN BY THE VIKING specifically.

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Have a cute picture of your pet? Jacquie Rogers is holding a contest on her website, where you could win books or a $50 gift certificate to eBookIsle.

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Join us tomorrow when contributor Jean Adams will discuss BEATS A WILD HEART, set in Cornwall.

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We'll also draw the winner of Michelle Styles's AN IMPULSIVE DEBUTANTE. 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...

Book Release: An Impulsive Debutante

Michelle Styles joins us today to speak about her latest book, AN IMPULSIVE DEBUTANTE. This book is the sequel to her Victorian Christmas novel, A CHRISTMAS WEDDING WAGER. AN IMPULSIVE DEBUTANTE is officially published in the UK on 5 September.

Carlotta Charlton can't wait for her first season--until her impulsive behaviour lands her right in the lap of notorious rake Tristan, Lord Thorngrafton!

Tristan is cynically convinced that she's a fortune-hunter. But he can't keep away from her. Several heated kisses lead to scandal and, one outraged mama later, they're on their way to Gretna Green.

Catching his breath on the carriage ride to the border, Tristan decides it's time that Lottie learns her lesson. If she wants to play with fire, he'll notch up his seduction and set her ablaze!

Michelle, why did you write about Lottie Charlton? After all, she was not the most sympathetic character in A CHRISTMAS WEDDING WAGER.

My daughter was absolutely taken with Lottie and demanded to know what happened to her. She thought Lottie deserved to have a happy ending. And I thought well maybe…Lottie since has become one of my favourite heroines.

Why?

Among other things, she gave me the opportunity to explore one of my favourite fairy tales--King Thrushbeard. In case you don’t know it, it is where a spoilt and proud princess is married off to a wandering minstrel because her father has become tired of her high handed ways. The scenario suited Lottie’s personality and I loved seeing her find her inner core of steel.

In the end, it was all about looking at life from Lottie's point of view and understanding the reasons behind her behavior.

Where is the book set?

The book is mainly set in the Tyne Valley during the early Victorian period. It starts in the village where I live, Haydon Bridge. The churchyard at Haydon Old Church is wonderfully atmospheric. The church was abandon when the village moved down to be near the turnpike in the late 18th century. Then in the late 19th century, they finally realized what they had and saved the remains. A much smaller church now exists and they occasionally have evensong there. There is no electricity or heating, but it is magical full of candlelight.

Did you choose the title?

No, apparently it took my editors a very long time to choose the title. The working title was The Taming of the Debutante. The big sticking point was the word "impulsive." The title works for the story and debutantes appear to be popular with readers.

I also had nothing to do with the cover or the Regency blaze. Such things are marketing decisions.

Do you have an excerpt?

You can find the excerpt here.

Is it only available in the UK?

At the moment, all I know is when it will be published in the UK. There are plans for it to be published elsewhere, but I do not know the publishing schedule. However The Book Depository has free worldwide shipping and does stock the book. You can also get through Amazon.ca or the Mills and Boon website.

What's next for you?

Currently I am writing another early Victorian. My editors are supposed to get their thoughts back to me about the third Viking--Ivar's story sometime in the next week.
My next North American release is VIKING WARRIOR, UNWILLING WIFE in December.

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Michelle is offering a copy of AN IMPULSIVE DEBUTANTE to someone randomly drawn from the comments. To get the conversation rolling, Michelle would like to know: what is your favourite folk or fairy tale and why?

Weekly Announcements - 23 August 08

Lisa Marie Wilkinson is holding a contest on her website, where the winner will receive an advanced reader copy of her March 2009 release FIRE AT MIDNIGHT. Here's the blurb:

It is 1703, and Rachael Penrose is confined to Bedlam Insane Asylum in London after discovering her uncle Victor plans to kill her brother in order to inherit the family fortune. Victor leads a gang of criminals and uses French privateer/smuggler Sebastién Falconer as the scapegoat for his crimes. When Victor spreads the lie that Rachael informed the authorities of Falconer's smuggling activities, Falconer vows revenge on the girl.

A dangerously ill Rachael finally escapes from Bedlam, only to find shelter in Sebastién's carriage and ends up in his care. It is a twist of fate that will alter both their lives forever.

Believing she is in danger from Sebastién, Rachael meets up with his estranged twin brother, Jacques, a customs officer intent on bringing his brother, the famous privateer, to justice. But the real criminal is still at large, and she and her brother are still in danger. Will she discover the truth and save both their lives...and her heart?

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Michelle Styles has received the first review for her upcoming release, AN IMPULSIVE DEBUTANTE. Realms on Our Bookshelves--a Dutch site Michelle describes as catering "mainly to a Europe wide audience of women who read English novels but who want to discuss them in their own language"--writes:

Michelle Styles writing is easy and compelling to read, her characters are fleshed out well and as always she has an eye for accurate, historical details. She does not overwhelm you with lots of supporting characters and difficult storylines. She keeps it straight and light to read and makes sure that at all times the romance takes precedence. That does not mean that her stories are shallow or common, Michelle Styles gives her stories depth by making her characters undergo changes and grow stronger throughout the story.

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Marianne LaCroix has decided to drop from our ranks of Unusual Historicals contributors, as she's no longer writing historicals. Best of luck to you, Mari.

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Join us Sunday when Delia DeLeest, one of our long-time contributors, will discuss EYE OF THE BEHOLDER, and give away a copy--which is now available in print!

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