Anne Whitfield received a lovely review from Fallen Angels for her WWII era book BROKEN HERO. Sandie writes: "Ms. Whitfield's heroine is strong, caring, and determined to show Captain Harding that love can heal all pain whether it is physical or emotional. This is a wonderful, well-written story that pulls at your heartstrings."
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Join us Sunday when Jade Lee will be here to talk about THE CONCUBINE, a Blaze historical set in 19th century China. Don't miss it!
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We'll also draw the winner of Geri Krotow's WHAT FAMILY MEANS. 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...
We have a winner for Anne Whitfield's Broken Hero giveaway: KAMMIE! Contact Anne 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!
Anna C. Bowling will be moderating and participating in a panel on romance publishing at the Charter Oak Romance Writers monthly meeting today in South Glastonbury, CT.
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Anne Whitfield's Broken Hero received a 4 1/2 from Long & Short: This timely work considers the impact of war on everyday lives and emotions. Compassion and sympathy are to be found throughout, but also friendship and honor. Bravery is no stranger - and is often to be found in the minor characters, in less overt ways - from the injured themselves, to some of the dedicated staff. The story is in no way predictable.
Make sure to leave a comment on Anne's Q&A from Sunday for your chance to win a copy of Broken Hero. The drawing is tomorrow.
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Carrie Lofty's debut, What a Scoundrel Wants, is available for pre-order on Amazon. She also talked about her inspiration for the book (Christian Slater and the Disney Robin Hood) over at Shiloh Walker's blog.
Oh, and if you'd like a little bit of harmless fun, stop by for her try at a Greek billionaire romance...
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Join us Sunday when Michelle Styles will be discussing Taken by the Viking, available in the US as of May 1st, and giving away a free copy!
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Have a good weekend. If you have an announcement to make for next week, email Carrie. See you next week...
This week we welcome long-time contributor Anne Whitfield to celebrate the release of her newest book, Broken Hero. The print version is now available on Amazon.
Audrey Pearson's life changed dramatically when WWII broke out and her large home, Twelve Pines on the East Yorkshire coast, became a convalescence home for wounded soldiers. Her life is no longer lavish with entertainment, beautiful clothes and surrounded by a loving family. Soldiers, physically and mentally wounded now fill her home. The smell of disinfectant replaces her mother’s perfume and gone are the friends and acquaintances--instead nurses roam the hallways.
Captain Jake Harding, a doctor training in psychiatry arrives at Twelve Pines. Audrey immediately finds herself attracted to the Captain, but he is remote towards her. Puzzled by his cold behaviour, Audrey tries to learn more about the handsome Captain. He reveals that he's lost a wife and baby in childbirth and refuses to ever remarry. However, despite this, Audrey believes she can change his mind and make him aware he doesn't have to spend his life alone.
The ice around Jake's heart begins to melt. For years he has rejected the possibility of finding love again because of the pain it caused him before, but the beautiful Audrey shows him her love and she needs someone to love her in return.
Could he honestly walk away from her, from the love that could be his?
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Is this your first book to be set in World War II?
Yes. I've long been fascinated by the whole era. How much changed in such a short time. I read a lot of articles and found a BBC website which is full of people's experiences in WWII and found that so amazing to read. Those generations (which included my own parents) had to endure so much, fear, shortages, death, threat of invasion, etc. Their bravery really inspired me to write Broken Hero.
Do you plan to write another World War II novel?
Yes, I do. I'm not sure when, as I have other projects planned and started, but it is on my list.
What's next for Anne Whitfield?
I have another historical novel coming out in paperback next month, Her Shadowed Heart, a Victorian family drama novel. Also another historical novel, Woodland Daughter, to be released in July. So it's another busy year for me, which is wonderful.
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Here's an excerpt:
From downstairs they heard the commotion of the emptying cellar.
"I'd better check that everyone is all right," Jake said, but didn't move. He reached out and took one of her hands. "We need to talk I think."
"We do?" She tried to pretend she didn't know his meaning. From his sad expression, she knew it wouldn't be a talk she'd want to have. He was regretting his actions already. Well, she wasn't ashamed. She knew she loved him.
"Audrey, I can't be what you want."
Her chest squeezed, but she raised her chin in challenge. "You haven't tried, so how do you know?"
"You want a good man to love you. You deserve a man's love, the right man for you."
"And what if you are the right man for me?"
"I'm not. You mustn't think I am." He ran his hands through his hair. "You're young and beautiful, there's many a man who'd love you--"
"Don't patronise me." She tossed her head, angered by his attempts to brush her aside again.
"I'm not, honestly. You're wonderful, and I wish I could be the man you need."
"But you are! If you just allow yourself to be." She reached out for him, only he backed away, shaking his head.
"I won't. Audrey. I'll never marry again. I couldn't stand it. I couldn't cope with the responsibility of loving someone again, of the possible pain..."
"But I love you." There, she had said the words.
He looked appalled. "You can't."
"Don't tell me how I feel."
"You don't know what love is!"
"I'm speaking from the heart, Jake. I'm not one of those girls who plays with men's feelings. I love you like I've never loved anyone else before."
He backed away, shaking his head, his eyes haunted. "No. I won't do this."
"What we shared in my bedroom was special. It was meant. You can't deny that."
Jake gave a mocking laugh. "It was a kiss, Audrey. A simple kiss that men and women share in times of need. It leads to sex. You don't have to be in love to have sex."
"No. I won't listen to you."
"It's true. Don't make it out to be more than it was."
"Why are you so certain that it meant nothing?"
"Because I know the difference."
She felt sick. "So you wanted s-sex? Just any woman would do…"
He wiped a hand over his tormented face. "No, I didn't mean...Damn, this isn't what I meant to say. Listen to me--"
"I won't listen to you, not until you really know what you're saying. Not until you really know what you want."
"I don't want love, Audrey."
Emotion clogged her throat. "Are-Are you saying you can never love me or any woman ever again?"
"Yes, I am."
"Why?" she croaked. Lord, could there be a pain any worse than this?
"I don't want to love another woman again, not ever." He closed his eyes momentarily. "I wanted to die after Marianne, I nearly did. I can't do it again, Audrey, I can't suffer such…such anguish as that again..."
People were coming up the stairs and their chatter filtering up, drove Jake away. With a last glance at her, his eyes sending his apology, he went to meet the others and resume his role of doctor and caretaker of their reason.
But what of your reason, Jake? Audrey inwardly cried. Who will save you from your self-imposed loneliness?
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To win a signed copy of Broken Hero, leave a comment or question. The winner will be chosen at random on Sunday. Be sure to check back next week to find out who has won!
The is the last few weeks have been quiet, but we do have an announcement or two:
For the 10th anniversary of AAR, Sandra Schwab has written a romance parody, which went online last week. "The Rose in the Storm" is the gripping tale of the horrible, fearsome Viking Freagar the Dark (friends call him Rafe), an unfortunate pig (well, it's not really a pig), the beautiful Rosa, and of what happened one evening on the banks of the river Pregel in East-Prussia on a really, really cold and stormy night in 1807.
Moreover, to further celebrate the release of her new novel, BEWITCHED, Sandra is doing an online reading of the prologue and parts of chapter 1 on her podcast: Enjoy!
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Carrie Lofty now has the cover for her December Zebra Debut, What a Scoundrel Wants. You can read the back cover copy here.
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Michelle Styles also has a new cover, this time for Viking Warrior, Unwilling Wife, a June release from Harlequin Mills & Boon.
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Join us Sunday when Anne Whitfield will be discussing Broken Hero, her newest release, and giving away a free copy!
We'll also draw the winner for Amanda McCabe's A Sinful Alliance. Don't miss out! Leave a comment for your chance to win.
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Have a good weekend. If you have an announcement to make for next week, email Carrie. See you next week...
Congratulations to Morag McKendrick Pippin and Jennifer Mueller, both of whom had books included in DABWAHA (Dear Author Bitchery Writing Award for Hellagood Authors), a March Madness-style book tournament. Morag's Perfidia and Jennifer's Samburu Hills were both included among the tournament's eight historical category selections. Even though Perfidia lost to Juliet Landon's The Warlord's Mistress and Samburu Hills lost to Julie Anne Long's The Secret to Seduction, it's a really cool honor to have been selected as one of the eight best historical romances of 2007. Congratulations!
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Come help Carrie decide what to do with her TBR pile!
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Anne Whitfield's newest release, Broken Hero, has received a great new review from Brenda Talley of The Romance Studio. Anne Whitfield has done it again. She quickly became one on my 'must read' list. ... Ms. Whitfield has taken a plot with horrible situations and deplorable conditions and made a beautifully intricate story which will grab the heart of her readers. ... I highly recommend this story to anyone who is interested in WWII and the scenery around this part of England.
Broken Hero will be released in print this April, or you can purchase it as an ebook here.
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Erastes has sold a novella called "Hard & Fast," a gay regency, to Linden Bay Romance. It will appear in an anthology of three stories, all gay historicals with fellow m/m writers Lee Rowan, whose story is Victorian, and Charlie Cochrane, whose story is about 1920s undergraduates. Congratulations, Erastes!
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We'll also draw the winner for Marianne LaCroix's new release, Pirate's Mistress, which includes two full-length pirate novels, "Crossed Swords" and "Sea Hawk's Mistress". Don't miss out! Leave a comment for your chance to win.
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Have a good weekend. If you have an announcement to make for next week, email Carrie! See you next week...
Anne Whitfield received a lovely review from Fallen Angels for her WWII era book BROKEN HERO. Sandie writes: "Ms. Whitfield's heroine is strong, caring, and determined to show Captain Harding that love can heal all pain whether it is physical or emotional. This is a wonderful, well-written story that pulls at your heartstrings."
Join us Sunday when Jade Lee will be here to talk about THE CONCUBINE, a Blaze historical set in 19th century China. Don't miss it!
