Anniversary Bash: Finale!

Welcome to the final day of Unusual Historicals' anniversary!

I have to say, this has been one of the best blogging experiences I've had in a long time. The comments all of y'all have provided have often had me rolling with laughter. Definitely the way to start every morning, and even more than that, the best way I can think of to celebrate four years at such an awesome blog. I can't wait to see everyone stick around as we return to normal programming.

Before we get to the really, really good stuff--the extra huge pack of books we have to give away today--I want to take a moment out to thank Carrie Lofty for the work she puts in around here on a regular basis. I've always known she was the one who kept this gig running smoothly, but I never realized until I took over this week exactly what that entailed. A lot. Like, just putting up posts with pictures and silly questions has taken me hours of work. I can't imagine how much time Carrie must put in. Ms. Lofty, I tip my hat to you.

Ok, the books. What have I been holding back for today? Why, really awesome stuff. Twelve books! You read that right, twelve. All stuffed carefully in one box and mailed off to a single lucky winner. Sounds like a wonderful distraction from family and holidays!

Today's winner will get:

Elizabeth Lane:
The Horseman's Bride (signed)

Amanda McIntyre:

The Diary of Cozette; Tortured; The Master & the Muses (all signed)

Hope Tarr:
Vanquished (signed)

Diane Whiteside:
The Devil She Knows (signed and there's a matching keychain)

Lisa Marie Wilkinson:
Fire at Midnight; Stolen Promise (both signed)

Lisa J. Yarde:
On Falcon's Wings

Kate Bridges:
Alaska Bride on the Run; Mail Order Marriages (both signed)

Monica Burns:
Kismet

Seriously people, how can you top that stack? Y'all are lucky the books are actually at Carrie's house. If I had 'em, they'd probably be pre-read before they got to the winners. (Honestly, I've read most of them already. But that's just because I really do love the special zing I get from reading a great historical set somewhere different.)

We've hopefully introduced you to a lot of new Unusual Historicals authors this week. So for today's Grand Prize, tell me which UH author you're most eager to read. The winner will be drawn at random first thing next Sunday morning, just like our usual Sunday giveaways.

The usuals: Void where prohibited. Prizes can only be mailed to the US and Canada. Don't talk to strangers. (Unless they're really cute and rich.)

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Lorelie Brown's first book, JAZZ BABY, is currently available from Samhain Publishing and will be released 4 January in paperback. Her second romance, an 1880s-set western, will be published by Carina Press in Summer 2011

Anniversary Bash: Day Five!

Is it Friday already? It feels like it's still the beginning of the week. Time flies when you're only doing the fun stuff. *g* But it's great to see all the new commenters we're collecting. We hope you'll stay around a while for our fabulous regular posts.

But in the mean time, on to the freebies!

Yesterday's winner is Libery. Come on down and collect your (freaking awesome) prize. Email either myself (lorelielong at gmail dot com) or Carrie Lofty (contact at carrielofty dot com) within 24 hours.

Today we've got a theme again. What's the only thing better than a historical in an unusual location? Why, an unusual historical with paranormal elements, of course! To round out the week, we have seven books total from three different authors.

Zoe Archer:

The whole Blades of the Rose series -- Warrior; Scoundrel; Rebel; Stranger (all signed! Think her wrist got tired?)

Jade Lee:

Dragonborn (signed)

Monica Burns:

Assassin's Honor; Assassin's Heart







Now here's the part I love, telling y'all what to do to win! Answer this: if you were traipsing your way around a historical romance novel and suddenly discovered it was a paranormal too, what would you like to find? Vampires and werewolves or something like magic?

Standard disclaimers: This stack can only be mailed within the US. Void where prohibited. Valid email address must be provided. Don't take any wooden nickles.

And don't forget to come back on Sunday, when we'll be giving away twelve--count 'em, twelve--books.

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Lorelie Brown's first book, JAZZ BABY, is currently available from Samhain Publishing and will be released 4 January in paperback. Her second romance, an 1880s-set western, will be published by Carina Press in Summer 2011.

KISMET Winner!

We have a winner for Monica Burns' KISMET guest blog. A free copy goes to:

STACEY A. SMITH!

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!

Guest Author: Monica Burns

This week on Unusual Historicals, we're welcoming Monica Burns as she launches her latest historical romance, KISMET, set in Morocco! Here's the blurb:

It was a gamble she was born to make...

Raised in a brothel at a young age, Allegra Synnford quickly learned that survival meant taking charge of her destiny. Now, a renowned courtesan skilled in the pleasures of the flesh, she chooses her lovers carefully--vowing never to be vulnerable to any one man. Until a mesmerizing Sheikh strips that control from her...

With a man who wasn't used to losing.

Sheikh Shaheen of the Amazigh has been hiding from his past for a long time, but not enough to forget how another courtesan made him abandon his life as the Viscount Newcastle. It's why the yearnings this dangerous temptress ignites within him are so troubling. Worse, thoughts of Allegra pervade every fantasy, threatening to undermine his cover. With old enemies circling, experience tells him he must resist her charms at all cost. In fact, he's betting on it. That's a risky wager when it comes to a woman of pleasure. But Allegra has her own reasons for playing games...with a man who can't afford to lose.

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Reviews

"This sizzling hot historical and its compelling characters will leave you panting for more! Monica Burns writes with sensitivity and panache. Don't miss this one!"
~ Sabrina Jeffries, New York Times Bestselling Author

"Burns' story is hotter than the desert sands! She succeeds with a classic captive/captor romance akin to a Johanna Lindsey classic. Relax and enjoy the sizzling show--complete with a lesson in bananas and seduction."
~ Romantic Times

"After reading the bio posted on her website, I was afforded a deeper understanding into the wealth of emotions she poured into Kismet. Tenacious, sassy heroines and strong, sexy heroes are her signature style and she's boldly penned one of the best books I've read in years."
~ Two Lips Reviews

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Can you tell us a bit about how you research your books?

Research is addictive, and I sometimes forget about writing the story for a little while (not a good thing when you've a deadline!) When I researched Morocco for my current release KISMET, I searched the Internet, read books off my shelves, and bought more books. I immersed myself in the setting as much as possible to pick up small nuances to flavor the read.

Although I'm far from perfect, I like to think that my readers will have a vivid sense of the country. Hopefully readers will see what Allegra saw walking the narrow alleyways of Marrakech's souqs. My goal was to help readers visualize the Atlas Mountains that Shaheen studies them while contemplating how different his adopted home is than the one he left behind in England years ago.

Is there anything in your research that you felt compelled to include in your book or that you hesitated to use?

No matter where a story takes place, there are aspects to different cultures that people who are unfamiliar with might take offense too. I sometimes hesitate to include things because I'm writing romance, and while I want to be authentic, I think there are limits. One of things I was compelled to add was the child slave market. It played into the heart of Allegra's inner conflict and enhanced the emotions of her kidnapping.

Including the beauty of the Moroccan plain was a must for me. My research showed me a landscape beautiful in its stark simplicity. Some of the photos I saw at sunset were enough to make me think I might not be doing the landscape justice.

Is there anything fun and quirky you discovered in your research?

Goats in trees. In the desert-like plains of Morocco, goats climb Argan trees to reach the berries. I feel certain they must also eat some of the tree leaves as the pickings on the ground aren't abundant. Here's a video I found on YouTube for you to see them in action.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oQev3UoGp2M

What is the one thing that stands out in your mind when it comes to the research you did on Morocco?

I found the culture very different from my way of life here in the US. Some of the mindsets in place during the late 1800s were even more restrictive in Morocco than England or the US. The idea of a woman being chattel is a difficult one for me to contemplate (like Allegra), but even in England and the US at the time, there were certain standards that were frowned on if not illegal. Slavery for one. Then there is the seraglio (the harîm) with its women kept isolation with little to do but spend their time making themselves beautiful. There are some fascinating books written on the lives of these women. As for me, I'm glad I don't live in one. Between boredom and the political hierarchy that exists inside a harim, I think I'd probably go crazy living in a harîm.

What setting are you interested in doing next?

Well, my next release with Berkley is my "Order of the Sicari" series. The first book in June 2010 takes place in Chicago, but the second book is set in modern-day Rome as well as Ancient Rome. It's a two stories-in-one type of deal! For the third book, I'm contemplating Venice, Italy or possible the southern region of France. It's all dependent on the characters' whims.

In closing, I'd like to thank Carrie for asking me to visit and chat a little about Morocco. If you like desert settings and sexy historicals, you might enjoy KISMET.

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Thanks for stopping by, Monica! If you'd like to give sexy Morocco a try, leave a comment or question for Monica. You'll be entered in a random drawing for a signed copy of KISMET. I'll draw the winner next Sunday. Void where prohibited. Copy mailed to US residents ONLY. If the winner is outside of the US, they can pre-pay postage via PayPal, and Monica can send outside of the US that way.

Good luck!

Weekly Announcements - 1 Jan 10

Wow! It's 2010! I hope everyone had a safe and fun new year, and that we all have health and happiness in the year to come. On with the announcements!

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Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews gave "Faery Merry Christmas" by Jacquie Rogers 4½ stars, saying, "Princess Kaylee may very well be the most sly and cunning faery that I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. Throughout this tale I kept glimpsing hints that Kaylee knew more than those around her believed. Kaylee's subtle manipulations prove her worthy of her royal faery bloodline. I sincerely hope to read future stories involving Princess Kaylee. Faeryshire and the faeries within it are as addictive as fine chocolate."

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Blythe Gifford's IN THE MASTER'S BED was selected as a "Blue Ribbon Favorite" for the month of December 2009 by the reviewers at Romance Junkies. Every month, the reviewers at Romance Junkies are invited to nominate the best book they read during the last month for this award. IN THE MASTER'S BED got a 4½ star review and was declared "sweetly seductive, subtly spellbinding."

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Zoe Archer's historical paranormal novella "The Undying Heart," paired in the dualogy HALF PAST DEAD with Bianca D'Arc's "Simon Says," received a great review over at Smexy Books. "'The Undying Heart' is the kind of book I want to twirl through the house with. What? You don't dance with your books? You know how with some books by page ten you start to get that little feeling that you are really going to like it?"

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ABENDLIED, the second of Jennifer Linforth's historical romance novels that continue The Phantom of the Opera, is now available.

Desiring normalcy is difficult enough with a price on his head, but when Erik is falsely accused of killing Philippe de Chagny, brother of his nemesis Raoul, he is launched toward madness.

Anna is an unlikely companion, sharing Erik's heart and the bounty on his head. As the manhunt heats, Erik's mysterious relationship with Philippe spurs the campaign against them and exposes her darkest secret: defending her honor ended in murder.

With the past weeping like an open wound, can love endure or will it take the memories of one unlikely man to heal them all?

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More reviews are in for SCOUNDREL'S KISS, the January release from Carrie Lofty. "SCOUNDREL'S KISS is in my top picks of historical romances this year," wrote The Book Pushers, and Scandalous Women said, "It's been a long time since I was sad to see a historical romance end, but I wasn't quite ready to leave the world of SCOUNDREL'S KISS."

There's still a chance to win a copy for yourself. Just stop by The Book Pushers through Wednesday.

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Michelle Styles' TAKEN BY THE VIKING has been released as A amante do viking in Portuguese, which is a new language for Michelle's work. Congratulations!

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Lindsay Townsend's first Bookstrand title, FLAVIA'S SECRET, is now on retro-release at Siren-Bookstrand. And Lindsay has won a Christmas Award! Linda Sole, who hosts the Red Roses for Authors review site selected BRONZE LIGHTNING for their annual Christmas Award!

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Join us Sunday when Unusual Historicals will welcome Monica Burns. She'll be discussing her latest release, KISMET, set in Morocco! She'll also be giving away a copy. Don't miss it!

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We'll also draw the winner of Jan Scarbrough and Magdalena Scott's THREE LEGENDS OF LOVE. 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! Carrie Lofty, Zoe Archer, Michelle Styles, and Carla Capshaw will be our guests. We hope you'll 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...

Excerpt Thursday: Monica Burns

This week on Thursday Excerpts, we're featuring a tasty slice of Monica Burns' latest historical romance, KISMET, which is set in Morocco! Be sure to join us on Sunday when Monica will be here to discuss KISMET and give away a signed copy! Here's the blurb:

It was a gamble she was born to make...

Raised in a brothel at a young age, Allegra Synnford quickly learned that survival meant taking charge of her destiny. Now, a renowned courtesan skilled in the pleasures of the flesh, she chooses her lovers carefully--vowing never to be vulnerable to any one man. Until a mesmerizing Sheikh strips that control from her...

With a man who wasn't used to losing.

Sheikh Shaheen of the Amazigh has been hiding from his past for a long time, but not enough to forget how another courtesan made him abandon his life as the Viscount Newcastle. It's why the yearnings this dangerous temptress ignites within him are so troubling. Worse, thoughts of Allegra pervade every fantasy, threatening to undermine his cover. With old enemies circling, experience tells him he must resist her charms at all cost. In fact, he's betting on it. That's a risky wager when it comes to a woman of pleasure. But Allegra has her own reasons for playing games...with a man who can't afford to lose.

***


***

"I'm afraid, monsieur, that it's you who doesn't understand the rules of this game. I pick my lovers, and I never enter into a liaison on such short acquaintance."

"And I never take no for an answer," he murmured.

She struggled to suppress a tremor. God, but the man had a wicked voice. She immediately clenched her teeth. It irritated her that she couldn't control her reaction to him. Over the years, there had been many men who had arrogantly declared they intended to become her lover, and they'd all failed. But this man's confidence unnerved her. She believed him when he said he wouldn't take no for an answer.

The worst of it was she knew a liaison with him could have devastating consequences. Just the way her body responded to his told her it would not be a simple dalliance. He would bend her to his will, and not since Arthur had rescued her from Madame Eugenie's had she allowed any man to do that.

"It would seem we are at an impasse," she said, trying desperately to keep her voice steady.

"Are we? Then one of us must yield."

Something about the determined glint in his eye kindled a firestorm of panic inside her. He narrowed his gaze at her, his mouth curved in a seductive smile. As his hand captured her chin, her trepidation vanished in a wave of heat and she barely suppressed her whimper of desire when his thumb stroked her lower lip. Dear God, what was wrong with her? She needed to end this madness now, before she really did surrender to him

"I shall be happy to have you yield to me, monsieur," she said in a breathless rush.

"Doing so is not in my nature. But for a kiss I might be persuaded otherwise." The amusement in his voice made her stiffen.

"A ki--you arrogant beast. I have no intention of--"

The scents of cedar and anise drifted across her senses just before his mouth silenced her. The outrage holding her rigid evaporated in an instant, replaced by a sharply pitched desire.

Up until this moment, pleasure had been a simple, uncomplicated experience for her. But this was something altogether foreign. It was raw. Primitive. Completely out of control.

His tongue laced across her lip until she willingly parted her mouth for him. He tasted hot and savage, just like the desert. She'd always enjoyed kissing, but this was a hedonistic assault. He didn't take--he cajoled.