As you may know, I have a book coming out March 27th. It's the story of Minerva Montrose (Diana's younger sister from The Dangerous Viscount) and Lord Blakeney (Blake), Diana's ex-fiancé.  He's a jock, she wants to run the world, and they really can't stand each other. When they are forced to wed, they discover a few things: Minerva isn't always as clever as she thinks;  Blake isn't as stupid as he looks; and maybe--just maybe--they can make a success of a disastrous marriage.

If you'd like to read the book early, I am offering three digital Advanced Reader Copies (eARC). These can be read on any e-reader, or on your computer. However, you cannot pass one on to a friend, and you must read it before release day. On March 27th the eARCs are no longer readable. 
 
To enter the contest for one of these ARCs, use my contest entry form.  I’ll select the winner at random on Friday, February 10th, no earlier than 8 am EST. 

Contest ends Friday, February 10th, 8 am EST.  Contest is open to international readers, subject to any restrictions that I don't about! Void where prohibited. No purchase necessary. All my contests subject to these contest rules.  

I'll admit I haven't read this one. It hasn't yet been released and SOME PEOPLE haven't got hold of an ARC. But ever since I heard Manda Collins had a book coming out, I've been excited. I know this one's going to be a winner. Read the blurb and see what you think:

What’s a wallflower to do when she’s suddenly in need of a husband? Use all the pluck and moxie she can muster to get what she wants…

SHE’S IN NEED OF A PARTNER

Miss Cecily Hurston would much rather explore the antiquities of Egypt than the uncharted territory of marriage. But the rules of her father’s exclusive academic society forbid her entrance unless she weds one of its members. To clear her ailing father’s name of a scandalous rumor, Cecily needs to gain admission into the Egyptian Club—and is willing to marry any old dullard to do it.

AND HE HAS ALL THE RIGHT MOVES

Lucas Dalton, Duke of Winterson, is anything but dull. He’s a dashing and decorated war hero determined to help Cecily—even if that means looking the other way when she claims the dance card of Amelia Snow, this season’s most sought-after beauty. But Lucas has a reason for wanting Cecily to join the Egyptian Club: His brother went missing during one of Lord Hurston’s expeditions to Egypt. An alliance with the explorer’s bluestocking daughter could bring Lucas closer to the truth about what happened…or it could lead him to a more dangerous love than either he or Cecily could have imagined….

Doesn't it sound great? But don't take may word for it. You can read an excerpt on Manda's website.

HOW TO DANCE WITH A DUKE will be released on January 31st. I'm holding a drawing for a copy, either print or digital, your choice. Either make a comment here (include your email address) or use my contest entry form.  I’ll select the winner at random on January 31st (that's next Tuesday), no earlier than 8 am EST. 

Contest ends January 31, 2011, 8 am EST.  Void where prohibited. No purchase necessary. All my contest subject to these contest rules.  

This brief snippet has already appeared on my Facebook page. It's a glimpse of the first meeting between Minerva and Blake in the book. (They already know each other quite well, to their mutual disgust.)

 ***

A gentleman staggered through the double doors and skidded on the polished parquetry floor. At a distance of twenty feet, Minerva saw the newcomer preserve his balance by grabbing the shoulders of a large-bosomed, open-mouthed matron. Swinging her aside, his backward slide was arrested by the wall. Without a hint of embarrassment he slouched against a pilaster and scowled at the assembly.

He was as gorgeous as ever. A lock of dark blond hair with glints of gold flopped over a noble brow. No nose had ever been more perfectly carved, no jaw as firmly etched. The shapely mouth was full, sensuous and sulky, matching the expression in his dusky blue eyes.

He’d always been a handsome devil but the sight of him filled Minerva with disgust.

Lord Blakeney had arrived.

Surveying the room, his glance came to rest on her. His lips twisted into a derisive half smile and their eyes met in mutual displeasure. He shoved his back away from the wall and ambled over to her

“Our dance, I believe, Miss Montrose.” He hadn’t changed a bit.

Minerva felt a strong desire to slap his arrogant face. “Lord Blakeney,” she said with the merest hint of a curtsey. “I believe our dance was over half an hour ago.”

“This one will do just as well.”

 ***

Confessions from an Arranged Marriage releases March 27, 2012.  I will post a longer excerpt in about a month.

It's been a while since I had a giveaway. I often hear kvetching on the interwebs about how all historicals are Regencies and why don't other periods get published. To which I reply: 1) you call that a problem? and 2) it's not true. There are lots of terrific books set in other periods. And to prove it to you, I'm giving you a chance to win a signed book by my friend and fellow Richard Armitage lover Kris Kennedy.

As his men are slaughtered around him, legendary Irish warrior Finian O'Melaghlin is held captive by the despised English Lord Rardove. Struggling to break free, Finian finds aid from an unlikely source: the beautiful Senna de Valery, who is also trying to escape Rardove's bloodthirsty grasp. Risking both their lives, Senna releases Finian from his shackles so they can both flee, but their plight has just begun...

Seeking safe refuge, Finian and Senna have only each other to depend on for survival. Neither can deny their immediate attraction, but indulging their desires will put them both in grave danger. Finian vows to protect the woman who saved his life, but he soon learns she is a pawn in a much larger battle. For Senna has an unbreakable link to a priceless treasure many centuries old. It is the stuff from which dreams are made and for which men will kill-and not even Finian may be strong enough to save her...

What's your favorite period setting for historical romances? Are you strictly Regency, or do you mix things up? Either way, I know you'll love Kris's book. Either make a comment here (include your email address) or use my contest entry form.  I’ll select the winner at random on January 20th, no earlier than 8 am EST.

Contest ends January 20, 2011, 8 am EST.  Void where prohibited. Sorry, US only, no international entries. No purchase necessary. All my contest subject to these contest rules.  

The book I'm writing now involves a lot of research into the art of the period, something I enjoy very much. I thought I'd share this pair of Goya portraits from the Prado Museum: The Naked Maja (c. 1797-1800) and The Clothed Maja (ca. 1803). The model may have been the Duchess of Alba, rumored to be the artist's lover. She certainly looks like a very sexy woman.  By the way, I love the lace-trimmed pillows, but doesn't the nude appear to be occupying a Lazy-Boy recliner?

I’m doing a lot of it these days. I’m well into my next book and it’s the first of a brand new series. Each character–major or minor, hero or butler–has to be named. So does every village, house, and street. It’s exhausting. I have a lot of ??? in the manuscript, indicating a name to be named later.

When I name a character, the first thing I consider is his/her parents. Who were they and what were they thinking come christening time? I try and come up with something period appropriate, but if I was being realistic the odds are most characters would be named John or George, Jane or Mary. So I branch out a bit and search for names that were in use during the period and are suitable for the character’s background. And of course the name must suit the character. The heroine of The Dangerous Viscount was originally named Marianne. But she just wasn’t a Marianne. Half way through the writing process I sat down with a yellow pad and wrote down names until I hit on Diana. Her younger sister had been Arabella, but I decided her father had a thing for goddesses and Arabella became Minerva.

If a name is unusual, I usually explain it in the book. The heroine of my first book, Never Resist Temptation, was named Jacobin. Her English mother named her for King James I, the founder of her family fortune. Her French father, a moderate revolutionary, appreciated the irony that she was named for the extreme party.

But I don’t believe I ever explained how Tarquin Compton, hero of The Amorous Education of Celia Seaton, got his name. The truth is, I’m not sure. I know how I settled on his surname (not an interesting story) but Tarquin? WTF? Tarquin has been with me for a long time. He was the hero’s best friend in my first book, a work of genius that will remain forever unpublished. When I jettisoned the book and the hero, I kept Tarquin. By the time I wrote his book he was so real to me I didn’t worry about his name. There was no way I would change it. I could say his father had a passion for Roman history, but it doesn’t seem right. Besides, the Roman Tarquin was a bit of a rapist (see picture above). What I now know about the older Mr. Compton is much more down to earth. Since hindsight is 20-20 I shall now disclose that his mother had a futuristic dream about Lawrence Olivier and decided to name her son after his son. No? Never mind.

I wrote this for a 12 Days of Christmas celebration on Rita and Dani's blogs. My theme was Five Gold Rings ... Stolen by a Highwayman. In case you missed it, here it is again.

Insanity must run in the family. How else to explain her father’s obsession with Mesopotamian antiquities and her own current escapade? Disguising herself as a highwayman and holding up a coach in the December 23rd twilight was hardly a rational act, but Harriet had a good reason: to save herself from a forced marriage to a much older man, a collector even dottier and more ancient than her sire. He probably drooled.

If she had any sense, she’d go home now. Though a little hazy about the laws of marriage, she was pretty sure the bride had to consent. But she wanted her beloved, exasperating father to have the Christmas gift he was expecting, the Assyrian warrior’s ring Lord Ashburn had offered in exchange for a wife forty years his junior. And since Lord Ashburn had proposed this despicable arrangement, she felt little compunction about robbing him.

The sound of hooves told her the visitor to Holton Hall had turned off the main road. A pair of horses, she thought. She cocked her pistol and hoped Ashburn hadn’t bothered with an armed escort for the short drive out of London.

“Let’s go, Argent,” she whispered, and propelled her horse round the laurels into the road. “Stop!” she shouted, in the deepest voice she could manage. It came out a bit croaky, as though she had a sore throat.

The vehicle was a curricle, not what she expected an elderly earl to drive. On the other hand, the fact that the driver was alone, without even a groom, must be an advantage when it came to daylight robbery. She’d have the treasure off him in no time, and gallop home with plenty of time to change into her oldest, plainest evening gown to greet their guest for dinner. Since Ashburn wouldn’t have the ring, her father wouldn’t insist on the marriage. Still, it was safer to make herself as unalluring as possible.

“Stand and deliver!” she cried, which she understood was the correct greeting for a highwayman. “Don’t move or I’ll blow your head off,” she added for good measure, in case the poor man didn’t understand. He might well be weak in the brainbox to have agreed to such a ridiculous marriage contract.

The chestnut pair drew to a halt, snorting breath into the frigid air. “Are you sure you can hit me?” the driver asked. “I’ve never yet encountered a woman who could shoot worth a damn.” Disobeying her order, he leapt down from the bench and Harriet got a good look at him: a tall, powerful figure with windswept black hair, a penetrating pair of dark eyes, and a faint smile on very nicely shaped lips. His face was not much below hers, even when she was mounted on Argent, and he didn’t appear frightened, or even mildly alarmed.

A couple of things became clear. Lord Ashburn, if this was he, was unlikely to suffer any symptoms of senility. He wasn’t old – twenty-five or thirty at a guess. Neither was he weak-minded. He’d penetrated her disguise with insulting ease.

#

Being held up, in daylight, on the approach to a private manor house in a quiet part of Surrey, seemed delightfully improbable. The fact that his assailant was female greatly improved a dreary journey to a dull visit duty. The highwaywoman (if that was a word) has a good seat on a horse and long graceful legs, revealed by well-fitting breeches. Though she wore a back mask over her eyes, he could tell she was young and pretty.

“I’m an excellent shot,” she said, no longer troubling to disguise her voice. A lady of quality and, if he judged correctly, slightly peeved.

“In that case,” he replied, “I’d better do whatever you ask.” He let his gaze slide down to her bosom, hidden, alas, beneath a heavy riding coat. “I can think of a number of ways I’d be happy to accommodate you.”

Well-shaped red lips pursed in shock at his deliberate leer and suggestive words. She recovered gamely and brandished her weapon. “What you can do is empty your pockets.”

“Don’t wave your gun that like that. Keep it pointed at me. That way, if it goes off by accident you’re bound to miss.”

“You underestimate my shooting.” Definitely peeved now.

Not really wishing to test the truth of her assertion and curious to see where this adventure would lead, Ashburn fished his purse from his pocket and held it out, but she shook her head. “What else do you have?”

“Besides my handkerchief? Only this.”

The reason for his visit, the curious antique ring, five strands of gold intricately braided and topped with a lion’s head, lay on his open palm. The girl would have snatched it, but he closed his gloved fist. “No. I must deliver it to Sir John Holton as my uncle commanded. They were friends and rival collectors and he wanted Sir John to have it. Even a desperate villain like yourself must respect a deathbed promise.”

#

How typical of her father! No doubt the death of an earl had been reported in the newspapers, but Sir John lived in an extremely distant past. Harriet doubted if the new Lord Ashburn was aware of the agreement his predecessor had made.

She looked at Ashburn again and, with a pang of regret, lowered the pistol. “Take it to him, then. I wouldn’t wish to thwart a man’s last wish.”

“A rogue with a conscience.” He smiled as he replaced the ring in his pocket and she felt an odd tightness in her chest.

“I should go,” she said but their eyes met and she couldn’t bring herself to leave.

Neither did he make any move to return to the curricle and complete his journey. His smile widened. “I had an odd letter from Sir John,” he said. “He offered me his daughter’s hand in marriage in exchange for the ring.”

Her mouth felt dry. “Very odd. He must be quite eccentric.”

“There’s no need for the girl to make such a sacrifice.”

“It would be a sacrifice. A terrible sacrifice.”

“I’d never demand it. I’ll give him the ring anyway.”

“Very noble. The right thing to do.” She tried not to sound disappointed.

“You sound peeved.”

“Why would I?”

“I doubt Miss Holton and I would suit anyway. And besides, I had no desire for a bride.”

Did she imagine the slight emphasis on one word? “Had?”

“Have. I have no desire for a bride. Especially not Miss Harriet Holton who must be an elderly spinster with a face like a cod if she has to get a husband this way.” The blackguard stood with his hands on his hips, laughing at her, and looking impossibly handsome. “Touched in the head, as well, “he continued. “Mad as a march hare. One knife short of a canteen.”

“I’m glad to see you amuse yourself.” She gathered her reins, anxious to get home and change into the new gown she’d been saving for the Twelfth Night assembly. “I must leave.”

“Places to go, people to rob?” he asked, seizing the cheek strap of Argent’s bridle to prevent her escape.

“I must be home for Christmas,” she said

“I doubt I will.” Ashburn unclasped her right hand from the reins and tugged off her riding glove. His lips were warm and his breath hot against her wrist, and then her palm. “I have a sudden desire to spend the feast at Holton Hall.”

Copyright 2011 Miranda Neville

This week my publisher, Avon,  put THE WILD MARQUIS on sale. For a while (I don't know how long, but at least through the end of the year) the ebook is available for only $2.99. That's a $5 reduction from the usual $7.99. THE WILD MARQUIS is the first book in my Burgundy Club series so if you've never read me, this is a good place to start.  (Here are links to the book at some of the more common sites  Nook    Kindle   iTunes  Sony )

That's not all. The ebook of my next, CONFESSIONS FROM AN ARRANGED MARRIAGE, is available for pre-order for only $4.99. Again, I don't know how long this price will last but if you pre-order now the price is guaranteed for when the book is released on March 27th. (Kindle Nook ) 

I know a lot of readers don't think the ebook should be the same price as the printed one. I think they have a point, given that you can't lend, give away, or resell an ebook. However, I have no control over pricing - it's up to Avon. What do you think? What's the right price for an ebook? Do you even read ebooks? Or will you stick to the printed version till the bitter end?

Ashley March burst onto the historical romance scene this year, garnering enthusiastic praise for her Victorian romances, Seducing the Duchess and Romancing the Countess. This week's contest offers a signed copy of Romancing the Countess.

Sebastian Madinger, the Earl of Wriothesly, thought he'd married the perfect woman-until a fatal accident revealed her betrayal with his best friend. After their deaths, Sebastian is determined to avoid a scandal for the sake of his son. But his best friend's widow is just as determined to cast her mourning veil aside by hosting a party that will surely destroy both their reputations and expose all of his carefully kept secrets...

Leah George has carried the painful knowledge of her husband's affair for almost a year. All she wants now is to enjoy her independence and make a new life for herself-even if that means being ostracized by the Society whose rules she was raised to obey. Now that the rumors are flying, there's only one thing left for Sebastian to do: silence the scandal by enticing the improper widow into becoming a proper wife. But when it comes to matters of the heart, neither Sebastian nor Leah is prepared for the passion they discover in each other's arms....

 This is one terrific book - quite apart from the fact that the hero is called Sebastian and I lurve me some Sebastians.  Do you have a favorite Sebastian. Either make a comment here (include your email address) or use my contest entry form. I’ll select the winner at random on November December 9, no earlier than 8 am EST.

Contest ends December 9, 2011 8 am EST.  Void where prohibited. Sorry, US only, no international entries. No purchase necessary. All my contest subject to these contest rules.  

Thanks to you all for entering my contest. I am SO sorry for all of you that didn't win, and hope you'll try Joanna Chambers' The Lady's Secret anyway. The winner in my random.org drawing is @girlygirlhoosier.  Please contact me at miranda[at]mirandaneville[dot]com with your email addy and let me know which kind of ebook you read. If it's Kindle I'll know what to do. If different, I may need some help!

According to my contest rules, if I don't hear from the winner in two weeks I may pick another.

I'm very excited about this week's contest. The Lady's Secret is a debut novel by Joanna Chambers and it's a winner. Seriously, I loved this book. Here's the blurb:

London, 1810

Former actress Georgiana Knight always believed she and her brother were illegitimate–until they learn their parents were married, making them heirs to a great estate. To prove their claim, Georgy needs to find evidence of their union by infiltrating a ton house party as valet to Lord Nathaniel Harland . Though masquerading as a boy is a challenge, it pales in comparison to sharing such intimate quarters with the handsome, beguiling nobleman.

Nathan is also unsettled by Georgy’s presence. First intrigued by his unusual valet, he’s even more captivated when he discovers Georgy’s charade. The desire the marriage-shy earl feels for his enigmatic employee has him hoping for much more than a master-servant relationship…

But will Nathan still want Georgy when he learns who she truly is? Or will their future be destroyed by someone who would do anything to prevent Georgy from uncovering the truth?

Great set up! I've always enjoyed books when one or other of the protagonists is disguised as a servant. Better still when it's a woman dressed as a man. It's so much fun for the reader to know things the characters don't. Chambers fully exploits the delicious sexiness of the situation, as Georgy has to take care of Nathan's intimate needs. (Not those ones! At least at first). The way she begins to have feelings for her employer reminded me of Olivia and Orsino in Twelfth Night, one of my favorite Shakespeare plays. Nathan is a smoking hot, adorable hero and Georgy absolutely worthy of him.

The downside, for some readers, is that the book isn't available in print. But that means the contest is open internationally since there's no postage involved. One lucky winner will receive a copy of the ebook, your choice of format (as long as I am permitted to gift a book to your country).

Do you have a favorite book involving a cross-dressing disguise and/or one where the H or H pretends to be a servant? Either make a comment here (include your email address) or use my contest entry form.  I’ll select the winner at random on December 2nd, no earlier than 8 am EST.

Contest ends December 2, 2011 8 am EST.  Void where prohibited.  No purchase necessary. All my contest subject to these contest rules. 

This was one popular contest. I got a ton of entries, both in the comments and through the contest entry form. Just for fun, I decided to tabulate the votes on the most popular fairy tale.

Cinderella was an easy winner, which I expected. Beauty and the Beast came second, which I also expected. I adore that story and the Disney movie is one of my all time favorite movies, period. A lot of people cited Eloisa James's recent version.

What did surprise me was that Sleeping Beauty came third - only one vote behind Beauty and the Beast. Someone needs to write a Sleeping Beauty romance novel, quick. It won't be me, however. The heroine spends most of the story asleep, for pity's sake. My heroines are way too mouthy! They wouldn't put up with it. (Or rather I wouldn't, on their behalf.)

I had a few votes for The Little Mermaid, with everyone admitting the difficulty of using it as the basis of a romance. You could do it as a paranormal but otherwise the tail is really a problem. Snow White, Rapunzel, Red Riding Hood, and The Princess and the Pea all had a little support. Whoever voted for the last is in luck: Eloisa James's next is based on that story. I can't wait to see how she deals with the mattresses.

Oh yes. The winner. Julie G gets the signed copy of Lila diPasqua's A Midnight Dance. Congratulations, Julie! I know you'll love it.