The Handbook to Handling His Lordship – Suzanne Enoch

Posted on April 19, 2013 by Kathy Wheeler

When Suzanne Enoch sets up a conflict, she sets it up where you just know there is no way for that hero or heroine to overcome such an insurmountable mountain. Yet, here again is an example of why she is one of my absolute favorites to read. Emily Portsman has so many secrets, it’s a wonder she doesn’t trip over them all.

When the Marquis of Ebberling hires our hero, Nate Stokes, to locate the murderess of his late wife, what he finds is Emily.

Her secrets, however, are her downfall. When Ms. Enoch sets up Nate’s character divinely. He has a heavy limp and thick spectacles, and an annoying younger brother expelled from school. A very nosy, younger brother.

This story details the differences between the classes at that time most painfully. And to overcome these obstacles, well, as I mentioned before, insurmountable. That being said, their trap in the end is well worth the read. I believe I had nightmares!

A very colorful tale—Kathy L Wheeler

The Temptation of Your Touch

Link

When did gothic romances become unpopular? You know the ones I mean; the crumbling castles, the jagged cliffs where the ground can disintegrate beneath your very feet only to send you flying over the edge to a horrifying end.

Where the dead heroine’s portrait is bound to the sale of that monstrosity of a castle, where she roams the night, leaving behind scented jasmine in her wake. The faint sounds of a music box and long ago laughter.

**sigh**

Yes, where have those novels disappeared to?

Well, I can lead you to one that will keep you awake at night. If you read any of Teresa Mederios, you know that she delivers with outrageous wit and, in this case, intrigue. And, it works. How the hero and the heroine lecture each other, then insist on punishing themselves, depriving themselves of any words or actions of comforts of their own. Instead, its guilt in their respective lives, so deep, though each can see the nurturer in the other so clearly.

Ah, but this might all sound like the same old story, until—

He sees her at the edge of the cliff. He runs for her but he’s too late. . she’s throws herself over. What does a real hero do? He throws himself after her, of course.

I really do miss gothic romance. Have fun with this one. You’ll love it. —Kathy L Wheeler

A Notorious Countess Confesses – Julie Anne Long

Posted on November 16, 2012 by Kathy Wheeler

One of my more favorite authors tells the interesting tale of Vicor Adam Sylvaine’s desire for a countess via Covent Garden actress—via courtesan, Evie Duggan. Talk about diverse backgrounds!

What I found most intriguing regarding the Vicor’s character, was how attractive he was to the community. So of course all the women, young and old, were out to snag him. Though they were seated in the county of Sussex, there is just no escaping the gossips. And who better to gossip about than an ex-actress, streetwalker, who was won in a card game by an Earl. It was just a shame he had to up and keel over shortly after their scandalous nuptials.

Stories such as this one touch me greatly. I suppose it’s because they ring true to life even in the contemporary era. Fashions change, technology soars, attitudes adjust, but people’s basic natures are as steadfast as snow in the mountains. When Adam convinces his small congregation that one should not pre-judge others, he finds himself challenged by those same guidelines he’s asked of the people in his care. Falling in love with a Notorious Countess presents other obstacles to hurdle, such as convincing the populous she is not what she seems.

In the end, however, (because we are dealing with romance, and everyone knows what is required of a romance — HEA (in case you were wondering) (happily ever after, in case you were wondering, wondering)), they do find their way. I would not have read it otherwise!

Julie Anne Long tells a compelling story that tugs at your heartstrings. Other aspects of the two characters involved pulled me in as well. But alas, I must leave you with something of your own in which to find.

Curl up and enjoy, you’ll be most glad that you did. — Kathy L Wheeler

Death of a Sales Rep – Jamie Lee Scott

Posted on October 15, 2012 by StacyJ

Before I start to gush over the latest in the Gotcha Detective Agency series, the ethical part of me wants to disclose that not only did I get to read this before you all, I got to be a beta reader. That said, I got to have some input in the draft process, which I was honored to be chosen to do.

Now that that’s out of the way, let’s talk Death of a Sales Rep, which you will be able to download by the end of the month. The novel is set in San Francisco, where Mimi and the infamous Nick are helping Charles’ other half Anthony with his trade show. Mimi comes across the dead body of the bane of Anthony’s business and sets off to solve the case herself, when she isn’t frolicking with Nick and working on Gotcha business.

If you’ve read my reviews of the first two novels in this series, you know I adore Charles! For all of your Charles fans out there, this is the novel for you! He’s quite the troublemaker and without his pushiness, the Nick and Mimi moment of the series might not have happened. I think I’m going to remain mum on that topic; you’ll have to read that one for yourself!

In Death of a Sales Rep, we see some progress in the relationship between Nick and Mimi. As with every Gotcha novel, the story keeps your rooting for Nick and Mimi more and more as a couple. But their story wouldn’t be complete without someone being stubborn and Mimi being jealous. It was nice to see them partner like sane people to capture the murderer! The murder, by the way, was quite the interesting character.

My absolute favorite part of this book is the last line! My mouth dropped to the floor and I cannot believe where Jamie is going to take this series in the next book! While I loved this book, I cannot wait for the next one to come. What a tease!

I love the anticipation of having to wait for the next book in a series, but feel tormented when my favorite authors end with such teasers! Do you guys feel like this too?

Interview with Eloisa James – BST author. Keep reading for my take on her latest – The Ugly Duchess

Posted on September 21, 2012 by Kathy Wheeler

I have a different kind of post today that I know you will love. I’m privileged to host my first ever interview of this type with Best Selling Author, Eloisa James.

[KLW] When I read your “Mary Bly (a.k.a. Eloisa James) Talks to TIME About Her Literary Double Life” (http://entertainment.time.com/2012/05/18/mary-bly-aka-eloisa-james-talks-to-time-about-her-literary-double-life/) I am beside myself. The question that sticks is: “Your secret dual-identity life is remarkable. How did that start?” I had been writing romance for a couple of years (and never spoke about it) until one of my friends joined me at jazzercise and mentioned to another member that we were romance authors. I can remember my mouth falling open, but the floor didn’t open, and I didn’t die. From that day forward, I have been proud to admit to reading and writing romance. And loving it. (Although, I admit I am still waiting for my big-time break.)

[EJ] Kathy, Thank you for doing this interview! I’m honored to be your very first interviewee. And I love the story of the big reveal in a jazzercise class.

[KLW] It did catch me off guard, and have never regretted it since. Originally, I’d planned my questions around your education, but I see that much is already discussed in that vein, so I would like to start with the series of fairy tale stories that you’ve been working on since 2010. A Kiss at Midnight; When Beauty Tamed the Beast, The Duke is Mine, and most recently, The Ugly Duchess (which I believe might now be my favorite, I must say.) The stories are so creative. What gave you the story idea besides the actual fairy tale itself?

[EJ] Inspiration comes (in my case) from two places: first, from my own life, because the strong emotions in novels need to spring from the author’s own emotions, and second, from my reading. I read all the time—in my genre and out of lit, fiction as well as non-fiction. I think reading is the most valuable use of an author’s time. You never know when you’ll be reading and suddenly come up with an idea for a plot. It even happens reading the newspaper!

[KLW] I agree. All I have to do is walk through the bookstore! Did you brainstorm with other writer friends?

[EJ] Yes. My dear friend Linda Francis Lee and I meet about once a week for lunch. We help each other thrash out ideas for plots and revisions.

[KLW] How many more of these types of tales can we expect to enjoy?

[EJ] My version of Rapunzel is due out in July of next year. After that I’m jumping to a pair of books with a different premise. But I think I’ll return to fairy tales, possibly with a version of Sleeping Beauty.

[KLW] Of course, every single one goes into my spreadsheet, titled “New Releases to Watch For.xls” (note: for my friends who make fun of me for being the “Excel Spreadsheet Queen”). . .but I digress. You speak of your mom’s declaration on her deathbed on your “writing a real book” (Your keynote speech at RWA a few years ago left me in tears), but what of your father? Were his views similar to that of your mother?

[EJ] My father is a poet, so romance wasn’t really his thing. But he isn’t as doctrinaire as my mother. He has always thought it was great fun, and my stepmother actually read one aloud to him (skipping all the sex scenes).

[KLW] Perfect! Do your children show the same inclination toward writing, whether fiction or non-fiction?

[EJ] I think they both have great talent. But whether they’ll use it for fiction or not… I don’t know. They’re both teenagers, so right now it’s hard to imagine them doing anything productive with their lives.

[KLW] Well, said! You say your first book, written in 1985, was “turned down by every conceivable publisher. . .” What was the book, if you don’t mind my asking?

[EJ] It was called Passion’s Slave. It was a wild story of a young English noblewoman who fell off a boat in the Seine, and ended up somewhere in the East, and met several shieks (this was the 80′s).

[KLW] Oh, my. Did you put it under the bed or stow it in the closet?

[EJ] It’s in my file cabinet right now!

[KLW] Did you work on it and eventually sell it?

[EJ] Nope. It lives a silent, embarrassed life.

[KLW] If you re-read it now, would be you mortified, horrified, or laughing hysterically?

[EJ] Yes.

[KLW] Well, if all successful authors have one put in the closet, under the bed, or in the file cabinet, then I’m thrilled to see my time is near! I love your take on why you feel romance novels are so underappreciated, could you share those views with our readers and writers?

[EJ] I think that a cornerstone of this problem is equivocal attitudes in popular culture towards women’s desire. There’s a lot of fear; you see articles to this day insisting that women should stop reading romance because it makes them dissatisfied with their husbands. Well, sure—if a husband is disrespectful, filthy, or abusive, a woman might take a look at him and think, I can do better. But most of the time, romance is an escape that actually makes “regular” married life easier!

I’m curious to see what happens now that Fifty Shades of Gray—an unequivocally “desirous” book—has been read by so many people, including men. Will it make a difference to the reputation of romance? It seems to me that it could go either way. People were already very prone to asking me if I wrote “porn for women.” Fifty Shades is, of course, more sexy than the average romance. Will that work in favor of the genre, or will it lead to more denigration on the grounds of sexual content?

[KLW] I’m curious as well. I hold season tickets to Thunder NBA, and the guys who sit behind me asked if I’d heard of it. . .What a conversation that was, and at a basketball game! Finally, congratulations on your non-fiction, Paris in Love. Will you be writing more non-fiction works in the future?

[EJ]I might write one on Florence—I’ve been staying every summer there for the last twenty years. I have a lot of stories! But writing non-fiction is hard, and I’m staying away from that for the moment.

[KLW] I am proud to admit I read and write romance. And, I believe its women like you who make it possible for authors like me to hold their heads high. On behalf of romance, readers and authors, alike, I would like to thank you from the bottom of my heart and the tips of my fingers as they fly across the keyboard.

[EJ] Thank you! Eloisa

Look for Ms. James latest release, The Ugly Duchess.

The Ugly Duchess – Eloisa James

Well, I feel somewhat breathless and awed. Can you picture me with my palms on my flaming cheeks trying to calm myself? Ms. James is so. . .so. . .oh, I don’t know, down to earth, enchanting, like a real person! (Excuse me for a moment while I take several deep breaths).

Ahhhh, there. I think my heart may be slowing to a more normal pace. I really do want to tell you about the The Ugly Duchess and Theodora Saxby. She quite stole my heart. Apparently, at nineteen she had not quite yet come into her own. I should know! I was an Ugly Duck—well, that’s another story.

Anyway, she was considered not so attractive by aristocracy standards. The sweet thing is, she knows and accepts as much. At least on the surface. That’s what makes this such a powerful story. Psychology, because deep down it feeds on every insecurity she (and I) harbors. Insecurities that are years in the makings.

She and James Ryburn, heir to the Duchy of Ashbrook have been the best friends since childhood. Unfortunately, just when James is ready to strike out on his own, sow his wild oats, so to speak, his father tells him he must marry. There is no money. And isn’t it just fortunate that Theo (Daisy, as James refers to her), is downright bursting at the seams—with money.

But James could care less. Let the dukedom go to hell! he says. But things were drummed into him since childhood too. And James finds out his father, who happens to also be Theo’s guardian, has been embezzling her fortune for years, it turns “ugly”.

And, now James has no choice but to marry her.

You know as much as I want to share what happens, I will not.

My advice? Have a box of Kleenex next to you when you start the book. You’ll need it. —Kathy L Wheeler