Sarah MacLean's Blog, page 10

Maya Rodale on Westley from The Princess Bride

I'm super excited for this edition of Writers on Rogues…Maya and I discussed her favorite rogues on the way to the Book Cove in Pawling, NY…and I can assure you there are few things more fun than a road trip conversation entitled, "Who's your favorite rogue?"

Maya Rodale is my fabulous, fun pub-sister at Avon…her most recent book, The Tattooed Duke (are you kidding me with that cover and title? Seriously? YUM), released on Tuesday alongside !

Even better, Maya and I are on the road this week! Tonight, we're with the incomparable Eloisa James at WORD Bookstore in Brooklyn, and for those of you in and around Lansing, MI, you can come meet us this Saturday at Schuler Books when we read with Katharine Ashe, Caroline Linden and Sophia Nash! Please join us!

But first…read this fabulous post from Maya on a rogue we both love (a chance to win a signed copy of The Tattooed Duke, below!)

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I was going to write this post about my husband, but he had a rare moment of modesty and humility and declined this amazing opportunity for me to rave about all his roguish qualities. Weirdo. So I shall write about my other favorite rogue. He was in a movie. You might have seen it once or twice or a thousand times. It's called The Princess Bride.

The rogue in question is known simply as Farm Boy. Or the Dread Pirate Roberts. Or the man in black. Or Westley. He possess all the requisite rogueish elements:

1. Mystery. See above about all those names. Where did he come from?! Where has he been all those years?! How on earth will he manage to storm the castle in time to stop the wedding?!

2. Swashbuckling skills. Whether besting the best swordsman in the land, fighting a giant barehanded, climbing the Cliffs of Insanity without a rope or wrestling with an ROUS, he is the master.

3. A scandalous secret. If his secret about the Dread Pirate Roberts ever got out…oh, there'd be trouble! Mutiny! Any decent Rogue has some wicked secret in his past.

4. Bromance. Even more impressive, Westley makes friends with his previous foes, Fezzik and Inigo Montoya. They have different goals, but band together and support each other. Awww.

5. He says things like "As you wish." All the time. Yes, it means "I love you" but it also means "Sure, honey, I'll take care of that for you."

6. Stoicism. The guy spends days being told "Westley I'll most likely kill you in the morning" and shrugs it off. Buttercup is getting married and a horrible shrew to him and he steadfastly loves her and plots to win her. He survives torture by thinking of true love.

7. Humor. Even when he is locked in an underground torture chamber he still maintains his sense of humor. I'm all the more impressed, since my own sense of humor turns off after 9:00 pm.

8. Ability to come back from the dead. I think we can all agree this is an important life skill. Of course, it helps when one is either 1) not actually dead or 2) only mostly dead.

9. Dedication & Determination. Nothing will stand in his way! Not years of piracy, his beloved's engagement, The Cliffs Of Insanity, Swashbuckling, the freaking Fire Swamp, nearly dying…storming the castle? He's on it. Why? Because he has true love on his side….

10. True Love. For Westley it's a once in century kind of love. It's the reason. It's protection. It just is.

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That leaves us with one topic for comments: The Princess Bride is the Greatest Movie Of All Time. Discuss. Bonus: Have you ever read the book? It's even better than the movie.

One lucky commenter (Chosen Monday – US Only) will receive a signed copy of The Tattooed Duke!

On Rogues and Whey We Love Them

I have a soft spot for rogues.

It's probably not a shocking admission. Aside from the fact that (!!!!) dedicated to rogues and scoundrels, anyone who loves romance the way I love romance…they way you likely love romance (after all, you're reading this blog)…probably has a soft spot for rogues. And part of why I love the Writers on Rogues series that is going on all month here is because I'm not alone. Obviously, if you become a romance novelist, you're probably a rogue girl.

It's rogues, after all, who capture our interest when we're far too young to understand just how dangerous they are—I can still remember watching a sweaty, t-shirted Marlon Brando bellowing "Stella!" up the steps of his New Orleans apartment house when I was six or seven. I didn't understand a single thing about A Streetcar Named Desire…I'm not sure I processed that Stanley had hit his pregnant wife, or that he was about to do much worse things to his mad sister-in-law. But I knew he was rough and ragged. And I loved him anyway.

And once we do understand the appeal of the bad boy—once we've steeped ourselves in the myth of the leather-jacketed, smoking, swearing, high-school hoodlum (thank you James Dean and Grease and Johnny Depp), we still don't learn. I spent the large part of my 16th year pining away for a bad boy named Brock. He was everything the name implies—tall and dark haired and utterly unsavory, but he could smile at a pudgy girl with a chip on her shoulder and thoroughly disarm her.

Then we grow up, of course. And we realize just what Stanley was doing to his wife. And we realize that great smile or not, that rogue from high school probably isn't the kind of guy that you want to bring home to your parents. Or introduce to your friends (I should add, I just googled Brock, and the first hit was an arrest record. Of course.). But this doesn't change the fact that rogues intrigue you, and that somewhere, deep inside, where you'd never admit it to anyone but your closest, best friend, there's a tiny part of you that believes that you can be the woman to show that rogue the error of his wicked ways.

That's where romance comes in. Because, you see, in romance, love heals. And changes. And turns rogues into soft, malleable putty in our hands (well, hopefully not too soft!). In romance, the wallflower captures the rake's attention, and then his heart. In romance, the quiet, perfect lady stands up to the dark wicked scoundrel, and returns him to the light. And in romance, the rake is redeemed by the love of a wonderful, honest woman.

We don't love rogues because they're bad. We love them because they have the potential to be good…if only they find the right woman.

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So, confession time…do you have a rogue in your past? Tell us about him! (But be warned…googling him may cause disappointment!)

Rogue Release Week! Goodie Giveaway!

Michael Fassbender watches over other sexy things

is out in the world in all it's Disney Princess-y glory TOMORROW! I'm so thrilled to have heard from many of you, who have preordered and (in some cases) already hunted down a copy of Penelope and Bourne's story! My readers are the BEST!

Because y'all are just amazing, I thought I would put together a very special Rules of Scoundrels giveaway for you! As you know by now, Rogue is the first book in the Rules of Scoundrels series, which focuses on four fallen aristocrats and the legendary, exclusive gaming hell that they founded together.

The best part about writing this series is that it gives me absolute license to watch movies and read books about gambling and casinos without anyone judging me. Though, if you knew how many times I'd watched Ocean's 11 and Casino Royale in the last year, you'd probably judge me anyway.

BUT! I thought it would be fun to jazz up my traditional release-week giveaway (A signed copy of A Rogue By Any Other Name) by adding to it! This go round, I'm adding a batch of the things that inspire me while I write the series…including:

- A casino movie collection including:

Ocean's 11 (both the 1960 and the Clooney/Pitt version)

Ocean's 12

Ocean's 13, and

Casino Royale

- A deck of the incredible Bicycle Guardians cards–which I'm 100% certain would have been the cards of choice of the men of The Fallen Angel had Bicycle made amazing cards in the 1830s. Check out the gorgeous art…those angels are as badass as the owners of my casino.

- The Little Black Book of Casino Gambling, which taught me the rules of all the modern versions of the games played at The Fallen Angel, a terrific beginning and great prep work for when I become a card shark.

- A copy of the most recent Interview magazine, with the handsome, Bourne-inspiring Michael Fassbender on the cover!

- A pair of "Rules of Scoundrels" casino dice–I had these made specifically for the release of A Rogue By Any Other Name and in honor of the new series!

And other goodies like bookmarks and door hangers and the like.

YAY! So…TO WIN…comment below with your favorite casino-related movie, song or book (and why!)…or, if you're a casino goer, tell me what you like best about gaming! OR…if you can't do either of those things, tell me why Michael Fassbender is so very dreamy. Or all three! One lucky winner will be chosen on Wednesday!

In other news, today I'm on the way up to Rhode Island for the launch party for A Rogue By Any Other Name at Barrington Books in Barrington, RI. The event starts tomorrow at 7 and involves wine and cheese–two things I like very very much. If you're in RI or know someone who is, please come or tell them to come! I'm going to be talking about the research for the book, my hero–the hardest man I've ever had to spend a year with–and other romancey stuff!

Later this week, I'll be in Brooklyn, NY on Thursday night with Eloisa James and Maya Rodale for a reading and signing at WORD Brooklyn, and then in Lansing, Michigan with Maya, Sophia Nash, Katherine Ashe, and Caroline Linden for a "Girls Afternoon Out" at Schuler Books!

Thank you, thank you, thank you for being so awesome and reading my blog…and also my books. You're the best part of this whole gig. Really.

xoxo

Writers on Rogues: Lauren Willig on the Scarlet Pimpernel

[image error]I'm so excited for today's edition of Writers on Rogues — my celebration of rogues in honor of the release (next Tuesday!) of A Rogue By Any Other Name — because my friend Lauren Willig has written about a rogue I just knew she couldn't resist.

As you certainly know, Lauren's Pink Carnation series is an homage to the Scarlet Pimpernel…the books (now numbering nine!) follow a collection of English Spies during the Napoleonic Wars as they trounce the French, save the day and find love in the process. The most recent in the series, The Garden Intrigue, is out this week (I've already got my copy…do you have yours?)! 

So…that said, is it any surprise that when asked to wax poetic on her favorite rogue…she chooses Sir Percy Blakeney, the Scarlet Pimpernel? 

Take it away, Lauren! 

—

They seek him here, they seek him there; those Frenchies seek him everywhere….

In the library of a London mansion, a man in an elaborate waistcoat slips through the darkness. Light flickers briefly before subsiding again into darkness. Moments later, the only remnants of his presence are the charred remains of a message among the ashes of the hearth and the faint, elusive scent of a very exclusive sort of snuff. Meanwhile, in the ballroom, a dandy is seen proclaiming a bit of a doggerel verse, punctuating his rhymes with a wave of his quizzing glass.

Yes, it's my favorite rogue: the Scarlet Pimpernel. Otherwise known as Sir Percy Blakeney. Baronet.

I had other rogues in my past. My very first rogue, when I was just a wee thing, was Robin Hood, as played by Errol Flynn. Talk about style and flair! Dumping a haunch of poached venison on the very table of Prince John, hijacking monastic conveys, pricking Friar Tuck's pride and filching his lunch—and, of course, seducing Maid Marion in the very castle of his enemy. Swoon! Robin had all the impishness of a good rogue and the tights. We really can't forget about the tights. From Robin Hood, I graduated to Zorro (anyone else remember that Disney theme song? "The Z that stands for Zorro!"), who also had the crucial rogue components: a puckish sense of humor, a way with a sword, a quick quip, and, behind all the insouciance, a deep and driving sense of honour.

The extra "u" is for extra derring do.

And then I found Sir Percy. Sir Percy was the rogue to end all rogues, fop by day, daring spy by night, tweaking the nose of the humorless revolutionary authorities (and, really, can there be anyone more humorless than Robespierre?). He even had the mandatory chorus of all male colleagues, for as we know, no rogue is an island. Rogues need other rogues to provide lead ins for their quips, the occasional rousing "huzzah!" and, of course, sequel fodder. A true rogue knows better than to take himself too seriously—and Sir Percy was willing to masquerade as a a buffoon, to be the butt of London's jokes, and to hide his intelligence under and excruciatingly awful waistcoat and even worse poetry.

Augustus Whittlesby, the hero of my latest book, The Garden Intrigue, an English spy undercover as a truly awful poet, is a direct tribute to Sir Percy and his wonderful, doggerel verse.

Long may we seek him here, there, and everywhere!

–

Now it's your turn, readers! Lauren talked about her earliest rogues…Sir Percy, Zorro & Errol Flynn…who was your earliest rogue? One winner (Internationally!), will receive a copy of Lauren's latest (winner to be chosen on Friday)!

One Week Until Rogue! iPhone Case Giveaway & Audiobook Snippet!

I can't believe will be here in a week! I remember that when I was writing this one, I had trouble believing that it would ever be finished…let alone on shelves! Oh! Don't forget that my local indie is selling signed/personalized copies of the US Version of Rogue…order by Thursday evening from WORD directly (you also get fun Rules of Scoundrels dice with these purchases)!

Anyway…I'm getting super duper excited, and you know what that means!

Giveaways!

First, I have two of these super fun Rogue iPhone cases up for giveaway! For those of you who are regular readers, you know that I am married to a total tech guy, who tries at every turn to get me to bring technology to the Regency. He succeeded this time, with these gorgeous iPhone cases! (They fit the iPhone 4 and 4S) I've signed them both on the inside, and if you win, you can choose to have me sign the outside, and I will, happily (albeit nervously).

I'm bundling these cases with one signed printed copy of the UK edition of Rogue…which you can't get in the States! To enter, comment below with your favorite scene from any one of my books…I'll choose TWO winners on Friday (Open internationally!)!

But WAIT! Before you go do that…check this out! Rogue is the first of my books to become an audiobook! It's read by the fabulous Rosalyn Landor (who does Julia Quinn and Lisa Kleypas's audiobooks, too!), and while I haven't heard the whole thing, I have heard this excerpt, which I can share with you! The audiobook will be available as a digital download on Tuesday, along with the print and e-book editions!

It's SO WEIRD to hear the book read aloud…I just…aaaah!!! So weird and awesome!

So….that's where I'm at today…iPhone cases and audiobooks! Hope you guys are having a similarly weirdly awesome day!

Writers on Rogues: Kate Noble on Bass and Byron

On  today's edition of Writers on Rogues — the fabulous Kate Noble joins the celebration. Now, I think Kate is the Bee's Knees. She's clever and funny and I adore her wonderful Regencies…only more so now because my next book sports a ginger hero, and we authors of ginger heroes must stick together (Kate's ginger is the swoon worthy Jason Cummings in Follow My Lead)!

But I digress (And can you blame me? Redheads are my favorite.)…I knew Kate would have a fabulous pro-rogue stance…and sure enough, she does.

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rogue

[rohg] noun, verb, rogued, ro·guing, adjective

noun

1. a dishonest, knavish person; scoundrel.

2. a playfully mischievous person; scamp: The youngest boys are little rogues.

3. a tramp or vagabond.

4. an outcast, especially in animal groups: rogue elephant or other animal of similar disposition.

5. Biology. a usually inferior organism, especially a plant, varying markedly from the normal.

Out of all the definitions of a rogue, I like the first the best. Nothing against rogue elephants, but there is little better than taking a wholly dishonest, knavish scoundrel and then – in true romance novel form – redeeming him. While a scamp already has rather fun, impish connotations, and a vagabond is probably just in need of a shower, the true rogue is the one who lives a life of utter uncaring dissipation, and then, is tempted by something (or better yet, someone) who does make him care.

[image error]In Regency times, there was no better person who fit the definition of a rogue than Lord Byron. He was intelligent, led life the way he wanted, getting exiled and catching gonorrhea in turns (when he lived in Venice during Carnival in 1819, he famously said that he caught the one bout of gonorrhea he hadn't paid for), and every so often becoming completely obsessed with one of his paramours. He holds constant fascination for many of us still today, because of the way he lived – unapologetically – and because of the dedication to his writing that was the one thing he seemed to take seriously. (A true rogue always needs a goal – else he'd simply be a wastrel.) But what is the modern-day equivalent of the Byron Rogue?

The Jersey Shore guys? They have the dissipation and drinking and DTFing right, but lack the charm and the purpose – hence, wastrel-dom.

Matthew McConaughey? Nah, just a scamp in need of a shower.

Ladies, I give you Chuck Bass.

On Gossip Girl, the introduction of Chuck Bass is not a promising one. In the pilot episode, he acts only as a troublemaker – and in fact, takes some shocking liberties with poor high school freshman Jenny Humphries. But as the show goes on, the character of Chuck Bass deepened, and expanded. He'd had everything given to him his entire life… except for his father's love and attention. He has the run of the city – both the highest echelons and the underground – but the dissipation that normally fills his 17-year-old days doesn't excite him anymore. He's searching for something he can't define.

But there is one person who does make him care… one person that he sees the point in being good for: Blair Waldorf. They may drive each other crazy, but they always find their way back to each other. When Chuck's father dies – it's Blair's house he goes to when he's finally reached the bottom of his grief. When he inherits his father's real estate empire, he finds that meaning, that goal that he needs, and will work his ass off to make himself a success in the family business.

Oh, he'll always have that roguish touch – he'll always be prepared to blackmail idiot Yale secret societies and outmaneuver his opponents by getting them wasted at his underground burlesque club, but the perfect ending to Gossip Girl for me is Chuck, reformed but still a rogue, and Blair (hopefully sans headband) having their happily ever after.

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Kate's hit the nail on the head with this one. The reason why we love rogues is because of that Chuck/Blair dynamic. Bad boy meets the one girl he just isn't good enough for…and sets out to reform. Le sigh.

So, what do you think, readers? When it comes to your rogues of choice, are you more Byron or Bass? Historical or Modern Day? Silk turban or silk smoking jacket? (Fun fact: Eric walked into the room while I was watching Gossip Girl one day, looked at the TV, and said, "Why is that guy always dressed like Hugh Hefner?" I nearly spit out my diet coke. But, for the record, Hugh Hefner–not a rogue. Just…ick.) Anyway…tell us your thoughts in comments, and one lucky winner will receive Kate's yummy Follow My Lead (chosen on Friday – US Only).

Writers on Rogues: Sophie Jordan on David Beckham

I make absolutely no secret of the fact that I love Sophie Jordan and have since her very first book came out, when I was just a romance junkie with a dream of being a writer.

When I made the leap from YA to romance, Sophie was one of the first romance writers to welcome me into the family–and I had a tremendous friend crush from the start. In fact, I called my sister after our first lunch together and said, "This is officially the greatest job ever. Guess who I just had a burger with?!?" Well, several years, several hundred phone calls and a few RWA conferences behind us, Sophie's now not just a friend crush and favorite author, but also a friend. So, when I conceived of Writers on Rogues–she was my first email. Because if you can't ask your friends to talk about hotties on your blog, what can you ask them?! 

And then…when she told me which rogue she wanted to write about, well…obviously I was going to make room for this in the rotation!

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When Sarah invited me talk about rogues I was like: sign me up!

Of course, I would do just about anything the fab-fab Sarah MacLean asked me to do! I've adored her ever since I met her on my first visit to NYC — and then I read Nine Rules To Break When Romancing Rake. Safe to say, my love for her magnified! Ever since, I can't get enough of her or her books! And her books – oh, my! I'm waiting with baited breath for A Rogue By Any Other Name, absolutely positive that the hero will be the most roguish rogue ever!

Heaven knows I love a good rogue. I've been reading them for years. Reading about great rogues is what made me want to write about them in the first place. They're that perfect sexy bad boy that oozes danger … meaning not really bad at all, just misunderstood. At least in my book (er, books). All they need is the right woman to fight for and set them on the right and noble path. But before they're set on that path? Ohhh, the naughty fun! There's the story! The complexity, the drama, the emotion, the adventure. Er, and romance. Did I mention romance? It's always about the romance.

Most of the heroes I write about in my British historical romances are rogues. Almost always tanned with perfect teeth … and muscled … and hot. I once had a friend point out how rare this eighteenth century British male specimen would be. Hm. Sure. Maybe. But I operate in fantasy. Although I write fiction, I like to use a little modern day inspiration. And who better than an Englishman to inspire me in creating my rogues of old?

Behold … a tanned, muscled Englishman with great teeth …

And behold again ….

And because you can never behold him enough…

 

There you have it! Inspiration to feed anyone's notion of the perfect rogue! David Beckham just might be the most perfect rogue. Sure, there are others – like Colin Firth and Richard Armitage. I love them both. They're beautiful – great in the role of hero … but they don't possess the edge of a true rogue. David? He's got the requisite edge. Hmm. Staring at these photos, I feel the sudden urge to invent a new rogue for a new book. What do you think?

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Oh….drooooollll…David Beckham. I mean, is it really fair that he get so many of the good genes–talent, looks, and that bangin' body all together? I mean, it's fair for us…but for general humankind, that can't be best. David is the first sports rogue on the list, but there are SO MANY sports rogues! Is there one in particular who makes your heart pound? Share in comments for a chance to win a copy of Sophie's Wicked in Your Arms (US Only, winner to be chosen on Monday)! 

 

Writers on Rogues – Anna Randol on Jack Rattenbury

On  today's edition of Writers on Rogues — the fabulous Anna Randol joins the celebration of rogues. Anna's debut romance–A Secret in Her Kiss, is a fabulous Regency romp set in Constantinople, and a wonderful book that I devoured in one sitting.

When I invited Anna to join us to talk about her favorite Rogue, I didn't know what to expect…but she has not disappointed!

Take it away, Anna! 

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When Sarah emailed me to ask if I had a favorite rogue I wanted to highlight to celebrate the release of A Rogue By Any Other Name. I responded right away. Not only do I have a rogue, but he's dashing, funny, and quite handsome.

Readers, I give you Jack Rattenbury!

Umm… okay, or maybe I just think he's handsome because I picture this smuggler instead. (And yes, I am a nerd. It's something I've learned to live with.)

Raised by a single mother, Jack spent his childhood running free and unrestrained along the coast of Devon, England. By the age of sixteen, he'd already given up on a dozen professions, charmed his way out of a French prison, and sailed the seas as a pirate. Sure, you may say, that's interesting, but what makes him a rogue worthy of being compared to the Marquess of Bourne?

If Jack were here, I'm sure he'd make a case for himself. (He did title himself the Rob Roy of the West.) But in his absence, I'll make his case.

A true rogue needs adventure:

One day the smuggling ship he was working on on was captured by a French vessel. The French removed the officers but left young Jack behind. Now luckily for Jack, the Frenchman ordered to sail Jack's ship to the nearest French port turned out to be far more interested in drinking than sailing. He was happy to let Jack have the helm. But when a heavy fog set in, Jack steered the ship to England instead. Every time the French asked where they were, he gave them the name of a place closer to France. When they got near the "French" coast, Jack jumped overboard and informed the British customs officials who gave chase and reclaimed the ship.

A true rogue needs a keen wit:

While England was at war with France during, the Royal Navy tried many times to impress Jack (forcefully recruit him to serve on their ships).  But Jack, being dashing and clever, escaped every time. One lieutenant in particular took his escape personally and tried to hunt him down. But Jack wasn't easy to catch. As he crept through the countryside, he traded his cap to another lad for his hat.

We'll assume the Jack's old cap looked like this. (And yes, he was man enough to own this before its time.)

And his new hat looked like this. (Because let's face it, Jack wouldn't wear anything that didn't have a bit of swagger.)

The men chasing him caught to other young man, allowing Jack to escape. Later this same lieutenant tracked him to an inn and threatened to shoot the owner if Jack wasn't turned over. Jack, hearing the warning, climbed into a chimney where he hid for over an hour while the building was searched.

A true rogue needs a beautiful woman to try to tame him and fight at his side.

Jack met his match when he married the (I will claim on Jack's behalf) beautiful, feisty, and brave Anna Partridge. We'll assume she looked like this.

On at least two occasions, she rescued Jack from both the customs officials and the Royal Navy. Once she grabbed a lieutenant by the neck and then called for the rest of the town to join in and hold him off while Jack escaped. Another time she rowed a boat alongside the ship where Jack was being detained and even wrestled a pistol out of the hands of one of the officers when he shot at them. That sounds like a woman worthy of our Jack!

Pretty convincing case for a rogue, isn't it? But with all the rogues out there, why did I decide on Jack? Well, a rogue also needs a certain flair. A devil-may-care disrespect for authority. Well, Jack doesn't need me to prove this one. He did it himself. After finally settling down with his wife and children, Jack had the gumption to write a book boasting about his illegal escapades called Memoir of a Smuggler. The final line of memoirs says, "I have since been served with a summons to appear before the magistrates; but as I took no notice of that, I received another." Yep, that's definitely a true rogue.

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Now it's your turn, readers! Sounds like Anna has written about two rogues, Jack and his awesome Miss Partridge! Who is your favorite Roguess? Share in comments for a chance to win a signed copy of A Secret in Her Kiss (winner to be chosen on Friday)!

New England Excitement with Eloisa James & Julia Quinn!

Do you all remember a few weeks ago when I promised you that there were excitements afoot (aside: I love the word afoot. I wish there were more cause to use it in 2012 without sounding like you just stepped off a time machine. But I digress. We were talking about excitements.)?

Anyway. In that post, I told you that I was going on tour for the launch of A ROGUE BY ANY OTHER NAME through the spring (and even into the fall as we edge up on the release of ONE GOOD EARL DESERVES A LOVER), and I said: "(psst! If you're in Connecticut or Boston, stay tuned…because something exciting is brewing for you guys…which I do not want to jinx!)"

Well…I did not jinx it! And the excitement in question has been fully brewed!

I am so so so excited to announce that I'll be doing two events in New England alongside two of my very favorite authors ever!

* On Thursday, April 5th at 6:30PM, I'll be at Flora Restaurant in BOSTON with the fabulous Eloisa James!

and,

* On Sunday, April 15, from 5-7pm, I'll be at the Ridgefield Public Library in RIDGEFIELD, CT with Eloisa James and the amazing Julia Quinn!

I can already hear you squeezing, and what I have to say to that is: I KNOW!!!

For more information on these events, check out the Sarah on Tour Page.

Now, if you're a New Englander, there's something you should know. It's generally accepted that you don't read much romance. To that I say, Whaa? Because I'm also a New Englander. And I read A LOT of romance. So I know you're out there. And even more, I know you love Eloisa and Julia as much as I do. So please please come out and meet us…and let's talk romance! Oh, who am I kidding? Eloisa and Julia will talk romance. I will stand by the wayside and bask in the glow of their awesome.

 

 

Writers on Rogues — Lorraine Heath on the Lord of Scoundrels

Yesterday, I launched a new series on the blog–Writers on Rogues–in celebration of the launch of  at the end of the month! I'm so so happy to say that one of my very favorite authors EVER has agreed to join us today and talk about one of my very favorite rogues EVER.

Today, Lorraine Heath (whose most recent book, She Tempts the Duke released last week and landed handsomely on New York Times Bestseller list!!)  shares her fascination with Sebastian, Marquess of Dain, the hero of Loretta Chase's Lord of Scoundrels.

Welcome Lorraine!  

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I have to confess to being quite fickle when it comes to rogues. My loyalties can shift with little more than a sultry look on the big screen or a well-written line in a novel. In this case: "His was a Dartmoor soul, where the wind blew fierce and the rain beat down upon grim, gray rocks, and where the pretty green patches of ground turned out to be mires that could suck down an ox."

Loretta Chase has given me such an incredibly enticing rogue in Lord of Scoundrels. I only recently read the book and discovered a wonderful author and scoundrel in the process. Lord Beelzebub, as Dain refers to himself, is such a wounded, tormented soul that I'm not sure anyone could resist falling in love with him. On the outside he appears hard and monstrously wicked and yet the glimpses into his heart and soul quite often had my own heart tightening in sympathy. I just wanted to hold him close and assure him that he wasn't the beast that he was painted to be.

The heroine describes him as, "Coal black hair and bold, black eyes and a great, conquering Caesar of a nose and a sullen sensuality of a mouth—the face alone entitled him to direct lineage with Lucifer…"

She is beauty to his beast and quite up to the task of taming him.

The same could be said of my Mary in She Tempts the Duke. It, too, is a beauty and the beast tale. My hero is also named Sebastian, but he's the Duke of Keswick, and like Dain, he possesses emotional wounds that run deep.

I believe that every scoundrel does. Scoundrels aren't born, but made—by circumstances of their life which usually involve harsh lessons learned, very often at the hands of those who should love them unconditionally. They strive so hard to live up to their reputation of not caring and yet there is always that one moment when their guard slips just a bit and we catch a glimpse of the hero lurking inside.

And the heroine has the great fortune of discovering the hero within before anyone else and luring him into the light.

In fiction, every beast can become a prince. But even then, he usually remains a scoundrel at heart.

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Your turn, readers! I love what Lorraine says about Scoundrels not being born, but made. In fact, I'm most fascinated by those moments when a man splinters and the scoundrel emerges. I'm so happy she joined us today to discuss Dain (whom I love with frightening fierceness). Who is your favorite romance scoundrel? 

Lorraine is generously offering up a copy of She Tempts the Duke to a random commenter (U.S. and Canadian residents only)!