Sarah MacLean's Blog, page 21

Veronica Wolff's Ten Ways to Level a Highland Devil

My favorite thing about writing romance is the incredible support that a newbie writer like me gets from the other members of the romance community. Take this year's RWA National Conference in Orlando, for example.  I was *terrified.* Surrounded by authors I love, all of whom were immensely talented and seemed to know *everyone!*

Thank goodness for the fabulous Anne Mallory, who took pity on me and invited me to dinner with the amazing ladies of the San Francisco chapter of RWA...where I met the equally fabulous Veronica Wolff.  Veronica writes Highland Romances (and we all know how much I love me some kilted hotties) and on top of that, she is fabulously funny and interesting and yes...I have a total girl crush on her.

So obviously, when I decided to celebrate the release of Ten Ways to Be Adored When Landing a Lord , I invited Veronica to come over and blog on her most recent release, Devil's Highlander !

Ten Ways to Level a Highland Devil
If wanting to knock a braw Highland warrior off his feet, a lass would do well to heed the following:

1. It pays to eavesdrop. You never know what might happen.
2. Act saucy at every turn.
3. If he calls you willful, ignore him—trust me, this will secretly drive him wild.
4. Disguise yourself in men's clothing (trew-clad legs are exceeding naughty).
5. He will protest vociferously, but still you must secure his services as a lady's maid, just once.
6. Beware fermented drinks of the West Indies.
7. Your Highlander isn't very keen on the sight of you talking with other men. You would do well to disregard this.
8. Be a brave lass and see what you can do about getting him up off that deuced pallet already.
9. Why yes, that is a sword in his kilt.
10. Don't ever give up. He's really quite smitten, you know.

For the record, #9 is my favorite.  Thanks so much for coming over to play, Veronica!

Contest!

One of the things I like best about Veronica's list is that these rules easily translate into wooing the infuriating, wonderful Alpha of your choice--kilt or no. Tell me the best thing about romances with alpha heroes in comments! One commenter will win a copy of Veronica's book on Friday! **Don't forget to share your email address with us so we can reach you if you win!

Stay tuned all this and next month for fabulous prizes and awesome Ten Ways posts from an incredible range of authors! And don't forget to read more Authors Rule(s)!

Tiffany Clare's Ten Ways to Surrender!

When I hear the first whispers about Tiffany Clare's The Surrender of a Lady , I got really excited. See, I spent much of the early years of my romance novel obsessions reading Harem Romances.  The Skye O'Malley books, Johanna Lindsey's Silver Angel, ...when Loretta Chase tackled the Harem theme with her Don't Tempt Me last year, I was in heaven.

And then Tiffany burst onto the scene with a debut harem romance that , and all was right with the world.  I don't know if it's because of the setting (far from the ton and its well-known rules) or the mysterious, intriguing, danger of the Harem world, but I was ready for a new writer who would take a big risk and give me a harem romance that I could really sink my teeth into. And omg does Tiffany deliver!

I'm so happy to host Tiffany as part of the release month celebration of Ten Ways to Be Adored When Landing a Lord !Let's face it, everyone has to surrender at one point or another...and sometimes the surrender is the fun part! Have trouble with this idea? Tiffany is here to help!

Tiffany Clare's Ten Ways to Surrender 

1. Surrender to the Brazilian Wax (or Rusma scraping), you will love it after the initial sting,  I totally promise;-) And if you don't, your man totally will :) 

2. Surrender to new customs to live life more freely and differently. You might as well try something new if you are going to enjoy life to the fullest. 

3. Surrender to the Harem life. Forget corsets and waltzes and London ballrooms. Instead imagine sexy, sheer harem garb with jewelery galore and bangles and bells for you ankles and wrists. 

4. Surrender to your master/owner. A sex slave has but one thing to barter with, and politics can be played with those assets. 

5. Surrender to your desires. 

6. There is a time when you have to surrender to the man you love. 

7. Surrender when the battle is lost, kismet has a way of making things work in the end. 

8. I might caution that there are some things you should not surrender to. Do not surrender your child. Ever. 

9. Do not surrender when drugged and abducted – refer back to (8) 

10. When you find love, hold on to it with all your might and tell your master/owner to go to hell. You have to be your own woman at some point.

Thanks so much for coming over to play, Tiffany, and congrats on the fabulous debut!

Contest!

I've confessed my weakness for Harem Romances...what's your pop culture weakness? Reality TV? Shoot-em-up movies? Secret Baby romances? (Or maybe these are all my weaknesses, too?) Confess in comments, and one commenter will win a copy of Tiffany's book! Winner will be chosen on Monday! **Don't forget to share your email address with us so we can reach you if you win!

Stay tuned all this and next month for fabulous prizes and awesome Ten Ways posts from an incredible range of authors! And don't forget to read more Authors Rule(s)!

Manuscripts and Muffins

Ten Ways to Be Adored When Landing a Lord may be on shelves on Tuesday, but I don't have a whole lot of time to think about that because I'm hard at work on revisions for my next book, Eleven Scandals to Start to Win a Duke's Heart.

Which means one thing: procrastination.

Which means a different thing: cooking.

This morning I woke up ridiculously early to work, only to be overcome with an intense desire to make pumpkin muffins.  Now, to be fair, I have a weakness for pumpkin-flavored everything (except, oddly, pumpkin pie, which I've never understood because it's cold and has the consistency of baby food), so it's no surprise that with autumn in full swing outside my window, I want pumpkin muffins. But today, this was as much about me resisting the revision process as it was about cooking (see image for muffins, manuscript and possible muffin thief).

But I made them.  And they're yummy.

And now I'm sharing the recipe with you!

Eleven Scandals Pumpkin Muffins

1 1/2 cups unbleached white flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 15-oz can of pumpkin (not pumpkin pie filling)
1/3 cup vegetable oil
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon pumpkin-pie spice
1 1/8 cups sugar
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon

Preheat oven to 350°F. Line muffin cups.

Mix pumpkin, oil, eggs, pumpkin pie spice, 1 1/8 cups sugar, baking soda, cinnamon and salt in a large bowl until smooth.

Mix in baking powder.

Mix in flour in 1/2 cup intervals.

Divide batter among muffin cups. Bake until golden brown and knife inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean, 25 to 30 minutes. (Yield: 18 muffins)

Yum!  Let me know if you make them...and what you think!

Happy autumn!

Sophie Jordan's Ten Ways to Get Your Draki On!

I've said it before, but it bears repeating: Sophie Jordan is my favorite. She's been my favorite for awhile...since she burst onto the historical romance scene with her amazingly smart, sexy romances. Sins of a Wicked Duke is one of the five books I'd take with me to a desert isle. I heart it.

And then, when I sold Nine Rules... to Avon, Sophie became a friend. She's super supportive and knows the answers to everything, and I can call her with questions and she'll actually answer the phone. It's amazing.

So, when I heard that she was writing a YA paranormal, Firelight, I got really excited. And then she gave me an ARC. And I got *really really* excited. And then I read it. And, Oh. Em. Gee. I LOVE THIS BOOK. It's smart and thrilling and unputdownable and you end up wanting to be Jacinda (who is descended from dragons and can BREATHE FIRE omgsocoolomg) and wanting to, yes, make out with Will (whose family hunts dragons--which makes the whole romance so delicious). And I'm BEGGING Sophie for the next book but she won't share it...which makes me sad.

But she did give me this blog post to help me celebrate the release of my next book, Ten Ways to Be Adored When Landing a Lord , and I suppose that's enough, at least until she decides that she loves me enough to give me a copy of Firelight II: Vanish.

Ten Ways To Get Your Draki On!
by Sophie Jordan

1. Buy Firelight and learn what it really means to get all "hot" and bothered over a guy!
2. Sprout wings and fly!
3. Live a really, really long time … like a few hundred years. Oh, and when you do "expire" you'll still look youthful.
4. Live in a mysterious world of cool, wet mists shielded from the outside "human" world.
5. When you fall for a guy, you fall hard – it's just a genetic predisposition. You can't help yourself.
6. Superpowers. Yep, but they're called talents. It's a surprise what your superpower will be until you come of age, but rest assured it just might be something as cool as … fire-breathing!
7. Blow steam on any guy who gets a little to fresh what his hands or lips.
8. Evade the brutal hunters who would capture you and do unspeakable things to you, that is unless you...
9. Fall for a super sexy hunter who just might be different from the others hunting you.
10. Give the hottest lip-singeing kisses -- literally.

Contest!

Jacinda has an awesome special power...well, more than one, actually. If you could choose one special power for yourself, what would it be and why? We'll choose one commenter on Wednesday evening to win a copy of Firelight! **Don't forget to share your email address with us so we can reach you if you win!

Stay tuned all this and next month for fabulous prizes and awesome Ten Ways posts from an incredible range of authors! And don't forget to read more Authors Rule(s)!

Rachael Herron's Ten Things to Do When Alone in a New City

Rachael Herron is the best.

We started our time at Avon Books together, she writing her fabulous Cypress Hollow contemporaries that mix knitting and hot heroes and me writing my historicals, and I'm pretty sure we were destined to be friends. Her first book, How To Knit A Love Song , was released to critical praise and my own excitement...and I'm so so happy to host her on the blog as part of my celebration of Ten Ways to Be Adored When Landing a Lord !

Rachael was just here in New York City for a bit, meeting and exploring and, unfortunately, I had a terrible cold and couldn't make our scheduled lunch, which made me very very sad...until she sent me the following list for the blog.  Now I'm not so sad, because I'm imagining that she did at least one or two of these things during the time when we were supposed to meet up!

Without further ado...

Ten Things to Do When Alone in a New City

1. Wander. Get lost. Do NOT buy a map. Remember that we are finally living in the future and you have a map in your pocket if you really need one, or--gasp--you could ask directions of someone (but you won't -- wherever you end up is where you're meant to be).

2. Drink coffee. Even if you normally never drink caffeine (like me), there is something wonderful about an espresso sipped at a table as you watch the world go by.

3. When you pass a local bookstore, pop in and go through the Local section. You'll find books you never would have dreamed of, and they'll be good.

4. Flirt inappropriately with someone you'll never see again, and then disappear, never even having given him your name.

5. Drink alcohol. Even if you normally never drink spirits (unlike me), unless there is a good reason not to (recovery is a good reason), there is something wonderful about 18-year Scotch imbibed while laughing in a town you don't know.

6. Don't pack an umbrella -- they're three dollars and readily available.

7. Walk in the rain.

8. Ask the names of the people you meet, and use them, even if you only use them to say goodbye.

9. Buy new shoes that will remind you of the city you're in every time you put them on. Make them more frivolous than you normally wear: heels if you wear flats, boots instead of pumps.

10. Buy a map as you leave town, and write all over it, marking the places you've been and what you did there. Then, mark the places you want to go the next time you come back.

I love these tips! I think they should be printed on little cards and handed out at visitors' centers across the globe.  Seriously.  Especially number eight.  You never know who you might meet.

Contest!

Tell Rachael and me one tip you have for traveling in a new city...and we'll choose one commenter on Monday evening to win a copy of How to Knit a Love Song! **Don't forget to share your email address with us so we can reach you if you win!

Stay tuned all this and next month for fabulous prizes and awesome Ten Ways posts from an incredible range of authors! And don't forget to read more Authors Rule(s)! (And don't forget to read Rachael's Nine Rules for Knitting in the Dark for more fun!)

Ten Ways in Seven Days - Celebratory Giveaways!

Seven days until the release of Ten Ways!

I'm knee deep in revisions on Juliana's book, but had just enough time to send postcards out to everyone on my mailing list...and to write a handful of blog posts which will be up around the Web in the next few weeks...so stay tuned for those!

Baxter can barely contain his excitement about next Tuesday. As you can see, he's resting up for a walk to the bookstore.


Anyway...in honor of the impending release of Ten Ways to Be Adored When Landing a Lord , which just received a starred review from Library Journal (they called it "radiant!"), I'm doing a giveaway!  Winner will received signed copies of Nine Rules... and Ten Ways... and an I Break the Rules totebag!

As you can probably guess, I'm in a list mood these days (numbered titles tend to have this effect on me)...so how about this: In comments, list your ten favorite books (see how I'm also using this as a way to build my To Be Read pile?).  I'll choose one winner on Tuesday of next week!

**Don't forget to leave your email address, so I can reach you if you win!

Karen Ranney's Ten Ways to Tell You're in Scotland!

[image error] It's unofficial Scotland week here at MacLeanSpace... completely unplanned, I scheduled Donna Fletcher and the fabulous Karen Ranney within days of each other...which is a gift to you, and all others who love their men brawny and kilted!

It seems appropriate, though, as the weather is just turning cool here in New York, and a warm man--*a-hem*--by which I mean, of course, a warm plaid would be more than welcome. And Karen's most recent book,  A Highland Duchess  is exactly the kind of romance that keeps you warm on an autumn night!

I'm so thrilled to have Karen on the blog to celebrate the release of Ten Ways to Be Adored When Landing a Lord ...I've been reading her books since she started writing--there's just something about that rollicking Scottish Romance that makes me all warm and fuzzy...and Karen must feel the same way (after all, her blog is called Warm Fuzzies)!

Ten Ways to Tell You're in Scotland

1. You see lot and lots of tartan (especially in shops that cater to tourists).
2. You hear bagpipes and drums a lot.
3. People want you to try haggis.
4. You're in Glasgow, but you can't understand a word anyone says.
5. You have an incredible urge to go salmon fishing or play golf.
6. You look for a kilted man on every corner and when – thank your lucky stars! – you see one, you just stop and stare in appreciation.
7. You want to weep whenever you see a castle.
8. You have the curious urge to start talking brogue because you're beginning to feel a little Scottish yourself.
9. You find yourself smiling often.
10. You really don't want to leave – or you count the days until you can return.

Contest time!

One lucky commenter will win a copy of Karen's A Highland Duchess! This post has put me in the mood for traveling and romance...It's been ten years since I was in Scotland last, and I must say "When are we going to Scotland?" to my husband at least once a week!

So...how about this? In comments, tell us the place in the world you'd love to go (or return to) with your sweetheart...and we'll choose one winner on Friday evening! **Don't forget to share your email address with us so we can reach you if you win!

Stay tuned all this and next month for fabulous prizes and awesome Ten Ways posts from an incredible range of authors! And don't forget to read more Authors Rule(s)!

Jenny Brown's Ten Twelve Ways to Win His Heart (Astrological Version)

I've been excited about debut romance author Jenny Brown since I heard about her from her editor at a Lady Jane's Salon more than a year ago. I mean, a series in which astrology plays a critical role? Stop it. It sounds PERFECT.

Because, here's the thing. I'm obsessed with astrology. It stems back to a time when I worked for an astrologer and she did my chart and it was so completely, eerily accurate that I couldn't bear it and I was totally sold. So when I heard about  Lord Lightning , the first of Jenny's books, I could. Not. Wait. And it was utterly worth the wait.

I'm so excited that Jenny is here to celebrate the launch of Ten Ways to Be Adored When Landing a Lord with her own Ten Ways...except, there are twelve astrological signs...and Eleven is my last numbered book...so I'm changing the rules just for today...and Jenny's sharing her:

Ten Twelve Ways to Win His Heart (Astrological Version) 

1. If your Man is an Aries: Keep it simple and fun. His world view can be summed up thus: You're hot. He loves you. Time for fun.

2. If your Man is a Taurus: Make him comfortable. He's a creature of habit and you're a habit he can easily get hooked on if you appeal to his love of beauty and sensual pleasure.

3. If your Man is a Gemini: Appeal to his curiosity. Keep things light and keep him guessing.

4. If your Man is a Cancer: Mother him. The person who said, "The way to a man's heart is through his stomach" was married to a Cancer.

5. If your Man is a Leo: Admire him. All that bluster hides a deep need for affection.

6. If your Man is a Virgo: Let him fix your computer. Admire the efficient way he folds his socks. Appreciate how giving he is, even if what he's giving you is criticism.

7. If your Man is a Libra: He's a team player and expects you to play by the rules. Treat him fairly and he'll do the same to you.

8. If your Man is a Sagittarius: Let him explain it all to you. He has a theory, several hundred, actually.

9. If your Man is a Capricorn: Work with him, because work is his life and the more closely involved you are with it, the closer he'll feel to you.

10. If your Man is an Aquarius: Include his friends. They are the center of his life and the more you fit in with them the more he'll adore you.

11. If your Man is a Scorpio: Let him transform you--but don't make it too easy. He likes a challenge. You can enthrall him by letting him uncover your secrets, just don't expect him to reveal his in return.

12. If your Man is a Pisces: Leave him. He'll never be as happy with the real you as he'll be with his dreams of what might have been.

I love love love this post. And I might just be bookmarking it for future use. I'm just saying.

Contest time!

I've got one copy of Lord Lightning for one lucky commenter! So, here we go: Tell us your sign...and one thing that is *totally* you about it (or totally *not* you)! We'll choose one winner on Wednesday evening! **Don't forget to share your email address with us so we can reach you if you win!

And stay tuned all this and next month for fun contests and awesome Ten Ways posts from an incredible range of authors! And don't forget to read more Authors Rule(s)!

Donna Fletcher's Ten Ways to Tell You're Obsessed with Highlander Warriors

When I first discovered romance, there was little that made me happier than the Highland Romance.  I mean, the camping out on the wicked, brutal heath wrapped in the warm tartan of a hot Scottish warrior? Yes, please.

As far as I'm concerned, Real Men Wear Kilts.

Donna Fletcher agrees with me.  Moreso, Donna Fletcher might just be the leader of the Real Men Wear Kilts movement with her fabulous Highland Romances, the latest of which, Bound to a Warrior (first in a 4-book series, yay!!), is everything a Highland Romance should be.

I'm so happy that Donna agreed to come on the blog to celebrate the release of Ten Ways to Be Adored When Landing a Lord and share her own list of ten as part of Authors Rule(s)!

It seems only fitting that Donna's list be:

Ten Ways to Tell You're Obsessed with Highlander Warriors

1. You don't understand why all hunky men don't wear skirts.

2. You request that your significant other speak to you in a Scottish brogue during those relevant moments. (caution – could end a relationship or improve it)

3. Anytime you hear a Scottish brogue your head whips around and you're expecting to see an imposing Highlander warrior carrying a claymore.

4. You're fascinated with swords – all shapes and sizes, though you favor the large one…the Scottish claymore.

5. You take long walks in the woods over hilly and rocky terrain hoping a Highlander warrior will fall out of place and time, and right into your lap!

6. You place a sachet of mugwort under your pillow at night to conjure a Highlander warrior in your dreams. It works and you're late for work the next day, but hey who cares, you have tonight to dream again.

7. You attend the special lecture on the history of the Scottish kilt at a major museum – not for the knowledge – but hoping they'll have live models.

8. Which brings me to the real reason you hope for live models. You truly want to find out for yourself what's worn under the kilt. Of course being obsessed with Highlander warriors you already know!

9. You attend Scottish festivals near and far scouring the crowd for your very own Highlander warrior. And though your friends think you're nuts, they sometimes join you, hoping you're not… and that they too have a chance of finding one.

10. Seize the day! You pack your bags and off you go to the Scottish Highlands determined to find your Highlander Warrior. (caution – this obsession could prove costly, but then again it could prove fun or even successful!)

It's official. I'm obsessed with Highlander Warriors. Do you think my husband would wear a kilt if I bought him one?

Contest time!

Donna is generously offering up a signed copy of Bound to a Warrior to one lucky commenter!  Tell us your favorite Scotsman (real or fictional), and we'll choose one winner on Monday evening! **Don't forget to share your email address with us so we can reach you if you win!

And stay tuned all this and next month for fabulous prizes and awesome Ten Ways posts from an incredible range of authors! And don't forget to read more Authors Rule(s)!

Margo Maguire's Ten Things Never to Do When a Prince is Falling in Love With You

This year's RWA was super fun and not a little bit intimidating for me. After all, it's not every day that a girl who has been reading romances for her entire life gets a chance to sign her own book in a room full of Avon authors!

I was very very lucky to be seated next to the fabulous, friendly Margo Maguire, who is a total pro at this author thing, and was more than willing to suffer my squeeing and excitement--even when I failed to just be cool and not tell her how much I love her books (I mean, have you read The Bride Hunt ? If not, leave now and do it. This post will be here when you're done).

Margo even graciously agreed to come on the blog and celebrate the release of Ten Ways to Be Adored When Landing a Lord and share her own list of ten as part of Authors Rule(s)!

Welcome Margaret!

The Rogue Prince was my recent release from Avon books, and is the story of a young widow who was wronged – terribly wronged! – by her late husband. When she learns of his lies and deceit, not to mention his affairs, Viscountess Maggie Blackmore decides to try her seductive wiles on Prince Thomas of Sabedoria.

Little does Maggie know Thomas is not really a prince, but a convicted felon, and Sabedoria is not a real place. But Tom is a man in possession of a vast fortune, and a deep
hunger for revenge – against her family.

To that end, Maggie must learn.... 

Ten Things Never to Do When a Prince is Falling in Love With You:

1. Do not drool over the gorgeous man after he rescues your little son from certain death in the street, and his gaze rakes you over as though he cannot take his eyes off you.

2. Do not introduce him to your sisters, who delight in demeaning you every change they get. Definitely do not allow him any contact with your mother – she will attempt to manage him while she demonstrates what a useless daughter you are.

3. And by all means, keep him away from your marquess step-brother, who will surely attempt to swindle him at the first opportunity. And for a great deal of money, too!

4. Try not to be too shocked when the prince shows more than a passing interest you. Just because you were married to an inconsiderate, spendthrift, unfaithful lout doesn't mean you're unattractive to every other man.

5. Never take your two small children along on outings with the prince, but if you must, do not show your surprise when he treats them better than their own father did.

6. Take care never to show him the caricatures you've drawn of him for the newspapers, for he couldn't possibly understand it's the only way you know how to pay off your late husband's debts.

7. Try not to melt when he touches you. After all, you were once married, and you bore two children. Such intimacies should not be so wildly affecting. Should they?

8. Do not fail to make the most of your fleeting time together, for he will soon leave England and return to his island kingdom of Sabedoria, half a world away.

9. Do not panic when you realize that he's a man bent upon revenge… against your step-brother, and especially against your late husband – or his family. Surely he would not harm you.

10. Do not forget to take it in stride when you learn who he really is, for he is the man you love, no matter what his rank in society.

*sigh* It's so hard to have Princes falling in love with you.  So. So. Hard.

Contest time!

Margo is generously offering up a signed copy of The Rogue Prince to one lucky commenter! To win a copy of this fab story, share your favorite prince or princess either from real life or from fiction! We'll choose one winner on Friday evening! **Don't forget to share your email address with us so we can reach you if you win!

And stay tuned all this and next month for fabulous prizes and awesome Ten Ways posts from an incredible range of authors! And don't forget to read more Authors Rule(s)!