Cecelia Mecca's Blog, page 18
April 12, 2018
Top Ten Classic Historical Romance Novels Set in the Medieval Period
I began reading historical romance novels in college. A fan of all things medieval, I was thrilled to find authors like Johanna Lindsey and Jude Deveraux and gobbled up their books in days or less. When life took me away from romance reading (gasp!) I was dismayed to learn years later that medieval romance novels were no longer the rage. I like a Regency-set romance as well as the next gal, but historical romance set in the medieval period is my true kryptonite. For those uninitiated, here are some of the first ones I read and some of my all-time favorites.
Top Ten Historical Romance Novels Set in the Medieval Period #romancenovels #amreading.
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Of course I also write medieval romance now too, so feel free to check out the Border Series, starting with the prequel novella ‘The Ward’s Bride’ for .99 or free with Kindle Unlimited. And if you read and enjoy one of the books below, give me a shout on social media to let me know!
The post Top Ten Classic Historical Romance Novels Set in the Medieval Period appeared first on Cecelia Mecca.
April 10, 2018
The Warrior’s Queen Blurb is Here {Exclusive on Goodreads}
The 6th installment of the Border Series, a historical romance set along the 13th century Anglo-Scottish border, arrived on May 17th. Although the cover reveal is two weeks away and the May Day Celebration, similar to the one in the book, will be its official launch month kick-off, I can’t wait until then to share SOMETHING. Since I’ve been using Goodreads myself for a reader for ages, I thought it a fine place to reveal the blurb first.
So get on over there to read the blurb on Goodreads and don’t forget to add ‘The Warrior’s Queen’ to your TBR list while you’re there.
The post The Warrior’s Queen Blurb is Here {Exclusive on Goodreads} appeared first on Cecelia Mecca.
April 4, 2018
Join the Border Ambassador Private Reader Group
Established in 2016, some Border Ambassadors declared their allegiance before I even had published any books. Mostly friends who read romance, they were willing to give me a shot, not surprising since they are, after all, my best buds. But what has amazed and humbled me are the Border Ambassadors who have joined since. Historical romance readers who don’t know me from Adam and not only buy my books but spend their time hanging out with me in live videos, offering input on new book ideas and in general just being the most awesome fans on the planet.
We have lots of fun in there too.
Today, for instance, I am hosting a signed paperback giveaway for BAs only. I revealed the next cover to them and am continually asking for input on bonus ideas and other ways to bring value to our group like the all new Tales from the Inn. So if you are a fan of the Border Series, current or future, join us. I can’t wait to see you there.
April 3, 2018
Tales from the Inn: Katherine’s Story
If you received the new CM Insider, you’ve met the latest addition to The Wild Boar, an inn located just along the Anglo-Scottish border. In the summer of 1273, a beautiful yet mysterious young woman arrived at the inn in the dead of night. With enough coin for an extended stay, Katherine offered the use of her skills to Magge, the innkeeper. Well-spoken and able to read and write in English, French and Latin, she quickly became an indispensable asset for The Wild Boar. When she ran out of coin, Magge happily agreed to allow Katherine to remain and work on the inn indefinitely.
Her only condition? That Magge not inquire about Katherine’s origins.
Like The Wild Boar whose reputation allows it to remain neutral despite its proximity to the Scottish border, Katherine tries not to bring attention to herself preferring to remain in her quarters whenever possible. Keeping the inn’s accounting and occasionally assisting in the hall when needed, she quickly became known as “Magge’s girl,” a softer, though just as spirited, version of the wily owner of the borders’ most famous inn.
Like any medieval inn, The Wild Boar is privy to plenty of rumor and gossip, and Katherine’s journal gives CM Insiders insight into the latest happenings on both sides of the border. If you are subscribed to the bi-weekly newsletter, enjoy “Tales from the Inn” in each CM Insider. If not, subscribe here.
The post Tales from the Inn: Katherine’s Story appeared first on Cecelia Mecca.
March 22, 2018
Bestselling ‘The Lord’s Captive’ on Sale
To this day, the second book in the Border Series is still one of my most beloved. The book, with its push/pull of a reticent hero and his captive, while unseemly to some (one reviewer says, “kidnapping is NOT sexy”) is overwhelmingly favored by fans. Nearly half of the email I received about the Border Series asks questions about Bryce and Catrina. “Will they have another story,” and “Will you write about their kids.” In fact, readers will see more of Bryce and Catrina in 2019, for for now, I’m excited to announce its first-ever .99 sale. For a limited time ‘The Lord’s Captive’ is on a Kindle Countdown Deal which means readers new to the Border Series can check it out fur under a dollar. If you’ve already read it, let me know what you think!
“I was told you were nearly dead.”
“You’re disappointed?” Her voice was like a splash of cold water. Why was he surprised this woman was so…feminine? She was a female, after all. A treacherous one. His enemy. But a female nonetheless.
“I don’t like being lied to.” And he didn’t.
“You would not have come otherwise.” It was a statement, not a question. And an accurate one.
“What do you want?”
“You can’t give me what I want.”
Oh, he was pretty sure he could.
Buy ‘The Lord’s Captive’ on Amazon. Deal ends March 27, 2018.
The post Bestselling ‘The Lord’s Captive’ on Sale appeared first on Cecelia Mecca.
Bestselling ‘The Lord’s Captive’ on Sale for a Limited Time
To this day, the second book in the Border Series is still one of my most beloved. The book, with its push/pull of a reticent hero and his captive, while unseemly to some (one reviewer says, “kidnapping is NOT sexy”) is overwhelmingly favored by fans. Nearly half of the email I received about the Border Series asks questions about Bryce and Catrina. “Will they have another story,” and “Will you write about their kids.” In fact, readers will see more of Bryce and Catrina in 2019, for for now, I’m excited to announce its first-ever .99 sale. For a limited time ‘The Lord’s Captive’ is on a Kindle Countdown Deal which means readers new to the Border Series can check it out fur under a dollar. If you’ve already read it, let me know what you think!
“I was told you were nearly dead.”
“You’re disappointed?” Her voice was like a splash of cold water. Why was he surprised this woman was so…feminine? She was a female, after all. A treacherous one. His enemy. But a female nonetheless.
“I don’t like being lied to.” And he didn’t.
“You would not have come otherwise.” It was a statement, not a question. And an accurate one.
“What do you want?”
“You can’t give me what I want.”
Oh, he was pretty sure he could.
Buy ‘The Lord’s Captive’ on Amazon. Deal ends March 27, 2019.
The post Bestselling ‘The Lord’s Captive’ on Sale for a Limited Time appeared first on Cecelia Mecca.
March 21, 2018
Top 5 Bad-Ass Female Characters on TV
In ‘The Protector’s Promise,’ a LADIES OF THE STONE story included in an upcoming anthology, the heroine is a no-nonsense Scottish lass who doesn’t take no for an answer. In fact, each of the females characters from Scottish romance authors Eliza Knight, Madeline Martin and Lori Ann Bailey, in their attempt to protect the Heart of the Stone, kick some serious bootie.
Being the serial TV show binger watcher (see here and here) that I am, I envisioned Sookie learning to deal with vampires and Amberle’s great sacrifice as I wrote my own story. Some of these fan favorites, like Gemma, we love to hate. And others are simply bad-ass female characters like Arya Stark. Here are five of my favorites:
Olivia Pope, Scandal
Sookie Stackhouse, True Blood/Sookie Stackhouse Series
Arya (& Brienne), Game of Thrones
Gemma, Sons of Anarchy
Amberle, The Shannara Chronicles
Love bad-ass female characters? Check out LADIES OF THE STONE on pre-order now for a special .99 price (will go up to $4.99 after release).
The post Top 5 Bad-Ass Female Characters on TV appeared first on Cecelia Mecca.
March 19, 2018
Love Romance & Medieval England? Try These Period Dramas.
While finding period drams on TV that fall smack-dab in the 13th century, like the Border Series, is just about impossible, many readers I talk with have a similar love of all things historical. Finding great historical romance novels can be more difficult than it was twenty years ago with the explosion of medieval romance. But like the Border Series, filled with throwback adventure, knights and castles and love stories that pull you into the world of Waryn and Kerr, these period dramas entertain while transporting you back to another time and place.
Game of Thrones
Love It: It is the single greatest TV show of all time. And its medieval. Every thumb up.
Romance Rating: Robb Stark and Jon Snow make it worth watching all by themselves.
Buy the Book: After season 1, I gobbled every A Song of Ice and Fire by George R. R. Martin.
Poldark
Love It: Set in 18th century Cornwall, England, Poldark is period drama at its best.
Romance Rating: A central love story and a hunky hero give this an A+ for romance.
Buy the Book: The show is based on the Poldark Book Series by Winston Graham.
The Tudors
Love It: This is one of my favorite period dramas of all time and prime for a re-watch.
Romance Rating: Though based on the life of Henry VIII…Johnathan Rhys Meyers. Enough said.
Buy the Book: This historical fiction was written by Michael Hirst and not based on a book.
Outlander
Love It: If your a romance reader and have a TV, you’re likely already watching this one.
Romance Rating: Scorching. Jamie Fraser is basically everyone’s book boyfriend.
Buy the Book: The Starz show is based on the Outlander series of novels by Diana Gabaldon.
The Last Kingdom
Love It: Set in the 9th century AD, this show is a medieval lover’s paradise.
Romance Rating: Uhtred has periodic love interests, but this one is more action than romance.
Buy the Book: This British historical fiction series is based on Bernard Cornwell’s The Saxon Stories.
Did I miss any of your favorites? Comment with the titles, and I will add a round two. In the meantime, if you’re in the mood for medieval AND love, check out the Border Series by starting with the box set including the first three book plus a bonus novella.
The post Love Romance & Medieval England? Try These Period Dramas. appeared first on Cecelia Mecca.
March 15, 2018
A Border Series Box Set is Now Available
To celebrate the release of the new Border Series Box Set which includes the first three books along with a bonus prequel novella, take the quiz below if you’ve read any of the individual books. Set along the 13th century Anglo-Scottish border, the series has been called “smart and sexy” and “well-researched, well-written. . . a page turner that gets better with every book.”
**ALSO IN KINDLE UNMILITED**
New readers to the series asked for “an economical way to get started in the series,” so I’m excited today to deliver just that. Vote, share and buy the box set and be sure to let me know what you think of the books.
Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post's poll.
The post A Border Series Box Set is Now Available appeared first on Cecelia Mecca.
February 23, 2018
My new release is HERE!
https://myBook.to/earlsentanglement
THE EARL'S ENTANGLEMENT is the 5th book in the historical romance Border Series set along the 13th century Anglo-Scottish border. When Garrick Helmsley, an earl in both England and Scotland, meets a feisty Englishwoman and is immediately draw to her, there's only one problem. He meets her on his way to be engaged to a Scottish heiress who will allow him to retain his earldom.
Love or duty? Which will Garrick choose and will he do it before Emma makes a decision that will doom the pair before they can declare for each other?
....
THE EARL'S ENTANGLEMENT is a standalone novel even though it is #5 in a series.
It is also a romance, like the other Border Series books, built on complex characters and lots of sexual chemistry.
PRICING
Release week pricing is $2.99. That price will increase to $3.99 after one week OR free if you are in Kindle Unlimited.
Thank you for taking the time to read this post and enjoy the book!
Sincerely,
Cecelia
