Lucy Monroe's Blog, page 48
August 15, 2012
August 14, 2012
Children of the Moon Series
Visit my Children of the Moon WebsiteWith the Next Children of the Moon book, Dragon's Moon being released in September, I thought it would be fun to visit the first three books!
Moon AwakeningBerkley Sensation (mass market paperback)ISBN: 0425214265February 2007When Emily Hamilton's family is ordered to send a woman to the Scottish highlands for marriage to the laird of the Sinclair, Emily volunteers in order to save her younger sister from such a fate. But at her new home, the only friend she finds is the laird's sister-especially after Emily's stubborn streak causes the laird to cancel the marriage. And though her plans have gone awry, she refuses to return home...
Lachlan Balmoral is laird of his clan-and leader of his pack. One of the most feared werewolves prowling the Highlands, he is on the march against the hated Sinclair, who have abducted a Balmoral woman. He kidnaps the sister of the Sinclair laird, planning to marry her off in revenge-but the woman he takes along with her proves to be the greater prize...
For Emily feeds a desire he has never known existed. And though Lachlan would not think of touching his enemy's betrothed, he must know how a mere woman could tame his heart so easily...
Buy the book ~ Read an excerpt
Look for Dragon's Moon (Book 4) in bookstores and online this September!
August 11, 2012
Weekly Contest Winner
August 10, 2012
Guest Blog - Donna Grant
Welcome Donna! Thanks for being my guest today.
Highlanders
Hmm…Highlanders. Just saying the word makes me envision muscular, alpha men who are bold and daring. Seductive and tempting. Rugged and roguish. Dangerous and desirable.
What makes Highlanders so very. . . enticing? For me, it’s part of the people they were/are. They are one with their land, as few are. Their love of Scotland runs deep in their blood as is seen by their bloody – and very violent – history defending it.
Yet it’s also because there is something amazingly appealing about a man in a kilt. Maybe it’s a getting to see those muscular legs or knowing what they are – or aren’t, as the case goes – wearing beneath those tartans.
But I think its because there’s a look a Highlander has that says he’s reckless enough and strong enough for whatever comes his way. Whether it’s defending their land or the ones they love, Highlanders are the essence of everything a champion embodies. And everything I love to read about in a book.
There’s nothing I love more than a brawny man in a kilt with a sword ready to defend what is his.
What is it that appeals to you about Highlanders?I’ll be giving away a copy of the sixth book in my Dark Sword series, DARKEST HIGHLANDER to a commenter. So talk to me.
Look for my recent release (July 31st), the first book in the Dark Kings series (a spin off of the Dark Warriors series), DARK CRAVING.
Fueled by ancient magic – and enflamed by human desire – the Dragon King known as Hal can transform himself at will into one of the legendary winged creatures he is sworn to protect. But one thing he can never do is fall in love…with a mortal woman.
Searching for her brother in Scotland – and succumbing to the freezing cold – Cassie Hunter awakens to find herself in the arms of a magnificent Highland warrior. Across his chest is a tattoo of a fiery dragon. And in his heart is a burning passion that, once unleashed, will consume them both…body and soul.
This is a story of destiny and desire, magic and mystery, warriors and lovers.These are the forbidden cravings of the Dark Kings.
To find out more about me, read excerpts, see wallpapers of the Warriors, search characters, or watch book trailers please visit my website at www.DonnaGrant.com.
Hugs,D
Highlanders
Hmm…Highlanders. Just saying the word makes me envision muscular, alpha men who are bold and daring. Seductive and tempting. Rugged and roguish. Dangerous and desirable.What makes Highlanders so very. . . enticing? For me, it’s part of the people they were/are. They are one with their land, as few are. Their love of Scotland runs deep in their blood as is seen by their bloody – and very violent – history defending it.
Yet it’s also because there is something amazingly appealing about a man in a kilt. Maybe it’s a getting to see those muscular legs or knowing what they are – or aren’t, as the case goes – wearing beneath those tartans.
But I think its because there’s a look a Highlander has that says he’s reckless enough and strong enough for whatever comes his way. Whether it’s defending their land or the ones they love, Highlanders are the essence of everything a champion embodies. And everything I love to read about in a book.
There’s nothing I love more than a brawny man in a kilt with a sword ready to defend what is his.
What is it that appeals to you about Highlanders?I’ll be giving away a copy of the sixth book in my Dark Sword series, DARKEST HIGHLANDER to a commenter. So talk to me.
Look for my recent release (July 31st), the first book in the Dark Kings series (a spin off of the Dark Warriors series), DARK CRAVING.
Fueled by ancient magic – and enflamed by human desire – the Dragon King known as Hal can transform himself at will into one of the legendary winged creatures he is sworn to protect. But one thing he can never do is fall in love…with a mortal woman.Searching for her brother in Scotland – and succumbing to the freezing cold – Cassie Hunter awakens to find herself in the arms of a magnificent Highland warrior. Across his chest is a tattoo of a fiery dragon. And in his heart is a burning passion that, once unleashed, will consume them both…body and soul.
This is a story of destiny and desire, magic and mystery, warriors and lovers.These are the forbidden cravings of the Dark Kings.
To find out more about me, read excerpts, see wallpapers of the Warriors, search characters, or watch book trailers please visit my website at www.DonnaGrant.com.
Hugs,D
August 9, 2012
52 Weeks of Romance by Lucy!
Week 32 - The Greek’s Pregnant Loverby Lucy MonroeTraditional Greek Husbands mini-seriesHarlequin Presents #2935ISBN-10: 0373129351ISBN-13: 978-0373129355August 2010 North America
Contest Question (Please leave your answer in the comment section. Winners will be announced on Saturday. If you leave your email address in your comment I will contact you regarding the prize otherwise you may check back on Saturday to see if you are the winner and email me.)
When the book opens, Piper is nervously on a plane. Where is the plane headed? (Hint: read the excerpt.)
Contest Question (Please leave your answer in the comment section. Winners will be announced on Saturday. If you leave your email address in your comment I will contact you regarding the prize otherwise you may check back on Saturday to see if you are the winner and email me.)
When the book opens, Piper is nervously on a plane. Where is the plane headed? (Hint: read the excerpt.)
August 8, 2012
August 7, 2012
Mary Wine - Book Release
I know that we usually devote Tuesday's for upcoming books or recently released Lucy Monroe books, but I'm so excited for my friend, Mary Wine's new release, that I'm highlighting her book which is out today!
A Lady Can Never Be Too Curious.
Top Ten Pick by Publishers Weekly for Fall 2012.
Beneath the Surface of Victorian Life lies a very different world…Hated and feared by the upper classes, the Illuminists guard their secrets with their lives. Janette Aston’s insatiable quest for answers brings her to their locked golden doors, where she encounters the most formidable man she’s ever met.
Darius Lawley’s job is to eliminate would-be infiltrators, but even he may be no match for Janette’s cunning and charm…
You can read an excerpt on her website.
Book is available from the Publisher, Amazon print, or Amazon Kindle.
A Lady Can Never Be Too Curious.Top Ten Pick by Publishers Weekly for Fall 2012.
Beneath the Surface of Victorian Life lies a very different world…Hated and feared by the upper classes, the Illuminists guard their secrets with their lives. Janette Aston’s insatiable quest for answers brings her to their locked golden doors, where she encounters the most formidable man she’s ever met.
Darius Lawley’s job is to eliminate would-be infiltrators, but even he may be no match for Janette’s cunning and charm…
You can read an excerpt on her website.
Book is available from the Publisher, Amazon print, or Amazon Kindle.
August 6, 2012
Breaking the Rules without Breaking Reader Hearts
I'm a rulebreaker. Yep. Sadly, it's true. I just can't seem to follow other people's strictures for my life, but particularly for my writing. Like I remind my doctor, I'm not a statistic and just because something works for the majority does not mean it will work for me. And vice versa...simply because a path is not a widely accepted one to take doesn't mean I won't be glad I traveled it. In fact, considering my sometimes contrary nature, I'll probably be happier taking the less trodden path.I'm not sure if that makes me courageous or just plain dumb, but there it is. :) It's also probably why I fought so many of the "rules" and "accepted wisdom" when I first started writing and continue to do so. But lest you call me a rebel without a cause, let me share mine with you. I want to touch readers hearts. I want to share the stories that come from deep inside me with others and in doing so, sometimes I just can't follow the rules.
When I first began to pursue my dream of becoming a published author, I was told by many that it would not work to write more than one subgenre of romance when trying to build my career. I heard and understood the advice given to me in this regard. I even saw the legitimacy to it, but I could not dismiss the stories clamoring in my head to be written merely because they didn't all fall within the same easily identifiablecategories. How could I tell one set of characters they were more worthy than another? So, I wrote the stories I had to write and amazingly enough (to me anyway), I sold those stories to four different publishers as time went on. No, I don't recommend writing different subgenres if you are not a fast writer, but if you are...it may be the only way for *you* to stay fresh and...well, uh...sane. :)
So needless to say I've published over 50 books in five subgenres. And along the way, I've broken a few more strictures and instead of turning readers off, I've been lucky enough to connect with a group of them hungry for the kind of stories I want to write. I can't tell you how grateful I am that is true. One thing you have to accept when breaking a rule is that there can be and often are negative consequences. I won't pretend I haven't run into any. I have. Has the cost been worth it? Absolutely. I find a lot of joy in pushing past preconcieved notions regarding what belongs in a romance, both in the writing itself and discussing it with those igorant of the power and depth of romance novels.
I want to keep trying new things and writing stories that touch my readers' emotions. Because of that, although I'm happy to break rules, I never want to break a reader's heart. So, I guess you could say one rule is still sacrosant for me: my romance novels end with an HEA that sticks and they always will. I guess you could say that's *my* rule.What are some rules you think should never be broken? Ones you wouldn't mind seeing trampled, or at least stretche a little bit?
Hugs,
Lucy
August 4, 2012
Weekly Contest Winner!
August 3, 2012
Guest Blogger - Susanna Carr
Welcome Susanna Carr! I'm so excited to share about your new book. I will be placing on my TBR stack of great reads.
What is your favorite thing to do when you are not writing?I like going on weekend trips with my family, crossing items off my bucket list and watching all the TV shows I’ve missed. I’m currently catching up on Warehouse 13. I wasn't too sure about the series because I'm really not into paranormal, but I love the characters in this show!What books are sitting on your TBR pile? What books are you currently reading? I’ve been reading a lot of RITA nominated books. It’s a great way to find new (to you) authors. I'm currently reading Boomerang Bride by Fiona Lowe. It won the RITA and it's up for the Romance Writers of Australia's RUBY.Please share something you found most interesting or fun that you did to research for a book. It was fun creating a fictional desert kingdom. I had to think about the history, culture and even the geography! I drew upon a lot of pictures and places I’ve traveled.How did you come up with the name and plot for The Tarnished Jewel of Jazaar? This story was inspired by an Indian fairy tale I read many years ago about a woman who is sold into marriage with a monster prince. I wanted to write a marriage of convenience romance and I thought about this fairy tale.Action adventure or romantic comedy? What is your favorite movie lately?I’m greedy—I want both in my movie! Give me a story has an adventurous element that ups the ante so the couple faces challenges together. I would love to see more movies like True Lies or Romancing the Stone.
Check out Susanna's newest North American Release available now as an ebook!
Available in print
August 7thFrom one desert prison to another…Jeweled veil weighing heavily on her head, Zoe Martin waits for her sheikh husband-to-be. The shame of her adoptive family, orphan Zoe has endured six years of being kept a slave--now she's being sold into marriage… to a man known as The Beast!The stakes couldn't be higher… or more sinfully pleasurable!Being discarded to the sheikh has one bonus--this could mean freedom! Zoe must play along with the three-day--and three-night--ceremony, but she isn't expecting the blazing attraction from just one stolen glance at playboy sheikh Nadir….
Read an excerpt.
What is your favorite thing to do when you are not writing?I like going on weekend trips with my family, crossing items off my bucket list and watching all the TV shows I’ve missed. I’m currently catching up on Warehouse 13. I wasn't too sure about the series because I'm really not into paranormal, but I love the characters in this show!What books are sitting on your TBR pile? What books are you currently reading? I’ve been reading a lot of RITA nominated books. It’s a great way to find new (to you) authors. I'm currently reading Boomerang Bride by Fiona Lowe. It won the RITA and it's up for the Romance Writers of Australia's RUBY.Please share something you found most interesting or fun that you did to research for a book. It was fun creating a fictional desert kingdom. I had to think about the history, culture and even the geography! I drew upon a lot of pictures and places I’ve traveled.How did you come up with the name and plot for The Tarnished Jewel of Jazaar? This story was inspired by an Indian fairy tale I read many years ago about a woman who is sold into marriage with a monster prince. I wanted to write a marriage of convenience romance and I thought about this fairy tale.Action adventure or romantic comedy? What is your favorite movie lately?I’m greedy—I want both in my movie! Give me a story has an adventurous element that ups the ante so the couple faces challenges together. I would love to see more movies like True Lies or Romancing the Stone.Check out Susanna's newest North American Release available now as an ebook!
Available in printAugust 7thFrom one desert prison to another…Jeweled veil weighing heavily on her head, Zoe Martin waits for her sheikh husband-to-be. The shame of her adoptive family, orphan Zoe has endured six years of being kept a slave--now she's being sold into marriage… to a man known as The Beast!The stakes couldn't be higher… or more sinfully pleasurable!Being discarded to the sheikh has one bonus--this could mean freedom! Zoe must play along with the three-day--and three-night--ceremony, but she isn't expecting the blazing attraction from just one stolen glance at playboy sheikh Nadir….
Read an excerpt.
