Lucy Monroe's Blog, page 49

52 Weeks of Romance by Lucy!

Week 31
The Prince's Virgin Wife
by Lucy Monroe
ISBN 0373125356Buy the book
If I find you naked in my bed, I will fire you on the spot. - Maggie didn’t need Tom Prince’s warning. She knew her gorgeous Italian boss was far out of her league. But it didn’t stop her wanting him…

Now Principe Tomasso Scorsolini needs to marry. He’s had enough of gold-diggers. Innocent Maggie will make a highly convenient wife! She doesn’t know that her new royal employer is the man she’s dreamed of for years, or just what he intends her duties to be. Being naked in his bed is no longer a sacking offence – but a requirement!
Visit my webpage to watch the book trailer or read an 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.)

The Prince's Virgin Wife is the first book in a trilogy of Royal Brides. What are the other two books in the series?

Humpday Hottie!

Close Quarters - In stores now!

Out in Stores Now!
Close Quarters
Book 5 in The Goddard Project seriesMass Market PaperbackKensington Brava - July 2012
ISBN: 0758242026
ISBN: 978/0758242020
Purchase Now


Have you read this book yet?  Here's an exclusive excerpt:

“So, did Ibeamaka leave the compound?”
“Yes. I do not believe he likes the Americans. He thinks he has shown them some sort of petty slight by not offering to stay and take the evening meal with them.”
Tanya laughed. “I’m sure they’ll be horribly disappointed.”
“Without doubt.” Fleur’s voice dripped with a sarcasm that more than matched Tanya’s.
Both women smiled in understanding.
“Disappointment is not the word I would use,” a deep male voice said from the doorway.
Tanya jerked her head around to look. “I didn’t hear you come in.” The wood floor in the medical hut did not make for silent entry into the building.
“I walk quietly.”
“Don’t tell me, you’re not just a soldier, you’re some kind of dark ops trained assassin,” she joked.
For a fraction of a second, a strange expression showed on Roman’s face before his features slipped back into impassivity. “Soldiers are all trained for a certain level of stealth.”
Maybe he’d been offended by her little tease. His words were right, but she felt like something was missing from his explanation. No surprise there, not with Mr. Congenial Communication not.
“Even lab rats?”
“I think it’s obvious I don’t spend all my time in a lab.” He stepped back into the hall. “The tour?”
Arrogant, much?
“Sure.” She turned to Fleur. “I’ll finish this up later.”
“I will have our newest med tech finish them for you, but you’ll have to check them over for accuracy.”
Sympa-Med sent them new interns every six months to be trained before being assigned elsewhere. Fleur wasn't just the compound directro and lead doctor, she ran the training program for workers stationed all over Africa and the Middle East.
“No problem.”
“Don’t look so pleased with yourself. We all know how much you hate paperwork. Maybe Mr. Taylor will turn out to enjoy the chore.”
The trainees never got on first name basis with Fleur. Tanya hadn't either, until a good three months after she'd been assigned permanently to the Zimbabwe team.
"Sounds like a plan." Six months with truncated amounts of paperwork sounded more like Heaven than a plan, but Fleur would understand that without Tanya having to say it.
“Go on, show the soldier around.” Fleur waved her hand in dismissal.
Tanya smirked at Fleur's less than awed description of Roman as she led Roman out of the Medical Hut. “I’m sure you’ve figured it out, but this is the main building in the compound. It houses our exam rooms, the clean room for procedures, Fleur and my office and inventory storage for medical supplies.”
“I did not notice a guard on premise.”
“He must be on his meal break. We do keep a guard on premises at all times, and Mabu sleeps in a room beside the storage area.”
“He does not have anyone cover the guard’s meal breaks?”
“No.”
“That is sloppy security.”
“We’re safer here than we are on most of our routes.”
“That isn’t saying much.”
She agreed, but it was a condition you either learned to live with, or you gave up and went home. She wasn’t leaving the people who needed her, so that left learning to live with the constant danger from thieves, human traffickers and the violence always on the verge of erupting in some of the places their traveling clinic took them.
“I find it hard to believe you spend any time at all in a lab.” It didn’t make sense for a scientist to be called in on a protection detail. Nor did his attitude about and knowledge of security protocols coincide with a man who worked as a scientist even part-time.
Roman shrugged. “It pleases my family to believe that is where I spend my time.”
So, at least her new sister-in-law hadn’t lied to Tanya. Unfortunately, for their family anyway, Roman was clearly lying to the other Chernichenkos.
“Do any of your siblings know what you really do?”
“Myk.”
“He’s the only one?” she asked as they walked by the hut that housed the rest of Mabu’s staff and his office.
“Yes, and I would prefer it stay that way.”
She pointed out the security hut before asking, “Is that why you didn’t tell Elle you were going to be seeing me?”
“What is that building?” he asked, pointing to one of the larger structures in the compound. Once again asking a question rather than answering hers.
That could get really annoying after a while. “Do you always ignore questions you don’t want to answer?”
“Yes.”
“That’s rude.”
“Yes.”
And clearly he didn’t care.
“All right then. This building was the original clinic. We now use it as sort of a long stay building for people who cannot make it to the hospital in Harrere, but who absolutely require supervised care.”
“Is there anyone in there now?”
“The better question would be if it is ever empty. Most of the beds are full, which is pretty common despite Sympa-Med’s policy on the matter.” Which wasn’t all that tolerant of long-term treatment of the locals. “It’s less crowded than last week when we had a local village chieftain staying with his entourage.”
“He couldn’t go to Harare?”
“More like he refused.”
“What was wrong with him?”
“Migraines. He feared he had a brain tumor, but it turned out he was allergic to expensive French cologne a trader had given as a thank you gift for being allowed to peddle his wares in the village.”
“I bet he doesn’t get that opportunity again.”
“If he shows up in the village again, he’ll be lucky to leave with his life.”
“Harsh justice.” Roman gave her a cynical smile. “The government doesn’t mention that in their tourism brochures.”
“They do their best to keep information about the rampant human trafficking going on in Zimbabwe out of the media as well, but it’s big and growing problem in this part of Africa despite what PR people for tourism want you to believe.”
“I’m surprised you’d be willing to work in such a risky location.”
SympaMed took measures to protect their employees, but it wasn’t something she was supposed to talk about. “Medical workers aren’t as at risk as the tens of thousands of displaced and poverty stricken Zimbabweans.”
“Being less at risk is not the same as not being at risk at all.”
“Some things are worth it.”
“Things like?”
“Helping people who need it.”
“There are plenty of people who need help in the U.S..”
“Yes, there are, but there are also a lot more people trained to do the helping back home.”
“So, you’re here because you think the Zimbabweans need you more than anyone back in the States?”
“There’s that, and then there’s having have half a world between me and my parents.”
“Ouch.”
It was her turn to shrug. “They’re not bad people, they just define success and happiness really differently than either Beau or I do.”
“I bet they just love your current occupation.”
“Is that sarcasm, Roman?”
“Could be. Is that the mess hall?”
“Yes. Meals are served twice a day, but there is always something in the pot for people who can’t make it to official meal times and who get hungry in between them.” Positions within the compound were highly coveted because living conditions were so much better than most. “Come on, I’ll introduce you to the cook and her helper.”
They spent a short time in the dining hall and introducing Roman to the kitchen staff, who did most of their cooking in an open air lean-to situated behind the one room hut where everyone in the compound took their meals. The rest of the cooking happened in and on the fire pits situated far enough from the buildings to minimize the risk of an errant spark sending the compound up in flames.
"The fence does not look too hard to breach," Roman said as they walked past the staff living quarters and Tanya made no effort to point out where she slept.
No matter how tempting the thought of him joining her there.
"It's meant to discourage small animals and petty thieves. Serious threats wouldn't be deterred by anything less than an electric fence with barbed wire. We can't afford the power to run one, much less get Sympa-Med to fund the cost.
"Where do you and Dr. Andikan sleep?"
"We share that hut with her daughter, Johari."
"She has a daughter?" he asked, sounding both annoyed and suprised.
"Yes."
"There is no record of that."
"You read our personnel records?" Tanya asked, taking her own turn at shocked disclosure.
"Bennet Vincent's safety is in our hands. His job is not popular with the Zimbabwean government, no matter how much lip serviec they give to being glad he is here. Assessing any potential threats in his domicile is standard procedure."
"Oh. Well, Johari isn't Fleur's natural child. She adopted the girl when she was orphaned in the Congolese Wars."
"That is commendable."
"Yes, it is. An Johari is a wonderful child."
"You sound whistful."
"Part of me longs to do the same thing."
"But you haven't."
"I'm on the road a lot more than Fleur. Since my arrival, she's pretty much limited herself to running the stationary clinic."
"I imagine it's a big enough job."
"Yes, and I don't mind taking team lead with the travelling clinic, but being gone for weeks at a time doesn't led itself to good parenting."
"No, it doesn't."
She stopped outside the medical hut as they finished their tour. "You sound like it's something you've thought about too."
"Not being a parent, but relationships require time that constant and prolonged travel does not give."
"Is that why you're single? You travel to much for your job, the one that isn't in a lab?" As the words left her mouth, she felt heat climb her skin, unable to believe she'd asked something so personal from the standoffish man.
"Yes."
"Wow, you actually answered."
He gave her a look that probably should have chastised her, but insteand just made her toes curl.
"You're certainly not single because you're ugly."
"You sound like Myk's new wife."
"She thinks you're hot too?" She couldn't see that going over well with a Chernichenko male.
"No. She doesn' thave any filters between her brain an dher mouth either."
"Oh, I have filters, I just don't choose to exercise them all the time. I don't see a reason to pretend an indifference I'll never be able to sustain for the length of your stay."
"We're only supposed to be here a couple of weeks."
"Exactly."
"I was wrong. You'r enot like Lana, you're a lot like your brother Beau. Very forthright."
"Yep." She blew out a noisy breath. "Most of the time, I don't see a reason for being any other way."
"But you do make exceptions."
"Of course. I'm not about to tell Mr. Ibeamak I think he's a slimy toad and that he has more chance with Paris Hilton than he does with Fleur."
"He did seem taken with her."
"Much to her disgust."
"What about you?"
"Me and Ibeamaka?"
"You and anyone."
"There's no one." And hadn't been since before she started working with Sympa-Med.

Weekly Contest Winners!

Weekly Contest Winners!
July Blog Contest
Congratulations_  you will receive a copy of Lucy's Monroe's Hired: The Sheikh's Secretary Mistress.  Please email me with your name and address so I can get your prize in the mail. 


52 Weeks of Romance from Lucy  

Congratulations _  you will receive a copy of Lucy's Monroe's book Beach Blanket Bad Boys. Please email me with your name and address so I can get your prize in the mail. 

52 Week's of Romance by Lucy!

Week 30
Beach Blanket Bad Boyswith Seducing Tabbyby Lucy MonroeKensington Brava - June 2005ISBN 0-7582-1094-9
Sun. Sand. Mind-blowing sex. Nothing like a little vacation with the bad boys. Get ready for six sizzling tales of love that will have you asking, “Is it getting hot in here, or is it just me?”


Read this great reader review of Lucy's story, Seducing Tabby:
"Hi Lucy, I know you are busy writing, and I am very happy to hear that but I just had to tell you how much I enjoyed Seducing Tabby. After reading it, I think all women will wish they were shy, reserved bookstore owners who were lusted after by sexy English spies! It was a lovely story, and the sexual tension between the two was incredible. How you manage to convey so much emotion and attraction in such a short medium is evidence of your true talent. Thanx for the story, and for all the ones yet to be written. Now I'm off to start "Ready" which I found at B&N." ~ Stacy




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.)


Reading on vacation is one of the great benefits of being on vacation! Where is your favorite place to read your summer sizzles? the beach, at home, outside on the patio?

Humpday Hottie!

Heart of Desert Warrior - In Stores Now!

Heart of a Desert Warrior - In bookstores now!
Harlequin Presents #3071 - July 2012
© By Lucy Monroe
ISBN-10: 0373130775
ISBN-13: 978-0373130771
Have you read HODW yet? Purchase Now!



Lucy Monroe pens another sweeping romance in Heart Of A Desert Warrior.

Iris Carpenter threw herself into her work as a geologist after her romance with Asad Hanif ended so abruptly several years ago. When her work brings her to the Middle East and their contact is Sheikh Asad, surely it can't be the same man who broke her heart. Iris is floored by the magnetic man who stands before her and her assistant. This Asad is more dangerous to her heart then the man from six years ago.

Sheikh Asad never forgot the young woman he left behind in the states. He knew he had to fulfill his duties to the people of Bedouin by marrying a neighboring princess. Now he is a widow with a young daughter in his care. Asad never forgot the woman who captivated him and he pulls every string he has to get Iris and her team on the project for his people.

Iris has built some high walls around her heart and is convinced that nothing the Sheikh will do can tear those walls down. But Asad has grown into a man who knows what he wants and he wants Iris in his life and his bed.

Can these two strong willed people be able to bend to find a love that is worth keeping?

Heart Of A Desert Warrior is an absolute gem. The characters will stir deep emotions in your heart and you will find yourself hoping that they find their happy ever after.  Lucy Monroe’s stories are a treat for any romance reader and are first on my list of books I want to read. This book will become one you will want to read over and over.  (Reader Review)

My characters are part of me!

How real are your characters?

Some kids have imaginary playmates; I created whole imaginary worlds in my head and I'm still doing it. My characters become my friends and you know...I never really let them go. Not when the book is finished, not when it's finally in print...not even when I move onto something new. They're always a part of me. Just like, yes, definitely - I'm a part of them.

I've often been asked whether there is any of me in my characters. The answer is: How can it be otherwise? Amanda's (The Real Deal) initial sensual insecurity was very familiar to me when I first met my husband. Annabelle (Annabelle's Courtship) shares my interest in political issues, not to mention her propensity for getting into trouble because of her havey-cavy plans.

But the parts that are me? They're integral to a bigger whole, to a character that is more than a reflection of his or her creator, but someone who becomes very real to me. On occasions, too real...just ask my kids who no longer make the mistake of asking for anything they really want while I'm writing the black moment. When my characters are in pain or doing stupid things, I feel it. In any other profession, that might make me crazy - but as a writer, I sort of see at as essential to writing stories that are going to connect to my readers' hearts.

If I connect to my characters first, then hopefully, the link is there to be made and my readers will make it and through it, sometimes even a link to me.

I've also been asked if I model my characters after real people. The answer is a complicated one. Just like real life. :) I often recognize things in my characters that remind me of someone I know, but then that's true of living, breathing people too. How many of your friends have personality traits in common? Is it any surprise that my characters share bits of who they are and what they are like with the people that populate *my* world? However, I don't usually see these similarities until the book is in print and I'm reading it again with some distance achieved. I discovered that the lab tech Vannie in Satisfaction Guaranteed has a lot of my mother-in-law's feistiness. Simon (The Real Deal) shares a lot of traits with my husband, but I'll let you speculate which ones they are. ;-) Jillian (The Real Deal & Deal With This) exhibits a dichotomy of character as an actress I first saw in my baby sister.

I guess the reasons my characters are so real to me is that just like the people around me, they are layered and filled with personality quirks just like the rest of us.

Who is your favorite character from a book and if you don't mind saying...how come? Does he or she remind you of anyone you know or have met?

Hugs,
Lucy

Weekly Contest Winners!

Weekly Contest Winner!
52 Weeks of Romance from Lucy
Congratulations Amy McKinney you will receive a copy of Lucy's Monroe's book The Sheikh's Bartered Bride. Please email me with your name and address so I can get your prize in the mail.

52 Week's of Romance by Lucy!

Week 29The Sheikh's Bartered Brideby Lucy MonroeISBN-13: 978-0-373-68822-7Mar '11- North AmericaBuy the book!
After a whirlwind courtship Sheikh Hakim bin Omar al Kadar proposes marriage. There are no declarations of love, but shy, innocent Catherine Benning has already fallen head-over-heels in love and she accepts…  After their wedding day – and night, when the sheikh claims his virgin wife – Catherine and Hakim travel to his desert kingdom.  Catherine discovers that this is no love match for Hakim – he’s bought her!





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.)

Lucy has published several Harlequin Presents books, leave a comment and to tell Lucy which HP book is your favorite and why/