Julia London's Blog, page 41
March 23, 2012
Seduction of Lady X
ON SALE MARCH 27
The would-be Earl of Ashwood sets his romantic sights on a forbidden prize in the enchanting third novel from Julia London's addictively sexy new series.
The surprising news that dashing steward Harrison Tolly, illegitimate son of the Earl of Ashwood, is the rightful heir to his father's estate comes at a most inopportune time. With a wedding on the horizon and a baby on the way, a new life of privilege and prestige would be a blessing but for one problem: his heart belongs to another woman.
Harrison keeps his desires for his employer's wife, Lady Olivia Carey, so hidden that even she does not know of his devotion. Her callous husband, Marquis Carey, went into a rampage after Olivia's troublesome younger sister returned from her tour of Spain pregnant, and Harrison impulsively stepped in to save the entire family from scandal. Now, like Olivia, he is trapped in a loveless arrangement. When a tragic accident claims the marquis' life soon thereafter, can Harrison seize his chance and cast aside one sister for another? Or will doing so expose the Carey family's darkest secret—and ruin his only chance to win Olivia's heart?
For a behind the scenes look at Hadley Green, please visit the Hadley Green scrapbook
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Just Wasting Time
Which is why I am late getting my blog post up. Heh heh. I was caught up in surfing the web. Sorry. Here are some of the things that occupy my time, when I should be blogging or writing. Don't get carried away (like me!):
7 Great Time-Wasters (according to HuffPo)– And yes, I'm still on the color scheme one, testing color schemes with all my favorite pictures.
Crazy Days and Nights. I can spend hours trying to figure out the blind items. And lately, there was a commenter known as Himmmm who all but identified himself as Robert Downey Jr. And he spilled some juicy Hollywood gossip of his own (like the suggestion that Natalie Wood was brutally raped by Kirk Douglas, OMG). And then of course, RDJ's people issued a statement that it was NOT HIM. With the evidence that the real RDJ writes much better than that. Well, okay then.
Jezebel. Related to NY based Gawker and LA based Defamer. (Both of which I also love). It's newsy items, opinion, gossip, and what I love most on Jezebel– the Worth It features in which editors talk about products they bought and love. I've gotten some great tips. Like, the NARS The Multiple beauty stick that is now on my Want list from Sephora. Which brings me to…
Sephora. I could spend all day fantasy makeup and beauty-bath shopping. All day. No lie.
And because I spend almost all day, every day wishing I was in Walt Disney World (with my new Sephora goodies, naturally), I spend a lot of time at the Disney Food Blog deciding what I would eat if I were there right now. It's true. I also have some apps on my phone that show me what the lines are like at my favorite rides. (Addictive). You know, just in case I learn to teleport myself there at a moment's notice. But, if I could teleport, wouldn't I just land on a ride and not care about lines? Hmm. Anyway…
And of course, there is (almost) everyone's new favorite time-waster, Pinterest. And everyone's old favorite, Facebook.
With the high interest in all things Hunger Games, you could go find your , which also reveals the way you die in the games. Mine seems so fitting. I'm Sage Cresta, and I died believing that a 12 year old girl wouldn't stab me in the back. Hahaha, so true, probably.
Almost forgot one of my favorites, Go Fug Yourself, which is currently in the middle of Fug Madness (terrible fashion version of March Madness) in which I've had a few upsets, but my girl Ashanti is still in it to win.
Earlier this week, Kathleen O'Reilly gave us this fun little time-waster: Gameoflols.com
And in case my agent pops in today, NO, of course I do not really waste this much time on the web. I'm busy working on my proposals. This was all in the name of research for our trusty Whiners. I could spend all day at Sephora and other sites, but I don't, not really, no…
Where do you go when you waste time on the web? Have any great time wasting suggestions? What's your Hunger Name, and how did you die?
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March 22, 2012
When Did Your Passion Flare?
Today, I'm happy to introduce one of my favorite people and favorite writers—Terri Brisbin. She's guest blogging for us today and I know you'll all give her a warm Whiner welcome!!!!
No matter what you thought that title meant, I'm asking about when you first discovered and let loose your love of reading romance novels! I didn't always read romances. Actually I spent most of my reading years focusing on mysteries, science fiction and even some horror books. I did like history a lot and tended to find books that had some history in them.
Then, when I was pregnant with son #3 about twenty years ago, I found historical ROMANCES!
And WOW!
At first, after finding THE PRIZE by Julie Garwood, I began to quietly buying her backlist at the time. I somehow felt guilty about buying lots of books then so I bought about one a week until I had all of hers and read them. After the baby was born, I would sit in the near-dark during those late night feedings and read and enjoy the moments of quiet.
I kept my reading aka buying habit under control for some time. Until I discovered a small chain store in a nearby strip of stores. And I probably would have been okay then, too, had it not been for Judy.
Judy, the sales clerk.
Judy, the sales clerk who read and loved romance novels.
Sigh. My first kindred spirit in the world of romance reading. It was magical!
She would suggest books and authors, point out her favorites, tell me about sales, and introduced me to RT magazine. My husband later referred to her as the 'devil who got me hooked,' but I was hooked before meeting her, I just hadn't let my passion flare before that!
Judy taught me what TBR meant, too, and how to build a really, really high one! Each week, I'd go into the store and we'd chat about books for hours. I'd get 'lost' while running a quick errand but hubby knew where I was.
Fast forward to the present day.
I haven't stopped my passion for buying and reading romance novels. Even though I began writing them about fifteen years ago, there's been no slowing down in my passion for them. Well, I may not be able to read as many as I did before I wrote (when a 'good' week meant reading 4-5 books!), but I keep a stack at-the-ready and read whenever I can. Now, as then, it's about 95% historical romances with a smattering of paranormals or author friends' books.
And Judy? Well, when the store closed, we stayed in touch. Even attended a couple of RT Conventions as readers. Went to a couple of indoor soccer games together, too, but motherhood and family and work and writing kept us apart. Then, after not seeing her for a few years, we met up for lunch some time ago.
Guess what? We were still kindred spirits but this time, in addition to our love of romance novels, we also shared a passion for a certain Scotsman named Gerry! Gerard Butler, sigh…..
So, when did your passion for reading romances flare? Was it spurred by anyone else –friends? Sales clerks? LOL! Has it endured or sputtered out? Post a comment and one commenter/visitor will receive a signed copy of my recent Mills and Boon Special Release – ROYAL WEDDINGS THROUGH THE AGES. It's an anthology of seven stories about real historical royal weddings and is only available in print in the UK. But I have some copies to share…and will…with someone who is passionate about romance novels!
Terri is hard at work – no really! the book is due March 30!—on another emotional, historical romance for Harlequin Historicals. She begins a new series in September by going back to the wonderful Highlands of Scotland and her MacLerie Clan. Visit her website – www.terribrisbin.com – to learn more about her books and upcoming events.
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March 21, 2012
Winter is Coming….
So, this past week, the Hubster and I actually had two evenings off. Neither of us wanted to go out, so we decided to find something to watch. Remembering the recs from my fellow sisters in Whine and knowing that Hubster probably won't be a Downtown Abbey fan, we downloaded the first episode of Game of Thrones from iTunes. And promptly downloaded the entire first season.
Wow.
Just Wow.
Ned Stark
I haven't been this pleased with television since The Wire (see "World's Best TV Show – Evah"). I thought the characters were great, although I thought only Ned Stark (which coincidentally rhymes with Richard Sharpe) played by Sean Bean, and Tyrion Lassiter (played by small person Peter Dinkalage) are truly complex characters. Everyone else feels very stock (although kudos to George RR Martin for doing a great job on story and dialog for them all).
Seriously, it's just great television. The dialog is the best I've heard since the Wire. (It way tops the Sopranos, with nary a cliché in sight). The characters are richly motivated. Every time a character reacts, it's not predictable (because trust me, all the characters have two conflicting sides, including our patriarch hero Ned Stark), but it is completely within the realm of understandable. And they're not all likeable.
The story revolves around seven kingdoms and one king, and all the Shakespearian political machinations that accompanied the Game of Thrones. To quote Cersei Lannister (aka The Evil Queen), "When you play the game of thrones, you win or you die." And truer words were never spoken. Great, great storytelling. It is Robert Ludlum meets Philippa Gregory meets John Grisham meets Elmore Leonard. I can't wait to read the books.
Daenerys Targaryen
In the beginning, I hated the female characters of Daenerys Targaryen and Sansa Stark. Daenery's storyline of innocent girl being forced into arranged marriage with dumb jock rampaging Klingon-warrior-dude was painful to watch, and Sana's "I love you Justin Beiber" goo-goo eyes were the sort you want to scratch out, but then… I'm giving away no spoilers here, but let's just say that Daenery develops into a character that could teach Buffy The Vampire Slayer a thing or two about being tough.
And Sansa…. Ah, Sansa. I have no idea what fates will befall Sansa eventually, but I can see the winter coming in her eyes… Justin Beiber better watch his back.
Sansa, Sansa, Sansa... When Will You See Sensa?
Last night we watched the final episode of Season 1, and it was awesome. There were no "Who Shot JR" sort of cheap cliff-hangers that abound in television today. Instead, for Season 2 (starting on April 1st on HBO), we get the start of new storylines, and new adventures for our intrepid heroes and heroines.
I imagine there will be a delay in the iTunes release, but I will wait patiently, because you know…
Click here to view the embedded video.
Winter is coming….
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March 20, 2012
Secret Admirers
In college, I hung out with a big circle of friends. I had a crush on one of the guys, but I never told him. Maybe because he had a girlfriend, or maybe because I was afraid I would ruin the friendship. There was another guy in our group who finally confessed one night at a bar that he'd been my secret admirer. As it turns out, he'd been my secret admirer for only about three hours when he thought he might get lucky. But for those three hours , I thought I actually had a secret admirer, and I have to admit, I thought it was pretty cool.
In THE SEDUCTION OF LADY X, Harrison Tolly cannot express his ardent admiration or romantic feelings for a woman because she is married. He stays close by because it's the only way to have what his heart most desires. But then the woman's sister gets into trouble, and she is about to hoisted with her own petard when Harrison steps in to save her–just because he loves her sister so much. That sets of a chain of events that forces him to confront the truth about his feelings…with disastrous consequences.
I am so excited about the third book in Secrets of Hadley Green series, THE SEDUCTION OF LADY X, on sale March 27, that I am giving away an early copy to one lucky commenter here today. 
Do you believe in secret admirers? Have you ever had one? Have you ever been one? Do you like reading about them?
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March 19, 2012
I think I'd just be dead
I've been re-watching Lost lately (I think I mentioned that in a recent blog post), and it's a lot of fun. But there's one big problem, and it's the same problem I run across as I read The Hunger Games with my eldest kiddo (we need to finish this week in time to see the MOVIE!) and even whenever I re-read Outlander.
So what's the problem?
All of these shows/books (and so many others) make me realize that if I were dumped on a desert island, tossed into a kill-or-be-killed game, or thrust back into time, I would quickly be a goner.
Why?
Because I have very few practical skills. I can shoot a gun, but unlike Lost, I think most desert islands are not inventoried with a supply of 9mm weapons. I have no idea how to fish without a line (for that matter, it's been ages since I fished with a line). I don't know how to field dress a wound. I don't know how to trap rabbits or figure out what I can eat in the wild (I mean, I know you can eat dandelions…but, well, how?).
Basically, I'm screwed.
Now, for most people, this would probably not be a problem. But my imagination is more than willing to come up with a variety of scenarios that make it really, really necessary for me to have all these skills. And I don't.
So do I take survival classes? Do I keep an emergency time-travel kit in my purse?
I tell you, it's a conundrum.
So how are your desert isle survival skills? Would you survive The Hunger Games?
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March 17, 2012
March 16, 2012
Camping Out
So, I think I made a Big Mistake.
In a moment of extreme non-lucidity, I randomly suggested for God only knows what reason that the girls and I have a backyard campout.
Let me qualify that statement so the import is apparent: I've never camped out before in a tent except for one time in the British Lakes District with an ex boyfriend, and he set up the tent (for that matter, he carried the tent in his backpack). And there were regular bathrooms and hot water that cost a pound for not quite enough time.
Of course, my camping excursion with the kids will have hot water and showers–just inside the house, where there will also be a hot breakfast and most likely many evening snacks.
But still…outdoors. Tent. Two squealing little girls. Tent.
About that tent…got it in a garage sale on a total whim recently. Clearly, that was my first mistake.
The truth?
I'm looking forward to our backyard adventure. Hopefully I'll come out of it relatively unscathed. Minimal sore back, not too many allergies, only one or two bug bites….and a ton of fabulous mommy-daughters memories!
Maybe not such a Big Mistake after all …
Got any backyard campout experiences to share? Tips?
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March 15, 2012
Sensational!
I'm sure I'm not the only one excited about the upcoming Hunger Games movie. I devoured the books and I can't wait to see how it plays out on screen. I think it looks phenomenal.
The Harry Potter series was probably the first of the recent series of books to catch on like wildfire and keep everybody (children and adults) reading, reading, reading and dying for the next installment, then for the movie versions. And of course, then there was teen-based Twilight.
And Game of Thrones, taking the sensation of "gotta have it" books to new, more adult levels. (April 1, the date of the series' return, can't come soon enough for me). [image error]
What next, what next? Of course, the Whine Sisters all hope it will be one of ours. But lately, the media is abuzz with Fifty Shades of Gray, claiming it to be the guilty pleasure of women everywhere. [image error]
But… strangely enough, I don't know any women actually reading it. It appears that very few of my friends have even heard of it yet. I don't know if maybe I just live under a rock, or deep in the country, or what gives.
But I can tell you that the media is coming out with articles on erotic fiction and even some steamier romance that seem insultingly patronizing. Maybe it's just me, but in this Jezebel article, for instance , I got the impression that the writer was chuckling at women readers, like we're all a bunch of sex-starved housewifely idiots who have to hide our reading preferences, so thank God for e-readers. Really? REALLY?
Apparently, Fifty Shades started out as Twilight Fan Fiction. This news does not inspire confidence in me, but maybe it would be worth a look if erotica featuring BDSM held any intrigue for me. I know I don't mind reading a good romance, and I'm certainly not ashamed to say so.
*Author Carly Phillips read the book and has an interesting assessment over at the blog she shares with other authors, Plot Monkeys.
And the Smart Bitches tackled the subject here.
How about you? Romance reader and proud of it? Have you read Fifty Shades of Grey? If so, can you give us a quick review? What's your favorite book series? Will you be seeing the Hunger Games in the theater? Are you hooked on Game of Thrones?
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