Release Day Blitz of Lord Stanton’s Last Mistress by Lara Temple; Exclusive Interview & Giveaway

I have the greatest pleasure of welcoming Historical Romance author; Lara Temple back to Chicks Rogues and Scandal’s for a very special release day post. I have a very insightful chat with lovely Lara, plus an exclusive giveaway.

About Lara

When I was fifteen I found a very grubby copy of Georgette Heyer’s Faro’s Daughter in an equally grubby book store. Several blissful hours later I emerged, blinking, into the light of day completely in love with Max Ravenscar and with Regency Romance.

But the love remained one-sided as I progressed through various fascinating but completely unrelated careers in finance and high tech until my mother gave me a firm shove by entering one my many drawer-directed novels into Harlequin’s annual writing contest. To my shocked surprise I not only made it to the top ten but Harlequin commissioned me to write five Regency romances.

I write strong, sexy, and suspenseful regency romances about complex individuals who give no quarter but deliver plenty of passion.

Like every (or most) writers, I would love to hear from you about books (not only mine) and history and whatever you find that makes you love this period and genre.

I live with my  husband and two children who are very good about my taking over the kitchen table for my writing (so I can look out over the garden and dream). I love to travel (especially to places steeped in history) and hike and read as many books as possible (which just about sums up my dream vacation). 

I recently went back to look for that grubby crowded little bookstore but couldn’t quite remember around what corner it was…hopefully it is still there and another girl is in the corner by the window, reading and dreaming…

Website / Twitter / Facebook / Goodreads / Amazon

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About the Book

Now he can’t resist her!

A Wild Lords and Innocent Ladies story: Lord Stanton’s stay on the island of Illiakos is shrouded in memories of fever and his mysterious nurse. Years later, an Illiakan royal visit to Stanton Hall reveals the princess’s chaperon Christina James is the woman who saved his life! Alexander is a master of control, but Christina makes him long to unleash the sinful side he’s buried…and unlock her passionate nature too!

Lord Stanton’s Last Mistress can be found at Amazon

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Interview

Frankie Hi Lara, Welcome back to Chicks, Rogues and Scandals! It’s so good to have you visit again.

Lara Hi Frankie, it is lovely to be here again, thanks so much for inviting me!

Frankie For those that don’t know you, can you tell us a little about yourself and your work?

Lara I’m Lara Temple and I write strong and sexy Regency romances for Harlequin/Mills & Boon. I’ve written stories for as long as I can remember but I never thought I’d actually become a published author and I’m still pretty new to the romance writing world. I was so lucky – I entered the Harlequin SYTYCW contest and was shocked to discover I not only reached the finals but I was offered a contract! It was an amazing experience and the beginning of a real romance with writing…

Frankie When you first sit-down to start a new book, do you work from a well drafted plan, or do you just go with the flow and hope for the best?

Lara I’m a definite panster with a hint of plotter. Part of what I love about writing is not quite knowing what my characters will to do next – some of my best scenes (I think) were a complete surprise to me, and sometimes I wonder where they came from! It’s like I sometimes look at my kids and am a little dumbfounded at how amazing they are (when they aren’t driving me up a wall, of course) and I wonder – could they possibly have come from me? But now that I write professionally there is always a point in my writing when I stop and take stock – when the story and characters are strong enough already to stand up to criticism and then I sit down and write an outline and begin to see what is working and what isn’t and then I go back to some more (now informed) pantsing.

Frankie As you’re a Historical Romance writer, I have to ask this crucial question; Who is your all time favourite Hero and Heroine?

Lara I always cringe when I have to choose just one story – I feel I’m cheating on all my other loves! But at the moment I have to say John Thornton and Margaret Hale from North and South. I’m writing about a dark and serious Highland Duke and John Thornton keeps buzzing around in my brain. I loved the book and the series almost equally – they both brought together romance, history, and social commentary in a beautiful and vivid way. Both the hero and heroine went through a full emotional journey and they truly earned their HEAs. I adore them.

Frankie Totally agree, I love their story. *Swoon* How do you decide which characters will take centre stage and which will be more background extras?

Lara That’s an interesting question! I love writing secondary characters even through there is not much room for them in 75,000 words. Often they shove their way onto the stage as I’m writing and I have to rein them in so they don’t take up too much space. But they are so important to give depth not just to the story, but also to the hero and heroine. For example, in my latest book, Lord Stanton’s Last Mistress, Alex’s aunt and Christina’s adoptive family help me show just how loyal and warm my damaged hero and heroine are. They are part of who Alex and Christina. I can’t imagine telling the story without them? The same goes for the animals that often find their way into the stories and even some inanimate objects or scenery. For example, Alex finds calm and expresses himself through wood carvings – they can be found throughout the house and Christina unknowingly connects to Alex through them. So they’re in the background, but also an integral part of the my hero and heroine…

Frankie That is so very fascinating, and I do love that side of Stanton. Do you have a favourite book, that you can read and re-read over and over again?

Lara I have a few but probably I am most faithful to my collection of Georgette Heyers – I’ve had them since I was a teenager and somehow they have managed to survive all my moves and travels. I particularly adore Sylvester and The Grand Sophy – two utterly different heroines but like all Heyer heroines they are unique and powerful characters and so worthy of being loved. Sometimes I think I might not have become a romance writer if I hadn’t come across Heyer’s books.

Frankie Which do you enjoy writing most, a series or a one off/standalone?

Lara I love series because they allow me to develop different nuances in characters. They are like a kaleidoscope – in each consecutive book I get to see a different aspect of the other characters and so when I reach their turn, they are more complex (which means more challenging but also much more rewarding for me). Right now I’m working on two series – one is my one and is called the Sinful Sinclairs (if you’ve read Lord Stanton you know his scandalous mother’s family is called Sinclair and this is about siblings, love letters, and uncovering the value of family).

The other series I am writing with three other Harlequin Mills&Boon authors (Janice Preston, Elizabeth Hobbes, and Nicole Locke) and it is a Highland romance series that goes back through time following two families. I’m writing the Regency book and absolutely loving it – I adore the setting (my first Highlander) but mostly I love collaborating with these amazing, talented ladies!

Frankie Oh, wow! Loving the sound of all this, I can’t wait to meet the Sinclairs and your Highland collaboration sounds so good. I have a last question, that’s just for fun.

If you won the lottery what is the first thing you would do with your winnings?

Lara Oh, I’m boring. I’d probably first help my mother and brothers and put money way for my kids. But THEN I would take my kids and husband on a long leisurely trip around Italy and probably eat far too much pasta and ice cream but come up with marvellous ideas for more books. I’d also forget about my other job and spend more time writing – that would be marvellous!

 

Frankie That sounds marvellous! Before, I let you go, I have something a little different. If you could ask your readers one question what would it be? And I will try and answer it.

Lara This is hard. Although I read romance, I would really like to get into the mind of more readers’ heads and ask what are the three key things they find make a perfect historical romance (so I can see if I’m heading in the right direction).

Frankie I will do my best to answer, the three key things that I find make a perfect historical romance are:

• Atmosphere! – I love it when reading historical romances where the story is charged with feeling and you become so absorbed into the mood and tone of the era that it feels very real. Which includes the environment, and surroundings it all adds to the overall feel of the story.

• Realism! – The best thing about reading historical romance has got to be getting to know the characters as people, understanding their actions and getting to know their history. By knowing them, you can connect with them and I love that.

• Dialogue! – The key to a great romance is the to-ing and fro-ing between the hero and heroine, whether they start out as enemies and do nothing but argue or have been friends for life and are always teasing. For me there needs to be great bantering between them, everything from witty, fun and playful to snippy, naughty and gruff.

Frankie Thank you so much, Lara for chatting with me again, its always pleasure.

Lara It’s always a pleasure chatting with you, Frankie. Thanks so much for having me on your blog and I’m looking forward to reading more about your own amazing writing project based on your family’s history!

Frankie Thank you, so kind of you to say.

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Giveaway

I have the most amazing giveaway, Lara has very generously donated signed copies of the brilliant Wild Lords and Innocent Ladies series to be given away to one very lucky winner. That is THREE SIGNED BOOKS!!!

!!!This series is amazing, by the way!!!

All you have to do is answer the very simple question, as Lara and myself have been chatting about heroes and heroines, the question is;

Who is your favourite Hero and Heroine?

This can be TV or Books or both, Lara has shared hers, mine is Heathcliffe and Cathy, so what yours?

Comment below, or on Twitter and Facebook

*Giveaway if open Internationally, closing date is 6th June 9pm GMT. Giveaway is open on here, Facebook and Twitter. Winner will be contacted by myself.

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A Chat With… Author Rachael Stewart

I have the great pleasure of welcoming contemporary romance author; Rachael Stewart to Chicks, Rogues and Scandals for an exclusive chat…

About Rachael

Born in Wales, I am a valleys girl at heart, and as a child I wrote stories, lots of stories. If I didn’t have my head in a book, I was creating some fantastical world or other, taking ideas from everything around me, the news, my favourite books, the tv, the people in the street…not so good when they recognise themselves in them. Children can have such a special way with words!

I still have the evidence of my creations in a box in the loft, reams of A4 sheets with scarcely legible handwriting telling stories ranging from murder mystery and adventure, to thrillers and romance. One was actually typed on my father’s business laptop (it was a hefty, only-portable-if-you-could-weight-lift kind of a box) which he then took into work, printed it off and bound it up using his company’s facilities – how proud he must have been of that particular one. Mr Friendly & Willow I think I called it and it bears a significant resemblance to Enid Blyton’s Mr Pink-Whistle. Oops!

Pushing my hobby aside, I tried to be sensible on the job-front, I struck out for the big city career, getting a First Class Degree in Business and securing a professional career as a Business Analyst. I left Wales in the process and moved to Leeds, Yorkshire. All good. Although I really left Wales for love, not for the work. See that’s the romantic heart in me, always having the final say.

But as any writer knows, the bug never leaves you. I wrote in my spare time, whenever the mood took me, but never had enough minutes to make a proper go of it. Or to build up my courage and get the confidence to put myself out there, open myself up to the inevitable rejection(s) and critical reviews.

So lucky for me when I married my very own hero, had children and settled down, and those children all went to school, I was finally gifted the time to put into my writing (thanks to aforementioned hero) and built up the confidence to put my works out there (again thanks to aforementioned hero, family and friends).

I have written romance in various forms, from historical to contemporary, heartwarming to the downright erotic (still romance!!). The market has changed a lot since I was young and as it has become more open to erotica, indeed actually encouraging it – check out the new Mills & Boon Dare line – it has been fun to dabble at both ends of the scale.

I love writing erotic romance. I love writing soft romance. I just love being true to the book and the characters within it. If they demand naughtiness, they get naughtiness. In today’s market the handcuffs are off so to speak. And I feel incredibly lucky that I get to play a part in it and create worlds for others to lose themselves (as well as myself) in.

Here’s to romance and escapism at it’s best!

Rachael x

Website / Twitter / Facebook / Amazon / Goodreads

Spotlight on the Book

UNSHACKLED

A rich girl sick of doing her stepdad’s bidding. A young woman submitting to the same man for financial security. Can they escape his sadistic clutches and finally find true love?

22-year-old Abi Taylor is sick of being used as a puppet by her overbearing, money-hungry stepfather. Wealthy life or not, she wants out—the only question is how? But then her stepfather’s latest fiancée Emma shows up and Abi’s life is turned on its head.

She is inexplicably drawn to Emma. Their fierce attraction leaves her confused and vulnerable, but she soon realizes it’s the least of her problems as she is pulled into her stepfather’s corrupt and sadistic world where betrayal is rife, family means nothing, and sex is everything. Abi knows she needs to escape the man who controls her every move, but can she break free and keep it all—the money, her freedom and the girl?

You can find Unshackled at Amazon.

Interview

Frankie Hi Rachael, Welcome to Chicks, Rogues and Scandals! Thank you for taking the time to chat with me today.

Firstly, what five words would you use to describe yourself?

Rachael Nuts. Bubbly. Loyal. Perfectionist. Nuts (or did I mention that one already?).

Frankie If you could live in any era and place, When and where would it be? And Why?

Rachael That is so hard. I love the beauty of so many historical eras, but I know I’m viewing it through rose-tinted spectacles.

Take the Roman era, those gorgeous gladiators milling around, women in beautiful tunics and hair all lavishly arranged…but then we have to remember the puking between meals to make space for more food, the gory battles, the poverty and then I’m like “err, no, thank you.”

And then there’s all the beautiful gowns from the Medieval, Tudor, Stuart, Georgian, Victorian, Edwardian eras…I mean seriously, just how gorgeous were those gowns… But then we have to remember that most of those outfits felt like a restraint of some sort. They made daily tasks like eating, walking, sitting, toileting and so on, a nightmare. Then there would have been the delightful smells, the horse manure, the general human waste, the various plagues, the poverty again and the fact it would take forever to travel anywhere. Oh yes, and then there’s the poisonous makeup, the things that would crawl about in your clothes and hair (granted, we still have a bit of this if we have children that are school age!) and I’m back to where I started. This era. This country.

I feel very, very lucky to have been born in this century (actually I’m approaching 40 so that’ll be last century) and in the UK. Yes, I want to see the world and travel loads, there are so many wondrous places to take in, but the UK is definitely where my heart is.

(But if we take away all the grotty stuff and the discomfort, then stick me in a Tudor dress and prance me around court and I’d be in my element! So long as I could have a real man, none of the fancy-schmancy, high-neck ruffle wearing dandy’s! I think I’d have to go back in time and get me a Gladiator or Viking to go around with – Ooo, the gossip in the Tudor court would be rife!).

Frankie Oooh, I love it all. Who was your childhood hero?

Rachael Christian Slater and my dad! In no particular order (Honest dad, if you’re reading this!)

Frankie Awww, that’s really sweet. What is your favourite time of the year?

Rachael Ooo, toughie. I’d have to say Christmas. I love the whole build up, decorating, buying presies, getting together with friends, supping mulled wine, eating CONSTANTLY! But then I also love Summer, the long holiday rammed with family time, the better (at least we hope) weather, being outdoors in the sunshine, nothing can really beat that feeling of relaxing next to a lapping pool, book in one hand, chilled drink in the other, pure bliss!

Frankie Out of all your work, who is your favourite character and why?

Rachael Now this is really hard as I love all of my characters for a variety of reasons so I’m going to go with my most controversial, Abi. She’s in my current release UNSHACKLED, and in all honesty, she can be very hard to like because her biggest driver at the outset is money. She is trapped in a life of luxury and knows it’s wrong to stay for that alone, that her stepfather is all shades of wrong, that the role she plays for him is wrong. But getting out means risking her financial security and that is a terrifying prospect to her. It may seem selfish, but for a twenty-two-year old that knows no different, it is understandable that she would be scared of the unknown. So, when she falls in love and gets the courage to risk everything, going up against the man who has controlled her every move her entire life, it makes for a pretty awesome woman in my book.

Frankie Where does your inspiration for your books come from?

Rachael Anywhere and Everywhere! Real life. Dreams. TV. Film. Books. Music. Locations. Vehicles. Scents. Even someone’s dog could look at me a certain way and I’ll think: “yup, totally get what you’re saying, I can use that”. Seriously, inspiration is in the very air we breathe, you just have to keep your mind open to it.

Frankie What three tips would you pass on to an aspiring author?

Rachael NEVER give up. Writing is so subjective and what may not work for one publisher, may well work for another. And if it doesn’t, you can always self-publish. It is so easy to do these days.

Make sure your voice is the best it can be and make it your own. Read lots. Look at what you like, what you don’t like and why. Use that to hone your craft.

And lastly, writing can be lonely so try to find fellow writers and form a group, help one another, bounce ideas around and open yourself up to feedback. It doesn’t have to be lonely if you reach out and, in my experience, it’s that reaching out that makes it such a wonderful hobby and career.

Frankie Those are wonderful tips, Thank you! If you were hosting a dinner party what three people would you invite? (They can be real/fictional, from any era)

Rachael Meghan Markle because I think she is so real, gorgeous and I would like to get to know her.

Harvey from Suits because, well do I really need to explain that one.

And lastly, it would have to be Catherine of Aragon, because that woman could’ve seriously done with a chinwag and it would be utterly fascinating to hear her tale from her very own lips. Plus, I’d like to give her a medal for all she achieved and for having put up with a certain somebody for so long!

Frankie Now that would be a great dinner party!! Thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedule to chat with me today, Rachael. I have just one more cheeky question, just for fun . . . What is your all-time favourite naughty but nice food?

Rachael I LOVE cinnamon swirls and welsh cakes. When I bake them, I have to make sure there are people around else I’ll gobble them all as my full switch seems to go on strike.

Yuuummm!! Thank you Rachael.

Personal Note From Racheal

Thank you for having me on your blog today, I so enjoyed doing this interview and I loved these questions. And thank you for Spotlighting, Unshackled.

A Chat With…Author Denise Lynn

I have the very great pleasure to be chatting with historical romance author, Denise Lynn on Chicks, Rogues and Scandals. So take a seat and lets get to know a little about Denise…

Denise Lynn lives in NW Ohio with her husband, son and slew of 4-legged “kids”. She has been an avid reader of romance novels for many years, travelling to lands and times filled with brave knights, courageous ladies and never-ending love between the pages of those wonderful books.

She writes medieval romances set in England, Ireland, Normandy, France and a few fictitious islands in the waters surrounding Great Britain. When not writing historical romances, she’s likely working on paranormal romances with dragons, wizards and other assorted praeternatural beings – some set on the same fictitious islands created for her medieval.

When Denise isn’t writing, she can be found hiking, baking, sitting in front of a sewing machine, or snipping herbs for various edible and not-so-edible recipes. 

Website / Facebook / Twitter / Goodreads / Amazon 

 

Frankie Hi Denise, Welcome to Chicks, Rogues and Scandals! Thank you for taking the time to chat with me today.

Denice Thank you for “having” me, I appreciate it greatly!

Frankie Firstly what five word’s would you use to describe yourself?

Denise Introverted. Determined. Sarcastic…flippant. Trusting. Loyal.

Frankie If you could take a holiday in any era and place, When and where would it be? And Why?

Denise 12^th century Scarborough. While I’m sure it would be more dangerous than I can begin to imagine, I’ve always been fascinated by William of Albemarle – William le Gros, aka Count of Aumale, Earl of Albemarle, Earl of York and Lord of Holderness. From what I’ve been able to discover – and some of it was by sitting at the local library translating from a French Bibliography word, by word with a half-useful French to English translation book – during the war between Stephen and Matilda he basically acted like he was the King of Yorkshire. I’d like to see the construction of Scarborough Castle, I’d love to see his interaction with his wife Cicely. Per the Gesta Stephani, William took his wife back after she’d lived with another man for a year. Their daughter was conceived after their reconciliation. I find that absolutely fascinating, since he seems to have been such a badass and my nosey writer’s mind can’t let it go. (nonfiction inspiration at work)

Frankie Oooh, I like that, so original. Can you tell us a little about latest release? This can be your most recent or up-and coming release.

Denise In non-fiction, you read about younger women being married off to much older men and I’ve often thought that I’d just runaway, you know – forget that crap, I’m outa here. That’s what the heroine in The Warrior’s Runaway Bride does – her grandfather betroths her to one of his ancient warlords (who has already buried two wives) and when she gets a glimpse of him, she’s gone. When her father discovers her missing, he goes to King David I of Scotland for help, hoping to somehow find the girl before his own father discovers what’s happened.

King David sends one of his “wolves” to find the girl…but has no plans to hand her over to her father—he has another idea in mind. Elrik of Roul’s greatest talent was finding lost things, or people, and he tracks Avelyn down, returns her to David’s court where they both learn of the King’s plans – seems one of Elrik’s long lost relatives was the Lord of Roul in Normandy who died without an heir, leaving Elrik the oldest remaining Roul and now the new Lord of Roul….a Lord in need of a wife.

Lucky Avelyn finds herself in just that position – Elrik’s wife. (And yes that’s sarcasm, as she isn’t lucky in the least.) Due to circumstances in Normandy, Elrik knows he is likely going into battle for possession of his new property and has no intention of dragging a wife along—especially one who has no idea how to be a lady, how to run a keep, how to basically do anything he needs of a wife (Avelyn was a bastard child that her father didn’t know about until her mother died six years ago. She’d been raised in his village by her destitute mother who had been tossed out of the keep when the wife of Avelyn’s father discovered the woman was pregnant. While he took her in, he wanted nothing to do with her. She was housed, clothed and fed but was taught nothing of being a lady).

Since the King won’t wait to hold the wedding upon his return, he’s left with no choice but to wed Avelyn and send a missive to his younger brothers to come get her and take her to Roul Isle until his return. Unfortunately, he doesn’t realise that his new wife doesn’t take orders very well and too late he discovers that she’s stowed away on one of his ships sailing to Normandy.

#1: she isn’t about to be left behind to be handed off to complete strangers and #2 she’s sees her dastardly half-brother in the courtyard when Elrik leaves, and notices that the cur and his companions are hot on her husband’s trail – she HAS to warn Elrik. So, with the help of King David, she managed to board the last ship before it leaves the dock. Let the “fun” ensue…. Of course they argue, but Elrik learns that she’s a fast learner, his wife is no slouch and Avelyn learns that while her husband can be a tyrant at times, he will go to no ends to protect her. When his brothers show up at the new keep – because they were already under way to retrieve her when the second missive arrived telling them their services in the matter were no longer required – Avelyn knows they are there to take her away.

Without going to his husband to find out what is going on, she is certain she’s being cast aside, so she resorts back to her usual method of dealing with situations…she runs away. But Elrik is ready for her…he’s not letting the love of his life disappear quite that easily.

Frankie Oh, Wow!! That sounds absolutely incredible, and as I am reading it at the minute, I know it is just as good as it sounds. Thank you! Who was your childhood hero?

Denise We didn’t really watch a lot of television, so it depended on what book I was reading at the time….Jo in Little Women, Black Beauty…yes, I wanted to be the horse (???), or Riki Tiki (yeah, I’m such mongoose material), or Pony Boy. When I was maybe 13 or 14 my grandmother gave me my first “romance” novel – The Scarlett Domino by Sylvia Thorpe (I have a complete collection of her work that someone will have to pry out of my cold, stiff fingers someday, no actually it’s already been willed to the Popular Culture Library at BGSU) and then I wanted to be Antonia. From then on it was any heroine in any romance novel I was allowed to get my hands on…I mean, LOOK women were highway men….uh, highway women….or pirates or….you get the picture. Gosh, why, oh, why I wonder, do I write historicals????

Frankie Haha! So true, which is why I read historicals 😊 If you could have one of your books made into a film, which book would it be and who would play your lead character’s?

Denise My current WIP – no title yet, still calling it ‘Rory-book3’. The hero would be Jason Momoa:   and the heroine would be Kiera Knightly (as Guinevere – While working on The Warrior’s Runaway Bride, I was looking up something on medieval kings of Scotland and ran across a tidbit about the Bruce’s parents that instantly sparked an entire story – seems the Countess of Carrick was so taken with the man who brought word of her husband’s death that she held him captive until he agreed to marry her. LOLOLOL.   Apparently, the woman was no mild, meek, delicate flower. Seriously, gotta love a woman who goes after what she wants…even if she later realises she might have made a mistake…

 

Frankie That sounds brilliant, and it would be a film that I would love to see. Out of all your work, who is your favourite character and why?

Denise It’s a toss up between: Rhys – The Lord of Faucon in Falcon’s Desire, my first book with Harlequin Historical. He lived in my head for so long that I swear at times he was almost real. And Braeden from Dragon’s Lair – my first Nocturne release. Both of them could deal with their enemies without blinking an eye or suffering any pangs of guilt, but when it came to the heroine, they were both basically putty in her hands, even if they didn’t know it. I just really liked them a lot.

Frankie Where does your inspiration for your books come from?

Denise Nonfiction. Researching has provided nuggets that miraculously turn into stories. It’s something I don’t question, or dissect, for fear the magic will disappear.

Frankie What three tips would you pass on to an aspiring author?

Denise Don’t beat yourself up. Don’t angst over every word. Let yourself feel your way to the end.

Frankie If you were hosting a dinner party what three people would you invite? (They can be real/fictional, from any era)

Denise Gosh, I really don’t know. Ah — One would be Murphy Brown. Yes, the Candace Bergen Murphy Brown – what a deliciously sarcastic wench. I loved her and always wished I could be that spot on sharp. To keep things interesting….King Stephen and the Empress Matilda. If nothing else it would likely provide much entertainment value.

Frankie Thank you Denise, for taking the time out of your busy schedule to chat with me today. I have just one more cheeky question, just for fun . . . What is your all-time favourite naughty but nice food?

Denise I suppose it’s a huge cliché, but whipped cream….

Oooh, Nice! Thank you, Denise.

***

The notorious Lord of Roul…

…must take her as his bride!

Lady Avelyn flees an unwanted betrothal to an elderly warlord only to be hunted down and returned to King David’s court by fearsome Elrik, Lord of Roul, a legendary warrior with a heart of ice—and a kiss of fire. And now Avelyn is bound to Elrik—and his bed—when Elrik is commanded to wed her instead!

Denise’s up and coming book, the Warrior’s Runaway Bride is to be released on 28^th June and can be pre-ordered at Amazon.

A Chat With…Author Lizzie Lamb

Today I have the great pleasure of having Best selling contemporary romance author Lizzie Lamb visit Chicks, Rogues and Scandals, so take and seat and lets get to know a little about Lizzie…

After teaching my 1000th pupil and working as a deputy head teacher in a large primary school, I decided pursue my first love: writing. I joined the Romantic Novelists’ Association’s New Writers’ Scheme, wrote Tall, Dark and Kilted (2012), followed a year later by Boot Camp Bride. Although much of my time is taken up publicising Tall, Dark and Kilted and Boot Camp Bride, I published a third novel SCOTCH ON THE ROCKS in July 2015. It achieved Best Seller status within two weeks of appearing on Amazon. I am a founding member of an indie publishing group – New Romantics Press and have held an Author Event at Waterstones High Street, Kensington, London.

The icing on the cake, as far we are concerned, and a fitting way to celebrate our achievements. March 2016 saw Scotch on the Rocks shortlisted for the prestigious Exeter Novel Prize and in November 2016 I held an author talk in London, at Aspinalls. In Spring 2017 I published – GIRL IN THE CASTLE, which reached #3 in the charts. I am currently working on a novel set in Wisconsin – Take Me I’m Yours,and have more Scottish-themed romances planned.

I live in Leicestershire, England, with my husband David (aka Bongo Man) and our naughty parrot, Jasper.

Website / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / Goodreads / Amazon / Pinterest

Frankie Hi Lizzie, Welcome to Chicks, Rogues and Scandals! Thank you for taking the time to chat with me today.

Firstly, what five words would you use to describe yourself?

Lizzie Romantic. Loyal. Hardworking. Supportive. Funny.

Frankie If you could take a holiday in any era and place, When and where would it be? And Why?

Lizzie As a great fan of Outlander and a lover of all things Scottish, I would love to have met Bonnie Prince Charlie when his Jacobite Army had marched as far south as Derby. I would tell him to press on to London and not to retreat back to Scotland. London was in a state of panic at the thought of his army reaching the capital and there was a run on the Bank of England. I believe he could have taken the crown at that point. Instead he retreated and was harried all the way north by the English army, culminating in defeat at the Battle of Culloden (1747). The rest is history. I recently discovered that after his defeat he visited London incognito – maybe to remind himself of what he’d lost? (Oh, and if I can meet fictional character Jamie Fraser, too, so much the better!)

Frankie I’m right with you there 😉 Can you tell us a little about latest release? This can be your most recent or up-and coming release.

Lizzie My most recent release is Girl in the Castle, a contemporary romance set in the highlands of Scotland, with a slightly paranormal overtone. Here’s the blurb :

Her academic career in tatters, Dr Henriette Bruar needs somewhere to lay low, plan her comeback and restore her tarnished reputation. Fate takes her to a remote Scottish castle to auction the contents of an ancient library to pay the laird’s mounting debts. The family are in deep mourning over a tragedy which happened years before, resulting in a toxic relationship between the laird and his son, Keir MacKenzie. Cue a phantom piper, a lost Jacobite treasure, and a cast of characters who – with Henri’s help, encourage the MacKenzies to confront the past and move on. However – will the Girl in the Castle be able to return to university once her task is completed, and leave gorgeous, sexy Keir MacKenzie behind?

Frankie Sounds great! Who, was your childhood hero?

Lizzie Can I choose two fictional heroes? I’ve always loved history and my adolescent hero would have to be Prince Rupert of the Rhine – Charles I’s nephew, all round action-man and warrior. I loved that he had a large poodle called Boye who followed him into battle. My other is Flora MacDonald who smuggled Bonnie Prince Charlie ‘over the sea to Skye’. A fact many people may not be aware of, is that she was for a time held in the Tower of London for her part in the rebellion and eventually emigrated to America.

 

Frankie If you could have one of your books made into a film, which book would it be and who would play your lead characters?

Lizzie I think that Tall Dark and Kilted would make a great film, It was my debut novel and inspired, in part, by the BBC series Monarch of the Glen. I think that Alistair Mackenzie who played the laird’s son, Archie, would make a perfect Ruairi, although I would have him a bit older. As for the heroine, Fliss, I would choose Rose Leslie who played Ygritte in Game of Thrones, but I would have to make her blond to fit the physical description of my character.

  

Frankie Ooh, Nice!! Out of all your work, who is your favourite character and why?

Lizzie I choose Doctor Henriette Bruar, the heroine in Girl in the Castle. She’s on the run from trouble at the university where’s she’s just gained her doctorate. She’s been sent to an ancient castle set in a romantic Scottish loch to catalogue the library until the scandal blows over. Ideal job, ideal location to hide away. When she meets trouble hero Keir, a laird-in-waiting, the sparks fly. I love Henri because she’s intelligent, no man’s fool, principled and romantic. She brings happiness back to a family living in the shadow of grief and falls in love herself – with a hero who speaks Gaelic (swoon). At the end of the novel he says: ‘Is tu an solas na mo bheatha. You are the light of my life.’ It doesn’t get much better than that!

Frankie Where does your inspiration for your books come from?

Lizzie My head is full of dreams and stuff and nonsense. Everything I’ve read, seen and experienced combine to make me the writer I am today. I am inspired by location, funny things which have happened to me, conversations I’ve overhead and heroes I’ve fallen in love with – on the pages of a book or a cinema screen. Heroines I aspire to be. I have so many stories in my head waiting to be written that sometimes I get impatient. I currently have THREE jostling for position and once I publish my new novel (summer 2018) I’m going to have lunch with my two writing buddies: June Kearns and Adrienne Vaughan and ask them to help me choose !

Frankie What three tips would you pass on to an aspiring author?

Lizzie Never give up, never give in; no one said that a writing a novel was easy. Write what’s in your heart and ignore trends and fashions, by the time you’ve finished your novel a particular trend might well have changed and publishers will be looking for the ‘next big thing’. Get words down on paper and finish your novel BEFORE editing it, have courage and belief in your own ability.

Frankie Thank you, that’s is brilliant advice. If you were hosting a dinner party what three people would you invite? (They can be real/fictional, from any era)

Lizzie I’m going to choose three authors. Recently, at the Romantic Novelists’ Association Awards I met my all-time heroine Jilly Cooper she signed one of her books for me. She was every bit as lovely as I’d imagined she would be. Secondly I would invite Carole Matthews who is not only a marvellous writer but inspirational and encouraging to new authors. Lastly, the late Rosemary Sutcliffe who’s novel: Tristan and Iseult is my all-time comfort read.

Frankie Thank you, Lizzie for taking the time out of your busy schedule to chat with me today, I have just one more cheeky question, just for fun . . . What is your all-time favourite naughty but nice food?

Lizzie I’m greedy – so I’m choosing chocolate and champagne – two mood enhancers if ever there was.

Frankie Haha…now greedy, just very real.

A Chat With… Author Lorna Gray

Today I have the very great pleasure to have historical romance and intrigue author; Lorna Gray, author of In The Shadow of Winter visiting Chicks, Rogues and Scandals today. So, sit back and let’s let to know a little a bit about Lorna…

“I have a strong relationship with the past just like Eleanor, the heroine of debut novel In the Shadow of Winter. My inspiration to write about 1940s Britain comes from the traces that still live around us today. It comes from the tales that my elderly neighbours tell, and from the details and contradictions that have been recorded from a time we know so much about and yet no two people ever describe it in quite the same way.

This is what first inspired me to write In the Shadow of Winter and to set the intensely emotional adventure that unfolds within it, with all of its danger, romance and mystery, in the winter of 1947.

My exploration of the post-war period is continuing with The War Widow, with further releases planned for the coming months. I am published by Harper Impulse. I’m married and I live in the Cotswolds, UK.”

Website / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / Goodreads / Amazon

Frankie Hi Lorna, Welcome to Chicks, Rogues and Scandals! Thank you for taking the time to chat with me today.

Firstly, Can you tell us a little about your latest release? This can be your most recent or up-and coming release.

Lorna Hi Frankie, thanks so much for having me on your blog! I’m delighted to tell you that my second post-WWII mystery The War Widow has just been released by HarperImpulse in paperback and on Kindle.

The year is 1947 and, while the bells of a Royal Wedding peel out to the fading echoes of war, danger stalks the coastline of Wales.

Labelled a hysterical, grieving divorcee in the wake of her ex-husband’s death, no one will believe Kate Ward is being pursued by two violent men demanding answers she cannot give. Not the police, not the guests at the Aberystwyth hotel, and certainly not the reclusive war-veteran-turned-crime-novelist, Adam Hitchen, a reserved widower who is the only source of kindness in a shadowy world of suspicion and fear.

As ghosts old and new rise to haunt her, Kate must rely on all her strength and courage as she risks both her identity and her life to uncover a twisted web of lies.

Frankie Wow!! The War Widow sounds absolutely amazing. If you could take a holiday in any era and place, When and where would it be?

Lorna Can I have a holiday in Regency England please? Dancing, horse riding and long summer days (or at least that’s how they make it look in the various adaptations of Pride and Prejudice). Sounds like heaven.

Frankie Sounds great to me. If you could have one of your books made into a film, which book would it be and who would play your lead characters?

Lorna If they made a film of The War Widow, the actress who plays Kate will have to really capture her quiet sense of humour and her oft-underestimated inner resolve. I think Carey Mulligan could do it perfectly. Adam could be played by Henry Cavill – suitably brooding with a nice smile.

 

Frankie This is a film that I would love to watch. Out of all your work, who is your favourite character and why?

Lorna Oooh, now that’s a tough one. Obviously, I’m totally in love with the hero and heroine in my books otherwise I wouldn’t love writing about them. But I really admire Kate (the heroine of The War Widow). She isn’t an extrovert but she’s steadfast. For me there is no more proof of her bravery than in the way she faces her most personal challenge of all – the question of who she is set against the way other people perceive her.

Frankie If you ever decided to write a different genre of book, which would it be?

Lorna One of these days I’ll have to try writing about the present day. I spend so much of my time thinking about the 1940s and researching the era and so on, focussing my attention on 2018 would be quite a challenge!

Frankie What are you reading at the minute? Or your last book you read?

Lorna I’ve just read a very unappealing-sounding memoir by a retired doctor for the sake of researching medical training in the post-war period. He called it Bombs, Boils and Brushes. Yuck. Luckily, he turned out to be a really likeable character and fantastically useful!

Frankie Despite the title, that sounds like an interesting read. When writing do you plan the full book ahead, or do you just go with the flow?

Lorna I always have an overall plan when I start but the finer details develop as I get to know my characters. They tend to have their own opinions about what they want to do.

Frankie How do you like to relax once you’ve finished writing?

Lorna I keep a fabulous little herd of goats and a few ponies so when my head is full of book-stuff and I need a little break, I go out to the field and talk to them for a while. Believe me, a goat is a wonderful companion when you want to forget a few stresses. They are either eating or sleeping and always pleased to see you. A bit like vegetarian dogs really.

Frankie Aw, what a wonderful way to de-stress. That sounds wonderful!

Thank you so much for taking the time to chat with me today, Lorna I have just one more cheeky question, just for fun….

If you were stranded in the middle of nowhere over night, no civilisation around, with nothing but your backpack what four other things would you have with you?

Glenfinnan

Lorna Well, if I was going to be stranded, I’d have to make sure it was somewhere I’d really like to be such as Scotland. So let’s say I’ve managed to hitch a ride on the Fort William to Mallaig train (the Harry Potter train) and stepped off as it was rolling gently around the perimeter of one of the great lochs. It’ll be summer, obviously, so the air will have that warm, slightly mossy smell. There are a few pine trees growing on an island in the middle of the lock and the sky is just settling to dusk, turning the expanse of water a dappled mixture of very soft blue and pink. There won’t be a train back again until tomorrow so I’ll find myself a nice flat bit of ground which is dry and just sufficiently sheltered by the rising land to my back. Out of my backpack will come a blanket for warmth and comfort, a packed tea containing all sorts of nice things and a cushion for my head. I’ll lean back against a convenient rock that’s still warm from the sun and I’ll watch the rabbits hopping by and the buzzards heading to their roost and wait until the owls come out.

And because I still have one spare item that I’m allowed to bring with me, I imagine I’ll have asked my husband to come along too. Because at moments like that, it’s really nice to have someone on hand who will quietly share their thermos with you.

Frankie Aww, that’s really lovely! I can see vividly now. Thank you!

***

In The Shadow of Winter

The Cotswolds, 1947

The relentless winter of 1947 holds post-war Britain in its deadly grip, and Eleanor Phillips rides out from her beleaguered Cotswold farm to rescue a stranger lost in the storm. But the near-dead man is no stranger and when she recognises Matthew Croft, the old ties of a failed romance tug deeply. Her sweetheart has returned from the war…

Suspicion, the police and the panicked flight of a desperate man beat a path to her door. And with a wanted man hidden in her home and stealing back into her heart, Eleanor must be on her guard—for the net is closing in on them both and enemies are all around…

On sale now and can be purchased at Amazon.

The War Widow

The echoes of war live long in the mind…

Wales, 1947

Injured and terrified after an attempted abduction, desperation drives artist Kate Ward to the idyllic scene of her ex-husband’s recent suicide. Labelled a hysterical, grieving divorcée, no one believes she is being pursued by two violent men demanding answers she cannot give. Not the police, not the doctors, and not the guests at the Aberystwyth hotel she has come to in an attempt to find out what happened to her charismatic photographer ex-husband, and why her sanity—and her life—are now at risk.

Kate can trust no one, not even the reclusive war-veteran-turned-crime-novelist, Adam Hitchen, a reserved widower and the only source of kindness in a shadowy world of suspicion and fear. And as ghosts old and new rise to haunt her, Kate must rely on all her strength and courage to uncover the shocking truth hidden within a twisted web of lies…

On sale now and can be purchased at Amazon.

A Chat With….Author Jennie Fletcher

I have the great pleasure of welcoming Historical Romance author and RoNA award nominated Jenni Fletcher to Chicks, Rogues and Scandals, so take a seat and let’s get to know a little about Jenni…

Jenni Fletcher was born on the north coast of Scotland and now lives in Yorkshire, where she writes Medieval, Roman and Victorian romance novels.
She studied English at Cambridge University before doing an MA on Women and Literature in English and a PhD on Victorian & Edwardian literature at Hull University. After realising that she was better at writing than teaching, she worked in a number of administrative jobs whilst trying to finish her first book, which was rejected. Thinking there must have been some mistake, she then wrote another, which was fortunately accepted by Harlequin Mills&Boon.
She spends a large part of her day obsessing about things like the Oxford Comma and whether she uses exclamation marks too often (she does!) whilst getting distracted by Twitter. The rest of the time she drinks too much caffeine, eats too much chocolate, and tries not to drop crumbs into her keyboard.
When not writing, obsessing or cleaning up after her children, she likes mountain biking, hiking and watching period dramas (her husband joins her for two of those). She knows nothing about sport or crime fiction, but can talk with authority on Minecraft, Star Trek (mainly Next Generation) and the Lord of the Rings.
Her favourite Jane Austen novel is Persuasion and her favourite Brontë is Anne. If she had to choose a romantic hero it would be John Thornton, but maybe that’s just because she’s Northern.

Website / Facebook / Twitter / Goodreads / Amazon

Frankie Hi Jenni, Welcome to Chicks, Rogues and Scandals! Thank you for taking the time to chat with me today.

Firstly what five words would you use to describe yourself?

Jenni Technologically incompetent caffeine/chocolate addict.

Frankie If you could take a holiday in any era and place, When and where would it be? And Why?

Jenni I used to think the Wild West, but then I watched Westworld, so now I’d probably say the height of the Victorian era. I’d wear the biggest crinoline I could find and go to the Great Exhibition. Then I’d have Afternoon Tea (the greatest of all Victorian inventions).

Frankie Ooh, yes! Can you tell us a little about latest release? This can be your most recent or up-and coming release.

Jenni My next book is called ‘Captain Amberton’s Inherited Bride’ and is set in a faux-Medieval castle on the Yorkshire Moors above Whitby. It’s the second in my Victorian series and I wanted it to have a different feel to the first so I’ve gone a bit gothic. My heroine has spent her whole life being oppressed by her father and my hero is a reformed womaniser who’s just been invalided out of the Fusiliers. I don’t want to say too much, except that there’s a slow-speed horse and cart chase over the snowy Moors…

Frankie Now this sounds like my cup of tea, Yorkshire, Military heroes and Victorian, perfect! Who was your childhood hero?

Jenni Jane Russell. I used to pretend to be her character (Mike) in ‘Son of Paleface’. She was a cattle-rustler/saloon singer and I thought she was fabulous. Then I wanted to be Deanna Troi in Star Trek: The Next Generation. Apparently I like dark, sultry brunettes.

Frankie If you could have one of your books made into a film, which book would it be and who would play your lead characters?

Jenni My next book, which should hopefully be out later this year. I don’t have a title for it yet, but it’s set on Hadrian’s Wall in 197AD and there are some action scenes I’d like to see onscreen. My heroine would be played by Eleanor Tomlinson from Poldark and my hero would be Channing Tatum (looking exactly the way he does in The Eagle).

Frankie Oh, my!! 😉 Out of all your work, who is your favourite character and why?

Jenni Aediva from ‘Married to her Enemy’, just because she was my first heroine. Also she’s brave and feisty and fiercely protective of her family.

Frankie Where doe’s your inspiration for your books come from?

Jenni Sometimes from visiting castles (one of my favourite hobbies), sometimes from reading history books (‘Besieged and Betrothed’ came out of my interest in Stephen and Matilda) and sometimes just randomly. I’m working on a Regency that was inspired by a biscuit!

Frankie Ha,ha,ha! A biscuit? Intriguing, What three tip’s would you pass on to an aspiring author?

Jenni Read lots, don’t compare yourself to anyone else (easier said than done) and remember that we all get writer’s block sometimes.

Frankie If you were hosting a dinner party what three people would you invite? (They can be real/fictional, from any era)

Jenni Two of my favourite Medieval women, Empress Matilda and Eleanor of Aquitaine, just to see who was the biggest diva, and Dr Janina Ramirez. I met her at a book festival last autumn and she was lovely. She gave me a hug! She’s also incredibly smart – with fabulous taste in shoes – so a great role model for women all round.

(left to right: Matilda, Eleanor & Janina)

Frankie Ooh, I like, strong women putting the world to rights! 😉 Thank you, Jenni for taking the time out of your busy schedule to chat with me today, I have just one more cheeky question, just for fun . . . What is your all-time favourite naughty but nice food?

Jenni Rocky road. That way I get chocolate AND marshmallows! Thanks for having me. X

Oh, Yummy! Thank you Jenni.

***

Jenni’s up and coming release; Captain Amberton’s Inherited Bride is to be released on 22nd March.

‘Marry me…

…And you’ll have your freedom.’

Her father’s will dictates that Violet Harper must wed or be disinherited—but she’d rather face the wilderness of the wintry Yorkshire moors than be bound to cynical, damaged soldier Lance Amberton. Lance promises a marriage of convenience that will grant Violet her independence. In exchange she must put her faith in Lance, and see beyond his gruff exterior to the man beneath…

Due for release 22nd March can be pre-ordered at Amazon.

A Chat With…Author Elizabeth Keysian

Today I have the pleasure of  welcoming Historical Romance author Elizabeth Keysian to Chicks, Rogues and Scandals. So take a seat a lets get to know a little about  Elizabeth…

Elizabeth first started writing fiction when she was eight, encouraged to do so by her Head Teacher father, who needed something to keep her quiet during school holidays. Her favorite topics were mermaids, ghosts, Norman knights and quests, and she illustrated and decorated her own books. She emerged from the world of her imagination to read History at the University of London, after which she spent many years working as an archaeologist and artifact illustrator. She then became a primary school teacher, after which she moved to museum education work, and display and collections management.

Elizabeth has been involved in Medieval, Tudor, and English Civil War re-enactment and has enjoyed sword-play and traditional archery, excelling in neither. She lived for seven years on a Knights Templar estate in Essex where she pursued her interest in historical textiles, cookery and medicine. She loves anything to do with the past, and still looks down holes in the ground to see if there’s anything archaeological in them. There generally isn’t

She has written sixteen historical romances and a novella since moving to the West of England in 1997, the landscape and history of which have inspired the “Wayward in Wessex” and “Wanton in Wessex” series, published by Entangled Publishing.

Website / Facebook / Twitter / Goodreads / Amazon / Romance Reviews

Frankie Hi Elizabeth, Welcome to Chicks, Rogues and Scandals! Thank you for taking the time to chat with me today.

Firstly, what five word’s would you use to describe yourself?

Elizabeth Angst-ridden (can I count that as one word?). Entertaining. Introverted. Nerdy. Eccentric.

Frankie If you could take a holiday in any era and place, When and where would it be? And Why?

Elizabeth Oh my goodness! Given the choice, I’d head right back to Ancient Macedonia during the time of Alexander the Great. As a teen, I read Mary Renault’s book “Fire from Heaven” and fell in love with Alexander, or at least, the view of him she presented in her story. She’s just amazing at conjuring up the sights, smells and atmosphere of those distant times. I so want to experience the art, culture, and daily life of these classical civilizations. L.P. Hartley once wrote, “The past is a foreign country…”. So it is, and I’d love to be able to travel there.

Frankie That’s such a fabulous answer! Can you tell us a little about latest release? This can be your most recent or up-and coming release.

Elizabeth This is a book which wooed the crowds when originally published on the free reading site, Wattpad. It got to #1 in the Historical Fiction category, to my great astonishment. It’s called VANQUISHING THE VISCOUNT now, and will be Book #3 in the Wayward in Wessex series. The hero is based on someone on whom I had an incredible crush when I was younger, and I feel this makes him much more real and relatable, whilst at the same time being distant and untouchable because of his elevated social standing.

The heroine is a governess. Think “Jane Eyre” meets “Pride and Prejudice” and you’ll get the picture.

Frankie That sounds wonderful, who was your childhood hero?

Elizabeth I think it may have been Captain Scarlet. I was about six at the time. Is it okay to have a fictional hero? I was always intrigued by the fact he was “indestructible”. You’d see him get covered in rubble and sit there with your heart in your mouth, hoping he hadn’t finally met his end. Then the rocks would start to move and he’d emerge, brush off the dust, and head off after the villains again. What a guy!

Frankie If you could have one of your books made into a film, which book would it be and who would play your lead character’s?

Elizabeth A PERILOUS PASSION would make a great film, because there’s dramatic scenery, suspense, and plenty of action, as well as romance. Aidan Turner would make the perfect Earl of Beckport, spy-catcher, and the helpful heroine—disgraced smuggler’s daughter Charlotte Allston—would be played by a young Keira Knightley.

Frankie That would be so good, it’s a great book! I’d definitely watch it 😊 Out of all your work, who is your favourite character and why?

Elizabeth That would be my alluring gipsy healer, Ephraim Campion, in A POTION FOR PASSION, which comes out later this year with Entangled Publishing. He’s brave, he’s sexy, he has an intriguing past, and makes an incredible sacrifice to be with the woman he loves. He’s also interested in the same sorts of things as me—the Regency underworld, herbal medicine, natural dyes and folklore. And he can hold his own in a fight, which comes in handy at the climax of the book!

Frankie Where does your inspiration for your books come from?

Elizabeth I have spent an awfully long time working in the heritage industry, so I’ve got loads of ideas from there. I try to write books which include quirky and original situations, starting with just the germ of an idea based on something I’ve seen or experienced. For example, I’ve started creating a story based around an item in a museum collection, a half-finished satin pelisse (Regency lady’s coat). Why was it never finished? Where’s the rest of it? Who made it, and what was her story?

Frankie How fascinating! What three tips would you pass on to an aspiring author?

Elizabeth …..

Tip One. Never, ever give up.

Tip Two. Don’t expect financial rewards.

Tip Three. Make friends with other authors. You’re going to find you need their support and words of wisdom. I know I did. And still do!

Frankie If you were hosting a dinner party what three people would you invite? (They can be real/fictional, from any era)

Elizabeth Can I just invite Gerard Butler, Aidan Turner and Richard Armitage, and make them eat with their shirts off while I just sit and drool? Oh heck, I’m so shallow, I’m ashamed of myself.

Frankie Ha,ha,ha!! Yes, Love it! Now that is a dinner party I would definitely gate crash 😉 Thank you Elizabeth, for taking the time out of your busy schedule to chat with me today, I have just one more cheeky question, just for fun . . . What is your all-time favourite naughty but nice food?

Elizabeth I was thinking about Black Forest gateau earlier today. Alas, I couldn’t eat it now, as I have a sensitivity to dairy products, and probably chocolate as well. Maybe one day I’ll try to make one for myself, using non-naughty ingredients. Now there’s a plan!

Frankie Oh, Yummmmy! Thank you.

Elizabeth Thanks, Frankie. That was a great bunch of questions, and I’ve loved chatting with you here today!

Elizabeth’s up and coming release; Vanquashing the Viscount is out this month, for more information make sure you follow Elizabeth on Twitter so not to miss out on any news.

Emma Hibbert will never trust a good-looking man again-they have nothing to offer but heartbreak and humiliation. So when she rescues a sinfully handsome stranger from an accident, it’s all-out war against the passions he ignites. She can’t afford distractions-she has to hide her past and protect her family. But the stranger Emma saved is Viscount Tidworth, and she soon realises she should have left the stricken aristocrat on the muddy road where she found him. He’s a friend of her new employer, and has the power to ruin everything.

Tidworth blames Emma for wrecking his betrothal plans, and threatens to expose her deception. But when she risks her reputation for him, he vows to make amends to Emma and her family. The mistrustful beauty sees his gratitude as meddling, until a moonlight kiss exposes the viscount’s true feelings.

Then a notice appears in the paper, claiming Emma’s engaged to Charles Keane, Tidworth’s best friend…