A Tease and a Gift
If Valentine’s Day is a celebration of love and love is celebrated in romance novels, I believe it’s safe to say that Valentine’s Day equals romance novels.
And boy do we have some romance novels for you. 🙂
Welcome to the kickoff blog post for the Romantic Reads Valentine’s Hop, filled with great authors giving away great prizes, including a chance to win a $50 gift card on February 14th.
That said, this blog post is about two romance novels and I promise you’ll see more throughout the Romantic Reads Valentine’s Hop.
The first romance novel…is mine! Deception of a Highlander is book 1 of my three book Scottish historical series. Below is the first official excerpt teaser. Enjoy!!
It was only a kiss, but he knew without a doubt the heat of her mouth against his would only serve to whet his desire further. He would not be able to still his hands from gliding over what was hidden from view, from pulling her against the parts of him she made ache.
With an incredible act of willpower, he straightened, released her and took a step back to address her from a safer distance lest he give in to temptation.
“If ye still want to come, meet me here tomorrow morning at nine o’clock, aye?”
He turned to leave when her hand on his forearm stopped him.
“Why did you not kiss me?” she asked.
Kieran studied her face and desire tugged at him once more. “Do ye always get what ye want, Mariel?”
Her eyes trailed the length of his body, her expression shrewd. “Only if I know how to get it.”
Deception of a Highlander is set to release on April 28, 2015 and is available for preorder on Amazon at http://amzn.to/1x5J12G
The second romance novel is your gift (potentially) – and it’s a good one.
The incredible and fabulous Valerie Bowman has offered her latest release, The Accidental Countess, up for raffle. If you haven’t checked out her Playful Brides series (The Accidental Countess is the second in the series), you MUST.
Read on for tantalizing detail of what you could win:
For seven long years, Lady Cassandra Monroe has waited for the man of her dreams to return from the war. Unfortunately, he happens to be engaged to her flighty cousin. What Cass wouldn’t give to take her cousin’s place! When he mistakes Cass for Patience Bunbury, a fictitious friend her cousin has invented to escape social obligations…even with her future husband, Cass thinks this is her chance.
After defeating Napoleon at Waterloo, Captain Julian Swift is not quite ready to settle down and enter into his unwanted arranged marriage—especially when the real object of his affection turns out to be a beguiling beauty he meets at a party. Patience Bunbury is witty, independent, passionate…and, unbeknownst to him, the cousin of his current fiancée. When the truth about Cass comes out—and Julian discovers that their courtship is anything but accidental—will he surrender his heart to a woman who really is too good to be true?
The Accidental Countess (Book 2 of the Playful Brides series) can be found at many top retailers, including Amazon http://amzn.to/1Dc31RW
So – have you ever pretended to be someone else to get out of (or into) a certain situation? If so, please leave a comment below.
If you have not and still want to comment for a chance to win an eBook copy of The Accidental Countess by Valerie Bowman – that’s OK – you can post what you love most about romance novels.
The drawing will occur on the evening of 2/4/15 – good luck to everyone who plays!! 🙂
Tomorrow’s Blog Hop will take you to Angi Morgan at http://www.getlostinastory.blogspot.com/
bn100
No, I haven’t
Cheryl Pompilii
I never impersonated anyone but I would give a some guys an incorrect phone # so they couldn’t reach me.
Madeline
LOL – I’m guilty of that too. 🙂 And I’ve given men fake names at bars too.
PhyllisC
No, I haven’t but don’t remember the opportunity ever presenting itself either. Thanks for the giveaway!
Abby Sharpe
Whew, what a great excerpt!
In addition to not being myself, sometimes I use different accents. 😉
Madeline
I’ve heard it and ye do quite well, lass 😉
Aly P
No… I’m always me, for better or worse 🙂
Madeline
Then best stick with better. Unless worse might result in world domination – then always go worse 🙂
Kate Sparks
No, never had the opportunity! Small town !
Laurie
No I haven’t so my favorite thing about romance novels is that they are such an escape from real life and if I ever stop believing in true love they give me hope.
Madeline
Laurie, I love that 🙂 Because there always is hope to find your own happy ever after 🙂
Linda May
I never impersonated anyone, it’d not something I would do. I read Romance novels to take me away for the day, they get me excited to keep reading to see what happens to the characters.
Madeline
It’s so nice to leave things behind and get lost in a world where everything goes wrong, but you know deep down that it’s all going to turn out right in the end. I totally get that. 🙂 Thanks for stopping by, Linda!
Madeline
Linda May – Congratulations!!! You won the ebook copy of The Accidental Countess by Valerie Bowman 🙂 Please send me an e-mail at madelinemartin@ymail (dot) com with the ereader type you have so I can ensure Valerie gets your copy to you right away. I know you’ll love it!! Thank you so much again for stopping by!!
Abby Sharpe
Yay! Happy reading, Linda!
Michele Hayes
No, I’ve never had to pretend to be other than who I am to get out of (or into) a situation. Thanks for the giveaway.
Angi Morgan
I went on a 7 day cruise and only said two things about myself:
My name is Angi & I’m a Texan.
Nothing else.
Lots of fun on that trip.
Madeline
So…you ARE a Texan…right?? 😉
Seriously though – sounds like fun!!! Rather than another identity, you assumed the silky veil of mystery… LOVE IT!
Nan Dixon
I grew up in a theatrical family – so yes, creating new characters, new accents was second nature. It really does help when you are giving a presentation and want to take on the persona of a cool and calm speaker!
Great excerpts. Can’t wait to see all the wonderful posts on this Valentine’s Day Hop!
Madeline
Nan, your family sounds like so much fun!!! I always use different accents when I read to the minions, although I find my Australian blends into some weird English blend thing.
I’m looking forward to your post too! Thanks for stopping by!
alison b
i have only pretended to be my sister once and maybe my mom on the phone.
Madeline
Hehehe – does your sister know? Or did you always keep it a secret? 😉
Shadow
No, i havent. Tho, when i was younger, i did wish for a twin, just so i could play with people. lol Thank you for sharing! I love the sound of it! It sounds very intriguing! Thank you! Have a fantastic day!
shadowluvs2read(at)gmail(dot)com
Madeline
Me too!! I blame Sweet Valley High and their mystical Christmas book adventure with the harlequin doll princes….
I’m so glad you enjoyed the post – thank you so much for stopping by!!
Mary Preston
No, but it’s an interesting question.
Anita H.
I’ve never pretended to be someone else before but it might be fun to try someone else’s shoes for a little while. 😀 I love to escape the daily grind with a romance novel and HEAs are the best part!! Thanks for the chance to win some awesome books!
Madeline
It really would 🙂 And I agree, HEAs are the best!! Someone once asked if I would ever write a romance with a sad ending. Uhhhh….no! That’s the best part. 🙂 (Confession: I always get choked up when I write those scenes)
Jen M.
I’ve never had to pretend to be someone else, but my twin nieces used to switch places in school to take each other’s tests.
Madeline
LOL – I bet they caused quite a stir with all that! 🙂
Valerie Bowman
I can’t WAIT for Deception of a Highlander!
Madeline
Aw, thank you!! And thank you so much again for giving away The Accidental Countess on my blog post!! 🙂 I have the winner and will announce her as soon as I finish replying to the posts. 🙂
sandy haber
only on the telephone. have Valerie’s book on my TBR list, don’t think i’ve every read any of yours but the genre is correct!
Madeline
My book releases on April 28, 2015 so you’ll get to read it then 🙂 And Valerie Bowman is wonderful!! Thank you so much for stopping by!
Madeline
Thank you so much to everyone who participated in the raffle for Valerie Bowman’s latest novel, The Accidental Countess. Linda May is our fabulous winner today.
I really enjoyed everyone’s comments and can’t tell you enough how much we authors appreciate incredible readers like you 🙂
Happy Valentine’s Day, everyone!!
Maureen
Romance novels have helped me stay optimistic even when real life gets tough.
Madeline
Maureen, I’m so sorry – the contest is over. But I love your comment and totally agree. Romance novels give us a chance to live somewhere else and put everything on hold for a little bit. 🙂 Thank you so much for stopping by my blog and leaving a comment. I really appreciate it 🙂
Rachel B
have never impersonated anyone to get out of something. I have put on a funny accent just for kicks when I go to the store. but that is the extent of it.