On the 1st Day of Christmas My True Lord Gave To Me...with Stefanie Sloane (+ Giveaway)

An heir stuck up the Christmas Tree with Stefanie Sloane

The author of the wildly popular Regency Rogues series, Stefanie Sloane credits her parents’ eclectic reading habits—not to mention their decision to live in the middle of nowhere--for her love of books. A childhood spent lost in the pages of countless novels led Stefanie to college where she majored in English. No one was more surprised than Stefanie when she actually put her degree to use and landed a job in Amazon.com’s Books editorial department. She spent over five years reading for a living before retiring to concentrate on her own stories. Stefanie currently resides with her family in Seattle.

The Saint Who Stole My Heart, the fourth installment in the Regency Rogues series, will be released in April 2012.

Find Stefanie Online: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

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Twelfth Night
or
A Story in Which Bernard, a Cat of Questionable Lineage, Risks His Very Life for Love. Not His Love. But the Love of His Mistress. Not for Him. But for… Oh, Just Read the Story and See for Yourself. 
by Stefanie Sloane

On the 2nd Day of Christmas My True Lord Gave To Me...with Gayle Callen (+ Giveaway)

2 Dukes a Dueling with Gayle Callen

USA Today Bestselling author Gayle Callen writes historical romances for Avon Books.

Gayle's novels have won the Holt Medallion and the Laurel Wreath Award, and finaled in the National Readers Choice Awards. Her books have been translated into over eight different languages. She also writes medievals as Julia Latham for Avon Books.

Gayle resides in central New York, with her husband and three children. Besides writing, she loves to read, sing, and delve too deeply into historical research. Visit her website at www.gaylecallen.com

Find Gayle Online: Website | Twitter | Facebook

*Gayle also writes medieval romances under the pen name: Julia Latham

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Background: Merry Christmas! I enjoyed setting my short story during a London Christmas, where Lady Merry is hoping desperately that all her wishes will come true.        

A Duel For Christmas

by Gayle Callen

On the 3rd Day of Christmas My True Lord Gave To Me...with Isobel Carr (+ Giveaway)

3 French Courtesans with Isobel Carr

Isobel Carr is an avid costume historian and grew up in the wild and entertaining re-enactment community in Northern California. She has participated in everything from The Society for Creative Anachronism to the Renaissance Pleasure Faire (yes, the original one!) to Heyer Con and The Great Dicken's Christmas Fair. So she's made and worn clothing from just about every era from 1400-1900, including the proper undergarments.
Currently, she lives with her mastiff, Clancy, in a 1916 bungalow in Oakland, California and when she's not writing, she's usually working on the house. She's also often found at the Heart and Dagger near Lake Merritt. Just look for the girl with the giant dog.

You can find out more about her by visiting her at isobelcarr.com.

Find Isobel Online: Website | Blog on History Hoydens | Twitter | Facebook

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3 Courtesans
by Isobel Carr

On the 4th Day of Christmas My True Lord Gave To Me...with Jenn LeBlanc (+ Giveaway)

4 Horny Lords with Jenn LeBlanc

Jenn LeBlanc has several constants in life that define her:

Colorado, Canon, CJ, kids and curls.

Born and raised in a household of other people's children in this beautiful state —very nearly with a camera in hand— she never left. She talked about escaping; but that never happened. She started her own family, got used to the curls, went to college, built a CJ, and started a business, all with a camera in hand.

She always had another passion. Storytelling, born from daydreams and nightmares. Her fingers were not as quick as her mind, and no amount of practice got them there. Then her second daughter was born, and her inherent traits kept Jenn pinned to the spot, her only escape the keyboard. Spending her days in parenting chat rooms, she can still type fast with just one hand. 

Jenn lives and thrives off chaos and the constant flow of the creative process. She is currently working on illustrations for another novel.

Find Jenn Online: Website | Blog | Twitter | Facebook

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My name is Jenn and I am the author and photographer behind THE RAKE AND THE RECLUSE, an ILLUSTRATED romance. Yes. Illustrated, with photographs. The most exciting thing happens TODAY...TODAY!!! And I get to share it here with ALL OF YOU which makes me so happy because Rita is one of the most wonderful and amazing bloggers out there. She has been such a great support and friend, and I can't wait to hang out with her again like we did last year at RomCon. Did she share the picture I took of her with Derek? Perhaps if you nag her she will. ;) (Rita: Never. But pretty sure the readers can find it by googleing: "crazed pervy fan goes into cardiac arrest when met with the object of her visual fascination")

Background:  This scene focuses on the Rake, Perry, and his friend Ender. It takes place soon before his brother, the esteemed Duke of Roxleigh, the hero from THE RAKE AND THE RECLUSE, arrives in London after nearly trampling a girl with his horses. Ender will be appearing in a new book set to release Spring 2012 titled BETWEEN A FRIEND AND FOREVER. 

All I Want For Christmas Is A Lord Under The Tree

by Jenn LeBlanc

On the 5th Day of Christmas My True Lord Gave To Me...with Karen Hawkins (+ Giveaway)

5 Golden Rings...Stolen By A Highwayman with Karen Hawkins

Karen Hawkins is a NYT and USA Today bestselling author of over 22 fun and lively historical romance novels and two humorous contemporary romances. When not stalking hot Australian actors, getting kicked out of West Virginia (thanks to the antics of her extended family), and adding to her considerable shoe collection, Karen spends her time warming her feet on her two rescue dogs while writing her next book. She lives in Florida and loves to hear from readers at Karen Hawkins, P.O. Box 149924, Orlando, FL 32814-9924

Find Karen Online: Website | Blog | Goddess Blog | Twitter | Facebook

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Seven Highwayman 

by Karen Hawkins

Upon which A Gentleman Pirate carrying his Hard-Won Treasures to present to the King to gather his Just Rewards finds himself Importuned upon the highway by Several Gentlemen In Black . . . . 

On the 6th Day of Christmas My True Lord Gave To Me...with Vicky Dreiling (+ Giveaway)

6 Wagers Starting with Vicky Dreiling

Vicky Dreiling is a confirmed historical romance junkie and Anglophile. Frequent business trips to the UK allowed her to indulge her passion for all things Regency England. Bath, Stonehenge, and Spencer House are among her favorite places. She is, however, truly sorry for accidentally setting off a security alarm in Windsor Castle. That unfortunate incident led her British colleagues to nickname her “Trouble.”
Despite her troublesome past, Booklist nominated Vicky’s debut historical romance HOW TO MARRY A DUKE one of the Top 10 Romances of 2011 and received a Romantic Times nomination for Best First Historical Romance.

Find Vicky Online: Website | Blog | Twitter | Facebook

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A CHRISTMAS WAGER

By Vicky Dreiling 

On the 7th Day of Christmas My True Lord Gave To Me...with Shana Galen (+ Giveaway)

7 Spies a Lurking with Shana Galen


Shana Galen is the author of numerous fast-paced adventurous Regency historical romances, including the Rita-nominated Blackthorne's Bride. Her books have been sold worldwide, including Brazil, Japan, Russia, Spain, Turkey, and the Netherlands, and have been featured in the Rhapsody and Doubleday Book Clubs. A former English teacher in Houston's inner city, Shana now writes full time. She's a wife, a mother, and an expert multi-tasker. She loves to hear from readers: visit her website at www.shanagalen.com.

Find Shana Online: Website | Blogs at Jaunty Quills | Twitter | Facebook

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Background: Shana's release- LORD AND LADY SPY is available now!  

Seven Spies A-Lurking: A Lord and Lady Spy Christmas Eve Tale

by Shana Galen  

On the 8th Day of Christmas My True Lord Gave To Me...with Grace Burrowes (+ Giveaway)

8 Spinsters Singing with Grace Burrowes

Grace Burrowes grew up in central Pennsylvania and is the sixth out of seven children. She discovered romance novels when in junior high (back when there was a such a thing), and has been reading them voraciously ever since. Grace has a bachelor's degree in Political Science, a Bachelor of Music in Music History, (both from The Pennsylvania State University); a Master's Degree in Conflict Transformation from Eastern Mennonite University; and a Juris Doctor from The National Law Center at The George Washington University. Her debut novel, The Heir was chosen as a Publishers Weekly Top Five Romances for 2010, and is the first in an eight-sibling historical romance series to be published by Sourcebooks Casablanca.

Find Grace Online: Website | Blog | Twitter | Facebook

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Background: Their Graces, Percival and Esther Windham, Duke and Duchess of Moreland, have raised a large family, and are watching as their children find true love and happiness, one by one, in the books of the Windham Series. First the sons, Westhaven (“The Heir”), St. Just (“The Soldier”) and Lord Valentine (“The Virtuoso”), and now the daughters are winning their happily ever afters, most recently, Lady Sophie, in “Lady Sophie’s Christmas Wish.” This story finds the family gathering again in anticipation of the holidays, and while the Earl of Westhaven means well, his lectures on penny pinching and self-discipline miss the point of the season entirely….  

The Ducal Gift

by Grace Burrowes  

On the 9th Day of Christmas My True Lord Gave To Me..with Maya Rodale (+ Giveaway)

9 Playful Princes with Maya Rodale

Maya began reading romance novels at her mother’s insistence, and it wasn’t long before she was writing her own. Her next release is The Tattooed Duke (March, 2012), book three in the Writing Girls Series. Check out www.mayarodale.com for sneak peeks and prizes.

Find Maya Online: Website | Extras' Page | Twitter | Facebook

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Nine playful princes, one scorned duke and daring wallflower 

by Maya Rodale

On the 10th Day of Christmas My True Lord Gave To Me...With Ashley March (+ Giveaway)

10 Scandals Brewing with Ashley March

MEET ASHLEY
The Short & Sweet

I was born and raised in East Texas, moved to Colorado after getting married eight years ago, and have been craving snow-free winters ever since. I have a husband who just keeps getting better and better over time and two beautiful daughters.

Life is simply…fantastic.

Find Ashley Online: Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter
~*~

Background: This is a book I’m thinking about writing (haven’t decided yet) under my new pen name, Elise Rome. The idea came to me the other morning as I was waking up, and I thought it would be perfect for the scandal theme in the 12 Days of Christmas celebration.

At the beginning of this scene, the heroine, Evangeline, is escaping from a Christmas Eve ball to meet with the man she wishes to marry. She and Viscount Rathdowne were promised to others by their families, but they have set up a rendezvous in the garden where they plan to be caught. The betrothals will be broken as he is “forced” to marry her in order to salvage her reputation, and they will live happily ever after.


Unfortunately...neither of them counted on her close friend, Leo—who has reason to believe Rathdowne is a villain, and knows nothing of their plan—following Evangeline out to the garden to keep her from becoming victim to Rathdowne’s rakish tendencies.

The Winter Garden 
by Ashley March

On The 11th Day of Christmas My True Lord Gave To Me...with Theresa Romain (+ Giveaway)

11 Mama's Plotting with Theresa Romain

Theresa Romain holds degrees in psychology, English literature, and history, an impractical education that allowed her to read everything she could get her hands on. Her historical romance debut, SEASON FOR TEMPTATION, was published in October 2011. She is currently at work on the sequel, SEASON FOR SURRENDER, which will be published in October 2012.

Theresa lives with her family in the Midwest and lives online at http://theresaromain.com.  

Find Theresa Online: Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter

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Background: The plot of my historical romance debut, SEASON FOR TEMPTATION, kicks off when the hero's sister, Gloria, is widowed in a dramatic way. Gloria had a difficult marriage and more difficult widowhood, so I wanted to give her a happy ending. This scene takes place at Twelfth Night (historically, celebrated on January 5), about nine months after the end of SEASON FOR TEMPTATION. The family's story continues with the release of SFT's sequel, SEASON FOR SURRENDER- out October 2012!

In Which Viscountess Roseborough Finally Unmasks 

by Theresa Romain

On the 12th Day of Christmas My True Lord Gave To Me...with Sherry Thomas (+ Giveaway)

12 Rakes Cavorting- with Sherry Thomas

Photo by: Jennifer Sparks Harriman 

Sherry Thomas burst onto the scene with PRIVATE ARRANGEMENTS, aPublisher Weekly Best Book of 2008. Her sophomore book, DELICIOUS, is aLibrary Journal Best Romance of 2008. Her next two books, NOT QUITE A HUSBAND and HIS AT NIGHT, are back-to-back winners of Romance Writers of America's prestigious RITA® Award for Best Historical Romance in 2010 and 2011. Lisa Kleypas calls her "the most powerfully original historical romance author working today."

Her story is all the more interesting given that English is Sherry's second language—she has come a long way from the days when she made her laborious way through Rosemary Roger's SWEET SAVAGE LOVE with an English-Chinese dictionary. She enjoys digging down to the emotional core of stories. And when she is not writing, she thinks about the zen and zaniness of her profession, plays computer games with her sons, and reads as many fabulous books as she can find.

Sherry is available to speak to writers groups on the intimate particulars of craft as well as the ins and outs of publishing.

Find Sherry Online: Website | Blog | Twitter | Facebook

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Background: The couple in the scene are the hero and the heroine of my Oct 2012 release, TEMPTING THE BRIDE, which is the third book of the Fitzhugh Trilogy and will following BEGUILING THE BEAUTY in May and RAVISHING THE HEIRESS in July.  

This is not a scene from a book but rather from the previous Christmas, shortly before the timeline for the entire trilogy begins.

Untitled scene by Sherry Thomas

Get Ready: The 12 (Historical) Days of Christmas are almost HERE!!!

Happy Holidays, Book Lovers!!!

Here's hoping the weeks leading up to Christmas are as stress-free as possible. Did you dig that ugly Christmas sweater out of your closet yet? (No?) Decorate the inside and outside of your house? (You haven't done that either?) Done all your Christmas shopping? (...oh my...)

In the midst of the mayhem of long lines, wrestling with other shoppers for the last can of cranberry sauce, or bypassing it all and doing your last minute shopping online, make sure you stop by here and Ramblings From This Chick this month starting on the 12th for an exciting dual Christmas event that we're co-hosting!

 Details below:

Rita from Not Another Romance Blog and Danielle from Ramblings From This Chick have teamed up this year to present the readers/lovers of historical romance with a unique and fun Christmas blog event that will seriously knock your socks off!