Sunday, February 5, 2012

Sealed With a Kiss:Elise Rome + Giveaway

Elise Rome


Elise Rome has never forgiven Margaret Mitchell for making her fall in love with Scarlett and Rhett in Gone with the Wind and then not giving them a happy ending. She likes to think that she makes up for the injustice done to them with each romance novel she writes. When she isn't telling stories about sexy, headstrong heroes and intelligent, independent heroines, Elise stays busy chasing after her two young daughters, semi-attempting to do housework, and hiking in the beautiful foothills of Colorado.


Find Elise Online:  Website | The Jaunty Quills | Facebook | Twitter

Happy early Valentine’s Day! I’m so thrilled to have been invited to be a part of the Sealed with a Kiss event (thank you, Dani and Rita!), and am also excited to share with you the love letters from the hero and heroine of my upcoming novella, THE SINNING HOUR (which will, incidentally, first be published on Valentine’s Day).

Although the story of THE SINNING HOUR novella takes place after the heroine leaves the hero’s employ, the following love letters—or lust letters, as the case may be—were written during the time she served him as maid.

Simon Astley and Miranda Post are from two different worlds, although they both live in 1851 London. Distantly related to the aristocracy, Simon has made a name and career for himself as not merely a portraitist, but a nude portraitist. In an era when the comparative moral freedom of the Regency has waned, Simon’s work is highly esteemed among some; most, however, view him with the sober, disdainful eye of the overly righteous. Simon, of course, does as he pleases and, as long as he is being paid for his work, cares not what anyone else thinks. Until, that is, Miranda Post comes along…

Though born of the middle class, Miranda is forced by circumstances to find work as a maid in Simon’s small household. She knows her role and duties well and, unlike Simon, safeguards her reputation carefully. He is her employer, she is his maid. She knows there can never be anything between them. And yet…


The Love Letter:

Unread, burned
Two weeks before he fires her

Dear Miss Post,

Actually, I believe I shall call you Miranda. After all, that is the way I think of you. Miranda, Miranda… And what shall I do with you, I wonder? I have had various thoughts on the matter, none of which you would consider seemly.

Tonight, for example, as you helped me put away my paints—an exercise you have dutifully continued for these last few months, although I know you dislike the camaraderie that has resulted—I imagined kissing you. Perhaps you would expect my fantasies to be filled with much more lurid things, and I assure you that some of them are, and yet to kiss you…I have every confidence it would be one of the most erotic acts I have ever experienced.

For what is a kiss but the portal to that darker, shadowed world of more explicit caresses? I would very much like to taste the sweet, reserved innocence of your kiss, to breathe the same breath you breathe, to feel the hitch in your chest against mine when you realize just how mad I’ve become.

Mad, for wanting you. Mad, for thinking of you when naked, beautiful women are displayed before my eyes day after day. Mad, because the knowledge that I caused the curve of your lips today makes me feel not as a mere man, but rather an immortal, omnipotent king.

Yet if I kissed you, would you look at me the same way you do now—with a wary sort of fascination—or would you despise me? Would you slap me? Run away? Or…would you kiss me in return?

The answer to that question haunts me like a demon, threatens to swallow my soul.

I am not one to— 

Unfinished, ripped into shreds, and thrown into the fire
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I hope you enjoyed Simon’s letter to Miranda! Have you ever written a love letter to someone whose feelings you were unsure of? Did you send it or throw it away? What would you rather receive for Valentine’s Day—chocolate or a love letter of your own?


Check out Simon and Miranda's love story in: 
THE SINNING HOUR
Coming Valentine's Day! February 14th, 2012

A man accustomed to having whatever he wishes…
A year ago, the last thing portraitist Simon Astley expected was to become fascinated with his new housemaid. Although Miranda Post was no great beauty, he found his attraction for her continuing to grow until—rather than giving in to his wicked inclinations—he sent her away. No man could have regretted this momentary indulgence of conscience more. 

A woman whose wishes have never come true… 
Now a maid at London’s most exclusive gaming hell, Miranda has no time for either bitterness or the soothing of her bruised heart. She works hard and struggles to care for her dependent father, forbidding herself to dwell on either her dreams of the future or her memories of Simon.

At night all they need is one another…
Yet both her dreams and memories collide when Simon is commissioned to paint the portraits of the hell’s owners. Determined to right his mistakes, he offers to pay Miranda for the pleasure of painting her, too—but only in the privacy of his studio. She agrees to take his coin, even while knowing that every moment in his presence once again decimates her defenses…and threatens her heart.

Releasing February 14th, 2012 to an ebook retailer near you!

**Giveaway**
Elise is giving away a digital copy of THE SINNING HOUR, to 1 lucky commenter (Open Internationally) So make sure you leave a comment on this post (preferably answering Elise's question(s) below the letter) AND fill out the rafflecopter for your chance to win!

And don't forget to head over to Ramblings From This Chick blog, check out Miranda's letter to Simon, and comment/enter that giveaway as well! 


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Swing by the special Sealed with a Kiss event page to get extra entries for the GRAND PRIZE!!!

46 comments:

  1. I loved this letter! xx

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  2. What a love letter. :) Congrats on finishing another book! :)

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  3. Great letter. I have to say, I've never written or received any love letters. I think I'm missing out LOL.

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    1. I haven't since getting married...except maybe on my anniversary card. ;) Maybe I need to start dropping hints, lol.

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  4. What a great letter. I can't wait to read this book to see what happens between Miranda and Simon. I would rather have a love letter. You can save that letter forever to read again and again, but the chocolates will only last so long.

    e.balinski(at)att(dot)net

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    1. I'm so glad you enjoyed it, Joanne! I agree with you. A love letter is like a piece of chocolate you can enjoy over and over again. =)

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  5. Oh... I've been wanting to read this book ever since Elise revealed it and now the letters are killing me (but in a good way :) )

    Congrats, Elise, on the new release! As a selfish reader, I'm so glad it's coming out soon :)

    Thanks again, ladies, for such an enjoyable blog series! Really loving it!

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    1. Thank you so much, Erin! I hope you enjoy the novella just as much! =)

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  6. this is where I wish I had an eReader

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    1. Hi Di! Would you be interested in reading a novella in print if it was trade paperback? I wasn't sure readers would want to pay the extra price for trade (which, unfortunately, is the only print format currently open to self-publishers), but if you're interested, I can definitely look more into it. =)

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  7. I'd love to receive a love letter. I think it will reveal more about the sender than chocolates.

    Looking forward to the release of your e-novella!

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    1. Thank you, Tin! I agree. Even better? Maybe receiving both. ;)

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  8. Yes, I've written a few love letters via email...one of the benefits or hazards of long distance love affairs.
    Would prefer a letter to chocolates...chocolates I can make myself, receiving a love letter not so easily done.
    Great to see another creative author flourish on the Front Range!

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    1. Thank you, Kitchen Witch of the West! I agree with you--I think I've kept all of the love letters my husband has written me (although he needs to write more! lol). I think I even kept all of our old IM conversations... =)

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  9. Love this letter! I have written some of my own. Some were given to them, others were thrown away. I am not sure which I would prefer. I LOVE chocolate, but I also love how a love letter makes me feel. Good luck on your new release!

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    1. Thank you, Tina! =) I think if the man knows what he's doing, he'll give both, right? ;)

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  10. That was a lovely letter, too bad it got ripped up. I can't say I've ever written a love letter to someone whose feelings I wasn't sure of, except a man I kept having an on again, off again relationship with. And yes, I sent it. I'd rather receive a love letter rather than chocolates. As much as I love chocolate, a love letter won't settle on my hips and I can cherish it forever.

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    1. Thank you, Barbara. =) I'm glad you enjoyed it! I especially love when you find an old love letter you'd forgotten about and it makes you all fuzzy inside again. =)

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  11. Congratulations on the new ebook. As for preferring chocolates or a love letter, it would depend on whether or not I returned the feelings.
    penfield716(AT)yahoo(DOT)com

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    1. Hi Kim! Great answer. =) It would be really difficult to receive a letter that would make you uncomfortable. Thank you for the congrats! =)

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  12. Congratulations on the new release! I cant wait to read it.

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  13. Thank you so much, everyone, for visiting with me today! I'm doing the family stuff on Super Bowl Sunday, but you can be sure I'll be back tonight to respond to all the comments! =)

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  14. So excited for The Sinning Hour! A nude portraitist? That is sure to spice things up :) I have a few sweet cards from ten hubby and now from my kids and they are great memories :)
    Loving all the love letters ladies!!

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    1. How could I have a portraitist and not make it a nude portraitist? ;) I hope you enjoy the results. =)

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  15. Hi Elise! I love your other books, so I'm really looking forward to reading your new ones too. One question - I've never gotten the hang of e-books. They remind me too much of work. Now that you are self publishing, will I ever be able to get paperbacks of your stories at Barnes and Noble?

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    1. Hi Molly! I'm definitely happy to make trade paperbacks available if you guys want it. It is only a novella, though (30k+)--would you still want to read it in print?

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  16. Great letter! I wished he finished writing it.

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    1. Thanks bn100! It was wicked of him to tease us so much, wasn't it? ;)

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  17. Whew, that is one hot love letter! And he is just talking about kissing!
    I can only hope my husband will ever be able to write strong emotions like that...oh wait I am sure that will never happen. Good thing you can write great characters like that so I can get my fix that way =)

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    1. *big grin* Glad you enjoyed it, Lexi! I think all of our husbands could learn a thing or two from Simon. ;)

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  18. Great letter. Love that he is thinking of her, even when painting other women. I would much rather have a emotional love letter than chocolate. Don't get me wrong, I love chocolate but a steamy, letter from a lover who puts their whole heart into the words would be much more delicious.

    Congrats on the upcoming release!

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    1. Hi June! That's how I know he's hero material, if he can't focus on the naked women in front of him. ;) Thank you--I hope you enjoy the novella! =)

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  19. Hi Everyone! I'm sorry I can't comment any tonight. My 15mo is sick and won't stay down. So I'm hoping to get some sleep tomorrow sometime and get back to all of you. Thank you so much again for visiting with me! =)

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  20. Hope your baby feels better soon and that you both get some rest! What great planning to release your story on Valentine's Day...good luck and thank you for sharing.

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  21. Thanks, Elf2060! We're all sick around here now, but thankfully she went to sleep...eventually. ;) Hope you enjoy the novella!

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  22. O - I need to read more! So looking forward to reading the rest!
    I've never written and then not sent a love letter, but when my husband and I first met I went through a 'not hanging out with him' stage with a 'be cruel to be kind' idea and he planned to write a letter and leave it in one of the books in the library I worked in... to be found in the future and sent to me...
    I relented before then... but I often wonder what it would have been like!
    I would much prefer a love letter to chocolates! Chocolates I can (and do!) buy myself!
    (P.S Hope your little one is better soon- it's so horrible when your kids are sick, especially if you're sick as well. )

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  23. I have written a love letter and then destroyed it. I love this letter. For a man to say he only wants a kiss. Yummy! I am looking forward to reading this book. I have enjoyed your prior books so I am sure I will love this one, too.
    jepebATverizonDOTnet

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  24. Thank you for the blog participation! That was one spicy letter! I've written quite the number of love letters in my lifetime. My husband and I have been "together" for four years and married for 9 months as of today and he still revels in the letters I write him. It used to be writing letter to him that I could never give to him because while he was my best friend for most of those 4 years, he was still "married" for 2 of them to an adulteress and, while I know that his feelings were reciprocated, he would not end the marriage himself no matter how miserable he felt. I DID however save every letter that I had written to him and upon the day that his then wife announced that she was moving in with the man she was having an affair with and wanted a divorce I gave him the letters I had written and he didn't know whether to hug me or strangle me for not giving him the letters when I wrote them so he would at least feel loved from someone, if not his wife. Now I am merely thankful that his ex wife chose to divorce him because now he's with a woman who loves him unconditionally. I would have to say that if I were to choose between chocolate or a love letter, I'd take the love letter (not as fattening, unless pregnancy comes of it which in my case is no longer possible) ;-) Still the best gift my husband has given me is himself!

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  25. I have never written a love letter for even though I love reading romances, I'm not a very romantic person in real life. On the novella, it sounds like fun, and I like that it focuses on people who aren't a part of the glittering ton.

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  26. Hi Elise, I know how you feel about Gone with the Wind ending, because I feel the same way too.
    It broke my heart watching that kind of ending. Even Alexandra Ripley made them together again at Scarlett, it still feel not the same.

    By the way, the letter is so sweet. Wish someone would that kind of letter to me.

    Thank u for this awesome giveaway and making it international :)

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  27. Chocolates are a delicious treat but a love letter that one can read and reread over and over...there is no choice there! Thanks for the chance to win your ebook.

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  28. She would kiss you back and love it! Great letter! Love letter is the best. Chocolates come and go. Love letters are forever!

    Mary

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