Interview and Giveaway: Helen Hollick

Please join me in welcoming Helen Hollick back to Debbie's Book Bag today! Helen has been with us before and today she is her to talk about her Sea Witch Trilogy set during the Golden Age of Piracy. Helen is offering a copy of the third book in the series, Bring it Close to one international winner from Debbie's Book Bag, please see details at the end of the post.

DEB: Helen, you’ve been with us before here at Debbie’s Book Bag, so these questions may be a little different from those I sent you the last time. A lot of my readers are writers also and some of my questions are directed in that manner.

HELEN: Hi – lovely to be back!

DEB: Helen, tell us what you’ve been up to since you were here last?

HELEN: A lot!

After the last Blog Tour – for I Am The Chosen King (US edition of Harold the King) - for my US Publisher, Sourcebooks Inc, I was looking forward to getting back to writing my next novel – Ripples In The sand (more about that later). What I was not expecting was for my small UK independent publisher to go bust. Although the company had, I must be honest, not been as satisfactory as they should have been, I was at least with their mainstream imprint. However, there was no point in staying with a company that could no longer publish my books, so I made the choice to find a reliable, efficient and professional assisted publishing house. The alternative was to give up writing (not an option) try to find another mainstream – which would not be easy, and would have meant that my books would be out of print here in the UK for many months, or go along the self publish route. I found SilverWood Books, a company that handles the technical side of self publishing books. I had known Helen Hart for several years, she has built the company into the qualities I was looking for. And while the cost has been along the “gulp” level, quality was my prime objective.

The next blow came when I realized I was not going to get my files back from ‘Gone Bust Publishing’. I had old files, but these were not edited (mind you looking at some of the errors and typos in the published files – on both sides of the Atlantic - I’m annoyed to find so many printing errors) I therefore undertook to do a massive re-edit, calling in the aid of my UK editor Jo Field, and two lovely people who helped me as “readers” Kelly, and Stuart. Between us, and Helen Hart of SilverWood and her assistant, Sarah, I hope we have corrected most of the typos! In three months we have managed to get four books back in print, with the Pendragon’s Banner Trilogy following soon.

Fortunately I have the wonderfully talented Cathy Helms of Avalon Graphics as a cover designer, so we designed a new cover for Harold, and slightly tweaked the Sea Witch Voyages – SilverWood suggesting that we have a conformity about all my books that are published here in the UK, mainly a similar style and feel.

I had planned a Blog Tour for my Sea Witch Series about a month before the old publisher went belly up – books had gone out and arrangements made. Rather than abandon the idea I decided to carry on…. so here I am, but with better quality books published under the SilverWood Banner. The Sea Witch Books, I must add, are also available in the US and on Kindle – and as far as I am aware on other e-book format such as Nook Books etc, although I’m not certain about that (I’d love to have this verified!) Next step is to get Barnes and Noble interested enough to stock them, meanwhile, huzzah for Amazon.com

DEB: Tell us a little about Jesamiah Acorne and the Sea Witch? Is this a series that is close to your heart?

HELEN: Oh yes, definitely! I adore my Jesamiah! While I enjoy writing my serious historical fiction books, the Sea Witch series is more historical adventure fantasy – sailor’s yarn tales, a blend of Sharpe, Hornblower, Pirates of the Caribbean and Indiana Jones all rolled into one. The historical setting is accurate (although I do take a few poetic licence liberties) and my sailing detail is as spot on as I can get it. I wanted to write a novel where I could make up the main characters and the plot – and where the main protagonist gets to stay alive in the last chapter (unlike in most historical fiction!) I also wanted to create my own charmer of a rogue…. Or did he invade me and demand to be set free from the realm of imagination I wonder? I have a suspicion that the latter is more accurate!

DEB: The Golden Age of Piracy has always been something I’ve been interested in. What drew you to writing a series set in this time period?

HELEN: The first Pirates of the Caribbean movie – the Curse of the Black Pearl. It was a fun movie - and who can resist The first Pirates of the Caribbean movie – the Curse of the Black Pearl. It was a fun movie - and who can resist Johnny Depp’s Jack Sparrow? I was intrigued, though: what was the reality of pirates? About to go on vacation I grabbed a couple of non fiction books and read up on the history of the Golden Age (about 1680 – 1730 – quite a short period) The facts were stunning, and almost immediately I had ideas for the plot of a story popping into my head. Blending historical fact with imaginative fiction is always what has drawn me to writing, so I took a few Golden Age piratical facts, decided upon my characters – and away I went. I wrote the first draft of what became Sea Witch in three months, barely stopping – I even wrote on Christmas Eve and Boxing Day. Jesamiah had come alive and I could not put him down.

DEB: When you are researching for a particular book, what kinds of resources do you use and what is most helpful to you in finding out what you need to know for your novel?

HELEN: Mostly good non-fiction books – although Google is now invaluable. (Be careful with “facts” on the Internet though – always check, and double check) Google Earth is fabulous for researching other countries, and as for web cams….! Where I can I like to go to places where I have scenes set – not always easy if, as in Sea Witch, some of the action takes place in Cape Town, South Africa. I did manage to get to Colonial Williamsburg in Virginia, though, where a lot of the third Voyage in the series, Bring It Close, takes place. Being able to view actual buildings, walk along the roads where your character is going to walk – and spend a quiet half hour inside the gaol – all helps to make a story feel real.

I also researched Nautical Matters. I now have an extensive library of maritime books, the best one, which gives precise details of how to sail a tall ship I found for £5 (about $3?) in a charity thrift shop! I am also fortunate in having respected maritime author James L Nelson as a friend, who kindly edits the sailing bits for me. Add to that I have another two friends who actually live in Williamsburg. Judy goes to investigate anything I need (she recently found out a lot of information about growing tobacco) and John F Millar, who runs a B & B built the replica ship the Rose – better known now as HMS Surprise, moored in San Diego. So I have some very knowledgeable people in my e-mail list!

DEB: A lot of my readers are writers and they are interested in how you first got started writing. What gave you the confidence to try to sell your manuscript?

HELEN: I started writing stories when I was about 13. I desperately wanted a pony, we couldn’t afford one, so I made one up and wrote stories about her. (Didn’t everyone do that?) From there I moved to Science Fiction and Fantasy – and then discovered Historical Fiction. I spent years attempting to write what would, eventually, become The Kingmaking, the first of my Pendragon’s Banner Trilogy. To be a real writer, though was just a dream. I drove my friends mad by saying “When I write my book”. None of them believed I would ever do it. Then I discovered Sharon Kay Penman’s Here Be Dragons – wow if only I could write like that! I sent her a letter (in the pre-email days!) and she wrote back: “If you can make a four page letter as interesting as this” she said, “I can’t wait to read the book.” A short while later she was in London, UK, where I live and we met for coffee – and became friends. Sharon encouraged me to write, and took the time to show me where I was going wrong. She introduced me to her agent, and Random House took me on.

Sadly, about twelve years later I parted company with the agent at the same time as Random House decided to drop my back list. Historical Fiction – then – had fallen out of fashion. Which is how I came to be with the small company that went broke, mentioned above.

For confidence – well I still haven’t got confidence in myself. Every book I write I worry about (not helped by inefficient foundering publishers and not having an agent) But I rather think that maybe to be over confident is as bad. I care about my work – and I work hard to ensure the end result is as good as I personally can get it. Another reason why I am now happy to be “self published”. I am at last in control of my books that are produced here in the UK. All errors are mine (bites nails, I hope there are not too many of them now!)

DEB: Do you have advice for new writers?

HELEN: First of all, don’t keep talking about “I want to write a book” – get on and DO it! You may never get published, but you certainly will not if you never get the thing actually written. Then, seriously consider getting an editor to help you polish the book to make it shine. Yes this costs money, but it is worth it. This is a definite must if you decide to self publish. There is absolutely no reason why a self published book cannot be as good quality as any traditional mainstream book. The difference is, too many self published authors do not take the time or care to ensure that their work is professionally produced. That means investing in professional help. Quality costs – but believe me, cheap, in the long run, costs even more!

Get your book edited – and I don’t mean ask Aunt Ada who used to be a teacher to check the spelling and punctuation. You need a professional to mark up too many Point Of View changes, too much author’s voice, the continuity errors – the technical bloopers.

Anyone can write a book – but it takes hard work, and professional advice to produce a readable book.
I have some more hints and tips here, feel free to browse!

http://www.helenhollick.net/culpa41.html

DEB: My readers are also interested in you as a person. Name one pet peeve that you have?

HELEN: People who ask for an honest opinion, and then become rude when they get one! Unfortunately I have come across this several times. Hopeful writers ask if I will give an honest opinion on their book – I only ever look at one chapter though, and if asked for an honest opinion, I give an honest opinion. I try to give constructive criticism, pointing out errors as mentioned above – but you would be surprised at the number of people who are affronted when I politely suggest they use an editor, or change some of the too often repeated words and phrases. I’ve been told I don’t know what I’m talking about more than once. Um, which one if us is the published author? Which one the “wannabe” who has enough rejection slips to paper the entire house?
So if you ask for an honest opinion ensure you want an honest opinion. If all you want is “wow its fantastic” don’t come to me! (phew, I feel better for that rant! *laugh*)

DEB: Tell us one thing that readers may not know about you?

HELEN: I have three strings of blue solar lights draped from the trees and shrubs outside my office window. At night they reflect on the pond and look beautiful. It’s very frustrating when its not been sunny enough to power them. (Which reminds me, one of the climbing shrubs has overtaken the solar-energy battery box – I must clear it tomorrow!)

DEB: If you could travel to any time period when and where would it be?

HELEN: Not the Golden Age of piracy – far too smelly! I would like to go back to 1064 to warn Harold Godwinesson not to trust Duke William of Normandy. Or to the early 5th Century to find out if there really was a King Arthur.

DEB: What books are you most interested in that are coming out in 2011? Written by yourself or other authors.

HELEN: My own, Ripples In the Sand – the Fourth Sea Witch Voyage. I should have had it written by now so frustrating to not be able to get on with it! I bring Jesamiah and Sea Witch back to England, Devon. Jesamiah has a legitimate cargo of tobacco to sell, and some illicit contraband. He also gets mixed up in the Jacobite rebellion of 1719, a jail break and meets up with an old flame. Meanwhile his woman, Tiola Oldstagh (a white witch) must see into the past to discover why Tethys, the Goddess of the Sea, is messing up her and Jesamiah’s life. Something went wrong in Tiola’s past existence, she has to find out what in order to save Jesamiah from drowning at sea! Ooh exciting!

And for a book that is not mine – I can’t wait to read Sharon Penman’s Lionheart…. And for good measure, I’ve just finished Elizabeth Chadwick’s Lady of the English. What a fabulous read!

DEB: Thank-You so much for your time!

HELEN: On the contrary – thank you!

GIVEAWAY DETAILS:

Helen Hollick has been so gracious in offering one copy of her book, Bring it Close for giveaway to one winner from Debbie's Book Bag!

~ You must be a Google Friend Connect follower to participate.
~ This is an INTERNATIONAL giveaway!
~ The deadline to enter this giveaway is Midnight EST August 5th.

1. Please leave a comment in appreciation of the author on THIS post!
2. Please fill out the FORM.

Review: Bring it Close

Bring it Close (Sea Witch Voyages - Book 3) by Helen Hollick

Publication Date: June 2011

Publisher: Silverwood Books

Genre: Historical Fiction

Pages: Paperback, 386pp

ISBN-13: 9781906236625

ISBN: 1906236623

(Received for an honest review from the author)

Purchase: Barnes & Noble, Book Depository, IndieBound

Helen Hollick on the WEB: website, blog, facebook, twitter

Excerpt from Bring it Close

Book Trailer:

Synopsis:

Jesamiah Acorne, Captain of the Sea Witch, has accepted a government-granted amnesty against his misdeeds of piracy, but old enemies do not forget the past. In particular Edward Teach - better known as Blackbeard - has a bone to pick with Acorne. Following an indiscretion with an old flame, Jesamiah finds his fiancée, the midwife and white witch Tiola Oldstagh, has gone to North Carolina to help with an imminent and difficult birth. The problem; that is where Blackbeard now resides.

He must not discover that Tiola is Jesamiah's woman, she will have to hide her identity and her gift of Craft from the black-hearted pirate who has sold his soul to the devil. With Sea Witch damaged and himself wounded by Blackbeard, Jesamiah has to take stock of his situation at his old home in Virginia - but trouble follows him like a ship's wake and he is arrested for acts of piracy on the High Seas.

Too much trouble has come too close! How is Jesamiah Acorne to clear his name, overturn a sentence of hanging, keep Tiola safe, put an end to Blackbeard and deal with being haunted by the ghost of his father? Bring It Close moves from the Bahamas to North Carolina and Colonial Williamsburg in Virginia at a swashbuckling pace. There is intrigue, misunderstandings, romance and adventure all wrapped up in a delightful blend of mystical fantasy.

Thoughts:

Once again Helen Hollick brings readers a book set during the Golden Age of Piracy. Book three of the Sea Witch Trilogy, Bring it Close follows the continuing story of Captain Jesamiah Acorne and the white witch, Tiola. Hollick fans have eagerly awaited another swashbuckling tale with their favorite pirate and this one doesn't disappoint. Full of action and adventure on the seas and the land, Bring it Close also features a pirate of legend, Blackbeard. Readers will be on the edge of their seats until the final bottle of rum has been tipped and Jesamiah and Tiola are once again safe from old enemies and crimes on the high seas.

Captain Jesamiah Acorne and Tiola are finally safe it would seem after Jesamiah accepts a pardon from the English government, but that same pardon does not hold true in America. When Tiola crosses the sea to help with a difficult birth, Jesamiah knows that old enemies are lurking in the shadows. Edward Teach known to many as the pirate Blackbeard has an old grudge against Jesamiah causing Tiola to be in imminent danger. If Blackbeard were to find out her true identity as Jesamiah's lover, he would use her against him. He has his own deal with the devil and Jesamiah is in the path of the storm. Spanning from England to the Carolina's and into Colonial Virginia the battle between these two pirates will take all of the strength that Jesamiah, Tiola and the crew of the Sea Witch can muster. Can Jesamiah outwit American authorities that want to hang him or will Blackbeard catch him first?

What a great adventure! This book has it all. Our favorite pirate captain, Jesamiah. A little bit of mysticism in the form of the white witch, Tiola. Old enemies like Blackbeard and all the swashbuckling action a reader could ask for. Helen Hollick continues her story of Captain Jesamiah Acorne and the crew of the Sea Witch in her third book in the Sea Witch Trilogy, Bring it Close. Fans of the series have waited with bated breath to see what would happen next. I have to admit Hollick really surprised me by introducing the famous pirate, Blackbeard into the story. He is a pirate that has always fascinated me and adding him to the Sea Witch novels was an ingenious idea. I think readers will agree that this addition added a more sinister villain and really brought to the forefront the danger that Jesamiah and Tiola were in. It also gave an authentic feel to the story that readers will pick up on.

As usual Helen Hollick's research is impeccable. It gives credibility to the novel and shows the reader that Hollick cares about her subject and her characters. Her descriptions of the Carolina's and Colonial Williamsburg during this time period were just a joy to read. Readers are given so much sensory information in this book, that they can almost feel the sea spray on their faces and hear the sounds of foot traffic on the streets. Hollick allows the reader to be transported back in time with the crew of the Sea Witch. I found getting so lost in the story that I had to take a minute to look up and make sure I was still in my house LOL... now that's saying something! A true hallmark of an exceptional writer comes in allowing the reader to become so invested in the story that they are willing to read when they don't have time or when they need to be doing something else, and this book provided that for me, a total escape.

Fans of Jesamiah will be more than sated in this book. Once again we get to see a different side of him, that readers may not have picked up on in the other books. Jesamiah has a very colorful past, as a pirate and as a man. Somewhere in the distant past he managed to get on Blackbeard's bad side and as readers might expect it was over a woman. Jesamiah seems to exude sexuality from his every pore. Women just swoon as his feet. Being a pirate is one of those jobs that has "bad boy" written all over it. Kind of like being a rock star or a part of a motorcycle gang or something. He comes across as having a very naughty nature, but still being a true and loyal man underneath and I think he comes into his own in this book as a master of his own fate. There were so many decisions he made that could have completely changed the direction of the book, but he still did what he believed he should in spite of what he had to go through to accomplish it. I wonder if many of us don't spend a lot of time in our lives living down our pasts or trying to make a better future, much like Jesamiah. Hollick has created a wonderful character with Jesamiah and I look forward to more adventures with him, Tiola and the crew of the Sea Witch.

Bring it Close is available NOW from your favorite bookseller.

Check my interview with Helen Hollick later today for your chance to win a copy of Bring it Close.

I'm giving this one 5 out of 5 apples from my book bag!

Helen Hollick lives in London with her husband Ron and her daughter Kathy. In between researching the background information for her pirate series about Jesamiah Acorne she manages three Myspace profiles, is researching for her next historical novel, looks after the family cats, dogs, ducks and horses and is on the production team as co-script writer for a possible future movie - 1066. She has a university diploma in early medieval history - and a passion for pirates.

Review and Giveaway: Skirting the Grave

Skirting the Grave (Vintage Magic - Book 4) by Annette Blair

Publication Date: July 2011

Publisher: Penguin Group USA

Genre: Cozy Mystery

Pages: Paperback, 288pp

ISBN-13: 9780425242223

ISBN: 0425242226

(Received for an honest review from Berkley Prime Crime)

Purchase: Barnes & Noble, Book Depository, IndieBound

Annette Blair on the WEB: website, blog, facebook, twitter

Excerpt from Skirting the Grave

Book Trailer:

Synopsis:

National bestselling author Annette Blair's "whimsical, witty, and wonderful" series continues as vintage clothing boutique owner Madeira Cutler helps to sew up another case.

Even though Maddie is swamped running Vintage Magic and dealing with the consequences of the visions she gets from certain of her fashion treasures, she's agreed to plan her sister Sherri's baby shower and mentor a design intern. But when Maddie goes to the Mystic train station to pick up her new student, she finds a murder scene instead. The victim: intern Isobel York. Cause of death: suspicious circumstances.

Later that evening, a woman claiming to be Isobel appears on her doorstep, and Maddie knows it's not just a case of "whodunit" but "who-is-it." Luckily a gift of lusciously luxe vintage clothes offers clues, and though the '50s wardrobe and accessories are to die for, Maddie is determined to iron out the wrinkles before the murderer can return to put an end to a promising fashion career...

Thoughts:

Annette Blair's fourth offering in the Vintage Magic series, Skirting the Grave, gives a paranormal twist to a conventional mystery plot. Readers will love Blair's fashionista heroine, Maddie Culter, who tends to get a little more than just idea's from the vintage clothing she sells in her shop Vintage Magic. With pychometric vibes, a love triangle, returns from the dead and all of the vintage clothing you could ask for, this book is a cozy that fans can rely on for an unusual read that packs a punch. Great for a hot and sultry afternoon in the hammock!

Maddie Cutler has a lot on her plate when her sister Brandy decides to return to Mystic Falls. As the head of the Nurture Kids Foundation, Brandy is putting on a huge fundraiser and she expects Maddie to do all the planning. On top of that Brandy convinces Maddie to take on a design intern that comes from a very important family. Brandy doesn't believe in the paranormal and has no sympathy for Maddie and her vintage clothing shop. Maddie decides to make the best of it, when a huge trunk of vintage clothing arrives that belonged to the interns grandmother, but when she goes to the train station to pick her up, Isobel York is dead. Only a couple of people know about Maddie's ability to pick up vibes from vintage items that help her in solving crimes, her best friend Eve and her on-again-off again boyfriend, Nick Jaconetti. But, new interest Lytton Werner is on the case this time and he and Nick are both vying for Maddie's affection. When another woman claiming to be Isobel York shows up later on Maddie's doorstep, the plot thickens and Maddie not only as a whodunit, but a who is it to figure out!

Annette Blair continues her light and entertaining Vintage Magic mystery series with her latest book Skirting the Grave. Many readers have already met Blair's heroine, Maddie Culter in the first three books of the series, but that doesn't mean that this one can't be read as a stand alone. It can with ease, but I think readers will miss out on a lot of the little nuances that Blair uses that are more easily understood if the reader is up to speed on the series. So, go ahead and read this one and then go back and pick up the others, you won't be disappointed. Blair's use of humor to lighten the subject matter is genius. Murder isn't the most gratifying of subjects, but when you mix it with decadent vintage clothing, a dash of magic and a hint of romance, you might be on to something.

The whole idea of vintage items and clothing carrying a sense of the past is interesting to me. I know that there definitely items in my house that have a story and I think that's the idea that the author plays on for this series. Blair's heroine, Maddie has the ability to pick up on these vibes and that's what makes her such a good amateur sleuth. Putting two and two together goes a little bit differently for her than the average detective. In this book, she uses a trunk full of vintage clothing belonging to the York family to provide her with some clues to what's going on. I liked the way the author was able to bring out the stories that each piece of clothing or purse had to tell. This book has that hint of the paranormal but doesn't let it overwhelm the story.

In a sense the reader gets a two in one with Skirting the Grave. Not only do they have the whodunit aspect of the book, where Maddie is trying to piece together who killed the woman in the train station, but you also have the whole idea of who that woman was to think about. If the woman who shows up on Maddie's doorstep is the real Isobel, then who's on the slab from the train station? I thought I had this one figured out several times, but Blair foiled my attempts to figure it out all the way to the end. The hallmark of a good mystery writer is to reveal just enough to keep the reader thinking, but not enough for them to figure it out before the author is ready. I think Blair pulled that off well with this book. Her writing is clear and concise and shows a lot of humor and wit.

The love triangle between Maddie, Nick and Lytton is starting to heat up in this one. I found myself switching back and forth between Maddie's love interests. Readers will find good and bad points to each of these men and it will be interesting to see how it plans out in future books in the series. I think this little bit of added romance adds another dimension to the book and opens up the possibility to draw in some romance readers, as well as, cozy fans. With the paranormal element as well, I'm sure this book will have an audience well beyond the normal group of cozy readers.

Skirting the Grave is available NOW from your favorite bookseller.

I'm giving this one 4 out of 5 apples from my book bag!

Author Annette Blair took a twenty-year roller-coaster ride to overnight success, which has made each contract, writing award, and bestseller list that much sweeter. Yes, her tenacity is legendary, though some just call her stubborn. Her Bewitching Romantic Comedies started with a root canal and a reluctant trip to Salem Massachusetts. Though she had once proclaimed she’d never write a contemporary, Annette stumbled into the serendipitous role of ‘Accidental Witch Writer’ on that trip. Funny how she managed to eat her words, even with an aching jaw. Magic or destiny; My Favorite Witch became her first National Bestseller.

GIVEAWAY DETAILS:

The publisher is offering one copy of Skirting the Grave to one winner from Debbie's Book Bag!

~ You must be Google Friend Connect follower to participate.

~ US Addresses only (Publisher Request)

~ The deadline to enter this giveaway is Midnight EST August 4th.

1. Please leave a comment on THIS post in appreciation to the author.

2. Please fill out the FORM.

Review: The Surrender of Lady Jane

The Surrender of Lady Jane by Marissa Day

Publication Date: July 2011

Publisher: Penguin Group USA

Genre: Erotic Historical Romance, Paranormal element

Pages: Paperback, 336pp

ISBN-13: 9780425241257

ISBN: 0425241254

(Received for an honest review from Berkley Heat)

Purchase: Barnes & Noble, Book Depository, IndieBound

Marissa Day/Sarah Zettel on the WEB: website, facebook

Excerpt from The Surrender of Lady Jane WARNING: This excerpt may contain content inappropriate for readers under 18 years of age.

Synopsis:

Centuries ago, Sir Thomas Lynne was seduced by the faery queen Tatiana. He does her bidding while Tatiana’s magic keeps him young. Now she orders him to gain entrance to Kensington Palace, where he’s to seize an infant, the future Queen of England, as prophecy says one day that child will defeat the fae once and for all. To accomplish this he must seduce an attendant of the Regency Court, the respectable widow, Jane DeWitte.

Resigned to a widow’s solitary life, Lady Jane is startled to find a man penetrating her dreams, exciting her most forbidden desires—a skilled master who shows her a world of starling magic and extreme pleasure. But when he enters her life, Jane takes hold of Thomas’ heart and they learn that even magic cannot overpower true love. Together they must put an end to Tatiana’s deceptions to save the Isle of Britain and ultimately their very souls.

Thoughts:

Marissa Day, a pseudonym of author Sarah Zettel, brings readers a novel filled with passion and sensuality. The Surrender of Lady Jane combines steamy Regency romance with the magical elements of the paranormal. Readers will become lost in this enchanting story of love and desperate choices. Day's ability to create steamy love scenes will appeal to readers who like to add a little spice to their reading, while her smooth writing style and descriptive prowess will draw in mainstream romance readers. A seductive romp that erotic romance fans will not want to miss!

Thomas Lynne has spent his life in the service of Tatiana, Queen of the faeries. She keeps him young and alive so long as he does her bidding. But now a prophecy threatens all the fae. A child is to be born to the Duchess of Kent that is in line to be the Queen of England and the prophecy declares her to be the one who will vanquish Queen Tatiana and all of the fae forever. Tatiana knows they must somehow get close and kidnap the child when she is born. She encourages Thomas to seduce the Duchess's attendant Lady Jane in order to have access to the child when it is born. But when Thomas finds himself falling in love with Jane will he risk everything in order to be with her? Will Jane be able to give herself to a man she barely knows?

The Surrender of Lady Jane is a book with a lot of layers, which I was really surprised by. Usually what I expect with an erotic romance is a lot of heat and not very much plot, but this one certainly didn't follow that pattern. Don't get me wrong, it has all the passion and heat a reader would want but the story itself is not dependent on sexuality. It could stand alone without the sex and still be a great book, with a very engaging plot. I have been a fan of the paranormal for sometime now and the fae are my favorite supernatural characters. I am of Scottish ancestry and stories of the Queen of the faeries and her realm were a part of my childhood that lingers in my memory and this book satisfied that part of me that still wants to believe. Day does a remarkable job of bringing the fae to life in this book, as well as, creating the sexual tension necessary to pull off a good erotic romance.

I liked the fact that the author chose to set the book in the Regency period for a couple of reasons. I am a big historical romance fan and the Regency period is one of my favorites to read about. For one thing, woman were kept under so many rules and regulations, from how they dressed to how they acted and there was very little room for impropriety. Which makes the relationship between Jane and Thomas that much more risky and sinfully sensual. He starts out messing with her dreams and then comes into her life for real. How would you like the man of your sexual fantasies to just show up on your doorstep so to speak? A very nice touch.

It is obvious to the reader that Thomas is a man who is divided. He owes his life to Queen Tatiana but he has his reservations about how she does things. The author portrays Tatiana as a bit self-centered and willing to do whatever it takes and hurt anyone who gets in her way, even a helpless child. That seemed to go against the grain for Thomas and I think that's where he begins to question his loyalty to her. Thomas was a really great character and I thought Day made him into a real hero, but one who carried that bad boy kind of image that women are so drawn to. He may not have had tattoo's and played in a rock band but he certainly got Jane's attention with his lessons in lovemaking.

The sexual aspect of the book was well written. It didn't leave a lot to the imagination and there were several scenes that will get the readers motor running. It was full of passion and sexual tension, but it was more than that. Thomas wanted her desperately and she wanted him but it didn't stop with just one night of passion. It ran deeper than that. The chemistry between them is electric and his dominance is very sensual and alluring. I think Day played on the part of readers who want their romances to have the fairy tale element. That love that will not allow itself to be tamed, that won't let itself go unnoticed. True love! This isn't a book you'd want to share with a young reader because it uses adult language and adult situations, but if the reader is looking for a book that will light their fire, this one might be the one.

Jane is such a wonderful character. She has a sort of innocence about her, yet she has this wildness inside her that just wants to come out. Reminds me of that beautiful adage, "a lady in the street and a freak in the sheets" LOL! She is everything a Regency woman is expected to be. Intelligent, well traveled, soft spoken, the perfect companion for any woman of the ton. But when she gets with Thomas her inner wildcat comes out. She is willing to do and try anything he suggests, she opens herself up to exploring her passionate nature and it's kind of interesting to watch her blossom and change her ideals about love and sex. Very well done.

I recommend this one to readers who like to spice it up a bit in their reading. This one not only has the passion and heat they might desire, but a plot that is interesting and full of surprises. The paranormal element gives it a twist that some readers will really enjoy. It's full of sensuality and tension and even true love. This is one great erotic romance!

The Surrender of Lady Jane is available NOW from your favorite bookseller.

This is the first time I have given and erotic romance 5 out of 5 apples from my book bag. That should tell you something!

Marissa Day writes her steamy historical, paranormal romances for Berkely Heat. Her first romance novel, LOVE’S OWN TIME was written 20 years ago and was, according to the author, “an absolute disaster which thankfully never saw the light of day.” Since then, thanks to her agent, her editors and a very patient critique group, she’s learned some more about writing, and, thanks to her husband, a lot more about happily-ever-after.

Review: A Weekend With Mr. Darcy

A Weekend With Mr. Darcy by Victoria Connelly

Publication Date: July 2011

Publisher: Sourcebooks Inc.

Genre: Austen Inspired Fiction

Pages: Paperback, 352pp

ISBN-13: 9781402251320

ISBN: 1402251327

(Received for an honest review from Sourcebooks)

Purchase: Barnes & Noble, Book Depository, IndieBound

Victoria Connelly on the WEB: website, blog, facebook, twitter

Excerpt from A Weekend with Mr. Darcy

Synopsis:

Dr Katherine Roberts is a lecturer at Oxford University and an expert on all things Austen. But she has a guilty secret; a love of racy Regency novels by Lorna Warwick. She’s even struck up a long-distance friendship with the novelist and the two of them have been sharing their closest confidences.

When Katherine gets her yearly invite to a Jane Austen Conference at the magnificent Purley Hall in Hampshire, she sincerely hopes that Lorna will be in attendance as well. She can hardly wait to meet her new friend, but it seems that Lorna may not have been completely honest with her…

Meanwhile, hopeless romantic Robyn Love is at her happiest when her head is stuck in one of Jane Austen’s novels – if only her boyfriend Jace Collins could be more like Colin Firth.

The weekend retreat is the perfect opportunity for Robyn to escape from reality for a few days – especially when she meets handsome stablehand Dan. But Jace isn’t going to be so easy to shrug off.

With misunderstandings, muddles and a few shocking revelations, the weekend proves to be even more than they bargained for. Like all true Jane Austen heroines, Katherine and Robyn will discover that finding their own Mr Darcy is far from easy…

Thoughts:

Victoria Connelly takes Austen inspired fiction in a new direction with her book, A Weekend With Mr. Darcy. Instead of writing the typical prequel or variation, Connelly decided to set her novel around a Jane Austen conference where lovers of all things Austen get together to celebrate her work. Readers will fall in love with Connelly's sharp wit and humor, as she captivates them with complex and compelling characters. A must read for Austen fans!

Katherine Roberts has been a Jane Austen fan for years and when she gets an opportunity to spend a long weekend nursing her addiction it seems like the perfect getaway. She also hopes to meet a woman she has been keeping in contact with that is an Austen fan as well. But it appears Lorna Warwick, a writer of racy, Regency romances and Katherine's penpal hasn't been able to make the trip after all. Katherine has no idea that the man she meets as Lawton Warwick is really her friend Lorna, but there is just something about him that reminds her of her own personal Mr. Darcy. Meanwhile Robyn Love decides to attend the weekend event as well. She loves all things Jane Austen but with her boyfriend Jace in tow it may not be such a great weekend after all. Jace doesn't understand Robyn's love of Austen and he isn't willing to compromise. When Robyn meets a man who not only willing to read Pride and Prejudice, but seems to care about her feelings, she is torn between them. The weekend reveals some hidden secrets, romantic moments and that finding love isn't always easy.

Victoria Connelly's book is somewhat different from most of the Austen inspired fiction that I've read. Typically, you get everything from prequels and sequels to variations and mash-ups, but A Weekend with Mr. Darcy doesn't seem to fit in any of those categories. Connelly isn't using Austen's original characters as characters in her own story, but as inspirations to her own complex and muli-layered heroines and heroes. She uses a Jane Austen conference as the backdrop for this funny, and entertaining novel. It kind of reminded me of how fanatical Star Trek fans are with their conventions and the like, LOL! I think it's a fantastic idea and I hope someone decides to hold a Jane Austen Addicts weekend in my neck of the woods. It was a perfect setting for romance and readers will find themselves wishing they could be at Purley Hall themselves.

I thought Connelly did an amazing job of referring and quoting Austen and her work throughout the novel. It is obvious that she is an Austen fan herself because of the reverence she gives Austen's work. Readers who are unfamiliar with Austen will still love this book as a great romantic comedy, but I think they will also find themselves learning a little bit about Austen and her work. I wouldn't be surprised if many readers who haven't taken the time to read Austen will be so inspired by this book, that they will dust off those old copies or be out buying new ones.

Connelly is true to Austen's original vision, for Pride and Prejudice. She gives the reader characters that may not be Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy but they have the same characteristics and ideals. Warwick is handsome, intelligent and loyal, much like Mr. Darcy and Katherine is outspoken and quick witted, much like Lizzy. I enjoyed reading their story very much. I was somewhat less enthused about Robyn's part of the story, mostly because of her relationship with Jace. In my opinion Jace is the George Wickham of the book. Robyn feels compelled to stay with him because of things that have happened in the past, but he comes across as high-handed and entitled, much like Wickham. I tend to shy away from characters that I don't particularly like, even though I know they are necessary to the story most of the time.

I recommend this book to two different groups of readers. Those who are already Austen fans and Austen inspired readers and to those who enjoy a light-hearted comic romance. You don't have to be an Austen addict to enjoy this one. It's full of humor and wit and moments that will definitely put a smile on your face. You might even learn a little bit about Austen and her work in the bargain!

A Weekend with Mr. Darcy is available NOW from your favorite bookseller.

I'm giving this one 4 out of 5 apples from my book bag!

Victoria Connelly's first novel was promoted in Germany to celebrate World Book Day and was adapted into a TV movie. Her second novel was published as a lead title in the UK and chosen as a "hot pick" in Closer magazine. Her new trilogy is her first foray into Jane Austen related fiction. Connelly lives in London.

Guest Post and Giveaway: Victoria Connelly

Please join me in welcoming Victoria Connelly to Debbie's Book Bag today. Victoria is here to promote her book, A Weekend With Mr. Darcy. Sourcebooks has been gracious enough to offer a giveaway for two lucky winners, see details at the end of the post.

I asked Victoria to talk about how she became interested in Austen inspired fiction and this was her response:

It was when I was about 13 that I first became aware of Jane Austen through the 1940 black and white film adaptation of Pride and Prejudice starring Laurence Olivier and Greer Garson. I adored it but I didn't read Pride and Prejudice until I was 17 and it was many years later that I decided to write a trilogy about Jane Austen addicts. I’d been visiting many of the Jane Austen locations: her beautiful home at Chawton in Hampshire, the little church at Steventon, Lyme Regis on the Dorset coast and the magnificent Georgian city of Bath, and I couldn’t help thinking how much fun it would be to write a series of books each set in a different Austen location. I also wanted to explore what it would be like to live with a Jane Austen addict. What did my husband think every time he walked through the living room to find his wife watching yet another version of Persuasion? Did he worry about my obsession with the Austen hero?

I also asked Victoria how her version of Jane Austen's characters differ and compare to the originals and this was her response:

My characters aren’t directly inspired by Jane Austen’s characters – it wasn’t my intention to update her books. I wanted to write about modern characters who are besotted by Austen’s books and to look at how they might see Austen as a wonderful escape from the stresses and strains of modern-day life. But, thinking about my characters, they do share similarities to some of Austen’s characters. Two of my favourite Austen heroines are Marianne Dashwood and Catherine Morland. I love Marianne’s passion for life and Catherine’s tendency to daydream and I think Robyn in A Weekend with Mr Darcy shares some of these traits as does Kay in the second book in the trilogy, Dreaming of Mr Darcy. Kay is also a hopeless match-maker so she has something in common with Emma Woodhouse!

I like to think that my heroes are as dashing as Austen’s own. Warwick Lawton in A Weekend with Mr Darcy rather reminds me of Willoughby because he’s not altogether honest with my heroine, Katherine. He’s not as badly behaved as Willoughby, though! That would never do!

Check out my review of A Weekend With Mr. Darcy in tomorrow's posts!

GIVEAWAY DETAILS:

Sourcebooks is sponsoring a giveaway for two copies of Victoria Connelly's book, A Weekend with Mr. Darcy. These copies will go to two lucky winners from Debbie's Book Bag!

~ You must be a Google Friend Connect follower to participate.
~ US and Canadian Addresses only (Publisher Request)
~ The deadline to enter this giveaway is Midnight EST August 2nd.

1. Please leave a comment in appreciation of the author on THIS post.
2. Please fill out the FORM.

Review: Fire Monks

Fire Monks: Zen Mind Meets Wildfire at the Gates of Tassajara by Colleen Morton Busch

Publication Date: July 2011

Publisher: Penguin Group USA

Genre: Non-Fiction

Pages: Hardcover, 272pp

ISBN-13: 9781594202919

ISBN: 1594202915

(Received for an honest review from TLC Tours)

Purchase: Barnes & Noble, Book Depository, IndieBound

Colleen Morton Busch on the WEB: website, blog, facebook

Excerpt from Fire Monks

Book Trailer:

Synopsis:

The true story of how five monks saved the oldest Zen Buddhist monastery in the United States from wildfire.

When a massive wildfire surrounded Tassajara Zen Mountain Center, five monks risked their lives to save it. A gripping narrative as well as a portrait of the Zen path and the ways of wildfire, Fire Monks reveals what it means to meet a crisis with full presence of mind.

Zen master and author of the classic Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind, Shunryu Suzuki Roshi established a monastery at Tassajara Hot Springs in 1967, drawn to the location's beauty, peace, and seclusion. Deep in the wilderness east of Big Sur, the center is connected to the outside world by a single unpaved road. The remoteness that makes it an oasis also makes it particularly vulnerable when disaster strikes. If fire entered the canyon, there would be no escape.

More than two thousand wildfires, all started by a single lightning storm, blazed across the state of California in June 2008. With resources stretched thin, firefighters advised residents at Tassajara to evacuate early. Most did. A small crew stayed behind, preparing to protect the monastery when the fire arrived.

But nothing could have prepared them for what came next. A treacherous shift in weather conditions prompted a final order to evacuate everyone, including all firefighters. As they caravanned up the road, five senior monks made the risky decision to turn back. Relying on their Zen training, they were able to remain in the moment and do the seemingly impossible-to greet the fire not as an enemy to defeat, but as a friend to guide.

Fire Monks pivots on the kind of moment some seek and some run from, when life and death hang in simultaneous view. Novices in fire but experts in readiness, the Tassajara monks summoned both intuition and wisdom to face crisis with startling clarity. The result is a profound lesson in the art of living.

Thoughts:

Colleen Morton Busch gives a stirring account of the 2008 California wildfire that almost destroyed the Tassajara Zen Mountain Center in her book Fire Monks. Readers will be caught up in this amazing story of five monks who stayed behind to save Tassajara after firefighters had decided the fire was too dangerous to fight. A story of uncommon courage in the face of a life or death situation. This non-fiction read is gripping and full of information on fighting wildfires, as well as, Zen practices and techniques. Colleen Morton Busch tells this story with a flair for the dramatic that fans will love!

Tassajara Zen Mountain Center is the oldest Zen Buddhist monastery in the United States and is only accessible through a single 14 mile unpaved road. But in the summer of 2008 the remoteness that made the monastery so popular almost became it's undoing. As fires swept this remote area east of Big Sur firefighters began to evacuate the area of unnecessary people including the summer residents at Tassajara. Eventually they decided that it was completely impossible to fight this fire without the loss of life, and on July 9th all of the people in the monastery were asked to leave. But five monks decided to turn back and defend the monastery from the flames in the face of insurmountable odds. This is their story.

Colleen Morton Busch tells the incredible story of five monks who put their Zen training to the ultimate test in the summer of 2008 as they fought to save Tassajara monastery from wildfire. This is an incredible story that readers won't soon forget. There were so many elements in this book that I really liked. Busch tells this story with great enthusiasm and understanding, considering that she is a Zen student herself.

The author does an amazing job of building the suspense in the story as the fire closes in on Tassajara and the monks have to use every bit of the strength and presence of mind that they have to combat it. I liked the way the author was able to show how dangerous this fire really was. Even the firefighters had been evacuated from the area and that made it seem like an almost impossible mission and these monks obviously knew that. This was a life or death decision and they decided to stay and fight. I cannot really fathom that kind of courage and selflessness. This book was a real lesson in being committed to something, to believing in something bigger than ourselves. I have always thought of monks as soft spoken, patient and non-confrontational, but these guys were warriors. They took on that wildfire when everyone else said it couldn't be done.

I have been a Christian for a long time, but I am always interested in learning about other religions and practices and this book was one of my first experiences with Zen and Buddhist beliefs. Colleen Morton Busch gives readers an inside look into the mind set that allowed these five men to believe they could save Tassajara. She gives insight into Zen practices and ideas, that many readers were probably not familiar with before. As I read this book I was continually reminded that even though there are many religions in the world they are all seeking essentially the same thing, peace of mind, heart and body, they just seek it in different ways. Ours through belief in Jesus Christ and theirs through other forms of religion and belief. I enjoyed finding out more about the Zen mind set. The author was able to show these beliefs in a very authentic way.

One of the other interesting aspects of this book was the way the author was able to show the techniques employed in fighting the wildfire and how the authorities made their decisions about evacuations and that sort of thing. California is known for wild fires and though we have some in my neck of the woods, I really didn't know a lot about what went into dealing with them, so I found this part very interesting. I would imagine that if even the firefighters are asked to leave, this fire must have been amazing, a real force of nature.The author does an incredible job of describing the fire and it's affects on the region. She says at one point that if you lived in California during this time, you could smell the smoke and that's the same kind of feeling the reader gets from reading her account.

I recommend this one to my non-fiction readers, as well as, readers interested in the Zen way of life or other religions in general. It is a gripping narrative about a life or death struggle and the courage of five monks who defied the odds. I love it! I think you will too!

Fire Monks is available NOW from your favorite bookseller.

I'm giving this one 5 out of 5 apples from my book bag!

Colleen Morton Busch's nonfiction, poetry, and fiction have appeared in a wide range of publications, from literary magazines to the San Francisco Chronicle and Yoga Journal,where she was a senior editor. A Zen student since 2000, Busch lives in Berkeley, California.