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Sunday, February 5, 2012

Sealed With a Kiss: Elise Rome and Giveaway

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.

Places to find Elise:

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…

Miranda’s Letter to Simon

Written in her head as she worked
Two weeks before he fires her

Dear Mr. Astley,

Please, I beg of you, please stop staring at me.

I wish on my very first day you had never paid me the compliment on what you declared to be the perfect symmetry of my features. Now when you look at me, I cannot decide whether you do it as an assessment of another potential subject or because you are drawn to me. And if it is an assessment of me as a potential subject, does that mean that you picture me naked as the ladies in your studio?

I cannot bear for you to think of me that way, to compare me—whether unfavorably or otherwise—to them. Not when you are unlike any man I have ever known.

My father calls me wicked because I work for you, because I am in the same house of a nude portraitist. But he would call me even worse if he knew how much I envied those women, not because of their interactions with you, but because they are of your station. Whether you ever choose one as your lover or not doesn’t matter. They can dream of you, and know that there is a possibility that one day their dreams might come true.

I envy them—because I cannot even dream. And it is cruel of you to look at me so and make me wonder what could be. It is cruel of you to pay me more attention that you should and smile at me as though we share secrets, when the greatest secret I hold from you is this:

Even though I know I cannot dream, I do.

Ended with a sigh and a rather ferocious dusting of a vase

I hope you enjoyed Miranda’s letter to Simon! I personally think this part of Miranda and Simon’s relationship about unrequited love deserves a love song of its own. Do you have any favorite love songs?

Check out Miranda and Simon's love story in THE SINNING HOUR-Out February 14th!

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.

**Giveaway**

Elise will be giving away a digital copy of The Sinning Hour to 1 lucky person. Make sure to leave a comment answering Elise's question and make sure to fill out the Rafflecopter form for your chance to win.

Don't forget to head over to Not Another Romance Blog to check out Simon's letter to Miranda.

**Don't forget to enter the Big Grand Prize Giveaway. Enter here.**


a Rafflecopter giveaway

69 comments :

  1. Oh... I can't wait for The Sinning Hour :P
    wow... there are so many good love songs out there in so many genres. What better universal theme to write about then love? If I had to pick a fave Bryan Adams Everything I Do I Do It For You mainly because of Robin Hood. Or maybe even Let's Stay Together-Al Green just because it's been going around alot lately ;)

    sharocks13@yahoo.com

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  2. I've never really been that interested in love songs, but I've always liked Paul McCartney's Silly Love Songs and The Righteous Brothers Unchained Melody.

    Barbed1951 at aol dot com

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  3. Delicious of course Elise, absolutely delicious. It's cheesey I know but one of my favorites is 'More than Words'.
    Can't wait for the upcoming release, and thank you for sharing this tidbit with us!

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  4. book sounds so good! fav love song? hmm i really like taylor swift's songs. most of them are love songs.

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  5. i have so many love song but right now i love a thousand years by chritina perri ;)

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  6. I like Taylor Swift... Not the deepest songs but it's catchy...

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  7. Right now I'm loving Adele and my favorite of hers is Someone Like You - not really unrequited love, but a love gone bad.

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  8. I can't wait to read The Sinning Hour. It sounds like a great book. I really like Unchained Melody by the Righteous Brothers.

    e.balinski(at)att(dot)net

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  9. Thanks for the lovely post and giveaway! Congrats on the new release! I've been hooked on Elise's books ever since I read Romancing the Countess :) So glad to hear that we have another book and I can't wait for it to be released!

    I'd have to second the Bryan Adams's sound, Everything I do. Love, love, love that song :)

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  10. Such a powerful love letter! :) I sighed at the end as well. LOL.

    Enjoy!
    TBQ

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  11. Favorite love song right now: As Long As You're Mine from the Wicked OST.

    Looking forward to your e-novella!

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  12. Hello Chicks!

    Elise, I loved the teaser and can't wait to read it.
    It would be awesome to get my paws on it so by all means enter me in the contest, PLEASE!

    As for the love song, I always thought Bryan Adams' ("(Everything I Do) I Do It for You") and Chris Isaak's ("Wicked Game") were awesome and my all time faves :)

    Mel
    melanieDOTfriedmanATsbcglobal.net

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  13. I love her letter to him! My favorite love song is My Latest, My Greatest Inspiration by Teddy Pendergrass! Good luck on your release, Elise! ;)

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  14. Oh, loves songs...Cover you in Kisses by John Michael Montgomery will forever remind me of loving a certain Cowboy. Flightless Bird by Iron & Wine of my fiance Odd;y it makes me sad that it was put in a popular movie soundtrack.

    Also really hope the Jeffco Library adds this book to their e-stacks!

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  15. Book sounds great . Would love to read it.

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  16. Elise -

    Congratulations on the soon to be released The Sinning Hour! I can't wait to read Simon and Miranda's story.

    I must admit that you "got" me with "Written in her head as she worked - two weeks before he fires her"! I hope you realize what your putting me though before it's released on Valentine's Day! I won't be satisfied until I find out how they resolve this tangle of "affairs".

    Are you sure you can't release it a week earlier? After all that's my anniversary. My Kindle is anxiously waiting for it's arrival so hopefully I can pre-order if I'm not lucky enough to win!

    I signed up for up-dates from The Jaunty Quills and your Facebook page so hopeuflly I'll be able to keep up to date on your next release!

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  17. My favorite love song is the theme from the movie The Goodby Girl" by avid Gates. Your Novella sonds wonderful.
    nicholsgail@rocketmail.com

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  18. I really like Adele... I don't know if it would necessarily be classified as love song material, but I really like her music.

    yadkny@hotmail.com

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  19. No Matter What by Badfinger, Sinatra's I've Got You Under My Skin, Everything I Do by Bryan Adams and All I Ask of You from Phantom. I love music and usually have it going all day. Think this came from my Dad who usually had the stereo going when he was home while I was growing up.

    pennsdog(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  20. Congratulations on the new ebook. I don't care for the golden oldies love songs. I like contemporary pop rock love songs, such as Just the Way You Are by Bruno Mars or Love Story by Taylor Swift.
    penfield716(AT)yahoo(DOT)com

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  21. Wow! 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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  22. Argh, such teasing! Can't wait :) I adore Bon Jovi and I love Bed of Roses :)

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  23. Elise -

    Best of luck with The Sinning Hour! I can't wait to read it.

    My husband and my favorite song is The Impossible Dream from the musical Man of la Mancha and we even had it played at our wedding reception. We got married when he was in the Navy during Vietnam and I think at the time the only that we knew was a "lifetime" possible was our love for each other! On Tuesday we are celebrating our
    42nd Anniversary!

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  24. My heart breaks for Miranda. To feel so out of your league and as if your dream is unatainable, so sad. Can't wait to find out if she does end up being Simon's muse...

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  25. Poor Miranda! To love someone you think you can never have is awful. As for love songs, way too many faves to name. I grew up in the 80's, with all the power ballads and such and still love them. Give me a love song by a big-haired guy, and I am happy, lol. Some of my faves (that I have caused my nieces & nephews to love too) are Bon Jovi, Def Leppard, Warrent, etc Pretty much any ballad by them.

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  26. My fiance picked Always and Forever as our song.

    Robin D
    robindpdx(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  27. Hi Sharon! Oh, I miss Bryan Adams. I also really liked his "Have You Ever Really Loved a Woman?"

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  28. Hi Barbara! I've never heard of the Paul McCartney one, but I LOVE Unchained Melody. If I'm ever in a mood to sing out loud, that's one of the songs I always sing. =)

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  29. Hi Landra! I'm so glad you liked it. =) Thank you for visiting with me today!

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  30. Hi Crazy Kitty! I love Taylor Swift. =) She's one of my go-to artists if I need inspiration for my writing.

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  31. Hi Eli! I've never heard that one. Thanks for the recommendation! =)

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  32. Hi May! Lol. They are catchy, true. And even if they're not deep, they never fail to inspire me to write romance. ;)

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  33. Hi Jenm! I was just listening to that song today! I think it's one of those songs like a good romance book where it literally makes your chest ache. Of course, if I were going to write the end of that song, I'd find her someone to have an HEA with. =)

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  34. Hi Joanne! Thanks so much. =) And Unchained Melody is definitely one of my favorites. So much fun to sing, too.

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  35. Hi Erin! Thanks so much for visiting with me! And I can't wait to hear what you think of TSH! =) Ah, Bryan Adams. No one else has a voice like he does. =)

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  36. Hi The Book Queen! Then I guess the letter worked. ;) So glad you enjoyed it!

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  37. Hi Di! I'm so glad. =) I always want to write sigh-worthy characters and romances. =)

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  38. Hi Tin! Thanks so much for visiting with me! I'll have to check that song out. =)

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  39. Hi Melanie! So glad you enjoyed the letter! =) Oh, my mom got me hooked on Chris Isaak. I love love LOVE that song. So sexy. *sigh* =)

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  40. Hi Tina! Thank you--I'm so glad you like it! I hope you love the novella even more. =)

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  41. Hi bn100! I *just* discovered Etta James--seriously, two days before she died. =( I love that song, too...as well as A Sunday Kind of Love.

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  42. Hi Kitchen Witch of the West! (Love your name =) And it's great to see another near-Denver lady on here!) I've never heard of Flightless Bird before--but the title of the song sounds very interesting. I'll have to look it up. =)

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  43. Hi Kiki! Thank you! Good luck with the giveaway, and thanks for visiting with me today! =)

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  44. Lol Jeanne--thank you so much! Unfortunately, I'll be doing final proofreading up until the time I release, so I'm sad to say that I can't release it earlier. But I will definitely let everyone know on Twitter, Facebook, and through my newsletter when it's out! Also, HAPPY ANNIVERSARY! You guys sound like such a great couple. =)

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  45. Hi Gail! I am a huge fan of Hootie & The Blowfish, so I actually have the track of that song sung by them. It is a fantastic song. =)

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  46. Hi yadkny! I have to admit I've only listened to a few of her songs. I think I need to expand my Adele repertoire, though. =)

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  47. Hi Sue! Your family sounds like mine. =) We listen to music all the time here, and one of the girls' favorite things is to dance with us. =) I am a HUGE Frank Sinatra fan. Even tried to convince hubby that we needed to name our daughter Sinatra, lol. Unfortunately (thankfully?) he didn't agree. =)

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  48. Hi Kim! I'm so glad to see so many Taylor Swift lovers here. Sara Bareilles is also one of my faves, although I'm not sure if you could classify most of her songs as "love songs".

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  49. Hi Lisa! What can I say? I love to torment readers. ;) I've never been, but I have a friend who goes to see Jon Bon Jovi in concert every year. He must be just as good in person as he is otherwise. =)

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  50. Hi Jeanne!

    Awww. You guys sound so incredible. I'm so happy for you, and I hope you do something very special to celebrate. =)

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  51. Hi Lexi! I can't wait for you to meet her...and I have to tell you, I think Simon may be my favorite hero yet. =)

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  52. Lol! I love that you're honest, June! It's very cool, though, that you got your family hooked onto them. And I think we have a lot of Jon Bon Jovi fans out there... ;)

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  53. Hi Robin! Always and Forever is a very romantic song. =) Thanks for visiting with me today, and congratulations on your upcoming nuptials! =)

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  54. Tons of favorite love songs...including Evergreen (which I am listening to right now), My Heart Will Go On, Beauty and the Beast...thanks for visiting

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  55. Hard to just choose 1; there so many lovely love songs out there. I do like Beauty and the Beast (Celine Dion/Disney) & Titatic's My heart will go on.

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  56. Hi Elf2060! Oh, we love the Beauty and the Beast love song in this family. =) Thanks for stopping by!

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  57. Hi Linda! Little trivia: the guy who wrote the lyrics to My Heart Will Go On went to my high school. Yeah, that's our only claim to fame, lol. =)

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  58. Very touching and heartbreaking! Thank you for participating in the giveaway!

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  59. Oh and my favorite love song is probably Longer by Dan Fogelberg (sp?)!

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  60. I love art and art history, so I love the premise of the book. I don't really have any love songs that I particularly like, Mary Jane's Last Dance probably comes the closest.

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  61. Oh what a super awesome book contest...and a super nice author Elise Rome.....looking forward to reading the 'The Sinning Hour'.......and I love the song'Forever my Darling' by Aaron Neville...such a sweet love song..................babyruthmac16@yahoo.com

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  62. What a sweet love letter. And I love the cover of this book. The cover is amazing, and the story sounds great too.

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

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    1. Oh, I forgot to answer the question. My favorite love song is The one that got away by Katy Perry. I love the lyrics so much.

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  63. It looks like a fascinating and different story. The letter made me think of the song I'll Be Watching You by Sting although I'm not sure that it's a love song.

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  64. A song for Miranda and Simon might be "Just The Way You Are" by Billy Joel since they both love each other as they are, despite the differences in their circumstances.

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  65. Well me and my hubbys song is Destiny by Paul Anka. =)

    Mary

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