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Friday, April 26, 2013

My Favorite Book Boyfriend with Manda Collins and Giveaway


Manda Collins spent her teen years wishing she’d been born a couple of centuries earlier, preferably in the English countryside. Time travel being what it is, she resigned herself to life with electricity and indoor plumbing, and read lots of books. An affinity for books led to a graduate degree in English, followed by another in Librarianship. By day, she works as an academic librarian at a small liberal arts college, where she teaches college students how to navigate the tangled world of academic research. A native of coastal Alabama, Manda lives in the house her mother grew up in with three cats, sometimes a dog, sometimes her sister, and more books than strictly necessary.

Places to find Manda:


My Book Boyfriend: Colonel Lord Aiden Bedwyn of Mary Balogh's Slightly Married

I started reading romance around the age of thirteen. Now I'm thir…uh, older and even if we were to say I read only fifty romances a year (a modest calculation at best) that would still make the total number of heroes I've encountered somewhere around the 1000 mark. Now that's a lot
of heroes!

So, when Danielle asked me to divulge my favorite book boyfriend I had a hard time choosing. Do I go with the irascible August Falcon of Patricia Veryan's Jeweled Men series? Or what about the delectable Simon Darby, with his penchant for lace, of Eloisa James' Fool for Love? Perhaps
I should choose Elisabeth Hoyt's Jasper Renshaw from To Seduce a Sinner?

There are so many heroes I've fallen for over the years, but when it comes down to it, my pick is from an author I've been followed from the beginning of my romance reading career until now. My chosen hero is handsome, but not drop dead gorgeous like some. He is the younger son of a duke, and as such he went into the army to make his fortune. And like many younger brothers he's done whatever he could to distinguish himself from his elder brother, Wulf, a powerful duke. But it's not his military prowess that make me love him. Nor is it his status as a ducal offspring. What I love most about Colonel Lord Aiden Bedwyn from Mary Balogh's Slightly Married is that underneath his gruff exterior lurks the heart of a born caretaker.

From the first moment he meets his heroine, Miss Eve Morris, he wants nothing more than to make her comfortable. He meets her solely because he made a deathbed promise to one of his cavalrymen—a promise that he could quite easily have broken once Captain Morris had died. But, Aiden, with his strong sense of honor and his dedication to his men, could no more have ignored the other man's plea than he could walk on the moon. The result is a swoon-worthy
romance that I go back to again and again when I am in need of a comfort read.

If I were filling out a Teen Magazine "Favorite Things About My Crush" Questionnaire about Aiden, here's what I'd say…

His Favorite Outfit: Scarlet Regimentals
Celebrity He Most Resembles: Thomas Gibson of Criminal Minds
His Best Quality: His Sense of Honor
His Worst Quality: Stubbornness
His Biggest Secret: He'd Rather be a Farmer than a Soldier
His Favorite Make-Out Spot: Outdoors near the lake
His Weakness: Eve
His Secret Weapon: Unexpected wry humor

So, there he is, my favorite book boyfriend! My thanks to Danielle for letting me give him the shout out he deserves!


Meet the Bedwyns…six brothers and sisters—men and women of passion and privilege, daring and sensuality…Enter their dazzling world of high society and breathtaking seduction…where each will seek love, fight temptation, and court scandal…and where Aidan Bedwyn, the marriage-shy second son, discovers that matrimony may be the most seductive act of all.…

Like all the Bedwyn men, Aidan has a reputation for cool arrogance. But this proud nobleman also possesses a loyal, passionate heart—and it is this fierce loyalty that has brought Colonel Lord Aidan to Ringwood Manor to honor a dying soldier's request. Having promised to comfort and protect the man's sister, Aidan never expected to find a headstrong, fiercely independent woman who wants no part of his protection…nor did he expect the feelings this beguiling creature would ignite in his guarded heart. And when a relative threatens to turn Eve out of her home, Aidan gallantly makes her an offer she can't refuse: marry him…if only to save her home. And now, as all of London breathlessly awaits the transformation of the new Lady Aidan Bedwyn, the strangest thing happens: With one touch, one searing embrace, Aidan and Eve's “business arrangement” is about to be transformed…into something slightly surprising.

Purchase: | Amazon | Kindle | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository |


Lady Madeline Essex is the last of the unwed “ducklings” in her family—and by far the most outspoken. But when she boldly enters London’s most notorious gaming house in search of fodder for her novel, even her sharp tongue can’t save her from the horrible crime she stumbles upon there. As luck would have it, first on the scene is the last man she wants to see her vulnerable. The one man who could tempt her heart…

Christian Monteith, the new Earl of Gresham, isn’t much for card rooms and gaming hells. But as a favor to his former commanding officer, he's investigating a gamester for espionage on the night that Maddie ventures in looking more enticing than he's ever seen her. Suddenly, his feelings for his friend aren't so friendly anymore. And when her curiosity brings the impetuous novelist to the attention of a madman, Christian will stop at nothing to protect her—from a sinister plot that is far more dangerous than any stolen kiss…

Purchase: | Amazon | Kindle | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository |

Check out what's up for grabs.


Up For Grabs:

To Enter: 
  • Please leave a meaningful comment/question for Manda.
  • Please fill out the Rafflecopter form.

**Don't forget to enter the grand prize giveaway!


Good Luck! 
a Rafflecopter giveaway

68 comments :

  1. OMG~! Slightly Married sounds amazing. I can't believe I haven't picked it up yet! Now I understand why he's your pick for a boyfriend~ LOL By the way, I love your books! I can't wait for your next one.

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    1. Thanks so much, Kipha! Hope you enjoy the Balogh! She's wonderful!

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  2. Slightly Married sounds so awesome! Very enticing and sounds like a book that I wouldn't be able to put down! I can't wait to read it!

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  3. Slightly Married sounds great. I have loved reading about everyone's book boyfriends because it gives me new books to read. Thanks for the post

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    1. I know what you mean, Sheryl. My TBR is growing out of control!

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  4. Haven't read Slightly Marries yet but How To Entice an Earl has a gorgeous cover! I'm looking forward to reading the books :)

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  5. Very interested in reading How To Entice an Earl, and the cover is very eye catching! One to add to my TBR pile.

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  6. My favorite Mary Balogh Book Boyfriend is form the book A Matter of Class. He is just scrumptious!

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  7. I love books about friends developing into something more. I especially love a historical where the females aren't typically silly twits. Any heroine that would go into a gaming hell is my kind of heroine.

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    1. Glad you think so, Sebella. I hope you enjoy Maddie and Christian:)

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  8. I love Mary Balogh, but i haven't read this book yet! Aiden sounds wonderful though, so i guess i need to add this to my ever growing TBR pile. Thanks for sharing!!

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    1. Do try it, Casey:) If you like Balogh you'll love it!

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  9. Thanks Manda for sharing. From the sounds of Aiden, I've got to read this book!

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  10. I like your taste in Heroes.. I love Agent Hochner... If I was picking a hero it would be Agent Gibbs (aka Mark Harmon)..sigh.. and I love Mary Balogh's books... What great giveaways your are offering.

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    1. Aww, I love Gibbs too:) Guess I'm a bigger sucker for the strong silent type than I thought!

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  11. My mom wanted to live in the wild west. So many cowboys, so little time. Mary Balogh's books are amazing!

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  12. Aidan is just the type of hero i usually loved in historicals. I gotta read this soon. Thanks manda!

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  13. Haven't read either of these books...they both sound great!

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  14. Nice to "meet" you
    would love to win and read!!

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  15. Yes, I have to agree that Thomas Gibson is a beautiful man with a certain charm to discover! I love the cover of HOW TO ENTICE AN EARL, it's so charming and beautiful! Since, this one is the last one in this series, are you planning another series, can you talk about your next book.I would love to get the chance to read your book, I just love stories in the Regency-Victorian era. tahnk you for the giveaway of 2 books!

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    1. Hi, Nicole! I do have a new series starting in July. The first book is called WHY DUKES SAY I DO. I'll be posting the description soon. :)

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    2. That's great Amanda!

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  16. Thanks for the fun post! I loved, loved, loved Manda's series : )

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  17. the heroine sounds great! outspoken and a writer!

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  18. I haven't read any of these books or authors mentioned. I absolutely love the cover of your book, Manda. Love the expression on the heroine's face. I look forward to checking out these books! Thanks for sharing great book ideas!

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  19. WOW! Both these books sound fantastic! I keep finding more and more books that I want to read! I need more time!!!


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  20. Manda how many cats do you have? We have 3 and 4 dogs.
    I love your pick for Aiden I've had a crush on him since Dharma and Greg.

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    1. I have two, Lori. Stephen and Tiny:) Isn't Thomas Gibson dreamy?

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  21. Hi. You're a new author for me and I can't wait to read this book. I like the cover. I really enjoy historical romance especially those set in England. Thanks
    lorih824 at yahoo dot com

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  22. Hi Manda! What would you consider your favorite romance of all-time? I haven't read any of your books, but they look really good! I love historical romance!
    mestith at gmail dot com

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  23. Colonel Lord Aiden Bedwyn sounds like a wonderful book boyfriend, I'll have to pick up Mary Balogh's story.

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  24. Hi Manda!

    My favorite "book boyfriend" is usual the one that I'm reading at the moment and right now it's Lord Ian Blake the hero in The Dark Lady of Maire Claremont. I love Ian because of his sense of honor and his dedication to putting others before himself. In The Dark Lady he shows not only his strength but also his softer side in trying to help the girl/woman he has always loved. His compassion and strength and his sense of doing what is right even if it means he must sacrifice his own happiness and also his pure strength of will to balance his sense of right and his need to protect makes the story even more powerful.

    Who was the hardest character (whether he was he hero or a secondary character) have you written was the hardest to balance his strength with his weaknesses and from which book?

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  25. Manda, your book sounds great. I haven't had a chance to read your books, but I'm going to try them out! Thanks for the giveaway!

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  26. I would like to ask Manda, if her crush has a favorite quite place to think or to read and if so, where is it, and does he share it with his heroine? Thanks for the info on the books. lisagk(at)yahoo

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  27. hi manda...i love ur novels..
    i will try to collect them all....

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  28. I read Mary Balogh's book and thought Aiden was a wonderful hero, too. Do your books tend to include internal conflicts or external ones?

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  29. I'm loving the sound of your book boyfriend. I'm wondering how much input you have as to your delicious covers?

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  30. Aiden sounds like a great book boyfriend!
    Thanks for the chance to win!

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  31. I loved Aiden when I read the book; Christian sounds great, too!

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  32. I've read a few of the Bedwyns siblings, but haven't had the chance to read Aiden's story. I definitely have to add both books to my TBR pile!

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  33. more books to add to my TBR - really interesting choices that I'm paying attention to since they have made it to the top of the lists.

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  34. Hi, Manda! I love your books and Mary's. Thanks for the giveaway!

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  35. Love your books and mary balogh is one of the first romance writer that I enjoyed!

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  36. I love love mary balogh. I look forward to reading your books.

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  37. I Love Mary Balogh's books! Just read her latest 'The Proposal' and really look forward to the rest of the new series!

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  38. I haven't read any of Mary Balogh's books (I know, what's wrong with me?!), but this is on my TBR list now :)

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  39. I love Charles from the Alpha and Omega series by Patricia Briggs.

    mythic021@gmail.com

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  40. These both sound like great books.

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  41. The Slightly Married excerpt sure sounds yummy!! Thomas Gibson you say!

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  42. I definitely need to learn how to entice an earl! Great giveaways!

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  43. Two great authors and two great books.

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  44. I picked up my first romance about 15 and fell in love. I was huge into horror and mystery before but romance just gave my books that something extra :)

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  45. Thank you so much for sharing these books and for offering the giveaway!

    Best Wishes,
    Lindsey V.

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