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Friday, March 2, 2012

Guest Post with Author Shana Galen and Giveaway

Today I am so happy to welcome Shana Galen back to the blog. Shana is celebrating the release of her latest book A Rogue Pirate's Bride and is here today to share some snippets from the book. First lets get to know Shana a little bit.

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


First of all, thank you so much to Danielle for inviting me to blog today. I’ve been looking forward to this stop!

I love reading book excerpts. Not only do I find it interesting to see what snippets authors choose to share, I like getting a glimpse of the style of the book as well as who the characters are. My one problem with excerpts is they are usually long. Even when I choose a short excerpt to post, it’s probably at least 700 words. I find myself putting off reading excerpts until later, when all my work is done or the baby is asleep, and of course, later never comes.

Not to mention, many of you who are visiting today have probably seen me at other blogs and read one or more excerpts from The Rogue Pirate’s Bride already. The book came out last month, so some of you may even have bought it and read it already (yay!). And I wanted to do something fun and original for Danielle’s blog.

Well, I can’t claim this is very original, since I got the idea from Elise Rome, but I’ve never done it on a blog, so it’s original to me.

I thought I would post my favorite quotes from the first five chapters of the book, and have you tell me which you like the best and why. Maybe these snippets will intrigue you, and maybe you won’t have to wait until later to read the rest of this post.

Chapter One:

“He’s dressed as a gentleman—navy coat, white cravat, buff breeches.”

She saw him now and nodded. “A gentleman pirate.” She shook her head. “Contradiction in terms.”

“The rumor is he’s a deposed marquis whose family fled France during the revolution.”

She scowled at him. “Don’t tell me you believe that rubbish. All the pirates concoct romantic stories. Just because one claims he’s a duke, doesn’t make him any less of a thief and murderer.”

Chapter Two:

He’d had reservations about making Ridley part of the crew of the Shadow, but how was he going to tell a man who looked like a leviathan no? Thinking it might deter the fearsome giant, Bastien had made a point of stressing that he wasn’t a pirate. “I’m a privateer,” he’d said. “I have a letter of marque from Spain.”

Ridley smiled, showing one gold tooth in the midst of a sea of white. “Sure, Cap’n Cutlass. Whatever you say. I’ll call you a privateer, and you can call me...Ridley.”

Chapter Three:

“Do you think putting yourself in danger would have made Tim happy?”

She looked up at Percy now.

“Tim was my friend too, or have you forgotten? And he would have wanted me to look out for you. He would have wanted you to live a long life, not die at the hands of some pirate in a tavern brawl.”

He was right. She knew Percy was right.

Chapter Four:

He kissed her passionlessly, more intent on shielding their identities from El Santo and the men with him. He wanted them to see nothing more than a couple engaged in a romantic rendezvous.

A somewhat tumultuous rendezvous as his cabin girl was fighting him with everything she had. She was petite, but she was feisty and strong. It took all of his concentration to keep her under control. He might have had a moment to enjoy the kiss—she still tasted of cherries—but she bit his lip and he had to suppress a bark of pain.

Chapter Five:

“Would you like me to demonstrate my aim now?” El Santo said, and Raeven felt the barrel of the pistol dig painfully into her temple. Devil take it! First her wrist, now her temple. She was going to be black and blue.

Cutlass shrugged. “Go ahead. As I said, she’s only a whore. She means nothing to me.”

Raeven knew he was trying to help her. She was almost certain El Santo was a Barbary pirate. The waters of the Mediterranean all but choked with the vermin right now. And the Barbary corsairs liked nothing better than captives to ransom. As the daughter of a British admiral, she’d be a fine prize.

Still, she thought Cutlass might have managed to look a tad bit concerned.

El Santo cocked the pistol, and Raeven decided she would have to be the one to end this stand-off. In a single move, she freed the dagger from her skirts, slipped free of El Santo’s hold, and plunged it into his thigh. She caught a glimpse of pure surprise and shock on his face. He truly hadn’t expected her to be any danger. But then she wrenched the dagger deeper and the shock faded, replaced by pain and anger. He howled and grabbed for her. She sidestepped, bent, yanked the dagger back out, and dove for the exterior door.

“No!” Cutlass yelled. “We’ll be shot.”

So which quote do you like best? Why? I’ll be checking in all day to read your comments. I’m also pleased to offer copies of The Rogue Pirate’s Bride to two readers who comment (U.S. and Canadian residents only).


Revenge should be sweet, but it may cost him everything…

The marquis de Valère escaped certain death in the French Revolution and is now an infamous privateer. Out to avenge the death of his mentor, Bastien discovers himself astonishingly out of his depth when confronted with a beautiful, daring young woman who is out for his blood…

Forgiveness is unthinkable, but it may be her only hope…

British Admiral’s daughter Raeven Russell believes Bastien responsible for her fiancé’s death. But once the fiery beauty crosses swords with Bastien, she’s not so sure she really wants him to change his wicked ways…
Places to Purchase:
Amazon | Kindle | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository |


**Giveaway**

Shana will be giving away a copy of The Rogue Pirate's Bride to 2 lucky winners (US & Canda shipping ONLY). So make sure to leave a comment and to fill out the Rafflecopter form for your chance to win.

Good Luck =)


a Rafflecopter giveaway

47 comments :

  1. Hi Shana!
    I love reading book excerpts too! I like the quotes from your Chapter Four... it really shows the passion of love/hate between the hero and heroine. Thanks for the giveaway!

    yadkny@hotmail.com

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    1. Hi yadkny! Yes, there is definitely a love-hate thing going on for a few chapters. Thanks!

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  2. Chapter 5 - that is one of my favorite scenes. Raeven gets to show her skills, and her intentions towards Cutlass are starting to change. I love that whole chapter, and the whole book as well.

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    1. Thank!, Gayle. Those action scenes are so fun to write@

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  3. I agree that excerpts can give you a nice taste of a book & an author's style to help determine if it's for you -- or just torment you till your finally able to pick up that book you've been dying for ;) enjoyed the tidbit from chapter 5 -- shows the spunk of the heroine quite nicely

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    1. LOL, gamistress66. I do aim to please--or torment, as the case may be.

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  4. I like the quotes from chapter 2 where Bastien is trying to convince Ridley he's a privateer rather than a pirate.

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    1. Thanks, Andrea. Poor Bastien. he's always trying to convince people he's a privateer.

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  5. Great cover. I like the quotes from Chapter 5. It shows us what Raeven is made of. El Santo didn't think he would have any trouble from a woman, but Raeven gave it all she was worth. Can't wait to read the book. Thanks for the giveaway.

    e.balinski(at)att(dot)net

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    1. Joanne, I had to comment below because my computer was acting up for a minute.

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  6. Morning Shana,

    just stop by to say hello, so don't enter my name in the drawing ( I am overseas). I really like the quote from chapter 2, because that make really curious about the story.

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    1. Danny, so glad you stopped by! Did you check out Ex Libris? That's an international giveaway.

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    2. Shana, thanks for the heads up. I missed that one.

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  7. Hi Shana,
    I love your books! I like this: He might have had a moment to enjoy the kiss—she still tasted of cherries—but she bit his lip and he had to suppress a bark of pain. Everyone kisses always taste sooo good!! If that was true in real life!! and like that she bit him - feisty!! Melissa R.

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    1. Melissa, I'm sure it could be true if the person you were kissing in real life just had a cherry lifesaver :-)

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  8. Teresa Wade SherokeMarch 2, 2012 at 9:32 AM

    Hi Shana, This book sounds very exciting! Love the part where he is trying to blend them in to the crowd with a kiss and she bites his lip! Feisty is always good in romance!

    Teresa Sheroke
    email:tsheroke@sbcglobal.net

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    1. Teresa, if you like feisty, Raeven is the heroine for you! Thanks for stopping by.

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  9. Just stopping by. I will post reviews on Rogue Pirate this weekend. What a terrific book and series. :-) Weepy and smiles.

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    1. Krazymam, I'm eagerly anticipating your review, after that lead in.

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  10. I have to say chapter 5 for me too. I love when the heroine saves herself. I would really love to win this book! If not, I will be buying it. Thanks for the giveaway.

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  11. I like Chapter two best!
    I love this kind of humor in a book :) If there a lot of banter between Bastien and Ridley??

    Savannah

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    1. Savannah, Ridley is a minor character, so there's not a lot of banter between them. But Bastien banters quite a bit with various characters.

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  12. Hello again...
    Now, I loved this!
    This one's so easy for me to choose...Chapter Four and the kiss...Just loved that she bit him! Feisty little baggage!

    So, off I go to see where you'll be next...

    Mel
    www.bookworm2bookworm.wordpress.com

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    1. Mel, I'm at March Madness on Sunday.

      Glad you liked chapter 4!

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  13. Joanne, I love it when a bad guy gets a taste of his own medicine!

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  14. Great excerpts! I like the quotes from Chapter 5 because I'm interested in finding out what happens next.

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    1. bn100, that's all part of my diabolical plan! Seriously, though, thank you for stopping by.

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  15. I like Chapter 5 because the characters are placed in a situation that is exciting. The danger also brings out true feelings of concern.

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    1. Na, I do love writing those dangerous and nail-biting scenes.

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  16. I like the part: "A gentleman pirate"..."Contradiction in terms". Gives a glimpse of the feisty romance that is to come and sums up the allure/appeal/danger/fear of the pirate character.

    Kelli
    krolvaag@gmail.com

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  17. Thanks, Kelli! I was excited when Raeven came up with that one. I'm never as witty as my characters.

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  18. I like the gentleman pirate quote. It is a contradiction, but it fits the book and the heroine so well =)

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  19. Lol, I love chapter 4. She's got spirit and I love the stories when the women don't just swoon for the guy but gives me hell b4 the feelings start :)

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    1. Heather, Raeven is the girl for you. She makes Bastien suffer for a few chapters.

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  20. I like chapter 4. I want to know why she bites him and what he does that makes her fall for him.
    musicalfrog at comcast.net

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    1. I'm so glad I piqued your interest, Patti!

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  21. Thanks to Danielle for hosting me today, and thanks to all of you for stopping by. The giveaway runs through March 9, so keep the comments coming!

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  22. I like all the excerpts but I loved the quote in Chapter 1: "All the pirates concoct romantic stories".

    Thanks for the giveaway.

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  23. Definitely chapter 5. I just have to read this book!

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    1. Thanks, Renee! Good luck with the giveaway.

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  24. Thanks, Phyllis. That was a fun quote!

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  25. Wow.. I'd have to go with the Chapter 5 excerpt. You have to love a heroine that doesn't depend on a man to save her. The fact that she had the courage, and the skill, to try and end the standoff makes me like her.

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  26. Shana -
    I loved all the quotes but I must admit that Chapter 4 showed me that although Raeven might be petite she was fiesty as well and definately her father's daughter! Being under-tall myself I love that about her!

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  27. My favorite quote was from the first chapter is when he talks about being a gentleman pirate and she stated is that a "Contradiction in Terms". Loved all the quotes from each chapter. Love Shana's books and would love to win and read this book. Thanks for the chance to win.
    christinebails@yahoo.com

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  28. Great post! i like a quote from the first chapter. "Just because one claims he’s a duke, doesn’t make him any less of a thief and murderer.” You can already see her personality developing. She sounds like a spirited heroine. I am looking forward to reading their story. Thanks.

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