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Monday, December 17, 2012

Alone with a Rogue...with Julianne MacLean and Giveaway

Alone with a Rogue on Christmas Eve - Julianne MacLean

Julianne MacLean is a USA Today bestselling author of 15 historical romances, including The Highlander Trilogy with St. Martin's Press and her popular Pembroke Palace series with Avon/Harper Collins. She also writes contemporary mainstream fiction under the pseudonym E.V. Mitchell, and her recent release THE COLOR OF HEAVEN was an Amazon bestseller. She is a three-time RITA finalist, and has won numerous awards, including the Booksellers' Best Award, the Book Buyers Best Award, and a Reviewers' Choice Award from Romantic Times for Best Regency Historical of 2005. She lives in Nova Scotia with her husband and daughter, and is a dedicated member of Romance Writers of Atlantic Canada.

Places to find Julianne:
| Site | Facebook | Twitter |

Read on for an exclusive excerpt from THE PRINCE’S BRIDE - the third book in Julianne’s Royal Trilogy, which won’t be released in May 2013. This excerpt has never been seen or published anywhere yet, so we are getting the exclusive at Ramblings From This Chick!


Christmas Eve With A Rogue
by Julianne MacLean

Paris, December 24, 1815

This was wrong, so very, very wrong…

She was a villain tonight, there could be no denying it, but any guilt was somehow eclipsed by the unexpected pleasure of this wicked and very sinister charade on the night before Christmas.

The passion is not real, Veronique reminded herself as she took hold of Prince Nicholas’s gloved hand, met his gaze with a mischievous look of desire through her half-mask, and allowed him to assist her into the coach.

Quickly, before he joined her, she glanced around at the cushions placed just so, the bottle of spiced rum in the corner, and breathed in the subtle scent of the festive pine boughs, which she had hung from the windows a few hours ago, before she’d entered the Christmas Eve ball.

The coach lamp flickered wildly as the wintery night breeze blew giant snowflakes onto the seats. With graceful, controlled movements, she sat down and reclined seductively.

Prince Nicholas, her quarry, followed her inside and closed the door behind them.

At last, they were completely alone.

As he slid onto the seat beside her, the lamplight reflected off the brass buttons of his royal regalia and sparkled in his enticing blue eyes. His mask covered most of his face, but not those luscious full lips. Not that it made a difference. She already knew what he looked like. He had been shown to her the day before, pointed out like a partridge in the wood.

“Look, that’s him down there--in the black coat.” Pierre Cuvier handed her the spyglass. “Will you be able to pick him out in the crowd?”

Leaning out over the rail of the stone arch bridge which spanned across the River Seine, Veronique shut one eye, peered through the lense, and focused on the man standing on the bow of the boat as it passed beneath them.

She had been briefed about Prince Nicholas’s extraordinary good looks, but had not expected to nearly lose her breath as she caught him in her sights.

She’d also been warned about his notorious reputation with women. According to Pierre, he was a flagrant charmer and heartbreaker. A rogue of the highest order.

Now that she had seen him in the flesh, she understood why he could get away with such wicked behavior. Not only was he a royal prince of Petersbourg--a small but powerful European nation on the North Sea--but he had the face of a Greek God with jet black hair and blue eyes, a teasing smile that could charm all the angels out of heaven, and a strapping muscular build, unquestionably fit for a throne.

Though he would likely never wear the crown, for his brother’s wife, Queen Alexandra, had recently given birth to a son.

None of that concerned Veronique, however. She had a job to do, and she must stay focused on the task at hand.

“Yes, I will be able to pick him out,” she replied as she snapped the spyglass shut and handed it back to Pierre.

“He’ll be wearing a mask,” he warned.

Veronique turned to walk back to the coach. “Don’t worry. It won’t be a problem.”

Yet here she sat this evening, reclining on the soft upholstered seat in the coach, smiling at her captured prince with tempting allure, wondering how much time she had. How long would they be alone before the laudanum took effect? Five minutes? An hour?

Her desire for him was alarming, and she realized she may not be in full control here. She supposed she had known that before she stepped into the coach, for everything had turned rather warm and hazy in the ballroom when they first met. Something very potent had sparked between them, and now she was caught up in a delicious sexual current, which she feared might sweep her off her feet.

“I didn’t expect this tonight,” Nicholas said in a low, husky voice that heated her blood. “It was supposed to be all about celebrating Christmas. We didn’t even stay for the gift exchange.”

“I believe you are the best gift I could ask for,” Veronique replied.

Nicholas slid closer, slowly removed his gloves one finger at a time, then cupped her chin in his hand. “Indeed. Shall we unwrap each other, then?”

There it was…the famous charm. She would have liked to believe she was immune to it, for she was the seducer in this situation, but when he spoke to her in that velvety voice and touched her with those strong, gentle hands, she melted like every other woman who found herself blinded by his impossible charisma.

Keep your head, Veronique. It won’t be long now….

“Are we going somewhere?” he asked, while his gaze dipped to her parted lips. “Or did you invite me to your coach for some other decadent purpose?”

She raised an eyebrow. “Such as?”

The corner of his mouth curled up in a devilish grin. “I’m not sure, darling, but you seemed rather determined to lure me out of there. Where do you live? Is it far? Or do you have some other plan for me? A hotel perhaps, or a long, leisurely drive through the city to hear the carolers?”

The coach lurched forward just then and pulled away from the curb.

Prince Nicholas’s eyes remained fixed on hers, and he smiled. “A drive it is, then.”

With a simmering look of desire, he kissed the side of her neck, and the moist heat of his lips lifted her into a dreamlike cloud of arousal. Letting her head fall back on the seat cushion, she laid her hands on the gold epaulettes on his broad shoulders and closed her eyes. How relaxed she felt in his arms.

It wasn’t supposed to be like this. She wasn’t supposed to let it go this far….

Nicholas continued to lay a trail of hot kisses across her collarbone and down to her cleavage. “You taste sweet, my darling” he whispered. “Like a Christmas candy cane.”

Then he lifted his head and gazed intently at her for a heart-wrenching moment.

Slowly he reached up and pulled his own mask away. Tossing it to the floor, he said, “I am glad I found you tonight, and that you dragged me out of there.”

Seeing his whole face for the first time in the golden lamplight caused a shiver in her heart—a sudden twinge of uncertainty. Or perhaps a better word was regret for what she was about to do to him.

What was it about this man? she wondered frantically. Was she foolish to think there was something more between them than a devious plot on her part, and a casual sexual seduction on his? Perhaps he made all women feel this way when he held them in his arms, as if there was something deep and profound between them. True love at first sight, so to speak.

She didn’t love him. No, of course she didn’t. To her, he was a just a means to an end.

“May I have the pleasure of removing your mask, Veronique?” he asked. “I would like to see your face.”

She laid her gloved fingers upon it to hold it securely in place. “But isn’t this part of the allure?”

Her voice was full of a confident, teasing melody, but she felt her lip twitch at the dishonesty, for they were alone now, like true lovers. She reminded herself that she was being paid to seduce him, and very soon the mood in the coach was going to take a severe turn.

He surprised her then, by sitting back, slouching in the seat, and grasping her gloved hand. He looked down at it with curiosity as he weaved his fingers through hers. “You still haven’t told me your full name. Why ever not? Do you feel you must keep secrets from me? Is it because of who I am?”

A ball of heat caught fire in her belly. “I didn’t think the details of my identity—or yours--should matter to either one of us tonight. Besides, I am no fool. I know your reputation. You want a single night of pleasure with me, no strings attached, isn’t that right?”

He paused. “Is that really what you think of me? Of this?”

She chose her words carefully. “Am I wrong?”

He said nothing for a moment while he rubbed the pad of his thumb over the back of her gloved hand, which made her breath catch in her throat. Then he raised it to his lips.

“I don’t know what has been happening to me lately,” he confessed, with eyes closed. “I am not myself.”

“How so?”

He shook his head as if he had no answer to give, then he looked at her. “Perhaps it is the end of this bloody war With Napoleon. The world seems different somehow. Or maybe it’s the fact that my brother now has a wife and a son, and my sister has gone off to become a married woman as well.”

“Do they seem happy?” Veronique asked, curious about his perceptions of the world, and his illustrious family.

His chest heaved with a long exhale. “My brother does. I am not sure about my sister. She is in Austria now, and I worry for her.”

“She is married to the future emperor. I am sure she will be fine.” Veronique looked out the window and wished she did not have to do what she must this evening. She wanted things to be different.

The coach rocked back and forth as they made their way to the outskirts of the city.

“God, I’m tired all of a sudden,” he said as he reached out to pull her into his arms. “Come here, I want to hold you.”

She snuggled closer and rested her cheek on his shoulder.

“You smell so good,” he whispered, as he kissed the top of her head.

He smelled good, too. Veronique turned her face into the crimson wool of his jacket, which was decorated with a navy sash and a black belt with brass buttons. Closing her eyes, she breathed in the delectable scent of his body.

He was a handsome royal prince, and his clothes smelled clean and regal, like nothing she’d ever smelled before.

She wanted to know so much more about him. If only they could continue talking this way, but the drug was taking effect. Soon he would be unconscious, they would reach the little farm house on the outskirts of the city, and everything would change. He would not say caring words to her when he learned what she had done to him.

She sat very still for the next few minutes. She did not move a muscle, nor did she initiate any further conversation. When the sound of his breathing grew slow and even, she carefully lifted her head to study his profile.

What a beautiful man he was. His dark features were perfectly sculpted. He had the enticing aura of someone born to be a woman’s dream lover, her prince charming in every way. It was almost comical that he was a true prince.

In that regard, his brother, King Randolph, would no doubt take notice of his mysterious disappearance from the Christmas Eve ball, and leave no stone unturned in the quest to locate him and punish those responsible for the abduction.

With a sudden pang of dread for all that she would face in the coming weeks, Veronique carefully disentangled herself from Nicholas’s embrace, placed his arm gently upon his lap, and slid across to the opposite facing seat.

She watched him for a long time and wondered what he would think of her when he discovered her treachery.

She regretted it already, for there had been something truly extraordinary between them this evening. It had been both sexually exciting and surprisingly intimate in a way she had not expected. As a result, this mercenary task had become a secret indulgence. For a while, she had forgotten that this was wrong, and that she was a corrupt, false-hearted charlatan.

If things were different, she would not have chosen this path for herself, but she was duty-bound to her family. She could not allow their entire world to come crashing down around them, especially at Christmas.

Veronique would therefore do what was required and pray that somehow she would emerge unscathed.

The coach pulled to a halt, and she peered out the window.

The door flew open suddenly and banged against the outside panel. A gust of wind blew snowflakes inside. Veronique frowned at her sister Gabrielle, who wore a black cloak with the hood pulled up to hide her fiery red hair.

“For pity’s sake, be quiet,” Veronique whispered to her sister. “We must be careful not to wake him.”

Somewhere in the distance, she heard sleigh bells jingling.

Gabrielle grabbed hold of the rail and swung into the dimly lit interior. She took a seat beside Veronique and stared with fascination at Prince Nicholas, who was sprawled out on the opposite seat like a gorgeous work of art. He slept soundly.

“How long has he been out?” Gabrielle asked.

Veronique removed her mask and gloves and rubbed her fingers over her cheeks where the stiff fabric had been too tight. “Not long. Ten minutes perhaps?”

Gabrielle inclined her head and leaned a little closer. “Upon my word, he is deadly handsome. How in the world did you keep your head?”

“It wasn’t easy, I assure you.”

“Did he kiss you?”

Veronique let her memory take her back to those first few moments…

“Not on the mouth.”

Gabrielle’s eyebrows lifted. “Not on the mouth?” She spoke as if scandalized, but Veronique knew her sister was thrilled at the possibilities. “Care to explain?”

“No,” Veronique said. “There’s no time for that. I don’t know how long he will sleep. Did you bring the rope?”

Gabrielle pulled it from her cloak--like a rabbit out of a hat. “I’ve got it right here. Which one of us gets to do the honors?”

Veronique immediately snatched the rope from her sister. “I caught him,” she said, “so it’s only right that I get to bag him.”


Exclusive Excerpt from THE PRINCE’S BRIDE - coming in May 2013
From St. Martin’s Press


She’s engaged to be married—to the wrong man…

The royal, Regency-era trilogy continues in this sensational new novel from bestselling author Julianne MacLean.

Leopold Hunt, Marquess of Cavanaugh, is a secret Royalist with a distant hereditary claim to the throne. He has been groomed to one day overthrow the king and rebuild his family’s dynasty. Only one thing stands in his way: the king’s daughter, Rose.
Princess in Love…

Princess Rose has loved the marquess her entire life, but she is about to enter a political marriage—one that promises to help keep her father in power. There is virtually no way for Rose to escape her fate…yet she cannot resist the unstoppable passion she feels in the arms of the handsome and charming marquess. When a dangerous plot unfolds and puts their love to the ultimate test--Leopold must make a desperate choice: To honor his family or follow his heart….

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

Check out the Royal Trilogy series:
Click for more info.

Want to win some goodies from Julianne? Check out whats up for grabs.


Up For Grabs:
  • 1 lucky winner will win their book of choice from Julianne's backlist

To Enter:
  • Leave a meaningful comment or question for Julianne
  • Please fill out the Rafflecopter
  • International Shipping Available

**Don't forget to head over to Not Another Romance Blog to check out author, Sherry Thomas's story.


Good Luck and Happy Holidays =)
a Rafflecopter giveaway

124 comments :

  1. Hi Julianne, thanks for sharing this. I can't wait to read this!! When you write a trilogy, do you have know exactly how all 3 books will go or do you write one and wait for the story to unfold for the other books? Cheers!

    ahui55(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. Hi Miss Spell! I usually don't know the whole series at the outset. I start with the first, and get to know the secondary characters while writing the first book, which sets up the story world and situations. Only then can I figure out what needs to happen to the next character.

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    2. Thanks for the reply! I can't wait to read these :D

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  2. Does these books needs to be read in order or they works as stand alone ( linked together thought)

    thank you a lot for thi international giveaway i would be very happy to discover your books

    Happy Holidays!
    isabelle(dot)frisch(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. Hi Miki - I recommend reading them in order. The first book is BE MY PRINCE, and the second is PRINCESS IN LOVE. The third is Nicholas's story: THE PRINCE'S BRIDE, which comes out in late April. Thanks for popping by!

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  3. Great sneak peek! Princess in Love is sitting on my TBR pile waiting for the Christmas hols when I'll be able to read at leisure. Sooooo looking forward to catching up on my reading :)

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  4. The excerpt was great, will have to be added to the growing list! I have no idea when I'll find time for all these books haha
    Thanks for the international giveaway!

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  5. The excerpt was great, will have to be added to the growing list! with me out of work it's gonna be a while before i can buy it


    Thanks for the international giveaway!

    parisfan_ca@yahoo.com

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  6. I can't wait for The Prince's Bride. I love your books!

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  7. Thanks for sharing this short story. The Prince's Bride sounds fantastic. Can't wait to read when it releases next year.

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  8. wow..new book from julianne maclean....thx u for the chance to win it...:)

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  9. Good morning, Julieanne. Thanks for sharing with us today. Have a wonderful holiday season.
    lisakhutson at cox. net

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  10. I love the excerpt and can't wait until the book comes out. I read Princess in Love as soon as I received it in the mail, and it was a wonderful story. Can't wait to see what else you come up with!

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  11. Princess In Love sounds great and I really like that cover. Beautiful!
    Thanks for the giveaway!

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  12. Bonjour Julianne, I just loved your Highlander series! so I know your other books are also well written and a great joy to read. You have such wonderful covers! Thank you for making this giveaway international. Have fun and Merry Christmas from Canada!

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  13. Thanks for the FUN sneak peek! I am looking forward to the rest of the story.

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  14. Thank you for sharing a tantalizing treat of a story. I will definitely buy as historical romance is my fave reading genre...and plus, I like your work!

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  15. Thanks for the wonderful short story. Enjoyed it and can't wait to read the rest of the book. I've enjoyed other books you've written.
    Happy Holidays,
    lorih824@yahoo.com

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  16. Princess in Love - I absolutely love the description of the story. Thanks for the giveaway.

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  17. Whaaa~ I want some more~! What happens? Why did they kidnap him? Why Why Why? I loved the story will you finish it one day?


    kp_kazamei(at)yahoo(dot)com

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    1. It's all finished, Kipha! It comes out on April 30 and it's the 3rd and last book in my Royal Trilogy. Thanks for reading!

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  18. That was a treat. Thank you for sharing. And I agree with kipha, we want more.

    Armenia
    armiefox at yahoo dot com

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    1. Thanks Armenia! The entire book will be released on April 30, but I will probably have a few advance arcs to give out to a few lucky members of my mailing list. I hope you are signed up! If not, you can sign up on my website at www.juliannemaclean.com

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  19. I really enjoyed the excerpt from THE PRINCE’S BRIDE and I'm looking forward to reading it.

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  20. Great excerpt! I've found another book to add to my tbb list!

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  21. Thank you for the sneak peek.

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  22. I really enjoyed the excerpt and want to read more. I've enjoyed your books in the past and I know this will be a winner too!

    catslady5@aol.com

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  23. Your books are wonderful and I look forward to reading The Prince's Bride next year.

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  24. Oh, what a sweet tease I am very intriqued and Can't wait for the book to come out.

    joylynne66(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  25. What a great excerpt! Sounds great! :)

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  26. Your books are always interesting; thanks for sharing Christmas Eve with a Rogue.

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  27. Oops! Hvn't read the 1st 2 bks; guess I'll hv to add all 3 to my wishlist :)
    That is one awesome purple cover.

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  28. What a great excerpt! Looking forward to reading the rest.

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  29. Wonderful excerpt my list is growing by leaps and bounds!!!

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  30. I love a series like this - it's always fun to visit with characters from the earlier books.
    sallans d at yahoo dot com

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  31. Another new author for me! I've found so many, and I'm adding books like mad. I started out reading historicals when I was a kid. Now I've branched out into other genres, but I always seem to come back to historical. How did you get started writing historicals?

    luvfuzzzeeefaces at yahoo dot com

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    1. Hi Julianne! I love your name, by the way :). To answer your question, I got started writing historicals because they were my favorite romances to read. My first 2 books were westerns, as that was what I read most when I first started. Such fun!

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  32. Thank you for the Excerpt! Oh the book sounds like it's going to be amazing! and the cover, I love the cover. You are a new author for me, but I am definitely adding your books to my 2013 TBR list. They look beautiful!

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  33. Thanks for sharing the great excerpt! I'll definitely be checking the first book out!

    readsalot81(@)hotmail(dot)com

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  34. Great excerpt, definatley adding to my must read list. I have not read any of the books from this series, so gonna check out the first 2 books.
    My question for you is: Any other new works in progress? What is your favorite genre to write?
    Thanks for the giveaway.

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    1. Hi Chrisbails! I do have a new story out right now - it's a short story ebook called A KISS BEFORE THE WEDDING, and is part of my Pembroke Palace Series. It's a quick read - about 50 pages long, so just the right length for the busy holiday season! The next book in that series will come out in March. Thanks for the question!

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  35. Thanks for the wonderful post! I'm dying to read Julianne's books :)

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  36. What a great excerpt! I definitely want to read more about these two. Just put this one on my amazon wish list for the future. Can't wait till it comes out. April seems so far away.. but heck this year went by so fast and it's already Xmas :P
    Hope everyone enjoys their holidays

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  37. Nice excerpt. Sounds like a good series.

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  38. I love that your giveaway is for a backlist book and not the newest book...so if someone like me one who hasn't read this series yet (keeping my fingers crossed) I could get the first book in the series. Being the series junky that I am this is perfect for me!

    Thanks so much!

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  39. This has left me so anxious to read the entire story! I can't wait to see how they find their HEA. Thank you for the chance in the giveaway.

    leahweller(at)bellsouth(dot)net

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  40. Thanks for the fantastic excerpt, Julianne! I love your books, but haven't had the money to get the last couple of them. Have a wonderful Christmas and Happy New Year!

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  41. Oops! Forgot my email

    kscathy AT yahoo DOT com

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  42. <3 the blurb thank you! Brittanyg@gmail.com

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  43. What a teaser of an excerpt. I loved it.
    Lorimeehan1@aol.com

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  44. Thanks for the excerpt and the chance to win!

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  45. Loved it! Especially that last line:)

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  46. I enjoyed the excerpt! I like your book covers!

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  47. A fabulous read thank you. I loved this.

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  48. Love the excerpt, i enjoyed it and want more!!

    filiafantasy at gmail dot com

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  49. thanks for the excerpts! can't wait for the release day :)

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  50. Hi Julianne,

    I love your hisrom book especially love according to lily and can't wait to read your highlander series

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  51. Hi Julianne,
    Thanks for the excerpt and the chance to win one book from your backlist.

    Merry Christmas!

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  52. Can't wait to read the rest of the book!

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  53. Hi Julianne,

    I loved the excerpt and all the covers on the Royal trilogy books are fabulous! Thanks for the contest.

    Marcy
    bmndshuler(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  54. HI JULIANA! I'M NEW TO YOUR BOOKS SO WHICH DO YOU RECOMMEND I READ FIRST? I LOVE SERIES BOOKS

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    1. Hi there! If you want to read this series, start with BE MY PRINCE. If you like Highlanders, start with CAPTURED BY THE HIGHLANDER. They are two very different settings and stories. All fun, though!

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  55. I'm wondering how far in advance you had to write a Christmas book for it to be published around the holidays.

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    1. Hi Rebe! This book is not actually a Christmas book. it's coming out on April 30, but with a publisher, I usually have to turn in a book 8-12 months in advance of the publication date.

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  56. Wow!! Sounds like a fun book! Can't wait to read it!!
    Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!

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  57. I loved the excerpt. The trilogy is going on my TRL. I always enjoy reading about Royalty.Happy Holidays.
    Carol L
    Lucky4750 (at) aol (dot) com

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  58. Oh so great to read the excerpt from the 3rd book thats not out til next year! A nice tease!!! I'm so thrilled about you releasing the rest of the Pembroke stories and the last Royal book! And so love this one is a Christmas Ball! I love to find the comfort reading historical romances set in the holidays! Can't wait to read more of Veronique and Nicolas! Great peek!!!
    You have a wonderful holidays!

    cathiecaffey @ gmail.com

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  59. What a tease! I want to know what happens! I've read many of your books and loved them; I know that this one will be just as good if not better. What will they do to the prince?

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    1. I will give you a hint - Veronique keeps him captive for a few days, and then it takes an unexpected turn when he is released. I don't want to spoil it, though, so I will stop at that!

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  60. Sounds like a great book, I've put it on my reading list.
    Theresa N
    weceno(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  61. I can't wait to read the new book. I just love the cover as well. Merry Christmas!

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  62. Thanks for the first chapter. I now want it in my hot little hands.

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  63. Thanks for the first chapter. I now want it in my hot little hands.

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  64. Great excerpt- Love the series, thanks!

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  65. great preview and am waiting for the Princess Bride to come out, thanks for the contest

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  66. Julianne, Just read the sneak peek of the Princess Bride and I'm hooked. I will have to go out and get other book and start reading. A Christmas gift to me!! Thanks for the contest and Merry Christmas!

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  67. SHARON BAKER slpetera@yahoo.comDecember 20, 2012 at 9:14 PM

    I love trilpgys. They are my favorite reads. Looks like another Christmas gift from me to me.

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  68. Great excerpt!! Will be waiting for the release in May. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!

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  69. Can't wait to read!!

    tsommervoldathotmaildotcom

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  70. What a tease this excerpt is for us hungry for another great read from you. I love the cover, just a wee bit naughty...... Merry Christmas, be safe and happy.
    Helen in Ark.

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  71. A truly great excerpt, per usual from you. Contratulations and a Very Merry Christmas to you!

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  72. I enjoyed the excerpt and look forward to reading it soon.

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  73. Love your books! Can't wait to read this one. Merry Christmas!

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  74. Merry Chrismas, Julianne. I live stories that continue on in trilogies or series. My question is: how much to the characters lead you in the story, once you start writing or is everthing planned out and you stick to the plan? Looking forward ot May.

    Sue P.
    suepete12(at)yahoo(dot)com

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    1. Hi Sue! The characters do the leading on a scene by scene basis, but I also outline the main external plot points in advance, before I start writing the book. As far as sticking to the plan... I sometimes throw out the outline once I get past the half way mark, and things go astray. I've never had an editor complain about it, though, so I like to think I am right when I take a book in a different direction than planned. That's when the characters do the leading :)

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  75. Thank you for the excerpt. This looks like a great story & I'm looking forward to reading it. I will have to get the others & read them in order, as you suggest.

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  76. Enjoyed the excerpt thanks for holding the giveaway

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  77. Hi Julianne. I love the excerpt. Now I will just have to buy the book because it sounds like it is going to be great. It is so great that you can develop stories like these. I would love to write but my stories never seem to flesh out. Thanks for the contest.

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  78. I am so glad I read this. I have been a fan for a while, so when I went to the store and saw Princess in Love I assumed it was book 1. Now I know I need to start with Be my Prince. I am one of those who has to read a series or trilogy in order rather they can be standalones or not.

    sam1slim1@gmail.com

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    1. Hi Shan - Usually my trilogies can be read out of order, but the first two books, I think, are best read in order - BE MY PRINCE first, and then PRINCESS IN LOVE.

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  79. Happy Holidays & thanks for the contest! Thanks for sharing, that was a really fun read.

    crystal_dark[at]att[dot]net

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  80. Let me try this again.

    Thanks for the excerpt. It intrigues me -- it has given me a sense of the mysterious which I delight in. Now I will have to find the first two books of this trilogy so I can have them read before this 3rd one comes out.

    donna {dot} durnell {at} sbcglobal {dot} net

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  81. Congrats on the release! I am always excited to read Julianne's books! She always has such wonderful covers its amazing! My question to Julianne is how do her character personalities come to her? Are any characters you write difficult to put to paper or do they come easily?
    Happy Holidays!

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    1. Hi Krissy! Some characters are more difficult than others, and sometimes I don't really know the character's true heart until halfway through the book, when they finally reveal themselves and I have a light bulb moment. Then I will have to go back and do some rewriting of the earlier stuff. It can be challenging when I don't feel connected to a character, but I always know to be patient, and I will figure them out eventually. In this book, I didn't have Veronique truly figured out until I did the revisions. The last half required a substantial rewrite, but it's all done now and I'm very happy with how she turned out.

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  82. Thank you for the first chapter, it sounds like a really good read.

    Megblod(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  83. I love all you books Julianne. They make me cry most of the times. Anyway, this is a perfect Christmas read. Perfect for the cold weather. :D

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    1. Sorry to make you cry, Lory Lee! But that is a big compliment for a writer - so thank you - xoxo

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  84. I've been a fan for a long time, and as part of your mailing list, I found the link for this in my email! This is a wonderful excerpt and I can't wait to read it all!

    ariyana9501(at)yahoo(dot)com

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    1. Hi Ariyana! Glad you popped by here! Nice to see you :)

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  85. I have enjoyed your books or years and have been getting your newsletters--thank you for all the work it must take to put each book together with historical fact finding!

    There must be a lot of little details that really bug you to find the answer to while writing!

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    1. It is definitely a challenge sometimes, but so much fun to do research. Thanks for popping by!

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  86. Hi Julianne. How did you get your start in Regency types romances? What drew you to that era? I love Historical Romances of all types. They take me to another time and I love that. Thank you for this contest. Merry Christmas to you & yours!

    flghtlss1(AT)yahoo(DOT)com

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    1. Hi - I like to mix up my historical periods just to keep it fresh for me. New research always brings me new ideas, and I never want to feel like I am writing the same book over and over. I was happy to move to the Scottish Highlands after doing my Pembroke Palace series, just to get out of the drawing rooms and ball rooms! Then when I was finished the Highlander trilogy, I wanted to come back. Now I might like to go back to the Highlands again :)

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  87. I love the book cover. Can't wait to read it. thanks for sharing.

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  88. Thank you everyone for all your comments! I have read every single one and enjoyed them all tremendously. Keep 'em coming! I will be back here a bunch of times while the party continues :)

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  89. Ooh, love it! Can't wait to read more. Veronique sounds like an awesome character!

    Kelli
    krolvaag@gmail.com

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  90. I adore Highland Scot and English historical romance and you write them so well, thank you for sharing with us.

    How to book series plot themes come to you? What inspires you or kicks your muse into action? A writers mind always interests me and I love to hear what triggers the need to write...

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  91. What a tantalizing chapter. Can hardly wait for the rest of the book.
    Veronika
    roniedee@juno.com

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  92. Wow, I'm convinced! I definitely MUST read your trilogy! Thank you so much, and have a Merry Christmas!
    smoofrog at gmail dot com

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  93. I liked Miss_Spell's question so much that I am asking the very same thing.....When you write a trilogy, do you know exactly how all 3 books will go or do you write one and wait for the story to unfold for the rest?

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    1. Oops, I simply overlooked the fact that you answered her question so I already know the answer now. Not the answer I expected though...... :)

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  94. The Princess Series are delightful reads but then Julianne MacLean books alwasy are!

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  95. I have not read any of your books but I have put you on my Christmas list. So if Santa is willing I am able.

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  96. Wow, I'm so intrigued. Wanting to know how it ends, while I try to finished another book. Also my grandbabies will be here for several days, so probably won't get much reading done. Thanks for this giveaway.

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  97. Thanks Julianne for sharing that great excerpt. Is it hard to write in different genres? Do you have a favorite to write (historical, contemporary, etc.)? Marry Christmas!!

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  98. oooh HOPE I win!! I'm missing a highlander book. I have Book 1 & book 3 - missing book 2!!!
    Happy Holidays

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