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Thursday, April 10, 2014

My Favorite Book Couple with Anne Gracie


Anne Gracie spent her childhood on the move when her father's job took them around the world. The gypsy life taught her that humor and love are universal languages and that favorite books can take you home, wherever you are.

Anne's popular and award-winning Regency-era romances are published by Berkley USA. She is a nationally bestselling author, a five time RITA finalist, and her books have been translated into more than 16 languages, including Japanese manga editions.

Find Anne at:


I really enjoy a couple who strikes sparks off each other, who exchange witty banter — or perhaps crisp dialogue on her part and a series of bad-tempered grumblings on his. Which leads me to my favorite book couple — Peabody and Emerson in Elizabeth Peter's Crocodile on the Sandbank. It's a classic, and much beloved. If you haven't read it, grab a copy now.

Peabody is a brisk, no-nonsense English spinster with an interest in Egyptian antiquities. Emerson is a large, shaggy, bad tempered archaeologist, whose Arabic nickname is "Father of Curses."

They clash beautifully, and neither sees the thing that is so enjoyable to the reader — that they're falling in love.

In my latest book, The Winter Bride, the hero and heroine also clash beautifully as they duel words. Freddy, the hero, initially refuses to attend the heroine's literary society:

"Not the literary society. The horror stories those girls read are enough to make a fellow's hair stand on end."

Max frowned. "Horror stories? They don't read horror stories, only entertaining tales of the kind ladies seem to enjoy, about girls and gossip and families—"

"Horror stories, every last one of them," Freddy said firmly. "You asked me to sit in on their literary society last month, when you went up to Manchester, remember? The story they were reading then. . ." He gave an eloquent shudder. "Horror from the very first line: 'It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single man in possession of a large fortune must be in want of a wife.' Must he, indeed? What about the poor fellow's wants, eh? Do they matter? No. Every female in the blasted story was plotting to hook some man for herself or her daughter or niece. If you don't call that horror, I don't know what is!"

I loved writing this book. My hero Freddy is funny and charming, a lighthearted bad-boy rake with a powerful aversion to marriage. He's relentlessly pursued by what he calls "muffins" — ie. eligible, seriously marriage-minded women and every woman he meets in the story gives him a hard time. But there are hidden depths to Freddy and as the story progresses, he slowly reveals himself to be "an utterly to-die-for hero" (to quote Mary Jo Putney.)

My heroine, Damaris is serious and quiet, and the secrets of her past make her vulnerable and just as marriage-averse as Freddy, but underneath her cool exterior she's really something special — watch her stand up to Freddy's b*tch of a mother, and I think you'll love her as much as I do.



Amelia Peabody, indomitable Victorian, embarks for Egypt armed with confidence, journal, and umbrella. Enroute to Cairo, she rescues dainty Evelyn, abandoned by her lover. They sail up the Nile to the archeological dig of the Emerson brothers - irascible but dashing Radcliffe and amiable Walter. A lively mummy, visitations, accidents, kidnap attempts - evil is afoot.

Purchase: | Amazon | Kindle | B&N |


Damaris Chance’s unhappy past has turned her off the idea of marriage forever. But her guardian, Lady Beatrice Davenham, convinces her to make her coming out anyway—and have a season of carefree, uncomplicated fun.

When Damaris finds herself trapped in a compromising situation with the handsome rake Freddy Monkton-Coombes, she has no choice but to agree to wed him—as long as it’s in name only. Her new husband seems to accept her terms, but Freddy has a plan of his own: to seduce his reluctant winter bride.

Will Damaris’s secrets destroy her chance at true happiness? Or can Freddy help her cast off the shackles of the past, and yield to delicious temptation?

Purchase: | Amazon | Kindle | B&N |

Check out the Chance Sisters series:


 Check out what's up for grabs.

Up For Grabs:
  • 1 copy of Crocodile on the Sandbank + The Winter Bride

To Enter: 
  • Please leave a comment or question for Anne.
  • Please fill out the Rafflecopter form to enter.

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


Good Luck! 

Special thanks to Anne Gracie for sponsoring this giveaway.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

40 comments :

  1. I love the storyline for The Winter Bride

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  2. I love Amelia and Emerson Peabody! I was so sad when Elizabeth Peters died

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  3. I love the book covers, very eye-catching. 2 more books to go on my TBR list.

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  4. Love the cover on The Winter Bride. I'm looking forward to reading it. Thanks for the giveaway.

    kareninnc at gmail dot com

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  5. Sounds like a good read.

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  6. Hey you two Chicks ;)

    Now that Egyptian adventure book sounds intriguing and the couple sounds it like the one I'd love to 'meet' :)
    btw, did you guys know that I'm employed by an Egyptian family? YES! Totally true. Very interesting people, and I'm learning some Arabic phrases, like "Would you like Coffee, tea?/ Hello & Goodbye" LOL!

    Anne, I loved LOVED The Winter Bride and Freddie will forever stay with me :)

    As for my favorite book lovers, I'd say after Jamie & Claire from Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon, I make sure to reread Jo Beverley's Nicholas and Eleanor in An Arranged Marriage. I loved this complex couple a lot and recommend it to everyone :)

    Have a great day!

    Mel

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    1. Melanie, you MUST read Crocodile on the Sandbank — it's a total hoot. Peabody is a brilliant character — a spirited and determined victorian-era spinster who thinks she's well past the age of love, so is off to have adventures (of the ladylike sort). The interactions between Peabody and Emerson are wonderful

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  7. Thanks for the intro to your favorite book boyfriend. I'm going to look that book up.

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  8. I've seen this series by Elizabeth Peters but had never gotten around to reading any. Thanks for the contest!

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  9. I haven't read any of Elizabeth Peter's stories yet - Thanks for the recommendation!

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  10. I have never heard of Crocodile on the Sandbank. I am headed to Amazon now to check it out.

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  11. The Winter Bride has a stunning cover.

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  12. Thanks for such a fun post! I haven't read any EP or Anne's books and I'm definitely interested now :) Thanks for sharing!

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  13. Elizabeth Peters' keep being recommended to me and so I'd be wonderful if I won! And the Chance Sister Series are in my TBR. Thank you!!

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  14. Haven't read either author before

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  15. I've never read Elizabeth Peters before, and only very rarely a historical set in Egypt. Sounds interesting.

    I'm also really looking forward to reading about Freddy and Damaris.

    Marcy Shuler

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  16. Crocodile sounds like a very interesting read; I'll have to check it out.

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  17. I do have to read more of Elizabeth Peters' books! Love Freddy's take on Pride and Prejudice! Thanks Anne!!

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  18. I actually have read Elizabeth Peter's Crocodile on the Sandbank. My daughter suggested it to me. I loved it.

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  19. I haven't read any of Elizabeth Peter's books, but it sounds like I need to change that. I'm always happy to learn about outstanding authors I've missed.

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  20. Sounds and looks like a very interesting read.

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  22. My favorite literary couple- who also happen to be creations of Elizabeth Peters- are Vicki Bliss and John Tregarth (aka Sir John Smythe.) They also start their relationship striking sparks and exchanging quips.

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  23. I enjoy it when both persons in a couple are strong and sparks fly between them. I can't wait for The Winter Bride is out.

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  24. Thanks for the recommendation. Love the sound of both books.

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  25. Both are new authors for me. Thanks for the post

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  26. I love Peabody and Emerson. It's fun to see that you are a fan also. The Chance sisters are wonderful when they are together and when they are alone. I have been reading reviews of The Winter Bride that praise Freddy as a perfect hero. Can't wait to meet him.

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  27. The synopsis for both books sounds very interesting, I'd be hard pressed to decide which to read first.

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  28. I love your books and can't wait to read this one!!!!

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  29. Thanks, everyone for joining in the conversation and entering the contest. Thanks, too to all those who've already read some of my books. Hope the others get to discover them eventually. And thanks Dani for inviting me. It's been a lot of fun. xx

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  30. My goodness, Anne, you are the second author on this tour that has mentioned, and offered, Elizabeth Peters' book (Vanessa Kelly is the other author). Since I've never read anything by Ms. Peters, I'm thinking I need to get this book and read it! I so love some humor in my romances and from this post I think this book would do nicely. :-) I also love your stories, Anne, but have not yet bought or read The Winter Bride. I think I have a treat in store for me in your newest release! Thanks so much for this post. jdh2690@gmail.com

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  31. Oh yes for The Winter Bride \o/ I love the sound of this one. Plus it's a fake marriage/engagement and those are my favorites!

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  32. I love the cover for The Winter Bride! Its stunning!

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  33. I love your heroine's name! Is there a real-life inspiration to Damaris?

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    1. No, I never use real people -- meaning people I know or have met - in my books. They're more "alive" to me in my imagination. Damaris just arrived in my head and then grew on the page. :)

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  34. The Winter Bride sounds amazing and I love the cover!
    Thanks for the chance to win!

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  35. Hi Anne. I love your books and own several.

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  36. Love your books. Peabody's son is funny too.

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  37. I love the cover of The Winter Bride! Thanks for the chance to win both of these books.

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  38. Freddy and Damaris sounds like fun, it's definitely going on my TBR list. Thanks for the giveaway!
    Ann S

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