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Saturday, April 5, 2014

My Favorite Book Couple with Elizabeth Essex


When not rereading Jane Austen, mucking about in her garden and simply messing about with boats, award-winning author Elizabeth Essex can be always be found with her laptop, making up stories about heroes and heroines who live far more exciting lives than she. It wasn’t always so. Long before she ever set pen to paper, Elizabeth graduated from Hollins College with a BA in Classics, and then earned her MA in Nautical Archaeology from Texas A&M University. While she loved the life of an underwater archaeologist, she has found her true calling writing lush, lyrical historical romance full of passion, daring and adventure.

Elizabeth lives in Texas with her husband, the indispensable Mr. Essex, and her active and exuberant family in an old house filled to the brim with books.

Places to find Elizabeth:

Without any doubt or hesitation I can tell you my favorite book couple of all time are Captain Frederick Wentworth and Anne Elliot, in Jane Austen’s masterpiece of love lost and regained, Persuasion.

For me Persuasion has all the elements that make my heart beat fast: a dashing naval captain hero; an early love that is lost to family interference; a heart-stopping, unintentional reunion; and a heroine whose innate goodness and worth shines through to the hero even when he is determined to dislike her and make her regret giving him up. And the regret—Anne has such deeply heartfelt regret, the entire novel is permeated with the decaying scent of loss. But Persuasion is not only about loss—it is about hope. Anne has learned from her loss, and even as she tries to give up all hope of recovery, we know that neither she, nor her true love, Captain Wentworth can abandon hope of a future together.

Jane Austen has given us a marvelous pair of older lovers who overcome their loss and regret, and find a new beginning together— new beginning that I am perfectly sure stood the test of time.

I also find this book couple particularly enchanting because this is the novel that persuaded me to begin to write stories of my own with dashing naval officers as the heroes. So I’m giving away a copy of PERSUASION as well as a copy of my own latest release, AFTER THE SCANDAL.

Let me know what you think of Persuasion. We can even talk about the relative merits of various film and TV adaptations of the book, as well as the relative swoon-worthiness of the men who have played dear Captain Wentworth. Myself, I am exceptionally partial to the romantic blondness of Rupert Penry-Jones, even though we don’t get to see him in uniform (and the film took vast liberties with a PERFECT story!).

Best of luck in the drawings and happy reading!

Cheers,
Elizabeth Essex


Twenty-seven-year old Anne Elliot is Austen's most adult heroine. Eight years before the story proper begins, she is happily betrothed to a naval officer, Frederick Wentworth, but she precipitously breaks off the engagement when persuaded by her friend Lady Russell that such a match is unworthy. The breakup produces in Anne a deep and long-lasting regret. When later Wentworth returns from sea a rich and successful captain, he finds Anne's family on the brink of financial ruin and his own sister a tenant in Kellynch Hall, the Elliot estate. All the tension of the novel revolves around one question: Will Anne and Wentworth be reunited in their love?

Jane Austen once compared her writing to painting on a little bit of ivory, 2 inches square. Readers of Persuasion will discover that neither her skill for delicate, ironic observations on social custom, love, and marriage nor her ability to apply a sharp focus lens to English manners and morals has deserted her in her final finished work.

Purchase: | Amazon | Kindle | B&N |



In English society, the rules of engagement have stood the test of time. Until a Reckless Bride falls in deeply, scandalously in love…

CAN AN INDECENT PROPOSAL

When Lady Claire Jellicoe agreed to a walk in the moonlight, she never imagined her titled companion might have brutal motives. Nor could she imagine an unlikely rescue in the nick of time, by the most unexpected savior of all: an inscrutable nobleman with a daring plan of escape—and a deliciously tempting embrace…

LEAD TO EVERLASTING LOVE?

Timothy Evans, the Duke of Fenmore, has palmed more treasures than he can count. Even for a man who grew up thieving in London’s stews, a stolen bride should be beyond the pale, but Fenmore won’t let scandal ruin the spirited beauty’s reputation. He simply never counted on the innocent beauty stealing his heart…

Purchase: | Amazon | Kindle | B&N |

    


 Check out what's up for grabs.

Up For Grabs:
  • 1 copy of Persuasion + After the Scandal

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

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


Good Luck! 

Special thanks to Elizabeth Essex for sponsoring this giveaway.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

74 comments :

  1. Hi Elizabeth. I recently discovered your books reading Almost a Scandal. I absolutely loved it & am looking forward to reading all your books.

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    1. Linda,

      Oh, I'm so glad you got to start with ALMOST A SCANDAL. I really LOVED that book, and it is a very good example of how much I do like the dashing naval hero type. :)

      Thanks so much for stopping by to chat today, and best of luck in the drawing. Cheers, EE

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  2. Hi Elizabeth, can't wait to read After the Scandal! How many Reckless Brides are you planning for in your series? Thanks for the chance to win! :-)

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    1. Anita,

      At the moment there are four Reckless Brides novel and one novella out, with one more novel in production, and the last one in my head: so six full novels overall (plus the christmas novella). And they all have SCANDAL in the title. :) Almost A Scandal, A Breath of Scandal, Scandal in the Night, The Scandal Before Christmas, After the Scandal and a Scandal to Remember. The last Reckless Bride has no title (and it's even contracted yet) but she's brewing up a pip of a story in my head!

      Thank you very much for stopping by to chat this morning, and best of luck in the drawing. Cheers, EE

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  3. Really love this series! I can't wait to read this one! (so happy you're writing more :) )

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    1. Krysten,

      I am so glad to hear that you love the series! I think I could go on happily for years writing Reckless Brides (and a few reckless grooms) but we'll have to see what my dear editor says. What I meant to say above was that the six novel IS in my head (just started!!!) but it is NOT contracted. Let's all keep our fingers crossed. :)

      Thanks so much for stopping by to chat. This blog is always one of my favorite places to meet readers. :) Best of luck in the drawing. Cheers, EE

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  4. Congrats to Elizabeth on her new release! Oh... I loved Persuasion :) It was the first JA I glommed after reading P&P. Thanks for sharing!

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    1. Erin,

      I'm glad I somehow didn't find Persuasion until I had read all of our dear Miss Austen's other books, and I glad I was a little bit older so I could fully appreciate the novel, which I really think is her masterwork, because I think it has the most of her own true feelings written into it. :) So bittersweet that she gives her heroine the happily ever after she couldn't achieve for herself. :)

      Thank so much for letting me visit with your today. Best of luck in the drawing. Cheers, EE

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  5. Hi Elizabeth. It's always nice to know that you have a new book out. I've read all the other books in the series, and thoroughly enjoyed them. Keeping my fingers, and everything else crossed that I get lucky.

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    1. Diane!

      (Waving!) So happy to see you here today. I am positively thrilled that you've enjoyed the series. That is what keep me going through the tough days of writing. :)

      Cheers, and again, lovely to see you here. Best of luck! EE

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  6. I have been waiting to read the series until this book came out! I can't wait to get started.

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    1. Aquarian Dancer,

      Terrific, and I must tell you that the first book in this series, ALMOST A SCANDAL is still on sale at Amazon for a great price ($2.99 which is the lowest it's ever been) but it's a great way to get started with the series.

      Thanks so much for stopping by to chat with me today, and best of luck in the drawing! Cheers, EE

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  7. Hi Elizbeth! I read the first chapter of After the Scandal on another blog and was blown away! I have to get all the books now! Thanks for answering the question of how many will be in the series earlier. :-)

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    1. Glenda,

      I am so very glad to hear that! I was a little hesitant to put out that first chapter because it's a really tough way to start a romance novel by having the heroine brutally attacked. I was sure I was going to lose readers, but I REALLY wanted to show that life goes on AFTER bad things happen (hence the title!).

      So, so glad you want to read more. :) Thanks so much for stopping by to chat with me today, and best of luck in the drawing! Cheers, EE

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  8. Hi Elizabeth! Love your books and I can't wait to read this one! Persuasion is one of my favorite Jane Austen books. Anne and Frederick are one of my absolute favorite couples.

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    1. Sandra,

      Thank you so very much. :) Persuasion is the book I re-read again and again, and every time I find something new that just sends me into raptures. Every new step of the way through this book it feels like the happily ever after is so far away it's impossible, and then it isn't. I cry every time. Every time. :)

      Thanks so much for stopping by to chat with me today, and best of luck in the drawing! Cheers, EE

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  9. Your book sounds really good. Hmmmm....I wonder how it happened that I don't have ANY of your books on my humungous TBR shelves? Got to fix that now!

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    1. Karen,

      That is music to my ears—we MUST fix this problem with your TBR pile. :) I am wishing you the best of luck in the drawing, but also wishing you hours and hours of free reading time to get to your beloved books! (I myself have been saving up a number of GREAT historical romances to read on a long plane flight to LONDON! next week. I am so excited I surprised you can't hear me squealing in glee from there!)

      And thanks so much for stopping by to chat. Cheers, EE

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  10. I have not read this one by Austen. I did just go and download your book though, it sounded too good!

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    1. Oh, Sheryl,

      If you are a historical romance lover, you will adore Persuasion. And I am giddy with delight that you've downloaded AFTER THE SCANDAL already. Wishing you hours and hours of uninterrupted reading time (which is very hard for me to get—I have teenagers who seen to have some sort of special radar for the moment when I sit down with my iPad in my had to read. I end up staying up all night so no one can interrupt me!)

      Thanks so much for stopping by to chat with me today, and best of luck in the drawing! Cheers, EE

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  11. I haven't read your books yet, but this one sounds interesting. As for Persuasion, I think I saw the PBS version a few years agon & enjoyed it.

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    1. Kim,

      I own both of the terrific film adaptations of Persuasion, and I rematch them whenever I want to hear the cadence of the language of this era. Just lovely. :)

      And I hope that you can find some time to squeeze one of my novels into your cart, but in the meantime, best of luck with the drawing, and thanks so much for stopping by to chat today. Cheers, EE

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  12. I don't think I have read Persuasion, but I tried watching the movie & I couldn't connect with the characters. I have the book, and I have a feeling I will like that better. I read an excerpt from your book & it sounds really good!

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    1. Sharlene,

      I had a hard time the first time I read it because Anne was soooo good, and she put up with soooo much crap from her family I really had a hard time liking her. But she grew on me. :) Just like she grows on Captain Wentworth. I like the Sally Hawkins portrayal of Anne (although there were many things about that BBC production that I disliked) because she showed her heartbreak so movingly.

      I'm glad you like the excerpt of AFTER THE SCANDAL. The prologue is one of my favorite that I've ever written, and I know that first chapter is a little hard for some people, so I am really glad to know it drew you in.

      Thanks so much for stopping by to chat with me today, and best of luck in the drawing! Cheers, EE

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  13. I'm looking forward to reading your book. And I'm not familiar with the Jane Austen book, Persuasion.
    Thanks :)

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    1. Beautiful,

      I would recommend renting one of the excellent adaptations of Persuasion on film as a 'gateway' into reading the book, because the prose, especially at the start is really, really dense, and a little off putting. Once you know that the long exposition on Anne's father's character is going somewhere, it starts to move along quite briskly, and the films get to that action much more quickly that the novel. (Do you know, today is such an awful gray, raw day here that I think I will go watch it again. :) )

      I am wishing you hours and hours of reading time to read both Persuasion and After the Scandal! Thanks so much for stopping by to chat with me today, and best of luck in the drawing! Cheers, EE

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  14. Elizabeth I've never read your books. The book cover on this one is beautiful.

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    1. Lori,

      Thank you so much. My editor and I really had to work on this cover to make it work for me, but I love the dark, wet cobblestones in the background, and his protective posture with her. :) (But the next cover, for my shipwreck story, A Scandal to Remember, is GORGEOUS too! I think you're going to love it.)

      Thanks so much for stopping by to chat with me today, and best of luck in the drawing! Cheers, EE

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  15. Haven't read persuasion

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    1. BN,

      Persuasion is my favorite because it has everything you'd expect from Jane Austen: smart heroines, scathing observations, human frailty and loads of wit. It also comes wrapped up in a story of love lost and found which is my favorite. :)

      I always tell people to try either of the films before they read it to get past the dense prose style at the beginning, but there is a lot of scathing wit in that intro too...:)

      Thanks so much for stopping by to chat with me today, and best of luck in the drawing! Cheers, EE

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  16. I haven't read Persuasion or even seen the film. I must remedy this very soon! I also can't wait to read AFTER THE SCANDAL. It's on my wish list.

    Marcy Shuler

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    1. Marcy,

      Oh, yes, you MUST see the either film or read Persuasion. I really do think it's worth the try. :)

      And thank you so much for your enthusiasm for AFTER THE SCANDAL. It's not Jane Austen, but I do think it's a page turner, and I hope full of surprises. :) Happy reading.

      Thanks so much for stopping by to chat with me today, and best of luck in the drawing! Cheers, EE

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  17. Yes!! I hardly ever hear anyone saying Persuasion is their favorite! Yes, P&P was THE book that draw me to Historical Romance but Persuasion is my favorite book of all time! Well, that along Harry Potter and Great Expectations but that"s besides the point, ha! I've seen two film adaptions, the 1995 and 2007 with who I called at the time my boyfriend Rupert Penry-Jones (those eyes *sigh*) And I was enthralled with the visual characterization and good acting that I forgave that they took that many liberties. I thought the 1997 version was much closer to the book. The tone of the book is a bit much somber that Austen's earlier works and I cannot help but wonder if she did not somehow put a bit of herself on Anne. The blurb of your book is really good too and has been added to my TBR and will be on my hands very soon, if only because we share the same taste in books. Thanks for the giveaway =D

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    1. Ms. Awesome,

      Oh, huzzah! Another Persuasion enthusiast! And I share your love of all things Potter and Dickens, especially Great Expectations. And I too just adored the 2007 with darling Mr. Penry-Jones—all those brooding looks! And although I completely agree with the problems with the liberties they took with the book, it was almost worth it for those lovely, bittersweet, heart-wrenching direct-to-camera looks that Anne shared with the reader/audience. AND for THAT KISS at the end. With the tear rolling down her cheek because at LAST she finally gets her heart's desire? Oh. God I loved that kiss. :)

      And thank you so much for adding AFTER THE SCANDAL to your TBR list. :) I think you'll find it a little Dickensian in it's depiction of London. :) At least I hope so.

      Thanks so much for stopping by to chat with me today, and best of luck in the drawing! Cheers, EE

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    2. Oh, that kiss!! now I'm going to have to watch that movie again, because, surprise, surprise, I own it ;)

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  18. LOL I didn't mean to say I'm getting your book "only" because we share the same taste in books =P ... I'm so excited that I can talk to someone about Persuasion that I don't even know what I'm saying haha.

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    1. Ms. Awesome,

      ANY reason is good enough for me!!! :) And I totally share Persuasion giddiness. For me it's the perfect book. I could talk about it for hours. I randomly quote from it all the time, :)

      Cheers, EE

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  19. The book is out! Congrats on your newest release! I've been waiting for this book for awhile. TBH I've been waiting for it bc the cover is just gorgeous! and the other was because of the book itself! I can't wait to read it

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    1. Sandy,

      Huzzah and thanks so much for your enthusiasm. I have to admit that at first, the cover wasn't my favorite, but it has grown on me, and I know that I have been very lucky with all of my covers. And I do hope you'll like what's inside just as much.

      So I am wishing you best of luck in the drawing, and hours & hours of uninterrupted reading time! Cheers, EE

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  20. After the Scandal - beautiful book cover and very interesting description of the story.

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    1. Olga,

      Thank you so much! I am glad you are intrigued—we work really hard to get those descriptions just right to give you the flavor of the story. I hope you like it!

      Thanks so much for stopping by to chat with me today, and best of luck in the drawing! Cheers, EE

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  21. Hi Elizabeth!

    I've found out over the years (and there have been many) that I'm usually disappointed in movies and plays that are based on books I've read. When I read a book I find that the author draws me into the story to the point that I feel before the story ends that I've actually met the characters and not just been an "observer" which is how I usually feel with a book or a play.

    I love your books because when you write your characters, whether they are the hero or heroine or a secondary character you make me feel that way.

    Do you think that a movie or play could truly make someone watching one of your stories have the same impact on someone watching it instead of getting all the background and interaction between the characters that are included in one of your books?

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    1. Jeanne,

      I would have to agree. For the most part, movies fall short—even with very talented actors—of bringing character's silent internalizations to readers in the same way that books are so particularly brilliant at doing. I am positive that a movie never has the same impact as a book. However I do think films—especially period films—are good at capturing the cadence of language in a way that is harder to replicate in reading a book, and, for me at least, I find a great deal of visual stimulation in looking at the dress and settings that movies do so well.

      But at the end of the day, I would so much rather spend my time with a character in a book than a movie. I suppose that I like film adaptations of Austen's work primarily BECAUSE I have already read them, and feel like I know the characters. I don't think I would have the same attachment had I not read the stories as well, and I think that many YA readers find they love the movies of their books, like Hunger Games, Harry Potter, Divergent etc., because they have already achieved that intimacy with the characters.

      Wow! What a question you've asked. :) Thanks so much for stopping by to chat with me today, and best of luck in the drawing! Cheers, EE

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  22. PERSUASION is a great favorite of mine. I love the book & movie.

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    1. Mary,

      Oh, I'm so glad to find another Persuasion fan. :) It warms my heart.

      Thanks so much for stopping by to chat with me today, and best of luck in the drawing! Cheers, EE

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  23. One of my reading goals this year is to jump into some Jane Austen stories. Thanks for sharing!!

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    1. Dear Brooke,

      Please promise me that you will save Persuasion for last. :) It will be worth the wait. And if the language gets dense, just rent a movie version or two to read along with it. :)

      Wishing you happy reading. Thanks so much for stopping by to chat with me today, and best of luck in the drawing! Cheers, EE

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    1. dstoutholcomb,

      Yeah, for another Persuasion enthusiast. I just read this evening on another blog (Deanna Raybourn's) that some people consider Anne Elliot a total sap, and although I see their point, I do love her character growth and how getting out in the world shows here better qualities and lets her shine, and forces Captain Wentworth to see her better qualities.

      Thank you so much for stopping by to chat with me, and best of luck in the drawing. Cheers, EE

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  25. I would like to know if Elizabeth prefers the covers on today's romance stories or those on the older classics? Thank you. lisa(g)(K)@(Yahoo).com

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    1. Lisa,

      That is a tough one. :) Generally, I like today's covers better than say the Fabio covers of twenty years ago, but I personally liked the move away from the bare chested men to more atmospheric covers for a while (example, Flowers From the Storm's windy cottage) but as you can see, I get bare-chested men on almost all my covers. :) I think today's Regency readers prefer what I call "the girl in the dress" covers, but I never seem to get those. :)

      I must say that I think being able to choose one's own cover is a great appeal of Independent Publishing, because at the moment, I can only give general wishes and some feedback about the covers, but nothing more. :)

      Thank you so much for stopping by to chat with me, and best of luck in the drawing. Cheers, EE

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  26. I haven't read Persuasion yet.
    Thanks for the chance to win!

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    1. Natasha,

      Then you are in for a treat. (But if you haven't read a lot of Austen, I would read along with watching one of the films. Because watching Rupert Penry-Jones seems to make my IQ higher. :) )

      Thank you so much for stopping by to chat with me, and best of luck in the drawing. Cheers, EE

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  27. I haven't read Persuasion or seen the film yet. Thanks for the giveaway!

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    1. Cathy,

      Oh, I hope I have convinced you to give both a try. :) Thank you so much for stopping by to chat with me, and best of luck in the drawing. Cheers, EE

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  28. I have never heard of nautical archaeology but it sounds intriguing! Do most of your books involve the sea in some way?

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    1. Gretchen,

      Nautical Archeology is the finding, investigation and possible recovery of ancient and historic shipwrecks. And I thought it was very, very intriguing as well—I loved it.

      But I got older, and I wanted to have a family, so I took up writing instead. And I must say writing has worked out very well. :)

      I try to get some seaside, or ships, or naval men in every book that I write, starting with the first three for Kensington (where the heroes were naval men, or Royal Marines), all the way though my Reckless Brides series, where the heroes are mostly all naval men. (The one exception is Scandal in the Night, which is half-set in India, and involves a spy for a hero (but he is the younger brother of a naval man—Will Jellicoe who was the hero of A Breath of Scandal).

      Thank you so much for stopping by to chat with me, and best of luck in the drawing. Cheers, EE

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  29. I enjoy Jane Austen, though I don't think I ever read anything but Pride and Prejudice. The movie of Persuasion is great, though! I love the cover for After the Scandal.

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    1. J McGaugh,

      Since you've already seen the movie, I would definitely recommend giving Persuasion a read. :)

      And I'm so glad to hear you like the cover for AFTER THE SCANDAL. I really just wanted a photo of Benedict Cumberbatch naked for a cover, but I think the one I got is probably better. :)

      Thanks so much for stopping by to chat and the best of luck in the drawing! Cheers, EE

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  30. Your a new author for me, I like the synopsis for After the Scandal, the genre is one of my favourites.

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  31. I love the sound of this story and the cover is gorgeous! !!!

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  32. Hello again, Elizabeth. Yes, all of the comments before me have said it all. I love your writing and your romances. So glad you are writing in my fave genre! And I definitely have something to look forward to with your latest release. :-) Thanks for the post. jdh2690@gmail.com

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  33. I haven't read any of your books but the synopsis for After the Scandal sounds too juicy not to read! The cover is absolutely gorgeous too!

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  34. Grats on the new release! It looks fantastic! Oh and great choice :)

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  35. I haven't read either of these books. Hope to remedy that soon. I have recently begun to read again and have quickly been adding to my must read list. Thanks for hosting and sharing your favorite book couple!

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  36. Congrats on the release, you are a new author to me. I will definitely check your books out!

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  37. Hi Elizabeth! Love the cover of your books, they look so pretty all together!! Thanks for the giveaway and chance to win!

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  38. Your book sounds great and I'd love to read it!

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  39. Hi Elizabeth. Can't wait to read your book.

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  40. Hi Elizabeth! You are a new author for me. I loved the blurb for After the Scandal. I can see from the people who posted before me that I need to start reading your books.

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  41. Hi Elizabeth! I guess I have been hiding underneath a rock because I haven't had the pleasure of reading any of your books yet. Thanks for the giveaway!

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  42. Persuasion is my favorite Jane Austen book, by far!

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  43. Love your scandal series and Illove JaneaAusten

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  44. I love Persuasion too, it's my favorite Jane Austen book.
    Ann S

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