A Historical Christmas Event with Caroline Linden

Caroline Linden was born a reader, not a writer. She earned a math degree from Harvard University and wrote computer software before turning to writing fiction. Since then the Boston Red Sox have won the World Series four times, which is not related but still worth mentioning. Her books have won the NEC Reader’s Choice Award, the Daphne du Maurier Award, the NJRW Golden Leaf Award, and RWA’s RITA Award, and have been translated into seventeen languages.

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A Historical Christmas Event with Caroline Linden

Caroline Linden was born a reader, not a writer. She earned a math degree from Harvard University and wrote computer code before discovering that writing fiction was far more fun. Eleven years, fifteen books, three Red Sox championships, and one dog later, she has never been happier with her decision. Her books have won the NEC-RWA Reader's Choice Beanpot Award, the Daphne du Maurier Award, and RWA's RITA Award.

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A Drunken Serenade...with Caroline Linden and Giveaway

Caroline Linden was born a reader, not a writer. She earned a math degree from Harvard University and wrote computer code before discovering that writing fiction was far more fun. Eleven years, fifteen books, three Red Sox championships, and one dog later, she has never been happier with her decision. Her books have won the NEC-RWA Reader's Choice Beanpot Award, the Daphne du Maurier Award, and RWA's RITA Award.

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Feature and Giveaway: Love in the Time of Scandal by Caroline Linden

USA Today bestselling author Caroline Linden's third novel in her Scandalous series brings together a feisty heiress, a notorious rake, and a shocking book that could bring one woman the utmost despair—or the greatest pleasure...

Penelope Weston does not like Benedict Lennox, Lord Atherton. He may be the suave and charming heir to an earl, as well as the most handsome man on earth, but she can't forget how he abandoned a friend in need—nor how he once courted her sister, Abigail. He's the last man she would ever marry. If only she didn't feel so attracted to the arrogant scoundrel...

Once upon a time, Benedict thought he and Penelope got along rather well. Though he needs a wealthy bride to escape his cruel father's control, spirited Penelope just doesn't suit his plans for a model marriage—until a good deed goes awry, and scandalous rumors link his name to Penelope's. She might not be the quiet, sensible wife he thought he wanted, but she is beautiful . . . beguiling . . . and far more passionate than he ever imagined. Can a marriage begun in scandal become a love match, too?

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A Kiss Between Enemies...with Caroline Linden and Giveaway

A Kiss Between Enemies on Christmas Eve - Caroline Linden

Caroline Linden Caroline Linden was born a reader, not a writer. She earned a math degree from Harvard University and wrote computer code before discovering that writing fiction was far more fun. Eleven years, fifteen books, three Red Sox championships, and one dog later, she has never been happier with her decision. Her books have won the NEC-RWA Reader's Choice Beanpot Award, the Daphne du Maurier Award, and RWA's RITA Award.

Find Caroline at:

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Guest Post with Katharine Ashe, Caroline Linden, Miranda Neville, Maya Rodale and Giveaway

The Lady Authors, four historical writers, have gone contemporary with At the Billionaire’s Wedding: As Caroline Linden, Maya Rodale, Katharine Ashe, and Miranda Neville discovered, writing about the modern era requires a different kind of hero.

Award-winning Katharine Ashe writes lushly intense historical romance with a touch of adventure. She is the author of How To Be a Proper Lady, one of Amazon's Ten Best Romances of 2012, and eight other acclaimed novels set in nineteenth-century Britain. Readers can visit her website and discover how parts of her time-traveling heroine's story are in fact autobiographical (though she refuses to admit precisely which).

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ARC Review: Seven Wicked Nights by Courtney Milan, Tessa Dare, Leigh LaValle, Caroline LInden, Carolyn Jewel, Erin Knightley and Sherry Thomas

Seven Wicked Nights is a collection of short stories by seven different authors. The stories are all historical romances. These authors are all well-known and some of these stories were their earlier work. I thought this was a nice collection and a great way to experience different authors in one collection.

Unlocked - Courtney Milan

I read this short story a while back. It was one of the first introductions I had to Milan. After reading this I read a lot of her other books. I loved its originality. Elaine Warren was a really great heroine. She is considered a spinster. All her season she was bullied and harassed by her peers. One of them Evan Carlton. When Evan reappears after having left society to mourn the death of his brother he is a very changed man. Honestly, he was a real jerk before. Him and his cousin Diana use to harass Elaine because she was really quirky and she has a very unique laugh. I really liked Elaine but she was definitely a special type of heroine. Evan realizes that he was a terrible persona and goes out of his way to make amends to Elaine, in the process he can’t help but fall in love with her. I enjoyed re-reading this short story and was reminded of why I like Milan. She always tells stories like no other. Her characters are never perfect but always engrossing. I liked Elaine and Evan’s chemistry, also. They really built a friendship and then a relationship and Evan does become a true gentleman.

When I Met my Duchess - Caroline Linden

This was my first time reading Caroline Linden and it was an enjoyable experience. The story quickly begins with an upcoming wedding. The Duke of Wessex’s is about to get married, fortunately or unfortunately things don’t go as planned. When Wessex meets his fiancé he is more interested in her widowed sister than his intended bride. Cleo was a fun heroine. She is happy for Helen and her upcoming wedding. Cleo is the black sheep of the family. Her parents don’t approve of her because she eloped with a working man and she runs a shop. Her parents are quick to disdain her and are really brutal in their treatment of her. Their only consolation is that Helen will marry Wessex. Wessex is a proper gentleman and is ready to do his duty but Cleo is really the sister who his attention gravitates to and the woman that interests him. Even though the both deny it, they are in love with each other. Cleo and Helen’s parents are none too happy when they realize that Cleo has won Wessex’s heart. I didn’t think that Cleo and Wessex had great chemistry but they were a sweet couple and it was enjoyable to watch them fall in love.

How to Catch a Wild Viscount - Tessa Dare 

This was one of my favorite stories in the collection. I loved the characters and their unfulfilled story. Luke is a wounded solider. Years before heading to fight against Napoleon he gives Cecily Hade a kiss. Throughout the four years he was fighting that kiss kept him sane and fighting to stay alive. Luke returns a wounded man. The war has affected him and even though he still loves Cecily he does not think he deserves her. He goes out of his way to seem indifferent and nonresponsive to Cecily. When Cecily is in the forest with a hunting party she is attacked by an animal and saved by a mystery man. It was obvious who the mystery man was but Cecily lets Luke believe that she doesn’t know. Although Cecily begins the story wounded and alone she transforms into a stronger woman. She realizes that she is not going to sit back and lose Luke again. Their story was so sweet my heart ached for them. Both Luke and Cecily were incredibly sweet and loving characters. The secondary characters were also fun. Instances like these it would be better for the story to be longer because there was a lot more that could have been added. But this was my favorite story and I really enjoyed it.

One Starlit Night - Carolyn Jewel

This story was really intense. Portia and Lord Northword were a very interesting couple. They grew up together and were each other’s first love. Through a series of events Northwood ends up married and eventually widowed. Portia never married but is feeling the pressure from her sister-in-law to make a match and find her own home. Portia carries a big secret and wound inside of her. I really liked her and felt bad for her situation. Lord Northword was also an enjoyable character but he was harder to understand. Although Portia forgave him, I had a harder time feeling compassion for him. Eventually realizing that she and Northword were not meant to be Portia begins to contemplate a marriage to another person. Do Portia and Northword eventually get their happily-ever-after? It was an interesting ending.

Claiming the Duchess - Sherry Thomas

Sherry Thomas is one of my favorite authors. I really enjoy her work and “Claiming the Duchess” was no exception. This was a very short story, probably the shortest of the collection but it did not make it less enjoyable. When the story begins Clarissa is married to a man that does not make her happy. The only comfort she has is her stepson, whom she adores. She meets Mr. James Kingston at an event and feels a strong attraction to him. But because she is married she does not act on her feelings. Four years later she is a widow and is hosting a gathering at her house. She invites James under the excuse that someone else wants him there. During the years of her marriage she developed a friendship via letters with a Miss Julia Kirkland. During this gathering she will finally meet her friend. When Clarissa and James meet again their feelings have not changed and now there is nothing standing in their way. This was a great read and the characters had great chemistry.

The Misbehaving Marquess - Leigh LaValle

Catherine Raybourne, the Marchioness of Foster, was abandoned by her husband a short time after getting married. Through a series of misunderstandings Jaime, her husband believes that she had an affair. Jaime is devastated because Catherine has always been the love of his life. He leaves her and goes off to travel the world, never once sending even a letter. Catherine realizes that she made a mistake when she is caught in an unflattering situation but she is never given the chance to explain what really happened to Jaime. When his family is left without an heir, he has to return home and tell his wife that they need an heir. Catherine is ready to end their marriage and has an annulment drawn up. Overall this was a sweet story but the misunderstanding seemed a little week. I enjoyed the story and liked the main characters but found some holes in the excuse that Jaime gave for leaving.

Ruined by a Rake - Erin Knightley

Eleanor Abbington is happily a spinster. She is content with her life and more than happy on the shelf. When her uncle has other plans for her she is desperate for a solution. Nicolas Norton is back home and ready to see Eleanor. They grew up together and were tomboys and the best of friends. Throughout the years they have never seen each other as a boy and a girl but when Nick learns that Eleanor is going to be married he quickly realizes that he is not ready to lose her to another man. Nick and Eleanor were really sweet, my only complaint is that they didn’t have as much chemistry as I would have liked. But overall it was an enjoyable story.

Overall

These stories were all very sweet. Most of the hero’s and heroines grew up together and realized that their feelings changed. One of my favorite aspects of this collection is the diverse authors. All of them have a very unique way to tell a love story and all were very individual. This was a fun read.

**ARC provided by Authors**

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ARC Review: It Takes a Scandal by Caroline Linden

Sebastian Vane has a shattered knee from his military service. He comes home to England to find his father has gone mad and sold off most of his property for a pittance. His former best friend, Benedict Lennox, shows up in the middle of the night demanding to see his sister. Samantha has been in love with Sebastian since she was a girl. She’s not there and neither is Mr. Vane. Sebastian searches for his father to no avail. Rumors swirl that Sebastian killed his father, robbed Benedict’s father, and has gone mad too. Years later, the Westons move in to the estate, making them Sebastian’s new neighbors. Abigail and her sister Penelope are anxious to explore their new neighborhood. Abigail meets Sebastian out on a walk and is immediately intrigued and smitten with her dark brooding neighbor. She seeks him out and they begin to walk together. She learns of a mysterious grotto supposedly decorated for the King’s mistress. She asks Sebastian to take her there. It is a beautiful sanctuary and becomes their secret meeting place. Sebastian receives word his uncle has died and he travels to claim his small inheritance. Benedict comes home and decides to court Abigail, much to her parents’ delight. He proposes and she turns him down. Her father will not sanction a marriage between her and Sebastian. She doesn’t care and refuses to marry anyone but Sebastian. Mr. Weston refuses to let Sebastian court Abigail. He decides to find out what happened to his father and the missing money. The key to that evening’s events is Samantha. She was at the house and gave the money to Mr. Vane. Benedict joins Sebastian to find out the truth and start to heal their friendship.

Sebastian is a classic tortured hero. Wounded, poor, wrecked with guilt about his father’s disappearance, he’s unworthy of love. Wrongly accused of heinous crimes, he has no one to come to his aid. He keeps his dignity and carries on. He parts with a treasured book as a gift for Abigail. She sees it as a sweet gesture. He also gives her a cameo. A trinket, but worth so much to him. Abigail feels lucky and honored to have his attention.

The sisters’ relationship is real. They both read the scandalous book, Fifty Ways to Sin. Sebastian sees Abigail buy it and gets his own copy, just in case she wants a demonstration. Penelope is very defensive of her sister. Once she realizes Abigail is in love, she decides to befriend Sebastian and becomes his defender too. The two women stand together and make fun of each other and all around them. A Sense and Sensibility vibe is clear.

**ARC provided by Publisher**

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Two Dukes and a Scandal Tour with Gayle Callen, Laura Lee Guhrke and Caroline Linden

Meet Gayle Callen, author of Redemption of the Duke.

After a detour through fitness instructing and computer programming, Gayle Callen found the life she’d always dreamed of as a romance writer. This USA Today bestselling author has written more than eighteen historical romances for Avon Books, and her novels have won the Holt Medallion and the Laurel Wreath Award.

Gayle lives in Central New York with her three children, her dog, Apollo, and her husband, Jim the Romance Hero.

Places to find Gayle: 

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My Favorite Book Couple with Roni Loren

Roni wrote her first romance novel at age fifteen when she discovered writing about boys was way easier than actually talking to them. Since then, her flirting skills haven’t improved, but she likes to think her storytelling ability has. If she’s not working on her latest sexy story, you can find her reading, watching reality television, or indulging in her unhealthy addiction to rockstars, er, rock concerts. Yeah, that's it. She is the National Bestselling Author of The Loving on the Edge series from Berkley Heat.

Places to find Roni:

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Stranded at an Inn...with Caroline Linden and Giveaway

Stranded at an Inn on Christmas Eve - Caroline Linden

Caroline Linden was born a reader, not a writer. She earned a math degree from Harvard University and wrote computer software before turning to writing fiction. Ten years, twelve books, three Red Sox championships, and one dog later, she has never been happier with her decision. Her books have won the NEC Reader's Choice Beanpot Award, the Daphne du Maurier Award, and RWA's RITA Award. Since she never won any prizes in math, she takes this as a sign that her decision was also a smart one.

Place to find Caroline:

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