Maureen Lee - After the War is Over

  Today I'm thrilled to have a post from Maureen Lee. Her new book 'After the War is over' is due out on May 10th. Maureen  told me why she wrote this novel.

"I wrote this novel because so many of my books are centred around the Second World War. I had originally intended to carry the story on until the end of the century and the start of the new, but it seemed to finish naturally long before then."

Here is short blurb from her new cover. I can't wait to read this latest book form a master story teller.

‘Bestseller Maureen Lee returns to Bootle in this heart-warming tale set between Liverpool and London in the post-war years.

Liverpool, 1945.  Three women, strong friends, return home from the war trying to fit back into their old lives after they’ve been demobbed.  They’ve been thrown together by the war and shared all sorts of good and bad times.  Now their old lives seem dull in comparison, but not for long… 

The younger women, Maggie and Nell, are both twenty-one and are full of hope and excitement; Iris, on the other hand, is feeling apprehensive about returning to civilian life. At the age of thirty her only wish in life is to have a baby, but sadly this wish has yet to come true.

When one of the women falls pregnant, there begins a dramatic sequence of events so wide-reaching that the three friends’ lives will become more intricately interwoven than they could ever have imagined.

Over the next quarter of a century this story of three remarkable – and very different – women unfolds into an uplifting tale of how three ordinary families become extraordinary.’

 

A Dissembler - regencyreads -e-book

I'm delighted to tell you that another of my OAP Hale books is now available as an e-book on www.regencyreads.com. This book is set in the house of friends in Frating and also in Great Bentley - which has the biggest village green in England. This story is one of my personal favourites. 

April 2012 — Current Releases

A Dissembler by Fenella Miller

Regency Romance (ebook)

Marianne Devenish arrives in Great Bentley to find the Earl of Wister, Theodolphus Rickham, pretending to be Sir Theodore Devenish, a tulip of the ton. She also learns that Lord Grierson’s sons are involved with local smugglers. Can Theo catch a spy, save the Grierson brothers from the gallows and rescue the woman he loves before she is lost to him forever? Regency Romance by Fenella Miller; originally published by Robert Hale [UK]

Welcome Wendy Soliman

Today I'm delighted to welcome my good friend Wendy Soliman to my blog. She has two books out this week and is here to tell you all abut herself and her wonderful books.Over to you Wendy.

The Perfect Impostor

I’m a British author, now dividing my time between Andorra and the West Coast of Florida. I write both historical and contemporary romance, which works well until I get two books releasing at the same time, which is the situation I’m in right now. Nice work if you can get it!

When not writing I lavish love and attention on my adored rescued dog, spend a lot of time walking and cycling and also do more than my fair share of drinking wine!

The Perfect Impostor, my latest Regency romance is published by Carina Press April 2nd. I’m delighted with the cover. Carina artists do awesome work and I haven’t had a cover yet that doesn’t beautifully encapsulate the mood of the entire book. If readers do actually judge a book by its cover then I have high hopes for my little impostor.

What do you think?

Katrina Sinclair, recently widowed, is struggling to make a name for herself as a modiste. Her childhood friend, now a marchioness, could well make that happen when she asks Katrina to design her wardrobe for an upcoming society house party. One small snag though, Julia wants Katrina to swap places with her for the duration of that party. They did it often enough as children. No one could tell them apart then and can’t now.

Against her better judgement, Katrina agrees. What harm can come of it?

Plenty, as it happens. For starters, Julia’s husband, equerry to the prince regent, puts in a surprise appearance, expecting to spend the night with his wife. Katrina will do much to protect Julia, but sleeping with her husband is several steps above and beyond the call of friendship. How will she get out of that one?

Worse, Lord Leo Kincade turns up as well, supposedly on his way home from France. In actual fact, he’s been assigned to look into jewel thefts that are occurring at society gatherings such as the one Katrina’s attending. The proceeds from those thefts turn up in Napoleon’s coffers, making the lady behind the scheme a traitor to her country. Julia is a prime suspect.

Leo was once engaged to Julia but knows almost at once that the woman he meets at Lady Marshall’s isn’t Julia Dupont. But who is she? Why is she pretending to be Julia? Why is he drawn to her in a way that he never was to Julia? And what does she have to do with the thefts?

To add to Katrina’s woes, her late husband’s brother tracks her down to the house party too. He blames her for his brother’s death and is set on revenge…

The Perfect Impostor by Wendy Soliman available from Carina Press and all good ebook stores from April 2^nd 2012  http://amzn.to/GEGuhy $4.79

With my contemporary hat on, The Name of the Game has just been released by SirenBookStrand and is my first effort at writing romantic suspense solely from the heroine’s point of view.

Ashley believes her boss when he says his marriage if over. They enter into a steamy affair and Ashley works her butt off to prepare the company for amalgamation with a rival so that she and Matt can go public with their relationship. But the bottom abruptly falls out of her world when Matt’s ‘estranged’ wife appears at the office, heavily pregnant.

Ashley breaks off the affair but Matt won’t let up on her. He convinces her that he isn’t the father of the baby but must stand by Eve until the amalgamation goes through because she owns a vital five per cent of the company’s shares that could swing the deal in either direction.

Someone is trying to sabotage the amalgamation. Ashley delves into the Templeton family’s affairs, uncovering deeply buried secrets that someone will go to any lengths—even murder—to protect. As she fights to save the man she loves from the brink of ruin, Ashley finds that she’s placed her own life on the line…

The Name of the Game by Wendy Soliman – Available now from SirenBookStrand $3.39 http://www.bookstrand.com/the-name-of-the-game

Check out my books on my websites: http://www.wendysoliman.com and http://www.wsoliman.com

I’m on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/wendy.soliman.author

Or follow me on twitter @wendyswriter

Thanks for having me here. It’s been a blast.

Wendy

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Miss Shaw & The Doctor

Miss Shaw & The Doctor has finally arrived. After a troubled start when it was trapped at Aspen Mountain Press for a few months Musa/Aurora has now released it on the world. I'm delighted with the finished result which is a combination of hard work from my editor, the art and the marketing department and, of course, myself. Many thanks to Tamara, Coreen, Kelly and Dominique for their input.

I now have to decide whether to continue writing Regency romances or move onto something else. I have written more than 28 titles in the past six years and am worried I will eventually start repeating myself.

I have already written a Victorian family saga and three books set in World War II so might decide to set my next romance in a different era. If I do that I will no longer be part of Aurora, and I do enjoy being part of this dynamic team.

At the moment I have three books with a large print publisher and then waiting for a reply: two partials with the new historical fiction publisher: and the first of a young adult fantasy series waiting to be sent to either an editor or agent. I'll let you know the outcome of these submissions - they could very well decide in which direction my career is now going to go.

That said, I somehow think I'll never entirely abandon the romantic world of the Regency.

Sarah Shaw is delighted to secure an excellent post as governess to four little girls and is sure she can be successful. However, the children are not as biddable as she expected and she discovers, Lord Fenwick, her employer, is not the man she thought him to be. In her opinion, the interference of the local physician, Adam Moorcroft, does not improve matters. When tragedy strikes Sarah is obliged to make a promise she later regrets. Can she reconcile her conscience and find happiness with the man she loves?

Ebook Price: $4.99

Ebook ISBN13: 978-1-61937-260-3

Miss Shaw & The Doctor

Miss Shaw & The Doctor out
23rd March 2012

I'm delighted to tell you that my latest book with Aurora/Musa is coming out on 23rd March. This book was to have been published last year in September  with AMP - but this didn't happen.  Musa bought Aurora and I resubmitted the title and voila! Here it is!

Ebook Price: $4.99

Ebook ISBN13: 978-1-61937-260-3

Excerpt:At the sound of rapidly approaching hooves Sarah pushed herself upright. How kind of the squire to send someone out to look for her. She had fully expected to wait until the morning to be collected. She picked up her valise and withdrew her handkerchief from her reticule to wipe some of the grime from her hands.
The gig, travelling at a spanking trot, showed no sign of pulling up. The driver could not have seen her. Leaning forward, she waved her handkerchief furiously. The beast shied and the vehicle slewed sideways. The unfortunate driver slipped from his perch and vanished into the hedge.
“Oh, my goodness! What have I done?”
The horse, having recovered from its fright, now waited a few yards away as if nothing untoward had happened. The outline of the gig was clearly discernible in the welcome light of the lanterns. It appeared undamaged–indeed not even the traces were tangled. Only the driver had suffered a mishap. She was most concerned about him.
The head and shoulders of the missing man emerged through a gap in the hedge. He was covered in twigs, his hair awry, and his smart topcoat sadly mired. She was relieved to see he had not injured himself. Apparently, the hedge had made a soft landing.
This was no servant – oh, dear! She had made a grave error of judgement and would never have attempted to wave down the gig if she’s realised. The gentleman did not look at all pleased to see her. In fact he looked furious.
“I do beg your pardon,” she said. “I thought you were a servant from the manor come to collect me.”
He drew himself up to his full height, which must be two yards in his stocking feet. Every inch quivered with rage. “Are you mad? Only an imbecile would wave her handkerchief at a horse as you did. You are lucky we were not killed by your stupidity.”
Sarah bristled. How could she have known the silly animal would tip its master over the hedge? She had already apologised. There was no need for him to be so unpleasant.
“If I had not done so, you might not have seen me. As a gentleman, I’m sure you would not wish me to be marooned here on my own for the rest of the night.”
She risked moving closer and curtsied politely. “I am Miss Sarah Shaw, the new governess for Lady Fenwick. I have been sitting here for over two hours.”
“Dr. Adam Moorcroft.” He barely nodded.
“I should be most grateful if you would assist me, Dr. Moorcroft.”
“I suppose I shall have to give you a lift as I am going to the manor myself.” He viewed her large trunk with disfavour. “That will have to remain where it is until tomorrow. Bring your valise. Let us hope, Miss Shaw, that my horse is not lame after your foolishness.”
“All that I possess is in that trunk. If you will not put it in your vehicle, then I shall remain behind with it. Please, do not let me delay you. No doubt you are on your way to deliver Lady Fenwick’s child.”

Miss Bannerman & The Duke is Best Book on Longandshortreviews.blog - please vote for it this weekend if you have time.

Snowbound on the Island by Kate Allan

Today I'm hosting Kate Allan on her blog-tour. she is going to tell us all about her new book - Snowbound on an Island. Welcome Kate and over to you.

Fenella

Love on the Isles of Scilly     

It's a joy to me to be able to set romances in different places, and especially places that I love myself. My historical romances have been set in various parts of England and Europe that I enjoy including Cornwall, setting for The Smuggler Returns, set at the very end of the 18^thcentury. And the setting was a very important part of Krakow Waltz. Set in Poland, and with many Polish and European characters whose outlook and concerns would shape how they acted, it is a Regency romance that is quite atypical of Regency romances and yet remains firmly within the genre.

I first visited the Isles of Scilly as a teenager, a friend's parents had a holiday house there and my friend and I explored and roamed, quite unfettered by adult interruption as we had the cottage to ourselves. We took the boats to the off islands, explored the archeology, often visiting sites quite alone. The islands are quite unique; part of the British Isles and yet with their own culture, character and indeed climate. The sea, naturally, has played a huge role in that. The opportunity and memory of being somewhere where one can be alone with the landscape is immense. Perhaps sitting on a cliff and watching the sea, or on a grassy bank next to a prehistoric village, those feelings of wonder will never leave me and I will always want to return to the Scillies. And indeed I have.

When writing a short novella or story, the writer is limited in the role that the setting can play. I've always wanted to write a story set on the Isles of Scilly but it's impossible, within the confines of having to move the story forward at a good pace to share everything I'd love to about the setting. I'm writing fiction, not an encyclopedia entry or travelog. Yet it is – just about – possible to slip one or two things in. So my hero Dominic reads at one point a bit of a local magazine. He can do that, it's in character. He's a scientist by profession, and is well informed and detail orientated. And I think it helps makes the story special. It is about the Scillies – not any old islands:

“I was just reading that at the start of the 20th Century over 40 tonnes of flowers were being shipped from the Scillies to markets in London,” he said and passed her her coat. Their fingers touched briefly. Lisa found she was looking up into his eyes, grown darker in the dim light of the hall, and they seemed to communicate without words that they both knew the significance of that touch. That it was only another beginning to what would lead to more. A shiver, like a tiny insect, ran up Lisa's spine.

There's a bit more to relationships besides fancying the pants off someone, Lisa told herself and looked away while they put their coats on. Not that she knew whether a relationship was on offer here. Perhaps it wasn't and that might be a good thing as far as she was concerned.

“Oh,” she said. “Flowers? The fields I glimpsed from the airplane looked like pasture.”

“Or meadows of daffodil shoots?” Dominic opened the door and she immediately felt the cold air rush in. “Anyhow, tourism is the main industry here now.”

Excerpt from Snowbound on the Island @ Kate Allan, 2012

You could win a copy of Snowbound on the Island and some chocs by sharing your winter pictures on Facebook in Kate's winter photography competition. See:https://www.facebook.com/events/266904253374873/

Musa Blog Hop

Hi there,
Thank you for taking the time to visit my site. I write Regency for Aurora and my sixth book, Miss Shaw & The Doctor is due out next month.
I'm a voracious reader - print books downstairs and on my Kindle in bed. I love thrillers -especially Lee Child and Donna Leon and have recently discovered Diane Gabladon. Have just read War Horse and Farm Boy - YA books by Michael Morporgo - as I'm going to see the show in April.
One of my favourite Musa books is Lady Hartley's Inheritance by Wendy Soliman. A cracking Regency adventure of the traditional sort.
Clarissa Hartley is distraught when she discovers that her late husband left his entire estate to a son she knows nothing about.

Her godmother's son, Luc Deverill, the Earl of Newbury,suspects fraud. Thrown together during the social whirl of a Regency season in full swing, Luc is increasingly drawn towards Clarissa but she thinks him an idle dissipate and finds little to admire in the ways of high society.

Racing against time to foil those seeking to deceive Clarissa, Luc is horrified when she places herself in the path of danger. At last a woman has dented his impenetrable heart and he rides to her rescue. But has he left it too late to tell her how he feels?

I also enjoyed Wendy's other Regency 'Duty's Destiny'. Why not give them a try - after you've read one of mine of course. :) 
I'm going to read Deadly Delirium by Alyssa Lilquist and Shadow Eyes by Dusty Crabtree -both YA books at Musa. I'm also going to read A Bodyguard of Lies by Donna Del Oro. I'll let you know how I get on.
Now for the competition: Can you tell me in which of my books Demelza features?
 I'll randomly select a comment with the correct answer and  if you win I'll send you a copy of Miss Bannerman & The Duke - Best Book - at Long and Short Review.

http://musapublishingbloghops.blogspot.com/2012/01/i-love-musa-books-hop.html

Thanks for dropping by

Fenella