Historical romance

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    More info about the print books for Only Bad Options …

    MONDAY MORNING MAILBAG

    Question: Will there be a print book for Only Bad Options? What about an audiobook?

    Answer: The print book for Only Bad Options will be released Sept. 20, the same day as the ebook. Woot!

    PRE-ORDER THE PRINT BOOK:

    Amazon Barnes & Noble IndieBoundBooksellers/librarians can order through IngramSpark

    I’ve gotten some early copies (see photo), and I think the Only Bad Options print books are the prettiest ones I have indie published so far. The cover/colors look gorgeous, and I used the evil eye and some of the other cover art for the chapter headings, scene break glyphs, etc. I’m really pleased with how the print books turned out, but clearly I am biased. LOL.

    ABOUT THE AUDIOBOOK:

    There will be an audiobook for Only Bad Options, but – and this is a big BUT – I don’t have a firm release date yet. However, it probably will NOT be released on Sept. 20 with the ebook/print. I think/hope the audiobook will be released in late September/early October. I will keep you posted.

    So if you want to read the book as soon as it comes out, you’ll have to get the ebook/print. Thanks!

    PRE-ORDER THE EBOOK:

    Amazon Kindle Barnes & Noble Apple Books Google Play Kobo Smashwords

    Only Bad Options is book #1 in my Galactic Bonds series. Basically, the series is science fiction fantasy — magic/powers mixed with spaceships, planets, technology, etc. Yes, there are blasters, and yes, I put a “Pew! Pew! Pew!” line in the book. 😎 

    Only Bad Options also features:

    • Space opera
    • Soul mates
    • Enemies to lovers
    • Pew! Pew! Pew! action scenes
    • A boiling lava planet of doom

    If Only Bad Options sells well, then I will keep going with the series. Right now, I would like to make it a trilogy, but it does depend on the sales of book #1. So if you are interested in the book, please pre-order it, share with your friends, ask your local library to order a copy, etc.

    This is very much a book of my heart, so I hope y’all buy/read/enjoy it. Thanks!

    ONLY BAD OPTIONS DESCRIPTION:

    New York Times bestselling author Jennifer Estep blasts off with an exciting new science-fiction fantasy adventure with a dash of Regency romance. This action-packed space opera features a mix of magic and technology, along with a soul mates and enemies-to-lovers story. Perfect for fans of Star Wars, Reylo, Bridgerton, and Pride and Prejudice.

    A WOMAN WHO SEES EVERYTHING . . .

    Few people know the name Vesper Quill. To most folks, I’m just a lowly lab rat who designs brewmakers and other household appliances in the research and development lab at the powerful Kent Corp. But when I point out a design flaw and a safety hazard in the new line of Kent Corp spaceships, everyone knows who I am—and wants to eliminate me.

    I might be a seer with a photographic memory, but I don’t see the trouble headed my way until it’s too late. Suddenly, I’m surrounded by enemies and fighting for my life.

    I don’t think things can get any worse until I meet Kyrion Caldaren, an arrogant Regal lord who insists that we have a connection, one that could be the death of us both.

    A MAN WHO CAN’T FORGET HIS PAST . . .

    The name Kyrion Caldaren strikes fear in the hearts of people across the Archipelago Galaxy. As the leader of the Arrows, the Imperium’s elite fighting force, I’m used to being a villain, as well as the personal assassin of Lord Callus Holloway. Even the wealthy Regals who live on the planet of Corios are afraid of me.

    But everything changes when I meet Vesper Quill. I might be a powerful psion with telepathic, telekinetic, and other abilities, but Vesper sees far too many of my secrets.

    Thanks to an arcane, unwanted quirk of psionic magic, the two of us are forced to work together to unravel a dangerous conspiracy and outwit the deadly enemies who want to bend us to their will.

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    Holiday gift guide — Books

    Today, I thought I would finish up my holiday gift guide by talking about books. For more holiday ideas, check out my previous posts about music and TV shows.

    HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE — BOOKS

    ACTION-ADVENTURE AND SPY THRILLERS

    SoloSolo by William Boyd: James Bond is back in this new book, which takes him on an adventure to Africa in 1969. This might be good for the spy thriller fan on your holiday shopping list.

    Carte Blanche by Jeffrey Deaver: This is another James Bond book, although this one features Bond in today’s world.

    Spirit of Steamboat by Craig Johnson: This is the latest book in Johnson’s Walt Longmire mystery series, which some of you may know from the Longmire TV show. My dad enjoys these, and they might be a good fit for the western or mystery lover on your list.

    Richard Stark’s Parker, Vol. 1: The Hunter by Richard Stark and Darwyn Cooke: This is a graphic novel of The Hunter, the first book in Stark’s series about Parker, a thief who will do whatever it takes to get the job done.

    FANTASY

    He Drank, and Saw the Spider by Alex Bledsoe: Okay, okay, this book isn’t actually coming out until Jan. 14, but Bledsoe’s Eddie LaCrosse series is a cool mix of fantasy and detective noir fiction. Wheezley and I have both enjoyed the books in this series.

    And hey, Valentine’s Day is coming up soon, right?

    In the meantime, get caught up on the other books in the series, which include The Sword-Edged Blonde, Burn Me Deadly, Dark Jenny, and Wake of the Bloody Angel.

    Kicking ItKicking It anthology: This urban fantasy anthology, edited by Faith Hunter and Kalayna Price, features stories from Chloe Neill, Rachel Caine, and other authors.

    I really like anthologies because they let me check out a variety of authors. Plus, they’re perfect for when you only have a short time to read. You can finish a story, put the book down, and then go on to the next story when you have a chance.

    The Republic of Thieves by Scott Lynch: I actually bought this one for Wheezley when it came out in October, but if you’re looking for a new epic fantasy series for yourself or someone on your list, check out Lynch’s books, which follow two thieves as they have a series of adventures. The first book is The Lies of Locke Lamora, while the second book is Red Seas Under Red Skies.

    ROMANCE

    Dangerous Seduction by Zoe Archer: This is the second book in Archer’s Nemesis Unlimited historical romance series, after Sweet Revenge. The holiday e-novella Winter’s Heat is also available.

    I’ve seen the series described as a historical version of the TV show Leverage. Basically, a group of folks help the helpless against the rich and powerful, and romance blossoms for some of them along the way. This might be good for a historical romance lover on your list who’s looking for something a little different in the genre to read.

    Love IrresistiblyLove Irresistibly by Julie James: If you’re looking for a contemporary romance read, check out James’s FBI/U.S. Attorney series, which is set in Chicago and features the relationships between, you guessed it, FBI agents and US attorneys.

    The books are a lot of fun and full of snappy dialogue. Plus, the couples from previous books make return appearances as the series goes along. As a reader, I always enjoying seeing past characters and catching up with them.

    Other books in the series are Something About You, A Lot Like Love, and About That Night. The next book in the series, It Happened One Wedding, is set to be released in May 2014.

    YOUNG ADULT

    Princess of the Silver Woods by Jessica Day George: This is the latest book in the Twelve Dancing Princesses series. I love fairy tale books, and I enjoyed the first book in this series, Princess of the Midnight Ball, which features a hero who likes to knit. (I thought that was really cool.) I’ve got the second book, Princess of Glass, in my TBR pile.

    Crash Into YouCrash Into You by Katie McGarry: If you’re looking for a contemporary read, check out McGarry’s books, which feature teens struggling with a variety of issues.

    Other books in the series include Pushing the Limits and Dare You To. An e-novella, Crossing the Line, is also available. Warning: These books will make you root for and cry with the characters at the same time.

    Poison by Bridget Zinn: This is a really charming, young adult epic fantasy book about Kyra, a potions maker who saves her kingdom with the help of a pig. This might be a good choice for the YA reader who enjoys a mix of fantasy, adventure, and friendship in their books.

    So those are my book picks. What books are you guys hoping to give or get for Christmas this year?

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    Guest blog: Michelle Diener on the Anatomy of Attraction …

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    Today, I’m pleased to welcome historical fiction author Michelle Diener to my blog. Michelle is one of my author friends, and her books include In a Treacherous Court and The Emperor’s Conspiracy. Take it away, Michelle:

    THE ANATOMY OF ATTRACTION

    Michelle DienerI use the word Anatomy very specifically here. 🙂

    I write historical fiction with a strong romantic element, and in my upcoming release, The Emperor’s Conspiracy, out on Nov. 27, my two main characters are attracted to each other. My heroine is immediately attracted to the hero, while he is a little too angry and distracted to really see her well enough to be attracted to her. But all it takes is another meeting and you can tell he’s really interested, too.

    They don’t fall in love. Not yet. They are physically attracted to each other. They do fall in love with each other by the end of the book, or are on the verge of love, but it’s the chemistry between them, the sparks that fly, that compel them to spend more time with each other.

    And I think we’ve all had moments when we’ve seen someone who has made our hormones sit up and go “Well howdy-do!” (said in that spider from Madagascar’s voice 🙂 ). If we are single and so inclined, we may do something about it. If not, then we are happy to simply take a good look and move on.

    Both my characters are at a point in their lives where a really strong attraction like the one they have for each other serves as a partial catalyst for change. It shakes them up, makes them uncomfortable, and forces them to take risks they might otherwise not have done. Desire is a strong emotion and a good motivator.

    Everyone has felt that quick pull of attraction, and occasionally decided to see where it would lead us.

    Can you think of a favourite scene from a book/movie where the hero and heroine have just met and really like what they see?

    I’ll go first. One of my favorites is from Smoke in Mirrors by Jayne Ann Krentz, where the heroine, Leonora Hutton, meets Thomas Walker in the apartment of Leonara’s recently deceased friend, and Thomas’s ex-lover, Meredith. Another favorite is from JAK’s White Lies. I think JAK does first meetings really well!

    GIVEAWAY TIME

    The Emperor's ConspiracyMichelle has generously offered to give away a copy of The Emperor’s Conspiracy to one randomly-drawn commenter with a U.S. address.

    To enter, just leave a comment on this blog and answer Michelle’s question: Can you think of a favourite scene from a book/movie where the hero and heroine have just met and really like what they see?

    The giveaway is open to those 18 and older, U.S. only, and will be open through midnight, EST, Wednesday, Nov. 28. The winner will be announced here on my blog on Friday, Nov. 30.

    Also, Michelle lives outside the U.S., so she will respond to comments when she can.

    ABOUT THE EMPEROR’S CONSPIRACY

    Set in early nineteenth-century England, this vivid and romantic historical novel goes from the most elegant ballrooms of London to the city’s most tawdry slums, as a spirited young woman helps unravel a plot by Napoleon to bleed England of all its gold.

    Through good fortune, Charlotte Raven escaped the poverty of the London slums and is now an educated, wealthy Society lady. But she lives between two worlds, unable to completely turn her back on her old life—specifically Luke, her childhood protector and now a ruthless London crime lord.

    When Lord Edward Durnham is asked to investigate the alarming movement of gold out of England, his search leads him to London, and his recent acquaintance with Charlotte affords him access to a dark world he barely knew existed. As they delve deeper into the underbelly of London, danger lurks at every turn, and Charlotte must navigate between her two worlds to save England.

    And soon she faces a defining choice: to continue in the familiar limbo she’s lived in for years, or to take a painful and risky leap toward a happiness she never thought possible.

    You can find out more about Michelle’s books on her website, Facebook, Twitter, and Goodreads.  Thanks so much for being here today, Michelle.