Lorraine Heath is one of my go-to authors. Whether she's writing about sexy cowboys or wicked dukes, I know I'll find a sumptuous romance that satisfies my need for a happily every after. Today, I'm beyond thrilled to be hosting Lorraine on release day for The Duke and the Lady in Red.
Here's a blurb and sneak peek:
Here's a blurb and sneak peek:
When
Rosalind Sharpe gains the attention of the deliciously wicked Duke of Avendale,
she’s torn between her distracting attraction to the notorious rogue and the
knowledge that he—rich as Croesus—is the perfect target for a deception that
will put her swindling days behind her.
However
Avendale is no fool. After he discovers the tantalizing lady packing up to
leave London with his coins in tow, he confronts her with a scandalous
proposition: she can have all the money she requires…for a week in his bed.
Desperate for the funds, Rose agrees, but on one condition: he
must never question her motives. Avendale quickly sees beneath her mask and
discovers she is more than passion and pleasure—she is everything he has ever
desired. But claiming her requires he unveil her secrets and lose her forever.
Unless he can put his own dark past aside and risk everything for a chance at
love.
Excerpt:
She knew she was
being watched. She could feel the gaze homed in on her, was aware of little
shivers cascading along her skin. The fine hairs on the back of her neck had
risen. But she gave no outward appearance that she was bothered by the scrutiny
while inside her heart pounded with the fierceness of a regimental drum beating
out the call to battle.
She’d overheard
someone talking about an inspector from Scotland Yard who was wandering about.
But he was supposedly a guest and not searching for her. She hadn’t been in
London long enough for alarm bells to be ringing, for anyone to suspect—
“Champagne?” a
deep voice asked behind her.
She would dearly
love some, but needed to remain sharp and focused. Spinning around to decline
the footman’s offer, she came up short.
The man
extending a flute toward her was most certainly not a servant. Nobility,
entitlement, privilege screamed from every pore, every finely stitched seam,
every thread of exquisite cloth that cloaked his magnificent frame. His dark
eyes blatantly assessed her, and the hairs on her nape quivered once more. So
it had been him watching her. He possessed an intensity that was slightly
unsettling, made her fear that he could see straight through her.
But if he could,
he would be calling for that inspector who was around here, not offering her
champagne. His gaze wouldn’t roam over her as though he were taking measure of
every curve, dip, and swell while imagining how each would fill his hands.
If she had to
guess this man’s rank, she would put him as duke. He wore power and influence
like a second skin. She could make do with a duke.
“Heath excels at writing passionate, romantic tension, and this emotional page-turner showcases her stunning ability to delve into the characters’ innermost souls.” --Publishers Weekly starred review
Meet Lorraine
Lorraine Heath always dreamed of being a writer.
After graduating from the University of Texas, she wrote training manuals and
computer code, but something was always missing. When she read a romance novel,
she became not only hooked on the genre, but quickly realized what her writing
lacked: rebels, scoundrels, and rogues. She's been writing about them ever
since, for both adult and young adult readers. Her work has been recognized
with numerous industry awards including RWA's RITA®. Her novels have
appeared on the USA Today and New York Times bestseller
lists.
Follow Lorraine:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/LorraineHeathBooks
Twitter: @Lorraine_Heath
Find her books at Avon.
Now, let's get to know Lorraine better...
E.E.: What’s the first book you remember reading?
Lorraine: Surprise! I don’t know the author but it was
the first book I read all by myself. It was about a brother and sister who went
to bed one night and woke up the next morning to a snow-covered yard.
E.E.: What sound or noise do you love?
Lorraine: I love the patter of rain on the roof or the
windows. It’s such a romantic sound. When my husband and I were first married,
we lived in a small apartment with an apartment above us. We couldn’t hear the
rain on the roof so when it rained, we would move our mattress into the living
room, open the balcony doors so we could hear the rain better, and snuggle.
Maybe that’s the reason that when I’m writing, I play a thunderstorm CD in the
background.
E.E.: What was the first story you remember writing?
Lorraine: I was seven. It was summer after second grade.
I had a Big Chief writing tablet and decided I was going to spend the summer
writing a story. It was called THE FISHERMAN AND THE MERMAID and it was about a
man who went fishing in a small boat and caught a mermaid. Eventually they
would fall in love—or that was the plan, but I didn’t finish writing the story.
E.E.: What’s your favorite movie of all time?
Lorraine: Casablanca
E.E.: Who’s your favorite villain?
Lorraine: Hans Gruber from Die Hard, mostly because he
was played by Alan Rickman. I’m a huge Alan Rickman fan.
E.E.: Be honest, when reading...do you put yourself
in the heroine’s role?
Lorraine: If the author has drawn me into the story, I
tend to put myself in the role of all the characters. Whether I’m reading,
watching a TV show, or a movie, I immerse myself in the world that has been
created to entertain me. When I’m lost in the story, I don’t take a break to
check email or twitter. I want to stay lost until I get to the end, so I very
often read books in one sitting.
E.E.: What’s something you’d like to tell your fans?
Lorraine: I do have plans to write Rawley Cooper’s story
and to finish the Rogues and Roses series—hopefully I’ll get to both sooner
rather than later.
E.E.: What’s your favorite kind of story to get lost
in?
Lorraine: I read everything. As long as it has a
wonderful romance in it, I want to get lost in it.
E.E.: What’s the first thing you do when you finish
writing a book?
Lorraine: Start cleaning my office. I’m not sure why but
when I’m writing and start pulling research books from the shelves, I tend to
stack them around me rather than put them back. Unread mail piles up on my
desk. I think maybe having the chaos around me keeps me determined to have
order in the story.
E.E.: Do you read reviews of your books? If so, do
you pay any attention to them, or let them influence your writing?
Lorraine: I don’t search out reviews although I will read
the ones my publicist sends me. I understand that not all books appeal to all
readers and that sometimes I will garner a less than stellar review, but the
story is written so I can’t change it. I don’t let reviews influence my writing
because every story is different and I have to take it where it or the
characters indicate it needs to go.
E.E.: Tea or Coffee? And how do you take it?
Lorraine: Tea—usually green tea with way too much sugar.
E.E.: What one thing about your hero drives his
heroine crazy? And what one thing about your heroine drives her hero nuts?
Lorraine: It drives my heroine crazy that my hero seems
to take his wealth for granted. It drives my hero crazy that my heroine won’t
let him spoil her with little presents, that she won’t take anything personal
from him.
E.E.: Cast your book using fairy tale and/or cartoon
characters.
Lorraine: My heroine is Jessie from Toy Story 3, because
she’s so brave and strong. It’s cliché but my hero would have to be Prince
Charming from Cinderella because he won’t give up on them having their happily
ever after.
Now, my question for
you: Do you have any rituals that make getting lost in a story more enjoyable
or relaxing? (Background music, candles, glass of wine, etc.)
Today, Lorraine will give away an autographed copy of her new release, The Duke and the Lady in Red to one lucky commenter.
Hi, I do like the house to be quiet before I jump right in. Chores done & time to enjoy.
ReplyDeleteThat does make it easier to relax.
DeleteI'm like Mary. I like to finish a few chores, usually cleaning my home, before I start reading. Less distraction but mostly the added bonus of feeling like I've earned my escape in a great story. Can't wait to escape into Rose & Avendales' story!
ReplyDeleteI like quiet when I read. I have to admit I get distracted when I have a good book waiting for me & chores & whatever else including sleep take a back seat.
ReplyDeleteWelcome Lorraine! Happy release day! So delighted to be celebrating with you and can't wait to dive into this wonderful story. I read at night in bed. The problem occurs when I get wrapped up in a story (as you described), and my husband wants to turn out the lights and go to sleep. I get up and move to different bed. :)
ReplyDeleteGreat to have you on the blog Lorraine !! Have always loved your books.
ReplyDeleteFor me it is usually a nice quiet spot that I can lay down or curl up in... once in a while I have on some music...
ReplyDeleteI listen to music in my headphones so I won't hear anyone or anything :D I also keep a bottle of water near me so I don't have to interrupt the story if I get thirsty.
ReplyDeletejust getting cozy with my book or kindle
ReplyDeleteDenise
no
ReplyDeleteI make myself a big glass of iced tea with loads of ice, place my blankets just so on the sofa and warn the men to leave me alone
ReplyDeleteI don't have a routine to start reading. I generally read at night which can be problematic with hard to put down books. There are some mornings I am quite tired as a result of staying up late reading.
ReplyDeleteI just set on a reclining couch with a glass of ice water with ear plugs in and my kindle or book. Have to use ear plugs because hubby turns the TV up to loud. Entering under the name of Virginia
ReplyDeleteI enjoy reading after a long night at work. When I come home the house is quiet and I sit in my spot on the sofa and read for an hour or two. It's my time to relax and lose myself in a story.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite time to read is late at night, in bed, with purring cats :)
ReplyDeleteI have a comfy pillow on the sofa, diet coke and I'm ready to get lost in a book
ReplyDeleteWas there a winner chosen?
ReplyDeleteAll this, so cleverly interwoven in a lively romance with exciting characters, though imperfect, could not have been more appealing to me
ReplyDeleteA book well worth the time and effort to read.