AUTHOR CONFESSIONS, part one

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And I have a couple for Get Lost in a Story readers.

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Drawing on Sat, March 7th.

Get Lost in Jade Lee's latest release, Wedded in Sin

With her parents murdered and her inheritance stolen, all Penny Shoemaker has left is her job working for A Lady’s Favor dress shoppe. But that’s not enough for her to support herself or her young brother. Her only chance to regain what is rightfully hers rests with a peculiar but brilliant gentleman with a weakness for damsels in distress.

Samuel Morrison is a dispossessed younger son searching for his place in the world, though the one thing he is good at is solving mysteries. So when Penny’s predicament lands at his feet, he decides to spend his time helping her out. But she fills more than his time—she fills his heart. And all he has to do now is solve the mystery, win the girl, and create a life not only for himself, but for her as well…


A USA Today Bestseller, JADE LEE has been scripting love stories since she first picked up a set of paper dolls.  Ball gowns and rakish lords caught her attention early (thank you Georgette Heyer), and her fascination with the Regency began.  An author of more than 40 romance novels and winner of dozens of industry awards, she finally gets to play in the best girl-heaven place of all: a Bridal Salon!  In her new series, four women find love as they dress the most beautiful brides in England.  Winning a Bride and What the Bride Wore are coming out in July and August. Pre-order them now!

And don’t forget  KATHY LYONS.  She’s Jade’s lighter, contemporary half.  Don’t you hate it when you share erotic dreams with a stranger? It happens in her new Kathy Lyons series. Dream Nights with the CEO is available now! 

To find out all the latest news on Jade or Kathy, visit them on the web at www.jadeleeauthor.com or www.kathylyons.com!

CLICK FOR AN EXCERPT OF:  Wedded in Sin  

Jillian: How often to you get lost in a story? 
Jade: It would be easier to answer how often am I forced to come back into reality. I’m always in a story—either reading, watching, writing, or just telling anecdotes. I used to worry because as I writer, I came to novels late. (After a HORRIBLE stint as a tech writer). But honestly, I’ve been telling stories all my life. 

Jillian: What’s the first book you remember reading?  
Jade: The first book I ended up LOVING was The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe by CS Lewis. I even did my undergraduate thesis on it. There were a few other books before that, but the Narnia chronicles just took a hold of me.

Jillian: What turns you off like nothing else? 
Jade: Okay, prepare for a weird answer. I never noticed how much smell affected me until I went vegetarian for a while.  Actually, I went raw food only, but that’s another story. (The truth is I don’t cook, so raw just seemed easier. And it turned out I was being trendy!)

Anyway, after a few months of being vegetarian, I started noticing when people smelled of meat. It’s a horrible, rank smell. Especially when I play racquetball with big meat eaters—I’m on this closed court with a guy who sweats dead meat smell.  It’s awful!  And I haven’t yet told my husband that he’s much less attractive after a big steak meal. (Sorry honey!)

So there you go. Have any of you experienced this? Anyone else attempted vegetarian diet and discovered it? Or am I just odd?

Jillian: Describe your favorite kind of hero to read/write? 
Jade: I love geeks. My husband is a geek, my friends are geeks, it’s possible I’m a geek too. If you’ve seen The Big Bang Theory – those are my friends right there. I’ve had conversations just like the ones on the screen. That’s my life—only done more fun.

Nathan Fillian

Jillian: If you couldn’t be a writer anymore, what profession would you take up? 
Jade: Well, I’ve had stints as a tech writer (NEVER AGAIN!) and racquetball pro. I’ve done secretarial work and know a lot about personal training and massage, so those are options. But honestly, all the cool jobs I can think of end up being story related. Improv! How cool would that be? Or how about radio personality? Professional storyteller (the on-stage kind)? All of those end up being about story. So I guess I’m doomed.  Unless I could get paid for hanging around, reading books, and eating chocolate. Oh, and lusting after Nathan Fillian…

Jillian: What’s the first thing you do when you finish writing a book? 
Jade: Dance naked around the house. You think I’m kidding.  Okay, here’s what I do. I go do something athletic. If not racquetball, I really love rollerblading. Have just discovered hiking, so there’s that too. So after a long bout of whatever athletic thing I can do, I have to take a HOT shower and a HOTTER bath because I’m stiff and achy.  And then, at some point, my husband asks how was my day? I get out of the tub and yes, I dance around singing, It’s Done! It’s Done! Hallo Hallay!  I sent the book in today!  (Did I mention I’m a geek?)

Jillian: If you could interview one person (and it doesn’t have to be a writer) who would it be?  

Joss Whedon

Jade: JOSS WHEDON.  Oh please, please can I hang with Joss?  Can you arrange it?  Can I talk Avengers and story structure and Buffy and what the hell, can we bring back Firefly? PLEASE??????

Commenters: Have any of you experienced this odd increased sensitivity to the smell of meat eaters? Anyone else attempted vegetarian diet and discovered it? Or am I just odd?

Jade is giving away a FREE E-COPY of the next novella installment of the Bridal Favors series. WINNING A BRIDE. For more on the novella series go to:  http://jadeleeauthor.com/books/bridal-favors-series/winning-a-bride

To be considered for the drawing, please leave your e-mail and e-reader type, (Kindle, Nook, iBooks) along with your comment.

Jade's contact information:

www.JadeLeeAuthor.com  (because there’s a Jade Lee porn star. Ask me what my mother said when she googled my name)
www.KathyLyons.com 
www.FACEBOOK.com/JadeLeeBooks
www.TWITTER.com/JadeLeeAuthor

***Note: Offer void where prohibited. Prizes will be mailed to North America  addresses only. If an Advanced Reading Copy (ARC) is available, the author may utilize that option for International participants. Odds of winning vary due to the number of entrants.

Celebrating Historical Romances

The Get Lost in a Story crew sends our CONGRATULATIONS to the

BEAUTY AND THE BOUNTY HUNTER
Lori Austin

Cathleen Chase is no killer—but as Cat O’Banyon, she is a ruthless bounty hunter who always gets her man. Catching one lowlife after another, she continues her search for the only man she really cares to locate. The one whose voice she will never forget; the man who murdered her husband. She’ll stop at nothing to find him.

Penguin Group USA, Signet

Claire Zion, editor

Con artist Alexi Romanov taught Cat every trick she knows.  He is a master of deceit, disguise, and desire. He’s difficult to trust, and even more difficult to resist, but he has news she can’t ignore. The man she’s after has placed a bounty on her head. To get him before he gets her, she’ll have to team up with Alexi again....

And just like before, the two of them together are nothing but trouble. 

MULTIPLE CHANCES through Rafflecopter to win an autographed copy of Lori Austin's BEAUTY AND THE BOUNTY HUNTER. (north America) Start by leaving a comment.

website

BRIDE BY MISTAKE
Anne Gracie

Penguin Group USA

Berkley Sensation

Wendy McCurdy, editor

Eight years ago, Lieutenant Luke Ripton made a hasty wartime marriage-in-name-only to protect a young girl from a forced union and left her protected in a remote mountain convent. Now, Luke is Lord Ripton, but he has been unable to obtain an annulment. Which leaves him no choice but to collect a wife he doesn't want.

For eight years Isabella has waited like a princess locked in a tower, dreaming of her handsome, dark-eyed prince. Her dreams are shattered when Luke reveals himself not as a prince, but an autocratic soldier, expecting her unquestioning obedience, which is something Isabella's fiercely independent nature will not tolerate.

website

DEFIANT
Pamela Clare

Charged with a crime they didn’t commit, the MacKinnon brothers faced a death sentence until they agreed to serve the British Crown in the colonies and take up arms against the French. Allied with the Indian tribes who lived beside them in the wilderness, the Scottish Highland warriors forged a new breed of soldier… 

Penguin Group USA

Berkley Sensation

Cindy Hwang, editor

Major Connor MacKinnon despises his commander, Lord William Wentworth, beyond all other men. Ordered to rescue Wentworth’s niece after the Shawnee take her captive, he expects Lady Sarah Woodville to be every bit as contemptible as her uncle. Instead, he finds a brave and beautiful lass in desperate peril. But the only way to free Sarah is for Connor to defeat the Shawnee warrior who kidnapped her—and claim her himself. 

Torn by tragedy from her sheltered life in London, Lady Sarah is unprepared for the harshness of the frontier—or for the attraction she feels toward Connor. When they reach civilization, however, it is she who must protect him. For if her uncle knew all that Connor had done to save her, he would surely kill him. 

But the flames of passion, once kindled, are difficult to deny. As desire transforms into love, Connor will have to defy an empire to keep Sarah at his side.

MULTIPLE CHANCES through Rafflecopter to win an autographed copy of Pamela Clare's DEFIANT. (International) Start by leaving a comment.  

website

A LADY NEVER SURRENDERS
Sabrina Jeffries

When the youngest Sharpe sister hatches a plan to gain marriage offers, the straight-laced Bow Street Runner Jackson Pinter knows he'll do whatever it takes to ruin her scheme... 

Simon & Schuster, Pocket Books

Micki Nuding, editor

Lady Celia Sharpe hopes that if she can garner offers of marriage from several eligible gentlemen and show her grandmother she is capable of gaining a husband, she can convince Gran to rescind the marriage ultimatum for her. And if that plan doesn’t work, at least she’ll have a husband lined up.

But Bow Street Runner Jackson Pinter seems determined to ruin her plans by disapproving of every suitor she asks him to investigate. It’s only when she and Jackson work together to solve her parents’ murders, plunging them both into danger, that she realizes why--because the only man he wants her to marry is himself!

MULTIPLE CHANCES through Rafflecopter to win an autographed copy of Sabrina Jeffries's A LADY NEVER SURRENDERS. (north America) Start by leaving a comment.

website

THE RECRUIT
Monica McCarty

Scotland’s King Robert the Bruce is retaking his kingdom from the invading English. To win, he’ll need all the grit and courage of his elite band of warriors, the Highland Guard, men who fight without fear and love without limits.

Random House Group

Ballantine Books

Kate Collins, editor

Fiery, aggressive, and bold, Kenneth Sutherland is a true champion—skilled with any weapon and driven to win. Now Kenneth is ready for his greatest challenge: joining Robert the Bruce’s secret army to fight among the elite. Kenneth’s best chance to attain that honor is by winning the Highland Games. Focused and prepared for victory, he is caught off guard by a lovely wisp of a woman—and a stolen moment of wicked seduction. Her innocent arousal and her shameless hunger fire his blood. He will win his place in the guard—and in Mary of Mar’s bed.

The ruggedly handsome hero-in-the-making stirs a heart that should know better. Mary vows that her surrender will be sport only—no promises, no heartbreak, just one night of incredible passion. Nothing, she swears, will persuade her to give up her hard-wrought independence and put her fate in the hands of another powerful man. But with every gentle touch and heart-pounding kiss, Kenneth makes her want more. Now Mary wants his heart. But is this determined champion willing to surrender everything for love?

website

A ROGUE BY ANY OTHER NAME
Sarah MacLean

What a scoundrel wants, a scoundrel gets . . .

HarperCollins Publishers, Avon Books

Carrie Feron, editor

A decade ago, the Marquess of Bourne was cast from society with nothing but his title. Now a partner in London’s most exclusive gaming hell, the cold, ruthless Bourne will do whatever it takes to regain his inheritance—including marrying perfect, proper Lady Penelope Marbury.

A broken engagement and years of disappointing courtships have left Penelope with little interest in a quiet, comfortable marriage, and a longing for something more. How lucky that her new husband has access to such unexplored pleasures.

Bourne may be a prince of London’s underworld, but he vows to keep Penelope untouched by its wickedness—a challenge indeed as the lady discovers her own desires, and her willingness to wager anything for them . . . even her heart.

Previously on GLIAS
website

TOO DANGEROUS TO DESIRE
Cara Elliott

Can a Flame from the Past be Rekindled?

Grand Central Publishing, Forever

Lauren Plude, editor

Long ago, Sophie Lawrance chose prudence over passion, rejecting a rebellious young rogue for the sake of her family-no matter the ache it left in her heart. But after a specter from her father's past resurfaces, threatening to destroy all she holds dear, the desperate beauty knows there is only one man whose shadowy skills can save her.

Or Is It Too Dangerous to Play with Fire?

Cameron Daggett is a man of many secrets . . . and many sins. He's never forgotten the pain of losing Sophie. But now, with a chance to win her back, Cameron sets aside his anger and agrees to help Sophie save her father's honor. Together they embark on a perilous masquerade, leading them to a remote country estate near the sea. There, they must battle a cunning adversary-and their own burning desires. Will they be consumed by the flames? Or can they prove that true love conquers all?

MULTIPLE CHANCES through Rafflecopter to win an autographed copy of Cara Elliott's TOO DANGEROUS TO DESIRE. (U.S. only)Start by leaving a comment. 

Previously on GLIAS
website

WEDDED IN SIN
Jade Lee

The dazzling wedding fashions of A Lady’s Favor dress shop are guaranteed to make any girl the talk of the ton. But the brides aren’t the only ones falling in love… 

Penguin Group USA

Berkley Sensation

Kate Seaver, editor

With her parents murdered and her inheritance stolen, all Penny Shoemaker has left is her job designing handcrafted shoes for A Lady’s Favor dress shop. But that’s not enough for her to support herself or her young brother. Her only chance to regain what is rightfully hers rests with a strange but brilliant gent with a weakness for damsels in distress. 

Samuel Morrison is a dispossessed younger son searching for his place in the world. When Penny’s predicament literally lands at his feet, he sets his keen detective skills to solving her mystery. But she fills more than his time—she fills his heart. How can a lost man solve the mystery, win the girl, and create a life not only for himself, but for her as well? The answer may be just a favor away...

MULTIPLE CHANCES through Rafflecopter to win a digital copy from Jade Lee's backlist. (International) Start by leaving a comment. 

Previously on GLIAS
website

Congratulations to all the nominees for the RITA® in the

HISTORICAL category!

~ ~ ~

JOIN US tomorrow as RITA® week 
continues with the CONTEMPORARY SINGLE TITLE ROMANCE category. 

Don’t forget to FOLLOW us on Twitter #GetLostStories or LIKE us on Facebook.

MULTIPLE CHANCES through Rafflecopter to win
NORTH AMERICA DRAWING
*an autographed copy of Lori Austin's BEAUTY AND THE BOUNTY HUNTER
*an autographed copy of Sabrina Jeffries's A LADY NEVER SURRENDERS
*an autographed copy of Cara Elliott's TOO DANGEROUS TO DESIRE

INTERNATIONAL DRAWING through Rafflecopter (separate)
*an autographed copy of Pamela Clare's DEFIANT
*a digital copy from Jade Lee's backlist

Start by leaving a comment.
WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE HISTORICAL MOVIE?
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Jade Lee

Get Lost in This Story…

A MAN INTENT ON JUSTICE...

After seven years of battling for survival on a pirate ship, Kit Frazier returns to England to right a wrong and make peace with what he lost. But once in London, he finds himself unexpectedly at sea, caught in his swirling attraction to the beguiling and elusive Maddy.

A WOMAN DETERMINED TO BE FREE...

Maddy will do anything to escape the desperate circumstances of her life, and helping her cousin Rose catch the man of her dreams seems an easy enough task--until Maddy meets the handsome pirate captain Kit. The dashing rogue has only two purposes: to rescue the boy in his care and to seduce Maddy into his bed.

A LOVE WITHOUT END

With each heated encounter, Kit pulls Maddy off her stated course. But when treachery threatens them all, she will have to choose between a respectable future and wicked, wonderful seduction.

Today, we welcome USA Today Bestselling author, Jade Lee, to the blog.

Jade Lee has two passions. She loves dreaming up stories and playing racquetball, not always in that order. When her pro-racquetball career ended with a pair of very bad knees, she turned her attention to writing. An author of more than thirty romance novels, and a two-time RITA® Award finalist, she’s decided that life can be full of joy without ever getting up from her chair. Visit her website at www.jadeleeauthor.com for information on her historical novels.

Jade dreams up so many stories that she created a cool, hip alter ego to write contemporary novels. Kathy Lyons writes sexy, fun novels for the Harlequin Blaze line. You can find out all about them at www.kathylyons.com

REALITY? WHAT'S THAT? -- by Jade Lee / Kathy Lyons

Okay, I confess. I have a really weak grasp on reality. Here's how it started. Which would you rather do? Stare at your sister as she colors or fantasize that while she was coloring, a demon appeared--SSSPTTT--and tried to eat her. She screams and looks to you for help. And then--ZAP--you're a Warrior Queen and beat the crap out of the demon. After it's all over, your sister looks at you with awe and promises to clean your room for the rest of your life if only you will continue to protect her from coloring book demons.

Demon huntress, right? Yeah, me too. Except, my day dreams weren't just about being yet another cool form of Buffy. I also live out these thoughts. I don't make a full stop at the stop sign, and wham I'm in traffic court trying to explain to the judge. I stare at fluffy white clouds and suddenly there's a purple people eating monster behind me.

Or Johnny Depp. Or Johnny already eaten by the purple monster.

So given this penchant for flights of fancy, is it any surprise that books or movies will grab hold and not let me leave? It doesn't even have to be a good story because I'll fix it. And then I'll LIVE it. Complete with real-world physical reactions. Yes, I have even accidentally slugged my husband while fighting pretend vampires.

So my latest "fix it" was when I was reading yet another yo-ho-ho pirate. I couldn't get into a bad cartoon of Jack Sparrow.

I wanted someone real. Someone who starts out fun, but then gets trapped in very bad things at sea. What happens when he finally comes back home? Everyone expects Mr. Fun again, but he's not. Not anymore. But who is he really? Not Mr. Fun, not Mr. Vicious Pirate, not even Mr. Normal Sea Captain because he can't find NORMAL anymore.

OMG, I was in love. I hung out with Kit Frazier at the bank, in the car, and when I was cooking dinner. He made a trip to the dentist fun. As a regency era man, he didn't have access to PTSD therapy. He had to find his own solutions, and I was his miracle. I walked him back into the ballroom, I helped him confront his nemesis, and laughed with him when the painful turned ridiculous. And I soothed his aches at night. You think I'm exaggerating, but I'm not. I'm actually jealous of Maddy (his heroine) because he's all MINE! Seriously, he's that real to me. (Wicked Seduction by Jade Lee is out now, and available wherever books are sold!)

http://jadeleeauthor.com/wicked-seduction.shtml
In fact, he's so real that my wicked former pirate actually came to blows with my hero of In Good Hands by Kathy Lyons.

Yes, they squared off over me. Roger's an executive with high blood pressure. He's more likely to market chart me out of my clothing than fight hand to hand with a pirate, but he's definitely a contemporary warrior in the consumer jungle. When I realized how desperate he was to solve his blood pressure woes, I had to fix him. Through medicine, weird energy healing, and some really hot sex. And when I'm with him in the robotics lab, everything else fades away. (Roger is also now available through Harlequin Blaze. http://kathylyons.com/ingoodhands.html.)

GOT A QUESTION YOU’D LIKE TO ASK YOUR FANS?

Jade: Does that mean my life is really boring? Or that I've found a way to make my dysfunction into a career? Tell me what you think and you could win a copy of either of the books listed above!

WILL YOU HAVE A DRAWING FROM THOSE LEAVING COMMENTS?**

Jade: Yes, I’ll give away 1 copy of either Wicked Seduction or In Good Hands. Winner's choice.

Thanks so much for being with us today, Jade! Where can your fans learn more about you on the web?

www.jadeleeauthor.com

www.kathylyons.com

www.twitter.com/jadeleeauthor

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Jade-Lee/102527843153622

**Note: Offer void where prohibited. Prizes will be mailed to North American addresses only. If an Advanced Reading Copy (ARC) is available, the author may utilize that option for International participants. Odds of winning vary due to the number of entrants.

Come back again tomorrow, when Donnell hosts Lorraine Bartlett!