Book Review with Giveaway: When You GIve a Duke a Diamond by Shana Galen

I wasn’t sure when this started but it turned out to be fun, quick and enjoyable.

When You Give a Duke a Diamond (Jewels of the Ton)

by Shana Galen

• Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca (September 1, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1402269730
• ISBN-13: 978-1402269738

Genre: Historical Romance

My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 2012

HE HAD A PERFECTLY ORDERLY LIFE...

William, the sixth Duke of Pelham, enjoys his punctual. securely structured life. Orderly and predictable—that's the way he likes it. But he's in the public eye, and the scandal sheets will make up anything to sell papers. When the gossips link him to Juliette, one of the most beautiful and celebrated courtesans in London, chaos doesn't begin to describe what happens next...

UNTIL SHE CAME ALONG...

Juliette is nicknamed the Duchess of Dalliance, and has the cream of the nobility at her beck and call. It's seriously disruptive to have the duke who's the biggest catch on the Marriage Mart scaring her other suitors away. Then she discovers William's darkest secret and decides what he needs in his life is the kind of excitement only she can provide...

Review:
Juliette, dubbed the Duchess of Dalliance is one of the Three Diamonds - three beautiful courtesans in London. She works hard to maintain that image as it helps her keep her classy life-style. Having the local gossip column pair her with the uptight Duke of Pelham, also known as the Dangerous Duke, isn’t necessary helpful.  And she hasn’t even met him yet!

William is called the Dangerous Duke because he has a way of giving an imperious eye in challenge to others to keep them in their place. His life is one of ducal dignity, regimented routine and set schedule, not to be varied.  He has decided on a biddable, proper wife who will suit his orderly and respectable image. He doesn’t realize that Lady Elizabeth may not be as proper as he believes her to be.

Duke William has agreed to make a rare appearance at a ball with Lady Elizabeth as he intends to announce their engagement. Juliette decides this would be a good time to meet the Duke and slides up to “Prinny” for an introduction. When the Duke gives her a cut she ducks outside to gather her composure in the shadows. There she witnesses a terrible event involving the Duke’s betrothed.

Even though the Duke doesn’t believe Juliette’s tale, she must seek his protection when it appears that a murderer is coming to silence her.  Her real fright draws out the protective instincts of the Duke. He fully plans to resist her beauty as a liaison with a courtesan is totally inappropriate for his Ducal line.  Yet her vitality and sincere feelings turn his world upside down.
Can Juliette convince him to break away from his mold and routine before her heart is broken and before she her reputation is completely ruined and she is left with nowhere to turn for safety?

I didn’t like Juliette at first introduction but her character is soon revealed to be so much more than a frivolous flirt. William is a very staid British Duke but Juliette is able to see beneath his austere shell to the hurt and restricted boy within.  I enjoyed how Ms. Galen revealed the histories and true characters of this pair.  Although the story is focused on the romance, there are threats and danger that keep the story interesting beyond just the romance. The romance itself is rather fun as Juliette and the Duke learn to be a bit adventurous.

This is another fun and warm romance from Ms. Galen. A good choice for those who love historical romance with a bit of danger, attraction between an unlikely couple and a romance with fun sizzle.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Juliette hopes:

   But his hair... that hair would not cooperate with his attempts at order and rigidity.  It had a stubborn streak, an unruly streak.
   She like it. It gave her hope.   Page 91.

Pelham’s routine is disrupted:

   It was nigh eleven. His daily routine was shot to hell. Considering he now had a dead footman, a scared courtesan, and a cryptic note on his hands, he didn’t think his day was going to improve.  Page 124.

The problem:

   Love was not ordered or disciplined. Love was not logical or stately. Love made fools of everyone it touched.  Page 315.

Thank you to Sourcebooks for providing this book to read and review.

TO ENTER THIS GIVEAWAY for the ARC Copy:

ENTRY FORM HERE!

For 3 Extra Bonus Visit the author's website and tell me something you find of interest.

* This contest is only open to residents of US and Canada.
* This contest will close 10 PM (Central) on October 5, 2012.
The winner will be randomly selected from all entries.
WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED on October 6, 2012.
Winners will have 72 hours to respond by email or the winners form linked in the announcement.  

Book Review: The Rogue Prirate's Bride by Shana Galen

This is a good swashbuckling action, historical romance.

The Rogue Pirate's Bride

by Shana Galen

• Format: Kindle Edition
• File Size: 1062 KB
• Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca (February 1, 2012)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services
• Language: English
• ASIN: B006IBFWPI

Genre: Historical Romance
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

Book Description
Publication Date: February 7, 2012

"Galen pulls out all the stops, striking a balance between romance and adventure that will leave readers breathless and highly satisfied."
—RT Book Reviews

REVENGE SHOULD BE SWEET, BUT IT MAY COST HIM EVERYTHING

Out to avenge the death of his mentor, Bastien discovers himself astonishingly out of his depth when confronted with a beautiful, daring young woman who is out for his blood...

FORGIVENESS IS UNTHINKABLE BUT IT MAY BE HER ONLY HOPE...

British Admiral's daughter Raeven Russell believes Bastien responsible for her fiancé's death. But once the fiery beauty crosses swords with Bastien, she's not so sure she really wants him to change his wicked ways...

"Don't miss this historic treat filled with swashbuckling danger, adventure, and romance."
—Fresh Fiction

"Galen strikes the perfect balance between dangerous intrigue and sexy romance."
—Booklist

Review:
I enjoy this type of historical romance with lots of action, strong and warm characters and a sensual romance that has heat but isn’t too graphic.

Raeven Russell is no debutante or high society miss. She is the daughter of a British Admiral who has been raised on board and knows more of ship’s rigging and sword play than she knows of ballrooms and ladies’ fans and flirtation. Raeven has a fiery temper and is set to revenge the death of her beloved fiancé’ a young Captain who died after an encounter with the famed pirate, Captain Cutlass.  Actually “Cutlass”, Bastien, is a privateer with papers from Spain but Raeven thinks of him as a blood thirsty, villainous pirate.

Bastien is a French nobleman who escaped as a child during the French Revolution. He believes that his twin and other family members were killed in the firing of their estate. He alone escaped with a trusted family stableman, Gaston, who remains with him now as his ship’s doctor. Bastien learned his sailing skills under a master who was betrayed and killed by Jourdain. Now Bastien seeks revenge against Jourdain and his ship the La Sirena.

Though Raeven ties to duel with Bastien, he initially tries to fend her off and keep her away from his ship. She repeatedly puts herself in his path and inadvertently becomes kidnapped, along with her father’s purser, Percy, who has been dragged along on her ill fated adventures. As Bastien tries to run down Jourdain he has to worry about the British navel sailing down his own neck to rescue Raeven, even if she is no longer clamoring for rescue.

There are battles on land and sea to give this story lots of action. There is the clashing of personalities between Raeven and Bastian as they face off and inevitably come together through the chemical pull of attraction for danger and excitement that they see in each other. The writing has an easy flow with good descriptions and fun dialogue. I enjoyed all the physical and emotional action that made this a fast paced, up beat read.

Quotes I liked:
Raeven to Bastien as they battle wills:
"If you are trying to seduce me, you are sailing in the wrong direction." Location 1744.

Bastien about Raeven as they surrender together:
It was about them, together, the connection between bodies and—he looked into her eyes—hearts. Location 2644.

Thank you to  Sourcebooks for this book to read and review through NetGalley.

Q&A Interview with Shana Galen, Author of Lord and Lady Spy

Today I welcome Author Shana Galen, Author of Lord and Lady Spy, for Q&A Interview at Reviews by Martha's Bookshelf:

First let me say thank you for this very fun read! I have read some of your backlist books too and I enjoy your writing style.

1.     What makes a romance novel a great love story?

SG: Thank you so much for having me here today, Martha!

A great love story is all about the characters, in my opinion. Rhett and Scarlett, Jamie and Claire, Han and Leia. These characters have personalities that jump off the page (or screen). I have a little note on my desk that says, “It’s the characters, stupid!” Plot is all well and good—and kind of essential—but a great plot populated by flat characters does not make for a good or even a great book.

I guess I can agree as I have read good plots where the characters were flat and didn’t make it work as well as it could have.

2.     Who are some of your favorite authors to read and did any of them inspire your writing?

SG: There are so many authors I love to read. I enjoy historicals by Julie Garwood, Marsha Canham, Julia Quinn, Sophie Jordan, Ashley March, Robyn DeHart, and Sarah MacLean to name a few. I like contemporaries by Susan Elizabeth Phillips, Nora Roberts, Janet Evanovich, and many more. Julie Garwood and Marsha Canham are definitely my biggest inspirations. I love Garwood’s humor, and no one does historical adventure romance like Marsha Canham.

I love Garwood too and several others you mention.  I will have to try Marsha Canhan.

3.     Do you have any hobbies or live interests that influence your writing?

SG: No, but I have a few that take away from it! I have a toddler, and she’s pretty much my full time job outside of writing. I also enjoy reading and being part of a book club, singing with the band at church, and I just started a fitness boot camp. But that’s more torture than hobby.

Ah yes - other real life activities, especially a toddler, can certainly take time away from writing.

4.     How do you find/develop your characters and their personalities?

SG: I’m not a writer who does a lot of agonizing and soul searching at the beginning of a manuscript. I have an idea, and I have two characters I sort of know, and I just start writing. I find it stifles me if I think too much about a story when I begin. There’s time for analysis later. The main thing is to get some words on paper.

As I write, I come to know my characters. Writing their words and their thoughts as part of the story helps me discover who they are, what’s important to them, and what they want and need. At a certain point in the manuscript I feel like the characters are friends and can go back and refine the beginning of the book and layer in more character development. Sometimes I have a good sense of character early on. And sometimes it takes longer. I was 45K words in to my current book before I realized it was the hero’s book and what he needed. Let me tell you, once I figured that out, the writing wasn’t such a struggle. Until then I just kept on going, hoping it would eventually come to me.

Lord and Lady Spy was that kind of book as well. I wrote 50 pages, and then I didn’t know what to do. The book wasn’t working. It wasn’t until a couple of years later that I realized the deep underlying issue keeping these two apart. That’s when I finished the book.

That sounds like a system that would work - defining the character and building from there.

5.     I have to ask: Was this story influenced by a certain movie?

SG: Why, yes! Yes, it was. Mr. and Mrs. Smith was the catalyst for Lord and Lady Spy. I was watching the movie and started thinking, what if the year wasn’t 2005 but 1815? And what if the characters weren’t assassins, but spies? And I went from there. I was so intrigued by the idea of a married couple not knowing the other spouse’s real identity. I had to write it. It took me years, but here it is! And the book really isn’t much like the move.

You are right that Lord and Lady Spy is deferent than the movie. I enjoyed the comradrie and team work of the book much better than the antagonism of the movie.

6.     What is something your heroine would never be caught dead doing/saying?

SG: Oh, Sophia would never say, “I give up.” She would never admit defeat. Personally and professionally, she is determined and relentless. She will complete her mission at almost any cost.

Yes - that determination is clear in Sophia’s personality!

7.     Which scene do you like most and would never cut?

SG: My favorite scene in Lord and Lady Spy is the scene in Adrian’s brother’s garden where he and Sophia compare battle wounds. I knew I would have to have a scene like that, if I wanted to have some fun with the Mr. and Mrs. Smith connection. That scene, when I finally got to write it, was so such a joy to work on! It’s funny, poignant, and sexy.

That is a fun scene and turns even sexier. J

8.     Is there an ancillary character you had the most fun with?

SG: I had a lot of fun with Blue, who is another agent both Adrian and Sophia have worked with in the Barbican group. I have a whole back story for him in my head. He’s led a very interesting life! I’d love to write another book and feature him more prominently. He’s not a hero, but he’s a fun secondary character.

Blue was an intriguing secondary character and I would like to read more about him. This book seemed like it ended at a good spot for a sequel and I hope there will be one.

9.     Do you have any strange habits when you write?

SG: Not really. As I said, I have a toddler, so I can’t afford to make sure I have the right drink or candle or music. I just have to write when I can. In fact, I’m writing this at 6:15 a.m. because this is when I have time today! I will say that far too often I’ll get stuck on a page and click over to the internet to check Facebook or Twitter. That’s a really bad habit.

We can spend way too much time on the social networks if we aren’t careful but for an author today it is a necessary promotional tool.

10.  What do you hope your readers get out of your books?

SG: I want people to enjoy them. Sometimes I get letters from people who have read my books when they’re in the hospital with a sick relative or when their husband is overseas with the military, and they say they laughed or forgot their troubles for a little while. That’s what I hope readers take away from my books—laughter, adventure, and romance.

Wonderful objectives and you succeed at them.

11.  If you could have readers finish a sentence what would it be.

SG: I know why I read historical romance. I love the escape and the past seems like such a glamorous time—the ball gowns, the carriages, the dances and dinner parties. I always wonder what readers enjoy the most. So I would ask readers to finish this sentence: My favorite thing about historical romance is*******

Great question!

Thank you for sharing with me and my blog readers.

Martha

LORD AND LADY SPY BY SHANA GALEN – IN STORES SEPTEMBER 2011

No man can outsmart him...

Lord Adrian Smythe may appear a perfectly boring gentleman, but he leads a thrilling life as one of England’s most preeminent spies, an identity so clandestine even his wife is unaware of it. But he isn’t the only one with secrets...

She’s been outsmarting him for years...

Now that the Napoleonic wars have come to an end, daring secret agent Lady Sophia Smythe can hardly bear the thought of returning home to her tedious husband. Until she discovers in the dark of night that he’s not who she thinks he is after all...

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Shana Galen is the author of numerous fast-paced adventurous Regency historical romances, including the Rita-nominated Blackthorne’s Bride. Her books have been sold worldwide, including Japan, Brazil, Russia, Spain, Turkey, and the Netherlands, and have been featured in the Rhapsody and Doubleday Book Clubs. A former English teacher in Houston’s inner city, Shana now writes full time. She’s a wife, a mother, and an expert multi-tasker. She loves to hear from readers: visit her website at www.shanagalen.com or see what she’s up to daily on Facebook and Twitter.

Book Review and ARC Giveaway: Lord and Lady Spy by Shalen Galen

This is a fun and entertaining read.

Lord and Lady Spy

By Shana Galen

• Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca (September 1, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1402259077
• ISBN-13: 978-1402259074

Genre:  Historical Romance
My Rating:  4.5 of 5.0

Product Description:
No man can outsmart him...
Lord Adrian Smythe may appear a perfectly boring gentleman, but he leads a thrilling life as one of England's most preeminent spies, an identity so clandestine even his wife is unaware of it. But he isn't the only one with secrets...
She's been outsmarting him for years...
Now that the Napoleonic wars have come to an end, daring secret agent Lady Sophia Smythe can hardly bear the thought of returning home to her tedious husband. Until she discovers in the dark of night that he's not who she thinks he is after all...

Review:  This has likeable characters with a good plot.

Lady Sophia is an unremarkable, rather mousey, lady of the ton. But that is just a disguise so no one will suspect that she is an intrepid, intelligent and intuitive spy for the Crown.  She hasn’t had a lot of time for home and husband since she has been busy on her missions. Besides she has had her own heartaches at home.

Lord Adrian appears to be the normal Englishman spending time at his gentleman’s club and other manly pursuits. The truth though is that he has been off on his own missions spying for England. He married Sophia thinking that she would be an easy woman to leave at home. He thinks she is busy with various community causes.   Although they have passion, Sophia closed him out of her room and personal life.

Imagine their surprise as they meet each other when called to a clandestine meeting with their superior.  Sophia has had fantasies of meeting the incredible Agent Wolf who is now revealed to be her own husband.  Adrian knows that Agent Saint is one of the top spies of the Barbican group and he never suspected it might be his own wife. 

Sophia and Adrian have been told separately that their services are no longer needed since the war with France is over. They each wonder what they will do with their lives. They are asked to investigate the recent murder of the prime minister’s brother.  Whoever discovers the murderer first can have the one open position back with the elite spy group.

Even though they are competing for the same position, Sophia and Adrian find that their skills compliment each other. Not to mention the extreme passion that is renewed, especially when Sophia sheds her meek disguise and begins to reveal the true beauty she is. But can they trust each other to really share the clues? More importantly, can they trust each other to share their hearts?

This book is full of fun dialogue and plenty of action.  I loved how the two spies discover each other’s skills and reveal their fears and needs. The sexual encounters are steamy but nicely full of warmth and love.  Although this story has some similarities to the movie of a similar plot, the presentation is decidedly different. This book is presented with a view to developing team work and there is much more warmth between Sophia and Adrian. The book ending leaves the story open for a sequel and I would love to read more.  

###

Thank you to Sourcebooks for providing this book for reading and review and for providing two copies for Giveaway!

TO ENTER THIS GIVEAWAY:

1. Visit the Author's website and tell me something you found interesting.This is required for entry.

2. For two extra entries, comment on the Author Interview.

3. For another two entries, complete the Author's sentence at Interview Q11.

4.  For an extra entry, become a follower or tell me if you are already a follower.

5. For two entries, blog, facebook, tweet (any of those networks!) about this giveaway and tell me where you did.

It isn't necessary to use separate entries unless you want them in different chronological order.
(Eight total entries possible.)

THERE WILL BE TWO WINNERS!

* This contest is only open to residents of US and Canada.

* No P.O. Boxes Please - for shipping reasons.

* Limit one win per household.

* This contest will close 10 PM (Central) on September 30 , 2011.
The winners will be randomly selected from all entries.
WINNERS WILL BE ANNOUNCED on October 1- 3 and will have 72 hours to respond by email or the winner's form linked in the announcement.

Book Review and ARC Giveaway of The Making of a Gentleman by Shana Galen

I was pulled right into the mystery of this dark hero.

Making of a Gentleman by Shana Galen.

• Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca; Original edition (October 1, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1402238665
• ISBN-13: 978-1402238666

    Genre:  Historical Romance
    My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

Stripped of his humanity...
Armand, Comte de Valère, has spent twelve long years forgotten in a French prison. Now he's barely a man, until his beautiful tutor vows to help him come alive again...
Prey to a terrible fate...
Felicity Bennett finds safety only in Armand's embrace, but the evil man pursuing her has joined forces with Armand's enemies...
They cling to each other as a lifeline, until a long-buried secret emerges, threatening to annihilate their growing passion... 

Review: I was immediately engaged by the book and enjoyed the different hero and fairly unique plot.

The book opens introducing an intelligent and inquisitive 11 year old French boy, Armand. Then the peasants come to burn his home and he loses his parents and his elder and twin brothers as he tries to escape. Twelve years later he has been rescued from prison by his elder brother, Julien (the hero from book one in the series). But now Armand is a dark, wild creature who doesn’t speak and can’t be touched without pain. His sister-in-law decides to hire a tutor to help teach him to speak again and to teach him manners so he can begin to reenter society.

Felicity Bennett is trying to escape from the clutches of her wastrel “fiancé.” She didn’t agree to the betrothal which was made by Charles deceiving her dying father. Now Charles is using the marriage contract to blackmail Felicity into paying him money if she wants him to cancel the Agreement. She takes a position as a governess with the noble Valere family. She is in for a surprise when she discovers that her position is not as governess to a young boy but tutor to a young, handsome and tortured man.

I liked the dark mystery that is pervasive in Armand’s history and current situation. Especially when creepy men start threatening the household. Armand’s trauma all seemed feasible but I didn’t understand how he could be so strong and physically healthy only months after coming out of a prison cell where he had only received meager rations. Also his progress seems very rapid from a stunted and blocked prison mind to a lusty 23 year old. Even so, I really liked his primal character traits and his cave man "mine" attitude towards Felicity.

I also liked how Felicity’s music draws Armand from his shell. You sense the depth of his passion that is locked inside. The romance is love at first sight, sweet and strong between these two likable characters. The story is engaging with several veins of conflict and the pace is quick and easy. A really nice read.

Thank you to Sourcebooks for the book to read and review.

TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY:
1. Visit the author's website and tell me something you learned there. One Entry.
Please leave your e-mail!

2. For an extra entry, become a follower or tell me if you are already a follower.

3. For two extra entries, blog, facebook, tweet (any of those networks!) about this giveaway and tell me where you did.

(Four total entries possible.)
It isn't necessary to use separate entries unless you want them in different chronological order.

* This contest is open US and Canada only.
* No P.O. Boxes Please - for shipping reasons.
* This contest will close 10:00 PM (Central) on November 10, 2010. The winner will be randomly selected from all entries.