IN THE SPOTLIGHT: AN INTERVIEW WITH JANE LARK

I’m delighted to welcome Bestselling British author JANE LARK to Rakes and Rascals today for an exclusive interview.

Thank you for inviting me over Carol, it’s lovely to be here. I rarely get time to drop into blogs these days, so it’s really nice to be able to take part.

~~~~~~~

R&R:
Could you tell us where you were born and what it was like growing up there?

Jane:
Well, I was actually born in Ilkeston near Nottingham, but I was only there for six months, so I have no memory of Ilkeston at all. 😀 Then we moved to Bridgewater, where I spent two and half years. The only memory I have in Bridgewater was being on a swing in the garden singing Congratulations by Cliff Richard. Then we moved to a village in Wiltshire when my dad came to work in Swindon. We lived there till I was eight, then moved to a small market town in the area, Faringdon, but I kept the same friends and we lived on the edge of the town, and my life was that of a country girl. I spent hours building dens with friends and walking through the fields seeking out dangerous adventures and doing lots of things we weren’t allowed to. Both my parents worked so I was left to my own devices. We used to thumb lifts out to swim in the Thames weir pool at Buscot Park and cycle up to Uffington White Horse hill or Badbury clump (another more local hill fort). That was fun and my mum never knew, she’d have gone mad. Note the tower in The Scandalous Love of a Duke is actually based on the tall folly on the hill outside Faringdon, where I grew up. Also his swimming scene at the beginning brought back memories of the group of friends I used to go swimming with. There was a group of about 14 of us all together, we used to go out and do stuff together all the time.

Thames weir pool at Buscot park where I used to swim

The Uffington White Horse

The tall folly on the hill outside Faringdon

R&R:
How would you describe yourself – temperamental or easy-going?

Jane:
Well two years ago I would have said 100% easy-going but having entirely overworked myself for a couple of years writing and doing a very complicated and overloaded full-time day job at the same time, I have a much shorter fuse, and very little patience, hence why I don’t spend much time on blogs or social media these days – I’m trying to reclaim easy-going. : D Oh for that day…

R&R:
When it comes to food do you like sweet or savoury or both?

Jane:
Savoury more, definitely. I like sweet stuff, but given a plate with a freshly baked cheese scone next to a plate with a sultana scone with jam and cream, I’d go cheese scone every time.

R&R:
What is your most treasured possession?

Jane:
Mmmm, I don’t get focused on possessions much, my daughter always laughs at my lack of attachment to stuff when I say “Oh just get rid of it and it heads off to a charity shop without any sentimental goodbye”. But I guess the things I’d get upset about if they were broken – A candlestick holder and china mouse that came from a pottery in Mousehole in Cornwall. My mum and dad bought the candlestick holder for my nan, and the mouse for me, when they came back to our holiday cottage, after they’d gone out alone for an evening meal. When my nan passed away the candlestick was all I wanted from her house, it has been in her hallway ever since. It’s the memory it represents rather than the item itself that isn’t really precious. Likewise, I have some of my grandma’s china, which I serve food on, and I think about her every time I do: I’m sad if any of that is broken. But the possessions themselves I don’t really treasure, it is just the memories they stir.

R&R:
If you were able to afford a second home anywhere in the world where would you choose and why?

Jane:
Mmmm… again… I have thought at times – if I ever made money from books – that if I had money would I buy a second (holiday) home? I’ve come to the conclusion I wouldn’t. Because I wouldn’t want to always go back to the same place. I ADORE Italy, I’d love to spend a couple of weeks staying in every region. There’s loads I haven’t seen in France; then there’s Portugal and Greece and Crete, Peru and what about China, and oh, I’d love to go to Norway, and Sweden, and Switzerland, and Hungary. I wouldn’t mind going back to Egypt either, I’d love to visit Alexandria some day. See there’s so many places to go to, why would I want a second home in one place…? Even in the UK, my husband and I love Cumbria and did look at moving there years ago, so I might say there, but having spent my annual holiday at book fairs in the US for the last four years we now have a list of places we are desperate to get back to for holidays in the UK too. There’s not only the Lake District but Northumbria, I love Bamburgh with the Castle overlooking the beach, and Yorkshire, I love Yorkshire, which is why Robert Marlow’s home was set there in The Illicit Love of a Courtesan, I can keep going back there through the Marlow series. We have never toured Scotland yet, that’s on the list, and there are so many counties we haven’t stayed in yet to be discovered. Nope, definitely couldn’t have a second home, I’d spend all the money on a holiday every six weeks instead. 😀 So I can see loads of different places.

Visiting Rome

Visiting Venice

R&R:
Finally, what has been your most embarrassing moment?

Jane:
Lots of people ask this question and I never know how to answer because I really don’t have a defining moment of embarrassment that stands out in my life. I must either be boring – or not easily embarrassed  Maybe the second… e.g. I do fall over a lot with my illness, I have really bad balance, and when I fall over, because my joints don’t move quickly, I generally land on my head, shoulder or arm before my hands get to the floor to protect me. Recently it was my head that hit first, on a metal drain, needless to say I had a really lovely black-eye. Now some people might be upset about their appearance. I looked at myself in the mirror and thought – sod it, you can carry this off. I just ignored the stares, and my husband laughed when they looked at him next, as if to say – Did he do that?  It got me sympathy in my local coffee shop though.

With my Husband in Brighton sporting the last of my black eye

~~~~~~~

Thank you for taking time out to be here today and sharing these interesting facts about yourself, Jane

Your more than welcome, Carol. Thank you again for inviting me over.

If you would like to find out more about Jane and her books, here are the links:

Website
Goodreads
Facebook
Twitter

Read Full Post »

NEW BOOKS ADDED TO MY BOOKSHELVES

I have been waiting patiently for the 3^rd book in Lauren Smith’s League of Rogues series so I jumped at the chance to review Cedric’s story. This book will be published on 19th January 2016.

Source: Complimentary copy received from the author in return for an honest review

(League of Rogues, #3)

Genre: Historical Romance (Regency)

Cover Blurb:

He doesn’t need his eyes to uncover her true beauty.

Cedric, Viscount Sheridan, is cursed. Once the ton’s golden boy, the loss of his sight has left him a reclusive shell of man. His days of womanizing, horse racing and pistol shooting lost forever.

Offered the chance to recapture a small part of his old life, he can’t refuse—even if it means accepting the shocking proposal of the infamous ice maiden, Anne Chessley.

Still reeling from her father’s death, Anne’s deepest wish is to avoid the hordes of fortune hunters who will soon be beating down her door. Proposing marriage to Cedric is an act of desperation, his unexpected acceptance a strange and wonderful dream.

His only stipulation: she must respond passionately and wantonly in his bed. Her agreement barely crosses her lips before he begins a sensual assault on the icy walls bitter secrets have built around her heart.

Yet even as they catch a glimpse of true happiness, betrayal is poised to sweep them away on opposing tides of danger.

Warning: Contains an outwardly aloof heroine with a secretly tender heart, a once-notorious rake who isn’t quite as rusty at seduction as he feared, and a band of rogues who join together to make sure happily-ever-afters do come true.

♥♥♥♥♥♥

This sounds such a delightful collection of stories that I couldn’t resist the review request. It includes stories by three of my favourite authors which was an extra incentive. This book will be published on 10th November 2015.

Source: Complimentary copy received from the authors in return for an honest review

Genre: Historical Romance (Regency)

Cover Blurb:

The tiny village of Hemshawe is the sort of place where nothing ever happens…until a handsome ex-soldier and his matchmaking sister let the imposing manor house at the edge of town. The friendly Londoners shake up the staid people of Hemshawe, and villagers see each other in a new and oh-so-appealing light.

Suddenly long-sparring enemies become lovers, a town festival heralds a new start for a fallen woman and a dandy, and a man who has given up on love gets a second chance with the woman he never forgot. And the matchmaker herself? She won’t rest until she finds her own happily-ever-after…

A Madness in Spring by Kate Noble

Adam Sturridge has made Belinda Leonard’s blood boil since childhood, and the feeling is mutual. But when a would-be matchmaker arrives in the village of Hemshawe, she’d determined to erase the thin line between love and hate. Now, Belinda and Adam are faced with falling for someone they’ve always considered an enemy — can they overcome old prejudices and discover how to rub each other the right way?

The Summer of Wine and Scandal by Shana Galen

When viscount’s son and dandy Peregrine Lochley is temporarily exiled from London to the country for his misdeeds, the last thing he expects is to encounter an intriguing woman. But Caroline Martin has a secret to hide, and it just might be too scandalous for even this debauched rogue.

Those Autumn Nights by Theresa Romain 

Ten years ago, wealthy Eliza Greenleaf broke lowly soldier Bertram Gage’s heart—but the last decade brought changes in fortune to them both. Now that he’s made his mark on the world, a twist of fate brings the Greenleaf family under his power. Will this war-hardened officer triumph over his former lover…or will Bertie and Eliza give love a second chance?

The Season for Loving by Vanessa Kelly

Miss Georgie Gage, matchmaker extraordinaire, is resigned to life as a spinster—almost. When notoriously aloof bachelor Fergus Haddon arrives from Scotland to spend Christmas with the Gage family, Georgie thinks she’s finally found her own perfect match—if, that is, she can get the handsome Highlander to agree!

♥♥♥♥♥♥

I LOVE Elizabeth Hoyt’s Maiden Lane series and so I was delighted to receive an ARC of the latest book which will be published on November 24^th.

Source: Received from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review

(Maiden Lane, #9)

Genre: Historical Romance (Georgian)

Cover Blurb:

SHE’S TAKING CHARGE

Prim, proper, and thrifty, Eve Dinwoody is all business when it comes to protecting her brother’s investment. But when she agrees to control the purse strings of London’s premier pleasure garden, Harte’s Folly, she finds herself butting heads with an infuriating scoundrel who can’t be controlled.

HE’S RUNNING THE SHOW

Bawdy and bold, Asa Makepeace doesn’t have time for a penny-pinching prude like Eve. As the garden’s larger-than-life owner, he’s already dealing with self-centered sopranos and temperamental tenors. He’s not about to let an aristocratic woman boss him around . . . no matter how enticing she is.

BUT LOVE CONQUERS ALL

In spite of her lack of theatrical experience—and her fiery clashes with Asa—Eve is determined to turn Harte’s Folly into a smashing success. But the harder she tries to manage the stubborn rake, the harder it is to ignore his seductive charm and raw magnetism. There’s no denying the smoldering fire between them—and trying to put it out would be the greatest folly of all.

♥♥♥♥♥♥

I’m a huge fan of Victoria Vane’s Historical Romances and was delighted to receive a copy of her latest novella.

Source: Received from the author in return for an honest review

(A De Wolfe Pack Kindle Worlds novella)

Genre: Historical Romance (Viking – 907 AD)

Cover Blurb:

She vowed to defy him to her dying breath… but passion blurs the line between love and hate…

The bluest blood and the hardest heart… at least when it comes to marriage… The daughter of a duke and granddaughter of a king, Adele of Vannes was bartered at birth in a marriage treaty for the sole purpose of producing a royal heir. When her philandering husband is slain by Norse marauders, Adele’s only desire is to retire to the peace and solitude of a cloister—until coerced to wed a savage Norseman. Adele knows that her beloved Brittany needs a strong hand to survive, but how can she ever reconcile her bitterness and hatred with the desire she feels for her avowed enemy?

She’s the jewel he seeks for his Breton crown…A Barbarian bent on building a dynasty, Valdrik Vargr, ‘the Norse Wolf,’ is renowned for both his bravery in battle and shrewdness in statecraft. Setting his sights on claiming the kingdom of Brittany, he knows that siring sons from royal blood would solidify his hold, but the woman he would claim as his queen refuses to have him. Will he fuel her hatred by taking her to his bed, or will the man who strikes terror in the hearts of men be reduced to wooing his bride?

♥♥♥♥♥♥

Anna Campbell is high on my list of all-time favourite authors and I was lucky enough to receive a copy of her Christmas novella.

Source: Received from the author in return for an honest review

Genre: Historical Romance (Regency)

Cover Blurb:

There’s a pirate in the manor house!

What is vicar’s daughter Bess Farrar to do when the dashing new earl, the man gossip paints as a ruthless pirate, kisses her the day they meet? Why, kiss him right back, of course! Now Lord Channing vows to claim the lovely firebrand, despite interfering villagers, a snowstorm, scandal, and a rascally donkey. The gallant naval captain’s first landlocked Christmas promises mayhem – and a lifetime of breathtaking passion

Pursued by the pirate…

Bess Farrar might be an innocent village miss, but she knows enough about the world to doubt Lord Channing’s motives when he kisses her the very day they meet. After all, local gossip insists that before this dashing rake became an earl, he sailed the Seven Seas as a ruthless pirate.

Bewitched by the vicar’s daughter…

Until he unexpectedly inherits a title, staunchly honorable Scotsman Rory Beaton has devoted his adventurous life to the Royal Navy. But he sets his course for tempestuous new waters when he meets lovely, sparkling Bess Farrar. Now this daring mariner will do whatever it takes to convince the spirited lassie to launch herself into his arms and set sail into the sunset.

A Christmas marked by mayhem.

Wooing his vivacious lady, the new Earl of Channing finds himself embroiled with matchmaking villagers, an eccentric vicar, mistaken identities, a snowstorm, scandal, and a rascally donkey. Life at sea was never this exciting. The gallant naval captain’s first landlocked Christmas promises hijinks, danger, and passion – and a breathtaking chance to win the love of a lifetime.

♥♥♥♥♥♥

Christina McKnight is a new author whose books I discovered this year.

Source: Purchased from Amazon Kindle

(A De Wolfe Pack Kindle Worlds novella)

Genre: Historical Romance (Regency)

Cover Blurb:

Lady Aloria has experienced firsthand what balls, betrothals, and the ensuing betrayals can do to a woman. To heal her heart, Aloria’s aim is to simply survive her final grand ball before her twenty-fourth birthday, and hope that her parents finally come to terms with her spinsterhood and allow her to retire to the country in peace.

Unfortunately, Marcus Adair, the Duke of Wolfeton, has other plans for her future. In town to secure a bride, he has set his sights on Aloria, and no other woman will do. But after a chance meeting in a darkened hallway, Marcus realizes he not only needs Aloria in his life; he desires her above all others.

Can Lady Aloria forget her scandalous past to build a future with the Duke of Wolfeton?

♥♥♥♥♥♥

This is a series I have been following by British author, Jane Lark.

Source: Purchased from Amazon Kindle

(Marlowe Intrigues)

Genre: Historical Romance (Regency)

Cover Blurb:

How do you fight a calling that comes from your soul?

Lillian is in love with her charming protector. He brings her gifts and gives himself to her at night, but she knows nothing of his days; all she knows is that with Peter visiting her she is happier than she has ever been. The way he touches her and treats her is so different from other men.

Emily is excited, hopeful and expectant, waiting on the moment that everything seems to be leading towards. Lord Peter Brooke has courted her for a year; she is awaiting his proposal, certain it will come very soon, and everything he does indicates that it will.

Peter is torn; his soul is seeking one thing, but his mind wants another, and what about his heart? Where does his heart lie?

♥♥♥♥♥♥

I enjoy Shana Galen’s books and this one was free (for a limited period only).

Source: Free from Amazon Kindle

(Covent Garden Cubs, #1)

Genre: Historical Romance (Regency)

Cover Blurb:

His heart may be the last thing she ever steals…

Marlowe is a pickpocket, a housebreaker-and a better actress than any professional on the stage. She runs with the Covent Garden Cubs, a gang of thieves living in the slums of London’s Seven Dials. It’s a fierce life, and Marlowe has a hard outer shell. But when she’s alone, she allows herself to think of a time before-a dimly remembered life when she was called Elizabeth.

Maxwell, Lord Dane, is intrigued when his brother, a hired investigator, ropes him into his investigation of the fiercely beautiful hellion. He teaches her to navigate the social morass of the ton, but Marlowe will not escape so easily. Instead, Dane is drawn into her dangerous world, where the student becomes the teacher and love is the greatest risk of all.

♥♥♥♥♥♥

I thought this anthology, including some of my favourite authors, would be a lovely addition to my Christmas reading.

Source: Purchased from Amazon Kindle

Genre: Historical Romance (Regency)

Cover Blurb:

What do you get when you have four despairing mamas with four unwed daughters? A very matchmaker Christmas, of course! This delightful holiday anthology features 4 novellas written by 4 authors, all revolving around the same fun plot involving a Regency holiday house party and hijinks aplenty!

Her Christmas Rogue by Christi Caldwell

Lady Winifred Grisham has been in love with her brother’s best friend Lord Trent Ballantine more years than she can remember. The only problem is, Trent is a notorious rogue who doesn’t dally with the respectable. Except, Winnie doesn’t want a dalliance–she wants his heart.

To Make a Perfect Scandal by Danelle Harmon

Tristan St. Aubyn, the Earl of Weybourne, is a driven man. Haunted by the bad decisions he made in his youth, his life is all about work … working to restore his fortunes, working to rebuild the herd of unique racehorses that were his late father’s legacy, working to forget just how lonely he really is. Lord Weybourne isn’t looking for a wife … but when a saucy young lady dressed as a lad finds her way into his stable and charms the most irascible colt in the barn, Tristan can’t help but be intrigued …

To Win a Quiet Heart by Renee Bernard

Suffering from crippling shyness, Nicodemus Chesterfield, the Earl of Athmore, would rather battle an army of demons than put one toe inside the treacherous social waters of a holiday house party. But sometimes, a man just has to face his fears—and when Jane Pemberly is the surprisingly beautiful and fantastically charming prize at the opposite end of the gauntlet—it seems there is nothing a man won’t do to sidestep scandals and win her love.

To Tempt a Saint by Valerie Bowman

What happens when a saint is tempted by a sinner? Prudence Carmichael is the epitome of well, prudence. But when a rumored pirate—with whom she just might have had a secret scandalous interlude years ago, that she’s been beating herself up about ever since—appears at Lady Weston’s Christmastide house party and charms the innocent young lady again, can Prudence resist her first and greatest temptation?

♥♥♥♥♥♥

Read Full Post »

REVIEW: CAPTURING THE EARL’S LOVE BY JANE LARK

(Marlow Intrigues, #1.5)

Genre: Historical Romance (Regency)

Cover Blurb:

From Kindle bestselling Historical romance author, Jane Lark, comes a brand new FREE novella to accompany her breathtaking Marlow Intrigues series.

This novella tells the story of secondary characters from The Illicit Love of a Courtesan…

Rupert Stanforth, Earl of Morton, is exasperated by his sister’s choice of friend. Meredith Divine clings, using Rowena’s plain appearance as a foil for her auburn curls and fuller figure. He would break the friendship, but the more he complains, the more time the girls spend together. Ceasing his disagreement, he hopes the friendship will die, believing Meredith will take a wrong step soon…

Meredith clings to her only friend, Lady Rowena Stanforth, despite the disgusted looks thrown by Rowena’s proud, judgmental brother. Lord Morton cannot abide Meredith because of her low standing, but Meredith’s heart favours him . . . then in his single act of kindness, Meredith grasps an opportunity she cannot resist…

♥♥♥♥♥

Last year I read and loved Jane Lark’s The Illicit Love of a Courtesan but this novella just didn’t work for me. It lacked strong character development and a believable romance.

My Thoughts

I believe the story would have benefited from being a full-length novel. Rupert and Meredith had the potential to be such interesting and complex characters but, within the confines of this novella, they lacked the necessary in-depth  characterisation  and seemed very one-dimensional. So I found it difficult to relate to them and understand their thoughts and actions.

Rupert came across as a stuffy, pompous snob and I disliked how he judged Meredith to be a scheming opportunist simply because her father was in trade.

He wished nothing to do with the little schemer. Her father was in some sort of trade. Rupert had not even wished Rowena to befriend Miss Divine , let alone become so thick with her.

Even his final change of heart seemed to be based more on the fact that Meredith was “a delicious, sultry hoyden” in bed on their wedding night (hard to believe when she is a virgin!) rather than his truly falling in love with her.

Why did it have to be him her heart favoured?

I asked myself that same question. I couldn’t understand what attracted Meredith to a man whose every look conveyed dislike, disgust and suspicion. It made her seem weak. I did have some sympathy for her because of her unhappy childhood and lack of fatherly love. She was only tolerated by the ton because several of them were in business with her father and I understood why her friendship with Rupert’s sister, Rowena, was so important to her.

I never felt any real chemistry  or deep emotional connection between Rupert and Meredith. Their falling in love wasn’t very believable, especially as there was no gradual build up…it seemed to happen too suddenly.

Thank goodness for Rupert’s cousin, Edward (hero of The Illicit Love of a Courtesan), who opened Rupert’s eyes to the fact that not everything can be viewed in simple black or white and there is a vast spectrum in between.

This one disappointment certainly isn’t going to deter  me from reading the other books in this series because I know that Jane Lark can write romances that are passionate, intense and engrossing.

REVIEW RATING: 3/5 STARS

SENSUALITY RATING: WARM

Read February 2015

Marlow Intrigues series (Click on cover for more details):

– 23 July 2015

Read Full Post »

NEW BOOKS ADDED TO MY BOOKSHELVES

Last year I read and loved new-to-me author Georgie Lee’s THE COURTESAN’S BOOK OF SECRETS (SEE MY 5* REVIEW HERE) and so I jumped at the chance of reading this one.

Source: Complimentary copy received from the author in return for an honest review.

Genre: Historical Romance (Regency)

Cover Blurb:

“What am I to him? A contract? A convenient solution?”

Laura Townsend’s plan to reclaim her family’s merchandise backfires when she creeps into moneylender Philip Rathbone’s house and threatens him with a pistol, only to find him reclining naked in his bath!

The last thing she expects is to see this guarded widower on her doorstep a couple of days later armed with a very surprising proposal. A marriage of convenience may be Laura’s chance to reclaim her future, but she won’t settle for anything less than true passion. Can she hope to find it in Philip’s arms?

♥♥♥♥♥♥

Jane Lark is another author whose books I discovered last year when I read the first book in this series, THE ILLICIT LOVE OF A COURTESAN (SEE MY 5* REVIEW HERE). I am way behind with reading this series and really need to catch up.

Source: Purchased from Amazon Kindle

(Marlow Intrigues, #4)

Genre: Historical Romance (Regency)

Cover Blurb:

The next book in Jane Lark’s Kindle best-selling Regency romance series!

“The game is on with Pembroke’s little sister…” Lord Andrew Framlington watched Miss Mary Marlow. The woman had been warned to keep away from him, but she had a little contrary in her soul. She had not been deterred. Perhaps she had a taste for bad hidden beneath her cold denials, or a liking for naughtiness in her soul – either of which appealed.

“Stop pretending you do not like me…” Drew had urged Mary, “Stop running…” Her body urged her to as much as he did. Something pulled her towards him. Something unknown and all consuming… and yet how could she disobey her father and her brother…

♥♥♥♥♥♥

Although I don’t read many Contemporary Romances, I love Courtney Milan’s writing and decided to read this series.

Source: Purchased from Amazon Kindle

(Cyclone, #1)

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Cover Blurb:

Tina Chen just wants a degree and a job, so her parents never have to worry about making rent again. She has no time for Blake Reynolds, the sexy billionaire who stands to inherit Cyclone Technology. But when he makes an off-hand comment about what it means to be poor, she loses her cool and tells him he couldn’t last a month living her life.

To her shock, Blake offers her a trade: She’ll get his income, his house, his car. In exchange, he’ll work her hours and send money home to her family. No expectations; no future obligations.

But before long, they’re trading not just lives, but secrets, kisses, and heated nights together. No expectations might break Tina’s heart…but Blake’s secrets could ruin her life.

♥♥♥♥♥♥

Read Full Post »

RELEASE DAY: THE DESPERATE LOVE OF A LORD BY JANE LARK

(Marlow Intrigues, #2.5)

Genre: Historical Romance (Regency)

Cover Blurb

From Kindle bestselling Historical romance author, Jane Lark, comes a brand new FREE novella to accompany her breathtakingly beautiful Regency series.

Fiercely independent, Lady Violet Rimes, the merry widow, has played the town, dangling men from leashes like a pack of adoring hounds, always the one in control. She has never let a man toy with her.

An idle, attractive rake, Lord Geoffrey Sparks has had little to do other than enjoy life. He has let Violet play her games for months without complaint, because he likes her company—and admittedly her bed. But in recent months he’s found himself gravitating towards her more and more. Things have changed between them. He likes her for who she is and not simply the notorious widow. He thought his feelings were returned, but . . . Why then has she suddenly vanished from town without a word?

A couple of months ago, she’d complained about his friend being a heartbreaker, but now Violet is breaking his heart…

 

FREE NOVELLA

Amazon.com

Amazon.co.uk

Read Full Post »

Fan2Author Interview with Jane Lark!

Wonderful interview with talented author, Jane Lark.

bookworm2bookworm's Blog

b2bMelanie: I’m so happy to welcome this author! Just love her books! Without further adieu, here she is! Jane Lark! Jane, before I start with the questions, how about you tell us a bit about yourself and your writing career?

Jane Lark: Well so far my writing ‘career’ has been very brief… my first book was published in May 2013, and then republished by Harper Collins in October 2015 as The Illicit Love of a Courtesan, but I have been writing since 2006 so since October 2015 Harper Collins have been pouring out my backlog, and I now have seven books released and three more are due out in the autumn. But I have always loved writing and wanted to write novels for as long as I can remember.

b2b: Can you tell us more about ‘The Lost Love of a Soldier’ and why you chose to write this prequel…

View original post 1,618 more words

Read Full Post »

RELEASE DAY: THE LOST LOVE OF A SOLDIER BY JANE LARK

This is the prequel to THE ILLICIT LOVE OF A COURTESAN (Marlow Intrigues, #1) and should be read first.

(Marlow Intrigues, #4)

Genre: Historical Romance (Regency)

Cover Blurb

Young, naïve and innocent, Lady Ellen Pembroke falls for a young army officer. Paul has such an easy enchanting smile and his blue eyes glow, vibrancy and warmth emanating from him. She is in love.

Captain Paul Harding, the sixth son of an earl, finds his attention captured by the beautiful young daughter of the Duke of Pembroke at a house party in the summer. Finding Ellen is like finding treasure on a battle torn field. His sanity clings to her; something beautiful to remind him that all in the world is not ugly. She’s someone to fight for. Someone to survive for, when he is called to arms in the battle of Waterloo…

Buy Links:

Amazon.com

Amazon.co.uk

Read Full Post »

COVER REVEAL: THE LOST LOVE OF A SOLDIER BY JANE LARK

(Marlow Intrigues, #4)

Genre: Historical Romance (Regency)

Cover Blurb

Young, naïve and innocent, Lady Ellen Pembroke falls for a young army officer. Paul has such an easy enchanting smile and his blue eyes glow, vibrancy and warmth emanating from him. She is in love.

Captain Paul Harding, the sixth son of an earl, finds his attention captured by the beautiful young daughter of the Duke of Pembroke at a house party in the summer. Finding Ellen is like finding treasure on a battle torn field. His sanity clings to her; something beautiful to remind him that all in the world is not ugly. She’s someone to fight for. Someone to survive for, when he is called to arms in the battle of Waterloo…

♥♥♥♥♥♥

Information from Jane Lark’s Website:

This is an unusual story for me. I chose to write the prequel to The Illicit Love of a Courtesan – The Lost Love of a Soldier – because the readers who love the series asked for a prequel. But when I decided to write this, I realized I had to follow elements of a real story.

I’d made the decision when I wrote The Illicit Love of a Courtesan to use the title of a real regiment who fought in the battle of Waterloo. I chose the 52^nd(Oxfordshire) Regiment of Foot. So when I began this story my first task was to research the 52^nd, to find out how they came to be there, and what part they played in the battle.

The 52^nd returned from The Peninsular War to Britain, in the summer of 1814, two hundred years ago to the year of this novel, and therefore this became the window of opportunity for my fictional characters, Paul and Ellen, to meet.

I’ve dedicated this story to all those who serve in the military, and the families who support them.

 

Read Full Post »

NEW BOOKS ADDED TO MY BOOKSHELVES

CARNALLY EVER AFTER BY JACKIE BARBOSA

Source: Purchased from Amazon Kindle

(Ever After Novellas, #1)

Genre: Erotic Historical Romance (Regency)

Cover Blurb

This ebook includes CARNALLY EVER AFTER, a short story (15,000 words/50 pages), EPIPHANY, a bonus epilogue (3,400 words/11 pages) and an excerpt from Jackie’s upcoming release, THE LESSON PLAN (6400 words/21 pages).

DESCRIPTION

Jilted at the altar, Lady Louisa Bennett seeks the solace of a quiet, empty chapel and instead finds Alistair de Roche, her fiancé’s best man and the subject of her fantasies from the moment she met him. Alistair knows bedding his best friend’s betrothed is well beyond the pale, but Louisa has haunted his dreams for months. Soon, Louisa and Alistair are caught up in a consuming love affair that threatens their families’ plans and their own hearts. Can they find a way to live happily, and carnally, ever after?

CARNALLY EVER AFTER was previously released under the same title by Cobblestone Press. The bonus epilogue, EPIPHANY, is available for free in the anthology TWELFTH NIGHT.

As you are probably aware Jackie Barbosa’s son was tragically killed in a car accident a few weeks ago. Buying this book was my way of showing support for her at such a distressing time.

♥♥♥♥♥♥

THE KING BY J. R. WARD

Source: Purchased from Amazon Kindle

(Black Dagger Brotherhood, #12)

Genre: Contemporary Paranormal Romance

Cover Blurb

J.R. Ward’s # 1 New York Times bestselling Black Dagger Brotherhood continues as a royal bloodline is compromised by a grave threat to the throne.

Long live the King…

After turning his back on the throne for centuries, Wrath, son of Wrath, finally assumed his father’s mantle–with the help of his beloved mate. But the crown sets heavily on his head. As the war with the Lessening Society rages on, and the threat from the Band of Bastards truly hits home, he is forced to make choices that put everything–and everyone–at risk.

Beth Randall thought she knew what she was getting into when she mated the last pure blooded vampire on the planet: An easy ride was not it. But when she decides she wants a child, she’s unprepared for Wrath’s response–or the distance it creates between them.

The question is, will true love win out… or tortured legacy take over?

I don’t read Paranormal Romance but, some years ago, I heard so much about this series that I thought I would read the first book Dark Lover to find out what all the fuss was about. Well, eleven books later and I’m still reading. I’m totally addicted to this series. Normally, I start reading each new book as soon as it downloads onto my Kindle. This year, I’ve resisted the temptation because I am determined to stick to my selected books for April. That doesn’t mean that it won’t be among my selection for May!!

♥♥♥♥♥♥

THE SCANDALOUS LOVE OF A DUKE BY JANE LARK

Source: Purchased from Amazon Kindle

(Marlow Intrigues, #3)

Genre: Historical Romance (Regency)

Cover Blurb

Isolated by life and choice, John Harding, the Duke of Pembroke, sees an angel in a pale mauve dress across a room and is drawn closer as lust grips firm and hard in his stomach.  The wheat-blonde hair escaping her dull dove-grey bonnet and caressing her neck lures his eyes to a spot he’d like to kiss.  She speaks with animation her hands moving. Then as if she senses his gaze the stranger turns and looks at him.

A rush of pain and longing spilled from Katherine’s heart into her limbs. It was so long since she’d seen John but her reaction was the same as it had been more than half-a-dozen years before. She loved him, secretly, without hope, but a chasm of years and status stood between them.

♥♥♥♥♥♥

 

Read Full Post »

BOOK BLAST: THE SCANDALOUS LOVE OF A DUKE BY JANE LARK

Title: The Scandalous Love of a Duke (Marlow Intrigues #3)

Author: Jane Lark

Genre: Regency Romance (Historical)

Publish Date: April 3, 2014

Publisher: HarperImpulse

Event Organized By:  Literati Author Services, Inc.

 

 

 

SYNOPSIS

Book three in Jane Lark’s Kindle best-selling Regency romance series!

Isolated by life and choice, John Harding, the Duke of Pembroke, sees an angel in a pale mauve dress across a room and is drawn closer as lust grips firm and hard in his stomach.  The wheat-blonde hair escaping her dull dove-grey bonnet and caressing her neck lures his eyes to a spot he’d like to kiss.  She speaks with animation her hands moving. Then as if she senses his gaze the stranger turns and looks at him.

A rush of pain and longing spilled from Katherine’s heart into her limbs. It was so long since she’d seen John but her reaction was the same as it had been more than half-a-dozen years before. She loved him, secretly, without hope, but a chasm of years and status stood
between them.

Add to Goodreads

Purchase Links:  Amazon US | Amazon UK | Amazon CA

 

EXCERPT

A glass of red wine balanced in one hand, the stem dangling between his fingers, he joined another group of guests, fulfilling his duty. He trusted no one here.

God, this was his life now, duty and falsehood. He missed Egypt, he missed adventure and peace and simplicity. He was already bored with people’s endless supplication. Everyone seemed to want something from him. They sought to attach themselves to either his wealth or his power.

His grandfather had warned of this.

John had had enough. He was seeking his family to escape it for a little while, and looking for Mary particularly. He knew his vibrant sister would bring him back from the cold darkness crowding in on him.

He’d passed his mother and Edward in the hall, they’d been speaking with Richard and Penny, they’d directed him in here.

His gaze swept about the room then stopped.

There was a young woman standing amidst his family, like a blonde beacon of light amongst his dark-haired black-clad cousins. She was an angel in a pale mauve dress.

Lust gripped had and firm in his stomach, an intense physical attraction. He’d never experienced anything so instant before. But it was a long time since he’d bedded a woman – far too long.

Her figure was a sublime balance of curves and narrow waist. Her spine had a beautiful arch as it curved into the point where her dress opened onto a full skirt.

Wheat-blonde hair escaped a dull dove-grey bonnet, caressing her neck and drawing his eyes to a place he’d like to kiss.

She was speaking with animation her hands moving.

He moved closer and as if she sensed his gaze the stranger turned and looked at him. In answer a lightning need struck his groin, a sharp sudden pain. She was an English Rose among orchids, the sort of woman he had seen nothing of abroad. Her skin was pale, with roses blooming in her cheeks, and her eyes were a vivid beautiful blue, like the bluebells which bloomed in spring, in the woods at Pembroke Place.

She was what he had longed for abroad and not even known he’d been lacking.

His attention wholly captured, desire slipped into his blood as his groin grew heavy with hunger.

This was what came from abstinence he supposed. He’d never had a fancy for fair, fay women before. He did now.

She did not look the sort for a fling though, certainly not the she-wolf type who stalked the foreign fields. His mind began rattling through his guest list, but no name fit her, and her dull grey bonnet and shawl did not speak of affluence. Who was she?

He smiled as he grew nearer, then realised he was staring and shifted his gaze to the others in the group. It was then he noticed Phillip as they turned to towards him. “My God.”

“Your Grace.”

“Phillip.” Lord, John hoped Phillip had not come here with a motive. John did not wish to hear oily grovelling from an old friend. His heart thumped in cold anger, not gladness. Then he looked at the blonde and his breath caught as recognition whispered in his head. Kate.

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jane is a writer of authentic, passionate and emotional Historical and New Adult Romance, and a Kindle top 25 bestselling author.

She began her first historical novel at sixteen, but a life full of adversity derailed her as she lives with the restrictions of Ankylosing Spondylitis.

When she finally completed a novel it was because she was determined not to reach forty still saying, I want to write.

Now Jane is writing a Regency series and contemporary, new adult, stories and she is thrilled to be giving her characters life in others’ imaginations at last.

You might think that Jane was inspired to write by Jane Austen, especially as she lives near Bath in the United Kingdom, but you would be wrong. Jane’s favourite author is Anya Seton, and the book which drew her into the bliss of falling into historical imagination was ‘Katherine’ a story crafted from reality.

Jane has drawn on this inspiration to discover other real-life love stories, reading memoirs and letters to capture elements of the past, and she uses them to create more realistic plots.

‘Basically I love history and I am sucker for a love story. I love the feeling of falling in love; it’s wonderful being able to do it time and time again in fiction.’

Jane is also a Chartered Member of the Institute of Personnel and Development in the United Kingdom, and uses this specialist understanding of people to bring her characters to life.

Connect with the Author:  Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Website | Goodreads

 

Blast-Wide Giveaway

Link to Rafflecopter Giveaway

Read Full Post »