IN THE SPOTLIGHT: AN INTERVIEW WITH LILA DIPASQUA

I’m delighted to welcome USA Today Bestselling Author LILA DIPASQUA to Rakes and Rascals today for an exclusive interview.

Thanks so much for having me here! I’m so happy to be on Rakes and Rascals today. 🙂

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

Lila:
I was born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It’s an amazing city, dubbed one of the most multi-cultural cities in the world. I grew up in a quiet suburb of Toronto with my parents and younger brother—and a ton of aunts, uncles and cousins nearby. My dad was a mechanic for the Toronto Transit Commission. And my mom was a seamstress. That meant we never owned a new car (my dad believed in fixer uppers). And we never went dress shopping if a dress was needed. (Because my mom refused and sewed them all). Reading, writing and cheering on the hopeless Toronto Maple Leafs was my pastime—when I wasn’t dreaming about the hot boy who lived in our neighborhood but never once noticed me. Like never. Not once.

But that’s all right. Years later, I met and married my very own real-life romance hero. 🙂

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

Lila:
I think I’m pretty easy-going for the most part.

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

Lila:
Savory!! 🙂

R&R:
What is your most treasured possession?

Lila:
My wedding ring. It symbolizes the love and life I’ve shared with my wonderful hubby.

Our engagement photo 1990

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

Lila:
Paris. Because it’s Paris! The food, the architecture, the art…*sighs*

The family on our first trip to France. We’re at Versailles.

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

Lila:
Okay, I hate to admit this, but I’ve had quite a few. I’ll narrow it down to just one. 😉 I was walking my bigger dog Rocky, a Lab/German Shepherd mix, down the street and turned the corner only to suddenly find a ton of police officers, police cars, and vans. And a house completely surrounded with yellow police tape.  The house was a crime scene. There had been a murder inside. I was so astonished with what was happening that I didn’t pay attention to what my dog was up to. Or that we were near his favorite park. He gave a sharp pull toward the park, and I fell backwards, right in front of a huge crowd of police officers—who, by the way, did not assist the lady sprawled out on her back in the middle of the street with an eighty pound dog over her, licking her face.

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

It’s my pleasure! Thank you for the fun questions. 🙂

 

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

Website

Goodreads

Facebook

Twitter

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ANNOUNCING THE WINNER OF LILA DIPASQUA’S GIVEAWAY

Thank you to everyone who stopped by and commented. My husband kindly drew the winner’s name and…

IRMA

Congratulations, Irma! Lila will be contacting you shortly regarding your prize.

Happy reading!

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RELEASE DAY, COVER REVEAL AND GIVEAWAY – A MIDNIGHT DANCE BY LILA DIPASQUA

I am delighted to welcome back USA Today Bestselling Author of Historical Romance, LILA DIPASQUA, to celebrate the re-release of her Fiery Tales novel, A MIDNIGHT DANCE, complete with a gorgeous new cover!

To celebrate it’s (re)release, A MIDNIGHT DANCE is on sale for a limited time at just 99 cents!

You can read my review of A MIDNIGHT DANCE  HERE

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A Historical Tidbit

Long before Hans Christian Andersen and the Brothers Grimm, there was a writer by the name of Charles Perrault. He was the author of The Tales of Mother Goose, and the father of fairy tales who started the beloved genre. Perrault lived in seventeenth-century France during the reign of the Sun King, Louis XIV. Louis was a lusty king. And his glittering court was as salacious as it was elegant.

During this most wicked time period, Perrault created his fairy tales from folklore he’d heard many times, stories that have delighted people for centuries: Sleeping Beauty, Little Red Riding Hood, Puss in Boots, and Bluebeard—to name a few.

A MIDNIGHT DANCE is based on his most famous fairy tale of all . . . Cinderella. We don’t know what the original tale was like. Or what specific changes Perrault made to it. But perhaps, just perhaps the original story went something like this . . .

(Fiery Tales series)

Available Oct. 26, 2015

ISBN: 9780988035058

Inspired by the tale of Cinderella, a steamy historical romance that offers a glass slipper, a dangerous deception, and an impoverished beauty determined to find her handsome prince…and make him pay.

Born into wealth, Sabine Laurent and her twin sister lived a life of luxury, their father’s prestigious theater frequented by royalty and aristocracy alike. And Sabine dreamed of her own prince charming–the devastatingly handsome Jules de Moutier.

That was before the loss of her sister and her family’s fall from grace–a disaster Sabine blames on the Moutier family. Now, with her father’s death, she’s inherited his sizable debt and the responsibility of caring for his spoiled long-time mistress and her two wastrel daughters. But with the help of Sabine’s eccentric friends–the balance of her father’s acting troupe–she plans to get very close to her old infatuation, seduce the rake–and make away with a fortune.

Resisting Jules’s skillful mouth and tantalizing touch is not as easy as Sabine supposed. And soon she must decide whether her desire for vengeance is greater than her desire for her one and only prince…

Praise for A Midnight Dance:

“Evocative, erotic. . . [A] sensual treat!”
— SYLVIA DAY, #1 New York Times Bestselling author

“This fresh and sexy retelling features a spirited heroine, a dangerous “dark prince,” sizzling passion and plenty of historical intrigue!”– RT Book Reviews

“A deliciously dark hero and a heroine who’s more than a match for him! Sure to delight!”– JENNIFER ASHLEY, New York Times Bestselling author

“Lila DiPasqua’s ‘Fiery Tale’ version of Cinderella sets the classic story ablaze!”– ANNA CAMPBELLl, award-winning author.

The book is available from:

Kindle B&N Kobo iBooks Print

ABOUT LILA

Lila DiPasqua is a USA TODAY bestselling author of historical romance with heat. She lives with her husband, three children and two rescued dogs and is a firm believer in the happily-ever-after. You can connect with her on:

Goodreads Facebook Twitter

Be sure to sign up for her 99ȼ New Release Alert newsletter on the home page of her WEBSITE

Each new release will be on sale for a short time only. Get notified!

THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED

Tell me your three favorite fairy tales. One lucky commenter wins a…

The Giveaway will close at midnight (GMT) on Saturday 31^st October and the winner will be announced on Sunday 1^st November.

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REVIEW: UNDONE BY LILA DIPASQUA

(Fiery Tales, #4)

Genre: Erotic Historical Romance (17th century – set during the reign Louis XIV’s Reign)

Cover Blurb:

Inspired by the tale of Rapunzel, Lila DiPasqua offers a new steamy, emotionally charged historical romance in the acclaimed Fiery Tales Series . . . Rescuing this beauty from the ‘tower’ is only the beginning . . .

Maintaining her ruse as a commoner, and trusting no one has kept Angelica safe. But a chance encounter with a handsome stranger lands her right where danger lies. Now, this sinfully handsome man with arresting blue eyes and a polished manner thinks he’s saved her life, when in fact he’s placed her in great peril. She’s intent on keeping him and everyone else at arm’s length. Yet, the smoldering attraction between them is difficult to deny. And impossible to ignore . . .

As commander of a number of privateer ships, Simon Boulenger dresses and speaks like an aristocrat, and has obtained wealth. But he is still not a noble. Or an officer in the King’s Navy. His lifelong dream to elevate himself from his station of birth and attain a respectable place in society is dead. Worse, he’s ensnared in a deadly scheme, and must get out. But how is he to stay focused on his dangerous mission when the mysterious beauty has him utterly intrigued? He can’t afford the distraction any more than he can resist the carnal hunger she stirs. Simon soon discovers that she’s not only a passionate soul mate, but a woman born into privilege. A woman he can never have. But they’re in too deep. Their hearts are at risk . . . as well as their lives.

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As with all the Lila DiPasqua books I have read, UNDONE is filled with compelling characters, sizzling love scenes, suspense and a passionate romance.

Simon is the sort of tormented hero I love. He is full of self-condemnation having realised that, in blindly pursuing his own driving ambitions to rise above his lowly origins, he had closed his eyes to what was happening to his own people…. ‘the destruction and devastation’. His life is a mess and he feels tainted by his association with the corrupt Superintendent of Finances, Fouquet.

Everything he’d done for his country and king, everything he’d worked for was now tainted. In blood.

Simon is an honourable man, willing to sacrifice his dream in order to save his men and bring Fouquet to account for his actions. His compassion shows in his condemnation of slavery and the way he has provided a home and work for so many desperate people.

He’d brought many families to Marguerite, at first only the crewmen’s families, then later, anyone who was in dire straits. He gave them employ in the fields. He gave us an opportunity to survive rather than to die in France.”

He is also just and fair when judging complaints brought before him. I love how cleverly he resolves the charge brought against Angelica by Père Crotteau.

Anglica is gentle and compassionate but also strong and courageous. It is that inner strength that enabled her to escape her loathsome step-father’s clutches ten years ago and find sanctuary within the walls of a convent.

She still bears deep emotional scars and a belief that no man could ever want someone like her. She has never been able to share her dark, shameful secret with anyone, even her close friend, Gabrielle. I love how Angelica demonstrates not only her compassion but also her bravery when she confronts the schoolmaster she sees brutally beating a young boy.

Instinctively, she swung around and struck him with an open palm across his face. “Don’t touch me! I am not one of these helpless children you enjoy mistreating.”

The sexual tension between these two is definitely explosive. Angelica finds Simon exciting and his mere touch stirs her senses while Simon is drawn to Angelica’s beauty, decency and bravery but their journey to a happy ever after is strewn with obstacles, not least their own closely guarded secrets. It was rewarding to watch Simon gradually demolish the walls Angelica has built around herself with his compassion, acceptance and understanding, inspiring her to take risks and find happiness and how Angelica makes Simon see the noble man he truly is.

“…you have sought to gain nobility, but you are noble. You don’t want to be ordinary, but you never have been. You wish to be exalted, but in the eyes of so many, you are.”

Be warned! The love scenes are very graphic and the language explicit and, if I have one complaint, it’s that they seem rather repetitive in content.

I really like Robert d’Arles, the nobleman who saved Simon from the streets and has always treated him like a son. He is an honourable man, willing to offer Angelica the protection of his name. I couldn’t help but feel heart-broken for Simon and Angelica when circumstances conspire to keep them apart but neither of them is willing to betray Robert. His word to Simon really touched my heart.

“You were my only family…You have made me proud…Raising you into the man you are today has given me a sense of purpose and fulfilment in my life…Simon…there is no limit to what a man can achieve except the limits he places on himself…”

Fouquet is a formidable enemy but his downfall rests with his sheer arrogance in underestimating the young King Louis.

Although I love the Regency era, the setting of 17th century France was refreshingly different. Ms DiPasqua brings to life all decadence and political intrigue of the Royal court and the inclusion of real-life figures like Fouquet and Louis XIV adds an extra level of authenticity to the story.

The Epilogue gathers everyone together on Marguerite island for a charming Happy Ever After.

My Verdict: If you enjoy a compelling story, fascinating characters and a lushly erotic romance, then I can definitely recommend UNDONE.

REVIEW RATING: 4.5/5 STARS

SENSUALITY RATING: SIZZLING

Read June 2015

Fiery Tales series to date   (Click on the covers for more details):

    

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BLOG TOUR: TEMPTED BY HIS TOUCH A LIMITED EDITION BOXED SET of Dukes, Rogues, & Alpha Heroes Historical Romance Novels (Interview & Giveaway)

 

ABOUT THE BOOKS:

A boxed set with ten sizzling historical romances from ten bestselling historical romance authors. Fall in love with fabulous tales of intrigue, suspense, wit, and passion featuring dukes, rogues, alpha heroes…and the women who can’t resist them. JUST 99 CENTS from July 27 – Sept. 21—then it disappears FOREVER!

Scoundrel Ever After by Darcy Burke – Once upon a time there was a very bad boy who met a very nice girl….

Lady of Pleasure by Delilah Marvelle – Educating a man in the art of love takes time. Lots of it.

Sonata for a Scoundrel by Anthea Lawson – Passion and secrets simmer against the glittering backdrop of 19th century musical celebrity.

To Dare the Duke of Dangerfield by Bronwen Evans – What’s a lady to do when a notorious rake wins her estate in a game of cards?

Undone by Lila DiPasqua – One steamy, emotionally charged retelling of Rapunzel…Rescuing this beauty from the ‘tower’ is only the beginning…

The Problem with Seduction by Emma Locke – Elizabeth Spencer needs a man. She doesn’t need to like him—because while she needs a man, she doesn’t particularly want one.

A Dangerous Invitation by Erica Monroe – Daniel O’Reilly returns to win back Kate Morgan’s heart and prove he’s innocent of murder.

Once Upon a Duke by Eva Devon – A widow looking to get seduced. A duke more than willing to oblige.

Great & Unfortunate Desires by Gina Danna – A marquis with a guilty past takes a bride in a world where love is fatal.

Dark Surrender By Erica Ridley – Trapped in darkness…. Their passion burns bright!

 

Buy Links:

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Tempted-His-Touch-Limited-Historical-ebook/dp/B00M50HI7G

Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/tempted-by-his-touch-darcy-burke/1120013040?ean=2940149630370

iTunes: coming soon

Kobo: http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/tempted-by-his-touch

Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/461619

All Romance: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-temptedbyhistouchalimitededitionboxedsetofdukesroguesalphaheroeshistoricalromanc-1579641-166.html

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About Darcy Burke:

A native Oregonian, Darcy lives on the edge of wine country with her devoted husband, their two great kids, and two Bengal cats. In her “spare” time Darcy is a serial volunteer enrolled in a 12-step program where one learns to say “no,” but she keeps having to start over. She’s also a fair-weather runner, and her happy places are Disneyland and Labor Day weekend at the Gorge.

Website: http://www.darcyburke.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DarcyBurkeFans

Twitter: https://twitter.com/darcyburke

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5823441.Darcy_Burke

Newsletter: http://www.darcyburke.com/newsletter/

 

About Bronwen Evans

USA Today Bestselling Author Bronwen Evans grew up loving books. She writes both historical and contemporary sexy romances for the modern woman who likes intelligent, spirited heroines, and compassionate alpha heroes.

Her debut Regency romance, Invitation to Ruin won the RomCon Readers’ Crown Best Historical 2012, and was an RT Reviewers’ Choice Nominee Best First Historical 2011. Her first self-published novella, To Dare the Duke of Dangerfield, was a FINALIST in the Kindle Book Review Indie Romance Book of the Year 201,2 and a finalist in the RomCon Readers’ Crown Best Historical 2013. Her first contemporary released December 2012, The Reluctant Wife, won the RomCon Readers’ Crown Best Category 2013.

Website: http://www.bronwenevans.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bronwenevansauthor

Twitter: https://twitter.com/bronwenevans_NZ

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4331713.Bronwen_Evans

Newsletter: sign up at the top of Bronwen’s website

About Lila DiPasqua:

Lila DiPasqua is a multi-published, national bestselling author of historical romance with heat. Her novels are published by Penguin/Berkley, as well as having self-published works.

She is best known for her critically acclaimed Fiery Tales series. Her books have been featured on Doubleday and Rhapsody Book Clubs.

She lives with her husband and three children in Canada and is a firm believer in the happily-ever-after.

Website: http://liladipasqua.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LilaDiPasquaAuthor

Twitter: https://twitter.com/liladipasqua

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3234450.Lila_DiPasqua

Newsletter: sign up on the sidebar of Lila’s website

About Delilah Marvelle:

Delilah Marvelle is the winner of the Reviewer’s Choice for Best Sensual Historical Romance of the Year and had Booklist name her historical romance ‘Forever and a Day’ one of the TOP 10 Romances of the year. When she isn’t writing, she’s digging through inappropriate research books that include anything in history having to do with courtesans, brothels, sexual contraptions that were never properly used and other fascinating forms of dirty history that didn’t make it into college textbooks. She includes all of her research in her books to ensure countless hours of entertainment and continues to take pride in knowing more about dirty history than most people feel comfortable with.

Website: http://www.delilahmarvelle.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Delilah-Marvelle/73234401876

Twitter: https://twitter.com/DelilahMarvelle

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1423331.Delilah_Marvelle

Newsletter: http://delilahmarvelle.wordpress.com/

About Erica Ridley:

Erica Ridley learned to read when she was three, which was about the same time she decided to be a writer when she grew up.

She is the author of three Gothic romances, Too Wicked to Kiss, Too Sinful to Deny and Dark Surrender, the vampire romance “Never Been Bitten” in the paranormal romance anthology Born To Bite, contemporary paranormal romances Charmed and Midwinter Magic, and the holiday fantasy romance Let It Snow.

When not reading or writing romances, Erica can be found riding camels in Africa, zip-lining through rainforests in Costa Rica, or getting hopelessly lost in the middle of Budapest.

Website: http://www.ericaridley.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ericaridley

Twitter: https://twitter.com/EricaRidley

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3087787.Erica_Ridley

Newsletter: http://bit.ly/EricaRidleyVIPs

About Emma Locke:

Emma Locke is a writer and engineer living in the Pacific Northwest, where she loves hiking with her dog, hot yoga and riding out the annual 330 days of rain. Hiking and yoga give her time to plot, the lack of sun makes for perfect writing weather, and as for her day job, the dichotomy seems to work: her analytic side ensures her passionate, satisfying love stories don’t mulch under her bed, and her author side forces her to keep writing more.

Website: http://www.emmalocke.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorEmmaLocke

Twitter: https://twitter.com/EmmaLockeAuthor

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6749632.Emma_Locke

Newsletter: sign up at the bottom of Emma’s website

About Gina Danna:

Gina has spent the better part of her life reading. History has been her love and she spent numerous hours devouring historical romance stories, dreaming of writing one of her own. Years later, after receiving undergraduate and graduate degrees in History, writing academic research papers and writing for museum programs and events, she finally found the time to write her own stories of historical romantic fiction.

Now, under the supervision of her three dogs and three cats, she writes amid a library of research books, with her only true break away is to spend time with her other life long dream – her Arabian horse – with him, her muse can play.

Website: http://ginadanna.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GinaDannaAuthor

Twitter: https://twitter.com/GinaDanna1

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7141882.Gina_Danna

About Erica Monroe:

Erica Monroe is a bestselling author of emotional, suspenseful romance. Though she has a Bachelor’s degree in writing, she’s been a secretary, a barista, and a retail assistant. Now Erica spends her days crafting lovable rogues and feisty heroines for her historical and new adult series. She is a member of the Romance Writers of America, Heart of Carolina, and the Beau Monde Regency Romance chapter. When not writing, she is a chronic TV watcher, sci-fi junkie, lover of pit bulls, and shoe fashionista. She lives in the suburbs of North Carolina with her husband, two dogs, and a cat.

Website: http://ericamonroe.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EricaMonroeWrites

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ericajmonroe

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7280359.Erica_Monroe

Newsletter: sign up on Erica’s website sidebar

About Eva Devon:

Author of sexy and laugh out loud funny Regencies, I’m also Maire Claremont, creator of dark and angsty Victorians!

Website: http://www.maireclaremont.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Eva-Devon/1464806663776356

Twitter: https://twitter.com/evadevonauthor

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8333263.Eva_Devon

Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/YoZbD

About Anthea Lawson:

Anthea Lawson, called “a new star of Historical Romance” by Booklist, has won readers with her combination of spicy love scenes and elegant prose. Her first novel, PASSIONATE, was a Best First Book finalist in the prestigious Romance Writers of America RITA awards.

Anthea also writes award-winning YA Urban Fantasy under the pen name Anthea Sharp.

Website: http://anthealawson.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AntheaLawson

Twitter: https://twitter.com/AntheaLawson

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2436762.Anthea_Lawson

Newsletter: https://tinyletter.com/AntheaLawson

 

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Q & A WITH DELILAH MARVELLE:

What’s your favorite historical romance?
All of them.

What is the first romance novel you ever read?
Whitney, My Love by Judith McNaught

Would you want to live in the time you write about? What would you love? Hate?
A duke! I want a title to go with my bad boy!

If given the choice between a duke, a rogue, or an alpha hero, which would you choose?
Hm, I’d prefer all three wrapped into one.  😉  That said, I’ve always had a thing for rogues…

What tempts you? (Chocolate, caviar, long walks on the beach…)
My husband without his shirt on. *waggling brows*

Rapid fire round:

Designer purses or Target special?
Target Special.

Heels or flip flops?
 Heels

Rich or famous?
 Rich

American hottie or sexy Brit?
Sexy Brit.

Where’s your happy place?
Home.

 

Excerpt from LADY OF PLEASURE:

He trailed his gaze to the table and eyed her.

She stiffly and wordlessly gestured to the table, asking him to sit on the jam-spattered side. Where he belonged.

He eyed her again and carefully setting the closed small wicked basket beside his chair, pushed aside the tails of his coat with a hand and sat. He shifted, scanning the spangled table of jam and half-eaten scones.  “Is there a reason the scones are bleeding?”

If she wasn’t so angry, she would have laughed. But he wasn’t going to win that easily. Oh, no. No, no, no. “They must have known you were coming and themselves on the knife.”

He stared. “You aren’t going to make this easy for me, are you?”

She stared back and coolly said, “No.”

He leaned forward and toward her and was about to prop an arm against the table when he realized there was too much jam to bother. He sat back against the chair. “Now I know what the jam is for.”

She really was brilliant.

 

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FACEBOOK PARTY

https://www.facebook.com/events/250318105177956/

Wednesday, July 30th

6PM-11PM EST

Chat with the authors and win prizes!

Also, be sure to like each author’s Facebook page so you’ll see the WEEKLY GIVEAWAYS they have going on while Tempted by His Touch is on sale. You don’t want to miss an exciting moment of this extravaganza!

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THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED

GIVEAWAY DETAILS:

Grand prize: iPad Mini (16GB) with surprise bonus print books [Open to US/CA]

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

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TOUR SCHEDULE:

July 27:

Embracing Romance
http://embracingromance.com/

Love Historicals
http://www.lovehistoricals.com/

Buried Under Romance
http://www.buriedunderromance.com/

For The Love of Bookends
http://loveofbookends.blogspot.com/

 

July 28:

Dashing Duchesses
http://dashingduchesses.com/

What I’m Reading
http://sillymelody.blogspot.com/

Love Saves The World
http://www.lovesavestheworld.com/

Rakes & Rascals
rakesandrascals.wordpress.com

 

July 29:

Hawt Reads
http://hawtreads.wordpress.com/

Doing Some Reading
http://doingsomereading.wordpress.com/

Tears of Crimson
http://www.tearsofcrimson.com/

Romancing Rakes For The Love of Romance
http://romancingrakes4theluvofromance.blogspot.com/

 

July 30:

Romance Reader Girl
http://romancereadergirl.com/

History Hoydens
http://historyhoydens.blogspot.com/

Mary Gramlich
http://marygramlich.blogspot.com/

 

July 31:

Adria’s Romance Reviews
http://adriasromancereviews.blogspot.com/

Swanangel15s Book Reviews
http://swanangel15home.blogspot.com/

Historical Romance Lover
http://historicalromancelover.blogspot.com/

What’s A Nice Girl Like You Doing On A Blog Like This?
http://nicegirlonablog.blogspot.ca/

 

August 1:

Bookworm 2 Bookworm
http://bookworm2bookworm.wordpress.com/

Rookie Romance
http://rookieromance.blogspot.com/

Book Obsessed Chicks
http://book-obsessed-chicks.blogspot.com/

Pretty Girls Read Books
http://opinionatedperson.wordpress.com/

 

August 2:

Eskimo Princess Book Reviews
http://eskimoprincess.blogspot.com/

Ramblings From This Chick
http://ramblingsfromthischick.blogspot.com/

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DON’T MISS THIS AMAZING OFFER!!

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MY FAVOURITE QUOTES

“What is the second best way to enjoy iced cream?”

The most sensuous smile tilted the corner of his mouth. He picked her up off her feet and set her bottom down on the edge of the table so fast, she squeaked in surprise. Yet managed not to spill her drink.

“Naked.”

(Suzanne Matchet and Leopold d’Ermart, Duke of Mont-Marly)

 

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MY FAVOURITE QUOTES

“One last thing,” Jules said. “There is the matter of an item you stole from me.”

 Perplexed, she said, “I have nothing of yours.”

 “Not true.” He lowered himself onto one knee. She lost her breath. Her family collectively gasped. “You have my heart. And it is yours. I love you,” he said. “And I wish to have children and grow old with you. Will you marry me?”  ( Jules de Moutier)

 

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ANNOUNCING THE WINNERS OF THE LILA DIPASQUA GIVEAWAY

Thank you to everyone who stopped by my blog and commented. All your names were entered into the Giveaway and my husband kindly drew the five winners.

Mary Preston who also wins the lovely Christmas key ornament

Connie Fischer

Bookworm

Tin O

Sherry Extine

Congratulations everyone! Please contact Lila at liladipasqua@gmail.com with the choice of ebook you would like, UNDONE or THE DUKE’S MATCH GIRL. Mary could you also let Lila have your postal address so that she can send the Christmas ornament to you.

Happy reading, ladies!

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BOOK SPOTLIGHT, GIVEAWAY AND REVIEW : THE DUKE’S MATCH GIRL ( A FIERY TALE NOVELLA) BY LILA DIPASQUA

THE GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED

(Fiery Tales # 4.5)

Genre: Erotic Historical Romance (17^th century France)

Official Blurb

From bestselling author Lila DiPasqua comes a scorching new historical romance novella in the acclaimed Fiery Tales series! An emotional, erotically charged retelling of Hans Christian Andersen’s The Little Match Girl.

As childhood friends, Leopold d’Ermart and Suzanne Matchet were inseparable. One unforgettable Christmas Eve, their relationship changed from the best of friends…to lovers. But the heir of the Duke of Mont-Marly isn’t supposed to fall in love with the daughter of his family’s physician. Or vice versa.

Is this a second chance at first love? 

Years later, Suzanne is dreading her first Christmas without her father. The heartbreak Leo caused when he left seven years ago is a distant memory. And she prefers to keep it that way. The last thing Suzanne expects is for tall, dark, and sinfully seductive Leo d’Ermart to show up at her door and announce he wants her back in his life. And in his bed. Worse, the now celebrated libertine is even more devastating to a woman’s senses than ever before…

Or are they playing with fire? 

The only woman Leo, Duke of Mont-Marly, has ever yearned for is the adorably unconventional, intelligent beauty who got away. He discovers Suzanne creating and selling matchsticks, elixirs for the ill…and is still so damned alluring. Leo is determined to show her the depth of his desire, win back Suzanne’s heart. And give her a Christmas beyond her wildest imagination…

Available from:

Amazon | Barnes & Noble

iBooks | Smashwords

All Romance Ebooks

EXCERPT

Apparently, the mighty Leo d’Ermart simply woke up one morning and decided to reappear in her life, bold as could be— and sent his personal secretary to deliver his offer, no less. How very thoughtful. The man’s gall was outrageous. How very thoughtful. The man’s gall was outrageous. Tamping down her ire, she gave Gaspard another pat. He purred contently. “I’m not worried about coin. There’s no need to be.” Suzanne cast Lucille a reassuring smile over her shoulder. Since her father’s death, she’d managed just fine.

“But… But… I just don’t understand it,” Lucille continued, unrelenting. “He has plenty of wealth. You make concoctions for so many others. Why not make the perfumes he’s requesting? He is willing to pay a vast sum. An offer from a duc does not come around every day!”

Because his offer is nothing but a ruse.

She was no fool. The generous funds Leo was offering her to create perfumes for his two sisters— meant to be gifts— had a condition: she was to come to Montbrison to create them.

The offer was bogus. A mere pretense to get her to his château.

She wanted nothing more to do with him.

Knowing the unscrupulous rake as well as she did, his true motives were without a doubt of a disreputable nature. She refused to be duped by his little ploy. She’d experienced his stinging trickery before.

It had taken a long time for her heart to mend and harden against Leo d’Ermart. It had been years before she’d finally managed to wrestle him out of her daily thoughts. And heart. She resented it that yesterday he’d intruded into her mental peace once more— thanks to Gilles’s visit.

The best thing a woman could do was to stay far away from the notorious roué.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Lila DiPasqua is a multi-published, national bestselling author of historical romance with heat. Her novels are published by Penguin/Berkley, as well as having self-published works. She is best known for her critically acclaimed Fiery Tales series. Her books have been featured on Doubleday and Rhapsody Book Clubs. She lives with her husband and three children in Canada and is a firm believer in the happily-ever-after.

If you’d like to learn more about Lila and her books, please visit her Website:
http://www.liladipasqua.com/index.htm

And follow her on:

Facebook :https://www.facebook.com/LilaDiPasquaAuthor

Twitter : @LilaDiPasqua

GIVEAWAY

Lila will be giving away 5 copies of either UNDONE or THE DUKE’S MATCH GIRL in ebook (readers’s choice) and one of these lucky readers will also receive this beautiful Christmas key ornament.

The Giveaway is open worldwide and will run until midday (GMT) on Saturday 14^th December.

To enter simply leave a comment.

MY REVIEW

(THE DUKE’S MATCH GIRL is part of Lila DiPasqua’s Fiery Tales series but can easily be read as a standalone.)

**5 Delightfully Wicked Stars**

I LOVED this novella! It was romantic, steamy and funny and kept me totally entertained from the first page to the last.

Here are the things I loved about this novella:

The story combines two of my favourite tropes…friends to lovers and second chances. I adored Leo… his willingness to admit how much he had hurt Suzanne and his sheer determination to prove how much he truly loves her. Suzanne is still feeling the pain caused by the death of her beloved father and wants nothing to do with the man who broke her heart. I love that she refuses to trust him even though she still feel the strong attraction. In fact, she leads him a merry dance. I love the letter she sends him when he asks her to spend Christmas with him at the Château Montbrison.

Your Grace,
Your man has informed me of your offer. He was quite uncomfortable about relaying my response. It is for his ease that I put it to you here in writing. As to your offer— and I say this with the utmost sincerity— you may take it, and insert it into your exalted posterior.
Sincerely,
Suzanne

Oh boy! Leo wasn’t going to give up at the first hurdle and I was in awe of his ingenuity, especially when he uses a little bribery to enlist the whole town in his schemes. Everyone in the town bombards Suzanne with reasons why she should go with Leo. I loved this exchange between the innkeeper and Suzanne…

“Well, perhaps you should consider that he is a wealthy man.”
“I’m aware of that.”
“With much power and influence.”
“I’m aware of that, too.”
“What about his enormous manhood?”
That stopped her dead in her tracks. She turned. “Pardon?”

Then there is the episode involving Gaspard…

and the delightful picture of Suzanne’s two employees, Rosalie and Lucille, surreptitiously eavesdropping on her conversation with Leo.

Suzanne is my sort of unconventional heroine.  She has a brilliant mind and a great passion for science and I adore Leo for being proud of her abilities and loving her adorable little quirks and oddities.

Of course, this is Lila DiPasqua…so expect wickedly delicious, sizzlingly sexy, toe-curling love scenes with some dirty talk from Leo…definitely not for prudish ears!  There is a pretty hot scene in the carriage on the way to Château Montbrison and Leo does luscious things with ice cream!

I’m a sucker for a sigh-worthy ending and this has a real heart-melting one. I won’t spoil it for you other than to say that Suzanne’s matches play a significant part and Leo…his words are totally swoon-worthy!  There is even an added bonus of a charming Epilogue.

THE DUKE’S MATCH GIRL is a fun and steamy novella and so curl up with a glass of wine and your favourite chocolates and enjoy!

REVIEW RATING: 5/5 STARS

SENSUALITY RATING: SIZZLING

Read December 2013

Fiery Tales series to date (click on the book cover for more details):

    

My sincere thanks to Lila for sending me a copy of this novella in return for an honest review. It was a pleasure!

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REVIEW OF A MIDNIGHT DANCE BY LILA DIPASQUA

(Fiery Tales #3)

Genre: Erotic Historical Romance (17th century)

Official Blurb

Inspired by the tale of Cinderella, Lila DiPasqua weaves a steamy historical romance that offers a glass slipper, a dangerous deception, and an impoverished beauty determined to find her handsome prince…and make him pay.

Born into wealth, Sabine Laurent and her twin sister lived a life of luxury, their father’s prestigious theater frequented by royalty and aristocracy alike. And Sabine dreamed of her own prince charming—the devastatingly handsome Jules de Moutier.

That was before the loss of her sister and her family’s fall from grace—a disaster Sabine blames on the Moutier family. Now, with her father’s death, she’s inherited his sizable debt and the responsibility of caring for his spoiled long-time mistress and her two wastrel daughters. But with the help of Sabine’s eccentric friends—the balance of her father’s acting troupe—she plans to get very close to her old infatuation, seduce the rake—and make away with a fortune.

Resisting Jules’s skillful mouth and tantalizing touch is not as easy as Sabine supposed. And soon she must decide whether her desire for vengeance is greater than her desire for her one and only prince…
★✩★✩★✩★✩★✩★

**5 Smouldering Stars**

I loved A MIDNIGHT DANCE!  What a fiery, passionate cocktail from the doyenne of lush sensuality, Lila DiPasqua.

I like Sabine…intelligent, brave and fiercely loyal to her remaining family and her little group of theatrical friends.  I really felt her grief and pain for all she had lost…

Each day she went through the motions of living, unable to mourn her sister. Simply surviving, more dead than alive. She’d forgotten how to feel. She didn’t even want to.

I enjoyed seeing her outwit Jules who underestimated the resourcefulness and cunning of his ‘silver-eyed forest fairy” on more than one occasion.

Jules is desperate to restore his family honour, reclaim his life and take revenge on those responsible for stealing his birth right. You can sense the anger and bitterness he feels having to resort to privateering when he was once a respected officer in the King’s navy. I like how Ms DiPasqua develops Jules’s character from an arrogant noble who cares little for the lower classes and their suffering to a man who understands their grievances. He also has to come to terms with the hard truth about his father.

The chemistry between these two positively sizzles and I love Sabine’s attempts to convince Jules that she is experienced…

In as sultry a whisper as she could muster, she said, “I am well worth your time when I am . . . fully inspired.”

I like how Ms DiPasqua reveals how much alike Sabine and Jules are…both have lost a part of themselves because of the tragedy that had befallen their families and, through their mutual love, they help each other rediscover their true selves.

What can I say about the love scenes? HOLY SMOKE! HOT! HOT! HOT!  I felt sure my iPad was going to melt! But the scenes are not just about titillation, they also reveal so much of Sabine and Jules’s conflicting emotions and vulnerabilities:

A soft alarming emotion whispered through her. A voice told her this felt right. Panicked, she suddenly needed— wanted— the physical pain to distract and distance herself from the intimacy, from the tender feelings welling inside her.

The little fraud had awakened not only his body, with the stunning passion that burned between them— but also his spirit. She’d actually drawn out his former self, dissolving his anger and bitterness with her wit, her smiles.

The secondary characters add vibrancy and depth to the story. I love Sabine’s eccentric theatrical friends and the scene at the inn, where they put their theatrical skills to good use, was funny; her cousins, Gerard and Robert, whose concern for Sabine is so touching; Robert, Jules’s second-in-command, who isn’t afraid to speak his mind.

“M-May I be frank again, my lord?”
“Well, of course, Raymond,” he responded tightly. “There seems to be no stopping you tonight.”

The story is full of action, drama and intrigue with plenty of twists and turns to keep you guessing and a truly diabolical villain.

Filled with fascinating characters, sizzling love scenes, plot twists and a passionate romance, A MIDNIGHT DANCE is Lila DiPasqua at her best.

REVIEW RATING: 5/5 STARS

SENSUALITY RATING: SIZZLING

Read November 2013

Fiery Tales series to date (click cover for more information):

     -expected 1 December 2013

 

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