Blog Spotlight and Giveaway: The Lady Meets Her Match by Gina Conkle

Title: The Lady Meets Her Match  Author: Gina Conkle  Series: Midnight Meetings  Pubdate: April 7th, 2015 I SBN: 9781402294303 
Finding her is only half the battle... 
Cyrus Ryland didn’t become England’s wealthiest bachelor by being a pushover, but the mysterious beauty he discovers sneaking around his study during a grand ball enflames his curiosity. They share one dance, but when the clock chimes midnight, she’s nowhere to be found. So Cyrus vows to scour all of London to uncover who she is. 
Claire Mayhew is risking it all by forging Ryland’s signature. But the maddening man won’t lease properties to an unmarried woman. He stands in the way of Claire’s dream: running her own business. The midtown property fits her plans perfectly—a place to live as an independent woman of commerce. When she sneaks into his study and forges his signature, she never expects to be attracted to the stodgy bachelor. But if he finds out who she is, all of her dreams could go up in smoke… 
Gina Conkle, a history nerd to the core, loves castles and museums. Her motto is “the older and moldier, the better.” When not enjoying relics, she lives in the present, dabbling in organic gardening at her home in San Diego, California. She lives with Brian, her husband and favorite alpha male, and their two boys.  Visit her at www.ginaconkle.com. 
*** 
Today we’re sitting down with historical romance author Gina Conkle! Gina’s latest book, The Lady Meets Her Match, comes out this April. To celebrate we’re participating in the “Ask Gina Spotlight Tour”, take it away Gina! 
Q. What types of scenes are your most favorite to write? 
A. I love them all. I don’t have a favorite kind of scene to write. 
An Excerpt:
     Cyrus removed his fine blue coat, the slide of cloth on cloth an inviting sound to her benumbed senses. 
      “You’re not warming up sufficiently.” He leaned in and wrapped his coat over her shoulders, his deep voice like an intimate connection. “Someone needs to take care of you.” 
     She shuddered when his breath tickled her ear. His warmth and nearness was just as heavenly as what he draped around her. She could tell he found her refusal more amusing than deterring. Cyrus closed the coat in front of her, his body heat palpable inside. The collar’s woven broadcloth brushed her rain-misted cheeks, his pleasant scent on the cloth. The coat was part of an expensive, well-tailored ditto suit: identical blue fabric with spare gold trim on the coat, waistcoat, and breeches. 
     “I’ll ruin part of a perfectly good suit.” But she pulled the coat tighter, greedy for the snug feel. 
     He added more coal to the blaze. The inferno’s orange light danced across white cotton stretched over his shoulders. Muscles moved under the fabric, mesmerizing her while he built a hotter fire. And then there was his offer to waive her rent and give her a loan, an offer apparently free of unique requirements. His act of generosity pinched her conscience. 
     How dare he be so…nice. 
     “About the rent, the loan, I cannot accept your kind offer.” She cleared her throat, trying to sound competent. “I’ll find a way.” 
     Ryland glanced at her but said nothing to counter her refusal. Instead, he dropped to the floor, kneeling before her. Without asking her leave, he removed one shoe and then the other, and set the soaked footwear against the hearth’s ash pan. 
     “What are you doing?” Her words, like her body, went slack, all of her too worn down. His head bent close to her knee. One hand, large and warm, curled around her ankle, rubbing life back into her foot. A big, masculine palm moved under the arch, creating delightful friction. She pressed her lips together, holding back a moan of pleasure. 
     “I would think a land steward’s daughter would know wet clothes are hazardous for one’s health.” He flashed a devilish grin. “You ought to remove your wet clothes, cover yourself with something warm and dry.” Such as covering myself with you. 
 Buy Links:  Amazon: http://amzn.to/1FrN62T  Apple: http://apple.co/1bczPjI  BAM: http://bit.ly/1APsoUB  B&N: http://bit.ly/1GNfRWg  Indiebound: http://bit.ly/1bczVHZ  Kobo: http://bit.ly/18TXsf4
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Q&A with Becky Lower

Please welcome Becky Lower to the blog today.   Becky loves to write about two people finding each other and falling in love, amid the backdrop of a great setting, be it present day middle America or on a covered wagon headed west in the 1850s. Contemporary and historical romances are her specialty. Becky is a PAN member of RWA and is a member of the Contemporary and Historic RWA chapters. She has a degree in English and Journalism from Bowling Green State University, and lives in an eclectic college town in Ohio with her puppy-mill rescue dog, Mary. Where so you get your inspiration for your characters and your plot? 
I was fortunate to have the Cotillion Ball mark its appearance in American society in the decade prior to the Civil War. This is such a rich period in American history, and my characters are living and reacting to the changes in society. So far, there’s been the struggle to integrate the American Indian, the abolitionist movement, the expansion of the railroad and the Gold Rush. There are plenty more events, big and small, in the years to come, including the Civil War.  Do you write outlines before you begin or just start writing and let the story evolve…do you know the ending before it is written? 
I usually know the beginning and the end before I start, but I keep it vague in order to let the magic happen. I like to have my characters surprise me. I do follow Blake Snyder’s beat sheet to make certain I’m hitting on all cylinders, and lately, I’ve found that writing a synopsis first helps, too. Although my finished product seems to stray from the synopsis a bit.  Favorite place to write? 
I love my office. I head there every morning with a cup of coffee and my little dog, Mary. On a good day, I write until noon or so, then spend time on Facebook, twitter, etc. I wish I could say this was a daily routine, but I’d be lying.  How do you choose names for your characters? 
Names are the most fun thing for me. My Cotillion Ball series has nine children named for herbs and spices. I’ve also featured a family with children named for the virtues. And for my Irish hero in Book 4, I wanted an unusual Irish name. I had been playing with a different story line, and an Irish ghost named Parr, which means “from the stable.” It fit with my hero’s occupation, so I went with it.   Do you treat your writing like a 9 to 5 job and keep writing hours or are you moved to write in a less structured way? 
Ideally, I like to keep to a structure. I’m my most creative in the morning, so I try to work on the WIP while the house is quiet. Afternoons are spent on social media, or writing guest blogs, things like that.   How do you research settings to make them believable? 
I love to travel within America, and am always up for a road trip. I’ve walked the historic cobblestone streets of St. Louis. I traveled the route of the Pony Express and the Oregon Trail. I’ve touched the ruts still visible from the thousands of wagons that traversed this country in the 1800s. I love this country and have the utmost respect for the men and women who fought to tame it. My writing gives me an excuse to immerse myself in the history of the country when this land was raw and rough. I may never be Laura Ingalls Wilder and be able to live on the edge of civilization, but I can write about it.

Becky's new book is The Duplicitous Debutante which is book 6 in her Cotillion Ball series.

In 1859, ladies of New York society were expected to do three things well: find a husband, organize a smooth-running household, and have children.

Rosemary Fitzpatrick’s agenda is very different. As the author of the popular Harry Hawk dime novels, she must hide her true identity from her new publisher, who assumes the person behind the F. P. Elliott pen name is male. She must pose as his secretary in order to ensure the continuation of her series. And in the midst of all this subterfuge, her mother is insisting that she become a debutante this year.

Henry Cooper is not the typical Boston Brahmin. Nor is he a typical publisher. He’s entranced by Mr. Elliott’s secretary the moment they meet, and wonders how his traditional-thinking father will react when he brings a working class woman into the family. Because his intentions are to marry her, regardless.

Rosemary’s deception begins to unravel at the Cotillion ball, when Henry recognizes her. The secretarial mask must come off, now that he knows she is a member of New York society. But she can’t yet confess who she truly is until she knows if Henry will accept her as F. P. Elliott.

The more time they spend together, the closer they become. But when Rosemary reveals her true identity to him, will Henry be able to forgive her or has her deceit cost her the man she loves?

Want a chance to win The Duplicitous Debutante? Check out the giveaway below!

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The Duplicitous Debutante Blog Tour Schedule

Tuesday, October 7

Interview & Giveaway at Historical Romance Lover

Spotlight & Giveaway at Passages to the Past

Wednesday, October 8

Spotlight at Just One More Chapter

Thursday, October 9

Review at The Lit Bitch

Guest Post at Historical Tapestry

Friday, October 10

Review & Giveaway at Fic Central

Spotlight & Giveaway at Peeking Between the Pages

Monday, October 13

Review at What's On The Bookshelf

Tuesday, October 14

Review at SOS Aloha

Spotlight & Giveaway at Susan Heim on Writing

Thursday, October 16

Spotlight at Flashlight Commentary

A Traitorous Heart by Tammy Jo Burns + Giveaway

A Traitorous Heart by Tammy Jo Burns.
The is book 1 in the Reluctant Lords series.
One her way home, Tessa is grabbed by her friend Danny and told to run. She has no idea why they are running but knows it can't be anything good. Finding herself being chased by soldiers and on the run for her life, she is suddenly knocked unconscious.
Derek Simmons, the Earl of Blackburn, is called to interrogate a woman thought to be a spy. He is surprised to find that the prisoner is his wife, whom he had been mourning for the last six months. Having been told that she was one of the many killed in one of the first battle surges by Le Grande Armée, he never even told his family of his brief marriage.
Tessa wakes only to find she has no memory of who she is.  Derek knows in his heart that his wife is no traitor, but can he prove it to his superiors?  Not wanting his wife in prison, Derek insists that Tessa be allowed to be taken to his home.  
He is given two weeks to prove her innocence, but how can he do that when she can't remember if she is a spy or not? 
I really enjoyed this story. It was different from your traditional historical romances in that it involved a married couple (of course, Tessa didn't know they were married).  You still get to see the romance, as Tessa "re-lives" her getting to know her husband period of her life.
I always like when a mystery is added to my romance novels, it just adds that something extra to my enjoyment of the story.  In this particular instance, you have the mystery of Tessa and if or when she will gain her memory back as well as who the traitor really is.
I really liked the secondary characters in the story, particularly Mikala and Gabriel. I'm happy to see their story is the next in the series (yeah, it's already out!!), and I can't wait to read it.

Purchase the book:

• Amazon • Nook • Kobo • iBooks • 

Make sure to check out the giveaway below for your chance to win some awesome prizes!!

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Tempted by His Touch: A LIMITED EDITION BOXED SET of Dukes, Rogues, & Alpha Heroes Historical Romance Novels

Tempted by His Touch:  A LIMITED EDITION BOXED SET of Dukes, Rogues, & Alpha Heroes Historical Romance Novels  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!

Get to know Lila DiPasqua better!!
Q&A with Lila DiPasqua 
What’s your favorite historical romance? Oh, that list is way too long! I love authors like Sylvia Day, Anna Campbell, Lisa Kleypas, Elizabeth Hoyt, Jennifer Ashley and so many more—including all the awesome authors in our boxed set. 
What is the first romance novel you ever read? I was fourteen and it was an old, yellowed copy of Sweet Savage Love by Rosemary Rogers. My best friend sneaked a copy out of her grandmother's house. I've been hooked on romance novels ever since! 
If given the choice between a duke, a rogue, or an alpha hero, which would you choose? A duke that's both a rogue and an alpha hero. :) 
What tempts you? (Chocolate, caviar, long walks on the beach…) Chocolate, a crackling fire. And Mr. D, of course. ;) 
Rapid fire round:  Designer purses or Target special? Designer purses  Heels or flip flops? Both  Rich or famous? Rich  American hottie or sexy Brit? Sexy Brit  Where’s your happy place? Home with my family and dogs.  Excerpt from UNDONE: She stepped closer and smiled. Though his hair was wet and his sea-drenched clothes were cold and stuck to his body, his blood was now coursing white-hot.

You can purchase your own box set at the following: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, Smashwords, All Romance and iBooks.
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

The tour schedule can also be found here: 

http://www.romancewrangler.com/2014/07/TemptedByHisTouchAnthology-BlogTour.html

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