Between all the holiday madness/eating/parade watching/deadlines/revisions/last-minute wedding plans, I realized I have a book out now!!! It was available November 20, and, if I do say so myself, it would make a great holiday present for any romance reader. :)
The Scandalous St. Claires series is one to follow. In a genre best known for it's fairly rigid underpinnings it is refreshing to find an author who so skillfully colors outside the lines.
--Fresh Fiction review
Two Sinful Secrets is the second in my "Scandalous St. Claires" series by my slightly naughtier other half Laurel McKee. I've loved working on this series--it gives me the chance to delve into the Victorian period, both the glitzy side of wealth and fashion and the seamier side of theaters, brothels, and gambling clubs, thanks to the feud between the ducal Huntingtons and the theater owning St. Claires. In the first book, One Naughty Night, I used the quietest member of the St. Claire family, Lily, as my heroine--now I use the most outgoing, flamboyant, charming sibling, Dominic (who has a much darker side). I loved seeing him gobsmacked by love with the beautiful, independent Sophia Huntington! She really took me by surprise in so many ways....
Laurel McKee is a truly talented author, bringing to life her characters in this awesome tale.
--Under the Covers review
Ms McKee writes a very Shakespeareanesq novel.. it is hard to describe how her characters face life in ways that only Shakespeare could really understand. She has dark and sinister villains, complex heroes, feuding families and yes great romance. I liked how she intertwined these themes with the fact that her characters were a family of actors..
This was a wonderful story and many times I had tears in my eyes.. I wanted so much for Sophia, I wanted her to have it all.. and it was wonderful to watch her work for it.
--Bodice Rippers, Femme Fatales, and Fantasy
I have to say, I think this cover is one of my most favorite ever. And I got to set the first half of the book in Paris!! What could be more romantic than Victorian Paris? :)
So I'm giving away a signed copy today to one lucky commenter! Do you like family feud romances? Heroes from the wrong side of the (Victorian) tracks? Independent heroines?? What do you look for in a holiday read?
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Congratulations, Amanda! And it is a very pretty cover. I am as always impressed at how you can write different eras. Any favorite resources on the Victorians?
ReplyDeleteLove that cover!!! I've always loved the bad boys, no matter what side of the tracks they're from.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the new release. The cover is great, I am a total cover lover.
ReplyDeleteI do like family feud books and stories. As long as they make up towards the end, or in the next story. Love when they forgive because then something good always happens.
Thanks for the giveaway. Would love to win and read this book.
christinebails at yahoo dot com
Elena, I have lots of great sources I found!! I will do a research post next week so i can share them all :)
ReplyDeleteTo answer your questions: Yes, yes, and yes.
ReplyDeleteI am HUGELY impressed by the review comparing your stories to Shakespeare. Could there be any higher praise than that????
It is a beautiful cover, even if it doesn't show a hunky, shirtless hero on it!!
LOVE IT ALL! I'm all about "bring on the scandal. " I mean if we can have crazy holiday in a book the better.
ReplyDeletecountessofmar(at)yahoo(dot)com
I always enjoy reading about independent heroines. Add in some family feud and it's bound to be exciting. I like seeing the banter most of all.
ReplyDeleteCambonified(at)yahoo(dot)com
Independent heroines are among my favorites, and I love seeing the hero gobsmacked (also love that word) by the heroine just when he least expects it.
ReplyDeleteFabulous cover and it is SO YOU!! I have to admit I do love a bad boy no matter which side of the tracks claims him. He is ripe for the picking by an independent heroine with the courage and the touch of wickedness needed to take him on.
ReplyDeleteFamily feuds have so many possibilities. There is something about the family dynamic that always intrigues me.
And I have a great collection of historical romance Christmas books and anthologies. They are my go-to form of relaxation from the rat race of holiday retail work!
And those are some AWESOME reviews! Then again I would expect no less when it comes to your books in all your persona!
I admit I am not usually drawn to Victorian stories, but comparing this to Shakespearean plot...well I will just have to check it out! Congrats on the release and that is a lovely cover.
ReplyDeleteOh, all of the above, especially independent heroines. I love seeing the heroine rescue the hero from some situation, I always get a kick out of that. In a holiday read, I enjoy a snow covered landscape out in the country. Since I'm from a warm climate, reading about playing in the snow sounds like fun.
ReplyDeleteCongrats! Beautiful cover and intriguing story!
ReplyDeleteLouisa, I always get out the holiday novellas this time of year too! They are the perfect length for a little escape, and always so much fun :)
ReplyDeleteI was very, very (very) flattered by the Shakespeare-esque review! Truly Shakespeare is the number one best teacher for characterization. His people still ring true and real to us 400+ years later (unlike, say, Marlowe's characters), so amazing
The book sounds interesting.
ReplyDeleteI love strong heroines, hero's with a difficult past and just two people who really love each other.
All those factors make for good stories. They offer so many great plot possibilities.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on the release. I like the cover, what a lovely shade of pink.
I love holiday stories. My favorites are of those who are lonely and damaged in some way finding the person who completes and heals them.