Romance is Key!

Yep. I'm old-fashioned.

I adore red roses on Valentine's Day. I love the meaning filled cards my husband and I swap. I like to be reminded that I'm special in someone's life and let that someone know that they are equally special in mine.

In ways which count we show each other, no matter what, we're never alone. I think that's the kind of love most people search for and some are lucky enough to find. Days spent with simple pleasures, kind words, lots of laughter and understanding when it's needed most.

Can you keep a secret?

We never had a honeymoon. And given this year is the year I intend to make a few things happen, I've organized a bit of a trip closer to our anniversary month. I'll give you some hints... Leis and sunshine...first-class entertainment and, no doubt, way too much food...the Pacific Ocean and a suite with its very own balcony view.

I haven't told you-know-who yet. Maybe he'll suggest we renew our vows. He's that kind of guy.

So are you a flowers on Valentine's Day type, or maybe someone who views V Day as more a commerical money spinner? I see Easter eggs are out in the stores already...

P.S. Don't forget to enter my Valentine's contest here for the chance to win flowers, champagne and two fabulous romantic reads by Rachel Bailey and Amy Andrews!

No woman had ever affected him like this...

by Michelle Douglas

Reading: The Penguin Book of Sewing

Watching: The local currawong parent trying to keep the food up to its very demanding baby

Listening to: the rhythm of the pouring rain

Making me smile: the fact the possums haven't eaten my chilli plant (yet)

I love reading romances and I love writing romances—given what I do that’s probably pretty self-evident. :-)

I also believe romance novels, as a general rule, are examples of feminist writing—not just because they’re stories primarily written by women for women (although they are), but because in a romance novel the heroine ends up with everything she wants. Go girl!

Another thing I love is reading academic books that discuss my genre and, as is my want, towards the end of last year I read a book of essays titled Romantic Conventions.* I want to quote a piece from one of the essays, because it made my head spin, and because I would love other people’s takes and thoughts on it.

The essay is titled “Lead us into Temptation” by Rosemary Johnson-Kurek.** She discusses the language used in romances to describe or denote a whole host of things, but I’m just going to focus on one tiny part of the essay—two lines that are often used to describe the heroine’s specialness. Both of these lines occur from the male point of view.

Line 1: No other woman had affected him like this before.

Line 2: He’d had other women, but none special.

And then Johnson-Kurek points out her problem with the second line. “It certainly casts aspersions on the female gender when negative stereotypes involve all women a hero has had because by presenting the heroine in opposition to these women, she is viewed as exceptional to the gender.” (p. 130)

And that was when my head started to spin because I may in fact be guilty of using these lines myself, and I would never knowingly do anything to denigrate my gender. TBH, I don’t have a problem with the first line. I love for the hero and heroine to have a unique connection. There’s nothing in that line that to my mind casts aspersions on the rest of the female population. It’s not saying that the hero hasn’t loved other women, that he hasn’t felt affection and connection with other women. What it is saying is that the heroine affects him in a unique and strong way.

But when Line 1 is used in conjunction with that second line… Cue much shuddering, because, quite frankly, that second line has really started to get my back up and it’s that “none special” that’s making me grit my teeth.

He’d had other women but none special.

Whoa, hold on there, buster! All women are special.

On further reflection, I’m not big on that “had” either. If I could rewrite the line I’d want something like: “He’d been with other women—lovely women, beautiful women, funny women, clever women—but no one had affected him like this before.” (That could just be me wanting my cake and eating it too, but hey…isn’t that what romances are about? :-))

So I’m interested to know if anyone else finds this offensive. Or are there other lines out there that you loathe and find derogatory to women?

And in the interests of promoting free and frank discussion ;-) I’ll give away a copy of one of my backlist titles to one lucky commenter.

*Kaler, Anne K., and Rosemary Johnson-Kurek. Romantic Conventions. Bowling Green: University of Wisconsin Press, 2006.

**Johnson-Kurek, Rosemary. “Lead Us Not Into Temptation.” Romantic Conventions. Bowling Green: University of Wisconsin

Press, 2006.

Punch, Anyone?

by Emily May

Imagine the year is 1816 and you're at the Worthington's masquerade ball...

There's something about a masquerade—a freedom, an edge of the risqué.  The music has an edge to it, a slight wildness not found at more formal balls. The waltz is no staid Almack’s dance, but something far more exhilarating and fast-paced.The musicians’ exuberance is infectious. Your partner whirls you around the dance floor until you're breathless and laughing. 

The music stops. A winged fairy flits past, giggling behind her mask, pursued by a horned satyr.

‘Would you like some punch?’ your partner asks, as he escorts you off the dance floor.
 
Recklessly you nod.

~

People drank a lot of alcohol in the Regency. It wasn't uncommon for men to have ale at breakfast, or to drink several bottles of wine with their dinner. So at the Worthington's masquerade ball there is alcohol aplenty. Deep red clarets, light Rhone whites, sparkling flutes of champagne -- and the famous Worthington punch.

There were a number of different types of punch during the Regency. Rum Punch had rum (obviously), lemon, arrack (a coarse spirit), and sugar. Negus consisted of port, lemon, sugar, and spices. Regent's Punch was a potent mix of rum, brandy, hock (a white wine), curacao (an orange-flavoured liqueur), champagne, and various fruits.

~

It's a variation of Regent's Punch that the Worthingtons serve, with slices of strawberry and orange floating in it. You sip it, as the music swirls around you. Eyes glitter behind masks, laughter is loud, and the guests blatantly flirt with one another as they dance.

And maybe you drink a little too much punch and steal an illicit kiss with another guest...

~

That particular tale, with the masquerade ball and the punch, is Lady Isabella's, the heroine of Beauty and the Scarred Hero, which is out this month in the UK. I've never been to a proper masquerade ball, but  I've been to a number of fancy dress parties, and they've been loads of fun! I can only imagine what a proper masquerade ball would be like, with everyone masked. I think it would be a heady experience--especially if Regent's Punch was served!

Here's me as a cancan girl at a Wild West fancy dress party
(with two cowgirls called  Ali and Paula)

Have you ever been to a fancy dress party? What's your favourite costume?!

Glasses and music image courtesty of WPClipart.

Sunday Smooch: Rachel Bailey's What Happens in Charleston...

Welcome to another LoveCats DownUnder Sunday Smooch!


Today we have a smooch from What Happens in Charleston... by Rachel Bailey, but first ...

the winner of last week's Sunday Smooch Giveaway is -- Marybelle!


Congratulations, Marybelle! Can you please contact Rachel Johns at

Rachaeljohns077 (at) gmail (dot) com

and she'll send you a copy of One Perfect Night.

And now for today's Sunday Smooch from What Happens in Charleston... by Rachel Bailey.



Money has always given Matthew Kincaid whatever he wanted. Yet now his son needs something even his millions can't buy. The widower's sole recourse is the surrogate who gave birth to his child—for she is also the boy's true biological mother.

Susannah Parrish needs no prodding to offer her assistance—a child's life is at stake. But to their mutual surprise, the minute she's back in Charleston and residing in Matthew's home, passion consumes them. Is this a relationship doomed by deception? Or is it the one chance at a love they both secretly crave?



[Set up: Matthew and Susannah have just shared a meal in Matthew's kitchen, topped off by Susannah's coffee and hazelnut cheesecake and a heart to heart about their families. When Susannah becomes upset by a memory, Matthew pulls her into his arms to offer comfort.]

Lately Matt wasn’t used to having any woman in his arms besides his mother or his sisters. Susannah Parrish didn’t feel remotely like his sisters. Her eyes, filled with strength and hurt at the betrayal had been his undoing. He couldn’t have stood another second with the distance between them. And, even though he rubbed a palm slowly up and down her back the way he might for Lily, Laurel or Kara, he couldn’t begin to fool himself.

This wasn’t platonic—her nearness was setting his skin on fire.

He’d never known why she’d carried his baby, what she’d used the money for, but the story of her resilience was amazing. Could he have ever done something as difficult for similar reasons?

"If I’d known, we’d have paid you more.” Heck, if he thought she’d take it, he’d give her more now.

“It was enough,” she said softly. “But thank you for saying that.”

“What if I give—”

She pulled back in his arms and he could see her face again. “Please don’t offer. I’ll be fine.”

“Noble as well as generous and beautiful,” he said, cupping her cheek in his hand. Her pupils dilated and her breath came faster, and he wanted to kiss her so badly that he ached with it. He leaned down, wanting…

“Matthew,” she said, and he stopped close enough to feel her breath on his face as she spoke. “This isn’t a good idea.”

“It sure feels like a good idea,” he said, not retreating an inch. And, God help him, at this moment he couldn’t consider anything other than how her mouth would feel opening beneath his.

“Things,” she began, then paused to swallow. “Things are too complicated already.”

“It’s just a kiss, Susannah,” he told her…told himself. “It doesn’t have to mean anything.” He brushed his lips across hers lightly, needing to feel them. “Just—” over one corner of her mouth “—one—” then the other corner “—kiss.”

On a sigh, her lips parted, and a shudder ripped through his body. He’d been trying to deny that he’d wanted her ever since she’d walked through the arrivals gate at the airport. In the past year, any flicker of desire—no matter how minor—had felt disloyal to Grace, and had been followed by a tidal wave of guilt. Despite the talks of divorce, they’d still been married when she’d died. Worse, if he hadn’t suggested divorce in the first place, Grace would still be alive. The confusion had kept him closed to the idea of other women for twelve months.

But what Susannah stirred within him was too strong to deny. Her mouth tasted of the sweet dessert, combined with an allure all of her own that drew him ever deeper.

He plowed his fingers through her silken hair, holding her for his kiss, unwilling to risk her withdrawal. The wet slide of her tongue against his was sinfully erotic, her teeth nibbling at his lip explosive.

Mindless, he found her hips and drew her closer. As close as he could get while clothes provided a barrier. Her hands skimmed over his shoulders and down his back, and he wanted nothing more than to feel those hands on bare skin. To have his hands on her bare skin. He wanted her with an all-consuming need that was beyond thought.

He reached for the first button on her blouse but before he could make any headway, she pulled back.

“Matthew,” she rasped, resting her hands on his chest. “Please.”

The rough edges in her voice reverberated through his body. “Please what?” he asked with a smile.

“If you try to kiss me like that again—” she paused, as if gathering enough breath to continue “—I won’t be able to resist.”

His pulse leaped. “Good,” he said and his head began a descent again.

To be in the draw to win a signed copy of What Happens in Charleston..., simply leave a comment. And if you want to, let us know what your dessert specialty is - Susannah not only makes a coffee and hazelnut cheesecake, but a whole range of sumptuous desserts!




Come back next Sunday, when the winner of today's giveaway will be announced -- and a smooch from Courting His Favourite Nurse by Lynne Marshall will be posted!

Where it all began...

By Leah Ashton

Do you remember the book that started your love of reading?

I do - it's a book called "Star of Wild Horse Canyon" (by Clyde Robert Bulla) and it came in one of those mystery Scholastic Lucky Book Club Book Bags when I was in Year One. I remember reading it in one sitting - all 70 pages (with a rather large font and numerous drawings...) - and charging out of my bedroom to tell my parents. I thought I was so grown up!

That book didn't only get me reading, it made me fall in love with horses (my parents were probably less thrilled with this side effect!). Unsurprisingly, a huge number of pony books followed over the years. I probably had hundreds, but I gave away or sold nearly all of them when I moved out of home when I finished Uni (now I think why? - I wish I'd kept many more). But, a small number survived, and followed me from Perth, to Sydney and back again, and now through three more houses! Of course, one of them is good old Star (the wild pony tamed by Danny), plus my other two favourite books when I was still aged in single figures - Pickles (the rescue pony hidden at the bottom of the heroine's garden) and Doodlebug (a classic ugly duckling story).

Aged about eleven, I discovered the Ruby Ferguson "Jill" series, and fell completely in love with them. I re-read them I don't know how many times - very clever, very funny and just classic 1950s British pony books. I'd had every intention of naming a daughter Ruby in honour of the series, until I mentioned this to my (now) husband and he was utterly appalled. Hmm.  About this time I was also devouring Patricia Leitch's Jinny series, and anything by a Pullein-Thompson sister (Josephine, Diana or Christine).

And then - things started to change. Romance started to creep into my pony books - starting with "The Dream Horse" by Virginia Campbell Scott. On the cover it says "A girl with no roots. A boy with a bad reputation. A horse nobody wants." Okay - I was a thirteen year old horse-mad (horse-less!) girl who was just discovering the pain of unrequited love. I couldn't read this book fast enough!

Over the next few years my reading taste started to slide heavily towards romance, and by age sixteen I was lucky enough to have my own horse - to be living the dream of horse ownership, and horse shows - even a pony club camp! - that I'd dreamt of for so long. I was finally the girl in the pony book (handsome teen heartthrob aside).


I sold my last horse, Vee (the pics are of her - isn't she lovely?) in my early twenties, and I can't see horses again in my future anytime soon. But, those pony books will still follow me everywhere - they started a life long love of reading, and daydreaming, that eventually led to me thinking that maybe I should try writing a book one day... And while right now I'm more than happy writing romance, I reckon I have at least one pony book inside me.

Do you remember the book that triggered your love of reading? Do you have a favourite author or series from your childhood?

Lynne Marshall's Book Winner!

 


Huge thanks to everyone who dropped in to chat with Lynne Marshall on the blog this week! It's been great fun! And now I'm absolutely delighted to announce the winner of Lynne Marshall's ebook, An Indiscretion...

drumroll please...  It's...

LaVerne Clark!

LaVerne, could you please contact Lynne on lynne (at) lynnemarshall (dot) com and she'll get a pdf copy of her book on the way to you.

Interview with Lynne Marshall

 

by Sharon Archer

I’m thrilled to bits to be welcoming Lynne Marshall to the blog today. 


She writes contemporary and Medical Romance for Harlequin and The Wild Rose Press.  And her debut for Harlequin Special Edition is out next month!

Hi Lynne!  It’s fantastic to have you visit!

At the LoveCats, we always love to know about the non-humans in your life…

First off, hello and thank you for having me as a guest today!  Our non-human status is a touchy subject at the moment.  We lost our beloved Rogan in March of 2011, and though we miss him terribly, don’t feel ready for a new dog yet.  I have plans though.  Big plans.  This time, when we search out rescue dogs, I want one for me and one for my husband.  DH is a one-breed man (Rhodesian Ridgeback).  I also love that breed, but just to mix things up a bit, I’d like to find a medium-sized girl doggy for me.  We prefer short hair, so, when the time comes, and I feel that time grows closer every day, we’ll be hunting for two new additions to our family.  I’ve got to fill that empty nest with something, right?

Oh, I’m so sorry to blunder into a touchy subject, Lynne, I know how hard it is to lose a much-loved pet.  I’m sure when you’re ready that there will be a couple of very special additions waiting for you to find them. 

What’s the most unusual experience you’ve had at work?

I was a Registered Nurse for twenty-six years and went through quite a lot in that time, but the most unusual thing that ever happened, hands down, was also the eeriest thing to happen in all those years.  At the time I worked on the eighth floor of the hospital in Orthopedics.  It was a ten story building and was shaped like a figure eight with sliding glass doors off patient rooms opening to balconies.  The view was beautiful when it wasn’t smoggy. :/  Anyway, one night (I was on the evening shift at the time) while helping prepare patients for dinner, I saw something whiz by the balcony window as the hair raised on my arms.  Came to find out that we’d had a jumper that night.  I guess someone didn’t like their diagnosis.  Very sad.  We could hardly carry on, yet we had to for the other patients’ sakes.  I’ll never forget it, and I bet you’re sorry you asked!

That's so tragic… it must have been dreadfully hard for everyone...  actually your answer could qualify as a response to my next question…

What’s the most difficult thing you’ve tackled?

I’m assuming this question is directed at me personally, not in writing the book.  Hands down the hardest thing I ever had to do was break the news to my ninety year old mother that she had two brain tumors.  Bringing her into our home on hospice care may have seemed hard at first, but the rewards far outnumbered the difficulties.  Her usual droll reply was “You mean I lived this long only to get a brain tumor?”  She’d always hoped she’d pass away in her sleep (who doesn’t?) and actually, she did, three and a half months later.

Lynne, your mum sounds like she was a character.  How lovely that you had that very special time with her. 

But, gosh, my questions so far have turned out to be really tough.

Share three interesting things you’ve learned…

Oh, good, a fun question.  I was beginning to get depressed. 
1.    It’s never too late to fall in love
2.    Our bodies age, but our minds stay forever young
3.    Life is filled with miracles if we’re attuned to watching for them

I love the things you’ve learned!  They’re something we could all count as great lessons.

Tell us about the inspiration for COURTING HIS FAVORITE NURSE

The inspiration began with a vision of three teenagers dressed up and ready for their high school prom.  What struck me about the image of the two young women and one guy was they were all bald.  Two of them had shaved their heads in honor of the other.

That’s all I’m going to say about that right now if you don’t mind.

Of course!  Author’s prerogative!  We’ll look forward to finding out more when we pick up your book.  But as an inspiration that is amazing and poignant.  The three  young people were obviously true friends.

Here's the back-cover write up for COURTING HIS FAVORITE NURSE! 

Anne Grady knew better than anyone that love was complicated. When she’d left her hometown, she thought she was leaving her past heartbreak behind for good, as well. But practically the moment she returned to care for her injured parents, she stumbled headlong into their confidant—her first love, Jack Lightfoot.

Jack had been unable to deny his feelings for Annie when he was a teenager dating her best friend, and he certainly couldn’t muffle the spark twisting between them now—even if memories of the past kept threatening to push them apart. This time Jack wasn’t going to let history repeat itself—he was going to show Annie that the two of them were meant to be much more than best friends!
 

So tell us, what do you do just for fun?

I’m a very silly person, and have the ability to slip into adolescent mode easily.  I’m a giggler by nature. I love to laugh, to say goofy things and have a good old fashioned belly laugh with my friends and family.  Nothing is more fun than that.

What are you reading?
Deadwood by Pete Dexter.  All I can say is, thank God I wasn’t born at that time or anywhere near Deadwood, South Dakota.

What are you watching?
In the Middle and Modern Family. 

What are you listening to?
Michael Bublé and Adele for popular music, and Beethoven for the classics.

What’s making you smile?

• Realizing that I have a debut Harlequin Special Edition coming out in a few weeks!  
• That somehow I’ve managed to land myself in a wonderful second career that is full of surprises.  
• That I’ve met the most amazing people all around the world because of writing for Harlequin, and I couldn’t be happier.  
• And that lovely people such as the ladies of LoveCats Downunder invite me to be a guest.  Thank you!

Still smiling.

Lynne, I love the things that are making you smile - in fact, I'm still smiling, too!

And I'm sure it'll make our readers smile to hear that you'll giving away a pdf copy of your March 2012 e-book release, An Indiscretion!  

To be in the draw, please share the name of one of your pets, past or present.

An Indiscretion: 

A doctor… A nurse… An indiscretion…Paul Valverde is stretched to the limit, caring for an elderly relative while running a business and maintaining a full-time medical practice at St. Stephen’s Hospital–with no time for a relationship.

RN Carrington Hanover leaves her money-hungry fiancé at the altar and moves on to a new job at St. Stephen’s Hospital in Los Angeles. The next man in her life must love her, not her money.

All work and no play has made Paul an unfulfilled man, and the resurrected redheaded crush from his youth is driving him to distraction. Can their complicated past become untangled by their newfound attraction–or will their love be doomed by mistrust and long-held resentment?