If you’re like me, you’re busy busy busy. I love to visit blogs, but it seems I never have time to get by in a timely fashion…and never in time to win anything! Well, no worries about that here. The Historical Reader Salon will be open all month long and you can come by anytime during the month to join the conversation and enter to win! No rush, no hurry…just a nice relaxing visit (or three) at your leisure. Each month, I’ll throw out a topic for discussion as well as ways for you to win. We’ll keep the conversation going in the comments section and just see how our Reader Salon grows. Hopefully it will develop into a thriving community centered around what we all love—historical romance!

Thursday, March 28, 2013

Day 28: The Truth About Lord Stoneville by Sabrina Jeffries


 
 
Welcome to day twenty-eight of March SWEET Madness—a month long party to celebrate the upcoming release of my novel, SWEET MADNESS, available April 2, 2013.

 

Oh you guys… Today I am featuring one of my very, very, very (did I say very?) favorite authors. Every single time I read one of her books, there is a point where I have to stop and think, “Wow. That bit was perfect.” Her writing has inspired me as much or more than any author’s out there.

When I discovered Sabrina Jeffries, oh so long ago, it was one of those moments where you put down the book you just finished and immediately rush to buy everything this author has ever written! Luckily, she’s written a lot…which made it REALLY hard to pick which book to feature today.

In the end, I went with THE TRUTH ABOUT LORD STONEVILLE, simply because it is the beginning of her last series, and you MUST start there if you plan to read the Hellions of Halstead Hall series. They are all SO good! In fact, the last book in that series, A LADY NEVER SURRENDERS was just nominated for the Romance Writers of America RITA Award! CONGRATULATIONS SABRINA!!!

More about the book:

They're the scandalous Sharpes, five hell-raising siblings tainted by a shocking family legacy. Now each faces a daunting ultimatum: marry by year's end—or kiss their inheritance good-bye.

In the two decades since a tragic "accident" took the lives of his parents, Oliver Sharpe, the Marquess of Stoneville, has survived the scandal surrounding that fateful night by living as an unrepentant rakehell. And with his grandmother vowing to disinherit him if he doesn't settle down and wed, he plans to fulfill the bargain in true Sharpe style—by bringing home a fake fiancée from a brothel! But his scheme is derailed when he rescues an American beauty in a dire predicament instead.

Maria Butterfield came to London to track down her groom-to-be, who's gone missing, but her engagement won't stop Oliver from getting what he wants: her, in his bed. His rebellious masquerade may call his grandmother's bluff, but it's soon made all too real—by a love that tempts him to be a hellion no more.


And now for the fun part—your chance to win! Just fill out the rafflecopter form below. Contest will be open for 2 weeks. (US & CANADA only, please).
a Rafflecopter giveaway
 

To find out more about Sabrina, including her hilarious comic Will  & Jane’s Excellent Adventures (yes, as in Shakespeare and Austen!), you can visit her website at:


 

I am also giving away a copy of either my debut, SWEET ENEMY or SWEET DECEPTION (winner’s choice) EVERY DAY of March SWEET Madness! (you will need to enter this contest separately every day for a new chance to win! OPEN INTERNATIONALLY)

Sweet Enemy

Beakers and ball gowns don't mix, so when lady chemist, Miss Liliana Claremont, goes undercover as a husband-hunter to investigate Lord Geoffrey Wentworth, the earl whose family she suspects murdered her father, romance isn't part of her formula. But it only takes one kiss to start a reaction she can't control...

Read the Prologue and First Chapter HERE...

Sweet Deception


Lady criminologist, Miss Emma Wallingford, unknowingly finds herself tangled up in the dangerous final mission of Lord Derick Aveline, a spy who also happens to be her long-lost first love. But when deception, however sweet, is the name of the game, no one can be trusted. And every love--and every life--is at risk.

Read the First Chapter HERE.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

And don’t forget SWEET MADNESS, coming April 2, 2013!

There’s a fine line between love and insanity…

Ever since her husband’s sudden and tragic death, Lady Penelope Bridgeman has committed herself to studying the maladies of the mind, particularly treating traumatized soldiers of the Napoleonic Wars. It is this expertise that brings the Marquess of Bromwich’s family to her door.

Gabriel Devereaux’s unexpected and unpredictable episodes are unlike any Penelope has studied. The once proud soldier has been left shaken and withdrawn, but she manages to build a fragile trust between them. Strangely, Gabriel seems completely lucid when not in the grips of his mania, and in the calm between bouts, she is surprised by how much she is drawn to him.

Despite his own growing feelings, Gabriel knows that he is fit for no one, and is determined to keep Penelope away from his descent into madness. But even though she knows firsthand the folly of loving a broken man, Penelope cannot stop herself from trying to save him, no matter the cost.

Read the Prologue and First Chapter HERE...

"In this emotional, compassionate romance...the powerful love story will sweep readers away."
~RT BookReviews, 4 1/2 stars

“The brilliance of Sweet Madness shines strongly and completely. Heather Snow is cutting edge…a master storyteller. Sweet Madness is a magnificent story.”
~Book Obsessed Chicks 5 stars

 

See you tomorrow, where our featured author is Sarah Maclean!!!

 

And don’t forget, giveaways are open for TWO weeks, so if you’ve missed any of the fabulous authors featured, visit the archives section and enter!

63 comments:

  1. Just stopped by to say hello and that both of you are ones of my favorites authors! I really enjoyed reading your wonderful stories! Keep writing ladies! please, do not include me in your giveaway, I have read them.

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  2. Love this! I can't think of anything about me that would surprise anyone who knows me.

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  3. I'm not entering for the Sabrina Jeffris book because I already own the series, but I just wanted to say it is one of the most fun reads ever!! The entire Hellions of Halstead Hall series is FANTASTIC! If you love reading romances, Sabrina Jeffries is a must! Absolutely outstanding!

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    1. I agree WHOLE heartedly, Heather! Sabrina is one of my very favs. I can honestly say I have never been disappointed when I have picked up one of her books :)

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  4. For the Heather Snow book entry - something truthful about myself that might surprise you- I did not grow up enjoying reading. In fact, I found reading a chore. It's only in the past 3 years or so that I realized how absolutely amazing it is. These days everything revolves around books - I listen to audiobooks in the car and a paperback or my kindle is never far from my side. For me, reading was an acquired taste, but now that I know just how delightful it is, I long for nothing more than to spend my days enjoying a magical adventure in a novel or falling in love with a distant hero or laughing out loud at the witty dialogue!

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    1. Oh wow! I'm so glad you discovered the joys to be found in books! So many people never read anymore, and I find that sad.

      It's like stepping through a looking glass, isn't it?

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  5. This sounds like a wonderful book. Congratulations on your release!! I tweeted.

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  6. I've already read and enjoyed Sabrina's series, so I'm not entering that contest. So something truthful about myself, huh? Ok. The first job I wanted to have when I was (much, much) younger was to operate a snowcone stand.

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    1. AWESOME! That would be a fun job! I wanted to work at Have-A-Snack, a local diner stand where I grew up.

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  7. I am ashamed to admit that I have not read The Truth about Lord Stoneville. (hanging head in shame) Thanks for the reminder to go back and read this terrific book!

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    1. Don't be ashamed! Just get out there and enjoy it :)

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  8. Hmm... I can be a big eater. In fact, I can eat a lot of junk food at one seating. That's why I try to avoid it totally.

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  9. Something truthful about myself...I love eating ice cream :)

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  10. Something truthful about me... I am writing my first book.

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    1. Wow, congrats Dannyfiredragon! That's how we all start ;)

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  11. surprising, truthful, interesting . . . . .
    i like to read --- not surprising, and maybe not even interesting
    i like music, most but not hard rock/roll, metal, rap, and especially instrumental --- maybe not surprising, probably not interesting
    i strip dance -- WAIT, that's not truthful!

    guess I can't think of anything that matches all 3 criteria -- LOL

    but I would love to begin reading the Hellions of Halstead Hall series.

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    1. I know that's true! (want to read Hellions, not strip dancing...) :)

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  12. I love reading both your books! You are truly both wonderful authors. I loved Sweet Enemy and I have read all The Hellions of Halstead Hall books and really enjoyed that series and recommend them highly. As for something truthful about myself, I really enjoy reading and I love the romance covers with the handsome men as well as the couples on them though my biggest pet peeve is when the descriptions of the hero and heroine don't match the models on the cover. John DeSalvo is one of my favorite cover models and I will pick up any romance book with him on it. I often have the habit of taking my books with me wherever I go so if I can find a moment away from home to read, I grab it. My family often complain that they never see me without a book in my hand.

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    1. Thanks for your lovely words, Joan :)

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    2. And I would take the whole "never see you without a book in your hand" as a compliment, not a complaint ;) Happy reading!

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  13. I didn't "discover" romance books until I was almost 50. Read non-fiction and suspense mostly. I have enjoyed historical romance the most. I have always had an interest in history, and many authors include accurate details of the period in which their stories are set. I have certainly learned/remembered more history than I ever did in class.

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    1. Luckily, I discovered historical romance early :) And I totally agree with you that my favorites are when an author includes something historically accurate and interesting. I love to feel like I'm learning something new when I read, and I've used many things I've read in a historical romance as a jumping off point to research and have gone on to discover something fascinating!

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  14. I was a bodyguard for the former ambassador from South Vietnam. He visited our college during the antiwar period in the 60's. Our International Club sponsored his talk and hosted him. When he questioned the president of our club about extra security, he was told another guy and myself, who were standing near the door, were trained body guards and experts in the martial arts. Thankfully, he never told me that until after the ambassador left. Even more so, thank heaven nothing happened that he needed protection from.

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  15. I have an immune disease and unable to work or do a lot. To keep my brain from not being stimulated I read a lot. Books are my friends.

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    1. That's one of the beautiful things about books, isn't it? They take on lives of their own and can transport us out of our own cares for a while

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  16. Just a hello message. You both are on my shelves of books I have read, loved and are being kept. I only keep books that I enjoyed very much and will read again someday.
    lisakhutson(at)cox(dot)net

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    1. Aw, thanks Lisa! Honored to be on the same shelf as Sabrina!

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  17. I like to draw pictures but I'm not very good. Thanks for sharing.

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    1. I'm sure you're better than you think! We're all our own worst critics :)

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  18. Hi Heather and Sabrina!

    Growing up being the youngest of three sisters I was always the "quiet" one who just wanted to sit in the corner and read books!

    That changed when I was in High School and my parents decided to "pick" a college that they said that I would go to just as they had chosen college for my two older sisters.

    I turned into a rebel at that announcement and decided instead to get out of the Northeast (and the cold and snow) and move to Tucson, AZ and work full time and go to college at night!

    Of course that want't the "done" thing at the time since I got an small efficiency apartment and worked as a secretary during the day. My first assignment in English was to write an essay about the problems of living in the dorm! The professor wasn't happy when I approached him to let him know my situation! He ended up for the whole semester having to come with something different than his "planned assignments for me to do!

    Remember - this was back in the 1960's way before "women's lib" much less "equal opportunities" for women! It made me remember back in grade school when we had to take an aptitude test and my teacher told me that science and engineering, what I scored the best one, weren't "appropriate" for a "girl"!

    Aren't you glad you were born later than me? On the other hand it made me the independent thinking person that my husband so loves today!

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    1. That's why I wrote my heroines the way I did! Nothing is not "appropriate" for a girl...grrrrr. So glad things are changing

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  19. I'm a big fan of raunchy comedies like Porky's and The Hangover.

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  20. like all kinds of candy

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  21. I worked for over twenty years as a nurse on a locked Psych unit. In fact, I met my hubby there. *blink* And no, he wasn't a patient. LOL

    Marcy Shuler
    bmndshuler(at)hotmail(dot)com

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    1. What an interesting career. My mom worked in it also, for over a decade, so I have some understanding of what your experiences may have been like!

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    2. Oh, and my dad worked there also. No, he wasn't a patient, either :)

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  22. I started reading because of my grandmother and it was romances that I was introduced to when I was around 13. I have been hooked ever since and I an still an avid reader.

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    1. Me, too! Well, I started with Nancy Drew, but before 13 I was filching my grandmother's historical romances from her secret hiding place on the shelf behind her recliner!

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  23. I sold Michael Jordan his first AT&T telephones when he moved to Chicago after signing with the Bulls in 1984. I did not recognize him but commented on the neat Bulls jacket that he was wearing. After he was done purchasing his phones, he thanked me for not recognizing him and causing a scene.

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    1. Wow! How fun! I was such a huge fan of his (I played basketball) and even drove all the way to Chicago to see him play once when I was in high school. He was sick that night :( Only played a bit of the game. But still, I can say I saw him!

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  24. I could tell you lots about myself that probably would not surprise you. Just about the only thing I can think of that would surprise you is that I met my second husband when he was actively serving as a United Methodist pastor. My children were with their father for the Easter weekend 34 years ago and a girlfriend of mine was singing a solo at her Easter Cantata at a UMC nearby...and she invited me to attend and to lunch with her afterwards. I was entranced by the pastor's message, but I was equally entranced by the pastor himself, who smiled at me often and during communion. Following that weekend the pastor called to visit with me at my home...and I returned to his church and entered my kids into its Sunday School. Several weeks later, the pastor called me, introduced himself by his first name (Don) and asked if we could have lunch together sometime. I was bowled over--and thrilled at the same time. We were married in his church a year later. He is still my romeo...my hero! jdh2690@gmail.com

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    1. What a sweet story! And with Easter right around the corner, you guys are celebrating an anniversary of sorts :)

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  25. hmmm ... this year will be my 40th high school reunion - boy does time fly - I can't say I feel 40 years older than that 17 year old graduate - maybe 10 or 20 years older - certainly wish I knew then what I know now!

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    1. I hear you! I often say I feel 25...although I must admit, this year I'm starting to feel some aches and pains I don't remember from before. Or maybe I'm psyching myself out since 40 is the next b-day for me (shudders)

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  26. I get attached to weird, random things that no one would think twice about ;-)
    P.S. I adore Sabrina Jeffries and her Hellions!

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    1. I'll bet there's an interesting story in that...

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  27. Sabrina Jefferies is one of my favorite authors too! Would love to read one of your books!

    Charlene
    gmgypsiesf1@aol.com

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  28. I can come up with lots of truthful (and even suprising) things, but I don't know about interesting! Something that suprises a lot of people is that I'm 60 years old.

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  29. My parents are both Lao. I am born in Thailand. I was raised in America. I speak Laotian, Thai, & English. I can't figure out which language is my first language.

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  30. I think it surprises people when I tell them our first phone at home was a party line. Most people have no clue what that is. lol. thanks for the contest. lisagk (at) yahoo (dot) com

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  31. Ummm... I'm ambidextrous with everything but writing... and since I work in the medical field, it really comes in handy :) (pun not intended :) )

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  32. Some people do puzzles as a hobby, I like to take tests. I'll download a recent regents to see if I can still remember the subject.

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  33. Neat freak...everything has it's place. Drives my family crazy!

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  34. lol well when I was younger I use to think everything had feelings, including garbage, so I would put it under the carpet so my parents wouldn't throw it, and they knew my hiding spots anyway :D
    I don't do that anymore, now I just throw everything lol

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  35. 10 year after graduating from high school, I got reacquainted with someone I dated in high school (but not after) and we got married 9 months later!

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  36. Sabrina is one of my favorite authors! The truth is if I could read all day and not do anything else (except to take care of necessities :)) I'll be first in line!

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  37. I love anything green. Is that interesting or what? :)

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  38. Another wonderful giveaway, Heather ~ I can't wait to read Sweet Madness! And I love reading Sabrina Jefferies~ Something interesting~hmmmm I lived my dream of going back to my ancestral home and living in Scotland for a few years~ and Loved it! Thank you for all the giveaways, Heather and I am looking forward to the arrival of my copy of Sweet Enemy and so anxious to read it! Happy Reading and Writing~ Elizabeth

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  39. Well i really did'nt like to read intel i picked up the Twlight book after it came out. Now i can't stop reading! I love to read everything :) Also i have been with my husband snice the 1st day of highschool and that has been 13 years now :)

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  40. I read a historical romance book in two days. Then start another. I am obsessed with them. I love the time period. I think I was supposed to be born back then and not now.

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