It’s been a dream twelve months for me, and now someone else’s dream might come true – with your help. I have great pleasure in shouting from the roof tops that Meredith Simmons, my mentee, in Brava and RT Writing With the Stars contest has finaled with her story, Indentured Hearts.
I have two things to celebrate this week, as Invitation to Ruin, my debut Regency historical is available from online stores and in e-Book on 22 Febraury, 2011. Official release date 1 March, 2011. What makes this so fabulous, is that my book got some great reviews.
RT Book ReviewINVITATION TO RUIN
by Bronwen Evans
Genre: England, Historical Romance
Sensuality: HHHHH HOT
Setting: 1808 London
Here’s a fast-paced story filled with snappy dialogue, action and a tortured hero that will delight the reader as much as he delights the heroine. A strong heroine, some wonderful secondary characters and a villain who is truly evil help move the story forward. Readers will laugh and cry as they and the protagonists learn that your past does not necessarily dictate your future and that love heals all wounds.
Anthony Craven, the Earl of Wickham, aka The Lord of Wicked, is about to pursue his favorite pastimes, sin and vice. On his way to his assignation he winds up in the wrong room, that of Miss Melissa Goodly, a 21-year-old virgin. When they’re caught, Anthony has no choice but to marry Melissa. Many hope that this is just what Anthony needs to turn him from his current pathof self-destruction. Anthony leaves Melissa on their wedding night. Each time they are in the same room Anthony’s attraction for his wife grows, but he has vowed to never father a child in order to end what he believes is the evil in the family bloodline. The only thing Melissa hopes for out of this marriage is a child. She is determined to break through Anthony’s icy reserve. When a dark shadow from Anthony’s past kidnaps Melissa, he might lose her before he has a chance to tell her that he has fallen in love with her. (BRAVA, Mar., 336 pp. $14.00)
Reviewed By: Jill Brager
and
Publishers Weekly
Invitation to Ruin
Bronwen Evans, Kensington/Brava, $14 trade paper (320p) ISBN 978-0-7582-5919-6
Evans’s debut Regencyis filled withsizzling romance. Anthony Craven, the fifth earl of Wickham, wants Lady Cassandra Sudbury as his next mistress. Then his brother’s deception results in him bedding Cassie’s innocent cousin, Melissa Goodly, whom he is then forced to wed. Melissa tries to seduce her husband and eventually win his love, but Anthony’s cruel father has made him believe that he is unlovable and left him unwilling to have children. Melissa is an anachronistically but appealingly independent and stubborn lady who isn’t afraid to complain that women of her era are often treated little better than slaves, and a subplot involving England’s 19th-century abolitionist movement adds depthto this enticing read. Strong characterizations, smooth plotting, and plenty of explicit sex will appeal to fans of modern Regencies. (Mar.)
Read more on my website www.bronwenevans.com
As for Meredith, what a thrill to be in with a chance to win a book deal. I loved Merry’s, Indentured Hearts, the minute I started reading it.
Merry -tell us a little about you, and what finagling means to you, and what winning would mean.
Thanks Bronwen, I can’t tell you how excited I am.
About the story – I’m fascinated by what happens to competent people when they’re put in a position of incompetence. Both the hero and heroine in Indentured Hearts face this situation.
Convicted for stealing a watch as a boy, Jason Anders is transported from the stews of London to the Virginia Colony. He endures degradation and beatings as an indentured convict, but he rises above his humble beginnings to become the owner of a prosperous iron works. He now wishes to take his place in the planter aristocracy, but realizes he lacks the necessary social skills.
Lady Cassandra Spathe flees the drawing rooms of England believing she’s killed a nobleman who attempted to rape her. She’s shocked to discover she’s inadvertently indentured herself in return for her passage and is forced to fit into the life of a servant, a roll for which she’s completely unprepared.
The immediate, passionate connection these two people feel is bolstered by each holding the qualities that will complete the other. Cassy can give Jason the style and manners of a gentleman and Jason offers Cassy lessons in pragmatic optimism that will allow her to flourish in this unlikely environment.
Then external factors try to tear them apart. Jason is stalked by his former owner who seeks to destroy all Jason has built. Cassy’s true identity is discovered and a former suitor arrives to “save” her and return her to her former life. But will either be truly happy without the other part of themselves?
About me & the contest – I’ve always been an avid reader and storyteller. I majored in English in college to get my fill of words, words, words. I’ve long loved historical romance and after a while, it just seemed logical to make up my own plot and characters and write a novel. Talk about being placed in a position of incompetence!
But I persisted. I joined the Heart of Carolina Romance Writers. I took scores of classes and workshops. I complete two novels that weren’t “quite” right. And finally, I wrote Indentured Hearts in what, for me, was blinding speed, so I could finish it in time to make the deadline for the Writing with the Stars Contest.
Imagine my shock and delight when Megan Records called to say Indentured Heartshad been chosen as one of the ten manuscripts to be in the contest. My feet didn’t touch the floor for about a week – and then reality set in. There were five “challenges” to be dealt with! Fortunately, I’d been given Bronwen Evans as a mentor. Bron pushed, prodded, and cajoled me into producing entries of which I’m very proud. I owe a lot to Bron and her kind and helpful advice.
Then came the nerve-racking “rounds.” Sleep was elusive. How was the voting going? Was there anyone left I could ask to vote? Was the anything more I could do? And then the euphoria of finding out I’m made it though round one. The tension and uncertainty of the next round. Yea! I’d made it into the next. And so it went until I’m unbelievably one of the three finalists in the fifth round. One of us will become a Kensington Bravaauthor! Sleep is no long elusive. It’s become impossible.
What would it mean if I won?– How about Everything? Being published by Kensington Brava would be the fulfillment of a dream! But regardless of what happens on April 7th, this has been one amazing ride and I wouldn’t trade it for nothing.
If you’d like to help make Merry’s dream come true visit RT Writing with the Stars and Vote for the best Love Scene before 27th February, 2011.
