The Mystic Castle http://themysticcastle.com Romance Author Designs and Advertising Wed, 10 Mar 2010 15:04:10 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 en hourly 1 To Surrender to a Rogue – Cara Elliott http://themysticcastle.com/2010/03/08/to-surrender-to-a-rogue-cara-elliott/ http://themysticcastle.com/2010/03/08/to-surrender-to-a-rogue-cara-elliott/#comments Mon, 08 Mar 2010 18:56:44 +0000 admin http://themysticcastle.com/?p=4352 Read More]]> Reviewed by Mary Gramlich
March 2010

5 Pink Hearts

Wow this book is too wonderful for words

Lord James “Black Jack” Jacquehart Pierson had been a soldier who fought bravely regardless of the situation and without fear. He always stood strong with his brothers and friends doing right by those he felt had been wronged. But when he is going toe-to-toe with Marchesa Alessandra della Giamatti with her lecturing him on his behavior the man is truly at a loss for words and finally understands the meaning of fear. Granted he had tied her daughter to a tree but that was to protect the little imp from causing more chaos to an already out of control situation yet she kept on lecturing. Jack thought they might have a few cross words and part company but little did he know that the fiery Italian would keep coming back to haunt his day time hours and have him up with night time fantasies.

Alessandra was a rare woman of her times a financially independent widow with a superior intelligent who belonged to a unique group of women known as The Circle. Each woman in the group brought a unique gift to the mix which helped their scientific discussions and experiments. Jack had never come across such a female before even though he harbored a unique talent himself as an artist. He could not display his talent as freely as he would have liked for the males of his time did not behave in such a manner, a clash of swords was considered to be a true manly objective not capturing the sunset on a cloudy day. But Jack loved the feel of brush against canvas and knew he had a calling even though it was not something he could freely discuss.

But Jack has an ally in his oldest brother who understands Jack’s dream and steps up to help him move forward with his talent by securing Jack a job at an excavation site not knowing that the one person Jack did not want to see was the person in charge – Alessandra. Jack and Alessandra start heating thing up almost immediately because polite society is not around now and they unleash their passion for one another and act upon their desires. Jack is more than willing to show her the fire he has built inside for her but Alessandra is not quite so sure that she is ready to return his affection. But with a little persuasion and allot of warm kisses Alessandra loses all clear thought and learns to trust again.

Yet everything changes when an evil stranger from her past shows up to remind her of what she had done and why she was forced to leave Italy. Can she truly go along with this monster’s plan and again ruin her reputation but she knows her choices are gone when it means she has to in order to save her daughter. But is it possible Jack can help her and be the knight she seeks in her darkest hour or is he just using her to relieve some built up tension.

Lovely is a mild word for this dazzling book with fiery characters and a mystery to keep you guessing what will happen next. While it is the second in the series it easily stands alone with a captivating setting for the story and characters that jump out at you from every page. The mystery is dark and leaves you wondering what Alessandra could have done that she can be blackmailed so easily. You are also shown a refreshing side the male-female role in a time and place when men and women had defined positions to play and moving out of those was a herculean feat of character.

]]> http://themysticcastle.com/2010/03/08/to-surrender-to-a-rogue-cara-elliott/feed/ 0 Author Contests – March 2010 http://themysticcastle.com/2010/03/06/author-contests-march-2010/ http://themysticcastle.com/2010/03/06/author-contests-march-2010/#comments Sat, 06 Mar 2010 15:39:58 +0000 admin http://themysticcastle.com/?p=4315 Enter Them Here]]> Welcome to the debut listing of Author Contests on The Mystic Castle. Scroll through the listing below and enter the monthly contests running on the authors website. Good Luck!

Nicola CornickAuthor Nicola Cornick
This month Nicola is giving away a trio of autographed books. First up is a copy of TEMPT THE DEVIL by Anna Campbell. Next is a copy of TO SIN WITH A SCOUNDREL by Cara Elliott and a copy of UNMASKED by Nicola. Contest closes March 31, 2010. Enter Here

Gaelen FoleyAuthor Gaelen Foley
Monthly contests are back! Sign up for her “occasional” e-newsletter and you’ll be registered to win an autographed copy of a Gaelen Foley novel. One winner each month!
http://www.gaelenfoley.com

Elizabeth HoytAuthor Elizabeth Hoyt
Enter Elizabeth’s contest this month and you could win signed copies of LESSONS IN FRENCH by author Laura Kinsale and KNIGHT OF DESIRE and KNIGHT OF PLEASURE by Margaret Mallory. Contest closes March 31, 2010.
http://www.elizabethhoyt.com

Brenda JoyceAuthor Brenda Joyce
The de Warenne Dynasty continues with AN IMPOSSIBLE ATTRACTION and to celebrate Brenda Joyce is offering one lucky reader an autographed copy of THE STOLEN BRIDE. Contest closes March 31, 2010.
http://www.thedewarennedynasty.com

Margaret MalloryAuthor Margaret Mallory
Subscribe to Margaret’s newsletter and your entered into her contest. Margaret this month is giving away autographed books by Jennifer Haymore including her April 2010 release A TOUCH OF SCANDAL. Contest closes March 31, 2010. http://www.margaretmallory.com

Sophie RenwickAuthor Sophie Renwick
Sophie is celebrating the release of VELVET HAVEN. She is running a special contest and all you have to do is subscribe to her newsletter. The grand prize winner gets a $50.00 Amazon gift card. Contest closes March 31, 2010. Sign Up Here

Rona SharonAuthor Rona Sharon
Read the posted excerpt on her website and answer the trivia question to win an autographed copy of ROYAL BLOOD All correct entries will be submitted into the monthly draw.
http://www.ronasharon.com

Pearl WolfAuthor Pearl Wolf
Celebrate the upcoming April 2010 release of TOO HOT FOR A RAKE by entering Pearl’s contest. Read the new excerpt posted on her website and could win a signed copy of TOO HOT FOR A SPY. Contest closes March 31, 2010.
http://www.pearlwolf.com

]]> http://themysticcastle.com/2010/03/06/author-contests-march-2010/feed/ 1 Too Hot For A Rake – Pearl Wolf http://themysticcastle.com/2010/03/01/too-hot-for-a-rake-pearl-wolf-2/ http://themysticcastle.com/2010/03/01/too-hot-for-a-rake-pearl-wolf-2/#comments Mon, 01 Mar 2010 10:07:54 +0000 admin http://themysticcastle.com/?p=4211 Read More]]> Her scandalous seduction…

Hoping to pull off a brazen seduction, Lady Helena Fairchild sneaks into her betrothed’s bed—only to realize too late that she is lying next to a notorious rake. Even worse, her fiancé stumbles upon them and calls off their wedding. To avoid scandal, Helena’s family sends her away to the country. But when she steps into her coach, her escort is none other than the stranger who laid next to her that night…

Was anything but an accident

Lord Desmond Bannington has no intention of changing his ways until he receives news that he is now the Marquis of Waverley. Returning to England to claim his title, Desmond vows to abandon his reckless habits. But for the memory of the lovely Lady Helena Fairchild undressed in his bed. Intrigued by her boldness, and yearning to know her innermost secrets, Desmond can’t help a temptation beyond all reason…

A Too Hot For A Rake Sneak Peak

From Chapter One

London: Wednesday, April Fools’ Day, 1818

There was no turning back now. She lifted the quilt and climbed into his bed. A small smile curved her lips when she noted that he favored the right side of the bed when he slept. That was a good sign, for she favored the left.

Though the erratic pounding of her heart seemed too loud to her ears, Chris didn’t stir. She touched him. His arm was strong and warm and firm. How muscular he had become since she had seen him last. Was it only a year? His brawny body filled her with wonder. He turned again, pulling the quilt with him. It slid to the floor on his side of the bed. Her eyes widened in astonishment, for he wore nothing. Where was his nightshirt?

She hesitated, trapped between panic and curiosity. Curiosity won. She dared to stroke his back with a feathery touch. Her hand trailed down to his buttocks and came to rest on one dimpled cheek. He sighed. She pulled her hand away, caught between fear of waking him and hope. She waited a few seconds and touched again, astonished at her own boldness.

She hadn’t expected the spark of electricity that tore through her. When a beam of moonlight ran across his body, she raised herself on one elbow and rested her chin on her hand. She studied his body unable to believe her good fortune. Once scrawny, the boy she fell in love with when she was still in the schoolroom had grown into a powerfully built man.

Darlington turned and flung an arm across her chest, sending her flat on her back. His hand came to rest on one breast, causing her nipples to pucker. When the rhythm of his breathing gentled and her heart ceased its knocking, she lifted his wrist and placed his arm by his side. The moon skittered behind a cloud, plunging the room into darkness.

Helena dared to spread her fingers through the curled hairs on his chest, trailing down to his navel. She steeled her resolve and explored further. Her hand wandered down to the mound of hair below his waist. She stopped when he threw one leg over her thighs and pinned her to the bed with one arm. His head settled on one breast as if he’d found his pillow. After allowing herself a moment of bliss, she moved his head away and resumed her exploration of his body.

She touched something soft and allowed herself a tiny smile. When his manhood began to engorge, she jerked her hand away, but his shot out and kept hers where it was. If he woke now, surely he would willingly seduce…

The door to the hallway flew open and a blinding light transformed the chamber into bright daylight. They had been discovered! Chris would be forced to marry her now. She had but a moment’s regret. Her love hadn’t had time to complete their lovemaking.

“Have I woken you? What’s wrong, Waverley? I heard a noise.”

Chris? But who’s this in his bed? Helena hid her head under the pillow. A voice fogged in sleep, said, “That you Darlington?”

Read Chapter One→

]]> http://themysticcastle.com/2010/03/01/too-hot-for-a-rake-pearl-wolf-2/feed/ 0 A Most Sinful Proposal – Sara Bennett http://themysticcastle.com/2010/03/01/a-most-sinful-proposal-sara-bennett/ http://themysticcastle.com/2010/03/01/a-most-sinful-proposal-sara-bennett/#comments Mon, 01 Mar 2010 10:07:39 +0000 admin http://themysticcastle.com/?p=4245 Read More]]> A most wicked education…

Marissa Rotherchild has always behaved exactly as a proper lady should, and it has done absolutely nothing for her. So now she has made a most sinful proposal. She wants to live only for pleasure, and she wants Lord Valentine Kent to instruct her in the ways of love and lust. Caring not for scandal or the whispers of society, she craves his every wanton touch.

Is every rake’s fantasy

Lord Valentine Ken has never before been so tempted. Though he is every bit the gentleman, from the moment Marissa arrives at his country estate he can think of nothing but her wild, dark curls and luscious curves. But submitting to passion must wait until he completes the search for an ancestral treasure.

It is a most honorable endeavor

But Kent and Marissa will soon discover that even the best of intentions is no match for a desire as desperate as theirs…

Read A Sneak Peak!

Abbey Thorne Manor,
Surrey, England.

The first Lord Valentine Kent knew he had guests was when his butler, Morris, told him so. Not that Valentine even knew Morris was hovering behind him until the butler loudly cleared his throat, a signal that he had been waiting for some time to be noticed. Valentine frowned, the magnifying glass in one hand, the specimen of rosa foetida on the table in front of him. The single yellow flower had arrived this morning from one of his contacts, carefully packed, but the sea journey had caused some damage—saltwater stained a corner of the box and the inside was damp. He’d recognized the flower immediately and with the familiar pang of disappointment.

There was a second parcel, as yet unopened, from a name he didn’t recognize. Valentine did not find this unusual. He received letters and parcels from all over the country containing specimens or descriptions of specimens for him to name. He was one of the leading experts on roses. But his true passion was one particular rose, a rose which was first brought to England seven hundred years ago. It was his quest, his holy grail, his lifelong ambition, and he had an uneasy feeling that it was becoming an obsession.

Morris cleared his throat even more loudly. Obviously the man wasn’t about to go away. With a sigh of frustration, Valentine turned to face him. “What is it, Morris? I warn you, it had better be a matter of life or death.”

“I apologize, my lord,” Morris droned, his bloodhound face drawn down into apologetic lines. “I am always loath to interrupt you when you are busy, my lord. But there is a young lady here to see Mr. George—”

“Then, Morris, I suggest you fetch Mr. George.”

“Believe me, my lord, I have tried,” Morris replied with feeling. “Unfortunately Mr. George can’t be found, and yesterday he was most specific that when this particular young lady arrived she must be treated with courtesy.”

Valentine sighed again. Damn George! Why wasn’t he here? The last thing Valentine wanted to do was make polite with a stranger. No doubt she was one of George’s silly little flirts, all hair and no brain. George had inflicted someone similar on him once before and he’d made his younger brother swear he would never again invite anyone to Abbey Thorne Manor without first informing Valentine and allowing him enough time to escape to his rooms, or, if necessary, to leave the house altogether.

“Who is this young lady who must be treated with courtesy?” he said gruffly, rising to his feet and shrugging his dark blue jacket back on over his white linen shirt, allowing it to settle comfortably across broad shoulders.

Morris gave him a glassy look.

Valentine was used to his butler’s silent disapproval when it came to his preference for comfort over fashion. The jacket was an old favorite and a little shabby, the top buttons of his shirt were undone, and he’d neglected to put on a neckcloth this morning. Well, he told himself irritably, it was just too bad. George’s flirt could take him as he was or not at all.

]]> http://themysticcastle.com/2010/03/01/a-most-sinful-proposal-sara-bennett/feed/ 0 Subscribe to Sophie’s Newsletter http://themysticcastle.com/2010/02/26/subscribe-to-sophies-newsletter-2/ http://themysticcastle.com/2010/02/26/subscribe-to-sophies-newsletter-2/#comments Fri, 26 Feb 2010 19:27:41 +0000 admin http://themysticcastle.com/?p=4183 Velvet Haven the debut novel in her exciting new series The Annwyn Chronicles. Subscribe to her newsletter and join in the celebration. Read More]]> Win A $50.00 Amazon Gift Card

Sophie Renwick is celebrating the March 2nd release of Velvet Haven the debut novel in her exciting new series The Annwyn Chronicles. Entering is easy, just subscribe to her newsletter below and you’re entered!

Grand Prize winner will win a $50.00 Amazon Gift Card

Second Place winner will win a signed copy of Velvet Haven

Third Place winner will win a signed copy of their choice from Sophie’s backlist: Highlander For Christmas or Hot In Here

Contest open from February 26 to March 31, 2010

About Velvet Haven

Hidden from mortals for all eternity, Annwyn, the Otherworld, is home to shapeshifters, wraiths and dragons. But in a nightclub called Velvet Haven, desire brings humans and immortals together…

Built atop the mystic passageway to Annwyn, the gothic nightclub Velvet Haven has seen its share of lost souls—both mortal and immortal. It is here that Bran, the shapeshifter king of the Sidhe, searches for his brother, who is ensnared by a centuries-old curse. When a vision foretells his own death, he knows his time to find Carden is running out.

For help he must turn to Mairi, a mortal woman with an unusual aura. Bran has never liked humans, other than using their sexual pleasure to restore his magic energy. But with Mairi everything is different. Her lush curves and teasing caresses enflame him like no Sidhe has ever done. He has no idea that the woman he’s falling for holds the key to his destruction – or his salvation.

Read An Excerpt→ on Sophie’s website

Subscribe to Sofie's Newsletter
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By entering our contest you agree to allow The Mystic Castle to add your email address to Author Sophie Renwick’s newsletter list sent through The Mystic Castle. We at The Mystic Castle and Author Sophie Renwick take your privacy seriously, therefore we will not sell, rent, or offer your name and personal information to third parties.

]]> http://themysticcastle.com/2010/02/26/subscribe-to-sophies-newsletter-2/feed/ 0 New Releases-March 2010 http://themysticcastle.com/2010/02/22/new-releases-march-2010/ http://themysticcastle.com/2010/02/22/new-releases-march-2010/#comments Mon, 22 Feb 2010 14:01:01 +0000 admin http://themysticcastle.com/?p=4080 Read More]]>

Here’s a list of new and reissued releases for March 2010 from our authors in our romance communities.

New Releases

First in a sexy new series of erotic passion set in Victorian London

Renee Bernard

Title: Revenge Wears Rubies
Author: Renee Bernard
Series: Jaded Gentlemen—Book 1
On Sale: March 2, 2010
Genre: Historical, Victorian Era
Publisher: Berkley, 336 pp
ISBN-13: 978-0425233375

Vengeance doesn’t always turn out the way you planned.

Galen Hawk desires nothing but revenge against the woman who betrayed his dearly departed friend. Instead of mourning the loss of her fiancé, Miss Haley Moreland is merrily celebrating her upcoming nuptials to another man. Now, Galen has one mission: to seduce Miss Moreland and enslave her heart. And when she is completely his, he will destroy her.

Passions Erupt in An Impossible Attraction. Brenda Joyce’s latest installment in The de Warenne Dynasty.

Brenda JoyceTitle: An Impossible Attraction
Author: Brenda Joyce
Series: The de Warenne Dynasty
On Sale:February 23, 2010
Genre: Historical, Victorian, 1845
Publisher: HQN, 384 pp
ISBN-13: 978-0373774609

Read An Excerpt

Never say never…

With her mother’s passing, Alexandra Bolton gave up on love to take care of her family. Now, with the Bolton name in disgrace due to her father’s profligate ways, marrying an elderly squire might be the only way to save her family from absolute ruin. But when she meets the infamous Duke of Clarewood, old dreams—and old passions—are awakened as never before. Yet she cannot accept his shocking proposition!

There’s no denying Fate when one has the Devil to pay…

Pamela LabudTitle: The Devil To Pay
Author: Pamela Labud
On Sale:March 9, 2010
Genre: Paranormal
Publisher: Resplendence Publishing, e-book
SKU188-200-105-436-2

Read An Excerpt

Condemned to eternal damnation, fallen angel, Ayden Royce, is suffering terrible torture in the deepest pit of hell when the Devil offers him a single chance to save himself. He must seduce an innocent young woman and convince her to take his place in the fiery pit.

Hidden from mortals for all eternity, Annwyn, the Otherworld, is home to shapeshifters, wraiths and dragons. But in a nightclub called Velvet Haven, desire brings humans and immortals together…

Sophie RenwickTitle: Velvet Haven
Author: Sophie Renwick
Series: Immortals of Annwyn—Book 1
On Sale:March 2, 2010
Genre: Paranormal
Publisher: NAL Trade, 336 pp
ISBN-13: 978-0451229182

Read An Excerpt

Built atop the mystic passageway to Annwyn, the gothic nightclub Velvet Haven has seen its share of lost souls—both mortal and immortal. It is here that Bran, the shapeshifter king of the Sidhe, searches for his brother, who is ensnared by a centuries-old curse. When a vision foretells his own death, he knows his time to find Carden is running out.

Reissued Novels

The third book in Donna Grant’s “Druid’s Glen” series is reissued this month with a new cover and publisher.

Donna GrantTitle: Highland Dawn
Author: Donna Grant
Series: The Druid’s Glen: Book 3
On Sale:March 18, 2010
Genre: Paranormal
Publisher: Cerridwen Press, Ebook
ISBN-13: 978-1419923661

Read An Excerpt

An immortal with unanswered questions…

The immortal Dartayous, a powerful Druid Warrior, is given one mission–keep Moira alive to fulfill the prophecy. But with each passing day the burning desire he feels for her eats away at the wall surrounding his heart.

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