Featuring four of the TQ ladies, we bring you this delightful collection of Regency Christmas novellas...

After attending the funeral of an old school friend, six Regency gentlemen make a pact never to marry, convinced it will save them from meeting the same fate...


COLLECTION 1:

In Ava Stone's A BIT OF MISTLETOE, Everett Casemore, the very serious Marquess of Berkswell, returns home for Christmas, slightly shaken by the death of an old friend. Determined not to suffer the same sort of fate at the hands of a woman, Berks resolves himself to eternal bachelorhood. Unfortunately, both his resolve and his peace of mind are threatened by the arrival of a beautiful, thoughtful, but mostly unsuitable lady. * Miss Theresa Birkin knows better than most that an error in judgment can lead one down an unfortunate path. If only she'd been wiser when she was younger. If only she hadn't followed her foolish heart. If only she'd met Lord Berkswell long before now.

In Jane Charles's LADY DISGUISED, Mr. Sebastian Stanwick never intended to marry. It was bad enough that his father gambled away everything they owned and then drank himself to death, leaving his mother broken until she could not go on. But the death of his good friend at the hand of the man’s wife only solidifies Stanwick’s decision to remain a bachelor. Women were simply unpredictable and unstable if not taken care of properly. * Hélène Mirabelle wants few things in life. One, is to perform on the stage, and the other, is to be out from under the roof of her overbearing new family: Lord Bentley and the Trent brothers. Since her mother’s recent passing, Hélène's desire to return to Milan and the stage has only grown. A husband could never fit into the plans because no decent man would take an actress as a wife. * One fateful night leaves Hélène questioning if being an actress is the only thing she wants, while Stanwick begins to wonder whether all women are truly prone to madness and if they are, he may never get Hélène off of his mind.

In Catherine Gayle’s Thick as Thieves, David Hounslow, the Marquess of Preston, will not stand aside while those he loves are hurt. When it becomes clear his brother-in-law’s guest is up to no good, Preston determines to scrutinize every move of the would-be thief. Not that he minds such a task—Lady Frederica is as beautiful and intelligent as she is enigmatic. Considering her close relation to a wastrel brother and her current proclivity for the less-than-savory, Preston never expected to be won over to the lady’s charms. Yet she just might steal his heart. * Desperation has become Lady Frederica Bexley-Smythe’s constant companion due to her brother’s recent affinity for gambling and carousing. With the fate of both her mother and sister resting upon her shoulders, perhaps the time has arrived for Freddie to bend the rules. How else can she secure their future? Unfortunately, Lord Preston’s scrutiny is complicating her task. Far more perplexing than his perusal is his caring nature, which is distracting her from the treasures she intends to steal. But desperate times call for desperate measures…


COLLECTION 2:

In Jerrica Knight-Catania's ALL HE WANTS FOR CHRISTMAS, Rowan Findley can't imagine a fate worse than what his friend suffered at the hands of his mad wife, so he's made the decision to remain a bachelor for all eternity. That is, until Olivia walks into his cousin's drawing room for a Christmas party. Her fiery red hair and sweet demeanor remind him of a night so many years ago that he would never forget. * Olivia Edwards can't quite believe her eyes when Rowan Findley waltzes back into her life, as handsome and charming as ever. It's been almost seven years since she's seen him, and the secret she's been harboring all that time has her on edge whenever he's about. Yet she can't deny that she's still drawn to him, nor can she deny the desire she's kept hidden in her heart these many years.

In Aileen Fish’s CHASING LORD MYSTERY, Lord Northcotte is not in the holiday spirit when he joins his sister’s family shortly after the brutal death of a friend. Discovering a matchmaking scheme is afoot, he tells them he will never marry Lady Miriam or any other woman. Now if only his heart would listen. * Lady Miriam’s mother accused her of chasing Lord Mystery after a noble act by a handsome stranger six years ago became the measure of all other men. Now he’s staying at the home where she’d hoped to escape a summons from her grandfather, the Duke of Danby. Terrified Northcotte will recognize her and reveal the contents of the scandalous letter she wrote him years ago, she can’t decide which is the bigger threat: the duke armed with a special license, or Lord Mystery, who carries a secret she’d never live down.

In Julie Johnstone’s ’TIS THE SEASON FOR SURRENDER, Lillian Lancaster would rather catch the plague than a husband. Unfortunately, her abusive, recently deceased father’s will stipulates her inheritance hinges upon her marrying a lord. With time running out, Lillian proposes to the guilt-ridden, marriage-adverse Lord Edgeworth after securing his agreement to a marriage in name only. * Edgeworth feels responsible for his former betrothed’s death and believes he doesn’t deserve love, which makes Lillian’s proposal oddly perfect. Commanded by his grandfather to marry by Christmas or become penniless, the obviously perfect choice is a woman who wants nothing to do with him. * When Lillian displays a brave and true heart and Edgeworth reveals his honorable, protective side maintaining a marriage of convenience becomes harder than these two wounded souls imagined. Now, Lillian and Edgeworth must decide if they are courageous enough to risk their hearts and surrender to love.


Available now at the following retailers:
Amazon
Barnes & Noble
iTunes: Collection 1 ; Collection 2

       I was recently lucky enough to take a 10 day trip to Europe.  I had been planning this for over a year and couldn’t wait to visit places I had not been to before and have only read about.  The one thing I did learn is that ten days is not nearly enough time to see everything on my agenda (but I knew that at before I left the States). However, I did accomplish my London goals.

 We arrived on a late Tuesday afternoon and after settling into our room, my husband and I didn’t have much time to explore. At least not like I wished. So we walked around the area where our hotel was located in Chelsea.  I was more comfortable in London but I think it has more to do with understanding the language.

Our first meal was in a quaint restaurant and I found I am not a fan of Bangers and Mash. (My husband loved the meal however and ate mine).

The next day we set off on a bus to hit the highlights. By that, we drove by Big Ben, The Houses of Parliament, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Trafalgar Square with Nelson’s column, with only one stop for a photo op at Westminster Abbey.  The one surprise on the drive was how huge the Houses of Parliament were.  I assumed it was big, just not that big.

The tour ended with the Changing of the Guard and then we were on our own for the afternoon.

After a quick hop on the subway we ended up at The Tower of London. Some shopping was done and pictures were taken. I would have loved to have gone inside but the line was long and if we would have done this I would not have had a chance to see anything else.

We then headed back to from where we had come and began the walk through London. Okay, not all of London, but the area I wanted to see above all else.  This included a stop in Hyde Park then into Apsley House. Not only was it cool to be in Wellington’s home but equally cool to be inside a structure similar to what my characters may have lived in. Much of it was closed off and if I understood correctly, the upper rooms are still used by the family at times.  We were able to tour the basement, entry floor and first floor containing the drawing rooms and the State Dining Room. The main level houses a museum with china, weapons and all manner of items from Wellington's life.

The walk continued down Piccadilly with detours onto St. James and into St. James Square and back out until we were at Piccadilly Circus.

We did rush this walk because I wanted to make sure we were back in time to meet the rest of the group and it turns out, we had extra time so we visited shops, had a pastry and enjoyed a cup of coffee.  I should have had tea! It was the afternoon but I wasn’t thinking.  Hubby did enjoy a pot of tea, however, and enjoyed it very much.

 Others in our group visited Fleet Street and ate at the restaurant associated with Sweeny Todd. Personally, I am not sure I would have wanted to eat there – lol.  However, I would have loved to try a meat pie.  I didn’t get the opportunity this trip.

That evening we dined on Fish and Chips (I really can’t get enough of that combination) and our visit to London was done.

There is so much more that I wanted to see and tour and now that I’ve had a taste, hubby and I will be planning a trip just for the UK to see all it has to offer.

Have you ever been to England? What are some must sees so I can add them to my future itinerary

by Jerrica Knight-Catania

Jane Charles is headed for London as I type this blog post! She's only going to spend a day and a half there before she heads for Paris and then Italy, but in honor of her trip, I decided to dig up my photos from my one and only trip to London. It was spring of 2007, and it was absolutely the most wonderful 10 days of my life! I loved every moment!

One of the greatest things about London is its beautiful parks and green space. They take such pride in their landscaping, and it's such a sight to behold. If I close my eyes while standing on the banks of the Serpentine, I can almost imagine I'm one my heroines, standing there, waiting for her duke to come and find her.

So, without further ado, here are some more lovely pictures of London's gardens, parks and green spaces. I don't remember where each one was (it's been 6 years, after all!), but there's a mix of Regent's Park, Hyde Park, Green Park, as well as some squares (Grosvenor, maybe?), Kensington Palace and Windsor Palace! Hope you enjoy :)

by Jane Charles

I am so excited because this time next week I will be in LONDON!!!!  Our plane will land around 1:00 in the afternoon and after we check into our hotel I plan on seeing as much as I possibly can in a day and a half.  That is right, a day and a half!  London isn’t the only place I am visiting on this trip, but it is the place I am most excited about. I am hoping (crossing my fingers) that I can get to The Tower of London my first day, since it seems as if it is a bit out of the way of the other places I want to go.  I could be wrong, and it might be closer than I think (I’m not very good with judging maps when I haven’t been to a place).

Wednesday morning we will board a tour bus (I am traveling with a group so I am not entirely on my own).  We will cruise by and stop for pictures at Big Ben, Hoses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Trafalgar Square, Piccadilly Circus and finish at the Changing of the Guards.  Nothing else is slated after that so I am hoping the afternoon is to do with what I will.  And, just in case that is the plan, I’ve mapped out what I hope to accomplish which includes a stroll from Buckingham Palace (where I hope we view the Changing of the Guards) to St. James Square for photo ops of architecture, then walk along St. James Street to view the outside of the clubs my heroes would have spent much of their time in.  Then onto Apsley House followed by a walk in Hyde Park. If I have time, I might just do a bit of shopping at Harrods. I wish I had more time but I was afraid to add anything else to the list and tried to keep what I could in one general direction.  Of course, I have never been there and it may not be possible to take the walk I plan.  If anyone knows for certain, please let me know and give me some ideas of a good plan to see as much of Regency London as I can.

In fact, everyone who gives me a solid plan for seeing as many Regency highlights as I can in one afternoon will be entered in to a drawing for a free audio book, Scots, Spies and Salacious Lies or, I can send you the Kindle e-book or, if you are willing to wait, you can win a copy of A Lady Revealed, the next installment of the Tenacious Trents series due out later this summer.  Each person with a plan will be entered and the winner will have their choice.

The next day we will be off to Paris.  I’ve been lucky enough to visit Paris before and absolutely adore the city. The beauty of this visit is that I will not have any high school students to keep track of, but my husband will be joining me instead. I can’t wait to share this trip with him.  And, what I am really excited about is that we will have half a day at Versailles (though I would rather have the entire day, but I can’t have everything).  I’ve usually only been there long enough to tour the palace and look at a few gardens. This time I will have enough time to walk down to the Grand Trianon and the Petit Trianon, which I have never had an opportunity to see.  They are a fairly good distance from the palace so I will make sure and have my comfy walking shoes on. 

We are also scheduled to visit the Louvre, Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, among other sites during our three day stay.  I also plan on making a side trip to DeBauve & Gallais, which, if my research is correct, is the oldest chocolate shop in Paris, dating back to the late 1700’s.  There are some things a girl must splurge on and chocolate from DeBauve & Gallais is one of those things.

On the seventh day we fly to Florence-Tuscany and I am looking forward to vising the shops on the Ponte Vecchio and viewing Michelangelo’s David. Then it is onto Rome for the Colosseum and finally the Vatican. 

I’ve never been to Italy and honestly, it has never been that high on my list of places to visit, yet I am really excited. I may just re-edit A Lady Revealed (Julia’s story) when I get back since it starts in Milan.

Have you ever visited London, Paris, Florence or Rome?  What are the must sees? 

'Tis the season for...the lemon shake-up!

I’ve always loved lemonade, and in practically any form (powered or fresh).  And there are options for what I call the double fruit drink.  Lemonade mixed with raspberries, strawberries, limes, etc. I think the combinations can go on and on and on.  But, nothing beats a Lemon Shake-up on a hot day. 

I’ve noticed that some restaurants have tried to duplicate the taste, and it does probably taste the same, but there is something special about sipping through that straw on a hot summers day (not in a cool restaurant).  The perfect setting would be the county fair or amusement park with a corn dog , smothered in ketchup and mustard in the other hand.  The drink and the food were made for each other, in my humble opinion.

Honestly, there really isn’t anything special about water, ice, tons of granulated sugar and a handful of lemons, but to me it is heaven.  Maybe it is because it conjures wonderful memories of strolling the fairgrounds with my parents (they went for the food and I for the rides).  No trip was complete until I had drunk a lemon shakeup and eaten a corndog.

For a yummy recipe you can make on your own, click here!

What is the one thing you must drink each year to make your summer complete? 

Amazon

This is your last chance to get the Timeless Collection for just $0.99! HURRY! Goes back to full price on June 1!

Presenting 6 full-length novels in one collection for only $0.99!

Her Reluctant Groom by Rose Gordon
To Walk in the Sun by Jane Charles
A Scandalous Pursuit by Ava Stone
More than a Governess by Jerrica Knight-Catania
The Devil's Daughter by Suzie Grant
The Healing Tree by Amy De Trempe

HER RELUCTANT GROOM ~ Marcus Sinclair, sixteenth Earl of Sinclair, has lived the last thirteen years as a recluse following an accident that left him heavily scarred. Though a recluse, Marcus has still managed to fall in love. The problem? The woman he’s taken with is none other than the sister of the lady he was once betrothed to!

~*~*~*~

TO WALK IN THE SUN ~ Hiding from a dangerous man, Tess Crawford thought The Wiggons’ School for Elegant Young Ladies would be the perfect place to disappear. Vincent Latimer, Viscount Atwood, is not a vampire and He wishes the book, Wake Not the Dead, had never been written. When a storm thrusts Tess into Vincent’s path and destroys the school, both of their pasts collide.

~*~*~*~

A SCANDALOUS PURSUIT ~ A very proper English lady has all her plans for the future disrupted when she innocently stumbles headfirst into a compromising situation with a very improper English duke.

~*~*~*~

MORE THAN A GOVERNESS ~ Becky Thorn has been keeping a secret for more than seven years. A secret that could destroy her. So before she gets too ensconced in London society, she accepts a position as a governess for a reclusive Viscount, far away from the ton.

~*~*~*~

THE DEVIL'S DAUGHTER ~ A bounty hunter facing his past, Gade Ryder returns to Eden, Texas, after twelve years to investigate a gang of rustlers on the family ranch. Had he accepted the job out of misplaced family loyalty or was it the compelling mystery of the devil’s daughter keeping him in the one place he didn’t want to be? Confronted by the memory of his mother’s suicide and the father he blames for her death, Gade finds himself seeking comfort from the one woman he couldn’t trust.

~*~*~*~

THE HEALING TREE - Lady Lilian Bliant is determined to thwart her manipulative father’s plan to shackle her to a weak-willed man of the ton. Lord Maxwell Warrick is anything but weak-willed, yet Lily wreaks havoc on his heart. Will their differences be put aside and will Lily one day accept his faith as her own and Max as her husband.

Amazon

Enjoy this little video of some of your favorite authors, including Sabrina Jeffries, Jane Charles, Ann Lethbridge, Julie Johnstone, Samantha Grace and, of course, Ava Stone and Jerrica Knight-Catania of Romance Ramblings...

Answer our question in the comments for a chance to win a $10 gift card to Starbucks!

Jude Devereaux and Julie Garwood during an Author chat. I can't remember the moderator's name. She is the one in the middle.

Julie Garwood, Catherine Gayle and Jane Charles
 

Ava Stone and Jane Charles

Ava Stone leading the Regency Feud game

Best meal ever - lobster thermadore, garlic smashed potatoes and asparagus

One of the many male models

In my haste to get up the Travel Tuesday post, I completely left off one of our TQ ladies in the RT lineup! Gah!

So, just in case you're at RT this week, here is where you will be able to find the lovely ROSE GORDON...

Thursday 2 May
Club RT @ 2pm
&
E-Book, Indie Publisher & Graphic Novel EXPO @ 4p-6p

And to recap, here are where you'll find Ava and Jane as well...

AVA:

Thursday 2 May
Lady Lavinia's Regency Bridal Shower @ 11:15a - 12:15p

Friday 3 May
Name that Playlist @ 11:15a - 12:15p

Saturday 4 May
Regency Feud @ 2:30p - 3:30p

JANE:

Thursday 2 May
E-Book, Indie Publisher & Graphic Novel EXPO @ 4p-6p

Saturday 4 May
FAN-tastic Day Party @6:30p

And remember, they're all walking around with FREE giveaways! So don't be shy! Get your SWAG on! :)