Have YOU Heard About Discover a New Love?

Have you heard about Discover a New Love? It's an online readers club, featuring DRM-free eBooks. Members can join for a 6-month subscription for only $9.99 (that's like $1.67 per eBook). Every month they get a choice among 4 featured selections from various romance subgenres for download. They also get a hefty discount on any other books they want to buy from the website.

Additionally there are great perks—Barbara Vey, romance expert and blogger of Beyond Her Book, will be blogging weekly, and hosting monthly parties and galas, giving members an opportunity to connect with one another and directly with authors.

Things are still new, but we're so excited about where everything is going. And we have A LOT of fun stuff that will be starting in May and throughout the summer…

Starting Tuesday, May 1st, the titles that members can choose from are:

Contemporary

Historical

Paranormal

Surprise

Additionally, we have a couple of new benefits beginning in May, too:

• Save an additional 15% off the member pricing on the purchase of any additional Featured Selections.

     ·         Get an extra 10% off any title by the authors of our Featured Selections.

FEATURE and GIVEAWAY: Lucky in Love by Jill Shalvis

Top Pick! 5 star review!

"LUCKY IN LOVE hits all the right notes--funny yet sweet, a light romance that was made all the more unforgettable by its witty heroine and Mysterious Cute Guy hero."

~ Ashia

Read the full review here.

Mallory Quinn has had enough of playing it safe. As a nurse and devoted daughter, she takes care of everyone but herself. And as the local good girl, she's expected to date Mr. Right. But for once, she'd like to take a risk on Mr. Wrong. And who could be more wrong than Ty Garrison? The mysterious new guy in town has made it clear that he's only passing through, which suits Mallory just fine. Besides, his lean, hard body and sexy smile will give her plenty to remember once he's gone . . .

For the first time in his life, Ty can't bear to leave. Helping this sexy seductress-in-training walk on the wild side is making him desire things he shouldn't including leaving the military for good. As their just-for-fun fling becomes something more, Mallory and Ty wonder if they could really be this lucky in love. After all . . . anything can happen in a town called Lucky Harbor.

Read about how Mysterious Cute Guy aka Ty Garrison came to life!

Read an excerpt.

About the Author:

USA Today bestseller Jill Shalvis is the award winning author of over four dozen romance novels, including her upcoming sexy contemporary novel Simply Irresistible, book one in the Lucky Harbor series. The 4-time Rita nominee and 3-time National Readers Choice winner makes her home near Lake Tahoe.

Check out her website .

*** G I V E A W A Y ***

Thanks to Hachette Book Group, who is donating 1 print book of LUCKY IN LOVE for giveaway!

Mechanics:

1. You must be a US/Canada resident.

2. Be a follower! (GFC, Facebook, Twitter, The Romance Reviews)

3. Leave a comment here on the blog to enter the drawing!

4. If you blog about this contest and the one below, you'll get an extra chance! Please leave your post URL in your entry.

CONTEST ENDS: May 23, 2012 1159pm EST

CONTEST WINNER ANNOUNCEMENT: May 26, 2012

Winners will be selected randomly by the system or Randomizer.org. Good Luck!

GIVEAWAY: Lethal Rider by Larissa Ione

They're here.

They ride.

The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse

Born of a match between good and evil, four siblings stand between hell's minions and everything they want to destroy. They are the Lords of Deliverance, and they have the power to ward off Doomsday . . . or let it ride . . .

LETHAL RIDER

Thanatos, the most deadly Horseman of the Apocalypse, has endured thousands of years of celibacy to prevent the end of days. But just one night with the wickedly sexy Aegis Guardian, ReganCooper, shatters centuries of resolve. Yet their passion comes with a price. And Thanatos must face a truth more terrifying than an apocalypse-he's about to become a father.

Demon-slayer Regan Cooper never imagined herself the maternal type, but with the fate of the world hanging in the balance she had no choice but to seduce Thanatos and bear his child. Now, as the final battle draws closer and his rage at being betrayed is overshadowed by an undeniable passion for the mother of his child, Thanatos has a life-shattering realization: To save the world, he must sacrifice the only thing he's ever wanted-a family.

The Romance Reviews is giving away this book to one lucky commenter! (International)

No, don't comment here on the blog.

Check out our Featured Book Interviews below, and each comment you make entitles you to ONE POINT to count towards the drawing. Follow each link to comment: 

Invitation to Scandal by Bronwen Evans
Delighting in Your Company by Blair McDowell
Becoming sage by Kasi Alexander
A Wild Night's Bride by Victoria Vane

Contest ends May 31.

Winner will be announced in June, on any of the featured interview links above.

All Around the World with Jane Contest

The Romance Reviews is bringing you news of an awesome contest! Read on!

In the June memoir, All Roads Lead to Austen the author Amy Elizabeth Smith took Jane Austen's works along with her as she traveled to foreign countries. Her goal was to see if the magic of Jane Austen could hold its power across borders, languages and cultures.

Amy took Jane to far off countries – and we need your help to take her even further! We are holding a contest called All Around the World with Jane! Join us on our Austen love fest by printing out our Jane Austen "flat Stanley." Take pictures of yourself with Jane in your hometown or on your vacation, and submit it from April 30^th – June 30^th!

We will award the following prizes to the individuals with the most creative picture:

1 Grand Prize Winner will receive:

• An E-reader with all of our available Austen sequels/continuations downloaded on to it
• A signed copy of All Roads Lead to Austen by Amy Elizabeth Smith
• A Skype session with Amy Elizabeth Smith

3 Second Place Winner will receive:

• A signed copy of All Roads Lead to Austen by Amy Elizabeth Smith
• A choice of 5 Jane Austen sequels/continuations from Sourcebooks

5 Third Place Winners will receive:

• A signed copy of All Roads Lead to Austen by Amy Elizabeth Smith

You can then submit your pictures on the All Around the World with Jane Facebook page or email your submission to landmark@sourcebookspr.com.

Below are some examples of where Jane has been already (Times Square, The Jane Austen Centre in Bath, and the Sourcebooks offices!) along with the flat Stanley that you can print off (also available on the Facebook page). 

Hop Against Homophobia - May 17 to 20

The Romance Reviews is part of the hop! Check out our post here: http://glbt.theromancereviews.com

Comment and have the chance to win awesome prizes!

What is it about BDSM?

Most young girls love horses. I read once that the smaller the child, the larger the animal they will be attracted to. It kind of makes sense: when you’re tiny and vulnerable, having something strong, powerful and friendly is a nice thought, isn’t it? Kind of like having a big, strong daddy who you know loves you and will protect you. Being carried on Daddy’s shoulders is not dissimilar to riding a powerful horse.

I think there’s a connection there to the way that many women (and men too, of course) are attracted to BDSM and, in particular, power exchange (domination/submission). Women in the past had very few choices when it came to who was going to be in charge of their lives. They usually went straight from father to husband with no chance of determining for themselves how they wanted to live. Obviously it’s very different now. Women are expected to be powerful themselves, in charge of their own lives, capable of handling anything. And we are. But I think there is still a small part of our brains that yearns for that feeling of having someone big and intimidating on our side. (I’m not going to go into religion here, but you can see the parallel.)

Think about the heroes in our romance novels. The cliché is that they’re all 6’3”, ex-Special Forces, sun-kissed (i.e. rugged), and bigger than life in every possible way. If they’re not particularly muscular or trained in military combat, then they’re incredibly wealthy—which also translates to powerful. As a woman, we have some control over them, but we want them to be in charge and capable of handling anything. We like to put them in situations where they have to prove that they’re brave, capable of being warlike, and utterly dedicated to our wellbeing.

The women in BDSM novels are a little different, though, than our mothers’ “romance novel heroine.” They have troubles, of course, that they can’t handle on their own—hence the need for a hero. But they are also strong enough to submit, which is an interesting and counterintuitive concept. In our world of ultra-feminism, we like to be told that we can be strong and capable in everyday life but also be able to look to someone bigger and stronger than us when we need it. We can allow ourselves to feel cherished and protected without giving up our careers and our dignity. In the real world as well as fiction, BDSM can meet that need. Women don’t have to give up their independence in order to submit to someone—in fact, being responsible for your own happiness is a big part of the D/s lifestyle.

See my blog (www.kasialexander.com) later this week for a discussion on taking D/s even further and using it for personal and professional growth.

~THE DEVIL DEVERE~ by Victoria Vane

A racy, rollicking Georgian Romance Series 

"Reckless hearts, battling wits, and plenty of steam in a wonderfully well drawn Georgian setting.”- NYT Bestselling author Grace Burrowes 

"Victoria Vane ignites the Georgian era with her delightful characters and deliciously wickedsensuality." - AllisonChase, author of Recklessly Yours 

In my recent TRR book interview  I was asked a number of great questions about my DEVIL DEVERE series, recently launched with A WILD NIGHT'S BRIDE, the first of four novellas that comprise this scorching HOT historical romance series. To explain a bit more about it, all of the novellas fit seamlessly together to tell the story of my six main characters and their respective romances with each ending with an epilogue that leads directly into the next story. I think readers will really enjoy this fresh and different approach that makes it almost like reading a serial novel.

The first title introduces all of the main characters who will appear in the other stories, and each of them are linked to one another through Viscount Ludovic "The Devil DeVere."  DeVere is a fabulous character, a master manipulator and quintessential rake, who plays a major secondary role in the first and second books, while the third and fourth are both dedicated to his story. That may seem highly unusual, but the romantic liaison between DeVere and Diana was so complex that it could be be done justice in one book. Thus, I decided to tell their history in THE DEVIL YOU KNOW and their HEA in THE DEVIL'S MATCH. These are also the longest stories. For those who MUST have a happy ending, I advise you to read  these titles back-to-back. Incidentally, these two novellas  will be combined for release in a trade paperback in late August or September.      

The cast (in order of appearance)

Viscount Ludovic "the Devil" DeVere: Devious and machinating rakehell, brother to Hew, godfather to Vesta

Sir Edward "Ned" Chambers : Respectable and celibate widower with a powerful right hook, father to Vesta, best friend to DeVere

Phoebe Scott "alias Kitty Willis": Struggling actress with a past, in need of a protector

Lady Vesta Chambers: 18-year-old daughter of Sir Edward, spoiled, passionate, willful

Captain Hewett DeVere: War hero younger brother to the viscount, his opposite in every way

Baroness Diana Palmerston-Wriothesley: Godmother to Vesta, beautiful but embittered widow with several closely guarded secrets

 Book I  A WILD NIGHT'S BRIDE (4/27/12)

What happens when a struggling actress and a grieving widower come together in a night of unbridled debauchery orchestratedby a bored and machinating rake? With the Devil in Charge, there will be Hell to pay…


She’s a lonely lady down on her luck...  Phoebe Scott, alias Kitty Willis, is a struggling Covent Garden actress with a bruised heart and a closely guarded secret.

He’s steadfast and eminently respectable... Sir Edward Chambers, Ned to his intimates, is guilt-ridden over his beloved wife’s death and avowed to live out a rustic and mundane life … of celibacy. 
With the devil in charge — there will surely be hell to pay...Devil in disguise, Viscount Ludovic DeVere, is determined to return his best friend, Ned, to the land of the living. His meddling machinations result in a night of mind blowing passion after which “dull dog Ned” awakes to find himself in the King of England’s bed! A WILD NIGHT’S BRIDE, a sexy, rollicking Georgian romp! 
Excerpt (mature content) : http://authorvictoriavane.com/a-wild-nights-bride/a-wild-nights-bride-excerpt/

Book II  THE VIRGIN HUNTRESS (6/29/12)

Desperate times call for devilish measures… Lady Vesta Chambers is accustomed to getting what she wants, but when the object of her passion has eyes for another, it’s time to take matters in hand! 

Lady Vesta Chambers is accustomed to getting what she wants… And what she wants is Captain Hewett DeVere… Coddled and pampered, since her mother's death, Lady Vesta Chambers is beside herself when her father goes to London to prepare for her come-out and returns with a young bride of his own. With her world turned upside down, Vesta accompanies her godmother, Diana, to town, where she is smitten the moment she lays eyes on a certain captain of the Seventeenth Light Dragoons.

But when the object of her passion has eyes for another…  Captain Hewett DeVere, younger brother and heir to Viscount Ludovic "The Devil" DeVere, has returned from the American war scarred, disillusioned, and looking forward to settling down to a quiet and respectable life. But when the handsome and straight-laced captain turns his eyes toward the widowed Diana, Vesta is prepared to take devilish measures to prove just how wrong he is.

The Devil DeVere looks after his own… Recruiting the aid of her godfather, Vesta vows to prove to Hew once and for all that she is no longer a little girl, but a woman with the passion of …a huntress. Excerpt:  http://authorvictoriavane.com/the-virgin-huntress/the-virgin-huntress-excerpt/ 

Book III  THE DEVIL YOU KNOW (7/27/12)

When dealing with the devil it's easy to be burned…especially when passion ignites the flames… 


Who can find a virtuous woman… Beautiful, respectable, and dutiful, Lady Diana Palmerston-Wriothesley has long resigned herself to her decade-long loveless and childless marriage to a feckless husband…until his gambling pushes them to the brink of financial ruin. 

Sometimes the devil is in disguise…as a gentleman… Viscount Ludovic, "The Devil DeVere", is a man accustomed to taking what he wants according to his whim and heedless of the cost…until he encounters a woman who won't be had at any price.

When dealing with the devil, it's easy to be burned… When Diana discovers a secret that shatters the carefully built façade concealing her private pain, she seeks aid and comfort from the most unlikely place…the devil's arms. But will a single night of heavenly passion damn them both forever? 
Excerpt (mature content): http://authorvictoriavane.com/the-devil-you-know/the-devil-you-know-excerpt-mature-content-warning/

BOOK IV THE DEVIL'S MATCH (8/24/12)

Blurb and cover coming soon:

Excerpt (mature content): http://authorvictoriavane.com/the-devils-match/the-devils-match-excerpt-mature-content-warning/

I hope I have piqued everyone's interest with this sneak preview and look forward to your comments.

Warmest Regards,

Victoria Vane

ABOUT THIS AUTHOR:

A lover of history and deeply romantic stories, Victoria Vane combines these elements to craft romantic historical novels and novellas for a mature reading audience. Her writing influences are Georgette Heyer for fabulous witty dialogue and over the top characters, Robin Schone , Sylvia Day, and Charlotte Featherstone for beautifully crafted prose in stories with deep sensuality, and Lila DiPasqua for creative vision in melding history with eroticism.  Ms. Vane also writes award nominated romantic historical fiction as Emery Lee 

OTHER TITLES:     A BREACH OF PROMISE, Ellora's Cave (N.O.R. *Top Pick*)

Emery Lee Titles:  FORTUNE'S SON, SOURCEBOOKS  (TRR *Top Pick* and Best Historical Romance nominee)

                                    THE HIGHEST STAKES, Sourcebooks

Official web site: http://authorvictoriavane.com  and  http://authoremerylee.com

Author Blog: http://victoriavane.wordpress.com

Facebook:  Author Victoria Vane  and   Author Emery Lee

Twitter: @authoremerylee

Erotic Romance Madness Hop May 10 to 14

Just a few more minutes.... Get ready to Hop, Hop, Hop!

The Romance Reviews will be giving away the following prizes to 7 lucky winners (International)!

Prizes:

- 3 pcs of $30 Amazon Gift Certificate (3 winners)

- 1 package of any 2 ebooks of the starter titles mentioned in the post above (1 winner)

- 1 print book from Sophie Oak (winner's choice of author's backlist) plus swag (pen, postcard, bumper sticker) (1 winner)
- 1 ebook from Sophie Oak (winner's choice of author's backlist) plus swag (pen, postcard, bumper sticker) (1 winner)

- 1 ebook copy of Songs of the Sirens: Seduction from Piper Rowan (1 winner)

How do you increase your chances to win?

 1.      Register and log in at TRR during the hop. This hop will take you to more than 50 blogs and websites, and the best news is, no need to get a pencil or open a spreadsheet to list down the blogs that you’ve visited. When you log in at TRR, TRR takes care of automatically directing you to the blog that you haven’t visited yet.

How? Just click on the TRR Erotic Madness Hop button (yes, the orange button). Whether you’re at TRR or any of the participating blogs, as long as you’re logged in at TRR, just click on the button that each blog will have on their hop post and you’re taken automatically to a blog you’ve never visited before. (Sign up/log in at The Romance Reviews.)

However, if you want to do it the manual way, feel free. We have listed the participating blogs. Take note though that you will not be eligible to win the prizes at TRR.

2.      Visit all the listed participating blogs. Each blog you visit earns you 5 chances for the prizes (only if you’re logged in). Awesome giveaways are also being given away at the blogs. So visit them!

3.      Answer all the Q&As correctly. Each correct answer earns you 10 chances for the prizes. Need I say more?

What are you waiting for? Start the blog hop here!

WINNER: Twisted by Laura Grifin

The winners of the giveaway are:

Darlene
Marjorie/cenya2


CONGRATULATIONS!

Please send me (carole @ theromancereviews.com) the following information:

Name
Snail Mail Address

Please note that you must satisfy all the rules stated in the giveaway post to be eligible. Thanks!

In Which We Meet Our Heroine by Stefanie Sloane

Book Summary:

Possessed of a brilliant mind and a love for puzzles, Dashiell Matthews, Viscount Carrington, is a crucial member of the elite Young Corinthians spy league. Assuming the façade of an addle-brained Adonis, he hunts for a notorious London murderer known as the Bishop. When fate causes him to cross paths with Miss Elena Barnes, Dash discovers an enigma that will prove delightfully intoxicating to unravel: a voluptuous beauty as intelligent as she is fearless.

Only the lure of a collection of rare books bequeathed to her family by Dash's late father could tempt Elena from her cozy rural life to the crush and vanity of London. But if Elena finds his lordship to be the most impossibly beautiful man she's ever seen, he also seems to be the stupidest. Which made her body's shameless response to his masterful seduction all the more unfathomable. Yet when she discovers Dash's mission to track the dangerous Bishop, she willingly risks everything—her trust, her heart, her very life—to join him.

In this excerpt from THE SAINT WHO STOLE MY HEART, our heroine, Miss Elena Barnes, is busily reading—something she is quite fond of doing. And then her dear father arrives with a request that she return to London—something she's quite loathe to do. But there are books in London! FOND! And a viscount who'd never bothered to notice Elena during her coming out season. UNFOND! It's a bit of a difficult day for Elena. But she's about to embark on the adventure of her life. Read on!

Stefanie

http://www.stefaniesloane.com
http://www.facebook.com/stefaniesloane
https://twitter.com/#!/stefaniesloane
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4480304.Stefanie_Sloane

Excerpt:

"Elena."

Miss Elena Barnes, the only child of Henry Barnes, Baron Harcourt, wrinkled her nose in unconscious protest when her father's voice intruded upon her reading.

"I saw that." 

Elena smiled with warm affection. "You always do."

"And yet," he replied, taking a seat next to her on the chilly stone bench piled high with brocade pillows, "you continue to give yourself away. Attempting to deceive me is a hopeless habit, if there ever was one," he added amiably, settling his small frame comfortably on the makeshift settee and sighing with relief.

Elena slipped a satin ribbon between the pages to mark her place and reluctantly closed her book. Her gaze moved past the folly columns to the lake beyond and the white stone of Harcourt House shining brightly in the distance. "Really, one would think twitching my

nose would be far easier to hide, even from you, considering that fact that everyone seems to agree that I always have my nose in a book."

Her father turned to her and cleared his throat, his eyes twinkling with wry disbelief.

"Oh, all right," Elena ceded with a smile, looking at the dear man. "It is true that I spend much time reading. It's my favorite indulgence. But must Lady Van Allen mention

it at every dinner party? Even Lord Van Allen sighed when she brought it up again, and he never hears a word the woman says."

Her father reached out and took one of her hands in his, the weight and familiar feel acting as a gentle balm to Elena's stinging pride.

"Actually, I believe he does hear every word," she amended. "But it's not like the man to reveal he's heard her comments, which only proves my point. Really, I have no illusions about my status as a bluestocking. Nor does anyone else in Dorset— or the whole of England, I would venture to guess. Perhaps even the entire world, though I would have to consult Lady Van Allen on that point," she finished, winking conspiratorially.

Last evening's spring gathering had gone well and exactly as planned— with the glaring exception of Lady Van Allen's comment. The turbot had been braised to perfection, the wine her father's favorite, and those in attendance the best of friends. Elena adored every single person present, including Lady Van Allen, a bosom friend of her mother's before the baroness's death.

It was this very connection that drove the well intentioned woman to say such things, Elena reminded herself. Lady Van Allen's conviction that Elena would eventually find her prince was both endearing and vexatious. Elena was all for perseverance. She thought it a commendable trait in the right situation. But when it came to her marital status, one would have to be an absolute lackwit to hold out any shred of hope for a happy announcement in the Morning Post.

She was five- and- twenty. If there'd been a prince for her, he'd long ago gone in search of greener pastures, Elena thought philosophically. She calmly met her father's gaze, and then pointedly turned her attention to the fine day.

Brilliant yellow daffodils and creamy Lady Jane tulips bloomed in clusters about the folly. A sea of bluebells spread out before her, their miniscule heads bobbing on the breeze. And just past the lake, a doe and her speckled fawn nibbled at the sweet spring grass.

Elena contemplated the beauty of her pastoral home. She was content, in her own way. Hours spent relegated to the ranks of older women and wallflowers in ballrooms during her one season had firmly beaten down any hopes she may have harbored for a life in London. She'd been plain. And even worse, curved where she should have been straight. Heavy, when she should have been light. None of which had mattered a whit in Dorset.

But in London, everything about her appearance and comportment was taken into consideration. And the women of the ton had judged her harshly— as if her inability to attract a man somehow made her completely undeserving of kindness or friendship.

She discreetly eyed a long curl of her brown hair where it lay against her shoulder, thoughtfully studied the formless moss- green muslin gown that hid her generous curves, and finally looked at the leather-bound book in her lap.

Bluestocking. Elena could still recall the first time she'd heard a fellow debutante call her that. She'd questioned whether the funds used to sponsor a young woman's season wouldn't be better spent on the poor. The room had fallen eerily quiet at her temerity, like a Dorset winter's morn after the first snowfall.

Elena mentally shook herself from the cold, crystalized memory. She'd left London shortly after. Turned tail, some surely said. Elena, in her darkest moments, might agree.

She'd been fully aware that returning to Dorset permanently would, most likely, end any chance of a suitable match. Again, perseverance was all well and good. 

But Elena was no fool.

Her father stretched his legs, the effort causing him to wince from pain.

The movement drew Elena from her musing and she slipped the cashmere shawl from her shoulders to tuck it around her father's. "What on earth possessed you to risk inflaming your gout by venturing this far afield? It is spring, but still cold enough to do you harm."

"The lure of seeing you smile was too great to resist," he replied cryptically.

Elena narrowed her eyes. "Come now, I do so all the time. Surely you could have waited until dinner."

"Oh, but this smile . . ." Lord Harcourt paused, grinning knowingly, "This smile will rival that of Euphrosyne."

Elena's heart leapt at the mention of the Greek goddess of joy. Her father knew better than to invoke one of her favorite mythological characters without just cause.

"You've my complete attention. Please, amaze me with your news," she proclaimed eagerly.

Reaching into his waistcoat, he drew out a letter. He slowly opened the thick, cream-colored paper and began meticulously smoothing out the folds— every last one of

them.

"You torture me for the fun of it, don't you?" Elena admonished, craning her neck in a vain attempt to read the inverted script.

Lord Harcourt chuckled and mercifully handed the letter to her. "Just a touch. You do make it so easy— and enjoyable. No one would blame me."

Elena righted the letter and began to read. The elegant handwriting was unfamiliar, but soon enough, the names mentioned within the lines began to make sense. As did the message itself. Thrilling, fantastic, perfect sense.

"Am I to understand . . ." Elena asked, carefully setting her book on the bench between them before abruptly standing with the correspondence in her hand.

"I'm afraid I won't be of much use until you complete your sentence, my dear."

Elena reread the letter, turning in slow circles as she did so. "That the fifth Viscount Carrington has died— "

"Rather a sad fact for you to be so happily contemplating, wouldn't you say," her father interrupted to point out.

"Oh, of course," she agreed remorsefully, stopping in front of him. "He was a dear friend, was he not?"

Her father grinned again. "That he was, Elena. And he'd lived an interesting life, which is a blessing, indeed. I'd venture to guess the man is sitting at the right hand of the Almighty at this very moment, happily setting to work on one puzzle or another, as he was wont to do."

Elena realized he'd only been teasing her further and frowned at him before continuing. "Am I to understand," she began again, "that the fifth viscount Carrington died and his son has offered you the late lord's entire collection of antiquarian books?"

Lord Harcourt appeared to be contemplating her words. "Yes," he finally confirmed.

"Including the Paolini?" she ventured, not stopping to scold him as she held her breath.

"Including the Paolini."

Giacomo Paolini's Abecedary Illustrations of Greek Mythology dated back to the fifteenth century. A single copy had survived. And it resided in the Carrington library.

Elena felt the rush of excitement bubble from her belly to her chest, and finally her face.

"Ah, that is the smile I was waiting for," her father said, standing with some difficulty.

She automatically offered her arm just as the sun's rays began to slant toward the horizon. "When will you go?"

"Go where, my dear?" Lord Harcourt asked as he allowed Elena to assist him down the steps of the folly.

"To Carrington House in London, of course," she replied distractedly, her mind already contemplating where the valuable tome would be placed in the library at Harcourt House.

"Oh, there. Yes, well, you see, I won't be."

Elena stopped, forcing her father to do the same. "What do you mean? Lord Carrington is expecting you."

He gestured ahead to where a cart and horse waited, and they set off once again. "That may be, but I can hardly travel with this gout plaguing me so. You will have to go in my stead."

"Father, is that really necessary?" Elena countered. "Could we not send Mr. Ghent after the book— that is, books?"

Lord Harcourt patted his daughter's hand. "And are you aware of my estate manager's knowledge of such things, my dear?"

"No," she admitted, already anticipating what would come next.

"Mr. Ghent knows no more of priceless books than a robin does," her father replied. "He's a good man, Mr. Ghent, but not the sort one sends to collect such valuables. Your expertise is needed, my dear." 

Elena could hardly argue. She would not risk her father's health by insisting that he travel, and she'd not risk the safety of the books by employing Mr. Ghent.

Besides, there was no one more uniquely qualified to catalogue the tomes than herself. Their own library was a thing of beauty, if Elena did say so herself. From the time she could toddle along with the help of her dear nurse's hand, the baron had welcomed Elena into the enormous room that housed his most prized possessions. She'd come to love not only the books themselves, but the respectful process that was required for the care and safekeeping of the delicate volumes. They were an extended family of sorts to her, each one with its own unique place in her heart.

And Lord Carrington's books? Could she leave them in the hands of an unschooled individual? Elena envisioned rare books being tossed hither and yon, thrown into trunks without the benefit of even the most basic of lists to distinguish one collection from the other. It was too much to bear.

"I see," she answered practically, relishing the warmth of the sun's fading rays. "Of course, I'll go. We've no other choice, do we?"

"No," her father confirmed, patting her arm reassuringly. 

Elena looked again at the letter in her hand. She'd met Dashiell Matthews once, which had been quite enough for her. She couldn't recall much about him, but she did remember the man had caught the attention of eligible females within the length and breadth of London— and quite a few ineligible ones as well. He was tall and broad, with golden hair and a face that could only be described as beautiful.

If you liked that sort of thing, Elena thought, feigning disinterest.

"And so I shall go," she agreed resolutely. They reached the aged farm cart and Elena allowed the groom to lift her onto the seat. She attempted to smooth her wrinkled skirt, ultimately accepting defeat and folding her hands tightly in her lap.

Returning to London had not been in her plans— ever. But neither had acquiring Paolini's Abecedary.

She would travel as soon as possible, catalogue and pack the books, then return to Harcourt House before her father had time to miss her.

Simple. Straightforward. Just as Elena preferred.

"Ms Sloane has a unique voice that allows you into her addictive Regency world where you never want to leave. With characters like Elena and Dash and drama that keeps you turning the pages, THE SAINT WHO STOLE MY HEART is sure to posses enough magic and appeal to steal your heart. " ~ Lisa Jo

Read the full review.

GIVEAWAY!!

Stefanie Sloane is giving away all four of the Regency Rogues books to one winner (open internationally). Awesome! Thanks, Stefanie!

Leave a comment or a question to qualify for the drawing.

Contest ends May 20.

Winner will be announced by May 25.