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Showing posts with label Elizabeth Michels. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Elizabeth Michels. Show all posts

Wednesday, July 2, 2014

Guest post and review: How to Lose a Lord in 10 Days or Less by Elizabeth Michels

We are excited to welcome back author Elizabeth Michels.  She joins us with a guest post on writing a series.  Enjoy it after my thoughts on her latest book, How to Lose a Lord in 10 Days or Less.


Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Date of publication: July 2014

He's the perfect gentleman...
After years hidden away from the mockery of the Ton, proud Andrew Clifton, Lord Amberstall, is finally ready to face Society again. But when his horse is injured on the road to London, Andrew finds himself literally thrown at the feet of the beautiful, infuriating, and undeniably eccentric Katie Moore.
...she's anything but a lady.
Katie always preferred the stables to society, so when she was badly injured in a riding accident, she was more than happy to retreat to the countryside and give up the marriage mart for good. She never expected an infuriatingly proper lord to come tumbling into her life - and she certainly never expected to find herself wondering what it would be like to rejoin the world at his side.
They couldn't be more different, and soon Andrew and Katie find themselves at odds about everything but the growing passion between them... and a keen awareness of a threat that may end their unconventional romance before it has even begun.
My thoughts:
I definitely can say that this one is my favorite of the series.  It keeps getting better and better.  How to Lose a Lord in 10 Days or Less is the third book in the Tricks of the Ton series.  It features Andrew Clifton from Book 1, the owner of the amorous horse. (loved that scene) and Katie who showed up in the second book.  I loved watching these two fall in love with each other.  It was slow, but so sweet.  Katie shows Andy how to let go of his need for order and Andy helps Katie get back her love of horses.  The choice he makes in the end for her was so bittersweet and made me really feel the depth of his feelings for her.
As in the other books, there is a little bit of a mystery and this one has a little twist.  We also get to visit with characters from the earlier books.  When they show up, you know there is some fun in store. and I was happy to see there was plenty of humor in the book .  I loved the dinner scene.  I can't wait to see what comes next!
It’s Time for Book 3! (A.K.A It’s a Series!)

In honor of yesterday’s release of the third book in my Tricks of the Ton series, let’s talk about series.  Aside from the fact that I’m fairly confident I just spelled the plural form of the word “series” wrong, series are awesome!  I love reading books in a series.  I love writing in a series.  It’s just all around fine holiday fun.  I enjoy a world that carries over from book to book, and the opportunity for characters to make an appearance in a different story.  When a book ends I’m always a little sad, so the idea that a character can live on in other stories appeals to me as a reader and a writer.  It’s really no surprise that when I started writing book one, it quickly turned into a series. 
HOW TO LOSE A LORD IN 10 DAYS OR LESS is my third book, and it lives up to its place in this series with plenty of scenes that include the characters from books one and two.  You see, Katie Moore happens to live on the estate next door to Thornwood Manor—home of the Duke of Thornwood and hero of MUST LOVE DUKES.    And of course, he is hosting house guests—house guests by the name of Steelings and Sue from DESPERATELY SEEKING SUZANNA.  This makes for an interesting situation since the hero of this book, Amberstall, did not leave on very good terms with the Duke when they last met.  Now poor Amberstall is stranded next door to the man.  In this scene, Amberstall and Steelings are chasing after some men who tried to invade their tea on the terrace at Thornwood Manor.

If he could see where the men ran to, he might finally understand all of this madness. He glanced at Steelings, running alongside him toward the stables. “Did you see where they went?”
“Into that grove of trees. Did you see what they were doing to your lady’s carriage?”
“No,” Andrew ground out. They veered to the right of the stables and headed for the cluster of trees. “But I have an idea what they’re after.”
“What is that?”
“Me.”
Steelings made an inarticulate sound of understand­ing as he kept pace beside him. “Are these men the reason your lady came to tea with a firearm?”
“No.” He stopped to glare at Steelings.
“Are you planning to argue the fact that she’s your lady or that she brought a blunderbuss to tea to protect you?” Steelings asked with a grin.
“Both!”
“Interesting.”
“No, it isn’t the least bit interesting.” The last thing he needed was for talk of this day to spread.
Steelings threw his hands up in surrender. “Very well. I won’t speak of it again. Much like the incident in the field, it will never be mentioned.”
“Steelings?”
“Yes?”
                “You’re mentioning it now.”
“Perhaps we should continue our search for the men,” Steelings suggested with a nod toward the woods, but the men were gone.
Andrew scanned the spaces between the tree trunks, searching for a glimpse of dark clothing, but it was no use. They’d had quite the head start in making their escape. “They’ll come back. If they are indeed looking for me, as I suspect, they won’t go far.”
As they rounded the corner of the stables, he saw Katie and the other ladies now gathered by the car­riage. “They escaped,” he called out to them.
“I don’t care for the idea of ruffians trespassing on our lands,” Lily said with a shiver.
“Perhaps they’d planned to steal the horses, much like that chicken we caught them with,” Sue added.
Steelings moved to his wife’s side, leaning an elbow on the side of the carriage as he said, “If that was what they wanted, why not take one from the stables, not harnessed to a rig?”
“It is odd. The question does remain, why linger in the drive?” Andrew asked.
Just then, a loud crack split the air around them and Steelings staggered backward as the carriage collapsed from under his arm. His long limbs flailed through the air as he tried to grasp something solid. Sue reached for her husband, steadying him as the carriage crashed to the ground beneath him. Wood splintered around them as the back axle severed into two pieces and what was once the wheel now lay smashed at their feet.
Steelings looked up at Andrew with a wry grin as he mused, “I’m guessing that was supposed to happen on your drive back to Ormesby Place.”
Aren’t series fun?  Serieses…seriesessssssss…It looks wrong no matter what I do! LOL Thank you for hosting me today on From the TBR Pile! What’s your favorite thing about a series?

About the author:

Elizabeth Michels blends life and laughter with a touch of sass into the Regency Era. This flirty debut author turns ballrooms upside down, and challenges what lords and ladies are willing to do to get what they most desire. She lives in a small, lake-side town in North Carolina with her husband, “Mr. Alpha Male,” and her son, “The Little Monkey.” Elizabeth is furiously typing away at her next novel while dinner burns in the kitchen. She loves to hear from her readers. Please visit her website atwww.elizabethmichels.com

Wednesday, March 26, 2014

Interview & Review & Giveaway: Desperately Seeking Suzanna by Elizabeth Michels

Please welcome author Elizabeth Michels as she promotes her latest book, Desperately Seeking Suzanna. Enjoy her interview after my thoughts on the book

Giveaway Details: The publisher has generously offered one copy of Desperately Seeking Suzanna for a giveaway.  To enter just fill out the Rafflecopter below. (US and Canada only, please)  Good luck!


Author: Elizabeth Michels
Publisher: Sourcebooks
Date of publication: March 2014


Her Cinderella Moment…
Sue Green just wanted one night to be the pretty one. But a few glasses of champagne and one wild disguise later, she's in some serious trouble. Who knew the devastatingly handsome face of Lord Holden Ellis would get in the way of her foot? And how exactly did all that high-kick dancing start in the first place? At least she blamed it on her new persona—Suzanna—so Society's most eligible bachelor will never find out the truth.

All Holden wants is the truth. Who was that vixen who seduced him so thoroughly, then disappeared? The only one who seems to have any answers about Suzanna is Miss Sue Green. She's promised to help him find his mystery woman, but she's not being all that helpful. And the more time Holden spends with Sue—witty, pretty, and disarmingly honest—the more he realizes he may have found exactly what he's been looking for all along...

My thoughts:

Desperately Seeking Suzanna is the second in the "Tricks of the Ton" series by Elizabeth Michels.  I reviewed the first book, Must Love Dukes last month.  The sequel is a fun book and I definitely enjoyed it.   We met Holden briefly during the first book and there were references made to him trying to find a mystery woman.  This is his story.  Holden and Sue's story-line runs at the same time at Lily and Devon's. Normally, I'm not too much of a fan of that as some of the scenes are repeated and that can get boring. But, while there were a few shared scenes between the characters, no ground was recovered in this case.  In fact, you probably could read both as stand alone books and not feel lost.   I really felt badly for Sue.  Her mother was a real piece of work, as was Holden's.  At least they had that in common.  I liked the chemistry between the two and loved watching them fall in love.  This is a great series.  The next book features Katie Moore, who we had a glimpse of in this book.  I'm looking forward to reading it in July!


Kari & Autumn: What inspired you to become a writer?

Elizabeth: Reading books, lots and lots of books.  I’ve always been an avid reader of historical romance.  But, it wasn’t until I was put on bed rest while I was pregnant with my little boy that I considered writing these books I enjoyed so much.  That was when my husband noticed for the first time how many books I was consuming, mostly because I was stuck on my left side and he had to hand them to me.  He suggested I write one, after all I loved reading them, so why not write one?  I hate to admit when he’s right, but he was right.  I started writing during baby nap times, and now 5 years later, I’m here on this fabulous blog celebrating the release of the second book in the Tricks of the Ton series, Desperately Seeking Suzanna. Telling stories is the best! I love it!

Kari & Autumn: Where do you come up with the ideas for your books?

Elizabeth:I always begin with the characters.  In Desperately Seeking Suzanna, Holden came to life about a month before Sue jumped onto the scene and began talking too much.  I got the idea for Holden from a comment a friend made over coffee one day.  And Sue actually came from my prolonged childhood disappointment that my maiden name only had one syllable.  If you’ve ever had a John Doe sort of name, then you understand the lack of glamour in one syllable.  *grins* Only Cher can make one syllable work, but I digress. 

I began with Sue’s name, simple, average in every way, Sue Green.  And, the plot unfolded from there.  The plots for my books always spiral out of who the characters are and what they would do in a given situation.  What would an ordinary, one-syllable-name-bearing girl desire?  To become the exotic Suzanna, even if it’s just for one night.  Of course, that one night turns her life upside down and marks the beginning of Holden’s quest to find Suzanna—a quest that always brings him back to Sue.   Let’s just hope he isn’t too late by the time he puts the pieces together.

Kari & Autumn: What exciting projects are waiting in the wings?

Elizabeth: Funny you should ask… Until last week I was working on what I thought to be book 4 in the Tricks of the Ton series—Evangeline Green’s story.  I had everything organized, cross referenced, and filed away under what E. Michels is writing next.  But, then my advance reading copies of How to Lose a Lord in 10 Days or Less came in the mail and everything changed. 

My family stole one copy as soon as they spotted the box of books on the kitchen counter and began passing it around.  A few days later they had an intervention with me over takeout boxes of Chinese food.  They begged me to write the story that you see glimpses of in the third book—they asked for Roselyn Grey’s story.  You may know her older brother better since he’s Devon Grey, Mad Duke of Thornwood and the hero of Must Love Dukes.  I whined to my family.  I’m a planner of all things in life, so of course I complained over the change of plans, which was why they caught me with my mouth full of fried rice for this discussion. 

Now, it’s a week later, I’ve calmed down, and I’m so excited about this new addition to the series!  So, my 6 book Tricks of the Ton series just turned into a 7 book series and I’m furiously writing Roselyn’s book with Evangeline waiting for her turn.  I’m pretty sure she’s tapping her toe and giving me the evil eye right now, but she, Isabelle, and Victoria will have their time in the sun soon enough.

Kari & Autumn: Who is your favorite literary character and why?

Elizabeth: I’m completely in love with The Great Gatsby.  Gatsby has pulled himself up from a meager background with hard work and a cunning mind to the point of possessing ultimate wealth.  He’s charismatic, has style, and everything he does, he does for love.  I only wish I could rewrite the ending of his story so he gets to live happily-ever-after, throwing parties with Daisy at his side. *dreamy sighs*

Kari & Autumn: Just for fun, if you could be any animal, what would it be and why?

Elizabeth: I would love to be a giraffe.  They always look so elegant as they stretch up to eat leaves from the tree tops.  And, because they can see long distances with that long neck of theirs, they seem wise to me.  Or perhaps, that’s just this 5’-2” girl dreaming of height.  Either way, they’re adorable.

Thank you for hosting me here on the TBR Pile! This has been so much fun! Now, let’s talk books.  How tall has your TBR pile gotten? What’s your favorite book? What are you looking forward to reading?  Let’s chat.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Elizabeth Michels grew up on a Christmas tree farm in rural South Carolina. After tip-toeing her way through school with her focus on ballet steps and her nose in a book, she met a boy and followed him a thousand miles away from home to Kansas City, Missouri, before settling down in North Carolina. She attended Park University where she graduated Magna Cum Laude with a BA in Interior Design. Elizabeth is a lover of happily-ever-afters; she invites you to read her stories, get lost, and enjoy. 

For more information, please visit http://www.elizabethmichels.com

To Purchase Desperately Seeking Suzanna:

Thursday, February 13, 2014

Blog Tour: Must Love Dukes by Elizabeth Michels

Author: Elizabeth Michels
Publisher: Sourcebooks
Date of publication: February 2014

Lillian Phillips could not imagine how her quiet, simple life had come to this. Blackmailed by the Mad Duke of Thornwood into accepting one wild dare after another...all because of a pocket watch. Desperate to recover her beloved father's pawned timepiece, Lily did something reckless and dangerous and delicious—something that led to a night she'd never forget. When Devon Grey, Duke of Thornwood, runs into a mesmerizing, intoxicating, thieving woman who literally stole from his bedchamber—with his new pocket watch—Devon plots his revenge. If the daring wench likes to play games, he's happy to oblige. After all, what's the ruse of being the Mad Duke if you can't have some fun? But the last laugh might just be on him...       

Must Love Dukes is the debut novel in a new series by Elizabeth Michels.  I loved this book. I was able to read it in one siting because I couldn't put it down.  It was such a fun book.  Lillian "Lily" Phillips has a one night stand with Devon Grey just to get a family heirloom back.  One year later, Devon can't get her out of his mind.  Now she is back in London being forced to find a husband by her brothers.  Devon decides to have a little fun with Lily.  

I loved the way he blackmails Lily into playing pranks on her would-be suitors.  The outcomes were really funny.  I think my favorite one was the amorous horses.  Lily and Devon were very well suited for each other. Their relationship was effortless and really fun to watch.  I did feel bad for her in how her brothers treated her as no better than cattle.  I was happy to see justice done in the end for her. 

This is a great start to a new series.  I look forward to seeing what comes next.
About the author:

Elizabeth Michels grew up on a Christmas tree farm in rural South Carolina. After tip-toeing her way through school with her focus on ballet steps and her nose in a book, she met a boy and followed him a thousand miles away from home to Kansas City, Missouri, before settling down in North Carolina. She attended Park University where she graduated Magna Cum Laude with a BA in Interior Design. Elizabeth is a lover of happily-ever-afters; she invites you to read her stories, get lost, and enjoy.Please visit her website atwww.elizabethmichels.com