Today, I’m giving away a signed copy of A DANGEROUS BEAUTY, the latest book by author (and RT cover model) Sophia Nash. I’ll also be giving away a copy of the RT on which she appears.
(In passing… wow, check out that cover!)
A Courageous Outcast . . .
Rosamunde Baird has lost everything and has no choice but to accept an invitation to spend a season with a dowager duchess and her clandestine ladies club. Determined to stay in the shadows and live quietly, she has sworn never again to come face to face with adventure and temptation, two things that brought her ruin years ago. But then the Duke of Helston dangles before her the very things she craves most…Lord Fire & Ice . . .
Mysterious Luc St. Aubyn is well known for exuding blistering passion at night and frost the morning after. But dark mystery swirls around this audacious war hero. A tragic past has driven the Duke of Helston to hide the twin secrets of the dowager’s Widows Club and his own infamous writing talent. When he’s blindsided by his reactions to a virtuous siren, he has no choice but to reveal all during a scandal that will doom them …or save them, if only they dare to believe in love.
Check out the Chicago Tribune review! “Richly emotional and lusciously sensual, ‘A Dangerous Beauty’ is simply superb.”
I read this book on the plane ride yesterday (forgive me if I’m somewhat less than peppy this morning; jet lag is a bitch) and I loved it. For those who are concerned about the “death” of the traditional regency, fear not, because Nash brings that old-school tone to the longer historical format. You could tell you were in for a different type of read from the opening scenes, which begin, as the classics do, with an omniscient look at the birth and upbringing of the heroine. As a fan of that style of storytelling (why, oh why has it fallen out of fashion?) I felt instantly sucked into the world that Nash had created. It was as if I was settling down with a beloved 19th century novel. It was definitely an unusual sensation for me when reading a historical romance. I’m a big fan, as always, but I rarely forget that the book is written by a contemporary with contemporary sensibilities. Nash’s voice feels to me like something out of my Women and the Rise of the Novel class.
The book is peppered (somewhat anachronistically, as the writer herself acknowledges) with epigraphs lifted from Ambrose Bierce’s Devil’s Dictionary, a personal favorite of mine. Bierce’s work, in fact, inspires part of the storyline. (No one said he was the first to write such a tome!) I found the quotes hilarious, as always, and eminently suitable for the chapter they each began.
To win, all you have to do is leave a comment on this post. If you’re curious as to what to comment about, a few prompts:
- What is your favorite historical (or classic) romance novel?
- Do you think a lot of “historicals” sound too contemporary?
- Have you ever read Sophia Nash before?
- What historical period/place do you like reading about the most? Which do you wish there would be more books about?
June 18th, 2007 at 9:26 am
Pride and Prejudice. There. LOL!
Love the cover! I don’t write historicals but really admire those that do. Hope the book flies off the shelves.
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June 18th, 2007 at 9:30 am
Katherine by Anya Seton which is more historical fiction than romance, although it does have a central romance between Katherine and John of Gaunt. And yes, I do feel that alot of historical novels sound too contemporary. I can tell if I see a Regency where the hero has a name that no one at that time period had like Derek or Hunter.
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June 18th, 2007 at 9:38 am
The only time I ever remember a name taking me out of the story was in a Johanna Lindsay book where the heroine’s friend was named Tiffany.
Though perhaps the “job title” names so popular now: Cooper, Hunter, etc. — might take me out as well. I remember learning in college that Samuel Richardson INVENTED the name Pamela.
Fortunately, I know little about history, so I’m not generally bothered by anachronisms. For me, it’s about the voice. That might be why I don’t write those kind of books, I think it would be hard for me to subvert my voice that way.
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June 18th, 2007 at 9:51 am
To the best of my knowledge, the only historical romance I’ve read is Philippa Gregory’s The Boleyn Inheritance, which might be more of a historical fiction than specifically romance. So I can’t really speak to anything about historicals being too contemporary. I can definitely see how authors might fall into that on occasion, though, and it would porbably drive me insane…I can be picky about my histories. I like history.
My favorite time period is Tudor England, specifically the time of Henry VIII through his death and the rises of Edward VI, Jane Grey, Bloody Mary, and finally Elizabeth I. So…slightly before the Regency, I think. Two hundred years or so.
And yes, that cover is stunning.
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June 18th, 2007 at 10:11 am
I enjoy reading historicals and lately have been a big fan of those set in the Tudor era (like Miri). I also enjoy some Arthurian era and ancient Greek historicals as well. I’ve not read much set in the Regency, Colleen’s The Rest Falls Away being the first in a long long time.
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June 18th, 2007 at 10:37 am
I don’t have a favorite among the historicals, but I was a Signet Regency junkie until they stopped publishing them, and I loved all of Catherine Coulter’s and Julie Garwood’s historical books.
And YES!, I think that most historicals these days are too contemporary. I don’t know why authors mix the two. Perhaps they are trying to hook more contemporary readers. But instead, and I’m probably not alone in thinking this, I become discontent with the author and reluctant to purchase their next book.
Favorite, time periods, regency and 1100’s.
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June 18th, 2007 at 10:38 am
Oh, and probably just before the Regency Era, when everyone got to carry swords.
lol
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June 18th, 2007 at 11:22 am
I have never read anything by Sophia but her new book sounds great. I read her article in the current issue of RT and enjoyed it.
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June 18th, 2007 at 11:37 am
In some ways my first historical romance novel is still my favorite, since it got me started in the genre. That would be “Forever Amber”, of course, the young lady who makes her way though the fleshpots of Restoration England. (Wish I could have seen her in that topless dress!)
For Miri and Annie, let me recommend C.J. Sansom’s novels about Matthew Shardlake, a lawyer in the time of Henry VIII. They are allegedly detective stories, but rich in historical content and human emotions.
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June 18th, 2007 at 11:39 am
Hi everyone-
I don’t know if I’m “allowed” to drop by (don’t want to disturb free flow of information in case someone wants to rant about my stories here ;-}) But I did want to mention that if anyone is into Regency era non-fiction, my favorite has to be “Napoleon & Josephine” by Evangeline Bruce, a doyenne of Washington society. It chronicals the love life of the infamous pair in astonishing detail.
Best,
Sophia Nash
http://www.sophianash.com
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June 18th, 2007 at 11:43 am
I love reading historicals and not really picky about the era. I do love reading historicals in Scotland. I have so many faves it hard to just pick one.
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June 18th, 2007 at 11:55 am
I’ve found some really cool books and authors via these sorts of contests. Kudos to you, Diana, for doing this!
Now, to have more time to read everything I’ve been discovering recently…
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June 18th, 2007 at 12:37 pm
One of my many favorite’s historical romances is “Passion” by Lisa Valdez. I love the setting in the 1800’s. Unfortunately I never read Sophia Nash. I enjoy both contemporary and historical romance. I just love a strong hero. Rake and scoundrel those are my favorites. My favorite ones are the ones that make laugh out loud just like “The Marriage bed” by Laura Lee Guhrke. That was a fun read. I wish there be more comedy-historical romances out there.
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June 18th, 2007 at 1:04 pm
I love historical romances. My favorites are by Judith McNaught and Julie Garwood. Your recommendation of Colleen Gleason’s recent book was spot on, so I’ll have to try this one, too.
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June 18th, 2007 at 1:06 pm
I used to read historicals all the time, Judith McNaught was one of my favs back then. I loved how the other characters would visit in her books. I always felt like I knew most everyone and then was also introduced to a few new ones in each book.
I haven’t read historicals lately but this book sounds great.
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June 18th, 2007 at 1:16 pm
Your little comment about Samuel Richardson intrigued me. When I did a Google search, the name actually was invented in the 16th century by the poet Sir Philip Sidney.
But close enough, Diana! I had no idea it was an invented name.
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June 18th, 2007 at 1:31 pm
I don’t have a favorite “era” as long as its good. I’ll pretty much read anything that will hold my interest.
Favorites: “Devil in Winter” by Lisa Kleypas, “The Darkest Heart” by Brenda Joyce
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June 18th, 2007 at 1:45 pm
I love historicals and I’ve heard a lot about this book. Definitely one I’ll be buying. Elizabeth, I LOVE Katherine. One of my students gave it to me last year.
I have several Julie Garwood and Johanna Lindsey books on my keeper shelf. I haven’t read them in years, but I can’t part with them. They were my first big romances.
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June 18th, 2007 at 1:49 pm
Bill, thank you so much for the author recommendation! I’ll definitely be adding it to my list!
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June 18th, 2007 at 1:57 pm
Bill – Thanks for the reccomendation! I’ll definitely look around for it.
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June 18th, 2007 at 2:07 pm
Sophia, you’re certainly welcome to comment!
Ah, Kristin, apparently you’re right. What Richardson did was POPULARIZE it. After his book, there were lots of little English girls running ’round named Pamela.
I wonder how many other names are like that. I think Laura became popular due to a soap opera character.
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June 18th, 2007 at 2:19 pm
I am a big fan of historicals. My favorite period is Regency England. I haven’t read any of Sophia’s books but I plan to.
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June 18th, 2007 at 3:12 pm
My favorite period is Regency England. I haven’t read any of Sophia ’s books yet. I’ve actually been to the bookstore 3 times now for this book & they haven’t got it or are sold out.
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June 18th, 2007 at 3:19 pm
I love historicals, and I’ve been lucky to think most of them sound historical. However, if I did a bunch of research, I might change my opinion (then again, that would spoil all the fun).
I love every historical romance I’ve read so far by Meg Cabot (since I love all her books), Kathryn Smith, and Margaret Moore. And a bunch more…
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June 18th, 2007 at 4:47 pm
oooh, A Dangerous Beauty sounds lovely…I love stories where women have just given up on love…my favorites!
BTW, I LOVED your post on Romancing the Blog, I d/l it to my machine so I can take a look when I get confused about my hero archetypes…I request you do one about Heroines.
Pretty please?
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June 18th, 2007 at 4:56 pm
Historicals have always been a favorite genre for me. My favorite novel would have to be Tess of the D’urbervilles. Anything from that period is enjoyable.
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June 18th, 2007 at 4:59 pm
When I became interested in historicals I read all of Daphne Du Maurier’s books. They kept me riveted. I loved Frenchman’s Creek, and The Scapegoat.
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June 18th, 2007 at 4:59 pm
A Dangerous Beauty sounds great! My favorite historicals are The Malory family series by Johanna Lindsey.
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June 18th, 2007 at 5:02 pm
I love the Steve and Ginny series by Rosemary Rogers but I love anything by her anyways! LOL!
I also love the Captain Kells and Captain Van Ryker series by Valerie Sherwood.
Terri W.
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June 18th, 2007 at 5:03 pm
I enjoy all historicals set in England during the World War 11 era and the depression. I have read so many that have been enthralling. Liverpool Daisy by Helen Forrester is a wonderful novel.
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June 18th, 2007 at 5:07 pm
I was named after a soap opera character from Days of Our Lives, I think.
And no one named their daughter Madison until Splash.
Sophia, great article in RT!
I don’t read historicals very often anymore, but I did read Betina Krahn’s latest Victorian and it was scrumptious! My favorite historical of all time…wow, it’s hard to pick, but I’ve always loved Jude Devereaux’s Velvet series…of course, I haven’t re-read it in years, so I don’t know if I’d feel the same way now. I have a Jo Beverly and a Sylvia Day on my TBR pile. Make that two Jo Beverlys. Wow…I need to do some catching up!
As for time period, I love the old Revolution/Colonial books. An author by the name of Cynthia Wright used to write the most wonderful books in that time period. Loved them! I love Victorians, too. Katherine Sutcliffe wrote fabulous Victorians.
I’ve never been big on Regencies. I’m weird, I guess. I don’t dislike them, just didn’t particularly take to them the way I have to other periods. Used to love medievals. Man, it’s been a while since I”ve read a good medieval.
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June 18th, 2007 at 5:14 pm
Historicals have given me so much pleasure. I particularly enjoy pre-industrial England and the novel would be The Tea Rose by Jennifer Donnelly.
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June 18th, 2007 at 5:23 pm
Hi Pearl-
I love Daphne Dumaurier, too. In fact, her books (Daphne Du Maurier’s Cornwall: Her Pictorial Memoir) inspired me to set the Widows Club series in Cornwall!
And Amy- The Mallorys rule…I like the male bickering/posturing in that series and I’m finding the heroes of the Widows Club are really into one-upsmanship. . .
And for anyone interested, the inspiration for the series stemmed from a ladies lunch when someone asked how our lives would change if our husbands suddenly disappeared. The responses were startling. Some said they would never recover, others said they would survive and make a new life, and most shocking was one who admitted she would be relieved. I was immediately intrigued.
Sophia Nash
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June 18th, 2007 at 5:36 pm
1. Jane Eyre, Diana Gabaldon, Penny Vincenzi, Through a Glass Darkly by Karleen Koen, the Josephine trilogy by Sandra Gulland, The Thorn Birds, Tipping the Velvet
2. I am picky about my historicals because I just can’t get over the modern voice. I especially love books that capture the language of the era, even if it’s hard to read.
3. I’ve never read Sophia Nash, but I just added this book to my wish list.
4. I like all GOOD historical fiction, but I really love books with unusual settings (from the trends). I also like to learn about different cultures. I like my historicals to be dense and involving.
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June 18th, 2007 at 6:16 pm
Historicals that are engrossing for me are ones with depth, and vividly portrayed characters and beautifully described locales. Audrey Howard, Josephine Cox, and Janet Tanner are all wonderful writers whose books I appreciate. I can envision the time and the setting which is important.
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June 19th, 2007 at 6:30 am
I wonder how many other names are like that. I think Laura became popular due to a soap opera character.
*raises hand*
I doubt any of the few “Rhiannon”s out there are named after the celtic Goddess… Though Stevie Nicks claimed she read the name in a romance novel.
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June 19th, 2007 at 9:24 am
The 19th Century. Such social upheaval, in no matter what country the story is set. The characters are more interesting if their world is complicated. Anachronisms ruin a story, but so hard to avoid. We inevitably carry our own modern mindset like a fingerprint.
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June 19th, 2007 at 9:33 am
My favorite historical is Angel in Scarlet by Jennifer Wilde. I read it when i was WAY too young and it still remains one of my favorite books
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June 19th, 2007 at 11:07 am
I have never read Sophia Nash, but I saw her book on Avon, and am so excited to get it. I live in a very very very very very …LOL
small area of Nebraska, and so am limited to finding it in the local Wal-Mart, or ordering it on the net. So I try to get a big order going to that I can avoid shipping. I have been a romance reader ever since I can remember. My sissy and I both. Even had a stack of them in my senior pictures. A favorite is to hard for me to pick, so I will just say that Romance is my favorite choice. Thanks!!!
Amy
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June 19th, 2007 at 5:24 pm
I’ve never read Sophia Nash.
I love historicals; I would like to see one written during our WWI and WWII.
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June 20th, 2007 at 11:14 pm
I’ve had my eye on this book–love the cover! I’ve never read Sophia Nash, but now I’m excited!
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November 26th, 2010 at 8:37 pm
Im glad I stumbled onto it. Have a good day And Check me out
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