Friday, November 06, 2009

Free Book Friday

I can't believe it's already been a month since our last Free Book Friday, but here we are again!

This month, I decided to go with a historical theme. As a teen, historicals were my real foray into romance. I started on books by Bertrice Small, Catherine Coulter and Jude Deveraux, who did one of the best time travels ever - A Knight in Shining Armor. Looking at my giveaway shelf, I realized I hardly ever read true historicals anymore. I don't know why. I used to love getting taken back to different eras in time where (for the wealthy at least) dinners and clothing were lavish and complicated affairs. I liked getting wrapped up in the decadence and formality of it all.

Historicals are great and the recent upsurge in popularity means there are tons of new ones coming out each month. I'm going to share a couple with you to enjoy. This month...

Before The Scandal by Suzanne Enoch

It Was a Scandal Waiting to Happen . . .

Colonel Phineas Bromley is a legend--on the battlefield "and" in the bedroom. Though he's won many wars, and even more hearts, nothing could prepare him for his new life. When Phin discovers that someone has been pushing his family toward ruin, he assumes the role of a legendary highwayman. Riding out in the middle of the night, hidden behind a mask, Phin heads straight into trouble . . . and into the arms of the ravishing girl next door.

Coming face-to-face with a masked man did not frighten Alyse Donnelly as it should have. Instead, she finds him rather dashing. But her foolish heart has led her into trouble before, and helping a fugitive may mean jeopardizing her own plans, no matter how enticing his kisses. Now, as the danger grows, Alyse must make a choice between freedom . . . and the chance for true love.

Don't Bargain With The Devil by Sabrina Jeffries

"New York Times" bestselling author Sabrina Jeffries delights and entertains with this novel of Regency manners and roguish passions -- fifth in her dazzling School for Heiresses series.

The future of Charlotte Harris's fi nishing school is in jeopardy when a charming Spaniard -- world-famous magician Diego Montalvo -- arrives to turn the bordering estate into a scandalous pleasure garden. Valiantly ignoring his wicked flirtations, outspoken Lucinda Seton vows to derail his plans and save the school, unaware that Diego's true mission is to spirit the long-lost heiress away to Spain for a handsome reward But before long Diego's heart is playing tricks on him, and Lucy is falling under the illusionist's spell. How can the Master of Mystery go through with his devilish scheme when all he wants is to make the lovely heiress his own?



The Secret Passion of Simon Blackwell by Samantha James

A cruel twist of fate changed Simon Blackwell's life irreparably. A man of intense passions, he resolved to deny his emotions and desires forever, taking refuge in the wilds of the moorlands and shutting himself off from the world. But on one extraordinary night, on a rare trip to London, the unthinkable occurs. An intoxicatingly beautiful stranger stirs the sensuous hunger he has sworn to resist. Simon Blackwell believed that no woman could tempt him.

"No woman . . . save Annabel McBride. "

Annabel knows nothing of Simon's secret pain. But one irresistible kiss plunges her into marriage with a man she scarcely knows, a man who hides a shattered past. She can feel the blistering heat of the fire that smolders within this exquisitely handsome man, making her yearn for much more than the union in name only he has promised her.

"But Simon dares not love again--for fragile love can be lost in an instant. And now Annabel must find a way to open his heart to the most glorious risk of all . . ."

To enter, comment today using the phrase - "I want to be taken back in time."
SP

18 comments:

Minna said...

I want to be taken back in time!

Laurie G said...

I've always loved historicals! In fact a western set in the 1800's by Lavyrle Spencer got me hooked on romance!

"I want to be taken back in time"!

I'll read any time period! I enjoy: Victoria Alexander, Lisa Kleypas, Stephanie Laurens, Jillian Hunter, Madelyn Hunter, Julia London, Laura Ann Gurke, Julianne MacLean, Claudia Dain and Suzanne Enoch.....

Playground Monitor said...

Ya know, after reading these blurbs, I think I really should read more historicals. They sound terrific.

Good luck to those who enter.

Cindy said...

I want to be taken back in time!!!!

Stephanie Jones AKA Alicia Hunter Pace said...

As I read today's topic I was thinking that I once read a lot of historicals but now hardly ever do.

Do you decipher the why of our reading habit change S.P.?

Reading this had made me want to read more historicals. Which I will need to do in my copious spare time. Thanks S.P.!

CrystalGB said...

I want to be taken back in time! I love historicals. Those books sound great.

Margay Leah Justice said...

I love historicals so

I want to be taken back in time!

Margay

Maureen said...

I do enjoy historicals because

I want to be taken back in time!

mslizalou said...

I want to be taken back in time! I started out reading historicals years ago, but had really gotten away from them. I started reading them again last year and try to read at least one a month now.

tetewa said...

I enjoy Historicals, I want to be taken back in time!

catslady said...

I want to be taken back in time! I read The Secret Passion of Simon Blackwell by Samantha James and it was wonderful. I hope to read the other two at some time since I have read some of their other books and enjoyed them too.

gigi said...

I want to be taken back in time!

I cut my romance reading teeth on Bertrice Small's Skye O'Malley way back when I was a wee lass of 18 years (years and years ago).

I am so glad to see more Historicals coming out but I so loved the bodice rippers of old.

Unknown said...

I want to be taken back in time! Man I love historicals they are my favorite read. I am on a historical kick right now so please enter me! I read a little of everything, but lately its been my historicals.

Mariee said...

Great giveaway. I love historicals!

"I want to be taken back in time."

Pat L. said...

I want to be taken back into time (too)

Andrea Laurence AKA Smarty Pants said...

Thanks for playing along, everyone. This month's prize is going to CracklinRosie. Congrats!

Caroline said...

I want to be taken back in time and...find out if Queen Elizabeth the First really did only have one bath...and whether all Vikings were hunky norse gods...and.. Take care. CAroline x

Sandy Jay said...

I want to be taken back in time.