After much browbeating on my part, Mr. Milan has finally picked a winner. Through ways that are mysterious and masculine, he read through all the entries, laughing from time to time, and finally has said that the winner is:
Laney, for: “In America, you go to war. In Victorian times, war comes to you.”
But wait! There’s a random winner, too. And the random winner is… Rene! Rene and Laney, send your snail mail addresses to courtney@courtneymilan.com.
For those of you interested in winning other things, this quarter I’m giving away a prize pack of six debut historical romance authors, all awesome in their own right.
- Elizabeth Essex’s The Pursuit of Pleasure is a wonderful book about a woman who marries a man who is going to die for freedom, and then has the bad fortune to fall in love with him. I meant to post about this book when it came out, but it came out right in the middle of sudden-death deadlines and a couple of other things that completely ate up my November and December. Trust me, this book is wonderful, and the prose is elegant. I loved it!
- Tiffany Clare’s The Surrender of a Lady. Tiffany definitely pushes some boundaries with this one. It’s set in a harem in Victorian times, and it’s as much about emotional freedom as it is about sexual freedom.
- Vicky Dreiling’s How to Marry a Duke. A long, long time ago, Vicky and I finaled in a writing contest together with two unpublished manuscripts. We started talking. I told her she was going to sell her book, even though I hadn’t read it. I just felt sure it was true. And it was! Now that her book is out (it just came out yesterday), I can see why it sold. The premise is unbearably cute–think “The Bachelor” in Regency times, and the execution made me laugh.
- Ashley March’s Seducing the Duchess. A gorgeous book about two people–married–who each do something that is absolutely unforgivable to the other, and then have the ill luck to fall in love. It was a deeply emotional book, filled with angst…and yet it was also funny, too, which pretty much makes me excited.
- Grace Burrowes’s The Heir. Another gorgeous book about a man who falls in love with his housekeeper. The language is exquisite, the romance is hot, and I have to say–this is just between you and me–I love a scene where people know how to use their hands, and this book has lots of them.
- Jeannie Lin’s Butterfly Swords. One of my favorite new authors. I started writing a post about Butterfly Swords months ago–I still have a draft saved–I couldn’t figure out how to express my adoration in a few hours. I have to actually write this out at some point, even though I’m unforgivably late. It’s like a martial arts movie crossed with a happy ending.
Six debut historical romance authors, wildly different in tone and setting and place, and all excellent. If you want them, you have to enter my website contest.
Ooh, some of these are on my list to check out (and one is on my Kindle). And I read and loved Butterfly Swords, too. I always find it hard to write reviews. But one thing I can say, is that Jeannie brought me to another time and place without overwhelming the story. I even gave a copy to my sister (so wouldn’t mind a copy of my own – e is nice, but I do sometimes like to see the cover …). So glad that historical romance is “hot” again. 😉
CM, I completely agree with you about Tiffany’s and Jeannie’s books. Haven’t read the other four. SHould correct that oversight. Thanks.
What an awesome prize pack! I’m adding all to my TBR pile as I haven’t been disappointed with one of your recommendations yet! If I liked Warrior by Zoe Archer, will I like Butterfly Swords? Is it in that similar vein of action/romance?
Bethany–good question. I would classify Warrior and Butterfly Swords as second-cousins. Both are awesome. Butterfly Swords definitely has a stronger wuxia influence; Warrior has a stronger sweeping fantasy feel. Both feel epic.
I think what I said about Warrior is that Zoe Archer makes Mongolia feel like familiar territory. Butterfly Swords, by contrast, revels in the difference. I loved them both!
Congratulations to both winners!
Thanks, Courtney. That contest we were in seems like a lifetime ago. I’m glad your prediction about my book came true. 🙂
I’m really anxious to get my hands on Unveiled. When I read the excerpt, I was hooked. The cover is gorgeous. Congrats!
I am all blushing gratitude.
And Butterfly Swords just took my breath away. Loved it. Can’t wait for Jeannie’s next!