This is an especially important moment for me because Southern Magic is the sister chapter of the Gulf Coast Romance Writers, my home chapter. And we Alabama girls have to stick together!

Thank you so much to everyone who judged! And congratulations to all the other nominees. I’m up against a seriously strong group of contenders.

If you haven’t seen it yet, check it out here!

My house has been rampant with the flu and colds this week, so here’s hoping that you, wherever you are, have escaped the creeping crud. I’m going to have some cough syrup and dream of good news…

Here goes…

What is your working title of your book? Why Dukes Say I Do

Where did the idea come from for the book? From a totally random brainstorming session with some author friends where we were coming up with gimmicky Regency historical titles. The one that started my imagination on this new trilogy was I KNOW WHAT YOU DID LAST SEASON.

What genre does your book fall under? Regency historical romance/romantic suspense.

Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition? For my hero, Trevor, I’ve chosen dishy British actor Toby Stephens, shown here in the BBC adaptation of Anne Bronte’sThe Tenant of Wildfell Hall.

For my heroine, Isabella, I’ve chosen Anna Chancellor, better known to American audiences as Duckface from Four Weddings and a Funeral. Here she is playing Miss Bingley in the 1995 version of Pride and Prejudice.

What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book? A socialite widow with a dark secret must convince a reclusive duke to abandon his vow to remain in the country, or risk being publicly accused of murder.

Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency? This is the first book in my new trilogy with St. Martin’s Press.

How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript? Three months.

What other books would you compare this story to within your genre? I tend to think of my books as being in the vein of old school Amanda Quick with just a dash of Julia Quinn and a soupcon of Lisa Kleypas.

What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest? Like my previous books, this trilogy will center on female friendship as well as romance. In this case, my three heroines are all widows whose first marriages were not particularly happy. All three heroines are survivors. And the fact that two of the heroines are sisters makes their relationships with one another even more emotional. Even so, there’s a lot of humor here too. I especially enjoyed pitting the social butterfly Isabella against the country-bred, down to earth, Trevor. There are some fun fish-out-of-water scenes in this one as well as my favorite scenes to write…bromance!

Now I get to tag a few awesome author friends too, who’ll be posting about their latest projects on their blogs next Wednesday, Dec. 12th. Can’t wait to hear what they’re working on!!

The Lovely and Amazing Virna DePaul, author ofShades of Temptation.

&

The Always Entertaining Tiffany Clare, author of Wicked Nights with a Proper Lady.

Readers, be sure to check out these talented ladies next week and find out what they’re working on!

In other exciting news, my sexy novella Legally Yours has been nominated by Authors After Dark for a Bookie Award for Contemporary Short Story of the Year! How cool is that? I am especially surprised and pleased about this one because I published it myself and had zero expectations for it. Don’t you love surprises like that? What’s especially cool about this one is that YOU can vote for it! If you want to, that is…

I’ve been on the road these past few months going to conferences. In early October I went to Atlanta for the Georgia Romance Writers’ outstanding MOONLIGHT & MAGNOLIA’s conference, where, among other things, I got to spend a little time with the lovely and talented Julia Quinn! She is one of the nicest, most gracious people you’ll ever meet. And hilarious to boot. And she give a kick-ass keynote speech!

Finally, this past weekend, I drove up to Birmingham for the Southern Magic Reader’s Luncheon, put on by the Birmingham chapter of RWA. Those ladies really know how to put on a party! I shared a table with the lovely and talented Kathy Bone, whose first book was released this past week. It’s called Duke by Day, Rogue by Night. While in Birmingham I got to sign copies of my books while sitting in between Kieran Kramer and Katharine Ashe! We were like a Regency triple play! If you ever get a chance to go to this event, do it! It’s a blast!

That’s all for now! I’m about to put up a few ARCs of How to Entice an Earl for a giveaway at Goodreads so be on the lookout for that.

Until next time!

To celebrate this auspicious occasion I’m holding a special release party on Twitter and you’re invited! Preregister here for a chance to win a $100 gift card to Books on Board. Preregister here for a chance to win your choice of a Kindle or a Nook! And during the party itself I’ll be giving away door prizes and revealing all sorts of tidbits about the making of How to Romance a Rake.

Thanks, as always, for your support! Hope this last day of July is rocking for you and yours!

I just wanted to let you know about a novella I’ve just self-published. It’s called Legally Yours and it’s a super sexy contemporary romance novella. What this means is lots of sexytimes with the requisite happily-ever-after.  I think it’s  a pretty sweet little story, for all that it’s got some heat to it.

It’s only $0.99 at Amazon, B&N and Smashwords (soon to come at Sony, Apple, etc.).

I’m going to be guest blogging with Vanessa Kelly on this Friday (May 11) and I’ll be giving away three copies!

If you do get a chance to read it, I’d love it if you’d post an honest review at your favorite site.

On a side note, don’t forget to enter the Goodreads Giveaway for an ARC of How to Romance a Rake.  It closes on June 1.

Later my peeps!

Manda

Just a quick note here to let you know that I’ve received the first glimpse at the cover for How to Entice an Earl!!

I hope you love it as much as I do! I’m working on the revisions for this one right now, and let me tell you I think Maddie and Christian are pretty adorable together. And who knew Christian was such a gym rat?

Here’s hoping that your Wednesday is going swimmingly!

Cheers,

Manda

Tessa’s book, A WEEK TO BE WICKED, is a fabulously fun and sexy historical about a rake and a bluestocking (love!) and Lena’s book, SIMON SAYS DIE, is an edge of your seat, sexy romantic suspense reunited lovers story! Both of which are tropes I adore!

To celebrate, I’m giving away a copy of Tessa’s book and a copy of Lena’s book to to two lucky commenters who share with us their favorite romance tropes. Do you love arranged marriages? Or maybe you’re a fan of secret babies? Tell me below for a chance to win!