All were shocked at the announcement of the “cursed” Lady Claire Cavensham to Lord Alexander Hallworth, the Marquess of Pembrooke, especially since she is already engaged to another unfortunate Lord. Perhaps she will make it to the altar this time with one of these fine gentlemen! Could her run of bad luck finally be at an end? It’s highly doubtful in this writer’s humble opinion. —Midnight Cryer
No one is left breathless at the imperious pronouncement of her engagement to Lord Pembrooke more than Claire. She hardly knows the dangerously outrageous man! But after three engagements gone awry and a fourth going up in glorious flames, she isn’t in a position to refuse…especially once she realizes that Lord Pembrooke makes her want to believe she’s not a bad luck bride anymore…
Alexander requires the hand of his enemy’s fiancĂ©e in marriage in order to complete his plans for revenge. It’s his good fortune that the “cursed” woman is desperate. However, what begins as a sham turns into something scandalously deeper. The beguiling lady has no business laying claim to his heart. But as a mission of revenge turns into fiery passion, Alexander wants nothing more than to break Claire’s curse…and lead them both to their hearts’ desire.
Sarah had a chance to interview Janna about romance and her writing experiences!
Sarah:Â Was there a book or an author who inspired you to try writing your own romance?
Janna: After a long sabbatical from reading romance – I know it’s sacrilege – I discovered and absolutely fell in love with the romance novels of Eloisa James and Maggie Robinson. Lucky me, I became friends with both of them. They must have realized I had a story within me as they urged me to write a romance. At first, I was completely against the idea. I thought of myself mostly as a blogger-wanna-be. In truth, I wanted to be Smart Bitches Trashy Books. The SBTB community was so welcoming and the reviews opened all sorts of new genres, books and authors to me.
In 2013, I attend the RT Convention in Kansas City just to see what a romance reader convention entailed. I signed up for a Cherry Adair plotting class thinking it would give me a better understanding of what made a romance so special. By the end of the convention, I had the idea for the Cavensham family, and a rough outline of my story. Within the month, I had the entire book outlined, and wrote it within six weeks.
Sarah:Â How long have you been a romance reader?
Janna: I fell in love with romance books as a teenager. My first Regency romance-*gasp* – was The Impetuous Duchess by Barbara Cartland. That’s all it took! I’ve been reading Regencies and contemporaries and paranormals throughout the last forty some years. I’m happy to say that my love for everything romance only flourished.
Sarah:Â What are you working on now?
Janna: I’m plotting the fourth book in The Cavensham Heiresses series. It’ll take me about a month to really have an understanding of my characters and the story. Only then will I start writing. Recently, I finished the third book. For right now, the title is tentatively The Bride’s Own Luck. Of course, my fabulous editor may have another suggestion.
Can you believe she wrote this book in six weeks? There must have been some intense writing hours and some drive to accomplish that!
Janna also has a giveaway for all of you lovely readers!
There will be three (3) prize packs:
- Grand prize: Coach Large Sierra Satchel (37218) in Turquoise with a copy of The Bad Luck Bride
- 1st runner up: UK thistle seal and wax with a copy of The Bad Luck Bride
- 2nd runner up: An 18 inch string of pearls with a copy of The Bad Luck Bride
Winners get choice of digital or paper finished copies.
To enter to win, leave a comment and tell us your favorite historical romance trope!
Standard disclaimers apply: We are not being compensated for this giveaway. Void where prohibited. Open to US residents where permitted by applicable law. Must be over 18 and dreading your marriage of convenience to a stuffy earl or maybe a scandalous duke. Please brace yourselves for any unresolved sexual tension or meddling secondary characters. Comments will close Friday April 28, 2017 around noon ET, and winners will be announced shortly thereafter.
Good luck to everyone!
UPDATE: Our winners have been announced!
Grand prize: Rachael Clemens
1st runner up: ReneeG
2nd runner up: Rebe
Thanks to all the participants and winners, be sure to check your spam folders!
Both marriage of convenience and accidental compromise resulting in marriage are my catnip in historicals!
enemies to lovers, or the couple is forced to marry because she’s compromised and they fall in love
Second chance romance with lots and lots of angst!
I love the marriage of convenience, because they go through so much denial of their feelings just to totally wind up together! I love these prizes, that handbag is gorgeous!
My favorite trope is going from bickering acquaintances/enemies to lovers. Throw in a rake and my day is made.
I love bluestockings, beta heroes and accidental compromise. Actually, I like pretty much any trope!
I love the enemies to lovers trope so freaking much! I also really enjoy competence porn and magic.
Love the arrogant rakish bachelor who learns to be a true partner to an intelligent and independent bluestocking or spinster.
I dearly love a house party-centered plot, or any other forced proximity plot (snowstorms!).
Marriage of convenience is my thing!, also the bookish heroine or hero.
My fave is spies with a staged wedding who go from sniff or outright hatred to love and saving each other.
Mine is spies with a staged wedding…best when it is enemies to lovers thrown in on top of that. 🙂
Mmm, love me the marriage of convenience, love the beta hero, love the super smart heroine. This book looks great!
i agree with those who said a blustocking/nerdy hero or heroine <3
Bluestockings who’ve earned lots of their own money (thus, have as much freedom and independence that a woman in the 1800s could have), plus a hero with a lifelong case of unrequited love for the heroine plus longstanding disdain of the H by the h, times a bad knock on the head resulting in temporary amnesia for our h equals LOVE (or does it?). See Sherry Thomas’
“Tempting the Bride”.
Oh man, childhood sweethearts reconnecting after years apart gets me every time. And it works in every time period.
I love enemies to lovers, especially those with a bookish heroine.
The “a lady but not an ignorant one” trope. I love it when a heroine can either be experienced or not, but at least not being totally in the dark about her body and what she likes done with it. Also, bluestockings! Love me a good bluestocking.
I’m a sucker for the arranged marriages.
I like smart women making the best of things. Extra Points for strong female relationships.
I love enemies to lovers and damaged military men.
Marriage of convenience that turns to love is probs lay my favorite historical trope. Especially if they hate each other (because then we get twice the trope with enemies to lovers!)
I love the “spinster on the shelf because she’s a bluestocking” tropes!
I know it’s terribly unrealistic, but I’ve always like the fantasy that even in times of…less sanitary conditions…everyone is clean, boil-free, has good teeth, and smells nice.
Thanks for the chance! 🙂 I love, love, love spies or marriage of convenience!
I love hidden identities and second chances!