A Diamond of a Prize!

Thanks for a great day in the lair yesterday with Diane Gaston, Amanda McCabe and Deb Marlowe. It's with great pleasure that I announce the winner of the anthology THE DIAMONDS OF WELBOURNE MANOR.

And the winner is...

LLEHN!

Llehn, can you please email Amanda McCabe on amccabe7551@yahoo.com with your snail mail details and she'll get your book off to you! Congratulations!Source URL: http://plasticsurgerycelebrities.blogspot.com/search/label/Amanda%20McCabe
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Three Diamonds of the First Water!

by Anna Campbell

It's always fun to have Bandita favorites back. And today, I've got two faves and a wonderful new guest for you all to meet. Let the festivities begin!

Amanda McCabe, Deb Marlowe and Diane Gaston are launching their new anthology for Harlequin Historicals, THE DIAMONDS OF WELBOURNE MANOR. Here's the blurb for what sounds like a really intriguing trio of stories:

JUSTINE AND THE NOBLE VISCOUNT by Diane Gaston

Guardian to the unconventional and newly orphaned Fitzmannings is not a role that brooding Gerald Brenner relishes. But Justine, the illegitimate daughter who strives to hide her shame, calls powerfully to something deep within him….

ANNALISE AND THE SCANDALOUS RAKE by Deb Marlowe

House party guest Ned Milford can see the inner passion and beauty that Annalise Fitzmanning hides. But how close should they become when his reason for being at Welbourne Manor would prompt a society scandal, not a society marriage!

CHARLOTTE AND THE WICKED LORD by Amanda McCabe

Charlotte may be the youngest Fitzmanning girl, but she knows her own mind—and she wants Lord Andrew Bassington! Drew requires an eminently proper bride, something free-spirited Charlotte has never been. So how can she make him see the beautiful woman she has become…?

Now it's my great pleasure to introduce the heroines from all three books, Annalise, Charlotte and Justine, as they enjoy a very elegant Regency afternoon tea together.


Charlotte Fitzmanning, who had only been Lady Andrew Derrington for a few weeks, surveyed the drawing room of her new London home in nervous excitement. Everything seemed to be quite in order—the new furnishings, the stylish silk draperies, her sister Annalise’s paintings on the walls, the vases of hothouse roses, the polished silver tea service that was a wedding gift laid out on the table with her mother’s Wedgwood.

But was it perfect?

It had to be, for not just any guests were soon to arrive for her first tea as a married lady. She expected her sisters, Justine and Annalise. She wanted so much for them to see she was happy and settled, that she was a fashionable lady and not just their wild little sister! That she and Drew had a lovely life together.

“No, Oliver!” she cried, grabbing up the pug just as he lunged for a cake. Just in time, too, for the butler announced her first guest—Justine.

Justine entered the room and immediately enveloped Charlotte in a big hug. “Oh, Charlotte! It is so good to see you. I’ve missed you so.”

“I’ve missed you, too.” Even though her life with Drew was like a dream come true, Charlotte did miss her sisters and brothers and their carefree days at Welbourne Manor.


Justine surveyed the room. “Why this is lovely, Charlotte. I must get some decorating ideas from you. Our townhouse is no longer gloomy, but you’ve achieved the very latest in fashion.” She spied the Wedgewood. “Oh, your mother’s tea set. How pretty it looks here.” Justine and Brenner lived with Brenner and his father, who was once married to Charlotte’s mother, who, of course was Brenner’s mother, too, but not Justine’s. So Brenner was Charlotte’s half-brother, but, then, so were Nicky and Stephen, but that was because the duke was their father, as well as hers, Annalise’s, Leo’s, and Justine’s. But not Brenner’s.

Charlotte pressed her fingers to her temple. Sorting out their family always gave her a headache. “How is baby Catherine?” she asked Justine.


Justine smiled. “She grows by the day! And she is so clever. You should see her shake her rattle and I would swear she is trying to talk with the sounds she makes.”

The butler returned to announce that Annalise had arrived. Justine and Charlotte immediately turned to greet her.

“Good afternoon, you two!” Annalise’s wide smile spoke volumes as she entered. Justine stood closest, so she got the first hug. “Where is my niece? I was hoping to see her today.”


“She is at home, charming her father away from his accounts and his estate matters, I hope.”

Charlotte loved to see the tenderness that softened Justine’s face when she spoke of her husband and daughter. “Today is just for us.”

“Well, I shall just have to make do with Oliver, then.” Annalise laughed as she scooped the pug up from another sneak attack on the teacakes. Her other arm looped around Charlotte’s waist and she gazed around the room with satisfaction. “I don’t have to ask what you have been doing, little sister. I can see you’ve been hard at work—and how lovely it has all turned out!”


Charlotte flushed with pleasure. “Thank you, Annalise.”

"And what of you, Annalise?” Justine asked. “Have you been sequestered in your studio? Brenner ran into Ned yesterday and he said that the gallery is nearly ready for its first showing.”

“I have been painting like mad. My new husband, my new studio, my new life, it’s all been perfect.”

Charlotte heard the trembling note in her sister’s voice and squeezed her tighter. “Come,” she said to distract her.“Everything is ready. I’ll pour and it will be just as if we were girls again at Welbourne, playing tea party.”

“Hardly girls.” Annalise took her seat with a sigh, Oliver still in her lap. “Look at us! Brenner and Justine have worked hard until his estates are flourishing. I saw a mention of the pair of you in the papers, too! You’ve become an exemplary young society couple. Ned and I are so happy together, and he’s about to open his gallery at last.”

Charlotte leaned in to hand her a cup and saucer and Annalise took it with a grin. “Even our wild little Charlotte is a respectable married lady.”

“Who would have thought it would turn out this way,” Justine said quietly, “That day when Brenner first came to Welbourne with such terrible news?”

They sat quietly a moment, reflecting on all the highs and lows that had led to this moment of happiness.

Finally Charlotte could take the solemnity no more. “Do you know, as I was preparing for this afternoon, I had a thought. The three of us are settled so happily . . .” She let her voice trail away suggestively. “But what of the boys?”

Justine grinned. “I’ve entertained the same notion.”

“Surely, working together, the three of us could contrive something,” Annalise said with an evil grin.
Oh, dear, sounds like the boys in the family are facing their collective Waterloo! As a long-time reader of Regency romance, I know that when sisters unite to matchmake, the poor male in question hasn't got a hope! I can't wait to see what happens.

The girls have a couple of questions for the Banditas and Bandita buddies. They want to know whether you like linked anthologies. They also want to know whether your own families are candidates for starring in an anthology. Wow, that's an interesting thought! Diane, Amanda and Deb have very generously donated a copy of their latest anthology THE DIAMONDS OF WELBOURNE MANOR to one lucky commenter today. Good luck!Source URL: http://plasticsurgerycelebrities.blogspot.com/search/label/Amanda%20McCabe
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The Battle of the Heroes!

by Anna Campbell

It is with great pleasure that I introduce four temperamental but undoubtedly sexy heroes who will launch Harlequin's new e-book line UNDONE! These are sexy shorts, 10,000 to 15,000 words long, and they sound like just the perfect romantic pick-me-up!

As long as the heroes stop fighting each other long enough to find their heroines! The strong scent of testosterone is in the air as each of our dashing protagonists draws his weapon (ahem!) to claim his particular lady!

Also if we're lucky, we'll also meet the women behind the heroes. Michelle Willingham who has created the brawny, axe-wielding Tharand Hardrata from THE VIKING'S FORBIDDEN LOVE SLAVE. Bronwyn Scott who has created the clever, suave Julian Burke from LIBERTINE LORD, PICKPOCKET MISS. Amanda McCabe who has created the dashing, swashbuckling Carlos de Alameda from SHIPWRECKED AND SEDUCED. Nicola Cornick who has created the passionate, debonair Lord Alexander Beaumont from THE UNMASKING OF LADY LOVELACE.

Here are some photos of these OTHER women in our heroes' lives. From the top, it's Michelle, Bronwyn, Amanda and Nicola! And Nicola, it's no use trying to hide beneath that huge hat! We still recognize you and Melicent has been informed that you play an inappropriately significant role in Lord Alexander's life, you hussy! She's offering Tharand money to a hired axe! And you won't get away with looking like butter won't melt in your mouth, Bronwyn and Amanda. Or with that winsome smile, Michelle! Our heroes may be moody and magnificent, but our heroines are just as scary when they're staking their claim on their men!

So I hope you enjoy THE BATTLE OF THE HEROES. Pay attention, there will be a test afterwards and one lucky visitor to our blog today will win all FOUR UNDONE! shorts. So they can get to know our heroes in intimate detail!

Don't forget you can buy all the UNDONE! ebooks through eharlequin on http://eharlequin.com/

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Tharand Hardrata reached for his bronze battle-axe, staring at the other men before him. The black runes tattooed onto his forearms gleamed in the moonlight. If any of these other men dared to threaten Aisling, he'd sever their heads from their bodies.

"Why are you here?" he demanded. The others wore clothing he'd never seen before, and it made him wonder if they were evil spirits.

Carlos de Alameda drew his fine Spanish rapier, his dark eyes alight. “I have come to discover the truth about the Contessa Isabella! Where have you hidden her? From the appearance of your rough clothing, you are no nobleman. If you have harmed the lady, I will challenge you to a duel—which you are sure to lose, as I have bested the finest swordsmen in Santo Domingo.”

"I have seen no such lady." Tharand clasped the handle of his battle-axe, a faint smile spreading over his lips. "But I would be happy to meet your challenge." He swung the axe lightly, waiting for the first strike.

Steel met bronze, and Tharand grunted at the impact. Carlos stepped lightly back, smiling as he brandished his rapier. Until they were interrupted by a new arrival who, with one smooth movement interposed himself between the two duellists, beating apart their weapons with his own sword. Carlos noted that the weapon, whilst similar to his, was a longer rapier than his own. English, he guessed. He had some skill and knowledge in these things. The man who held it was very tall and moved with a nonchalant grace. Even his voice was smooth.

“Gentlemen,” he murmured, “let us not be too hasty. Perhaps we may resolve this dispute with diplomacy rather than force. I am Lord Alexander Beaumont and I seek a lady too, my wife the Lady Melicent-” He broke off as Carlos brought his rapier up to his throat.

For one long moment Tharand and Carlos exchanged a look, briefly united in their mistrust of this dark stranger who spoke peace but held his sword like an expert pugilist. Once again Tharand swung his axe, that faint smile on his lips, and then Alex stepped back, bringing his sword up to parry the thrust of Carlos’s rapier and turning immediately to meet the crushing blow of the bronze battle-axe.

How the fight might have ended was anyone’s guess, but then a fourth man stepped forward from the shadows. He thought if he had to choose between the thin blade of the rapier and the broad stroke of the axe, he’d favour the axe in this fight. But with luck, he wouldn’t have to choose at all.

Julian Burke, self-styled agent for the crown, moved through the shadows he favoured. He held no weapon although he was proficient with a wide variety. But he was not without resources. In fact, he carried his weapon of choice; his wits, which he liked to think were as sharp as any rapier here and arguments able to deliver a cutting blow on par to any battle axe. That was his hope anyway.
These men looked quite formidable, men he recognized as kindred souls with himself even though he’d known them for only a handful of minutes. “Gentlemen, cease!” Julian moved fully into the light, ready to let his presence be revealed. “Can’t you see we all want the same thing?”

The three men stared, the startling statement drawing their attention momentarily. Julian made a placating gesture with his hands. The peace would not last if he did not move quickly.

“We all want Aisling?” Tharand asked, somewhat confused, then angered. “I knew it! Aisling is mine!” He raised his axe in belligerent intent.

“No!” Julian raised his voice to meet the challenge of the hovering blade, unwilling to flinch in the wake of imminent danger. “We all want love, whatever its guise or form.”

Alex Beaumont stepped up next to Julian, a smile acknowledging his recognition. He’d seen the line of logic Julian meant to take. “Precisely so. Well said, my countryman. Whether its name is Melicent….”

“Or Isabella,” Carlos joined them, sheathing his Spanish blade.

“Or Sophie,” Julian added, unable to stop the grin that spread across his face at the mere mention of his wife’s name.

Understanding dawned on Tharand’s face. He lowered the axe and gave a loud laugh. “I’ve been fighting for so long sometimes that is all I can see.” He laid down his axe.

The three other men chuckled and exchanged knowing looks. "Well, love has been known to be blind,” Carlos said congenially, slapping Tharand on the back. It was easier to be friendly now that weapons had been set aside.

Tharand thrust his fist out, the others joined their fists to his in a circle of comradeship. “To love,” Tharand shouted. The others grinned. “The only thing worth fighting for!"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Hear, hear, heroes! You may be formidable dudes, but you've got your priorities worked out!

One lucky commenter can win a download of all FOUR of the UNDONE! ebooks featured today, thanks to Nicola, Bronwyn, Michelle and Amanda.

So if you had to pick between a lusty Viking, a lethal Spanish pirate, an urbane Regency gentleman or a cunning Regency spy, who would you pick? What do you think makes a hero? Is there a difference between heroes from different times and places? Let's talk favorite heroes! Let the battle begin! And may the best man/woman/commenter win!Source URL: http://plasticsurgerycelebrities.blogspot.com/search/label/Amanda%20McCabe
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