Maya Rodale

Heroine Questionnaire: Katharine Ashe

Maya — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 13:13:33 +0000

If you haven’t read Katharine’s delicious and novels featuring rogue lords, a hint of the exotic, and high seas, you must! Her next book, When A Scot Loves A Lady, matches a scandal-plagued lady with a roguish scottish lord. Sigh! Her bio is really funny–especially the bit about writing romance novels in a very unlikely place. In anticipation of our upcoming tour dates together (check those out here) I thought I’d invite her to the blog for the Heroine Questionnaire.

What’s an essential quality in a heroine?

Compassion streaked through with daring. I admire a heroine who truly cares about other people — both her loved ones and strangers, and especially her hero. And I adore a heroine who isn’t afraid seek what she wants and grab onto it with both hands (no matter how it spoils her gloves!). Together these qualities make my ideal heroine.

What’s an important life lesson you’ve learned from romance novels?

To never give up, no matter what the obstacles and challenges, until you find your Happily Ever After. Romance novel heroines don’t give up. They fight the worst sorts of villains — nay-sayers, gossip, social ostracism, poverty, broken hearts, self-doubt — yet they refuse to concede defeat. It’s definitely a plus that succeeding for them means lifelong happiness with a handsome lord, or reformed pirate, or cowboy, or Navy Seal, or… well, you get the idea. But it’s a great lesson, no matter what a woman’s HEA is!

Tell us about the heroine of your new book!

For years Lady Kitty Savege thought she wanted revenge – sweet, satisfying revenge on the man that stole her virtue and broke her young heart. Now finally Kitty is fed up with lurking in the shadows and waiting to strike. More than anything, she’s weary of loneliness. She longs for love. But she’s so used to playing the part of the cool, disinterested spinster in society, she doesn’t know how to change! When a snowstorm traps her in a country inn with a roguish Scottish lord, Kitty discovers that the passion inside her merely needs a bit o’ delectably scandalous encouragement to break free.

Kitty made her first appearance in my novel Captured by a Rogue Lord, in which she was the hero’s sister. Her youthful indiscretion led her brother into his life of piracy against wealthy noblemen, first and foremost her ruiner. Naturally her brother had his happy ending in that book, but I wanted Kitty to find true love too. So vibrant and loving yet hiding behind an impervious façade, she deserved happiness. And that’s where Lord Leam Blackwood comes in…

PS: Katharine and I have teamed up for a Facebook contest! This week, we’re giving out daily prizes, grand prizes and the Super Fantastic Grand Prize of a Kindle Fire! Don’t you just want to read all of her books (and more) on a Kindle Fire? Of course! You can enter the contest here.

Question: If you were trapped by a snow storm in a country inn who would your ideal companion be?

Reviews: The Tattooed Duke

Maya — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 12:11:11 +0000

Oooh, the reviews are starting to come in for The Tattooed Duke! Here’s a selection:

• Packed with engaging, complex characters, humor, blackmail, secrets, deceit, clever banter, true love and a city on tenterhooks awaiting Eliza’s next article, this story is a keeper as one you will want to read more than once. I highly recommend The Tattooed Duke.

–Romance Junkies Reviews

• Rodale continues her Writing Girl series, demonstrating that strong women can always find a way to make a difference and have it all. This charming and fun story will delight readers.

–RT Book Reviews

• The latest Writing Girls late Regency romance is a charming tale starring two fascinating protagonists. The storyline is fast-paced from the moment Eliza joins Sebastian’s household and never slows down until the explosive finish.

–Genre Go Round reviews

• Rodale continues the intricate stories and involving narrative that are the bedrock of this fascinating series. Fans of historical romance will fall in love with our intrepid heroine and our ornately decorated hero.

–Library Journal

Saturday Sneak Peek!

Maya — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 15:57:04 +0000

Straight from the pages of The London Weekly’s latest, greatest column, The Tattooed Duke…

Happy families are all alike; every unhappy family is unhappy in its own way. We know that all the Wycliff Dukes have been scandalous in their own, rakish way, and we know that none have managed the unique, strange scandal of the current duke’s bizarre, foreign proclivities. Adventure seems to follow the duke no matter where he goes, be it in Tahiti or Fleet Street. He was seen Wednesday last emerging from St. Brides Lane with the limp form a female, helpless and unconscious in his arms. Had she been ravished? Murdered? What has become of her?

Like it? Tell your friends! I’ve got a set of signed coverflats for one lucky share-er!