Saturday, April 20, 2013

Historical Romance Weekend: Author Shana Galen (Interview/Giveaway)

ReadingBetweentheWinesBookClub

We are back with our Historical Romance weekend! Of course we had to have the talented...Shana Galen! Welcome to Reading Between the Wines Shana!

Shana: Thank you for having me back again and inviting me to be a part of your Historical Romance Weekend. I’m honored!

Lexi: You have quite the backlist. From pirates, to brothers, and pseudo mistresses. What is it that made you choose Historical Romance as your genre? 

Shana: I would have to say it was actually historical romance that chose me, and I couldn't be happier. Writing historical romance is appealing to me in part because I can leave the modern world behind. I enjoy spending time in the past with no cell phones, no TV, no information overload. It allows me to create a world with dashing heroes and equally dynamic heroines who probably wouldn’t be very believable in a contemporary novel.
Lexi: Your Jewels of the Ton series features three strong women who take great risks to ensure their welfare. Do you feel women in Historical Romances parallel women today?

Shana: Juliette, Fallon, and Lily are modern women living in a different era. They make daring choices to escape from their circumstances in a time period when opportunities for woman to change her situation were severely limited. My heroines have a lot in common with women of today, in that they are strong, independent, and like women of today, have to make tough choices.

Lexi: If You Give a Rake a Ruby is book two in your Jewels of the Ton series. Your heroine, Fallon, is an unrepentant lover of life. (And there is a very hot sex scene!!!) Is it challenging writing sex scenes for historicals? 

Shana: Sometimes a difficulty arises if I don’t know what word was used for something I’m writing. Most of the time, my characters don’t think about what they’re doing directly or clinically, but recently I was writing a scene for Lily’s book where a character thinks about oral sex. Hmm. What term did they use in 1816? It was tough to find out. So that aspect can be difficult (by the way, I went with play the blanket flute). Otherwise, it’s much like any other scene in a novel. I try to let the couple in the story find their own pace and style.  Fallon and Warrick start their fiery relationship in her bed, and there is an instant chemistry between them, so things were bound to get hot.

Lexi: Challenging or not, your talent shines as bright as jewels. ;) Too bad we have to wait nearly a year for book three, Sapphires Are an Earl’s Best Friend. Any projects you will be working on in the mean time? Any new HR ideas floating around in that head of yours?

Shana: March 2014 does seem like a long time to wait for Sapphires Are an Earl’s Best Friend. In the meantime, I do have other books being released. 

In August, I have a novella out, The Spy Wore Blue, which features the enigmatic Agent Blue from Lord and Lady Spy. In September True Spies, the follow up to Lord and Lady Spy, will be released. Readers get to meet new friends, and revisit some old ones as well. I always have ideas floating around; the trick is finding the time to write them all. 

Lexi: Can’t wait for Agent Blue’s story, and then we get True Spies! I am so excited! You are a go to author for me so I know I will enjoy them both. Thank you for joining in our Historical Romance weekend Shana! 

Shana: Thank you for having me. I’m happy to offer copies of If You Give a Rake a Ruby and the first in the series, When You Give a Duke a Diamond to readers who offer a comment. The giveaway is open internationally.





When You Give a Duke a Diamond
Jewels of the Ton #1
by Shana Galen
Paperback, 356 pages
Published September 4th 2012 by Sourcebooks Casablanca
ISBN 9781402269738
He had a perfectly orderly life...
William, the sixth Duke of Pelham, enjoys his punctual, securely structured life. Orderly and predictable—that's the way he likes it. But he's in the public eye, and the scandal sheets will make up anything to sell papers. When the gossip papers link him to Juliette, one of the most beautiful and celebrated courtesans in London, chaos doesn't begin to describe what happens next...
Until she came along...
Juliette is nicknamed the Duchess of Dalliance and has the cream of the nobility at her beck and call. It's disruptive to have the duke who is the biggest catch on the Marriage Mart scaring her other suitors away. Then she discovers William's darkest secret and decides what he needs in his life is the kind of excitement only she can provide...

Available at AmazonBarnes & Noble, and The Book Depository


If You Give a Rake a Ruby

Jewels of the Ton #2

by Shana Galen

Mass Market Paperback, 352 pages
Published March 5th 2013 by Soursebooks Casablanca
ISBN 9781402269769
Her Mysterious Past Is The Best Revenge...Fallon, the Marchioness of Mystery, is a celebrated courtesan with her finger on the pulse of high society. She’s adored by men, hated by their wives. No one knows anything about her past, and she plans to keep it that way.
Only He Can Offer Her A Dazzling Future...Warrick Fitzhugh will do anything to protect his compatriots in the Foreign Office, including seduce Fallon, who he thinks can lead him to the deadliest crime lord in London. He knows he’s putting his life on the line...To Warrick’s shock, Fallon is not who he thinks she is, and the secrets she’s keeping are exactly what make her his heart’s desire...


About Shana:
Shana Galen is the bestselling author of fast-paced adventurous Regency historicals, including the RT Reviewers’ Choice The Making of a Gentleman. Her books are published all over the world and have been featured in the Rhapsody and Doubleday Book Clubs. She taught English at the middle and high school level off and on for eleven years. Most of those years were spent working in Houston's inner city. Now she writes full time. She’s happily married and has a daughter who is most definitely a romance heroine in the making. Shana loves to hear from readers: visit her website or see what she’s up to daily on Facebook and Twitter.








~*GIVEAWAY*~
Alright readers, you heard Shana. Giveaway open to everyone, so start commenting! Then fill out the Rafflecopter below, good luck! I know you will LOVE this Historical Romance series!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

88 comments:

  1. My favorite heroines are strong and independent which is not easy in historical stories since it was not the norm.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I love historical romance. I really enjoy the ones where the heroine gives the hero a run for his money.
    debby236 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  3. What a great interview! I can't wait to read this series :)

    ReplyDelete
  4. Just finished reading the first book and I love how you introduced the Three Diamonds. Very distinct personalities.

    Loved Juliette's story and very excited to read Fallon and Lily's stories!

    ReplyDelete
  5. One of the reasons I don't read as much historical romance as I would like is it's really difficult to get behind some of the milk sop heroines in the stories, If I find an author with strong female characters, I latch on like a lichen. Your heroines sound like strong-minded, independent women that I would enjoy reading about.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Oh I love a woman with modern ideas in historical romance. Makes them fierce and the heroes find them irresistible :) I am SO looking forward to reading these books!
    Thanks for the giveaway! :)

    ReplyDelete
  7. I like when a heroine is strong and risk-taker especially in historicals. It means they are willing to bend the rules and that keeps the plot interesting.

    ReplyDelete
  8. I love the back and forth play on words and society strictures in most historicals.

    Kassandra
    sionedkla@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  9. Thank you for the interview and giveaway. I am new to HR so I have gotten to Ms. Galen yet but I definitely will now!

    annfesATyaooDOTcom

    ReplyDelete
  10. Hi shana! This series already sitting patiently on my tbr pile. I'm sure i'm gonna love it, the blurbs are exciting already

    ReplyDelete
  11. I love the beautiful and colorful covers on your books. Always enjoy seeing you on some of the blogs I follow :)
    Your books are awesome!
    Thanks,
    Lori
    lorih824 at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  12. I do love Historical Romance. Give me a feisty heroine & a witty hero & watch the fireworks happen.

    ReplyDelete
  13. I enjoyed the interview, and the series looks great!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Sorry I am so late to the party! Just got my little one into bed. Thank you for having me!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Maureen, I love those sorts of heroines, too. They buck the system.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Debby, I enjoy those books too--reading and writing them!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Thanks, Tin! So glad you enjoyed it.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Sebella, I think both types of heroines appeal to readers. Sometimes I get mail from readers who don't like how tough my heroines can be. I always try to give them a core of vulnerability, though.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Thanks, Janhvi. Good luck with the giveaway.

    ReplyDelete
  20. I agree, Na. I like all sorts of historicals, but I can't write one without a heroine who'll take some risks.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Kassandra, I have to tell you that, as an author, there's nothing more satisfying than finding just the right line of witty repartee.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Soft Fuzzy Sweater, you should see the list of authors I still need to read. Thanks for stopping by!

    ReplyDelete
  23. Sienny, if your TBR pile is anything like mine, I know how much you want to read all of the books. Right now! Thanks for stopping by.

    ReplyDelete
  24. Thanks, Beautiful Diasaster. It's always fun to recognize some of the names of readers who comment.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Perfectly said, Mary. Perfect!

    ReplyDelete
  26. Thanks, jmcgaugh! Good luck with the giveaway.

    ReplyDelete
  27. What a great give-a-way from a wonderful author!! i enjoyed the post.

    ReplyDelete
  28. Shana, I haven't started these yet--thanks for sharing a peek of these smart, heroic heroines!

    f dot chen at comcast dot net

    ReplyDelete
  29. I love heroines aren't TSTL! Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  30. Give me a wealthy duke and I am happy :D

    ReplyDelete
  31. I do like strong heroines. I'm not sure I am a strong person, so I like to imagine I might be like the heroine.

    ReplyDelete
  32. I love historical romances for the exact reason that you can escape. A strong heroine is the best kind, but I do like a bad boy hero every once in awhile.

    ReplyDelete
  33. I can't wait to read The Spy Wore Blue, I've been eager to read the story of the enigmatic Agent Blue. And I'm looking forward to True Spies as well. :D

    ReplyDelete
  34. Historical romance stories are my favorite. I love Shana's stories - would love to read these. Thanks for the giveaway!

    ReplyDelete
  35. Congrats to Shana on the newest release and thanks for the fun post and giveaway!

    ReplyDelete

  36. i collected shana gallen's novel...
    love them..
    thx u for the chance :D

    ReplyDelete
  37. I fell in love with your books. And have just been purely addicted. This series is just brilliant. I cannot wait for the third one!!!!!!!!! Wil be up and at the store at 9am to buy that one :))))

    ReplyDelete
  38. Thanks for the chance to win!
    I can't wait to read The Spy Wore Blue!

    ReplyDelete
  39. Hi Shana! Love your books! Looking forward to True Spies & The Spy Wore Blue; Lord and Lady Spy was such an enjoyable read.

    ReplyDelete
  40. This sounds like a great series, can't wait to read the books. Thanks for the giveaways!

    ReplyDelete
  41. I've read If You Give a Duke A Diamond a few months ago (you got to love friends who are just as helpless in resisting the temptation to buy books :D), and I was hooked. I truly like the girls, and I really want to read their stories.

    ReplyDelete
  42. I'm so intrigued by this series, it's going on my TBR pile! Thanks for the chance to win your books, Shana!

    ReplyDelete
  43. I love both of these titles please I want them

    ReplyDelete
  44. Historical Romance is my favorite!! Thank you for the draw:)

    ReplyDelete
  45. My favorite heroines are strong and independent which is not easy in historical stories since it was not the norm.

    ReplyDelete
  46. These stories look really good. Thanks for the chance to win.

    ReplyDelete
  47. I just read When You Give A Duke A Diamond last week. I loved the story. The end frustrated me because I wanted to know what happens next! I love historicals because they allow me to visit a place I can't visit any other way.

    ReplyDelete
  48. I'd never thought about the linguistic features that would arise in intimate scenes of historical romances... good point. Must make for some interesting research!

    ReplyDelete
  49. Thanks for stopping by flchen! Good luck.

    ReplyDelete
  50. Lisa, don't we all. I've read my share of TSTL heroines.

    ReplyDelete
  51. Donna, it's definitely fun to live vicariously. I'd never do half the things my heroines do. But they are fun to write about.

    ReplyDelete
  52. Annwitch, those bad boy heroes are so much fun. Love them as well!

    ReplyDelete
  53. Thanks, Barbara. I feel like time is going so quickly. I'm sire it will be August before we know it.

    ReplyDelete
  54. Thank you, Erin, and thanks for stopping by.

    ReplyDelete
  55. Nurmawati, thanks for taking the time to comment. Good luck with the giveaway.

    ReplyDelete
  56. Ack! No pressure, cerendemir! Hopefully it will meet your expectations.

    ReplyDelete
  57. Thanks, Natasha. I am excited it's been moved up to August.

    ReplyDelete
  58. Linda, I can't wait for the next book in the LLS series to come out. I'm about to start the third in the series now.

    ReplyDelete
  59. Thanks for stopping by, Anita.

    ReplyDelete
  60. Thanks, Ana! Good luck winning IF YOU GIVE A RAKE A RUBY.

    ReplyDelete
  61. Miss_Spell, thanks for stopping by. Love your name, too!

    ReplyDelete
  62. Barbara, thanks so much for checking in and good luck.

    ReplyDelete
  63. True, Laurie. We have to modernize the heroines a bit.

    ReplyDelete
  64. Jen, if the end of DAD frustrated you, just wait until you read the end of IF YOU GIVE A RAKE A RUBY. Thanks for stopping by!

    ReplyDelete
  65. Aria, you cannot imagine the phrases I find myself googling sometimes. I'd hate for anyone to look over my shoulder.

    ReplyDelete
  66. Thank you for the interview. Strong women making tough choices, being both mother and father, working, taking care of the homefront, these things have been going on for centuries. Women should be applauded for their depth of character. lisagk(at)yahoo

    ReplyDelete
  67. Love this, =) can´t wait for my chance to read!
    Thanks for the giveaway & Happy Monday!
    //Linda

    ReplyDelete
  68. It certainly has been going on for centuries, Linda. Women are a lot tougher than society gives us credit for.

    ReplyDelete
  69. Thanks for stopping by, Linda!

    ReplyDelete
  70. I love your covers - they are so vibrant and eye catching.

    ReplyDelete
  71. I love historical romances because I love the courtship process and the gentleman heroes.

    ReplyDelete
  72. Thanks for that great interview. Can't wait to read your books. Shana is a new author for me.

    ReplyDelete
  73. Rcoope, the courtship is one of my favorite aspects of historical romance. It's hard to find that anywhere else today.

    ReplyDelete
  74. Thanks, Joanne! Good luck with the giveaway.

    ReplyDelete
  75. I like historical heroines who are strong minded, smart and sassy, It's always fun to read when the heroine can give give the hero a run for his money so to speak. But as long as she is not weak minded spoiled, selfish, and can't do a thing for herself or others,she'll stand a chance with me.

    Both these series sound like great reads. Thanks for sharing with us!

    ReplyDelete
  76. What beautiful, bold strong covers. If the women in the books are as strong as the covers promise then they are sure to be good reads.

    ReplyDelete
  77. Thanks, Kamla. I'm also a big fan of smart, spunky heroines!

    ReplyDelete
  78. I just love the covers on your books and so do other people as i always have 1 in my purse to read at dr's office etc and when i pull it out i always get a great comment. Then I proceed to rave and they write the name of the book down .

    ReplyDelete
  79. I loved reading Lord and Lady Spy and have wanted to try out When You Give a Duke a Diamond for a while.

    Thanks for the interview! It is always nice to see an author's thoughts.

    ReplyDelete
  80. Historical romance books are my favorite kind of books. Thanks for sharing. Good luck everyone.

    ReplyDelete

Due to time constraints we may not be able to personally respond to every comment made, but we do read and appreciate them all. 📚❤️🙂

✋ RBtWBC has a zero-tolerance policy for review harassment and author bashing. Such comments will be deleted at the the blog's discretion.