December 29th, 2009 — 3.5 Stars, 4 Stars, Book Review, Comedy of Manners, Great Britain, Jane Austen, P-R, Regency
If you're a LRP virgin, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed. It's free and easy! See you tomorrow! ~Keira.
Abigail Reynolds writes Pemberley Variations. For the uninitiated this means that she takes the classic story of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice
and plays a what-if scenario. For instance in From Lambton to Longbourn the what-if is what if Darcy and Elizabeth disclosed their feelings before parting ways after Lydia’s fall from grace? The characters in this what-if scenario all bear the same names, and read fairly familiar, but ultimately are recreated and reintroduced. Attraction is played up and scenes Jane Austen would never write appear involving kissing – great kissing, but a staunch Austen fan will probably feel that even this small break in propriety is too much.
Elizabeth finds out to her dismay how deeply in love with Mr. Darcy she is when the news of Lydia’s foolishness breaks. How could she in all good consciousness expose his sister to her family? She worries a lot about Darcy’s good opinion of her and how the current affairs will certainly provide him with enough ammunition to dislike her from hereafter. To her surprise, Darcy is not at all inclined to think ill of her. He wants her to keep correspondence with his sister, Georgiana, as it his only way to communicate with her. He would marry her tomorrow, no today, if only he could be certain of her regard.
Some provocation on both their parts leads to them sharing their first kiss, part comfort, part passion. One kiss melds into the next and then the worst happens – Elizabeth’s aunt and uncle discover them! Elizabeth does not want to trick Darcy into a connection with her family and he is once again unsure of himself in her affections. This happens a lot actually throughout the novel as they go along their tangent journey toward love and ultimate happiness.
Their insecurities are a little over the top, but ultimately are not distracting from the tale. Reynolds has a way with words and I look forward to reading another Pemberley Variation soon.
Rating: 3.5-4 Stars
Buy: From Lambton to Longbourn: A Pride & Prejudice Variation
Originally posted 2008-12-04 09:22:49. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
Online Stores
November 5th, 2009 — Erotica, J-L, Kiss and Tell
by Elaine Lowe, guest blogger
My husband is my own personal hero. On the inside of his wedding ring, I engraved, "My Hero", and that was long before I was ever a romance writer. He is the master of making me smile and blush, my sounding board, the fixer of all things tech, my inspiration, the Lord High Bug Squisher, and the only one who can make my brain stop whirring and appreciate just being. He's also my research partner! As I write erotic romance, he really likes his job.
We met in high school, believe it or not. Though we didn't start going out until college. He was a guy who was a friend of a friend, someone I knew and liked, but who just seemed a little bit odd, a little bit crazy and a little bit incomprehensible. He still is, and I love it. In college, we happened to be in the same dorm at a very big university, and since we knew each other already we got to talking. And talking, and more talking. Until I realized that every minute I wasn't with him, I missed him terribly. That all the unrequited crushes I'd had in junior high and high school were nothing to the magnitude of the emotion I felt when I was with him.
And miracle of miracles, he felt the same. After one crazy all night session of talking and my first kiss, we've been together ever since. Sixteen years of knowing that I'm never alone, that somebody always has my back. We've taught each other everything, and we know each other inside and out.
We've faced joys and challenges together, including raising our beautiful, brilliant autistic son together with love and understanding. Always, my husband does his best to take of us, to share everything that he is. He's patient and kind, playful and damned sexy. I love him, and a little piece of him, that core of goodness, is within every hero I write.
Visit Elaine Lowe's website to learn more about her books and to keep up to date! You can also find Elaine on Twitter!
Learn how to participate in the Kiss & Tell feature here at LRP.
Online Stores
August 20th, 2009 — Book Intro, Farming, Friends, Guest Blogger, Historic America, M-O, Spinster, United States of America, Virgin Heroine
by King Mho Fho with Katiebabs as cameraman and D.D. as model/actress, guest bloggers.
Howdy there folks! *channels Americana romance lingo* This is King Mho Fho, your friendly and very sexy king of the demon sheep. Also with me is D.D. We come from a place called Babbling About Books and More run by Katiebabs who you may have seen around causing a ruckus. D.D. and I are very honored that Keira here at Love Romance Passion wanted us to do a guest post and not Katiebabs. Just between you and me, my plan is to rule the interwebz and ride on Katiebabs’ coattails to do just that. But don’t tell her, okay?
I have been working on my acting skills and practice by re-creating certain scenes from the books I read. Since Keira just read the excellent Courting Miss Hattie by Pamela Morsi, which you should all read NOW, because I am the king and said so, I was asked to interpret the different levels of kissing the hero Reed tells Miss Hattie about. Poor Miss Hattie doesn’t have much experience in kissing and because she now has a suitor, she wants her good friend Reed to show her why kissing can be fun.
I will play Reed and D.D. will play Miss Hattie.
King Mho Fho as Reed. As you can see I am very manly because I am wearing my new cravat:
D.D. as Miss Hattie:
Let us start with the first level of kissing. These are called Pecks. This type of kiss is for everyone: friends, family, neighbors, acquaintances, and a good first kiss for a courting man. Reed and his neighbor greet each other with a nice peck. We’ll say she is the wife of his neighbor.
The next type of kissing are called Peaches. They are sweet and juicy because you suck, just like you would a peach. These kisses are good for sparking and are delicious wherever you apply them. Here is Reed giving Miss Hattie a sweet little peach:
Because Hattie longs for more peaches and the mean boring Ancil doesn’t make her quiver inside, she and Reed practice more peaches which leads to marriage between the two. Now that they are married they can have strong Malvalvas. This is French kissing or peaches with tongue action. No courting man should ever use them – they’re strictly for husband/wife.
Reed and Hattie are so very happy being married and practicing the peaches and Malvalvas. But at one point Reed wants to show Hattie a very hush-hush type of kissing not talked about because it is, shall we say somewhat naughty? Nasty Peaches are the fourth kind of kiss which Reed does not enlighten Hattie about during her lessons, until one day they are in their kitchen and one thing leads to another and…
*the pink scarf is Hattie’s skirt*
And there you have it! The four types of kissing that happen in Courting Miss Hattie.
Any questions?
Online Stores
August 19th, 2009 — 4 Stars, Book Review, Bride Stealing, Entrepreneur, Farming, Friends, Historic America, M-O, Older Woman/Younger Man, Spinster, United States of America, Virgin Heroine, Widow or Widower
First off, thank you to Katiebabs for recommending this book in her post, Those Wonderful Comfort Reads. It’s taken me a while to acquire my own copy, but boy oh boy was it worth the wait. This novel is definitely one of those where you wonder why you never heard of it sooner!
The biggest gossip in town is that spinster Hattie Colfax is going to be courted for the very first time by widower Ancil Drayton. He even has special permission from the preacher due to the fact that his wife hasn’t been dead very long, but the Lord will understand his need for a new woman. He has seven kids after all and a farm to maintain.
The minute the news reaches Reed Tyler’s ears he’s annoyed. That man is the worst farmer in the county and Hattie deserves better. Hattie on the other hand is very excited by what appears to be a man for the first time looking past her face and interested in her. This just annoys Reed even more.
Hattie goes to Reed, her 'Plowboy', for help. She doesn’t want to appear completely pathetic to Ancil by having him be her first kiss. She’s afraid it will put her on unequal ground; that Ancil will always look down on her and think she should be grateful he wanted to marry her. Reed agrees to teach her. There are three kinds of kissing that he teaches her that night, and that MhoFho and D.D. will teach you tomorrow, plus a fourth he teaches her later in the novel. Very hot and sexy scenes!
Really this was just a fantastic novel, though it would have benefited from less smoochy-smooches and Ancil. The man was made for a sexual harassment suit and he’s just plain unlikable and cruel. I felt bad for two of his seven children. I wanted Hattie to adopt them.
Rating: 4 Stars
Buy: Courting Miss Hattie
Find and Buy More Pamela Morsi Books.
Online Stores
August 8th, 2009 — Reader Highlights
Isabel G. is Susan's sister and the subject of this reader highlight. Isabel is incredibly active on Love Romance Passion, always commenting with fun witty responses. The conversation on this blog wouldn't be the same without her and now I have the pleasure of introducing her to everyone. Say hello to Isabel!
Keira: What is your secret guilty plot or character trope that you love beyond reason?
Isabel G: I am guilty of reading books about werewolves or vampires falling in love with a human. Arrest me now for my guilty pleasure!
Keira: Haha, if I did, you'd have to arrest me too because I like those plots also! Where were you when you got your first kiss?
Isabel G: This might get me in hot water with my husband! LOL I was sixteen years old and a friend from high school came over to watch a movie at my parent’s house. My mother was in another room so he must have thought it was the perfect opportunity. I turned to face him one second to ask a question and he grabbed my face with both hands and leaned in to give me one of the most passionate kisses of my life. We are no longer friends but it was a memorable kiss!
Keira: That's so sweet. What do you look for in a heroine? Do you like her to be similar to you, or do you want someone completely different?
Isabel G: I like a heroine to have some similarities and some differences to my own characteristics. It is inspiring to read about a heroine who can support herself, is not afraid to voice her opinion, and is not afraid to flirt. However, every now and then I also like to read about female characters that are shy and the male takes the lead.
Keira: The perfect heroine might then be the oxymoron of a shy-flirtatious female. What makes up your idea of the perfect hero?
Isabel G: What an important question indeed! After all this is why we read romance, no? The hero, in my opinion, should be secure and exude confidence. He should be able to laugh at things and yet be serious enough to take charge in the bedroom.
Keira: Ooo lala! What is your favorite romance novel right now?
Isabel G: I just finished reading Lori Foster’s Hard to Handle
and it was amazing!
Keira: Guest review? Hehe. What romance novel are you reading now?
Isabel G: Midnight Desire
which my sister bought for me as a birthday gift.
Keira: Which book do you plan to read next?
Isabel G: It’s part of Harlequin Blaze by Kate Hoffmann. The title of the book is The Mighty Quinns: Brody
.
Keira: How big is your TBR pile?
Isabel G: There are currently 14 books sitting on my nightstand! It is difficult to find time to read after starting college but I try to make time every night to grab a book, take a bath and disconnect with everything else.
Keira: Good plan! Bring one in your purse for downtime between when you arrive at class and before the instructor starts teaching. That's how I got a lot of reading done. How do you define love?
Isabel G: Love makes you do things you would have been afraid to do otherwise. I lived in Florida with my parents and my friend of five years was in the military at that time. He returned to the states and was going to be stationed in Kentucky. I turned to my parents and said I want to go visit him. It was a big deal because before that moment I was terrified of traveling anywhere alone! A few days later I was on a plane to visit him and while I was there he asked me to marry him.
Keira: Wow! That's so amazingly sweet! Okay, last question, Isabel. What is your favorite feature at Love Romance Passion?
Isabel G: My favorite feature is that we are allowed to write comments, duh! Another thing is that it is updated regularly and there is always something good to read. There is also variety as far as what is posted. You can expect everything from humor, contests, to being engaged in a debate of the minds.
Keira: 
Thanks so much Isabel for sharing with us! Be fabulous!
Online Stores
July 31st, 2009 — P-R, Reader Highlights
I wanted to highlight Isabel Roman because she's always around commenting and emailing me with insightful observations. If you haven't read my review of her erotic romance novel The Dark Desires of the Druids 1: Murder and Magick you should check it out.
Keira: What is your secret guilty plot or character trope that you love beyond reason?
Isabel R: Not the thumb screws! Not that rack! Not the water! I confess! Several, if you insist on threatening me with tongue pliers or whatever it is you call them. And quit with the evil laugh!
In no particular order:
- Alpha men
- Kick-ass Heroines
- Falling gracefully to the floor as the couple kisses
- Hot mate marking—you know, werewolves/vampires marking their mates
- The wall flower at the ball with a secret
Keira: Hehe. Yes give me hot vampire/werewolf mating! Where were you when you got your first kiss?
Isabel R: My first kiss was when I was 11 under a slide I had in my backyard. He was a neighbor kid, also 11, and we'd been friends since we were in kindergarten. He moved away when he was 13 and I never saw him again.
Keira: What do you look for in a heroine? Do you like her to be similar to you, or do you want someone completely different?
Isabel R: I like both. I like someone who can make up her mind without being wishy-washy. Oh, but…gee, I don’t know…well, hmm. On the other hand, weighing pros and cons is important, too. Over all, I think I like my heroines to be strong and know what they want, but the weaknesses, that’s important.
Maybe not weaknesses, but their inner selves. Are they responsible for family members, old or young? Did they lose family and closed themselves off? Do they stop to help turtles cross the road on a major highway? Donate time and money to worthy causes? Cry at the end of The Way We Were
? Want to save the world? Change the world? Get through the next day, minute, hour in one piece and hope tomorrow is better/ Stop and stare whenever a young Marlon Brando is on, or Brendan Frasier, or Orlando Bloom? (back off, he’s mine. *G*)
Keira: Holds hands up in the air... backs away slowly. What makes up your idea of the perfect hero?
Isabel R: Can make me laugh without being an idiot jokester. Can give space when needed and stay close no matter how often the heroine pushes him away. He is there when you need him.
Keira: What is your favorite romance novel right now?
Isabel R: I try not to read romance novels when I'm working on a story. But right now, Victoria Alexander’s A Little Bit Wicked. I just read it, and it’s completely character driven (which I can’t write) and very good. Man, she’s funny! I heard her speak once at a New Jersey Romance Writer’s Conference and she’s just as funny in person. Funnier, since in her historicals, she doesn’t have to worry about contemporary language.
Keira: What romance novel are you reading now?
Isabel R: I don't read when I'm writing and at the moment I am writing all the time. But I just bought and downloaded Blood & Sex Volume 1
, Volume II
, and III by Angela Cameron. Vampires Mafia style. I’m intrigued! I just don’t know when I’ll have the chance to read them, lol.
Keira: Which book do you plan to read next?
Isabel R: I like books with action and romance when I do read for pleasure. I’d love to have a moment to read John le Carre’s back list, he’s a good writer, but his ideas are utterly fascinating. Or The Girl Who Played with Fire
by Stieg Larrson who’s debut was excellent. Hmm, I’m behind in my David Baldacci, but on the romance side, the rest of Abigail Reynolds’s P&P stories, Linda Howard’s Burn
(haven’t read her in a while). There are so many new ones, OH! Diana Gabaldon’s newest out in September I can’t remember the title. I’ve been a fan since Outlander
in what, 1991 or so. I prefer the first 3 in the series, but have to continue reading. 
Keira: How big is your TBR pile?
Isabel R: Huge. Seriously, don’t even ask. I’m a “Ooh, this looks good” reader and will buy it, or buy it for the library, and then time slips away and “Ooh, this looks good”. On the other hand, I have reference books I go through all the time and am always looking for new ones. Also, historical non-fiction is of interest.
Keira: Don't worry, you're not the only one with a big TBR pile! How do you define love?
Isabel R: Steadfast and forgiving. Accepting of all life’s quirks even if it drive you bonkers and you want to strangle the other person. Not a push over but not stubborn for stubborn sake.
Keira: What’s your favorite feature at Love Romance Passion? What do you wish was here or that there was more of on the blog?
Isabel R: Love Romance Passion is a great site! I wouldn't change a thing! I like the author interviews and the reviews of romantic movies. I’d like more book reviews of recent books, only because (see above) I’m always looking for new reads!
Keira: Thanks Isabel for sharing about yourself. I hope your day is a great one and that you continue to contribute as much as you do to Love Romance Passion!
Online Stores
March 27th, 2009 — 1 Star, Amnesia, Book Review, Category, Great Britain, Historical Romance, M-O, Memory Loss
There are few books that I can’t finish reading. The Anonymous Miss Addams is one that list. Some books make you question how publishing companies work and this is one of them. In two words I can sum up the whole of the book: utter drivel. I have no idea how it got published or why somebody didn’t put a halt to production once the cover was done. The cover to this novel is by far the best thing about the book.
Pierre Standish is a male lead that you’d sooner laugh at then swoon at. Pierre is a fop, pure and simple. He carries a hanky and it’s scented. His diction is by far the worst aspect of his character. He talks like a pansy and acts like one in my opinion. Pierre is definitely a turn off.
Miss Addams is annoying for no other purpose than to be annoying. She lost her memory after taking a spill in the road. Lucky for her she managed to escape into the road when she did or she’d have been killed by her pursuer. Money is involved of course, but the exact reasons why killing her will make the two plotters rich is beyond me. I could not be bothered to find out.
Their first kiss was short and dispassionate with slightly witty dialog bracketing it. She can’t eat unless he’s not perfect and looks human and he can’t eat until he feels human. The plot should have picked up since this is about halfway through the book, but it didn’t. It tried and failed with the mother of her attacker (one of the two plotters) protects her in a shoe store from a man hell bent on kissing her (who is the same man who tried to kill her earlier.)
That ‘kind’ act is rewarded with an offer for the position of companion as Miss Addams thinks to use this woman to protect her from Pierre. But since Pierre is so unmanly in my opinion it’s hardly worth the effort to write it out let alone read.
Rating: 1 Star
Originally posted 2008-11-28 23:15:04. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
Online Stores
January 21st, 2009 — About, News
First Kiss Contest for unpublished authors hosted by RWA New England Chapter is an annual event. Based on the article, I particularly want to go and read 'The More I See' because of this:
Her [Mondello] favorite of her own first puckers appears in "The More I See," a novel about a blind hero who must use his hands to find first base.
"I ended up doing this thing where he touches her face to get a feel of what she looks like," Mondello says. "Several of my readers said it had them fanning. It was all that buildup."
I think that's why I'm so drawn to blind heroes and heroines because the other senses like touch get completely revved up before exploding in a series of multicolored sparks. It's very sensuous and explores love and passion in a way not usually thought about in most other romances.
Karen Woodward was the winner of this year's contest chosen by Patience Smith, an editor for Harlequin. The passage comes from her as of yet unpublished historical, Dagger's Destiny. Here's the kiss (minus the buildup sadly).
A look of surprise crossed her face as he tilted her head to the side. Stepping close, he leaned down and brought warm parted lips to her full, soft ones. One arm reached behind her back, encircling her body in a crushing embrace as the other cradled and caressed the side of her face.
What's the best first kiss you've ever read? Share your real life first kiss experience too!
I can't say for books, because I find so many authors write such seductive first kisses, but I will share my favorite movie kiss.
When Edward kisses Bella for the first time on screen, is singularly the best silver screen kiss I've ever seen. The catcalls were well deserved. The tension that built right before their lips touched was enough to melt a glacier it was so steamy.
Online Stores
