In the Hammock Blog

Giveaway and Guest Post: "Treacherous Temptations"

Thursday, February 28, 2013

As part of the blog tour for Treacherous Temptations, I am happy to have the author stop by for a guest post, and a giveaway of the ebook!

"Treacherous Temptations"
by Victoria Vane
Publisher: Entangled Publishing

Release Date: Jan 21, 2013

Summary from goodreads.com:

A reluctant heiress resigned to her fate… Mary Elizabeth Edwardes has one of the largest fortune's in England, but has no desire to leave her quiet country existence… and even less to acquire a husband she cannot choose for herself.

A dissolute nobleman bent on retribution… Trapped in a duplicitous existence since scandal destroyed his fortune and family name, Lord Hadley Blanchard has spent the better part of a decade posing as a disaffected exile while spying and seducing in the service of the English Crown.

A dangerous game of seduction, and intrigue… When summoned from abroad by a former lover, Lord Hadley perceives an opportunity for vengeance at last. By employing the full measure of his seductive charm, he woos the ward of the man who destroyed his life, little knowing that winning Mary's fortune will mean risking his own treacherous heart.

Guest Post

Now, I'd like to welcome Victoria Vane to In the Hammock for a guest post!

Here's Victoria!

Guest Post by Victoria Vane

In the Hammock's Question: "Can you tell us more about the virtue vs. vice plots in the 18th century novels that influenced Treacherous Temptations?"

The story of Treacherous Temptations is, in a sense my homage to the popular novels written in the 18th century, in which virtue vs. vice and the seduction of an innocent were popular themes. In Samuel Richardson's Pamela: or Virtue Rewarded (1740), the plot revolves around a pretty young housemaid who refuses to be seduced by her employer, even when he goes to great lengths to debauch her in his desire to make her his mistress. In this moral tale which became the greatest bestseller of its time, Pamela's consistent adherence to the path of virtue is eventually rewarded by winning his love and becoming his wife.

Richardson's follow up Clarissa (1746) is a much darker tale with a tragic ending. Clarissa Harlowe is a beautiful and virtuous young woman whose unscrupulous family desires to become part of the aristocracy—by any means at their disposal. When Clarissa's grandfather leaves her a substantial piece of property, Clarissa becomes the means by which they think to attain their ambitions. Clarissa's brother James negotiates her marriage to Roger Solmes who promises to help James achieve his social advancement, but whom Clarissa finds boorish and physically repellant.

In the meantime, Clarissa is also wooed by Robert Lovelace, heir to an earldom and unrepentant rake. When the family tries to force her marriage to Solmes, Clarissa elopes with Lovelace, whose true intentions toward Clarissa are revenge for a slight, and far from honorable. Clarissa becomes Lovelace's captive for many months and is held at a brothel, where Lovelace eventually drugs and rapes her in the belief that it will force her hand to wed him. By this time, however, he is actually in love with her, but Clarissa refuses to give him what he truly wants— to possess her mind as well as her body. She eventually escapes and then dies shortly thereafter. Out of guilt, Lovelace provokes a duel which leads to his own death.

Another such tragic tale is Les Liaisons Dangereuses (1782), a French epistolary novel by Choderlos de Laclos, that has been adapted several times over the centuries to stage and screen. The version best known to modern audiences is the 1988 film, Dangerous Liaisons, starring John Malkovich, Glenn Close, and Michelle Pfeiffer. For those unfamiliar with this story, it is also very dark with a plot steeped in seduction, revenge, and intrigue.

The Marquise de Meurteil (the model for my own Lady Blanchard) has been abandoned by a former lover. In her scheme to exact revenge, she recruits another former lover, the notorious rake Vicomte de Valmont, promising him a night in her bed if he will debauch her former lover's intended bride, Cecile Volanges. Valmont is not at first interested, as he has his eye on seducing another woman, the virtuous Madame de Tourvel. Without going into plot spoiling details, he soon enters the conspiracy and is successful in both the conquests of Cecile and M. de Tourvel, but unexpectedly loses his heart to the latter.

When mocked for falling in love by the jealous Marquise, Valmost breaks off the affair with de Tourvel which results in her decline and death form heartbreak. Similar to Lovelace's fate in Clarissa, Valmont is provoked to a duel, and killed. In the process, however, the Marquise's scheming letters are exposed to all of Paris and she becomes a social Pariah. She later contracts small pox and loses her only asset – her beauty.

Treacherous Temptations shares a number of themes and devices with these three novels. Like Clarissa, Mary is an innocent heiress who her guardian intends to use for his political advancement. Lady Blanchard, plays a role similar to that of the Marquise de Meurteil in that she is a former lover who convinces Hadley to seduce Mary for her money. Lord Hadley, like Richardson's Lovelace, perceives Mary as a means of revenge over his enemy and vows to possess her body and soul, but unexpectedly loses his heart in the process. Similar to Richardson's Pamela, however, virtue prevails and my seemingly hopeless rake Hadley is redeemed by love.

Mini-excerpt:

"That girl is Sir Richard's ward?" When the girl in the music room had introduced herself as Mary Elizabeth Edwardes he had not made the connection, but then again, wily Sir Richard had taken care not to reveal anything about the Edwardes heir.

"One and the same my love, and worth every bit of fifty thousand a year! That plump little pigeon is one of the richest women in England, and thanks to me, she is yours for the plucking."

The blood roared in his ears. It was just too bloody good to be true. The very one who held his lands was residing under Barbara's roof. The girl was not only the means to a large fortune but also of revenge. "That certainly does throw a different light on matters." He took heed not to betray his growing excitement. "But you and I both know Sir Richard would see me hanged before granting consent for me to wed his ward."

She smiled. "Who said anything about seeking his consent?"

"You intend for me to despoil her to force a marriage? My dear Barbara, such rude and crass methods don't suit me at all. The entire thing lacks finesse."

She scowled. "Then how else do you propose we get control of her fortune?"

"I would propose gaining the girl's good faith and cooperation."

"And then what? Do you think she will just hand it over to you?"

"Something very close to that."

"You are overly confident."

"Not at all," he laughed. "I have never failed to achieve my object where a woman was concerned, nor has any ever complained of my methods."

***

MY GIVEAWAY: Winner's choice of any e-book from my backlist

***

ABOUT VICTORIA VANE

A lover of history and deeply romantic stories, Victoria combines these elements to craft romantic historical novels and novellas for a mature reading audience. Her writing influences are Georgette Heyer for fabulous witty dialogue and over the top characters, Robin Schone, Sylvia Day, and Charlotte Featherstone for beautifully crafted prose in stories with deep sensuality, and Lila DiPasqua for creative vision in melding history with eroticism.

AWARDS & ACCOLADES 2012:
THE DEVIL DEVERE SERIES

Library Journal Best E-Book Romance 2012
LR Cafe Best Series Nominee 2012
A Wild Night's Bride
• Night Owl Reviews Top Pick
• Amazon Top 100 Best seller
The Virgin Huntress
• Night Owl Reviews Top PickThe Devil You Know
• Night Owl Reviews Top Pick
• The Romance Reviews Top Pick
• LR Café Best Historical Romance nominee 2012The Devil's Match
• Night Owl Reviews Top Pick
• The Romance Reviews Top Pick
• LASR Reviews Book of the Month December 2012
• Swept Away by Romance Best Historical Romance of 2012
• LR Café Best Author Nominee 2012
• Swept Away by Romance Favorite Author 2012A Breach of Promise

• Night Owl Reviews “Top Pick”
• Reading Romances 5 flames and “Pen Award”
• TBR Pile 5stars/Book of the month winner September 2012
• LASR Erotic Reviews 5 STAR/Book of the Month Nominee
• The Romance Studio 5 Sweetheart Nominee
• TRS CAPA Nominee 2012
CONTACT:victoria.vane@hotmail.com
Web: http://authorvictoriavane.com
Blog: http://victoriavane.wordpress.com
Twitter: @authorvictoriav

Giveaway

GIVEAWAY RULES:

The author and publisher have generously provided an ebook copy of "Treacherous Temptations" for a lucky follower of my blog!

All you have to do is follow my blog publicly and fill out the Rafflecopter form below. Please follow publicly or I can't tell that you are following :)

INTERNATIONAL

Must be a follower to enter

Ebooks/codes will be mailed out by the publisher

Must be 18 or over

Ends Mar 12

Thanks to everyone for entering! Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Waiting on Wednesday 230

Wednesday, February 27, 2013

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Breaking the Spine, and it is a way to show off the books you can't wait to be released!!

This week I chose:

"In the Shadow of Blackbirds"
by Cat Winters

Amulet Books
Release Date: April 2, 2013

The following description is from goodreads.com:

In 1918, the world seems on the verge of apocalypse. Americans roam the streets in gauze masks to ward off the deadly Spanish influenza, and the government ships young men to the front lines of a brutal war, creating an atmosphere of fear and confusion. Sixteen-year-old Mary Shelley Black watches as desperate mourners flock to séances and spirit photographers for comfort, but she herself has never believed in ghosts. During her bleakest moment, however, she’s forced to rethink her entire way of looking at life and death, for her first love—a boy who died in battle—returns in spirit form. But what does he want from her?

Featuring haunting archival early-twentieth-century photographs, this is a tense, romantic story set in a past that is eerily like our own time.

I really can't wait to read this book! I've read similar books that have used antique photographs within the story, and I've loved them! This sounds soooo good!

What are you waiting for this week???

Giveaway and Review: "Real Mermaids Don't Need High Heels"

Monday, February 25, 2013

"Real Mermaids Don't Need High Heels"
by Helene Boudreau

Publisher: Sourcebooks Jabberwocky
Release Date: Feb 1, 2012
Source: sent by publisher

My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Summary from goodreads.com:

The only thing that terrifies Jade more than the ocean is dancing at the Fall Formal. Because Jade has two left feet—er, flippers. Who knew being a high school freshman is even more awkward than being a plus-size aqua-phobic mer-girl? At least her only drama is of the human variety...

Or not.

The Mermish Council has just declared that all land-dwelling mers but return to the ocean. Pronto. But there's no way Jade is going to let her mom, or Luke, her...boyfriend? mer-guy-friend?, disappear into the deep, dark ocean. Again. After all, a girl's got to have a date to her first dance.

If Jade can stop mer-mageddon, finding a plus-size dress that doesn't look like a shower curtain should be a piece of cake.

My Review:

I can't resist books about mermaids, and this middle grade novel was adorable. I was surprised at the amount of world building in this book! The author really set up an entire undersea world with its own set of rules and politics.

However, my favorite part of the book wasn't the alternate universe, but the relationships between the characters. I loved that all of the characters cared about each other so much! You could really see how they joined together and helped each other in order to save the day. Jade's best (human) friend, Cori, was so adorable and encouraging to her friend, their friendship was so sweet and real at the same time. I also liked the addition of Serena, the mermaid who has just found her way onto land. Lainey, the mean girl, was fully fleshed out, and Jade was able to understand why she acted the way she did. It was great to see that dynamic explored instead of just making Lainey into a villain.

I would say this book is for older middle grade readers, or maybe even a younger YA reader. The characters themselves are in the 9th grade. There is nothing objectionable in the book at all, but there is so much detail and action that an older reader would definitely be entertained by this one.

Main Characters: 4/5
Supporting Characters: 4/5
Setting: 4/5
Romance: 4/5 (cute and age appropriate to MG readers)
Uniqueness: 4/5
Cover: 4/5
Writing: 4/5

Bottom Line: A fun mermaid tale, with great characters and relationships.

Giveaway:

One set of all three books in this series! Including "Real Mermaids Don't Wear Toe Rings", "Real Mermaids Don't Hold Their Breath", and "Real Mermaids Don't Need High Heels"

GIVEAWAY RULES

The publicist has generously provided a copy of all three books in this series for a lucky follower of my blog!

All you have to do is follow my blog publicly and fill out the Rafflecopter form below. Please follow publicly or I can't tell that you are following :)

US/CAN only

Must be a follower to enter

Books will be mailed out by the publisher

Must be 18 or over

Ends Mar 8

Thanks to everyone for entering! Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Sunday Shout Out 30

Sunday, February 24, 2013

Recently, I introduced a new feature here at In the Hammock on Sundays. It's called "Sunday Shout Out" and it's a place where I can give a special shout out to those publishers and authors who have sent me books over the week, as well as those bloggers who have hosted contests that I've won! I'll also be giving shout outs to any other cool books, blogs or bookish news that I've spotted during the week.

For Review

"The Wonderful Wizard of Oz" by Frank L. Baum, Illustrated by Michael Sieben

"Six Sisters' Stuff: Family Recipes, Fun Crafts, and So Much More" by Six Sisters' Stuff

"Marci's Desire" by Sara Luck

Ann Shorey's Tea with Rosemary Sweepstakes

Wednesday, February 20, 2013

Today, I am posting about Ann Shorey's Tea with Rosemary Sweepstakes! You'll need to go to Ann's website, to enter this great contest!

In When the Heart Heals, Book 2 in author Ann Shorey’s Sisters at Heart series, Civil War nurse Rosemary Saxon wants to use her skills as a healer in the town of Noble Springs. But the townsfolk, and the town's new doctor, aren't sure what to make of her unconventional ways!

To celebrate the story, Ann and Revell Books are proud to announce the TEA WITH ROSEMARY giveaway, featuring three incredible prizes.

This giveaway starts February 15, 2013 and ends March 7, 2013 @ 11:59 pm (PST)
Winners will be selected Friday, March 8, 2013, and announced at http://annshorey.com/contest.html

GRAND PRIZE:

6 MONTH ARTISAN BREAD CLUB MEMBERSHIP

Rosemary's artisan breads are a town favorite. Our grand prize winner will enjoy fresh-made artisan breads just like Rosemary's, delivered right to their door with a Zingerman's 6 month Bread of the Month Club membership.

SECOND PRIZE:

GROW YOUR OWN GARDEN STARTER KIT

Rosemary's garden is a source of healing for many in the town of Noble Springs. Our second prize winner can grow their very own herb garden, from the comfort of their kitchen.

THIRD PRIZE:

ROSEMARY'S KITCHEN PRIZE PACK

Rosemary's hand-blended teas and soaps are sold at the town mercantile and grocery, and are a favorite of several of the town's eligible bachelors. Our third prize winner will have the chance to create their own special tea blends, and enjoy soap just like Rosemary's.

How to Enter:
Go to http://www.annshorey.com/contest.html and click the Enter Now button, anytime between February 15 and March 8.

ABOUT THE BOOK

When the Heart Heals - Book 2 in the Sisters At Heart Series

Courageous and unconventional, Rosemary Saxon served as a nurse during the Civil War, a service that has caused most women in town to regard her as unfeminine and downright vulgar. Although she would like to put her experiences as a nurse behind her, she must support herself. Rosemary takes a position with Dr. Elijah Stewart and a mutual attraction begins to develop.

But when a sophisticated woman arrives in town claiming to be Elijah’s fiancée, a heartbroken Rosemary decides to leave Noble Springs and start fresh. Can Elijah convince her of the mystery woman's deception before he loses her forever?

Return to the town of Noble Springs, Missouri, for an engrossing story of love’s tentative first steps and fragile future in the face of opposition. Readers will find in Rosemary a sympathetic but strong woman determined to thrive in a world that doesn’t always understand.

Book Info & Sample Chapter: Can be found at http://www.annshorey.com/novels.html

Head on over to Ann's webpage and enter! Remember, entries aren't accepted at my blog, you'll have to enter at Ann's site!