Monday, April 12, 2010

Guest Blog & Giveaway with Amelia Grey

I'm happy to Welcome back Amelia Grey, author of the Rogues' Dynasty Series to my blog.

Good morning! Thank you for having me at Anna’s Book Blog. Today I thought I would talk about inspiration and particularly, where I got the inspiration for my Rogues’ Dynasty Series.

I’ve been hooked on reading for as long as I can remember. In grade school, I loved reading Nancy Drew and The Hardy Boys mysteries. I liked familiar characters that I could read about over and over again, but yet the stories were different each time. Those books entertained me many, many nights. Some of my all time favorite series are John Jakes’ historical series The Kent Family Chronicles, and more recently, Amanda Quick’s Arcane Society Series has me buying every book. If you’re a fan of any of these books, like me, then you know why I wanted to write a series of books, too.

I’ve read a lot of connecting books over the years, and I’ve found that my favorites are the ones that are developed around the hero rather than heroines. Not that there haven’t been some great series out there based on heroines or like Debbie MacComber’s successful series about a town. But for me, I wanted to follow three handsome, titled gentlemen from gleaming ballrooms and gaming hells all the way to the hallowed doors of matrimony. There is just something extremely appealing and very sexy to me about a hero born to power, and privilege.

I wanted each book had to stand alone. That meant I couldn’t carry over any plotlines to the other books. I knew I had to make each hero, each heroine, and each story exciting and different, and yet keep the same tone, flavor, and some of the same characters in all three books. And, I have to tell you I have loved doing that. I’ve received many wonderful comments from readers about my secondary character Sir Randolph Gibson. In fact, just the other day, a fan wrote to me that she wanted to see Sir Randolph get his very own book! But that is for another time.

The first book of my Rogues’ Dynasty Series is A Duke to Die For, and it came out in April 2009. In A Duke to Die For, the hero’s life was chaotic and undisciplined, so I gave him a beautiful and quite charming heroine who was timely and organized to get under his skin and stay there. For fun I had her believe she was cursed, and for intrigue I had him be in danger because of it.

The middle book, A Marquis to Marry was an October release and is currently on sale wherever books are sold. In A Marquis to Marry, the hero is a fun-loving rogue and very happily a bachelor, so I had to give him a beautiful, fascinating woman who had the power, charm, and all it took to make him want to settle down to just one woman. For enjoyment, I had him in possession of a priceless necklace of pearls that belonged to her family, and then for intrigue I had them stolen.

An Earl to Enchant is the third book in the series and is now on sale at your favorite local or on line bookstore. In An Earl to Enchant, the hero is a planner who plays by the rules and has no idea what to do with an enchanting heroine who ignores convention and steals his heart with her impulsive ways. For merriment, I had the heroine pursuing the hero, and for intrigue I had a killer pursuing her.

I could not be happier with the way The Rogues’ Dynasty Series turned out and I give all the credit to the wonderful writers who went before me and wrote such exciting series. I’m thrilled by how well my books are being received by reviewers and readers, and delighted to tell you that my inspiration is still going strong. I’ll be adding three more very sexy heroes to The Rogues’ Dynasty next year.

So now that I’ve told you a little about the inspiration for my series, you tell me, what it is that makes you want to read a book in a series?

The first chapter of my latest book An Earl to Enchant, the third book in the Rogues’ Dynasty Series is available on my website. I invite you to stop by and give it a try.

I’m always happy to hear from readers. Please e-mail me at ameliagrey@comcast.net or visit my website at http://www.ameliagrey.com.


AN EARL TO ENCHANT
by AMELIA GREY
—IN STORES APRIL 2010
He’s determined not to be a hero…

Lord Morgandale is as notorious as he is dashing, and he’s determined no woman will tie him down. But from the moment Arianna Sweet appears on his doorstep, he cannot resist the lure of her fascinating personality, exotic wardrobe, and tempting green eyes…

She has a deadly secret…

Arianna Sweet never imagined the significance of her father’s research until after his untimely death. Now she is in possession of his groundbreaking discovery, one that someone would kill for. She can’t tell Lord Morgandale her secret, but she knows she needs his help, desperately…

About the Author:
Winner of the Booksellers Best Award and the Romantic Times Award for Love and Laughter, Amelia Grey's books have been sold in Europe, Russia and China. Married for twenty-five years to her high school sweetheart, she has lived in Alabama, Connecticut, New Hampshire, and now calls Panama City Beach, Florida, home. For more information, please visit http://www.ameliagrey.com.

Giveaway:
Thanks to Sourcebooks I have two copies of An Earl to Enchant to giveaway. Open to U.S. & Canada. Winners will be announced on April 19th. Good Luck!

36 comments:

  1. I like continuity generally but I do like the Regency Rakes kind of book. Please count me in (if its possible) as I dont live in the US but have an address should I win!

    Thank you for hosting.

    mystica123athotmaildotcom

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  2. I like interesting characters and revisiting with them in a series. It's like seeing an old friend and catching up!

    Please enter me, thanks!

    pspinney at cox dot net

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  3. count me in i loved teh first two would love a chance to read this one to Anna u have awesome contests and Amelia ur books rock

    mortalsinn@yahoo.com

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  4. I love series or connecting books - especially since it give the author a chance to really develop interesting characters from previous books. Please enter my name in the giveaway!

    meah56 (at) gmail(dot)com

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  5. I like a good series because then I get to see those characters I loved again, even if it is just for a page or so :)

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  6. I love to read it I have only read the one but count me in
    elizabethcerna2011@gmail.com

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  7. I'll follow a series b/c I've fallen in love with secondary + characters in the story and want to read their HEA. It's funny though...until a couple of months ago, I didn't realize how dedicated I was to following series stories...once I took a look at my bookshelf and my laptop I realized that almost all my books are series stories...*how dorky am I? *snort** lol

    hugs,
    Anna
    s7anna@yahoo.ca

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  8. Good morning! Wow! Some of you were up early! Thank you for all your comments so far. And I'm glad to hear that you all like books in a series. I do think it's important, though to let each book stand on it's own. I like bringing back characters from pervious books into current books. And good luck to all of you on winning the book! I'll check back in later today to see if anyone has any questions.
    Amelia

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  9. This looks like a wonderful read and I love historicals, especially Regency periods. Please count me in!

    lilazncutie1215 @ yahoo.com

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  10. I like what Patti said - like seeing an old friend and catching up. It makes you feel like you really know the characters.
    pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

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  11. What I like best about series books is the opportunity to reconnect with "old friends" and see what they've been up to!

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  12. I love series and connected books. You get to read several characters stories and revisit characters from previous books in the series.
    Crystal816[at]hotmail{dot}com

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  13. Good afternoon, ladies! I'm loving all your comments about how you like to see characters from previous books. In An Earl To Enchant you'll see Gibby, Lord Snellingly and Constance as well as the Hero and Heroine from A Duke To Die For and A Marquis To Marry.
    Amelia

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  14. Great interview! I like to read a series because you get to know the characters more than you would reading a stand alone book.

    myra0502@yahoo.com

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  15. I love the Rakes.. Thanks for stopping by to chat with us Amelia and for the terrific books you have written. I have added you as new author on my list.

    Pls enter my name in the giveaway and thanks for the opportunity to enter.

    misskallie2000 at yahoo dot com

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  16. I like believable characters that are interesting to revisit later in the series.

    kissinoak at verizon dot net

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  17. Most of the books I read are in a series. I think the story is an important factor always but, for me it's the characters that keep me coming back to a series. :)

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  18. Great seeing Amelia here! Please count me in!

    delilah0180(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  19. It's nice to revisit with past characters when reading a series.

    janie1215 AT excite DOT com

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  20. I enjoy series, count me in! tWarner419@aol.com

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  21. I like it when there is a blasting energy of passion with the characters.

    dorcontest at gmail dot com

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  22. I like fun and interesting characters that I can fall in love with and follow from book to book.

    forwhlz at gmail dot com

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  23. I love reading series because there are always those wonderful secondary characters to follow, and once you enjoy the first book, you know that you're bound to enjoy the rest of the series.

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  24. Please enter me in this contest

    jellybelly82158 at gmail dot com

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  25. Sounds like a good series!
    Thank you for the chance!
    mstlee2000 @ hotmail.com

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  26. I LOVE the summary of this one! Sounds awesome. Please count me in!

    Kelsey
    krae991 AT yahoo DOT com

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  27. There is usually at least one character in a book that intruques me besides the main characters! I love being able to read about them in later books and also catch up with the originals! thanks for the giveaway. I'd love to win.

    I follow

    mlawson17 at hotmail dot com

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  28. I love falling for the hero so I love that your books focus on the hero. I look forward to reading it should I win! :)

    chirth7@yahoo.com

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  29. I haven't read anything by Grey, but I so wanna! The cover is very num num nummy~

    patronus89013 at yahoo dot com

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  30. I love a good series and often am sad when they come to an end. Looking forward to reading your books, Amelia!

    rosie0512 @ hotmail . com

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  31. I like that secondary characters are more important in a series, because their existence isn't solely for the support of the main characters and we can view their role as an introduction as well until they get their own book.

    alternate email from blogger
    magenta 2 red [at] gmail [dot] com

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  32. What makes me want to read a book in a series?

    A series is like a large family....One you marry into and know little of when you wed.

    After your marriage, you then get to know the family and want to stay abreast of how they are faring.

    And as time goes on (and if you like your new family....likely some members better than others) you become involved in their life situations.

    Yes, your husband is the love of your life and central to your story....But gradually the new family becomes an important and loving relationship and an extended part of you and your spouse's story...and one that (we as a reader) want to know more about.

    That's what keeps me readng a series....The need to know what the main couple is doing along with their beloved (and not so beloved) friends and family.

    I'd love to be entered into your drawing.

    mitzihinkey at sbcglobal dot net

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  33. This looks so good!!! I love books like this.

    meghanriegel AT yahoo DOT com

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  34. I would love to read this book! Thanks for the chance!
    email bangersis(at)msn(dot)com

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  35. What I like best is finding out what happens to the characters, book after book. It's hard to wait to find out what happens next. Please enter me. Thanks!

    ayancey(at)dishmail(dot)net

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  36. The characters are what makes me want to keep reading a series!! I love supporting characters, and I love to see them either before or after they have their own book. Thanks so much for the contest!!

    inthehammockblog (at) gmail (d0t) com

    ReplyDelete

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