It's a Scandalous day: Entangled introduces its new imprint
Four authors and an editorial director from Entangled Publishing's new historical romance imprint, Scandalous, are here to introduce us to the line and their stories. First up is Pat Brigandi, editorial director of Scandalous.
Pat: Is there ANYTHING that can scandalize us these days? The news is full of people acting badly. It's right out there in the open. For shame!
There was a time when a mere glance at a handsome man, a seductive movement by a single woman or even a slight, knowing nod between couples would be cause for denunciation. Reputations were ruined; people were forced to flee to far-off lands to spare families from distasteful improprieties. Whatever became of these days of social morals and righteous standards? A time when men were men and women knew their place. Well, wonder no more. Welcome to the world of Scandalous, the newest imprint from Entangled Publishing.
Scandalous is historical, classical, sexy — romantic! Our tales are set between 900 and 1920s/1940s, anywhere from the lush hills of Ireland, Regency London, Renaissance Italy … or even the Viking age. These stories are bold, sexy and heartfelt, and can be funny, action-packed, mysterious or dramatic. They are full of romance, deception, love and, yes, honor between strong men and even stronger women. Wherever there's a masked ball, Scandalous will be there. Whenever there's a damsel in distress, Scandalous will be there. If there's a scoundrel to be had, Scandalous will have him.
Our journey to days gone by starts with three exceptional titles — A Little Bit Wicked by Robyn DeHart, Taming Her Forbidden Earl by Catherine Hemmerling and Christmas anthology All I Want for Christmas Is a Duke (and who doesn't!). Robyn has published seven historicals, all of which have received great reviews, and this is Catherine's first book for Entangled and the first in the Lady Lancaster Garden Society, an historical/mystery series. Our anthology writers are as popular as they are award-winning. Máire Claremont is a 2011 Golden Heart winner, and Delilah Marvelle's Forever and a Day was voted by Booklist as one of the top romances for 2012.
So pack your bags and get ready to travel along with Scandalous. I promise you, you'll have the time of your life!!
And now, a word from the first Scandalous authors …
Robyn DeHart, A Little Bit Wicked
First of all thanks so much to Joyce for hosting us today. I'm so, so, so excited about the launch of this line. It seems as if it's been a long time coming. I had been watching Entangled, hearing all the marvelous things about them, but was frustrated that they didn't seem to ever request historicals in their guidelines. It's not that I don't love contemporaries, but historicals will always be my favorite. I love being swept off into another time, the clothes, the carriages, the ballrooms ... they're our fairy tales. I also love that writing strong women in a time when women weren't supposed to be opinionated and show their intelligence, it makes them stand out, shows how brave they were for blazing a trail.
OK, so I really wanted to write them an historical, but it seemed the door had not yet been opened for that. Then one day a wondrous thing happened: I got a Google alert that hit and it was a blog about the upcoming Scandalous line. I was thrilled, and then the cherry on top of that, they actually listed my name in the historical voices they liked. I figured if they like something like my books, then perhaps a book from me would fit the bill. I immediately shot off an e-mail to the editor and told her I was going to put together a proposal for her. And, well, the rest is history. :-)
What's so fun about the Scandalous line is that it's a little shorter than my previous books so I decided to write a more traditional historical with lots of glittering ballrooms and stolen kisses. I had such a great time and fell head over heels in love with my hero. Honestly, he's in my top two favorite heroes of mine, he's simply scandalous and scrumptious. My heroine is smart and savvy and, bless her heart, she tries so hard to ignore the hero's advances.
I've really enjoyed the lighter tone, the banter, the seduction ... and I think you're going to love it, too. Who doesn't love to be A Little Bit Wicked?
Catherine Hemmerling, Taming Her Forbidden Earl
When Entangled Publishing decided to publish my first novel, to say I was over the moon would be an understatement. When my editor told me I was to be part of the new Scandalous line for historical romances, I laughed a bit at being considered scandalous — or at least my book — but then I smiled ever so wickedly. Scandalous … oh, yes, I could live up to that. In my writing, at least.
It's wonderful to have a home for my first book and to have it be part of a new line with Entangled. It feels as if we are both trying our wings, fully ready to fly (with the added advantage that Entangled has done this before with all its other lines — can't hurt to have a little wind under those wings, right?).
And historical romance novels are such great fun. Who doesn't love being transported back in time for a little romance and, in the case of Taming Her Forbidden Earl, some excitement and intrigue? What I love most about writing (and reading) historical novels is getting to live, at least for a little while, in a world where people walk, talk and, for the most part, think like us, but with the strictures of their era foisted upon them. It's fun to research how people lived without electricity, plumbed facilities, cars, cellphones … but love never changes and human interaction — especially at the most intimate times — is the same and quite relatable. I just get to dress those emotions up in amusing characters and intricate clothes and have my hero and heroine court each other on a ballroom floor.
Romance is timeless, and historical romance is a first-class ticket on your own time machine.
How Scandalous!
Delilah Marvelle and Máire Claremont, All I Want for Christmas Is a Duke
Delilah: When it comes to historical romance, I've *always* enjoyed exploring the grittier, passionate and more scandalous side of the genre. History, after all, was full of it, despite everyone's desperate attempt to sanitize it. It's one of the reasons I not only write what I do, but why I created my blog, A Bit O'Muslin, which explores all things related to history and sex. It allows me to share everything I've learned through my research with my readers.
As a writer, I live to create a love story that not only brings nuances of history alive but makes the reader take a breath right along with the characters. So how freakin' awesome is it that I get to help Entangled launch a historical romance line called Scandalous? It's incredible! I'm soooooooooooo excited to be able to share this launch with other authors who, in my opinion, know how to bring sexy and history to the table. And I can't *wait* to see what readers think of not only the stories but the line!
Máire: This year I got my dream job. I've fantasized about being a historical romance for years. Now, its finally happened and sometimes I can barely believe I'm so lucky. After all, who wouldn't want to be a romance novelist? I get to write stories about Happily Ever After, Victorian England, passionate characters, and defeating the odds. When I was little I watched every movie that had a poofy dress. Yep. If it had a poofy dress, I was a goner. Now instead of watching movies, I spend a significant amount of time staring off into space envisioning stories of my own ... with heroines in poofy dresses, and I can't forget fantasizing over the heroes who love them. I'm lucky I make as many appointments as I do.
This year I have the chance to work with two amazing publishers, my first full-length novel, The Dark Lady, a Victorian-set historical romance, comes out in February with Penguin Signet, and this month I am tremendously excited to be releasing All I Want for Christmas Is a Duke, a Christmas anthology, with my dear friend Delilah Marvelle. When we had the chance to work with one of the freshest and most successful companies out there, Entangled, we jumped, and then it only got better. They offered us a chance to be part of their Scandalous line, which features stories that are fast-paced, passionate and intense. Could I ever say no to being scandalous? Not a chance.
To find out more about these authors and Entangled Publishing, you can visit their websites: