Contest News!

It’s time to enter the Seduced by History Blog August contest. Check on each blog during the month, look for a contest question, send in your answers to each question in one email to seducedbyhistoryblog@yahoo.com by or on September 5, 2011.  IF A BLOG DOESN'T HAVE A QUESTION, SKIP THAT DAY.     

 

Prizes awarded to one lucky winner include:  Victoria Gray’s book "Angel in My Arms",  "Spirit of the Mountain" package from Paty Jager,  Cynthia Owens’ book  "Coming Home",  a Kansas basket from Renee Scott, Anna Kathryn Lanier’s ebook “Salvation Bride” and gift basket, “Stringing Beads - Musings of a Romance Writer” by Debra K. Maher,  Eliza Knight’s ebooks “A Pirate’s Bounty” and “A Lady’s Charade”,  Anne Carrole’s book “Return to Wayback,” a 4 gb jump drive, a $25 Barnes and Noble gift card, and more!

 

All entries must be received by or on Monday, September 5, 2011 to be eligible for the drawing. Please include you mailing address in email.  A winner will be chosen from all those eligible on or about September 6, 2011 and contacted by email.  Odds of winning will depend on the number of total number of entries received.

In case you were wondering, Captain Jack Sparrow doesn't have a thing to do with this contest. I really, really like having him around, though. He's always tasteful and always in style  ; ) My blog on spies at Seduced by History reveals the inspiration for my hero in Claimed by the Spymaster...that's one of the contest questions. Here's a hint: 

So, get those entries in today! So many great prizes...wonderful books and more! Here's the link one more time: www.seducedbyhistory.blogspot.com.

Tara's Top Ten Favorite Spies!

In celebration of my new Ellora's Cave release, Claimed by the Spymaster, I'm indulging in some spy movies and television shows. I've always loved spies…James Bond is probably the best known spy in pop-culture, but he's certainly not the only one. Here are my top thirteen pop-culture spies.

1. James Bond – Daniel Craig's film portrayal is my favorite, but Roger Moore's sense of humor was fantastic. Of course, we can't forget James Bond was a literary character before he was a movie star.
2. Austin Powers – Yeah, Baby!
3. Emma Peel – The slick English spy was a female trendsetter.
4. John Steed – Mrs. Peel, we're needed. Love the classic car and funky bowler hat.
5. Jason Bourne – a great literary and cinematic character.
6. Derek Flint – A classic 60's spy…clearly an inspiration for Austin Powers.
7. Ethan Hunt – The Mission Impossible spy is daring and hot.
8. Simon Templar – Before Roger Moore was James Bond, he was the Saint.
9. Maxwell Smart – Do you get the feeling that I love quirky 60s tv shows?
10. James West – Wild Wild West's Secret Service Agent was James Bond's post-Civil War American counterpart.

There you have it…my top ten favorite spies. Which spies would you add to this list? I'd love to hear your thoughts. Leave a comment by Sunday, August 28 at noon for a chance to win an e-copy of Claimed by the Spymaster.

Claimed by the Spymaster Makes Its Ellora's Cave Debut

My second novella with Ellora's Cave, Claimed by the Spymaster, makes its debut today. In a bit of shameless self-promotion, here's a little about the story:

Available from Ellora's Cave

Russian actress Valentina Baranova travels to England to marry, but the arrangement is definitely not a love match. Betrothed to a cunning and ruthless English lord, she’s the sweetener in a deal that will put stolen British documents in Russian hands and curry the Czar’s favor for her father. Determined to escape her loathsome intended, she flees him—and promptly falls into the hands of his most bitter enemy. An enemy who stirs her like no other.

Spy for the crown Alec Jameson, Lord Carrington, is on a mission—unmask the traitor responsible for his brother’s death before the blackguard can further betray Queen Victoria’s empire. Capturing Valentina to use as bait, he spirits her away from London. Despite his efforts to resist the alluring captive he’s snatched from his enemy’s grasp, Alec claims Valentina in the most carnal way possible. Once the beauty has been in his bed, he wants her for his own. But she must lay siege to a long-untouched part of Alec’s existence—his heart.

Leave a comment below ("Hi, Tara!" is okay with me) for a chance to win Claimed by the Spymaster by Sunday, August 21 at noon. I'll give away an e-copy to one commenter later that day. Be sure to check back to see if you're the winner :)

Top Ten Reasons to Love a Pirate

1. You never have to worry about a pirate having a midlife crisis and running off to sail the world.
2. All that swashbuckling is great for a buff upper body.
3. Sword fighting is great for the buns – think of all those lunges!
4. Pirates always have sexy stubble at a perfect length.
5. Pirates can hold their liquor. No self-respecting pirate drinks a few ales and winds up snoring on the couch.
6. Pirates really know what to do with their swords…get your minds out the gutter, folks!
7. Pirates know how to sweep a girl off her feet…often in the most literal sense!
8. A pirate knows his way around with only the stars and a compass to guide him…no annoying “Tom Tom” voice bossing him around.
9. Pirates never choose mowing the lawn over ravishing their women.
10.  Last, but not least, have I mentioned Captain Jack Sparrow...swooning as I type...

What are your favorite reasons to love a pirate????