The Big Love Letter Event + Giveaway: Lorraine Heath

It's week four of The Big Love Letter Event, a joint month-long feature hosted by Danny from Bewitched Bookworms and myself, and I hope you guys are having as much fun with these letters as we are. If you haven't yet had the chance, be sure and take a look at the letters from Wendy Higgins, Kasie West, Tiffany Schmidt and A.C. Gaughen posted over the past three weeks!

Danny's letter today comes from Lynne Matson (I absolutely adored NIL!), so be sure and pop over to Bewitched Bookworms to check it out!

I'm thrilled to have the Big Love Letter Event take a bit of an historical romance turn today as it's one of my very favorite genres to read. I just love the more rigid societal structure and all the fascinating complications and sexual tension it causes, and of course a love letter is beautifully fitting of the time period so I can't wait for you all to read what the fabulous Lorraine Heath has brought with her.

Lorraine's latest historical romance, When the Duke was Wicked features a duke (obviously) who offers to help his childhood friend Grace see through all the games, ploys and politics in order to find a suitable matrimonial match. I think we can all see where this story is headed of course, but it's a setup I never tire of and I can't wait to watch as the Duke of Lovingdon inevitably discovers that he himself is the perfect man for Lady Grace. Let's take a peek at one of his lessons shall we?

(1st page)

My dearest darling:

It is time that I confess all that I feel for you. I no longer close my eyes in want of slumber, because sleep deprives me of thoughts of you. Upon awakening, I mourn the moments when I was not conscious of your existence. The dreams I have of you do not fulfill me for they are but fleeting gossamer. It is so much more fulfilling to be aware of you each second of each day.

Why should I bother to gaze on the dawn when your hair is more fiery and vibrant? Why should I be impressed with jewels, when your sapphire eyes put their sparkle to shame? Why should I nibble on a strawberry when your lips are as plump, as enticing? Why should I walk through a garden when your fragrance—rose and lavender—is sweeter? Why should I be impressed with marble statues when your porcelain skin is smoother and more flawless?

Do you not see that to me you are everything?

—Lovingdon

(Turning to 2nd page)

Honestly, Grace—

Tell me that you did not fall for such poppycock, not after I already advised you that a man whispering poetic drivel in your ear does not favor you more than he favors your dowry. The same applies to a suitor’s love letter.

It should not spout verbose trifle, not if he truly fancies you. It should reflect honest sentiments. Your humor delights him, your tart tongue challenges him, your skill at cheating at cards pricks his temper. He misses you. (But surely not overly much or to the point of weeping.) His words should be simple, to the point. As I said: honest.

Do not accept suffocating flattery as evidence of yearning. You are worthy of so much more. You deserve sincere forthrightness. Settle for no less. Bring him to his knees.

—Lovingdon, your reluctant advisor when it comes to matters of the heart.

Who's a little in love with Lovingdon already? *raises hand* Plus, he gets major bonus points for use of the word poppycock. *runs to Amazon to buy immediately*

 • • • • • • • • • • 

WHEN THE DUKE WAS WICKED

They are England’s most eligible bachelors, with the most scandalous reputations. But for the right woman, even an unrepentant rogue may mend his ways…

Lady Grace Mabry’s ample inheritance has made it impossible for her to tell whether a suitor is in love with her—or enamored of her riches. Who better to distinguish beau from blackguard than her notorious childhood friend, the Duke of Lovingdon?

With no interest in marriage, Lovingdon has long lived only for pleasure. He sees little harm in helping Grace find a proper match. After all, he’s familiar with all the ploys a scoundrel uses to gain a woman’s favor. He simply has to teach the lovely innocent how to distinguish honest emotions from false ones. How better than by demonstrating his wicked ways. But as lessons lead to torrid passion and Grace becomes ensnared in another man’s marriage plot, Lovingdon must wage a desperate gamble: Open his heart fully—or risk losing the woman he adores…

Goodreads • Amazon • B&N

• • • • • • • • • • • 

LORRAINE HEATH

Lorraine Heath has always had a soft spot for emotional love stories. No doubt because growing up, watching movies with her mom, she was taught that the best movies "won't half make you cry."

She is the daughter of a British beauty (her mom won second place in a beauty contest sponsored by Max Factor® during which she received a kiss from Caesar Romero--Joker on the original Batman TV series) and a Texan who was stationed at Bovingdon while serving in the air force. Lorraine was born in Watford, Hertfordshire, England, but soon after moved to Texas. Her "dual" nationality has given her a love for all things British and Texan, and she enjoys weaving both heritages through her stories.

When she received her BA degree in psychology from the University of Texas, she had no idea she had gained a foundation that would help her to create believable characters—characters that are often described as “real people.” Her novels have appeared on bestseller lists, including USA Today and the New York Times.

At the invitation of Laura Bush when she was the First Lady of Texas, Lorraine served on a romance panel at the Texas Book Festival in 1998. She gave a presentation at the Texas Library Association Conference in 1999. She also served on a panel during RWA's 2001 Librarian Appreciation Day. She has spoken at local libraries, to writers' groups, to readers' groups, and at small conferences.

The author of more than 60 novels, she writes historical and contemporary romance for adults and historical romance for teen readers. Under the names Rachel Hawthorne and Jade Parker, she writes popular contemporary, historical, and paranormal romance for teens readers. She also writes young adult with her son under the name J. A. London.

Website • Facebook • Twitter

• • • • • • • • • • • 

GIVEAWAY

Danny and I have an amazing giveaway to share with you all, one that will have 14 winners in total!

• Winners 1 and 2: Each will get a book of their choice from one of the authors featured during the event (open internationally as long as Book Depository ships to you!)
• Winner 3 : Signed Copy of Crash Into You by Katie McGarry (open US/CAN only) – Prize is provided by the author – A huge thank you to Katie!
• Winners 4- 14: Sweet Trilogy swag packs from Wendy Higgins (open internationally) - Prize is provided by the author – Thank you so much Wendy!

The giveaway will run until March 7th and you can enter via the Rafflecopter form below!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Don't forget to check back both here and at Bewitched Bookworms every Friday in February for more letters and a whole lot more love from these fantastic authors:

•      Wendy Higgins (Sweet Reckoning)

•      Katie McGarry (Crash Into You)

•      Kasie West (Split Second)

•      Sara B. Larson (Defy)

•      A.C. Gaughen (Lady Thief)

•      Tiffany Schmidt (Bright Before Sunrise)

•      Gena Showalter (The Queen of Zombie Hearts)

•      Nichole Chase (Recklessly Royal)

•      Lorraine Heath (When the Duke Was Wicked)

•      Lynne Matson (Nil)

•      Danielle Paige (Dorothy Must Die)