GIVEAWAY AND INTERVIEW WITH HISTORICAL ROMANCE AUTHOR,MANDA COLLINS…. |

MY BOOK ADDICTION AND MORE PROUDLY PRESENTS…..

HISTORICAL ROMANCE AUTHOR…..

MANDA COLLINS!

Good morning, Manda and welcome to My Book Addiction and More!

MBA&M: Please give our readers some insight into Manda Collins?

Well, I’m a Gen X-er who loves reality television, like Project Runway and America’s Next Top Model. By day I work as an academic librarian at a small liberal arts college in the American South. I used to be a pretty big knitter, but not so much since I started writing. I have two cats and a dog.

MBA&M: What inspired you to write this genre?

I have been a fan of Jane Austen and Regency Romance since my pre-teens so it was a natural fit for me. And fortunately my voice works well for this period.

MBA&M: What do you feel the allure of historical romance is to readers today?

For me personally as a reader, I appreciate reading about a time period when there were rules for correct behavior and for everything from wardrobe choice to which fork to use first. Of course we still have rules, but they aren’t so much in use (and frankly I’d find them to be a dead bore). But I like imagining how I would behave in a similar situation. And of course I love reading about the clothes and the excesses of the upper classes.

MBA&M: Which character in “How To Romance a Rake” do you most identify with and why?

For me personally, I identify the most with Juliet. Just like her, I suffered a life changing debilitation in my teens and I really worked hard on making her as authentic a representation of a disabled woman as I could. Of course, she is NOT me. She’s a fictional character. But that aspect of her is as close to autobiographical as my writing has come so far.

MBA&M: Most people speak of the main characters, I would like to talk about some secondary characters in “How To Romance a Rake”. Please tell our readers a little about some of your secondary characters? Will any of them have their own stories? How they came to you? etc.

The most memorable secondary characters in HOW TO ROMANCE A RAKE are Monteith and Maddie, who will be the hero and heroine of my next book, HOW TO ENTICE AN EARL. Montieth started out in HOW TO DANCE WITH A DUKE as a sort of throw away friend character for Lucas, but somehow over the course of the trilogy he turned into his own man. He’s by far the most amusing of my heroes. Maddie, of course, is the third member of the Ugly Ducklings and she is the pushy one. She is not afraid to speak her own mind, and she’s the boldest of the three. I think she and Monteith are going to be a combustible combination!

MBA&M: Can you tell us a scene out of “How To Romance a Rake”,that stands out to you?

One of my favorite scenes is the one where Juliet and Alec meet in the garden behind her parents’ house. They share their first kiss. And it’s a pretty emotional scene.

MBA&M: What is your life’s passion beside writing,of course?

I am very passionate about the role that libraries play in society. I think that everyone–no matter how rich or poor–deserves to have access to books. And not just informational books. All kinds of books. One of the things that worries me most about the rise of ebooks–and don’t get me wrong, I love them–is the fact that not everyone has or will have access to an ereader. And so a number of people are losing access to reading material. It’s a problem, and I wish I knew an easy solution for it.

MBA&M: What is one of your most interesting quirks,do you think?

I am a pretty decent mimic. I’d demonstrate, but alas…

MBA&M: Please tell our readers where to find you and where they can found “How To Romance a Rake?

Readers can find me at my website: www.mandacollins.com
On Twitter @MandaCollins
On Facebook www.facebook.com/mandacollinsauthor

HOW TO ROMANCE A RAKE can be found at
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ISBN=0312549253/
B&N: http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbninquiry.asp?ean=9780312549251
BAM: http://www.booksamillion.com/product/9780312549251

Manda, do you have anything you would like to add today?

Thank you so much for having me today! And thanks to all my lovely readers who have made HOW TO DANCE WITH A DUKE such a success! I hope you all enjoy HOW TO ROMANCE A RAKE as much as I did writing it!

Thank you so much for taking time out of your schedule to spend time with us and our readers today!

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HOW TO ROMANCE A RAKE

MANDA COLLINS

Ugly Ducklings, Book 2
St. Martin’s Press
July 31, 2012

ISBN-13: 9780312549251
ISBN-10: 0312549253

*from the author’s website*

You can lead a wallflower to the ball, but you can’t make her bloom—unless one daring young bachelor turns up the heat…

DANCING WITH DANGER

What’s a nice girl like Miss Juliet Shelby doing in a place like Lord Deveril’s ballroom? With her shy demeanor, she’s a total stranger to the dance floor and a source of mockery for the ton. So imagine her surprise when Deveril gallantly comes to her defense—and offers to teach her to dance! Juliet can hardly believe the most handsome bachelor in London would notice her, until he takes her in his arms and sets her heart ablaze…

PLAYING WITH FIRE

Lord Alec Deveril has never felt such a spark of attraction for an unmarried lady before. Unlike the “fashionable” women he’s accustomed to, Juliet possesses a generous spirit, a fiery intelligence—and an explosive secret. Deep in the London underworld, a dear friend has vanished, and Juliet fears the worst. Deveril insists on helping, escorting her through the darkest alleys in town. But he too is hiding a shocking secret—and the only way he can defeat the devil in his past is to seduce the angel in his arms …

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***GIVEAWAY ALERT***

*Sponsored by the author*

We are offering 1 lucky commenter a print copy of “How To Romance a Rake” by Manda Collins. Giveaway open to US/Canada residents only! No P.O. Boxes, please.Giveaway to run from today August 8 until August 15,2012.*Must leave a valid email address in your comment*

GOOD LUCK EVERYONE!

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Please check out our “Thoughts” on “How To Romance a Rake” by Manda Collins.

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Please help spread the word!

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Thank you for your support to us and our guest!

892113 Responses2012-08-08+12%3A00%3A08AprilR

Debbie August 8, 2012 at 11:30 am | Permalink

Historical romance is my favorite genre, would love to read one of your books sign me up for the contest! debdan at yahoo dot com
leahluvsmedieval August 8, 2012 at 11:44 am | Permalink

I'm looking forward to reading about Juliet and her strength. I'm also going to be patiently waiting for Monteith's story. He sounds like he's going to be a joy to read! Thank you for the opportunity with the contest

[email protected]
Diane Sallans August 8, 2012 at 1:23 pm | Permalink

I haven't read one of Manda's books yet, but they look like just the kind of stories I adore!
sallans d at yahoo dot com
Joanne B August 8, 2012 at 1:26 pm | Permalink

Manda is a new author for me. This book sounds fantastic. Can't wait to read it. Thanks for the great interview. I know tons of people who love reality tv but I just don't get it. I'd rather read.
Tina B August 8, 2012 at 2:49 pm | Permalink

Great interview! Congrats to Manda on your new release!!
I have not read many historicals, but have really enjoyed the ones I did. The allure for me is also the rules of behavior. I could never imagine having to act like them, but it is fun to pretend while reading about it.
Thank you for the opportunity to read this one. It sounds wonderful.
1. Tina B August 8, 2012 at 2:50 pm | Permalink
  
  Should How To Dance With A Duke be read prior to reading this one?
  trb0917 at gmail.com
alisongail99 August 8, 2012 at 6:16 pm | Permalink

looking forward to reading this.. can't wait Alison([email protected])
June M. August 8, 2012 at 9:20 pm | Permalink

"How to Romance a Rake" sounds really great. I have always loved the wallflowers/blue stockings in historicals. Probably because I can relate to them more, lol.
Congrats on the release!
manning_j2004 at yahoo dot com
Barbara E. August 8, 2012 at 11:42 pm | Permalink

How To Romance a Rake sounds like such a fantastic book. I'm looking forward to reading Alec and Juliet's story – one of my favorite premises has always been the rake and the wallflower.

Barbed1951 at aol dot com
Julie August 9, 2012 at 3:43 pm | Permalink

I, for one, would love a demonstration of said mimicry skills. Thanks for the chance to win!

julieguan AT gmail DOT com
catslady August 9, 2012 at 4:06 pm | Permalink

Oh just the kind of book that appeals to me and what a gorgeous cover!
bn100 August 10, 2012 at 2:53 am | Permalink

I enjoyed the interview. Nice cover.

bn100candg(at)hotmail(dot)com
Martha Lawson August 11, 2012 at 11:16 pm | Permalink

Another new to me author! Love finding them. Thanks forthe chance. This one looks really great.

mlawson17 at hotmail dot com