Guest Blog: Christina Phillips

This week, we're welcoming author Christina Phillips, with her latest title set in ancient times, Betrayed. Join us on Sunday, when the author will offer a free copy of the book to a lucky blog visitor. Here's the blurb:

In 51 A.D., Druid priestess Nimue is injured and enslaved by the hated Roman Legions. Even though she is drawn to her captor, she’s determined to escape and complete her mission for the Briton king and her duty to Arianrhod, the goddess she is bound to.

The tough Roman warrior who captures her is far from the brutal barbarian she expects. His touch inflames her desires and passion burns between them. Though Nimue does not accept her enslavement, her heart surrenders to her enemy. When Arianrhod appears to her in the form of an owl, Nimue knows the union is blessed.

Roman warrior Tacitus is enchanted by the fiery beauty who shows no fear and challenges him at every turn. Though enslaving her goes against his heart, he’s determined to make her his. No woman has ever heated his blood as she does. But when he discovers her true nature as one who actually communes with the gods, his loyalties are torn between his heritage and a woman who could destroy everything he’s ever believed in.

A Romantica® fantasy erotic romance from Ellora’s Cave

**Q&A with Christina Phillips**

Thank you for having me on Unusual Historicals today to talk about my Roman/Druid romances set during the first century!

What is BETRAYED about?

BETRAYED is my third book set in ancient Britain which involve forbidden love between the locals and the Roman invaders. It follows on from FORBIDDEN and CAPTIVE but each book is a stand alone and can be enjoyed without having read the other books set in that world.

BETRAYED is Tacitus and Nimue’s story. Nimue, an acolyte of the moon goddess, appeared right at the very end of the second book, CAPTIVE, and she immediately fascinated me. While trying to protect the Briton queen she is captured by her bitterest enemy, but soon discovers the Roman tribune who’s enslaved her is far from the brutal barbarian she imagined. As for Tacitus, he’s never met a woman like Nimue before and has trouble accepting that this beautiful, ethereal woman could possibly be a warrior—let alone one of Rome’s deadliest enemies. I had a lot of fun tying these two up in knots!

Is BETRAYED based on historical fact?

While BETRAYED is pure fiction I have woven some historical facts into the storyline. Caratacus was king of the Catuvellauni tribe in south-east England when the Romans first invaded. After being ousted from his kingdom he travelled west into the mountainous lands of Cymru (modern day Wales) where he spent several years leading the rebellion against the invaders.

BETRAYED is set in the immediate aftermath of the last stand of Caratacus, when he led the rebellious Celtic tribes against the Roman Legions. Caratacus charges my heroine Nimue to save his queen and daughter and this is the mission she is pledged to complete at the start of the book.

Why choose druids?

It was more a case of the druids chose me! Maximus, the hero of my first book FORBIDDEN marched into my mind one night searching for his druid heroine. So then I had to research everything I could about druids, and discovered that there was very little actually out there. Most of the information we have on these elusive people come from contemporary Roman accounts. Since the Emperor Claudius was committed to eliminating every druid from the Empire, it seems fair to draw the conclusion that these accounts were likely biased.

We know they were widely respected as the priests of Celtic society, held responsibilities for lawmaking, were the keepers of knowledge and wisdom and were known as magicians. They were also, according to the Romans, the rallying force behind the rebellious tribes that inhabited Cymru and the Druidic stronghold on the Isle of Mon (now known as the Isle of Anglesey, off the west coast of Wales).

The Romans saw Druidism as a serious menace against the might of their Empire, and Claudius was convinced that as long as Druids remained in Britannia then rebellion and resistance would continue to flourish among the tribes.

Why do you include fantasy elements in your historical romances?

It’s an odd thing, but it wasn’t something I consciously set out to do. I’ve always loved reading paranormal and fantasy books since I was a child and when it came to my Roman/Druid books weaving mystical elements into the storyline came very naturally to me.

So I decided to ignore the references that depicted druids as bloodthirsty savages. In my world the druids are highly educated and live in an equilateral society. But their gods and goddesses are a powerful force to be reckoned with. They have no intention of disappearing into the misty streams of time simply because a new culture and new pantheon have invaded their land.

What other books can we expect from you?

The fourth book set in this ancient world, TAINTED, is due to be released from Ellora’s Cave shortly. Again, this is a stand alone book and is set eleven months after BETRAYED finishes. This time, just to mix things up a bit, my heroine is a Roman patrician who falls in love with a Celtic warrior.

This week sees the release of a dark Regency romance, BLOODLUST DENIED, from Ellora’s Cave. Although the Regency is far from an unusual period in history, my hero is a vampire duke and his heroine is a Maiden of Death who hunts vampires J It’s my sexiest book to date and the first chapter is up on my website.

At the moment I’m working on the second book in my Highland Warrior Chronicles. These books have been acquired by Ellora’s Cave and feature gorgeous Scot warriors and their brave Pictish princesses. The books are set in the ninth century during the turbulent time when both Scot and Viking coveted Pictland. The first book, HER SAVAGE SCOT is with my editor and I’m looking forward to its release!

Learn more about author Christina Phillips:

Website

Facebook  

Twitter

Goodreads

Read Betrayed at:

Ellora’s Cave Publishing   Amazon

Amazon UK   Nook   ARe   Kobo

I have an e-copy of BETRAYED to give away to one lucky commenter on this post. Just leave a comment or let me know – if you could travel back in time, where and when would you go and why?

Excerpt Thursday: Betrayed by Christina Phillips

This week, we're welcoming author Christina Phillips, with her latest title set in ancient times, Betrayed. Join us on Sunday, when the author will offer a free copy of the book to a lucky blog visitor. Here's the blurb:

In 51 A.D., Druid priestess Nimue is injured and enslaved by the hated Roman Legions. Even though she is drawn to her captor, she’s determined to escape and complete her mission for the Briton king and her duty to Arianrhod, the goddess she is bound to.

The tough Roman warrior who captures her is far from the brutal barbarian she expects. His touch inflames her desires and passion burns between them. Though Nimue does not accept her enslavement, her heart surrenders to her enemy. When Arianrhod appears to her in the form of an owl, Nimue knows the union is blessed.

Roman warrior Tacitus is enchanted by the fiery beauty who shows no fear and challenges him at every turn. Though enslaving her goes against his heart, he’s determined to make her his. No woman has ever heated his blood as she does. But when he discovers her true nature as one who actually communes with the gods, his loyalties are torn between his heritage and a woman who could destroy everything he’s ever believed in.

A Romantica® fantasy erotic romance from Ellora’s Cave

**An Excerpt from Betrayed**

An eerie chill trickled along Nimue’s spine, causing the hair to rise on the back of her neck and arms. Without thinking she leaped to her feet, dagger once again in her hand. But it wasn’t a lone legionary who had caught her so unawares. It was a mounted Roman officer, in a flowing scarlet cloak, with his shield in one hand and sword in the other.

For a moment all she could feel was the erratic thud of her heart in her ears, the uneven gasp of her breath in her throat. The sun dazzled her, glinting off the polished metal of his armor as he stared down at her, and obscurely she noted his impressive biceps, his muscles flexing as he urged his horse forward.

Flee. The command whispered in her mind, faint and insubstantial. But the treacherous rocks on her right, the fast flowing stream at her back and the steep bank on the far side did not offer her a speedy escape. But somehow she had to lead him farther away from the queen and princess. Except he had effectively trapped her by the edge of the stream.

Yet even as the weight of her responsibility tormented her conscience, she couldn’t drag her fascinated gaze from the Roman. His face was hard, autocratic, unsmiling. The face of countless Romans, and yet like none she had ever seen before. His eyes were narrowed, his strong jaw shadowed. And the tip of his sword was a mere arm’s length from her face.     

“Surrender to the might of the Eagle,” he said in the ancient Celtic language of her people. His voice was deep, sensuous, and dark embers stirred between her thighs, as if she faced a brave warrior of Cymru instead of a cowardly barbarian of Rome. “And you shall remain unharmed.”

Her palm was sweaty around her dagger and she tightened her grip before it slipped from her grasp. She might not have a chance against this Roman but she would never surrender to him. And she would never willingly give up her weapons, either.

“I would sooner die fighting you,” she said in Latin, just to show him she was no ignorant native of a fractured land. Her mother had taught her the language well. “Than surrender my freedom to your filthy Emperor.”

She had no freedom under Rome. As soon as they discovered she was a Druid, her life would be forfeit. Crucifixion was terrifying enough, but it was the torture she would doubtless endure beforehand that shriveled her soul.

His black stallion whickered, pawed the ground, but the Roman did not break eye contact nor did his sword waver.

“Brave words, little Celt.” Still he spoke in her language, and disbelief unfurled through her breast at the tone of his voice. Did he find her challenge amusing? “But I don’t fight women.”

She ignored the threat of his sword and stepped forward, her dagger on clear display. He had no right to enter her land and then mock her prowess as a warrior. Just because she did not possess the brute strength of a full-grown male didn’t mean she lacked dexterity or speed. She glared up at him, wishing, obscurely, she could see the color of his eyes.

“Why? Are you afraid I may unman you?” Why was she trying to raise his ire? Wouldn’t it make more sense to beg for freedom? Pretend to be a mere peasant, caught up in this revolt? Perhaps, then, he would allow her to escape without persecution?

Even as the thought teased her mind she knew the silver bracelets on her wrists, the torque at her throat and jewels in her ears plainly branded her as anything but a peasant.

For one brief moment the corner of his lips quirked, as if he found her not only amusing but highly entertaining.

“I believe,” his voice was a seductive caress along the naked flesh of her arms, the exposed swell of her breasts. “I am more than man enough for you, Celt.”

Reviews

“The author creates a world full characters that jumped of the page. I am no scholar of ancient Britain but she appears to have done a lot of research into the customs, religion and medicinal uses of various herbs etc. of the time…

“I recommend this novel to all lovers of erotic romance, especially those who like a historical theme and a strong heroine and a leading man who is the embodiment of male sexuality and virtue. I am looking forward to the next book in the series, Tainted.” 5 Stars A Readers Review

“I hungered desperately for them to come to an understanding, to bridge the divide between their cultures but I must admit for a few moments I wasn't even sure if it was going to happen, leaving me biting my nails for quite a few pages!

“If you enjoy historical romances with some steam, you are sure to enjoy this and I would expect most romance readers to enjoy it. Although the setting is gripping and enthralling, Ms. Phillips manages not to dictate a history lesson to the reader but simply draws you in, allowing the focus to stay on the two most important people.” 5 Stars Love Lust and Lipstick Stains

Learn more about author Christina Phillips:

Website

Facebook  

Twitter

Goodreads

Read Betrayed at:

Ellora’s Cave  Publishing   Amazon

Amazon UK   Nook   ARe   Kobo

Betrayed Book Trailer

Betrayed YouTube url: http://youtu.be/-ZNznIYK-dw

CAPTIVE Winner!

Whoops! A little late with this one. Sorry, folks! We have a winner for Christina Phillips's CAPTIVE guest blog. A free copy goes to:

LINDA!

Contact Carrie to provide your mailing address. The book must be claimed by next Sunday or another winner will be drawn. Please stop back later to let us know what you thought! Congratulations!

Guest Author: Christina Phillips

This week on Unusual Historicals, we're welcoming Christina Phillips as she celebrates the release of her latest Berkeley Heat romance, Captive, set in AD 50 Britain. Here's the blurb:

Trained in sensuality, a Druid priestess finds herself falling for the wrong man—the warrior who’s taken her prisoner…

Having lost her faith when Roman invaders destroyed life as she knew it, Morwyn took a vow of celibacy to spite her goddess. But before she can join up with the rebels, she's captured by a Gaul mercenary whose animal charms and chiseled body will test her conviction... and make it harder to kill him.

Bren, pledged to the true Briton king, has spent three years undercover in the Roman Legion. So when his own unit attacks and brutalizes a fiery Celtic beauty, he saves her the only way he can - by claiming her as his prisoner. But unlike his men, Bren would never take the woman by force, no matter how obviously she burns for his touch.

As they near Roman headquarters, Morwyn resolves to honor her vow of celibacy - but if the Gaul were to ravage her, could she be blamed for enjoying his body? With just a hint of seduction, sooner or later the Gaul will succumb to his exquisite captive...

Romantic Times BOOK Review, 4 Stars

Phillips’ second in the Forbidden series is just as hot as its predecessor. Readers will be held Captive by the magic between Druid priestess Morwyn and Bren.

http://www.rtbookreviews.com/book-review/captive-7

Bookaholics Romance Book Club, 41/2 Stars http://tinyurl.com/4hsu6yq

"Primal and sexy, I love this series.

"Bren('s)... reputation is black and unsavory, but the author gives him a vulnerability and humanity that proves how worthy he actually is. It was fun to read how this sober and serious Bren lightens up under Morwyn’s sensuous attack... When Bren reveals what drives him, I really felt for him. But the best sections are their interactions as they flirt with each other and slowly learn to respect and care for each other...

"Sensual and vibrant, this historical romance is emotional and sexy. I could not put it down and this may be my favorite new time period in historical romance. I can’t wait for the author to write more!"

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When and where is CAPTIVE set?

Set during the first century AD during the early years of the Roman occupation of Britain, my Forbidden series has sexy warrior heroes and magical Druid heroines.

Captive begins six months after Forbidden ends. The heroine, Morwyn, is not only recovering from the realization that the man she once loved brutally betrayed his own people, but has also turned her back on her Druidic heritage. She sets off to join the rebels fighting the Roman invaders but is ambushed and captured by a tough Gaul mercenary. They journey to Camulodunum—present day Colchester in Essex in SE England—which at that time was the Roman capital of Britannia. It was only after the Boudicea revolt in AD 61, when Camulodunum was razed to the ground, that Londinium (present day London) became the capital city.

The hero, Bren, is haunted by his violent past and far from being Morwyn’s bitterest enemy as she imagines, has been undercover in the Roman Legions for the last three years, secretly working for his displaced Briton king, Caratacus. The problem is he can’t tell Morwyn the truth, because the truth could get them both killed.

Were any events in CAPTIVE based on historical fact?

Caratacus was king of the Catuvellauni tribe at the time the Romans invaded Britain in AD 43, and he became leader of the anti-Roman campaign. After some early defeats in the east he moved west into the mountains of Wales where he and his forces continued to aggravate the invaders by using guerrilla tactics. And I wondered… would he have spies in the Roman Legion? It seemed plausible.

Captive is set during AD 51 and the Annals of Tacitus describe how in that year Caratacus rose up against the Roman invaders in what he hoped would be a decisive battle. I was intrigued as to how he and his rebels managed to evade the Romans for so long and Caratacus and his vision for freedom became a vital thread of the book.

I hear you have a trailer for Captive?

Yes, I do! Please take a look. Captive YouTube link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OSv8pLzsdv4

Embed Code:

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Thank you Christina for visiting today! Remember to leave a comment to be put in the drawing for a copy of CAPTIVE. Perhaps answer: Have you ever read historical erotic romance? What do you enjoy best about really sexy historicals? The winner will be drawn at randomnext Sunday. Void where prohibited. Best of luck!

FORBIDDEN Winner!

We have a winner for CHRISTINA PHILLIPS' FORBIDDEN guest blog. A free copy of goes to:

STEPHANIE!

Contact Carrie to provide your mailing address. The book must be claimed by next Sunday or another winner will be drawn. Please stop back later to let us know what you thought! Congratulations!

Weekly Announcements - 24 Sept 2010

The fifth and final new addition to our roll of contributors is Harlequin Spice author AMANDA McINTYRE. Welcome! Amanda's work includes THE DIARY OF COZETTE, set in Victorian England, which released as one of eHarlequin's top ten bestsellers. TORTURED takes place in Britannia in 500 A.D. and was voted one of the Top Ten Best Erotic Fiction Reads at eHarlequin. Her novella "Winter Awakening" in WINTER'S DESIRE, takes place in 1119 Wales, and her latest, THE MASTER & THE MUSES returns to Victorian England. It was awarded 4.5 Stars from RT Book Reviews, which wrote, "At the center of this unique story is an irresistible hero, Thomas Rodin. Complicated and charismatic, he's matched by his muses in complexity, making THE MASTER & THE MUSES a very special reading experience." Here's the blurb:

Icon, rebel, unabashed romantic...with a single look painter Thomas Rodin conveys the ecstasy of creativity--the pleasures awaiting the woman who can fuel his artistry.

The Innocent: What did this master artist see in me? Genius abided in his soul, rapture in his flesh--I doubted not. To refuse him...my folly. To surrender...my sensual salvation.

The Upstart: I chafed at the bonds of servitude until he set me free. I turned my back on all that I knew to follow him and found myself between two men--master and student--one whom I loved with my heart...the other with my body.

The Courtesan: I understood, perhaps better than any, his needs. I stoked the fires of his soul, the spark of his creativity--he made me a legend. But never could I forget his searing touch...

Three transcendent tales of women bewitched by a master of seduction--a slave as much to his art as to his boundless passion.

Here's a little more about Amanda:

From her early days of reading Vampirella and Hitchcock, to writing a Fine Arts column supporting music education, Amanda McIntyre's zest for experiencing life has provided fertile ground for her creative story ideas resulting in a number of published works in contemporary, paranormal and historical women's fiction. Preferring the title 'storyteller' to 'author,' Amanda loves to challenge her characters and her readers to look beyond the ordinary to the extraordinary, where anything is possible! Amanda lives with her never-a-dull-moment family in the Midwest. Even better than researching history, she enjoys visiting with her readers!

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MICHELLE STYLES is pleased that her IMPOVERISHED MISS, CONVENIENT WIFE will be released in Italy in October with the title Notte di Nozze. You can purchase it here.

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One of our new contributors, STEPHANIE DRAY, was featured on Dear Author, telling her first sale story. Check out how she made her big break, and learn more about her alter-ego, Stephanie Draven.

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CARRIE LOFTY was recently mentioned on All About Romance in Lynn Spencer's recent article about sibling relationships in romance, which cited the tense and rocky dynamic between the sisters in WHAT A SCOUNDREL WANTS and SCOUNDREL'S KISS as being particularly emotional. What a nice surprise!

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Join us Sunday when Kensington author SARAH PARR will be here to chat about her 18th c. pirate adventure romance HIS FOR THE TAKING. She'll also be giving away a copy to one lucky commenter! Be sure to join us then.

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We'll also draw the winner of CHRISTINA PHILLIPS' FORBIDDEN guest appearance on Sunday. You still have time to leave a comment or question for your chance to win.

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Stay with us through the coming weeks when we'll be featuring the best unusual historical authors! Zoe Archer, Jeannie Lin, Renee Ryan, and Beth Trissel will be our guests. Join us!

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Have a good weekend! Remember, you don't have to be an Unusual Historicals contributor to submit good news to the weekend announcements. If it has to do with unusual historicals, we'd love to shout it out to the world! Send announcements to Carrie. See you next week...

Guest Author: Christina Phillips

This week on Excerpt Thursday we're welcoming Christina Phillips, whose steamy new release from Berkley Heat, FORBIDDEN, is set Wales during the Roman Empire!

He was a master of seduction--but no match for the magical allure of the woman he wanted most...

Carys knew from the moment she first spied on Maximus in his naked barbarian glory that he was a dangerous Roman centurion--his taut, battle-scarred flesh marking him as a fearless warrior. But her desire for him was as undeniable as it was illicit.

Charged by his emperor to eliminate a clan of powerful Druids in Britain, Maximus never expects his mission to be thwarted by the clan's ethereal princess, Carys, his daring voyeur. Falling under her spell, he doesn't realize her true heritage--until he captures her heart as well as her body.

As Carys's loyalties are twisted, and freedom is no longer her single-minded obsession, an avenging former lover threatens to crush Maximus's people into oblivion. Now Carys and Maximus must overcome the devastation of war and face the ultimate sacrifice if their forbidden love is to survive.

***

"The heat between these two crosses cultural boundaries, but the real question is whether they can stay together when the world is yanking them apart. Four Stars." ~ RT Book Reviews

"Maximus is pure, raw male and too sexy for words. I could understand why Carys was enthralled with him and wanted him despite being her enemy. I am also a sucker for star-crossed lovers and a really evil villain. It made this book very thrilling as I hoped Maximus and Carys would be able to evade Aeron's nefarious plans and end up happily together." ~ Bookaholics

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Thank you for having me here on Unusual Historicals today! I'd like to chat a little about the background information on my recent release, FORBIDDEN.

When and where is FORBIDDEN set?

My debut release with Berkley Heat (out this month) is set in AD 50 in Cymru (ancient Wales). My inspiration for this story came while I was tackling some admin one night--a fully formed vision appeared in my mind of a Roman centurion and his Druid priestess lover, who had been cursed to an eternity apart by the villainous High Druid.

I'd never written a historical before, but that scene wouldn't leave my mind. My Roman hero haunted me (not that I'm complaining!!) and since I always enjoy a challenge when it comes to stretching my writing muscles I decided to spend some time with Maximus and Carys.

Why chose Wales?

The reason I chose Wales as my setting was because of its links to the Druids, and the fact the Isle of Anglesey--then known as the Isle of Mon--was the Druid stronghold. I wanted the odds stacked overwhelmingly against Maximus and Carys being able to declare their love for each other and having her a Druid--and a Druid princess at that--fit perfectly.

Claudius, the Roman Emperor at the time, hated Druids with a passion and wanted all trace of them wiped out across his Empire. Couldn't be better for the purposes of my plot! I now had historical back up for my Romans' determination to hunt down and eliminate the elusive clan of Druids who had escaped them during the initial invasion.

Why Druids?

While there's plenty of written and archaeological evidence when it comes to the Romans, there's not so much when it comes to the Druids. Caesar explains this lack of documentary evidence when talking of the Gaulish Druids: "they consider it improper to entrust their studies to writing." And the written accounts we do have of them are invariably from the Roman viewpoint--so there's likely to be some prejudice going on there!

I read and researched as much as I could find about Druids of that period. They were widely respected as the priests of Celtic society, held responsibilities for lawmaking, were the keepers of knowledge and wisdom and were known as magicians. But there's little detail as to their daily lives and so in the end I let my imagination run wild within the context of the world we know they inhabited.

What are you working on now?

I'm currently working on another ancient historical romance set in a different century, and also hope to write two more stories in the "Forbidden" series. Be sure to visit my blog for regular updates! You can also find me on Twitter and on Facebook.

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Thanks so much for stopping by today, Christina! Readers, if you would like to win a copy of this steamy historical treat, leave a comment or question for Christina. What would you most like to know about Wales and Druids in the ancient times? Are gladiators and Roman warriors appealing to you as romance heroes? I'll draw a winner at random next Sunday. Void where prohibited. Best of luck!

Weekly Announcements - 17 Sept 2010

The fourth of the new additions to our roll of contributors is Ashley Radcliff. Welcome! Ashley recently made her first sale. "THE SAMURAI'S FORBIDDEN TOUCH," set in Heian Japan (794-1185AD), will be available this October from Harlequin Historicals Undone. Here's the blurb, with the cover coming soon:

Miku, a beautiful young poetess, lives a cloistered life at her uncle's opulent feudal estate in windswept northern Japan. But when her uncle, a devious warlord, commands a powerful and darkly handsome samurai to tame her headstrong independence, will Miku choose to run from all that the intriguing soldier has to offer--or will she finally find the uncompromising love she has only dreamed of in her poetry?

And here's a little more about our newest contributor:

For Ashley, inspiration finds its best outlet when she picks up a pen. A lifelong student of literature and history, perhaps it was inevitable that she'd find her way to historical fiction. Nursed on Shakespeare and weaned on Twain, she learned early that the most important part of any story is the characters themselves. Her stories deliver breathtakingly exotic--and deeply erotic!--romantic adventures, whether in the windswept mountains of medieval Japan, the steamy jungles of Central America, or the elegant courts of Regency England.

Ashley enjoys being outside as much as possible--hiking, kayaking, and exploring. On a rainy day, she enjoys needlework or reading a good book. And she absolutely love cooking for my family and friends!

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Occasionally we get news from authors who aren't regular contributors, but who write unusual times and places. We love to pass it along to our readers! This week I heard from Noble Romance Publishing author E.D. Walker, whose THE BEAUTY'S BEAST was released on September 6. Congratulations! THE BEAUTY'S BEAST is a paranormal historical romance from Noble Romance's Sweetheart Line. The story draws on elements of the "Beauty and the Beast" fairy tale, as well as Marie de France's medieval lais, "Bisclavret." Here's the blurb:

Lady Kathryn's father has sent her to court to find a husband, but being penniless and disinterested doesn't bode well for her success. Bored by the petty intrigues of court, she finds her loneliness is eased when the king charges her with the care of his newest acquisition: an uncanny black wolf. What the king doesn't realize is his remarkable pet was once Gabriel, his favorite knight, cursed into wolf form by an unfaithful wife.

The beast's too-knowing eyes and the way he seems to understand her every utterance convinces Kathryn the wolf is more than what he seems. Resolving to restore him, she doesn't count on the greatest obstacle being Gabriel himself. The longer he stays in wolf form as a captive of the court, the harder it becomes for him to remember his humanity. And to fight his wolfish urges to maim and kill.

Only Kathryn's affection and determination stand between Gabriel the wolf and Gabriel the man. But when the wife who betrayed him returns to court, will Kathryn's love be enough to keep Gabriel from exacting a brutish revenge that will condemn the wolf to death?

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Booklist Online did a feature earlier this week titled "Core Collection: The New Stars of Historical Romance." The list featured past Unusual Historicals guests Meredith Duran, for her Indian-set DUKE OF SHADOWS, and Sherry Thomas, and also our dear contributors Margaret Mallory and Anthea Lawson! Margaret's KNIGHT OF DESIRE and Anthea's PASSIONATE were singled out in this fantastic collection of today's best historical romance authors. Great job!

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Congratulations to Lila DiPasqua, who has a title for her third "Fiery Tales" romance, this time a full-length romance that promises Cinderella as we've never read it before. A MIDNIGHT DANCE will hit the shelves from Berkley Sensation in August 2011. Can't wait to see the cover!

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Join us Sunday when Berkley Heat author Christina Phillips will be here to chat about her sexy romance FORBIDDEN, set in Wales during the Roman Empire. She'll also be giving away a copy to one lucky commenter! Be sure to join us then.

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We'll also draw the winner of Lila DiPasqua's AWAKENED BY A KISS guest appearance on Sunday. You still have time to leave a comment or question for your chance to win.

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Stay with us through the coming weeks when we'll be featuring the best unusual historical authors! Sarah Parr, Zoe Archer, Jeannie Lin, and Renee Ryan will be our guests. Join us!

***

Have a good weekend! Remember, you don't have to be an Unusual Historicals contributor to submit good news to the weekend announcements. If it has to do with unusual historicals, we'd love to shout it out to the world! Send announcements to Carrie. See you next week...

Excerpt Thursday: Christina Phillips

This week on Excerpt Thursday we're welcoming Christina Phillips, whose steamy debut with Berkley Heat, FORBIDDEN, is set Wales during the Roman Empire! Join us on Sunday when Christina will be here to answer questions and give away a copy.

He was a master of seduction--but no match for the magical allure of the woman he wanted most...

Carys knew from the moment she first spied on Maximus in his naked barbarian glory that he was a dangerous Roman centurion--his taut, battle-scarred flesh marking him as a fearless warrior. But her desire for him was as undeniable as it was illicit.

Charged by his emperor to eliminate a clan of powerful Druids in Britain, Maximus never expects his mission to be thwarted by the clan's ethereal princess, Carys, his daring voyeur. Falling under her spell, he doesn't realize her true heritage--until he captures her heart as well as her body.

As Carys's loyalties are twisted, and freedom is no longer her single-minded obsession, an avenging former lover threatens to crush Maximus's people into oblivion. Now Carys and Maximus must overcome the devastation of war and face the ultimate sacrifice if their forbidden love is to survive.

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***

Carys held her breath as her secret lover entered the sparkling waterfall, buried deep within the leafy shadows of the forest.

She pressed her fingers against the rough bark of the tree, and inched a little farther along the branch where she lay hidden from his sight.

From this angle she had a perfect view of his magnificent naked body. Even from this distance she could see the numerous battle scars that marred his tawny skin, but they marked him as a warrior. A hero who faced death without reservation and emerged triumphant.

He was the enemy of her people. And yet she couldn't tear her fascinated gaze from him.

They had never met. They would never meet. Such a catastrophe didn't bear thinking about. Yet she thought of this tough, brutal warrior constantly. Ever since she had first stumbled across his irregular bathing ritual three moons ago.

He turned within the shimmering rainbows of the waterfall, fingers raking through his short black hair. Carys released her breath in a shaky gasp and her body moved restlessly against her perilous ledge. The men of Cymru had long, flowing hair. How would it feel to touch such severely cropped hair? Sharp, like the points of reeds? Or--not? She couldn't imagine. And yet she imagined endlessly.

His hands massaged his broad shoulders, and Carys's fingers dug into woody crevices as she fantasized rubbing her own fingers over his knotted muscles. It had been fifteen days since he had last been to the waterfall. She knew because she had waited here, each morning.

But the wait had been worth it, and her imagination hadn't enhanced his powerful muscles, his commanding height or his dark, exotic beauty. Her breath shortened as her heart rate accelerated, and her thighs tightened around the branch in reaction.

Slowly his hands slid over wet skin, fingers trailing through the sprinkling of dark hair that dusted his impressive chest. Her only lover, whose possessive grip she had finally escaped three years ago, possessed no body hair aside from on his head. How would it feel to press against a masculine form so unlike any she had previously seen?

The tip of her tongue slid over her lips as her secret lover sluiced water over his rigid stomach. Carys stretched to the very edge of her branch, risking safety and the threat of discovery, but temptation was too great.

Sweet Cerridwen, she had never wanted a man so much as she wanted this one. But she knew better than to ask her goddess to intervene, for intervention would cause untold suffering to her people.

But still, she wanted this man. With all that she was.