CARINA AND THE NOBLEMAN Winner!

We have a winner for Jannine Corti Petska's CARINA AND THE NOBLEMAN giveaway:

JOAN K. MAZE!

Contact Jannine to give her your 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 of her book! Congratulations!

Guest Blogger: Jannine Corti Petska

Hello, and thanks for joining up for another Sunday Promo here at Unusual Historicals. This week we're welcoming Jannine Corti Petska as she celebrates the release of her newest novel, CARINA AND THE NOBLEMAN from Eternal Press. Here's the blurb...

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Forced to the streets after her mother dies, Carina Gallo is desperate to survive and find her long lost sisters. Consumed with locating his missing brother, Count Luciano Ruggero has forsaken his needs. When Luciano catches beautiful and vulnerable Carina stealing from him, he takes pity and cares for her until she's strong enough to work off her crime. Carina is forever grateful to Luciano, yet fears he will learn of her wicked secret and condemn her to burn. Will Luciano and Carina find a way to feed the mutual passions they share, or will heresy and obsession with lost family destroy them both?

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What makes CARINA AND THE NOBLEMAN an unusual historical?

The location combined with the era is what sets it apart. There seems to be a feeling that readers aren't interested in medieval Italy. CARINA is set in the North in the Po Valley, 1425. Who wouldn't want to be transported back to the country where opulence and growth abounded? The arts, inventions, writings...it is mind-boggling when you read about the contributions Italy has made to the world. But more than that, when you think of Italy, your first thought is romance.

Where did you get the idea for the story?

Originally, I came up with the trilogy for Kensington's Ballad line. At the time, I brainstormed with a writer friend about the books, knowing they had to all connect in some way for Ballad. That's how the triplet sisters came about. I've always had a fascination with people who have psychic abilities, so I decided the sisters would each have a different power. Unfortunately, the line folded before I could get my manuscript to an editor. But I didn't give up. Okay, I did for several years until I decided to pull CARINA out two years ago and revise it!

Is this your first historical romance with an unusual setting?

No, not at all. I love 15th century Italy. I had written a four-book Italian medieval series prior to CARINA. I had also published a romantic suspense set in 1970 in the U.S. and Italy as well as a short story set in Piemonte, Italy, in the 1300s. My fascination with Italy is my parents' fault. They were Italian, and it seemed natural to write stories around my heritage and its fascinating culture. These certainly won't be the last stories I set in medieval Italy.

Can you tell us about the other books in the trilogy?

I'd love to. Book two, CHARLOTTE AND THE GYPSY, is set in Andalusia, Spain. While CARINA had visions, Char (as she is known to the gypsies) is clairaudient. She "hears" what people are thinking. I am having fun writing this story. Because Char is not a true gypsy, she can't do the things the other gypsy woman take for granted. Fortune-telling wasn't her thing. Neither were reading tea leaves or mixing potions. But she had the one thing the gypsies didn't--reading people's minds.

The third book is CALLIE AND THE KNIGHT. This story is set near London. I haven't started research for this book yet, so I can't say much about the story other than Callie is betrothed to a knight with a nasty reputation.

Connecting these stories was a bit tricky. The majority of CARINA is her story, her visions, her romance. Only in the last few chapters does she go in search of the sisters she only recently learned about. In CHARLOTTE, Char will go looking for CALLIE at the end of the book. Then at the end of book three, all the sisters unite and go in search of their beginnings. There's more than just the sisters' individual stories. Their destiny cannot be revealed until they go back to their past. It will all be wrapped up by the end of book three.

Is there anything you'd like to add?

Yes, definitely. My website is going to be revamped. When it's finished, it will be like walking through the history of my books. I can't reveal any more because my webmistress and I are still in the planning stages. Keep checking back!

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Excerpt:

"Did you come here to ply your trade?"

"And what trade might that be, my lord?"

He forced himself to remain rooted to the floor else he'd throttle the outspoken wench. "Are you a strumpet?"

His directness caused her to blush. She wasn't unshakable after all.

"I fear you have misjudged me, Count Ruggero."

"Then from where did you come? And I'll have a straightforward answer."

She dropped her hands to the folds of the silk gown. To hide her nervousness over speaking of her past? Luciano wondered.

"I worked for the Baldovini," she replied.

His eyes bore into her. Carina read his suspicion.

"If you do not believe me, send someone to the Baldovini to inquire about me," she openly challenged. "I spent the whole of my life on their lands, working the fields these four years past."

He set his goblet down gently and moved closer. "You were a laborer?"

She nodded but couldn't speak with the count standing but a long stride away. His imposing presence commanded attention. Were she not a pauper and he a count, she'd assuredly lure him into a kiss, as improper as it might be. It wouldn't be an unpleasant experience, she'd wager. The only kiss she'd ever received from a man had been from the lecherous, slobbering Signor Baldovini. He had cornered her and tried to snatch more than just a kiss. Miseria! She still cringed from the horrible memory.

"The Baldovini employ only men and boys to work their fields," the count pointed out.

"Signora Baldovini did not allow me to work in her private residence."

He stepped closer. So close, Carina smelled the clean scent from his morning bath and the faint fragrance of wine on his breath. Her heart's pace quickened.

"Why would the signora forbid you from her home?"

"Truth be told, Signor Baldovini had an eye for me. The signora told my mother I tempted her husband. Mamma knew better, for Signor Baldovini has an eye for all women and has many bastard children."

The count's cheeks lined with shallow dimples when he suppressed a smile at her directness. Carmine Baldovini's illegitimate children were a well-known fact, one his wife continually denied.

"Did you tempt him?"

Carina cocked her head and tightened her mouth.

"I will take your silence as an affirmation."

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Would you like to win a copy of CARINA AND THE NOBLEMAN? Just leave a comment or question for Jannine here, and I'll draw the winner in one week. Best of luck!

Weekly Announcements - 23 Jan 09

If you'd like to vote for Jacquie Rogers' DOWN HOME EVER LOVIN' MULE BLUES, it's up for Favorite 5-Star Sweetheart Award at The Romance Studio. Here's the link, and here's Jacquie's website where you can read a sample chapter and all her great reviews.

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Join us Sunday when Jannine Corti Petska will be here to talk about CARINA AND THE NOBLEMAN, book one from the "Sisters of Destiny" trilogy, set in 15th century Italy.

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We'll also draw the winner of Elaine Levine's RACHEL AND THE HIRED GUN. There's still time to leave a comment for your shot at winning!

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Have a good weekend! If you have an announcement to make for next week, email Carrie. See you next week...

KNIGHT'S DESIRE Winner!

We have a winner for Jannine Corti Petska's KNIGHT'S DESIRE giveaway:

Carol!

Contact Jannine to give her your 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 of her book! Congratulations!

Weekly Announcements - 20 June 08

Bonnie Vanak's THE SCORPION AND THE SEDUCER is on Barbara Vey's Publisher's Weekly blog, Beyond Her book.

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Would we like to discuss how many UH contributors and readers will be attending RWA Nationals in San Francisco? I know some of us have already talked about the possibility of meeting up, for coffee if nothing else. Please leave your ideas/itineraries in the comments.

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Join us Sunday when Anne Whitfield will be discussing and giving away a copy of HER SHADOWED HEART, set in Victorian Yorkshire.

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We'll also draw the winner of a copy of Jannine Corti Petska's KNIGHT'S DESIRE. Leave a comment for your shot at winning.

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Have a good weekend. If you have an announcement to make for next week, email Carrie. See you next week...

Guest Blogger: Jannine Corti Petska

This week we welcome Jannine Corti Petska, a former UH contributor who's back to promote her latest release, a novella from Dark Castle Lords called KNIGHT'S DESIRE.

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Baron Romano DiSanto returns home to straighten affairs after his sire's death. He never intends to stay...until a woman wheedles her way into his castle, pretending to be his maidservant. Soon he is torn between returning to his life as a warrior or giving in to an emotion he has never before experienced.

After her father's death, Mariella Rizzoli is alone and desperate to ensure the family keep remains hers. Past marriageable age, she intends to live out her life in seclusion in the only home she's ever known. But the DiSanto family claims the keep, and the mystery surrounding it drives Mariella to seek employment with the new baron knight, hoping he will sign it over for eternity. Her plan goes awry when Romano discovers her reason for being in his castle. When he bids her to seduce him for the keep, she will do whatever it takes to retain her home. But can she seduce the handsome knight without losing her heart to him?

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Is this your first book with an unusual setting?

No. I love stories with unusual settings. I write primarily 15th century Italian medieval romances that are single titles. I've written four before Knight's Desire. However, this is my first attempt at a novella, set a century earlier than the period I love. It's also my first ebook.

What influenced your decision to write Italian medievals?

My heritage was my influence. I'm 100% Italian. My father was born on an island off the coast of Italy and my mother was Sicilian. There is so much beauty in Italian history. It's rich with famous people in all the arts and intellect, and the architecture is absolutely gorgeous. I'd probably set stories in Italy if I weren't Italian. Who doesn't associate love with Italy?

Tell us how KNIGHT'S DESIRE came about.

A publisher I had been with asked for submissions for a knight anthology. The story couldn't be more than 20,000 words. I stressed over the decision to write it because I had always written very long. But the idea of a knight in Italy intrigued me. The knighthood was nothing like England's. The following is on the "author's notes" page and explains why:

The process of Italy's history was complicated. It was divided by 1) city-states in the north and central regions, 2) the Papal States across the middle, and 3) the kingdom of Naples/Sicily in the south. Although there were certain areas of Northern Italy where feudal traditions prevailed, there was no strong or enduring set of codes and traditions, like those found in feudal Northern Europe. Therefore, in practice, Italy did not follow so closely those various chivalric traditions, codes and formalities of knighthood as recorded in most of Europe.

Will you be working on other projects with unusual settings?

Yes, I plan to. One will be set in WWII in California. I will soon start work on book two of a trilogy that takes place in 15th century Andalusia. I also would like to revise one of the first manuscripts I wrote over twenty years ago, set during the Crimean War.

Do you write light-hearted, humorous or dark stories?

My stories are mostly dark because of the subject matter. My first book published was THE LILY AND THE FALCON, set in 15th century Florence. The hero struggled with the ghosts of an abusive father. He never wanted to get married because he was afraid he'd turn out like his father. Yet through all the darkness, I always write a bit of humor. I like to break it up. In KNIGHT'S DESIRE, I was able to give the seduction a light flavor. Mariella had never undressed in front of a man in her life. Now she was determined to seduce the knight to retain what she believed was her father's keep. I envisioned her attempts at seduction as awkward. Instead of the knight getting angry with her, he is quite amused.

Here's an excerpt:

Knots twisted her stomach as Mariella climbed the stairs. She prayed she'd remember all Rene had taught her. Grateful for her newfound friend, Mariella mumbled Rene's instructions under her breath. By the time she stood outside the knight's chamber, her body was covered by the heat of a blush that refused to go away.

She turned her nose down to sniff her underarms. "This is not good."

The labors of the past days clung to her with an unpleasant odor. Mayhap the knight would not notice she hadn't bathed in three days. After all, he was used to bedding down near men who had not seen a bath in weeks, perhaps months. Would that she could bathe away her smell and fears.

"The keep, Mariella. Remember, you are going through with this for Father's keep."

Her hand trembled on the door handle. She prayed the knight was already asleep in bed. Instead, she found him walking out of the adjoining room. They both stopped and stared.

"I shall turn down your bed," Mariella said, wishing her throat wouldn't constrict. It made speaking a chore.

The knight nodded but did not move. When she finished, she waited in awkward silence for him to bid her to something more. She'd remove her shoes and hose, but she knew not if he wanted to watch again.

Finally, he walked over to his chest and pulled off his boots and hose. Only his thigh-length undertunic remained, which he usually wore in the privacy of his chamber.

"Your pardon, messere." He kept his back to her, giving her the chance to appreciate the sturdiness of those bare legs she had viewed at close range just two days past. "May I bathe in the servants' quarters?"

"You may bathe. However, you will make use of my personal tub." He came around then, a light of amusement in his eyes. "And I will be here to help you."

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Please visit my website to find out more about me and my books. You might enjoy the All Things Italian page. I'd like to thank Carrie and everyone else at Unusual Historicals for having me as a guest blogger.

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Would you like to try Jannine's writing? Maybe the lure of medieval Italy attracts you too. Leave a question or a comment to be entered in a drawing for a free copy of KNIGHT'S DESIRE. Good luck!

Weekly Announcements - 12 June 08

An excerpt of Elizabeth Lane's November release THE BORROWED BRIDE was featured on The Good, the Bad and the Unread, as were her comments on good boys vs. bad boys.

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Anita Davison's DUKING DAYS REVOLUTION received a B+ review from Jayne at Dear Author.

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Anne Whitfield's July 31st release, WOODLAND DAUGHTER has a gorgeous cover. Here's the blurb:

Throughout her years of devoted service to the Bradburys, Eden Harris has hidden a secret that would affect them all, a secret shared only with her husband, Nathan and grandfather. But an enemy returns, shattering her world and exposing her secret.Then, robbed of Nathan, she must flee from the country estate. However, her attempt to start anew is not so simple as the past haunts her. Now Eden must gather her strength and look into her heart to accept what the future offers.

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Carol Spradling's COST OF FREEDOM has hit the overall bestseller list at The Wild Rose Press, currently ranked #9 in current sales. Congratulations!

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Delia DeLeest's EYE OF THE BEHOLDER received a recommended read from Dark Angel Reviews:

With a creative and agile twist, Delia DeLeest crafted a realistic story set in 1925, reminiscent of "Beauty and the Beast." Angst and longing by the characters, who start their lives together in a marriage of convenience, make a spellbinding story. Flawlessly written dialogue and picturesque descriptions round out the love triangle.

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Join us Sunday when Jannine Corti Petska will be discussing and giving away a copy of her latest novella, KNIGHT'S DESIRE, set in 14th century Italy.

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We'll also draw the winner of a copy of Michelle Styles's VIKING WARRIOR, UNWILLING WIFE. Leave a comment for your shot at winning.

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Have a good weekend. If you have an announcement to make for next week, email Carrie. See you next week...

Winner: Jannine Corti Petska's Rebel Heart Giveaway

We have a winner for Jannine's Rebel Heart giveaway: Renae H! Contact Jannine by e-mail to give her your home address. Prize must be claimed by next Sunday or another winner will be drawn. Please stop back later to let us know what you thought of her new release. Congratulations!

Interview & Giveaway: Jannine Corti Petska

Out guest this week is Jannine Corti Petska. Jannine used to be a regular contributor to UH until demands and her time forced her to bow out, but we're very glad to welcome her back as a guest interview. Her book REBEL HEART was a 2006 Highland Press release.

She traveled West to marry the man she loves...instead found the man of her dreams.

In 1873, New York City heiress Courtney Danning shuns privilege and position to follow her heart to the fledgling community of Santa Fe . Widowed the same day she's wed, Courtney soon discovers her husband wasn't the only man awaiting her arrival. The stranger's indifference makes New Mexico 's summer even hotter, but what she keeps hidden might be the key to the life she's always dreamed about.

He was hired to guard her...but forgot to guard his heart.

Ex-gunfighter Beau Hamilton's past and present are shrouded in mystery. From the moment Leif Danning hires him to watch over his pampered daughter, Beau fights his attraction. To win her love, he must find the courage to expose all, knowing the truth might become his worst nightmare.

A range war threatens...

Struggling against their unbidden love, Beau and Courtney must protect themselves from everything trying to tear them apart. When the woman he's sworn to protect finds herself in the middle of a range war, will he send her back East and lose her forever, or will he do whatever it takes to defend her...even it if costs him his life?

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Thanks for joining us this week, Jannine!

Where do you find your inspiration for your characters? Your settings? Your storylines?

My characters are born out of a name. It's the first thing that hits me before I get any ideas for a story. For me, a character's name is the most important part of his or her story. The name has to fit the era and the individual character. I usually don't mold any character after an acquaintance or family member. I mold them from their ethnic background.

After character names, the title of the book comes next. I always need a working title from the start. Most often, I work the book title into the story. Naming a book is difficult, especially if it's contemporary. It's much easier for me to title a historical romance.

The setting goes hand in hand with the character names. For the most part, I love writing in 15th century Italy. However, I also write in other centuries and other countries, usually a country not the norm in historical settings. I guess I dare to be different.

What is a typical writing day like for you?

First I get a cup of coffee. Then I feed my 4 dogs, after which I read part of the newspaper. Before I get dressed, I check my email. After that, I will write for an hour or two. I take breaks often, mainly to play with my dogs. Three of them are Rat Terriers who have an abundance of energy. They need to run at least three times a day.

After my morning session of writing, I try to fit in at least two more throughout the day. The problem I find with working at home, I see the mess the house is in if I don't clean. It's hard to be blind to it. Some days I only have the morning to write. Each time I sit down at the computer, I will reread part of what I had written to get back into the story.

What is your strength when writing a new story?

Dialogue. I absolutely love dialogue and usually my heroine is quite witty and my hero sarcastic. I will also reread my dialogue without the narrative to see if the characters sound natural and if there is any part of their conversation that has nothing to do with moving the story.

What is your weakness when writing a new story?

I'd say putting in extraneous words. For example, overuse of that, just, nearly. It seems each manuscript has a different set of overused words.

Do you work alone or with a critique partner?

I work alone. Years ago, I co-wrote three books with a fellow author. We were each other's critique partner. Since, we have gone our separate ways, and I have never been able to work with anyone else. I usually use my three daughters as my readers. My husband will also read parts of my stories for authenticity. Because I like adding mystery and action to my stories, it's nice to get a male point of view.

What drives you to continue writing each day?

The voices in my head. If I don't write, my characters hound me until I sit down and get something written. And they can be brutal. As with most writers, stories and ideas abound. I keep a notebook with possible future books. I think I have about 35 now. Whether I will write them all remains to be seen. But the ideas never stop coming.

What can we expect to read from you in the future?

I hope to see books three and four published in my Italian Medieval Series. The first, THE LILY AND THE FALCON, is a reissue that will be out in stores December 2007. The second, SURRENDER TO HONOR, will be out in Spring 2008. The third, "Dante's Flame," is written, but I need to revise it. The fourth, "Tempt Not My Heart," has yet to be written. This series takes place in the 15th century, each story in a different town. Books two-four have a hero or heroine who was a secondary character in THE LILY AND THE FALCON.

I am also working on my "Sisters of Destiny" trilogy. These books take place in the 15th century and are about three psychic sisters (triplets) separated at birth. I am almost finished revising the first book, "Carina and the Nobleman." Book two, "Charlotte and the Gypsy," and book three, "Callie and the Knight" are not yet written.

I am also researching a contemporary police story and a story set in WWII.

If you weren't a writer, what would you be doing?

I hope I would have been a translator. I had dreamed of working for the U.N. since I was in elementary school. I think my fascination with foreign languages came about through my parents whose first language was Italian. I tutored Italian, Spanish and German in college. I was about to start French and was self-teaching myself Dutch. With marriage and babies, it was difficult to keep up. And if you don't use the languages, you forget so much.

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REBEL HEART is still available. "Fiery and Passionate" ~ Tami Brady from TCM Reviews.

The Lily and the Falcon is due out in December 2007. Set amid the splendor of 15th century Florence, Italy, the story pits the powerful Medici family against the Albizzi in a struggle for supreme rule of Florence.

"Jannine Corti Petska is a magnificent storyteller who brings alive the golden glory of Renaissance Italy with a talent I genuinely envy. Read her!" ~ Multi-published and award-wining author Bertrice Small

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So, are you in the mood for a great western? Jannine has agreed to give away a copy of her book REBEL HEART. Just leave a comment or a question. We'd love to hear from you. The winner will be drawn next week, so stop back and see if you're the lucky gal.