Guest Author: Laura Navarre

This week on Unusual Historicals we're welcoming back Laura Navarre as she celebrates the upcoming release of her latest historical erotic romance, THE DEVIL'S TEMPTRESS, set during the 12th century. Stay tuned below for how you can win an e-copy when it's released on February 15. Here's the blurb:

THE BEAUTY

In the glittering, sumptuous court of Eleanor of Aquitaine, betrayal lurks around every corner. The queen is at odds with her king, and to obey one could mean treason against the other. Even Alienore, considered the most virtuous lady at court, holds secrets: whether masquerading as a knight on the tourney field to defend those without a champion or desperately trying to save her lands--and her maidenhead--from the Duke of Ormonde.

THE BLACK KNIGHT

He is called the Raven--his face scarred by a Saracen blade, his voice raspy with the effects of Greek fire. His parentage is unknown, his prowess legendary. And he'll sell his sword to the highest bidder. As his piercing eyes track her every move, Alienore wonders who he's working for now. Finding a spy for King Henry? Sent by the duke to fetch her home? Or is each heated touch, each whispered promise of pleasure part of a much more personal mission?

***

In her other life, Laura Navarre is a diplomat who's lived in Russia and works on weapons of mass destruction issues. Among other fascinating experiences in the line of duty, she's been trapped in an elevator in one of the world's most dangerous nuclear power plants, and stalked the corridors of facilities churning out nerve agent and other apocalyptic weapons. In this capacity, she meets many of the world's most dangerous men.

Inspired by the sinister realities of her real life, Laura writes dark medieval and Renaissance romance spiked with political intrigue. A member of Greater Seattle Romance Writers of America and a 2009 Golden Heart finalist, she has won the Emily Award for Excellence, the First Coast Romance Writers Beacon Award, the Georgia Romance Writers Maggie Award, the Golden Pen, the Duel on the Delta, Hearts Through History's Romance Through the Ages, and many other awards.

Laura's academic degrees include an M.F.A. in Writing Popular Fiction from the University of Southern Maine, an M.A. in National Security Policy from The George Washington University and a B.A. in International Relations from Michigan State University. Her dark Tudor romance THE DEVIL'S MISTRESS is available now as an e-book, and coming in print from Samhain in March 2011. Her Crusader romance THE DEVIL'S TEMPTRESS is a February 2011 release from Dorchester. Laura lives in a quirky 1920s era house that overlooks Mt. Rainier with her fiancé--a screenwriter--and two Siberian cats. You can find her on Facebook and on Twitter.

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To come up with a list of interview questions, I asked my friends and readers on Facebook which questions they'd like most to hear me answer. Below are some I particularly enjoyed!

What's the first thing you ever wrote?

The first story I ever wrote was in fourth grade. I was deep into L.M. Montgomery's Anne of Green Gables series at the time, and just starting to read my first Harlequins. I wrote a Harlequin Presents set in Prince Edward Island with an Anne of Green Gables heroine and a suave alpha hero. I must say the disparate genre elements did not combine as harmoniously as I'd hoped!

What are your favorite books, and why?

I'm a fairly eclectic reader--there's no method to my madness. I'm into epic fantasy, historical fiction, urban fantasy, science fiction, the occasional literary novel and all genres of romance. Some of my long-standing favorites are Diana Gabaldon's Outlander series--which opened the door wide for the arrival of time-travel romance--Sara Donati's Into the Wilderness series which picks up after The Last of the Mohicans with a resourceful colonial heroine, and Jacqueline Carey's dark and very sexy Kushiel series set in an alternate Renaissance Europe.

In romance, I love Laura Kinsale, Bertrice Small, Amanda Quick, and too many others to name. I'm just finishing The Duke of Shadows by Meredith Duran--a sexy Victorian romance set in colonial India--and I do believe it's the best historical romance I've read in a good year. In epic fantasy, just about anything from George R.R. Martin, Tad Williams, or Terry Brooks. And in urban fantasy/paranormal romance, I'm into J.R. Ward, Nancy Holder and Marjorie Liu.

Do you worry about what your grandmother might think if she reads your steamy stories? Or your future children?

Nope. I hope they'll think I've had a colorful life!

How is it possible for you to write anything coherent early in the morning?

Steven hauls me out of bed and shepherds my stumbling footsteps into my library, then brings me a steaming mug of tea. Seriously, that's the only way I get up in the morning!

What's your favorite movie?

Ack! There are so many it's hard to limit myself. Some old romantic favorites are Bram Stoker's Dracula with Gary Oldman and Winona Ryder, Ladyhawke with Rutger Hauer and Michelle Pfeiffer, and Gone With the Wind. I also like sleek, sexy adventure stories set in glamorous locales. Some long standing favorites are The Thomas Crowne Affair with Pierce Brosnan and Rene Russo, Mission Impossible II (but not I or III) with Tom Cruise and Thandie Newton, and the recent James Bond films with Daniel Craig. Come to think of it, I seem to love anything with Daniel Craig in it...

Favorite TV show?

Never used to watch any, but since hooking up with a screenwriter, I've been seeing more of them! We're currently watching "Mad Men," "True Blood," "The Tudors," and "Boston Legal. " How's that for eclectic?

Favorite article of clothing?

I have this Soviet-era admiral's hat, bold with red and gold trim and blazoned with the hammer-and-sickle, that I picked up in Kiev in the 90s. I wear it on Halloween with a military jacket, lots of Soviet medals and a long blonde wig. It's my favorite costume!

What are the respective merits of milk from mares, camels and yaks?

This question was so interesting I couldn't resist including it. But I have no idea what the answer is! Do you?

My question for YOU: If the world were ending in a week, which one book would I absolutely HAVE to squeeze in reading?

***

You heard the nice lady! Answer Laura's question and you'll have the chance to win an e-book copy of THE DEVIL'S TEMPTRESS when it's released on February 15. I'll draw a winner at random next Sunday. Void where prohibited. Best of luck!

Guest Author: Laura Navarre

This week on Unusual Historicals we're welcoming Samhain author Laura Navarre as she celebrates the release of her hot Tudor-era romance, THE DEVIL'S MISTRESS. Here's the blurb:

Living breath-to-breath beneath the shadow of violence, Italian perfumer and apothecary Allegra Grimaldi was forced to learn the killing arts from the Hand of God--a religious assassin. She has sworn never to use her deadly skills, but now a blackmailer has her by the proverbial throat.

To save her family from an ugly death, she must do the unthinkable. Infiltrate the court of King Henry VIII, poison the heretic Anne Boleyn before she becomes queen--and frame Anne's bastard brother for the crime. Honest and principled, Sir Joscelin is the perfect pawn.

Allegra is clever, captivating...and her warning to Anne immediately rouses Joscelin's suspicion. Sworn to protect his sister, and striving for recognition from the powerful father who disdains him, Joscelin has no choice but to put aside his attraction to the mysterious lady and gather evidence to see her burn for witchcraft.

To avert a disaster that will change the face of Europe, this stalwart soldier of incorruptible integrity and the fallen woman who breathes deception must learn to trust each other--and discover the one truth that could save them all.

***

Why does The Devil's Mistress qualify as an unusual historical?

I think this story's unusual for several reasons. Although the Tudor period is very popular right now--given the Showtime series "The Tudors" and recent films like Elizabeth: The Golden Age, starring the magnificent Cate Blanchett--for some reason there aren't many romance authors writing in this period. You can find plenty of good Tudor-set historical fiction beyond the well-known and worthy works of Philippa Gregory (The Other Boleyn Girl). I've recently read Mademoiselle Boleyn by Robin Maxwell and it was superb. But, still, not many romance writers are working in this period. And I've enjoyed so much researching and writing about this passionate, elegant, dangerous world for THE DEVIL'S MISTRESS.

Another reason the novel is unusual is my heroine Allegra Grimaldi, who's a lady assassin. While you find plenty of kick-butt heroines in paranormal romance, urban fantasy, and romantic suspense, a dark assassin heroine is not very likely to appear in a historical, except for mine! For that reason, making the sale was a real struggle--even after the manuscript had started winning contests like Hearts Through History Romance Through the Ages and the River City Romance Writers Duel on the Delta. Thankfully, Samhain was willing to take a chance on the story, and released it June 1.

One of my greatest challenges in writing the novel was making this dark heroine sympathetic. The key is her motivation--why she's an assassin (to protect her blind father and little sisters, who are the villain's captives)--along with her obvious guilt, suffering, and reluctance to do these wicked deeds.

For anyone who's interested in the topic of dark heroes and heroines, I'm giving a two-hour workshop on this topic at the Emerald City Romance Writers conference in Seattle on October 1-3.

Tell us a little bit about yourself and how your "real life" influences your stories.

In my other life, I'm a diplomat who's lived in Russia and works on weapons of mass destruction issues. In the line of duty, I've been trapped in an elevator in a nuclear power plant and have stalked the corridors of facilities churning out nerve agent and other apocalyptic weapons. In this capacity, I meet many of the world's most dangerous men!

Inspired by the sinister realities of my other life, I primarily write dark medieval and Renaissance romance spiked with political intrigue. I'm fascinated by geopolitics, foreign affairs, what makes nations go to war and form alliances, and I view my novels--even my historicals--through that lens. For example, the villain in my debut release, THE DEVIL'S MISTRESS, is the Spanish Ambassador at the court of King Henry VIII. And my hero, the honorable Sir Joscelin Boleyn, is a diplomat who's just returned from several years in Paris, pursuing English interests at the French court.

Here's another example. My second release, THE DEVIL'S TEMPTRESS, takes place in Eleanor of Aquitaine's dazzling court, during the time when Eleanor and her son--who would become Richard the Lionheart--are in rebellion against her husband King Henry II. The war brewing between England and France is the backdrop for this story, and my heroine is Lady Alienore of Lyonstone, an earl's daughter and the queen's privy chancellor--and thus directly involved in the conflict.

Can you offer any recommendations for books similar to THE DEVIL'S MISTRESS that your readers would enjoy?

I love this question! In the area of historical fiction, I've read so many great books lately. Anything by Philippa Gregory set in the Tudor period is great, but my particular favorite is The Queen's Fool, a historical novel with a strong romantic subplot about Queen Mary Tudor ("Bloody Mary") and a female jester at the queen's court. Robin Maxwell has done some great books, including The Secret Diary of Anne Boleyn. For a paranormal, fantasy, fairy-tale take on the Tudor court, I'd suggest Midnight Never Come by Marie Brennan. Susan Wiggs has recently reissued the Tudor Rose trilogy, which starts with At the King's Command. Finally, for the most entertaining "real life" storytelling, check out The Autobiography of Henry VIII by Margaret George, which tells Henry's story in first person from his own perspective. Similarly, the most dramatic and entertaining "real life" telling of Elizabeth Tudor's story that I've found is I, Elizabeth by Rosalind Miles.

What should your readers look forward to next?

My dark Crusader romance, THE DEVIL'S TEMPTRESS, a 2009 Golden Heart finalist as "The Devil's Virtue," is being released by Dorchester in late October. I'm currently working on another dark medieval, set in Anglo-Saxon England (with Vikings!), which also qualifies as an unusual historical. It's about an exiled lady on the perilous Scottish border who must choose between a Viking warrior and an enigmatic would-be bishop to save her besieged home.

Also, my agent JD DeWitt is currently pitching a sexy romantic suspense called "The Russian Seduction," which is a bit of a departure for me--the dedicated writer of historicals! Elevator pitch: When a hard-line Russian leader invades a neighboring country the U.S. has sworn to defend, war can only be avoided by a risky undercover liaison between a renegade Russian submarine captain and an ambitious, by-the-book American diplomat--the forbidden woman he's aching to seduce. So there's another book inspired by my "real life," although if I'd ever met a Russian submarine captain like my alpha hero Victor Kostenko, I would have been in trouble big time!

How can readers get in touch with you?

I have a brand-new website that I'm very proud of. I've also Friended many readers on Facebook and on Twitter. And you can always reach me by email at LauraNavarreAuthor@yahoo.com.

Thanks so much to Unusual Historicals for this chance to chat with your readers! I've really enjoyed it.

***

And we've enjoyed having you! Readers, you can enter to win a free copy of THE DEVIL'S MISTRESS by leaving a comment or question. Maybe you could answer this: Does Tudor-era romance appeal to you? Or, how dark can your heroes and heroines be before they're too dark? I'll draw a winner at random next Sunday. Open to everyone. Void where prohibited. Best of luck!

Excerpt Thursday: Laura Navarre

This week on Excerpt Thursday we're featuring Samhain author Laura Navarre and her steaming hot Tudor-era romance, THE DEVIL'S MISTRESS. Join us Sunday when Laura will be here to answer questions and give away a free copy!

Living breath-to-breath beneath the shadow of violence, Italian perfumer and apothecary Allegra Grimaldi was forced to learn the killing arts from the Hand of God--a religious assassin. She has sworn never to use her deadly skills, but now a blackmailer has her by the proverbial throat.

To save her family from an ugly death, she must do the unthinkable. Infiltrate the court of King Henry VIII, poison the heretic Anne Boleyn before she becomes queen--and frame Anne's bastard brother for the crime. Honest and principled, Sir Joscelin is the perfect pawn.

Allegra is clever, captivating...and her warning to Anne immediately rouses Joscelin's suspicion. Sworn to protect his sister, and striving for recognition from the powerful father who disdains him, Joscelin has no choice but to put aside his attraction to the mysterious lady and gather evidence to see her burn for witchcraft.

To avert a disaster that will change the face of Europe, this stalwart soldier of incorruptible integrity and the fallen woman who breathes deception must learn to trust each other--and discover the one truth that could save them all.

***

Joscelin hesitated outside her closed door. The lady lingered over her bath, naked but heartbeats away. He'd entered her dangerous orbit only to return the cloak she'd dropped so imperiously at his feet.

Now here he stood, lurking outside the chamber of another man's mistress. He pulled himself together and knocked.

"Who goes?" Allegra's chilly voice would freeze any man in his boots. But she would hardly croon out a welcome to any random caller.

"It's Joscelin. I'm for bed, signora--for my bed." Damnation, he sounded like a bloody idiot. Didn't he have the sense to keep away from her? "I have your cloak."

"You had better not leave it on the stair, Sir Joscelin Boleyn, unless you wish to tempt some thief to rashness." Her voice set him throbbing. "Bring it in."

Certainement, that was a foolish notion. He steeled himself and edged in, gaze nailed to the floor.

"Santa Maria, come inside! And close the door--there's a wicked draft. I assure you, I won't bite."

Would she toy with him now--a woman's game of advance and retreat? If so, by God, he was her equal in that role. He consigned decorum to the Devil and glared straight at her.

The chamber suited her, but he was blind to all but the dance of firelight over graceful shoulders, the artless seduction of curls pinned on her head, the light shading her eyes to lilac.

Joscelin dropped her cloak over a chair and glued his eyes resolutely to the ceiling. "Will you be wanting any supper, signora?"

"I am still groaning from our earlier repast." Her boudoir voice stroked the words.

"I'll tell the innkeeper. Anything else you desire?"

Now the Devil had his tongue for certain. The word resonated in the steamy silence.

"May I beseech a favor…before we go to bed?" Her voice was temptation incarnate, caressing the syllables like a lover's kiss.

He cleared his throat. "I'm your servant. What do you require?"

She swept a hand toward the steaming pitcher. "If you please, pour the water over my hair."

His blood turned molten, flesh more than willing for amorous play. Christ on the cross, had she decided she desired him after all? Let her think him dull as the village idiot, but if she wanted him in her bed, she must give him some clearer sign of intent.

"I'm no lady's maid. But I'll attempt it."

When she drew the comb from her hair, it tumbled down, sable curls pooling on the floor behind her. His mouth went dry as he imagined wrapping all that glorious hair around him and burying himself in her heat.

The ravening beast in his codpiece roared for release. When he knelt behind her, the musk of jasmine filled his head.

"No doubt you'll smell like a flower garden," she said idly. "You too shall require a bath."

"I--don't mind it." He felt like a tongue-tied schoolboy. She had to know what havoc she was wreaking. She was no blushing virgin, but the Spanish ambassador's mistress.

"Pour the water, per favore," she said coolly. "If ever you tire of diplomacy, I shall give you a dazzling reference as a lady's maid."

"If I rise no farther than that, I'll greatly disappoint my father." He sluiced water over her head. Rivulets of soap slid down her back. Unable to prevent himself, his brown soldier's hand traced the delicate arch of her spine, her skin like ivory damask, one vertebra at a time. She shivered beneath his touch, but did not rebuke him.

God save them both from madness.

"Damn it, Allegra, I have to know. The Spaniard--tell me truly, is he your lover?"