Oh, those historical bad boys! By Lila DiPasqua
There are a hundred reasons to stay away from a charming rake.
Ladies, we know no good can come of it! All that muscle and sinew, devastating allure and sexual talents no mortal man should possess—they will surely lead us to ruin. No? But how is any woman to resist? And should she resist these wicked men who beckon and beguile? Perhaps not. *smiles*
THE PRINCESS IN HIS BED is the second book in my Fiery Tales series. Like the first in the series, AWAKENED BY A KISS, it’s a collection of stories—retellings of three classic fairy tales in each book.
In THE PRINCESS IN HIS BED I’ve taken The Emperor’s new clothes, The Ugly Duckling, and The Princess and the Pea, have been renamed and retold—quite scandalously—in “The Marquis’ New Clothes”, “The Lovely Duckling,” and “The Princess and the Pea”.
Yes, dearest readers, you get one historical romance novel with three hot historical bad boys:
Adam de Vey, Marquis de Nattes (The Marquis’ New Clothes)
Joseph d’Alumbert, son of the Duc de Vernant (The Lovely Duckling)
Mathias de Tesson, Marquis de Montfort (The Princess and the Diamonds)
These carnally talented men, gentle readers, will do more than seduce the objects of their desire. They will also steal their hearts….and in the process, lose their own!
No scrimping on a good romance in these three tales. Oh, no. I wouldn’t hear of it! I offer up a serving of three delicious rakes, three smart, strong heroines and equal parts romance and steam in each sensuous, passionate love story in THE PRINCESS IN HIS BED!
So who are these attractive, devilishly charming rakes?
Adam de Vey, Marquis de Nattes (The Marquis’ New Clothes) is a man of science. A member of the Royal Academy of Sciences, he’s recognized for his engineering expertise and is at the palace on official business when he encounters Aimee there. He can’t believe his luck. He’s spent too many years pining for the countess—who was for the longest time off limits. She was married to his late friend. Now that she’s out of mourning, now that she’s at the palace for an extended stay, Adam believes now is the best time to pursue the one woman who has haunted his erotic dreams—Aimee de Miran.
Joseph d’Alumbert, son of the Duc de Vernant (The Lovely Duckling) is heir to a duchy. With good looks and prominence, Joseph’s a man who has had his choice of beauties at court, yet he’s strongly drawn to one very unique lady—Emilie de Sarron. She has scars on her body from a fire she was in as an infant and she doesn’t dress provocatively. But none of that diminishes his desire for her. Having corresponded with her for a year, he knows her more intimately than any other woman he’s ever known. He knows her hopes. Her dreams. Her sexual desires. She’s in attendance at an orgiastic masquerade ball and wants a lover. He’s all too happy to volunteer, intent on showing her just how perfectly sensual and beautiful she really is.
Mathias de Tesson, Marquis de Montfort (The Princess and the Diamonds)—is a former gambler. A man who’d always enjoyed vice. Now a spy for the Crown, he is working on enforcing the ban the King has placed on Basset—a game that has brought about the ruin of many noble families. The problem is, he can’t seem to unravel the mystery surrounding the lady who keeps showing up at the gaming den, gambles with pea-sized diamonds and dresses as a man. He sees through her disguise. He knows how to melt her icy façade. Too bad he doesn’t know the woman, whom he has deliciously debauched, is none other than the King’s own daughter.
QUESTION: Who is your favorite romance hero? (You can name up to three if you don’t have just one. *smiles*)
One lucky commenter will win a signed copy of AWAKENED BY A KISS or THE PRINCESS IN HIS BED—winner’s choice! GIVEAWAY OPEN WORLDWIDE.
Giveaway open through November 20th.
THE PRINCESS IN HIS BED
A Fiery Tales Collection
By Lila DiPasqua
Historical Romance
Berkley (Sensation)
ISBN: 978-0425237007
OUT NOW!
Inspired by “The Emperor’s New Clothes,” “The Ugly Duckling, and “The Princess and the Pea,” Lila DiPasqua spins three sexy tales that give new meaning to the term bedtime story…
The Marquis’ New Clothes: To save her cousin, Aimee de Miran must retrieve a jeweled ring from the most sinfully seductive man at court, the Marquis de Nattes. But to search his considerable wardrobe she’ll have to get very close to the notorious rake…and soon she finds herself very close to him indeed, with his clothes—and hers—utterly forgotten…
The Lovely Duckling: Reputed for his carnal skills, Joseph d’Alumbert prefers amorous encounters without emotional entanglement—until a quick-witted lady stirs tender feelings and hot desire. Emilie de Sarron suffered burns to her body as an infant, and keeps her scars—and her heart—well hidden. But Joseph is determined to peel away her inhibitions, one slow steamy kiss at a time, to reveal the beautiful swan inside…
The Princess and the Diamonds: Princess Gabrielle can’t sleep at night. There is something hard in her bed. No, not just the stolen diamonds tucked under her mattress, but the handsome Marquis on it….whose carnal talents she can’t resist. But he threatens her secret mission, and worse, she stands to lose far more than the diamonds—her heart is at stake….
“…Strong-minded heroines you can relate to, breathtaking carnally gifted male leads…DiPasqua writes with a comfortable elegance and grace, and in turn, crafts a sexy collection that readers will love.” – Fresh Fiction.
“Ripe with steamy affairs, these lusty stories are hot enough to warm the coldest winter night.” – Publishers Weekly
Allow me to introduce you to my sexy rake, Adam de Vey, Marquis de Nattes. Read an excerpt from The Marquis’ New Clothes in THE PRINCESS IN HIS BED – http://www.liladipasqua.com/princessbook.html
Read a juicy excerpt of AWAKNED BY A KISS—
http://www.liladipasqua.com/awakenbook.html
About the Author:
Lila DiPasqua writes wicked & witty historical romance for Penguin/Berkley. She lives with her real-life hero husband and three children and is a firm believer in the happily-ever-after. She loves history and enjoys traveling. She has been to four continents so far. Her novels, AWAKENED BY A KISS, and THE PRINCESS IN HIS BED are featured in Doubleday as well as Rhapsody Book Clubs. To learn more about Lila and her books, visit www.LilaDiPasqua.com
Jamie of Outlander
Only 3 ! Can I not have the Black Dagger Brotherhood in it's entirity :)
My favourite is Sebastion out of 10 things i love about you
Oh my goodness…only three?
I almost always fall in love with the hero of the currant book I am reading.
Ok, I love Roarke from J D Robb's In Death series.
All of J R Wards heroes….sigh!!
And….oh my, I am way over three….another sigh!!!
Valerie
in Germany
valb0302@yahoo.com
My favorite romance hero has to be Raphael from Nalini Singh' Guild Hunter series. He is the ultimate bad boy. My other favorite is Roarke from the In Death series.
Hawk of the Psy/Changeling series being released next year – can't wait!!
Chrizette
baychriz at gmail dot com
My favorite topic! Romance heroes.
Two of my favorites from this year: Chase from Victoria Dahl's, LEAD ME ON and Gabe Rossiter from Pamela Clare's, NAKED EDGE.
Love'em!
jenma76 at hotmail dot com
I ten to fall in love with whoever's the hero in whatever I'm reading. Today, though Darcy popped into my head.
Zsadist….J.r ward lover awakened
Roarke from JD Robbs In Death Series.
kissinoak at frontier dot com
Vishous – J R Ward
Raphael – Nalini Singh
Revhenge – J R Ward
Hmmm……. I can name soo many many more ^_^ but i'll stop there!
I'd go for Marc Hunter from Unlawful Contact by Pamela Clare. But there are so many more…
I agree with some that I tend to fall in love with the hero of the book I am reading – not always, but frequently. My choices are:
Leo Hathaway – Married by Morning
Nicholas Delaney – An Arranged Marriage
Anthony Bridgerton – Duke & I
But…..I really liked Sebastian…..so many men….so little time:)
Well, I see some of picks have already been listed!
Zsadist from J.R. Ward's Black Dagger Brotherhood
Jamie from Outlander
Jake Riordan from the Adrien English series.
Thanks,
Tracey D
booklover0226 at gmail dot com
If I must choose only 3…ugh!
Jerricho Barrons (Fever series)
Lord Mason (Joey Hill's vampire series)
Darrak (Living inside Eden series)
Mine is Mr. Darcy from Pride and Prejudice :-)
Hi everyone! I'm so happy to be back here at Smexy Books! I'm sooo enjoying your comments and liking your heroes!
Keep them coming! (Er…wait. That didn't come out sounded quite right. I mean the *list* of heroes. Not the actual heroes. *winks*)
Yes, I'm saucy. LOL :)
Hugs!
Lila
Oh that's such an unfair question. I feel like I'm cheating on my book boyfriends if I don't name them all. I love Jamie from Outlander, Vishous from BDB, Cade from IAD, Barrons from Fever, the list is endless, I'm so fickle. :) PS, I really liked Adam from The Marquis's New Clothes. Sexy!
I've heard so many good things about this series! So I'm limited to 3 romance heros, that's tough…they would start with the IAD series and go from there….
Thanks for the contest and interview!
Acheron or Jamie from the Outlander series. No wait… Bones!
robin [at] intensewhisper [dot] com
let's see.
Raphael from Nalini Singh Archangels series
Zsadist from JR Ward BDB series
Any of the men from Christine feehan's Dark series
The list could get lengthy if i really got into it.
Lisa B
modokker at yahoo dot com
Great post! I loved Sebastian Grey from Julia Quinn's Ten Things Love About You.
Barbed1951(at)aol(dot)com
hmmm…
Barrons (Fever)
Bones (Night Huntress)
Clayton Danvers (Otherworld)
Yes, I'm like the others… can I have more?
My favorite is Ethan from Chloe Neill's Vampire Chicago series. I don't know if he counts as a hero though… most books I read have more heroines than heros. lol.
Thanks for the opportunity for the giveaway,
~Felicia.
fchien16@gmail.com
Adam – Mercy Thompson
Jamie – Outlander
Roarke – In Death
Not necessarily in that order! :)
I'm loving your lists, everyone!!
@ Fiction Vixon – Thank you for the wonderful compliment about Adam! I'm so glad you're enjoying THE PRINCESS IN HIS BED. :)
@Lizzielvr–Thank you for the lovely comment about my Fiery Tales series! :)
Many thanks again to Mandi for having me! :)
Hugs,
Lila
ummm…ummmm….3!!!!
ummm
Vishous from the BDB
Barrons (o definitely Barrons….) from the Fever Series
and ummmmm….. ummmm….
Raphael from Guild Hunter Series…..
They don't necessarily have to be in that order….they could also have some of the other brothers from the BDB mixed in too….and some of the Psy/Changling as well…. hmmmm…. so many men…. *goes of to daydream…*
David from A Witch's Beauty by Joey W Hill… followed veeerrry closely by Mason from Beloved Vampire also by Joey W Hill! Lila, have you read either book?
Hi Allison– No, I haven't but perhaps I really should! There are so many great heroes listed here on this thread. Some I know, others I have to go check out—like yours! :)
Hugs,
Lila
Thanks everyone for coming out to chat about heroes!
Hugs all!
Lila
Although not strictly from a romance novel, Miles Vorkosigan is my fave hero!
Hi, Lila & Mandi! Lila, I so enjoyed your beautifully bad boys in "Awakened by a Kiss" : ) How sweet of you to offer more of your wonderfully wicked wily ones in "The Princess in His Bed"!
My favorite romance hero is Cole Latimer from "Ashes in the Wind" by Kathleen E. Woodiwiss:
"A tall figure strode into view, resplendent in dress-blue uniform with shiny brass buttons, bright braid on cuffs, and gold epaulettes bearing the rank of captain riding on wide shoulders. A red and white sash was bound about a lean waist beneath a wide black gun belt, and a Hardee hat was pulled down over his scowling brow. As the man came forward, the yellow stripes that ran down the sides of his trousers flashed against the blue of the cloth.
………eyes of bright azure blue set in a face bronzed golden by the sun. Long, light brown sideburns were neatly trimmed, accentuating the leanly fleshed cheekbones and firm angular jaw. His nose was thin and well formed, slightly aquiline, and beneath it were generous, but at the moment, unsmiling, lips. There was an air of the professional soldier about him, a quality that displayed itself in his crisp manner, almost painfully neat apparel, and rather austere mien. The handsome features bore the look of good breeding appropriate to some princely head of state and those eyes, fringed with dark lashes……"
My all time favorite hero is Mr. Darcy from Pride and Prejudice.
Hi SaraC–Thanks for stopping by to share! :)
Hi Virginia–Thank you very much! I'm so happy you enjoyed AWAKENED BY A KISS. "Beautiful bad boys" is a great term for my three heroes in that book. I like that! :) Oh, I sooo loved Cole!! I devoured every Kathleen E. Woodiwiss novel I could get my hands on when I first started reading romance. ASHES IN THE WIND was one of my favorites!
Hi Cherie–Oh, Mr. Darcy…*sighs* Fabulous hero!
I like Bones from the Night Huntress series and Zsadist and Rhage from the Black Dagger Brotherhood series.
angeldream3(at)gmail(dot)com
I definetly want to read this , since i've read those 3 fairytales all my childhood
Edward Cullen ,
Lucas Swain(Kiss me while i sleep -Linda Howard )
Judd Morgan (Dead Aim -Iris Johansen)
raluk.93 at gmail (dot) com
My favorite is Sebastian from Devil in Winter by Lisa Kleypas.
mce1011 AT aol DOT com