NOW AVAILABLE!!! A Dangerous Madness by Michelle Diener - win the series!!

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It's RELEASE DAY for Michelle Diener's third book in her Regency London Series, 
A Dangerous Madness!

A Dangerous Madness

by Michelle Diener

Adult Historical

May 19th 2014

The Duke of Wittaker has been living a lie...

He’s been spying on the dissolute, discontented noblemen of the ton, pretending to share their views. Now he’s ready to step out of the shadows and start living a real life...but when the prime minister of England is assassinated, he's asked to go back to being the rake-hell duke everyone believes he still is to find out more.

Miss Phoebe Hillier has been living a lie, too...

All her life she's played by society's rules, hiding her fierce intelligence and love of life behind a docile and decorous mask. All it's gotten her is jilted by her betrothed, a man she thought a fool, though a harmless one. But when she discovers her former fiancé was involved in the plot against the prime minister, and that he's been murdered, she realizes he wasn't so harmless after all.

And now the killers have set their sights on her...

The only man who can help her is the Duke of Wittaker--a man she knows she shouldn't trust. And she soon realizes he's hiding behind a mask as careful as her own. As the clock ticks down to the assassin's trial, the pair scramble to uncover the real conspiracy behind the prime minister's death. And as the pressure and the danger mounts, Phoebe and Wittaker shed their disguises, layer by layer, to discover something more precious than either imagined–something that could last forever. Unless the conspirators desperate to hide their tracks get to them first.

Amazon * Kindle * iTunes * Kobo

SPECIAL OFFER

It just so happens that In Defense of the Queen, one of my Tudor-set historicals, is on special offer at the moment on Amazon, down to $0.99 from $4.99. The offer ends on May 24th, so if you like historicals with twists, turns and a lot of suspense, be sure to grab a copy.

Connections

I am so excited that my historical novel, A Dangerous Madness, releases today. A Dangerous Madness is set during the Regency period in London, and the plot revolves around the assassination of the British prime minister, Spencer Perceval.

A Dangerous Madness stands alone, but it is also connected to two other of my historical novels, The Emperor's Conspiracy and Banquet of Lies. The fun part of connecting the novels for me was to revisit characters I love from the previous two books (which are also connected to each other) but introducing those characters so that a reader of A Dangerous Madness doesn't have to have read the other two books to understand them. The characters have to stand alone, as much as the books do. But for those readers who have read either one or both of the previous books, they'll see those characters again, and learn a little about what has happened to them since the last book.

I've had so many readers contact me and comment on how much they enjoyed catching a glimpse of one or other of their favorite characters, which I really love. And quite a few people who read Banquet of Lies went back to read The Emperor's Conspiracy, and told me they found it equally satisfying, so readers don't have to read the books in any particular order.

In this way, connected books are more versatile than a series, because most people are hesitant to read a series out of order, and I totally understand that. I also love that so many people wrote to me after Banquet of Lies, asking if the Duke of Wittaker would get his own story. It was very satisfying to tell them I had started working on it straight after I finished Banquet of Lies. :)

From the beginning of Banquet of Lies, the Duke of Wittaker is mentioned by various characters again and again, although readers only 'meet' him near the very end. But when he did arrive on the scene, he made a real impact. I wrote and rewrote the scenes with him in them, because he really shone as a character and I wanted to do him justice. I loved that readers felt the same way, and those who read Banquet of Lies and have been waiting for their Duke of Wittaker fix, I hope they enjoy A Dangerous Madness as much as I enjoyed writing it.

Michelle Diener writes historical fiction. Her Susanna Horenbout & John Parker series, set in the court of Henry VIII, includes In a Treacherous Court, Keeper of the King's Secrets and In Defense of the Queen.

Michelle's other historical novels include Daughter of the Sky, The Emperor's Conspiracy and Banquet of Lies (loosely connected to The Emperor's Conspiracy).

Michelle's first fantasy novel, Mistress of the Wind, is set for a December 23, 2013, release.

Michelle was born in London, grew up in South Africa and currently lives in Australia with her husband and two children.

Goodreads * Amazon * Website * Twitter * Facebook

Blitz-Wide Giveaways:

Grand Prize: Print copies of The Emperor's Conspiracy, Banquet of Lies, and A Dangerous Madness
5 Print or Kindle copies (winner's choice) of A Dangerous Madness
Both giveaway are open internationally.
May 19th - 26th
See Rafflecopter for restrictions.

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Review - The Emperor's Conspiracy by Michelle Diener

Available TODAY!!

The Emperor's Conspiracy
by Michelle Diener
Paperback, 336 pages
Expected publication: November 27th by Gallery Books

Premise:

From nineteenth-century London’s elegant ballrooms to its darkest slums, a spirited young woman and a nobleman investigating for the Crown unmask a plot by Napoleon to bleed England of its gold.

Chance led to Charlotte Raven’s transformation from chimney sweep to wealthy, educated noblewoman, but she still walks a delicate tightrope between two worlds, unable to turn her back on the ruthless crime lord who was once her childhood protector.

When Lord Edward Durnham is tapped to solve the mystery of England’s rapidly disappearing gold, his search leads him to the stews of London, and Charlotte becomes his intriguing guide to the city’s dark, forbidding underworld. But as her involvement brings Charlotte to the attention of men who have no qualms about who they hurt, and as Edward forges a grudging alliance with the dangerous ghosts of Charlotte’s former life, she faces a choice: to continue living in limbo, or to close the door on the past and risk her heart and her happiness on an unpredictable future

My Review:

*Huge sigh of satisfaction* This is THAT book, the one where history melts into the background, the writing disappears and players emerge spitting character and bold love so that... I sigh.

Charlotte - Charlie - is a great character. She's headstrong and intelligent. Her guardian/savior is the sweetest, smartest lady. It's a household of two great brains with different kinds of strength and I loved seeing the strong women.

Charlie's childhood friend, the crime lord, is so dark and mysterious and powerful. I loved the dirty grit of the streets and the society that pulsed beneath the city. There's no fluffy cuteness about it... it's as real as poverty. 

Edward Durnham really doesn't have much of a chance of participating in Charlie's life or in this story, but he's stubborn and persistent and won't take "stay away" as an answer. He causes more trouble than he helps, sometimes, blundering where he doesn't belong. But his heart has been awoken and he understands Charlie in ways no one else can. I love his view of her and their romance is delicate and fresh.

I could hug the pacing... this book is hard to put down. It flies by. I might have been frustrated only because it ended and I could have continued reading their story for a long time.

My Rating: 5 - I need this book in my library so I can reread it often!!  (I rec'd my ARC from Edelweiss.) I love a story that doesn't center around romance, but yet has some... a story that has so much tangible history, but doesn't clobber me with it... a mystery that I can't second-guess and is not overbearing. This is one of my favorite books this year.

Like this, Like that...  I was reminded a little of Soulless, Alanna, & Crown Duel. There's a bit of mystery and smart players, a great thief and underworld, but also a play-acting society where appearances rule. I loved the smart new combination of some of my favorite elements!

Catch the Review & Giveaway!!

About the Author:

Michelle Diener writes historical fiction. Her Susanna Horenbout and John Parker series starts with IN A TREACHEROUS COURT. Set in the court of Henry VIII, it features the real historical figures of artist Susanna Horenbout and Henry’s Keeper of the Palace of Westminster and Yeoman of the King’s Robes, John Parker. It was followed by KEEPER OF THE KING'S SECRETS, also featuring Susanna Horenbout and John Parker, and DANGEROUS SANCTUARY, a short story with the same characters, set between the two books, is currently available as an ebook only.

A new historical novel, set during the Napoleonic Wars in London in 1811, THE EMPEROR'S CONSPIRACY, is set for a November 27th, 2012 release.

Michelle also contributed a short paranormal story to the ENTANGLED entitled BREAKING OUT. All the proceeds of the sale of ENTANGLED go to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

Michelle grew up in South Africa, and now lives in Australia with her husband and two children

Find & Follow:

Website

Magical Musings blog

Twitter

Facebook

Get Your Copy:

Barnes & Noble
The Book Depository (Dec 6)
Amazon:

Interview and Giveaway - The Emperor's Conspiracy by Michelle Diener

The Emperor's Conspiracy
by Michelle Diener
Paperback, 336 pages
Expected publication: November 27th by Gallery Books

Premise:

From nineteenth-century London’s elegant ballrooms to its darkest slums, a spirited young woman and a nobleman investigating for the Crown unmask a plot by Napoleon to bleed England of its gold.

Chance led to Charlotte Raven’s transformation from chimney sweep to wealthy, educated noblewoman, but she still walks a delicate tightrope between two worlds, unable to turn her back on the ruthless crime lord who was once her childhood protector.

When Lord Edward Durnham is tapped to solve the mystery of England’s rapidly disappearing gold, his search leads him to the stews of London, and Charlotte becomes his intriguing guide to the city’s dark, forbidding underworld. But as her involvement brings Charlotte to the attention of men who have no qualms about who they hurt, and as Edward forges a grudging alliance with the dangerous ghosts of Charlotte’s former life, she faces a choice: to continue living in limbo, or to close the door on the past and risk her heart and her happiness on an unpredictable future

I received a copy of The Emperor's Conspiracy from Edelweiss. It was cover-love, I admit it. But after reading Michelle Diener's book, I had to rave personally. I believe I wrote her something like, um, Wow!!  I couldn't put it down! And some other stuff. *ahem* She kindly offered to stop by for a visit AND give away a new print copy of her book!!!

Why do you write historical books? 

I've always been fascinated with history. I studied it at university, and continued on reading historical reference works after I graduated. What fascinates me most of all is how true it is that the more things change, the more things stay the same. How we deal with situations, our reactions to events, is repeated over and over through time. When I write historical fiction, I love twining what we know of the facts with what I can imagine people living through those times might have thought and done in those situations. It's like time travel, only without the danger of being lost in a stray vortex or dealing with the plague at the other end. :) And there are flushing toilets!

Lol. I do like my toilet, I guess. But sometimes I wish other things were like times past!!

I love the low society with the chimney sweeps and the crime lord. How accurate is the time period in your new book? 

As accurate as I could get it. I drew from primary sources, both novels and diary accounts from the time (my favorite, and it has been since I was a teenager, is The Water Babies by Charles Kingsley) as well as research books like The Regency Underworld by Donald Low. For background on the life in the rookeries, I read books like The Worst Street in London by Fiona Rule and similar historical research.

What's your favorite scene in The Emperor's Conspiracy? 

Oh, that's a hard one. I love the scene on the street with Edward, where he forgets himself and reaches out for Charlotte. I thought that was a poignant moment in the book, where Edward can no longer deny his feelings for her. But I also love the moment in Luke's den where Charlie confronts him, and really lays her feelings on the line. It was a liberating moment for her, and a massive step forward for her personally.

Ooh, there is so much tension between Charlotte and Edward... and Charlotte and Luke. I couldn't wait for the next encounter! Plus... Charlie is the awesomest nickname for Charlotte!!

Please share something personal!!  What do you do in your free time? What does your writing space look like? 

I have two young children who are involved in a lot of after-school activities, so my 'free' time is spent driving around most days of the week. But it is surprising how much can be written at swimming class, as long as you don't end up next to a grumpy toddler, or get too close to the pool. Chlorinated water and laptops don't go well together. But when I have real free time, I love to bake, and I love to read. I also try to walk around 5 kms most days. I walk the kids to school and then carrying on walking. It helps me sort through the next scene I'm going to write. As for my office space, I have a great desk that forms an L, and I try to keep it relatively clear (I'm a Virgo :)).

Um... yea. I can relate with writing in weird places. Clear desk space? *cough* Isn't clear desk space an invitation to create new piles? I thought I got a memo on that.

I'm so glad you loved the book. I wrote the original outline in 2006. I'd been thinking about the story for five years before I wrote it, and it morphed quite a bit from first conception to final execution. It started out much lighter, but to do justice to the material, and stick to the reality of the times, it ended up being a lot darker.

I love that darkness. I love the attention to so many details. I really did love your book!!!

As for the cover, with my first books, In a Treacherous Court and Keeper of the King's Secrets, my input was simply, 'I'd like something that shows, even subtly, that my main character, Susanna, is an illuminator.' That's all I came up with. Simon & Schuster's art department did that beautifully with the title font and the flourishes down the side of the cover, and just outdid all my expectations with the images. But when my editor let me know The Emperor's Conspiracy cover conference was coming up, and did I have any suggestions, I found I had a really strong image in mind. I told her I liked the idea of the rear view of a woman walking down a slum street in her Regency gown. I didn't give any more details than that, but the art department delivered in spades. I think the end result is really spectacular.

I don't usually pick my next read based on a cover. Like, never. But I'm soooo glad I did!! I really can't wait to read your other books, too!!  Thank you for coming, Michelle!!

I'll post my review soon!!  (I put my notes somewhere around here *shuffles through assorted piles*)

About the Author:

Michelle Diener writes historical fiction. Her Susanna Horenbout and John Parker series starts with IN A TREACHEROUS COURT. Set in the court of Henry VIII, it features the real historical figures of artist Susanna Horenbout and Henry’s Keeper of the Palace of Westminster and Yeoman of the King’s Robes, John Parker. It was followed by KEEPER OF THE KING'S SECRETS, also featuring Susanna Horenbout and John Parker, and DANGEROUS SANCTUARY, a short story with the same characters, set between the two books, is currently available as an ebook only.

A new historical novel, set during the Napoleonic Wars in London in 1811, THE EMPEROR'S CONSPIRACY, is set for a November 27th, 2012 release.

Michelle also contributed a short paranormal story to the ENTANGLED entitled BREAKING OUT. All the proceeds of the sale of ENTANGLED go to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

Michelle grew up in South Africa, and now lives in Australia with her husband and two children

Find & Follow:

Website

Magical Musings blog

Twitter

Facebook

Get Your Copy:

Barnes & Noble
The Book Depository (Dec 6)
Amazon:

Reviews:

Excellent Library
New Books on my Shelves
Watch for mine!!  :-)

Giveaway:

US only, print copy of The Emperor's Conspiracy compliments of Simon & Schuster. Must be 13 to enter. See all my rules under the About tab.

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Monday - Holiday!!

The best sort of Monday is the one that you can sleep in for!  :-D  The kids have this week off for Conferences and Thanksgiving... and this mamma's grateful to sleep in!!!  (Or rather, not wake everyone up to catch a bus by 7:30am.)  YEA!

:-D

Thanksgiving means "birthday" to me. Yep. I've been dropping hints about gift cards to Barnes & Noble for awhile now. :-) My birthday isn't 'til Saturday, but I generously offer to celebrate on Thanksgiving when we're all together - saves everyone an extra drive out to my house, you know. Plus... I can shop on Black Friday. *waggles eyebrows*


This week The Emperor's Conspiracy comes out. I rec'd an early review copy from Edelweiss - 'cause look at that gorgeous cover! - and it was one of my favorite reads this year. I emailed the author requesting an interview and I can't wait to share it. *rubs hands gleefully* I'm a sucker for fog. 

Speaking of new releases, have you seen the final Twilight movie? I'm going to catch it in the theater, I think, but I'm really nervous after that Part 1. I'm scared to check reviews. I want it to be good so badly. Eep!

Last week I announced the start of Prism Book Tours and my new website and first tour book - Evie's Knight. 

Every time I review an author &/or book, I get all these fun ideas. They almost burst out in every direction. Interviewing Kimberly Krey was a blast. She is such a fun character and her book has so many goodies... I'm goin' all out with the Tour!! One of my favorite mini-themes is taking on the art assignment on Page 31 -

"The professor continued. "Each of you will create a piece of art that represents a momentous event in your life. You'll need to select a partner within the class to analyze this piece.'"

I've got some artistic types thinking of art pieces already! Doesn't that sound fun?! I'm not an artist, but I came up with a momentous moment I want to portray in a picture. (Just thinking about it inspired a story idea. Lol.)  There's still room on the Tour if you want to get in!!  Sign up & get more scoop HERE!

I'm currently reading Evie's Knight. :-)  It's all part of plannin' my first totally awesome Tour!!


Sheila @ Book Journey hosts the awesome Monday Whatcha Reading share. Thank you!!

Catch my newest thoughts on whatever I'm reading in the Bible at this other place I moved those posts. I've wandered over to the prophet Elisha's life, which, well... he was a wild guy. Isn't this a cool lookin' button? I like it. I think I'd like to learn how to do graphic art stuff. 

Indeed, it is moments like this where I feel I must quote Lady Catherine, herself, at the one and only Rosings Park -

"It is of all subjects my delight... There are few people... I suppose, who have more true enjoyment of music than myself, or a better natural taste. If I had ever learnt, I should have been a great proficient."

Since I now have a print copy of Pride & Prejudice thanks to Ruth, I can refer to page 113 specifically rather than vaguely waiving virtual fingers at it. Of course, I refer to art rather than music. But any subject might be inserted wonderfully.