Romance Ramblings Episode 24

After a brief absence, Jerrica and Ava are back with another episode of Romance Ramblings!

Romance Ramblings: Planning for Thanksgiving

During this week's Romance Ramblings, Jerrica calls Ava a "baby woman" more than once and lives to tell the tale. They talk voting, cynical teenagers, planning for Thanksgiving, and bedside manner.

Today's preparing for Thanksgiving question - How many place settings do you have? 

Romance Ramblings: An Homage to Film Noir...

This week during Romance Ramblings, Ava and Jerrica discuss worst/best Christmas gifts, projects for the new year, and Ava's impending sainthood (thank you, Christi Caldwell.)

What is the worst gift YOU've ever received?

Romance Ramblings: Seriously Off the Cuff...

This week Ava and Jerrica (along with "That Guy") are imbibing once again. And you know what that means... ONE LIVELY EPISODE OF ROMANCE RAMBLINGS. This week we talk Snapchat (and why Ava can't get her user name and other more sordid details thanks to Eric), discuss how to sound properly German, the fun of audiobooks, and family trees!

What do you think is the next big social media "thing"? And Eric would like to know your Snapchat user name. ;)

A Pact Between Gentleman & A Gentlemen's Pact

The Falcon & the Philosopher Inn, Cambridgeshire – December 1814

Flickering light from the hearth at the far end of the taproom cast a warm glow across the floor, wooden beams, and six very serious gentlemen gathered in a circle around one of the tables. Only an occasional pop or crackle from the fire made any sound in the otherwise vacant tavern.

“Richard would want us to drink to his name,” Rowan Findley announced, lifting a glass of whiskey out before him.

Robert Hurst, the Earl of Northcotte, snorted. “Richard would want to be alive,” he grumbled under his breath, but the others heard him clearly. And on that point they were all in agreement.

Richard Hollace, the late Lord Arrington, had lived life to its fullest. He embodied the sentiment “eat, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow we may die.” And unfortunately, the latter was true in his case. It was the way Lord Arrington had passed that had caused such a pallor to be cast upon the taproom. No man liked to think about his own passing, and certainly not passing before one’s time, but to be killed so viciously, and by one’s own wife…

“Which is why we should drink to his name,” David Hounslow, the Marquess of Preston said softly, lifting his glass of whiskey as well.

“Here, here.” Sebastian Stanwick raised his glass.

The other three men followed suit as Findley said, “To Richard Hollace, a damn good friend.”

“With a generous heart,” Preston added.

“And a wicked sense of humor,” Nicholas Beckford, Lord Edgeworth tossed in.

“The life of every party,” agreed Everett Casemore, the Marquess of Berkswell.

“Knower of all things equine.” Northcotte smiled sadly.

“Knower of all things female.” Stanwick frowned.

That last bit swirled about the room, each man ruminating over the truth of it. Had Arrington known fewer females, he might very well be alive this night. He wouldn’t be lying six feet under with a hole in his head in the shape of a fire iron. The six of them wouldn’t have driven through the snow to Cambridgeshire on short notice. And they wouldn’t have sat through their old school chum’s funeral, wondering how such a tragedy could have befallen the man.

One by one, they swallowed the contents of their glasses, each wondering how the world had stopped making sense. Ladies didn’t murder their husbands. They just didn’t do such things, except… Well, except one did. Something the lot of them would have thought unfathomable a fortnight earlier had become a tragic and quite frightening truth.

“What’s going to happen to her?” Preston asked, his voice just loud enough to be heard over the crackling fire.

“She’s been taken to Newgate,” Edgeworth replied. “I expect they’ll hang her.”

“Richard should have been more careful of her sensibilities,” Stanwick said, raking a hand through his midnight black hair. “He should have taken care that she not find out about his paramours.”

“I doubt he thought his wife was capable of such a thing,” Berkswell returned.

“I doubt any man thinks so.” Findley sighed.

“And yet women are very clearly capable of such things,” Northcotte began, “One only has to look as far as Richard for proof.”

Again, silence befell the six men. One only did have to look as far as Richard to see that women were very clearly capable of murder. Northcotte had never spoken truer words.

“Well, that settles it then—” Findley broke the silence, slamming his glass on the table in front of him a little harder than was necessary “—I’m never getting married. That’s the best and only way I can think of to avoid Richard’s fate.”

It only took half a second for Preston to say, “I couldn’t agree with you more.”

“Well, then, what about you?” Findley glanced from Berkswell to Northcotte to Edgeworth to Stanwick.

Berkswell scrubbed a hand across his jaw and shook his head. “Certainly not worth the risk. My brother can inherit.”

“As can my cousin,” Northcotte added solemnly.

“Never planned on marrying anyway.” Edgeworth shrugged.

“Nor I,” Stanwick agreed.

“Then we’re agreed,” Findley announced, lifting his glass in the air once more. “I, Rowan Findley, hereby solemnly vow to never take a wife.”

The other five lifted their glasses and repeated the vow in unison.

Famous last words, most assuredly…

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A PACT BETWEEN GENTLEMEN

In AVA STONE's A Bit of Mistletoe, Everett Casemore, the very serious Marquess of Berkswell, returns home for Christmas, slightly shaken by the death of an old friend. Determined not to suffer the same sort of fate at the hands of a woman, Berks resolves himself to eternal bachelorhood. Unfortunately, both his resolve and his peace of mind are threatened by the arrival of a beautiful, thoughtful, but mostly unsuitable lady. * Miss Theresa Birkin knows better than most that an error in judgment can lead one down an unfortunate path. If only she'd been wiser when she was younger. If only she hadn't followed her foolish heart. If only she'd met Lord Berkswell long before now. 

In JANE CHARLES's Lady Disguised, Mr. Sebastian Stanwick never intended to marry. It was bad enough that his father gambled away everything they owned and then drank himself to death, leaving his mother broken until she could not go on. But the death of his good friend at the hand of the man’s wife only solidifies Stanwick’s decision to remain a bachelor. Women were simply unpredictable and unstable if not taken care of properly. * Hélène Mirabelle wants few things in life. One, is to perform on the stage, and the other, is to be out from under the roof of her overbearing new family: Lord Bentley and the Trent brothers. Since her mother’s recent passing, Hélène's desire to return to Milan and the stage has only grown. A husband could never fit into the plans because no decent man would take an actress as a wife. * One fateful night leaves Hélène questioning if being an actress is the only thing she wants, while Stanwick begins to wonder whether all women are truly prone to madness and if they are, he may never get Hélène off of his mind. 

In CATHERINE GAYLE’s Thick as Thieves, David Hounslow, the Marquess of Preston, will not stand aside while those he loves are hurt. When it becomes clear his brother-in-law’s guest is up to no good, Preston determines to scrutinize every move of the would-be thief. Not that he minds such a task—Lady Frederica is as beautiful and intelligent as she is enigmatic. Considering her close relation to a wastrel brother and her current proclivity for the less-than-savory, Preston never expected to be won over to the lady’s charms. Yet she just might steal his heart. * Desperation has become Lady Frederica Bexley-Smythe’s constant companion due to her brother’s recent affinity for gambling and carousing. With the fate of both her mother and sister resting upon her shoulders, perhaps the time has arrived for Freddie to bend the rules. How else can she secure their future? Unfortunately, Lord Preston’s scrutiny is complicating her task. Far more perplexing than his perusal is his caring nature, which is distracting her from the treasures she intends to steal. But desperate times call for desperate measures…

  

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A GENTLEMEN'S PACT

In JERRICA KNIGHT-CATANIA's All He Wants For Christmas, Rowan Findley can't imagine a fate worse than what his friend suffered at the hands of his mad wife, so he's made the decision to remain a bachelor for all eternity. That is, until Olivia walks into his cousin's drawing room for a Christmas party. Her fiery red hair and sweet demeanor remind him of a night so many years ago that he would never forget. * Olivia Edwards can't quite believe her eyes when Rowan Findley waltzes back into her life, as handsome and charming as ever. It's been almost seven years since she's seen him, and the secret she's been harboring all that time has her on edge whenever he's about. Yet she can't deny that she's still drawn to him, nor can she deny the desire she's kept hidden in her heart these many years.

In AILEEN FISH’s Chasing Lord Mystery, Lord Northcotte is not in the holiday spirit when he joins his sister’s family shortly after the brutal death of a friend. Discovering a matchmaking scheme is afoot, he tells them he will never marry Lady Miriam or any other woman. Now if only his heart would listen. * Lady Miriam’s mother accused her of chasing Lord Mystery after a noble act by a handsome stranger six years ago became the measure of all other men. Now he’s staying at the home where she’d hoped to escape a summons from her grandfather, the Duke of Danby. Terrified Northcotte will recognize her and reveal the contents of the scandalous letter she wrote him years ago, she can’t decide which is the bigger threat: the duke armed with a special license, or Lord Mystery, who carries a secret she’d never live down.

In JULIE JOHNSTONE’s ’Tis The Season For Surrender, Lillian Lancaster would rather catch the plague than a husband. Unfortunately, her abusive, recently deceased father’s will stipulates her inheritance hinges upon her marrying a lord. With time running out, Lillian proposes to the guilt-ridden, marriage-adverse Lord Edgeworth after securing his agreement to a marriage in name only. * Edgeworth feels responsible for his former betrothed’s death and believes he doesn’t deserve love, which makes Lillian’s proposal oddly perfect. Commanded by his grandfather to marry by Christmas or become penniless, the obviously perfect choice is a woman who wants nothing to do with him. * When Lillian displays a brave and true heart and Edgeworth reveals his honorable, protective side maintaining a marriage of convenience becomes harder than these two wounded souls imagined. Now, Lillian and Edgeworth must decide if they are courageous enough to risk their hearts and surrender to love.

Amazon                            Amazon                             Amazon                         Amazon
B&N                                  B&N                                B&N                                 B&N
Kobo                                   Kobo                               Kobo                                  Kobo
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Romance Ramblings: Ava & Jerrica's Top 11 1/2...

There's often something unpleasant on the news, be it government shutdowns, natural disasters, or tragedies of one form or another. So this week, inspired by the government shutdown, Jerrica and I have compiled a TOP ELEVEN 1/2 list of things you can do to keep your mind off all the unpleasantness going on...

Do you have anything to add to our list? What is your favorite form of distraction...?

Romance Ramblings is BACK!!!

This week Ava Stone and Jerrica Knight-Catania catch up at Romance Ramblings. We discuss new houses, pets, the original rebel rouser (who is NOT Ava), and toss around the idea of having Jerrica's twins (in their younger years) pull some sort of prank on one of Ava's characters in an upcoming book.

I'm not sure why... but the video isn't showing up today. So if you're looking for it. You can find it at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ct-HvxpSjqs

Ava says a bad word (consider that your warning). AND... Jerrica tries to convince us that she can turn into a gourd. 

QUESTION OF THE DAY - what sort of prank should Andrew and Michael Wetherby (when they're children) play on one of Ava's characters? And do you have a suggestion of which character will have a prank pulled on them? 

Romance Ramblings

HAPPY FRIDAY the 13th!!

Some of you many know that Jerrica Knight-Catania and I have a YouTube show - Romance Ramblings. You can catch up on past Ramblings HERE. From now on, we'll be posting each week's show here at Lady Scribes.

This week we interviewed Samantha Grace and we..Well, we Rambled. It *is* in the name of the show after all.

We learned a lot this week... A) It's good to have a fireman with a hose living on your street. B) The Graces are entering the 20th Century with Air Conditioning and they'll get running water soon. C) Go on vacation with Ava *only* if you can move quickly.

For all of that and more, this week's ROMANCE RAMBLINGS...

So I'll re-post Samantha's question... What is the most romantic thing that has happened to you recently? OR  - Do you like to roller skate, with or without ferrets?

And then - what topics would you like to see us ramble about in the future?

A Meeting of the Matchmakers...

On this Valentine’s Day, bestselling authors Ava Stone and Jerrica Knight-Catania are happy to bring you a conversation between their most devious, managing, and cupid-like heroines, the ladies who may make a little havoc, but always find a way to make things right, all while getting others to do their bidding.

Without further ado… Caroline, Viscountess Staveley from Ava’s Scandalous Series and Katherine, the Duchess of Weston from Jerrica’s Wetherby Brides Series.

~ * ~

Caroline re-folds a letter from her sister-in-law and smiles to herself. Everything has turned out exactly as she’d planned.

“Are you going to voluntarily tell me the reason for that sly expression, or am I going to have to pry it out of you?” Katherine asks from the threshold.

Caroline grins in response. “An expression you’ve been known to sport quite often, Kat.”

Katherine shrugs and steps into the Staveley’s white parlor. “Indeed. But what has you smirking like that today?”

Caroline’s grin grows even wider as she makes room for the duchess to sit beside her on the settee. “Vindication. No matter how much my brothers complain about my ability to manage them, they both have me to thank for their current states of happiness.”

“I could say the same thing.” Katherine settles in beside Caroline, an equally sly expression now etched across her lovely face. “I’ve got a story or two about brothers of my own.”

“Of course you do. What feat, in regards to your brothers are you the most proud?” Caroline asks.

“Oh, that’s an easy one. Benjamin and Phoebe, of course. It was easy enough getting them to the altar, but they nearly sabotaged their marriage! If I had not stepped in, Lord only knows where they’d be by now.” Katherine turns to Caroline. “Your turn. Which couple was your greatest success?”

 Caroline taps her chin and scrunches up her nose. "That's so difficult to say, Kat. On one hand, Luke with his foolish male-ness would have lost Juliet forever, if not for me; but I think bringing Robert and Lydia together was my greatest accomplishment. Robert is so stubborn and set in his ways. Domineering, really. His mind had been firmly made up about his wife, and it still would be if I hadn't intervened. Now several children later, he hardly resembles his former self. It's so rewarding to know how happy he's become." Her hazel eyes twinkle mischievously. "I think we have to do what we do, Kat. Manage others, I mean. No matter how dangerous a situation gets. Where would our friends and family be without us?"

Katherine sits forward in her seat, clearly getting excited about the topic. "Oh, I couldn't agree more! Why, to think of the hoops I had to jump through for cousin Victoria. Goodness, it gives me the vapors just to think of that situation. Foolish girl! Now if we could only bring her brother, Thomas up to snuff! Of course, the way I've seen him carousing about Town tells me he's not thinking of settling down anytime soon. Perhaps Victoria and I can team up to change that. But tell me, Caroline, what--or rather who-- will your next project be?" 

"Oh, darling!" Caroline clutches Kat's hand. "There are just so many people in Town who need a happy ever after, don't you agree?"

Katherine nods whole-heartedly. "Indeed."

"Hmm." Caroline continues. "Lord Carraway would be high on my list of those to help next, as would that poor, brooding Lord Avery. Although, I think his sister, Cordelia Clayworth, might have something up her sleeve for that particular fellow." Her hazel eyes suddenly start flashing with indignation. "But I can tell you who won't be getting any help from me. The Marquess of Haversham can go hang, for all I care. That man makes your average rake look like a well-behaved saint!" She heaves a sigh and shakes her head as though to shake an unpleasant thought from her head. "Enough about him. What about you, Kat? Who will you focus your efforts on next?"

Jerrica pipes up, Ava by her side. "Ladies, I'm afraid we must ask you to stop right there."

Both Katherine and a Caroline turn to them, confused looks upon their faces.

"But why?" Caroline asks.

"We can't have you giving away any secrets now, can we?" Ava explains. "You'll ruin things for our readers."

Katherine shrugs. "She does have a point, Caro. But that doesn't mean we can't wait until they leave to continue planning our machinations."

"Oh!" Caroline leaps from her seat and rushes to where Jerrica and Ava are standing. "Well, thank you for stopping by, ladies," she says as she ushers them out the door.

They try to protest, but it's no use. They are no match for Caroline's desire to plan her next matchmaking adventure. 

If you'd like to read more from Katherine and Caroline, be sure to check out Jerrica Knight-Catania's Wetherby Brides Series and Ava Stone's Scandalous Series.

An Interview With Lydia Dare... or is it?

In honor of Halloween, I thought I’d take this opportunity to interview our very own Lydia Dare. Now everyone knows that Lydia is the pseudonym of the writing team of Tammy Falkner and Jodie Pearson. And today we are lucky to have the Jodie ½ talking with us.

Lydia/Jodie - Thank you so much for having me here today.

Jerrica – Anytime. Anytime. So I’ve lost count, how many books do you have on the shelves these days, Lydia?

Lydia/Jodie – Our seventh book, NEVER BEEN BIT, was released this September. It finished up our Gentlemen Vampyre trilogy and was the last book featuring a Còig witch.

Jerrica – Seven? Just seven?

Lydia/Jodie – Umm. Yes. Just seven. Of course, we have three more books contracted. These will feature Dash’s three half-brothers. The first THE WOLF WHO LOVED ME will be released April 2012.

Jerrica – Uh, huh. THAT’s all you have going on, Ms. Dare? Or should I call you, Ms. Stone?

Lydia/Jodie – (spews tea across the room) Uh, I’m sorr—I beg your—What did you call me?

Jerrica – Stone – Ava Stone, isn’t it?

Lydia/Jodie – Uh…

Jerrica – Speechless? A little birdie told me you’ve been moonlighting under a different name. Is there any truth to that?

Lydia/Jodie – How in the world do you know that?

Jerrica – A good reporter never reveals her sources.

Lydia/Jodie – You’re not a reporter. You’re a Regency Romance author.

Jerrica – Maybe you’re not the only one moonlighting. So, anywhoo, Ms. Stone – anything you want to say? Perhaps you could take the opportunity to come clean… publicly.

Jodie/Ava – Well, I guess, under the circumstance I’d better. Yes, over the last year I’ve also had four books and one novella (Scandalous Series) released under the name Ava Stone. And tomorrow an anthology collection I have a short story in will be released.

Jerrica – Really? Anything I’ve heard of?

Ava – (rolls her eyes) Uh, yeah, since you’re in one of the books, AND since my heroine and your heroine are twins I’m pretty sure you’ve heard of the collection.

Check out the release of Ava and Jerrica’s short stories as well as those of ten other wonderful authors in the REGENCY CHRISTMAS SUMMONS ANTHOLOGY COLLECTION, featuring:

A SUMMONS FROM YORKSHIRE

A SUMMONS FROM THE DUKE

A SUMMONS FROM THE CASTLE

&

A SUMMONS FROM HIS GRACE

All four books will be available tomorrow at Amazon and B&N. Over the next 6 weeks, there will be opportunities to win all sorts of prizes. Visit Ava Stone's website for all the details - www.avastoneauthor.com

Since the Jodie 1/2 of Lydia has clearly been moonlighting as Ava Stone - have you ever worked more than one job?

Originally posted at LadyScribes October 31, 2011