Guest Post and Giveaway – Grace Burrows, author of The Virtuoso and Lady Sophie’s Christmas Wish

Welcome to Sugarbeat’s Books – The Home of the Romance Novel

I’d like to welcome Grace Burrowes to the blog today!  I have now read 4 books of her latest series about the Windham family and am anxiously awaiting the next one!  She has graciously agreed to give away 2 copies of Lady Sophie’s Christmas Wish. (see review here) to two people who leave a comment at the bottom of this post!  US & Canadian mailing addresses only please!

Of the four books that I’ve read so far, all 4 are my favorites, but for different reasons.  The Heir – I loved the main characters; The Soldier – brought me to tears because of what they characters had been through and were recovering from; The Virtuoso – brought me to tears because it was an absolutely beautifully told story; Lady Sophie’s Christmas Wish – because it was about the trials and tribulations of a woman who holds her own in this largely male dominated family.

So, enough about my thoughts on the books.  Let’s read what Grace has to say!

 

I met the Windham family the day I was born… well, sorta. I am the sixth out of seven children and what I encountered at birth was the wonderful gift of a large, loving family. I can’t speak for all large families, but in mine, a paradox manifests itself: When you think sheer numbers would make the house physically and emotionally crowded, the opposite happens.

In a big family, you can breathe. Nobody has to carry too much of the load, not to be funny, accomplished, poised, intelligent, wealthy anything. There’s a sense of tolerance engendered by the sheer variety of personalities, talents, and shortcomings in a family of nine people. There’s also a sense of generosity. When you’re cooking for nine, it’s not that much more effort to cook for twelve.

I hope some of those strength infuse the Windham family, whose family tree should begin to appear in the later books in the series.

Typical of the Regency period, the Windhams have known their share of sorrow. The oldest son, Lord Bartholomew, lost his life in the peninsular campaign, and the middle son, Lord Victor, succumbed to consumption. Also typical of the day, at least for the very highly born, His Grace sired a pair of by-blows prior to being taken in hand by his duchess. We meet the oldest two Windham siblings, Devlin St. Just, and Lady Maggie Windham, in The Soldier (June 2011) and Lady Maggie’s Secret Scandal (May 2012).

Readers are already familiar with the two remaining brothers, Gayle, who becomes the Earl of Westhaven and the ducal heir upon Lord Bart’s death (The Heir, December 2010), and Valentine, a wonderfully talented fellow whom we’ll meet in The Virtuoso (November 2011).

Which leaves us with the ladies…. The first Windham sister to find a happily ever after is the sensible Lady Sophie in Lady Sophie’s Christmas Wish (October 2011) and after Maggie’s story next spring, we’ll meet Louisa, a well read, no-nonsense beauty who must marry to avoid scandal. Her story is also set as a Christmas tale and is my favorite so far (mostly because her swain limps, except when he waltzes with her—gotta love that).

Lady Eve’s story is scheduled for Spring 2013. Evie ran off with a footman when she was sixteen, an act of foolish rebellion that has borne no lasting consequences—or so Eve’s family thinks. The final Windham sister, dear, sweet, kind Lady Jenny, will complete the series by falling in love with a naughty, talented portrait artist, with whom she wants to be anything but sweet.

Presiding over this family of eight headstrong, passionate people are Percival and Esther, Duke and Duchess of Moreland. Their Graces, like any pair of loving (nosey) parents, usually try to interfere with the matchmaking, and often succeed in nudging their offspring in the direction of a happily ever after. Percy and Esther have a tale of their own, one we haven’t yet scheduled for publication. Perhaps, once they’ve seen all eight children safely married off, Their Graces will deign to share their tale with me, so I might share it with you!

The Virtuoso by Grace Burrowes – In Stores November 2011
A genius with a terrible loss…
Gifted pianist Valentine Windham, youngest son of the Duke of Moreland, has little interest in his father’s obsession to see his sons married, and instead pours passion into his music. But when Val loses his music, he flees to the country, alone and tormented by what has been robbed from him.

A widow with a heartbreaking secret…
Grieving Ellen Markham has hidden herself away, looking for safety in solitude. Her curious new neighbor offers a kindred lonely soul whose desperation is matched only by his desire, but Ellen’s devastating secret could be the one thing that destroys them both.

Together they’ll find there’s no rescue from the past, but sometimes losing everything can help you find what you need most.

 

 

Lady Sophie’s Christmas Wish by Grace Burrowes – In Stores NOW!
A luminous holiday tale of romance, passion, and dreams come true from rising star Grace Burrowes, whose award-winning Regency romances are capturing hearts worldwide.

All she wants is peace and anonymity…
Lady Sophie Windham has maneuvered a few days to herself at the ducal mansion in London before she must join her family for Christmas in Kent. Suddenly trapped by a London snowstorm, she finds herself with an abandoned baby and only the assistance of a kind, handsome stranger standing between her and complete disaster.

But Sophie’s holiday is about to heat up…
With his estate in ruins, Vim Charpentier sees little to feel festive about this Christmas. His growing attraction for Sophie Windham is the only thing that warms his spirits—but when Sophie’s brothers whisk her away, Vim’s most painful holiday memories are reawakened.

It seems Sophie’s been keeping secrets, and now it will take much more than a mistletoe kiss to make her deepest wishes come true…

About the Author
Grace Burrowes is the pen name for a prolific and award-winning author of historical romances. The Heir, received starred reviews from Publishers Weekly and Booklist, and was selected as a Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year for 2010. Both The Heir and its follow-up, The Solider, are New York Times and USA Today bestsellers. She is a practicing attorney specializing in family law and lives in a restored log cabin in western Maryland without a TV, DVD or radio because she’s too busy working on her next books. For more information, please visit http://www.graceburrowes.com/.

 

I’d like to thank Grace Burrowes for dropping by and sharing about her latest series – that I’m really enjoying…..but really…..I have to wait until MAY for Lady Maggie’s story!!!  How will I survive??  Make sure that you leave a comment if you are interested in getting a copy of this wonderful book!