Monday, February 21, 2011

The Perfect Concubine giveaway by Michelle Styles

 Harlequin Historical Undone is the shorter ebook exclusive line of Harlequin Historical. Every month, two 15,000 novellas are released. They are short and sensual and meant to be read over a lunchtime or an evening.  This month it happens to be my turn and debut author Elaine Golden's turn.
Elaine's is a knock out regency Undone. An Imprudent Lady is the start of her trilogy. Be sure to look for the second one next month.
My offering -- The Perfect Concubine -- allowed me the chance to revisit the world I created in Sold & Seduced. For a long time, I'd promised myself that I would revisit the world and then when the Undone line started, I thought it would be the perfect opportunity. However, I first had to conquer my fear of writing short. Luckily, my editor was very patient and I am proud of the result.

And because people do wonder. Some of the Undones do go into print anthologies but not all.  Neither Elaine nor I can guarantee that these particular Undones will go into print, so we both recommend reading them as ebooks.

The blurb for The Perfect Concubine reads: Rome, 68 B.C.

Valeria's life is in the hands of Piso the Greek—the very man who had risen from a common sailor to wealthy ship owner following their doomed romance. He is the only man brave enough to sail the dangerous seas to Alexandria to reunite Valeria with her missing brother and restore her family's fortune. But Piso demands a high price for his help: Valeria must become his concubine and share his bed once more....


To be put in the drawing for a free download of The Perfect Concubine from eharlequin:  email me at contest@michellestyles.co.uk with the answer to the following question -- What is the name of the hero and heroine of The Perfect Concubine before  25 February. Void where prohibited.

To learn more about my books, please visit www.michellestyles.co.uk  Note: there are details about a giveaway for my latest Mills & Boon full length novel  there  -- Breaking the Governess's Rules

Tuesday, February 01, 2011

Polo - Game of Princes, Warriors and...?


This beautiful wall painting shows Tang Dynasty courtiers playing polo in 706 AD. It was found on the walls of a prince's tomb, which is a bit gloomy, but the players look so alive! To read a brief blog to see who else played polo and the beginnings of related research and ideas for my current WIP (set in medieval Byzantium) visit Harlequin Historical Authors' Blog

Carol's latest novel, Bound to the Barbarian - the first in a mini-series set in Medieval Byzantium is released this month in the UK.
Here is the Cover Blurb:

Palace Brides - Byzantine Beauties, Claimed by Warriors


Out of her depth and into his arms…

Sold into slavery, maidservant Katerina promised one day to repay the Princess who rescued her. Now that time has come, and Katerina must convince commanding warrior Ashfirth Saxon that she is her royal mistress.

Spending balmy days and long sultry nights with this man make Katerina’s task increasingly impossible. How long will she be able to keep up her deception? And how long before she finds herself willingly bedded by this proud barbarian?