April's Affections and Intrigues: Love and Mystery Bloom

Anna Campbell

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50 comments posted.

Re: A SEAL's Seduction (1:43pm January 8, 2013):

Tawny, what an interesting point! Actually I don't read my books again either - I've been through them so often when I finally send them off that I'm utterly sick of them. Having said that, though, I got an audiobook version of Seven Nights in a Rogue's Bed and I was interested to see what someone would make of reading one of my stories. So interesting - I really got some distance from the story when I heard a wonderfully deep male voice telling it to me. Congratulations on the release of A Seal's Seduction! I'm deep in revisions at the moment, but reading it is my reward for finishing!

Re: Renegade (4:10pm December 24, 2012):

Hi Nancy! Hi Fresh Fiction gals! And a very happy Christmas to all of you (it's the day in Australia - we get everything early!). Nancy, can't wait to read Renegade. Sadly, it didn't turn up before Christmas but I've had notification it's been sent by the Book Depository so it should be here next week, fingers crossed. Perhaps that will become my future Christmas reading of choice! ;-) Sounds fab!

Re: Deadly Little Lies (8:39pm September 18, 2012):

Awww, thanks, my friend! x

Re: Deadly Little Lies (6:56pm September 18, 2012):

Hey, Jeanne, you sweet-talking Romance Bandits devil, you. Thanks for saying such nice things about the books. Yeah, SEVEN NIGHTS IN A ROGUE'S BED is out in a week!!!! Huzzah! Ditto for you on the keeper shelf - I really will get a hernia if I ever have to carry that bookcase to safety. ;-)

Re: Deadly Little Lies (3:36pm September 18, 2012):

Jeanne, what a lovely post. I have a bookcase in my bedroom that's full of my keepers (and the books I've written - so it's kind of what I'd seize if the house went up in flames, which might cause a problem, it's a BIG bookcase!). Your post made me think back fondly to some of my own faves that I've read over and over. A COUNTESS BELOW STAIRS by Eva Ibbotson (perfect comfort read). The Lymond Chronicles by Dorothy Dunnett (wow!). CRY NO MORE by Linda Howard (expect I always cry buckets when I read it). MR. IMPOSSIBLE by Loretta Chase (giggle my head off in that one, love Rupert!). Might stop there or I'll be here all day!

Re: Money Shot (4:12pm June 10, 2011):

Susan, having read MONEY, HONEY, I can 100% agree that you're a mistres of wonderful dialogue. A lot of that book reminded me a really great 1930s or 1940s screwball comedy - high praise! Actually I'm a bit like you when I write - I get down what they say and then worry about the rest later. Thank goodness I have a crit partner who points out the bits where they're just talking heads! From one dialogue junkie to another, I feel your pain, sistah! As a reader, I like all of it. I remember as a primary school kid reading Mary Stewart and how evocative those settings in her books were. They made me want to travel. A great setting really can turn a story to magic, can't it?

Re: Captive of Sin (4:48pm November 25, 2009):

Susan, yes, sometimes only a fantasy man will do ;-) Thanks so much for checking out the post! I'm so glad you enjoyed it - talking about heroes is always fun!

Re: Captive of Sin (1:38pm November 25, 2009):

DeeAnn, I think that's really part of the appeal - that this is someone who will do the right thing, no matter what it costs them. Someone you can rely on! Real romance hero material. Good luck in the draw!

Re: Captive of Sin (1:37pm November 25, 2009):

Sandie, it's great timing that the book's out here just before Christmas, isn't it? And SUCH a beautiful edition, that trade paperback! I'm in lurve!

I know, I know, I hear that about Rhett all the time! Maybe I need to revisit my earlier responses! Thanks for swinging by!

Re: Captive of Sin (2:25am November 25, 2009):

Hey, thanks, Mitzi! And very subtle avoidance of the spoiler there ;-) So glad you're enjoying the story - Gid IS a man of honor, isn't he? Good luck in the the draw!

Re: Captive of Sin (1:30am November 25, 2009):

Joyce, it's interesting that most of the tortured heroes mentioned by the commenters have been from paranormal books, isn't it? Clearly it's a genre that lends itself to torturing its heroes! Another vote for Acheron, I see! That man sure does have a fan club.

Laughed at the idea that if they've already been tortured, we don't have to do it, snort! Thanks for swinging by!

Re: Captive of Sin (12:20pm November 25, 2009):

Thanks, everybody, for a fantastic day of blogging. And good luck in the drawing!

Happy Thanksgiving to all my American friends! Anna xxx

Re: Captive of Sin (11:32pm November 24, 2009):

Elaine, that's one of the Liz Carlyles I haven't read yet (I'm gradually making my way through her back list). I just ordered the one, two, three series for my reading pleasure over Christmas. I LOVE her writing and she does the most amazingly wonderful heroes, doesn't she? Hey, cool you loved Gideon! Thank you for that lovely wrap!

Re: Captive of Sin (11:31pm November 24, 2009):

Cheryl, you know, I haven't seen anything except the first Highlander movie which was full of some pretty impressive eye candy in kilts from memory (we're definitely going back here!). I'm not sure the TV show was on here in Australia - I don't remember seeing anything about it.

Re: Captive of Sin (10:53pm November 24, 2009):

Rosemary, I think you're the third commenter to give us a vote for Rhett! It's nice to know the classics never go out of style either! Thanks for swinging by and good luck!

Re: Captive of Sin (10:52pm November 24, 2009):

Michelle, good luck in the draw! Let's just say I think that Charis is a lucky woman ;-)

Re: Captive of Sin (9:58pm November 24, 2009):

Thanks, Robin. I hope you enjoy it!

Re: Captive of Sin (9:58pm November 24, 2009):

Karin, I think Susan really hit the nail on the head with that comment!

Re: Captive of Sin (9:57pm November 24, 2009):

Wow, Jo, what a lovely thing to say. I'm so glad you're enjoying COS. Iloved the mixture of hero and vulnerability in Gideon!

Re: Captive of Sin (8:26pm November 24, 2009):

I must say I LOVE an honorable hero, Lisa. I've just written a review of Pride and Prejudice over on the Romance Blog and reading it again, it's the fact that Darcy is a man of honor that's one of his most attractive qualities!

Re: Captive of Sin (7:34pm November 24, 2009):

Thanks, Susan! Yeah, those paranormal guys get REALLY tortured, don't they? Oh, man, too many good books, not enough time. I need a reading clone!

Re: Captive of Sin (7:33pm November 24, 2009):

Ida, another Acheron vote! Definitely MUST check him out!

Re: Captive of Sin (5:30pm November 24, 2009):

Marelene, Acheron gets mention in the pantheon of tortured heroes a lot. I must check out his story! Thanks for swinging by!

Re: Captive of Sin (5:24pm November 24, 2009):

Thanks, Teresa! Hope you enjoy it!

Re: Captive of Sin (4:56pm November 24, 2009):

Ooh, Jane, I love Vere. I love ALL Loretta Chase's heroes although one of my all-time faves of hers isn't tortured at all. Rupert from Mr. Impossible. Hmmm, I'm suddenly wondering if I have a penchant for heroes named Rupert! Gaelen Foley does a great tortured hero too.

Re: Captive of Sin (4:06pm November 24, 2009):

Ooh, Fedora, what a great theory and not one I've heard before. I think you're right - I think we automatically think the tortured hero is capable of great passion because he's capable of great suffering. What a perceptive thing to say! Love the sight of you adithering, by the way ;-)

Re: Captive of Sin (3:54pm November 24, 2009):

Jeanne, actually I only had eyes for Rupert in that book. Gideon is kind of a homage to him, as I'm sure you've noticed. I love that warrior scholar archetype and Rupert is one of the best.

Actually I loved Peter too! And the boy who marries the plain bookworm girl is just lovely too. Is her name Jenny? I loved Ollie. I want her to grow up to be the heroine of her own story.

Yes, I love A Countess Below Stairs (it's been repubbed as The Secret Countess which isn't nearly so evocative a title, IMHO). If you haven't read it, grab it! You'll be in love with Rupert too!

Re: Captive of Sin (3:40pm November 24, 2009):

Actually, Jeanne, I think you need to read that book again. I think you'll find Matthew is well and truly Grace's ;-)

Re: Captive of Sin (3:39pm November 24, 2009):

Hey, Annie, I just thought it might be because you're friendly with the site ;-)

Re: Captive of Sin (3:39pm November 24, 2009):

Hi Annie! We're having an invasion of fabulous Harlequin Presents writers. How lucky am I? Thanks for swinging by! You and Sarah both do the most breathtakingly sexy heroes. Yum, yum, yum! I'm looking forward to reading your latest - I'm really lucky, I get to meet Annie's luscious heroes before anyone else does. Yes, I will accept bribery but only BIG stuff!

Re: Captive of Sin (3:37pm November 24, 2009):

Hey, thanks, Gail. I'm a sucker for a tortured hero and I LOVE giving a guy who's really suffered a happy ending. That's one of the perks of being a romance writer! Another Rhett fan? I really MUST read this book!

Re: Captive of Sin (3:36pm November 24, 2009):

Theresa, I'd forgotten Zachary! I loved that story - must have read it ten times. Must pull it off the bookshelf and read it again. Wasn't the bit up in the mountains breathtakingly romantic? Sigh!

Re: Captive of Sin (3:35pm November 24, 2009):

Thanks, Lisa! Good luck in the draw!

Re: Captive of Sin (3:33pm November 24, 2009):

Wow, it's the fabulous Sarah Morgan! Hiya Sarah. Lovely to see you. Oh, I'm so glad you love Gid! You do a mean line in great heroes yourself, m'dear!

Re: Captive of Sin (3:28pm November 24, 2009):

Jeanne, another Maxim fan? He's definitely a classic tortured hero. Did you know that she based that story on Jane Eyre? Once you know the connection, it's pretty easy to spot the similarities between Mr. R and Maxim de W. I love Russian names - you've got me at Sergei!

Re: Captive of Sin (3:27pm November 24, 2009):

Hey, Stefanie, thanks so much for saying that and for swinging by. I hope you enjoy meeting lovely Gid! Oooh, the Sin book sounds really good! Perhaps you're a Captive of SIN!!!! Sorry, bad joke ;-)

Re: Captive of Sin (3:25pm November 24, 2009):

Cherie, I think you're right about why tortured heroes appeal. I must say too that the minute you have a genuinely tortured hero, the stakes are automatically that much higher. Will he conquer his demons to find happiness? Gives you a great character arc from the get-go. I haven't read Jacob - sounds interesting!

Re: Captive of Sin (3:24pm November 24, 2009):

Ooh, G.S., another Laurence Olivier role my mother loved! This is kinda like memory lane. He's great in that part - wasn't so keen on Joan Fontaine. And the movie is SOOO atmospheric. Actually interesting you mention Rebecca. I based the house in Captive of Sin on Rebecca - that was such fun writing about the mansion on the Cornish cliffs!

Re: Captive of Sin (3:18pm November 24, 2009):

Hey, Jeanne, it's a great site, isn't it? Thanks so much for snorking by ;-) Hey, a Matthew fan? That's two votes for my lovely boy from UNTOUCHED! Yay! Actually you're right about Harry Potter. I must say I had a bit of a crush on Sirius Black - he was definitely in the tortured hero mold.

Re: Captive of Sin (3:00pm November 24, 2009):

Susan, grrrr! My video decided to eat the tape when WH was on here a couple of weeks ago. I was really looking forward to it too! There's a fairly horrible old BBC adaptation from the early 80s that made Heathcliff a complete thug. The story doesn't make sense if he's completely irredeemable. And I HATED Cathy! Think she deserved to have her arm cut on that broken glass ;-)

Ha ha! A dream is telling you something! I hope it wasn't a nightmare!

I think you're right about tortured heroes bringing out women's savior complexes!

Re: Captive of Sin (2:53pm November 24, 2009):

Ida, thanks for the great post. It's interesting how the tortured hero has really found a home in the paranormal genre, isn't it? I really think that's one of the secrets to why that genre is so incredibly hot here. I mean, a tortured vamp is pretty darn tortured! ;-) I mean, I love J.R. Ward and she does a fabulous tortured hero!

Re: Captive of Sin (2:51pm November 24, 2009):

Hey, Kandy, thanks for popping in to say hello. I had a crush on Matthew too - clearly it's an occupational hazard. I think he and Gideon have quite a lot in common. Both tortured men of honor - and they both fall like a ton of bricks when they fall!

Re: Captive of Sin (2:46pm November 24, 2009):

Hey, Germaine, thanks for swinging by - and for checking out the website! So glad you love the sound of COS!

Re: Captive of Sin (2:42pm November 24, 2009):

Wow, Vanessa, that sounds like some serious torture in that book you're talking about. I've heard great things about Simone Elkeles. There's some amazing YA stuff coming out at the moment. Hey, cool you had a crush on Gid too! He's basking in the attention, you know. He'll be quite unbearable if I bring him back in a sequel! Thanks for swinging by!

Re: Captive of Sin (2:41pm November 24, 2009):

Sorry, STACEY!!!! That pesky 'e' seems to have gone on holidays when I wrote your response.

Re: Captive of Sin (2:35pm November 24, 2009):

Ooh, Stacy, Dageus!!! Yum! I adored that book. And do you remember how sexy the cover was? I didn't watch Buffy but I must say I think DB is gorgeous in Bones. Makes me think I've been missing out on something! Thanks for swinging by!

Re: Captive of Sin (2:18pm November 24, 2009):

Camille, believe me, the characters have wills of their own. I WISH I could make them cooperate with me, but I'm just the poor secretary ;-) And sadly Gid saw Charis and he was a goner.

Oh, I adore ALL Liz Carlyle's heroes. There's also the wonderful Devlin in The Devil to Pay - he'd make any girl's heart go pittapat! I haven't read that Elizabeth Hoyt but I loved the hero of her Raven Prince and he was definitely a tortured hero! Thanks for swinging by!

Re: Captive of Sin (2:16pm November 24, 2009):

Ooh, Christine, Jervaulx! Stops and sighs with admiration. He's the ULTIMATE tortured hero. I've only recently re-read that book and I cried my eyes out at the end when he puts it all on the line for her. Sigh! Wadda Man! Thanks for those lovely words about Gideon. Charis has actually been talking to a contracts lawyer about breaking that arrangement - sorry, I thought you should know ;-)

Re: Captive of Sin (2:09pm November 24, 2009):

Hi Karen! Thanks for swinging by! It's weird - I never really got into Rhett (you'll think this is amazing but I've never read the book so I'm purely talking about the movie here) but oh, I sighed my little teenage heart out over Heathcliff and Mr. Rochester. And I was a huge gothic fan growing up and gothics grow tortured heroes like wet weather grows mushrooms! Oh, I'd forgotten Clara's dad - you're right! Never read The Secret Garden either but I had a crush on the dad in the movie that was out a few years ago.

Re: Bunco Babes Gone Wild (3:10pm November 11, 2009):

Hi Maria! What a fun quiz! What a fun post! Congratulations on the new book. Sounds fab! Maybe we all have elements of each Bunco Babe inside us and we need to learn how to access that particular BB when we need her. Hmm, DEEEEEEEEP!!!! Snort!