Monday, April 30, 2012

Jennifer Ashley Giveaway!


Helping me kick off Another Look Book Reviews celebration of “Mature Romance Week” I am beyond excited to welcome Jennifer Ashley. One of my all time favourite historical romance collections is the Highland Pleasures series which is home to the beloved Mackenzie brothers.  Today Jennifer is going to take a wee bit of time from her busy schedule to answer a few questions regarding mature, sexy heroes.

Jennifer, 1000 thank yous for the Mackenzie men! Congratulations on all the success that this wonderful series, Highland Pleasures, has brought to you.

Q - The Duke’s Perfect Wife, the 4th book in the Highland Pleasures series, features a very sexy Hart as the main character. Hart is the eldest of the Mackenzie brothers. What made you decide to write about the oldest brother, Hart, at this point in the series?

Jennifer - I’d decided early on to write the brothers youngest to oldest. Hart I think has the most baggage (though Ian had a hard life too), so it made sense to finish with him.  But mostly, I had to decide an order, Ian’s story was begging to be told first, so I said “youngest to oldest.” Easy! :-)


Q - Hart is, of course, head of the Mackenzie family as well as a Duke with wealth and power. Do you think Hart’s age and experience gives him that extra sexy edge your readers seem to love with this particular Mackenzie?

Jennifer - I do. He’s got it all—wealth, power, title, influence . . . It’s interesting to see a character like that realize he really *doesn’t* have it all. And of course, the heroine is not afraid to help him find that out.

Q - Do you think Hart’s domineering personality comes from his age or more from his background? In other words, do you think Hart would still be the same person if he and Mac (his younger brother) were switched in birth order?

Jennifer - Hart’s background definitely shaped him. He had to be the protector of the whole family, because both his father and mother were ineffectual. He had to make tough decisions and become the head of the family even before he was technically its head. So, of course that made him much harder than his brothers. Oldest siblings often feel the need to control or take care of the younger members of the family.
If he and Mac switched birth order, Hart might still have the need to protect his brothers, particularly Ian, but I think the age difference between Hart and Ian had a lot to do with Hart’s character as well.
I enjoyed portraying the dynamics between the younger two Mackenzies (Ian and Mac) against the older two (Cam and Hart).

Q – How is it different to write about a mature, desirable hero like Hart (who is well established and set in his ways) compared to a younger hero like his nephew Daniel who is still trying to establish himself in the world?

Jennifer - It’s very different. In Duke’s Perfect Wife, we do see a few flashbacks of Hart when he was younger—arrogant, demanding, sure he was right about everything (well, he still is, but even more so then—he wasn’t willing to admit his mistakes). Part of what broke up Eleanor and Hart in the first place was their youth (they were both in their early twenties). They didn’t have the maturity to work things out yet.
With age comes experience and hopefully wisdom. Because of the years between Hart’s break-up with Eleanor and “now,” Hart can look back over his mistakes and learn from them.
Daniel, on the other hand, is just starting to make his mistakes and discover who he is. Telling his story will be quite different—but he’s still a Mackenzie!

Q- There is this one scene in The Duke’s Perfect Wife early on where Hart and Eleanor were still trying to figure each other out. Eleanor has just “accidentally” managed to spill wine on Lady Murchison who was clinging to Hart like a barnacle. I LOVED that Hart and Eleanor discussed that “accident” and Eleanor boldly states, “I disliked watching her touch you.”  (I cheered at the moment) That moment just flows with maturity. No games, just facts. If Eleanor was a younger girl in her twenties, how differently would you have written that scene if different at all?

Jennifer - I enjoyed writing that scene (LOL). Lady Murchison had that wine coming! I’m not sure Eleanor would have done differently in her twenties. She might have been more arch and flirtatious with Hart (who, me? Dump wine on a lady’s gown on purpose? What *can* you mean?).
I like heroines who are straight up with the heroes. Eleanor was jealous and she admits it without stamping her feet, tossing her locks, or running away in tears (or all three).  She pretty much said what she thought and why without embarrassment.

Book Recommendation from Jennifer Ashley– Can you recommend to our readers other books that may have sexy, mature heroes (that you have written or that you have read)?

From Me - Many Sins ofLord Cameron has another mature hero (he’s about two years younger than Hart, and he has a seventeen-year-old son and a tortured past).  

My Captain Lacey mystery series (which I write as Ashley Garder , features a mature hero—Captain Gabriel Lacey, injured in the Napoleonic wars and struggling to figure himself out in Regency London. He’s about the same age as Hart, and he’s got a lot of past to get over too. A romance weaves through the story arc of that series (heroine introduced in book 2). I just love Captain Lacey!

Paranormal romance offers a good range of mature heroes (though these guys can be hundreds of years old!). The one that springs to mind is Curran from Ilona Andrews’ KateDaniels series. He’s been around a while, in charge, and has learned to survive.

Mary Jo Putney has a wonderful novel from a while ago called Shattered Rainbows. That hero (Michael Kenyon) is one of my favourites in historical romance—mature, has been through hell in the war, and is in love with a married woman. Both h/h are mature in that one. It’s just been reissued on Kindle.

Thank you so much Jennifer for taking the time to answer my questions about Hart Mackenzie, mature heroes and for kicking off my 1 year Blog Anniversary with Mature Romance Week!

Giveaway Time – I am giving away any one of the books from the Highland Pleasures series. If you haven’t started the series, it is a MUST read.


As a thank you to all my followers and and a thanks for visiting my blog, there are no hoops to jump through to win a copy of one of the Jennifer Ashley books. No need to follow my blog (but appreciated though :)

1. If you are international, please just ensure Book Depository delivers to your area. 
2. If you are US or Canada, please just mention in the comments below whether you prefer Kindle or paperback. 
3. Tell me which of the Highland Pleasure books would you like? 
4. Don't forget an email address so I can contact you if you win! Winners announced on Wednesday May 9th for all giveaways. 

Come back on Friday for a chance to enter to win $50 Gift Card for online bookstore of your choice. 







34 comments:

Andrea said...

All of these books are so good. I'm in the US and would choose the only on I haven't read, The Duke's Perfect Wife, in Kindle.

andreagrendahl AT gmail DOT com

Sarah Meral said...

Hey Michelle,

thanks for the giveaway :).
I follow you here via GFC, on facebook and on twitter.

I haven´t read any of the books, so I would like to get the first one.

I´m an international follower and TBD delivers to me .

I send you my email-address privately, I don´t like to post it openly. Hope that´s okay :).

Sarah

Anonymous said...

Great post. I love reading Jennifer's books. She is a great author. I have the first two books and would really love to win The Many Sins of Lord Cameron in paperback. Thanks for the giveaway!!!!!
Live in the U.S.
readingdiva@ymail.com

krazymama_98 said...

I would love to have a paper copy of the final book. The Dukes Perfect Wife. I have the rest of them. :-) Loved them all.
lisakhutson (at) [dot] {net}

leann said...

I haven't started on this series yet. I absolutely love your 'Shifters Unbound' series. So, I also would like the first book. I prefer paperback to ebook (paper just feels right). :-) leamei1981@yahoo.com

The Brunette Librarian said...

Don't add me in for a prize - I own all of them. I just want to give my kudos for how amazing the Duke's Perfect Wife was. :) I loved Hart...although I didn't like him much in the first book. I loved the interaction between Ian and Hart in this book too...all around one of the best romances of the year! :)

RUN and get this book, its that good!!

The Brunette Librarian

Chrisbails said...

This series looks great. I have not had the opportunity to read any of this yet. I would love to win the first book of the series, like to start from the beginning. I live in the US. Thanks for the giveaway.
christinebails@yahoo.com

Yati Hadi said...

superb comments...love reading it, thanks for the giveaway!!!
Live in Malaysia
I really love reading Ms Ashley's books, great author...
I have her other books [Pirate Series / Nvengaria Series &
Perils of the Heart] and for Highland Pleasures series,
I have the first three books
and would really love to win
'The Duke's Perfect Wife in paperback.

yati27@yahoo.com

Siobhan Muir said...

Great interview, Jennifer. I've been enjoying this series and I've been wanting to pick up The Duke's Perfect Wife. I'd prefer it in paperback. Thanks for the giveaway. :)

Siobhan
nevadafox AT gmail DOT com

Eli Yanti said...

thanks for the giveaway

i love julie garwood's book :)

eli_y83@yahoo.com

Amy2read said...

I haven't read any of these yet, I live in the US and I'd love to read The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie. Thanks for the giveaway.

amy2read89@gmail.com

Lisa said...

Love Jennifer's books so far, but have not read this series.
Would love to start with the first in this series so I'm not lost.
And call me old school, but I love paperback.

mushymom at yahoo dot com

Johanna R Jochum said...

I love these books! I would love a chance to win! The Madness of Ian Mackenzie! Since he is my fav and my copy is was used and it is getting worn out from me reading it over and over! Thanks for a great interview today!

evjochum[AT]aol[DOT]com

Laceewolf said...

I started out with your Shifter Unbound series and have not read any from this series. So, I think I would like to start with the first book. Thanks for the chance...



https://www.facebook.com/laura.troth

fingershankins said...

I would love the Many Sins of Lord Cameron - I have read them all but would love a paperback copy of this for my own!

fingershankins@yahoo.com

twin2for2 said...

I love Jennifer's books. I've have them all. Except for the last one. Would love to read it. If I don't win, I'll get it for my Kindle.

twin1947@hotmail.com

Thanks for the opportunity.

Sincerely,
Carol B

Cathie said...

The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie in print. They look really good. :)
lovemybabysquid@yahoo.com

daisydeyo said...

I've read the first the 3 books and loved them. Ian's book is one of my all-time favorites. I could read this one again and again. I would for a chance to win Hart's book "The Duke's Perfect Wife" for my kindle. Thanks so much. daisydeyo@juno.com

Cindy

Beckey said...

Great Q & A with Ms Ashley

I would love a kindle version of the Madness of Lord Ian ...
Great giveaway and blog

:) take care

Beckey
BeckeyWhite AT gmail DOT com

Unknown said...

Nancy2561
"The Duke's Perfect Wife" since I have read all the others in this series. I want to add this to my Jennifer Ashley book collection. These books are great love to read your books. Thank you Jennifer for being a wonderful writer. I follow you on Facebook.
nkelvisfanlife230@gmail.com

catslady said...

Oh, this sounds like a wonderful series and just the kind of book I enjoy. I would love the first book in print since I love to read in order and can then get the rest of the series. Thanks for the chance.

catslady5(at)aol.com

Spav said...

I would love to get The Many Sins of Lord Cameron.
I've read the first 2 books and I absolutely loved them!

spav05(AT)gmail(DOT)com

June M. said...

I have not read any of this series yet but would love to. I would love to have a print copy of The madness of Lord Ian Mackensie. I am a US resident.
Thank you so much for the chance!
June
manning_j2004 at yahoo dot com
(it is a j after the _)

Lindsey said...

Please do not add my name for the contest. I have this series and love it.

I just wanted to encourage everyone that has not read this series, to run out right now and get it! You will not be disappointed. The series is AMAZING!! All four books are wonderful.

sheila said...

Love your books, I'd love to win The Many Sins of Lord Cameron.

smulholland62@msn.com

gina said...

never read this series but would love to start! ebooks are great as have arthritis and touch screen lets me enjoy reading still! ginac@hotmail.ca
bc canada

Unknown said...

This is a new series to me. I love highland stories. I can't believe this one passed me by. For obvious reasons, I need to start with The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie in kindle. I do need to start this series.
Mel
bournmelissa at hotmail dot com

Anonymous said...

I have never read this series, but it sounds good. If I am lucky enough to win I would like the first book via Kindle. My email is hclark2011@ymail.com.

Diane D - Florida said...

Thank you for such an enjoyable interview, and for this great opportunity for us readers. I've read three books in this series, and really enjoyed them. I'd now love to read "Lady Isabella's Scandalous Marriage" to complete the series.

I live in the USA and would love this in print.

Thank you again for this opportunity.

dpd333 (at) aol dot com

Texas Book Lover said...

I haven't started this series yet but it sounds fantastic.

I would want to start with book #1 The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie and kindle format would be fantastic.

Thank you so much for the chance!
mmafsmith at gmail dot com
GFC follower: Maria pronounced Mariah
US

Di said...

I haven't started this series yet, so I'd have to start at the beginning with The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie.
I'm in the US follow by email - sallans d at yahoo dot com

ClaudiaGC said...

I'd love to win the latest book! I've enjoyed this series so much so far and can't wait for all the books to come out.

claudigc at msn dot com

Ashley said...

Great post! Thank you! ^_^

fitzdarcylover@live.com

Unknown said...

Thanks for the great post! I love Jennifer Ashley!

Since I dont have a Kindle, I'll go with the print. And I would love to win The Duke's Perfect Wife.

Thanks for the fun!

Ann
alltherhage AT gmail DOT com