Today I’m hosting author Caitlin Crews. W00t!! I have been dipping my toes into the world of category romance, so I’ll really excited to have her here today. There’s a contest folks! One lucky commenter will win a copy of the book. Read on to find out how to enter.
Pure Princess, Bartered Bride
Pure Princess, Bartered Bride is the first Harlequin Presents by Caitlin Crews–which debuted on the USA Today Bestseller List!
About the book
Bartered, betrothed and bedded!
As quiet and dangerous as a jungle cat, achieving the impossible is one of Luc Garnier’s defining characteristics.
Princess Gabrielle is invaluable – a pearl beyond price. Yet Luc has defied the odds, and a contract for marriage is drawn up. This will be a union on paper first, and of flesh later. . .
Except Gabrielle is just the same in private as in public – well-bred, well-behaved, and a credit to her country. Luc is determined to find the wanton within and leave his pure princess in total disarray!
Praise for Pure Princess, Bartered Bride
“Debut novelist Caitlin Crews has penned a winner with her first novel for Harlequin Presents: Pure Princess, Bartered Bride! Sexy, intensely emotional and wholly absorbing, this beguiling marriage of convenience story features a deliciously Alpha hero and an smart and independent heroine readers cannot help but admire.” –CataRomance
“I will definitely buy any book that she writes.”–Adventures of a Gotham Gal
5 of 5 Stars: “This book has the right ingredients for a very good, entertaining Harlequin Presents.” –Danielle’s Book Thoughts
“Caitlin Crews has written a brilliant royal romance, a roller coaster romance with extremely intense emotions oozing from both Luc and Gabrielle.”–Marilyn’s Romance Reviews
About Caitlin:
USA Today bestselling author Caitlin Crews discovered her first romance novel at the age of twelve, in a bargain bin at the local five and dime. It involved swashbuckling pirates, grand adventures, a heroine with rustling skirts and a mind of her own, and a seriously mouthwatering and masterful hero. The book (the title of which remains lost in the mists of time) made a serious impression. Caitlin was immediately smitten with romances and romance heroes, to the detriment of her middle school social life. And so began her life-long affair with romance novels, many of which she insists on keeping near her at all times, thus creating a fire hazard of love wherever she lives.
She currently lives in California with her animator/comic book artist husband and their menagerie of ridiculous animals.
Caitlin Crews is the alter-ego of critically acclaimed author Megan Crane. You can find Caitlin at her website: http://www.caitlincrews.com
On Facebook, on Twitter and at her journal
You can buy the book at Amazon and read an excerpt
The Interview
1. Tell me a little bit about the book Bartered, Betrothed and Bedded!
As quiet and dangerous as a jungle cat, achieving the impossible is one of Luc Garnier’s defining characteristics.
Princess Gabrielle is invaluable — a pearl beyond price. Yet Luc has defied the odds, and a contract for marriage is drawn up. This will be a union on paper first, and of flesh later. . .
Except Gabrielle is just the same in private as in public — well-bred, well-behaved, and a credit to her country. Luc is determined to find the wanton within and leave his pure princess in total disarray!
2. If your protagonist were to wake up one day with a super power, what would that super power be? Alternatively (or both!) if your protagonist were to wake up one day with an intense craving for something, what would the craving be?
I think my heroine’s craving is for freedom. She thinks her marriage to Luc means the end of that dream, but really, it’s the first step towards a different, stronger kind of freedom.
3. Would your villain (or antagonist) prefer to be Emperor Ming The Merciless or Darth Vader? Why?
The villain is a paparazzo. I honestly can’t imagine anything nastier or more vile than that.
4. What do you consider the heart of your story? That is, what is the issue or emotion that propels things forward? Spill your guts on this one.
The heart of the book is the question of whether or not love–which feels so irrational and impossible–can be trusted, especially when it leads us to unexpected places. And it’s also about how terribly afraid we all are of being wrong about that.
5. If you were in charge of casting the movie adaptation of your book, who gets the call?
Oh… I don’t think there’s anyone hot enough to play Luc. He’s too elemental. However, I once described a Presents novel as what happens when an ordinary girl starts dating King Leonidas from the movie 300. I certainly found Gerard Butler in that role inspirational while I was writing this book. As for Princess Gabrielle, maybe a latter day Grace Kelly. She is pretty much perfect.
6. Is there a scene you cut from the book that you kind of wish you could put back in?
I edit as I go, so there are very rarely whole cut scenes. Just iterations of the same scene.
7. Do you have a sample chapter posted?
I believe you can read through the book on eHarlequin
8. Tell us why your editor is the best editor ever in the universe.
Because she is magical AND a superhero! Seriously. Her edits make everything I write so, so much better. And she once received a manuscript I’d submitted in the morning and returned it, with edits, in under 24 hours. How is that even possible? And her edits were fantastic and right on, as always.
The Contest
To win a copy of this awesome story, leave a comment in which you talk about what you would do if you found yourself dating King Leonidas.
If you don’t leave me a way to contact you, then commit to checking back here on the ides of March (that would be March 15) or so, to see if you’re the winner. Void where prohibited etc.
Please dont enter me for the contest since I have already read the book.
Just wanted to let CC know that i enjoyed the book. I look forward to the next one.
*waves to Carolyn*
I haven't seen 300 and don't really know who King Leonidas is. But if I would be dating a(ny) king. I'd make sure all the staff is out of the way and then chase him round the castle, have a pillow fight. Then do some dancing in the ballroom, go for a romantic walk in the gardens… I think we would kind off be living in our own world. Sounds great to me.
Dating King Leonidas…
The real one, or the fictional portrayal of him in 300?
I will take Gerard Butler's version anytime- yummy! Bring him on, baby!
At least I wouldn't be couped up in the house all day to weave and cook, so being a Spartan woman would be just all right with me.
Though, I would greatly miss my king when he goes off to battle. I guess we'd have to find a fun way to spend our time before that fateful day…wink, wink.
Thanks, Carolyn, now all I can do is dream of Gerard Butler!
Hi Caitlyn,
I'd try to get to know Luc away from his role as KING… a quiet picnic, camping, bike riding, swimming. I'd try to find out what he likes and dislikes. I'd try to get him to relax and allow him to get to know me.
Your book sounds great! I'd like to find out what happens to Luc and Gabrielle!
Best wishes for continued success!
I think I would be very intimidated by King Leonidas.. he might just be too much man for me. Aww, who am I kidding? I can't stand being intimidated by someone. We would probably fight a lot and then have the best post-fight make-up sex ever. Yep. That's my story and I'm sticking to it!
Who are you kidding? For a modern-day Leonidas, I'd borrow the hottest high heels I could find (can't afford $500 shoes here), and buy some sexy underwear. Cover it all with an ordinary-seeming outfit, so he must unpeel me to find the surprises! (Alpha males all want to think "it" was their idea first)
Who? Am not familiar with that character but let's pretend I'm on a date with a king. ……..Still thinking…..Honestly, this is getting stressful. I'm on a date with a king. Does he want to be unnoticed, would we be followed by guards to protect him, what will talk about? I'm on a date with a king, WHAT DO I WEAR? I may just stay home and read a good book.