A blast from the past: A Noble Captive reviewed

The UK cover for A Noble Captive which
I prefer 

It is often very surreal for me that I have had books in print since 2005 or basically 14 years.
One of the great things about writing Historical Romance is that sometimes the books last a little longer and don't become as dated.
Basically how I approached a story in 2005 is not necessarily how I would approach a story these days. The themes which interest me are different.
So when Lynn Spencer tagged me that she had read A Noble Captive and reviewed it for her TBR challenge, random dip for the All About Romance site. I read the review with some trepidation. ANC was my 2nd book for HH and it was a Roman set one.
It came out in January 2007 in the UK but wasn't released in the US until 2010.

I remember lots about writing it and getting my revisions. I had just had my first cataract removed 20 Dec 2005.  It was bought 14 Feb 2006 and I had my 2nd contract -- I wasn't a one book wonder!
I was pleased Lynn  got some of the subtleties. She did miss the fact that it takes place on a island a few miles north of Crete and not on Crete itself.  It was a far smaller made-up island. A minor quibble.
I was pleased that it still worked for her.
She said If you love historical fiction but sometimes find yourself wary to take a chance on a book that might not have an HEA, this novel may be right up your alley.  The romance is very much central to the novel’s plot, but the backstory is so well-developed and rich with detail that I think it will appeal to readers of historical fiction as much as readers of romance. 

I should point out that ANC does have a HEA. It is a Harlequin Historical after all.
And it is lovely to see a review after all this time.

More Bargain Books

There is a fantastic deal on Harlequin box sets at the moment on Amazon.com

. This includes the Harlequin Historical Feb 2017  box set 2. This includes my SOLD TO THE VIKING WARRIOR as well as books by Margaret Moore and Carol Arens for $1.99

Also on sale are:

An Impulsive Debutante and A Noble Captive, again for $1.99.
The blurb for An Impulsive Debutante is

Carlotta Charlton can't wait for her first season—until her impulsive behavior lands her right in the lap of notorious rake Tristan, Lord Thorngrafton!

Tristan is cynically convinced that she's a fortune hunter. But he can't keep away from her. Several heated kisses lead to scandal and, one outraged mama later, they're on their way to Gretna Green.

Catching his breath on the carriage ride to the border, Tristan decides it's time that Lottie learned her lesson. If she wants to play with fire, he'll notch up his seduction and set her ablaze!

And for A Noble Captive:

Strong, proud, honorable—Marcus Livius Tullio embodied the values of Rome. Captured on the high seas and brought to the Temple of Kybele, he was drawn to the woman who gave him refuge. 

Fierce, beautiful, determined—Helena despised all that Rome stood for. In sheltering Tullio, she had to subdue her awareness of him—or she might confess all! The soldier's strength and nobility tempted her to lean on him, but she knew that to succumb would be to betray her people….

Win a set of my Roman set books

To help Christina Phillips celebrate the publication of Forbidden, her debut Berkeley sensation, I'm offering one lucky commentator on her blog a signed set of my Roman books. So that's The Gladiator Honour, A Noble Captive, Sold & Seduced and The Roman's Virgin Mistress up for grabs. She also has a ton of other great prizes and her book looks excellent. Why not go and comment?

In my own news: my editor called late last night and I've had to drop everything to work on a Special Project that is due on the 24th. It should be fun but blog service and twitter might be a bit sporadic because of it!

A Noble Captive on sale today and a sale

Michelle Willingham let me know that A Noble Captive is on sale at eharlequin today. You will need to enter  the code YARD08N and they can get the book for $1.99.
You can read an excerpt of the book here.

In other news: my editor emailed me last night to say that my latest revisions did the trick and they were thrilled to accept the manuscript for publication. Hooray. As anyone who has been reading this blog for the past year, this book has caused me all sorts of difficulties but I bleived in the characters and really wanted to tell this story. I think it has paid off. It is set in 1848 Corbridge in Northumberland. More on publication dates etc as I know them!

My daughter had solid AS results which means she can apply for the couses she wants at the universities she wants to apply to. So cause for celebration there.

A Noble Captive on Special Offer

A Noble Captive went on sale yesterday at eharlequin. To my surprise and delight, they have included it in their Spring Savings offer. It means if you buy 4 of the books highlighted,you can save $ 4. You can read more about the offer here. In addition to A Noble Captive, Joanne Rock's Viking set Blaze -- The Captive is also on offer as well as books by Brenda Joyce, Susan Wiggs, Debbie Macomber and Jennifer Cruisie.

There are savings to be had in ebooks as well as print.

In other news: I had to fire my heroine as she was not working. I think my new heroine will work much better. Learning that I could fire characters helped me at the beginning. They may be saved until later or simply go back to the casting area...but they have to work.

A Noble Captive's US cover

I spoke too soon. I thought they would use the cover that was created for the book, but they have decided to go with a different cover altogether! It makes life interesting. You think you have it all figured out and they change things! A Noble Captive has just on pre-order at eharlequin ebooks.

Anyway, you can read the excerpt here.

A Noble Captive -- April 2010

I found out yesterday (via Amazon) that A Noble Captive will be released as a Harlequin Historical Direct for April 2010. It is the second book that I wrote for HMB, and so I am very proud of it.

I adore the cover which was especially commissioned for the book. I am hopeful that the inside front cover will be in the book as well. My editors gave me a copy of it when I went for my first author lunch and I have loved it ever since.

Someday, I do hope to write a book that uses the inside front cover as a front cover.

Judy York did both covers. She is one of my favourite illustrators... I love the way she captures the feeling and sensuality of a scene.

So you can see why I have to write the Roman Undone. The ending scene I have in mind would suit the cover perfectly! And the picture has been hugely inspirational to my work!

Anyway, I have to finish my revisions and then finish the editing before I can write it!

All Greek to me

The postman brought me my Greek copies of A Noble Captive. I am not even going to attempt to translate. It appeared in Greek back in January, but my authors copies have just reached me. It was one of those cases of look at the cover and then check the copyright page just to be sure. The cover is the A Noble Captive cover with the Greek title. O Degeonapios (I think that is was it is if I put it into the English alphabet)

Gladiator's Honour also appeared in Greek, so it is pleasant to get another book out in that language, particularly as ANC is set on an island a few miles north of Crete.And Phaistos served as a slight model for the temple.

As I have said before authors are not necessarily told when their books are coming out in different markets. Sometimes, we only discover the fact when the author copies are sent long after the book has appear. Or sometimes, only when it appears as an entry on the royalty statement.

The main excuse is that the database would be far too complex and complicated to build. And it would have little purpose...

However, I do like knowing and it is always an unexpected thrill when I get a new translation.

Now, I am going to have to brush up on my Greek. I used to know some...

RNA Romance Prize and ANC in Czech

First of all, huge congratulations to Kate Hardy for winning the RNA Romance Prize 2008. Star that she is, she has already put a detailed account on her blog, including pictures. So go over and read about the winner's journey. It is such wonderful news. Breakfast at Giovanni's (In Bed with Her Italian Boss April 08 US) is a book with a lot of heart.

I did some more trawling through various Harlequin websites and discovered that A Noble Captive is also out in Czech. I had not looked at the Czech site before, but am assuming that they also put out Gladiator's Honour last December. It has the same cover as the Polish version. This is the first time though I have seen my name changed. In Czech I am Michelle Stylesova. Anwya that makes 8 languages that I know about and as I loved Prague when I visited back in 2006, I am thoroughly pleased.

Michelle Stylesová
ŘÍMAN A KNĚŽKA
Římský tribun Tullio upadne po útoku pirátů se svými muži do zajetí. Dostává se na ostrov, který je zasvěcen bohyni Kybele a který je základnou pro piráty. Tady se setkává s Helenou, neteří a pomocnicí zdejší kněžky, a snaží se ji naklonit na stranu Říma.Helena se snaží před ostrovany zatajit, že její teta kněžka je nemocná, a pokusí se ji zastoupit. Tullio ji ale prohlédne a snaží se jí její situaci ulehčit. Třebaže je brzy jasné, že v sobě našli zalíbení, Helena se obává, zda Tulliovi jde skutečně o ni, nejen o prospěch Říma.
Kat. číslo:
207 W 02/08
Rozsah:
320 stran
Datum vydání:
15. 2. 2008
U nás v prodeji od:
1. 2. 2008
Cena:
119 Kč
Cena pro vás:
98 Kč

You can purchase it here.

A Noble Captive in Polish

Thanks to Donna Alward, I discovered that A Noble Captive is out in Polish this month. This is particularly interesting as The Daily Mail reports certain WH Smith shops in England are going to start stocking Polish copies of Mills & Boon. I would think comparing and contrasting the English versions and say the Polish versions of a Mills & Boon would be a great way to become better at a language.

I know reading the French version of A Noble Capitive has brought a lot of my French back to me. My sister who speaks Norwegian found it really helpful when Jessica Hart passed on some Norwegian books and she was able to reacquaint herself with the language. It is so much more fun to read a foreign language if what you are reading is interesting.

Anyway here is the blurb:

MICHELLE STYLES

RZYMIANIN I KAPŁANKA

Numer 4(216)
W sprzedaży od: 18.02.2008r.
75 r. p. n. e.Z niewielkiej wyspy w pobliżu Krety piraci uczynili swoją kryjówkę i bazę wypadową. Stąd wyruszają na grabieżcze wyprawy, tu wracają z łupami i jeńcami, za których żądają wysokiego okupu. Na razie tolerują istnienie świątyni bogini Kybele, gdyż czują respekt przed jej strażniczką, starą Flawią. Nie wiedzą, że wieszczka jest poważnie chora. Kapłanka Helena nie zamierza ich o tym informować, świadoma grożącego świątyni niebezpieczeństwa, i potajemnie przejmuje obowiązki wieszczki. W tej skomplikowanej sytuacji znajduje sprzymierzeńca w więzionym przez piratów rzymskim oficerze, Marku Liwiuszu Tullio, którego przyjmuje pod swój dach i ukrywa. Oboje podejmują ogromne ryzyko...
cena: 11.99 zł

Buy here.

La Maitresse du tribun or A Noble captive in French

Many thanks to Joelle, a reader of mine in France for noticing that A Noble Captive will be published by Harlequin France on 1 february under the title La Maitresse du Tribun. As far as I know, it is the first of my books to be published in French. Apparently, The Roman's Virgin Mistress will be published in French on 1 April.

So that is another new language for my books, and it is time for me to brush up on my very rusty French.

Anyway I went searching and discovered the blurb.

75 avant J.-C. Sur une île proche de la Crète, des légionnaires romains conduits par le tribun Marcus Livius Tullio sont faits prisonniers par le pirate Androceles et retenus au temple de Cybèle en attendant qu’une rançon soit versée. Là, dans ce sanctuaire niché parmi les vignes et les oliviers, une violente passion embrase Marcus Livius et la prophétesse du temple, Helena. Une passion défendue, car non seulement Helena se reproche de trahir son peuple en s’abandonnant au plaisir dans les bras d’un envahisseur romain, mais elle craint que Marcus Livius ne découvre son lourd secret.

You may purchase it here.

Nell'Antro della Sibilla aka A Noble Captive

I discovered quite by accident that A Noble Captive has been published in Italian. It is called Nell'Antro della Sibilla and is a December 2007 release!

The blurb reads like this:

Mar Egeo, 75 a.C.
Catturato da una nave pirata mentre veleggia sulla sua trireme lungo le coste del Mediterraneo, il tribuno romano Marco Livio Tullio viene condotto su un'isola a nord di Creta e tenuto prigioniero nel tempio di Cibele, in attesa che giunga da Roma il riscatto. Il compito di vigilare su di lui e sui pochi superstiti del naufragio è affidato alla futura sacerdotessa della dea. La giovane, allevata fin da bambina per assumere quel ruolo, sente però di non avere il necessario dono della preveggenza e l'arrivo di Tullio, così diverso dal conquistatore brutale e prepotente che immaginava, riaccende in lei il desiderio di condurre la vita di una donna normale, con un marito e dei figli. Ma innamorarsi di un romano, l'odiato nemico, significherebbe tradire il suo popolo...

I found it listed on an Italian booklist of my books. and then discovered it on the Harmony (the Italian Harlequin) site.

It is always fantastic to have another editon come out.

Cranford continues to delight. I love the unfolding story lines, but all the romances so far have been so sad. Last night's episode was definitely one for the hankies...

A Noble Captive out in Australia

I found out today that A Noble Captive has been released in the Australian/New Zealand market as part of a 2 in 1 Quills duo -- Noble Beauty. The other half is An Unconventional Widow by my good friend Georgina Devon. I think the cover is very pretty.

A Noble Captive did get some good reviews.

Romance Junkies said: Rarely explored in historical romance, this time period sets A NOBLE CAPTIVE apart from the norm. The island temple comes alive as well as its people's customs with Michelle Styles' unique blend of historical detail and intrigue. Her style is distinctive and made me feel as if I was right there experiencing it all with the characters. I felt the impending storm of emotions and smelled the salt air through her words. An exciting adventure with strong characters you'll root for, A NOBLE CAPTIVE will enchant you. 4.5 Ribbons.

I had no idea that it was out until Donna Alward spotted it. She was looking for her book --Hirde by the Cowboy that is being published this month in the US and the UK, as well as the Australian market. Anyway, it is ending up being better travelled than Donna...

On Setting

Setting is more than a one dimensional word. It encompasses -- place, duration, time period and level of conflict. Again it goes back to why -- why does your story have to happen at this particular place and moment in time space. Why does it have to happen where it happens? And why does it have to take as long as it does? Finally the setting must take into account the level of conflict.
This is because nothing moves forward in a story without conflict.

In other words, your setting is your story's world. Everything that happens in that story must obey the laws of that world. If you are going to have to do something strange or imbue something with power, you need to foreshadow. for example in A Noble Captive, a trumpet plays a part at the end. In order to have it play its part, the trumpet had to be alluded before -- it had to be part of the world and tied up in the beliefs of that world.

Similarly with Sold and Seduced. The story takes place in the manner that it does because of the real life political events that were happening in Rome. Just before the story began, Pompey had cleared the Mediterranean of pirates. If Lydia had not thought the wine promised to a pirate, she would not have sold it and the story would not have unfolded. Because the story structure is wound up in the setting, it could not have taken place at any other time. Hopefully this helps make it memorable for the reader.

Stories need to exist in their own world, and when you write historical novels, you must obey the historical rules as well. You need to have it feel authentic.

With my wip, part of my initial work is to ensure the story has to take place where and when I say it does. The setting has to be part of the structure.
One great leap forward for me was speaking to some friends yesterday who had lots of books on the area that I was able to borrow. Okay, we did a bit of bartering -- duck eggs and honey for the use of the books. And the books are fantastic --- a 1930s guide to Hexham and the Tyne Valley, a reprint of the 1888 Tomlinson guide to the area and a guide to the lost great houses of Northumberland.
Not only am I discovering why my story has to take place where and when it does, I am also discovering things like cruel Sykes burn near Haydon church once ran red with Scots blood when Edward III crossed the Tyne. I think I know which stream is Syke's but am now wondering what the burn/stream that runs through my garden is called and did it ever run red with blood? Today has been such a gloriously sunny peaceful day that it seems incredible that this tranquil place could ever have run red with blood.

Books and compliments

Yesterday, I had alovely package -- the hardback for The Roman's Virgin Mistress arrived. I lvoe the cover. And when it is up on Amazon, I will post it here. It is another one of my editor's specials. We had a conversation last summer where she informed that she had already done the commisioning. She had great fun looking at Baiae on the web... It really does have a glorious Italian feel to it.

I also got the large print of ANC and discovered that Sold and Seduced will be going into large print as well at some point. Hooray.

My friend Kate Hardy made my day and posted lovely things about A Noble Captive on her blog. I am not sorry at all that she didn't get anything done this morning. It is revenge for me burning supper last year when I read Seb's story -- Her Honourable Playboy.

Rioght now I have to get to work and finish writing some more of VC...Sometimes it can be difficult to work out exactly why things are happening, but I think I have done so...I think it is going to be fine when it is finished but I shall be much happier with it once I have my editor's thoughts back.