When I revealed the title of my second book to one of my writing buddies, she wrote back: “Nice. Are virgins like the new dukes?” Apparently I’m not the only one name-checking virgins these days. She’d seen it on several other books, not unlike the proliferation of “dukes” of the last couple of years. So, what gives? What is it about a virgin? Before I go any further, let me acknowledge that not everyone loves a virginal heroine. In fact, some readers can’t abide them. Certainly, virgins-as-heroines are not as thick on the ground as they were back in the day, when I read my first romance in the late 1980s. In today’s contemporary romance, I’d venture to say that virgins are virtually nonexistent. But my editor loved the title, THE VIRGIN AND THE VISCOUNT as soon as I suggested it, and as my friend said, I’m not the only author brandishing the big “V.” So perhaps this means that there are still a few of us virgin enthusiasts out there. Hey, I’ll admit, straight up, that one of my favorite romance tropes is a hero who believes a heroine is not a virgin, only to discover, after he deflowers…

Often when reading a romance, I’ll fall in love with a hero knowing full well that the very qualities I find attractive on the page would probably annoy me in reality. But there are definitely some male protagonists out there who could potentially make a great real life boyfriend. In no particular order, here are ten of my favorite romance heroes who, for various reasons, I think make good boyfriend material: Whittaker Cole from TEMPTING FATE. Obviously, I’m a little bias where my own characters are concerned. But one of the things I love most about Whit is his determination to always do the right thing and, just as importantly, his willingness to admit when he gets it all wrong. Roarke from the In Death series—He has that sexy, sexy accent. Also, being able to take a private jet to your personal tropical island paradise whenever the whim strikes you can only be counted as a plus. Sir Harry Valentine from WHAT HAPPENS IN LONDON—Harry will make you laugh. Actually, nearly every hero in every Julia Quinn book will make you laugh. And sense of humor is, for many of us, an absolute must in a romantic partner. Gabriel Arkwright–Gabriel…

Thank you for inviting me to Fresh Fiction today. I am excited to announce the release of IF THE EARL ONLY KNEW, which features some of my favorite characters. Determined to avoid society as much as possible, Lady Kate has returned to London after leaving six years ago. Part of her departure, and certainly the haste with which she left, can be blamed on a certain John Arlington, the Earl of Wynbrook, for it was he who kissed her in a moment of trial. She had hoped to elude him when she returned but of course that didn’t work and she finds herself alone with him in the study. Here is an exclusive excerpt from IF THE EARL ONLY KNEW of Kate and Wynbrook discussing the kiss—and Wynbrook trying to convince her to do it again—properly this time! Wynbrook cleared his throat and motioned for her to sit in a chair beside the waning embers of the fire. He took the chair opposite her and Kate waited in silence. “The last time you left was so sudden, I did not have the chance to say good-bye. This time, I wanted to be able to express my gratitude for your service…

by Stephanie Dray and Laura Kamoie, Authors of America’s First Daughter The American revolution is having a bit of a moment in the collective conscience and just in time for July 4th! Here’s a recommended reading list so that you can kick back and do a little “independent” reading during this patriotic holiday. HAMILTON by Lin-Manuel Miranda The hottest musical on the planet has tried to satisfy fans with a book that parallels the creative journey of making a broadway hit with the struggles and dedication needed to bring about a new nation. Gossipy, clever, and earnest by turns, this beautiful book just works. The Revolution Winner of the 2016 Pulitzer Prize for Drama and Eleven Tony Awards, including Best Musical Lin-Manuel Miranda’s groundbreaking musical Hamilton is as revolutionary as its subject, the poor kid from the Caribbean who fought the British, defended the Constitution, and helped to found the United States. Fusing hip-hop, pop, R&B, and the best traditions of theater, this once-a-generation show broadens the sound of Broadway, reveals the storytelling power of rap, and claims our country’s origins for a diverse new generation. HAMILTON: THE REVOLUTION gives readers an unprecedented view of both revolutions, from the only…

“Then I defy you, stars!” – Romeo Romeo and Juliet is not my favorite of Shakespeare’s plays, and yet it found its way into both LOVE AND OTHER UNKNOWN VARIABLES and LIFE AFTER JULIET. There’s a funny T-shirt I’ve seen on Etsy that reads, “I think Romeo and Juliet could have handled the whole situation better.” That pretty much sums up how I feel about the play. I’ve always thought it was such a shame that Romeo and Juliet felt so controlled by their fates that death felt like their only choice. The play ended on a hopeless note. I never believed that they had died for a greater cause—to stop their families from feuding. It felt like a cheat, and I don’t like authorial cheats. Throughout the whole play, Shakespeare is trying to get these two crazy lovebirds together for the happily-ever-after, and then boom! Death. And more Death (and throw in a few more deaths for good measure). And I’m supposed to nod along and say, “Well, at least the Capulets and Montagues learned their lessons.” No. That’s not what I want. I’ve spent years contemplating Romeo and Juliet’s actions. When I try to make sense of their…

Hello and thank you for hosting me today. With Fourth of July fast approaching many people will be hosting family and friends as we celebrate the birth of the United States of America. I remember growing up, my grandparents would have everyone to their house for a barbeque. There would be hamburgers, hot dogs and my grandmother’s fried chicken. Corn on the cob dripping with butter, slices of fresh watermelon straight out of my grandfather’s garden and dessert–we’d have my grandfather’s homemade vanilla ice cream and berry pie. Yum. As an adult I found I didn’t like cooking the way my grandmother and grandfather did but I will occasionally make a few choice creations. One that I would like to share with you that would be perfect for a Fourth of July celebration whether a picnic at a park or a backyard barbeque. This is an appealing, do-ahead dessert that can be formed and frozen, ready to be thawed and baked the day you want to eat it. Fresh Plum-Blueberry Turnovers Makes 8 large turnovers 12 ounces plums, pitted and sliced 2 cups fresh blueberries ½ cup plus 1 tablespoon sugar 1 ½ tablespoons cornstarch dissolved in 1 tablespoon water…

Book of the Year The Five Times I Met Myself by James L. Rubart     What if you met your twenty-three-year-old self in a dream? What would you say? Brock Matthews’ once promising life is unraveling. His coffee company. His marriage. So when he discovers his vivid dreams—where he encounters his younger self—might let him change his past Read More »   Contemporary The Sea Keeper’s Daughters by Lisa Wingate     From modern-day Roanoke Island to the sweeping backdrop of North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains and Roosevelt’s WPA folklore writers, past and present intertwine to create an unexpected destiny. Restaurant owner Whitney Monroe is desperate to save her business from a hostile takeover. The inheritance of Read More »   Contemporary Romance/Suspense The Wedding Chapel by Rachel Hauck     A lonely wedding chapel built as a tribute to lost love just might hold the long-awaited secret to hope and reconciliation. For sixty years, the wedding chapel has stood silent and empty. Retired football hall-of-famer Jimmy “Coach” Westbrook built the chapel by hand, stone by stone, for Read More » Saga of four loves and a wedding chapel   Contemporary Series Crazy Little Thing Called Love by Beth K. Vogt  …

Can heroines from the past be relevant in today’s world? A twenty-first century career woman coming home to a partner, children, dishes in the sink, and a hamper full of dirty laundry may find it difficult to relate to an early nineteenth century lady, whose every need is seen to by servants. Writers of historical romance try to imbue their heroines with enough curiosity, gumption, and resourcefulness to make them relatable and likable. Ladies living in a different age didn’t have the same family responsibilities as we do today, but neither did they have the same opportunities, especially for education and employment. For an unmarried gentlewoman of the early nineteenth century, options were limited to a very few professions: most commonly, lady’s companion, governess, or shopkeeper. And we see these occupations often in historical romances. But Regency writers have found clever ways to circumvent the lack of options available to their heroines. These fictional characters often have the requisite skills and interests to carve out a purposeful life. And if they are also engaging, beautiful, and admirable, heroes (and readers) find heroines to love. As a result, we have female characters who are writers, philanthropists, artists, and scientists. We can…

I never know where my stories will come from. While working on my first Carolina book, set on the Outer Banks, I became fascinated with the mystery of the Lost Colonists of Roanoke Island. You can’t spend time on the Carolina Coast without realizing that theories abound as to the fate of the 117 people who vanished from Sir Walter Raleigh’s ill-fated colony over thirty years before the Pilgrims would land on Plymouth Rock. While writing my second Carolina book, THE STORY KEEPER, I delved into the mystery of what early explorers deemed to be “blue-eyed Indians,” who were found to have been living in the Appalachian mountains decades before other Europeans pressed in. I knew that the third Carolina book would somehow bring these two fascinating bits of history together. An interesting thing happened when THE STORY KEEPER hit the bookstores. Because the novel is about the discovery of an untold story, readers began sharing their own family stories with me. One reader mentioned that she’d traveled through the mountains many times as a child and one day had noticed that there were doors in the mountainside. When she asked about the doors, her father told her that during…

Monday afternoon I won a Christy Award for my novel, THE FIVE TIMES I MET MYSELF. (If you’re not familiar with the Christy’s, it’s the Christian Fiction equivalent of the Oscars.) And I didn’t win one Christy, I won two. First in the Visionary category, then Book of the Year—which I suppose is something like winning Best Picture. Crazy cool. Stunned me to win. So deeply honored. But here’s the twist. I didn’t win. Not really. My name is on the cover of the book. But so many other names should be there alongside mine. Three of those names? Amanda Bostic, Erin Healy, Darci Rubart. Amanda Bostic My editor. When I finished the first version of my manuscript and sent it in, Amanda wrote back and said, “Jim, it’s so hard to tell you this, but what you’ve written isn’t going to work. We’re going to have to start over. There’s a better book than this one inside you.” I was devastated. But she was right. Oh how she was right. So I wrote the book again, 90 percent of it new. Amanda and I are friends. Would have been easier for her to say, “Yeah, okay we’ll work with…