Cover Reveal - THE ROYAL BODYGUARD!

It's time to announce the secret that I've been carrying for so many months...

The sequel to The Royal Runaway is coming!

I’m very excited to announce that THE ROYAL BODYGUARD will be released first in the UK in November 2019 from Headline!!

I’ll be sharing more details about this story and the continued adventures of the Royal House of Laurent. You’ll learn more about their family, their history and… their enemies.
 

My attempt at a movie-inspiration poster.

Um, yeah. Don't you want to READ IT???

THE ROYAL BODYGUARD is more of what you loved in THE ROYAL RUNAWAY - a perfect blend of suspense, romance and mystery. 

THE ROYAL BODYGUARD is a princess story AND… well, a bodyguard story. It has kissing AND explosions. It has ancient vendettas, luxurious European villas and a king buried in a car park. It has good and evil, tears and laughs. And kissing. Did I mention kissing?

Oh, you want to pre-order it?  One-click here: Amazon UK. (And THANK YOU for pre-ordering. It helps my publisher know that people love my stories and want more of them!) Remember, these are the links for the UK/ Australia/ World English versions. As soon as I get information about North American publication dates, I will share them with you ASAP!

Pre-Order Links:

• Amazon

• Waterstones

• Blackwells

• WH Smith

• Apple Books

• Kobo
  

---

Make sure that you're signed up for The Inner Circle newsletter, where I will be sharing exclusive content and inspiration for THE ROYAL BODYGUARD in the months to come. 

As always, thank you for your support and excitement! I can't wait to see what the next few months bring!

---

Best Books to GIVE Now - 2018 Holiday Gift Edition

Last year I selected six books that would make excellent gifts for anyone and I decided to sort-of continue the tradition this year. I’m editing the list this year to only focus on the books I think my readers would enjoy.  I picked three non-fiction books and three novels that portray smart, full-hearted women who are defining their place in the world.

The Accidental Beauty Queen by Teri Wilson

I was lucky to receive an advanced copy of this and I have not stopped talking about it. From the author of the “Unleashing Mr. Darcy” series (you may know them from Hallmark movies),  Teri Wilson’s book about a beauty pageant is thoroughly funny, entertaining and romantic and would be perfect for teen/college aged readers on up.

Amazon || Apple Books

Any excuse for a Miss Congeniality GIF

And this one too!

The Light Over London by Julia Kelly

Amazon || Apple Books

So technically this book doesn’t come out until January 8, 2019 but do yourself (and the reader you love) a favor and pre-order it. It’s a fantastic story about the inspiring women  who protected London during World War II and their heartbreak, sacrifice and friendships.  

There are no funny GIFs about WWII and the Blitz but this one came up when I searched for “Women Fighting Nazis” so I guess it will do…

Becoming by Michelle Obama

Amazon || Apple Books

I’ve always followed politics and probably knew of Barack Obama before a lot of people had heard of him. I remember there was a column I read about how his wife, Michelle, was far more successful and accomplished than he, and that if he were to run for President, they expected her to be the first candidate’s wife to keep her job. Of course, she ended up being a fairly traditional and active First Lady but that original impression of her always stuck with me – that she was the brains in the marriage.  I am very excited to read (and give!) this memoir to learn more about this half of the former White House power couple.

Any excuse for my favorite world leader friendship GIF…

Together – Our Community Cookbook – HRH The Duchess of Sussex

Amazon

When I heard about this cookbook project, I knew I would love it. It supports a community of women who banded together to provide fresh food to their neighbors after a horrific tragedy. And it was announced by The Duchess of Sussex at an event where Prince Harry was caught stealing samosas so what’s not to love? (Watch it here)

Speaking of stealing food… turnabout’s fair play…

Whiskey in a Tea Cup by Reese Witherspoon

Amazon || Apple Books

I don’t buy every celebrity memoir, but I love the ones from celebrities I adore (usually the funny smart women – Tina Fey, Mindy Kaling, Shonda Rhimes). So of course Reese Witherspoon’s book instantly made the cut. Part memoir, part lifestyle guide, it reminds me of all the quirky things about being a modern Southern woman. We may be educated, independent businesswomen, but some rules about etiquette and fashion and food are still deeply ingrained in us. This book would be a great gift to anyone who loves Elle Woods.

Any excuse for an Elle Woods quote…

The Royal Runaway

Yes, my book IS the perfect Christmas gift for your girlfriends, daughters and sisters who fell head over heels during the royal weddings in 2018.  The book is a blend of mystery, adventure, and romance so there’s something for every type of reader!

Amazon || BN.Com || Simon & Schuster ||Apple || Amazon UK || Kobo

Any excuse for a royal wedding clip….

URGENT PRESS RELEASE

Per the Palace’s instructions, please do not go to these sites and support the amazing author of this scandalous piece of fiction:

Amazon || BN.Com ||Simon & Schuster || Apple || Amazon UK || Kobo

Best Books to Read Now: October 2018

Is there anything better than a crisp autumn day and an excellent book?

The answer is, NO. There is not. Because autumn is prime reading season, I thought I’d get back to sharing my recommendations of what I’ve read and what is next on my TBR list!

The Phantom Tree by Nicola Cornick

Amazon || Apple Books

The Phantom Tree by Nicola Cornick is a fabulous book for fall. It has everything - Tudor history, a dash of romance, a mystery, and time-travel! I have been recommending this one to a lot of people so if you read it, please let me know how you like it! I’d love to talk about it.

Her Royal Spyness by Rhys Bowen

Amazon || Apple Books

I just realized I recommended this one at the end of the summer, as well. HA! That’s how you know it’s good. Still, as mentioned in my Women With Books episode with Chanel Cleeton (she’s the one who finally got me to start the series), this is really the perfect book to enjoy snuggled up on a dreary day with a hot cup of tea.

Who Thought This Was a Good Idea? by Alyssa Mastromonaco

Amazon || Apple Books

One of the things that gets me to recommend a book is if I cannot get it out of my mind. And this is one of those. No, it’s not a great literary piece or a fast-paced thriller or steamy romance. It’s an easy to read, funny yet thoughtful memoir of one of the most senior White House staffers for President Obama. As we go through yet another divisive political season, I think more of us should read books like this one, that remind us what government (and politics) looks like through an insider’s lens and how it can be used for good. And yes, I think people of all political stripes can find something to enjoy in this one.

TBR PILE!

What’s next on my to-read list? I’ve been saving these two as a reward for when I get my edits done (which should be ANY DAY NOW!!)

The Proposal by Jasmine Guillory

Amazon || Apple Books

My Favorite Half Night Stand - by Christina Lauren

Amazon || Apple Books

So I’ve been anxiously awaiting both of the above, since I interviewed Jasmine (last JANUARY?? Has it been that long???) and C.Lo this summer. (You can find both podcast episodes here: Women With Books.) These authors know how to bring me tears and laughs with their modern romances and I know it will be exactly what I need after I RIP MY HEART OUT (sorry - I meant to say, ‘finish my edits.’)

And of course, I can’t let a “Best Fall Books To Read” blog go by without mentioning that my book, THE ROYAL RUNAWAY has been included in several “best of” lists!

Check these out!
Bookbub’s 18 Best Fall Romances

Get Literary’s Five October Fiction Picks

AND…

In Style’s Ten Books You Won’t Be Able To Put Down This October

 The Royal Runaway!

Amazon : http://amzn.to/2EhFPuz

BN.Com: http://bit.ly/TRRBN

Simon & Schuster: http://bit.ly/RoyalRunaway

Apple : http://bit.ly/TheRoyalRunaway

Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/2xQNdrl

Kobo: http://bit.ly/TRRKobo

So go on - what are you waiting for? I give you permission to joyfully purchase all the books that will make your heart warm and fluttery this autumn.

Test your Royal IQ!

How Well Do you Know Your Queens (and Future Queens?)

Yes, yes, we all know the BRF (British Royal Family) but there are lots of lovely, intelligent, fierce women in other royal families around the globe.  We’ve been having some fun talking about these royals on my Facebook Page, so I thought I’d do a quiz to test your Royal IQ!

Rules: Each right answer is one point. I’ll give you a picture and the country she currently lives in and you have to guess her name! Keep track of your points and you’ll get your own royal title.

Ready?

1. Queen _____ of Jordan

2. Queen ____ of Bhutan

3. Crown Princess _____ of Norway

I think he’s helping her with her dress but the photo pleases me in every way.

4. Crown Princess _____, Duchess of Vastergotland  of Sweden (Sorry, had to include that extra title in there. What a title!)

Y’all know I love her. She makes wearing a crown look fun.

5. Queen _____ of The  Netherlands

She’s a former journalist!

6. Queen ______ of Spain

7. Princess _____ of Liechtenstein

She has a Masters’ degree!

8. Princess _____ of Japan

She’s an Olympian!

9. Her Serene Highness Princess _____ of Monaco

Extra Credit:

What are the birth nationalities of the Queen of Netherlands (1 point), the Liechtenstein princess (1 point) and HSH Princess of Monaco (1 point).

---

ANSWERS!!!

1.       Queen of Jordan

2.       Queen {Jetsun Pema} of Bhutan

3.       Crown Princess of Norway

4.       Crown Princess , Duchess of Vastergotland  of Sweden (Sorry, had to include that extra title in there. What a title!)

5.       Queen of The  Netherlands

6.       Queen of  Spain

7.       Princess of Liechtenstein

8.       Princess of Japan

9.       Her Serene Highness Princess of Monaco

Extra Credit:
1 point: The Queen of The Netherlands was born in Argentina
1 point: Princess Angela of Liechtenstein was born in Panama
1 point: Her Serene Royal Highness Charlene was born in Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe)

Tally them up and get ready for your Coronation!

What did you get?                            

8-12 points = You’re Queen Elizabeth II! You’re the Queen!

4-7 points = You’re the Duchess of Cambridge! Keep working and you’ll get there eventually!

0-3 points = You’re Princess Eugenie! At least you’re on the balcony wearing a pretty dress!