Samhain Publishing Ltd. Weblog

To Capture A Spy Available in Print!

I’m thrilled to announce that To Capture A Spy, my steamy, Paris-set, Regency historical is now available in print.

Here’s an excerpt for your reading pleasure:

To Capture A Spy by Silvia Violet

Blurb:
When danger lurks, is courage alone enough to save a country—and a heart?

It’s not enough Meg Wentworth has suffered kidnapping, imprisonment and torture. She kept her wits about her and escaped with her life, only to be captured by a handsome British officer—and promptly accused of spying for the French. Convincing him otherwise turns out to be easier than dealing with her next discovery: that Lucien just might be the man to help her put her life back together. If only he will let go of his rigid control long enough to let her show him they belong together.

Recovering from a near-fatal injury, British intelligence officer Lucien Archer hoped to leave the shadowy, violent world that left him scarred, body and soul. But a mysterious letter calls him back to duty, and nothing prepares him for Meg. The beautiful spy’s fiery spirit threatens to break through the shell Lucien has built around his heart.

But Meg’s kidnapper wasn’t looking for simple ransom. He’s an old enemy of Lucien’s, Le Lézard, who’s resurfaced with a single goal. To raise magical forces dark and powerful enough to destroy England. To do it, blood must flow. The blood of Lucien and Meg.

And the fire of passion that burns between them is the perfect lure to get them both where he wants them. On an altar of sacrifice.

Fancy a trip to Paris?

My latest release, To Capture A Spy, is set primarily in Paris. When I first got the idea for this book years ago, I’d been reading about nineteenth-century France for a graduate school class. I lost myself in examining old maps of Paris and reading accounts of English men and women who had visited. I returned to those books and memoirs when I wrote To Capture A Spy and had a blast doing more research. And while I love reading about the Paris of the past, I also love reading recent travel essays or better yet anything connecting Paris and food.

I often imagine myself sipping wine in a Parisian bistro or visiting a cheese shop for the perfect selections for the evenings cheese plate. If you fancy a fantasy trip to Paris, try this recipe for a French dessert classic, Tarte Tatin. If you close your eyes, you just might believe you’re in Paris for real.

Where do you like to go on imaginary vacations?

Cake, How I Love Thee

Our family loves cake. It was one of my youngest’s first words. My children clamber for a spot by the mixer when I’m making a cake, eager to help me mix then indulge in all the batter I’m willing to give them. There’s something so soothing about a good chocolate cake, and I don’t know how anyone can look at a festively-iced cupcake and not feel a little cheered. Cake is comfort. Cake is fun. Cake can be sexy but also full of love. Cake is an escape from whatever is bothering me. And I never get tired of it.

I feel the same way about reading romance. A good romance makes me happy. I feel renewed when I read about love, and I know I’ll feel good at the end when the HEA comes just like when I savor that last scrumptious bite of cake. Both are sweet yet rich and full of excitement. What could be better than reading a delicious romance while eating a piece of cake? So here’s my favorite recipe for chocolate cake.

A Persistent Attraction Releasing in Print!

I’m excited to announce next week’s print release of A Persistent Attraction. Come delve into the world of Rhys and Amanda as they search for a villan and succumb to their desire.

Sometimes desire cannot be denied.

Regency Intrigue, Book Two

At first, Amanda Halverston assumes the anonymous extortion letter she’s received is a harmless prank. But the following night she is attacked and nearly killed. Desperate for help in finding her attacker, she turns to the notorious rake she has avoided for the last five months, Rhys Stanton.

Rhys, a confirmed bachelor, hasn’t been able to stop thinking about Amanda ever since he met her while helping her sister uncover a plot to sell young women into prostitution. When the alluring Amanda seeks him out, he offers a bargain. He will help her—in exchange for one chance to seduce her each day.

Despite a wicked desire to explore the heat that crackles between them, Amanda refuses and launches her own search. But the attacker strikes again, and when Rhys is there to save her she decides to accept his shocking proposition.

In the midst of an investigation that could claim their lives, the two begin a dangerous game of passion that could claim their hearts.

Warning: This book contains lusty sex that would make Jane Austen faint, so beware of four-letter words.

Click though for an excerpt

Why Read Romance?

I’ve been a romance reader since well before I had any business perusing the “good parts” of my friend’s mom’s collection of historicals, a collection my friend discovered hidden under her living room sofa. I think we were twelve at the time.

My 8th grade algebra teacher whom I adored caught me reading one of these smuggled tomes. I remember being terrified she’d loose respect for me and give me a long lecture on what was proper reading for a middle schooler. Instead when she saw the cover. she smiled and said, “I read that a few months ago. It’s a good one, isn’t it?” If I wasn’t already a romance addict, I certainly became one on that day.

Wouldn't You Like To Capture A Spy?

Available Now: To Capture A Spy by Silvia Violet

When danger lurks, is courage alone enough to save a country—and a heart?

It’s not enough Meg Wentworth has suffered kidnapping, imprisonment and torture. She kept her wits about her and escaped with her life, only to be captured by a handsome British officer—and promptly accused of spying for the French. Convincing him otherwise turns out to be easier than dealing with her next discovery: that Lucien just might be the man to help her put her life back together. If only he will let go of his rigid control long enough to let her show him they belong together.

Recovering from a near-fatal injury, British intelligence officer Lucien Archer hoped to leave the shadowy, violent world that left him scarred, body and soul. But a mysterious letter calls him back to duty, and nothing prepares him for Meg. The beautiful spy’s fiery spirit threatens to break through the shell Lucien has built around his heart.

But Meg’s kidnapper wasn’t looking for simple ransom. He’s an old enemy of Lucien’s, Le Lézard, who’s resurfaced with a single goal. To raise magical forces dark and powerful enough to destroy England. To do it, blood must flow. The blood of Lucien and Meg.

And the fire of passion that burns between them is the perfect lure to get them both where he wants them. On an altar of sacrifice.

Warning:This book contains wickedly delicious sex and words no Regency maiden should know.

Spring Fever

I’m woefully behind on my writing goals and I’m even writing this post at the last minute. I find this time of year particularly hard for getting work done. I suppose I have a classic case of spring fever. The weather has been lovely here and there is a constant parade of flowers bursting into bloom. My preschooler exclaims about a new flower every time she walks through the yard.

A Persistent Attraction Available Now!

A Persistent Attraction, my second Regency Intrigue book, is now available.

For those of you who have read the first book, A Carnal Agreement, you’ll recognize Rhys and Amanda, the hero and heroine of A Persistent Attraction. And for those of you who haven’t you can jump in right here and learn their full story. Here’s a little more about this erotic, suspenseful, Regency tale…

Do I Have To Write?

I’ve been conducting an experiment for the last few months. I being pulled in far too many directions and feeling ready to snap as the fall came to a close. I’ve got a baby and a preschooler and I want to spend as much time with them as I can. I’ve been married for nearly twelve years, and my husband and I both value our time together. I enjoy cooking and baking and sewing and other domestic pursuits. I’m researching homeschooling as well as other options for kindergarten next year. And of course, I have a writing career that I want to develop.

But something had to give as the holidays approached so I decided to take a two month hiatus from writing.

Country-Style Inspiration

Writers are frequently asked where we get the ideas for our stories. For some of the books I’ve written, all I can say it that the characters introduced themselves when I was drifting off to sleep and they wouldn’t shut up until I wrote their story. But for many others, I have an answer that makes me sound less insane – country music.