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Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Shana Galen Q&A and Giveaway

I would like to thank the lovely and talented Shana Galen for taking the time to answer a few questions!

Question 1-Tell us something about yourself, so that we can get to know you a bit better…

SG: First of all, thanks so much for hosting me today. I’m excited to be here. This is my first time visiting.

I write adventurous historical romance full of spies, pirates, and dukes and duchesses, of course. When I’m not writing, I spend time with my husband and our daughter. She’s two and very active. I live in Houston, Texas and love the warm weather.

Question 2-Your novel The Rogue Pirates Bride is out now—congrats! Could you tell us about it?

SG: The Rogue Pirates Bride is the third in my Sons of the Revolution series, which is about three brothers separated as children when their family chateau is attacked during the French Revolution. Bastien is the third brother, and he escaped the fire and signed on to work on a pirate ship. He grew up and became a pirate in his own right, though he refers to himself as a privateer. The heroine is Raeven. She’s the daughter of a British admiral, and she wants to kill Bastien because she blames him for the death of her fiancĂ©. These are two very strong-willed people, which made writing the book a lot of fun. If you’ve read the whole series, you’ll appreciate seeing familiar characters again, but if you haven’t, no worries. The Rogue Pirate’s Bride can be read and enjoyed as a stand alone.

Question 3-Your characters always pull into the story although Bastian and Raeven were my favorite thus far. Do you have a favorite hero/heroine? Or was one character easier to write?

SG: I think whichever character I wasn’t writing at the moment was easier to write. And isn’t that always the way? Honestly, between Raeven and Bastien, he is my favorite. Raeven is so impulsive and hot-headed that she tended to exhaust me. Bastien is the perfect rogue, and I loved writing his charming quips (and Raeven’s responses) and getting inside his head as he falls, most unwillingly, into love with Raeven.

Question 4-What inspired you to write The Sons of the Revolution series?

SG: The Charles Dickens classic A Tale of Two Cities was my inspiration. I’ve always loved that novel and the period of the French Revolution. Even though my book isn’t set during the French Revolution, my characters are products of that madness. There aren’t any pirates in A Tale of Two Cities, but I’ve always wanted to write a book with a pirate hero.

Question 5-What can your readers expect next?

SG: My next series debuts in September with When You Give a Duke a Diamond. We’re now calling it the Jewels of the Ton series. It’s about three glamorous Regency courtesans who get mixed up with some dangerous diamonds and some equally dangerous men.

Question 6-Do you have any words of wisdom for aspiring authors

SG: In the words of Winston Churchill, “Never, never, never give up.” I wanted to give up so many times, and if I had given into those impulses, I would not be published. This is a tough business, and if you want to make it you have to be persistent. Don’t give up on your dreams and goals.

Shana Galen ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Shana Galen is the author of five Regency historicals, including the Rita-nominated Blackthorne’s Bride. Her books have been sold in Brazil, Russia, and the Netherlands and featured in the Rhapsody and Doubleday Book Clubs. A former English teacher in Houston’s inner city, Shana now writes full time. She is a happily married wife and mother of a daughter and a spoiled cat and lives in Houston, Texas, where she is working on her next regency romance series! For more information please visit www.shanagalen.com, like her on Facebook, or follow her on Twitter.

THE ROGUE PIRATE’S BRIDE BY SHANA GALEN – IN STORES FEBRUARY 2012

Revenge should be sweet, but it may cost him everything… The Rogue Pirates Bride

Out to avenge the death of his mentor, Bastien discovers himself astonishingly out of his depth when confronted with a beautiful, daring young woman who is out for his blood…

Forgiveness is unthinkable, but may be her only hope…

British Admiral’s daughter Raeven Russell believes Bastien responsible for her fiancĂ©’s death. But once the fiery beauty crosses swords with Bastien, she’s not so sure she really wants him to change his wicked ways…

It’s giveaway time!

I have two copies of The Rogue Pirate’s Bride to giveaway!

Rules:

US & Canada only as this is shipping directly from the publishers.

To enter please leave a valid email address.

Giveaway ends March 5

41 comments:

Shana said...

Thank you so much for having me here today! I'll be checking in all day to answer questions and respond to comments.

Betty Hamilton said...

Shana, I would love to read Bastien and Raeven's story. The books sounds like such a great read. I love Alpha men and the heroine sounds just as strong. I'm sure i will love it. Thanks for the opportunity to win a copy.
bettysunflower at hotmail dot com

Linda said...

Interesting to learn that Tale of Two Cities inspired this series. That has always been a favorite and I too love the era of the French Revolution. Thanks for the giveaway.
lcbrower40(at)gmail(dot)com

AquarianDancer said...

Hi, Shana! We all appreciate your need to write about a pirate. I've been looking for a story about another pirate after reading Teresa Medeiros's "The Pleasure of Your Kiss." I wanted a "good" pirate.

AquarianDancer at gmail dot com

Tori said...

Sounds like an interesting book. I would love to read it. vrtheriot@gmail.com

Kanya said...

Great interview! Can't wait to read Bastien and Raeven's story!
Thanks for the giveaway!
Kanya
kanyachhetATyahooDOTca

Diane D - Florida said...

I love to read about Pirates too. I'm really looking forward to reading about Bastien and Raeven. No need to enter me into the contest as (thank you God) I've won this from another blog.

Good luck to everybody.

Tina Rucci said...

This sounds like a great story, I love reading about pirates.

purpleunicorn19(at)yahoo.com

sheila said...

I would love this Shana....love to read about bad boys, and I think pirates are the baddest boys around.

smulholland62@msn.com

Shana said...

Hi Betty, thank you for stopping by. I do think Bastien and Raeven are a good pair. She is strong enough to challenge him.

Shana said...

Linda, I'm so glad your high school English teacher didn't ruin A Tale of Two Cities for you. I appreciate you stopping by.

Shana said...

Thanks, Aquarian Dancer, I think you'll like Bastien. Underneath it all, he's a good guy.

Shana said...

Thanks, Tori!

Shana said...

Thanks for stopping by, Kanya. Good luck with the giveaway.

Shana said...

Hey, Diane! Good to see you. I hope the book arrives soon!

Shana said...

Thanks, Tina. I have always wanted to write a pirate hero.

Shana said...

Sheila, I definitely agree. I may have to write more pirate heroes because Bastien was so much fun!

CrystalGB said...

Great interview. Your series sounds amazing. I love the cover to The Rogue Pirate's Bride.
Crystal816[at]hotmail[dot]com

fsbuchler said...

Hi Shana, You know how much I love your books! I cannot wait for this last book in the trilogy as well as your new Falcon Series. Congrats on this one and Best of luck with the upcoming ones!

Flora

Tina B said...

I really enjoyed the interview. I love the idea of the H/H being at odds with each other. Good luck on your new release, Shana!

trb0917@gmail.com

Na said...

Hi Shana, it sounds like you really connected with your characters when writing about them. As a reader I can see where you are coming from. I've found great characters have their personalities when really come through. I can see how Raeven's hot temper may be exhausting to project but I'm grateful you are staying true to her (and others) personality.

Cambonified(at)yahoo(dot)com

Martha Lawson said...

hi there!! The book sounds really great. it's been awhile since I've read a 'pirate' book. Please enter me for a chance.

mlawson17 at hotmail dot com

Jeanne M said...

Shana -

"It was the best of times" because you gave us a wonderful interview and teased us with your up-coming Jewles of the Ton series but "It is the worst of times because The Sons of the Revolution series is ending. (The Tale of Two Cities is one of my favorites too!).

Since I've been the lone female in our family for the last 42 years I can safely say that all males are of the pirate variety whether by stealing your heart or running you raged with calls of "More Food - More Ale" but no matter their cries of foul play and disaster there is no one better to love than a Pirate Rouge! I know that from the time Raeven meets Basian her life will never be dull and ordinary and she'll end up loving their every moment together - whether she realizes it at the time or not at the time!

"It was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to heaven, we were all going direct the other way - in short, the period was so far like the present period, that some of its noisiest authorities insisted on its being received, for good or for evil, in the superlative degree of comparison only."

Charles Dickens

Kelli said...

I'd love to read a good romantic adventure as I am in need of some escapism here!

prolvaag@aol.com

Shana said...

Thanks, Crystal. I really like the cover too.

Shana said...

Thanks, Flora. I don't have a Falcon series, though. I have a Jewels of the Ton courtesan series. Who has a Falcon series? Sounds interesting.

Shana said...

Thanks, Tina. There's nothing more fun than figuring out how two people who are enemies can become lovers.

Shana said...

Na, these characters were really special to me, partly because I knew it would be the last book of the series. I hope you think they're special too.

Shana said...

Good luck, Martha!

Shana said...

Loved your post, Jeanne! Thank you!

Shana said...

Kelli, aren't we all in need of some escapism? Hugs!

Carol L. said...

Hi Shana, I have always enjoyed your stories. Sons Of The Revolution has become one of my favorite series. I so love Armand. :) I can't wait to read Bastian's story. And who doesn't love a "good Pirate".
Thanks for this opportunity. Congrats on your newest release and I'm also looking forward to your ext series.
Carol L
Lucky4750 (at) aol (dot) com

Shana said...

Carole, thanks so much for letting me know that. Armand does seem quite popular. I suppose I should forgive him for all the trouble he caused me.

Shana said...

Thanks so much for stopping by, everyone. And thank you to The Royal Reviews for allowing me to stop by and don my tiara for a day!

Anonymous said...

Ranurgis

I haven't read a pirate book for a couple of years. This sounds as if it should be a good one to read for a change in scene. Having such classic enemies pitted against one another always makes for an very interesting story.

sraschulz at inbox dot com

Lexi said...

A girl does love her diamonds! Glad to hear you listened to Winston! You have such a great imagination, so glad you get to share it with us.

eyesofblueice (at) gmail (dot) com

Robin said...

Your book looks great! I enjoyed your interview!

robindpdx(at)yahoo(dot)com

bn100 said...

I enjoyed the interview. The book sounds very good.

bn100candg(at)hotmail(dot)com

Linda McDonald said...

Pirates are so much fun to read about. Congrats on the new release.

csolinda(at)hotmail(dot)com

Renee said...

I absolutely loved the first two books of the series and can't wait to read this one!

Anita Yancey said...

Sounds like an amazing book. I just love the cover. It would be a real treat to read this book. Please enter me. Thanks!

ayancey(at)dishmail(dot)net