Tuesday, September 3, 2013

Aloha to Gina Lamm and GEEK GIRLS DON'T DATE DUKES

Resized GG3D Cover

On this day in 1964, Queen Elizabeth opened the Forth Road Bridge, making it Europe's longest suspension bridge (at the time), linking Edinburgh to Perth across the River Forth.  From the BBC website (link),

Tens of thousands of spectators turned up to watch the royal cavalcade slowly cross the 3,300ft (1,005m) central span of the bridge.

Soldiers of Lowland regiments from the south linked up symbolically with a Highland brigade from the north to mark the opening of the new crossing, which cuts more than an hour off the journey-time by road.

Twenty-five Royal Navy ships fired a salute of guns and after a brief opening speech from the Queen there was also a fly-past.

Afterwards the Queen returned across the Forth by ferry, marking the final trip in the 800-year-old service.


File:ForthRoadBridgeFromNorth TakenByEuchiasmus.JPG
Released to Public Domain by Euchiasmus


Gina Lamm bridges the present to the past in her time travel romances.  She joins me today for a cozy chat ....

Gina:  Hi, and thanks so much to Kim from SOS Aloha for having me back! I had such a great time guest posting here for THE GEEK GIRL AND THE SCANDALOUS EARL (link), so coming back for book two, GEEK GIRLS DON’T DATE DUKES, is extra exciting. I know you’ve got some questions for me, so I’ll dive right in!

Kim:  We are nosy here at SOS Aloha. What is your favorite sight, sound. and smell of rural NC?

Gina:  I have to say that the best part of my home is right at the edge of the day, just before night falls. When the sun starts to fall, and the heat and mugginess of the day eases, the first breezes of night bring a bit of relief to overheated skin. The crickets start to sing, and the whippoorwills and doves call. Sitting outside on a porch swing with my family at the beginning of night is my favorite thing about where I live. But if I had my “druthers” (which is a thing people really say out loud around here) I’d be doing that at the Outer Banks. We only live a couple of hours from there, and that is really my favorite place on earth. Add the smell of salt water and the rushing sound of waves to the above? You’ve got a recipe for heaven on earth to me. :) 

Little Egypt Belly Dancer
Photographer Benjamin Falk 1890's
Public Domain (link)

Kim:  Belly dancing - what inspired you to learn it? What are some of the misconceptions you encounter as a teacher?

Gina:  I started bellydancing because a friend of mine was interested in it, but I quickly fell in love with the expression on my own. It’s so freeing, and honestly empowering. Women of all shapes, sizes, and fitness levels can bellydance, so it’s very versatile. Of course, the biggest misconception most people have is that bellydancing is the same as stripping, or they think it’s very suggestive and sexual. It’s not. Of course, you can make it as sexual as you want, but the same can be said of any form of dance. It’s an elegant art form, and while I’m not currently teaching, I’m still a huge fan and I love dancing whenever I get the chance.

Kim:   You write a wide range of romance genres - what are the challenges and rewards of being multi-dimensional?

Gina:  Oh gosh, keeping up with myself! I love the challenge of genre-hopping, but I am finding out that it’s important to give my readers a common thread they can expect when they pick up my different books. After all, I love knowing what to expect when I pick up a certain author’s books, so it’s only fair that I give my readers the same treatment! Going forward, I plan to concentrate on only 2 or 3 different genres, instead of the 4 or 5 I’m currently dabbling in!

Kim:  Tell us about GEEK GIRLS DON'T DATE DUKES!

Gina:  This is the second book in the “Geek Girls” series, and it’s all about Jamie’s best friend Leah. When Leah gets the chance to go back in time and find her own perfect love, she thinks she’s got it all figured out. After all, titled and rich gentlemen are the way those stories always go, right? But things don’t exactly work out how she expects. She finds herself as a maid in a duke’s household, juggling a difficult job and her own expectations. Not an easy combination, especially when ex-pugilist and valet Avery Russell is always there, being wonderful and noble and completely gorgeous. Leah and Avery have to overcome a lot, and I really hope that readers enjoy their story.

Kim:  What's next for Gina Lamm

Gina:  Well, I’m actually hard at work on the third and final book in the “Geek Girls” series, THE GEEK GIRL AND THE RELUCTANT RAKE! The heroine, Ella, gets a brief introduction in GEEK GIRLS DON’T DATE DUKES, and there’s a wee bit of a teaser in the back of the paperback copy of GGDDD for book 3. I’m calling this one my “Regency Road Trip,” and I’m having a blast writing it. :)

Thank you so much for having me!!

Resized GG3D Cover

Mahalo, Gina, for joining us today!  Sourcebooks is giving away a print copy of GEEK GIRLS DON'T DATE DUKES to one randomly selected commenter.  

All Leah wanted was a little gallantry, a bit of chivalry. What she had was Kevin, the ex-boyfriend who’s asked her to be his new fiancee’s bridesmaid. Fat chance. Why can’t it be like the good old days? It’s as though someone hears her plea because the next thing she knows, a plump housekeeper full of mischief sends her back in time to Regency England. And now Leah is determined to snag her very own duke…

Avery Russell was polishing boots when the woman fell through the mirror into his arms, breathlessly babbling some nonsense about “my one true love, Your Grace.” If the chit couldn’t tell a valet from a duke, she was in a sorry state indeed. And as much as he wanted to give in and give her a good tumble, he knew it wouldn’t be proper. No, he’d take his time wooing this one… as long as necessary to convince her that sometimes a duke just won’t do.


To enter the giveaway,

1.  Leave a comment about chivalry - what attribute do you admire most in a chivalrous hero?   

2.  This giveaway is open to all readers.

3.  Comments are open through Saturday, September 7, 10 pm in Hawaii.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, September 8.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore
Aloha Spirit in Charm City

To learn more about Gina and her books, check out her website at ginalamm.net.



46 comments:

  1. I like that selfless attentiveness in the chivalrous hero. Thanks for the fun interview!

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    Replies
    1. Hi again, Elf! Isn't it wonderful when a guy pays attention? ;)
      Thanks for stopping by!

      Gina

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  2. I admire heroes that honor, whose actions are dictated good or bad by that honor. Can't wait to read this one!

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    1. Hi Anita! Honor is definitely a big deal in a hero. ;)

      Thanks for the comment! :)

      Gina

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  3. The honorable hero who tries to do what is right no matter the personal sacrifice.

    Such a cute title!

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  4. I think bravery is one of the best attributes a hero can have!

    Definitiely looking forward to this book, I love stories involving "geeks" :)

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    1. Hello again, Ada! Geekery and bravery can go hand in hand. At least I think so!! :)

      Gina

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  5. RESPECT!! RESPECT!! RESPECT!!

    Belly dancing would be fun!!

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    1. Oh yeah, Respect is HUGE! And yes, bellydancing is THE BEST! :)

      Gina

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  6. A man to protect me if something was to happened.

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    1. It's nice to have a big strong guy to lean on, definitely! Of course, we don't NEED it, it's just nice. In a pinch. ;)

      Gina

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  7. Wow. nice cover. Anyway, the bravery, beliefs and the willingness to protect his loved one.

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    1. Thanks Lory!! Sourcebooks always seems to rock the covers!

      Gina

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  8. I love the honorable hero who treats a lady like a lady should be treated. Well, that is until the lady wants to experience some naughtiness with the hero.

    I loved reading "The Geek Girl and the Scandalous Earl", and would love to read "Geek Girls Don't Date Dukes".

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    1. HA! Diane, I think you hit it right on the head. ;)

      Hope you get a chance to check out GG3D!

      Gina

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  9. This series sounds awesome!!! Thanks so much for sharing and congrats to Gina on the new release! Ummm.. I think caring and attentiveness is a great sign of chivalry :)

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    1. Hi Erin!! Thanks so much. I couldn't be happier! And definitely yes on the attentive caring. BIG wins for chivalry! :)

      Gina

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  10. Protection of those less fortunate is one aspect of chivalry and we all could do that!

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    1. Totally with you there!! We should all lend a helping hand, and it's especially wonderful to see that in guys :)

      Gina

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  11. Honesty - which is honor in all things!

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    1. Absolutely!! No lies in our gentlemen, please!

      Thanks for stopping by, Cats!

      Gina

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  12. Bravery and loyalty... That's 2, I know...

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  13. Replies
    1. Absolutely Debby! :) Thanks for stopping by.

      Gina

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  14. Bridges...bridges. Cute ;)
    A fun interview, well done!

    What attribute...respect. They always have respect, not only for their women but to others as well.

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    Replies
    1. Hi Lexi!! I know, the bridge idea was awesome!! I love it here at Aloha. :) They treat authors so well!

      And you're so right... respect for everyone is so important in a chivalrous hero. Thanks for the comment!!

      Gina

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  15. I guess my favorite attributes would be consideration. They always seem to consider what other people need (it is a sort of respect, thoughtfulness, etc for not only their heroine, but also for everyone else in their lives)

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  16. I admire a kind heart in a chivalrous hero the most I think, although honesty is an admirable attribute as well.

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  17. Honesty and loyalty are the traits I most admire.

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  18. Kindness, strength of character, willingness to forgive, sincerity and to love wholeheartedly...

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  19. That's a tough question but I would pick sympathy for others.

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  20. I love a hero who is protective of his family and friends. I think it shows such great loyalty.

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  21. Congratulations on your new book! I read the first one and I LOVED it & I can't wait to read the new one and see what happens next.

    The attribute I admire most in a chivalrous hero is their loyalty and strong belief in doing what they feel is the honorable thing to do whether or not it is the choice they will make them happiest.

    Thanks for the giveaway!
    crystal_dark[at]att[dot]net

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  22. I think the 2 traits I like the most are respect and loyalty.
    suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com

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  23. I think I like the fact that a chivalrous hero will let the heroine think for herself and value her opinions, even if he doesn't agree with them!

    I'm new to this series and it sounds like great fun! Thanks for the chance to win!

    cozyupwithkathy @ gmail.com

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  24. If I had to name just one, it would be honor because nothing else matters if you don't have honor. For me, all other attributes flow from that.

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  25. I admire sensitivity the most.

    lag110 at mchsi dot com

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  26. I haven't read her books yet. But they are on my TRL. I value compassion and loyalty above all.
    Carol L
    Lucky4750 (at) aol (dot) com

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  27. I admire a man who isn't afraid to show how he feels about his woman! And, of course, treats her right.

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