Saturday, April 30, 2016

Aloha to Lenora Bell and HOW THE DUKE WAS WON (The Disgraceful Dukes)

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The Regency has never seen debutantes quite like these …


First there’s Charlene Beckett from HOW THE DUKE WAS WON:

Charlene Beckett is not your ordinary Regency heroine. She was raised in a bawdy house and learned the basics of martial arts for self-defense against the lecherous clientele. So when she’s asked to impersonate her half-sister Lady Dorothea and win a duke, she knows she’ll have to be on her guard every second. She can’t slip up and reveal her true identity. The only problem is, she never expected the duke to be so sinfully handsome…and so very tempting.

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Next is Lady Dorothea “Thea” Beaumont from IF I ONLY HAD A DUKE:

After four failed seasons and a disastrous jilting, Lady Dorothea Beaumont has had more than enough of her family’s scheming. She won’t domesticate a duke, entangle an earl, or vie for a viscount. She will quietly exit to her aunt’s Irish estate for a life of blissful freedom. Until an arrogant, sinfully handsome duke singles her out for a waltz, making Thea the most popular belle of the season.

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And then there’s Miss Alice Tombs.  She’s known for being quirky, and she’s…not finished being written yet! But you can expect Alice will be just as determined and funny as Charlene and Thea.

miranda kerr
Photo Credit (link)

HOW THE DUKE WAS WON is a twist on The Bachelor (with some nods to Charlie and the Chocolate Factory), IF I ONLY HAD A DUKE is inspired by the Wizard of Oz (with nods to Arrow), and BOOK 3 will be a take on Alice in Wonderland.

I’m having tons of fun writing these lovely, determined ladies! I really hope you enjoy meeting them…and their disgraceful dukes!


Lenora Bell is a third generation Alaskan and her hometown still has no traffic lights or fast food, but the public library is going strong!

An English teacher with an MFA in Creative Writing, Lenora has traveled the globe using music to bring smiles to classrooms. She currently lives in Switzerland with her carpenter husband and two naughty tiger-striped kitties.

In 2014 she won the Romance Writers of America’s Golden Heart® Award for Best Historical. She's thrilled to be debuting with Avon Books in 2016!

Learn more about Lenora at
lenorabell.com.

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HOW THE DUKE WAS WON

The pleasure of your company is requested at Warbury Park. Four lovely ladies will arrive… but only one can become a duchess.


James, the scandalously uncivilized Duke of Harland, requires a bride with a spotless reputation for a strictly business arrangement. Lust is prohibited and love is out of the question.
Four ladies. Three days. What could go wrong?

She is not like the others…

Charlene Beckett, the unacknowledged daughter of an earl and a courtesan, has just been offered a life-altering fortune to pose as her half-sister, Lady Dorothea, and win the duke’s proposal. All she must do is:

* Be the perfect English rose [Ha!]
* Breathe, smile, and curtsy in impossibly tight gowns
[blast Lady Dorothea’s sylph-like figure]
* Charm and seduce a wild duke [without appearing to try]
* Keep said duke far, far from her heart
[no matter how tempting]

When secrets are revealed and passion overwhelms, James must decide if the last lady he should want is really everything he needs. And Charlene must decide if the promise of a new life is worth risking everything . . . including her heart.

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GIVEAWAY!!

A signed copy of HOW THE DUKE WAS WON and a fair trade Divine Chocolate bar! (U.S. only)

Co-op will stock 70% Dark Chocolate with Ginger & Orange, and 70% Dark Chocolate with Raspberries

Mahalo, Lenora, for introducing us to your debutantes!  To enter Lenora's giveaway,

1.  Leave a comment about Charlie and The Chocolate Factory - have you read the original book?  Seen the movie Willy Wonka with Gene Wilder?  Or Charlie and the Chocolate Factory with Johnny Depp?  

(In my original post, I wrote Gene Hackman).

2. Comments are open through Saturday, May 7, 10 pm in Baltimore.

3. I'll post the winner on Sunday, May 8. 

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore
Aloha Spirit in Charm City

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Coming in August 2016 ...

28 comments:

  1. no never have. Yes seen both of those films

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  2. Thanks for hosting me, ladies!! xxoo Lenora

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  3. ok... I don't know how I avoided it but growing up I never watch C&CF and I've never had the desire as an adult. Thanks for sharing!

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  4. I've never been a fan of Willy Wonka but their chocolate was pretty good when I was little. It's hard to find it nowadays.

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  5. I read the book with my kids and watched both movies.

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  6. Never saw the movie or read the book! :(

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  7. I saw it years ago, and thought it quite a weird film. Gene Hackman was in it.

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    1. I knew it was "Gene" somebody, so I went with your one. LOL ..... Now I know it's Gene Wilder!!

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  8. I have not read the book, but I have seen both versions of the movie. I like the original one best.

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  9. I've not read the book. I've seen both movies. The first one actually stars Gene Wilder, not Gene Hackman. (Although, imagining Hackman in that role is pretty funny!) I'm looking forward to reading Lenora's debut.

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    1. That's right, it was Gene Wilder. lol Would have been funny if Hackman had played it though.

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  11. I watched Willy Wonka with Gene Wilder when I was a kid and I watched it again with my daughter when she was little. My daughter loves Johnny Depp so she to the theatre and saw the new one with him in it.

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  12. Have seen both movies, but never read the book.

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  13. I grew up on the Gene Wilder version and think it's hilarious and lovable. I'm not as thrilled with the Depp version, but it's funny, too.

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  14. Arg! I can't believe I wrote Gene Hackman! Of course Willy Wonka starred Gene Wilder!

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  15. I've seen both movies and enjoyed both of them. I've not read this author as yet but it sounds like something I would enjoy-thanks.

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  16. I've not read the book but I've seen both movies. I like the one with Johnny Depp :)

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  17. I've seen both movies but haven't read the book.

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  18. I have read the book and watched the Gene Wilder movie.

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  19. Yes. Yes. and Yes. I've read the book and seen both movies. As always, the book was the best. ;-)

    I'm looking forward to reading this entire series!

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  20. I have seen both movies before. As a matter of fact I just watch the one with Johnny Depp.

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  21. I've heard so much about How The Duke Was Won. It's on my TRL so I'm looking forward to reading it. Thanks for the chance. I've seen both movies I prefer Gene Wilder's movie.
    Carol L
    Lucky4750 (at) aol (dot) com

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  22. I have seen both movies multiple times with the kids. Never read the book, though.

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  23. I love the sound of this character, Charlene! How fun to put a twist on the bachelor with some chocolate thrown in ;) I have added these books to my TBR list!

    Last month I introduced the movie to my kids and it was fun to see it new again through their eyes. I shamefully admit I didn't know it was based off a book. I should have known! All great movies begin as amazing books!

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  24. read the book in 4th grade. have seen both movies

    Denise

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  25. I am guilty of not yet reading the book. I have, however, watched the movies. Willy Wonka with Gene Wilder is my favorite version. I have watched it many times.

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