Autumn/Halloween Countdown Blitz Day Nine: Unmasing the Duke by Donna Hatch

Donna Hatch is the author of the best-selling “Rogue Hearts Series,” and a winner of writing awards such as The Golden Quill and the International Digital Award. A hopeless romantic and adventurer at heart, she discovered her writing passion at the tender age of 8 and has been listening to those voices ever since. She has become a sought-after workshop presenter, and also juggles freelance editing, multiple volunteer positions, and most of all, her six children (seven, counting her husband). A native of Arizona who recently transplanted to the Pacific Northwest, she and her husband of over twenty years are living proof that there really is a happily ever after.

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The last thing Hannah Palmer wants to do is flirt with men in a crowded ballroom, but when her sister, the Countess of Tarrington, throws a Masquerade Ball, Hannah can’t say no to the invitation. 

Taking comfort behind her disguise, she dances with a charming masked gentleman, matching him wit for wit. When the glorious evening culminates in a kiss, and the two remove their masks, Hannah is horrified to discover the man she’s been flirting with all night is her most despised neighbor, the Duke of Suttenberg. 

No matter how charming the duke was at the ball, and how wonderful the kiss, he is the last man she could ever love.

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Snippet:

Hannah turned. Cole and the duke approached, both walking as if they owned the world. Tongue-tied, Hannah nodded. The duke passed a brief glance over Hannah.

Cole made a loose gesture. “You remember my wife’s sister, Hannah Palmer, of course.”

The duke blinked. “Yes, of course. Good afternoon.” He might as well have said, “No, I’m sure we’ve never met”; it would have been truthful.

In a single graceful motion, he swept off his hat, revealing midnight hair and that distinctive patch of blond on the left side that apparently marked members of his family for generations. He appeared to be proud of the unusual birthmark judging by the way he parted his hair in the middle of it. Briefly, he dipped his chin in a ducal version of a bow when greeting someone of low consequence.

Seething at his arrogance, Hannah sank into a very proper curtsy. In an act of uncommon boldness, fueled by ire, she offered a mischievous smile. “Delighted to see you again, Your Grace. I’m happy you’ve recovered from the strawberry incident.” There. She’d made her point without revealing any hint of annoyance that he’d failed to remember her, and she’d even spoken without stammering.

His gray-green eyes opened wider, and his head jerked back ever so slightly in carefully controlled surprise. Was that a touch of blush on his finely chiseled cheekbones? Surely not.  The Paragon would do anything so boyish as blush.

“Strawberries. Yes. I’m careful not to give them the upper hand.” His smooth baritone voice contained exactly the right amount of humor and arrogant savoir faire.

She might have been charmed by the almost chagrined smile now curving his beautifully formed lips if she weren’t chewing on his admission that he refused to allow anyone, or anything, to best him. Not to mention that he still gave no hint of remembering her despite them meeting four times—yes, she counted.

Saucily she tossed her head. “I wish you success in your endeavors to submit all strawberries to your whim.”

The duke’s gaze flicked over her face, still showing no sign of recognition, but every sign of unconcern, although he did seem to study her more closely. “Yes, well, a pleasure to see you . . . again.” He turned away from her dismissively.

Hannah marched to the parlor. That duke! Insufferable, rude, arrogant . . . perfect people at the top of the social pyramid never seemed to have any tolerance for mere humans, nor would they do anything as lowering as willingly engage them in a true conversation.

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Great Summer Reads Day Twelve: The Guise of a Gentleman by Donna Hatch

Multi-award-winning author of 25 best-selling Regency Historical Romances, Donna Hatch is a hopeful romantic and an adventurer at heart. Each book she writes is filled with wit and heart and plenty of swoon-worthy romance. Donna sings, plays the harp, and loves to ballroom dance. Her family, including six children and two cats, recently left their native Arizona for the Pacific coast of the US. No matter where they live, she and her husband of over twenty years are proof that there truly is a happily ever after.

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The widowed Elise is a perfect English lady living within the confines of society for the sake of her impressionable young son. Her quiet world is shattered when she meets the impulsive and scandalous Jared Amesbury. His roguish charm awakens her yearning for adventure. But his irrepressible grin and sea-green eyes hide a secret.

A gentleman by day, a pirate by night, Jared must complete one last assignment from the Secret Service before he can be truly free. Elise gives him hope that he, too, can find love and belonging. His hopes are crushed when his best laid plans go awry and Elise is dragged into his world of violence and deceit. She may not survive the revelation of Jared's past...or still love him when the truth is revealed.

The Guise of a Gentleman is a wholesome Regency Romance, a.k.a. "clean" that explores finding one's true self, loyalty, honor, and trusting loved ones. With plenty of swashbuckling action, it provides a several good twists that play off of familiar situations and proudly proclaims the redemptive power of love. 

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Q&A With the Author:

1.   What do you like to do when you're not writing? 

I love to sing, mostly in choirs or small groups--singing solos are scary! Really, my favorite time to sing is when I'm alone and I have the music really loud. I also adore dancing--especially ballroom and I'm in a performance group that does a production every year set to Strauss music. Hiking and walking are other favorites. And I love to play in the water such as swim, water ski, and wake surf, or even just walk along the shore with the waves lapping at my feet.

2.  What was the hardest part of writing your book, and how did you overcome it? 

The hardest part of this particular book was developing the heroine. Because I already knew the hero as a secondary character from a previous book, he was easy, plus he was just such a fun character. The heroine was new to me so I spent a lot of time developing her character and nailing down her personality as well as what her goals and motivations were.

3. If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would it be and why? 

I'd love to go to England again. I've been there twice but there is so much more that I haven't seen yet. I also really want to visit Italy and see all the historic places. A book that I want to write will be set in Italy so I hope to go soon and do first-hand research for it.

4.  Where do you get information and ideas for your books? 

Ideas come from a variety of sources--lines from books that I or someone else wrote, quotes, movies, or even dreams. Information comes from meticulous research. I do tons of ongoing research about the Regency Era, and each book requires more specialized research. For this book, I spent over a year researching pirates and the British Navy. Much of my research came from books but I also took an online class from Pirates and Privateers. It was fun. I have another pirate book idea which would be great because it would help use that knowledge to work in another book. It was an awful lot of research for just one book.

5. Tell us a bit about a future project you are working on? Do you have any little sneak peeks you can share? 

I have a new book coming out at the end of the month. Though it is book 5 of my familial series, it also reads well as a stand-alone work. It's about a lady accused of murdering her husband, and the Bow Street Runner assigned to hunt her down and bring her back to face justice. But she just may bring him to his knees. Literally. It's called Not a Fine Gentleman so I hope you watch for it.

6. Now that we've gotten to know each other, tell us a story of a favorite childhood activity you used to do during the summer. It can be long or short. Funny, sad, or somewhere in between. Just make sure it's yours. Tell us a story? 

As a child, one of my favorite pastimes was to play in the pool. I'd get up, eat breakfast, take off my nightgown, and put on a swimsuit. Then I spent most of the day in the pool, either alone or with friends, sometimes go swimming again after dinner, then I'd take a bath, put on my nightgown and go to bed. What else do you do when it's 110 degrees F (or more) outside? One of my favorite pool games was to pretend we were mermaids. We crossed our feet at the ankles and swim like mermaids with tails. If only we had that fabric mermaid costumes available today! My best friend had beautiful hair that went down to her hips. She was the perfect mermaid. I was a bit envious. It was great fun and I have many happy memories of that time. 

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Valentine Countdown Blitz Day Eleven: The Stranger She Married by Donna Hatch

Donna Hatch is the author of the best-selling “Rogue Hearts Series,” and a winner of writing awards such as The Golden Quill and the International Digital Award. A hopeless romantic and adventurer at heart, she discovered her writing passion at the tender age of 8 and has been listening to those voices ever since. She has become a sought-after workshop presenter, and also juggles freelance editing, multiple volunteer positions, and most of all, her six children (seven, counting her husband). A native of Arizona who recently transplanted to the Pacific Northwest, she and her husband of over twenty years are living proof that there really is a happily ever after.

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When her parents and twin brother die within weeks of each other, Alicia and her younger sister are left in the hands of an uncle who has brought them all to financial and social ruin. Desperate to save her family from debtor's prison, Alicia vows to marry the first wealthy man to propose. She meets the dashing Lord Amesbury, and her heart whispers that this is the man she is destined to love, but his tainted past may forever stand in their way. Her choices in potential husbands narrow to either a scarred cripple with the heart of a poet, or a handsome rake with a deadly secret.

Cole Amesbury is tormented by his own ghosts, and believes he is beyond redemption, yet he cannot deny his attraction for the girl whose genuine goodness touches the heart he'd thought long dead. He fears the scars in his soul cut so deeply that he may never be able to offer Alicia a love that is true. When yet another bizarre mishap threatens her life, Alicia suspects the seemingly unrelated accidents that have plagued her loved ones are actually a killer's attempt to exterminate every member of her family. Despite the threat looming over her, learning to love the stranger she married may pose the greatest danger to her heart. And Cole must protect Alicia from the killer who has been exterminating her family before she is the next target.

This romantic story of loss and betrayal, forgiveness and redemption, and strangers marrying, will leave you laughing, crying, and swooning. Sprinkled liberally with suspense, mystery, and heart-melting kisses, this is not your ordinary historical tale of an arranged marriage nor of redeeming the rakes. Fans of Victorian and Regency Eras as well as those seeking clean and wholesome romance with plenty of chemistry, not to mention the redemptive power of love, will love this story!

Dance with a duke, outwit pirates, save a kingdom, and fall in love. Believe in happily ever after.

The Rogue Hearts Series:
The Stranger She Married
The Guise of a Gentleman
A Perfect Secret
The Suspect's Daughter

Praise for Donna Hatch:
“Donna Hatch is one of the masters of clean romance with electric tension and smokin’ hot kisses.” ~ Reading is My Super Power Reviews


“Written with heart and depth, Donna Hatch’s books are absolute must-reads for any fan of swoon-worthy historical romance.”  ~ Sarah M. Eden, USA Today best-selling historical romance author

Join the Cover Reveal for the 5th book in the Rogue Hearts Series

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Q&A With the Author :

1.     Why do you choose to write romance? Do you write any other genres?
I write romance for two reasons. The fist reason is because a true romance, unlike other genres, guarantees that the story will end well. So many other genres can have sad or bittersweet endings, and I need a book to end leaving me hopeful. The second reason I write romance is because they usually have good character development. Usually, by the end of the story, the characters have overcome at least one major character flaw that allows them to defeat the villain, solve the crime, or whatever it is depending on the subgenre, and who, by the ending love and accept another special someone, who, in turn, loves and accepts them. A romance should feel wrapped up, and the characters should be better, stronger people by the end. Plus, you know, in love. Really, it’s all about hoping tomorrow will be a better day.

2.     How long does it take you to write a book, typically?
That depends on the book—the subgenre, the length of the story, and how easily it all comes together as well as what’s going on with my personal life. Sometimes my family needs don’t leave time for writing, and also I can’t write if I’m overly stressed or if I have fallen into a depression, which is a chronic battle. Once, I wrote, revised, and edited a novella in less than a month. A couple of novels took me years to complete and be ready for publication. Sometimes I write them straight through; other times, I set them aside to work on other projects. The only thing that really guarantees that I’ll finish a project within a specific time is having a contract deadline. I always meet those even if I think it’s going to kill me.

3.     Since a lot of romance books show both male and female perspectives, share with us the most difficult thing about writing the perspective of the opposite gender?
One of my biggest challenges is making sure I hold true to each character’s voice for the chapters or sections written in their point of view so the chapters don’t all feel like they could be told from anyone’s perspective. I want to make sure the perceptions and descriptions are worded in a way that holds true to that character’s personality.

4.     What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?
I like to write to instrumental music such light classical—harp or piano in particular—or New Age. I can’t write to lyrics or a drumbeat, and I don’t like silence.

5.     Tell us a bit about a future project you are working on? Do you have any little sneak peeks you can share?
I’m almost finished with book 5 of my Rogue Hearts Series, Not a Fine Gentleman, and hope to have it released this summer. It’s about Lady Margaret who is accused of murdering her estranged husband.

6.     What is the most romantic date you have ever been on? Or, what is your idea of the perfect Valentine Date?
One of my most memorable dates was when my husband took me to an Italian restaurant that had waiters who went around serenading the diners. Then, after dinner, we took a Venetian-style gondola ride down a canal. The lights along the waterway reflected in the gently rippling waves and a sultry breeze carried the scent of desert flowers. It was lovely and so romantic.  

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Christmas Countdown Blitz Day Five: Christmas Secrets by Donna Hatch

Donna Hatch is the author of the best-selling “Rogue Hearts Series,” and a winner of writing awards such as The Golden Quill and the International Digital Award. 

A hopeless romantic and adventurer at heart, she discovered her writing passion at the tender age of 8 and has been listening to those voices ever since. 

She has become a sought-after workshop presenter, and also juggles freelance editing, multiple volunteer positions, and most of all, her six children (seven, counting her husband). 

A native of Arizona who recently transplanted to the Pacific Northwest, she and her husband of over twenty years are living proof that there really is a happily ever after. 

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A stolen Christmas kiss leaves them bewildered and breathless. 

A charming rogue-turned-vicar, Will wants to prove that he left his rakish days behind him, but an accidental kiss changes all his plans. His secret could bring them together...or divide them forever. 

Holly has two Christmas wishes this year; finally earn her mother's approval by gaining the notice of a handsome earl, and learn the identity of the stranger who gave her a heart-shattering kiss...even if that stranger is the resident Christmas ghost.

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Snippet:

“…I cannot imagine anyone else in the household would have done it.”

“Hmmm. That is a mystery.”

“My only other thought is…well, it’s difficult to even consider.”

“What is it?”

“You might laugh. Or perform that exorcism in truth.”

He tilted his head, his eyes wide. She’d never noticed what a beautiful shade of blue they were, like a clear winter sky.

“Exorcism?” he asked. “Do you think a ghost might have done this?”

She let out a helpless half-laugh. “Either that, or a servant, which seems preposterous.”

He sat back as if pondering, then resumed his task. “That is something to consider. I agree you are right about Lord Bradbury. I do not know him well, but he strikes me as too honorable to engage in that type of behavior.”

“That is my opinion as well.”

They resumed their bough making and bow tying in silence. She could not guess his thoughts, but hers returned to that night in the conservatory, the sublime beauty of that particular intimacy.

The vicar’s voice broke into her thoughts. “I believe you may be right.”

“I’m right?” She blinked.

“It might have been a ghost.”

She almost dropped her ribbon. “Do you truly believe that?”

“Let’s consider all the other possibilities.”

Working side by side, they discussed each male guest, and every servant that they had seen or met in the castle. The vicar, having spent so much time at this castle over the years in his friendship with Joseph, knew all of them. They went back over what few physical attributes she had detected about her mystery man, and compared them to each male in the household. One by one, they eliminated them all now could they imagine why.

Finally, the vicar said, “It is possible that your mystery man mistook you for someone else.”

She winced. “That would be truly terrible. How humiliating.”

He said nothing for a long moment while they worked. Quietly, he asked, “Can you think of anyone we have not yet considered?”

She worked at her bow, trying to get the loops the same size. “No, I can’t.”

A weighted pause. “Then the only other explanation is that some stranger entered the castle.”

She shivered. That thought frightened her more than the others.

While Holly grappled with the prospect, the vicar said what they were both thinking, “Either it was someone else we have not considered, or it was a ghost.”

A ghost.

That would explain why the sensation had been so…unearthly. 

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Autumn Countdown Blitz Day 6: Unmasking the Duke - The Rogue Hearts Series by Donna Hatch

Donna Hatch is the author of the best-selling “Rogue Hearts Series,” and a winner of writing awards such as The Golden Quill and the International Digital Award. 

A hopeless romantic and adventurer at heart, she discovered her writing passion at the tender age of 8 and has been listening to those voices ever since. She has become a sought-after workshop presenter, and also juggles freelance editing, multiple volunteer positions, and most of all, her six children (seven, counting her husband).

 A native of Arizona who recently transplanted to the Pacific Northwest, she and her husband of over twenty years are living proof that there really is a happily ever after.

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The last thing Hannah Palmer wants to do is flirt with men in a crowded ballroom, but when her sister, the Countess of Tarrington, throws a Masquerade Ball, Hannah can’t say no to the invitation. 

Taking comfort behind her disguise, she dances with a charming masked gentleman, matching him wit for wit. When the glorious evening culminates in a kiss, and the two remove their masks, Hannah is horrified to discover the man she’s been flirting with all night is her most despised neighbor, the Duke of Suttenberg. 

No matter how charming the duke was at the ball, and how wonderful the kiss, he is the last man she could ever love.

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Snippet:

Hannah turned. Cole and the duke approached, both walking as if they owned the world. Tongue-tied, Hannah nodded. The duke passed a brief glance over Hannah.

Cole made a loose gesture. “You remember my wife’s sister, Hannah Palmer, of course.”

The duke blinked. “Yes, of course. Good afternoon.” He might as well have said, “No, I’m sure we’ve never met”; it would have been truthful.

In a single graceful motion, he swept off his hat, revealing midnight hair and that distinctive patch of blond on the left side that apparently marked members of his family for generations. He appeared to be proud of the unusual birthmark judging by the way he parted his hair in the middle of it. Briefly, he dipped his chin in a ducal version of a bow when greeting someone of low consequence.

Seething at his arrogance, Hannah sank into a very proper curtsy. In an act of uncommon boldness, fueled by ire, she offered a mischievous smile. “Delighted to see you again, Your Grace. I’m happy you’ve recovered from the strawberry incident.” There. She’d made her point without revealing any hint of annoyance that he’d failed to remember her, and she’d even spoken without stammering.

His gray-green eyes opened wider, and his head jerked back ever so slightly in carefully controlled surprise. Was that a touch of blush on his finely chiseled cheekbones? Surely not.  The Paragon would do anything so boyish as blush.

“Strawberries. Yes. I’m careful not to give them the upper hand.” His smooth baritone voice contained exactly the right amount of humor and arrogant savoir faire.

She might have been charmed by the almost chagrined smile now curving his beautifully formed lips if she weren’t chewing on his admission that he refused to allow anyone, or anything, to best him. Not to mention that he still gave no hint of remembering her despite them meeting four times—yes, she counted.

Saucily she tossed her head. “I wish you success in your endeavors to submit all strawberries to your whim.”

The duke’s gaze flicked over her face, still showing no sign of recognition, but every sign of unconcern, although he did seem to study her more closely. “Yes, well, a pleasure to see you . . . again.” He turned away from her dismissively.

Hannah marched to the parlor. That duke! Insufferable, rude, arrogant . . . perfect people at the top of the social pyramid never seemed to have any tolerance for mere humans, nor would they do anything as lowering as willingly engage them in a true conversation.

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