Robin Danner's Blog: Robin's Ramblings

When I sat down to start writing The Princes Bound shortly after the birth of my first son, I had only a basic plot. Okay, to be completely honest, I mostly just had a title. I’m a pantser, so the story came to me as I wrote.

The princes were easy to create. Mathis is a scholar, who only wants peace for his kingdom. His brother, Talin, is a playboy prince with hidden depths. Nadia, the heroine of The Princes Bound, is where I truly veered off course.

Nadia is Talin’s favorite soldier. She is beautiful, yet skilled in the art of war. She has lived her entire life in the shadow of her father, a knight and the top advisor to the crown of Noventia. Her older brother dies in battle and cements Nadia’s determination to enter the army. She quickly rises to the rank of Captain and is appointed the duty of bringing Mathis to Noventia by whatever means necessary.

It was a joy to write Nadia’s character. Today’s market is filled with angst-ridden heroines, many of whom are plain annoying. (I’m not one to bash online, but I’m sure the readers know who I’m talking about, despite book sales going through the roof!)

Nadia is strong and knows what she wants, but she is not used to feeling what she does for Mathis. Yet she is not going to overanalyze her feelings to pieces, a trait which I adore about her.

I also wanted to prove that a historical heroine does not have to be a bluestocking, or a wallflower, or even a debutante. (Although I love those as well!) I wanted a heroine that was fierce and didn’t need a white knight riding to her rescue. If there is any rescuing to be done, Nadia is quite capable of handling it herself.

I would like to say that I had a feminist reasoning behind Nadia, but sadly I didn’t. I just wrote a strong female character that I hope readers relate to.

Nadia and Mathis’ romance are featured in the first book of my series. Find out more about The Princes at http://robindanner.webs.com.

We all have them...that one character we create whom we can't seem to get out of our head. For me, that character is Hugh d'Arcy. He first appeared in The Princes Bound as a 17 year old recruit. He plays a larger role in The Princes Determined when he goes to assist Prince Talin in the rescue of Rowena and her sister. Now finally...FINALLY!...the time has come for Hugh to get his own story.

On Monday (see my previous post), The Princes Knighted is hitting cybershelves at www.lsbooks.com. The romance between Hugh and Sara is a sweet one, but filled with heartbreak and intrigue. Have you guessed who the rebel leader is yet? If so, keep it to yourself. Don't wanna spoil the surprise ya know? The identity will soon be revealed, I promise.

So who else has a favorite character? I know I'm not the only one!

And just in time for The Princes Knighted's release, LSB is having their anniversary sale. Snatch up your copies of The Princes Bound, Determined, and Knighted at 25% all through the month of January at www.lsbooks.com!

Hi, ya'll!

I'm so excited for January 7th. It's the release day for The Princes Knighted, Hugh and Sara's story. The third in my series, The Princes Knighted is my favorite so far. A thrilling tale of childhood friends whose love is rekindled when unforeseen circumstances throw them together. If you've read the first two books in the series, trust me you don't want to miss the revelation of the rebel leader's identity!

Unfortunately my book's release will be going up against the showdown of the year...The Crimson Tide vs The Fighting Irish. As a Alabamian, I'm stuck smack dab in the middle of college football frenzy. My husband is an ultimate Alabama football fan, so I foresee a very noisy night on the 7th. Of course, my loyalties lie with the Tide, but I'm afraid the joy of my release will be overshadowed by screams of "Roll Tide Roll". (The hubby's, not mine.)

So while I'm stuck at the computer promoting my gem of a romance, I'll be sneaking peeks to see who's winning the game. Good luck to us both!

So who are you rooting for?

My first ever fairy romance released yesterday from Etopia Press. Stroke of Midnight is set at New Year's Eve in Regency England, when a fairy princess is fetched home by her husband-to-be.

Excerpt:

Three hours was not much time.
She led him back to the square, and they sampled the various confections. Like her, he seemed fond of cake. They strolled with the humans, their conversation mingling with the voices of those around them.
She danced to the music that filled the evening air. He watched her with an indulgent expression until she took his hand and pulled him to her. “Dance with me.”
His eyes darkened as he cupped her waist with one hand and held her fingers in a firm grip with the other. “I don’t know the steps.”
“I will teach you.” She pulled him out onto the cobblestones. They twirled around, their steps lively, if a bit misguided. Together they laughed and spun until she pleaded exhaustion.
“No more. I have to catch my breath.”
He took her hand and led her to the fountain. They perched on the edge and watched the dance pass by. Soon it was time for the fireworks, and at the first explosion of color against the sky, she let out a contented sigh.
It was a fun night, one of the best she’d had since she’d been in London. She could almost imagine that nothing had changed between her and Rhys. She spared him a glance. His face tilted up toward the sky, the fireworks reflecting in the shiny depths of his eyes.
The bells began to ring, and Mariel’s gaze flew to the clock. It was almost midnight.
He stirred and reached for her hand. “I have allowed all the time I can give you.”
Something in his manner grabbed her attention. She gave him an intent look. “What is wrong?”
His face remained blank, but darkness flashed in his eyes. “Nothing.”
“You are lying.” She wrenched her hand from his. “I refuse to go with you unless you tell me.”
He closed his eyes for a brief moment. When he reopened them, they burned with green fire. “We are to be married tomorrow.”

Get your copy now at Amazon, B&N, All Romance, Kobo, and other fine retailers.

Happy reading!
Robin
http://robindanner.webs.com

In celebration of the 10/15/12 release of The Princes Bound, I am announcing a new contest! The winner will receive a $10 Amazon gift card. To enter the random drawing, join one of my social media sites listed below. The more you join, the more entries you receive!

www.facebook.com/robindannerauthor
www.twitter.com/robindanner
www.goodreads.com/robindanner

The winner will be announced Monday, 10/15/12, at the conclusion of an author chat featuring myself and Vristen Pierce. The fun begins at 7pm CST at http://www.theromancestudio.com/chat.php.
Come join us as we talk about our latest releases, all things eighties-music, and much more.

Find out more about Robin and her books at http://robindanner.webs.com

I'm also proud to announce that my first every fairy romance has been contracted by Etopia Press. Stroke of Midnight is being released Dec 14, 2012 as we gear up for New Year's Eve.

Mariel is a fairy that has been granted one year to be in London. On New Year's Eve, her childhood friend and former love interest, Rhys, comes to fetch her home.

Rhys reveals that he has been picked as Mariel's groom. To unite the fairy clans, Mariel's father decides to join their meadow clan with Rhys' dual affiliation with the wood clan and lake fairies.

What happens next is an erotic foray into sexual delight.

Book 3 in The Princes Series is now contracted and coming Jan 7, 2013 to LSB. Hugh and Sara's romance was one I couldn't wait to write and I hope everyone enjoys it as much as I did! (My beta readers seem to agree)

Here's the blurb:

Hugh d’Arcy is a young knight who has vowed to protect Noventia at all costs. He returns to N’ior as a favor to his prince to escort Sara, the princess’ sister, to Aronia.

Sara is now betrothed to another, but she has never gotten over her childhood infatuation with Hugh.

When she and Hugh are captured by the rebels, a shocking revelation brings them closer than ever before. To save all that he swore to protect, Hugh faces a devastating decision.

Can Sara convince him that her love is strong enough to overcome any obstacle?

Another hurray! (Throwing glitter and confetti in the air)

The Princes Determined, the second book in my new series, is coming to LSB Nov. 19, 2012. Stay turned for more information as it becomes available. Here is an unedited blurb for The Princes Determined.

After a failed wedding, Rowena of Bevelaire is left at the mercy of her betrothed, Prince Talin of Noventia. Rowena’s father has long been suspected of treasonous activities against Noventia, but Talin is determined to marry her. Amidst a dangerous rebellion, the two must learn to trust each other or risk losing a love that was meant to be.

I am proud to announce my latest contracted work, The Princes Bound, which is coming to LSB Oct. 15, 2012! The Princes Bound is the first book in a sexy new historical series I am working on and I can't wait to share it with you all. In the meantime, the book trailer is added to my page and here is the blurb to whet your appetite.

Prince Mathis wants nothing but peace for his kingdom, while his brother, Prince Talin, seems determined to align his own kingdom with their family’s sworn enemy through an alliance in the form of marriage. Mathis will be damned if he will witness the ceremony binding his brother to the daughter of the man rumored to have murdered their father.

Talin’s most trusted captain, Nadia d’Arcy, is ordered to abduct Mathis and bring him by force to Noventia for the wedding, a marriage that is not what it seems to be.

Mathis and Nadia’s mutual attraction tests both the captain’s loyalty to her prince and Mathis’ already worn patience. As a rebellion begins to threaten all that they hold dear, Nadia must choose between the life she has always known or surrender to the handsome prince who is determined to make her his.