Friday 16 November 2012

Welcome Lila DiPasqua!

Today,as our final guest of honour at the Fairytale Party, I'm delighted to welcome Lila DiPasqua, author of wonderful historical romances and retold fairy tales. Welcome to the party, Lila!


A new genre is born….Fairy Tales by Lila DiPasqua

Everyone loves a fairy tale. There have been countless movies, countless books that have taken classic fairy tales and given them their own special spin.

But do you know where the genre of fairy tales was born? Or when some of the most famous fairy tales came about?

Well, now, dearest readers, I have some tantalizing tidbits to tell...

Once upon a time, there was a land full of decadence and excesses with elegant lords and ladies who lived in city mansions and sprawling palatial country estates. They attended spectacular masquerade balls, the theatre and ballets.

And they did plenty to fill the scandal sheets of the day.

Yes, dearest readers, it was a time as fine as Regency England. Just as polished. With healthy dose of salacious behavior.

That time was the 17th century. That place was the decadent Kingdom of France.


 And it had all the elements we find in fairy tales.

There was a King – a lusty one, in fact. Louis XIV, known as the Sun King, loved sex and indulged in amorous encounters up to twice a day – into his seventies. The only thing he adored as much as women was dance. Did you know he established the first school of ballet? King Louis and his glittering court were not only connoisseurs of the arts – but of the carnal arts as well. The pursuit of sinful pleasures was a pastime. Sex, an art form. ;)


There was a queen – two, actually. The first was said to have been poisoned, something not uncommon in fairy tales!

Princes and Princesses – Louis had a number of mistresses, a brood of illegitimate children, most of whom he legitimized.

A castle – No, better than that! Palaces! Several owned by the King, the most magnificent of which was and still is the Palace of Versailles. Commissioned by Louis XIV, it is majestic, full of opulence and splendor. He wanted and got a palace fit for the most powerful monarch in all of Christendom.

It was during this time period that Charles Perrault first began writing down fairy tales – folklore that had been passed on verbally for generations – and added morals to his stories. Soon fairy tales became a highly fashionable topic of discussion in the renowned salons of Paris. Hosted by women of the upper class, the salons were where the literati – writers, poets, dramatists and grammarians – gathered with statesmen and the aristocracy to discuss and debate history and literature, religion and philosophy.

Charles Perrault, the father of fairy tales, created The Tales of Mother Goose in a magical, glorious time and brought the world Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Little Red Riding Hood, to name a few.

CHARLES PERRAULT

And I, dearest readers, must admit that I find this most sumptuous place and time just as inspiring. The critically acclaimed Fiery Tales series—wickedly retold fairy tales with my very own steamy, romantic spin—have been set during the very time when the genre of fairy tales was born!

My latest, UNDONE, is an emotionally charged retelling of Rapunzel. And in a few weeks watch for my holiday novella, THE DUKE’S MATCH GIRL—A grown up retelling of The Little Match Girl!

Once upon a scandalous time….


UNDONE
A Fiery Tale
Historical Romance
ISBN: 978-0988035010
Available Now!

Excerpt from UNDONE (A retelling of Rapunzel)
Copyright© 2012 Lila DiPasqua. All rights reserved.

Simon approached her slowly, his brow slightly furrowed. 

Unable to stop herself, Angelica took in his male beauty. He, not the books, now dominated the room. How was it possible that he looked even better than before?

A few wayward strands of his dark hair played against his lashes, but it was his mouth that captured her attention.

Such an appealing mouth…

She looked away, horrified by the workings of her mind. It had to be her headache that was distorting her thinking.

He stopped before her, towering over her.

The bookshelves against her back kept her fixed in place. She was keenly aware of the limited space between their bodies, his proximity causing her body to warm.

“I asked you a question.” His voice was quiet but firm.

Gazing up at him, she tried to clear her head by taking in a deep breath, but it only served to draw in his wonderful scent. She couldn’t quite describe it, but it was tantalizing in the extreme.

What was the matter with her? She shouldn’t be reacting to him this way. She’d chosen a cloistered existence, or rather, it had chosen her. Nonetheless, she’d accepted her future long ago.

“You should not be wandering about alone.” He spoke softly, his voice deep and rich in her ears. It reverberated through her belly with wicked appeal. Lightly, he stroked his knuckles along her bruised cheek. 
“You should be in bed. You are still injured.”

She closed her eyes briefly. Get hold of yourself. This was the second time he’d touched her. Instead of drawing back, as she would have expected, she found herself wanting to draw near. It was a stunning reaction. As stunning as the tiny tingles that sped up her spine at his caress.



Bio:
Lila DiPasqua is a multi-published author of wicked & witty historical romance for Penguin/Berkley, as well as self-published works. Best known for her critically acclaimed Fiery Tales series.  She lives with her husband and three children in Canada, and is a firm believer in happily ever after. To learn more about Lila’s books, visit her website: http://www.liladipasqua.com/ You can find her hanging out daily on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/LilaDiPasquaAuthor  and Twitter: https://twitter.com/liladipasqua

Today, Lila is giving away a print copy of her book, A Midnight Dance to one lucky reader who answers the question, How fiery do you like your tales? or who comments on Lila's post in some other way. The contest will close at midnight tonight and the winner will be announced tomorrow on this thread.

30 comments:

  1. I like them fiery, but it has to make sense in the context of the story. I always have a little trouble when they fall into bed (or where ever) within minutes of meeting each other. I don't think most of us jump on random strangers, do we? I've yet to read a story where it actually makes sense for the protagonists to "join together" before they even exchange names, if you know what I mean :-)

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    1. Hi Zita, I hope you think my set up in A MIDNIGHT DANCE works. You see, there is a love scene right off the bat. Why? Because the heroine is in dire straits. She has no options left but to pretend to be a prostitute in order to gain entrance into the hero's camp, drug him with her tainted wine and make off with his desperately treasure of silver.

      But.... well, things don't work out quite the way Sabine hopes they will. *winks* A Midnight Dance is fun, but it's also an erotic historical romance and has been said to be hotter than Fifty Shades of Grey. :)

      Thanks so much for stopping in to chat with me!

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  2. I'm with Zita--I don't mind fire and do enjoy it, but prefer a good story. So I'm happy with heat or without, as long as the story as a whole grabs me and I can relate to the characters and their journey. Thanks for sharing about your stories, Lila--they sound deliciously fiery!

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    1. Thanks so much for the lovely compliment! I totally agree with you. A solid story with characters you care about and an interesting plot is a must! :)

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  3. Lila does a really nice fiery... and works with the plot

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    1. Thank you very much! What a lovely comment to make. :)

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  4. I don't think fire is what is most important in a story. Yes, it is good to have but the way the characters interact, the tug and pull of emotion, the communication, the story is more important than a fiery relationship.

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    1. Thanks so much for stopping in to share with me. You're definitely right. I think a solid blend of solid characters, emotion and passion makes for the perfect story. :)

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  5. I adore this series!! It's most definitely fiery and I love 'em HOT! I love this period and Lila does it soooo well. Great historical settings and detail. Thanks for the giveaway - I so need to read Jules' story and somehow I missed it. Didn't realize I had until I read UNDONE which is AWESOME!!

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    1. *blushes* You are just so wonderful, Amy. Thank you for the compliment on the series! ;) Yes, you definitely need to read Jules' story. *winks* Glad you came by to join in the fun!

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  6. I like a mixture of sparks and blazes. Sometimes I'm looking for a really hot read, but after a while I need a break.

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    1. Thank you for your comment and for stopping in to share with me! I'm a fan of sparks and blazes, too! :)

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  7. I like mine fiery depending on my mood. Right now I'm really into romance so fiery is really good :D I like sexual tension but also a good relationship between the characters showing that they do care for each other :)

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    1. Well put, Arianne! Thanks so much for stopping by. :)

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  8. I don't really mind an extra cup of fieriness in a book (one that makes me blush from the toes of my feet to the roots of my hair :D) because it adds a little spice to an already spicy story, as long as writer's does't forget that they're also writing a romance story. It would be great if a reader can remember some memorable lines from the story.

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    1. Oh, I love it when there are those memorable lines that make you just stop and sigh or laugh. :) I'm so glad you dropped by to share!

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  9. Thanks for sharing what inspire you to write your books. I love the cover of "A Midnight Dance" .
    I love historical romance! I love a story that makes me dream away...

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    1. Thank you very much, Nicole! I adore those very same things. :) Glad you came by to chat with me.

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  10. I really enjoy historical romances based on fairy tales. I loved Undone and am looking forward to reading A Midnight Dance. Your novels are the perfect fiery romances for me. Thanks for the chance to win another great book of yours.

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    1. Oh, I'm so thrilled you enjoyed UNDONE! Thank you for the lovely compliment. I had so much fun writing Jules' and Sabine's love story in A MIDNIGHT DANCE. Hope it will sweep you up (and perhaps scandalize you a little ;)

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  11. Good answers, guys! Lila, thanks for joining us today! I have to say I LOVE your covers, especially Undone. How much input have you had there?

    Marie

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    1. Thanks so much for having me! I've had so much fun. As for my covers, I was asked for some input for the covers of the books published by Penguin (the first 3 books in the series), but the final decision was ultimately in the hands of my publisher. UNDONE is my first self-published book and I had 100% say in it--in every aspect. Which I totally loved! :)

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  12. I have read some of Lila's works and loved them. I look forward in reading more of her scorching works!

    Thanks,
    Tracey D

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    1. You've put a great big smile on my face, Tracey! Thank you for stopping by with such a lovely comment. :)

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  13. Yes I like them fiery! And really interesting post, especially since there are time periods just as interesting as regency. Love to enter if it's international.

    jessicamariesutton(at)msn(dot)com

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    1. Thanks so much, Jess! I'm so glad you enjoyed the post---and that you like your books fiery. ;) Glad you stopped by!

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  14. I like them fiery as long as the fire fits into the story line. I want to see the pair have a relationship outside of the bedroom too.

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    1. Oh, definitely! I so agree with you, Kimmers! Thank you for sharing. :)

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  15. Lots of interesting comments there - fire with plenty story seems to be in broad favour :). I'm with you, there!

    Lila, thanks for being such a wonderful guest of honour!

    I'll be back in a moment with Lila's winner of A Midnight Dance...

    Marie

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  16. And Lila's winner of A Midnight Dance is...

    LORY LEE!

    Congratulations, Lory - I'm jealous :). Could you please send me your postal address - Marie AT MarieTreanor DOT com. Thanks!

    Marie

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