Sugar and Spice Tour and Giveaway with Amy Sandas and Elizabeth Michels

Welcome to the Sugar and Spice Tour, hosted by Sourcebooks Casablanca! Today, I'm featuring authors Amy Sandas and Elizabeth Michels. They have interviewed each other, which was very fun. Stick around for the giveaway!

The Interview:

In which Elizabeth interviews Amy...

Elizabeth: What’s your favorite line from your new release, LORD OF LIES?

Amy: “He knew before he spoke, however, that a sensible lecture would only end in a roll of her fascinating eyes or a snort of derision before she went along doing exactly what she wanted to do anyway.”

Elizabeth: If you had to live within the world of any genre of romance, which one would you choose and why? 

Amy: I’d have to go with contemporary. Specifically, the gritty, rock-and-roll, tattooed, dive bar contemporaries. Oh, to be young and rebellious again!

Elizabeth: Do you think there’s a secret ingredient that all heroes must have to be desirable?  Or does that magic “it” factor change from book to book? 

Amy: I definitely think it changes from book to book. To me the “it” factor is in how the hero is perfect for his particular heroine. It’s in the little details she notices when she first sees him and the way his 

Elizabeth: When you’re not writing, what’s your favorite thing to do in your free time? 

Amy: Read! With a full-time job and three kids, my reading time has shrunk down to random stolen moments that rarely last long. Nothing compares to the luxury of escaping into a good book.

... and then Amy interviews Elizabeth!

Amy: As a reader, which do you prefer: beta or alpha heroes?

Elizabeth: Alphas! I love Alpha Males!  I’m married to an alpha male, and I write about alpha males.  So when it comes to what I choose to read in my spare time, I’m always going to choose an alpha hero.  Give me a take charge, masculine hero with a weakness for only one lady, and I’m a happy reader.  I also give bonus points to the hero if he’s scarred in some way, or avoids events where he would have to exhibit good behavior. …I guess I have a type.  ;) 

Amy: Of the three heroes in The Spare Heirs series, which would you choose that have as your brother, which would you take as a lover, and which would you make your husband?

Elizabeth: Oh, goodness! What a question! LOL I would choose Ethan Moore, Lord Ayton (THE INFAMOUS HEIR) to be my brother.  He’s a great brother to his sister, Katie.  And I know if something went wrong in my life, he would have my back and would be the first one there throwing punches in my defense.  

I would marry Fallon St. James (THE WICKED HEIR) in a heartbeat! He’s a kind, generous, and powerful man in London. He lives in the elegant, flower-filled Headquarters for the Spare Heirs Society.   He’s…let’s be honest…the Godfather of the mafia, which is cool.  And he would be the one most likely to laugh it off when I do something impulsive and creative around the house.  

And that makes Ash Claughbane (THE REBEL HEIR) my lover.  Ash is adventurous, and fun.  He travels a good bit, so I think he would be a nice wild fling when he comes through town.  Of course, I think the heroines of the Spare Heirs series would have a problem with me stealing their men, so I’ll just stick with the husband I have.  He’s pretty awesome too.

Amy: What is the strangest way that an idea has come to you for a story?

Elizabeth: LOL I definitely have to go with the plot of my debut novel, MUST LOVE DUKES, for this one.  I was in the shower one Saturday afternoon after working in my flower beds all morning.  

It went something like this: shampoo, shampoo, shampoo… ENTIRE PLOT OF THE STORY SMASHING ME OVER THE HEAD! I gasped, didn’t even stop to rinse or repeat, and ran for a pen and paper before I could forget the details.  I wrote down a summary of the entire book with shampoo bubbles still dripping from my head.  And the rest is history. 

Amy: If you had only one book to read for the rest of your life, what book would it be?

Elizabeth: Only one book?! Forever?! Man, ask me a tougher question, why don’t you, Amy.  Geez! I would have to go with the book that will always hold a special place in my heart: the one that hooked me on reading when I was a teenager.  There was a long list of acceptable books for summer reading that year.  I wasn’t a big reader at the time, so I sighed and looked down the list settling on a title that turned out to be AMAZING! After I read it, I wanted more and began devouring book after book for the first time in my life.  But that first one is still my favorite book of all time.  The book that changed my life: REBECCA by Daphne Du Maurier.

About Amy Sandas:

USA Today Bestselling author Amy Sandas’s love of romance began one summer when she stumbled across one of her mother’s Barbara Cartland books. Her affinity for writing began with sappy preteen poems and led to a liberal arts degree from the University of Minnesota Twin Cities. She lives with her husband and children near Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

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About Elizabeth Michels:

Elizabeth Michels is the award-winning author of the Tricks of the Ton series and the new Spare Heirs series. She attended Park University where she graduated Magna Cum Laude with a BA in Interior Design.  This Historical Romance author enjoys living in a lake-side town in North Carolina with her husband and son. Elizabeth is a lover of happily-ever-afters, laughter, and things that are sparkly. Tiara optional while reading, but highly recommended. 

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About Lord of Lies:

Lord of Lies by Amy Sandas

Book Three of the Fallen Ladies series

Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca

Publication Date: July 4, 2017

Official Summary:

“You do strange things to me, Dell Turner. Tell me I am not alone in what I feel.”

His voice was low and rough. His eyes burned. “You are not alone,” he said.

Portia Chadwick longs for a life of adventure. When a dangerous moneylender kidnaps her sister, she dares to seek help from a man known only as Nightshade. Soon she finds herself charging headfirst into his world of intrigue and danger—and unexpected passion.

Dell Turner grew up in London’s back alleys and gin lanes. Vowing to escape his low beginnings, he hires himself out to society’s elite. When he accepts a job from a beautiful debutante, he doesn’t anticipate her relentless determination to join his mad occupation…or her unnerving ability to inspire emotions he thought long buried. She’s as dangerous to him as his world is to her, and yet Dell can’t bring himself to turn Portia away—even if it means risking her life.

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About The Wicked Heir:

The Wicked Heir by Elizabeth Michels

Book Three of the Spare Heirs series

Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca

Publication Date: July 4, 2017

Official Summary:

The Spare Heirs Society Cordially Invites You to Meet Fallon St. James: The Mastermind

When the love of Lady Isabelle Fairlyn’s life is betrothed to her twin sister, Isabelle vows to find a suitable replacement before the end of the season. He must be a talented dancer, have a keen fashion sense, and be perfectly dashing in every way.

Fallon St. James is the farthest thing from perfectly anything. As head of the secretive Spare Heirs Society, he must stick to the shadows…even as Isabelle’s friendship pulls him reluctantly into the light.  But when Isabelle gets involved with the one man who could destroy Spares, Fallon must decide between protecting his life’s work—or risking everything to save the woman whose warm smile leaves him breathless. 

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The Giveaway:

One lucky winner will receive a book bundle containing all three books in each author’s latest series! 

Amy Sandas’ Fallen Ladies Series:

Luck Is No Lady

The Untouchable Earl

Lord of Lies

Elizabeth Michels’ Spare Heirs Series:

The Infamous Heir

The Rebel Heir

The Wicked Heir

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Blog Tour and Giveaway: Lord of Lies by Amy Sandas

Hello, bibliovores! Happy Fourth of July to my fellow Americans of the USA! I hope you are having a pleasant and safe holiday. =) Today, I'm sharing Amy Sandas's latest novel, Lord of Lies!

About the Book:

Lord of Lies by Amy Sandas

Book Three of the Fallen Ladies series

Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca

Publication Date: July 4, 2017

Official Summary:

“You do strange things to me, Dell Turner. Tell me I am not alone in what I feel.”

His voice was low and rough. His eyes burned. “You are not alone,” he said.

Portia Chadwick longs for a life of adventure. When a dangerous moneylender kidnaps her sister, she dares to seek help from a man known only as Nightshade. Soon she finds herself charging headfirst into his world of intrigue and danger—and unexpected passion.

Dell Turner grew up in London’s back alleys and gin lanes. Vowing to escape his low beginnings, he hires himself out to society’s elite. When he accepts a job from a beautiful debutante, he doesn’t anticipate her relentless determination to join his mad occupation…or her unnerving ability to inspire emotions he thought long buried. She’s as dangerous to him as his world is to her, and yet Dell can’t bring himself to turn Portia away—even if it means risking her life.

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes and Noble | The Book Depository

About the Author:

USA Today Bestselling author Amy Sandas’s love of romance began one summer when she stumbled across one of her mother’s Barbara Cartland books. Her affinity for writing began with sappy preteen poems and led to a liberal arts degree from the University of Minnesota Twin Cities. She lives with her husband and children near Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Website | Goodreads | Facebook | Twitter

The Excerpt:

He was home for only a few short minutes—not even long enough to shed the guise of Robert French—before there was a sharp knock at the front door. Morley was still taking care of the carriage and horses so wasn’t available to answer. 

With a growl at being disturbed so blasted early in the day after being up all night, Dell lumbered from his study where he had been organizing a plan for his next steps in the Chadwick abduction. He opened the door just as the caller was about to knock again. 

The disturbing slate-gray gaze of the precocious Miss Chadwick widened with a start before she lowered her arm. 

Dell’s immediate instinctive response was to slam the door shut. This woman triggered far too many distractions in his mind, as well as his body. She set him on edge, made him feel less in control. 

He didn’t slam the door because his next thought was the realization that such a reaction would only pique her curiosity even more. He would need to employ another tactic to get rid of her. 

Altering his voice to the smooth, unassuming, lilting tones of Robert French, Dell asked, “Can I help you, miss?” 

She tilted her head beneath the wide fall of her cloak hood, and her striking eyes narrowed dangerously. He was suddenly intensely aware of his appearance. French’s look often drew interested gazes from bold young women. Women who understood his jaunty swagger and the overt sensuality in his movement and expression. 

Dell felt Portia Chadwick’s gaze like a stream of concentrated interest shooting straight to the center of his chest. 

Then she smiled. 

His body instantly reacted. 

What the hell? 

Dell straightened his spine and tried to look down his—or rather French’s—nose at her. Not that he thought any kind of intimidation would work on the chit, but he needed some way to distract from his unwelcome and wholly disturbing reaction. 

“I believe you can,” she answered before she boldly strode across the threshold. 

At any other time and with anyone else, Dell would never have allowed a person to just enter his home in such a way. But his current physical sensitivity to this woman had him stepping back on instinct to avoid direct contact, which gave her just enough room to sweep the rest of the way into the house. 

Damn and blast. 

Closing the door with a hard click, he turned to face her and saw that she had already crossed the small hall to the parlor. Dell gritted his teeth so hard his jaw ached. Following her into the front room, he watched with a further tightening in his loins as she swept her voluminous cloak from her shoulders to toss it carelessly to the sofa. 

She was still clothed in the same evening gown from the night before. Dell couldn’t stop his gaze from dropping briefly down her narrow back to the suggestive curve of her hips and buttocks before she spun around again to face him. 

“I do not believe it is proper manners to so rudely force your way into someone’s home,” he said almost plaintively. “Especially when they are not at home.” 

She laughed then, a full-bodied sound accompanied by a knowing flash in her eyes. She arched her winged black brows and placed her hands on her hips. “Do not bother with the theatrics. I know it is you, Mr. Turner,” she declared. 

How the hell had she known? 

The first time anyone had ever seen through one of his disguises, and it had to be she. 

Dell considered denying it, but figured the truth would likely get her out of there faster. 

“Fine,” he said in his natural voice, which carried more than a hint of his annoyance. “Mind telling me what the hell you are doing back here? I told you I would let you know when I learned something.” 

“And did you? Learn something?” she asked, her tone hopeful. 

“Not yet,” he replied stiffly, expecting her to press him further or demand he do more. 

“Well, the situation has changed.” 

Dell narrowed his gaze. “How?” 

“My sister returned home safely less than two hours ago.” 

It was not what he’d expected to hear. But it would do. “You have come to pay the remainder of my fee, then?” 

She tipped her head, allowing the black ringlets falling from her coiffure to gently graze her col-larbone. “Not exactly.” Turning away, she strolled toward the front window. 

“Then what? Exactly?” he asked, fighting the inexplicable desire to follow her across the room. 

She glanced back over her shoulder with a challenging light in her gaze. “You were hired to find my sister and bring her home. Since she obviously managed to do that on her own, I have decided to give you another chance to earn your full fee.” 

Crossing his arms over his chest, Dell asked, “What would you have me do now?” 

The Giveaway:

Enter to win a copy of Luck is No Lady, first book in Amy Sandas’ sexy and bold Fallen Ladies series!

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Blog Tour and Giveaway: The Untouchable Earl by Amy Sandas

Welcome to the blog tour for The Untouchable Earl by Amy Sandas! I've not read this book (yet?), but I think it looks like a good one. Check out the excerpt (which I find sooo subtly swoony) and enter the giveaway below!

About the Book:

The Untouchable Earl by Amy Sandas

Book Two of the Fallen Ladies series

Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca

Publication Date: November 1, 2016

Official Summary:

“Are you afraid?” 

“Yes,” she replied in a soft voice. “But I love the way you frighten me.” 

Lily Chadwick has spent her life playing by society’s rules. But when an unscrupulous moneylender snatches her off the street and puts her up for auction at a pleasure house, she finds herself in the possession of a man who makes her breathless with terror and impossible yearning… 

Though the reclusive Earl of Harte claimed Lily with the highest bid, he hides a painful secret—one that has kept him from knowing the pleasure of a lover’s touch. Even the barest brush of skin brings him physical pain, and he’s spent his life keeping the world at arms’ length. But there’s something about Lily that maddens him, bewitches him, compels him…and drives him toward the one woman brave and kind enough to seek to heal his troubled heart. 

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About the Author:

Amy Sandas' love of romance began one summer when she stumbled across one of her mother's Barbara Cartland books. Her affinity for writing began with sappy pre-teen poems and led to a Bachelor's degree with an emphasis on Creative Writing from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities. She lives with her husband and children in Wisconsin. 

Website | Goodreads | Facebook | Twitter

The Excerpt:

“Are you going to try the champagne?” she asked. 

He looked at the elegant glass in his hand. The act had become such an ingrained habit that he never even thought about it anymore. But then, no one else seemed to notice when he did not actually raise his glass to drink. 

“I prefer not to have my judgment clouded.” 

In truth, he never consumed anything that might promote a loss of control while among society. He had to be ever diligent if he was to successfully maintain his composure. 

Perhaps tonight more than ever. 

“Then why pour yourself a glass?” 

“It has become habit, I suppose. A way to blend with my peers and avoid drawing attention.

She tilted her head. A smile played about the cor¬ners of her mouth. “You do what you can to blend in, whereas I’ve always secretly wished I possessed some quality that might help me to stand out. We make an odd pair, my lord.” 

Avenell’s lips curved upward involuntarily. “We do indeed, Miss Chadwick.” 

He hadn’t intended the intimate tone that had crept into his words, but in seeing her eyes widen with that barely perceptible reaction she had to him, he was glad for it. Knowing he could cause the involuntary response made him feel as though they were on a bit more equal ground. 

“Will you call me Lily?” she asked with a modest dip of her chin. “It feels odd to be so formal, consider¬ing our…association,” she added hesitantly. 

It took him a moment to gather himself enough to respond. “Would you like me to call you Lily?” 

“Yes. I think so.” 

He nodded. 

“Shall I call you Avenell?” 

Hearing his name on her lips created a fine point of pressure in his chest. He instinctively squared his shoulders in defense. Although he was pleased she would allow him the intimacy of using her given name—in fact, he intended for her to share far more intimacies with him—he could not do the same in return. 

“I prefer you address me as Lord Harte.” He knew his words sounded cold, but there was no help for it. “Or my lord.” 

A shadow slid across her expression at this response. Her mouth curved softly downward in a way he found intensely alluring. A tiny line formed above her brow, then quickly disappeared. He could see his refusal bothered her. For a moment it appeared she might dispute him, but she held her tongue. 

While she remained silent, Avenell felt an unusual desire to provide some sort of explanation. Not all of the truth, perhaps, but something to help her under¬stand that the denial was not a personal rejection. 

“I have never kept a mistress,” he began, carefully easing into what he needed to say. 

“I recall you telling me as much,” she replied. “And of course, you know I have never been one before.” 

Her tone was gentle, and her features were set in a perfect expression of serenity, but he could have sworn he detected a note of dry humor in her tone. Her composure despite the subject matter astounded him. She was so unlike the typical modest young lady. 

Something in the steadiness of her gaze urged him to glance away, to look anywhere but at her. He resisted the temptation and began again. “I never entered into such an arrangement because I knew there would be an expectation of certain liberties that I cannot allow.” 

There was a long pause, during which the point of pressure in his chest spread outward. Then she tilted her head in a subtle gesture. 

“What sort of liberties?” she asked softly. 

Her voice had changed. It was difficult to identify exactly what it was, but it warmed him. Made him feel a burst of impatience, a wave of deeper desire. He took a moment before he replied. 

“You will understand more fully soon enough. But I promise, I will not allow my limitations to lessen the pleasure you experience during our association.” 

A blush pinked her cheeks. But she did not look away. 

“And what of your pleasure, my lord?” Her voice was soft and low. Smoky, like her eyes. 

It weaved through Avenell’s senses and hit him hard in the gut. Heat scored through his insides on a direct path to his loins. He had suspected from the start that her gentle manner had lured him so strongly. But the unexpected boldness in her query had an intense effect on him. 

His arousal roughened his tone as he answered, “My pleasure is assured. Do not doubt that.” 

The pink in her cheeks spread down across her chest and the upper swells of her breasts, but still she held his gaze. He wondered what she might be think¬ing. Her stillness was disconcerting when he sensed so much going on inside her. 

After a few moments, her lashes swept low as she looked down at the glass of champagne held lightly in her hands. 

Avenell set his own glass on the mantel over the fireplace and turned to face her more fully. It was time to begin. 

“Come here, Lily.” 

The Giveaway:

U.S. only, I believe!

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