Good morning, everyone! Today I hope you’ll help me welcome our guest author, LILA DiPASQUA, to Magical Musings! Lila and I first “met” online last year when she signed with my then-agent. Since that time, we’ve discovered a mutual love for unusual times and places in historical romance, and Lila has joined me and the other fine ladies of Unusual Historicals. Oh, and we also finally met in real life at the last RWA National conference, which was a nice treat. It’s always fun to see that a friend is just as cool in person!
Now Lila’s “Fiery Tale” novella collections from Berkley Sensation are here to whisk readers to the lux, exotic world of 17th century France–the era of Louis XIV, the decadent “Sun King.” The first was AWAKENED BY A KISS, and her latest is THE PRINCESS IN HIS BED. Here’s the blurb:
THE PRINCESS IN HIS BED is a Fiery Tales Collection: “The Emperor’s New Clothes,” “The Ugly Duckling” and “The Princess and the Pea,” all scandalously retold and renamed…
The Marquis’ New Clothes: To save her cousin, Aimee de Miran must retrieve a jeweled ring from the most sinfully seductive man at court, the Marquis de Nattes. But to search his considerable wardrobe she’ll have to get very close to the notorious rake…and soon she finds herself very close to him indeed, with his clothes–and hers–utterly forgotten.
The Lovely Duckling: Reputed for his carnal skills, Joseph d’Alumbert prefers amorous encounters without emotional entanglement–until a quick-witted lady stirs tender feelings and hot desire. Emilie de Sarron suffered burns to her body as an infant, and keeps her scars–and her heart–well hidden. But Joseph is determined to peel away her inhibitions, one slow steamy kiss at a time, to reveal the beautiful swan inside.
The Princess and the Diamonds: Princess Gabrielle can’t sleep at night. There is something hard in her bed. No, not just the stolen diamonds tucked under her mattress, but the handsome Marquis on it…whose carnal talents she can’t resist. But he threatens her secret mission, and worse, she stands to lose far more than the diamonds–her heart is at stake.
And here’s Lila…
As a historical romance author I’m often asked: What makes for a great story? I’d say, it’s all about the passion. The passion with which you research and write the book. The passion you can stir in readers for your stories and their characters. The passion between the hero and the heroine.
I was raised reading fairy tales. I fell in love with historical romance at age fourteen. And I took my love of fairy tales, history and passionate love stories, and blended them into one steamy yet romantic anthology in THE PRINCESS IN HIS BED. It’s the second in my Fiery Tales series!
So, why am I so drawn to fairy tales? Probably because they were the first romances I ever read. How could I help but write my own versions of these classic tales? Most are about finding love, involve a handsome hero and a happily ever after.
Now if you’re wondering, do I have a favorite Fiery Tale?
Honestly, I love each story in my Fiery Tales series books equally, and for different reasons.
For instance, from the tale of “Sleeping Beau” in AWAKENED BY A KISS, I just adore bad boy Adrien d’Aspe, a seasoned roué and illegitimate son of the King. Legitimized by His Majesty, he’s treated like royalty. That is until Catherine comes along and rocks his world, in more ways than one. I adore Nicolas and Anne in “Little Red Writing.” Anne is a writer and passionate about her books. I love how she completely unravels strong and highly ambitious Nicolas and eventually places him in the unenviable position of having to choose between love and duty. As for “Bewitching in Boots,” Elisabeth is clever–and hopelessly in love with Tristan. Tall, dark and handsome, Tristan. *sighs* The strong silent type. Head of the most prestigious corps in the land. And a man known for his skill at wielding his….er….sword. *winks* Not the kind of woman to sit back and wait for a man to make his moves, Elisabeth relies on wit, seduction and her lucky books and takes matters into her own hands.
My newly released THE PRINCESS IN HIS BED has three more Fiery Tales I just can’t choose a favorite from. I really love them all! “The Marquis’ New Clothes” features Adam de Vey, Marquis de Nattes. He’s sexy and smart and has been infatuated with Aimee de Miran for a long time. It isn’t going to be easy for Aimee get close enough to retrieve the important ring her cousin accidentally dropped in his pocket–especially since his has seduction in mind!
In “The Lovely Duckling,” I didn’t take a heroine who just needed some dressing up. Emilie de Sarron was burned in a fire as an infant. She’s put up with horrible taunts and cruel names. All her life. Worse, at her introduction into society, she was horribly teased and publicly humiliated–the hero, Joseph, regrettably a part of this fiasco. It was the final straw. For ten years, Emilie withdrew from society. Now she’s back and she’s determined to grab a bit bliss–albeit strictly physical. Believing love and marriage are unattainable, she’s convinced that at least a physical encounter is doable. How? Well, she’s going to use the anonymity of a masquerade–orgiastic–ball in order to find a willing lover, and indulge. She never expected that the very man she gives herself to is none other than Joseph.
Princess Gabrielle is determined to help her half-brother recover his losses at an illegal game recently banned by the King–Basset–in “The Princess and the Diamonds.” She has no choice but to use diamonds she borrowed from the palace. If only the gorgeous man sitting across from her didn’t see through her disguise. If only she knew he was a spy working for the Crown, his mission to enforce the ban the King has placed on the card game and see to the arrest of those who dare to play it. As for our hero, Mathias, Marquis de Montfort, he has no idea that the woman he has thoroughly and deliciously debauched is none other than the King’s own daughter.
In the Fiery Tales series, you can always expect to find sinfully seductive handsome rakes, a strong smart heroines who will make him lose his heart and scorching-hot love scenes that will leave you breathless.
Prepare to be swept up and scandalized! Oh, and watch for my next in the Fiery Tales series, A MIDNIGHT DANCE–my sexy retelling of Cinderella, as it’s never been done before! Out August 2011!
Lila DiPasqua writes wicked and witty historical romance for Penguin/Berkley. She lives with her real-life hero husband and three children and is a firm believer in the happily-ever-after. She loves history and enjoys traveling. She has been to four continents so far. Her novels, AWAKENED BY A KISS and THE PRINCESS IN HIS BED are featured in Doubleday as well as Rhapsody Book Clubs. To learn more about Lila and her books, visit www.LilaDiPasqua.com.
QUESTION: If you could star in a fairy tale movie, which fairy tale would you pick and who would you choose to be your Prince Charming? One lucky commenter will win a signed copy of AWAKENED BY A KISS or THE PRINCESS IN HIS BED–winner’s choice! Giveaway open worldwide!
If i could stare in a fairy tale it would be cinderalla just because it has always been my favourite and My prince charming would be played by Johhny Depp
If i could be in a fairy tale it would be Cinderalla becuase it has always been my fabourite and my prince charming would be played by Johnny Dep
Hi again Lila!!!
Well, it would be Sleeping Beauty. I really could do with a nice long sleep.
Then, I would like to be awakened by Gerard Butler.
Oh, I couldn’t be asleep too long then…would I?
Valerie
in Germany
I’d love to star in Beauty and the Beast. That is my favorite fairy tale. I’d pick someone like Cute Jackman, I mean Hugh Jackman,
to be the Beast, or Gerard Butler. 
I would definetly choose Cinderella. It’s my absolute fairy tale of finding yourself and true love My Prince would have to be Colin Firth. He’s tall, dark and oh so handsome. He can be brooding and deep but also charming and charismatic. He would sweep me off my feet and take this Princess to places shes never been before
He may have been Elizabeth’s Mr. Darcy, but he is definelty MY Prince Charming *sigh*
I think I would love to be Cinderella which is my favorite fairy tale! Gerard Butler could be my Prince Charming or Hugh Jackman or Clive Owen. I can’t just pick one!!!!
I see I have similar taste as the other commentators because Gerard Butler and Hugh Jackman were the first hot actors to come to mind, and I can’t get past their vision in my mind!
My fairy tale would be Beauty and the Beast and Gerard Butler would be my beast.
I like Sleeping Beauty, even though it’s old country I like that Aurora was betrothed to the Prince since she was a baby. It was destiny. They fell in love without knowing that so it was all the sweeter. I’d cast Brad Pitt (pre-Angelina, LOL).
jenma76 at hotmail dot com
I guess I would have to pick Cinderella or Beauty and the Beast…I love stories where the heroine is smart and kind but overlooked but wins in the end. And my prince/hero would have to be Tim Riley or Cam Gigandet, they both have that other century quality…yum.
I was thinking that I would pick Cinderella but then I realized I would have to clean and I hate cleaning. So I’m going to go with Sleeping Beauty. I would love to be woken up by my boyfriend. If he was unavailable then I would choose Ryan Reynolds.
Would have to be Sleeping Beauty. One of my all favorite fairy tales. And yes … Hugh Jackman. Yum.
Welcome to Magical Musings, Lila! I have a fascination with Puss in Boots. Of course, after seeing Antonio Banderas’s Puss in Shrek, who else could I pick? I get shivers just thinking of his sexy voice.
Hi Elizabeth—Great choice in both fairy tale and Prince Charming! Johnny Depp is yummy!
Hi Valerie— LOL!!! I like your answer and your Prince Charming!
Hi LilMissMolly — Nice choice in fairy tale…Now you’re going to have to choose who will be your beast. Oh, heck. Why not change the movie title to Beauty, the Beast and LilMissMolly—that way you get to keep them both. *winks*
Hi Cindy — OOOOH!!! Colin Firth! Yummy! He is just so perfect, isn’t he? Love Cinderella! It’s my favorite fairy tale.
Hi Johanna Jochum —Nice picks for Prince Charming! And I’m with you on your favorite fairy tale. It’s mine, too!
Hi dawn kunda —LOL..I LOVE the way you think!
I’m good with your choices—because you didn’t pick Bradley Cooper. He’s mine. He just doesn’t know it. LOL
Hi Scorpio M. “I’d cast Brad Pitt (pre-Angelina)”. ROTFL!! I love it! Great answers.
Hi Marlene Breakfield —Can’t go wrong with those choices!
Hi Danielle – Nice!! And I like your reasoning!
Hi Danielle Gorman -”I was thinking that I would pick Cinderella but then I realized I would have to clean and I hate cleaning. ” LOL!!! I’m with you on that one! lol Great choices in fairy tales and Prince Charmings.
Hi Liz Kreger — I think you’re going to have to wrestle Hugh Jackman away from a few of the ladies on this thread…but he’s worth the fight. lol Thanks for sharing!
Hugs,
Lila
Hi Edie Ramer —OOO, very nice selection. I melt looking at that man’s eyes.
Thanks for stopping in to share!
Hugs,
Lila
Your books sound wonderful, Lila! What a great spin on the traditional fairy tale.
I’m sort of a Red Riding Hood person, even though it’s not a romantic fairy tale. I sort of dig of the wolf and the axeman. Would maybe pick the boys in Supernatural to play those parts. Dean could be the wolf and Sam the axeman. hehehe
Lila, hello!!!
. I’ve always been a fan of the Cinderella tale…but who are these women trying to steal my Prince (Hugh Jackman) away from me?!! He’s MINE! 
Daniel Craig is also rather nice, though. And, ohhh, Ryan Reynolds — while perhaps a tad young — does have some amazing abs!
It’s *wonderful* to see you here
I guess I would go with Beauty and the Beast or the Frog Prince (I like animals). Since everyone wants Hugh Jackman, I’m going to go with Taylor Lautner or my fave cover model, Paul Marron. Of course, I may prefer the prince to stay a frog because I like frogs.
I love fairy tales! I will have to check out your stories–they sound fabulous.
Lila, welcome to Magical! Hmmm, I’ll have to go with Marilyn on this and say Cinderella. I loved that fairy tale as a child, and even more so reading the story to my daughters. Watching the Disney movie, years ago, was a treat too.
Who doesn’t love a great ball… and shoes, glorious magical slippers! All I can say is, the Prince was lucky to have found such a sweet girl.
Best of luck with your fiery tales!
Hi Lila and Carrie, my choice would be Little Red Riding Hood, only miss RRH is all grown up, and she is rescued by one tough outdoorsy guy with the face and body of Jason Statham or Sam Worthingon. Plus there’s baking involved…. how about some chocolate cupcakes with lots of frosting!
My choice is Little Red Riding Hood. First, I’m always cold, so the hood would keep me warm. Plus, there is something sexy about a woodsman coming in to rescue me! I would let Rufus Sewell rescue me. LOL
Sleeping Beauty, my favorite classic
Don’t show this to my boyfriend, but Stephen Moyer can be my prince anyday (and it doesn’t hurt that he’s a wickedly sexy vampire too 
)
Stephanie
thestephanieloves @ gmail . com
snow white…wouldn’t mind being awoken to a kiss by Orlando bloom =D
Hi Lila,
Loving your tour. I’d have to pick Sleeping Beauty this time and definitely choose Antonio Banderas as my Prince. YUM.
Carol L.
Lucky4750@aol.com
By the magic that is Random.org, our winner is Dawn Kunda. Dawn, if you could email Carrie (contact AT carrielofty DOT com), we’ll get your information and prize preference. Thanks to everyone for stopping by!