Samantha Hastings

  1.        Selina doesn’t have a choice over who she marries; how does she take control of her situation?   2.        Do you have a favorite scent or perfume/cologne? Do you associate any memories with a particular smell?   3.        In what ways is a marriage a social contract? Do you think Theophilus and Selina’s contract is fair? How would you change their bargain?   4.        Do you think the lion should have been put down for attacking the girl and causing her death?   5.        What causes Theophilus’s feelings to change toward Selina?   6.        How is respect different then love? Can you have one without the other?   7.        How does Selina’s relationship with her father and stepmother change?   8.        Which animal in the story is your favorite and why?   9.        Why does the Prince Regent help Selina socially? What does he hope to gain?   10.    Share alternate titles for the book.

My author copies have arrived! Aren't they beautiful? SECRET OF THE SONNETS is Jane Austen + Shakespeare with plenty of banter. Arriving on bookshelves January 3rd, 2023! Snag your own copy from: Amazon Seagull Book Deseret Book

  The Marquess and the Runaway Lady  (2/21/23) An entertaining Harlequin Historical debut Will this disheveled runaway… Become the diamond of the Season? When the Marquess of Cheswick—Wick—takes in a mysterious woman, he’s shocked to discover she is Lady Louisa, an heiress who’s escaped her cruel aunt! Grieving the loss of two siblings, Wick avoids opening his heart to anyone else and stays away from the marriage mart. But when Louisa needs a husband in order to claim her inheritance, Wick’s determined to help—even if it means stepping back into his worst nightmare: the Season! From Harlequin Historical:  Your romantic escape to the past. Preorder links:  Amazon     Barnes & Noble     Indie     Harlequin    Walmart     Target     Powells     BAM

  Check out all the stops on my blog tour! A special thanks to all the bookbloggers, bookstagrammers, and bookish friends for helping out. –January 2:  Reading with Emily  >> Interview –January 3:  Thindbooks Blog  >> Interview –January 4:  Books and Everyday Life  >> Review –January 5:  From the Heart of a Bibliophile Lair  >> Review + Interview –January 6:  My Book a Day  >> Review –January 7:  Why Not? Because I Said So  >> Review + Interview –January 8:  Older & Smarter?  >> Review –January 9:  @LoulasJoys  >> Review –January 10:  Holly's Book Corner  >> Review –January 11:  Heidi Reads  >> Review –January 12:  Singing Librarian Books  >> Review –January 13:  Ashleigh's Bookshelf  >> Review –January 14:  The Clever Reader  >> Review –January 15: Min Reads and Reviews  >> Review Enter to win one of three copies from January 2-15th, 2023.

A sweet Regency Romance where the Marquess brings home the wrong runaway governess! And with a lot of help from his unruly sisters, he discovers her true identity and loses his heart.  Request now on #Netgalley  https://www.netgalley.com/catalog/book/274114 Read the prequel for free:  https://books2read.com/u/mY8AYd #TheMarquessAndTheRunawayLady #SweetRomance #SamanthaHastings #RegencyRomance    

Samantha: Where did you learn about the WRENS—Women’s Royal Naval Service—and what inspired your story? Jenni: I came across the mention of the WRENS in other historical fiction books. I was curious about them, quickly realized how awesome they were (hello motorcycle dispatch riders), and also quickly realized a novel hadn't yet been dedicated to them. I jumped at the chance to tell their stories through the fictional lens of Marion, who is a WREN during both WWI and WWII, and Evelyn, who serves during WWII.   Samantha: I love how you weave the two world wars together to show one beautiful, sometimes heartbreaking story. How did you create the structure of your novel? Jenni: The novel can really be broken into two separate stories. And I wrote it as such, drafting Marion's story first. Then, I wrote Evelyn's. The fun part, though, is that their two separate stories eventually intersect, which reveals a big secret for the women.   Samantha: Who is your favorite character?

  THE CALL OF THE WRENS by Jenni L. Walsh Review: ✨✨✨✨✨ The perfect read for fans of THE GUERNSEY AND POTATO PEEL PIE SOCIETY by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows! The story highlights WRENS—Women’s Royal Naval Service—in both WWI and WWII. Fearless ladies who ride motorcycles to deliver messages (it doesn’t get much cooler than this). The main story lines revolve around Marion and Evelyn. Marion Hoxton is a near mute orphan who is forced to join the WRENS or be homeless in 1917. Her best friend Eddie insists on coming with her with disastrous consequences. Evelyn Fairchild was born with a club-foot and went through several surgeries until she was 16yo to correct it. Her parents want to treat her like she’s made of glass, but when she learns about the WRENS she knows she can be more than a debutante. Walsh weaves an unforgettable tale with story threads from different times coming together for a powerful conclusion. It’s a beautiful and unforgettable book.

  Coming May 15, 2023   (Under my pen name Samantha Larsen) When Miss Tiffany Woodall assumes the identity of her half-brother after his death, she realizes she isn’t the only one with a secret to hide in this historical series debut, perfect for fans of Deanna Raybourn and Sherry Thomas. 1784 London. Miss Tiffany Woodall didn’t murder her half-brother, but she did bury him in the back garden so that she could keep her cottage. Now, the confirmed spinster has to pretend to be Uriah and fulfill his duties as the Duke of Beaufort’s librarian while searching Astwell Palace for Uriah’s missing diamond pin, the only thing of value they own. Her ruse is almost up when she is discovered by Mr. Samir Lathrop, the local bookseller, who tries to save her from drowning while she's actually just washing up in a lake after burying her brother. Her plan is going by the book, until the rector proposes marriage and she starts to develop feelings for Mr. Lathrop.  But when her childhood friend, Tes

Mimi Matthews Interview Samantha: Your characters are always so loveable! I know it’s hard to pick a favorite, but do you have one in this book? Mimi: It’s really hard to choose! I love Julia and Jasper, of course, but I also have a soft spot for Daisy Blunt. Samantha: I adored Goldfinch Hall as a setting in Yorkshire. It’s damp, creepy, and deliciously gothic! What was your inspiration for it? Mimi: I’m a huge fan of gothic fiction and Victorian sensation novels. Remote, creepy houses often play a part in those stories. It’s always fun to include one of them in mine. Samantha: Julia’s invalid parents remind me of Mr. Woodhouse in Jane Austen’s EMMA. How did you make them both comical and sinister? Mimi: Their hypochondriacal quirks make them comical, a bit in the vein of Austen characters like Mrs. Bennet or Mr. Woodhouse. However, the power they hold over Julia makes them sinister.   They’re capable of controlling her future and taking away her bodily autonomy. Truly scar

  THE BELLE OF BELGRAVE SQUARE by Mimi Matthews Review: ✨✨✨✨✨ Mimi Matthew’s books are always a treat and this story was absolutely delectable! Captain Blunt and Julia are an unlikely pairing. He is a strong man with a shocking past and reputation. She is the socially anxious daughter of invalids. The only thing they share in common is a love of horse riding. In sharing their secrets, they discover their inner strength. THE BLUE CASTLE by L.M. Montgomery is one of my favorite books and I definitely saw shades of the story in THE BELLE OF BELGRAVE SQUARE. Author Mimi Matthews also used these books for inspiration, THE LAW AND THE LADY by Wilkie Collins (1875); LADY AUDLEY’S SECRET by Mary Elizabeth Braddon (1862). I can hardly wait for the next book in the BELLES OF LONDON series! Coming October 11, 2022. 

NEVER RESCUE A ROGUE by Virginia Heath   Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I received an eARC in exchange for an honest review.  The Merriwell sisters continue to both charm and make me laugh out loud in this second novel. (You don’t need to have read the first book to enjoy this one. But I highly recommend it! NEVER FALL FOR YOUR FIANCÉE is an absolute hoot). Giles Sinclair is an heir in trouble. He has a terrible secret and no one is better at sniffing out secrets then the journalist called the Sentinel. Who also happens to be Miss Diana Merriwell. The former foes become friends and solve a family mystery. It’s a witty war of words with two likable protagonists.  Heat level: Diana has her way with the Duke 😉. #stmartins #stmartinspress #stmartinsgriffin #VirginiaHeath #NeverRescueARogue #regency #regencyromance #bookrecommendation #bookreview #bookish #booklove

 Read for free!  Miss Selina Stubbs signs the contract of her life with her father—her perfumes in every major shop in London, in exchange for marrying the reluctant son of the Duke of Hampford. Lord Theophilus, the courtesy Marquess of Cheswick, has no desire to wed the daughter of a London merchant. He wishes to go to Africa and study the animals there. But his father, the Duke of Hampford, desperately needs her dowry. After the wedding, Selina gets to know Theophilus and learns of his care for wounded animals. Together they plan a daring rescue of a lion from the Tower of London. Selina decides to make a new bargain…this time for love.

MARLOWE BANKS, REDESIGNED by Jacqueline Firkins @jfkillsdarlings Review: ✨✨✨✨✨ Perfect for fans of BEACH READ by Emily Henry! Marlowe Banks has moved from NY to LA to leave behind a fiancé and a stage failure. She’s a personal assistant to a costume designer and by chance, ends up in a small bit on a TV show with sexy actor Angus Gordon. Sparks fly on and off screen, but Marlowe doesn’t want to be in the spotlight…she wants her costuming to be. Misunderstandings, internet trolls, and social media threaten their budding relationship. It’s a meet-rude instead of a meet-cute, but the chemistry between them sizzles. I loved the vulnerability and growth of the characters beneath their costumes and the faces they show to the world. I also adored how Marlowe dealt with her ex and how she learned to love herself. Sweet, steamy, and completely satisfying. #MarloweBanksRedesigned #JacquelineFirkins #stmartinsgriffinsbooks

  SOMETHING IN THE HEIR by Suzanne Enoch Rating: ✨✨✨✨✨ An original premise, charming prose, and hilarious characters make this story a positive delight. “Are there any more little blessings I should know about?” Mrs. Pershing informs her husband that she has made up not one, but two children! To keep her estate Emmeline married her friend Will, but they didn’t have an obligatory child in five years. So she made some up. Her grandfather, the Duke who owns the estate, insists that she bring her children. The Pershing’s try to borrow children from neighbors but eventual are forced to get some from an orphanage. The romance is subtle and sweet, but secondary to the family plot. The focus is on humorous antics and heartwarming family time as two partners, who are almost strangers, learn how to be parents. #SuzanneEnoch #SomethingInTheHeir #StMartinsPress

  A Dreadful Splendor releases today! 1. Do you believe in ghosts? And/or have you ever attended a séance?   I don’t believe in ghosts, but I do when I wake up in the middle of the night and hear a noise   downstairs. We had a Ouija board when I was a kid, Parker Brothers sold them, it only seemed to come out during sleepovers. The planchette always spelled out something like ‘fart’ or ‘poop head’, but of course everyone denied interfering with the spirit world. They really should reconsider calling it, “I’m not pushing it, are you pushing it?” 2. Who is your favorite character in the book and why? Genevieve. She came to me completely fleshed out with a backstory and a trunk full of coping mechanisms and grief. Still, she is one determined character with a lot of sass. I could have easily written it from another character’s point of view, but it wouldn’t have been as effective. 3.What made you choose Victorian England as the setting for your book? Genevieve came

  Out Tomorrow! A DREADFUL SPLENDOR Review: 5 STARS The Dreadful Splendor was splendidly dreadful! With séances, ghosts, a creepy estate by the ocean, and lots of twists! I read it in one sitting. I could not put it down! I was sure that the murderer was each character at different parts of the book. Jenny was a multifaceted character that became more developed in every chapter. I longed to know her secrets! Author B. R. Myers also spins a slow burning romance that has me melting. It’s the perfect pick for fans of Victorian history, mysteries, and Gothic romance. Description:  In this spectacularly imaginative and ghoulishly fun Gothic murder mystery brimming with romance, betrayals, and chills, a fake spiritualist is summoned to hold a séance for a bride who died on the eve before her wedding, but as nefarious secrets are revealed, the line between hoax and haunting blurs. Be careful what you conjure... In Victorian London, Genevieve Timmons poses as a spiritualist to swindle wealthy

Secret of the Sonnets : Coming January 2, 2023 from Covenant! Miranda Hatch is a scholar, and at the advanced age of twenty-six, she is undoubtedly a spinster. Her single-minded ambition leads her not to seek a husband but to find the lost manuscript of William Shakespeare. So when she discovers a connection between the Bard and the local dashing marquess, she pens a letter requesting access to papers that might secure her academic triumph.  Lord Robert Hamilton is drowning in debt and must turn things around or risk losing his ancestral home. With the weight of the world on his shoulders, he had little time to bother with a letter from an M. Hatch requesting access to ancestral papers--until he realizes that there may be some financial merit in granting the request. To his great surprise, M. Hatch turns out to be none other than the lovely Miss Miranda. The pair soon embarks on the trail of a centuries-old mystery, drawn together not only by their shared goal but by their growing attr

  1.      You write gorgeous fairy tales; do you have a favorite story?           Thank you! My favorite fairy tale has been Beauty & the Beast ever since I read Robin McKinley’s lovely retelling Beauty when I was about 11 years old. Echo North is a retelling of the Norwegian fairy tale East of the Sun and West of the Moon, which is a cousin fairy tale to Beauty & the Beast and contains a lot of similar elements, so I had the pleasure of exploring both fairy tales while writing it! Wind Daughter is set in the same world as Echo , but is not a retelling. 2. Who is your favorite character in the book and why?           I absolutely loved writing the Winter Lord, but my favorite is probably Satu. I have never put so much of myself into a character as I did into Satu—I gave her my insecurities, my high sensitivity, my social anxiety… writing the book in some ways felt like a self call out on every single page. :D But I wanted to write a character who is hyper sensitive and cries

WIND DAUGHTER by Joanna Ruth Meyer Book review: 5 STARS***** A companion novel to ECHO NORTH, WIND DAUGHTER is woven together in the same magical world. The writing is as lyrical and intoxicating as old magic. Traditional fantasy storytelling at its finest. Satu North is the daughter of the North Wind and must save the world from unraveling. She feels too much and fears that she is not strong enough for the task. She is both aided and hindered by the Winter Lord; a handsome and mysterious character.

  What the Dickens?   A sweet / clean / wholesome romance / short story with the characters from  The Last Word . When Charles Dickens dies without finishing the serialized novel, THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD, David sets out with his wife Lucinda to find out who killed the fictional character Edwin Drood. They attend the famous author's memorial service to learn from his friends and family, only to discover a shocking secret about Dickens' death.

Coming February 2023  I am working on the edits now and I can't wait to share more.

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  Interview with Anneka Walker: Q: Do you have your own group of Rebels? A: I do! We call ourselves HACKK though. We grew up together and take yearly girl's trips. They are always eager to rally behind a good cause and are as loyal as they come.   Q: Have you ever tried to matchmake, like the ladies in your book? Or are you in a 'musical club' (#wink)? A: Haha! I love this question. I have experimented a little in the art of matchmaking. The first time I meddled, I nearly had a success. While they both married other people (they chose beautifully for themselves) they are next-door neighbors and their kids are best friends. So at least I can say, I had a hand in building a beautiful friendship!     Q: Who is your favorite character in the book? A: Paul. I love out-of-the-box characters. He has so many layers to him, and no matter how he tries to protect them, Louisa keeps peeling them back. The poor guy can't hide how wonderful he is. So, he's my fav because I loved