Witty and Seductive Historicals

I’m so excited that April is finally here.  It means the long cold winter is finally over and flowers are again blooming.  It means the (grumble, grumble) tax season is finally over and I can get back to sitting outside on the screened-in porch with my laptop creating stories.  And it means the release date for THE SEDUCTION OF A DUKE is finally here!

When I wrote THE EDUCATION OF MRS. BRIMLEY, I knew Nicholas’s arrogant older brother would need a comeuppance and I think I’ve found just the heroine to bring him to his knees.  In THE SEDUCTION OF A DUKE, Francesca Winthrop, a wealthy beyond measure American heiress, has no desire to wed an impoverished duke, especially one that plans to take her overseas to live among strangers.  Fortunately, she has a plan to return to America that involves advice found in a courtesan’s journal, and the cooperation of her stranger-husband.  William Chambers, the new Duke of Bedford, has his own reasons for maintaining his distance, much to the amusement of his younger brother, Nicholas.  Yes, Nicholas and Emma are back!  I couldn’t keep them away from participating in this fun, sexy story with a twist (I hope) you won’t see coming. Click here for an excerpt.

I incorporated a scene in THE SEDUCTION OF A DUKE that involves the “secret” language of fans.  Francesca and her rival have a silent confrontation that is expressed solely through the gestures made with their fans.  You should be able to understand the tone of what is being conveyed, but I’ve included the tools to translate that conversation.  Click here to decipher the secret language of fans.

Also in April, I anticipate going to the 2009 Romantic Times convention in Orlando, Florida.  The Trouble with Moonlight has been nominated for the Historical Love & Laughter award from Romantic Times Bookreviews.  The winner will be announced at the convention.  I must admit, I have a particular fondness for my invisible heroine causing havoc in Victorian London.  Don’t let the cover fool you.  This is a sensuous read.  Click here to read an excerpt.

I’m especially pleased to announce the June 2009 release of Tails of Love.  All the participating authors and agents have agreed to donate their proceeds to the Animal Adoption Foundation, a no-kill animal shelter in Hamilton, Ohio.  I’m honored to be allowed to be included with such authors as:  Lori Foster, Diane Castell, Stella Cameron, Kate Angell, Ann Christopher, Marcia James, Sarah McCarthy, Patricia Sargeant and Sue-Ellen Welfonder. My contribution, Lord Hairy, involves one of the girls from the Pettibone School for Young Girls.  Click here for the cover.

It’s going to be a busy couple of months.  If you’re in the area of one of my signings, please make a point to stop by.  I love talking to readers of romance.  We’re a special breed.

Donna

The anticipated sequel to The Education of Mrs. Brimley  is scheduled for release April 2009 and titled The Seduction of The Duke.  I just received the cover.  Check it out!  That red and tan corset, by the way, is modeled after an honest-to-God corset I found in a book of nineteenth century fashions.  I think just wearing something like that would make you feel sexy.  I guess this was the equivalent of modern day Victoria’s Secrets.

William Chambers, Duke of Bedford, ascended to the title upon his father’s death, but he also inherited his father’s extensive debts.  Desperate to avoid scandal and ruin, he is willing to go to any lengths – including marrying, sight unseen, a reclusive American heiress known as Frosty Franny. 

Not pleased to be trapped in an arranged marriage, Francesca Winthrop conspires to turn lemons into lemonade with the assistance of a courtesan’s journal.

Reviews:

"The sequel to THE EDUCATION OF MRS. BRIMLEY, THE SEDUCTION OF A DUKE is a wonderful Victorian romance starring two likable protagonists who fall in love while she applies the courtesan’s diary to their relationship. The story line contains droll double entendres, a staple of Donna MacMeans. With a strong support cast and plenty of wit, sub-genre readers will enjoy this intelligent amusing historical."
--Harriet Klausner
Genre-Go-Round Reviews
The World of Romance
http://genregoroundreviews.blogspot.com:80/2009/02/seduction-of-duke-donna-macmeans.html

"She knows how to make the pages sizzle and play on readers' fantasies while incorporating intrigue and a solid story into her delectable novels."
-- Kathe Robin, Romantic Times Bookreviews

Here is the stream for the recording:
http://streaming1.osu.edu/ramgen/media2/readaloud08/021408.rm

In order to hear the podcast recordings of ReadAloud you need RealPlayer software. If you don't already have it on your computer, here is a place where you can download it for free:
http://www.realnetworks.com/products/rpe/index.html.

Be sure to click on the bottom one that says free!

Reviews for The Education of Mrs. Brimley

2009 Scheduled Appearances & Signings