Beauty and the Beast Forever! By Anna
Campbell
Hi Nas and Riya! Thank you for having me as
your guest today to talk about my new book SEVEN NIGHTS IN A ROGUE’S BED (out
25th September in North America and 1st October in
Australia/New Zealand).
I’m a sucker for a Beauty and the Beast
story. I think it’s the perfect romance: brave, innocent heroine surrenders herself
to a monster’s power for the sake of the father she loves; scarred, lonely,
tormented hero hides a gallant, loving heart beneath a frightening exterior.
Gradually these two unlikely lovers learn the truth about each other and fall
in love, transforming the beast into a prince.
That’s pretty much the plot of my latest
historical romance, SEVEN NIGHTS IN A ROGUE’S BED, the first book in the “Sons of
Sin” series. Sidonie Forsyth turns up at ruined Castle Craven to offer herself
to Jonas Merrick to save her reckless sister from the consequences of her rash
behavior. Sidonie expects to find a monster, and on first sight, that’s just
what she thinks she’s got. Jonas is scarred and sarcastic and obviously
tormented by demons. He’s not showing many princely traits at the beginning of
the book.
As these two share seven unforgettable
nights, they come to understand each other. And through understanding, passion
turns to love. Jonas is a man who has good reason to hate and mistrust the
world that has rejected him, but reluctantly under Sidonie’s influence, he
discovers that he still possesses a rusty but invincible honor, and he becomes
determined to make himself worthy of the woman he loves.
The problem is that the Beast and his
beloved can’t stay forever hidden behind castle walls, away from the world and
its dangers and demands. That’s when things get really dramatic in SEVEN NIGHTS
IN A ROGUE’S BED, after Jonas and Sidonie leave the shelter of Castle Craven
and test their love in the real world. Things get pretty hairy (in an un-beast
kind of way) for our lovers before they get their happy ending. There’s evil
and betrayal and secrets revealed and lots of heartbreak before these two ride
off into the sunset together.
One of the things I love about a great
Beauty and the Beast story is that at heart it’s about the transformative power
of love. At the end, the beast turns into a prince even if in real life, he’s
still scarred on the outside. And Beauty recognizes that he’s a prince, no
matter what he looks like. It’s about taking risks and finding redemption and
being brave enough to seize your happy ending.
Yeah, I can see why this theme is so
perennially popular with readers. And with me! I love the journey that both
characters take to happiness . And let’s face it, we all have fun with the
‘beast’ part of the story. Who doesn’t love seeing a cranky, arrogant hero
coming unstuck when he falls in love? Beasts really are the best!
You can read an excerpt of SEVEN NIGHTS on
my website here: http://annacampbell.info/books.html
So what’s your favorite fairytale romance?
Another Beauty and the Beast story? Or perhaps a story based on Cinderella or
Rapunzel or Sleeping Beauty? Or, another favorite of mine, the Ugly Duckling?
Let’s talk old-time romance! Old time, as in “once upon a time”! I’ve got a
signed copy of SEVEN NIGHTS IN A ROGUE’S BED for one commenter today. Good
luck!
Anna Campbell around the web:
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Anna Campbell around the web:
Facebook Twitter Website
All time favourite is definitely a Beauty and the beast one I just love the idea ! Thanks for the give away Anna
ReplyDeleteMy pleasure, Desere! Yeah, my fave is Beauty and the Beast too although I love the others too.
DeleteAnna Campbell writes wonderful stories. I can't wait to read this one too. I would love to see her tackle The Ugly Duckling.
ReplyDeleteHey, thanks, Ruth. What a lovely thing to hear. You know, the Ugly Duckling is a really interesting idea. Thinking, thinking...
DeleteI read an excerpt and loved it. My favorite romances are all of the above.
ReplyDeleteHi Ella! Lovely to see you here. Sounds like you're another sucker like me for the fairytale romance! And thanks for checking out the excerpt!
DeleteI just love Beauty & The Beast, could watch the film forever and never get tired of it. Will Anna Campbell book be available to buy in the UK - maybe an e-book??
ReplyDeleteI hope so the expert sounds brilliant, only just started reading historical romance too.
Alaine, we're working on getting an ebook available over there. Watch this space. You can buy the paperback over there - Book Depository doesn't charge postage so they're always a good option for romance. Here's the link: http://www.bookdepository.co.uk/Seven-Nights-Rogues-Bed-Anna-Campbell/9781455512072
ReplyDeleteLovely to hear you're just starting on the wonderful journey of discovering historical romance! Lots of great reading ahead of you!
Beauty and the Beast has always been one of my faves. Spunky heroine who makes her own decisions and has a brain AND courage. Perfect!! :) Sounds like you've got a great twist on this one!
ReplyDeleteJemi, I admire the way she manages to stay awake too! ;-) Yeah, I 100% agree with you. One of the more inspiring fairytale heroines!
DeleteGreat blog Anna and book sounds gorgeous. What about the billy goats gruff? Three brothers, an evil dude, a trial... Hmmm not much romance though!
ReplyDeleteRos, actually, you know, I think you could do something with that. And they could turn from the Billy Goats Gruff to the Billy Goats Suave? Yes? No? Hmm...
DeleteBest wishes with your book, Anna! I guess one of my favorites would be Cinderella. Guess that's why I like the movie Ever After. :)
ReplyDeleteKaren, Cinderella is one of the perennials, isn't it? I love a good Cinderella story - in fact I read a doozy by Fiona Harper last week. There's My Fair Lady too which is a Cinderella story with Cockney accents!
DeleteOh, count me as one who loves a beauty and the beast story as well. None better!
ReplyDeleteShelly, glad you're another fan! I think it's just such a powerful tale about the redemptive power of love.
DeleteFor me it's Beauty and The Beast as well. I think it's because no one's really perfect and to see how they come together regardless of physical appearance or deformities, is really uplifting and empowering.
ReplyDeleteDamaris (Maris)
Maris, I think you're so right about it being the inner beauty that counts in that story and I think that's one of the important messages it conveys. So glad you're another fan of the fairytale!
ReplyDeleteI LOVE Beauty and the Beast stories. Love them!
ReplyDeleteLynda, luckily for my new release, you are definitely not alone! I love them too!
DeleteMy favourite romance story? Well, I always had a partiality for The Sleeping Beauty although I now feel that it's not a good message for women at all. I now see it as an insidious plot to keep women in their place and deny them their rights in relationships. If you wait for life to 'just happen' to you it never will, right?
ReplyDeleteI'm intrigued by your heroine's name, Sidonie. Very unusual.
Maria, thanks for saying you like Sidonie's name. Apparently it means "woman of Sidon" which doesn't get us anywhere, does it? I tried a lot of names for Sidonie but none of them fit until I went with something pretty unusual. I think she was originally Marianne and she's definitely not a Marianne! Interesting take on Sleeping Beauty - there are elements of Sleeping Beauty in Tempt the Devil, my third book, in terms of a sensual awakening.
DeleteIt's definitely Beauty and the Beast! Once I saw the library he gifted to her, that was it. ;)
ReplyDeleteYeah, in the Disney version, the library pretty much did it for me too, Julie! ;-)
DeleteMine is Beauty and the Beast too. It's even my fav Disney carton :p
ReplyDeleteLinda, it's a great cartoon, isn't it? I actually think my favorite version though is a really magical black and white movie made in France in the 1940s. The atmosphere of that one is so other-worldly and magical.
DeleteWow, that is one steamy cover and title!
ReplyDeleteI'd have to say Cinderella is my favorite fairytale/romance. I think it's because she comes from such a tough home and ends up with the perfect life. :)
Thanks so much, Sharon. I fell in love with that cover at first sight! Cinderella is such a satisfying story, isn't it? Love it too!
DeleteI have to say, I've enjoyed several Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty adaptations. Beauty and the Beast is another interesting story. :)
ReplyDeleteOoh, love your avatar, GE! I actually think all these fairytales make a great basis for a romance. There's that mythic dimension then, isn't there?
DeleteI like Cinderella Stories.
ReplyDeleteMe too, Chey! I'm actually a sucker for most of the fairytale themes in romance!
ReplyDeleteThis novel sounds wildly romantic with great conflicts.
ReplyDeleteSnow White is my favorite fairy tale.
Love conquers all!! What a beautiful premise for your gorgeous series of utterly scrummy books, Anna!!! Thanks for sharing and thank you Romance Reader too!
ReplyDeleteI love love love Little Mermaid - the orgininal not so happy ever afer story mind you - I think it shows the power and danger and selflessness of love! Take care
x
COngratulations to Jemi Fraser!
ReplyDeleteAnna Campbell picked out your name as the winner, please contact Anna via her website!
Thanks so much Nas & Anna!!! You made my day - thanks so much!! :)
ReplyDeleteEnjoy Jemi!
ReplyDelete