Guest Author: Sabrina York

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I first met my guest today at an RT Convention where she was handing out bling for lanyards. Our conversation was quite short at the time, so it’s wonderful to have her here as my guest today where I can ‘chat’ to her some more.

Her Royal Hotness, Sabrina York, is the New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author of hot, humorous romances. Her titles range from sweet & snarky to scorching romance in historical, contemporary and fantasy sub-genres. I’m a fan of her historical romances and haven’t yet explored her other stories. When I visited her webpage I was amazed to see that the variety of stories she writes—Hot Cowboys; Paranormal Fantasy; Scorching Seals; Military Romance; Untamed Highlanders; Waterloo Heroes and the list continues (and so does my “To Be Read” pile!!). Sabrina’s a RITA Nominated Author (2017 Susana and the Scot) and has won multiple industry awards for her work. She’s one of the fabulous authors who’ll be at the inaugural Booklovers Convention in New Orleans this May and I’m looking forward to catching up with her in person at the event.Welcome Sabrina!

Alyssa, thank you so much for inviting me to your blog! I am thrilled that you enjoy my historical romances, because I enjoy writing them. I love to infuse humor into my stories (you may have noticed??) I guess I am a little snarky.Who am I kidding? I am a lot snarky. :D

(Which is something I love about your writing!)

I also write contemporary romance, but I understand that some readers have their favorite genres, and like to stick to them--but I have to say (and proudly so) I have made converts!!Bwahahaha.

Can you please tell us about your latest release and whether it posed any particular challenges?

Interestingly enough, I have two coming releases!  A contemporary and a historical....

LOVE, TECHNICALLY?

The first is a contemporary romance that's a bit different. I am working with a new company called Wanderword that does audio (AI) stories where the reader chooses the action. So imagine this. You're sitting in your living room (or car) and Alexa reads you the story... Every once in a while, there is a chime, and then you get to decide which option the character will take.It was a lot of fun to write, but did have challenges. For example, when you are writing a book, paragraphing and punctuation can give the reader cues as to who is speaking, and perhaps even tone of voice. This book was more like writing a script...without the visuals. We had to go through and look at dialog tags, to make sure the listener can follow along when the dialog when it gets snappy!

The other issue was the unique way of plotting a story that can go in ANY direction!!!

This story is currently not titled, but will be the first romance they offer. It is expected to release soon.

Here is the blurb:

Alexa Westfall daughter of a tech billionaire is determined to make a go of life as a baker without her dad...and all his tech. After several romance disasters, she's vowed never to date a computer guy again. That is until she meets Nick Banks, brilliant computer programmer and hope-less romantic.On paper these two are diametrically opposed, but when Nick and Alexa kiss, their chemistry is off the charts. Can love overcome an—ahem—technical incompatibility?  

I had so much fun writing this, because there are lots of fun little Easter Eggs hidden throughout.

Here is the Wanderword link: https://www.wanderword.net/The other release I have coming is an amazing collection of historical romances from some of my favorite authors!

DUKES BY THE DOZEN What’s better than a dashing duke? A dozen of them! In this case, a baker’s dozen—thirteen of your favorite historical romance authors have come together to bring you more than a dozen tantalizing novellas, with one per month, for a year’s worth of never-before-released romances.

January – Duke in Winter by Alyssa Alexander — When the highwayman demanded that the Duke of Highrow stand and deliver, he didn’t know she would steal his heart.

February – The Difference One Duke Makes by Elizabeth Essex — All it takes is one frosty night for two imperfect people, former naval commander Marcus Beecham and ruined Penelope Pease, to meet and make the perfect February Valentine.

March – Discovering the Duke by Madeline Martin — Reunited at a house party after a lackluster start to their marriage, the Duke of Stedton attempts to win his Duchess’ heart. Will a sizzling wager be enough to melt the frost between them, or will it truly remain the coldest winter in London?

April – The Duke and the April Flowers by Grace Burrowes — The Duke of Clonmere must marry one of the Earl of Falmouth’s three giggling younger daughters, but Lady Iris—Falmouth’s oldest, who is not at all inclined to giggling—catches Clonmere’s eye, and his heart

May – Love Letters from a Duke by Gina Conkle — The Duke of Richland needs a proper duchess, but he wants his thoroughly fun, entirely inappropriate neighbor, Mrs. Charlotte Chatham. She’s widowed, older, and if the whispers prove true—barren.

June – Her Perfect Duke by Ella Quinn — Still suffering over the loss of his wife and child, Giles, Duke of Kendal sees Lady Thalia Trevor at a market and is instantly smitten. There is only one problem. She is already betrothed to another man. Will she defy her powerful father to marry him? 

July – How to Ditch a Duke by May McGoldrick — Lady Taylor Fleming is an heiress with a suitor on her tail. Her plan to ditch him is simple, escape to the Highlands. But there is nothing simple about the Duke of Bamberg. And even with the best laid plans, things can go awry…

August – To Tempt A Highland Duke by Bronwen Evans — Widowed Lady Flora Grafton must be dreaming. Dougray Firth, Duke of Monreith, who once pledged her his heart but then allowed her to marry another, has just proposed. Why now, after eight years? When she learns the truth, can she trust Dougray to love her enough this time?

September – Duke in Search of a Duchess by Jennifer Ashley — The meticulous Duke of Ashford is dismayed when his children ask Helena Courtland, the gossipy, busybody young widow next door, to find Ash a new wife. But she sweeps into his home and his life, turning Ash’s precisely ordered world into a chaotic whirlwind.

October – Dear Duke by Anna Harrington — When the Duke of Monmouth, decides to build a canal, he isn’t prepared for an old mill owner and his daughter to stand in his way. The only person who understands him is the anonymous pen pal to whom he’s been pouring out his heart, a woman not at all who she seems.

November – Must Love Duke by Heather Snow — Lady Emmaline Paulson already has the only Duke she wants in her life—an adorable puppy she rescued from the Serpentine with the help of a handsome stranger. Can Maxwell Granville, heir to a dukedom, convince her there’s room for him, too.

December – The Mistletoe Duke by Sabrina York — The Duchess of Devon can't think of a better way to tempt her widowed son into marrying again, than to throw a Christmas Ball. And there simply must be mistletoe everywhere! But it's not until Jonathan meets his mother's humble companion under the mistletoe, that fireworks erupt.

January – Dueling with the Duke by Eileen Dreyer — When Adam Marrick, Duke of Rothray, shows up on Georgie Grace’s doorstep, she thinks it is to become acquainted with his cousin James’s widow and daughter. Instead he brings news that will completely upend their lives and put them all in danger.  

Wow! What a fabulous line-up of writers. I’ll look forward to getting started on these. There must be a particular set of challenges in writing an anthology. 

Challenges with writing an anthology like this include working with other authors, timelines, format, agreeing on everything from cover to blurb length and so on. But benefits are that each author promotes, assuring success.If you are a fan of Historical novellas, preorder Dukes by the Dozen now. (Releases April 16) https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07MY994BQ/

You write so many different genres, is there one that you find flows more easily than another to write?

I hate to pick favorites (like any good mother), but I have to say that historical romance is my favorite. It's also my favorite to read. Contemporary gives me the chance to snark out over current topics, which is sooper fun, but for some reason, I just want to live in another age.

You're off to NOLA for the Booklovers Convention and will be signing there. What are a few of the things you're planning to do while you're in New Orleans either before or during the convention?

I've been to NOLA before--for an RT convention—and I had a blast. I am looking forward to beignets at Cafe du Monde and, of course, visiting that casino in the middle of town.But the reason I am going at all is to see people. I get to see lots of author friends and, most importantly, readers. I absolutely LOVE meeting, and re-connecting with readers.By the way, if you are planning to go, be sure to come and find me early, because I will be blinging badges again, and I am sure there will be lots of tiaras available to win at my events!

I've loved your Untamed Highlander Series and Noble Passion Series. Have you ever been to Scotland and the UK? If so, do you have any favourite spots there or funny stories to share from your travels?

I have been to Scotland! It was a trip of a lifetime. My hubby and I went in September (for my birthday). We flew into London and then took the Caledonian Sleeper to Inverness. Once there, we toured northern Scotland and I got to see the locations of some of my books (such as Dunbeath, in which my hero of Tarnished Honor inherited a house!). We rented a car and drove down to Pitlochery, and then visited Kinloch Rannoch, a tiny village in the middle of nowhere--where my mother’s grandfather came from. Naturally, I had to include that village in Bedding the Highlander (a book I wrote for James Patterson's Book Shots!) 

Some of the other highlights of our Scottish trip included food. There was Haggis (check the picture to see what I REALLY thought of it!) and then a very elegant high tea served at the Grand Highland Hotel in Inverness.

After Scotland, we did a tour of London, then took a train through the Chunnel and spent a few days in Paris—including a Seine river cruise for my birthday dinner. It was AMAZING!The best part? I was able to write off some portions of the trip! It really did inspire me!

What's next for you as an author?

OMG I always have several projects going. But one thing I really want to do this year is work on my women's fiction and possibly get something published. I have some great ideas for novels about women dealing with women's issues--and snark. Did I mention snark? I always have at least one really snarky character in there. I deeply suspect she is me!

My turn to ask a question!I'm curious how many of you read other genres... I love romance, but every once in a while, I need a palate cleanser and like to write something else. (Such as the Viridian Convict, which I wrote as Sam York https://www.amazon.com/Viridian-Convict-Blue-Dominion-ebook/dp/B07B88QMW7)

                                 CONTEST!!

Other than romance, which genres do you read? Please comment below to win a signed book from me!

Thank again for joining me today, Sabrina. I’ll just add that many blog viewers have reported that they find it difficult to leave a comment. So, if anybody is having difficulty, send your comment to me at alyssaj.montgomeryromance@gmail.com and I’ll post it up for you and put you in the draw. You have until Saturday March 9^th to enter and the winner will be announced on Monday March 11^th. It will be up to the winner to check the blog on March 11^th and to email me (at above gmail account) by March 13^th to claim the prize.

For more information about Sabrina, visit her webpage at www.sabrinayork.com to check out her books, excerpts and contests.

Best wishes,Alyssa

I hope you'll join me next Saturday for my interview with Guest Author, Jennifer L. Armentrout. Until then, Happy Reading!

 Best wishes, 

Alyssa

MORE ABOUT SABRINA YORK

Giveaways: http://sabrinayork.com/current-giveaways/Newsletter and free book: http://sabrinayork.com/gift/ Represented by Nicole Rescinti at the Seymour AgencyCONNECT WITH SABRINA YORK:    Follow my Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/author/sabrinayorkFollow me on BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/sabrina-yorkFriend my Facebook Profile Page https://www.facebook.com/sabrina.york.14Like my Facebook Author Page https://www.facebook.com/SabrinaYorkBooks  Follow me on Twitter @sabrina_york https://twitter.com/sabrina_yorkFollow me on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5817917.Sabrina_YorkCheck out my Pintrest boards: http://www.pinterest.com/sabrinayork/boards/AllAuthor: http://sabrinayork.allauthor.comJoin the conversation on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/SabrinaYorkChatAndContests/

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About the Blogger:

Alyssa J. Montgomery is an Australian contemporary romance author who is published by Escape Publishing (Harlequin Enterprises, Australia). She also 

writes medieval romance as Alyssa James.