Author Trish Morey takes you to the extraordinary kingdom of Montvelatte in April with her Presents novel Forced Wife, Royal Love-Child . Trish is blogging today about creating the kingdom — and its sexy prince! — and her free online read now available, The Italian Billionaire’s Bride!
What do you love most about Harlequin Presents? Is it the to-die-for heroes, the feisty heroines, the high stakes and passion and intense emotions, or is it the fabulous international settings?
For me, it’s definitely all about the heroes. Not to mention the strong heroines. And the drama and emotion of falling in love, come to think about it. But from the very first time I picked up a Harlequin romance and could only dream of travel, it was also about the fantastic locations.
From Paris to New York to Sydney to vine covered hills of Tuscany, from London to the stunning Greek Islands to Auckland to Rio, Presents stories transport the reader to a world of riches and glamour, to a place where seduction is guaranteed.
And just sometimes, as Harlequin Presents authors, we get to create new and very special settings in which to set our love stories. The tiny Principality of Montvelatte, the setting for Forced Wife, Royal Love-Child, is one of them.
Set in the cerulean waters between France and Italy, Montvelatte is a both rugged and beautiful, its air scented by salt and sea and by the wild thyme that clings like the Castello itself to its rocky headland. With a chequered history that includes pirates and princesses, legends and myths, Montvelatte is an island paradise, or should be…
For Montvelatte is threatened by a crisis. The monarchy is crumbling, the financial system has been bled dry, and if it wasn’t for bastard Prince Raphael, Montvelatte would cease to exist.
Prince Raphael can save Montvelatte, but he needs an heir and preferably a spare to convince the financiers that the tiny Principality has a future. Lucky for him, one woman can provide both…
Forced Wife, Royal Love-Child is an April Presents release and already scorching up the eharlequin bestseller charts. But for a sneak peek of Montvelatte and this beautiful island paradise, you can check out Trish Morey’s free on-line read, The Italian Billionaire’s Bride all this month here. A chapter will be posted each week day through March.
Meanwhile, what’s your favourite ever Presents setting and why?
This story looks fab, Trish! I was reading the description on eHarl the other night and loved the whole premise.
Hey Mulberry, thanks for dropping by. I’m glad you like the sound of Forced Wife – Royal Love-Child. I had so much fun making up my own Mediterranean island paradise.
Make sure you check out my free online read. I always love reading those. It was great to get the opportunity to do one of my own.
Pingback: Blogging at iheartpresents! «
Ooh, so that’a a ping back.
The things you learn in this business!
Hi Trish
When it comes to your list of Presents attractions, can I tick the box marked ‘all of the above’? I love a well-written Alpha, empathising with the heroine, and imagining all those sun-drenched situations. Forced Wife, Royal Love-Child sounds like a winning combination!
Christina, it sounds like you’re a girl after my own heart:-)) Presents are one of my favourite feel good reads. We’re doubly blessed to be able to write for the line too.
I love your description of Montvelatte, Trish! I can almost imagine being there with your amazing description. It sounds beautiful.
And I think I heard that your heroine is a pilot? How cool is that! Can’t wait to read your book.
Jennie
Hey Jennie, thanks for dropping by! And yes, making up my very own Mediterranean island Principality was a total blast. I’ve always loved classics and ancient history, so it was fun putting together my own island history. So glad you like the sound of it!
And oh yeah, Sienna’s a helicopter pilot and she loves her job. And what she doesn’t love is when someone messes with her machine – lol – She was a different heroine for me and a lot of fun to write.
The sun is shining here in Richmond and it has put me in the holiday mood – I’d love to be transported to Montvelatte right now so I could soak up the sun and breathe in the sea air…Do you think Sienna and her helicopter are free?!
I LOVE the fictional kingdoms in Presents — I feel like it brings a little fairy tale fantasy into my life
And I love it when it spawns a whole “dynasty” of books, like the Royal House of Niroli.
~Amy
oooooh Trish that sounds delicious! Can’t wait to read it.
x Abby
Hi Jo! Lovely of you to drop by. Unfortunately I believe Sienna’s and her helicopter have been unavoidably *detained* in Montvelatte. You might want to check out the ferries. Oh, just make sure you avoid the full moon. You wouldn’t want to chance a meeting with the Beast of Iseo:-)
Amy, I so agree. Which is why I had to do a follow up story, The Ruthless Greek’s Virgin Princess, I just couldn’t let go of such a gorgeous setting.
When the chance for the online came up, I knew it was a perfect way to show a little more of the island life. The fun bit was intersecting the online with Forced Wife – Royal Love-Child in a couple of places. I’m looking forward to readers spotting them.
Gosh, there’s a pile of who knows what on my desk, a stained coffee cup and an unfinished manuscript. I reckon I could do with a wee trip to Montvelatte myself right now… Jo, did you manage to get tickets?
Abby, thanks! You live on a gorgeous island yourself – maybe a tad bigger than Montvelatte – but one I must get to myself one day. (Be warned:-))
Yes, Trish, definitely the heroes!!
Montvelatte sounds divine. I would love a bit of tropical sunshine and sand right about now….
Wild thyme….mmm – what is the national dish of Montvelatte, Trish?
Sharon x
Hi Lynn, my sequel takes us from Montvelatte to Hawaii, so I get the best of two gorgeous islands. You’re one of our hula girls, aren’t you, along with Jane Porter? Hawaii’s such a gorgeous place too.
Hey Sharon, for a simple meal I hear the baked gnocchi with tomato sauce goes down a treat. Montvelatte also does great seafood of course and apparently the Calamari Imbottiti alla Montvelatte (stuffed squid ,Montvelatte style) is also a firm favourite for special occasions.
Thanks for dropping by!
Trish I’ve been following The Italian Billionaire’s Bride on eHarlequin and loving it. Montvelatte sounds fabulous too so I can’t wait for Forced Wife, Royal Lovechild to appear in the shops. Isn’t it fantastic to be able to create your own kingdom? I did that with my Sheikh stories.
And if your sequel takes place in Hawaii does a certain fire dancer make an appearence?? Enquiring minds want to know.
And if you ever do head for Abby’s island home then let me know – I’m always glad of any excuse to visit again. Not sure that Ireland could cope with the three of us getting together though.
Kate
My first book starts in Hawaii, but doesn’t stay there. Yes, I’m the other hula girl — though I don’t live there anymore, boo hoo. Lucky Jane still gets to enjoy the beauty of the islands. I miss them, I really do. I’m thinking of taking a trip sometime in the next year or so. If I’m lucky, sigh.
Looove the dishes in Montvelatte!!!! Sounds yum! And I’ve been enjoying the story at eHarlequin too. Definitely looking forward to a longer tour in the book!