*Note: Currently the comments are not working. My web guru gal is working on it. You may send a comment to me at joan@joanswan.com or swing back by later to comment and enter the drawing!*

So thrilled to have Shana back with me on the blog. I’m a big Shana fan! I love books filled with action, adventure, conflict, fun and, of course, romance. Shana’s stories have it all–rich, strong characters who aren’t afraid to say it like it is…and always finding trouble.

Join us as Shana gives us a sneak peak into her upcoming release – If You Give a Rake a Ruby! And enter below to WIN a copy of the first book in the Jewels of the Ton series, When You Give a Duke a Diamond (US and Canada only).

HER MYSTERIOUS PAST IS THE BEST REVENGE . . .
Fallon, the Marchioness of Mystery, is a celebrated courtesan with her finger on the pulse of high society. She’s adored by men, hated by their wives. No one knows anything about her past, and she plans to keep it that way.

ONLY HE CAN OFFER HER A DAZZLING FUTURE . . .
Warrick Fitzhugh will do anything to protect his compatriots in the Foreign Office, including seduce Fallon, who he thinks can lead him to the deadliest crime lord in London. He knows he’s putting his life on the line . . .

To Warrick’s shock, Fallon is not who he thinks she is, and the secrets she’s keeping are exactly what make her his heart’s desire . . .

Pick yours up:
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Thank you for having me back, Joan. I’m celebrating the release of my thirteenth book—lucky 13, right?—If You Give a Rake a Ruby. It releases March 5, but one person who comments here will win a copy of the first book in the Jewels of the Ton series, When You Give a Duke a Diamond.

Today I’m going to share a few snippets from the first five chapters of If You Give a Rake a Ruby. It’s an extended sneak peek.

From Chapter One

Some said she was the daughter of a maharaja. Little did they know, Fallon had been obliged to ask Lady Sinclair for the definition of maharaja. Other rumors hinted she was a gypsy queen or a princess from a secret kingdom. Fallon wished there was a tiny kernel of truth in but one of the rumors. Anything was better than the reality.

From Chapter Two

“It’s about time you came to bed,” Warrick said. It was too dark to see his pocket watch, but he gauged the time close to five in the morning. “I’ve been waiting for hours.”

“Oh, how rude of me,” she said, her voice quite low and husky in the shadowed room. He could hear her fumbling about and realized she probably sought her tinderbox. “To keep an uninvited man waiting.”

From Chapter Three

She shook her head. “That is no way to treat a lady.”

“That’s because most ladies are skittish ninnies who faint if a man utters the word damn in their presence. You should hope I don’t treat you like a lady. I have no use for ladies.”

From Chapter Four

“Are you going to stand there all evening?”

She blinked. “What would you have me do?” Oh, dear. Had he heard the sultry tone of her voice? She had to stop picturing him naked—or herself naked with him touching her. He was her enemy. He was blackmailing her. She didn’t like him.

Fallon cleared her throat. “What I mean is, what am I supposed to do?”

From Chapter Five

“Good. Hold on.” He reached into his coat and pulled a pistol out. Fallon shook her head to clear it. This was obviously the part of the evening where he shot her. Somehow it made sense that he would kiss her and then kill her.

Which snippet was your favorite? Comment for a chance to win a copy of the first book in the Jewels of the Ton series, When You Give a Duke a Diamond (US and Canada only).

If You Give a Rake a Ruby by Shana Galen—in stores March 2013

About the Author
Shana Galen is the bestselling author of fast-paced adventurous Regency historicals, including the RT Reviewers’ Choice The Making of a Gentleman. Her books are published all over the world and have been featured in the Rhapsody and Doubleday Book Clubs. She taught English at the middle and high school level off and on for eleven years. Most of those years were spent working in Houston’s inner city. Now she writes full time. She’s happily married and has a daughter who is most definitely a romance heroine in the making. Shana loves to hear from readers: visit her website at www.shanagalen.com or see what she’s up to daily on Facebook and Twitter.