NEW SERIES COMING IN 2025! The Duke's Bastards by Karyn Gerrard #HistoricalRomance #DragonbladePublishing

 

I have been happily self-publishing for nearly five years, writing at my own pace. I hate deadlines. So, when I was approached by the owner of Dragonblade Publishing, a boutique publisher (and I am sure many other historical romance authors were as well, judging by the announcements), I asked many questions and gave it a lot of thought. My last foray into traditional (trad) publishing was somewhat disappointing. Some (not all!) of my experiences with digital publishers weren't all that great, either.

I am in my early sixties now, and I'm wondering how much longer I'll be doing this writing thing. So why not have one last kick at the can? My teacher husband is retired, and I like writing at my leisure. Regardless, I signed on the dotted line. Having contracts and deadlines again makes me 😬, but I'll give it a go. I just turned in book 1 and am already well into book 2.

Here is the announcement at Publisher's Marketplace.

 The Duke's Bastards is a spinoff of The Rakes of St. Regent's Park series. If you read Book 5, The Not So Perfect Duke, I springboard from that subplot about the late Duke's illegitimate children. The hero in Book 1 appeared in Books 5 and 6 of The Rakes. The hero of Book 3? He was the small boy who appeared in The Vicar's Frozen Heart. (The Hornsby Brothers #2)

Will I regret this decision? Time will tell. I hope to rework The Men of Wollstonecraft Hall series someday, but with these contracts, that is farther down the road.

So, when will these books be released?

Book 1: The Detective and the Baroness   January 3, 2025 *

Book 2:  The Chef and the Countess          April 4, 2025

Book 3: The Doctor and the Duchess         July 8, 2025

*release dates are subject to change

Off to write! Cheers!

NEWS! Three Contracts from Kensington Publishing! @KarynGerrard #Historicals #Squee

I am certainly in shock. On my recent author anniversary post, I stated I wanted to seek out validation for my writing, (everyone has their own idea of what that entails) and coming from a publisher based in New York, this certainly is validation in my eyes. The contracts are all for historicals, which will be my main genre going forward. Three contracts. I am stunned.

First contract is for VICAR WITH THE FROZEN HEART (working title). Bold Seduction, which releases Sept 1 with Kensington, is now a series, and this new book is #2. Tentative release is March 2016.

Second contract is for BELOVED MONSTER and is like nothing I've ever written before. Take a Victorian era romance, add a dash of Gothic with elements of Frankenstein and The Picture of Dorian Gray and sprinkle it with Beauty and Beast. Kensington liked it and asked for a second book. Tentative release for Beloved Monster is Sept 2016.

Third contract is for book 2 in the Beloved Monster series and unwritten. Tentative release will be in early 2017 I surmise. This will be a challenge as I have never signed a contract for an unwritten book. I'll have deadlines. Yikes!

It seems I have moved from a 'hobbist' writer to a full-time profession and I couldn't be more pleased! And maybe a tiny bit apprehensive.
The releases will all be in digital form with Kensington Publishing's digital line, Lyrical Press, though Beloved Monster and its sequel will also be available simultaneously in Print on Demand (POD)

Things are moving in new and interesting directions, Kensington also expressed an interest later for Book #3 in my "Hornsby Brothers" series. (yet to be written) So I have a lot on my plate.

Since I am also now a hybrid author and started my own business, I joined the RWA (Romance Writers of America) and can write off my dues as a business expense! (I am so cheap) Not sure how this will benefit me as there are few chapters in Canada and none near me, also I live in a small community far away in moose country, so attending conferences will be next to impossible. But, I've taken the plunge.

With this and upcoming re-releases on tap, the next couple of years will be busy but I hope—ultimately satisfying.

So, forgive me for a OMG squeeeee!

~Karyn

A NEW CONTRACT: Bold Seduction by @KarynGerrard w/Kensington Publishing Corp/Lyrical Press #Historical

I am pleased to announce I have signed a contract with Kensington Publishing Corp's digital line, Lyrical Press for a historical romance, BOLD SEDUCTION.

This is the first time I had two contract offers for the same story, I ultimately decided to go with Lyrical. Time to try a new publisher and I am looking forward to the association. Lyrical Press was purchased by Kensington Publishing Corp in Jan 2014, and I am pleased to be part of the Kensington group. Contracts mailed to New York (how cool to say that!)

BOLD SEDUCTION is a Victorian-era erotic/sensual romance of approx 38,000 words. My hero, Lord Professor Spencer Hornsby? I used Benedict Cumberbatch as the muse. Right down to his thigh-melting voice, lol~ My Hero, if diagnosed today, would have a mild case of Asperger's with a little OCD through in. And he is a virgin. Had a lot of fun writing this.

Here is a very unofficial blurb:

An Assignment of Seduction: When two men turn to Philomena, McGrattan to hire a prostitute as a surprise for their virgin friend’s thirtieth birthday, Phil decides to take on the task herself.  Life had become predictable and tedious and the third son of a duke who prefers books and academia over women and lustful pursuits could prove to be just the challenge she’d been looking for.

Professor Lord Spencer Hornsby, a brilliant eccentric who prefers solitude and pursuit of ancient civilizations is unprepared for the unexpected arrival of the strange but seductive woman with her offer of never considered carnal delights. Quiet and set in his ways, he becomes enchanted with the bold madam.

Philomena is shocked to find the odd professor stirs up feelings she thought long dead. Spencer, ever the man of research is eager to learn all he can. Will the professor and the prostitute discover deeper emotions are in play as they take their journey of sexual discovery?

Will keep you apprised of any release dates and such. After more than 8 months without any new releases, glad to be moving forward. Also glad to be adding a New York publisher to my list of publishing options. Cheers!

NEW CONTRACT: His Wicked Celtic Kiss @KarynGerrard fr @Crimson_Romance #comingsoon

New contract for HIS WICKED CELTIC KISS signed with Crimson Romance for book 2 in The Wicked Men of Rockland series. Book 1 was THE WICKED BAD.

Wait a minute, you mean The Wicked Bad was the start of a series?

Why yes, it was! I have no idea why it wasn't listed that way at ebook sites, because I made it quite clear to the lady who was the editor-in-chief at the time that this would be a series. However, now that I've decided to proceed with the series, maybe the listings can be fixed.

I have written quite a few novellas, but am now stretching my writing into longer pieces, and His Wicked Celtic Kiss is around 57,000 words. I am constantly learning the more I write to fashion a longer narrative.

And enjoying it while I do. This new book will showcase the secondary characters from The Wicked Bad, Julie and Lorcan.

Crimson is under new leadership and I like the direction they are heading, so I do hope to keep the series with this publisher.
Look at their SUBMISSION GUIDELINES HERE


The plan is to have this book out in the early to mid fall. I want to thank Crimson Romance for working around my various personal issues this spring and allowing me time to work on this book. You all rock.

Also, this will be released in Crimson's Contemporary line, not Spicy. This is a mainstream, category romance, though the heat level will be sensual. My first category, though technically The Wicked Bad was, only...way hotter.

I have started a Wicked Men of Rockland board at Pinterest. Check it out HERE

The model below? The muse for my sexy Irish hero, Lorcan Byrne, in His Wicked Celtic Kiss. Yow. Perfect match.

More info to come, and already plotting out book 3 (concerning Liam De Luca, secondary character in His Wicked Celtic Kiss) When I will get around to writing it is another question!

VERY UNOFFICIAL BLURB for His Wicked Celtic Kiss

Julie Denison was in a good place with her hurtful past...until she met Lorcan Byrne. Lorcan is incredibly handsome, and with a teasing wink and sexy Irish lilt he tilts her world on its axis. Julie knows Lorcan is in town for only six months and resolves to make it the best half year of her life­—and his. 

Lorcan Byrne’s previous life of danger has caused him to step back and take a little safe downtime in the small Maryland city of Rockland. He didn’t count on meeting someone like Julie. Her courageous vulnerability and passionate nature affect him in ways he finds delightful and moving. Believing he’s incapable of love, Lorcan tries to keep distant from Julie, but is always drawn back like a moth to the flame that is her beautiful soul.

Can Julie convince Lorcan there is more between them than an intense, physical bond? Will Lorcan discover he has more to offer Julie than—his wicked Celtic kiss?

THE WICKED BAD

• File Size: 531 KB
• Print Length: 210 pages
• Page Numbers Source ISBN: 1440573468
• Publisher: Crimson Romance (April 15, 2013)
• 
  

Nick Crocetti is an imposing figure in black leather riding his motorcycle about the town of Rockland. Owner of a bar, The Chief, whispers of criminal dealings and a murky past swirl around him. Dark and brooding, Nick is "the wicked bad" in looks and demeanor.

 Veronica Barnes, leaving a husband from a disastrously quick Las Vegas marriage and her high-paying consulting job, returns home after ten years to follow a lifelong dream and open her own bakery. Despite the mutual physical attraction - and a shared past - Nick and Veronica are wary of each other and have protective fences around their hearts.

 Can they break down the barriers of past heartbreak, or is Veronica just a good girl who longs to rub against "the wicked bad"?

 Sensuality Level: Hot

BUY AT AMAZON

Karyn Gerrard Bio: 

Karyn lives in a small town in the western corner of Ontario, Canada. She wiles away her spare time writing and reading romance while drinking copious amounts of Earl Grey tea. Tortured heroes are a must. A multi-published author with a few best-sellers under her belt,

Karyn loves to write in different genres and time periods, though historicals are her favorite. As long as she can avoid being hit by a runaway moose in her wilderness paradise she assumes everything is golden.

 Karyn’s been happily married for a long time to her own hero. His encouragement keeps her moving forward.

                                 Karyn's Site/Facebook/Twitter/Pinterest

Contract Offer, New Publisher! Ellora's Cave, Here I Come!

I am now an Ellora's Cave author! Well, I have a contract OFFER, I have not received the paperwork yet. But thought I would announce anyway since I exchanged a few emails with my editor assuring me the contract was on its way.

This was kind of a personal goal for me, EC is still the number one erotic romance e-publisher out there. With acceptance of around 4%, I didn't have my hopes up, especially as the months ticked by. Late winter turned to spring, summer, and then early fall, but I got the email. It was a thrill.

The contract is for a historical novella. It has a Christmas theme, so I imagine it will not be out until later next year. I achieved another goal I had set for myself and feel damned proud to have accomplished it.

Onward and upward, I say. Looking forward to my new adventure!

Cheers~