So yesterday I asked visitors to tell me about authors they felt were under the reading public’s radar. I want to thank everyone who gave me specific names and titles. Michelle Willingham’s name came up. Now this is not the first time I’ve inquired about this and this is not the first time her name came up. I knew she wrote medievals for Harlequin Historicals but what intrigued me this time was the commenter mentioned she was starting a Victorian series. Now of course, as I write in that period myself, I’m completely intrigued. I’m intrigued about the switch and more so about this new series. I personally have not read anything Ms. Willingham has written, but that’s all going to change today.

The first book in this new Victorian series is The Accidental Countess. It officially releases February 1st but it’s available now for purchase.

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The Accidental Princess
Authors: Michelle Willingham
Publisher: Harlequin Historicals
Release date: February 1, 2010
ISBN-13: 978-0373295814
288 pages

When Stephen Chesterfield, the Earl of Whitmore, awakes to find a beautiful woman berating him, he knows he is in trouble! He cannot recall the past three months of his life, never mind having a wife! What’s more, someone is trying to silence him before his memory returns….

Emily Chesterfield is trapped in a marriage of convenience with a man who doesn’t remember her. Stephen clearly thinks she is the most unsuitable countess, but she is falling for her enigmatic husband…. Can they find trust and love before it is too late?


The second book in the series is The Accidental Princess and it releases March 1, 2010. But like with most Harlequin series books, it will be available to purchase from www.eharlequin.com February 1st and I believe the ebook a week sooner than that. BTW I think Harlequin should make their ebooks able to be purchased for giveaways. Who doesn’t think that’s a fabulous idea???

~*~*~

The Accidental Princess
Authors: Michelle Willingham
Publisher: Harlequin Historicals
Release date: March 1, 2010
ISBN-13: 978-0373295852
288 pages

Lieutenant Michael Thorpe is a forbidden temptation for Lady Hannah Chesterfield. Etiquette demands Hannah ignore the shivers of desire his wicked gaze provokes, but he’s the only man to recognize her restless spirit, and her unawakened body is clamoring for his touch….

Thrown together by scandal, a defiant Hannah joins Michael on an adventure to uncover the secret of his birth—is this common soldier really a prince? If so, will the ordinary man who has taught Hannah the meaning of pleasure now make her his royal bride?

~*~*~

But wait, let’s not get ahead of ourselves. The ebook prequel, An Accidental Seduction from Historical Undone, kicks off the series and is available now for download. And I believe Harlequin has really priced their Undones right, at the price of  $2.69. Guess what’s going on my Sony ereader today?

An Accidental Seduction

Emily Barrow once dreamed that she could marry Stephen Chesterfield, the Earl of Whitmore, and be saved from her dreary life. Then Stephen’s father sent him away, leaving Emily broken-hearted…

Now Stephen has returned to find Emily destitute and alone. He has vowed to help her without compromising her honor…but Emily has other ideas. She doesn’t want his charity, but she does long to know what it would be like to take him as a lover, even if marriage is out of the question. Confined to close quarters with their passion burning as brightly as ever, will Stephen be able to resist the temptation and rescue her, or give in to his desire and completely ruin her?

~*~*~

You might also want to give Michelle Willingham’s medieval The MacEgan Brothers mini-series a try.

So, today I’m going to give away a copy of The Accidental Countess and I hope everyone will give Ms. Willingham a try and get her up from under the radar. 😉

I will be doing this every Friday, so if you know of any romance authors you believe are flying under the radar and would like to see a spotlight on them, please email your recommendation to theseason@smittenbybooks.com.

**Unfortunately, I won’t be spotlighting self-published novels. Authors cannot recommend themselves.

authors under the radarhistoricals
By Contests, Giveaways, Harlequin47 Comments on Authors under the radar ~ Michelle Willingham

47 Replies to “Authors under the radar ~ Michelle Willingham”

  1. These sound great! I remember her book “The Warrior’s Touch” from the cover. I didn’t realize she also wrote historicals! Thanks for spreading the news.

  2. I never read anything by this author. I’d love to try her. The Accidential Countess sounds like a hoot, and I love second chance novels.

  4. Wow, those covers are beuatiful. It’s dresses like those that make me wish I lived back then *g*.

    She’s someone whose books are always praised, but I haven’t read them yet, since the medieval period is not my favorite. But these? I’m all about it!

    Two things to note: thanks for asking the question and for choosing to spotlight some of these authors “under the radar”. And second, I agree with you about ebooks as gifts 🙂

  6. Oh my, It was me that mentioned her yesterday, how wonderful to see Michelle Willingham featured!!
    I read the McEgan brothers series, astounding work. (Her Warrior Slave was particularly heart-breaking) Am looking forward to the Victorian books as well, my fav time period!
    Also Michelle’s Ebook “The Warrior’s Forbidden Virgin” also is part of the MacEgan saga!

  8. Michelle is a wonderful writer. I’ve been acquainted with her online for several years and can say she’s a great person as well. She has a lovely writing style and a strong voice. I’m eager to read her Victorian series.

  10. I can say enough good things about Michelle’s writing. I absolutely love Michelle!!! I’ve read everyone of her printed books, and I’m eagerly awaiting her new series.

  11. I’ve never heard of Michelle Willingham before but The Accidental Countess sounds great and has a gorgeous cover, two sure fire ways to get me interested.

  12. I have heard of Michelle but I’m sorry to say I haven’t read her as yet. And what gorgeous covers!

  14. I’ve been a fan of Michelle’s for several years now, and have had the pleasure of meeting her several times. What an absolutely sweet lady, and a fantastic author. It’s so exciting that The Accidental Countess is finally available – she posted an excerpt on her website quite a while back, and it’s had me salivating for this book to come out for at least a year now!

    And although I don’t read many medieval novels, her MacEgan brothers series is on my must-by list. It’s a wonderful series!

  16. These books certainly sound wonderful I have the prelude ebook on my computer to read and am really looking forward to it I am hoping to get the PC long enough today to read it and I will be buying the other 2 books in the series as they are released.

    Beverley I love learning about new authors love it

    Have Fun
    Helen

  17. This spotlighting idea is great! I love the sound and look of Michelle’s books and will definitely put her books on my wishlist. Looking forward to even more new-to-me authors!

  18. I’ve never heard of this author, but the books sound really good.
    I think this is a great way for all of to learn about authors that haven’t had much publicity. Thanks, Bev.

  20. Thanks for alerting me to an author I have yet to read. Her books sound really good. the covers are really nice too.
    One author I have read and enjoyed that I don’t see gets much press is Amelia Grey. I love the way her characters interact and the dialogue is so effective. Could you spotlight her one time?

  21. Funny, just yesterday I was saying Harlequin Historical books don’t get hardly enough promotion… I don’t know this particular author but the blurbs are definitely tempting. Thanks for the heads up !

  22. I’ve read a couple of Michelle’s medieval books, and loved them. This new series sounds great!

  23. I just downloaded the prequel now, and am looking forward to settling into a chair and enjoying it tonight! Thanks for the suggestion!

  24. This sounds like a great read! I have read her book Taming Her Irish Warrior and I loved the book. Looking forward to reading more of her books, so please enter me.

  26. HI MICHELLE! I don’t know if you’d remember me lol I won a copy of Taming Her Irish Warrior on facebook (LOVED IT btw, recently just picked it up from my tbr pile) and I’m glad you were featured here 😀

  27. Michelle is a new author for me. I’d love to check out The Accidental Countess – I love the Victorian setting. I’ll have to check out the rest of her books as well.

  28. This book looks really good! Romantic and exciting! I’d love to win a copy of this book!

  30. I’d like to try these books. The covers are gorgeous & the story lines sound interesting. Thanks for the opportunity!

  31. “Taming her Irish Warrior” looks so familiar, I wonder if I’ve seen that advertised somewhere… but even so, this is a new to me author. I love finding new authors! Enter me please, I’d love a chance at one of these books!

    Thanks!
    Morning Glow

  33. Suggestion for an Under The Radar Author. Check out T. J. Bennett. She has two lovely historicals out – THE PROMISE and THE LEGACY. They are a nice change of pace from the usual English setting .
    Very good.

  34. Sounds wonderful and I’m looking forward to reading her books. Glad for the info….it’s so good to find new authors that other like-mind readers enjoy!!!

  38. This is a great idea. Featuring authors and their books. I’m always looking for new books and new authors. Thanks so much. I would love to read Michelles books. They look very exciting.

  41. I have heard from a few friends that she writes a great story…..I have yet to read any of her books. Gorgeous covers!!!

  43. This series sounds great. I can’t wait to find out more. I have to go and look it up. The prequel is going on my kindle.

  44. I have read her books, visit her on facebook and she is a wonderful person. She is one of my favorites. I save her books. I am surprised she was under the radar.Maybe you need to see my list of favorites. They leave you wanting more…..

  45. She’s a new writer for me, but her books sond very appealing. I agree – the covers are very nice.

  47. I’ve just finished reading my first of Michelle’s books and loved every minute. My only regret is that I bought it for my kindle so I don’t get to enjoy the cover. Once I get my new bookshelves I may buy the actual book just to look at. LOL.

    Lavinia

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