Thursday, March 3, 2011

Talking ANY WICKED THING with Margaret Rowe

The Revenge is happy to welcome back one of our favorite split-personality authors. Hellie and I have been watching this lady kick butt and write books since long before she landed a contract. Since reaching publication last year, it’s been full steam ahead, churning out sexy Historicals faster than this ship goes through rum! Today, she’s bringing sexy to the ship, I give you, Margaret Rowe!

Hey, Pirates! It’s delightful to be back aboard the ship to cruise the treacherous romance seas. I’m going on a real cruise myself next week and can’t wait. However, the closest to water my Any Wicked Thing characters come is when the hero Sebastian Goddard, Duke of Roxbury surprises the heroine Frederica Wells in the bathtub.

 

Ah! Here you are.”

 

It was too late to scream or reach for the towel or lather up or pull her hair down from its knot to cover her breasts. Sebastian made himself at home on the little bench, sitting atop her towel with finality. Frederica tried to keep her poise, covering herself and wishing she had at least one more arm. “What are you doing here, Your Grace?”

 

“I’m giving myself a tour of the castle, as no one was available to show me around. You keep everyone busy as bees here, Freddie. Orienting myself, as it were. See?” He held up a little leather diary. “I’m making a map, taking notes. Trying to discern what rooms need my attention. Anticipating your every need.”

 

His voice was smooth as caramel. He was not talking about cleaning, the wretch.

 

“As you can see, I’m bathing, your grace. It does not suit me at all to have company as I do so. I expressly forbade you to seek me out earlier. Did you forget?”

 

“I was hardly expecting to discover this charming little room, or you in it in so charming a fashion.” He gazed around, taking stock of the neatly stacked cakes of soap, the oils and unguents on the shelves. A mixture of floral and herbal scents hung in the steamy air. His citrus cream would be right at home with the remedies Frederica had concocted for the household with Mrs. Holloway and Alice. “You’re a kind of apothecary, aren’t you? Scholarship, athleticism and now science. What a wonder you are, Freddie. It doesn’t surprise me that a schemer like you can conquer any task you put your mind to.”

 

“Sebastian, I am naked,” she ground out.

 

He smiled wolfishly at her. “Yes, I do see that, and I thank heaven for it. Makes me wonder what I’ve done to deserve such a treat.”

Sebastian is dependably wicked throughout Any Wicked Thing, but Freddie finds a way to tame him as he teaches her body to fulfill his every need. I loved writing the sensual journey of medieval scholar Freddie and tortured duke Sebastian, and hope that readers will make themselves at home in Goddard Castle as sparks fly. For more AWT excerpts, please check my websites www.margaretrowe.net/books and www.maggierobinson.net/blog.

Here’s a super-simple way for a chance to win a copy of Any Wicked Thing today. Do you prefer baths or showers? I’m a bath girl, and my husband just came home with bubble bath called Dirty Girl. He knows me so well.

39 comments:

2nd Chance said...

Showers! Though if I had a large tub with multiple jets...

Nah...I'd like a super size shower with multiple jets and a bench... Yeah...

I know baths are supposed to be better for the body, but there is something about the steaming water sluicing down my body that does it for me!

Margay said...

Showers for me!

StacieDM said...

I love baths but I never seem to take them unless I'm at a hotel. When I am home I am rushing around so a shower is more practical. I would love to have a huge clawfoot soaking tub to lounge around in all day.

Any Wicked Thing sounds like such a fun read!

Linda Townsend said...

I'm a shower girl! I love the water coming down on me - it can serve to wake me up or put me to sleep depending on which shower gel I use. I feel so clean after a shower! Perhaps I get my bath thing out of my system in our pool. We use ionization in our pool, not chlorine... so getting in our pool is almost like getting in a bath.

Donna said...

Margaret, it sounds like a delightful story -- and the cover is beautiful. Congrats on all your success.

I will be contrary and NOT choose, because I love baths and showers, and do my best to have both all the time. LOL What can I say--I'm a Scorpio, which is a water sign. We love water.

Maggie Robinson/Margaret Rowe said...

Good morning, Pirates! Thanks for having me mumble on today. ;)

We have a huge shower in our new house, big enough for most of the Pirates to get in. (in bathing suits, of couse--I know that you are modest ladies*g*)I think I've taken a shower in it maybe 5 times since May. A bath is my daily indulgence, where I MAKE myself relax...not always successfully.

Irisheyes said...

Hey Maggie!! Congrats on all of your successes this past year! Sounds like you need those relaxing baths.

I love the excerpt posted - sounds like Freddie and Sebastian have a little battle of wills to work through. :)

I'm a shower girl on a day to day basis but can be talked into enjoying a long, fragrant soak in a tub from time to time. Especially when the weather dips below zero and it is the only thing that will warm my bones. I'm not really a swimmer either but will jump in a jacuzzi whenever one is available.

Maggie Robinson/Margaret Rowe said...

Irish, Freddie and Sebastian definitely go back and forth. That was the most fun to write. They alternate days bending each other to their will, but somehow Sebastian always wins. ;)

PJ said...

Hi Maggie! Congrats on the new release!

I like both showers and baths but since I'm usually on the run, it's mostly showers for me. I do have a jacuzzi tub in the master bath that I don't use nearly often enough.

Hellion said...

I love both for different reasons. *wicked grin*

Maggie Robinson/Margaret Rowe said...

Let's keep it clean, Hellie. ;)

Thanks, PJ. Of all the books I've written, I think I like AWT best.

Hi, Stacie & Linda! Thanks for commenting. :)I'm on my way to a bath right now...

Marnee said...

Hi Mags!! :)

This book sounds great. And I'm not a bath girl. At all. I feel silly just sitting there. Though I do like a hot tub now and again. I wish we owned one. Maybe some day. :)

Congrats on your new release, Maggie!!

Bosun said...

Good morning! I see everyone is already up and testing the ship's water heater. LOL! I'm a shower girl all the way. I'd love to have one of those showers like Chance mentioned, with the bench and like five shower heads. With that big one at the top that feels like you're just being rained on. Man, that would be awesome.

I'm not good with sitting in my own dirty water, but I might be tempted with that big clawfoot tub Stacie mentions above.

Maggie Robinson/Margaret Rowe said...

Marnie, I always use a hot tub if I'm at a hotel, but know I wouldn't make time for one in my daily routine. Sooo hard to sit still & do nothing!

donna ann said...

It's been a long time since I enjoyed a good soak in the tub (alas, no big soaking tub w/ room near by for the drink, music, etc) so I'm pretty much a shower person. I enjoy the massage of the water hitting plus it's a lot easier & enjoyable to wash hair in the shower than the sink. :)

Thanks for the great excerpt.

Janga said...

Congrats on yet another new release, Maggie!

For years, I was a morning shower, evening bath person. I used to love relaxing in a bubble bath with candles, music, and a glass of wine. Alas, back problems mean I've switched to only showers these days. And I can't figure out a way to read in the shower. :)

Maggie Robinson/Margaret Rowe said...

Thanks, Donna!

I have a candle on the tub surround, but I never use it. I should. Candles & wine sound great, Janga. But, I can't read in the tub! I get everything wet and wrinkly.

Terri, you've got to get in the spirit of things...dirty water indeed. ;P

Donna said...

I have to admit the shower is better for story ideas. I'm not sure why though. I like relaxing in the tub, but I end up thinking of everything BUT writing when I take a bath.

Irisheyes said...

Ter, you need to come visit us! The DH added steroids to my little powder room idea and came up with your shower. It's the nicest room in my house and the room everyone wants to spend time in. Probably why I get so many overnight guests.

Janga - I'm thinking a waterproof eReader is just around the corner!!! Don't give up hope yet.

Bosun said...

Though a good plastic case for my eReader and a little shelf to set it on in the shower would work. I could still push the buttons to turn the pages.

Bosun said...

Are you serious?? Expect me as soon as the weather warms up. LOL! So, about June. :)

Janga - I think I've heard Susan Sey mention she puts books in plastic bags to read in the shower. LOL!

Donna said...

Terri, maybe we could just have one of the Hotties turn the pages for you. (That's not a euphemism. LOL)

Maybe they should just read to you instead. :)

Bosun said...

I like the way you think, my pirate friend.

2nd Chance said...

I envision a visit to the Sony store if you take showers with the e-book on a regular basis! I can't imagine all the humidity being good for the components!

I like to take my showers in the dark. I know where everything is, I don't need no stinking lights! And I have an electric towel warming rack just in reach, so no cold, damp towels. They are always arid dry and toasty warm!

Bosun said...

Aren't we a spoiled little pirate. If the bag is air-tight, the steam can't get in!

I have to have light for my shower. In fact, I use a clear shower curtain because I want as much light as possible. Doesn't hide much, but I don't think my cats care.

Donna said...

Can we cross-train the Hottie reader to learn how to make some lunch? I'm getting really hungry. Have him put a bookmark in the book -- hey, that's STILL not a euphemism.

Bosun said...

I'm getting hungry too. Where is that Galley 'Ho when we need her?

Guess I'd better head off ship for food. I don't trust the hotties not to burn the vessel down.

And I admit, my brain when straight to euphemism with that one. LOL!

2nd Chance said...

Oh, that so needs a drink! The Hot Bookmark... *snicker!

Maggie Robinson/Margaret Rowe said...

I take a bath and I see all hell breaks loose...

I'm taking my nook (also not a euphemism) on my cruise and am already worried about sitting by the pool dripping sweat & suntan lotion on it. I know people recommend putting it in a baggie (also not a euphemism). Must remember to pack some.

Donna said...

LOL, Maggie -- I think today has become "Not A Euphemism Day". Something we need to celebrate like "Talk Like A Pirate Day".

Donna said...

And maybe a drink along the lines of "Book in the Tub" -- like "Sex on the Beach".

Bosun said...

I left a comment and wordpress ate it. Grrrrrrrrrr............

We can turn anything into a euphemism. That would be a fun day.

Johanna Jochum said...

I have to take showers since I'm a busy mom but if I get a chance I love soaking in hot bath! I have a awesome jet tub but hardly get to use it!

Maggie Robinson/Margaret Rowe said...

Johanna, I think I've inherited my bath fixation from my mom. She'd lock herself in the bathroom every morning to get away from me, LOL.

Quantum said...

I'm with Donna and Helli in liking both baths and showers .... virtual sense only I hasten to clarify! :lol:

Its nice to lounge in the bath and simultaneously use the shower head to wash hair or whatever else takes your fancy.Though sea bathing is my preference when its warm enough. Nothing can beat total immersion and swimming through waves and spray. The salty fresh ozone aroma is also very appealing.

Wonderful snippet Maggie.
If it was a drabble the phrase to include would be
"Makes me wonder what I’ve done to deserve such a treat."

Definitely Vintage Maggie Robinson 8)

Di R said...

Like my fellow scorpio, I love both showers and baths. However, most of the time I shower, with my hubby. It's guaranteed private time to talk and reconnect.

Maggie~ Congrats on your newest release, it's beautiful.

Did Q just challenge us to a drabble?

Di

Bosun said...

Di - Of all the people I thought might leave that comment, you were not on the list. LOL! There must be a lock on your bathroom door if it's guaranteed privacy. ;)

If he did, Maggie already won. LOL!

Donna said...

Okay, pirates, all this bath and shower talk has had far-reaching effects -- my tub doesn't want to drain today! LOL I'm pouring Drano down there like crazy. I *think* it's working.

Don't talk about stoves or cars tomorrow. LOL

Maggie Robinson/Margaret Rowe said...

Oh,Q. Those drabble days. I really miss them & the EJJQ BB. So much has happened since I stumbled upon it in 2006.

Di R, good for you!(and your husband)