1. I hear you have your dog Duchess in one of your latest novels. Tell us about the book.

Thanks so much for having me here today!! I just love talking about Duchess! Yes, I know, what pet-owner doesn’t love talking about their fur-babies! LOL! But first you asked about the book she’s in…

The book is actually a series of books in which Duchess is one of the characters. It’s called The Ladies’ Wagering Whist Society (series) and is a “traditional” (sweet, no bedroom scenes) Regency romance.

The first book of the series is A Hand for the Duke. It’s about a young woman, Tina Rowan, who was born “on the wrong side of the blanket” (she’s illegitimate) and a stuffy, but handsome and lovable, duke. She’s being blackmailed by her foster-father and needs to become a successful dressmaker in London fast (in order to pay him the money he expects or else he’ll tell the world that she’s illegitimate and who her real mother is). Her mother is a well-respected lady of society who needs to keep that secret to herself.

The duke, Warwick (that’s his title and what he’s called), is bringing out his younger sister into society and needs her dressed properly (cue the dressmaker!). His sister is the sweetest, most shy and insecure person, and really isn’t so sure about this whole society business; but she’s got to find a husband and get married, or else she’ll lose her inheritance.

The ladies of the Wagering Whist Society, headed by Tina’s mother, get together and play whist (a precurser to bridge) every week. Usually people played for money, but these ladies play for secrets! The person with the fewest number of points at the end of two games must tell their deepest, darkest secret. They’re also a wonderful, caring group of women who are there to help each other out of difficult situations and give a needed shove to a romance to make sure everything works out the way it should.

You can find A Hand for the Duke wherever you buy books online:
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07Q822RKS
Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/books/1131086919?ean=2940156472598
Apple: https://itunes.apple.com/book/id1458372099
Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/a-hand-for-the-duke-1
Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Meredith_Bond_A_Hand_for_the_Duke?id=0UeQDwAAQBAJ

2. Why did you add your pet to these books?

So where does Duchess fit into all this fun? Well, in real life, she’s my dog (see picture). She’s the sweetest, most affectionate Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. The breed is known for being very loving, and Duchess is an excellent example of this. She loves everybody and, whenever we go out for a walk, trolls the streets of the city where we live for pets from willing strangers. How could I not put such a dog into my book?

In all of the books of The Ladies Wagering Whist Society, Duchess belongs to Mrs. Aldridge, one of the members of the society. She brings little Duchess with her just about everywhere she goes. Duchess provides solace to those who are upset for any reason and happily gets the attention of the ladies when one person has an announcement to make to them all. She is also a cause for unrest among the group because one member, an actual duchess, does not like dogs and especially doesn’t like overly friendly dogs who rub their dirty little faces on her beautiful gowns. The mix-up between people calling the dog and the duchess can get rather funny at times, must to the lady’s chagrin!

3. What other romances have you written?

A Hand for the Duke is the first of the Ladies’ Wagering Whist Society. The second book, Jack of Diamonds, is also available and the third, The Games She Played, was published June 14th. Here are quick descriptions of them:

Jack of Diamonds:

Can a young woman with a dark secret allow light and love into her heart? Can a Robin Hood be the man to do it?

He’ll steal from the rich to feed the poor, but he’s powerless when a beautiful young woman steals his heart. But she can’t let her love for a gentleman thief distract her.

It will take the love of a gentleman thief to help Lydia, but it’s the assistance of The Ladies’ Wagering Whist Society John needs to win his diamond.

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07RVQ8RVM
Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/books/1131189466?ean=2940156498635
Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/jack-of-diamonds-6
Apple: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/jack-of-diamonds/id1459252079

The Games She Played:

Diana and her father race horses, but when a heart-attack fells him, a physician is needed. The charming lord doctor is so very distracting while Diana is trying to make good on a bet her father made.

Lord Colburne only wants to saves lives. The possibility of winning the heart of one of his patient’s daughter just adds to his determination.

Delve into the world of Regency horseracing and medicine in this sweet romance where it will take the efforts of the Ladies’ Wagering Whist Society to have a healthy outcome.

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Games-Played-Ladies-Wagering-Society-ebook/dp/B07RDB14ZL
Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-games-she-played-meredith-bond/1131490771?ean=2940156596850
Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/the-games-she-played
Apple: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/id1462583110

The Ladies’ Wagering Whist Society is the third series of Regency romances I’ve written. The Merry Men series (of nine novels and novellas) deals with people trying to fit into Regency society (including an Anglo-Indian lord, an American, a young woman raised in Spain, and a trio of sisters raised on an archaeological dig in Greece), and The Storm Series (four novels) combines fantasy elements (magic!) with Regency romance. You can find them all wherever you buy books online or read more about them (including excerpts) on my website: MeredithBond.com.

4. Tell us about your kudos or reviews.

One reader wrote about A Hand for the Duke:
“What an exciting read! Being such a fan of royal historical novels, I love getting lost in your characters and settings. Your writing is the perfect escape for me at the end of my hectic day. I keep a list of ‘must have re-reads,’ and you have quickly climbed to the top of that list! I can’t wait to read more!”

Another reader said:
“The plot and characters are well developed. It is a heartfelt story filled with lots of twists and turns that held my interest throughout. It’s a story that’s well worth reading.”

About Jack of Diamonds:
“Another winner by this author. Beautifully written and era appropriate, with an entertaining story and engaging characters, this book entranced me. I was hooked from the first chapter and couldn’t put it down. Although it is part of a series, it reads perfectly well as a standalone novel. Once again we are given an incredibly intriguing story, full of twists and turns, with a storyline that reads slightly different from the standard historical romance fare.”

Another reader said:
“Adore Merry’s books, adore this series. Just felt overwhelmed reading this, brought on so many emotions. Couldn’t tear myself away from Jack of Diamonds…such a magnificent storyline n the way it’s so cleverly ties into the first book.”

5. How do you promote your books?

I promote my books through Amazon ads and making appearances on blogs like this one! It’s really word-of-mouth that sells books. Writing a great book and then asking people to share it.

6. Where can readers learn more about your books and connect with you online?

I am everywhere online! LOL! But if you really want to connect with me (and I would love for you to do so!!) “Like” my Facebook page and sign up for my newsletter. Thanks!!

Website: http://www.MeredithBond.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/meredithbondauthor
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meredith_bond/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/merrybond
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/merrybond/
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/pub/meredith-bond/69/a64/647/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/847484.Meredith_Bond
Tumblr: https://www.tumblr.com/blog/merrybond
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Meredith-Bond/e/B001KI1SNE
Newsletter signup: http://meredithbond.com/subscribe/
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/meredith-bond

 

Marcia James: Thank you, Meredith, for stopping by my Go Pets! blog! I look forward to reading your books!

READER INVITATION: Want to win a FREE ebook? Visitors to this pro-pet blog can join in the fun, comment, and/or share photos of their pets for a chance to win one of my ebooks! Each month, I’ll randomly pick one commenter to win. To leave a comment and/or a photo, click on the word “Reply,” which is just below the social media icons for THIS interview. (Don’t scroll past this interview to the next interview.) Go Pets!