Ever wondered how the art for your favorite romances is chosen, or wished you could be part of the process? Here's your chance! H&H is excited to offer readers the opportunity to have a major say in the cover for Manda Collins's forthcoming novel Why Earls Fall In Love, the second book in the Wicked Widows series, released in January 2014.

The deal:
From now until Thursday at 5 p.m. ET on the H&H Facebook page, you can cast your vote for 1 of 3 possible poses for the hero and heroine by “liking” your favorite pose: The image/pose with the most “likes” on Facebook* after 5 p.m. ET that day is the pose that will end up on the final cover!

Remember the art/cover** is not yet final—you’re picking the pose of the hero and heroine, which the art department will then include in the cover design.

Once the Why Earls Fall In Love cover is finished, look for a reveal of the final Why Earls Fall in Love cover on HeroesandHeartbreakers.com!

Head on over to Facebook now to check out the images and to cast your vote for your favorite pose!

*YOU MUST “LIKE” THE PICTURE of your choice—comments here or on the Facebook post are fantastic and you can certainly use the comments to lobby for your favorite pose, but comments WILL NOT count as a vote. The image with the most Facebook Likes will win.

**The art for all 3 poses, including the image used at the top of this post, is courtesy of Steve Gardner, www.shootpw.com.

Please join us in welcoming author Cassie Alexander to Heroes and Heartbreakers. Cassie's most recent book, Shapeshifted, is the third in the urban fantasy Edie Spence series. Edie is a nurse who treats paranormal creatures, and in her real life, Cassie is a nurse as well. Today she's here to talk about how normal some paranormal stuff actually is. Thanks, Cassie!

Since my books deal with supernatural creatures in the hospital, I’ve had to look around for a lot of plausible reasons to put them there, and have discovered that there’s more overlap between our world and ‘theirs’ than the casual reader might think.

In the 1970s a medical theory was floated for all the vampire legends – the blood disease of porphyric hemophilia. You may have seen people suffering from this on the TV show House. One of the symptoms of porphyria is painful photosensitivity, with burning and itching rashes under exposure to light, and in one episode they almost cut a girl’s arm off because of her reaction to the operating room lights. (Contracting porphyric hemophilia is also the way you become a vampire in the video game Oblivion, which I find hugely amusing.) While people still debate as to if this actual disease is the cause of the mythology, it’s easy to imagine people who had to hide indoors in olden days because of intense reactions to light being labeled as vampires.

[Putting it all in perspective...]

You read romance, that's a given, because you're here. But chances are you read in other genres, as well, making people you discuss your reading choices with cock an eyebrow when you say you love _________ or _________.

Are you a romance fan, but also love science fiction/fantasy? Maybe you have a weakness for reading tell-all memoirs? Or you are a fan of an author who writes outside the genre?

What's your most unexpectedly favorite genre or author?

*****MAJOR, MAJOR SPOILERS for The Borgias's series finale—3.10, “The Prince”—below.*****

Seriously, DO NOT READ until you've seen the episode for yourself.

While the series finale hasn't yet aired on U.S. television, this morning Showtime posted the final episode of The Borgias online for subscribers at ShowtimeAnytime, and it is a wild ride.

[How does it all end?...]

One thing I love about the romance genre is the amount of variety. I can literally go from reading a book featuring a shape-shifting vampire angel to a contemporary action-adventure story featuring a Navy SEAL.  That being said, the Old Gray Lady of the genre, the reason the genre as we know it exists today, is because of historical romance. 

Over the years, readers have delighted in romantic sagas that spanned generations and continents, to more precisely-focused stories that rarely stray out of the Regency-era ballroom.  Historicals have ebbed and flowed, come and gone, but have always remained a steady presence in the genre.  It’s why I love historicals so much, and why I get frustrated when I read theories and impending predications that the subgenre is on its last legs.

I don’t believe that, and nothing anybody says is going to sway me otherwise.  But that doesn’t mean I don’t think that historicals couldn’t do with a little renovation project; the foundation is still solid, but nobody wants to live in a house with an outdated kitchen, shag carpeting and not enough closet space.  So just like any home improvement project, I start with a wish list.  I kick the tires, look at samples, and dream of what could be.  What’s on my historical romance wish list? Let me give you the starter kit:

[First stop: Edwardian period...]

How is it already Game of Thrones finale time?! If you need to catch up, don't miss Regina Thorne's Season 2 refresher or her recap of episode 3.01, episode 3.02, episode 3.03, episode 3.04, episode 3.05, episode 3.06, episode 3.07, and episode 3.08.

And now, onto last night's episode 3.10, “Mhysa.“

***SPOILERS FOR THE GAME OF THRONES SEASON 3 FINALE***

It’s hard to top the Red Wedding, so it’s probably wise that “Mhysa,” the Game of Thrones season 3 finale, didn’t even try. Instead, we got a kitchen sink episode that set the stage for next season while giving us closure on some of the plot arcs of this season.

We open at the Twins where the Red Wedding is still going on in full swing, with Frey soldiers slaughtering the remainder of Robb Stark’s army. From somewhere, Sandor Clegane has found a horse and is riding away slowly with Arya Stark in front of him. Arya is still blessedly unconscious from when Sandor knocked her out, but unfortunately she wakes up in time to see the Freys parading Robb’s decapitated body with the head of his direwolf sewn onto it, as they chant “the King in the North.” The look on Arya’s face is pure devastation; she will remember this forever.

[If only we could all un-see that...]

The publishing world is reeling with how well some self-published e-books are doing. Previously unknown—much less published—names are skyrocketing to the top of the book sales charts, and hundreds of people are posting reviews to Amazon and Goodreads and writing the books up on their blogs.

But—why? Why are so many self-published e-books doing this well?

Well, as it happens, there are a few intriguing elements to consider:

—Price: Most of these e-books are priced below $3, some as low as .99 cents, so there is very little to risk by taking a chance on a new-to-you author.

—Pretty: Most of the e-book covers are striking in some way, and the cover image gives an indication of the content; a shirtless muscular man clutching a female on the cover means the book is a New Adult book. An image of an object means the content is erotic these days. Sometimes there are three people on the cover, which indicates a love triangle (if they're not touching) or a menage (if they are).

[What else makes self-published e-books so popular now?...]

Current popular romance seems to be populated with a lot of heroes who are obsessed with the object of their affection—so much so, in fact, that sometimes the heroes veer on the scary side.

Today we ask—who's got your vote for the title of Most Obsessive Hero?

Suggestions might include, but are not limited to, Gideon Cross, Christian Grey, Damien Stark, and Dragos Cuelebre.

Shipping Sunday is a new feature for us—it'll put the spotlight on favorite TV, movie, and book couples, a.k.a. 'ships. If you like it, we'll make it a regular piece, so do let us know what you think and/or if you have any requests for future posts!

Fans of Joss Whedon's Angel 'ship Wesley/Fred are being given a rare opportunity: the chance to see the actors who played them together again as a couple in a new project. Amy Acker and Alexis Denisof, once Winifred “Fred” Burkle and  Wesley Wyndam-Pryce, are now on the big screen as Beatrice and Benedick in Joss Whedon's film adaptation of Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing, which is in select U.S. theaters now.

In honor of the premiere of Much Ado, we thought we'd take a trip down memory lane and celebrate some highlights of the Fred/Wesley 'ship. Enjoy, and please share your favorite pics/vids/fics in the comments!

[+More Fred/Wesley goodness...]

If you’re unfamiliar with Cathy Cash Spellman, you should know that she has a lot to say. She’s a prolific columnist and blogger, writing movingly about a life that has seen more than its share of upheaval and heartbreak, along with moments of transcendent joy. She’s an accomplished marketing guru whose clients include Revlon, Armani, Louis Vuitton, Bloomingdale’s, and the Great American Chocolate Factory. She’s an avid astrologer with an interest in alternative healing and metaphysics.

She has also written a novel or two.

Although Spellman is arguably best known for her thrillers, particularly Bless the Child, she wrote several sprawling family chronicles in the 1980s that should be in everyone’s TBR pile. These novels are full of passion, adventure, romance, revenge, and above all history, from the barricades of Dublin during a historic rebellion to the dusty streets of Leadville, Colorado during the silver boom. They’re what I call “One More Chapter” books—as in, you say “It’s late, but I need to see what happens! Just one more chapter.” And the next thing you know, you’re closing the book, it’s 3 a.m., and you have no idea where the time went but you have no regrets.

[Don't stop, never stop...]

At Heroes and Heartbreakers, we have a bit of a soft spot for tall guys. We're sharing a few of our favorites, from Nathan Fillion (whose movie Much Ado About Nothing comes out today), Tom Hiddleston, Queens of the Stone Age frontman, Josh Homme, and Richard Armitage.

Do you like very tall men? Do you find you gravitate towards tall heroes, too? Share your favorites in the comments!

[+More tall drinks of water!...]

It’s been over a month now since Lost Girl's wacky gang of misfit Fae (as well as an awesome human or two) have delighted us with their banter, fighting bad guys, and just generally entertaining us with the twists and turns of life on the less-than-normal side of things. If you haven’t started watching the series from the beginning again and maybe need a suggestion or two of what to read in the meantime, look no further!

Over the three seasons of Lost Girl, we’ve seen all manner of Fae on the small screen. From Baba Yaga to Bacchus, from Sirens (Hale!) to the fearsome Garuda, the creators have brought us world myths and blended them into the lives of the unaligned Succubus and her cohorts. With season four on the horizon, we know there will be a lot more in store for us, but other than our suspicions about Odin, there is definitely still plenty of room for more mythological surprises yet to come. Here are a few more suggestions that can compare in their expansive content of supernatural beings:

What to Read

Charlaine Harris’s Dead Until Dark (et al). Harriss’ insanely popular Sookie Stackhouse series has recently come to a close. For me, this is the best time to start a series, when you know there is a definitive end, plus you don’t have to wait for the next book to release. Harris has taken lots of flack about how she ended the series, but as readers, what we should take from these books is the sheer entertainment value they offer and just go with it.

[More fae-filled recs...]

Stephanie Tyler
Defiance
Carina Press / June 10, 2013 / $3.99 digital

Rebelling against her legacy as the MC's princess, Tru Tennyson escaped the ruthless, male-dominated culture of the Defiance motorcycle club. Three years later, her newfound freedom is ripped away, thanks to a massive hybrid storm that killed millions. Now, in the post-Chaos world of semi-darkness and near-total anarchy where gangs rule, she discovers the dangerous world of Defiance may be the one thing that can keep her safe.

Tru is at the MC's mercy when she's dragged back to her former home…and to the only man she's ever pictured a future with. Caspar is the bastard son of the club's leader, her safe haven when life got rough—and her onetime lover the night she left. When Tru refuses to trade sex for power and be claimed by a rival club leader, she also dares to announce she wants Caspar instead, throwing the MC into turmoil.

Tru's brazen revolt could start a gang war and destroy the club from within. Now both Tru and the MC must wait for Caspar's response…and the inevitable fallout.

Motorcycle clubs (MCs) and post-apocalyptic worlds are big in romance novels these days. Stephanie Tyler combines these two in her New Adult romance Defiance, a story about two people struggling to find their place in their new world and in each other’s lives. Both grew up as part of the Defiance MC; Tru as the princess of the club, because of her father’s role as the club’s enforcer, and Caspar as the bastard son of the club’s leader. Tru abandoned the club, tired of her abusive father’s behavior, but returned after the Chaos, a cataclysmic weather event that destroyed much of the world’s infrastructure, realizing that she had little chance of survival on her own.

[Can she carve out a better life with the Defiance MC?...]

There are two general modes of travel in time travel romances: magic/paranormal (e.g., magic amulet; portal) and scientific devices (e.g., time machine). As a fan of science fiction romance, I gravitate toward the latter. The ability to manipulate the sands of time using mechanical devices is a fun concept. And placing that kind of technology in the context of a romance doubles the entertainment. Tech-based time traveling devices can provide a romance with all kinds of interesting challenges.

I'm always on the lookout for new (or new-to-me) titles in this category. While perusing the Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror links at SF Signal recently, one post about Time Travel Romances by author C.E. Murphy caught my eye. I became excited and hoped I'd learn about some new titles.

Here are the titles she mentions:

• The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger
• Doctor Who (the show)
• The Doomsday Book by Connie Willis
• The Walker Papers series by C.E. Murphy (begins with 2005's Urban Shaman)

Umm…wahh! I'd expected quite a few more books. Perhaps C.E. Murphy and I have different definitions of a post involving “time travel romances.”

[What would you choose?...]

I have been felt up, stalked, and called Taylor Swift.

Netflix has been expanding its roster of originally produced series, and the trailer for their forthcoming Orange Is the New Black looks to be an excellent addition. It's based on the same-titled memoir by Piper Kerman, who spent a year in prison. While this isn't similar thematically to HBO's Girls, both series feature potentially unlikeable leads and supporting characters dealing with their respective situations in sometimes suspect ways.

Thank you, Bridesmaids, for blazoning this trail.

Orange is the New Black debuts on Netflix on July 11.

Like the vampire on the prowl for fresh prey, it seems that the paranormal element is on a search for new territory. The hunt is closing in on the Literary Fiction Genre. Is this shift a result of fiction running out of places to go? Or rather is it born out of the desire to get new readers from the Urban Fantasy and Paranormal Romance genres into Lit Fic? At any rate, the escapism of the supernatural is becoming more desirable to mostly traditional regular fiction readers (not genre readers). People are looking for a way to escape the day to day drudgery of “real life” into worlds of the unknown, the urban legend and others while demanding a more challenging read. Here are some books that are blurring the lines between literary fiction and paranormal romance:

A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness

Deep in the stacks of Oxford's Bodleian Library, young scholar Diana Bishop unwittingly calls up a bewitched alchemical manuscript in the course of her research. Descended from an old and distinguished line of witches, Diana wants nothing to do with sorcery; so after a furtive glance and a few notes, she banishes the book to the stacks. But her discovery sets a fantastical underworld stirring, and a horde of daemons, witches, and vampires soon descends upon the library. Diana has stumbled upon a coveted treasure lost for centuries-and she is the only creature who can break its spell.

Much of the story takes place in France and Oxford's Bodleian Library. A vampire and witch meet, and what ensues is a Da Vinci Code meets Practical Magic sort of story.  Discovery of Witches concerns a magical text and the battle of who will eventually possess it. Harkness draws elements of esoterica, wine making and even gemology into the story, something I found interesting, but at some points does make the story read a bit text bookish. Her main characters are stubborn, egocentric and not particularly likeable, but those elements are what makes this book stand out and place it in the lit fic arena.

[But wait, there's more!...]

Today we're pleased to reveal the cover for Donna Grant's forthcoming Dark Heat, which gathers the three previously e-published Dark Kings novellas, and publishes them in print along with a brand-new story, “Passion's Claim.” Here are the details about this new Donna Grant collection:

The Dark Kings are sworn to defend an ancient legacy of dragon magic. But their fiercest challenge lies in the modern world, where a woman’s love conquers all. These are their stories.

Dark Craving

Fueled by ancient magic—and enflamed by human desire—the Dragon King known as Hal can transform himself at will into one of the legendary winged creatures he is sworn to protect. But one thing he can never do is fall in love...with a mortal woman.

Night’s Awakening

The dark immortal warriors were never meant to experience human desire. But when Guy, a member of an ancient order of shape-shifting warriors, meets Elena—a mere mortal whose beauty and blind ambition shake him to his core—all bets are off...

Dawn’s Desire

For centuries, the Dragon Kings have hidden their shapeshifting powers from the world. But when a mortal enemy threatens to expose them, the warrior Banan must leave his secret lair in the Highlands to risk his life for the dragons within—and resist the temptations of human love.

Passion’s Claim (bonus story!)

Banan has been waiting for centuries for someone like Jane. Guy knew it was love at first sight with Elena. Can two Dragon Kings commit to two immortal women for eternity? Or does fate have something else in store?

Dark Heat will be out on December 31, 2013.

We're delighted to welcome author Cat Devon, whose Sleeping with the Entity is out this week, and her St. Martin's Press editor, Jennifer Enderlin, here to talk—in their words—about “vampire powers, favorite hero traits, death, sex, and chocolate.” Thanks, Cat and Jennifer!

From Jennifer Enderlin to Cat Devon:

Who are your favorite vampire heroes and who are your favorite non-vampire heroes (who embody vampiric qualities)? I have to say, as a reader, Maxim deWinter from Rebecca always seemed like the perfect vampire hero: gloomy old house, restless, traveled the world, mysterious first wife, weird staff (Mrs. Danvers). What about you, Cat?

Cat: For me, it would be Mr. Rochester from Jane Eyre who has to keep a terrible secret, just as vampires keep their dangerous secrets. Again, you have the spooky house with strange sounds and the suspicious comings and goings of the servants. I'd also add Sebastian Ballister from Loretta Chase's Lord of Scoundrels. Here is a man who embodies everything dangerous and bad. Favorite vampire heroes would be those from TV—actor Ian Somerhalder in The Vampire Diaries (talk about a bad vampire but oooh so sexy and capable of love, we hope!) and actor Alex O'Laughlin in Moonlight (a vampire with a conscience, out to right the wrongs in the world and protect his soul mate....oh yeah!). Both are very hot!

[Yep, vampires still do it for us...]