In our continuing quest to host our favorite authors here for our At-Home Month, I am so very pleased to welcome Miss Shana Galen to the Ballroom!  Miss Galen is the author of fast-paced, romantic adventures, and we shared many a glass of ratafia at this past year’s RWA conference in Anaheim.  It’s all a little blurry, but I know we had fun.  Although, I don’t think I realized that Miss Galen was so… excitable.  Or that she had so many… interesting friends.

Ladies and Gentlemen, Miss Shana Galen!

Miss Galen: I’m here! I’m really here. Dear reader, you have no idea how long I have waited to visit these hallowed halls. Look! There’s Gaelen Foley and Lauren Willig. Oh! It’s Tessa Dare and Sabrina Darby. And I see my good friends Katharine Ashe, Sarah Maclean, and Miranda Neville. Thank you, Miss Noble, for vouching for my reputation and gaining me entrance. I will not disappoint. When do I meet Lady B?

Miss Noble: Are you certain you are ready for an introduction?

Miss Galen: (taking a deep breath) As ready as I shall ever be. Are there any topics of conversation I should avoid?

Miss Noble: You might not want to mention the courtesans from your Jewels of the Ton series. I believe Lady B once had a bad experience with a courtesan.

Miss Galen: Oh, dear. That is no problem whatsoever. The Three Diamonds are off on their own adventures. Lady B is known as a formidable patroness. Even notorious courtesans like Juliette, Fallon, and Lily would not brave her displeasure by attending uninvited.

Miss Noble: Then follow me.

Miss Galen: There she is! It’s Lady Beaufetheringstone and Albert! And there…oh no!

Miss Noble: Lady Beaufetheringstone, may I present you authoress Shana Galen?

Miss Galen: (attempting a curtsey but stumbling because she is staring fearfully behind Lady B). I’m please to meet you Lady B. And now I must go.

Lady B.: Wait just a moment, gel. I have not even had a moment to take a look at you. (raising her quizzing glass). Come forward.

Miss Galen: Here I am then. Now I must be off!

Lady B.: Do not dare move. Miss Noble says you are an authoress. What sort of books do you write?

Miss Galen: Um…why don’t I run to the carriage and fetch one for you? Then you might see for yourself.

Lady B.: My gel, I simply asked what sort of books you write. I did not mean that I intended to actually read any of them. And why do you keep looking over my shoulder? What is behind—?

Miss Galen: No! Don’t turn around! I mean, I write fast-paced adventurous books. My heroes are spies and pirates and my heroines are spunky and brave.

Lady B.: Tell me more about these heroines. Are they reputable women?

Miss Galen: Ahh…in my latest series they are all titled.

Lady B.: Really? Miss Galen! Why are you shaking your head? With whom are you communicating?

Miss Noble: Oh, no.

Miss Galen: No one. I really must be off.

Lady B.: Who is that gel over there? Is that one of your heroines, Miss Galen?

Miss Galen: That lovely woman with the pale blond hair, blue eyes, wearing a gold gown? No, I have never seen her before.

Lady B.: (frowning) Then why is she waving at you?

Miss Galen: No idea.

Lady B.: Miss Noble, do fetch that young woman and introduce her to me.

Miss Noble: (returning) Lady B., may I present Juliette, the Duchess of Dalliance?

Lady B.: Duchess of Dalliance! What sort of title is that?

Juliette: You should ask Shana. She gave it to me.

Miss Galen: No, I didn’t. The Prince Regent named you and the other Diamonds.

Lady B.: There are more of you?

Juliette: Yes, there’s Fallon, the Marchioness of Mystery and Lily, the Countess of Charm.

Lady B.: I am loathe to say it, but our dear regent has, at times, show poor judgment in his affairs with members of the fairer sex. I do hope he has not tarnished your reputation, my dear.

Juliette: Oh, no! He quite made my reputation. You see, I’m one of The Three Diamonds.

Miss Galen: Why look at the time! We must be going, Juliette.

Lady B.: Who are these Diamonds you speak of?

Miss Galen: Nothing! No one!

Juliette: We’re courtesans, my lady.

Albert: <Squawk!> Courtesans in the ballroom! <Squawk!> My feathers are ruffled!

Lady B.: Oh, dear heavens! Where are my smelling salts? I feel quite faint.

Miss Noble: I think you had better make your escape now, Shana.

Miss Galen: Good idea! Let’s go, Juliette.

Juliette: But I was having fun.

Miss Galen: Let’s go. Kate, is there any way I can repair the damage I’ve done? What if I offered a small token of my appreciation? A copy of When You Give a Duke a Diamond? Signed, perhaps? I’ll give it to one person from the former colonies or Canada who comments.

Miss Noble: You must give them a topic to comment upon.

Juliette: How about your last big mistake? I can tell you mine was meeting the Duke of Pelham. The man is insufferable!

WHEN YOU GIVE A DUKE A DIAMOND BY SHANA GALEN

He had a perfectly orderly life…

William, the sixth Duke of Pelham, enjoys his punctual. securely structured life. Orderly and predictable—that’s the way he likes it. But he’s in the public eye, and the scandal sheets will make up anything to sell papers. When the gossips link him to Juliette, one of the most beautiful and celebrated courtesans in London, chaos doesn’t begin to describe what happens next…

Until She Came Along

Juliette is nicknamed the Duchess of Dalliance, and has the cream of the nobility at her beck and call. It’s seriously disruptive to have the duke who’s the biggest catch on the Marriage Mart scaring her other suitors away. Then she discovers William’s darkest secret and decides what he needs in his life is the kind of excitement only she can provide…

 More about Shana:

Shana Galen is the bestselling author of fast-paced adventurous Regency historicals, including the RT Reviewers’ Choice The Making of a Gentleman. Her books are published all over the world and have been featured in the Rhapsody and Doubleday Book Clubs. She taught English at the middle and high school level off and on for eleven years. Most of those years were spent working in Houston’s inner city. Now she writes full time. She’s happily married and has a daughter who is most definitely a romance heroine in the making. Shana loves to hear from readers: visit her website at www.shanagalen.com or see what she’s up to daily on Facebook and Twitter.

Under kate, special guests