It's Historic: Song for Sophia by Moriah Densley (W*n a copy!)

First, a reminder that the giveaway for the new Kindle continues at my sister site HERE. The ebook of Susannah Sandlin's Redemption is only $3.99 at Amazon right now, and a preorder will get you twelve extra entries in the Kindle giveaway. See details at Susannah's site. Today, she continues with her 12 favorite vampire countdown, with No. 5. Who might it be?

Now, let's talk about history. You know me. I'm all about speculative fiction (as the name of this blog might indicate). I very rarely dip my toes outside the paranormal or sci-fi pool. And yet here I am today, talking about a (gasp) historical romance.

Here's how such a thing happened. Moriah Densley, whose debut novel Song for Sophia was released on Monday, joined my little critique group known as The Mutineers. For a couple of years, she and Kat Latham and I have traded chapters and beta read each others' books and whined and moaned about all kinds of authorly stuff. Moriah is in Vegas, I'm in Alabama, and Kat's in The Netherlands (recently moved from London), so we've never met in person but have become online friends as authors are prone to do. Moriah is a classical musician with a frighteningly good knowledge of firearms (she's armed all my heroes), while Kat has been involved in international relief work all over the world. Amazing people.

Moriah writes paranormals, but it was her historical Song for Sophia that sold first, and I couldn't be happier--because I absolutely love this story. (So did the judges of this year's Romance Writers of America 2012 Golden Heart award, in which the book was a finalist.) Talk about your wounded heroes and heroines! Sophia has been physically abused and is on the run; Wilhelm is an autistic savant in an era when his only future would normally be in an asylum. These are not fluffy little characters running from party to party. Their story isn't always pretty, but it is often funny, often touching, frequently very sensual, and never dull.

Will I turn away from paranormals and begin reading historicals? Nah. But I can recommend this one very highly if you want to dip a toe in a different pool. Want to win a copy (digital only for now, sorry)? Read on...

ABOUT SONG FOR SOPHIA: “If she truly knows her business, a woman has the mind of a diplomat, a general, and Cleopatra, all in one.” Anne-Sophia Duncombe is ruined, a victim of her father's high-stakes gambling. Stolen moments at the piano are her boon. Wilhelm Montegue is a washed up war hero, rumored insane. His "condition" - modern diagnosis: savant autism - is the source of his gift for composing music. Anne-Sophia and Wilhelm thought they had missed their chance for love, but anything can happen in the music room. 

     Anne-Sophia is in exile, hiding from her villainous father, Lord Chauncey, who tried to force her into marrying the repulsive Lowdry, his partner in crime. She outsmarted them and ran away, but loneliness is its own captivity. As a last resort before the convent, Sophia attempts a radical scheme--a life of humility and disguise. 

     Wilhelm Montegue, Earl of Devon, is a washed-up war hero who drinks too much, offends his neighbors with his harsh wit, and breaks furniture when his temper flares. Always in the shadow of scandal and absent from society, he is the subject of intense gossip. The town whispers that he is insane and guilty of unnatural proclivities. He is barely excused by his brilliant mind and swarthy good looks.

     Lord Devon is bewildered that his newest housemaid has sparked such an irritating fascination in him. Why must she be the most exquisite woman he ever laid eyes on? Chaste and bound by honor, he vows to behave himself, even if her voice is a siren song. He knows she is keeping secrets, and he finds her scent of danger intoxicating…

Song for Sophia is available from: Amazon | B&N | iTunes

You know the routine--leave a comment to be entered to win. Have you read any historicals, and did you like them? As always, extra entries for a blog follow, a Twitter follow @Suzanne_Johnson, and a tweet or retweet. Now...make history!