I have several events coming up in the Southern California area and would love to see you at one or more of them! (And if you’re not local, not to worry! Later in the year, I’ll be visiting Nevada, New Jersey, and Washington…possibly more, as well.)

February 11, 2016 – Yorba Linda, CA

• A Night of Romance at Yorba Linda Public Library: Thursday, February 11 • 7:00 p.m. “Join us as author Tessa Dare spends an evening speaking about her inspirations, the writing and publishing process, and her newest title When a Scot Ties the Knot (Castles Ever After Series). There will also be an opportunity to purchase titles for an author signing.” More information.

February 20, 2016 – Brea, CA

• The Brea Library cordially invites you to attend Love in the Stacks. This free romance writer and reader event will feature eight bestselling and emerging romance authors. Love in the Stacks will be held at the Brea Library on Saturday, February 20, 2016 from 11 AM – 2 PM and will include two moderated panels, one guest speaker, book signings, book sales and light refreshments. This event is presented by OC Public Libraries, Mystery Inc. Bookstore, and the Friends of the Brea Library. Featured romance authors include: Robin Bielman, Tessa Dare, Judy Duarte, Maggie Marr, Debra Mullins, Jane Porter, Charlene Sands, and Jill Sorenson. Details here.

March 5, 2016 – Culver City, CA

• Grand opening of The Ripped Bodice–A Romantic Bookstore:  I’m so excited to be celebrating

Just in time for the holidays! Lord Dashwood Missed Out, a brand new Spindle Cove novella, is available today in e-book and audio formats. (Paperback will be releasing January 19.)

Aside from being a snowy, sexy cabin romance between two friends-turned-enemies, this novella features glimpses of many favorite series characters–including Griff, Pauline, Minerva, Colin, Charlotte, and more. I had so much fun writing it! I hope you’ll enjoy revisiting Spindle Cove just as much as I did.

Kindle * Nook * iBooks * Audible * More

Happy Holidays to all! Wishing you peace, joy, and lots of reading in 2016.… Read More »

If you’re anything like me, you’re spending your December buying, wrapping, and shipping gifts for everyone else. Well, I’m a part of two huge Romance giveaways this month–we authors want to give some gifts to you, our wonderful readers!

The two giveaways each work a little differently, but each offers plenty of chances to win. Follow the links below for more information and to enter.

Word Wenches Christmas Romance giveaway – MUST ENTER BY THURSDAY, DEC 3RD!

The Queens of Historical Romance giveaway – Week 1 of 5, ongoing entries

Good Luck and Happy Holidays!… Read More »

Today I want to share an excerpt from my December novella. But first, some backstory.

About a month ago, two romance-reading sisters in Southern California emailed to say they were planning to open a new bookstore, and raising seed money for furnishings and inventory on Kickstarter.

When I first heard about Bea and Leah’s business plan, I was thrilled for two main reasons.

First: A new all-romance bookstore in Los Angeles? Yes, please!!!

Second: I loved the name they’ve chosen: The Ripped Bodice.

See, I’ve been hiding a little Easter egg in my books ever since Goddess of the Hunt, my debut.  All my books (or at least most of them, if I’ve missed one or two… I should really make a list one of these days!) include a scene with… yes, a ripped bodice.

Sometimes the bodice-ripping is accidental, rather than intentional. Occasionally, it’s just fantasy. Sometimes the ripped garment is not actually a bodice, but rather a petticoat or a gentleman’s shirt. In at least one book (Three Nights with a Scoundrel), the heroine rips her own bodice, and quite shamelessly at that. For me, it’s become a nod to the history of my favorite genre, a little wink to the reader, and a reminder to myself that romance tropes are ours to embrace, celebrate, and subvert as we wish. Plus, I’m not ashamed to admit–during an encounter between two enthusiastic participants, I think a bit of ripping fabric can be sexy as anything!

But … Read More »

I am back from a fantastic October full of traveling to meet readers in Dallas, Portland, and in-between! And one question I heard several times was…

Tessa, what’s coming out next?

Two things! And both of them are related to Spindle Cove. As astute readers have reminded me lately, we have a few loose ends to tie up in that world! I am delighted to be back in that charmingly subversive village, sipping doctored tea at the Bull and Blossom and scribbling away.

December 8, 2015: Lord Dashwood Missed Out, a novella

This fun little story came from a plot bunny that had been hopping around my head for a few years. It features an outraged lord, a scorned spinster, and an inconvenient snowstorm. I love a good snowed-in story for the holidays, don’t you? Dash and Nora are an entirely new couple, but the novella features quite a bit of action in Spindle Cove and you’ll see appearances from many of the previous characters.

Coming mid-2016: Do You Want to Start a Scandal?

This will be the oft-asked-for Charlotte Highwood book. I’m working on it right now. As you may recall, in Charlotte’s own words, if Diana is the beauty of the Highwood family and Minerva is the brains, Charlotte is the spirit. She needs a strong, confident hero to balance her, and I think I’ve found just the man who needs her desperately in return–but you’ll have to wait a a bit longer to find out more … Read More »

Check out these events! If you’re in the area, I’d love to see you!

October 3 & 4th -Richardson, TX (Dallas area)

• Book Signing October 3rd at 2pm,  Barnes and Noble Firewheel,190 Cedar Sage Dr., Garland, TX. Authors signing: Tessa Dare, Katharine Ashe, D. D. Ayres, Linda Broday, HelenKay Dimon, Shana Galen, Barb Han, Sophie Jordan, Diane Kelly, Lizbeth Selvig, Tracy Solheim, Kay Thomas, J. D. Tyler, Becky Wade, Lori Wilde
• Buns and Roses Romance Tea for Literacy, October 4th, 3-6PM at the Renaissance Hotel in Richardson. I’m honored to be the keynote speaker!

October 10th – Solvang, CA

• Solvang Public Library: 2-3pm.-1745 Mission Drive, Solvang, CA, 93463
  Eva Leigh and I will be giving a talk and reading from our books. Signing & informal reception afterward.

October 24th – Portland, OR

• Avon Romance KISSCON -Co-hosted by Powell’s Books at Cedar Hills Crossing
  3415 SW Cedar Hills Blvd, Beaverton, OR 97005 -VIP Reception ($35): 4pm-5pm, Public Event (free): 5:30-7:30pm TICKETS here!
  Public Book Signing: 5:30pm-7:30pm
  Featured Authors: Darcy Burke, Gayle Callen, Tessa Dare, Lisa Kleypas, Eva Leigh, Julie Anne Long, Julia Quinn, Candis Terry

I am so thrilled to report that When a Scot Ties the Knot is a bestseller!

• #15 on the New York Times  mass-market fiction list
• #19 on the New York Times combined print/e-book list
• #30 on the USA Today bestselling books list
• #15 on the Barnes and Noble mass-market bestsellers list

I promise, no lobsters were harmed in the celebration. I might have killed a pint of ice cream, though. 😉

Thank you so, so much to everyone who read the book, recommended it to a friend, requested it from their library, blogged about it, or posted a review. I’m just so grateful for all the love you’ve shown Maddie and Logan.

And if you haven’t read it yet… What are you waiting for?

 … Read More »

I love release day!

When a Scot Ties the Knot, the third book in my bestselling Castles Ever After series, is on sale now in e-book, paperbook, audio, and large print formats.

Ever since I read my first Julie Garwood romance, I’ve always longed to write a Highlander hero. This year, I finally got my chance! The heroine, Madeline, has inherited a castle in the most lonely, untamed corner of the Highlands—a castle she occupies in peace, until she is joined by a certain lonely, untamed Highlander. 🙂 I hope you enjoy Maddie and Logan’s story.

Read reviews here, or the first chapter here. Order links for all formats are here.

Many readers have been asking what comes next. Well, I am thrilled to announce a return to Spindle Cove!

Look for Lord Dashwood Missed Out, an all-new Christmas novella, in e-book on December 8 (paperback release to follow). LDMO features an all-new couple, but there will be appearances from many favorite Spindle Cove characters.

And in 2016, the lively Miss Charlotte Highwood (Diana and Minerva’s younger sister) will be getting her own romance in a full-length novel. Title, release date, and more information to come!… Read More »

It’s been a busy summer for the Dare family, with a good deal of travel and excitement going on. I’ve just come home from the Romance Writers of America conference in New York City, and I was so thrilled to be bringing a shiny new friend home with me.

Romancing the Duke won the RITA® award for Best Historical Romance: Short! What an honor and thrill. (And if you haven’t read it yet, the book is currently on sale for $2.99 at most retailers!)

Now I’m getting so excited for the release of the next Castles Ever After installment, When a Scot Ties the Knot. Release day is August 25–less than a month away! Logan and Maddie’s story is already garnering some lovely reviews, including starred reviews from Publishers Weekly, Library Journal, and Kirkus Reviews. And if you’re eager to start reading, I’ve just added a nice long look at Chapter One right here on the website. Enjoy!

Preorder links are available for your use, too. 🙂… Read More »

I’m gearing up for an exciting summer! Check out my “Upcoming Appearances” for information about book signings and events in Manila, Philippines (June 27th), New York City (July 22nd), and Dallas, TX (October 4th).

Other news:

Release day for When a Scot Ties the Knot (Castles Ever After, book 3) is less than 3 months away! Get your first sneak peek and find pre-order links here.

Three Nights with a Scoundrel is now available as an audiobook!

Last but not least, don’t miss The Best of Romance Summer Giveaway, ongoing through July 15th! Great prizes, including a Samsung tablet and a $200 gift card.

… Read More »