The following query garnered, full manuscript requests from 3 agents and 2 editors, everyone I sent it to!

One of my judges in the West Houston, RWA, Emily contest, Anthea Lawson, suggested my book might be a good fit with Kensington.  I have been following Lois Brighton's blog which suggested I submit to you at Kensington. I'd like you to consider Lord of Wicked, my dark and gritty, historical romance, set in the Regency Era, England. The manuscript is complete at 92,500 words. It is one of three - Lord of Danger and Lord of Addiction being the other two stories. (Always introduce yourself and how you came to submit to them in particular)

Lord of Wicked lives and breathes seduction. His lazy, utterly arrogant smile, promises women paradise and nothing more. He is a notorious rake and determined bachelor - but Miss Melissa Goodly will make him love her. After all, she is now his wife. (The hook - she is now his wife)

Avowed bachelor, Anthony James Craven, the Earl of Wickham, is not dubbed Lord of Wicked for nothing. Anthony is determined never to marry and bear a son. His father was a cruel tyrant involved in slave trading, and Anthony is determined his father's bad blood ends with him. But when he makes a mistake and beds the wrong woman, he finds himself caught in the parson's noose.  Anthony's solution is simple. He will never make love to his sensible, quiet and reserved wife again. He will offer Melissa security and position but nothing more. (His inner conflict)

Miss Melissa Goodly is sick of being someone's obligation. Unwanted, first by her parents, then by her much older brother, Melissa has never felt she belongs. Her dream is to find true love; a man who wants to be with her, not out of obligation or duty, but because he cannot live without her. She longs for children and the happy, large family, she never had growing up. So when she finds herself married to none other than the Lord of Wicked, she is determined to help Anthony, a man tormented by his own past, open his shuttered heart to love. (Her inner conflict)

Once they marry, Melissa cannot understand why her devastatingly attractive husband does not come to her bed. She is well aware of his notorious reputation as the Lord of Wicked, the seasoned rake, and was looking forward to entering his world of passion. How can she make him fall in love with her, if he avoids even the slightest intimacy? The more he pushes her away, the more she is resolved to turn the tables on the legendary lover. So, Melissa instigates a seduction of her own. (The plot and story line)

Anthony is in hell. His quiet, demure, sensible wife has metamorphosed into a sensual siren. He tries to resist, but his plan for a companionable relationship begins to unravel.

While locked in their private battle of seduction, his late father's business rival threatens their very lives, but Anthony realizes the greater danger is to his heart. For he never expected to feel anything for the only woman he finds capable of capturing, taming, and claiming his very soul. (The exciting incident that will make the editor want to see what happens)

The Lord of Wicked manuscript has placed third in the RWNZ Meet the Editor contest. One of my other manuscripts, Lord of Danger, finaled in the RWNZ HM&B Great Beginnings contest. (Your writing credentials -  competitions and also any published works you may have.)

The book is available on request. Thank you for your time. I hope very much to work with you and look forward to hearing from you.

Bronwen Evans