Night Owl Romance

Keta Diablo - Dark Night of the Moon + Contest

noreply@blogger.com (Tammie - Night Owl Reviews) — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 09:00:00 +0000

Enter to win an eBooks from Keta Diablo!
Leave a comment and tell me what paranormal genre you read most.

Purchase Dark Night of the Moon on Amazon

***
Dark Night of the Moon
by Keta Diablo

Hello everyone,

Thanks so much for stopping by today. I'm really excited about the release of Dark Night of the Moon. Did you know one of the characters in the novel is a wolf shape shifter? Why do you think we're so fascinated by shape shifting -- the ability of man (woman) to turn into animals? I'm really intrigued with wolf-shifters and that's one of the reasons I included Native American mythology about the wolf in Dark Night of the Moon.

The wolf in this story is a gray wolf. I spent considerable time learning about this species and dug out some interesting facts you might enjoy. The gray wolf (Canis lupus) is also known as the Arctic wolf, common wolf, Mexican wolf, Plains wolf, timber wolf, and Tundra wolf. At one time, they were the world's most widely distributed mammal, but they've become extinct now in much of Western Europe, Mexico and the US. Their packs have been reduced by almost one-third over the years because we've been led to believe they prey on livestock and humans. In actuality, it's very rare for humans to be attacked by a wolf.

Native Americans have profound respect for the wolf. To several tribes the wolf was known as a protective spirit or totem. They viewed the wolf as a wise fellow hunter to be respected and admired. Those who could shift into the wolf were known as limmikin (or yenaloosi) in many tribes. The Navajo are best known for their shifter beliefs. They called men who could morph into wolves skinwalkers, or yennadlooshi which means "He goes on all fours."

According to Navajo tradition skinwalkers look physically different from normal people – the main difference is their eyes—large and glowing, even in daylight. It’s believed if someone looks a skinwalker in the eyes, the creature can absorb a person and steal their skin. They could also read minds and lure people from their homes and into the woods by imitating the voices and cries of loved ones.

Examples of the wolf appearing throughout Native American mythology include the following.

* The Eskimos spoke of an old woman, Qisaruatsiaq, who was abandoned and forced to live by herself. Eventually, she turned into a wolf.

* The Sioux called the wolf shunk manitu tanka, meaning animal that looks like a dog but is a powerful spirit.

* Cheyenne medicine men rubbed warrior arrows against wolf fur to bring better luck in hunting.

* The Nootka celebrated spiritual ties to the wolf. When someone died, they thought they could bring a person back to life by wearing wolf clothing.

* The Cherokee would not kill a wolf, believing the dead wolf's siblings would exact revenge. They learned to walk like a wolf to ward off frostbite to their feet.

* The Crow dressed in wolf skins to hunt.

* The Mandan displayed wolf tails on their moccasins, signs of success in battle.

* Women of the Hidatsa tribe rubbed their bellies with wolf skin to alleviate difficult childbirth.

* The Cree believed divine wolves visited earth when the northern lights shone during winter.

* The Ahtena would prop dead wolves up, sometimes feeding them ceremonial meals.

* Chippewa myths tell of wolves supplying humans with food and hides.

* The Delaware tribe thought a change in weather might be announced through a wolf's howl.

Lakota Woman (Sioux) Myth

A woman was hurt and left behind by her people. She ran out of food and nearly starved, but came upon a wolf den and crawled inside. At first the members of the pack were suspicious and afraid of her, but eventually they grew to like her. When they brought food to their pups they shared it with her.

Eventually she was strong enough to snare rabbits and help with the hunting. She stayed with the pack for many years.

One day the oldest wolf smelled humans coming, and strangely the woman did too. They were her own people and she realized she must return to them.

She reunited herself with the village very slowly and brought with her the skills of the wolf. She knew wolf talk and developed a keen sense of smell, allowing her to predict bad weather far in advance. She could also alert the village when game or other humans came around.

* * *

Don't forget to enter the contest by leaving a comment below. Be sure to leave your e-mail too in case you win. If you read Dark Night of the Moon or Holding On To Heaven, please leave a review on Amazon. A few short sentences would be great!

Again, my sincere thanks for stopping by, and good luck everyone!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Keta is a multi-published author of paranormal and historical romance and gay fiction. In 2009, her erotic romance Decadent Deceptions was a finalist in the RWA Molly contest. In 2010, Keta's entry Phoenix Rising finaled in the Scarlet Boa contest and in 2011 Keta's acclaimed paranormal shifter, Where The Rain is Made, was nominated by Authors After Dark for a Bookie Award and by Deep In The Heart of Romance for Best Romance of the Year.

Many of her books, including her gay fiction series CROSSROADS, have won numerous awards: Top Reviewer's Pick, Recommended Read and Best Book of the Month.

If you'd like to know more about Keta and her latest releases, she haunts the Net here:

Keta's Keep Blog, http://ketaskeep.blogspot.com
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/ketadiablo
Facebook Fan page: http://www.facebook.com/KetaDiablo.Author
Gay Fiction Blog: http://thestuffofmythandmen.blogspot.com

ENTER THE CONTEST

Just comment on the post below and leave the first bit of your email address. You do need to be a NOR Newsletter / Fan Club subscriber to enter. Ends - 2/10/2012

Kat Martin - Is On-line Dating Destroying Romance? + Contest

noreply@blogger.com (Tammie - Night Owl Reviews) — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 05:33:00 +0000

Enter to win a print copy of Hot Rain!

***
Is On-line Dating Destroying Romance?
by Kat Martin

Back when I was first dating, men and women talked, went to dinner, went to a show. We took our time getting to know each other. Then the trend began to change and the whole objective of dating became for the guy to get the woman in bed.

Conquest was everything. And sometimes women played the same game. Romance seemed to be fading, the chance to know someone’s inner thoughts and dreams before hoping into bed was drifting away.

Today the dating scene has changed again and oddly enough, computer dating may actually be the salvation of romance. People meet on-line, chat on line, text on their cell phones. Sometimes they “date” for months without actually meeting.

There are pros and cons to this new way of meeting people, but personally, I think getting to know someone slowly, savoring those little secrets you discover about each other over the weeks and months, can lead to a far more lasting relationship. The percentage of people meeting through on-line dating is growing and so is the number of marriages between people who have met via the computer.

So even though I’m a strong supporter of old-fashioned romance, I think there’s a place for on-line dating. The most important thing is finding out what the person is really like, developing a trust that is enduring.

Still, drinking champagne together, dancing till dawn, walking hand-in-hand on the beach, those things are the fun, heart-fluttering part of dating. Of course, there may also be the chance meeting that leads to falling in love.

In HOT RAIN, one of my favorites, just being re-issued in January, Allie Parker is abducted by drug smugglers, who hold her prison aboard their yacht headed for Mexico. Fortunately for Allie, gorgeous and sexy Jake Dawson is also aboard, and Jake is one of the good guys--an undercover ATF agent. The problem is Allie doesn’t know it and Jake can’t break his cover or both of them are likely to wind up dead.

It’s a fun book with plenty of action and romance--none of which takes place behind a computer! If you haven’t read HOT RAIN, I hope you’ll give it a try and that you enjoy. Warmest wishes, Kat

Purchase Hot Rain on Amazon

Read an Excerpt

ABOUT THE AUTHOR / WEBSITE

Currently living in Missoula, Montana, Kat is the New York Times bestselling author of over fifty Historical and Contemporary Romance Suspense novels. Before she started writing in 1985, Kat was a real estate broker. During that time, she met her husband, Larry Jay Martin, author of more than twenty books, both westerns and mysteries. Kat is a graduate of the University of California at Santa Barbara, where she majored in Anthropology and also studied History.

"I've always loved books. I was an avid reader, with any number of my own stories rolling around in my head. Writing them down seemed a logical step."

"I love anything old," Kat says. "I love to travel and especially like to visit the places where my books are set. My husband and I often stay in out-of-the-way inns and houses built in times past. It's fun and it gives a wonderful sense of a by-gone era."

Kat began with historical romance and is currently writing romantic suspense. She is published in twenty foreign countries.

ENTER THE CONTEST

Just comment on the post below and leave the first bit of your email address. You do need to be a NOR Newsletter / Fan Club subscriber to enter. USA Postage Only on shipped items. Ends - 2/10/2012

Beverly Rae - What Happens is Your Choice + Contest

noreply@blogger.com (Night Owl Reviews) — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 09:00:00 +0000

Enter to win a pdf copy of Magical Sex (Magical Sisters, Bk 1).

***
What Happens is Your Choice
by Beverly Rae - www.beverlyrae.com

It's 2012 and another year has started. So what are you expecting the New Year to bring? A new job? A new member of the family? A move across country? The end of the world?

Let's hope it's not the last one. Personally, I'm hoping for more. More work for me, more sales of my books, my young adult continuing college, and my husband moving up in the company. By a lot of standards, including mine, we're doing well. So, yeah, I'm hoping for more of the same.

But I wonder as authors often do. What would I make the world like if I had the power to change anything I wanted? Would I wiggle my nose and cast a spell giving my family everything we desire? Probably. But what else would I change?

If given the chance, I'd like everyone in the world to have the same respect, advantages and opportunities that I have. Sure, I sound like a Miss America contestant, but that's what I hope for. The only problem is that I've watched way too many movies where someone changes the events of history, thinking they're making things better, only to find out they've actually made things worse.

For instance, what if I wished for children everywhere to live a long life? Sounds great, right? But what if one of those children was supposed to die, but lived because of my wish, and turned out to be another Hitler. Makes you think, huh?

So what's a girl to do? Make a wish for change? Or appreciate what you have and hope for the best?

What choices will you make for the New Year?

ABOUT MAGIC SISTERS , BOOK 2

It’s all in good, dirty fun…until the heart raises the stakes.

Meg Tristan is spontaneous, spirited, outspoken and beautiful—and she enjoys every second of it. She can have any man she wants, with or without casting a spell. Too bad she hasn’t found one who can keep up with her non-magical sex drive, much less handle her hexual prowess.

When he’s not caring for his patients, Dr. Chance Dannigan spends his off hours getting acquainted with as many women as he can in his new town. None hold his attention—until he catches Meg’s flirtatious glance across the bar. One drink later, he’s sure he’s found the one woman who can stimulate both his heads.

Sensing a kindred spirit, he challenges Meg to a daring competition. Each must choose a random partner for the other, and the one who fails to seduce the target, loses. And to keep it honest? The opponent must witness the act.

Winning each round proves almost too easy. The ultimate challenge is figuring out how to handle their unexpected attraction to each other…and how to end the game without both of them coming out losers.

BUY LINKS:

MAGICAL SEX (Kindle) - BOOK 1

SEX WITH A HEX (Kindle) - BOOK 2
SEX WITH A HEX (Nook) - BOOK 2

EXCERPT: SEX WITH A HEX (Magical Sisters, Book 2)

Meg took another sip of her drink. What was it about this man that had her so mixed-up inside? So ready to take him on in any way she could? She glanced at Chance out of the corner of her eye. Granted, he'd give a younger George Clooney a run for his money, but she'd known lots of handsome men. No, this one had an extra appeal. An extra appeal that was exciting yet familiar. One minute she wanted to lean into him and pull his mouth to hers. Then in the next second, she wanted to tease him and show him she could resist his charms.

“Flattery is wasted on me, Doc.” Truthfully, she enjoyed adulation in any form, but he didn't have to know, did he?

“Really? I'd think a woman like you would welcome all the attention she could get.”

The sip she'd taken almost choked her, but she managed to cover well enough. Did he think she hungered for male attention? Sure, she enjoyed having men fawn over her, but what woman didn't? Or did he think she had a difficult time garnering her fair share of admirers? Had he not seen the group of men competing for a single word from her?

“What does that mean?”

He lifted his palms, warding off any ill feelings. Yet she didn't think the gesture was sincere.

“Oh, don't get me wrong. You're a beautiful woman and I'm sure plenty of men fall all over you. It's just that--”

“It's just that what?” Interest skyrocketed into irritation in record time. Who the hell did he think he was? God's gift to women? If he was, then surely she was God's gift to men. Meg struggled to keep her composure, determined not to let him see how much he flustered her.

“You don't assume every man will want you, do you?”

“Actually, I--” Meg slammed her mouth shut, the word “do” effectively caught behind clenched teeth. What the hell? How had the discussion gone so terribly wrong? Maybe he was right, but how rude to say so. Anger surged and she balled her fists, resisting the impulse to cast a spell on his sorry ass. So much for a fun night with this guy. “Did I just hear you say what I think you said?”

Meg did a quick search of the area, hoping to find one of her sisters delighting in how well her prank was going. Yeah, this had to be a joke. Too bad she couldn't scope out the culprit who'd talked the doc into playing his thoroughly infuriating part.

“Look, I can understand how a country girl like you would think she's God's gift to men--”

She blanched. Had he heard her thoughts? Maybe this wasn't a joke. Was he a warlock or a sorcerer? She checked his aura for any signs of magic and found none.

“--but I've known women who were, shall we say, more.”

“More? What do you mean by 'more'?” Meg pushed back her drink and crossed her arms. Forget the spell, she might haul off and slap him instead.

“More as in able to attract any man they want.”

At first, she wasn't sure what to think. Had he just insulted her again? What was the matter with this guy? Was he blind? Whatever the reason, she wanted him to know just how wrong he was. “Are you saying I can't get any man I want? Which, by the way, sure as hell isn't you.”

He feigned an insincere surprise. “Hey, I didn't mean to offend you. Like I said, you're beautiful and I'm sure you can find a guy every night. Especially if you're not too picky.”

For one of the few times in her life, Meg was flummoxed. He obviously wasn't as enamored with her as she'd thought he was. But even so, she hadn't expected him say such rude--not to mention incorrect--things about her. “Not choosy? Me? Listen, you jerk--” she stabbed a finger into the middle of his chest and enjoyed his responding move backward, “--I can have any man I want. Anytime, anywhere, any way. And I'm damned selective in who I take to my bed.”

“I'm sure you are.” Chance took a sip and looked away.

Oh, my stars and moon. Is he placating me?

“I am,” she protested, then cringed at the whine in her tone. She was off balance, disturbed and…damn it all, curious as hell.

He turned toward her again, the challenge written on his face. “Right. So, have you taken any of these guys to bed?” He tipped his head toward the crowd.

Meg scanned the people dancing, drinking and having a whole lot more fun than she was having. Yes, she'd had sex with a couple of them. Okay, more than a couple. And, she had to admit, not all of them were winners. But a girl with needs had to do what she had to do, right?

“Not that it's any of your business, but I know a couple of them and they're all very nice men.” Ugh, did that sound as lame as she thought it did?

“Right.”

“Will you stop saying that? What point are you trying to make, anyway?” She thought about pushing him off the seat and storming away, but knew it wouldn't prove anything. Like a spectator drawn to a car crash, she had to see where the conversation led.

“Right. Oops, sorry. There's that word again. My point is that you can have any man you want.” He cleared his throat, then continued, “As long as that man isn't too much man for you.”

“Too much man?” Meg scowled, her mind reeling with confusion and disbelief. Did he mean in the bedroom? Was such a thing even possible? Especially if she used magic?

“You know. As in…out of your league.”

“Out of my league?”

“Do you always repeat what people say? Or is what I'm saying upsetting you?” His concerned expression seemed as fake as a three-dollar bill. “I'm sorry if it is, but sometimes the truth is hard to hear.”

A trickle of perspiration crawled down her spine. Had Tom turned off the air conditioning in the club? Or was Chance's assessment of her--his so off-the-mark assessment--making her sweat? “Are you frickin' kidding me? Hell, yeah, you're upsetting me. But not in the way you think.”

The twinkle in his eyes beckoned to her, teasing her, thrilling her against her wishes. “Oh? Then I'm upsetting you in some other way?” His smile grew bright. “Perhaps in a more basic way?” His gaze dropped to her lips.

She sucked in a breath and fought against the sudden desire to pull his mouth to hers. In no way would she let him get the better of her. “Don't flatter yourself.”

His smile faded, replaced by a brief moment of indecision flickering across his features. “I wouldn't dare. But I stand by what I said. Still, I apologize. I tend to be blunt even when I shouldn't.”

Anger, more intense than ever, flared, taking her past the edge of reason. She lost control, no longer caring about anything other than proving him wrong.

Almost as quickly as the argument had started, Chance leaned back, his voice taking on a more conciliatory tone. “Hey, I'm sorry I've upset you. I certainly didn't mean to.”

Meg unclenched her hands, noticed how they shook, then fisted them again. Maybe she should cut him a little slack since he was new in town. Just this once. “Yeah, well--”

“Listen, there's no shame in going home alone. I mean if you strike out, you strike out.”

Then again, maybe she shouldn't. “Let's get this straight, Doc. I never strike out. And no one is out of my league.” She threw back her shoulders and tossed her hair, ready to take the discussion to whatever length she had to. Anything to get him to admit he was wrong.

For a few blessed moments, they sat in silence. How had she ever found this guy appealing? He was one of those men who looked great on the outside but was awful on the inside. Like the mud-filled pies she used to trick her sisters with when they were kids. So why was she letting him get to her?

“You know what? Never mind. Just move over and let me out. I don't know why I agreed to sit with you in the first place.” Meg shoved him, giving him no choice but to do as she demanded. She scooted out of the booth as fast as she could.

“Oh, I see. So you're afraid.”

She'd already started to fast track away from him but had no alternative but to turn and face him again. “Me? Afraid? Of what?”

“Of the truth, of course. Of finding out that you can't get any man you want.”

She stomped back to him and wagged a finger in front of his face. “Is that so? Well, what about you? Can you say the same, Mr. Sweet-Talker? Can you get a smokin' hot woman every night? I don't think so. Not with your mouth.”

“Well, I don't want to brag, but I've never been turned down.” Chance flashed his pearly whites at her again.

“Really? Never?” She scoffed, narrowed her eyes and aimed for the jugular. “Prove it.”

“I will if you will.”

Chance leaned away from her with a confident expression that sent a shiver down her spine. Suddenly, she really was afraid. Of him? Definitely not. Afraid of having bitten off more than she could chew? Maybe.

And yet she couldn't deny what was happening inside her. She hated it, but there it was. She was more turned on than she'd been in years. Hell, in forever.

She shook off the feeling and concentrated on studying him. He'd dared her, but was that really what he wanted? Or was he baiting her for a different reason? Still, she'd never backed down from a challenge and she wasn't about to start now.

“You're on, Doc.” A tickle of excitement at the idea of a competition with the handsome doctor filtered into Meg's irritation, defraying a small part of her anger. Someone needed to bring him down a peg and she was just the woman to do it. Yet when his cat-ate-the-canary smile grew into a wide grin, she couldn't help but think she'd gotten cornered.

“Great. Game on. Of course, we're going to need a few rules.”

She crossed her arms and glared at him. “Of course. And why do I get the impression that you already know what those rules are?”

He lifted his drink to her in a toast. “You're not only beautiful, but smart. And, if my judgment serves me, also very clever.”

“Well, at least your judgment isn't always out of whack.”

He laughed, the sound drawing the attention of the few women in the room who weren't already drooling over him. “Okay, here are the rules for our little game. I choose the men you have to bed and you choose the women I have the pleasure of seducing. The first one who fails to get the selected subject in bed loses.”

“Wait. You're going to choose the men I take to my bed?”

Those dark, soulful eyes glittered at her, sucking her in. “And you'll choose the women I take to mine. That's fair, isn't it? How else can I be satisfied that your sex partner is up to snuff and not just some pushover you've already slept with?”

Now he's calling me a cheater. Meg drew in two slow breaths, resolved to maintain control. Of course, if she slipped and accidentally kicked his shin she couldn't be held responsible, could she? Instead, she gritted her teeth, grinding out her words. “And I choose the women so you don't slip in an old girlfriend or a partner-for-pay.”

He flattened his hand over his heart. “Would I do such a thing?”

She arched an “oh wouldn't you?” eyebrow. “And no matter who I choose, you have to get her to have sex with you. Have I got this right?”

“You do. Of course, you'll want to select gorgeous subjects just as I'll choose men I consider to be not only handsome but--hmm, how should I put this?--discerning. Then, as I mentioned, the first person who fails to seduce the chosen subject loses the challenge. Simple really.”

Meg narrowed her eyes at him, unable to shake the feeling that she'd gotten trapped into his game. A game he knew all too well. Yet, from her perspective, he was the poor schmuck who didn't know what he'd walked into. She didn't doubt her charms, but she could always use magic--if she had to. “Okay. But one thing. What do I get when I win?”

She had to admit she liked his laugh. Even when he was laughing at her.

“You're that sure of yourself, huh?”

“I'm sure of myself for good reason. So how about this? When I win, you have to come back to the club, climb up on top of the bar and announce to everyone that I am the sexiest woman in the world who can get any man she wants. Plus, you have to tell everyone that you're brokenhearted--” she paused for full effect, “--because I don't want you.”

He chuckled, giving her a taste of his compelling laugh again. “Done. And when I win, you have to cook and serve me dinner at my place. Dressed in a French maid's uniform.”

Meg grimaced at the image. “I don't have a maid's uniform.”

“Then I suggest you'd better buy one.”

“Now who's sure of himself?” But why should she worry? She had this competition all sewn up, hands down. “Never mind. I don't have to worry about losing. Is that everything or are you planning on bringing in referees?”

His chuckle was low, throaty and as sexy as they come. “No need for refs. But there is one other condition.”

Ignoring the signals of desire her body insisted on sending her, Meg fisted her hands on her hips and put on her best evil smile. He had a trick up his sleeve, no doubt. “I should have known. What now?”

“You can't simply say you had sex, you have to prove it.”

A wave of heat swept through her, almost melting her knees and bringing her to the floor. Down, girl. He may be hot as hell, but he threw down the gauntlet and you have no intention of losing. Remember: He's the competition. “And how do you suggest we prove it to each other?”

“Easy. We get to watch.”

ENTER THE CONTEST

Just comment on the post below and leave the first bit of your email address. You do need to be a NOR Newsletter / Fan Club subscriber to enter. USA Postage Only on shipped items. Ends - 2/10/2012

Chellesie B. Dancer - What Makes a Hot Night? + Contest

noreply@blogger.com (Tammie - Night Owl Reviews) — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 21:19:00 +0000

Enter to win an eBook from Chellesie B. Dancer.

***
What Makes a Hot Night?
by Chellesie B. Dancer

Is it hotter to have a fast and furious can’t-wait-a-second-longer quickie, or a slow sensual seduction? I’m sure everyone has their preferences, but I think the best is... both! Some couples always have super-intense encounters, a roller-coaster ride of need and desire. Others enjoy luxuriating in the slow build up to soaring heights. But if we’re having sexual interludes on different occasions, why not have a variety of experiences?

That’s how “Power Play” ended up as a novella. A friend had said how hot it would be to sneak in a quickie at work. I took that idea and wrote a short story about a sexy woman who gets a guy so crazy for her that he risks a shot at a partnership to be with her. I had fun writing that, but then I got to thinking.

I enjoy creating balance in a relationship, and this became a story about the balance of power between them. So then I had to write what happened later that night, when he got his ‘payback.’ That was the perfect opportunity for him to take his time and seduce her slowly, driving her crazy with anticipation. So he arrived at her home on one page, stripped her naked on the next, then spent more than twenty pages seducing her through every room of her house, and outdoors too. And no matter how much she wanted him, her hands were tied, so there was nothing she could do but give in to the sensations. She was bound to enjoy it, wouldn’t you?

EXCERPT

No way he'd fail this time, Sergio thought as he pulled into the parking garage an hour early. After years of honing his competitive edge, he wouldn't go soft again. He locked his burgundy Civic, flipped the keys into his pocket and slung his suit coat over a shoulder. With his other accounts sacrificed to his coworkers, nothing could distract him from nailing this presentation and finally making partner, just in time.

Heading to the elevator, he saw a profile in the dim light–the silhouette of her flirty dress, her Grecian nose, and her high cheek bones set against the harsh light behind her. Poetic.

She turned and caught him staring. "Did I forget to put on clothes?"

The amusement in her voice stirred him back into motion. As he neared, he saw long strawberry-blond hair and caught his breath. A gorgeous figure and a red-head too? Damn! "Sorry, didn't mean to stare. I was just captivated by the classic lines of your face… and, uh, dress. It's just–your silhouette was so lovely against the glare of that bulb."

She smiled. "You're an artist."

He shrugged. "Well, a graphic artist."

"An artist nonetheless." Her tone suggested she was accustomed to being correct. "Art is art."

"I'd like to make art with you." Damn, he didn't mean that. Well he meant it, just didn't mean to say it.

Something about her made him to want to strip her nude and pose her in a hundred classic poses. And take her in every one of them.

"Really?" She couldn't contain her wickedly sexy smile. "Let me guess, you paint nudes?"

Damn, was he that obvious? She watched him in anticipation. Was she flirting with him?

"No, I don't paint nudes." A flicker of disappointment in her eyes. "But now that you've suggested it, I think it's a great idea. When are you available?"

An eyebrow raised, then her mouth tightened. "I'm a very busy woman. I'll have to check my schedule."

Busy how? A gorgeous woman like that, how many men did she have in her life? Brushing aside that unsettling thought, he forged ahead. He'd never met a woman who intrigued him like this, and he wasn't gonna let her run away. "We're all busy. Let me know when you have an opening and I'll clear my schedule to fit you in." After he'd said it he noticed the double entendre.

She must have gotten it, because she looked away. "It might be a while till I can find the time." So she wanted to play coy. That's all right, he was determined, he'd persist till she gave in. He approached her, instinctively summoning his most authoritative voice.

"Make the time."

Her eyes widened for a split second before hardening into slits. "Oh, do you think I do anything that a man tells me to do?"

Her scathing tone was meant to put him in his place. Instead it made him bolder. He stepped closer–too close–and that felt good. "No, of course not." He moved again. An inch from her breasts. The electrical charge from invading her space zinged through his body. "Just anything I tell you to do."

Her mouth fell open and her eyes got steamy. It felt as though that electrical charge from his body had surrounded her and drawn her in. She was his.

The elevator doors rumbled open behind her. As she stumbled back, he stepped forward and held them for her. She nodded her thanks, and turned. The soft turquoise fabric draped like silk over her curvy hips as she passed him, and he wanted to slide his hand along those curves. As she tapped the button, he darted a quick glance at her fingers–no ring. This was his lucky day.

She fled to the far corner, almost against the wall. He envisioned himself pressing her against that wall, lifting her skirt and taking her right here in the elevator. His cock was flooded and hard, ready to take control. He shook his head slightly, trying to get blood flow back to his brain. Think. Gotta do something. Appropriate.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Chellesie B. Dancer enjoys writing contemporary, historical, and erotic love stories with a sprinkling of comedy. The women in her books dare to ask for their desires, so they truly will be satisfied ever after. Chellesie lives on top of a hill overlooking the smog of sunny Southern California. Other than writing, she entertains at parties as an M.C., a paleontologist’s assistant, and occasionally a dancing gorilla. She’s the mother of three beautiful boys and an assortment of other critters. Luckily her husband cooks! Her motto: Be careful what you wish for... you just might get it!

Buy “Power Play” via Chellesie’s web site www.ChellesieBDancer.com or her blog: www.GetLoveHelp.com, and connect with her on Facebook www.facebook.com/chellesieb or Twitter @chellesieb.

ENTER THE CONTEST

Just comment on the post below and leave the first bit of your email address. You do need to be a NOR Newsletter / Fan Club subscriber to enter. Ends - 2/10/2012

Genevieve Graham - Psychicivity + Contest

noreply@blogger.com (Night Owl Reviews) — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 09:00:00 +0000

Enter to win a signed print copy of Under the Same Sky!

***
Psychicivity
by Genevieve Graham

I’ve been asked a few times where I got the idea for the strange and wonderful communication that exists between Maggie and Andrew in Under the Same Sky. The couple know each other so well they are able to sense each other’s moods, hear unspoken words, identify strangers’ faces … yet they are an ocean apart.

About twenty years ago, my husband and I coined the term “Psychicivity” after we’d both repeatedly said the same thing as the other was thinking. Every time it happened, we’d jokingly claim we were psychic. When we wondered how we did that, we came up with “Well, that’s obvious. We have psychicivity.”

Where does this intangible link come from? How is it possible for us to know what’s in someone else’s mind? There are many theories on that, but I’m going with my favourite.

He’s my soulmate. From the first moment, we connected. Within two days, I knew we were completely right for each other. We shared a “knowing”, an awareness that not only did we love each other, but we were made for each other. Maybe finding your soulmate opens some avenues of psychic possibilities.

That is what made this book possible for me to write. I found my soulmate, and I felt complete. Thoughts I’d had on my own became shared without my saying a word, and I loved the feeling of oneness I had with him. When Maggie and Andrew started talking to me, I realized I needed to use this phenomenon in their book.

Maggie senses Andrew from childhood. He’s a presence in her mind, in her heart, a warmth and reassurance she clings to in a life not altogether happy. He is hope. In the beginning he might be nothing more than a feeling, but as they both mature, he takes on the physical features of a man. This is where her gifts become more powerful than our own fantasies. We may dream of the “perfect man”, but she’s always known Andrew is exactly that for her. He becomes more than just an invisible friend. He is her other half, her soulmate, and they grow closer with every dream.

But they are separated by the ocean, by cultures, by situations impossible to fathom. How can two people, destined to be together, connected by psychic messages, exist without one another? They can’t. So, because it’s impossible for them to stay apart, their thoughts, their hopes, and their fears channel through their dreams.

Just last night I was snooping over my husband’s shoulder as he typed out an e-mail. He stopped mid-sentence, searching for the right word, and I said it aloud at the very same moment as he typed it. The funniest thing was that neither of us has—as far as we can remember—ever said that word before: “she-bang”. You know, like you want to buy the whole she-bang?

The point is that twenty years later, we still have psychicivity.

Do you believe in soulmates? Do you believe in psychicivity?

I hope you enjoy this excerpt from Under the Same Sky:

EXCERPT

He always dreamed, but some nights the dreams were more vivid than others. This time he'd seen the girl again. She was in a meadow, her long brown hair falling in a veil over her face as she reached down and plucked a handful of wildflowers. When she rose he could see how she was growing, how the oft-mended dress she wore was beginning to pull tighter around her chest and hips, though she was still slender. As if she could feel his gaze, she glanced at him and smiled. It was a gentle smile of contentment, and he wished he could have taken the flowers she held out for him. He'd seen her in his dreams for as long as he could remember, felt as if he knew her, but he'd never seen her as clearly as he had that night.

“I've things to do,” he called to the boys, thinking only that he wanted to lie in the heather and catch up on his sleep. “Tomorrow, aye?”

The boys nodded and ran off, cheerfully tossing insults back and forth between them. Andrew turned in the other direction, knowing exactly where he wanted to go. He'd gone there before, when he'd wanted to be alone. Beyond the castle wall, down the windy slope, then past a jagged wall of rocks. Once he'd scrabbled over them, he found himself in a clearing and stepped into waist-high grass, dotted with small patches of heather. It was a beautiful place, alive with butterflies.

In the centre of the meadow Andrew sank into purple blooms, sitting so the flowers were even with the top of his cap. He felt safe, hidden away from prying eyes. With a sigh, he lay back, linking his fingers behind his head for a pillow.

The sky was so blue Andrew didn't want to close his eyes. A solitary cloud puffed into view, wispy and disintegrating as he watched. He wondered what it might feel like to touch it. Would it be soft to sleep in? Would it be warm? He blinked, then let his heavy eyelids close, still seeing the sun's red glow. He rolled to his side and curled into a ball. The soft, sweet scent of heather tickled his nose and he fell asleep.

His sleep wasn't deep. It rose and fell with the motion of his dreams. The girl materialised while he slept, one moment distant, the next an arms-length away.

“Who are you?” he asked, wondering if she could hear him. The girl said nothing, only curled her lips into a smile. A little girl's smile, like that of any other little girl he'd ever seen. Except this smile was only for Andrew, and he knew it. He grinned back, and his hand felt warm, as if she entwined her fingers with his. In the way that dreams are, they walked through the meadow, though it wasn't thick with heather anymore. She led him through a place where there were no purple blooms, only a sun-baked yellow grass.

The sound of a bird calling from nearby startled him awake and he sat up, rubbing his fists over his eyes. How long had he slept? Maybe an hour? The sun hadn't moved far. Long enough that he felt refreshed. He always felt more energised after he'd seen her. He pushed to his feet, suddenly hungry, and waded out of the meadow, disappearing into the trees on his way home. The dream had ended, but he held her face in his memory. He carried her smile along the path to his home, smiling as he kicked pebbles aside and hopped over sprawling oak roots. Who was she? Did it matter? She was his secret, and that was the most important thing.

Next Blog Stop: http://darlenesbooknook.blogspot.com/p/blog-tours.html on Jan 21

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Genevieve Graham graduated from the University of Toronto in 1986 with a Bachelor of Music in Performance (playing the oboe). While on a ski vacation in Alberta, she met her future husband in a chairlift lineup and subsequently moved to Calgary to be with him. They have recently settled in a small, peaceful town in Nova Scotia with their two beautiful daughters. Writing became an essential part of Genevieve’s life a few years ago, when she began to write her debut novel, Under the Same Sky.

CONNECT ONLINE

www.genevievegraham.com

www.facebook.com/GenevieveGrahamAuthor

http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4505583.Genevieve_Graham

twitter.com/GenGrahamAuthor

Available online in trade paperback and Kindle at:
http://www.amazon.com/Under-Same-Sky-Genevieve-Graham/dp/0425245233/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1323457506&sr=8-2

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Patricia Rice - MAGIC historicals + Contest

noreply@blogger.com (Night Owl Reviews) — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 09:00:00 +0000

Enter to win one of two print copies of The Lure of Song and Magic!

***
MAGIC historicals
by Patricia Rice

Thanks so much for having me here today! I’m Patricia Rice, author of over fifty romances in historical, contemporary, and paranormal genres. I think I’m supposed to tell you that I’ve been nominated for four RITA awards, been nominated and won dozens of RT Book Review awards, and been on all those bestseller lists that don’t mean much anymore, but I’d rather talk about books, if you don’t mind.

I don’t know about you, but I got sucked into reading series books when I was a kid in elementary school reading Nancy Drew, Cherry Ames, and Trixie Belden. I would haunt the drugstore with my allowance money, waiting for the next book to arrive. It’s not as if there weren’t other books to read—I bought PRIDE AND PREJUDICE and as many other English classics as Scholastic Books carried. But once I met the series characters, I wanted to know more about them. I wanted to learn about their lives and their friends and that really nifty roadster.

So I guess it’s easy to see why I fell into writing books as a series. Back when I first wanted to write my historical MAGIC books, series weren’t as popular as they are now. I had to convince my editor it would work. Apparently readers were as eager to read about my eccentric Malcolm witches and logical Ives men as I was to write about them, and the series was allowed to grow. Being able to combine my love of historical research with my fascination with the psychic in a series where I could watch the couples have children and interfere in family love affairs and help each other out was one of the most exhilarating episodes of my writing career. (Okay, maybe spending two weeks on tour with the Topaz Man, racing for airplanes and doing talk radio at dawn could be called exhilarating, but not in the same way!)

But all good things have to end, preferably before they run dry and burn out. So I ended the historical MAGIC series with Aidan’s literally explosive story in MAGIC MAN (Sourcebooks will be reissuing this series) and went on to other things. But readers kept asking me about the children of these mixed matches between thoroughly scientific men and genuinely psychic women. What happens when science meets magic?

I’m happy to tell you that we now have a chance to find out. THE LURE OF SONG AND MAGIC, set in contemporary California, is out this month. In the centuries since my Georgian couples got together, the scientific, Ives-oriented descendants, being of an exploratory nature, haven’t set down many roots. The descendants with Malcolm gifts, on the contrary, tend to stick together in one place. They understand that learning about their magic is as important as learning about science, and who better to teach them how to use abilities like telekinesis and siren voices than family?

But the unfortunate Malcolm heroine of LURE was abandoned on the roadside at the age of four and has utterly no idea how special she is, until she starts causing death and destruction with her passionate siren voice. With no family to teach her how to control her magical gift, she’s forced to conceal it, until Dylan Ives Oswin, a Hollywood producer with an Oz-like magic of his own, insists he needs her help to find his kidnapped son. Science, meet magic....

Have you read any of the MAGIC historicals? What do you expect of their descendants? And if you haven’t read the historicals, can you suspend disbelief and embrace a contemporary siren? Two commenters will be selected for copies of the book!

You can read an excerpt, sign up for my newsletter, follow me on Twitter and Facebook or connect with my blog (http://www.patriciarice.blogspot.com) by stopping by my website at http://patriciarice.com . A list of all my books, including e-book reissues is available there. I love hearing from readers, so please feel free to stop by your favorite watering hole and say hi.

THE LURE OF SONG AND MAGIC BY PATRICIA RICE – IN STORES JANUARY 2012

Her voice was a curse…

When Dylan “Oz” Oswin’s son is kidnapped, the high-powered producer will do anything to get him back. Desperately following an anonymous tip, he seeks help from a former child singing sensation called Syrene, only to find she’s vowed never to sing again. Immune to her voice but not her charm, Oz is convinced she holds the key to his son’s disappearance—and he’ll stop at nothing to make her break her vow.

Only he can make her sing…

She knows the devastation her talent can bring. There’s more than a child’s life at stake, but Syrene cannot unleash her dangerous siren’s voice upon the world, even for a man who is impossible to deny…

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

With five million books in print and New York Times and USA Today’s bestseller lists under her belt, Patricia Rice’s emotionally-charged contemporary and historical romances have won RT Book Reviews Reviewers Choice and Career Achievement Awards and have been honored as Romance Writers of America RITA finalists in the historical, regency and contemporary categories. A former CPA, Patricia Rice currently resides in St. Louis, Missouri. For more information, please visit http://www.patriciarice.blogspot.com or follow her on Twitter, @Patricia_Rice.

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Casey Crow Debut + Contest

noreply@blogger.com (Tammie - Night Owl Reviews) — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 09:00:00 +0000

Enter to win an eBook copy of Can't Fake This!

***
Hi Readers,

Today we are presenting you with Casey Crow and giving you a chance to win her debut title CAN’T FAKE THIS. This is what Casey has to say about her first release.

Thank you so much for having me today and featuring CAN’T FAKE THIS. I'm so excited to announce my debut is out through Loose, Id to rave reviews. It’s been nominated for 2011 Best Contemporary at Love Romances Café and received a Gold Star from Just Erotic Romance Reviews!

It's funny how things work out. CAN'T FAKE THIS started out on a whim. At the last minute, I decided to enter this 10,000 word contest. I’d written spicy mainstream, but this was my first dive into erotic waters. I didn’t win the contest, but after having what I thought was a good start, I added some more words and low and behold, this erotic became the first manuscript I sold.

CAN’T FAKE THIS is about a divorcee ready to reenter the dating world. Anna Ryan is determined to be the best “product on the market,” which requires a lot more experience so she propositions sexy police officer Chase Harris to teach her how to make hot, passionate love as opposed to just having sex. He takes it a step further, instructing each lesson based on The Twelve Days of Christmas.

On the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me…temptation in a hot package.

The story definitely has my “Sexy, Sassy & Southern” trademark. Here’s a sneak peek.

EXCERPT

My zipper slid down with a hiss, exposing my bare flesh to the cool air of the room. “Do you know what today is?” I was breathless as the material spilled below my hips.

Chase pushed my hair aside, his tongue sweeping every vertebra until he knelt on his knees kissing the small indention of my lower back. “Sunday.”

“December fourteenth.” I needed to be the one on my knees. My legs had turned all Jell-Oy. Yeah, I wasn’t an expert in the chemistry department, but even I could sense the spark between us, the hot, electric pull. As his teeth pulled at the peach bow of my G-string, I could already imagine his cock sliding into me. He yanked the dress down and turned me around. My crotch was now at his eye level. I rubbed his shaved head, debating whether I should pull his face to my panties or hike a leg over his shoulder. Or both. I settled for the latter before my weak knees collapsed.

“It’s twelve days till Christmas,” I said. The figure eights he licked along my inner thigh made it rather difficult to carry on a coherent conversation.

“Consider tonight an early present.” He swooped in for a taste, or so I thought, as hot air breezed my pussy. Before I knew it, Chase slipped my leg off his shoulder and stood to scoop me into his arms. He lowered me onto the cold leather of the sofa, but the chill disintegrated the moment his warm body stretched over me. His large, dark pupils filled with lust -- and dare I say, need? -- as his dick throbbed between my legs. I squeezed my thighs, putting pressure on his cock. He let out a low groan while my body strained for more than a tease. I lifted my hips to rub up and down on his shaft.

We ground our bodies together, my gaze trapped by his own for a deliciously suspended moment. It never occurred to me this kind of intimacy was odd. I mean, most folks would be kissing and getting it on by now, but after all the exciting tension that had built all night, we suddenly slowed down…to savor. Damn, it was sexy.

Zero doubt played in my mind. I wanted this guy to help execute my plan.

“I’m thinking I deserve one every day for the next twelve days,” I said as he moved in for a kiss.

The grinding of his hips against mine stopped. Chase pushed up on his elbows and stared at me, lifting a curious brow.

“Hear me out.” My fingers examined his rib cage, stopping to pay homage to his thick, oblique muscles. “I need someone like you to…” My throat closed. When had my palms become this sweaty? I took my hands off his body so he wouldn’t notice, and prayed the cool air would dry them.

“Like me?”

“Experienced…not looking for attachments.” I threw in the last bit to remind us both Chase fulfilled the role of Frog number one.

He grinned. “What do you need?”

“I want you to spend the next twelve days teaching…showing me how to make love.”

He winced, and sucked a hiss through his teeth. “You write sex for a living.”

“Writing about it and really living it are two different things.” I squirmed out of his hold. He pulled away as I sat Indian style across from him.

“Look, here’s the deal. It’s been eight long years since I’ve been single, and now that I’m back on the market, I intend to be the best product out there.”

His lips twitched as his gaze roamed my body. “You’re pretty damn good as you are.”

I blushed and grabbed a red throw pillow to cover my nakedness. “Thanks, but

I need, shall we say, tutoring in the fine art of love making.”

“Let me get this straight.” He barely contained the laughter in his voice.

“You’re asking me to instruct you on how to have sex?”

“No dummy. I know how to have sex. Anybody can pump and hump.” The image of my ex flashed in my mind. “I want passion, chemistry and hot, sweaty multiple orgasms.” I tossed the pillow on the floor and rose, knee walking across the sofa toward him. My fingers teased the hem of his T-shirt. They finagled their way underneath the soft material and behind the waistband of his jeans. I pulled him close. “I want to make love.”

“For twelve days? Then I’m off the hook?” He looked so relieved I almost giggled.

I pushed my pelvis against his cock and smiled when it twitched back to life. “Yes.” I grabbed his ass and gave it a tight squeeze. Then, I ran my mouth up the side of his neck to his ear, nibbling the lobe. “You interested?”

Visit Casey at http://www.caseycrow.com. On Facebook at Casey Crow and Twitter at caseyecrow.

Buy all versions from Loose, Id., or Kindle version on Amazon.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Casey Crow is a Summa Cum Laude graduate from the University of Alabama with degrees in Business Management and Dance. She received her Master of Business Administration from the University of Mobile. Casey resides in south Alabama where she stays busy running her two young children to way too many activities. She also works as a dance choreographer, pageant coach of twenty years, professional emcee and model, and certified Miss America preliminary judge. In fact, she is a former Miss University of Alabama and NASCAR spokesmodel. She is addicted to CASTLE & REVENGE and works out constantly to compensate for her addiction to Barq's root beer. She enjoys playing pool, tennis & golf, but never has the time and is therefore, pitiful at all three. Casey is an award wining author of erotic and spicy contemporary romances with the tagline “Sexy, Southern & Sassy.” Her debut CAN’T FAKE THIS was nominated for 2011 Best Contemporary at Love Romances Café. Visit her at www.caseycrow.com. Follow her on Twitter - caseyecrow and Facebook - Casey Crow.

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Naomi Bellina - What Would You Do for Money? + Contest

noreply@blogger.com (Tammie - Night Owl Reviews) — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 09:00:00 +0000

Enter to win an eBook from Naomi Bellina!

***
What Would You Do for Money?
by Naomi Bellina

Ah, January, the month that for some people, can be more frightening than Halloween. Why? Because this is the month the enormous credit card bills start rolling in!

Many folks charge their way through Christmas, literally. They start early and keep going, whipping out those magic pieces of plastic until the raised numbers are flat and the security code on the back is worn off. With online shopping, it's especially easy to make purchases, since we can do it in the comfort of our own little home, twenty-four hours a day, wearing our pajamas and slippers. Or with a glass of wine. Or two. That's when Internet shopping gets really fun! One for you, one for me, another one for me...

But now, come January, it's time to pay the piper. Maybe even with interest. Problem is, there's no extra money to take care of an additional bill. And so the question arises, if given the opportunity, what would you do for money?

How far would you go? Would you do something a tad shady, or venture all the way to the dark side? In my own little money fantasies, I imagine inheriting from a wealthy relative, but I don't think I have any of those. Or, a lawyer tracks me down, and a total stranger, someone I once showed a bit of kindness, has left me their estate. (Note to self, be nicer to strangers.)

Or maybe someone offers me large sums of money to do…something, but I can't quite come up with a reason they would do so. Chances are, if someone is going to give me a lot of cash, it will be to do something illegal or creepy.

How much money would have to be dangled in front of me before I would do something that takes me out of my comfort zone? What if it was an act I could morally justify, that wouldn’t really hurt anyone else? A victimless crime. For Demi Moore and Woody Harrelson in the movie Indecent Proposal, a million dollars was sufficient payment for her to sleep with Robert Redford. George Segal and Jane Fonda in Fun with Dick and Jane had trouble robbing the neighborhood drugstore but no qualms about stealing from the telephone company.

My problem is, after doing something wrong, I can't sleep. I generally nod off quite easily, but if I have a guilty conscience, sleep won't come. I may try to justify my actions, but deep down, my inner guide knows I did wrong. What I value most in life is peace of mind, so if I ever have the opportunity to score a large sum of money, I have to make sure whatever I do, I can look myself in the mirror and be happy with what I see.

In my story Demons and Angels, the heroine is deep in debt, so she reluctantly agrees to serve drinks at a party with questionable guests. In my upcoming book Seducing the Stone, Max is working at a lousy job to keep the house he loves and send himself to school in hopes of a career change. Both characters do things for money that they'd rather not, but of course, since this is romance fiction, everything turns out well for them. I like to think my own money choices will have the same happy consequences!

Visit my website at http://www.naomibellina.com to read excerpts, and go to my About Me page to leave a comment. Tell me something odd you've done for money and you will be entered to win an e-copy of Demons and Angels. Okay, I'll go first. I dressed as an elf and worked with Santa at the mall…when I was in my late twenties! I was the oldest elf there. What a hoot!

Thank you Night Owl Romance and readers for allowing me to share my thoughts and my books with you. Happy reading!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Naomi lives in beautiful sunny Florida with the love of her life and a magical black cat. She writes for various fiction and non-fiction markets, but finds she is drawn to romance because her characters insist on canoodling, and sometimes even falling madly in love. So she lets them. Occasionally, however, they go to dark and strange places. She lets them do this also. Most of her stories will surprise readers with unexpected twists and turns, because isn't that what makes life exciting?

Her interests include dancing, hula-hooping, drumming, and creating healthy meals. She takes the opportunity to play, have fun, and indulge in the pursuit of passion whenever possible. She hopes you enjoy her stories and would love to hear from you.

Her motto: Never pass up the opportunity to have an adventure!

Visit Naomi at http://www.naomibellina.com

Email her at: naomibellina(AT)live(DOT)com

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Jeanette Grey - When Friends Become Lovers + Contest

noreply@blogger.com (Tammie - Night Owl Reviews) — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 09:00:00 +0000

Enter to win and eBook copy of Unacceptable Risk!

***
When Friends Become Lovers
by Jeanette Grey

I'll admit it: I'm a huge sucker for friends-to-lovers stories. Two of the most important relationships of my life started that way, including my real-life happily-ever-after. It seems so natural to me that the intimacy and love that come with years of friendship would translate easily into an even more intimate, more loving relationship.

But it so rarely seems to work out that way, does it?

There's so much at stake when you decide to push a friendship into something more, and so we hem and haw and dance around each other, looking for a sign. More often than not, something has to push us into finally taking the plunge. It could be an unusual circumstance that enables us to see the other person in a new light, or maybe some new threat that puts the whole relationship into peril.

Think Monica and Chandler from Friends, who first considered each other as more than friends when they were in a different country, divorced from their normal routine. Or Ron and Hermione from Harry Potter who shared their first kiss mere minutes before they were about to be (potentially) slaughtered by Voldemort.

In my own personal love story, there were two moments. First, after four years of friendship, I finally noticed the man who would one day become my husband romantically when he grew a beard, forcing me to look at him differently. Even after that, it took ages for us to get our act together; we only gave in and decided to try for more in September 2001, when the whole world seemed to be falling apart.

My new futuristic romance, Unacceptable Risk, features a twist on a friends-to-lovers theme. The heroine, Plix, is a woman bent on vengeance, looking to bring the people she holds responsible for poisoning her city and killing her parents to justice. She relies on her best friend, Edison, to help her in her quest, but she holds him at a distance, in spite of her feelings for him. All the standard fears about changing their relationship are compounded by the dangerous nature of her work. Risking his friendship would be one thing; risking his life would another thing entirely.

Like any good friends-to-lovers story, there are a couple of defining moments when everything changes. The first of those moments happens when Plix not only decides to undertake her most dangerous mission yet, but – terrified that she has already led danger to his doorstep – resolves to cut Edison out of her plans completely. Unable to bear to let her go, Edison finally makes the first move…

EXCERPT / Unacceptable Risk

Plix was just finishing when she heard the sound she’d been waiting for this entire time, footsteps coming down the hall with that familiar echo and that long, loping gait. She swallowed hard and clenched her eyes shut, steeling herself for the goodbyes that had been growing more and more difficult for years now. This one would be the most difficult of all.

With a silent prayer, Plix wiped the display and slipped the cable from her neck, turning quickly and forcing as neutral of an expression as she could muster. As she did, the door behind her swung open, knuckles rapping gently against plastic in a small warning.

The sight of Edison’s face, broadly expectant, smiling and open, was nearly enough to crack her resolve and shatter all her plans.

It only took a moment for everything to shift, though.

“Hey, sleepyhead, I—” The words had barely left Edison’s mouth before his expression was falling, his features betraying how quickly he understood exactly what was happening.

Plix could only hope he didn’t grasp the full extent of it. If he did, he would never let her go.

“What—?” The hurt in his eyes was paralyzing, the sudden defensiveness in his posture striking so stark a contrast to the lazy smile he’d entered with.

She always hurt him.

Every single time.

There wasn’t any point to pretending. “I’m sorry,” she started.

“No.” Edison shook his head fiercely, his arms crossing as he straightened up to his full height. “You’re not sorry. You’re not sorry at all. If you were, you wouldn’t—” “I have to.” Plix couldn’t meet his eyes anymore. She couldn’t even hold her unaltered hand in front of her, it was shaking so badly.

“You don’t. You don’t have to,” he said, pleading. “Whatever it is you think you need to do, it can wait.”

As sh

e fought back the tears that wanted to overflow, she tried to shake her head, tried to move, tried to leave. But she couldn’t. And then there were hands on her shoulders, one rising up to touch her cheek, seeking roughly to tip her head back. When she held firm, her eyes trained intently on the floor, he gave up and simply wrapped his arms around her, pressing her face against his chest.

He smelled so good.

“Please, Plix. Please. Just a few more days.”

She’d already stayed too long. “No,” she said. The sound was muffled by his shirt, every breath and every word pulling more of his scent toward her lungs.

He pushed her back, and in her surprise, she let her eyes meet his. “Then let me go with you. Let me watch out for you. If you have to do this, we can do it together.”

She closed her eyes and her fists. “No.” “Please—”

“No.” Sucking in a deep breath, she summoned all her strength to open her eyes and meet his gaze. “You know I have to…that I can’t…”

When he lifted his hands to cup the sides of her face, she wasn’t prepared for how powerfully that unexpected tenderness would affect her. Usually, he screamed.

Sometimes he broke things.

He never touched her. Not quite like this.

Maybe he knew after all.

“Plix, I can’t…I can’t keep doing this.”

She felt her expression fall, the truth of what she was saying making the words echo with the pain she wanted so desperately to hide. “You won’t have to.”

For a long moment, their eyes held, and she was left with no doubt as to whether he grasped her meaning.

“Please.” Plix didn’t know how their faces had gotten so close, his breath warm on her face as he whispered, “For me.”

Her eyes fell closed again, the lashes brushing his cheek, and as she parted her lips to speak, she could feel the warmth of his skin.

For the first time in all these years, she felt his mouth.

His kiss.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

After brief, unsatisfying careers in advertising, teaching, computers, and homemaking, Jeanette Grey has returned to her two first loves: romance and writing. When she isn’t writing, Jeanette enjoys making pottery, playing board games, and spending time with her husband and her pet frog. She lives, loves, and writes in North Carolina. Find her online at http://www.jeanettegrey.com

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Melinda Leigh and Rayna Vause - Tag-Team Writing + Contest

noreply@blogger.com (Tammie - Night Owl Reviews) — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 09:00:00 +0000

Enter to win and eBook copy of Amazon Heat!

***
Tag-Team Writing
by Melinda Leigh and Rayna Vause

Co-writing seems like a daunting idea for many authors. Most have never even tried it. Writers are control freaks by nature. They invent their own worlds in which they are the supreme beings that make every decision regarding the lives of their characters. The idea of letting go is about as attractive as sharing a shower with a big hairy spider or a poisonous snake. Maybe both.

So what happens when writers loosen the reins? When they agree to share that ultimate control? The possibilities include: double the creativity, a built-in critique partner, and the ultimate cure for writer’s block, the ability to toss the whole manuscript at another person and let her have a go at it.

It isn’t a process writers should tackle without some organization, though. Writing as a team requires a bit of planning. We started with detailed character descriptions and a fairly thorough outline. Nothing was written in stone, and changes were made along the way as the story progressed. We took turns sketching and fleshing out scenes to keep the process as interesting as the story. The draft was completed in just a few fun-filled weeks, and the final result was so much better than we imagined.

We enjoyed the process so much that a sequel is already in the works. Here’s a summary of our first, but not last, joint effort.

AMAZON HEAT released January 9th from Carina Press.

Two years ago, ethnobotanist Dr. Elizabeth DeMarco, driven by grief to find a cure for cancer, left her lover mid-proposal to accept a position on a research expedition to the Amazon Rainforest. Kidnapped by guerrillas, she was saved by warriors from the secret all-female civilization of the ancient Amazons. She has been kept prisoner since in the Amazon’s supernaturally hidden valley.

Despite Elizabeth’s rejection, anthropologist Logan Spencer never stopped searching for her. While consulting on a mass grave uncovered in the remote Brazilian interior near the place Elizabeth was kidnapped, Logan falls from a cliff. On the brink of death, he is collected by the Amazons and magically healed. When Logan wakes, the first person he sees is his beloved Elizabeth. Unfortunately, their reunion is less than joyful. The mystical medicine is changing Logan. But there’s no time to study the side-effects. The Amazons plan to steal Logan’s DNA, then kill him. Logan and Elizabeth must escape before dawn or Logan is doomed. Getting him out of the hidden valley won’t be easy. The Amazon’s supernatural powers make the task all but impossible.

Melinda Leigh is a mom, a dog lover, and a second degree black belt in kenpo karate. In addition to writing paranormal romance for Carina Press, she is also the author of She Can Run, a kindle bestselling romantic suspense released in November 2011 from Montlake Romance. Find out more Melinda: website / facebook / twitter

Melinda Leigh

Rayna Vause is fascinated by the paranormal and she loves a good romance as well, which probably explains why these two elements perpetually crop up in her writing. When she takes off her writer hat she is a martial artist, video game lover, Disney enthusiast, and a Pop Tart aficionado. Find out more about Rayna: website / facebook / twitter

Melinda and Rayna blog together at http://AttackingThePage.com

Melinda’s Links:
Website: http://MelindaLeighAuthor.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/MelindaLeigh1
Facebook: http://facebook.com/MelindaLeighAuthorPage

Rayna’s links:
Website: http://RaynaVause.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/Rayna_Vause
Facebook: http://facebook.com/RaynaVauseAuthor

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CH Admirand - Fall In Love With DYLAN + Contest

noreply@blogger.com (Tammie - Night Owl Reviews) — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 09:00:00 +0000

Enter to win one of two copies of Dylan!

***
Fall In Love with DYLAN
by CH Admirand

Readers will fall in love with DYLAN because…at first glance he’s tall, dark, and handsome…but his ruggedly handsome exterior hides the heart of a romantic who’s been in love before but crashed and burned. He’s wary, but so worth the time to get to know.

He’s honest and trustworthy and will go to the grave before he’ll go back on his word…even if it means that he has to fill in for his brother’s shift at the Lucky Star for three nights and stand up on that stage in front of all of those wild women waving dollar bills at him while wearing a tiny black pair of briefs, his chaps, and black Stetson.

He’ll even indulge Jolene, one of the owners of the Lucky Star, when she asks him to lasso the birthday girl—but what he doesn’t count on is losing his head and his heart to a brunette with snapping green eyes, luscious red lips, and a go-to-hell-and-enjoy-the-trip attitude.

But why don’t I let you decide…here’s an excerpt from DYLAN:

Dylan Garahan narrowed his gaze trying to focus in the glare of the spotlight, searching the crowd for her face. It was time for the big move in his act…the show-stopper. Where was she?

Jolene would kill him if he messed this up, but he'd made it through the last two nights and would make it through tonight. The redheaded owner of the club should have no complaints about the middle Garahan brother not keeping his word or holding up his end of the bargain. Damn the woman and her tests!

Controlling the urge to turn on his heel and walk off the stage, he dug deep and found the grit to stick it out. Hell, if Tyler could handle this job, so could he. Garahans went down fighting!

Oblivious to the adoring gazes of the women around him, he moved toward center stage, bent, and picked up the coiled rope. He looked up as a blonde, a brunette, and a redhead walked into the bar…right on schedule…but there was something different about the brunette. Maybe it was the blindfold. He struggled not to laugh, but he couldn't keep from smiling, wondering why the cloak-and-dagger bit.

Looping the lasso in his hands, he started the slow circular motion. Getting the rhythm going until it was smooth and sweet, he raised it above his head and locked gazes with the blonde. When she nodded, he let the lasso fly, as the blonde whipped the blindfold off the brunette.

The woman's stunned expression as the rope slipped around her upper body didn't stop him from tugging on the rope and reeling her in. The patrons of the Lucky Star hooted and hollered, encouraging him to pull faster, but he didn't want the little lady to trip and fall on her pretty face.

Glad that the focus of the crowd wasn't totally on him, he gently pulled her toward him. The brunette's gypsy-dark skin, full red lips, and almond-shaped eyes captivated him. The promise of pain-filled death in her dark green eyes, as she struggled against the bonds that held her, had his lips twitching, fighting not to smile.

She dug in her heels, but he used his strength to subdue her. Undeterred, he yanked on the rope. When her eyes widened in shock, he used her surprise to his advantage and reeled her in the last few feet. When they were a few inches apart, he tipped his hat, smiled, and rumbled, "Happy birthday, darlin'."

For those that really need the visual, here’s a video.

I love to hear from readers…visit me at www.chadmirand.com, www.Facebook.com/CHAdmirand or www.twitter.com/CHAdmirand.

Don’t forget to leave a comment to enter to win a signed copy of DYLAN…be sure to leave your email so I can get in touch with you.

Slainte’

C.H. Admirand

DYLAN BY C.H. ADMIRAND – IN STORES JANUARY 2012

There was nothing he couldn’t tame…

Dylan Garahan might be an old hand at lassoing fillies, but one night at the Lucky Star club, and he ends up wrapping his rope around someone that even his formidable strength can’t tame. She’s wily and beautiful… and she’s his new boss. Dylan’s had his heart broken bfore, but even an honest cowpoke has to wrestle with temptation…

Until he got his lasso around her…

Ronnie DelVecchio might be fresh off the bus from New Jersey, but she’s a hard-edged businesswoman and has had her fill of men she can’t trust—although she might consider getting off her high horse for that big handsome rancher with a Texas drawl.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

C.H. Admirand was born in Aiken, South Carolina. She has published 9 bestselling novels for the library market. Her Secret Life of Cowboy series, published by Sourcebooks Casablanca includes TYLER (available now), DYLAN (in stores January 2012) and JESSE (in stores July 2012). She lives with her husband, who is the inspiration for all of her heroes’ very best traits, in northern New Jersey. For more information, please visit http://www.chadmirand.com or follower her on twitter, @chadmirand.

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Mia Marlowe - The Joy of Making Things Up + Contest

noreply@blogger.com (Tammie - Night Owl Reviews) — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 20:06:00 +0000

Enter to win one of two copies of Sins of the Highlander!

***
The Joy of Making Things Up
by Mia Marlowe

There are two stereotypes about the life of a romance author. One has us with our feet up by the pool, feather boa draped over our shoulders, being inspired by Raoul the Cabana Boy and his teensy speedo. The other is Kathleen Turner from Romancing the Stone. We’re grungy “bookheads” who haven’t changed out of our sweats in weeks. We’re so deep into our imaginary world, we weep over the keyboard and forget to do the grocery shopping.

Actually, the Kathleen version is the closest to the truth. I have wept over my own words. If Stop-n-Shop didn’t deliver, my family might go hungry when a deadline looms. I do manage not to live in sweats, but it’s a near thing. There are days when I don’t make it outside except to walk the dogs.

My world is both quite small and infinitely large. My family life is calm and happy. There’s very little drama. I always say that if I was a reality TV show I’d be cancelled on account of boredom. But that’s only because the camera can’t catch the seething caldron of angst, passion and action going on in my head.

The joy of making things up never pales. When I start a new story, I’m creating a whole world, peopling it with characters whose strengths and failings will propel them into one of the crossroad moments of their fictional lives. I love discovering who those characters are. They become my literary children, my friends. I ache for their troubles, even though I’m the architect of them. When I first started writing, I wanted to make everything smooth and easy for them, like any good parent would. But it’s a sad fact that fiction writers have to be sadistically cruel to their characters or there’s no story.

I admit, I’ve grown to like it.

I threw up plenty of roadblocks for my latest hero, “Mad Rob” MacLaren from SINS OF THE HIGHLANDER. He’s pretty damaged at the opening of the story (which you can read here: http://miamarlowe.com/books/sins.php#excerpt). He lost his wife two years ago and is still crazed with grief. But the fact that Rob knew how to love and love deeply gave me hope that he could learn to do it again. And in loving, heal that hole in his heart.

Second chance stories intrigue me. I think all of us have those moments in our lives when we make a choice and later wish we could have done something differently. The opportunity to redeem the past is one of the themes of SINS OF THE HIGHLANDER.

Another thing I love about making things up is that anything can happen in my fictional world. When a reviewer or reader says they were surprised by a twist in my plot, I’ve done my job. My goal is to delight, amuse and surprise.

Creating worlds, tormenting characters, surprising readers…being a romance author is a terrific job!

My question for all of you is: If you could have any job in the world, what would it be and why?

I love to connect with readers. You can find me at:

http://www.miamarlowe.com (Be sure to pop over and enter the contest. The Grand Prize is a KINDLE!)

http://twitter.com/Mia_Marlowe

http://facebook.com/MiaMarloweFanPage

SINS OF THE HIGHLANDER BY CONNIE MASON & MIA MARLOWE – IN STORES JANUARY 2012

Abduction

Never had Elspeth Stewart imagined her wedding would be interrupted by a dark-haired stranger charging in on a black stallion, scooping her into his arms, and carrying her off across the wild Scottish highlands. Pressed against his hard chest and nestled between his trong thighs, she ought to have feared for her life. But her captor silenced all protests with a soul-searing kiss, giving Elspeth a glimpse of the pain behind his passion—a pain only she could ease.

Obsession

“Mad Rob” MacLaren thought stealing his rival’s bride-to-be was the prefect revenge. But Rob never reckoned that this beautiful, innocent lass would awaken the part of him he thought dead and buried with his wife. Against all reason, he longed to introduce the luscious Elspeth to the pleasures of the flesh, to make her his, and only his, forever.

Mia Marlowe

With two clans against them burning for battle, they must find a way to join together—body, breath and soul. Or both will be made to pay for the Sins of the Highlander.

ABOUT THE AUTHORS

Connie Mason is a New York Times bestselling author of more than 50 novels. She was named Storyteller of the Year in 1990 and received a Career Achievement Award from RT Book Reviews in 1994. She currently lives in Florida. Mia Marlowe is a highly acclaimed new voice in romance whose debut novel released in Spring 2011 from Kensington. She lives in Boston, MA. Together, they are working on a new Regency romance series for Sourcebooks Casablanca, the first of which will be in stores in early 2013. For more information, please visit http://www.conniemason.com, http://miamarlowe.com and follow Mia on Twitter @Mia_Marlowe.

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Suzanne Rock - How do you Choose? + Contest

noreply@blogger.com (Tammie - Night Owl Reviews) — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 19:22:00 +0000

Enter to win and eBook copy of Whispers!

***
How do you Choose?
by Suzanne Rock

Hi everyone! Thanks for having me on the blog today. I’d like to use this opportunity to take off my writer’s hat and talk to you a little bit – reader to reader. There has been an explosion of ebooks in the past year. Now more than ever, authors have options when it comes to publishing their work. As a result, the market is flooded with new authors and new titles.

When I got a new Kindle Touch for Christmas, I wanted to fill it up with books. I wanted to buy from my favorite authors, but I also wanted to find new stories as well. As I flipped through the Amazon book lists and browsed the different pages, a thought occurred to me. How do readers choose their books?

All of us have our favorite authors, those we autobuy every time they have a new release. I’m not talking about them. When you’re browsing in the book store, what makes you pick up one book over another?

While searching Amazon, I learned a lot about myself and my book buying habits.

I buy books based on genre. My top three favorites are Romance of all subgenres (of course!), thriller and fantasy. If the mood strikes, I’ll buy a science fiction. I rarely buy outside of these genres.
I buy based on personal connections. This goes beyond the occasional spam email or response on a yahoo loop. If someone has taken the time to form a relationship with me, then I will more often than not put their name in a search engine and see what comes up.
Some people (myself included) really do judge a book by its cover. A cover doesn’t have to be flashy or eye-catching, but shouldn’t look like your fourth year old put it together, either.
I’m a sucker for a catchy blurb. After a book passes the first three criteria, I read the blurb. You can tell a lot about a book from the blurb. Often you get a flavor of the author’s writing style and can see if it is something that agrees with you. If the blurb is well written, you have an idea of the main characters and the plot. If it doesn’t grab me from the get-go, I pass.
Reviews really do matter. I look at the amazon reviews. (Does anyone else?) I discount the 1-star reviews simply because I’ve found too many of them to be nasty. I also discount the five star reviews, because I know many authors (not all) have family and friends rate books and the validity of those reviews is often suspect. I read the 2-4 star reviews because (most of the time) I find them to be more open and honest.

This is why it’s so important to review the books you love. You bring new readers to the authors you love, which in turn brings them more revenue. More revenue means that the author can cut back on the day job and spend more time writing the books you love.

Using this process, I’ve managed to fill up my kindle with a lot of great reads. So I’m asking all of you, do you have a process for finding new books? If so, what is it?

ABOUT THE BOOK / WHISPERS

Rose is skeptical when Lady Denville hires her to take care of some ghosts in her townhouse. She expects to find a nest of rats or branches scraping against a window. Instead she finds two sexy spirits intent on fulfilling her every sexual desire. They introduce her to a whole new world of pleasure — and a curse that may destroy them all.

Lionel and Jonathan have been trapped in the townhouse for decades, waiting. When Rose walks in, they know that she is the one with the power to save them. The key to their freedom lies within reach, and both men must put aside their differences if they ever hope to break the curse that binds them to the townhouse. As the men set out to seduce Rose and gain their freedom, their sexual desire turns into something more. Now they must be honest with the woman they love, or stay imprisoned in the spirit world forever.

EXCERPT

Rose stood at the top of the stairs and listened. The moans were louder now, and she could easily distinguish the two tones.She scanned the area around her, but it was too dark to see much beyond her hands.

She straightened her light green dress, chosen to match her eyes, and poked a wispy blonde curl back into her twist. If Lady Denville indeed had guests up here, then Rose had to make sure to look her best.

She picked up a candle off the nearby end table and lit it. The soft glow illuminated the hallway, which looked as if it hadn’t had a good dusting in ages. Thick velvet curtains had been pulled over the windows, blocking any light. It was so unlike Lady Denville to keep her upstairs closed up like this.

Besides the depressing atmosphere, nothing seemed out of the ordinary with the crimson carpet and dark wood walls. Rose took a deep breath, steeled her jaw, and stepped forward.

The noises filled the air, fanning her desire from a small spark into a large flame. They were smooth and melodic, almost blending with each other. Her body warmed, and she placed her hand to her cheek. Her husband wasn’t overly amorous, and it had been a long time since she had enjoyed the pleasures of the bedroom. The noises spoke to something feminine and primal deep inside her body. It awoke and rushed through her system, leaving her breathless.

The sensations felt…strange. She had not felt anything so strong before, not even with her own husband. What could be making her feel this way, and could it alleviate the ache forming between her legs? She inched forward a step, then two. With each small advance, her desire grew until she found it difficult to concentrate on the matter at hand. She paused as a name echoed off the walls.

“Jonathan.”

Her skin tingled with sexual awareness as the deep, commanding voice rippled through her body. Rose slid her fingers along the low-cut edge of her dress, then dipped them between her breasts. How did it get so warm in here?

And who was Jonathan?

She continued to the very end of the hall. It was darkest here, the heavy curtains in the windows blocking all light. She heard new noises now, like the shifting of furniture. They seemed to be coming from behind the large wooden door. A low glow shone through the cracks as the moans grew louder.

Heat traveled over her skin as she stared at the strange light. A light breeze blew over her skin, just like it had when she was downstairs moments ago. It did nothing to cool her rising temperature or the fluttering in her stomach.

The flame on the candle flickered, then extinguished. She fought back the sudden urge to shed her clothes as confusion filled her mind. She had to know what was behind the door, not just for Lady Denville’s sake, but for her own. Rose needed to find out what was making her feel like some animal in heat.

Rose felt the familiar ache low in her abdomen. She was desperate for something to ease the building pressure between her legs, but nothing suitable was available. She resisted the urge to rip off her clothes and touch herself, for she suspected such an act would do little to alleviate the growing ache. She craved something bigger and stronger to satisfy her. The whole situation felt barbaric and yet thrilling at the same time.

Rose moistened her lips and turned the knob…

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

After over a decade in the scientific world, Suzanne needed a creative outlet. She tried scrap booking, cooking, crocheting, painting, and piano, none of which held her interest for very long. Then one of her friends suggested writing. Thrilled with the idea of creating her own worlds, she opened up her lap top and never looked back.

When Suzanne’s not writing, she can be found playing with her two daughters, testing her husband’s latest kitchen creations, or curled up with her favorite romance novel in her central Massachusetts home. http://suzannerock.com / Suzanne Rock - Night Owl Reviews Page

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Josephine Myles - Barging In + Contest

noreply@blogger.com (Tammie - Night Owl Reviews) — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 09:00:00 +0000

Enter to win an eBook copy of Barging In.

***
A Teaser for Barging In
by Josephine Myles

Hi there, Josephine “Jo” Myles here sharing a teaser excerpt from my m/m erotic romance, Barging In, released by Samhain in September 2011. Hope you enjoy the steamy alfresco manloving!

But first, the BLURB:

When the boat’s a rockin’, don’t come knockin’!

Out-and-proud travel writer Dan Taylor can’t steer a boat to save his life, but that doesn’t stop him from accepting an assignment to write up a narrowboat holiday. Instead of a change of pace from city life, though, the canal seems dull as ditchwater. Until he crashes into the boat of a half-naked, tattooed, pierced man whose rugged, penniless appearance is at odds with a posh accent.

Still smarting from past betrayal, Robin Hamilton’s “closet” is his narrowboat, his refuge from outrageous, provocative men like Dan. Yet he can’t seem to stop himself from rescuing the hopelessly out-of-place city boy from one scrape after another. Until he finds himself giving in to reluctant attraction, even considering a brief, harmless fling.

After all, in less than a week, Dan’s going back to his London diet of casual hook-ups and friends with benefits.

Determined not to fall in love, both men dive into one week of indulgence…only to find themselves drawn deep into an undertow of escalating intimacy and emotional intensity. Troubled waters neither of them expected…or wanted. Product Warnings:

Contains one lovable tart, one posh boy gone feral, rough sex, alfresco sex, vile strawberry flavoured condoms, intimate body piercings, red thermal long-johns, erotic woodchopping, an errant cat, a few colourful characters you wouldn’t touch with a bargepole, and plenty of messing about on the river.

Find out more at the Samhain Publishing website.

EXCERPT

It was dark under the trees. As Robin waited for his vision to adjust, he concentrated on listening. There was a faint splashing sound off to his right, and he waited until Dan was finished before clearing his throat.

“Dan?”

A dark shape detached itself from the shadows and moved towards him. The next thing he knew, arms were snaking around his waist and he felt warm breath on his cheek. “Robin? I hope that’s you.” Dan’s voice was low and seductive, but he held himself back as if expecting Robin to make the first move.

“It’s me,” Robin whispered, not trusting his voice to stay steady. All he could concentrate on was the press of Dan’s warm body against his, the scent rising from him, sweet and heady. His hands rose of their own accord, pulling Dan’s head closer as he closed in for a kiss. Dan tasted of lager and marijuana, with that underlying sweetness Robin remembered from before. He moaned into Dan’s mouth, growing hard so fast it was painful. He grabbed hold of Dan’s arse and pulled him in tight, willing him to feel how much he wanted him. Dan responded by grinding his hips, and their erections rubbed together with an intense friction. Made Robin want to rip Dan’s clothes off and have him on the damp leaf litter.

But Dan had his own ideas, and Robin found himself stumbling backwards as Dan broke off the kiss and pushed him, his fall broken by a tree trunk. He panted, slightly winded by the unexpected blow. That was uncalled for! But then Dan slid a cool hand down the front of his trousers, and all other thoughts fled.

“Oh! This is a pleasant surprise,” Dan said, fingering Robin’s Prince Albert piercing in a way that made him whimper and push into Dan’s hand. “I think I’d better get a closer look.”

And when Dan sank down, unzipped Robin’s fly and exposed his aching prick to the cold night air, Robin needed the support of the tree behind him. Dan’s hot breath against the head of his cock made his knees buckle as he trembled with anticipation.

But Dan seemed determined to tease him, nuzzling, licking and touching him so gently it was an exquisite torture. Dan paid special attention to the piercing, and the way the ring moved under his tongue sent jolts of pleasure racing through Robin’s body. He gasped, his hands clawing at the bark. He had to stop himself from grabbing Dan’s hair and thrusting into his mouth. He wasn’t going to be that needy. He wasn’t that desperate. He wasn’t.

When Dan finally enveloped him in the moist heat of his mouth, Robin had to bite down on his hand to prevent a howl escaping. The relief that the torture was over barely registered—now he had to concentrate on not coming too fast. To hold back, to make it last. No matter how good. And oh, it was good. Dan knew what he was doing, taking him deep and making happy noises like Robin’s dick was the most delicious thing he’d ever tasted.

***

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

English through and through, Josephine Myles is addicted to tea and busy cultivating a reputation for eccentricity. She writes gay erotica and romance, but finds the erotica keeps cuddling up to the romance and the romance keeps corrupting the erotica. Jo blames her rebellious muse but he never listens to her anyway, no matter how much she threatens him with a big stick. She’s beginning to suspect he enjoys it.

For more about her published work, saucy free reads and regular blog posts, please visit josephinemyles.com

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Lizzy Ford - The Intuitive Writing Process + Contest

noreply@blogger.com (Tammie - Night Owl Reviews) — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 09:00:00 +0000

Enter to win an eBook download of Damian's Oracle!

***
The Intuitive Writing Process
by Lizzy Ford

The question I’m asked most frequently is how I can be a hyper-prolific, freak of nature writer. I write and publish a new novel every 30-45 days while maintaining marketing efforts and building up my social media presence. Those who have read my work will tell you it’s good. I’m not writing the Great American Novel, but I can write a darn good story with solid characters and a very imaginative plot. In short, I can write a book that’s certain to entertain, and lots of people want to know what my secret is.

It’s no easy feat to produce a book a month. There are a couple of secrets, one of which I’ve been very open about. I work with a team that consists of a freelance book editor, a graphics artist, and an I.T. person. I write and revise my work. Then, my editor beats the manuscript into shape, my graphics girl makes me covers and other material to promote it, and my husband (and IT guy!) optimizes our website to support each book. All in about a month. I’m ridiculously proud of my team!

However, my second secret is a little less well-known: intuitive writing. In order for my team to have something to work with, I’ve gotta WRITE. Where do these ideas come from, and how do I keep them coming? My writing process is only partially done consciously. I have help from what I affectionately call my ‘demons,’ which are the builders of my stories. I’m mentally working on several books at once, even if I’m capable of writing only one at a time. The demons weave little ideas into plots, scenes, characters during the day – and at night.

A good chunk of my writing is done in my sleep. I’m an avid dreamer who can remember much of what she dreams. The demons are freer at night to create, experiment, and play in my dreams, and trust me – they do! Rubber waves, shards of glass, a metro car in a cave, a woman with colorless eyes, a misty forest, a floating key, glowing rocks … These types of hazy dreamscapes, shape-shifting people and creatures, and surreal items or events become full-fledged scenes, plots or characters for books. I weave those dream-world ideas together when I’m awake.

I’ll be the first to admit that the creative mind is not a decisive one or one that can be easily directed at times. The demons usually play around with the movies, adding to them and filling in the gaps between scenes, until the story is ready to write. Once I write it, the demons’ jobs are mostly over, unless I feel something is missing from the story that I can’t pinpoint. On days like those, it’s back to dreamland, where I challenge the demons to figure it out while I sleep. They usually do, and in the morning, I’m able to change whatever it was that bothered me about the book.

I call this entire process intuitive writing, mainly because I don’t feel as though I control much of it! I rely on my demons and dreams to generate ideas and fuse them together. I’m not always sure where a story is headed, but some part of me is, so I trust that part of me to help me create and build. I do what I do best and write the movies as they appear in my mind, hopefully before the demons change them too much!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Lizzy Ford's Night Owl Reviews Author Page

Lizzy Ford is the hyper-prolific author of the Rhyn Trilogy and War of God series, both launched in 2011, as well as multiple single title young adult fantasy and paranormal romances. Lizzy’s books have reached into the top ten best seller lists on both Amazon US and Amazon UK for multiple categories. Through her unconventional online marketing strategies, Lizzy has gone from selling 20 books in January 2011 to a projected 5,000+ books in September 2011 and from over 7,000 free downloads of her work in January 2011 to over 40,000 downloads in September 2011.

Lizzy Ford’s team consists of: Matt, IT and search engine optimization expert; Christine LePorte, freelance book editor; Dafeenah, graphics artist; and Toni, English-Spanish translator.

Lizzy is considered by most to be the ultimate writing freak of nature. She holds a full-time job that requires 2-3 months a year of travel and still manages to write 30-60,000+ words a month in addition to managing her online platform. She is also a regular contributor for the Curiosity Quills website and is an active member of a small guild of nine passionate, talented writers, the Indie Eclective.

Lizzy’s books are available from Amazon, BN, Smashwords, iBooks/iTunes, and all other eReader libraries.

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Stacy Juba - Twenty-Five Years Ago Today - Excerpt

noreply@blogger.com (Night Owl Reviews) — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 09:00:00 +0000

Enter to win one of 2 Smashwords downloads of Sink or Swim by Stacy Juba.

--------Twenty-Five Years Ago Today Blurb--------

For twenty-five years, Diana Ferguson’s killer has gotten away with murder. When rookie obit writer and newsroom editorial assistant Kris Langley investigates the cold case of the artistic young cocktail waitress who was obsessed with Greek and Roman mythology, not only does she fall in love with Diana’s sexy nephew, but she must also fight to stay off the obituary page herself.

Twenty-Five Years Ago TodayStacy JubaExcerpt

Snow gusts buffeted outside Eric's apartment. Kris snuggled under a crocheted blanket, more comfortable than she would've believed possible. She surveyed the hand-me-down furniture, framed sports posters on the walls and window shades with no curtains. A trunk with brass latches doubled as a coffee table. Typical bachelor pad except for the keyboard in the corner and the shelves stacked with CDs and old record albums.

Eric carried in a package of Oreos and two glasses of milk. He flipped on the TV, then hesitated between the armchair and the couch. He chose the couch, his blue-jeaned clad leg brushing against hers. A tingle crawled down her thigh. He hadn't acknowledged the kiss of the other night. They couldn't ignore it forever.

"What'd you think of the show?" Eric passed her two cookies wrapped in a napkin.

"It was great," she said. "Did you ever try to sell your songs?"

"Back in college, I sent some stuff around to music publishers and independent producers. I found out I didn't handle rejection well and preferred music as a hobby. The other band members feel the same way, or we wouldn't have stayed together."

"When did the band form?"

"Senior year in high school. We started with big dreams, then life got in the way. I doubt we'll keep up the pace once everyone has kids. Laura's got baby fever, but hopefully the group will stay together." He broke off the top layer of an Oreo.

"I wouldn't have the guts to go on stage."

"I’d better come clean. It's an adrenaline rush as long as I don't have to sing. In high school, I tried lead vocals, but I’d make myself sick before shows. Paul likes to kid me about it."

"Paul and I had a nice chat. He told me that you were interested in Diana as a kid. He said it upset your mother."

"Yeah."

"Why didn't you tell me?" Kris asked.

Eric shrugged. "I resented it when you came along, at least until I got to know you better. I grew up with that mystery. I wanted to solve it."

First she'd trespassed on Bruce's turf, now Eric's. "That's why you were against the investigation?"

"Mainly, I was worried you'd exploit my family, but yeah, I was jealous they trusted a stranger. Pretty childish, I guess. You were more serious than I'd been. I'd treated it like a game of Cops and Robbers."

She pulled the blanket tighter around her legs. "You never tried to solve the mystery when you got older?"

"I didn't want to upset my mom again. When I was twelve, my father told me that she had been five months pregnant when Diana was killed. She had a miscarriage. It was an extra rough time for her."

"That's awful. Your poor mom. I like her so much. She gave me a book on ..." Kris's voice trailed. She was wading into dangerous territory.

"On what?"

"Grief."

Eric frowned. "Maybe your cousin's murder is what made Mom trust you. You seem so affected by it, even now. You must've been close."

She didn't want to talk about this, couldn't talk about it. "Did I tell you that I spoke to Raquel about Alex Thaddeus?"

Kris filled him in on Raquel's revelation. His jaw hardened.

"I can't believe Diana would have an affair," he said. "Maybe she's right, Diana was trying to impress her with a story. Raquel was wild back then."

"Did you tell your parents what Yvonne said?"

"I mentioned it to Dad. He was skeptical. I didn't want to upset my mom."

"I guess only Alex Thaddeus knows for sure."

A long silence settled over them.

"Do you want to stay over?" Eric asked. "It's miserable out. You could take the bed, of course. I'll take the couch."

She smiled at the red tint to his cheeks. "Thanks, I'll take you up on that, but I'll be fine out here. I don't sleep well, so I'll probably watch TV for awhile."

Kris changed into a pair of his old sweats and wandered back to the living room. Wind rattled the windows, its shriek drowning out the television. She folded her arms around the sweatshirt, wishing the baggy pants fit better. She'd hitched them up as high as they'd go.

Eric handed her a pillow, his face inches away. "I wanted to apologize for that kiss the other day. I kind of sprung that on you."

Her heartbeat rocketed in her chest. "You don't have to apologize. I liked it."

"Enough for another one?"

"Maybe. It was so long ago, I don't remember."

His mere presence overwhelmed her, made words fly out of her mouth. He turned her chin toward him and grazed his lips to hers. Her knees wobbly, she melted into his embrace. They wound up against the wall, breathing heavy, clothing disheveled. Eric stepped back and cupped her waist. She knew he was waiting for a sign.

Kris straightened her sweatshirt and tucked a hair strand behind her ear. She had to end this before they made a mistake. "Good night," she said with great effort.

If Eric was disappointed, he didn't show it. She appreciated him even more.

"Good night," he said. "If you need anything, I'll be in the other room."

"Thanks."

He kissed her again and retreated down the short hallway to his bedroom. Kris stood frozen. She shouldn't have come here. She wasn't who Eric thought. She wasn't who Nicole had thought, either. Kris found a movie on cable, preparing herself for a restless night.

--------Sink or Swim Blurb--------

After starring on a hit game show set aboard a Tall Ship, personal trainer Cassidy Novak discovers that she has attracted a stalker. Can she trust Zach Gallagher, the gorgeous newspaper photographer assigned to follow her for a local series? As things heat up with the stalker and with Zach, soon Cassidy will need to call SOS for real.

--------Author Bio--------

Although Stacy Juba specializes in writing adult mysteries, she has also authored books for children and young adults – she pursues whatever story ideas won’t leave her alone. Stacy’s titles include the Amazon bestselling adult mystery novels Twenty-Five Years Ago Today and Sink or Swim, the mystery short story Laundry Day, the children’s picture books The Flag Keeper and Victoria Rose and the Big Bad Noise, and the upcoming young adult novels Dark Before Dawn, Face-Off and Offsides. She is a former journalist with more than a dozen writing awards to her credit.

--------To Enter the Contest--------

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Stephanie Rowe - Twist the Traditional + Contest

noreply@blogger.com (Tammie - Night Owl Reviews) — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 09:00:00 +0000

Enter to win one of two copies of Hold Me If You Can!

***
Twist the Traditional
by Stephanie Rowe

When I started writing the Soulfire series, my goal was to take the traditional and twist it into unexpected directions. Of course, I wanted the men to be badass immortal warriors who had been sufficiently tortured to make it impossible for them to trust, to connect or to bond (except with the woman who was meant for them, and their loyal team of warriors). Who wouldn't want that kind of man in her books?

But I also wanted these guys to be more complex and unexpected that your typical tortured warriors. I wanted to turn the traditional paranormal hero on its head, and I did that by having them spend a few centuries being tortured in the Den of Womanly Pursuits by Death's grandma. While in the Den, the men of the Soulfire series were forced to tap into their softer sides. It's to their great dismay and embarrassment that they actually learned to rely on their delicate pastimes to stay sane, and they try their best to do their cross-stitching, knitting and other such skills in private, or when appropriately covered in the remnants of a man-battle.

Nigel Aquarian, the hero of my new book TOUCH IF YOU DARE, turned out to be different than the others. Oh, sure, he's spent that same amount of time being strung up in the Den of Womanly Pursuits, and he's got trust issues when it comes to women. The thing with Nigel is that when Death's grandma foisted art onto him, he fell in love (with art, not with his psychotic captor). Unlike his teammates who cringe when they pull out their knitting needles, Nigel wholeheartedly embraces his need for his art.

It's common to see Nigel sit down in the middle of battle, whip out his sketchpad and draw a few things to help him focus. He has no qualms about handing out paints to those having tough days, while encouraging them to hang in there. In the first two books, Nigel seemed to be all about inner serenity and peace, and I loved how he wasn't ashamed of his artistic side. There was something so sexy about this scarred warrior who would lean against a Hummer in an ultra-relaxed pose and start sketching flowers.

That's why I was so surprised when I started writing HOLD ME IF YOU CAN and I discovered that Nigel's passion for his art and his constant acknowledgement of his need to draw wasn't simply because he liked his groovy mojo. Turned out that he was sporting a serious dark side and the only way he could control it was by using his art to stay on an even keel. And when I say, "serious dark side," I'm not exaggerating. Nigel has an ugly past, and he's done things that still give him nightmares, bad things to people he loved.

Unfortunately for Nigel, when the ladies of the Den come calling to drag him back into hell, they attack the one thing holding Nigel together: his art. Once he loses that, he's in serious trouble, and so is everyone he cares about. Gone is that pensive, thoughtful warrior of the first two books. In his place, is a man on the edge of control. The only woman who can help him is Natalie Fleming, but in order to get close enough to help him, she has to put herself so close to him that she will be the first to die if he snaps. It's risky for both of them, but they have no choice if either is to survive.

Nigel's story was very powerful for me, because I feel like we all struggle with the desire to become the person we really want to be. Nigel was well on his way to releasing his past and moving forward, and then everything fell apart, sending him catapulting back toward the nightmare he'd worked so hard to leave behind. His struggle to overcome the past that he'd never quite released was very powerful, and I found myself cheering him on as I wrote his story, wanting him to find his peace and forgiveness in his own soul, as well as in the arms of the woman who loves him for who he is, dark past and all.

Sometimes, all we need to give us the strength to heal is to have one person, one special person, who believes in us without fail. Nigel has that Natalie, and it's beautiful. Here is an exclusive excerpt from HOLD ME IF YOU CAN that shows exactly how powerful their connection is:

Natalie froze with her hand on the doorknob, shocked by the sudden memory of the blades erupting from Nigel's body. The look of fury on his face, his lethal anger, his roar of rage before all those blades had started pouring out of him, lacerating her, ripping her apart—

He'd become a monster. The mellow Nigel she knew, the man of art and serenity… he'd been swallowed up by the beast, an assassin who had tried to kill her. She remembered falling into the same abyss she'd dreamed about, a cavern of black rock, of blood dripping from the walls, of bronze, fanged monsters clinging to the edges of the crevasse with their claws, snarling as she fell past them. She could still smell that bitter sulfur, the acid burning her nose, the stench of death and abandonment and—

The door opened, and Nigel stepped into the room.

Natalie jumped, and then tumbled back as Ella yanked her back away from him.

Nigel's shirt was caked with blood, and it was ripped to shreds. New, pink scars peppered his body, and his eyes were dark with a raw determination she'd never seen before. There was no sign of the artist. He was pure warrior and elemental action.

His settled his gaze on hers. Intense. Fierce. Possessive. "Everyone but Natalie, get out," he ordered.

Natalie's belly tightened. With what, she wasn't certain. Sheer unbridled terror? Raw, sexual attraction? None of it good, whatever it was.

Ella stood up, her hands fisted by her side. "No." She squared her shoulders and faced Nigel. "Leave us," she said. "You're too dangerous."

Recognition of the truth flashed in Nigel's eyes, and he inclined his head. "I am," he agreed. He met Natalie's gaze again, and this time there was acknowledgement in his eyes. "This is your opportunity to walk away, Natalie. One chance, and if you don't take it, I'm keeping you until this is over."

His tone was brutal and unyielding, and it sent a shudder through her, a quiver of longing. He wouldn't leave her. No matter what. He could keep her alive, and he would.

Of course he might snap and kill her, too.

What was a girl to do? Bad boys were one thing, but bad boys were something else entirely. She'd had enough men luring her to her death, thank you. She shook her head. "I can't—"

His face hardened before she even finished her denial, and guilt coursed through her. He needed her. He'd snapped in the most horrible way. She knew him well enough to know that he had too much honor to ever turn on her intentionally, so for him to lose it like that…dear God, what kind of beast was he fighting within?

Shame burned her cheeks. Was she really that pathetic? Was she really that weak that she couldn't even step up and help him? She'd been hiding her whole life, and where had that gotten her? Dead. So what would more hiding get her?

Nigel was burning with passion, with strength, with power. He was life, and he wasn't going to lose or die. Maybe he could show her how to defend her own life and believe in herself. Maybe—

Ella took her arm. "Girl, I know he's hot, but some men just aren't worth it." She shuddered, and there was no mistaking the fear in her eyes. "Don't go down that road. Not with him. You know what men like him are like. There are other ways—"

"No!" Maggie scrambled to her feet, stumbling over the cushions. "I touched him. He has a good soul." She grabbed Natalie's other arm, her young face raw with a grown-up understanding that Natalie didn't expect. It was the face of someone who had been through hell and was still living its shadow. "He saved your life, Natalie."

"He did?" Natalie suddenly recalled hearing Nigel's voice while she'd been catapulting down the crevasse. With the demons stalking her, the hell chasing her, she'd heard his voice calling to her. She could still feel his warmth plunging into her body, yanking her back from the free fall. He'd been there, and he'd brought her back.

He might have almost killed her, but he'd saved her life afterwards. That had to balance out somewhat, right?

Nigel still hadn't spoken. He was simply looking at her. Waiting for her answer. His face was impassive and hard, as if he already knew she was going to abandon him. Could she really do that? Abandon the man who'd had no one to count on for one hundred and fifty years of hell?

Nigel was dangerous, but so was she. Apart, they were both turning into monsters. Together? Maybe they had a chance. Together, maybe they could do it.

She took a deep breath, not taking her eyes off the warrior who had killed her once and saved her twice. He was her best chance both to live and to die. All her other choices gave her the chance only to die. She looked into his tormented eyes, she saw his expectation that she would walk away, and she remembered the tenderness of his touch on her skin. This man, this monster, was more than that. He was Nigel. Her Nigel.

She smiled, her heart aching at the look of surprise that flickered across his tense face. "It's okay, girls," she said softly. "You can go. I'm staying with Nigel."

Have you ever triumphed over a bad habit or a past you didn't like? Or what are you working on now? Share your story (or any other thoughts!) in the comments and be entered to win a copy of HOLD ME IF YOU CAN!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Four-time RITA® Award nominee and Golden Heart® Award winner Stephanie Rowe is the nationally bestselling author of more than twenty published books with major New York publishers, including HarperCollins, Grand Center and Harlequin. Stephanie has received starred reviews from Booklist and high praise from Publisher's Weekly. Stephanie writes romance (paranormal, contemporary and suspense), teen fiction, middle grade fiction and inspirational non-fiction. A former attorney, Stephanie lives in Boston where she is actively working on her next projects, which include a re-release of her sexy Alaskan romantic suspense ICE, as well as the dark paranormal series The Order of the Blade, which will be launching in February and March with a trilogy. For more information on Stephanie, visit www.stephanierowe.com.

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Amanda Usen - Rejection Is Just The Beginning + Contest

noreply@blogger.com (Tammie - Night Owl Reviews) — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 09:00:00 +0000

Enter to win one of two copies of Scrumptious!

***Rejection Is Just The Beginning
by Amanda Usen

Joe Rafferty is just as mouthwatering as the food he cooks. But if he thinks he's going to waltz in and take over her kitchen, he's denser than a thick slice of chocolate ripple cheesecake. Marly has invested too much of her life in Chameleon to hand off the restaurant to someone else—especially a cocky-as-all-get-out superstar chef. But there's no denying the man knows how to light her fire. Question is: Can she have the sizzle without feeling the burn? Rejection Is Just The Beginning

At the beginning of SCRUMPTIOUS, Marly propositions Joe… and he turns her down. It took years to come up with a plausible reason a man might say “no” to a woman. Not tonight, dear, I’ve got a headache just wasn’t going to cut it for Joe, a man who had made a career out of one-night-stands with restaurants and women. As for Marly, she isn’t the kind of woman who would take no for an answer. Joe needed a good reason, a noble reason, but one he could abandon given enough provocation…

AN EXCLUSIVE EXCERPT FROM SCRUMPTIOUS:

Joe watched Marly eat. She wasn’t at all self-conscious about enjoying her food. In fact, she smiled slightly to herself in anticipation of each bite, as if she knew it was going to be good. She glanced up and caught him looking at her.

“Something wrong with the food?” she asked.

“No, it’s good. Thanks.”

“Only good?” She made a face.

“It’s fantastic, sugar. Beats the hell out of IHOP.”

A slow smile spread across her lips, and Joe watched that too. She looked as if one sudden move would unravel her. One button undone, one more strand of hair slipping down, if she shrugged out of her sweater all else would move toward entropy and she would sprawl, naked and unhinged, on her chair. She was trouble, all right, serious trouble. The kind he usually welcomed, sought out, and definitely enjoyed. His gut twisted.

“Penny for your thoughts,” she said.

Joe placed his empty plate on the wicker table and stood to look out over the edge of the roof. “Just admiring the view.”

Marlene joined him and pointed out over the street. “You can see the restaurant from here.” Just over the trees, Joe could make out the roof of the bar. He leaned down to sight along her arm. It wobbled, just a bit. Beyond the bar, Joe recognized the dark front window of Chameleon and its adjacent parking lot. As her arm dropped back down to her side, he caught her scent: onions faintly, a damp smell of flowers from her hair, and then something sweet like vanilla.

He shouldn’t have let it get this far. He was a lot of bad things when it came to women, but a tease was not one of them. Selfish, now that Joe could cop to. He was trying to reform, but he was a guy after all. It was hard to work against his instincts. He had recovered his restraint on the way up the stairs, but then he’d caught a glimpse of her tricked-out kitchen from the doorway and wanted to see more.

Of her kitchen. Right. He could tell himself whatever he wanted, but all bullshit aside, he’d left the bar with her, walked into her house with her, and now he was alone on the roof with her. If he wasn’t stupid and he wasn’t a tease, what the hell was he doing here?

Exactly what he’d been doing for half his life, he decided disgustedly: taking the easy road with a beautiful and willing woman. It was as if the moment he made his decision to be good, the devil had tossed a woman up onto Earth who was everything he couldn’t resist. He swallowed hard against the urge to lean in to get a better whiff of her sweet scent. He clenched his hands into fists against the desire to touch her glorious curly hair, her sexy body, full of the curves of a woman who liked to cook. Her skin looked so soft he was already imagining how it would feel under his hands, against his bare chest, pressed against his groin as he shaped her body to fit his.

He should leave. Right now. He wasn’t that guy anymore; he was going to settle down, find some peace.

He didn’t move.

The selfishness that had led him out of the bar and into Marlene’s home demanded satisfaction. He looked down at her standing next to him, just the tiniest bit too close for politeness. He met her eyes. She didn’t look away. Instead, she smiled and turned toward him, tilting her head just a hair to the right. They both knew how to play this game. One kiss then. Clearly, she was waiting for it. Then he would go.

How long can Joe hold out? And why does he say no in the first place? Find out more in SCRUMPTIOUS!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Amanda Usen knows two things for certain: chocolate cheesecake is good for breakfast and a hot chef can steal your heart. Her husband stole hers the first day of class at the Culinary Institute of America, so she married him after graduation in a lovely French Quarter restaurant in New Orleans. They spent a few years enjoying the food and the fun in the Big Easy before they returned to Western New York to raise a family. Amanda spends her days teaching pastry arts classes and her nights writing romance. If she isn’t baking or writing, she can usually be found chasing the kids around the yard with her very own scrumptious husband. Visit her at http://amandausen.wordpress.com if you’d like to chat about romance, writing, or recipes.

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Linda Wisdom - What Is It About Being A Romance Author? + Contest

noreply@blogger.com (Tammie - Night Owl Reviews) — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 09:00:00 +0000

Enter to win one of 2 copies of A Demon Does It Better!

***
What Is It About Being A Romance Author?
by Linda Wisdom

Many thanks to Night Owl Romance Reviews for having me!

Last December I celebrated my 32nd year since I sold my first two books. It’s been quite a journey.

Years ago romance authors were considered someone who wrote ‘those kind of books’. Many times I was asked when I’d write a ‘real’ book. Considering my books were sold in bookstores and people read them I saw them as real books. People even commented it was nice I had a hobby.

All I knew was that I wanted to write since I could pick up a crayon. And romance was something I wanted to create.

Over the years I’ve written a variety of romance books while finding my way toward paranormal and urban fantasy. My first paranormal romance was published in 1990 about a psychic who dreamed of a murder.

I’ve been asked what surprises me about being a romance writer. Everything.

What a surprise that I can release my imagination and put my story ideas down. A warm and fuzzy feeling that people want to read what I write. The sense that some of those readers over the years have even turned into good friends.

Writing is always a strange process. At least it is for me. My characters talk to me – yes, I hear voices – and tell me what I need to write. I have to listen to them because if I don’t things don’t go well. Trust me on this. It’s not even a ‘what if’ inside my head. More like ‘you have to write down what I tell you’.

Writing is a solitary occupation, but I’m not really alone. My characters are always chattering away, the dogs do their part in reminding me they’re due for book time, and my parrot believes he’s in charge. Connecting with other authors who have also become good friends.

All are excellent surprises. The kind we all like. As rich as chocolate and strong as coffee. The feeding of our imaginations and the knowledge we can curl up with a good read.

I’m as bad as many with reading late into the night because I need to finish a book. And the same when I’m writing because I can’t stop writing.

I hope I’ll continue to have surprises in my work. That way I can never become bored.

Does anything about a writer surprise you whether you’re another author or reader?

Linda

A DEMON DOES IT BETTER BY LINDA WISDOM – IN STORES JANUARY 2012

A madhouse is not place for a curious witch…

After more than a century, Doctor Lili Carter, witch healer extraordinaire, has returned to San Francisco and taken a job at Crying Souls Hospital and Asylum, where something peculiar and wicked I shappening. Patients are disappearing, and Lili wants to know why.

And double dangerous for a demon…

Lili finds herself undeniably attracted to perhaps the most mysterious patient of all—a demented but seriously sexy demon named Jared. What’s behind the gorgeous chameleon demon’s late-night escapades?

Before long, Lili and Jared are investigating each other—and creating a whole new kind of magic.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Linda Wisdom has published more than 70 novels with 13 million copies sold worldwide including traditional, paranormal, humor, action/adventure romance, and romantic suspense. Her bestselling books have been nominated for RT Book Reviews awards and the Romance Writers of America Rita Award. She lives with her husband in Murrieta, California. For more information, please visit www.LindaWisdom.com.

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NOR Presents a Nook Lovers Blog

noreply@blogger.com (Tammie - Night Owl Reviews) — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 17:25:00 +0000

Hi Readers,

Today we heard about a cool new Nook Lovers Blog we thought our Nook users would enjoy.

Authors Stephanie Draven & Eliza Knight have started a blog that focus on helping readers find great deals on Nook Books as well as showcasing free reads, daily cheap reads, weekly splurges and Nook News.

I know I love a cheap or free read and it's always a plus when someone else tracks them down for me. So a big thumbs up for Stephanie and Eliza.

Check them out at: http://www.nooklovers.com

Tammie King
WEtap Media, LLC / Night Owl Reviews
Director of Marketing and Booklover

S.D. Grady - Wrapping Up the Holidays--Short Style + Contest

noreply@blogger.com (Tammie - Night Owl Reviews) — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 21:45:00 +0000

Enter to win a PDF copy of Dinner and a Movie". This is an erotic short read.

***
Wrapping Up the Holidays--Short Style
by S.D. Grady

Have you ever noticed how there's never enough time come December? Besides all your ordinary problems of work, kids, house, pets, chores, and relatives, now there's shopping, parties, wrapping, cooking...Believe me I know what you're talking about. For weeks on end it seems like the hours normally spent on your favorite TV show, a night at the movies or just cuddling up in front of the fire are distant memories. "Me" time has vanished into thin air. And oh, not good at all for our sanity.

So, today I am prescribing thirty minutes of anti-seasonal treatments. A bubble bath, mani or pedi, get your hair done, bake some cookies the way you like them (you know--with all the stuff "they" won't touch) or even sitting down and finding something good to read.

I know many of us often pick up novels to take us away from our daily trials, but when we're looking at the full calendar of the winter holidays, enjoying our favorite pastime becomes one more intimidation factor--unless you break the rules and check out something short and sexy (like the little black dress you never wear.)

Writing a short story is sometimes like deciding to read them. Instead of an epic tale stretched over time and space, I'll see a moment in time that needs talking about. A desire, a whim...an urge to explore the thought that I just don't have time to spend typing out 300 pages about.

As a reader, you are also not asked to invest hours upon hours digging out all the twists and turns of a character before you reach the happy snuggle and sigh. 30 minutes to an hour to satisfy that starving reader in you and let your desire for fantasy to live for even a short time this month. It'll do you a world of good, I promise.

Hope your holidays are full of family and fun.

~~~~

EXCERPT: Dinner and a Movie (Erotica--something short and very sexy)

Her eyes closed in bliss as he traced her lips. “You have a soft heart, Miss Bernie.”

Small bursts of joy rippled through her body in response to his compliment. But the use of ‘Miss Bernie’ created new urgent responses deep within. She purred and arced into him. Her demon murmured into his ear, “Say that again, Mr. Clarke.”

She pulled back just enough. Heat and moisture collected in the wisp of space between their mouths. A spark leapt across the void.

His mouth took hers, hard. His tongue surged past her teeth and ferreted out every crevice of moisture remaining in her mouth. The light from the wall sconce dimmed. The sounds of silverware and glass vanished, leaving only his pulse pounding against hers. Her limbs weakened. Her entire world tilted.

Anything. She would do anything for this man. His touch. His voice.

He released her mouth. Dazed, Bernie rested her head against the wall and stared at the ceiling. He continued to place a trail of fire on her throat, nibble the cords of her neck and suck. She moaned as the sharp pain triggered an erotic tightening in her belly.

“What do you want?” she asked. Whatever the answer, she would give it.

Liam groaned, placed his hands by her head and seemed to struggle to push away from her thrumming body.

An antique clock in the foyer ticked, the tock grew louder with each moment that he watched her. Invisible strings pulled her forward. It would only take a moment to loosen his tie, unbutton the top and expose the triangle of flesh—the bit that beckoned her tongue. She would lick it and leave it wet and wanting….

He chuckled, a sound that reverberated between them. “At first I just wanted your car. And then your legs…” Long fingers kneaded the back of her thighs. “When you bent over to get something from your car, it killed me.”

He drew her into another kiss, brutal and short.

“I want your body splayed open, waiting for me to take my pleasure. Are you wearing anything under this skirt?”

Bernie’s eyes rolled back in her head as she tried to think. “God, I wish I wasn’t.”

“What is it?” His voice lowered with desire.“A thong.”

She ran her fingers through the short locks at the back of his head. “And it is soaking.”

"Dinner and a Movie" is now available at Purple Sword Publications

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

S.D. Grady is a lover of many things: men, movies, music, and fast machines. An award-winning author, she shares her life with her college sweetheart and two cats. They live in the house on the hill and often vacation at NASCAR tracks in their RV. Visit S.D. Grady on the web at: http://sdgrady.info

ENTER THE CONTEST

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Vonda Sinclair - My Wild Highlander + Contest

noreply@blogger.com (Night Owl Reviews) — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 09:00:00 +0000

Enter to win an eBook from Vonda Sinclair!

***
Why is Watching a “Wild Highlander” Reform so much Fun?
By Vonda Sinclair

Lachlan, the hero in my novel, My Wild Highlander, is known as Seducer of the Highlands for good reason. He can seduce a lass with nothing more than a smile. Let’s face it, he’s hot. He’s tall, broad-shouldered with the body of a warrior. His sandy blond hair is sinfully long and he loves to wear a kilt. With his devil-may-care attitude, love of adventure… and a good tumble… he’s the last person you would expect to get married. But that’s exactly what the king asks of him. It’s incredibly difficult to tell the king no, especially when he’s offering all sorts of rewards like a title, land, a castle… and Angelique.

Lachlan is perplexed when he can’t seduce Angelique as easily as he’s seduced most every other lass he’s come across. Can Lachlan put his wenching ways behind him and become a responsible chief, a noble earl and a faithful husband? Angelique has her doubts, but Lachlan is determined to prove her and everyone wrong.

I had fun watching Lachlan grow and become the man he was always meant to be. Just because he learns how to be responsible and loyal doesn’t mean he can’t still have a great time.

In the excerpt below, Angelique wakes to find a man in her bedchamber. Is he there to kill her or to seduce her… or for some other purpose?

What about you? Do you enjoy reading about rakes, rogues, scoundrels and other seducers? Do you like Highlanders?

MY WILD HIGHLANDER BLURB

Lady Angelique Drummagan, a half-Scottish, half-French countess, has suffered much pain and betrayal in her past. She wants nothing to do with the sensual Scottish warrior that the king has ordered her to marry because the rogue could never be a faithful husband, but she has little choice in the matter. Dangerous, greedy enemies threaten her from all sides and she’s in dire need of his protection.

Sir Lachlan MacGrath, known as Seducer of the Highlands, possesses a charming wickedness and canny wit which has earned him much popularity. After the king decrees that he wed the fiery hellion, Lachlan discovers there is one woman who can resist him—Angelique. Can he break through her icy façade and melt her heart, or will the dark secrets lurking in her past not only cost them their future together, but their very lives?

EXCERPT

Angelique awoke in the night, thinking she'd heard a thump. Her eyes searched the darkness of the bedchamber. She snatched her dagger from beneath her pillow and slid to the floor behind the bed. The faint moonlight glimmering through the window did little to illuminate the room. Only embers glowed in the hearth. She caught the whiff of a masculine scent. An intruder!

A floorboard squeaked and a large dark silhouette moved forward. Parblue! Immobile, she waited for the moment when she could best strike.

When the intruder bent over her bed, she lunged toward him, stabbing her blade at his neck. Before she met her mark, he jerked back, grabbed her forearms and dragged her against him. She lost the grip on her dagger. Heaven help me.

"M'lady?"

She screamed, trying to wake Camille, sleeping on a cot in the corner. A hand clamped over her mouth.

"Release me!" Her demand came out muffled.

"Shh. 'Tis me, Lachlan. You must come with me." He uncovered her mouth.

She went limp with a bit of relief. The heat of his strong hands and solid body burned through her. Now she recognized the pleasant but disturbing male scent of him. "Why?"

"Someone is trying to kill us. We must go into hiding," he said, low and fierce in her ear, his breath fanning her hair and tickling her skin.

"You have lost your senses. No one is trying to kill me." Were they?

"Indeed, Kormad is making plans."

Kormad. Mon Dieu. "I must have my clothes, my trunks."

"We have no time. Bring one change of clothes. I'll have the others shipped to Draughon."

"Camille must come with me. I go nowhere without her." Angelique wrested away from Lachlan, hurried to the corner and shook her cousin out of a deep sleep. "Parbleu! Camille, wake up."

"Whaa?" She stirred a bit.

"She is a heavy sleeper."

Lachlan went to the door. "Dirk, we need your help. Can you carry Lady Angelique's companion?"

The fearsome man appeared at the threshold, the lantern in his hand illuminating his long red hair and exaggerating his frown. "Can she not walk?"

Unable to wait for Camille to wake, and with no maids about, Angelique quickly threw smocks, stays and a change of clothes into a sack for herself and the same for Camille.

"I must dress," Angelique said.

"No time."

She yanked a blanket off the bed to wrap around herself seconds before Lachlan dragged her from the room.

After meeting Dirk cradling the sleeping Camille, and Rebbinglen carrying a lantern and a sword, they slipped through a narrow doorway she'd never seen before, and entered a tight dark passage. The dank air and close space made her feel she would suffocate. Apparently this was one of the secret passages she'd heard about that riddled Whitehall.

They reached an exterior door—near the stables if the stench was any indication. Wind twisted the trees and bushes. The faint glow of the lantern revealed the muddy ground. Angelique hung back on the threshold. "I am barefoot."

"Come." Lachlan scooped Angelique into his arms abruptly, making her head spin, and rushed her outside. Ma foi! She did not want to notice the warmth of his breath against her hair or the hardness and strength of his body. Before she had time to decide whether or not she liked his touch, he pushed her inside a coach with her cousin and slammed the door. The team and coach took off and raced through the gate, then along King Street. Horses' hooves clomped all around them—guards, she hoped.

"Camille, wake up, damn you." Angelique shook her on the opposite seat. "You are one worthless companion."

She roused a bit. "Huh? Are we moving? Where are we?" she asked in a groggy voice.

"In a coach, heading for God knows where. Lachlan says our lives are in danger."

"Is it Kormad?" Camille sat up.

"Lachlan says yes."

"You do not think it is Girard?"

"No, I hope he is dead of a fever." Angelique slid back on the leather seat. The coach careened around a corner, and she grabbed for a handhold.

"But we cannot be certain."

"We must not speak of it." Angelique's stomach knotted with the very thought.

"Did you get…the item?"

"Of course. You know I would not leave it."

After taking another corner too quickly, the coach drew to an abrupt halt and the door opened. Lachlan now held a torch aloft. "Come, both of you. Hold this." He handed the torch to Rebbinglen.

"Where are we going?" Angelique asked.

"No time for questions now." He motioned her forward.

Again, he lifted Angelique into his arms and carried her across an alley as if she weighed no more than an infant. Amid the chaos, he seemed an island of strength and protection. She was finding, of a sudden, that she liked this feeling. She had not experienced true safety for a long time. And besides, he smelled appealing, like clean male blended with leather. In the torchlight, their gazes mingled for a moment. He was not the seductive charmer now. No twinkle of humor danced in his eyes, no smirk upon his lips. He'd transformed into a formidable warrior with a firm mouth and dark, indomitable eyes—a side of him she'd never fully seen.

They slipped through a narrow doorway, Dirk carrying Camille behind them.

"What is this place?" The scents of tallow and musty books irritated her nose.

The passage opened up and they moved through a large dim church filled with empty pews. Only a couple of candles lit the plain interior. Five of King James's retainers wearing royal livery waited near the pulpit along with a dour Protestant minister.

"What is happening?" Angelique asked.

"We are to be married, as you ken." Lachlan set her on her feet at the front of the church.

She pulled him aside. "Have you lost your mind? We cannot marry now. Not like this," she whispered loudly.

"Aye, 'tis necessary to marry in secret. Someone wishes to kill us. They are wanting your estate through any means, fair or foul." His harsh expression told her of the seriousness of the matter. "King James bid us to go ahead and marry. Now. We have the special license."

"But I must wear my wedding gown and I did not bring it. I will not marry in my shift and a blanket. Barefoot."

"No time." Lachlan dragged her before the minister. "Please begin." He placed his hand over hers, tucked against his elbow.

The minister began in a dry monotone.

Parbleu! Angelique felt paralyzed for a moment, her mind racing. What to do? She glanced aside and found Camille standing barefoot, dressed much as she was. She gave an almost imperceptible nod and faint smile, her gaze steady. She approved? Merde!

How preposterous Angelique should get married in such dishabille. Her hair was a bedraggled disaster, tousled and hanging to her waist. She was a countess, not a prostitute. Since she had been a small child she had dreamed of the day she would wear her mother's enchanting French wedding gown, say her vows and kiss her own charming prince.

Today was not that day. That day would never come. She glanced up at Lachlan, and sensed some understanding in his eyes, a silent communication she could not fully grasp because she didn't know him. Lowering her gaze, she thought of the emerald ring on her finger and how he'd given it to her on bended knee. A romantic gesture, but had he meant it in the way she hoped?

Mère de Dieu, do not let this be a mistake. Do not let him slip inside my heart and destroy it. I cannot dare trust him.

Lachlan nudged her. "Say 'I will,'" he whispered without moving his lips.

"I will," she said in a strong voice. She could have been agreeing to anything. The minister droned on. In shock, wishing this over with, she let her attention slide away to other things, the creaking of the old building, Lachlan's warm, slightly roughened fingers on hers as he pushed another ring onto her finger, a shiny gold band.

"With this ring, I thee wed. This gold and silver, I thee give. With my body, I thee worship." Lachlan's smooth baritone voice reciting those vows stripped away the fog. Her attention riveted upon him, and she knew she would remember this moment forever.

She repeated her own vows rather stiffly, in a halting voice. Only Lachlan's steady hands kept her upright. She wanted to do nothing but burst into tears, though she didn't know why. The way she was dressed—or rather undressed—like a whore for her wedding, or the satisfied, hopeful expression in his eyes, such a contrast to her own misery.

Naturally, he should be pleased. He would be an earl and worth a goodly sum. Her possessions became his. He owned her now.

Sliding his fingers into her unbound hair, Lachlan lowered his head toward her and panic tightened her throat. He touched his lips to hers, the first contact startling, but warm and compelling. His full lips sipped at hers gently, drew away a breath and came back for a firmer, more possessive kiss. His beard stubble rasped her chin and the tip of his tongue tasted her lips, between. Such an unexpected and erotic action. She could not even draw breath.

Whistles and yelps from his friends echoed into the rafters. The minister cleared his throat.

I must shove him away. But no, she couldn't. Not because he was her husband, but because the damnable seducer had mesmerized her.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Vonda Sinclair’s favorite indulgent pastime is exploring Scotland, from Edinburgh to the untamed and windblown north coast. She also enjoys creating hot, Highland heroes and spirited lasses to drive them mad. She is a past Golden Heart finalist and Laurie award winner. She lives with her amazing and supportive husband in the mountains of North Carolina where she is no doubt creating another Scottish story. She is the author of My Fierce Highlander and My Wild Highlander.

Website: http://www.vondasinclair.com
Blog: http://fierceromance.blogspot.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/VondaSinclair
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/VondaSinclair

My Wild Highlander at Amazon
My Fierce Highlander at Amazon

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SOURCEBOOKS eBOOK DEALS! It All Started When… First in “Series” for $1.99

noreply@blogger.com (Tammie - Night Owl Reviews) — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 21:03:00 +0000

Sourcebooks announces its most extensive eBook promotion to date! For a limited time, purchase the first book from a Sourcebooks author for only $1.99—books that are the first in a series, or the first book that Sourcebooks published by that author (and a few extra for good measure). More than 65 exceptional books ranging from young adult to adult fiction, romance, and non-fiction. For complete details, please visit our landing page devoted to this promotion: http://www.sourcebooks.com/it-all-started-when.html. The complete list of titles is listed below—Discover a great new author!

As always, please be patient if our online retail partners don’t have every single title uploaded to their discounted price points, but the promotions are set to begin on the start dates listed below. These deals are available with all major e-Book retailers!

Feel free to share this info with your blog readers, on Facebook and Twitter, and however else you’d like to spread the word.

You can always receive the latest information about our eBook deals by checking out our eBook page: http://www.sourcebooks.com/readers/browse-our-lists/ebook-specials.html.

Enjoy, and Happy Holidays!

Danielle

DANIELLE L. JACKSON | Publicist
Sourcebooks, Inc.

Dates: 12/21/11 - 1/8/12

Complete Details: http://www.sourcebooks.com/it-all-started-when.html

Non-Fiction

1. Battle 100 by Michael Lee Lanning

2. Best Little Stories from the Civil War by C. Bryan Kelly

3. History Buff’s Guide to the Civil War by Thomas R. Flagel

4. It Was Over When... by Robert K. Elder

5. Killer Book of True Crime by Tom Philbin and Michael Philbin

Young Adult

6. Beautiful Dead Book 1: Jonas by Eden Maguire

7. Merlin’s Harp by Anne Eliot Crompton

8. Stupid Fast by Geoff Herbach

Fiction

9. Child of the Northern Spring by Persia Woolley

10. The Darcys & the Bingleys by Marsha Altman

11. God is an Englishman by R.F. Delderfield

12. The Greatest Knight by Elizabeth Chadwick

13. Hawk of May by Gillian Bradshaw

14. The Highest Stakes by Emery Lee

15. The Immigrants by Howard Fast

16. The Kingmaking by Helen Hollick

17. Millie’s Fling by Jill Mansell

18. Miranda's Big Mistake by Jill Mansell

19. Mr. & Mrs. Fitzwilliam Darcy: Two Shall Become One by Sharon Lathan

20. Mr. Darcy Takes a Wife by Linda Berdoll

21. An Offer You Can’t Refuse by Jill Mansell

22. The Pemberley Chronicles by Rebecca Ann Collins

23. Perfect Timing by Jill Mansell

24. Plain Fear: Forsaken by Leanna Ellis

25. Rumor Has It by Jill Mansell

26. A Secret in Salem by Sheri Anderson

27. Skipped Parts by Tim Sandlin

28. Staying at Daisy’s by Jill Mansell

29. Take a Chance on Me by Jill Mansell

30. To Conquer Mr. Darcy by Abigail Reynolds

31. A Weekend with Mr. Darcy by Victoria Connelly

32. When Harry Hit the Hamptons by Mara Goodman-Davies

33. The World from Rough Stones by Malcolm Macdonald

Romance

34. 50 Ways to Hex Your Lover by Linda Wisdom

35. Awaken the Highland Warrior by Anita Clenney

36. Call of the Highland Moon by Kendra Leigh Castle

37. A Certain Wolfish Charm by Lydia Dare

38. Cover Me by Catherine Mann

39. Cowboy Fever by Joanne Kennedy

40. Cowboy Trouble by Joanne Kennedy

41. Demons Prefer Blondes by Sidney Ayers

42. A Duke to Die For by Amelia Grey

43. The Fire Lord’s Lover by Kathryne Kennedy

44. The Goblin King by Shona Husk

45. Heart of the Highland Wolf by Terry Spear

46. Heart of the Wolf by Terry Spear

47. The Heir by Grace Burrowes

48. The Highlander’s Sword by Amanda Forester

49. I Dream of Genies by Judi Fennell

50. In Over Her Head by Judi Fennell

51. It Happened One Bite by Lydia Dare

52. Kiss at Your Own Risk by Stephanie Rowe

53. The Legend of Michael by Lisa Renee Jones

54. Love Drunk Cowboy by Carolyn Brown

55. The Making of a Duchess by Shana Galen

56. Making Waves by Tawna Fenske

57. Merely Magic by Patricia Rice

58. The Mistress’ House by Leigh Michaels

59. One Fine Cowboy by Joanne Kennedy

60. The Return of Black Douglas by Elaine Coffman

61. Romeo, Romeo by Robin Kaye

62. SEALed with a Kiss by Mary Margret Daughtridge

63. Slave by Cheryl Brooks

64. Strange Neighbors by Ashlyn Chase

65. Taste Me by Tamara Hogan

66. Tyler by C.H. Admirand

67. What a Goddess Wants by Stephanie Julian

68. Wickedly Charming by Kristine Grayson

The Penguin Holiday eSampler

noreply@blogger.com (Tammie - Night Owl Reviews) — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 19:27:00 +0000

This holiday season, Penguin's making it easy for you to choose what book to read next. The Penguin Holiday eSampler includes over forty excerpts from some of our biggest bestsellers, perennial favorites, and award-winners.

To paraphrase Charles Dickens and to push this holiday theme to the limit, we've divided the sampler into "books past, present, and future."

In the Past section, you'll find both classic and recent books that have become reader favorites. You may have read some of these already, and you've probably heard about most of them, but this is the section to find that great book you may have missed or have been meaning to read for some time.

The Present section includes bestselling and award-winning novels and nonfiction from 2011. From bestselling authors you'll recognize immediately to authors you may not know yet (but should!), this section provides a wide-range of books to choose from.

And finally, the Future section is for books coming out in late December or early 2012. If you like the excerpts, make sure you preorder, so you can start reading as soon as it's available.

Happy holidays and happy reading from your friends at Penguin!

Price: Free

Buy from: ▪ Amazon ▪ B&N ▪ iBooks ▪ Kobo ▪ Sony

ISBN 9781101573167 | eSpecial

Past
City of Thieves by David Benioff
Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing by Judy Blume
Girl with a Pearl Earring by Tracy Chevalier
Ranger's Apprentice by John Flanagan
Fall of Giants by Ken Follett
Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert
The Magicians by Lev Grossman
At Home in Mitford by Jan Karon
The Reason for God by Tim Keller
On the Road by Jack Kerouac
The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd
Girl in Translation by Jean Kwok
Drive by Daniel Pink
The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck
The Help by Kathryn Stockett
This is Where I Leave You by Jonathan Tropper

Present
The Weird Sisters by Eleanor Brown
Washington by Ron Chernow
The Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother by Amy Chua
Locked On by Tom Clancy
Shelter by Harlan Coben
Matched by Ally Condie
Red Mist by Patricia Cornwell
Prince of Ravenscar by Catherine Coulter
Devil's Gate by Clive Cussler
The Ideal Man by Julie Garwood
V is for Vengeance by Sue Grafton
Theodore Boone: Kid Lawyer by John Grisham
A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness
The New New Rules by Bill Maher
Bloodlines by Richelle Mead
The Better Angels of Our Nature by Steven Pinker
The Next Always by Nora Roberts
Shock Wave by John Sandford
Rules of Civility by Amor Towles
The Quest by Daniel Yergin

Future
Lunatics by Dave Barry and Alan Zweibel
More Room in a Broken Heart by Stephen Davis
Believing the Lie by Elizabeth George
The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
Down the Darkest Road by Tami Hoag
Breakdown by Sara Paretsky

Catherine Mann - Staying On Top + Contest

noreply@blogger.com (Night Owl Reviews) — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 09:00:00 +0000

Enter to win a copy of HOT ZONE!

***
Staying On Top - When an Authors Dream Comes True...What's Next?
by Sara Trimble w/Catherine Mann

I’m friends with Catherine Mann on Facebook and I love her books. When I first started booking authors for this column, I just knew I’d have to include her. She sent me her new book, Hot Zone, and a special surprise, His Heir, Her Honor. I devoured the books in record time. I love stories with babies and both of these books included children in their stories.

For this column, I’m including a review for Hot Zone. Hugh Franco is a paratrooper, who risks his life for impossible missions. He has a sad past and doesn’t care if he survives. Amelia Bailey is in the Bahamas with her brother and sister in law to ensure a legal adoption. Things get dangerous when an earthquake takes down the hotel where Amelia is staying with her new nephew.

The building is on top of her and the baby when Hugh comes to the rescue. He swears the baby is dead but Amelia refuses to believe it. After they are saved, Amelia worries because she hasn’t heard anything from her family. Surprisingly, neither she nor the baby were seriously injured.

Amelia and Hugh decide to have a quick sexual encounter to relieve some of their stress. After it is over, Amelia discovers her nephew being taken from the hospital. She tries to understand the doctor’s excuse, but realizes too late that it is a kidnapping. She’s taken along and Hugh becomes a rescuer once again.

After he elimates the kidnappers, they have to brave the elements to get back to safety. What seems like a good citizen turns out to be a danger to them and dozens of other misplaced babies.

The story is fast paced and full of action. Readers are sure to enjoy the story of Hugh and Amelia and all the excellent secondary characters.

Interview with USA Today bestseller Catherine Mann

How did you get into writing?

I’ve been a fan of romance novels since I was 13. I took a stab at writing one at – yes – 13 years old. I still have the binder with my longhand attempt. I shelved the book and the dream for years while I earned a master’s degree in theater, got married, had four kids. But all the while the stories kept swirling in my head. One day, I had run out of things to read. It was too late to go to the store (no instant download on Kindle back then!) So I decided to write my own novel. Three years later, I sold my first book.

What techniques do you use to develop a story? Character formation, plot line, ending.

I’m a huge fan of Christopher Vogler’s book THE WRITER’S JOURNEY. I use his story arc chart to plot out my books in advance. I especially appreciate how his story arc for a hero’s (and heroine’s) journey shows how each plot point triggers an emotional arc point as well.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever gotten?

Read avidly in the genre you are targeting. Love the genre you are targeting. While it’s important to be market savvy, don’t just follow a trend because you think it will help you break in.

What’s one thing most people don’t know about you? This doesn’t have to be personal.

I may seem extroverted because I’m a theater major, but I’m actually very shy in new situations. So please, don’t hesitate to approach me and say hello. If I’m tucked away in a corner, it’s just because I’m shy!

What story that you’ve authored has been your favorite?

My favorite book is always the one I’m about to write next!

If you could meet one famous person, dead or alive, who would it be?

Mother Teresa. I would love to simply be in her presence. What an amazing woman. Here’s one of my favorite quotes from her: “Be faithful in small things because it is in them that your strength lies.”

If you could time travel, where would you go and why?

I would like to go back in time and see a Shakespearean play performed while William Shakespeare was still alive. (I wrote my master’s thesis about Shakespearean heroines.)

Do you have a mentor or biggest supporter? If so who.

I’ve been blessed with great mentors. Suzanne Brockmann and Lori Foster have both been especially generous with their mentorship and support from very early in my writing career.

What are you currently working on?

A Christmas novella for Harlequin – RESCUING CHRISTMAS will be out in November 2012. The anthology features a military hero who’s stuck in the family Suburban with his estranged wife during Christmas as they transport shelter dogs to new families.

What’s in your TBR pile?

I just finished reading Joanna Bourne’s latest historical THE BLACK HAWK. Next up is Jessica Scott’s military romance BECAUSE OF YOU.

Thank you so much for having me here today! I would love to hear what books are on everyone else’s wish list this holiday season. One lucky commenter will receive a copy of HOT ZONE! Happy holidays and happy reading!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

USA Today Bestseller Catherine Mann pens military romantic suspense for Sourcebooks and Berkley, as well as steamy romances for Harlequin Desire. A RITA Award winner, she lives in Florida with her flyboy husband and four children. FMI on her current book and her seven other novels scheduled for 2012, she can be found online at:

Website: http://catherinemann.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/CatherineMannAuthor
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/CatherineMann1

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