Romancing the Book

Guest: M.M. Shelley

2012-01-28T06:00:00.021-05:00

Hello everyone! I’m M.M. Shelley and I would like to give a BIG thanks to everyone here at Romancing the Book, for inviting me onto the blog today so that I can share my latest book with you!

Mishap & Chaos

This is the second installment in my Mishap Trilogy which is the story of twin sisters, Grasiella and Tatiana, Latina girls who seem to be normal teenage girls, with normal teenage crushes.

I said “seem to be” because in reality they are two of the most gifted and powerful girls in the world. The problem is they don’t know how special and unique they are. They also don’t realize that their heritage goes back thousands of years and spans not just continents but solar systems as well.

The reason the twins are in Hawaii is to visit their grandmother, but while on the islands they discover that their family is not the only one with secrets. It seems Pele; the Hawaiian fire goddess has been keeping a few of her own.

In order to keep peace and control over the islands Pele has had to make a few sacrifices of her own. She has lost both of her sons to tragedy, she lost her eldest son Kona, to a mysterious drowning accident and her other son to a fire.

Kona, always put his family first, he believed strongly in this and took his orphaned brothers son into his home to raise as his own. This did not sit well with some of the Hawaiian gods; Kona didn’t let them dictate to him.

Could his decision to raise his nephew whom all the gods feared be what led to his mysterious death?

It may be that the only way to keep peace on the islands is for the truth to this secret to be reveled, but some are willing to risk everything to keep the secret safe.

Thanks again to Romancing the Book for letting me share with you all today. You can find me over at my blog; mmshelley.blogspot.com or on twitter @MM_Shelley.

About Mishap & Chaos

Twins Grasiella & Tatiana are hated and feared by the magical race to which they belong.

Deep within the Hawaiian Islands is a hidden danger an island witch who wants nothing more then to end the line of Pele, the fire goddess. Her influence has breached Pele’s inner circle.

The twins must face the consequences of a freed Mnemosyne who no longer stands alone and wants nothing more than to destroy them. Others from Mnemosyne’s world have traveled to earth with unclear intentions.

Grasiella and Tatiana’s only focus is to find their missing grandmother. Risking everything, not knowing if she is dead or alive...

* * * *

About the Author:

M.M. Shelley is a storyteller, word smith and dreamer. MISHAP AND MAYHEM, a captivating story of faerie's and magic, is her debut novel. She has traveled the world extensively in search of the magic which is often overlooked in everyday life. M.M. Shelley is a native of southern California, and a student of mythology from which she gets much inspiration.

Visit M.M. Shelley at her blog: www.mmshelley.blogspot.com

Review: Oh Holly Night by Stacy Dawn

2012-01-27T19:00:00.002-05:00

Oh Holly Night by Stacy Dawn
Series: Christmas in Noelle
Release Date: December 8, 2011
Publisher: Wild Rose Press
Page Count: 129
Source: provided by publisher for review

Helping out in hope of reaping a veterinarian partnership, Dr. Holly Night winds up in her own version of a Christmas nightmare--Santa Claus, reindeer games, babies born in a stable. Raised in a family that didn't "do" Christmas--or family--she is unprepared for a town filled with an overwhelming holiday spirit. Add in a handsome mechanic who finds amusement in her obvious misery, and not only is her patience tested, but unexpectedly, her belief as well.

Amusement isn't the only thing Rev Johnston feels for the pretty doctor or her situation; he's been the outsider before and knows how hard it can be. Having been abandoned one too many times before, he isn't about to let himself fall for someone who can't wait to get out of town.

Can the magic of Christmas, with a little help from Santa Claus, heal these two hearts before it's too late?

Review: Starting to have trouble with stars… I was going to go with three stars, but at $3 and 130 pages, I do recommend this if you want some Christmas myth and happiness. This novella was adorable. I loved the characters. I think I am too much like Holly, so I just didn't like the town that much…too Christmassy. I didn't care for Santa and I didn't jump up to read previous stories in the series. Aside from Santa, the supporting characters jumped off the page and made me laugh. The dialogue is terrific and moves quickly. Though it was this fantastic Christmas town, everything was realistic and tangible. Sparks fly between Holly and Rev from the beginning, but it's not an erotic novel and safe for all ages.

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Review: Punishing Phoebe by Kit Tunstall

2012-01-27T18:00:00.002-05:00

Punishing Phoebe by Kit Tunstall
Release Date: July 1, 2011
Publisher: Ellora's Cave Publishing
Page Count: 68 pages
Source: ebook provided by the publisher

Phoebe has been working for Luca only a short time, but their attraction is sizzling. Then Luca’s powerful father Salvatore discovers his son’s interest in Phoebe—and thinks her beneath him. Salvatore offers Phoebe money to disappear from Luca’s life, and desperation drives her to accept.After discovering what his father has done, Luca pays him back and goes after Phoebe. Hurt and revenge drive him to demand repayment—in his bed. He refuses to listen to her reasons and her own pride doesn’t help the situation. Luca tries to convince himself the only thing he’s interested in now is her body.Phoebe fervently wishes it was just amazing sex, instead of Love. Luca determinedly tries not to fall for a woman he can’t trust. Fate has other plans for them both.

Review: While not usually a fan of novellas this one had more depth to the storyline than I expected. It was a very quick read with lots of action, romance, seduction and family ties. You could feel the different emotions that Phoebe felt throughout the book as if you were there - the hurt, the anger, the frustration, the resignation and the love. It was hard not to root for Phoebe to come out on top. The happily ever afters were totally unexpected. My only disappointment was that the story didn't continue for at least a few more chapters. I haven't read books by Tunstall before but would be willing to give her other romances a try.

Favorite Quote: He seemed to swallow all the space in her bedroom, making it difficult to breathe as he lowered her to the bed. The feminine pastels should have been a jarring backdrop for his masculinity, but he looked right, settled on her bed, against her pale purple sheets.

Maybe it was because she had imagined him there so many times in the past few months.

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Review: Santa's Helper by Laura Browning

2012-01-27T17:00:00.006-05:00

Santa's Helper by Laura Browning
Release: December 7, 2011
Publisher: Wild Rose Press
Page Count: 75
Source: provided by publisher for review

Merry Collins is trying hard to live up to her name this holiday season. Between juggling three jobs, contending with a car on its last leg, and her ex-husband suddenly demanding visitation with their son, she's finding it tough to keep her impish smile in place as one of Santa's part-time elves.

After losing a bet, Jack Wittingham finds himself ringing the Red Kettle bell in front of the mall for two weeks. A successful self-made businessman, Jack's not long on Christmas spirit, but a bet's a bet and he'll ring for a good cause. So when an elf appears bearing a hot cup of coffee, he's intrigued, especially when she blushes.

Can Merry and Jack put their holiday troubles behind them to open the greatest Christmas gift of all--love?

Review: I really enjoyed this little novella. Merry and Jack are great characters, and I was drawn to them from the beginning. Merry's trying to juggle a lot of problems on top of dealing with an ex who's threatening custody of her son. Jack finds himself charmed and intrigued against his own better judgement. The author gets under their skin so you know what they're going through and I just loved them. Yet another author I'm going to add to my list of books to buy.

Purchase Links

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Review: Romancing the Hero by Cate Masters

2012-01-27T16:00:00.002-05:00

Romancing the Hero by Cate Masters
Release Date: October 25, 2011
Publisher:The Wild Rose Press; Faery Rose edition
Page Count: 146 kb
Source: ebook provided by the publisher

For romance writer Jody Feather, love is wonderful—on the page. Her books are instant bestsellers and readers love her delectable hero, Jake Emerson. He’s the kind of man who knows exactly how to please a woman. The kind of man who doesn’t really exist. Or at least not for Jody—she’s too busy writing about delicious heroes to find one of her own.

When a man shows up on her doorstep claiming to be Jake Emerson, Jody’s hormones shoot sky high. This would-be hero is everything she imagined him to be, and when Jody takes him to her book signing, readers swoon. But Jake only has eyes—and compliments—for her. Before long, Jody stops doubting his story and starts doubting her sanity.

When Jake convinces her she is overdue for love, Jody begins to wonder—instead of just writing about adventures, has she conjured one?

Review: Romancing the Hero was a very short read that was cute and endearing. As a romance reader and one who would love to write romance novels; I always envision the perfect hero. The hero that you hope may actually be real and not one on paper.The heroine's hero from her romance novels comes to life and wants to wine and dine her. I really liked the concept of this book but found it to be way too short. The characters could have had a little more development which would have given them more depth and substance. The hero and heroine had a great verbal exchange but there was not much of a sexual relationship. I kept reading hoping for more instead I felt that the story being told was rushed and unfinished. Masters is a great writer and I will continue to follow her work however I would have liked for this novella to have been a full length novel or the start of a series. It has the potential and the bones to be something great.

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Review: Infinite Betrayal by Gayle Donnelly & Robyn Mackenzie

2012-01-27T15:00:00.001-05:00

Infinite Betrayal by Gayle Donnelly & Robyn Mackenzie
Series: Infinity Series (# 1)
Publisher: Liquid Silver Books
Published: March 22, 2011
Page Count: 307 pages
Source: ebook provided by the author

Mina Roarke had always been told she was special. In what way, she never fully understood until circumstances led her down a path of adrenaline-charged danger, blazing sexual heat and ultimate betrayal.

Mathias, a warrior for a secret shifter race known as The Coteri, has been ordered to protect Mina at all costs. Although his oath to protect her is paramount, can he rein in his animal instincts long enough to not claim the one person he’s forbidden to have?

Review: I can never read too many books on the paranormal because as Ms. Donnelly and Ms. Mackenzie have proven there are always new ways to show how shifters came to be. I loved there fresh take on shifters.

The characters were so easy to relate to and fall in love with. I didn’t want to put this delightful story down once I started because I was caught up in it from beginning to end.

I was able to visually see the scenery in the states as well as in Germany. I wanted to get to the castle to see what it looked like inside and I was not disappointed.

From the time that Mina’s mother dies and she finds that her father is still alive your heart goes out to her. Going to Germany at her friend Chloe’s request seemed the right thing to do at the time. Wanting to meet the father who left her and her mother alone all those years ago.

I loved how Mina showed that she had an inner strength about her that seemed to surface once she got to Germany. I loved her sarcastic remarks they added humor to the story. She seemed to accept the information that comes at her like a pro. Sure she had questions but they were always answered, maybe not to her liking but none the less they were answered and she was accepting of those answers.

I loved Mathias, a very virile strong male. Shifter, sinfully handsome and stubborn, usually the hardest kind to fall in love but when they fall they fall hard. I found it sexy the way he became very protective of Mina in such a short time. He would move heaven and earth to protect what was his. This is my kind of guy.

Once Mina arrives in Germany things start to happen and they don’t end until the very end and even then there are hints of more to come.

I enjoyed how the plot kept going and keeping me enthralled in the story.

There was the whole thing that went on with Luca, although I felt in a way it was needed to help Mina and Mathias get to where they needed to be, I almost thought that in a way it really wasn’t needed. It seemed like a distraction.

I would love to hear the story of Mina’s mom and dad as they touched on that briefly in this story. I look forward to the next book which gives us the story of Talon another hunky shifter and Chloe who is Mina’s best friend and the sister to Mathias.

I highly recommend Infinite Betrayal to anyone who loves the world of shifters and looks for a different take on how they came to be. A simply wonderful beginning, for Ms. Donnelly and Ms. Mackenzie, I canna wait to read the next book.

Purchase Links

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Review: Jealous and Freakn' by Eve Langlais

2012-01-27T14:00:00.002-05:00

Jealous and Freakn' by Eve Langlais
Series: Freakn' Shifters Series (# 2)
Release Date: November 18, 2011

Publisher: self-published
Page Count: 469 kb, 228 pages
Source: Contest win at Romancing the Book

What will it take for him to stop thinking of her as a freakn’ sister?

Francine’s loved Mitchell, a wolf like herself, since she first set eyes on him back when they were just kids. However, Mitchell’s never seen her as more than another annoying sister. Determined to make him realize she’s all grown up, she enlists the aide of Alejandro, a gorgeous cat shifter. She never counted on wanting them both.

Alejandro knows Francine is special from the first moment he meets the fiery plump wolf, which is why he suggests she use him to make Mitchell jealous. A great plan, especially if it means he gets to kiss those luscious lips. One taste, though, and he’s addicted, but how does he make her see past the man she loves to realize she’s also meant to be his mate?

For a long time now, Mitchell’s been avoiding Francine, his bratty sister’s friend. However, the little girl he remembers is all grown up, and when he sees her in the arms of another, a need to claim her overrides all his common sense. But, he’s waited too long and fate has decided that he’s going to have to share. Can he bend enough to accept Francine with her other man, or will his freakn’ jealousy send him running?

Warning: Excessive amounts of heat may be generated when reading this story. Do not sit or stand near flammable objects unless they happen to be your partner. Please note, that while the heroes sustained injuries during the course of the story, Francine did eventually kiss them all better, naked of course. This is a ménage romance, with heavy emphasis on the romance. It does contain multi partner, sexual situations that some people may find titillating. Reader discretion is advised.

Review: Being best friends with his sister, Mitchell has thought of Francine like a sister for many years. Francine along with everyone else knows Mitchell is destined to be her mate. What they don't know is that she is destined to have 2 mates, the other being Alejandro. Once Alejandro enters the picture, things start to heat up and Mitchell starts looking at Francine differently. This book drew me in from the start. I was fortunate to have read the first installment in this series so it was nice to revisit old friends but this book stands well on its own. We have great character development with Francine as the sassy she-wolf heroine, Alejandro as the sexy cat and then we have Mitchell with a jealousy streak a mile wide. I must admit, I really wanted to reach through the pages of the book and smack him upside the head at his stupidity. In addition to the love triangle, there were a couple twists from each of the men's past that brought trouble to Francine. I was slightly disappointed over the resolution of the Jenny issue. It was not the main focus of the story by any means but it was wrapped up as a neat and tidy here is what happened afterthought. Overall this was an enjoyable read which I would definitely recommend giving a try.

Purchase Links

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Review: Holiday Kisses anthology

2012-01-27T13:00:00.001-05:00

Holiday Kisses by Alison Kent, Jaci Burton, HelenKay Dimon and Shannon Stacey
Release Date: December 5, 2011
Publisher: Carina Press
Page Count: 103,000 words or 627 KB
Source: NetGalley

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like... Love!

A man gives the gift of trust and receives a second chance at love in return. A woman helps to heal the wounded heart of a soldier. A couple finds that true love knows no distance. And a young widow learns that there can be two great loves in a lifetime. Love, romance and passion come together in this collection of four seasonal shorts.

Anthology includes:

This Time Next Year by Alison Kent
A Rare Gift by Jaci Burton
It's Not Christmas Without You by HelenKay Dimon
Mistletoe and Margaritas by Shannon Stacey

Review: This Time Next Year – I really enjoyed this story right from the beginning I was routing for Dillon. He was such a sweet man I really wanted him to find love and happiness. The Grandma side story was wonderful too. It really touched memories of my own Grandma and that pulled me in on such a personal level that it was even more important that they get together. The story was believable with just enough magic. The characters were likable and human. I do have to say that you don’t know whether or not they will make it long term until the very end.

A Rare Gift – This was also a great story with wonderful characters. I was so attached to Wyatt I wanted to slap the woman who hurt him in the past and made him so apprehensive about letting someone else get close. Calliope is a great woman with just enough stubborn in her to fight for what she wants. The dynamics were great. The sister thing made it a little odd but it was a new twist that was handled quite well.

It’s Not Christmas Without You – This story was a bit more difficult for me. The stubborn went on a little too long for me but in the end it did make sense. Both of the characters had some secrets and insecurities to work out before they could finally be honest with themselves and each other. I did like the idea of the man chasing the woman but he was still a little too caveman for me at least in how he acted and things he said. I love that they are longtime sweethearts who do know each other so well that they are pretty accurate in which buttons they push.

Mistletoe and Margaritas – This one was quite a surprise. I really felt bad for Justin he was struggling so hard to do the right thing. Claire was not in a great position either but she at least was only dealing with current feelings and not having to struggle with feeling guilty about the past. It was a wonderful tale of friendship and family of loss and of hope.

After reading all four stories I would definitely say that this is a book I will be recommending to others and I will most definitely read it again. All of the women are strong and independent and the men are up to the challenge.

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Review: Love at First Sight by Vincent Zandri

2012-01-27T12:00:00.002-05:00

Love at First Sight by Vincent Zandri
Publisher: StoneGate Inc
Release Date: October 27, 2011
Page Count: 217 KB
Source: Bri Clark (Belle Consulting)

A young U.S. Army officer who’s served in Afghanistan finds himself suffering from intermittent bouts of “hysterical” temporary blindness due to impossible and deadly orders he was forced to obey by high command in the field. When he’s reunited with his fiancée in a military hospital in Germany after being separated for more than year, the couple are encouraged by doctors to travel to Venice, Italy together. There, amongst the canals and the cafes, they try to rekindle their love and fight off their personal demons while trying to comprehend the enormity of the heartbreaking role they now must play in love and war.

Review: This was a quickie - the story itself maybe 15 pages. There was really no story. It was a snapshot of a day in the life of a wounded soldier sent to Venice with his fiancee for R&R. Because he had "hysterical" blindness, since they could not find any medical reason for his loss of sight, there were vivid descriptions of memories and the day in the rain at a sidewalk cafe. You could picture what Nick was "seeing" based on the wonderful descriptions given. The book itself was almost reminiscent to me of a Seinfeld or Curb Your Enthusiasm episode - a story based on nothing that took a half hour to tell plus got laughs. In this story there was no laughter - only darkness - from both his eyesight and the darkness he felt from being in the war and ordering the raid on the village and the seeming loss of love from his fiancee, Margo. Since I have not read other books by Zandri, but heard good things about his writing, I would give another of his books a try.

Purchase Links

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Review: Happy Birthday by Danielle Steel

2012-01-27T11:00:00.006-05:00

Happy Birthday by Danielle Steel
Release Date: July 19, 2011
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Page Count: 352 pages
Source: book provided by the publisher

In this beguiling new novel, Danielle Steel tells the story of three very different people, each of whom, on the same day, reaches a crucial turning point in life—a rite both bittersweet and full of hope, a time to blow out the candles, say goodbye to the past, and make a wish for the future.

Valerie Wyatt is the queen of gracious living and the arbiter of taste. Since her long-ago divorce, she’s worked hard to reach the pinnacle of her profession and to create a camera-ready life in her Fifth Avenue penthouse. So why is she so depressed? All the hours with her personal trainer, the careful work of New York’s best hairdressers, cosmetic surgeons, and her own God-given bone structure and great looks can’t fudge the truth or her lies about it: Valerie is turning sixty.

Valerie’s daughter, April, has no love life, no rest, and no prospect of that changing in the foreseeable future. Her popular one-of-a-kind restaurant in downtown New York, where she is chef and owner, consumes every ounce of her attention and energy. Ready or not, though, April’s life is about to change, in a tumultuous transformation that begins the morning it hits her: She’s thirty. And what does she have to show for it? A restaurant, no man, no kids.

Jack Adams once threw a football like a guided missile. Twelve years after retiring from the NFL, he is the most charismatic sports analyst on TV, a man who has his pick of the most desirable twentysomething women. But after a particularly memorable Halloween party, Jack wakes up on his fiftieth birthday, his back thrown out of whack, feeling every year his age.

A terrifying act of violence, an out-of-the-blue blessing, and two extremely unlikely love affairs soon turn lives inside out and upside down. In a novel brimming with warmth and insight, beginning on one birthday and ending on another, Valerie, April, and Jack discover that life itself can be a celebration—and that its greatest gifts are always a surprise.

Review: I have read several works by Danielle Steel over the years. For the most part, I can't really think of one that I truly disliked. I know that many people feel that much of Ms. Steel's work follows the same formula and are more or less similar stories with different names and locations, etc. Personally, however, I find myself enjoying the stories of real life types of people working through real life issues and the complexities of family dynamics that are addressed within many of Danielle Steel's books. Happy Birthday was no exception. Once I read the synopsis of the story, I was incredibly intrigued and wanted to delve right into the story.

Happy Birthday focuses on a mother and daughter - April, the daughter, who is incredibly work oriented and considers her beloved restaurant her entire life, she is celebrating her 30th birthday this year. Valerie, April's mother, is a world known and loved television personality that easily gives Martha Stewart a run for her money. This year, Valerie is celebrating her 60th birthday. Enter Jack Adams, a football hero who has lived the lush and spoiled life of woman and partying. This year, Jack is celebrating his 50th birthday. All three of these people celebrate their birthdays on the same day and all three people will have a very different year than they could ever imagine.

As far as characters go, I really enjoyed April, Valerie and Jack. I do have to admit that Valerie's over-the-top obsession about her age annoyed me a bit. Granted, growing older is difficult, especially the older one gets; however, her rantings about it were a bit much for me. I think my favorite character was April simply because she was such a strong and ambitious woman. I also loved how her character progresses throughout the story. I don't want to give too much away, but the trials and tribulations that she finds herself face to face with in her 30th year are all too common in today's society and the way that she deals with those things and herself lend a greatness to the overall story. As far as the jock, Jack, I also enjoyed his progression throughout the story. He matures in a way that is admirable and endured himself to me.

The story itself was enjoyable and flowed well. I do have to mention that I was a bit let down with the "terrifying act of violence". Though this sets a life changing flow into action for everyone, I thought that perhaps it could have been written a bit more in-depth. Again, I don't want to give too much away, but what I thought would be a bigger part of the story was basically a blimp on the overall map of the story.

Danielle Steel has such an incredible and enormous talent for story telling and drawing the reader into the worlds that she creates. For me, Happy Birthday was a very satisfying, engrossing and enjoyable read. This is a story of life, of facing your demons, dealing with the unexpected and coming out on top. The love stories within Happy Birthday were enduring and sweet, the life stories heartwarming. I greatly enjoyed Happy Birthday and look forward to diving into some of Danielle Steel's backlist books as well as her future works.

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Review: Mahu Blood by Neil S. Plakcy

2012-01-27T10:00:00.001-05:00

Mahu Blood by Neil S. Plakcy
Series: Mahu Series (# 5)
Release Date: February 2011
Publisher: MLR Press
Page Count: 541 (in Calibre), 312 (paperback)
Source: eBook from author

Two-time Lambda Literary Award finalist Neil Plakcy returns to the Hawaiian Islands with a new mystery about blood ties in a state torn by ethnic tension. Openly gay Honolulu homicide detective Kimo Kanapa’aka must investigate a series of murders that threaten his own family as well as the citizens he struggles to protect.

Billions of dollars are at stake in a fight over who the land of the Aloha State really belongs to. Is it the United States—or the indigenous people of the islands, many of whom feel their sovereign kingdom was overthrown by American businessmen?

At the same time, Kimo and his fire investigator partner, Mike Riccardi, deal with the stress of moving in together to create their own ohana—a Hawaiian term which means family, as well as community.

Review: As everyone who knows me is aware, I absolutely love this series about Kimo Kanapa’aka, the publicly outed gay cop in Honolulu. Kimo appeals to me on several levels – his masculinity (yes, he’s gay but that doesn’t mean he’s a fairy), his surfing abilities, his love for family and friends, his ability to foster gay teens in an outreach program and give them honest answers to their darkest and most personal questions, and his ability to kick ass as a detective.

In the latest installment, Kimo and his partner, Ray, must find the killer of an elderly woman shot during a Kingdom of Hawai’i rally and of a slow yet talkative lolo (crazy) man living in a group home who was set on fire. At the same time he is dealing with a number of other issues – difficulties at home after moving in with fireman-boyfriend Mike, worries over a young and ignorant mother connected to the case, agonizing over the fact that his own mother could have been the victim at the rally, and concerned with his brother’s addictions. Plus he has to constantly remind everyone that Stuey, the man from the group home, was not homeless, no matter what he looked like. All in all, Kimo does what Kimo does best – he cares for his ohana.

Plakcy has come up with another winner, not only in Kimo Kanapa’aka but in the overall detective genre as well. The characters are well written and, living in Hawai’i as I do, I can see the qualities of people I have met here on the island in the characters of Mahu Blood. The language used is choice (that’s pidgin for excellent), the places are fo’ real (except for the one’s that aren’t), and the events, unfortunately, could actually happen. I also love the new covers for all the Mahu books!

Now I’m just waiting for a book titled “Mahu Kapu” (translated – gay men forbidden).

Favorite Quote: After Mike and I had licked and sucked and rubbed each other to orgasm, he went right to sleep, but I lay there in bed next to him for a few minutes, relishing the feeling, once again, of bringing down the bad guys and making things right with the world, even if only for a little while.

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Review: A Clockwork Christmas: A Steampunk Christmas Anthology

2012-01-27T09:00:00.002-05:00

A Clockwork Christmas: A Steampunk Christmas Anthology by Stacy Gail, PG Forte, Jenny Schwartz, JK Coi
Release Date: December 5, 2011
Publisher: Carina Press
Page Count: 692 KB
Source: Netgalley

Changed forever after tragedy, a woman must draw strength from her husband's love. A man learns that love isn't always what you expect. A thief steals the heart of a vengeful professor. And an American inventor finds love Down Under. Enjoy Victorian Christmas with a clockwork twist in these four steampunk novellas:

Crime Wave in a Corset by Stacy Gail
This Winter Heart by PG Forte
Wanted: One Scoundrel by Jenny Schwartz
Far From Broken by JK Coi

Review: I have never read any steampunk but I've seen many novels popping up with this tag line and I was curious. I figured an athology would be the perfect way to introduce myself to this genre. I love the fact that each novella was drastically different from the next and were all from authors I have never read before. I did not think it really dealt with the topic of Christmas at all. It was not at the forefront of the stories. The first novella by Stacy Gail had the most Christmas feel to it than the other 3. A thief needs to steal something by Christmas or risk death. Gail's novella was also the one that seemed the most "steampunk". I was fascinated with the intricate descriptions of all things steampunk. My favourite novella was by Jenny Swartz and I will definitely be buying anything else she writes. Her novella was about a suffragette that needed a man to front her political party. I really liked reading a part of history that I love told in a steampunk fashion. The two novellas that I liked were beliavable ones with the added element of steampunk whereas the two I did not care for were too far fetched for me. I'm not sure if it is because I have not read any steampunk prior to this anthology or I cannot put the futuristic feel to a time period that is historical. JK Coi's novella is about a woman's body that has been put back together so to speak by mechancial limbs and PG Forte's novella is about a marriage that has broken down because the wife is not really human but a robot.

Even though 2 of the novellas were not my favourite they were well written. The anthology was an excellent start to reading steampunk and I will be reading more in the future. I will recommend it to others that I know like to read things outside of their comfort zone.

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Review: Cabin Fever by Shara Azod and RaeLynn Blue

2012-01-27T08:00:00.001-05:00

Cabin Fever by Shara Azod and RaeLynn Blue
Publisher: Mocha Memoirs Press
Release Date: June 11, 2011
Page Count: 53
Source: ebook provided by the publisher

Uber-busy and highly successful Chanta Nicholson thought she had kept all her secret desires carefully tucked away in her diary. Her husband, Drew, while a good man, wouldn’t condone the type of lovemaking she wanted. She liked it rough and wild, but there was no way conservative, straight-laced Drew would even begin to understand her needs. Drew Nicholson could feel his wife slipping away from, hiding behind her cell phone calls and busy late nights at the office. There wasn’t any way he was going to let Chanta go, not without a serious intervention. He’d read her diary and knew what she needed. Most importantly, he knew how to give it to her. Locked in a cabin tucked away in the Canadian forest, Drew and Chanta can’t just kindle a fire, they must make their love burn like cabin fever.

Review: Cabin Fever is a sensual and steamy story of a man fighting for the woman he loves.

After Drew Nicholson comes to the realization that his marriage is slowly, but surely heading for the path of failure, he decides to take action. Drew loves his wife, but between Chanta’s business, and her addiction to her Blackberry, she has little time for her husband. She does, however, find time to write her desires in her diary, which gives Drew insight into an exciting and adventurous side of his wife, at stark contrast with the prim-and-proper woman he sees daily.

Yearning to discover this side of his wife and to rekindle the fire that once was, Drew concocts a plan to take Chanta on vacation. However, instead of the amazing resorts she’s expecting, he tricks her into accompanying him to a lone cabin, tucked away from everything—particularly most forms of communication. From the moment of their arrival, Drew eradicates all of the barriers that Chanta has consciously and unconsciously built between them.

Using her diary as his guide, Drew proceeds to reawaken the love and excitement they once felt for each other, and to reaffirm to both himself, and his gadget-addicted wife, that there love is strong enough to survive the test of time.

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Review: Light Bringer by Pat Bertram

2012-01-27T07:00:00.002-05:00

Light Bringer by Pat Bertram
Published: March 26, 2011
Publisher: Second Wind Publishing LLC
Pages: 306 pages
Source: ebook provided by the author

Becka Johnson had been abandoned on the doorstep of a remote cabin in Chalcedony, Colorado when she was a baby. Now, thirty-seven years later, she has returned to Chalcedony to discover her identity, but she only finds more questions. Who has been looking for her all those years? Why are those same people interested in fellow newcomer Philip Hansen? Who is Philip, and why does her body sing in harmony with his? And what do either of them have to do with a shadow corporation that once operated a secret underground installation in the area?

Review: I was confused right from the beginning and stayed that way to the very end. Some things did come to light, but for the most part this was out of my comfort zone. I gave it a chance as I kept reading and did finish, but I was left with many questions and maybe that was the whole reasoning behind Ms. Bertram’s story.

This story had me puzzled from the beginning when a baby shows up on the doorstep of a nurse. No footprints leading away from the house and only a few small ones that leads up to the house. This is not a normal baby as it sings and walks and talks rather fast. The nurse questions things at first but after a few days she just accepts this.

After this young baby reaches adulthood and loses the mother that raised her in hiding, she goes on a quest that brings her to a small town that seems to also be gathering others that are brought here for some reason or other.

Becka Johnson and Philip Hansen are both drawn to Chalcedony, Colorado. Not sure what their connection is to each other either. You also have a UFO hunter and her sister. While the hunter goes missing her sister is questioned by some agency to find out what she knows.

Weird things have been going on around this town since the 70’s and UFO sightings. Are they connected? I can’t divulge that information.

Outside of town there is a field of brightly colored flowers that sing and house some wonderful displays of light. They make you feel good. Colors play a big part in the story. The universe, hidden secrets, extra planets, invisible beings, theories, physics, astronomy, mythology; a town lost in time where people still sit around playing games such as Chinese checkers. A town that seems to be lost in darkness, yet it is drawn to the light.

I found that this book makes you take a long look at the things that you were taught in school and question what you were told to be facts. Are there other beings out there or for that matter actually living among us? Ms. Bertram makes you rethink and rethink again still leaving so many unanswered questions that we just may never be able to explain. A multi layered story with an underlying hint of romance. A story within a story.

Do you see the colors and lights? Do you hear the music? Maybe we have to go to another realm to find the answers.

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Review: Prime Defender by Ann Jacobs

2012-01-27T06:00:00.001-05:00

Prime Defender by Ann Jacobs
Series: Necessary Roughness (# 4)
Release Date: September 2, 2011
Publisher: Ellora’s Cave
Page Count: 52 pages (estimated)
Source: ebook provided by the publisher

Big, tough, sexy linebacker Matt Rubin is a killer on the field—but a willing slave in the dungeon to his voluptuous, beautiful Domme.

Keisha loves her buff, gorgeous sex slave. It is the ultimate erotic gratification—having such a strong, intimidating man completely at her sexual command. Then a health crisis forces them to make a temporary switch. The sex slave becomes the Master. Keisha is totally out of her element and they both wonder how they can ever really go back to that perfect love.

Review: I really enjoyed reading this story. Matt was a character that really made me care. He definitely loves Keisha very much and is willing to do anything for her. He is sure enough in himself to not be swayed by what other people think. Keisha was a little harder to like in the beginning but she changed my mind as I read the story. She seemed very cold and it took me a bit to see that she too cares for Matt.

It was definitely interesting to see Matt and Keisha switching positions and it was done really well. This is definitely a book I will be recommending to others who enjoy this genre. This is a very good series and I am going to read the others I have missed. I have now read 3 and 4.

If you like strong men and women who have a loving relationship in an unconventional way this is a great read.

Favorite Quote: He drew her up the steps. “I’m gonna make you the center of attention as well as the center of my world.”

Purchase Links

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Interview & Contest: Natalie-Nicole Bates

2012-01-26T06:00:00.042-05:00

Jen: Please help us welcome Natalie-Nicole Bates to Romancing the Book. Natalie-Nicole, will you share a short bio with us?

Natalie-Nicole: Natalie-Nicole Bates is a book reviewer and author.

Her passions in life include books and hockey along with Victorian and Edwardian era photography. Natalie contributes her uncharacteristic love of hockey to being born in Russia.

She currently resides in the UK where she is working on her next book and adding to her collection of 19th century post-mortem photos.

Visit Natalie-Nicole online at www.natalienicolebates.com

Jen: Tell us about Change of Address.
Natalie-Nicole: My new release is called Change of Address. It is a contemporary romance. Josseyln Adler is a home care nurse, and Ben Parnell is a cancer specialist. Each has a will that leaves them a very special house. The reader is to discover who has the fake will.

Jen: At what age did you discover writing? When where you first published? Tell us your call story.

Natalie-Nicole: I started writing plays for school when I was about eleven. I was hooked after that. Change of Address was my first sale, but Antique Charming was the first published. I was offered contracts for both books within a week of each other. It was very exciting.

Jen: Are there any other writers, published or not, in your family?

Natalie-Nicole: My partner is a poet.

Jen: Do you have any “must haves” with you while you’re writing?

Natalie-Nicole: More like patterns, rather than “must haves”. I write at specific times of the day, and I can’t write with other people in the room. I’m easily distracted.

Jen: Do you struggle with deadlines? How do you deal with the pressure?

Natalie-Nicole: I generally try to get things done well before a deadline. It will bother me if I have things hanging. The only way to deal with the pressure is to get things done as soon as I possibly can.

Jen: What is it about the romance genre that appeals to you?

Natalie-Nicole: The romance genre more or less found me. I wanted to write some big mainstream novel. I decided to take a very intensive novel writing class where you are paired with a published author as your mentor. My mentor read over an early draft and said “This is romance”.

Jen: Do you have a favorite character or one you most identify with?

Natalie-Nicole: Josseyn Adler was a great character to write. She has a lot of me in her. I pulled a lot from my own upbringing into Josselyn’s character.

Jen: What did you do to celebrate your first book?

Natalie-Nicole: I was extremely pleased, but I really didn’t formally celebrate (only in my head!). I sold my second book a week later.

Jen: Most people only dream of becoming a published writer. Now that you’ve accomplished this, is there something else you dream of doing?

Natalie-Nicole: I’m still looking into law school. Whether or not I take the plunge is to bee seen.

Jen: What’s next for you?

Natalie-Nicole: Back To You, my next release, a contemporary romance, will be released January 30 at Bradley Publishing. I’m currently putting the finishing touches on a paranormal that will be the first in a series. I’ve never written a series, so this is new for me.

Jen: Where can you be found on the web?

Natalie-Nicole: www.natalienicolebates.com

Jen: Is there anything you’d like to ask our readers?

Natalie-Nicole: I would like to ask the readers, at the present time, what sub-genre of romance are you reading and loving the most?

Contest details:

The prize is a pdf of Change of Address + a limited-edition Change of Address perfume.
The contest is open to everyone (international included) over the age of 16.
You must leave a meaningful comment for entry. This means your comment needs to be more than "please enter me in the contest".
A valid email address needs to be included in your comment. If you're worried about spam, please modify your address, such as admin.bookblog AT gmail.com. You can also send a message to this email after your comment has been posted.
While following the blog isn't required, it is appreciated.
The contest ends on Wednesday, February 1.

Purchase Links

Amazon

Guest & Contest: Claire Ashgrove

2012-01-25T06:00:00.021-05:00

Archangels in IMMORTAL HOPE

CENTURIES AGO, Templar knights defied the archangels and unearthed the copper scroll, revealing the gates to hell. Cursed for their forbidden act, they forever roam the earth protecting mankind from evil. But darkness stalks them, and battles they fight bring them ever-closer to eternal damnation. One promise remains to give them salvation – the return of the seraphs.

Embittered by his purpose, Merrick du Loire must honor an ancient pact and bring peace to his cousin’s soul. When he stumbles upon history professor Anne MacPherson, he discovers she possesses a sacred artifact that marks her as a seraph. Duty demands he set aside his personal quest and locate the knight she’s fated to heal. As he struggles with conflicting oaths, Anne arouses buried hope and sparks forbidden desire that challenges everything he’s sworn to uphold.

Anne has six weeks to complete her thesis on the Knights Templar. When Merrick takes her to the Templar stronghold, he presents her with all she needs—and awakens a soul-deep ache, he alone can soothe. Yet loving Merrick comes with a price. If she admits she's destined for him, her gift of foresight predicts his death.

If you’ve been following the tour – and you should be so you can win! – I’ve talked a lot about the Knights, the development of IMMORTAL HOPE, and the world that they are reluctantly a part of. I’ve touched on the archangels, and today I’d like to discuss them a little more.

To some degree, developing the archangel characters was already done for me. As a society we hear so much about them that I don’t need to totally build from ground zero like I do a hero or heroine. We know they are powerful. We know they are gifted. We know they have the ear of the Most High.

But I really wanted to add a little different to my archangels. Otherwise, why have four or more, when one might accomplish everything? To accomplish this, I gave them specific roles, and in one case, I altered accepted theology to fit my unalterable mental picture of Raphael.

Once their roles were assigned, I needed personalities. And they needed to be different from each other not just in role, but in psyche too. So, I piddled, I tinkered, and in the end, I came up with the four you meet in IMMORTAL HOPE:

Mikhail – old world usage of his name; Leader of the North American knights; a man who is more like his men than anything else. Except for one passage where emotions get the better of him, he’s logical and stoic. He’s spent most of his time living with knights, he’s going to behave like them for the most part.

Raphael – Leader of the European Knights; more friendly and warm than perhaps Mikhail, but then, the men he leads are a bit…different… as well. And as the series continues, he has a very special role to play and a very significant role he played in the past.

Uriel – Master of Healing in North America. He’s a quirky man, a bit of a puzzle to figure out. And though he’s a genius when it comes to being him… to the outsider, maybe not so much.

Gabriel – the Almighty’s Messenger. Privy to the messages from High and tasked with gathering the seraphs. He has been the most fun to play with, as he has a unique ability. Which I won’t go into, but pay close attention each time he makes an appearance. You’ll pick up on it, I’m sure. As the one who interacts mainly with modern society, he is more apt to behave the same.

There are others developed as the series continues, but that’s for another time and place. Basically what I went with was that each archangel needed to behave according to his particular place in the Divine Plan.

Now, a question for you – if an archangel told you that your fate included sacrificing everything you knew, understood, and treasured, what would you do?

~Claire
www.claireashgrove.com
www.toristclaire.com
Twitter: @ClaireAshgrove

Claire will be giving away a $25 Amazon.com gift certificate to one randomly drawn commenter during the tour, and a second $25.00 Amazon.com gift certificate to a second randomly drawn commenter at the end of the tour. Be sure to follow the tour and comment; the more you comment, the better your chances of winning! Click the Blog Tour badge for a complete list of blog stops.

* * * *

Claire Ashgrove has been writing since her early teens and maintained the hobby for twenty years before deciding to leap into the professional world. Her first contemporary novel, Seduction's Stakes, sold to The Wild Rose Press in 2008, where she continues to write steamy, sexy stories for the Champagne and Black Rose lines. Adding to these critically acclaimed contemporaries, Claire’s paranormal romance series, The Curse of the Templars, debuts with Tor in January 2012. For those who prefer the more erotic side of romance, she also writes for Berkley Heat under the pen name Tori St. Claire.

Claire lives on a small farm in Missouri with her two toddler sons, fifteen horses, four cats, and five dogs. In her “free” time, she enjoys cooking, winning at rummy, studying ancient civilizations, and spending quiet moments with her family, including the critters. She credits her success to her family's constant support and endless patience.

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Excerpt: Immortal Hope by Claire Ashgrove

2012-01-25T05:55:00.010-05:00

Seeing a thin white scar that spanned across the back of his hand, she traced the mark with her nail. “I want to know about you,” she added more quietly. “What caused this?”

Merrick looked down to where she touched him. Using his opposite index finger, he traced the same path her fingernail had taken. Briefly, their fingertips touched. “’Tis a mark from a lance.”

“A lance?” Anne struggled with the urge to twine her finger around his.

“Aye. ’Twas a battle that came to us unexpectedly. I was not given time to don my armor before the riders set upon us. The knight struck me there, and here.” He touched his ribs beneath his right arm.

Anne’s gaze lifted to the vulnerable spot and pictured the battle as it might have occurred: Merrick standing down an armored knight on horse back, the sharp metal spear that punctured his flesh, the way his face might have contorted as he bit back a painful cry. Impulsively, she gathered his hand in both of hers and lifted it, bringing it to her lips to place a gentle kiss over the scar. “I’m sorry.”

Merrick said nothing, and in his silence, she began to question maybe she’d taken one too many liberties. They’d hardly begun to get along—what if her unchecked impulse just crossed some invisible boundary? Slowly, cautiously, she lifted her eyes to his. What she found in his fathomless dark eyes, however, said nothing of anger or annoyance. They gleamed with startling intensity, light bright enough to make her catch her breath.

“Do not be sorry,” he murmured. His eyes canvassed her face, lingered on her mouth. “’Twas a scar borne from duty. An order I was sworn to obey.”

The husky quality of his voice sent shivers coursing up and down her spine. She tried to look away, ordered her eyes to settle anywhere but on the sudden softening of Merrick’s expression. But her body refused, leaving her unable to do anything but choke down a dry swallow. When her thoughts cleared enough to form coherent words, she sought to lighten the moment with a bit of humor. “Orders can do that to you, I guess. Like now, you’re stuck with me.”

“I cannot say I find these orders entirely displeasing.” Merrick lifted his free hand to push a length of her hair away from her shoulder.

The back of his hand grazed the side of her neck and goose bumps scattered down her arms. “No?”

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Interview & Contest: Jennifer Lynne

2012-01-24T06:00:00.050-05:00

Jen: Today we are happy to welcome Jennifer Lynne to RtB. Jennifer, will you please share a short bio with us?

Jennifer: I was introduced to romance at around the age of 12 by author Mary Stewart and her dark, mysterious hero, Raoul, in Nine Coaches Waiting. And what an introduction that was! My love affair with romance never waned – it just got hotter as the years progressed. I have a Degree in literature & media studies, and I've worked as a business writer and journalist for govt departments and companies both large and small. I've also worked in an optical store! These days I'm a mum of two teenagers and stepmum of two young adults. I work by day in admin and at night write erotic romance novellas from my home in Melbourne, Australia. My first two erotic romances – SEDUCING SERENA in SECRETS VOLUME 28, and PANDORA'S GIFT – were published by Red Sage. I also have an upcoming sensual romance from Breathless Press, called EDUCATING ETHAN (tentative release date Feb 24th).

Jen: Tell us about PLATINUM PASSION (GODS OF LOVE #1) and where it can be purchased.

Jennifer: PLATINUM PASSION, a menage M/M/F contemporary paranormal romance, is available for $1.99USD from Amazon, Smashwords and All Romance ebooks. It is my first foray into the world of indie-publishing – a huge learning curve, but oh, so exciting! PLATINUM is the first in a series of stand-alone novellas with a common theme straight out of Greek mythology. The erotes are Olympian gods of love and desire, children of Aphrodite and aspects of Eros, and this series focuses on their interaction in the contemporary world with people who are seeking more passion in their lives. PLATINUM PASSION features Pothos, god of sexual yearning.

Here's the blurb:

Three people. One erotic fantasy. And a twentieth wedding anniversary like no other.

Jeannie yearns for the return of passion in her marriage. Jake wants new excitement in the form of another man, in a way that won't upset the balance of his relationship with his wife. Pothos is one of the erotes and an aspect of Eros, the Olympian god of desire. On the last night of winter this couple's distinctive yearning has called to him, and by the power of the erotes he intends to rekindle the flame of Jeannie and Jake's passion in a night of desire that could be the ultimate platinum anniversary gift.

And when the gods of love decide your marriage needs a boost, they never do it by halves.

Jen: At what age did you discover writing? When were you first published? Tell us your call story.

Jennifer: I feel as if I've always written, but it wasn't until I was at university and someone dared me to write a Mills & Boon that I completed and submitted my first romance manuscript. It was rejected, of course, but I had some good feedback in relation to my writer's voice, so I continued to write as a hobby for many years. I joined Romance Writers of Australia in the earliest days of this fabulous organization, and attended a conference or two. When I went through a difficult and painful divorce (what divorce isn't, really?) I finally decided it was time to properly reach for my dreams. I rewrote an erotic romance called SEDUCING SERENA, submitted it to Red Sage, and couldn't believe it when they actually bought it for their SECRETS VOLUME 28 anthology! My "call" was actually an email from my editor, received about midnight. Everyone I knew was asleep, so I had a quiet scream and dance around the house by myself! PANDORA'S GIFT followed, then ill health and moving house stalled the writing for a bit. There has been more ill health in 2011, but this time I decided to make the time work for me, and through a breast lump (benign), minor stomach surgery, a blood clot in my hand, and shoulder surgery to repair a torn tendon, I wrote PLATINUM PASSION, and also EDUCATING ETHAN, my upcoming sensual romance with Breathless Press. Wrote them with my left hand actually, while the right arm was mostly in a sling! So, 20 years on, I feel as if I'm finally becoming a real writer!

Jen: Do you have any “must haves” with you while you’re writing?

Jennifer: Coffee. Black, strong and sweet. And my beautiful ginger cat, Cleo. Actually, she belongs to my two daughters, but she does keep me company while writing, and drags me back to the real world when I've been living in my head too long and I suddenly hear, "Give me some goddamn food!" in her desperate meows.

Jen: What are your biggest motivations to write? What keeps you going?

Jennifer: These days, I've realised that I'm just not one hundred percent happy unless I'm writing. It is part of what makes me complete, as corny as that sounds. So I don't need to be motivated to write. I love it too much. However, I do need to be motivated to find the time to make writing a priority. It is hard when you are a partner, mum, and working in a day job to justify time for yourself. But I'm working on building regular writing time into my daily life – even if it ends up being late at night. Hint: I joined the 500 Club at RWA, a group dedicated to writing just a little bit every day – if not 500 words, at least something – and I can safely say that helped me finish ETHAN and start PLATINUM.

Jen: Do you have a theme, object or person that appears in all of your stories?

Jennifer: I don't think so, in terms of any particular object or person. But theme? I would say no matter how erotic the romance gets, for me the emotion of the relationship must always be key. This applies in all my writing, from the very steamy menage M/M/F erotic romance of PLATINUM PASSION, to the less steamy sensual M/F story of EDUCATING ETHAN. Emotional connection between the characters – one that transcends the physical – is definitely a recurring theme.

Jen: Is there a genre you’d like to write? Is there a genre you’ll probably stay away from? Why?

Jennifer: I don't read a lot of horror. Or non fiction. So I probably wouldn't try writing in either of those areas, mainly because I don't think I'd do justice to a story like that. I love reading fantasy, paranormal, young adult, contemporary, suspense, historical… hmm, practically everything. I'd love to try writing historical erotic romance, but with the next two GODS OF LOVE novellas on the go, and an erotic fairy tale idea I'm developing, that may be a little way off yet.

Jen: What kind of research did you do for this book?

Jennifer: I did a bit of research into Greek mythology, looking at the Olympian gods and goddesses and how some of their stories/characters/personalities could be adapted to a contemporary setting. I found the erotes, a group of gods who are purported to be the children of Aphrodite, goddess of love and sexuality. Eros, the god of desire, was either their father or their brother, depending on which version of the myth you read. The idea that resonated best with me as an erotic writer, was the one in which the erotes are aspects of the one primal god, Eros. I love the idea that eros (desire) is too big to be personified in one being. So my single story, PLATINUM PASSION, has now become a series – albeit each novella stand-alone, but with the erotes as a common theme. So who are the erotes? Pothos –god of sexual yearning, Himeros – god of sexual desire and Anteros – god of requited/unrequited love.

Jen: Do you feel as if the characters live with you as you write? Do they haunt your dreams?

Jennifer: I think I become obsessed by my current story, and the characters at that time become so tangible in my head that, when I'm writing, they sometimes take me on a journey that isn't quite what I envisioned for them. But they are so strong and real to me that I (mostly) let them have their way! Then when that story is finished, and a new one starts brewing away, the new characters become stronger and take over that space in my head.

Jen: If PLATINUM PASSION was made into a movie, which actors would you cast as the main characters?

Jennifer: That's a hard one. Too many choices! Maybe David Duchovny as Jake (he has a mature yet sexually adventurous air that I love), and Charlize Theron as Jeannie (sexy and beautiful in a timeless way). For Pothos, I desperately want to say one of the gorgeous actors from my favorite TV series, True Blood, but how do you choose between the delectable actors who play Alcide, Eric or Bill? Ok, yep, I've chosen…Joe Manganiello for Pothos. Hope that casting will tempt you!

Jen: Who are some of your favorite authors and books? What are you reading now?

Jennifer: I have too many favorites to list them all here, but here's a few: Ilona Andrews (Kate Daniels series), Lisa Shearin (Raine Benares series), Moira Moore (Resenting the Hero series), Kelley Armstrong, Ian Rankin (Rebus series), Reginald Hill (Dalziel & Pascoe series), Karen Chance, Kalayna Price, Poison Study by Maria V. Snyder, Lord of the Rings trilogy, Charlaine Harris (Sookie, of course, and the Harper Connolly series), Carrie Vaughn (Kitty series)…my list could go on forever. I love reading! Right now, I'm reading Eragon by Christopher Paolini, and I'm about to try Lindsay Buroker's The Emperor's Edge.

Jen: What’s the most interesting comment you’ve received about your books?

Jennifer: After my first story came out in SECRETS VOLUME 28, I received an email from a reader who said she had read an interview with me and it had inspired her to try and fulfill her own dream of writing. Wow! That was very special, and something I will always cherish.

Jen: What’s next for you?

Jennifer: Right now I'm in the midst of writing APHRODITE CALLING (GODS OF LOVE #2). This one will be about Himeros, god of sexual desire. I'm also developing the idea for GODS OF LOVE #3, tentatively titled SEX CLUB SECRETS, about Anteros, the god of requited/unrequited love – he is proving a real handful of a character, let me tell you. I'm working on an erotic fairy tale idea as well. But my next release will be EDUCATING ETHAN, a sensual M/F romance that has a tentative release date of Feb 24th from publisher Breathless Press. Here's a really short blurb for EDUCATING ETHAN: When the much younger Ethan moves in to Ida's neighborhood, an innocent flirtation quickly becomes passionate. But who is educating who in this cougar encounter?

Jen: Where can you be found on the web?

Jennifer: You can find and friend me on the web at:

Website/blog | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Amazon

Jen: Is there anything you’d like to ask our readers?

Jennifer: What is most important to you in a romance? Is it the length of the story, the heat level, a closed or open bedroom door, the plot, the characterisation, the emotion? I find that even outside the romance genre, I'm still looking for a touch of romance in the story. I know what draws me to romance (the possibility of a HEA, being pulled right in when the chemistry is just plain sizzling) but what draws RTB readers to the romance genre? When does a romance book really work for you – and conversely, when doesn't it work?

Contest details:

The prize is a digital giveaway of one of Jennifer's titles – either PLATINUM PASSION, or if menage M/M/F isn't quite your thing, then PANDORA'S GIFT, which is also a paranormal contemporary romance, but a straight M/F love story.
The contest is open to everyone over the age of 18.
You must leave a meaningful comment for entry. This means your comment needs to be more than "please enter me in the contest".
A valid email address needs to be included in your comment. If you're worried about spam, please modify your address, such as admin.bookblog AT gmail.com. You can also send a message to this email after your comment has been posted.
While following the blog isn't required, it is appreciated.
The contest ends on Sunday, January 29.

Purchase Links

Amazon

Excerpt: Platinum Passion by Jennifer Lynne

2012-01-24T05:55:00.008-05:00

He leaned forward and warm breath tickled the hair near her ear. “Close those gorgeous blue eyes, little one.”

She did as requested, and a moment of dizziness assailed her before she felt fingertips graze her cheek. “Okay to look, now,” he said.

She did so, and gasped when she saw where they were standing. The long, sandy curve of beach near Port Douglas in north eastern Australia was straight out of her imagination. The air felt balmy against her skin, despite the fact that it was the last night of winter. It had been a cold, wet evening in Melbourne, but here, in the warmth of the tropics, her flannel nightie was instantly too much.

She stared wide-eyed at their suddenly exotic setting. The full moon bathed everything in a flattering silver-blue sheen. She bent down and grabbed a handful of sand, wanting to feel the reality of it, letting the still-warm grains leach out between her fingers. The texture in her hands and between her bare toes recalled the delicious memory of her wedding night, Jake’s firm hands caressing her body in eager anticipation, his weight pressing her down into the small sandy depression beneath the palm trees, as their kisses mingled and youthful passion made them forget they were still in a public place, however dark and deserted it might be.

It was the only time they had ever made love on the beach, the night they had both given up their virginity, and it had made her cry with joy afterwards. Jake, she remembered, had caught her tears on the tip of his tongue and then kissed her with salt-flavored tenderness.

“How?” she stuttered. “It’s two thousand miles from Melbourne! Where, I might add, it was freezing.”

He laughed. “The power of the gods is immense. Tonight, this country shifts from winter into spring. And the influence of the erotes is strongest at the changing of the seasons. I plucked this location from your place of yearning. It called to me, that yearning of yours.”

“The influence of the…erotes?” She stumbled over the unfamiliar word. “Just who the heck are you?”

He raised his head proudly. “I am Pothos,” he said, and it was as if the statement vibrated the air around them. All of a sudden he seemed taller, stronger and more otherworldly. He looked like a god of old, shimmering with power, the golden skin alight with moonbeams and his face a study in supremacy as he stared at her down his nose. She felt a frisson of fear touch her heart in tandem with the mounting desire.

If I touch him now, will I self-combust?

Like a moth with a death wish, she stretched out her fingers anyway, ran them over his chest that did indeed feel like satin, and felt the charge of an electrical current coursing through her veins.

Her lips parted and she let out a gasp.

Power. So much power.

But then he shook his head and grinned, and the momentary spell was broken. She dropped her hand and surreptitiously rubbed her still-tingling fingertips.

“I am the one who has been sent to fulfill your fantasies, Jeannie. Yours and Jake’s. This is the night your marriage gets back its passion. Twenty years. It is worth celebrating, and tonight will be my platinum anniversary present to you both.”

He stepped forward and swept her into his muscular embrace, then bent his head so that his lips were only a whisker away from hers. “So”—his breath heated her mouth—“are you ready to begin our celebration of passion?”

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Interview & Contest: Catherine Green

2012-01-23T06:00:00.051-05:00

Jen: Today we welcome debut author Catherine Green to Romancing the Book. Catherine, will you please share a short bio with us?

Catherine: I was raised on a diet of books, and my happiest memories are of school days spent in the local library on Saturday mornings, discovering the world beyond our human existence. I have finally realised my writing dream and have stories featured in both The Mirador Fantasmagoria by Mirador Publishing, and Devils, Demons and Werewolves by Bridgehouse Publishing. I live in Cheshire, England, with my husband, daughter, Staffydoodle dog, and two pet turtles. In my spare time I hunt ghosts and pursue my spiritual occult interests.

Jen: Tell us about Love Hurts and where it can be purchased.

Catherine: Love Hurts is an adult paranormal romance about a young woman who runs a bookshop in a Cornish seaside town with her best friend. She falls in love with a local police detective and later discovers that he is a vampire, and that his identical twin brother is a werewolf. She is dragged into their complicated and dangerous lives, to her detriment, where secrets are told and lives are lost...

It is available on Amazon.com, can be ordered from all UK booksellers, and is available both on the Mirador website, and on mine which is http://www.catherine-green.co.uk (there is also a free short story on my website).

Jen: At what age did you discover writing? When were you first published? Tell us your call story.

Catherine: I have always loved writing, and creative writing classes at school were always my favourite times. I wrote regular diaries during my teenage years, and still occasionally update them now, when I have time. I dabbled a little over the years, starting to writing something and then deleting it, but the basic story for Love Hurts was in my mind for around 10 years. I was first published in 2010 after entering a short story competition. My young adult vampire story The Teen Game was included in the Devils, Demons and Werewolves anthology by Bridgehouse Publishing. That spurred me on to send out my manuscript, write more short stories, and find more competitions to enter.

Jen: Are there any other writers, published or not, in your family?

Catherine: No. Most of my family are very proud to have a writer in their midst, and they all think I’m famous now, which is a big ego boost!

Jen: Describe your writing in three words.

Catherine: Passionate, believable, imaginative.

Jen: Do you have a writing routine?

Catherine: Sort of. I work around my baby daughter, so I generally write at night when she is in bed. Occasionally I can work during the day if she has a long nap, or plays happily with her toys. When I need to, I can devote up to 5 or 6 hours a day on my work, but it does take its toll on the household chores!

Jen: Do you struggle with deadlines? How do you deal with the pressure?

Catherine: Not really. I always plan a false deadline ahead of the real one, so that I have time to make last minute alterations if need be. I have been known to spend literally all day glued to the computer, but then I balance it by taking the dog out for a walk and enjoying some fresh air and exercise.

Jen: What is it about the romance genre that appeals to you?

Catherine: I look at my own life experiences with my relationships and those of my friends and family, and it fascinates me how much we are influenced by our emotions. It is everywhere in the media, and I like to look beyond the social boundaries that we were raised in. I wonder how different our lives would be if we had to deal with the situations that my characters experience, or how much we hold back on our own true nature because we adhere to the social norms.

Jen: Do you have a favorite character or one you most identify with?

Catherine: It has to be Jessica Stone, my heroine. She is basically a taller, slightly prettier version of me! That said, she is an orphan, whereas I come from a large, closely knit family, which is intriguing.

Jen: If Love Hurts was made into a movie, which actors would you cast as the main characters?

Catherine: Hmm, that’s a tough one. I would want British actors to make it more realistic, so I would be tempted to search for new talent, especially for the Mason brothers, who are identical twins and must remain so as it is central to the plot. I do have a male actor in mind for Jack Mason, so perhaps we could find a close match for his brother Danny…His name is Aidan Turner and he recently played a vampire in the BBC Three television series Being Human which I loved!

Jen: Who has inspired you as an author?

Catherine: Roald Dahl and Enid Blyton were my childhood favourites, and will always be a huge influence on my writing. They showed me that it is alright to be creative, to imagine new places, creatures and situations. More recently my author favourite is Laurell K Hamilton for her Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter series. I was also inspired by L J Smith when I first read her Nightworld series as a teenager, and then Anne Rice while I was a student.

Jen: What has been the highlight of your career to this point?

Catherine: Walking into a bookshop ready for a book signing event, and seeing a whole display full of my books, right in the middle of the store! That was a very special moment!

Jen: What’s next for you?

Catherine: I am currently editing the sequel to Love Hurts, and then I will get started on writing the third book in the series. I also have a spin-off novel entitled The Darkness of Love for which I will be seeking a publisher shortly, again once it is edited. This one is a Victorian vampire story, written in the third person, so it is slightly different to my Redcliffe novels. It features the vampire Marcus Scott, and tells his story.

Jen: Where can you be found on the web?
Catherine: Everywhere! Here are some links:
My author website: http://www.catherine-green.co.uk
My Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Catherine-Green-Author/254977714519206
My blog: http://www.catherinegreenauthor.blogspot.com
My Twitter page: http://twitter.com/#!/SpookyMrsGreen
I am also on Linked In, Authors.com, Goodreads and Shelfari.

Jen: Is there anything you’d like to ask our readers?

Catherine: Yes, how many of you are interested in British paranormal romance? I think we are a rare breed of authors, and I would love to meet some fans, wherever you are in the world!

Jen: I understand you have a contest for our readers.

Catherine: Yes, why not! I will offer 2 free copies of a Love Hurts eBook via PDF. All I need is for one person to post a message on my Facebook fan page and one person to Tweet me. Mention Romancing the Book (RtBBlog on Twitter), tell my why you want a copy. The book is strictly for those over 18, since it contains some graphic adult content and swearing, but all I need is someone with an email address. I'll chose the winners on January 27th.

Purchase Links

Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Interview & Contest: NM Singel

2012-01-21T06:00:00.053-05:00

Jen: Today we welcome NM Singel to Romancing the Book's YA Saturday. NM, at what age did you discover writing and when were you first published? Tell us your call story.

N.M: I’m an only child so writing has always been my escape into other worlds. But my “ah-ha” moment came in college. I studied theater and English at Purdue University. While rehearsing for a performance of Hot L Baltimore, the director asked us to write a short excerpt about our character. A two paragraph blub became a full-fledged short story with people wanting more. An acting professor once told the class to only be an actor if it was something you had to do…not something you wanted to do. I knew I had to write. Good advice because that’s the “it factor” that you need when times get tough…keeps your fingers on the keyboard.

Jen: How does your family feel about your career?

N.M: They’re very supportive. Writing is a career path that comes with many potholes. To have such a wonderful team behind me is a real luxury.

Jen: Describe your writing in three words.

N.M: Movie on a page. (okay , that’s four)

Jen: Do you have a writing routine?

N.M: I’m a morning writer so I get up early. Certainly the most creative part of the day for me. Afternoon is research time. It’s a great time to switch on the sponge part of my brain and absorb what I can.

Jen: What’s the most challenging aspect of writing? Easiest?

N.M: Challenging: Page one. That blank page is staring back, white, blank and saying, “go ahead…show me what ya got.” The story is racing around my head like a bull trying to get out of its pen. Now I have to wrangle that wild beast and put it some sort of order…always challenging.

Easiest: Last page. The beast has been tamed.

Jen: Do you have a favorite character or one you most identify with?

N.M: Blake. He’s more complex than even he knows. The result is a hero who’s a bit unorthodox…a quality I really like in a good guy.

Jen: What five authors or people, from the past or present, have been important to you as an author? What question or comment have you always wanted to say to them.

N.M: Only five? Wow. I think writers cobble together pieces from every corner of life. But I have a few that always seem to talk to me.

Shakespeare. Did you really write those plays? (Promise I won’t tell anyone.)
Hemmingway. Was it all that fishing or all that drinking that helped you write such great literature? Oh, wait, maybe I don’t want to know the answer to that one.
Twain. What’s with the white suit?
Mozart. Listen to this. It’s called Rock and Roll. What do you think?
Da Vinci. This is a computer, Mr. Da Vinci. Yikes, better not ask that question.

Jen: Most people only dream of becoming a published writer. Now that you’ve accomplished that goal is there anything else you dream of doing?

N.M: I’ve always been sort of an astronomy geek. The telescope, the star pointer, the whole celestial shabang is in a corner of my office. If I could dream of doing something amazing, I’d love to be a space tourist.

Jen: What do you do in your free time?

N.M: Home improvement or at least I think its improvement. I’ll watch HGTV and think, yeah, I can do that but then reality hits. There’s usually a glaring moment in the project when I understand why they’re the pros. That’s when I’m happy to get back to my writing.

Jen: I understand you have a trailer for The Wicked Passage.

N.M: Yes... here it is:

Jen: What’s next for you?

N.M: Book II : The Secret of the Sun

Jen: Where can you be found on the web?

N.M: www.NMSingel.com or www.thewickedpassage.com

Jen: Is there anything you’d like to ask our readers?

N.M: Do you prefer paper or plastic? I know diehard print book fans. They like the feel and smell of the pages. And I know others that don’t go anywhere without their e-readers. I suppose it’s a personal preference, but it’s a brave new world out there. Exciting to watch.

Contest details:

The prize is 3 advance paperback copies of The Wicked Passage.
The contest is open to everyone over the age of 15.
You must leave a meaningful comment for entry. This means your comment needs to be more than "please enter me in the contest".
A valid email address needs to be included in your comment. If you're worried about spam, please modify your address, such as admin.bookblog AT gmail.com. You can also send a message to this email after your comment has been posted.
While following the blog isn't required, it is appreciated.
The contest ends on Sunday, January 29.

Purchase Links

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Review: A Christmas to Remember by Debra St. John

2012-01-20T20:00:00.009-05:00

A Christmas to Remember by Debra St. John
Release Date: November 1, 2011
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press; Champagne Rose edition
Page Count: ebook 208 KB
Source: ebook provided by the publisher

Newly single, Heather Morgan gathers her courage and decides to take a Christmas ski vacation on her own. However, the festive holiday atmosphere reminds her how dispirited and alone she feels. When she meets a mysterious stranger, her lonely vacation takes an unexpected turn.

Sam is at the resort at the urging of his brother, who thinks he needs to get out and have a little fun. Having no desire to get involved with anyone, Sam needs a way to get his brother off his back. The intriguing Heather seems like the perfect solution to his dilemma, so he makes her an offer she can't refuse.

Sam restores the joy of the season to Heather. Their time together is magical, something she'll never forget. Soon her feelings for him deepen beyond their romantic holiday fling. But Sam has a secret, one that could prevent the fantasy from ever becoming real.

Review: This was a feel good story with a Christmas theme that held my interest from the beginning. After reading the prelude you knew good things were going to happen for Heather and the postlude clinched it. The words used to describe the mountains and the ski slopes were vivid enough to make you feel like you were there - feeling and hearing the snow crunch under the skis, seeing the glare on all the whiteness surrounding you and the crush of the crowds. Although not a skier I could also picture the feeling of skiing as if I were.

Watching the attraction Sam and Heather felt for each other grow was touching. Although a novella there was plenty of romantic story plus the happily ever after. The book was totally different from what I expected but it actually turned out to be so much more and I never could have predicted the ending. I have not read books by St John previously but will definitely look to read more in the future.

Favorite Quote: "You know." She gestured toward him. "A mysterious stranger asking me to dinner. Stuff like that only happens in romance novels. It's not something that happens in real life."
Not to her.

Purchase Links

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Review: Gifts Gone Astray by Linda Banche

2012-01-20T19:00:00.006-05:00

Gifts Gone Astray by Linda Banche
Published: June 29, 2011
Publisher: Wild Rose Press
Pages: 87 pages
Source: publisher

A gift is a wonderful surprise. Or maybe not.

At the Earl of Langley's family gathering, everyone receives a gift, including the servants. Tutor Stephen Fairfax expects a small token, but the present from family member Mrs. Anne Copley, the widow who has caught his eye, is a dream come true.

Until he opens it. What a gift! How did that demure lady acquire such a book? And she wants to "study" the positions in it with him? If he accepts her offer, tempting as it is, he could lose his job.

Anne has no idea why Mr. Fairfax is in such a flutter. Her present is a simple book of illustrations. The subject interests them both, and she would like nothing better than to examine the book—and Mr. Fairfax—more closely.

Review: I found this short story pleasant. It kept you reading to find out what would happen but, it seemed to be missing something for me.

It was an easy read that you can easily sit down with a cup of coffee or tea and read in a very short time.

The story takes place in Cheshire, England in July of 1817. The Gage family is having their summer celebration and widower, Mrs. Anne Copely has arranged the presents for all invited. Two of the younger boys have taken and switched name tags on the gifts and Anne had to redo them. She finds that a couple is missing and hopes that they are going to go to the right people.

Mr. Stephen Fairfax is the current tutor for Lord Langley’s unruly son. Stephen having seen Anne a few months prior when she first arrived with her brother took a fancy to her right from the start.

Anne has also had a connection to Stephen. These two want so much to be together as they have things in common. Anne decides to send a gift of a book from her late husband’s extensive library. The book Anne sends ends up being the wrong one and Stephen thinks that this demure widow that he likes allot is maybe not what she seems at all.

Good intention’s go awry when two mischievous boys mess with the gifts. Will things work out for Anne and Stephen?

Ms. Banche, has a good story here and one that is enjoyable. I found that it seemed kind of hurried and left some questions unanswered. There are some characters that where in the story but seemed to be just that characters. I had a hard time feeling the depth of the characters in the story. But, overall a good light read.

Purchase Links

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Review: Home Ice by Kate Sherwood

2012-01-20T18:00:00.002-05:00

Home Ice by Kate Sherwood
Release Date: November 11, 2011
Publisher: Ellora’s Cave
Page Count: 184
Source: eBook from publisher

When they were young men playing on the same hockey team, the heat between Jason and Mike had been almost enough to melt the ice they were skating on. But Mike went off to be a star in the NHL and Jason stayed behind to start his life as the dedicated, deeply closeted coach of the town’s junior hockey team.

Now Mike is back in town and Jason finds that their passion burns as hot as ever. But they’re both still in the closet, and when Jason is threatened with exposure, he freezes. The flames of desire can’t melt Jason’s fears but maybe, just maybe, the warmth of love will thaw the ice.

Review: I picked this book because I love hockey, I love m/m romance stories, and I had never read Kate Sherwood before. More’s the pity. Sherwood has proven superb in bringing out the edginess of male/male love in a he-man world of sports and the narrow-mindedness some people possess.

The story is told from Jason’s viewpoint and I would have liked to hear from Mike as well. However, this story is mainly Jason’s – from the risk of exposure to the empathy he provides for one of his team members. I can easily envision a longer novel with the addition of Mike’s story in his fear of being found “out” and his feelings regarding Jason.

The sex was right on erotic, especially when Mike and Jason get it on in a whirlpool tub. But at the same time it is loving and tender. Just the simple act of pushing back hair or playing with the hair on a leg brings forth those emotions we women tend to get – what I call “The Awww Factor”.

I think my favorite scene would be where all the kids on the hockey team show up at Jason’s front door, regardless of what their parents, the team owners, or anyone else may think. The section brought tears to my eyes and I’m going to making “Head, head, heart” part of my daily mantra.

Favorite Quote: “Jase?” Mike almost whispered. “I bought too much Chinese on purpose. I bought too much last night too. And the night before. My fridge is full of little tinfoil pie plates…

Purchase Links

Amazon