Book Junkie

COOKING UP LOVE by Candace Shaw

2012-05-29T11:32:00.001-04:00

I would like to welcome author Candace Shaw today to celebrate her self-published debut novel, COOKINGUP LOVE! This is a witting and saucy romance that was released on May 24^th! I am thrilled to be apart of her tour today.

Could you start things off by telling us a little about your release Cooking Up Love, book 1 in the Arrington Family Series (that isn’t on the back of the bookcover) ?

Cooking Up Love is a fun, flirty and sexy African-American contemporary romance novel set in Memphis, Tennessee. The heroine, Shelbi Arrington, is a food critic with The Memphis Tribune. She accepted the position in order to bury her medical career even though she is expected to start her residency and then join her parents and siblings at the family’s private medical practice. But because of something that happened during her internship in medical school, she’s reluctant to begin. She meets chef Justin Richardson on the trolley one afternoon and is completely taken by the handsome man. Justin isn’t exactly fond of doctors, especially the one who couldn’t save his mother during surgery when Justin was only twelve years old.

How did you come up with the plot for Cooking Up Love?

My husband and I were visiting his family in Memphis. We stayed downtown in his cousin’s loft, rode the trolley, went to Beale Street to listen to the blues and ate delicious barbecue. I loved the atmosphere of downtown and wanted to incorporate it into a book. We went to Memphis in May, a barbecue and blues festival and I got the idea to make Shelbi a food critic from a renowned family of doctors and Justin, a chef who doesn’t care for doctors because of how his mother died.

Was it easy to decide what challenges to throw at Shelbi and Justin?
Yes. Once I started writing the book, the words and ideas started to flow and weave together.

What was the biggest setback in writing a series?

Not sure about it being a setback but just making sure that how I describe a character, such as eye color, hair color, etc. or giving them a certain personality in one book, that I make sure those things do not change in the books to follow.

Do you have any other projects you are working on?

Yes. I’m currently working on the second book in the Arrington Family Series. It’s about Shelbi’s older sister, Dr. Bria Arrington, who’s an allergist at the family’s private medical practice. She wants to incorporate naturopathic medicine with traditional medicine for her patients but her father, the head of the practice, is totally against it. She also tired of being celibate and is hoping her friend, ex basketball player and entrepreneur, Rasheed Vincent can break it. It’s titled The Game of Seduction and will be out the fall of 2012. I’m also rewriting the first book in another series, the Chase family, who are the cousins to the Arrington family. The first book follows interior decorator, Megan Chase who is happily single yet her family feels she should settle down. Her friend, Congressman Steven Monroe, a self-proclaimed bachelor, is running for the US Senate. His team wants him to date one woman during the campaign. This book is titled The Perfect Candidate for Love.

Are you a full time writer or do you have a day job? If yes, How do you divide your time?

I write full time.

Do you have any questions you would like to ask the readers?

Yes. There are a quite a few scenes (like the excerpt below) where Justin and Shelbi are cooking southern dishes. Readers, tell me your favorite southern dish for a chance to be entered in my first virtual blog tour giveaway. Mine is shrimp and grits.

................................ Thank you so much for having me on your blog today.

EXCERPT

He studied Shelbi as she took a bite of the shrimp and grits. Her eyes closed while she moaned, and he imagined her doing the same underneath him with her smooth legs wrapped around his waist.

“Justin, I’ve had shrimp and grits before, but never quite like this,” she said, then took another bite. “I don’t want the bowl to ever be empty. It’s better than mine.”

“I’m glad you’re enjoying yourself.” He pushed his plate aside and rested his hands in a crossed position on the table.

She sampled another dish as her eyes fluttered shut again. Her sweet, sensual moans turned him on in ways he couldn’t even explain. If he weren’t in a professional setting, he would’ve pushed the table out of the way and pulled her to him to settle her on his lap and devour her kissable lips.

Her sculpted face, a little beauty mark on her right cheek, and her pouty mouth partaking of the food he’d prepared especially for her, made him want to stare at her all day. She was sexy in skinny jeans that fit her curvy hips like a glove, and a yellow blouse enhanced her perky, rounded breasts, which rose and fell while she oohed and aahed over the meal. When she licked her finger after eating a shrimp, the bear rose in his boxer shorts and pointed directly at the sweet honey pot in front of him. Justin took a long gulp of his water to cool down the erection interrupting his business meeting.

Her sultry voice filled his ears like sexy jazz as she continued to compliment him on the meal.

“This is so good.” She glanced at the plate he had pushed aside. “Why aren’t you eating?” She took a swig of her water before continuing. “You didn’t poison it, did you?” she asked with a laugh.

“No, baby. I sample as I cook. Besides, I enjoy watching you eat.”

“Well, you definitely can cook. I see why your restaurant is so successful.” She dabbed her mouth with her napkin and stood to retrieve her laptop from his desk. “I do have a few more questions.”

Her hips rocked back and forth in the jeans, and he almost poured his ice water over his head to cool down the burning desire to kiss more than just her hand.

BUY LINKS:

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Cooking-Arrington-Family-Series-ebook/dp/B007ZDDNE0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1336141111&sr=8-1

Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/cooking-up-love-candace-shaw/1110563536?ean=2940014478809

All Romance eBooks: http://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-cookinguplove-789351-149.html

WAYS TO CONTACT CANDACE SHAW

Email:Candace.Shaw@aol.com

Website: http://candaceshaw.net

Twitter: twitter.com/Candace_Shaw

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Fanpage-of-Author-Candace-Shaw/278432475555023

***GIVEAWAY***

One tour follower will win a $10.00 Starbucks gift card. Follow the tour and leave a comment at each stop to give you more chances to win. Plus, if you are a subscriber on my blog, (http://candaceshaw.net) you’ll have an extra entry. The winner will be selected on Random.org and I’ll announce the winner on June 1^st on my blog. All entries must be in by 11:59 PM on May 31^st. Blog tour schedule: http://candaceshaw.net/blog-tour-schedule/

Excerpt Scavenger Hunt Blog Tour with bestselling author Diane Chamberlain!

2012-05-19T08:00:00.000-04:00

Hello and a huge Welcome to author Diane Chamberlain on her tour stop here at Book Junkie to get out the word of her latest book released from Mira Publishing, THE GOOD FATHER. This tour is celebrating her latest book, THE GOOD FATHER, which released April 24^th. The Tour will be running from April 24^thrunning to May 31^st, and concluding with an exclusive LIVEchat featuring Diane on May 31^st at 3 pm ET on BookTrib.com!

USING PERSONAL STORIES IN WRITING: DO OR DON’T?.... Diane Chamberlain

Every writer has to decide for herself how autobiographical to make a novel. First novels often tend to be the most autobiographical because those personal stories are itching to be told. But what will the author write about for book two? Or three? Or twenty? I discovered early on that writing from personal experience didn’t serve me well. First, as thrilling as my personal stories were to me, I doubted they’d be that exciting to my readers---unless I told the really juicy ones, and I wasn’t going there! Second, personal stories rarely involve only one person, and I would never be comfortable writing about other “real people” in one of my books.

Even worse than using my own experience is using someone else’s. When I was a new writer, I also had a private psychotherapy practice. I decided not to tell any of my clients about my fledgling second career, not wanting them to worry I might use something they told me in confidence. However, after an article about me appeared in the local paper, I knew I had to come clean. I told every potential client that I was a fiction writer but would never use something I heard in my office in my writing. Then I allowed them to make the decision whether to work with me or not. Despite hearing some very intriguing/moving/amazing stories, I kept that promise.

What I do incorporate into my books, though, is what I’ve learned about people in general from my work as a social worker. For example, many of my books have a strong medical element in them influenced by my years as a hospital social worker, when I had the privilege of witnessing people at their most vulnerable, their most courageous, their most human. Although I never use specific people or situations in my novels, what I learned from working with people influences everything I write.

“A beloved daughter. A devastating choice. And now there's no going back.
Four years ago, nineteen-year-old Travis Brown made a choice: to raise his newborn daughter on his own. While most of his friends were out partying and meeting girls, Travis was at home, changing diapers and worrying about keeping food on the table. But he's never regretted his decision. Bella is the light of his life. The reason behind every move he makes. And so far, she is fed. Cared for. Safe.
But when Travis loses his construction job and his home, the security he's worked so hard to create for Bella begins to crumble….
Then a miracle. A job in Raleigh has the power to turn their fortunes around. It has to. But when Travis arrives in Raleigh, there is no job, only an offer to participate in a onetime criminal act that promises quick money and no repercussions.
With nowhere else to turn, Travis must make another choice for his daughter's sake.
Even if it means he might lose her.”

EXCERPT:

"Sorry!" I grabbed a handful of napkins from the holder on the counter and started to mop up.

"No problem," said Nando, the barista who waited on me every morning. He called to a girl in the back who came out and cleaned up my mess while he got me another cup of water.

***GIVEAWAY***

To continue with the scavenger hunt please hop on over to http://bit.ly/I56ozq and check out the next excerpt!!!

Please join Diane on Tour @ her invitation for the LIVE chat with Diane

ISBN: 9780778313465

Buy the Book: Amazon , Barnes & Noble, IndieBound, Books-A-Million

BURNING EMERALD by Jaime Reed

2012-05-16T08:00:00.000-04:00

BURNING EMERALD, Book 2 of The Cambion Chronicles by author Jaime Reed is a standalone winner if you haven’t read book 1, LIVING VIOLET. Not to mention an incredible addition to an already captivating series. For one the author keeps you on your toes every step of the way, which only adds to the all inclusive excitement of the book and the complete captivation of the reader.

In the second addition we continue with Sam and Caleb and their romance. Although it is light on the romance it is appropriate on all levels it is not what carries the storyline. That would be the suspense for me, it is what kept the pages turning. Possessed by a demon, teen drama and a wonderfully delightful spin on a new dimension of paranormal, the challenges that arise for Sam and Caleb will test all that Sam knows. At times I didn’t think she had the character within herself to make it through. But she battled and fought through to become the shining star of the whole book for me. I was looking for her spark, and Sam delivered in spades. With a wickedly amusing supporting cast I really love book 2 in The Cambion Chronicles and can’t wait for book 3!

“Dating the most popular guy in school is every girl's fantasy. But to Samara Marshall, he's a dangerous force come to rekindle their tangled past. Only it's not her past...

Samara faces a challenging senior year. Controlling her inner demon is a struggle, even with help from her Cambion boyfriend, Caleb. But her life takes a turn for the worse when the hottest jock in school begins pursuing her—especially since Malik's anything but what he seems. They share a connection from a forgotten past—a secret that could destroy her and Caleb.

As the attraction becomes harder to resist, Samara is now at the mercy of the demon within her. To break free, Sam must fight a battle where she is the enemy and the prize...and victory will come at a deadly price.”

ISBN-13: 9780758269256

Publisher: Kensington Publishing Corporation

Publication date: 6/1/2012

Pages: 304

Sales rank: 1,066,990

Series:Cambion Chronicles Series , #2

***GIVEAWAY***

Jaime is having a giveaway on her GOODREADS blog (ends May 24^th), a chance to win a copy of BURNING EMERALD as well as your chance to win here!!

MUST be a follower or become one

MUST leave e-mail

MUST answer question: What is your all time favorite YA Paranormal book?

Ends May 25th

Guest Author and Giveaway with Melissa Bourbon Ramirez

2012-05-10T08:00:00.000-04:00

Today I would like to welcome author Melissa Bourbon Ramirez to Book Junkie! She is here to celebrate her latest release in her Lola Cruz Mystery, BARE NAKED LOLA!

Thank you for having me today! It’s so exciting to see Bare-Naked Lola on bookshelves!

Could you start things off by telling us a little about your release Bare-Naked Lola (A Lola Cruz Mystery)?

Love to! Lola Cruz paid her dues as an intern with Camacho and Associates, a private eye firm, and now she’s a full-fledged detective. Her boss is Manny Camacho, a muycaliente former cop with a mysterious ex-wife, a Lara Croft look-alike girlfriend, and a personal interest in Lola. But Lola’s also been reunited with the gorgeous Jack Callaghan, her high school crush whom she shamelessly tailed years ago and photographed doing the horizontal salsa with some other lucky girl.

And now, with her latest case taking her to a nudist resort to investigate, she (and Jack) want to know just how far Lola is willing to go for her job.

How did you come up with the plot for Bare-Naked Lola?
I pull some of the plot straight from the headlines, and other elements from life around me. I had a friend who was a dancer for the Sacramento Kings. That sparked the idea for Lola going undercover.

And I lived near a nudist resort—the same one where the Yosemite killer hid and was arrested. This sparked the idea of taking the crime to this awesome setting. It was such a fun book to write.

Research. Lots of research.

Was it easy to decide what challenges to throw at Lola ?

Lola’s capers, which usually involve either Reilly Fuller or Lucy, her cousin-in-law. They are like Lucy and Ethel. Imagine a non-nudist ducking behind bushes and trying everything not to get naked at a nudist resort! It was fun to come up with the challenges!

What was the biggest setback in writing a series?

Keeping it fresh! Lola and Jack are meant to be together, but so many people love Manny and there is some chemistry there, so seeing their relationships evolve keeps it interesting.

Do you have any other projects you are working on?

Oh yes! I am super busy writing. I have another cozy mystery series with NAL called the Magical Dressmaking Series (http://misaramirez.com/misas-books/a-magical-dressmaking-mystery-series/). Book 3 comes out in October (book 2 came out in February). I also have a romantic suspense coming out in June, and a light paranormal romance in August. This has been a huge writing year for me!

Are you a full time writer or do you have a day job? If yes, How do you divide your time?

I write full time. And I work at Entangled Publishing as the Marketing Director full time. Plus I’m a mom of 5. Lots of balls in the air. Balancing my time is tough, but I do manage it somehow!

If you could live during any period in time, what would that be and who would you be?

Fun question! I’m curious about the future, and hopeful that it will be amazing, so I’d probably leap ahead to the future a hundred years, or so, and meet my descendants.

Do you have any questions you would like to ask the readers?

I do! Thanks for the opportunity. I want to know how you feel about a couple once they do the deed, and how you like to see a relationship develop and how it stays fresh for you at that point.

I’m dying to know!

"Going undercover is second nature for Private Investigator Lola Cruz, but she’s out of her league when the case of a murdered Royals Courtside Dancer leads her to a local nudist resort. Parading around the sidelines of Sacramento’s professional basketball scene in a barely-there cheerleading outfit is one thing—but parading around in nothing but smile? If she has any chance of hiding this from her traditional family and on-again/off-again boyfriend Jack, she’s going to have a lot more than her duct tape bra and killer dance moves to keep under wraps…."

REVIEW:

Fun and spunkie, Lola is at it again in this witty mystery from Melissa Ramirez! P.I Lola Cruz is a force to be reckoned with, that woman is pure spitfire so you better prepare yourself for one hell of a fun ride! She is back, she is loud and crazy and outrageously funny you will find yourself flipping the pages until you can’t believe you have finished the book!

It is hard to find a great combination of mystery, good suspense and humor. Not only that, but she is a seriously smart cookie. There is no fooling this gal! A great stand alone book it will only want you to catch up and read the other books in the series. A can’t miss, especially for a wonderful summer read. Everyone will look at you crazy like as you laugh out loud! Not to mention a strong supporting cast that helps complete the storyline into one cohesive mystery that you will surely enjoy!

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13396588-bare-naked-lola-a-lola-cruz-mystery

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Bare-Naked-Lola-Melissa-Bourbon-Ramirez/dp/1620610043/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1331054287&sr=1-1

Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/bare-naked-lola-melissa-bourbon-ramirez/1108785655?ean=9781620610046&r=1&cm_mmc=AFFILIATES-_-Linkshare-_-GwEz7vxblVU-_-10%3a1&

Connect with Melissa

Website lFacebook l Twitter l Goodreads

***GIVEAWAY***

With many thanks to Entangled Publishing they are offering up an eBook copy of Bare Naked Lola to my readers as a giveaway, open internationally!!!

MUST BE A FOLLOWER OR BECOME ONE

MUST LEAVE E-MAIL (to contact winner)

MUST ANSWER MISA’S QUESTIONS ABOVE!!!

Ends May 18^th

Character Interview & eBook Giveaway of TRYING TO SCORE by Toni Aleo

2012-05-02T08:00:00.000-04:00

Hello, first and foremost I would like to thank one of my newest favorite authors to Book Junkie today,none other than Toni Aleo!

Toni is back and back strong with book #2 in the Assassins series, TRYING TO SCORE! Book two is even more exciting as it delves into the lives of Assassin's superstar and local hottie Lucas Brooks! I am thrilled to have a very special guest appearance by the sexy hockey player himself and the love of his life Fallon Parker! So let's get to all the juicy questions!

Welcome Lucas and Fallon! First I am dying to know one from both of you, what do you think is the sexiest thing about each other? Come on now, no holds bard! We want the skinny.

Fallon laughs as Lucas looks over at her with a smirk.
Lucas: Her lips. They can honestly, destroy me.

Fallon: destroy you? Jeez, how can I top that? OH! Let me ask you, Brande, have you seen that gun tattoo on his stomach?

Fallon, what would you be doing if you weren't at the top of your game working for your family's wine company?

Fallon: I have no clue. I have always wanted to be where I am with my family's company. Having my new wine cellar, thanks to my amazing fiance, has taken me away from the company a little but not much. I have a nice balance right now.

Lucas laughs before saying: if she wasn't such a workaholic, she would be a great stay at home hockey mom!

Fallon: I am the best hockey mom and fiance, thank you!

Lucas: Yes, yes you are baby girl.

Do you think it would have changed who you became all those years away from Lucas?

Fallon nodded: I think that if I didn't have the company to distract me from missing him, I would have probably been worst than I was. I know that I was a crazy bitch to him, but I was scared, and hurt. I didn't want to be that girl that left him, I wanted to be strong and successful. I think I needed that time away from him, we were so in love, so infatuated with each other. I'm pretty sure that I wouldn't have followed my dreams. More like follow him and his career. Even though it broke both of us being apart for so long, I think we grew and now, we will never be apart.

Lucas: Damn right.

Lucas & Fallon: Is Aiden excited with the prospect of a new brother or sister down the line?

Both laughs, Fallon: Yes, very much so!

Lucas: He asks us to go get one at the store every day it seems.

Fallon giggles: he is a nut, just like his daddy. We aren't even going to that store for at least another year or so. With the cellar and my job, and Lucas' hockey and now Aiden, we are so busy. A baby is so much work.

Lucas: We'll see about that.

Fallon: Okay, Shea Jr. Are you going to stay home with the baby? Quit hockey?

Lucas: Well no.

Fallon: Okay then, we'll go with my time frame then.

Lucas laughs: Again, we'll see about that.
Fallon glares.

Lucas and Fallon: If Aiden decided to become a professional Hockey Player would you support his dream knowing what you both have gone through?

Fallon shrugs her shoulder before looking over at Lucas. Lucas looks over at her and smiles: Yes, we will support whatever he wants. We will warn him about what we went through with the distance, the drugs, the alcohol, but if his dream is to be the best forward in the league, then he'll do it. He's a very driven boy, I have no clue who he gets it from.
Fallon laughs as Lucas continues to smile.

Lucas: With all the support that Levi has offered you through the years has it been a little awkward that he is dating your fiancé's sister Audrey? After all there has been some heated and serious moments.

Lucas runs his hand over his mouth as Fallon tenses up beside him: Levi and I aren't who we used to be. I drifted away, while he stayed where we used to be. I've basically had to put them out of my mind because its hard. I don't want Audrey to get hurt and I know Levi will hurt her, but she wont listen. What am I supposed to do?

Fallon: The thing is, Audrey wants to be in love. She'll take whatever abuse that comes her way as long as she thinks there is love there. Its crazy and it drives me mad, but its who she is. She has always been like that. She has yet to be with a decent loving man, and all I can do is pray and hope she dumps this idiot and finds a decent good man.

Fallon: Audrey really helped you bring to the surface your real feelings about Lucas and realization that you were sometimes you own worst enemy. In saying that, do you see yourself having to step in front of Audrey and bring her to the same realization about Levi. But that he needs to hit the road?

Fallon takes in a deep breath: Us Parker girls are hard headed. (She laughs as Lucas nods) Audrey is the best woman I know. She is strong, she is beautiful, she is amazing. She has this way about her that just makes you smile, even when you know things are horrible for her, you wouldn't be able to tell by the way she smiles and acts. She is magnificent. That being said, she helped me get over my fears of Lucas hurting me, but no matter what I say she will think that Levi is the one for her. When she loves, she loves hard. Because she wants the other person to love her back. Its sad and it breaks my heart, but she has done it for so long that I don't know what to do. All I can do is sit back and pray to God that he leaves her and that it doesn't break her, because there is a prince out there to make her happily ever after. I just hope he comes quick before she has a psychotic break or something.

Lucas: If she does, we'll be there, but I do know this, though. Levi puts his hands on her, he will die.

Fallon nods: I think they both know that.

Review:

To me some of the saddest love stories are those of love and loss. Now really, if you think about it loss comes in so many forms when it comes to any relationship. Loss of the love that once was so powerful and strong, the loss of friendship and the emotional connection that is so craved and wanted, the loss of trust. I could go on, but you get my drift right?

With the second installment in the insanely talented Toni Aleo series is TRYING TO SCORE which means you are in for one hell of a bumpy ride. Now isn’t life a roller coaster in and of itself, this is with no exception when it comes to Fallon and Lucas. Young love never shined so bright as with those two, but it was not meant to be. Fallon decides to keep her pregnancy a secret and raise the baby on her own. She will be damned it she isn’t going to make something of herself and secure a life for herself and her new little boy. With the help of her sister Audrey, she does just that.

Audrey is an important player as well in Trying To Score that can’t be overlooked. Hell she is like a firecracker from the moment she opens her mouth that one! But her story starts here as well and will continue in book 3 in the series, EMPTY NET.

Well, we all know that we can’t bury our past, no matter how hard we try, as the years go by Fallon and Lucas’ paths cross once again as Fallon is trying to land an account between the Assassins and her family’s wine company. She is fierce, she is strong and she is determined to capture this account. Not to mention to prove to her father that she deserves to be where she is and more within the company. Oh and a fantastic mom, who wants nothing more than to be that rock for her son Aiden. Thing is that she still longs for the love that Lucas once shared with her. Fallon is bitter and hurt to the core about their split and the fact that Lucas never fought for her, for them!

Lucas has done a 180 in his life, no more parties and booze for this athlete, with the help of his best pal in the world Levi he has made a huge and clean recovery and now with the trade to the Assassins he is out to prove that he is worth every pretty penny they are paying him. Respect with a new team isn’t free and he knows that he will have to show up his game if he is to earn that respect with his players. Then in walks Fallon, literally and physically back into his life. He will be damned if she is going to let this woman go a second time. But, Fallon is about to drop a bomb on him in the form of a son, and Lucas will be damned if he isn’t going to be the best damn dad this kid deserves.

The sparks fly with Fallon and Lucas, and not always the hot and steamy ones you would think. Fallon is one hell of a tough cookie, and although I didn’t always agree with her decisions I haven’t walked in her shoes. She is hurt and her heart is bruised when it comes to Lucas. But all in all she deserves to give the new Lucas a second chance to prove that he now who he says he is. Yes, Fallon was defiant at first, but it take a while to chip away at all that resentment and ice around her heart to get to the core of her problem, hash it out. Oh, when they get the BS and the past out of the way, boy do these two light the pages on fire. While every flame fizzles, these toe know just how to keep the spark going. Tough times are ahead for them as Fallon is confronted by her ever present sister, a support system, Audrey is Fallon’s rock when no one else was around. But she has had enough of Fallon’s attitude towards Lucas and makes her realized he has in fact changed his life around.

You want hot, you want passion, you want drama, well then this is your book! Toni is able to really capture the heart of her characters, not to mention the supporting cast that will really knock your socks off. You can read this story of Fallon and Lucas in TRYING TO SCORE as a individual book, but you will want to go back and read book one, TAKING SHOTS once you finish! Not to mention that she is currently writing away book 3, EMPTY NET! One thing Toni does is make you feel like you are part of the story. I almost felt as though I was an intruder or voyeur looking in the window’s on Fallon and Lucas’ life. And that is one of the most dynamic things any author can do is create a character I would do desperately love to be friends with, they are really just that special.

Fallon Parker’s dream was to have her families’ wine company at the top of all wine magazines and to have a cellar of her own. After graduating from college, she has worked hard to make that dream a reality, even if that meant having a nonexistent love life. She had her chance at love and that was a bust, so she put everything into the wine company. After becoming the official sponsor of the Nashville Assassins, Fallon finally feels like everything is falling in place, that is until Lucas Brooks comes back into her life.

Lucas Brooks hates his life. He is lonely, he is sober, and he is angry. On the ice, when he’s not in the sin bin, he the leading scorer in the NHL but off the ice, he is a mess. He threw away the most important person in his life, and has regretted it ever since but when Lucas sees Fallon again after being traded to the Assassins; he is bound and determined to get her back. Even if she wants nothing to do with him.

The sexual tension between Fallon and Lucas is electrifying as Lucas tries to convince Fallon that he is a change man. Fallon tries to resist Lucas, but it is so hard when all her body wants is his. But when Lucas finds out that Fallon has been keeping a huge secret from him, the game he is playing stops and penalties are called.

With new rules and new players on the ice, will Fallon and Lucas be able to work out their differences and work as a team or will they be left trying to score alone.

Toni Aleo

Author of the Assassins series.

http://tonialeo.com/

Facebook: Facebook.com/tonialeo1

Twitter: tonilovesweber6

***GIVEAWAY***

eBook Giveaway of TRYING TO SCORE.

* leave comment on this post to enter!
Ends May 05!!!
MUST leave e-mail and be a follower or become one!!
Open to ALL!!

Make sure to stop at all of Toni's Tour stops and enter the giveaways! DO NOT FORGET to come back here on May 5th for the BIG FINAL STOP!!! Also, Toni is running a contest on her blog:"How would you like to win a 20$ giftcard to Amazon or B&N?
Here's how:
Comment below and let me know where you go and what you thought! If you comment everyday thats 5 chances that you get towards the giftcard! GOOD LUCK! " .......Toni

PERFECT STORM by Lori Foster

2012-04-30T08:00:00.000-04:00

Today we have an exclusive excerpt and a Q&A from Lori Foster. Her final novel in the Men Who Walk the Edge of Honor series, A PERFECT STORM. The book released this April 2012 from HQN Books! Please make sure you follow along in the scavenger hunt, which ends May 5^th, so hurry up!

Be sure to check out the link to the next blog in the scavenger hunt. That way you can follow along on the blog tour. Click hereto find a complete list of participating blogs.

Q&A:

Is there a specific element in your writing that you find most challenging?

Research. I’m a small town Podunk, with limited life experience. Just about anything I write, I have to research. It’s a bother.

Which author inspires you most?

I started writing out of a love of Linda Howard, Catherine Coulter, Johanna Lindsey, Julie Garwood, Jayne Ann Krentz... They all inspire me!

In every book of this series, there are animals who are rescues: why do you make animal rescue a priority in your writing?

It’s a priority in my life! I LOVE animals and I don’t trust anyone who doesn’t like them. I DETEST anyone who is ever cruel or even negligent to animals. Currently we have 1 little dog, 4 indoor cats, and numerous feral cats that we’ve caught and taken to the vets to spayed or neutered, given their shots, and then released again. They “hang out.” They come to the porch to eat, but they won’t come in. I’ve tried.

What do you draw from to write some of the more salacious parts of your novels?

Well, I’m a Podunk, but I haven’t lived in a convent. I see television, I see life, I observe. And I have to admit, I’ve been happily married for a very long time. So... yeah.

Do you think that romances with dangerous elements are more fun to write?

I love writing romances with kick-ass characters. Whether there is real danger or not, I want to know that a character can handle him/herself. Alpha dudes are my favorites. I sort of like the woman-in-distress, guy to rescue theme. But I also enjoy the broken wing hero (emotionally hurt) who needs a strong woman to break past his barriers. Fun, fun.

All of it is fun! Writing is a blast. It’s almost a crime that I get paid to do something I enjoy so very much.

Excerpt

She was making mincemeat out of him. He had to take control. “I don’t want you anywhere near anything dangerous, especially by yourself.”

“Yeah, but see, you aren’t my daddy, aren’t my boyfriend, and you sure as hell aren’t anything in-between. So if you don’t want to help, then it’s none of your damn business.”

What did she consider in-between? “I want to make a bet with you.”

Her interest perked up. “You do? About what?”

Already knowing it wouldn’t go over well, Spencer braced himself. “I bet you can’t go a month without cursing.”

Her chin tucked in, and her brows came down. “What does that have to do with anything?”

***GIVEAWAY***

Scavenger Hunt: Follow the Tour by checking out : BookTrib Tour link http://booktrib.com/blog-tour-a-perfect-storm-by-lori-foster/.

Please note that I have posted the excerpt for the Tour for you to keep up with the scavenger hunt

A PERFECT STORM

New York timesBESTSELLING AUTHOR LORI FOSTER

KNOWS SOMETIMES you have to walk the edge of honor

Lori Foster

Two strangers risk their lives for retribution inNew York Times and USA TODAYbestselling author Lori Foster’s intense, edgy and scorching A PERFECT STORM(HQN Books; April 2012; $7.99 U.S./$9.99 CAN.). Spencer Lark and Arizona Storm are thrown together as partners in revenge for the fourth and final book of the Men Who Walk the Edge of Honor series. Following in the footsteps of WHEN YOU DARE, TRACE OF FEVER and SAVOR THE DANGER, A PERFECT STORM features the smoldering mercenaries who will do anything to protect the innocent–especially when those innocent are the women they love.

Spencer Lark already knows too many secrets about Arizona Storm, including her kidnapping by human traffickers, her harrowing escape and the painful memories she carries from her past. In order to expose a despicable ring of human traffickers—and continue his mission of revenge for his wife’s death—the bounty hunter reluctantly agrees to partner with Arizona on her latest operation. He quickly realizes no amount of training has equipped him to handle her hypnotic blend of fragility and bravery, or for the protective instincts she stirs in him.

Arizona has made it her mission to use herself as bait in an attempt to bring down trafficking rings. It’s a dangerous game for an amateur, even more so with a professional partner as distracting and appealing as Spencer. But as their plan—and their chemistry—shift into high gear, Arizona discovers there’s an even greater risk in surrendering her heart to a hero....

A Perfect Storm is available wherever books are sold, or through www.HQNbooks.com.

A PERFECT STORM

Lori Foster

HQN Books; April 2012

448 pages; $7.99 U.S./$9.99 CAN. ISBN-13: 978-0-373-77656-6
www.LoriFoster.com

You can visit Lori around the web here: Website | Twitter| Facebook| iTunes App

My Sweet Cherry Rose by Empress LeBlacque

2012-04-26T20:48:00.004-04:00

I just finished a quick erotic romance by author Empress LeBlacque called MY SWEET CHERRY ROSE and I have to say it left me a bit confused. At first in starting the first few pages I was very intrigued, I just couldn't read fast enough as Cherry reached this frighteningly, hairs on the back of your neck, scary town. All because the silly girl couldn't fill her gas tank before she was running on empty.

From the moment that she pulls off the freeway, the thriller part of the book starts to happen. What my first problem was that I honestly think that the story of why she was so damaged prior to this trip to Georgia needed to be in further detail. At only 32 pages I wanted the characters to be more developed. The storyline potential was there, but wasn't explored at all. It was cut off before it actually took off.

Elliot I just didn't get and desperately wanted to believe that something else was going to happen, he was going to fight for Cherry in the end, to my utter disappointment he disappears as fast as he appeared. As I read the last paragraph I honestly just stared at the words and read it all over again. Confused and with many holes in the story, the author could have captured Elliot and Cherry in a more captivating and less ummm, shall I say bewildered? Was it all a dream, another dimension, a lost episode of LOST? I just didn't get it.

3 STARS: LIKE EATING ONE CHIP, LEAVES YOU LONGING FOR MORE...

Driving from Michigan to Georgia, Cherry manages to follow a line of thunderstorms. Low on fuel, she stops in a deserted town. Lightning has plunged the town into darkness. Now, Cherry can't get gas, and her cell phone doesn’t have signal. Contemplating what to do, she’s approached by a mysterious male named Elliot Dupree who befriends her. Elliot takes Cherry to his mansion. Once the door is closed, he grants her every whim.

After conceding these small favors, Elliot bends the chocolate beauty to his will with more savage power than the storm raging outside.

Guest Author and Giveaway: Undone by Lila DiPasqua

2012-04-24T08:00:00.000-04:00

Lila DiPasqua has added a new book in her Fiery Tales Series ……….. UNDONE! If you love read Historical Romance, Lila has put a fantastic spin on some of our favorite Fiery Tales with a sassy, sexy and sinful flair that will set that pages on fire! In her latest addition, UNDONE is the revamped take on Rapunzel. And oh what a delight this passionate tale is. Please give Lila a warm welcome today while she talks a little about UNDONE, not to mention she is offering an awesome giveaway.

Rapunzel, Rapunzel, let down your hair . . .

by Lila DiPasqua

The father of fairy tales was Charles Perrault, the seventeenth century writer and creator of the Tales of Mother Goose.

He was the first to take the genre of fairy tales to an extraordinary level of popularity. Centuries later, it’s just as popular! But did you know that many women were writing fairy tales while Perrault was busy scribing tales like Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty and Little Red Riding Hood?

It’s true!

Female authors also tried their hand at this wonderful new genre. It was Charlotte-Rose de Claumont de La Force’s 17^thcentury fairy tale, Persinette, that would later inspire the Brothers Grimm to write Rapunzel!

Perhaps, just perhaps Mademoiselle de La Force was inspired by hearing stories about characters such as these…

UNDONE

A Fiery Tale

Lila DiPasqua

HISTORICAL ROMANCE

April, 2012

Inspired by the tale of Rapunzel, Lila DiPasqua offers a new steamy, emotionally charged historical romance in the acclaimed Fiery Tales Series . . . Rescuing this beauty from the ‘tower’ is only the beginning . . .

Maintaining her ruse as a commoner, and trusting no one has kept Angelica safe. But a chance encounter with a handsome stranger lands her right where danger lies. Now, this sinfully handsome man with arresting blue eyes and a polished manner thinks he’s saved her life, when in fact he’s placed her in great peril. She’s intent on keeping him and everyone else at arm’s length. Yet, the smoldering attraction between them is difficult to deny. And impossible to ignore . . .

As commander of a number of privateer ships, Simon Boulenger dresses and speaks like an aristocrat, and has obtained wealth. But he is still not a noble. Or an officer in the King’s Navy. His lifelong dream to elevate himself from his station of birth and attain a respectable place in society is dead. Worse, he’s ensnared in a deadly scheme, and must get out. But how is he to stay focused on his dangerous mission when the mysterious beauty has him utterly intrigued? He can’t afford the distraction any more than he can resist the carnal hunger she stirs. Simon soon discovers that she’s not only a passionate soul mate, but a woman born into privilege. A woman he can never have. But they’re in too deep. Their hearts are at risk . . . as well as their lives.

I’m not your typical historical romance author, you see. I like to write stories outside the box. Historical romances that are different and fresh. You can expect a sexy, carnally gifted charming alpha hero. A smart heroine—and in this case, one with some real secrets that must be kept quiet.

I love Rapunzel. And I love an emotional, steamy read. Readers are telling me UNDONE made them either cry or tear up. Dare to be swept into my Fiery Tales world?

Visit my website for more info on other books in this series: www.LilaDiPasqua.com Follow me on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/LilaDiPasquaAuthorand Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/liladipasqua

Buy on UNDONE: (Coming soon on B&N and in print!)

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Undone-ebook/dp/B007WLNQRY/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1335134393&sr=8-2

Smashwords: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/154489

UNDONE is a Rock*it Reads book.

Rock*It Reads is made up of traditionally published authors committed to bringing high standards and professional quality to their self-published works. Whenever readers see the RIR logo, they know the book they are purchasing is held to an excellent standard of quality. We are Authors You Love with Stories that Rock. You can visit our site and check out more great reads at http://www.rockitreads.com/

***GIVEAWAY***

Rules for Giveaway: One lucky commenter will win a signed copy of A MIDNIGHT DANCE, my spicy, romantic retelling of Cinderella AND a signed copy of Delilah Marvelle’s ONCE UPON A SCANDAL.

Answer the below question, must leave e-mail and must be a follower or become one.

Ends: May 01

Question:What was the last book you read or movie you watched that made you cry?

Giveaway open WORLDWIDE.

Winner of THE KURE by Jaye Frances

2012-04-19T19:48:00.000-04:00

Congrats to ............... Sophia Rose

winner of THE KURE by Jaye Frances

The Kure by Jaye Frances

2012-04-10T08:08:00.001-04:00

Today I would like to welcome author Jaye Frances who is celebrating her release of the THE KURE. This is a dynamic new paranormal romance/occult novel that you just can’t miss. Enjoy Jaye’s post below and don’t forget to enter the contest to win your own copy!

Myths, Legends, and Lies

Okay, I finally get to tell you, to talk about the most widespread questions and curiosities about the inspiration and background of the book. It was always my goal to base The Kure on a derivation—or interpretation—of fact. When I started researching background material, I found myself in the unusually fortuitous position of finding an incredible wealth of history, folklore and legend. And frankly, I wasn’t ready for what I found.
Disturbing? That’s an understatement.Just ask my husband, who spent more nights than he wants to remember trying to get me back to bed after my nightmares erupted into sleep-shattering screams.I re-wrote the ritual several times, trying to tone down its graphic nature, hoping to make it more palatable to those comfortably nestled in the upper strata of propriety.But with each new and diluted draft, I felt like I was cheating – as if I were describing a fatal car accident as a slight mechanical mishap, ignoringthe loss, the victims, and the struggle to adapt to a life that was changed forever.

So here’s the bottom line: The ritual, and the scene in the barn when Sarah combines the two spells to release the Kure’s power, are based on the recorded beliefs and practices of the “virgin cure” – the medieval concept of having sexually-based contact with a female virgin to cure the afflicted from all manner of disease. The graphic realism had to be there because it represented actual demonic practices of the time. It’s there because the story demanded it. And to ignore the ritual’s source and historical relevance – albeit a dark one – would have been an insult to my readers.

I wrote The Kure with the intent of opening a long-locked door, hoping I could provide a little peek inside a huge room filled with superstition and ignorance.And yes, I know The Kure has scared the be-jesus out of some of some you. But your laments over lost sleep were usually accompanied by a question, asking me when book two will be out, often expressing the hope that the next installment will be just as scary.(Don’t worry.It will.)It was exactly what I needed to hear.It confirmed my faith in an intelligent and demanding audience who would not settle for anything short of my best work.Which is exactly what you will continue to receive.

In book two, The Karetakers, I’m going to reveal the source, the linage of practitioners, and the historical practice of red magic. And while The Kure series is fiction, I promise to continue basing the evolving story on relevant and accurate references from some of our not-so-shining moments in human history.
Here’s a little more detail about the historical basis of The Kure and in particular, the ritual contained in the ancient and demonic book of healing the good doctor kept hidden in a secret compartment behind his bookcase. (You can’t imagine all the places I originally considered for a hiding place – the attic, under the floorboards, a hollow bottom in the doctor’s instrument cabinet. But the more I thought about it, I decided the most appropriate place to hide evil was in plain sight – with (and behind) the doctor’s other books.)
My goal was to present the ritual as a derivation of the dark-spirited rationalized exploitation of women throughout history, and in particular, young virgin women, who were often used – sacrificed - to serve the sexual pleasure and gratification of men.

As John Tyler (our hard-working, gorgeous hunk of a protagonist) suggested, "Harwell had read the most perverse instructions imaginable, a prescription designed to justify the actions of corrupt and evil men who craved the touch of a young maiden."

So why do satanic texts place such an emphasis on virgins? (And the word “satanic” in this context means any dark or demonic influence, not necessarily the infamous fallen angel, Satan, the CEO of hell.)
Virgins, often referred to as “young virgins” in historical writings, are the popular focus and preferred ingredient in dark rituals because of the “regeneration effect”—the release of energy, thought to be the actual life force. Ancient magicians believed that a living being was a container of stored power, the quality and quantity of which was reflected by the purity and moral character of the vessel. The greatest and purest force was thought to exist in perfect innocence – the virgin.

But what about the sexual connotation?Couldn’t they just have shaken hands? Sex is an extremely common element in demonic rituals due to the explosion of energy at the moment of orgasm. Since these would-be sorcerers were all about stealing the life force from others—often called “soul snatching” in folklore—sexual activity was often used as a method to raise the energy levels of a practitioner’s victims to receive maximum energy transfer.

Demonic books and texts—represented by the ancient text of healing in The Kure—have existed for thousands of years. The rituals of black magic can trace its roots all the way back to ancient Babylon, with the organized practice of satanism rearing its ugly head within the societies of the Sumerians, Phoenicians, Hitites, Egyptians and Canaanites. (There are others, but hey, for our purposes, it’s a start. And it makes it very clear that these bad boys have been around for a very long time, had a lot of influence, and left their mark – both figuratively and literally – on a lot of unfortunate people.)

I hope I’ve answered your questions about the source and inspiration for the ritual contained in The Kure. There’s lots more information for those who want to dig a bit deeper, but as the old adage warns, “be careful what you look for, you may not like what you find!”

“Resolve To Read”

For a limited time, read The Kure for only $.99 (kindle version)

One of my resolutions for 2012 is to read more new authors – especially those whose books normally fall outside my favorite genres. As I began to search reviewer’s blogs for some ideas, I realized how many more people were reading books of all kinds, primarily due to increased availability and choice of low-cost ebooks for the kindle and nook. I often saw comments from readers who had decided to read a particular author’s work because it was ninety-nine cents, or in some cases, free. Realizing a lower price would motivate more people to read The Kure, I decided to temporarily lower the price. I’m calling it “Resolve To Read”, and it’s going on right now. The kindle version of The Kure can be purchased for ninety-nine cents on Amazon. So if you were planning on buying a kindle version anyway, why not take advantage of the “Resolve To Read” promotion and save two bucks?

Author Bio:Jaye Frances is the author of the new paranormal/occult romance The Kure, the first novel in The Kure series. Her next release, scheduled for March 2012, is titled The Possibilities of Amy, a coming-of-age story about a young man forced to choose between alignment with his peer group and protecting his new love interest. She is also a featured columnist for the NUSA SUN magazine. Jaye was born in the Midwest and grew up surrounded by traditional values and conservative attitudes (which she quickly discarded). She readily admits that her life’s destination has been the result of an open mind and a curiosity about all things irreverent. When she’s not consumed by her writing, Jaye enjoys cooking, traveling to all places tropical and “beachy” and taking pictures—lots of pictures—many of which find their way to her website. Jaye lives on the central gulf coast of Florida, sharing her home with one husband, six computers, four cameras, and several hundred pairs of shoes. For more information, visit Jaye’s website at www.jayefrances.com, and Jaye’s Blog at http://blog.jayefrances.come

Excerpt:

Lucius Harwell leaned forward, resting his elbows on the desk. He stared intently at John, the same way he might appraise a horse at auction, trying to judge his stamina and strength. “There would be . . . conditions.” Harwell set his fingers on his temples. “Very. Specific. Conditions.”
John nodded, hoping the subtle gesture would convey the appropriate reservations, and if necessary, warrant later forgiveness.
The doctor looked to the very back of his office, scanning the entire space from corner to corner, as if wanting to make certain no one else could hear. “First, you’ll have to promise me you won’t delay the bleeding because of what I tell you, or hold out false hope based on some old witches’ tale.”
“I promise.”
Harwell’s expression grew even more solemn. It was evident John’s answer was not what he hoped to hear. Realizing his patient was not going to relent, he rose from his chair and, shaking his head, walked to the front window. As he looked out over the eerily deserted street, the sun caught half his face, splitting his features into light and dark.
“Second, you must understand the old cures often required the one in need to cast away their good name and to denounce all things holy and pure.”
This time Harwell didn’t look directly at John, but simply paused, offering him an opportunity to speak. But John remained silent, hoping his passive consent would be enough.

“And third,” the doctor continued, “you would have to promise on your very life never to disclose the existence of these books or to speak of what is contained on their pages.”

John cleared his throat. “I agree.”
Lucius Harwell straightened, crossed his arms, and then looked down. John wondered if the doctor was reconsidering, preparing to change his mind. But Harwell said nothing as he reached out and slowly lowered the window shade. Seemingly oblivious to the unmistakable tremble in his hand, he secured the privacy bolt on the office door. Then with slow, determined steps, he walked to the back of the room and paused in front of a wide, ornately carved bookcase. Sinking to one knee, he scanned the umber leather bindings on the bottom shelf, finally resting his hand on one of the larger volumes. Swiping his thumb back and forth across the spine, he wiped away the dust, as if to be certain of his choice.

Untouched for years, the natural oils in the book’s cover had formed a bond with the adjacent bindings. Bringing both hands to the task, the doctor finally forced the covers to separate with a loud crack. John waited, expecting him to rise and return to his desk, but Harwell remained on the floor, continuing to remove additional books until the shelf was nearly empty.
As the doctor’s arm disappeared into the vacant space, John could see Harwell was reaching beyond the back of the bookcase and into the wall itself. He heard him muttering, cursing under his breath as he fumbled with something inside the hidden cavity, trying to maneuver it out through the narrow opening.

“I’ve got it,” the doctor grumbled as he slowly held up a tattered cloth pouch. Brushing away the dirt and cobwebs, he set to work on the knotted drawstrings. But as large portions of the bag began to separate, he simply pulled the material apart, releasing a bound manuscript from the rotting fibers.

Carrying it with outstretched arms, the doctor moved to the single window at the back of the office, pushed open the glass, and raised the book above the ledge. Taking a quick breath, he blew hard, shooting a mixture of cobwebs and rat droppings into the rear alley. Leaving a swirling haze in his wake, he returned to his desk, where he pushed the loose papers off to the side and carefully set the crimson-cased volume in the very center of the space.
Although still covered with a layer of dust, John could see the book’s blood-red binding was ornately stamped with strange markings, the front cover finely tooled with a border of scrolls and flourishes. In the very center, a single word served as its title:

KURE

While the main part of the cover appeared to be bound with the familiar cowhide common to the rest of the doctor’s library, the outer trim was thinner and nearly transparent. John wondered if the material had been taken not from an animal, but from a different kind of donor.
The doctor scooted his chair back and sat, his full attention seemingly captured by the elaborately detailed cover.
“Are you sure, John?” Harwell asked without looking up. “Are you absolutely sure you want to know this?”
He could hear it in the doctor’s voice—a final chance to turn back, to reconsider his decision to ignore the possible penalties of both law and Church. John answered without hesitation. “Yes. Please.”
Lucius Harwell raised his glazed eyes. “Come over here and lay your hand on the book.”
It seemed like a strange request. John could only assume the doctor wanted him to make some kind of symbolic gesture, acknowledging that his demand to learn from the forbidden script had made him a willing accomplice in breaking the sacred bond of secrecy.
As he placed his palm on the leather—if that’s what it was—John took a closer look at the extravagant design now framing his hand. What he had originally assumed to be symbols were actually bizarre and grotesque figures—creatures clearly not human. Some were portrayed in agony and suffering, while others were shown coupled with naked female forms. Even more sinister was the feel of the book—icy cold, like a solid block of frozen stone.

Here are the URL links to “The KURE”:
Jaye’s website is: http://www.jayefrances.com
Jaye’s blog is: http://blog.jayefrances.com
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12718447-the-kure
My Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/jayefrancesauthor
Amazon (paperback and kindle):
Paperback: http://www.amazon.com/Kure-Jaye-Frances/dp/1466262966/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1317073140&sr=1-1
Kindle:
http://www.amazon.com/The-Kure-ebook/dp/B005P20C5Q/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1328373312&sr=1-1
BN:
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/the-kure-by-jaye-frances?keyword=the+kure+by+jaye+frances&store=ebook

BUY THE BOOK:
Paperback: (ISBN 978-1466262966)
Buy on Amazon
Pages: 316 pages

GIVEAWAY
Jaye would like to give one lucky commenter the chance to win a copy of her book THE KURE. Please follow the instructions below.

MUST be a follower or become one

MUST leave a comment for Jaye

MUST leave e-mail to contact winner.

Contest Ends April 13th

Winner of Roz Lee's Inside Heat!

2012-04-08T08:50:00.000-04:00

Thank you all for your wonderful responses to Roz while she was here at Book Junkie

The winner of her newest release in the Mustang series, Inside Heat is ..............

msmjb65

*I have sent an e-mail, please resond by April 10th or another winner will be chosen. Thanks

JUST DOWN THE ROAD Blog Tour with Jodi Thomas

2012-04-04T08:08:00.014-04:00

Today I would like to give a warm welcome to author Jodi Thomas. She is here today as part of her Blog Tour to celebrate her latest release in the Harmony Series, #4 from Berkley, JUST DOWN THE ROAD. Please give her a warm welcome as she talks about her new book!

The question I always fear the most when I’m traveling on book tour is , “Where do your ideas come from?”

In truth, I often want to say, “Where did yours go?” because for the most part I don’t know where ideas some from. For the most part it’s not an idea, but a person who jumps into my mind first. He, or she, walks in, sits down and begins to tell me a story I have to follow.

When that happens, as it did in JUST DOWN THE ROAD I grab my computer and start hoping I can hang on to wherever the story takes me.

My story opens with a rancher named Tinch Turner who is grieving the loss of his wife and best friend the only way he knows how, but working too hard and fighting just as hard. He’s lost the light in his world and sees himself as just waiting to take his last breath. Only problem is, he runs into is a doctor who sees her job as fighting to keep people alive, even him.

Doctor Addison Spencer moves in just down the road from him and before either realize it they both become involved in the same cause. One little boy pulls them together and makes them both forget their own problems because his needs are so great.

I’m never sure what to say when people ask me what I do for a living. I daydream. I play. I imagine. I create. I scrub the rough worlds clean. I’m not a writer for a living, I’m simply a writer.

In JUST DOWN THE ROAD all my work, and skill and that spark of talent seemed to come together. The people I created breathed. I’m very proud of this book and I hope it makes you laugh, and cry and fall in love with the people who live in Harmony.

Enjoy the story,

Jodi Thomas

When Tinch Turner lost his wife, he gave up on living. Now he spends his nights brooding, boozing and brawl-ing. When one of his escapades lands him in the ER, he finds himself staring up at the beautiful new doctor in town. For the first time in years, he feels a spark, but Addison Spencer wants nothing to do with the unruly rancher—or any man for that matter. She’s only in Harmony four months, long enough for the trouble she left behind to be over. But then a vulnerable little boy barrels into both of their lives, forcing them out of the past —and into a future where love is just down the road…

Guest Author and Giveaway with Roz Lee

2012-04-03T09:33:00.005-04:00

Today I would like to give a big Welcome to Book Junkie's Book Blog author Roz Lee. She is here to celebrate her latest just released, on Jan 23rd, called Inside Heat! Please give her a warm welcome, enjoy the interview, and feel free to leave a comments for Roz below.

Hi Roz, it is great to have you here as a guest today and big Thank You for answering a few questions about yourself and Inside Heat! Let’s get started……………….

Could you start things off by telling us a little about your latest release Inside Heat?

First, let me thank you for having me over today. This is so exciting!!

Okay, enough of the avoidance techniques – hmm…Inside Heat.

Well, I'd have to say it's a bit different than my usual – more on the steamy side than erotic, but that doesn't mean the sex scenes aren't smokin' hot, they're just less important to the story than in an erotic romance. These characters have a lot going on in their lives besides sex, and that took precedence over the physical relationship for me as a writer. I wanted the reader to see how the characters lives affected the relationship – as of course happens to real people all the time.

Why a sports themed romance and why Major League Baseball?

I've always been a baseball fan, and both my daughters played competitive and college softball, so the sport is part of our family makeup. And who doesn't love a super hot athlete who's at the top of his or her game? *wink*

How did you come up with the plot for Inside Heat?

The original idea came to me while I was at a game in PetcoPark – that's where the San Diego Padres play. I was with my husband of 30+ years, and we had some super good seats – just a few rows behind the Padres on-deck circle, and close enough we could hear the umpire's calls. That also means we were close enough to admire all those muscles beneath the player's uniforms! Oh, yum! Talk about eye candy… Well, I was having a great time – in baseball fan heaven – and I got to thinking about the relationship between pitchers and catchers – how in tune they have to be, and the idea came to me for two characters who are so close they share, well… everything.

This, my family tells me, is proof positive that you can't take me anywhere! I took my family on a cruise once and came home with the idea for an erotic themed cruise ship. That idea turned into a five book series!

Was it easy to decide what challenges to throw at Jeff, Jason and Megan?

Yes, and no. Yes, because unlike other professions, there just aren't that many issues involving major league baseball players – career wise, so I made a mental list of those, and since this was going to be Jeff's story, I had an even shorter list – things that can ruin a pitcher's career.

And no, because when it came to a ménage involving twin brothers and the woman they both want, there were just all kinds of things that could go wrong! Deciding which mistakes my characters were likely to make was difficult. I'm a firm believer in letting my characters choose the direction their lives will take.

What else is in store for the men of Mustangs Baseball ?

I don't want to say too much, but I will say, Jason made some choices in this book that I think he needs to fix! LOL So, I'm working on that right now. As for the rest of the team, I've taken it upon myself to be their personal matchmaker!

Do you have any other projects you are working on?

You may be sorry you asked that! I have several projects in the works, some of which will be Roz Lee books, steamy to sizzling erotic, and some I plan to release under my real name as they are more mainstream contemporary romances.

Besides the new Mustang's Baseball book, I'm also working on a NASCAR themed book to appease one of my daughter's love of that sport. It took a while to come up with a story line and plot that I felt was unique enough to write, but I'm well into it now, and I think it's coming along nicely. Still have a few laps to go though!

Are you a full time writer or do you have a day job? If yes, Howdo you divide your time?

I'm a full time writer – big thank you to the DH who is a fan and my staunchest supporter. It's still a struggle though to find time to write. I know. Don't throw things at me, please! Since I don'tleave the house to write, I have to accommodate my other full time job – wife – with all its sub-categories – mother, cook, dog raiser, housecleaner, laundress, shopper…well, you get the idea. Sometimes writing has to go to the end of the list, but it's always on the list!

If you could live during any period in time, what would that be and who would you be?

LOL I've always thought I would have made a splendid pioneer woman. I don't think I would have been one of those keeping the sod hut clean though. No, I would have been the one roaming the West, seeking adventures. Maybe Annie Oakley?

Do you have any questions you would like to ask the readers?

Oh, what fun!! I get to turn the tables!!

Hmm…let's see… This is one I wonder about all the time. Do you like an author to describe the characters down to the smallest detail so you know exactly how he or she looks, or do you prefer a general description that leaves your mind to fill in the blanks?

About the Author:

Roz Lee has been married to her best friend, and high school sweetheart, for over three decades. These days she splits her time between their home in rural New Jersey, and Southern California, where her husband works. Even though she’s lived on both coasts, her heart lies in between, in Texas. A Texan by birth, she can trace her family back to the Republic of Texas. With roots that deep, she says, “You can’t ever really leave.”

Roz and her husband have two grown daughters they couldn’t be more proud of, and are currently raising a ten-year-old Labrador Retriever, Betty Boop, who isn’t aware of her canine heritage.

When Roz isn’t writing, she’s reading, or traipsing around the country on one adventure or another. No trip is too small, no tourist trap too cheesy, and no road unworthy of traveling.

Excerpt – INSIDE HEAT by Roz Lee

Bit by bit, Megan relaxed in their company. They had a way of telling stories that was amusing to watch. One would start, and by some secret cue, the other would continue. It was as if their brains were sync’d by an invisible cord. Prepared to find something to dislike, she chastised herself for categorizing them before she knew them.

Jeff insisted on dessert, and they lingered over the mountainous chocolate cake and another bottle of wine. They were nearly through when Jason spoke. “Why don’t we take some chocolate cake home. Then we can smear it all over each other and lick it off – real slow.”

Megan wasn’t used to drinking more than an occasional glass, and at first, she attributed what she’d heard to the three glasses she’d consumed tonight.

“What?” She closed her eyes and forced her brain to focus. Surely, she’d misheard Jason’s comment. She was long past trying to deny her attraction to the pair, but conjuring up propositions went way beyond fantasizing. It bordered on drunkenness and possibly, insanity. “Would you repeat that, please?”

Megan mentally congratulated herself for sounding rational when she was working with seriously compromised judgment.

Jeff touched her lightly on the arm and she turned her now pounding head in his direction. “Jason can be a bit crude sometimes. I apologize for his behavior.” He shot his brother a look that said, "Way to go, asshole," then turned his attention back to Megan. “What he meant to say, was, we’d like for you to come out to our house this weekend. We want to get to know you better, and give you a chance to get to know us.”

That sounded more rational. Megan tore her gaze away from Jeff, and risked a glance at Jason. His smile made her insides warm, or maybe it was the wine. Jeff’s fingers still rested lightly on her forearm, not demanding, but conveying a message all the same. She jerked her arm off the table and twisted her hands in the cloth napkin in her lap.

“No pressure,” Jeff said. His voice vibrated along her nerve endings. “We like you, a lot. And we think you like us. We want to explore that further, to see if perhaps you might like a lot more from us.”

“I think I’ve had too much to drink. What exactly are we talking about here?”

“This isn’t the place to go into details, but I think you know. We want you, Megan. Both of us. We’d like to find out if it’s something you’d be interested in. We don’t expect you to answer right away. That’s why we want you to come out to our place. You can see the way we live. We can discuss the details then, if it’s something you think you might want.”

She didn’t know what to say. It seemed she had heard Jason correctly. He’d asked her to go to bed with them, tonight. More specifically, he’d suggested licking her body – all over – and allowing her to do the same. It hadn’t been her overactive imagination, spurred on by too much wine. As appealing as that sounded, and she wouldn’t lie to herself, it did sound appealing; she wasn’t into that kind of thing. At least she didn’t think she was. She didn’t do no-strings-attached-kinky-ménage sex.

“I’ve got to go.” She jerked her purse off the back of the chair as she stood. Her head swam, and this time, she knew it wasn’t entirely the fault of the alcohol. She was off balance, but she couldn’t blame it on drinking – not entirely. She made it as far as the front door, and turned to ask the maitre d’ to call a cab. Two towering males blocked her way.

“We have a car waiting. We’ll take you home.” Jeff slipped an arm around her waist while Jason signaled to a car parked down the street. The sleek black town car pulled to the curb, and a moment later Megan was in the backseat, flanked by the two sexiest men she’d ever seen. Jason asked for her address, relayed it to the driver, then closed the partition, sealing them off from the world.

One hot hand skimmed her thigh, sneaking under the hem of her dress to stroke dangerously close to her throbbing parts. Another slipped around her neck, long fingers massaging her nape as the thumb stroked her jaw, gently turning her face in the opposite direction from where the other hand had come from. She found herself looking up into Jeff Holder’s eyes. Before she could form a protest, he bent his head and took her lips in a kiss that loosened every muscle in her body, and did serious damage to her moral fiber. The hand on her thigh tugged, and her legs slid open. Fingers stroked a path to her core, and she groaned against Jeff’s lips as another set of fingers joined the fray. Her thighs spread wider in silent invitation.

***GIVEAWAY***

I love this book so much that I am giving away one e-book copy of Inside Heat to one lucky winner

To Enter:

You MUST be a follower or become one

You MUST answer Roz's question above

You MUST leave your e-mail (so I can contact the winner!)

Contest runs until April 6th!

EDUCATING ETHAN by Jennifer Lynne

2012-03-28T04:30:00.001-04:00

Jennifer Lynne's upcoming release, Educating Ethan, an older woman/younger man contemporary romance novella was released on February 24th from Breathless Press and she is here to celebrate here at Book Junkie as one of her tour stops! I am thrilled have Jennifer here today with a great interview and a fabulous giveaway! I also had the opportunity to review Educating Ethan, which BTW, I thought was fantastic!!! If you love May/December romances this one will knock your socks off.

1. If someone were writing a story about Jennifer Lynne, what would your blurb say?

Oh, my – start with a difficult question! Let's see…
Jennifer Lynne is a modern woman facing an almost impossible challenge. What happens when she juggles too many tasks and those metaphoric balls begin to tumble down around her ears? Mother. Partner. Stepmother. Daughter. Sister. Writer. Administrative worker. Recovering shoulder surgery victim. Cat slave. These are just a few of the roles Jennifer undertakes in this epic tale of life in suburbia. With marriage in the wind for 2012, will Jennifer find the time to organize it and achieve her happy ever after? Or will she end up buried so deep under a mountain of tasks that no one will ever find her?

2. Can you tell us a little about your newest release, EDUCATING ETHAN, that isn't in the blurb?
EDUCATING ETHAN is a sensual romance novella and my first release with Breathless Press. It is a so-called "cougar" tale, but I've tried to twist that concept a little to create a story in which age almost becomes irrelevant. I wanted to write a story that seems as if it is going to be one thing – an older woman educating a younger man in the ways of love – but is in fact about something else altogether. Hopefully, Ida and Ethan have the chance to learn and grow as individuals through the power of love, regardless of their age, and to understand how important it can be to live for the present and the future, not stagnate in the past.

3. What was your inspiration behind the creation of EDUCATING ETHAN?

I wanted to create a story in which an older woman has a second chance at happiness. A few years ago I went through a painful divorce (well, what divorce isn't, I guess?) and that was a catalyst for me to follow my dream of becoming published. I stepped up my writing efforts and ultimately achieved that dream (with SEDUCING SERENA in SECRETS VOLUME 28), and I now have a wonderful new partner as well. I haven't read many romances recently where the heroine is an older woman, and I wanted to create a story that might resonate with readers closer to my own age (40's). Giving Ida her very own "toy boy" seemed like fun at the time, but Ethan became so much more than a token younger guy.

4. What was your favorite scene to write in EDUCATING ETHAN?

Probably the one where she first visits him in his home, bringing him dinner as an excuse to explore the connection they had already developed. I like Ida's self-honesty in this scene, and I love the way Ethan opens up and shares something of himself and his past. It feels real to me – hopefully it does to readers as well!

5. Are there any other genres you want to tackle?

I already write sensual and erotic romance, and some of my stories contain a touch of magic and the paranormal (such as PANDORA'S GIFT, or the recently released PLATINUM PASSION – an erotic ménage romance about the Greek gods of love). I'd love to try writing an historical romance at some point. My father's family is from Scotland and my mother's family originally from Guernsey, so both of those places interest me as a setting – either for contemporary or historical. I also love reading romantic suspense/mystery and I would like to tackle that genre, one day, as well.

6. If you could trade places with one of your characters, would you want to and who?
To be honest I love my life right now and I probably wouldn't want to trade places with anyone. But there are elements in all my characters – particularly the heroines – that I wish I could have. Pandora, the main character in PANDORA'S GIFT, has a wonderfully laid back, free spirit, and I would love to be more like her and worry less about…well, about everything! Ida in EDUCATING ETHAN is lucky enough to meet a younger man who has the advantage of an older head on his shoulders. So she gets the best of both worlds in Ethan. If I weren't happily engaged and were looking for a younger partner, it would be someone like Ethan – gorgeous, buff, generous and kind! Yes please!

7. What accent is sure to make you swoon?

Definitely English or Irish, followed closely by a Scottish one. I've just been watching a series called Zen, with Rufus Sewell in the main role of Detective Aurelius Zen, and while admittedly he was playing a Venetian, for some reason he and the other actors still retained their English accents. I definitely felt like swooning every time Rufus opened his delectable lips! My excuse is that I live in Australia, where we have a really broad, flat-sounding accent, and anything British sounds melodic to me!

8. What was the most challenging thing you’ve done in the name of research that might have been out of your comfort zone?

I visited a sex shop a couple of times with my long-suffering partner in tow, as I needed to learn a bit more about the world of sex toys and who might actually visit such a place. No way was I going there on my own! I was filled with trepidation beforehand, imagining a room full of sleazy men in raincoats, but I was pleasantly surprised. It was just a shop like any other, with a business-like female shop assistant who was most patient with my questions (e.g. what the hell is this? How the heck would you use that?). Actually, not like any other shop, I guess, given the merchandise, but it was an interesting and very informative couple of visits!

9. Please share with us something that readers would be surprised to learn about you.
I worked for a time as an optical dispenser in an optometry practice, and I actually learned to make spectacles. Quite different to the literature degree and working as a corporate journalist in marketing that I'd been doing up till that time. The specs I'm wearing right now as I type the answer to this question were made by me a couple of years ago. And they haven't fallen apart yet!

10. How can the readers stay in touch with you online?

I have a website http://www.jenniferlynne.com.au where readers can either email me, follow my blog or subscribe to my email newsletter for updates and exclusive giveaways. Or they can "friend" me on Twitter, Facebook or Goodreads.

11. If you could ask readers any one question, what would it be?
Like Ida, have any of you been lucky enough to have a second (or third?) chance at happiness?

Thank you again for having me here today. All comments on this interview will go in the draw to win a $20 Amazon or Barnes & Noble gift card. Winner will be announced after the blog tour ends on March 30^th.

If you'd like to follow my tour, next stop will be http://claireashgrove.blogspot.com.au/ on Mar 29^th.

Ida Deloraine intends to build herself a new life and a new career in catering, after a painful divorce. When the much younger Ethan Holt moves in across the street, an innocent flirtation quickly becomes serious when the two realise their age difference is no barrier to all-consuming passion.

But Ethan is the exact opposite of what Ida is looking for in a sexual partner. He is young and vibrant, with his life and his dreams still ahead of him, whereas hers are all in the past. Can Ethan, who is fighting his own demons in the form of a car accident, failed marriage and forced career change, convince Ida to overcome the past and live for the moment?

And just who is educating who in this cougar encounter?

Excerpt 1:

It was hard to maintain eye contact as she spoke, with his magnificent chest bare to the world, the pinkish brown nipples puckered slightly in the air-conditioned room, and the faint sprinkling of dark hair that led downwards in an enticing line like a persistent arrow directing her wayward gaze.
And her wayward gaze complied, whether she wanted it to or not, noting the curve of those thighs and the implicit strength in the coiled muscles as he moved forward to reach for another roll. She glanced only briefly this time but still he knew. She could tell in the amused curl of his lips as they lifted and the knowing way he slanted his eyes at her. God, what was wrong with her today?
He's too young, she reminded herself. And he sure as hell won't be thinking of me that way.
He probably misses his mother's cooking.
She took a deep, steadying breath. "Careful, Ethan. They're really hot."
There. A mother would say something like that. Wouldn't she?
"But delicious." His eyes crinkled at the corners as he chewed and swallowed. He looked adorably young. She moved around to the other side of the island and gripped its edges. Now she couldn't see anything below his hips. Much safer.
"What's it called?" He spoke around the food, and for a moment, she wasn't quite sure to what he was referring.
It's called lust, she thought. Or maybe cradle snatching? "Umm…"
"Your catering company. What's it called?"
"Oh!" Tension released from her shoulders as they ventured into a familiar topic of conversation. Work she could deal with. "Simply Delicious."
"How very…appropriate." The look he was sending her had her breath catching in her throat and had nothing to do with food.

Excerpt 2:
Possibility, she thought. He represents the possibility of excitement. Of passion. The transient headiness of lust about to be fulfilled. All the things that most women wanted and rarely got. All the things that she wanted and had never truly had before.
"Ethan, do you mind if I ask how old you are?" She strove for dispassionate interest, took a careful sip of her wine, then sat where he indicated— on a bench seat in a little breakfast nook. But her glass clattered hard on the windowsill when she put it down.
"No, I don't mind," he answered. "I'm twenty-five. And you're…what? Thirtyish?"
"Thirty-six."
"Wow, you don't look that old."
"Oh—kay."
Her tone was flat, and he flushed in response. "Shit! Sorry, that didn't come out right. I meant—"
"It's okay, Ethan. I think maybe I should—"
"Don't go! Hell!" He reached out to stop her as she began to rise, and then exhaled noisily. "I'm an idiot, Ida. I didn't mean it that way. I meant it…as a compliment, believe it or not. You look a lot younger than thirty-six. That's what I meant."
She saw genuine dismay in the depths of his eyes, and something in her relaxed.
"It's okay," she said again, but this time she meant it. "Thanks."
He sat heavily beside her and leaned close. That warm male scent enveloped her, elusive and yet tangible enough to send her heart rate into overdrive. But he was still frowning. She reached out to trace his jawline, and a hint of stubble rasped against her fingertip. A firm jaw; stubborn-looking. Manly.
"Relax, Ethan," she said. "I won't bite. Unless you want me to, that is."

REVIEW:

Ok, so I love that you have two people so are damaged and love at first site. Ethan is starting his life over, at least his love life. Not that he is giving up women, but love. Yeah, that isn't in the cards for him again. A damaging love life and divorce has left Ida not feeling so pretty any more. Much less to a sexy younger man. What she can't deny is the attraction. Believe it or not she has just met her match. A soul mate isn't in the cards, and she knows that with a younger man, even though Ethan is more than willing to give her everything she deserves, it is hard for her to wrap her head around the possibilities.
A tender and sexy love story, no matter their ages, I really loved the connection Ethan and Ida have. Without knowing that he was a younger man I believe their relationship was true to life and they dealt with all the same issues that any other couple would have to deal with. I think that is what made them both so lovable, they felt so real. I almost felt as though I was eavesdropping on them at times. Of course I loved all the juicy bits!

TO BUY, CLICK HERE >> Breathless Press | Amazon | All Romance ebooks

About The Author:

Jennifer Lynne is a multi-published author who writes sensual and erotic romance from her home in Melbourne, Australia. She has two novellas published with Red Sage, including Seducing Serena in Secrets Volume 28 Sensual Cravings, and Pandora's Gift. Her first sensual romance with Breathless Press, Educating Ethan, will be out in February. Jen lives in hope that readers will continue to enjoy her novella-length tales of love and lust!

Find Jennifer on the web at:

http://www.jenniferlynne.com.au/blog
http://twitter.com/#!/JenniLynnAuthor

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Jennifer-Lynne-Romance-Author/297504180262670http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3228070.Jennifer_Lynne

Buy Link: http://www.breathlesspress.com/educating-ethan

****GIVEAWAY****

Jennifer will be giving away a $20 Amazon GC to one randomly drawn commenter during the tour!

To Enter please answer Jennifer's question above and don't forget to leave yoru e-mail for her to contact the winner!!!!!

Taken by the Cowboy - A Time Travel Romance by Julianne MacLean

2012-03-21T08:08:00.001-04:00

Taken by the Cowboy - A Time Travel Romance by Julianne MacLean is one of those books that you start and you just can't put down until you are completely finished. Talk about sucking you into a time warp! Truman and Jessica are just light a lightening storm come to life right there in my hands. With every word I was completely catapulted into their world.

At first we meet Jessica in the present day at a horrible moment in her life, her brother is dying in the hospital and as awestruck as she may be there is something about this even that seems a little off. But if I told you that I would give the ending away.

Trying to heal her soul Jessica takes the drive of her life, of course she has no idea that was what was happening. Then the life changing moment happened, a car accident that catapults her into the wild west. And not only that, but non other than the wild murdering Junebug Jess! Already back in the wild west everyone in town including the sheriff is convinced that she just shot a wanted man with one shot. Only poor Jess is confused as every to simple what the hell is going on!

In comes Truman, an ex gunslinger himself he knows that there is definitely something bizarre and so off about her and in the back of this mid he knows that perhaps she might be telling the truth. Sparks fly between the two in this faced paced adventure, but love needs to be put on the back burner for Jess because she has tunnel vision and her mission is to find a way home.

It's really too bad that life, even in a different time, has a way of getting in the way. And that also includes love. Well, really attraction, lust and pure desire actually come first, but Truman's passion and desire for Jessica are overwhelming. Even when in the face of doubt the bodies are piling up as well as the evidence again Jessica and her innocents.

Wickedly sexy and insanely entertaining the author puts a really riveting spin on time travel romance. What you get is a love story, mystery and suspense that is red-hot and hooked me from the first few pages. Jessica's heart was on her sleeve and that reflected in every page as well as Truman's. His pain from the past has made him the man that he is, and in doing so has given him the strength to give everything and all that he is for love. Jessica's love.

Two worlds, two souls, forever stuck in time banging on the door to get out and find their way back to each other before the sand runs out of their hourglass. Bravo!

HERO AND PROTECTOR Former bounty hunter, expert gunslinger, and the toughest sheriff Dodge City has ever known, Truman Wade is a real man from the tip of his black Stetson right down to his spurs and leather boots. He’s never met his match in a gunfight, but he’s never met a gorgeous, gutsy woman from the twenty-first century either…

TORN BETWEEN TWO WORLDS

Newly single after a rocky breakup with her self-absorbed fiancé, newspaper columnist Jessica Delaney crashes her car in a lightning storm and soon finds herself dodging bullets in the Wild West. Before the night is out, she’s tossed in jail for a murder she didn’t commit, and if things don’t seem complicated enough, the impossibly handsome sheriff in charge of her arrest has danger written all over him - and a sexy swagger to die for. Jessica knows she needs to get home, but when Sheriff Wade’s enticing touch sets her passions on fire, she begins to wonder if fate has other plans for her, and soon she must choose between the life she longs for in the future… and the greatest love she’s ever known.

The Viking's Forbidden Pleasure by Jennie Brumley

2012-03-20T08:08:00.014-04:00

Jennie Brumley really brought a wildly sexy adventure to live with The Viking's Forbidden Pleasure!

What a really delightfully erotic treat, a real pleasure to read as the story of Elly and Haakon's world simply collide. Through uncontrollable passion they are thrust together. But this is no accident as Haakon has been waiting for this moment. Unfortunately so has Elly, thing is that her blood is boiling through all her veins, a fire that Haakon has ignited. He is a real animal, no really, he is.... well at least half! Half beast that is. Horse by day and man by night he has been cursed through the years by insulting the wrong woman. So as true love falls in his lap in the form of Elly he knows that he must kill her to be free.

Elly must escape the emotional chains her father has strapped her with. A twist of fate is in the cards as her life is at stake. Her husband wants her dead and the man to do the deed is non other than Haarkon.

Their bond goes deep, so deep that it might just be able to survive murdering husbands and curses that can only be paid with death. Sparks fly between the two would be lovers and soon enough they are on fire. Elly isn't the simpleton that her husband takes her for, but in her heart and her will is strong as stone and her will to fight for love and Haakon is unequal to anything she has ever known. But fate also can be cruel and death might just steal everything have fought to keep sacred.

Always the dutiful daughter, Elly Harding knows the only way to protect her father is to sacrifice her own happiness and marry a man she can never love, but when an unexpected honeymoon gift presents her with the opportunity to explore the darker desires this proper young woman has always repressed, how can she possibly give up what could be her last chance for sexual freedom…and love?

Once a Viking warrior, Haakon Arikson never lacked for women in his bed...until he insulted the wrong one. For almost a millennium he has been cursed to walk alone, living an odd half-life as a stallion by day and a man by night. Tired and lonely he craves oblivion, but the only way to end his curse is to kill the one girl who makes him feel more alive than any other has for centuries.

Delaney Diamond ‘s Casual Love Tour ……

2012-03-12T08:00:00.005-04:00

I am thrilled to have author Delaney Diamond today on Book Junkie here to launch her Casual Love Tour! She is here to celebrate her two new releases, A Hard Man to Love (Feb 3) and Private Acts (Feb 10). So please give her a warm welcome, enjoy her Guest Post and don’t forget to enter the contest. Also, note that when following her tour you get extra points at a chance of winning for each blog post you comment on. Good luck and enjoy!

Top 5 Reasons Why You Should Not Buy My Novels

I’m happy to be here at Book Junkie again! When I visited Book Junkie last summer, I was promoting Book 2 of my Hot Latin Men series, Fight for Love. During that time, I warned you of why you should not buy the book. I didn’t want anyone to purchase a copy, only to find out it’s not a book they can enjoy.

On this blog tour I’m promoting two books:

· Book 3 of the Hot Latin Men series, Private Acts, which is a story about Samirah Jamison (the sister of the heroine from Fight for Love) and Miguel Delgado.

· Book 2 of the Hawthorne Family series, A Hard Man to Love.

Just to be on the safe side, I’ll give you a list of reasons why you shouldn’t buy these books, either. Don’t buy my books if the following applies to you:

1. You’re xenophobic. Xenophobic people have a fear or hatred of foreigners and their culture. To protect yourself, I’m warning you that Private Acts contains one hot foreigner, Miguel Delgado, and you’ll learn about the culture and food of his homeland, Ecuador.

2. You don’t like Latin men. Private Acts contains a sexy Latin man. In this case, he’s a six-foot-three Ecuadorian sculptor with dark hair that brushes his shoulders and clear blue eyes that will make you swoon.

3. You’re not adventurous in your eating habits. Hmmm…then you won’t like to know anything about Ecuadorian cuisine. The last thing you’d be interested in is the tasty snack chifles, the soup encebollado de pescado, or the savory tamale-like dish humitas.

4. You believe the only proper way to have sex is in the missionary position, on a bed, with the lights out. Oh boy, you really need to stay away from these books, then. Samirah and Miguel heat things up on top of a car, the lounge chair by the pool, and her on top of him on the beach. Meanwhile, Eva and Derrick take care of their sexual urges in a kitchen chair…Yeah, you’d better not buy these books because I don’t think these couples understand anything about “proper” sexual conduct.

5. You don’t like rich people. Derrick inherited a fortune from his father. He’s almost a billionaire, and he likes fine things, including: Panerai watches, Cuban cigars, has a private jet, and lives in a huge mansion in an exclusive neighborhood in Atlanta.

6. You don’t like alpha males. Uh oh…avoid Derrick Hoffman at all costs! He’s not only alpha, he’s ruthless and a bully. Even I wonder what Eva sees in him. But you know how these ruthless alpha types are. They’re protectors, and when they fall in love, they fall hard.

If none of these apply to you, then be sure to pick up a copy of my new releases, Private Acts and A Hard Man to Love today. Continue following the tour for a chance to win books from my backlist and other prizes!

Blurb for Private Acts

Miguel Delgado fell hard the first time he saw a beautiful woman on stage during a karaoke competition at a bar in Ecuador. Interested in a short, casual affair, he turns on the charm. But she won’t give him the time of day.

Samirah Jamison has met her match—in the form of a tall, hard-bodied sculptor who won’t leave her alone. She’s not running scared. She’s just trying to keep a level head and stay out of trouble for once. But it’s really, really hard to be good…when you’re used to being bad.

Warning: This book contains a chef whose sassy mouth and swaying hips catch the eye of a sexy Latin artist determined to tame her.

Excerpt for Private Acts

This scene takes place in the beginning of the book. It’s the first time Miguel sees Samirah on stage at the karaoke bar in Ecuador, and he’s surprised by the reception she receives by the patrons and his friend, Seth.

The sound of applause and cheers from the crowd caught his attention. The first performer had left the stage, and a new performer, a woman, had taken his place. She was the reason the crowd had gone wild. She tapped the microphone to check the acoustics and smiled at the audience. With her dark skin, she stood out from the other patrons of a paler complexion. Outside of the small number of Afro-Ecuadorians in the country, it was unusual to see blacks in town.

“Hola amigos!” she said, resulting in an enthusiastic response of hollering and whistling from the crowd. She even received an enthusiastic greeting from the women.

“Who is she?”

“That is Samirah Jamison.”

Miguel glanced at his friend, who stood staring at the stage with his beefy arms crossed over his chest and a goofy smile on his face. His gaze slid back to the stage. Who was this woman that she warranted such a reception from the entire bar?

She was attractive, he admitted, with long black hair parted in the middle and allowed to tumble into waves past her shoulders, brushing each cheek to frame her face. In fact, she looked like a piece of art. His artist eyes took a slow tour of her body, taking in each line and curve. The brightly-colored fitted shirt dipped to a vee over her abundant breasts. The shirt tucked into the waistband of a pair of denim, painted-on white capris that left little to the imagination and accentuated the hourglass narrowness of her waistline.

His eyes made their way back up to her face and the brilliant smile she wielded like a weapon at her admirers. She must be a good singer to elicit such adoration. At least he thought so until she started singing her rendition of “I Will Survive” by Gloria Gaynor.

At first he couldn’t believe how bad she was, but twenty-five seconds in the song picked up tempo, and so did she. The crowd started clapping when she pulled the mike from the stand and began to dance around the stage. She made eye contact with patrons at the first few tables, leaning forward to sing to individuals in the audience.

Silver hoops peeked between the strands of her thick hair and caught the light as she moved her body, gyrating her hips and sashaying across the stage while enthusiastically singing off key. She was obviously enjoying herself, holding her head up high and waving her hands with attitude about how she would survive.

Miguel found himself enthralled like everyone else, unable to take his eyes off of her. What she lacked in singing ability, she more than made up for in her performance. At one point, she turned her back to the audience and looked over her shoulder, crooning into the microphone with one hand on her swaying hips and a seductive smile on her lips. His body reacted to her movements. His groin muscles contracted as she teased him and every red-blooded man in the place into noticing her generous backside—and imagining doing all sorts of salacious things to it.

Miguel picked up his beer and took a sip to wet his suddenly dry tongue. As she neared the end of the song, she incorporated a shimmy, moving her body in a snakelike, provocative manner.

She stopped for a moment to lift her right hand in the air to hit a particularly difficult note—which she didn’t hit. As the song ended, her arm reached for the ceiling, and her head fell back as she became lost in the music. She held the pose for long seconds as the customers jumped to their feet and clapped.

She hadn’t removed an item of clothing, but her performance resulted in the same reaction as a strip tease. Miguel remained frozen, his eyes riveted on the smooth column of her throat and the tight arch of her body. An uncomfortable, tightening sensation spread across his chest, and he released his suspended breath.

“That is Samirah,” Seth yelled over the noise of thunderous applause he joined in with everyone else.

A Hard Man to Love

Derrick Hoffman never quite got over not having a relationship with his biological father. The woman he was seeing is pregnant, and there’s no way he’s going to let her raise his child without him–even if it means coercing her into marriage.

Eva Jacob made the mistake of falling in love with Derrick, a man she knows is incapable of love. After their breakup, she discovers she’s pregnant. When she agrees to a loveless marriage, she tries to shield her heart from further pain. But she soon discovers that the heart wants what the heart wants, and her heart wants Derrick’s love.

*Excerpt can be found here to include in posts: http://delaneydiamond.files.wordpress.com/2010/09/a-hard-man-to-love_final_chapter-one.pdf

Buy Private Acts now: Amira Press, All Romance Ebooks, Amazon, B&N, Bookstrand

Website and blog: http://delaneydiamond.com

Facebook fan page: http://facebook.com/DelaneyDiamond

Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/delaneydiamond

_________________________

Delaney Diamond writes sweet and sensual romance novels with multicultural characters. You can enjoy free reads and the first chapter of all her novels on her website.

******GIVEAWAY******

Prizes: Comments = entries to win. The more times a reader comments, the more they increase their chances to win. Grand prize winner will be chosen at random from Random.org and awarded a $10 Visa GC and get to choose one book from Delaney Diamond ‘s backlist.

(Two tour followers will win a $10 gift card and a book from my back list.

Two tour followers will win a book from my back list).

To be eligible to win, entries must be received no later than 11:59 PM EST. Winners will be announced on the last blog stop and the contest page of Delaney’s website by 8:00 AM EST on Monday, March 19th. They will have 72 hours to get in touch with Delaney to claim their prizes before another winner(s) is chosen

Follow the Casual Love Tour:

W. Lynn Chantale: March 12th

Book Junkie/: March 12th

Marissa (Sizzling Hot Books): March 13th

Lori (Lori's Reading Corner): March 14th.

Romancing the Book: March 15th

Cafe of Dreams March 16th

Paris, My Sweet: A Year in the City of Light (and Dark Chocolate) by Amy Thomas

2012-02-29T08:08:00.002-05:00

Culinary tour here I come, and did someone say chocolate??? Really that is all it takes, but chocolate and Paris. So what a delightfully delicious new release from Sourcebooks, Paris, My Sweet: A Year in the City of Light (and Dark Chocolate) by Amy Thomas.

Do you love food and chocolate as much as I do? Then you will be charmed by this wonderful book about a girl traipsing through NYC to Paris and along the way explore all the culinary delights that one can. A change of a lifetime Amy gets a killer job for the fabulous Louis Vuitton. Did I say in Paris??? I loved how she worked her way through her own delights and helped me too fall in love with Paris, if only for the food. What would be a better reason, I can't think of one frankly.

New chapter and once in a lifetime opportunities Amy really puts Paris and NYC is perspective from a true fan, devotee and lover of both cities. The pages were colored vividly with the authors experiences come to life.

Paris, My Sweet: A Year in the City of Light (and Dark Chocolate)is a charming memoir about a woman’s journey balancing her love for New York and Paris. Forever a girl obsessed with Nutella crepes, silk scarves, and all things French, sweet freakAmy Thomas landed a gig as rich as the purest dark chocolate: leave Manhattan for Paris to write ad copy for Louis Vuitton.

Amy details her personal insights on being a single thirty-something living in a foreign country, along with her forays into the dating scene abroad, all while sampling the best cakes and pastries that the City of Light has to offer.

Driven to the most delicious spots in Paris and New York, Amy shares the addresses of the best patisseries, boulangeries, and chocolatiers in both cities that have shaped and colored her delicious adventures along the way. Paris, My Sweet is about having faith and making choices, a story of delicious adventures to savor.

Published February 1st 2012 by Sourcebooks . This book is available from Amazon .

Cover Reveal: LUMINOSITY by Stephanie Thomas

2012-02-28T08:08:00.001-05:00

LUMINOSITY (Luminosity, #1) by Stephanie Thomas

Released from Entangled Publishing (September 11, 2012)

Blurb:

"My name is Beatrice. When I was born, I was blessed with the Sight. I was
immediately removed from my parents and enrolled in the Institution. At
the age of twelve, I had my first true vision, earning my raven’s wings.
And when I turned seventeen, one of my visions came true. Things haven’t
been the same since.

The Institution depends on me to keep the City safe from our enemy, the
Dreamcatchers, but I’m finding it harder to do while keeping a secret from
everyone, including my best friend Gabe. It is a secret that could put us
all in danger. A secret that could kill me and everyone close to me.

But the enemy has been coming to me in my dreams, and I think I’m falling
in love with him. He says they’re coming. He says they’re angry. And I
think I’ve already helped them win."

Paperback Available for Pre-Order from Amazon:http://www.amazon.com/Luminosity-Stephanie-Thomas/dp/1620611279/ref=lh_ni_t

Add to your Goodreads TBR:http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13425149-luminosity

YA Paranormal Romance, INBETWEEN, by Tara Fuller

2012-02-20T08:08:00.005-05:00

CHECK OUT THE COVER REVEAL FOR YA PARANORMAL ROMACE AUTHOR TARA FULLER!!!! INBETWEEN (Kissed by Death, #1), IS SET TO RELEASE FROM ENTANGLED TEEN AUGUST 7, 2012

http://tarafuller.com/inbetween/

Blurb:
Since the car crash that took her father’s life three years ago, Emma’s
life has been a freaky—and unending—lesson in caution. Surviving
“accidents” has taken priority over being a normal seventeen-year-old, so
Emma spends her days taking pictures of life instead of living it. Falling
in love with a boy was never part of the plan. Falling for a reaper who
makes her chest ache and her head spin? Not an option.

It’s not easy being dead, especially for a reaper in love with a girl fate
has put on his list not once, but twice. Finn’s fellow reapers give him
hell about spending time with Emma, but Finn couldn't let her die before,
and he’s not about to let her die now. He will protect the girl he loves
from the evil he accidentally unleashed, even if it means sacrificing the
only thing he has left…his soul.

Paperback Available for Pre-Order from Amazon:http://www.amazon.com/Inbetween-Tara-Fuller/dp/1620610833/ref=lh_ni_t

Add to your Goodreads TBR:http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13055677-inbetween

EXCERPT:

Chapter 1

Finn

Sometimes Emma made me feel so alive, I almost forgot I was dead.

Almost.

I sank down onto the side of her bed, amazed by the blazing wildfire that swept through me whenever Emma was near enough to touch. I took a deep, unneeded breath, and settled down on my side next to her. The mattress didn’t sink. The springs didn’t groan with the weight of an extra body. The distance between us was an impossible void. Inches that might as well have been miles. Miles that left me wanting in so many ways that I ached.

Even the sun couldn’t resist her. Its glowing rays caressed her skin, and stained her hair the satiny color of summer wheat. Before I knew what was happening, my hand followed their lead. Cells ignited. My skin burned, screaming with the agonizing need to touch—

"What do you think you’re doing?"

I jerked my hand away just as Easton melted up from the polished hardwood floor beneath the window. Like an oil slick coming to life, he unfolded his long, shadowy legs until he was just an ink blot against the square of tangerine sunrise behind him. His violet eyes pinned me like a kid caught with his hand in the cookie jar.

Which, I kind of was.

"Nothing," I lied.

"Yeah, looked like nothing." He strolled across the room accompanied by a wave of sulfur and smoke, the black serpent tattoo on his neck glinting. "What were you planning to do, recite her poem? I swear to God, if you were still alive I’d confiscate your man card."

I ignored the barb and scrunched up my nose. "Jesus, Easton. Don’t they have a shower somewhere between here and the afterlife?"

"Screw you. You didn’t just have to tow somebody’s grandpa to Hell." He brushed something chalky and grey off of his cloak and a shudder worked its way down my spine. God only knows who or what it belonged to. "Besides I wasn’t the one about to feel up a sleeping human."

"I wasn’t—"

"Save it." He waved his hand. "We have work to do. I don’t have time for your useless obsession with the human today."

"Will you please stop calling her that?"

"What?" Easton glanced up from Emma’s vanity, where he’d been inspecting the various lotions and bottles like he was on some alien planet. Then again, Easton had been dead for something like four hundred years, so all of her stuff probably was sort of alien to him.

"The human. You make me sound like a freak. It’s not like we’re a different species for God’s sake. We were humans, too, or don’t you remember that far back?"

"Were. Past tense."

We could have gone back and forth like that for hours, but the call came. It always did. It started in my bones—a cold so cutting that it sliced through me like a machete. When I looked up, Easton’s jaw was clenched, his muscles taut and ready. He slowly closed his hand around the handle of his scythe that burned black and softly smoked at his side. I flexed my fingers as the icy ribbons of death worked their way through each one of my limbs.

"Can you take this one for me?" I asked. "You’re already going to be there, and I just got back—"

"No," Easton said. "Hell no. I have my own job to do. I can’t keep covering for your sorry ass. Besides, you’re already on thin ice with Balthazar. Don’t push your luck, Finn. Just keep your nose down, collect your souls, and thank the Almighty that you don’t have my job. Now let’s go."

"Yeah, but…" My eyes returned to Emma. Sleeping. Perfect. Safe.

"For the love of God. She’ll be fine, you pansy." Easton clamped a hand over my shoulder and dragged me from the bed.

"How do you know?"

He shrugged. "I don’t."

With that he vanished, consumed in a flash by the keening wails of the damned. The screams beckoned. Clawed at me from the inside out.

Rule one as a seeker: Death doesn’t wait for anyone.

And it sure as hell wasn’t waiting for me now.

TIME SLICE by Kerry Downing.........

2012-02-15T08:08:00.002-05:00

I am thrilled to be apart of the Blog Tour for TIME SLICE by Kerry Dowing! His new book TIME SLICE has been released from Camel Press and is a must read for anyone who loves books about real people with some really kick butt Time Travel aspects.

REVIEW: Do you ever wonder where time went? While you were working all these years, getting up every morning to support your family, what was going on at home? I am sure you have an idea of what your family is doing, but someone through time, minute by minute you have slowly lost part of them and they you. Time stretches on and it is time to retire, and for Roy Washburn life isn't exactly what was waiting for him at home all this time. With too much time on his hands and nothing to do his wife is at a complete loss and a daughter that is less than daddy's little girl.

In comes The Traveler, a mysterious stranger he meets at the mall and now the portal to alternate worlds is at his fingertips. Not only that, but to travel through time is one of the most fascinating possibilities of all I think. When Roy finds a weird cylindrical tube at the mall while waiting for his wife, life is seriously about to change.

Roy is a good guy, despite his issues he is really trying to get a handle on his life now that he is retired and understand how he lost his connection to his wife and daughter. A fantastic adventure that will have you one your toes until the last minute. You will be wrapped around the life of Roy Washburn and his travels throughout time and space that your own imagination of what could be will take you away!

Kerry Downing web site:http://www.kerrydowning.com

Kerry Downing blog:http://kgdwrites.blogspot.com

Kerry Downing Twitter:https://www.twitter.com/KGDWrites

Tribute Books Blog Tours Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/pages/Tribute-Books-Blog-Tours/242431245775186

Time Slice blog tour site:http://timesliceblogtour.blogspot.com

Time Slice Book Summary

Ordinary People. Extraordinary Adventures. Science Fiction with Heart.

Newly retired workaholic Roy Washburn is not ready for a life of leisure. On a trip to the mall with his wife, he finds a small metal cylinder with odd markings. One nudge of the cylinder's triangle-shaped pointer and Roy finds himself embarking on an exciting new adventure in the Time Stream.

There he meets The Traveler, a tall, gangly being who shows Roy how to use the cylinder to visit other civilizations that co-exist on "his" Earth, each occupying a different, thin Time Slice. The Traveler solicits Roy's help in recovering an object invented by his murdered father and beyond his own reach. Roy is his last hope.

At first it seems that the Traveler's wish might be easily granted. But after Roy's wife Emily becomes ill and his daughter's long-held resentments rise to the surface, he can no longer "travel" at a moment's notice. He also discovers the very real physical and mental risks involved in roaming the Time Stream.

Despite the dangers, Roy is determined to help the Traveler. But he can't do it alone. Fortunately he has a loving wife and a core group of loyal friends. But first he must convince them--and his daughter--that he isn't crazy ...

Kerry Downing's Bio:

Kerry Downing set out to become a meteorologist, but was hooked by the world of computers instead, becoming a systems analyst and programmer. Astronomy and science fiction are his passions. He’s been gazing at the stars at all hours of the night since the age of 10, when he received his first telescope. As for science fiction, Arthur C. Clarke and his brand of “it really seems as if it could happen” has always been his favorite. In the 90s, Kerry found the third love of his life: his wife, Lucy. They live in St. Louis, Missouri, with their five children. Time Slice is Kerry’s second science-fiction novel. His self-published, debut work is The Collective.

Paperback
Price: $17.95
ISBN: 9781603818520
Pages: 256
Release: June 10, 2011
Amazon buy link http://www.amazon.com/dp/1603818529?tag=tributebooks-20

Barnes&Noble.com buy link http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/time-slice-kerry-downing/1102590047?ean=9781603818520&itm=1&usri=time%252bslice

eBookPrice: $4.95

Kindle buy linkhttp://www.amazon.com/dp/B0052MNKT4?tag=tributebooks-20

Nook buy linkhttp://search.barnesandnoble.com/Time-Slice/Kerry-Downing/e/2940011342554

Smashwords buy linkhttps://www.smashwords.com/books/view/61838?ref=tributebooks

Valentine's Day Fun ..... Enter to win free ......

2012-02-10T08:08:00.003-05:00

Author Toni Aleo and Lisa over @ A TASTY READ have a very special Valentine's Day Treat for everyone! Check it out ...................

"Valentines is only 4 days away and everyone's getting into the loving mood!!! Not only am I discounting Taking Shots for that day but Lisa over a A Tasty Read is spreading the love by hosting my give away and then one of her own!!!

Here's the details from her blog, A Tasty Read:

TO ENTER, ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS:

(1) Become a FOLLOWER of A Tasty Read Romance Review Blog, by either Joining the Site or Following by Email. Its on the side of the blog!

AND IF YOU WANT TO BE ENTERED MORE THAN ONCE:

(2) Follow A Tasty Read on Twitter and/or "LIKE" A Tasty Read on Facebook

(3) Follow Toni Aleo on Twitter and/or "LIKE" Toni Aleo on Facebook

PRIZES

She will be Giving Away HER BEAUTIFUL, "A TASTY READ" Pen, along with The New Release of you choice.

Valentine's Day is all about YOU right!! Oh yeah..and some yummy V-DAY Candy to make it EXTRA SPECIAL!!

And Toni, (aw shucks! hehe) being as sweet as she is, will be GIVING AWAY An E-BOOK of her latest Release, TAKING SHOTS, the first book in her Assassin's Series.

These are great prizes ladies! You should go enter and like her page! Its all about love on Valentines, so why dont you go get you a does. I mean ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE right?" ...... Toni Aleo

Spencer Seidel's LOVESICK Blog Tour and scavenger hunt..........

2012-02-09T08:00:00.002-05:00

Lets welcome author Spencer Seidel who is stopping by Book Junkie on this LOVESICK Blog Tour. His newest mystery, LOVESICK, releasing in June 2012 in paperback, but is now avail on Amazon (e-book). Enjoy the interview, and don’t forget to read the two Excerpts that follow the scavenger hunt! There is a link to tomorrow’s blog spot on the tour so you can follow along!!!

1. If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your latest book?

Of course! I never feel that a book is perfect or complete. I could edit and revise forever. But I really do like Lovesick and my characters and believe in them, so I have to stand behind it as is.

2. Do you recall how your interest in writing originated?

After reading Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl and The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster about six times each as a kid (and more again as an adult), I knew that writing was something I wanted to do.

3. Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?

The most challenging thing about being a writer for me is keeping the faith that it’s something worth doing. It’s awfully easy to get carried away by the doom-and-gloomers in the industry, or with the ego-maniacal folks in the industry you run into occasionally who don’t seem to realize that we’re all in this together. It’s a tough, tough business, and sometimes it’s hard for me to separate that from craft.

4. Do you have any advice for other writers?

Yes. Keep writing. I meet too many authors who write one book and then lose themselves trying to sell it. Some books sell, some don’t. That’s a fact of life in this business. You’ve got to always be writing your next book. I think it’s the only way to be successful.

5. Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers?

Just that I’m so glad I have readers! Thank you for spending time with my characters. I hope we have a long, complicated relationship!

BLURB:

Late one night out on the Eastern Promenade Trail in Portland, Maine,
the police discover an incoherent teenager sitting in a pool of blood,
holding the body of his best friend and the murder weapon. The girl
they both love has been missing for weeks.

The kid’s jealousy clearly drove him to murder. He says the missing
girl is the love of his life. She also happens to be the girlfriend of
the murder victim.

It’s an open and shut case, or so most of Portland thinks.

Dr. Lisa Boyers, forensic psychologist, receives a call from an old
friend, a connection to her troubled past. Attorney Rudy Swaner wants
her to interview the young killer Paul Ducharme, who is claiming he
doesn’t remember the events leading up to the murder.

In her jailhouse interviews, Lisa helps Paul to recover his memories.
But something about Paul’s disturbing love story shakes Lisa to the
very core of her being. To understand Paul, she is forced to confront
her own ugly violent secrets.

Media attention mounts. Reporters stream into Portland. All eyes turn
to the psychologist who seems intent on exonerating the vicious teen
killer. Soon Lisa finds herself the focus of an over-zealous reporter
with a knack for digging up dirty secrets.

But the killer who has Lisa in the crosshairs already knows them all.

EXCERPT #1

“He’s got a knife!” Jimmy said after seeing the glint of a blade in the kid’s hand. Jimmy brought his gun up and squared it at the kid.

Christ! Jimmy thought, his heart trip-hammering in his chest, I might have to shoot this sonofabitching kid. And on my first night. “He’s got a knife!” he said again.

The kid looked confused and held up his left hand. In it was a serrated knife, the kind a hunter might use to skin a deer. The kid looked almost surprised to see it.

He started shaking. He dropped the knife and then threw up on the ground next to the body on his lap.

Jimmy gagged at the sight and sound of it. He could smell the blood from where he stood, a coppery, organic stink.

EXCERPT #2

The kid sat in a small lake of it. Jimmy’s stomach roiled in protest, and he thought he might throw up himself.

“Don’t you fucking move!” Bruce said to the kid. “Don’t you fucking move!”

A siren in the night. Getting closer.

“Can you help me? There’s something wrong with Lee. He’s not breathing.” The kid bent over the victim.

Jimmy said in a low whisper: “That kid isn’t right. Something’s wrong with him. In the head I mean. And look at his eyes, Bruce.”

“Tell me something I don’t fucking know, for Christ’s sake.”

Jimmy ignored this and said, louder, “What’s your name, kid?”

Jimmy caught another harsh look from Bruce. Rooks weren’t supposed to say anything unless told to, but Jimmy ignored the silent reprimand. The kid looked up and stopped rocking his body. http://www.sithereandread.com/

MARKED IN MEXICO by Kim McMahill .......

2012-02-02T08:08:00.010-05:00

In Kim McMahill's latest from Inspired Romance Novels called MARKED IN MEXICO , an idyllic Caribbean vacation turns deadly when hostages are taken at one of Mexico’s most popular Mayan ruins. The kidnappers believe the abduction will be a simple way to negotiate the release of a colleague from a Texas prison, but the stakes become much higher when they realize one of their hostages is the daughter of a powerful U.S. Senator and another, an ex-Army Ranger who has no intention of playing by the rules.

After a daring escape the Senator’s daughter, Jessica, and the ex-Ranger, Jack, must endure a terrifying manhunt and a desperate fight for survival. While trying to stay alive in the unforgiving jungle they forge a bond that will last a lifetime and find love neither wanted, but were unable to avoid.

What a great adventure this book was, from the start I knew I would just love Jessica. She is a successful woman with a good head on her shoulders and strong as hell. Well, that is unless it comes to standing up to her father. Knowing that the political life that she was born into many sacrifices have to be made and making him happy even if it means compromising on her own happiness, that is what she is willing to do. Unfortunately it has sidelined her on her personal life with a total ass of a boyfriend. I do use that word lightly because frankly he is a user, a liar and a cheat, not to mention a complete and total jerk. Actually the man just might be the poster child and king of all jerks out there.

Wanting escape and needing a break after a horrible loss in a court case she runs to Mexico on a much needed girls vacation with her best friend. Little did she know that this trip would be the catalyst for her life changing in such a dramatic way.

Meeting Jack, the dark, sexy and shy (?) guy who just seems to be one of the gang she is almost at a loss for words. Yes he is cute and blushes but there is something dark about him that she can’t quite figure out. I do love their banter, or really a sarcastic flirt. But Jack’s head is still in his past when it comes to women and all his walls are up with it comes to Jessica. She makes him feel alive again and he isn’t willing to let her die. Die you ask, that is because they have been taken captive by drug traffickers with 3 others in hopes that one of their partner’s will be released from a Texas prison.

Very fast things turn deadly, especially when one of the captives lets the cat out of the bag and lets the kidnappers know exactly who Jessica is and her relation to a very powerful US politician. On the run for their lives the two can’t help but bond. But it is much more than that. Their personalities really shine with their strengths as individuals and complement each other greatly. Before you know it their relationship is sizzling hot and neither one can start to deny the passion or the underlying feelings that they would both like to hide. Although extreme circumstances they are falling in love.

With all the suspense and close calls I was on the edge of my seat desperately trying to read faster and faster just to find out what was going to happen. The author has really created two characters who not only are cohesive and charming but who have depth and personality that bounces off the pages. The supporting characters, from their friends, family and the other victims really hold solid in their characterization which all together forms a very solid, sensual romance with a hot streak of suspense that will keep you on your toes!

5 STARS- LOVED IT! COULDN'T PUT IT DOWN

Author: Kim McMahill

ISBN:978-0-9847645-4-9

Pub Date:January 13th, 2012

Publisher Name: Inspired Romance Novels

You can read more from at www.kimmcmahilll.com . This book is available from Inspired Romance Novels . You can buy it here in Format :PDF, PRC, HTML, Mobi, Epub.

Winner, Claimed by a Spymaster by Tara Kingston....

2012-01-19T12:15:00.000-05:00

CYP is the winner of Tara Kingston's Claimed to the Spymaster !!!