Author: Kelly

Posted on

Interview & Giveaway with Katie Reus

Books-n-Kisses is so happy to have our pal Katie Reus back on the blog today to chat about her upcoming release Mating Instinct. 

BnK: Hi Katie, Welcome back to Books-n-Kisses.  We are always happy to have you on the blog again.

Katie:  I love visiting so thanks so much for having me here!

BnK: For my followers who may not know you.  Please tell us a little more about yourself.

Katie: I’m a writer, a mom, a wife, and a lover of books! Really good red wine and dark chocolate are two of my weaknesses. I’m a total action movie junkie, wear flip-flops year round and rarely leave home without my kindle. I spend my days writing dark paranormal romance and action-packed romantic suspense—usually while wearing yoga pants.

BnK:  Let’s talk about your newest release Mating Instinct. Tell us a little about this book.

Katie: I’m so excited about this release! It’s the third book in the Moon Shifter series and full of so much sexual tension and angst between the two main characters. The official description explains what it’s about perfectly:

As the beast within struggles to break free, he must learn to be what she needs…

Surviving for centuries, powerful lupine shifter Jayce Kazan managed to stay away from humans until he met Kat Saburova and was consumed by the need to protect her. But while Jayce shared his passion with the human seer, he refused to make her his bondmate—a refusal that caused the end of their relationship.

A year later, an attack that left Kat near death has resulted in another lupine shifter turning her. Furious that he wasn’t the one to save her, Jayce is determined to show Kat that he is the one she should rely on. But the newly turned shifter is still traumatized and worried that she’ll hurt those she loves, unless she can learn to control her inner wolf.

And as Jayce struggles to protect Kat from her own worst instincts and convince her to rekindle their love, the extremists who almost killed her are looking to finish the job…

BnK:  What was the hardest and most rewarding part of writing Jayce & Kat’s story?

Katie: About halfway through Alpha Instinct (book 1), I knew Jayce and Kat would be getting a story so the most rewarding part was when I finished that first rough draft. I put so much emotion into Mating Instinct and it’s definitely one of my more character driven books so just finishing it was a giant relief. The hardest part…hmm, injecting all the emotion that was necessary for these two characters to get past their own bullshit and baggage and find happiness.

BnK:   Open Mating Instinct to a random page.  Give us a few lines and tell us what is happening.

Katie:

Jayce continued to stare at her, his chest falling and rising erratically. Oh, yeah, she’d pissed him off really good.

“Get. On. My. Bike.” The words tore from his chest with apparent difficulty.

She really should just give in. Especially when he was in a mood like this. But she wasn’t in the mood to be passive or appeasing. She was in the mood to fight. “No.” With her gaze still on him, her eyes mocking, she pulled her cell phone out of her pocket. Before she had a chance to call someone for a ride, Jayce plucked it from her hand and shoved it in his front jeans pocket.

Kat stepped toward him until they were inches apart and held out a hand. “Give me my phone.”

“If you want it, come get it.” He lifted a dark eyebrow in challenge.

Swallowing hard, she looked at the front of his jeans where the bulge of her phone was. Yeah, that so wasn’t happening.

I love this scene! This is near the beginning of the book and the first time Kat and Jayce have spoken to each other since the events that unfolded at the end of Primal Possession (book 2). They’re both full of anger, but the sexual tension between them ignites as soon as they see each other again.

BnK:  What is next in the Moon Shifter Series?

Katie: His Chosen Wolf, novella 3.5, and Avenger’s Mate, book #4. Both of these stories take place in New Orleans. HCW features characters not yet introduced, but their story is uber hot and full of a lot of supernatural action! It’s a pre-cursor to the events that start off Avenger’s Mate, which is Erin and Noah’s story. If you’ve read the first couple books in the series then you know who they are and I’m insanely excited about this book too. It takes place in a city I adore and in addition to a critical investigation they’re part of, they’ve got a lot of stuff to work through before they can find their HEA (there’s also a sweet secondary romance). It’s a very raw story with some issues I think a lot of women will be able to relate to.

BnK: Katie, I know you have a lot of irons in the fire.  Tell us about your other new releases Tempting the Jaguar and Enemy Mine.

Katie:  These are both paranormal novellas so the stories are really tight and focused on the two main characters. For the brief descriptions: Tempting the Jaguar is about Estrella, a packless jaguar shifter who finds herself being relentlessly pursued by the very sexy, protective wolf shifter, Rainer. For those who have read Destined Mate and Protector’s Mate, Rainer is Alaric’s youngest brother and he is delicious! Full details here.

Enemy Mine is a star-crossed romance about a shifter and vampire whose families are sworn enemies and I absolutely LOVE this story. I wrote this before it was even contracted because it was just one of those stories I needed to get on paper. Melina and Kiernan spent a hot night together a year before Enemy Mine starts and he’s tired of waiting on her to come to her senses and realize they’re meant to be together. When she’s attacked, he steps up and protects her, not caring what either of their families think. Full details here.

BnK:  You also have a romantic suspense series too (see I told you she was a busy girl).  Tell us a little more about your Red Stone Security Series.

Katie: I love my Red Stone men (and women!). The Red Stone Security group is a Miami-based security company that protects dignitaries and other wealthy people. All the employees who deal with the security side of things are former military or law-enforcement and are highly trained (and oh so sexy). The first three books feature the three brothers who run the company and the next two feature two of their very sexy male employees. All my guys fall hard and fast for their ladies and while they’re all uber alpha, none of them are jerks. I’m planning for the next book to release in April and it features my first RSS female security lead. She’s pretty badass so I’m excited to see how readers react to this one. Even though all the stories are tied together by Red Stone, they can be read as complete stand-alones.

BnK:  How do you keep so many books and characters from blending together?

Katie: Just like every person in my daily life is different, with amazingly different backgrounds and things that have shaped them, it’s the same with my stories and characters. To me, they’re ‘real’ in a sense because they’ve all got unique quirks and views on life. As far as keeping everything organized, I have a very detailed Excel spreadsheet for each series I write that helps me keep track of familial relationships, different plot threads, etc.

BnK: What is the best advice you ever got about becoming a writer?

Katie: Oh wow, this is hard! I’ve received so much great advice it’s hard to pick one thing, but learning to move past rejections quickly was something I was advised about many times. And all those people knew what they were talking about! I’ve learned not to dwell on the negative and instead focus on the positive. I’m too busy writing to worry about things I can’t change.

BnK: Katie, it was a pleasure to have you here again.  Is there anything we forgot to talk about that you would like to add?

Katie: I think we covered a lot so thank you again for having me as a guest!

 

A little more about Katie: Katie has been reading romance since a young age—ever since she discovered her mom’s hidden stash. Luckily the addiction stayed with her into adulthood. She writes paranormal romance and sexy romantic suspense for Carina Press, Harlequin Nocturne, and NAL/Signet Eclipse. To learn more about her please visit her website, blog, facebook or find her on twitter @katiereus.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

GRAND PRIZE GIVEAWAY

Katie is giving away a signed set of the MOON SHIFTER series (All 3 books – Alpha Instinct, Primal Possession and Mating Instinct), Romance Trading Cards (for Alpha Instinct, Lover’s Instinct & Primal Possession) and a custom made wolf themed book thong to ONE lucky winner that follows the tour. Fill out the Rafflecopter form below to enter the Grand Prize Giveaway:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

*****

Mating Instinct
Book 3

NAL/Signet Eclipse

Release Date: March 5, 2013

As the beast within struggles to break free, he must learn to be what she needs…

Surviving for centuries, powerful lupine shifter Jayce Kazan managed to stay away from humans until he met Kat Saburova and was consumed by the need to protect her. But while Jayce shared his passion with the human seer, he refused to make her his bondmate—a refusal that caused the end of their relationship.

A year later, an attack that left Kat near death has resulted in another lupine shifter turning her. Furious that he wasn’t the one to save her, Jayce is determined to show Kat that he is the one she should rely on. But the newly turned shifter is still traumatized and worried that she’ll hurt those she loves, unless she can learn to control her inner wolf.

And as Jayce struggles to protect Kat from her own worst instincts and convince her to rekindle their love, the extremists who almost killed her are looking to finish the job…

 

Amazon (paperback) / Amazon (Kindle) / Barnes & Noble (paperback) / Barnes & Noble (Nook)
BAM / Book Depository / Indie Bound Books / Kobo Books (coming soon)  / Penguin


MATING INSTINCT Blog Tour 

2/11 – Curling up with a Good Book

2/12 – Dark Faeire Tales

2/13 – Mad Hatter Reads

2/14 – The Jeep Diva

2/15 – I Smell Sheep

2/16 – Sizzling Hot Books

2/18 – Reading Between the Wines

2/19 – Bookin’ It Reviews

2/20 – Rabid Reads

2/21 – Book Lovin’ Mamas

2/22 – Close Encounters with the Night Kind

2/23 – United by Books

2/23 – Ramblings From This Chick

2/24 – Book Monster Reviews

2/24 – Literal Addiction

2/25 – Salacious Reads

2/26 – Cocktails and Books

2/27 – Urban Girl Reader

2/28 – Books-n-Kisses

3/01 – Page Flipperz

3/01 – So Many Reads…So Little Time

3/02 – The Reading Café

3/03 – Under the Covers

3/04 – Paranormal Haven

3/05 – Vampires, Werewolves, Fairies Oh My!

3/06 – SOS Aloha Blog

3/07 – Total Book Nerd

Posted on

Guest Blog & Giveaway with Jennifer Ryan

Thank you Books-n-Kisses for having me over today.

In SAVED BY THE RANCHER, I explore several themes – Jenna’s complicated relationship with her abusive ex-husband. Learning to trust a new man, even one as sexy and kind as Jack Turner.

Rich enough to surround herself with guards and hide behind walls and security, Jenna discovers no amount of money can protect you from an obsessed man. But Jenna has a plan for all that wealth and will use every dime she has to make her ex pay, but not before she shows Jack and his family a little gratitude for all their kindness.

SAVED BY THE RANCHER

From the moment rancher Jack Turner rescues Jenna Caldwell Merrick, he is determined to help her. Soon, he is tending more than her wounds, he is mending her heart. Jenna is a woman on the run—hunted down by her ex-husband, David Merrick, from the moment she left him, taking part of his company with her, to the second she found herself on the safety of Jack’s ranch. More than just a safe haven, Jack’s offering the love, family, and home she thought was out of reach.

Jack’s support and love will give her the strength she needs to reclaim her life. The hunted will become the hunter, as David gets what he deserves when they have an explosive confrontation in the boardroom of Merrick International. But not before Jack and Jenna enter into a fight…for their lives.

Excerpt:

“Now that’s what I like to see. A couple of nice asses bent over a really hot car.”

“Jenna! You didn’t. You bought them cars.”

“Yep. Cool, huh.”

…

“The cars, Jenna. How? Why? Not that I’m complaining, but this is too much. How can you do this for all of us?”

“Yes, Jenna. How can you afford to do this for everyone? Jets, limos, cars, diamonds, shopping sprees?” Jack couldn’t take his eyes off her. She looked like a million bucks in that dress and his mouth watered just looking at her. This was the real Jenna. Dressed like she was, smiling, enjoying herself. He didn’t know what to make of it.

“Jack, you asked me several times who I’m running from. You neglected to ask who I am.”

She wore a huge smile on her face, like the joke was on him for missing that fact. He guessed it was.

“You may be rich, but I’m filthy stinking rich.” She let them absorb that little bombshell. Still smiling like the cat who ate the canary, she took in their shocked faces.

“What I did today was just money. I could do this every day until I die if I wanted to.”

Stunned into complete silence, she smiled even more.

“Okay, here it is. You guys took me in and cared for me. A stranger. You didn’t know anything about me, except someone hurt me. You nursed me back to health and gave me something back that I’ve been missing for far too long.”

She turned to Caleb. “Friendship.”

To Summer. “Caring.”

And Lily. “Hope.”

She faced Jack again. “Kindness. That’s all I ever wanted. You know that. You all gave it to me, expecting nothing in return, without knowing who I am, or what my circumstances.

“I’m returning that kindness. You all have my love and friendship, but I wanted to give you something to show you how much I appreciate having you in my life.” She raised her hand and gestured to the cars. “So, every boy should have a really cool toy. Hence, the really cool cars. I hope you like them.

“Every girl should get to go on a marvelous shopping spree. The jet and limo were just, well, lots of fun.”

They all spoke at once, saying it was too much, and they couldn’t accept.

She held up both her hands to stop all the protests. “These are just things, and I give them to you with all the love in my heart. Accept them. Enjoy them. Seeing you happy makes me happy. That’s another thing I haven’t felt in a long time.

“Now, the appropriate response is, ‘Thank you, Jenna.’”

Heads turned this way and that as they all came to a silent agreement and in unison said, “Thank you, Jenna.”

She laughed.

What would it be like to have all that money? What would I do first?

Buy a huge house? Send my kids to Harvard? Buy my husband that hot sports car he’s always wanted? Take a trip around the world and stay in five-star hotels? Pay off all my bills? My family’s bills? Help a stranger? Use it for revenge against someone who wronged me? Keep it for myself, even when I knew a friend could use a helping hand?

Buy a new freezer and keep it stocked with rocky road ice cream? Definitely. I’m a simple girl, who likes simple things. Like diamonds. Sparkly things make me smile.

Dream big and make those dreams come true? Absolutely.

If you had Jenna’s wealth, what would you do with it?

Author Bio:

Jennifer lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her husband, three children, her dog, Bella, and cat, Shadow.

When she isn’t writing a book, she’s reading one. Her obsession for both is often revealed in the state of her home and how late dinner is to the table. When she finally leaves those fictional worlds, you’ll find her in the garden, playing in the dirt and daydreaming about people who live only in her head, until she puts them on paper.

For more information about Jennifer and her upcoming releases, visit www.jennifer-ryan.com.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Posted on

Jennifer’s review of Winterblaze by Kristen Callihan

TITLE: Winterblaze
AUTHOR: Kristen Callihan
PUBLICATION DATE: 02/26/13
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS: Once blissfully in love….Poppy Lane is keeping secrets. Her powerful gift has earned her membership in the Society for the Suppression of Supernaturals, but she must keep both her ability and her alliance with the Society from her husband, Winston. Yet when Winston is brutally attacked by a werewolf, Poppy’s secrets are revealed, leaving Winston’s trust in her as broken as his body. Now Poppy will do anything to win back his affections….

Their relationship is now put to the ultimate test… Winston Lane soon regains his physical strength but his face and heart still bears the scars of the vicious attack. Drawn into the darkest depths of London, Winston must fight an evil demon that wants to take away the last hope of reconciliation with his wife. As a former police inspector, Winston has intelligence and logic on his side. But it will take the strength of Poppy’s love for him to defect the forces that threaten to tear them apart.

REVIEW:
I have been waiting a long time to finally learn Poppy and Winston’s story and Kristen Callihan doesn’t disappoint in her latest installment in the Darkest London series. This is a heart-wrenching tale of a couple that has to battle a demon from the depths of hell to protect their true love. Poppy has always been an interesting character to me as the oldest Ellis sister and we finally learn her supernatural ability that she has gone to great lengths to keep hidden. Poppy was also protecting other deep dark secrets in this novel that would threaten to destroy her relationship with her husband and her family if they became known. I was quite irritated with Winston’s character in the beginning because he had separated from Poppy when he learned one of these secrets and instead of standing by her, decided it was best that they go their separate ways. This secret destroyed his image of Poppy and considering he was holding secrets of his own, made me angry with his character. Poppy was such a strong character in my eyes with all the responsibilities that she had to deal with and had wanted to make the best of the situation even if it meant not living with her husband anymore.

During the course of the novel, they were able to make amends and join forces to hunt a deadly demon, Isley, who threatened Winston’s life and his future with Poppy. He was intent on taking Winston’s soul unless Winston was able to discover the identity of a Moira Darling and the object that she had stolen from this deadly demon. The journey to find Moira Darling brought Poppy and Win closer together but also unearthed secrets that neither had wanted to come to light. I enjoyed learning about Poppy and Winston’s relationship and courtship which appeared via flashbacks during the course of this novel. Kristen is an amazingly talented author and each novel seems to be better than its predecessor in this dazzling paranormal Victorian world. I can’t wait to read her next novel, Shadowdance, which continues the adventures of Jack Talent and the beautiful yet elusive Mary Chase.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

Posted on

Interview with Miranda Stowe

Can you please share with us a little about yourself

Hi!!  Thanks so much for having me here today.  I’m a Midwest girl. One husband. One toddler daughter. No pets, or obsessive illegal habits, or sad, traumatic background. I’m just a normal, boring every day average woman who works in a university library during the day, and reads and writes whenever I can sneak in the time.

Have you always wanted to be an author?

Yes, pretty much. I can remember wanting to be an author when I was in the first grade!

What is your most interesting writing quirk?

I can’t write a story in order. I have to skip around to scenes that interest me at that moment. Is that interesting enough???

Can you please tell us about your latest book(s)?

Mates Since Birth is an erotic romance shape shifter short story about the kids from the first two couples in the first two books in my Half-Breed Shifter series. See, the hero kind of accidently bonded himself to the heroine when she was like a couple minutes old (oopsie), so now they’re mated for life. This story picks up where he finds her after her father has hidden her from him for twenty years and they try to see if they can break the bond…only to realize, nah, they really don’t want to break it!

How did you come with the idea for this story?

Yeesh, I don’t know really. I went through a Sherrilyn Kenyon stage before writing this story and really, really liked the hook-up scene in her novella Stroke of Midnight. I now have a BIG thing for mated shape shifters ever since!

Can you share with us your current work(s) in progress?

I really should be working on my next book in my half-breed shifter series since Mates Since Birth ends in a major cliffhanger, but I keep getting ideas for non-erotic stories. That’s okay, though, since I also publish non-erotic stories under my Linda Kage pen name. So…be on the lookout for some New Adult from Omnific Publishing later on this year!!

Who is the one author that you would love to meet someday and why?

Julia Quinn. I love her stories, and I’ve seen some of her video interviews. She seems really fun and uplifting and inspiring in a romance writing sort of way.  I don’t know if I could meet her one-on-one (I’d be too shy and nervous). But listening to her give a speech in person would be epic!

What is the best piece of advice you would give to someone that wants to get into writing?

Don’t Give Up!

Can you share with us something off your bucket list.

I want to see the ocean someday.

What is in your To Read Pile that you are dying to start or upcoming release you can’t wait for?

Apollyon by Jennifer L. Armentrout. CAN. NOT. WAIT. It’s those books in a series that get you every time!

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Um…thanks again for having me here and for your interest in my story! Happy Reading!

 

 

 

Posted on

Want a Chance to win a Kindle Fire HD??? Check out a Kindle Serials….

CHECK OUT A KINDLE SERIALS…

ENTER FOR A CHANCE TO WIN A KINDLE FIRE HD!!

From Valentine’s Day through the end of March, three romance authors are combining to not only bring readers an easy opportunity for a chance to win a 7” Kindle Fire HD, but also the chance to discover a new and exciting way to read books!

Have you heard of Kindle Serials? It’s a blast from the past, where books are released in episodes in the same vein as in Charles Dickens’ day. Only, instead of getting each episode in a magazine or newspaper, you’ll get them on your Kindle or Kindle app. It’s kind of like your favorite television shows. The ones that leave you hanging each week, anxious to get to the next episode and know more!

Cheryl Bolen, Kim Law, and Patrice Wilton each have a Kindle serial releasing, and are hoping you’ll give them a try! In return, they’re giving away a 7” Kindle Fire HD on April 1st, and will give away three $20 Amazon gift cards along the way. All you have to do to enter is go to one of their websites and answer a simple question about their serial. Want to enter three times? Go to each website and answer a question about each serial.

Additionally, after reading each episode, join the fun by chatting with other readers on the Kindle forums, and discussing how you think the next episode will play out! Links to the forums are found on each book’s Amazon page.

Falling for Frederick, by Cheryl Bolen – Laden with mystery and suspense, Falling for Frederick is a fast-paced romance that takes place in contemporary England. Aided by the lord of the manor, a lovely doctoral student seeks a priceless medieval artifact – just a step ahead of those who’ve already murdered to get it.

 

 

 

 

Ex on the Beach, by Kim Law – Andie Shayne is getting ready to host the wedding of the summer at her resort on Turtle Island. As the guests arrive she’s taken aback to learn that her ex–who left her at the altar–is the best man. What he did was unforgiveable, and now he’s back with an agenda for her affection.

 

 

 

 

A Hero Lies Within, by Patrice Wilton – Old secrets linger and two reunited lovers are faced with more deception and mistrust. Can their love survive a second time around? Jake Harrington left her once when her life was falling apart, and now he’s back, and so are all the emotions she fought hard to expel. Can she forget his bitter betrayal, and will he forgive hers when to save her career she must betray his trust?

 

 

$20 Amazon Gift Card giveaways:

February 28th – Winner pulled from all entries from Cheryl’s contest page.

March 14th – Winner pulled from all entries from Kim’s contest page.

March 28th – Winner pulled from all entries from Patrice’s contest page.

7” Kindle Fire HD giveaway:

April 1 – Kindle Fire HD winner will be drawn from all entries gathered from the contest pages of Cheryl, Kim and Patrice. Enter up to 3 times to win!

Subscribe to the Montlake Delivers newsletter

CONTEST FINE PRINT:
By submitting your entry you agree to share your information with and sign up for Cheryl, Kim and Patrice’s newsletters. They agree not to share your information with anyone else. You may unsubscribe at any time.
One entry per person per contest page. (Up to three entries possible, one at each contest page.)
You must be 18 years old to enter.

You must be a US resident to enter.
Giveaway ends at midnight EST, Sunday, March 31, 2013.
One winner will be chosen at random from all entrants for the 7” Kindle Fire HD.

One winner will be chosen at random for each of the Amazon gift cards.

Winner selections are at the sole discretion of Cheryl Bolen, Kim Law and Patrice Wilton. All decisions are final.
Winner will be notified via email.

Winner agrees for their name to be used in newsletters, on websites, twitter, and on the Facebook pages of Cheryl Bolen, Kim Law, and Patrice Wilton.
Giveaway is sponsored by Cheryl Bolen, Kim Law, and Patrice Wilton. No purchase necessary. Cheryl Bolen, Kim Law, and Patrice Wilton are not responsible for transmission failures, computer glitches or lost, late, damaged or returned mail.

Posted on

Kelly’s review of Edge Of Dawn by Lara Adrian

TITLE: Edge of Dawn – Midnight Breed #11
Characters: Mira & Kellen
AUTHOR:Lara Adrian
PUBLICATION DATE: 02/26/2013
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Twenty years after the terror of First Dawn—when mankind learned that vampires lived secretly among them—the threat of violence reigns as the two species struggle to coexist. The only group preserving the fragile harmony is the Order, an elite cadre of Breed warriors dedicated to protecting humans and vampires alike. And in this precarious world of torn loyalties and shattered trust, Mira, a fiery squad captain, finds that every fight bears an intensely personal cost.

Raised among the Order, Mira has always believed in the warrior’s code of swift—and even lethal—justice. But the one thing she desires more than the Order’s hard-won acceptance is Kellan Archer, a sexy but troubled Breed fighter. In love with him since childhood, Mira once broke through his tough exterior during an unexpected night of rapture, but the next day he mysteriously disappeared, never to return.

Kellan didn’t think he would ever see Mira again—or have to confront the truth of why he left. After abandoning the Order years ago, he now leads a band of human rebels intent on carrying out their own vigilante rule of law. Yet a high-profile kidnapping assignment brings him face-to-face with the past he sought to avoid, and the striking woman he has tried desperately to forget. And as tensions mount and the risk of bloodshed grows, Kellan and Mira must take sides—between the competing missions that dominate their lives, and the electrifying passion that claims their hearts

REVIEW:
It was great to be back in the world of the Midnight Breed. 20 years in the future from the last book (#10 Darker After Midnight) the world has changed and all the kids are grown up. I will admit it was a little strange to go from seeing Mira a little rambunctious girl in Darker too this strong warrior woman in Edge of Dawn. But once you get over the time lapse you will be totally fine.

The world is not much better then when we left it at the end of Darker. The Breed has been out in the open and humans still fear them. Wars have raged. People both Breed and human have been lost. The Breed & human are trying to find a way to live peacefully. But not all is what it seems and soon a new enemy emerges that will threaten everything that the Breed has been trying to do for the last 20 years.

Edge of Dawn brings most of the original Breed members back to this story to fight against this new enemy. And since I really don’t like to give spoilers…..

Edge of Dawn is Mira & Kellan’s story And it is a great story of love, loss, betrayal and learning to trust again. I really, really, really, loved this story and loved the new elements that Lara brings to this new world of the Midnight Breed.

I will tell you that I did need a tissue a time or two. I loved to see some of my favorite’s back (even if my favorite was only mentioned) and I have a few new favorites among the younger Breed members now too.

I am very much looking forward to where Lara is going to take us with this new Breed of characters and what she has in store for us with this new enemy.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. The following review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

Posted on

Guest blog & giveaway with Anne Calhoun

When Do You Give Up?

It’s a tough question to answer, but all of the characters in my current release, UNCOMMON PLEASURE, have to face. Each struggles with his or her burdens. Ty Hendricks, a former NCO in the Marine Corps, believes he’s personally responsible for a devastating tragedy. Lauren Kincaid sees so much potential in Ty, but when he’s purposefully cruel to her, she’s not sure she can bear to walk with someone bent on self-destruction. Abby Simmons believes Sean Winthrop gave up on her months before when he decided – without consulting her on the subject – that she was to young and had too much of her life in front of her to support a Marine through a deployment based on a whirlwind thirty-day affair. Sean knows he’s made a mistake and he’s not going to give up on Abby, but sometimes there’s no recovering from a mistake.

When characters get pushed to the breaking point the possibility of quitting is always there. But when they’re at that edge they can also choose to change, to let love in, to admit a mistake and ask for forgiveness, to accept an apology and move forward.

 

Do you like that deep, crushing sense of desperation that all is lost forever in a story, or do you like a lighter-hearted read?

Comment for a chance to win a copy of UNCOMMON PLEASURE!

*****

Uncommon Pleasure

by Anne Calhoun

Coming March 5, 2013

From a “fresh and imaginative” (The Romance Studio) voice in erotic romance come the tales of two women, each daring to challenge the toughest of men…but in these edgy, heated encounters, the greatest thing she’ll risk is her heart.

In Over the Edge, after a tragic incident during Ty Hendricks’ last tour of duty he cut off all connection with anyone he cares about—until a night with Lauren Kincaid draws him reluctantly back into the world. Lauren sees a wounded man in danger of losing everything to his inner demons, but the sensual, no-holds-barred fight for Ty’s soul could cost Lauren her heart.

In All on the Line, Abby Simmons fell hard for Lieutenant Sean Winthrop, but he sacrificed their relationship when he deployed to Afghanistan. Now he’s home, full of regrets and intent on winning back the woman he never forgot. Abby gives Sean her body but holds her heart aloof, until one night of pleasure forces her to choose her U.S. Marine…or life without him, forever.

Posted on

Kissin’ the week of Feb 18th-23rd Goodbye

2.18.13

Blind Date Giveaway 

Interview & Giveaway with Elle Kennedy

Kimberly’s review of  Sarah’s Fate by Marissa Dobson

Kelly’s review of Collide by Juliana Stone

2.19.13

Release Day Madness

Kimberly’s review of Leandros by Celia Jade

Kelly’s review of Die for Me by Cynthia Eden 

2.20.13

Interview with Laura DeLuca

Jennifer’s review of Scarlet by Marissa Meyer

Jennifer’s review of The Next Forever by Lisa Burstein

2.21.13

Thursday’s Thought

Interview & giveaway with ML Buchman

Kelly’s review of The Burning Air by Erin Kelly

Kimberly’s review of How to Seduce an Angel in 10 Days by Saranna DeWylde

2.22.13

Interview with Heather Powell 

Kelly’s review of  Raphael/Parish by Ivy & Wright

Kimberly’s review of Vampire’s Gone Wild

Guest reviewer: Shayna’s review of Crossing Lines by Alannah Lynne

2.23.13

SINsational Saturday Series

Kresley Cole’s Immortals After Dark Series

Posted on

Immortals After Dark Series by Kresley Cole

Find the Immortals After Dark books here:

Kresley’s Amazon Page | Kresley’s B&N Page

*****

The Warlord Wants Forever 

Immortals After Dark #1

Nikolai Wroth, once a ruthless human warlord in the 1700s and now a general in the rebel vampire army, needs to find his Bride, the one woman who can render him truly alive. As a turned human, he doesn’t enjoy a heartbeat or breaths and is consequently weaker than fully blooded vampires. He wants his Bride for the power she will bring him and can hardly believe it when his heart beats for Myst the Coveted, a mad, fey, mythological creature.

Myst is known throughout the world as the most beautiful Valkyrie, part chillingly fierce warrior, part beguiling seductress who can “make you want her even as she’s killing you.” She has devoted her life to protecting an ancient, powerful jewel and to fighting the vampires, and she now sees a way to torment one—for with Wroth’s heartbeat comes consuming sexual desire that can only be slaked by her.

She eludes him for five years, but he has finally chased her to ground and stolen the jewel which commands her, giving him absolute power over her. While he possesses it, he can make her do anything, and he plans to in order for her to experience first hand the agonizing, unending lust she’d purposely subjected him to for half a decade. Yet when Wroth realizes he wants more from her and frees her, will she come back to him?

*****

A Hunger Like No Other 

Immortals After Dark #2

Acclaimed author Kresley Cole introduces a sizzling new series with this tale of a fierce werewolf and a bewitching vampire—unlikely soul mates whose passion will test the boundaries of life and death.

A mythic warrior who’ll stop at nothing to possess her…

After enduring years of torture from the vampire horde, Lachlain MacRieve, leader of the Lykae Clan, is enraged to find the predestined mate he’s waited millennia for is a vampire. Or partly one. This Emmaline is a small, ethereal half Valkyrie/half vampire, who somehow begins to soothe the fury burning within him.

A vampire captured by her wildest fantasy…

Sheltered Emmaline Troy finally sets out to uncover the truth about her deceased parents—until a powerful Lykae claims her as his mate and forces her back to his ancestral Scottish castle. There, her fear of the Lykae—and their notorious dark desires—ebbs as he begins a slow, wicked seduction to sate her own dark cravings.

An all-consuming desire…

Yet when an ancient evil from her past resurfaces, will their desire deepen into a love that can bring a proud warrior to his knees and turn a gentle beauty into the fighter she was born to be?

*****

No Rest for the Wicked 

Immortals After Dark #3

In this next installment in the Immortals After Dark Series, USA TodayBestselling author Kresley Cole delivers a scorching tale about a forbidding vampire who lives in the shadows and the beautiful assassin who hunts him there.

A vampire soldier weary of life…

Centuries ago, Sebastian Wroth was turned into a vampire—a nightmare in his mind—against his will. Burdened with hatred and alone for ages, he sees little reason to live. Until an exquisite, fey creature comes to kill him, inadvertently saving him instead.

A valkyrie assassin dispatched to destroy him…

When Kaderin the Cold Hearted lost her two beloved sisters to a vampire attack long ago, a benevolent force deadened her sorrow—accidentally extinguishing all of her emotions. Yet whenever she encounters Sebastian, her feelings—particularly lust—emerge multiplied. For the first time, she’s unable to complete a kill.

Competitors in a legendary hunt…

The prize of the month-long contest is powerful enough to change history, and Kaderin will do anything to win it for her sisters. Wanting only to win her, forever, Sebastian competes as well, taking every opportunity—as they travel to ancient tombs and through catacombs, seeking relics around the world—to use her new feelings to seduce her. But when forced to choose between the vampire she’s falling for and reuniting her family, how can Kaderin live without either?

*****

Wicked Deeds on a Winter’s Night 

Immortals After Dark #4

This seductive paranormal series continues with a brutal Highland werewolf and an exquisite young witch, adversaries with a blood vendetta between them.

Her breathless kiss haunts him…

Bowen MacRieve of the Lykae clan was nearly destroyed when he lost the one woman meant for him. The ruthless warrior grew even colder, never taking another to his bed—until a smoldering encounter with his enemy, Mariketa the Awaited, reawakens his darkest desires. When sinister forces unite against her, the Highlander finds himself using all his strength and skill to keep her alive.

His slow, hot touch is irresistible…

Temporarily stripped of her powers, Mari is forced to take refuge with her sworn adversary. It’s rumored that no one can tempt Bowen’s hardened heart, but soon passion burns between them. Though a future together is impossible, she fears he has no intention of letting her go.

No deed is too wicked for her seduction…

If they defeat the evil that surrounds them, can Mari deny Bowen when he demands her body and soul—or will she risk everything for her fierce protector?

*****

Dark Needs at Night’s Edge 

Immortals After Dark #5

Bestselling author Kresley Cole continues her seductive Immortals After Dark series with this tale of a vampire shunned even by his own kind and a beautiful phantom, bound together by a passion they cannot resist.

A raven-haired temptress of the dark…

Néomi Laress, a famous ballerina from a past century, became a phantom the night she was murdered. Imbued with otherworldly powers but invisible to the living, she haunts her beloved home, scaring away trespassers—until she encounters a ruthless immortal even more terrifying than Néomi herself.

A vampire warrior consumed by madness…

To prevent him from harming others, Conrad Wroth’s brothers imprison him in an abandoned manor. But there, a female only he can see seems determined to drive him further into madness. The exquisite creature torments him with desire, leaving his body racked with lust and his soul torn as he finds himself coveting her for his own.

How far will he go to claim her?

Yet even if Conrad can win Néomi, evil still surrounds her. Once he returns to the brutality of his past to protect her, will he succumb to the dark needs seething inside him?

*****

Dark Desires After Dusk 

Immortals After Dark #6

RITA Award-winning author Kresley Cole continues her bestselling Immortals After Dark series with this electrifying tale of a ruthless demon mercenary and the lovely young halfling who enchants him.

A seductive beauty he can never have, yet can’t resist…
Cadeon Woede will stop at nothing to atone for the one wrong that will haunt him forever. But once he secures the key to his redemption, the halfling Holly Ashwin, Cade finds that the woman he thought he could use for his own ends and then forget haunts him as much as his past.

A tormented warrior she should fear, but can’t deny…
Raised as a human, Holly never knew that some frightening legends are real until she encounters a brutal demon who inexplicably guards her like a treasure. Thrust into a sensual new world of myth and power, with him as her protector, she begins to crave the demon’s wicked touch.

Surrender to dark desires…
Yet just when he earns Holly’s trust, will Cade be forced to betray the only woman who can sate his wildest needs — and claim his heart?

*****

Kiss of a Demon King 

Immortals After Dark #7

From New York Times bestselling author Kresley Cole comes this spellbinding story of a demon king trapped by an enchantress for her wanton purposes — and the scorching aftermath that follows when he turns the tables and claims her as his captive.

HIS OBSESSION…
Sabine, Sorceress of Illusions: the evil beauty who surrenders her body, but not her heart.

HER DOWNFALL…
Rydstrom Woede: the ruthless warrior who vows to keep her at all costs.

THEY WERE NEVER SUPPOSED TO WANT EACH OTHER THIS MUCH…
With each smoldering encounter, their shared hunger only increases. If they can defeat the sinister enemy that stands between them, will Sabine make the ultimate sacrifice for her demon? Or will the proud king lay down his crown and arms to save his sorceress?

*****

Deep Kiss of Winter 

Immortals After Dark #8

#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR KRESLEY COLE delivers a breathtaking tale of a brutal vampire soldier about to know love for the first time . . . and a Valkyrie aching for his touch.

Murdoch Wroth will stop at nothing to claim Daniela—the delicate Valkyrie who makes his heart beat for the first time in three hundred years. Yet the exquisite Danii is part ice fey, and her freezing skin can’t be touched by anyone but her own kind without inflicting pain beyond measure. Can they conquer an agony of frustration and slake the overwhelming desire burning between them?

NEW YORK TIMES AND USA TODAY BESTSELLING AUTHOR GENA SHOWALTER puts a daring spin on a tale of huntress and hunted . . . and concocts a sensual chemistry that is positively explosive.

With only skin-to-skin contact, Aleaha Love can change her appearance, assume any identity. Now she’s an AIR (alien investigation and removal) agent on a mission to capture a group of otherworldly warriors. Only she is held captive when dangerously seductive Breean, a golden-skinned, iron-willed commander, threatens her new life—and for the first time, Aleaha wants only to be herself.

*****

Pleasure of a Dark Prince 

Immortals After Dark #9

Kresley Cole enraptures again with this seductive tale of a fierce werewolf prince who will stop at nothing to protect the lovely archer he covets from afar.

A Dangerous Beauty

Lucia the Huntress: as mysterious as she is exquisite, she harbors secrets that threaten to destroy her—and those she loves.

An Uncontrolled Need

Garreth MacRieve, Prince of the Lykae: the brutal Highland warrior who burns to finally claim this maddeningly sensual creature as his own.

That lead to a pleasure so wicked…

From the shadows, Garreth has long watched over Lucia. Now, the only way to keep the proud huntress safe from harm is to convince her to accept him as her guardian. To do this, Garreth will ruthlessly exploit Lucia’s greatest weakness—her wanton desire for him.

*****

Demon from the Dark 

Immortals After Dark #10

From New York Times bestselling author Kresley Cole comes this scorching tale of a demon outcast poisoned with vampire blood and the vulnerable young witch he vows to protect—even from himself.

A dangerous demon she can’t resist…

Malkom Slaine: tormented by his sordid past and racked by vampiric hungers, he’s pushed to the brink by the green-eyed beauty under his guard.

A maddening witch he aches to claim…

Carrow Graie: hiding her own sorrows, she lives only for the next party or prank. Until she meets a tortured warrior worth saving.

Trapped together in a savage prison…

In order for Malkom and Carrow to survive, he must unleash both the demon and vampire inside him. When Malkom becomes the nightmare his own people feared, will he lose the woman he craves body and soul?

*****

Dreams of a Dark Warrior 

Immortals After Dark #11

HE VOWED HE’D COME FOR HER . . .

Murdered before he could wed Regin the Radiant, warlord Aidan the Fierce seeks his beloved through eternity, reborn again and again into new identities, yet with no memory of his past lives.

SHE AWAITS HIS RETURN . . .

When Regin encounters Declan Chase, a brutal Celtic soldier, she recognizes her proud warlord reincarnated. But Declan takes her captive, intending retribution against all immortals—unaware that he belongs to their world.

TO SATE A DESIRE MORE POWERFUL THAN DEATH . . .

Yet every reincarnation comes with a price, for Aidan is doomed to die when he remembers his past. To save herself from Declan’s torments, will Regin rekindle memories of the passion they once shared—even if it means once again losing the only man she could ever love?

*****

Lothaire 

Immortals After Dark #12

ALL FEAR THE ENEMY OF OLD

Driven by his insatiable need for revenge, Lothaire, the Lore’s most ruthless vampire, plots to seize the Horde’s crown. But bloodlust and torture have left him on the brink of madness—until he finds Elizabeth Peirce, the key to his victory. He captures the unique young mortal, intending to offer up her very soul in exchange for power, yet Elizabeth soothes his tormented mind and awakens within him emotions Lothaire believed he could no longer experience.

A DEADLY FORCE DWELLS WITHIN HER

Growing up in desperate poverty, Ellie Peirce yearned for a better life, never imagining she’d be convicted of murder—or that an evil immortal would abduct her from death row. But Lothaire is no savior, as he himself plans to sacrifice Ellie in one month’s time. And yet the vampire seems to ache for her touch, showering her with wealth and sexual pleasure. In a bid to save her soul, Ellie surrenders her body to the wicked vampire, while vowing to protect her heart.

CENTURIES OF COLD INDIFFERENCE SHATTERED

Elizabeth tempts Lothaire beyond reason, as only his fated mate could. As the month draws to a close, he must choose between a millennia-old blood vendetta and his irresistible prisoner. Will Lothaire succumb to the miseries of his past . . . or risk everything for a future with her?

*****

MacRieve 

Immortals After Dark #13

Uilleam MacRieve, a centuries-old Lykae warrior, was captured, caged, and experimented on by a shadowy human order, along with other immortals. During a prison break that devolved into one of the bloodiest massacres in recent history, he escapes. But the aftermath of his unspeakable torture preys on his damaged mind, while the wolf inside him roars for vengeance and carnage. In the days leading up to the full moon, can MacRieve rein in his beast, even when he encounters his mate—a vexingly impossible female unlike anything he’d ever dreamed for himself?

Posted on

Interview with Heather Powell

Can you please share with us a little about yourself

Thanks so much for having me today! I absolutely love interviews. It’s the only way I can truly enjoy talking about myself.

First and foremost, I’m the mother of three little girls (8, 6, and 3) and a wife to my hubby for over ten. I’m a crazy obsessive reader of all things YA books, a lover of romantic comedies, and a huge, huge fan of chocolate banana shakes. I’m extremely shy, preferring to stay hidden in a crowd, so that means I’m definitely more of an introvert, but with the ability to put my real thoughts on life, down on paper. J

Have you always wanted to be an author?

Not really … I think for a while I wanted to write children’s books. But science was my thing, more precisely, the weather. I’m not ashamed to admit that I wanted to be a meteorologist, but the thought of tornados terrified me too much to follow through with that one, LOL.

Can you share with us your typical writing day.  Is there anything you have to have while writing?

My typical writing day? Hmm … I don’t really have a typical writing day, so to speak. I write whenever I can, which is mostly during the three year olds naptime, or when my husband is feeling generous and will take on motherly duties so I can go to Starbucks. But I do try to at least write for a few hours at night, in my bed, on my laptop, with a lot of caffeine next to me too keep me awake!

Most challenging or rewarding part of writing?

The most rewarding part is that moment when I’m reading back over my word count and I shed a tear or two because I realize that I actually did it … I actually completed a book!

The most challenging part? Well, I’ve got a few answers for that one … finding the time, feeling the muse, gaining the will to keep going, when your eyes are shutting at two in the morning in front of your computer screen, and the hardest part is finding balance; balance with my family and my characters.

Can you please tell us about your latest book(s)?

Resisting Fate is the first novel in my Young Adult, Paranormal Romance series about a sassy red-headed teenage girl, and her struggle with the crazy supernatural world she’s just discovered.  I’ll post the blurb below …

Eighteen Year old Emmy O’Connell is the epitome of a hot mess right now. The supposed love of her life up and left town to attend some ridiculous boarding school, leaving nothing but a vague email in his wake. Her step douche is constantly drunk and badgering her too, and her mother? Well, she’s a just a miserable shell of a woman, and Emmy, along with her four year old brother, are suffering because the lady just can’t seem to get her life straight. And then the elusive Jack Hartman saunters into town. That’s when things go from downright awful … to just plain disastrous.  The jerk cousin of her boyfriend becomes Emmy’s worst nightmare, times ten. He’s cruel and insensitive, but then there’s that strange ability he has over her; the one where he can make Emmy weak in the knees with the single touch of his hand. But no matter how miserable or amazing Jack makes her feel, Emmy can’t seem to deny him, especially when he takes on the role of her protector, otherwise known as her sudo knight in shining armor, riding in on his black Harley.  But then the impossible happens, rearing its head in the shape of a hairy wolf shifter. And the stubborn, unassuming Emmy is thrown head first into the center of it all. Will Emmy be able to handle the supernatural mess that is now considered her life? Or in the end, will she fight against the inevitable fate that her heart keeps insisting she grabs a hold of?

How did you come with the idea for this story?

I love to tell this story because truthfully, I can’t take all the credit. I was telling my six year old that I wanted to write a story about teenagers. So she said that I should add animals into the book, and I asked her what kind, expecting her response to be puppies of kittens. Instead, she responded with “wolves of course, Mommy, jeeze!” Then she said “The girl’s name should be Emmy and her boyfriend’s name can be Jack,” hence the birth of Resisting Fate. The funny part is my daughter’s name is actually Emma, and Emmy is her nickname. J

Can you share with us your current work in progress?

Currently I am working on book two in my series, called Seizing Fate. I’ve also got another YA paranormal I’m working on occasionally about falling in love with two brothers, but one just so happens to be a ghost who she can’t touch, but will die just to try.

Who are some of your favorite authors?

My favorite authors are Jennifer L. Armentrout, and Kelly Gendron.

Do you feel that any of your favorite authors have inspired your writing style?

Not the style so to speak; more like given me the inspiration to actually write! Shortly after I began my very first novel, I went to the RT book convention in Chicago, and met Jennifer there. I had a seriously, giddy fan moment and went home refreshed and ready to go to work on my WIP because (and yeah this sounds cheesy) I had officially met my idol.

What is in your To Read Pile that you are dying to start or upcoming release you can’t wait for?

Well I do book reviews for a website, so I don’t get a whole lot of time to read a lot on my own personal TBR pile … but I am looking for to a few things. Walking Disaster by Jamie McGuire comes out in April I believe, and I’m really looking forward to any and all sequels from Jennifer as well.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Just wanted to add a big, big thanks to you for hosting me today! And also, I wanted to say thank you to all of my friends and family out there who have supported me along the way! I couldn’t have done this without any and all of you!!