Author: Kelly

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Interview & Giveaway with Debbie Gould

Books-n-Kisses is pleased to have the wonderful Debbie Gould on the blog today to talk about her up coming 1 Night Stand release.  


1.    Can you please share with us a little about yourself
Debbie: Let’s see, I work full time as a nurse at a rural family practice in Vermont. I have 3 children. My daughter, the oldest, is in the Air Force, the middle son works for the family Water Well Drilling business, and the youngest is in college.

2.    Have you always wanted to be an author?
Debbie: Nope, lol. Not until about ten years ago. I am an avid reader. Started out with Stephen King as a teenager and moved to romantic suspense as I got older. I finally started hearing all these characters in my head wanting a story for themselves.

3.    Who are some of your favorite writers? Who do you feel has influenced your writing?
Debbie:  Well, like I said, I cut my teeth on Stephen King and Koontz. Still love them. Most recently, Lori Foster, Cindy Gerard, Suzanne Brockmann(I want to be like her when I grow up) lol, Catherine Mann. Gosh I could go on and on.

4.    How did you get into writing in this specific genre?   Have you ever thought about writing in a different genre?
Debbie:  I love romantic suspense and that is really where my heart lies, but this story is more contemporary. I have a writing partner with some other novels, L.J. Garland, and we are writing all kinds of different sub genres within the romance spectrum. It’s been fun.

5.    What are some of your writing rituals?
Debbie: I really don’t have any. I used to be a punster, and just write without knowing where I was going, but L.J. has taught me the fine art of outlining. Even though we may stray, I find it keeps me much more focused.

6.    Can you please tell us about your latest book(s)?
Debbie:  Second Chance. is a story about getting past your self perceived failures. The hero is an Air Force Special Ops Officer who lost his wife in childbirth while he was on an op. For two years he’s lived on the guilt he feels for not being there for her. The baby is being cared for and loved by his wife’s sister, Emily. He financially supports them, but has emotionally distanced himself.
Emily has grown to love Colin and with the help of one of Colin’s teammates, together they set up the one night stand where she hopes to show him he can still have the family he thought he lost. It’s an emotional story of forgiving yourself and allowing yourself to take that second chance.
7.    How did you come with the idea for this story?
Debbie:  I’d heard about the 1 Night Stand series and wanted to do a story for it. You’ll see a lot of the military theme in my stories because of my daughter. She and her friends inspire me everyday. The sacrifices they make take their toll though and I think those stories need to be told.

8.    Can you share with us your current work(s) in progress?
Debiie:  Well L.J Garland and I are actually working on Colin’s teammate’s story at the moment. We also have a romantic suspense coming out in April form Decadent Publishing.

9.    What would you be if you were not an author?
Debbie: Since I’m a nurse, I guess that’s your answer, although I do believe I was supposed to be born a Billionaire so I could just sit on the beach and write all day, but that didn’t happen, lol.

10. What is in your To Read Pile that you are dying to start or upcoming release you can’t wait for?
Debbie:  I can’t wait for Sins of the Mind to be release in April. I’m dying to get the reactions. It’s a bit of a dark book. If anyone has read my Infidelity, I do believe this one is darker, lol. As for my TBR pile? It’s huge and mostly compiled of other 1 Night Stand stories from Decadent.

11. Is there anything else you would like to add?
Debbie:  Thank you so much for having me and I’ll be giving away a copy of Second Chance to one lucky commenter so don’t forget to leave an email addy.

Website / Blog


To enter for a chance to win an e-copy of Second Chance please fill out the Rafflecopter form below. 



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Guest Blogger: Lee Ann Sontheimer Murphy

            We all love our Saturdays and most of us have our routines.  Mine is to visit the library and the supermarket, maybe enjoy dinner out.  In my latest release Miss Good Samaritan (April 2012, Rebel Ink Press) Robin Cavanaugh’s ordinary Saturday goes awry.  After visiting the Laundromat and heading toward her hair appointment, she’s driving along a busy thoroughfare in Tulsa, Oklahoma when she notices a man, dressed in Goth leathers, running hard.  He cuts across a grassy area and at the traffic light he jumps into the passenger seat and urges her to drive.  Shocked, she does – and notices he’s bleeding heavily from a gunshot wound.
            In those moments, her ordinary existence as a librarian changed forever.
            
Miss Good Samaritan 
And you can find Miss Good Samaritan here:
ARe | Amazon | BookStrand | B&N 

Here’s the official blurb:        

Robin Cavanaugh’s ordinary Saturday goes awry when a wounded man leaps
into her car at a traffic light and refuses to go to the hospital. Robin’s
first instinct is to take him to the nearest police station but when he
tells her his name, she realizes he’s a member of her church. He swears
he’s one of the good guys and Robin feels inclined to believe him. So she
takes him home and tends his wounds.

When his condition worsens, she even uses his cell phone to contact what
turns out to be his brother, the local medical doctor. Robin soon learns
that Gray is no criminal but an undercover agent whose life may be in
danger.

As their relationship develops and Gray heals, Robin becomes part of the
action, too. When she gives him her heart and accepts his marriage
proposal, Robin has no idea if he’ll survive his last undercover operation
or not.

I enjoy writing all of my novels and stories but I really had fun writing this one.  Tulsa – the setting – is one of my favorite cities around and my daughter loves it so much she wants the family to make a move there.  She also is considering attending college in Tulsa.  Without giving away any spoilers, Robin and Gray make a road trip during the novel and they visit my hometown of St. Joseph, MO.  I will share this – Gray’s Aunt Susie, a minor character in the novel – is based on my late Aunt Susie, one of my favorite aunts.  I gave her a cameo because I miss her very much and sometimes long for her laid back, never worried, always calm approach to life.

Here’s a brief excerpt from the novel:
“I can take you to the hospital,” she said. “That’s all I can do. Hang on and we’ll be there in a few minutes, just as soon as I figure out if we’re closer to Hillcrest, OSU, or St. Francis,”
He closed his eyes, shuttered tight against the pain but at her suggestion, he opened them and glared at her.
“No hospital,” he choked. “They report gunshot wounds,”
Disbelief cut through her anxiety so that she spoke without thinking,
“Are you telling me you don’t want to go to the hospital?” He must be insane, Robin thought. He needed immediate medical attention. Those drops of blood she’d noticed were now a stream flowing down the seat and puddled onto the floorboard. “You need to get help – you’re bleeding all over the place.”
His eyes narrowed as he glared at her.
“I know but I can’t go to the hospital. The law requires them to report any gunshot wound and if they do, I’m a dead man. Drive faster. I don’t think they saw what car I got into but they might have.”
“Who saw you?” Robin asked, afraid to hear the answer.  The way he’d been running, she figured it must’ve been the police, drug dealers, a gang or maybe organized crime.
“I think maybe the cops did,”
Her attention strayed from the road as Robin wheeled around to stare at him, realizing for the first time that he wore black leather pants, leather jacket, and a black T-shirt.  His hands displayed half-leather gloves while studded bracelets circled both wrists.  His long hair curled around his neck in back but he kept it close cropped in front.  The hair on top must’ve been spiked with gel although it wilted, flat after his run.  Robin couldn’t decide if his getup represented a biker look, pUnk, gothic, or what but his fashion statement stretched way outside her comfort zone. He must be a criminal, she thought and in an effort to remain calm, she asked,
“Were the police chasing you?”
Her voice emerged shrill and frantic but he didn’t appear to notice.
“Yeah, they were. They shot me.”
She braked hard and pulled from the road into a discount store parking lot.
“I ‘m sorry about this,” Robin said. “But I need to take you to either the hospital or the police station. I can’t help you if you broke the law.”
Beneath his mussed hair, his sweat-slimed face relaxed and he grinned, looking younger and vulnerable.
“I’m not a criminal and I’m innocent. I promise you I am.”
Robin pulled into a parking space far away from any other vehicle and turned to him, hands shaking, with a major headache in progress.
“Let’s see if I understand,” she said, with slow precision. This impossible scenario couldn’t be happening. Her reputation and record were washday clean.  She’d never been written a single traffic ticket and now a fugitive from justice might be bleeding to death in her car. “You were pursued by police officers, they shot you, and you don’t any medical treatment because they’ll report it and then authorities will arrest you.”
“That’s about it.”  He sounded serene despite his injury and situation.
Robin wasn’t calm at all, as words tumbled from her mouth. “What am I supposed to do with you? I’m getting my phone out of my purse and calling the police. I can’t do this. I’m a law abiding citizen.”
A dry, harsh sound burst from his mouth and it took more than a minute to realize he was laughing, even though his bleeding increased.
“Go ahead,” he said in a raspy, thin voice. “They’ll charge you with aiding and abetting a fugitive from justice. It might lessen the charges a little because you called but the fact is you’ve picked me up and drove around with me in the car. The old innocent until proven guilty thing doesn’t always apply.  If it did, I wouldn’t be bleeding all over your car. I really am innocent.”
He sounded so convincing Robin wanted to believe him but doubt reared up with a powerful surge. Wondering just how she ever got into this mess, Robin sighed and rubbed her forehead as her headache expanded. By now, without this twist of fate, she’d be at Ci Ci’s Curling Iron, relaxed in the beauty chair.  Right now she should be getting her hair done, not dealing with a fugitive and a headache pounding like a bass drum in a football homecoming parade, all at the same moment.  
What I should do, Lord, she prayed and waited for an answer but no clear one came so she sighed and tried to find some way out of this mess.
“I don’t even know your name.”
Her passenger tried to grin. “I guess you want the real one.”
His nonchalance sent her headache into a new dimension of pain.
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Spotlight of: Rebecca Royce Shifters and Bikers Series

Unwanted Mate:

 Gunther West’s eyes flew open. Something had awakened him, something still in the room with him. He’d gone to bed alone, but as he inhaled, his senses confirmed what his subconscious had known: a female stood in his bedroom. Not just any female either—Judy Bristol. His mate. Although she’d yet to admit it.

 The woman who filled his nights with erections he couldn’t find relief for. Maybe he dreamed still. If so, all he’d have to do is get up and shove himself in her sweet little pussy and warm up inside of her.

 “After two years, have you finally come to fuck me?”

 She quivered in the darkness, grief flowing from her. “Denise died and it’s my fault.”

 He sat up, the sheet falling. To his canine senses, her scent tasted sour and wrong, and her pulse beat too fast. Damn it, he’d been so fucking horny from the first moment he’d smelled her, he hadn’t noticed her sadness. He could not feel any illness, just distress. His inner wolf raged to make things better for her even as he calmed himself. It would do him no good to scare her off. She didn’t have a mean bone in her body, but years of learned bigotry against werewolves couldn’t be undone all at once. He had to act the gentleman, and not the wolf. Even if it killed him.

Bar Mate:

Yvette Nelson swung the door behind her, leaving the coarse jokes and steam of the back of the kitchen for the loud music and swearing in the dining room. She rolled her eyes. Men were men wherever she went and all of them bored her to death.

She set a plate of nachos in front of one of her regular customers, smiled, and moved on. There were drink orders to take and bus boys to hassle. No time to rest for the weary. Not that she felt tired, at least not physically. Wolf-shifters could go for days without sleeping. She bit her lip to keep from scowling as she narrowly avoided a collision with a drunk trying to get to the bathroom. Maybe the time has come to leave this job.

Tingles on her spine told her someone stared hard at her. Eyes bore into the back of her head and she turned, expecting to be yelled at by a customer feeling neglected. Instead, across the dimly lit room she saw the most intense green eyes on the hottest human she’d viewed in a longtime. Blond hair fell around his shoulders, green eyes—oh yes, she wanted to fuck him, rub against him, mark him with her scent.

Mate By The Music:

She ran her tongue over them as she regarded him silently.  As he watched the motion, his cock jumped in his pants.

             Holy Shit. He wanted her. 

             “You’re going to be a problem. Aren’t you?”

             Her accent sounded British, but not upper crust and stuffy.  No, the little woman spoke like she’d stepped right out the back alleys of London and she had no problem with that whatsoever. Her eyes dared him to argue that he wouldn’t be trouble. 

             He didn’t intend to.

             “I’m looking for my brother.” 

             She looked right and left.  “Doesn’t seem to be here. Sorry.” 

             Scott rolled his eyes.  “Obviously.”

             She stepped out from behind the bar and moved toward him.  “I’m Nancy Elwood.”

            “Nancy.” He didn’t know why he felt the need to repeat her name. Maybe because, for some weird reason, it felt good on his tongue. Like her pussy would.  He blinked at the though. Wow. He didn’t usually think like such a fucking horn-dog.  How long had it been since he’d gone to bed with a woman? His last encounter had been weeks early. Not fabulous either.  But not long enough to warrant his juvenile inner dialogue.

 Out of Place Mate:

 “What do you mean you both got married? To women I’ve never met? Did it even occur to you that these women could have targeted you for your wallets?”

 The man wearing a too-elegant-for-a-bar tuxedo slammed his fist down on the table in front of Stark and Scott Quaid. His brothers. Victoria Bensen took another swig of her dark lager as she sniffed the room one more time. There could be no question—the newcomer in Gunther’s biker bar dressed like he’d just come from the opera—smelled like the third Quaid brother.

 Only better than the other two combined. His scent suggested he’d spent time in the Middle East, or at least that had been what she’d scented all the time when she’d lived there for a year. His body radiated sandalwood, always her favorite. Her panties got wet as she took more of his essence into her veins. He didn’t look bad either. Taller than the other two by at least several inches, his dark brown hair contrasted with sharp blue eyes. His long face had a five o’clock shadow that stood out against his neat appearance. The facial hair told her he had hidden depths past the boring tux. If he truly behaved like the neat, organized person he portrayed to the world, he’d have taken the time to shave, no matter what.

 Yvette, recently mated to one of Sean’s brothers, walked up to Victoria, holding her drink tray. She’d be leaving to travel with her new husband shortly, and Gunther had dragged Victoria, kicking and screaming, to take over her job until he could find a permanent replacement for the other woman. This would be their only night working together before Yvette left.

 “Don’t get too interested in that one. He’s the third brother. Not as open-minded as his younger siblings. Stark says he’s a real hard ass and not necessarily shifter-friendly. He doesn’t even ride.”

 Victoria raised her eyebrows. She didn’t know which part of that story Yvette objected to the most, the fact that he could be an anti-shifter, or that he didn’t ride a motorcycle. As for the hard ass part, Victoria could agree with that part. He did, indeed, possess a tight derriere. She wanted to squeeze it.

 “Thanks for the warning. 
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Day 2~~ Giveaway of Lara Adrian’s Kiss of Midnight

Good morning everyone!  It is day 2 of Nikki & I’s joint Lara Adrian giveaway! Make sure to stop by Ramblings from a Chaotic Mind  to enter day 2.  All you have to do is answer the 5 questions posted on Nikki’s blog today.  Each correctly answered question you will get one entry!    If you missed day one at Books-n-Kisses here is the link : Day 1 of Our Lara Adrian Giveaway.  We have a total of 10 books we are giving away.  Oh and some swag too!!! 

Giveaway is open until 4/17.  Winners will be announced on 4/18

He watches her from across the crowded dance club, a sensual black-haired stranger who stirs Gabrielle Maxwell’s deepest fantasies. But nothing about this night—or this man—is what it seems. For when Gabrielle witnesses a murder outside the club, reality shifts into something dark and deadly. In that shattering instant she is thrust into a realm she never knew existed—a realm where vampires stalk the shadows and a blood war is set to ignite.

Lucan Thorne despises the violence carried out by his lawless brethren. A vampire himself, Lucan is a Breed warrior, sworn to protect his kind—and the unwitting humans existing alongside them—from the mounting threat of the Rogues. Lucan cannot risk binding himself to a mortal woman, but when Gabrielle is targeted by his enemies, he has no choice but to bring her into the dark underworld he commands.
Here, in the arms of the Breed’s formidable leader, Gabrielle will confront an extraordinary destiny of danger, seduction, and the darkest pleasures of all. . . .
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Giveaway of Kiss of Midnight by Lara Adrian

Kiss of Midnight 

(Midnight Breed #1)

He watches her from across the crowded dance club, a sensual black-haired stranger who stirs Gabrielle Maxwell’s deepest fantasies. But nothing about this night—or this man—is what it seems. For when Gabrielle witnesses a murder outside the club, reality shifts into something dark and deadly. In that shattering instant she is thrust into a realm she never knew existed—a realm where vampires stalk the shadows and a blood war is set to ignite.

Lucan Thorne despises the violence carried out by his lawless brethren. A vampire himself, Lucan is a Breed warrior, sworn to protect his kind—and the unwitting humans existing alongside them—from the mounting threat of the Rogues. Lucan cannot risk binding himself to a mortal woman, but when Gabrielle is targeted by his enemies, he has no choice but to bring her into the dark underworld he commands.

Here, in the arms of the Breed’s formidable leader, Gabrielle will confront an extraordinary destiny of danger, seduction, and the darkest pleasures of all. . . .

Giveaway:
Nikki from Ramblings From a Chaotic Mind & (Me) Kelly from Books-n-Kisses have teamed up to bring you a fun giveaway.
We both are part of Lara Adrian’s Ambassador team.  What does that mean for you?  Nikki & Kelly are each giving away 5 special addition copies of Lara’s Kiss of Midnight (bk 1, w/ signed book plates).
How do you get your hands on these babies?

Here is how:
Stop by Books-n-Kisses today (4/10) and answer the 5 questions about The Midnight Breed Series.  Then head over to Ramblings From a Chaotic Mind tomorrow (4/11) and answer the other 5 questions about The Midnight Breed Series.   Each correctly answered question is
worth 1 point.

Extra points:
+1 Follow Books-n-Kisses Blog
+1 Follow Rambling of a Chaotic Mind  Blog
+1 Follow Books-n-Kisses on FB 
+1 Follow Rambling of a Chaotic Mind on FB 
+1 Follow Books-n-Kisses on Twitter 
+1 Follow Rambling of a Chaotic Mind on Twitter
Extra Extra Points:
+1 Follow Lara Adrian on FB 
+1 Follow Lara Adrian on Twitter

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Interview & Giveaway with Lisa Mondello

Books-n-Kisses is pleased to welcome Lisa Mondella to the blog today. 

1.      Can you please share with us a little about yourself?
Lisa: I’m the author of 13 published novels.  I’ve written for small presses as well as Avalon Books and most recently, Harlequin Love Inspired.  I love music, movies and books.  (Everyone has a passion, right?  Mine’s all three!) 

2.      Have you always wanted to be an author?
Lisa: I always say that I never chose to be an author.  Writing chose me somewhere along the line.   I’d always written short stories.  But I didn’t write my first novel until the year before I was married.  I credit getting my first PC for giving me the courage to try.  I don’t think I would have ever taken the leap to novel writing on a typewriter.  Carbon paper?  White out?  Not the way I write!  Of course, PCs back then were nothing like they are now.  My first PC had a floppy drive that held a total of 33 pages on it!  Yeah, we’ve come a long way in 20 years.

3.      Can you share with us your typical writing day.  Is there anything you have to have while writing?
Lisa: I need to have a cup of coffee on my desk.  My husband can’t understand this because my coffee goes cold.  I rarely ever finish a cup while it’s still hot.  But I have to have it handy.  My best writing time is 11AM – 2PM and then again at 11PM – 2AM.  Don’t ask me why.  I think it has to do with nap and bedtime when the kids were small and then school time when the kids got older.  I know I’ll have a chunk of time when I won’t be interrupted.  But when I’m on deadline, all bets are off.  I write when I can, as much as I can until the book is done.

4.      Most challenging or rewarding part of writing?
Lisa: The most challenging thing is writing about something you have no knowledge of.  It’s also the best thing.  I love learning new things.  But it’s a little nerve wracking trying to weave details into a story, making it sound authentic and compelling while getting all the details right.

5.      Can you please tell us about your latest book(s)?
Lisa:  Mandy Morgan swore she’d never step foot in Texas again after Beau Gentry left her for life on the rodeo circuit eight years before. But now her uncle s heart is failing and she has to convince him that surgery will save his life. She never dreamed the first thing she’d see when she stepped off the plane would be her biggest nightmare…the one man she’d never stopped loving. Beau Gentry had the fever for two things: the rodeo and Mandy Morgan. But for Beau, loving Mandy was complicated by his father s vendetta against her uncle. This led him to make the hardest decision of his life and he can still see the bitterness and hurt on Mandy s face. All these years it has killed him to think Mandy had forgotten him and moved as far away as possible from him. But now they’re back in Texas, and he’s going to do all he can to win back her love.

6.      How did you come with the idea for this story?
Lisa: Her Heart for the Asking was the book that was never going to be written.  I’d written a blurb of the story as an example for an article on pitching to editors at conferences.  A reader read the pitch and asked me when the book was going to be published. So I quickly wrote a few chapters and sent them off to Avalon Books.  They bought the story a few months later.  I’ve just released the ebook of the story.  I’m thrilled that a new set of readers are being introduced to my Texas Hearts series.

7.      Can you share with us your current work in progress?
Lisa: I’m currently working on a screenplay with a producer and revising a romantic thriller called, Material Witness.  Material Witness is the story of crime author, Cassie Alvarez who goes from writing about crime to being in the middle of danger when she’s the only witness to an organized crime murder in Providence while researching her latest novel.  Officer Jake Santos was a target that night and he knows he needs to keep Cassie alive to testify or the killer will go free.  It will be released in June 2012.

8.      Who are some of your favorite authors?
Lisa: Honestly, there are way too many to name and I’d be afraid of leaving one out.  I have some auto-buy authors that I know I’ll enjoy.  It all depends on what I’m in the mood to read.  

9.      Do you feel that any of your favorite authors have inspired your writing style? 
Lisa:  When I’m deep into writing, I don’t read the same type of romance I’m writing.  For instance, I won’t read romantic suspense if I’m writing it.  I’ll read fantasy or shorter category books.  That way the writing voice doesn’t bleed into my own.

10.  What is in your To Read Pile that you are dying to start or upcoming release you can’t wait for?
Lisa: Under the Moon by Natalie Damschroder is high on my list as well as Miracle Under the Mistletoe by Tracy Madison.  I’m still getting through a C.L. Wilson series. 

Want to learn more about Lisa?  
Check her out here: 
Website: http://www.lisamondello.blogspot.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1242870703
Twitter: @LisaMondello


Lisa is giving away an e-copy of NOTHING BUT TROUBLE.
Melanie Summers, a feisty zoologist with big dreams, must spend a month in the Wyoming wilderness in order to satisfy a deal made with her father. 
Stoney Buxton is a hard-driving cowboy with simple values who needs to raise quick money to save the family ranch. Re-entering the rodeo circuit seems like the best way to get the money he needs until Melanie Summers shows up at his ranch flashing easy money. To everyone else, her offer seems like the answer to all his prayers. But one look at her long legs and pouting lips and Stoney know this high society gal is going to be nothing but trouble for his cowboy heart
To enter: Fill out the Rafflecopter form below. 

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Laura Kaye’s WEST OF WANT Preview & Prize Event

Happy WEST OF WANT Preview & Prizes Event, everyone! Today, April 10, was the original release date for Book 2 in my Hearts of the Anemoi series, West of Want. And then some really cool things happened: my publisher, Entangled Publishing, signed a huge deal with the nation’s biggest book distributor, which means for the first time ever, my books will be shelved in brick-and-mortar bookstores. And then, West of Want received a very nice pre-sales estimate by the booksellers and Barnes and Nobles bought it for all their stores nationwide (and it got bought for airports, too—squee!). The only bad news in this whole scenario was this: the release date got pushed back, by three LONG months! LOL So, I thought I’d celebrate the original release date with a preview of the book and a big contest, and give you a small taste to whet your appetite until the actual release date arrives.
“Laura Kaye’s captivating writing and vibrant world-building will have readers hooked on the gods of the Anemoi. WEST OF WANT is steamy, spellbinding, and a must-read for all romance fantasy fans.”
~Elisabeth Naughton, author of the Eternal Guardians series
Forty sites are celebrating with me today, and there are different posts at those different sites. To see the whole list of participants, click here. Now, without further ado, here’s the book blurb and one of four different never-before-seen excerpts from the book available for you to enjoy:
WEST OF WANT BLURB:
Betrayal is all he’s ever known, but in her, he’ll find a love strong enough to be trusted…

When Marcella Raines’ twin brother dies, she honors his request to be buried at sea, never expecting the violent storm that swamps her boat. Though she’s gravely injured–and still emotionally damaged from her recent divorce–Ella fights to survive.

Zephyros Martius is the Supreme God of the West Wind and Spring, but being the strongest Anemoi hasn’t protected him from betrayal and loss. Worse, he’s sure his brother Eurus is behind it. When Zeph’s heartbreak whips up a storm that shipwrecks a human, his guilt forces him to save her.

Ella is drawn to the vulnerability Zeph hides beneath his otherworldly masculinity and ancient blue eyes. And her honesty, empathy, and unique, calming influence leave Zeph wanting…everything. When Eurus threatens Ella, she and Zeph struggle to let go of the past, defend their future, and embrace what they most want–a love that can be trusted.

WEST OF WANT EXCERPT:
Restrained power made Zephyros’s hands tremble. At first, he’d wanted to help Ella because he owed it to her. Now, want bloomed into need. When he’d held her soft curves, the strength of her life force soaked into him. Seldom did he have any cause to interact with humans, let alone touch them, but the soft yellow aura that surrounded her body told him this woman was good, pure, true. A rare character, in his experience.
And then she’d said his name. Whispered it, really, but that didn’t keep him from fully enjoying the way her lips wrapped around the sound.
Silently, he summoned the ancient, elemental power, the one that flowed through him, that made him what he was. His palms warmed. Soft white light spilled from between his clasped hands.
Ella’s eyes cut to his glowing hands, went wide. “What? Don’t hurt…” She swallowed thickly. A tear leaked down her temple into her hair.
He met Ella’s barely focused gaze. “Fear not, I promise to hurt you no more.”
Her only answer was a shiver that racked her whole body.
Normally, a healing of this magnitude required sacrifice. It was how the gods worked. Quid pro quo, and all that. But, in this case, Ella’s case, that was hardly appropriate. After all, she wouldn’t need to be healed if he’d kept better control of himself.
Words in his native tongue spilled into the quiet of the room. He parted his hands, held them over her prone form, and let the healing energy cover her. The pale, white glow infused her aura, which absorbed the curative force, distributed small doses of it throughout her body.
Ella sucked in a breath.
“Be well, now,” Zeph whispered.
Pre-order West of Want on Amazon| B&N
So, what d’ya think? Want more Zephyros and Ella? Visit more participating sites to read all the excerpts, meet the characters, see the the West of Want romance trading cards, and enter to win! Thanks for reading! July 10 can’t get here soon enough for me! *grins*
~Laura Kaye
“Using ancient winter mythology as an allegory for grief, Kaye has written a sexy story that packs a powerful emotional punch. NORTH OF NEED is pure winter magic and Kaye’s sparkling talent warms the heart.”
~Stephanie Draven, author of the Mythica series about
multi-award-winning Book 1 in the Anemoi series, North of Need
About Laura Kaye:
Voted Breakout Author of the Year in the 2011 GraveTells Readers’ Choice Awards, Laura is a bestselling and award-winning author paranormal and contemporary romance. Hearts in Darknessis the EPIC eBook Award Winner for Best Novella, Forever Freed won the NJRW Golden Leaf Award for Best Paranormal of 2011, and North of Need, the first book in the Hearts of the Anemoi series, was named GraveTells’ Best Book of 2011 and won their 5-STAR Gold Heart Award, and won Sizzling Hot Read of the Year at Sizzling Hot Books. Laura lives in Marylandwith her husband, two daughters, and cute-but-bad dog, and appreciates her view of the Chesapeake Bayevery day.


WEST OF WANT PREVIEW CONTEST!
Event-Wide:
Seven participants who enter through the Rafflecopter form will win gift cards from winners’ choice of Amazon or B&N valued between $15 and $100! Those prize winners will be announced on West of Want’s release day, July 10, 2012. As a special thank you to those who have pre-ordered the print West of Want through Amazon or B&N, you’ll receive extra entries – just enter your order confirmation number on the appropriate Rafflecopter line. Pre-orders are hugely important for an author because they determine how many books bookstores will actually stock and they count toward an author’s first-week sales which is when most authors have their best chance to hit the big bestseller lists. However, pre-orders/purchases are not required to enter. Commenting is the only required entry. Open to international.

2nd Chance to win Giveaway
One commenter from each participating blog site will win a West of Want bookmark and the romance trading cards for North of Need and West of Want. Simply comment to enter to win and be sure to leave your email address. These prizes will be announced soon after May 10. Open to international.


a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Interview with WJ Craft

Books-n-Kisses is pleased to welcome WJ Craft to the blog today.  To talk about her newest books. 


1.    Can you please share with us a little about yourself
WJ:  I’m a very sensual person, both in terms of erotic feelings and the five (or maybe six?) senses. I think it’s important to put as many of the senses in writing as possible, so that the reader can experience them too. I wish that sensuality was valued more than violence in our society. I’m also probably older than you might guess, and would be surprising to meet in person. I consider myself an intellectual hermaphrodite.
2.    Have you always wanted to be an author?
WJ: Yes! I’ve enjoyed mainstream sci-fi for many years, and erotica too, especially pin-up art. Now that the internet has made it possible for regular people to get published, I’m thrilled to be out there with the rest of us rejects. LOL The traditional publishing racket is so out of touch with everything at this point, and I’m incredibly grateful for this opportunity.
3.    Who are some of your favorite writers? Who do you feel has influenced your writing?
WJ: I enjoy Robert Heinlein and Ray Bradbury very much, especially Bradbury’s short stories. He could take pretty much anything and turn it into a creepy short. I love short stories because sometimes all you want is a little snapshot into a situation, like an episode of the Twilight Zone. So I guess I should include Rod Serling among my influences too! In terms of erotica, definitely Dragonfly, who I first encountered on the internet way back in 1996. Some amazingly kinky sci-fi shorts there, and she’s releasing her stuff on Amazon now! I’m very tickled about that.
4.    How did you get into writing in this specific genre?  Have you ever thought about writing in a different genre?
WJ: I just went ahead and did it! I knew that if others could be successful at it, so could I, because I feel the quality of my writing is just as good, if not better, than most erotica out there. I am going to be doing another collection of what I call “light horror” shorts in the near future. More about that below.
5.    What are some of your writing rituals?
WJ:  Caffeine is essential. After I wake up, I like to surf my bookmarked adult sites to get me in the mood, then I decide if I’m going to finish a project or start a new one. I’m a lot like Neil Gaiman that way, in that I usually have a few things brewing at the same time. If I have only one thing, it quickly seems boring and like something I don’t want to work on. If I have several, I can flip through them and see what I’m most in the mood for that day.
6.    Can you please tell us about your latest book(s)?
WJ:  My first short story collection is called Chicks In Charge, because every story has the woman benefiting or on top in some way. It’s all sci-fi and fantasy erotica, with something for everyone. If you don’t like one story, you’re sure to love another after a few pages. They’re all quite different.
7.    How did you come with the idea for this story?
WJ:  I’ve had a lot of story ideas rolling around, and I enjoy brainstorming them. I have pages and pages of story ideas, including outlines for three novels. Not enough hours in the day!
8.    Can you share with us your current work(s) in progress?
WJ: I’ve just started work on a “light horror” short story collection that I’ve been wanting to do for a while. By “light,” I mean that there’s no zombies, minimal blood, and nothing that will keep you up all night and freak you out for a month. It’s mostly psychologically creepy as opposed to brains and guts everywhere. There will be body parts removed, but only because they deserve it.
9.    What would you be if you were not an author?
WJ:  I’d love to be a sex therapist, helping people have a healthy and loving relationship with the pleasurable parts of their bodies.
10. What is in your To Read Pile that you are dying to start or upcoming release you can’t wait for?
WJ:  I happen to know that Volume 3 of Dragonfly’s short stories is in the works, I’m dying to see that! A few other titles that look interesting are “Schmidt Steps Back,” “Religion for Atheists,” and the new Avengers movie. Note, I am not an atheist, I’m more of a Pagan or Agnostic, I haven’t decided really. I’m not particularly religious. Unless you count two hours of watching hot men and women in skin-tight clothing on a giant movie screen a religious experience. I know that kind of thing moves me in mysterious ways…
11. Is there anything else you would like to add?
WJ:  I’m helping to work on a new sci-fi erotica publishing collective called Deepest Regions Publishing (http://deepestregions.blogspot.com/) with Dragonfly, which I am very excited about! It’s new, and we’re both really busy working on new projects, so the blog is kind of… not as up to date as it should be, but I’m hoping to get on that in the next week or two. I also have a Twitter (https://twitter.com/WJCraft) where people can tweet with me. Come say hello!

An Erotic Short Story Collection

Over 20,000 words of intriguing and playful delights where women come out on top in a variety of ways!

Chainsaw Chicks of Chinese Camp: Are the legends true? Are four amazons lying in wait in this tiny rural town for their perfect boy toys to come along and play with them?

Zap: While researching a possible preventative for epileptic seizures, a scientist stumbles onto a very interesting use for her new app.

Take Me To Your Leader: In this 1940s retro tale, a military translator gets up close and personal with some newly-landed alien emissaries.

The Gnome World Order: Find out what really goes on underneath those seemingly innocent pointed red hats.

Little Shoppe of Enchantments: Augustus Pound takes a wrong turn with some rather questionable results. This version includes the longer alternate ending, not available anywhere else!

Cowboy: They seemed like ordinary women in the greasy spoon in town, but they had plans for Jack Barnes and his equipment.

Rosa Erotica: Lyrical and touching. A 500-word ode to the spirit of the rose goddess and a warrior’s epiphany.

Website / Twitter

Excerpt
The Zap App
The next day, she made a few alterations to her application, reversed
a few things, and then waited for Richard to make his morning
appearance. She didn’t have long to wait.

“Good morning,” he said, right behind her ear.

“Good morning, Richard,” said Veronica, then she tapped the button.

Instantly the sound of coffee splashing all over the floor met her
ears, and she turned to see her nemesis staggering backwards until he
crashed into the cubicle wall, which threatened to topple into the
next space over. His eyes were partly rolled up into his head and he
was moaning and gasping, his twitching body slowly sinking
horizontally onto a filing cabinet. With a grin that was triumphant,
surprised and slightly sadistic, she tapped the button again to see
what would happen when she turned the app off.

A noticeable wet stain at the front of a medium-sized pants tent
caught her attention. Had the poor man wet himself?

“Ohgod,” was all he could manage for at least five minutes as he
recovered. Veronica began to wonder if she should call a medic, and
coworkers started to crowd in her doorway to see what the hell had
happened.

“It’s all right,” she reassured them. “Still working on that epilepsy
app. Must have reversed something.”

“That was… that was…” Richard spit out, trying to regain the gift
of language. “Fucking incredible…”

Confused, Veronica stared at him.

“What?”

“Incredi… mind-blowing. Best orgasm ever…”

Now that, she hadn’t expected. But something about it sounded vaguely
familiar. She turned her back on her human lab rat as the embarrassed
coworkers made themselves useful elsewhere. A quick search on
“epilepsy” and “orgasm” brought up research on the phenomenon known as
the “orgasmic aura,” a state of spontaneous climax that some epilepsy
victims experienced at the onset of a seizure. She could hear Richard
slowly collecting himself behind her.

“Again,” he finally moaned.

“Fuck off.”

“Do it again!” His hand gripped her shoulder and she turned, finding
herself face-to-face with a pair of desperate, lust-filled eyes. His
other hand shot out and gripped her throat. Unable to cry out for
help, she did the only thing she could think of to incapacitate the
madman – she hit the button again.

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Interview with David & Beka from Lynn Rush’s Wasteland

BnK:  Hi David & Beka, Thank you so very much for stopping by Books-n-Kisses to talk about your story.  I know you are both very busy.  Shall we begin?
David/Beka:“We’re glad to be here! This is a quaint coffee shop, I’ve not been here before. And this is very exciting, because this is our first interview together.” Beka winks at David.
“I just hope the demon activity stays to a minimum. Keep an eye out, Beka.”

Bnk:  David, can you tell my followers a little about yourself?
“My name is David Sadler. I look as if I am about twenty-six or so, but I am around four hundred years old. I’ve been locked away in sensory deprivation for nearly a quarter millennia, and even now, I’m still trying to adjust to all the changes.” David holds up a tall Mocha Latte. “Ordering a cup of coffee should not be this difficult. Thankfully my Beka knows much.”

BnK: Beka, same questions.
 “Hi! I’m Rebeka Abbott, but most everyone calls me Beka. I’m a Guardian who was charged with protecting the young girl David was assigned to procure by his Master.” She pats David’s knee. “But things have a way of working out. . .”

BnK:  How do you feel about Lynn telling your story?
“Oh, I’ll answer this one.” Beka raises her hand and David nods his consent. “I was surprised Lynn wrote it from David’s point of view to tell you the truth. Most novels I’ve read are written from the woman’s point of view, or at least both the woman and man’s point of view.” Beka grins. “But I think she did well by David.”

BnK:  Do you think that Lynn kept the story true?  Did she leave out anything important?
“Like Beka mentioned, Lynn did right by me,” David says. “It was such a struggle for me those first hours out of sensory deprivation, and she captured that.” He rests his arm around Beka’s shoulders and tugs her close. “And the struggles this little temptress caused me during my search for young Jessica.”
Beka nods. “Lynn got the main points. Except the fact that on David’s plane ride to Arizona, he watched Nickelodeon to learn the culture—and that he liked it.” Beka laughs.
A subtle growl emanates from David, yet the corner of his mouth curves up in a half-smile.

BnK: David, tell us about that first time you saw Beka. 
“She was dancing at her club. I’ll never forget that dress she was wearing. I was immediately entranced by her beauty. Even thought another quarter millennia would be worth it just to be near her.”

BnK:  Beka, Can you tell us what it was about David that made you know he was the one?
“Even though he was big and scary, flashing his claws and fangs, I sensed his determination.” Beka caresses his knee. “Dedication to hold onto what was left of his humanity. Despite deprivation for so long, he resisted my advances. I respected him for that.” Her grin widens. “And it doesn’t hurt that he’s sexy as sin, either.”

BnK:  Can you tell us a little about your journey to get to where we are now?
“You’ll have to buy the book,” they both say in unison.
Beka laughs and says, “It was a journey filled with heartache, temptation, and many battles. Both battles against demons and the ones within ourselves, but it was well worth it.” She twines her fingers with David’s.

BnK:  What is up next for you guys?
Beka looks to David, but he nods for her to answer. “He’s not much of a talker, is he?”
“Okay, I will answer.” David sits up and clears his throat. “I know the journey for us is just beginning. With Wasteland, Lynn has only begun to tell about the struggles between the demons and the Guardians. But for now, I will enjoy my Beka as long as I can.”

BnK:  Is there anything you want the readers to know before I let you go?
“I know I speak for Lynn when I say Thank You for your support for Wasteland.” David dips his head. “We are honored you are enjoying our story. She tells us there are over 100 five-star reviews between something called Goodreads and Amazon.”
Beka shakes her head. “He’s really resisting the technology.”
“That is what I have you for.” David grins at Beka.

Bnk: David, Beka, Thank you again so very much for sitting down and talking with me. I enjoyed your story and enjoyed learning more about you.

David/Beka:
“It was our pleasure.” Beka straightens in her seat. “But we had better go, I’m getting a . . . sense.”
“At least they waited until the end of the interview.” David stands and reaches for Beka. “Thank you, Kelly, for the coffee.”
To learn more about Lynn Rush, check her out here: 

Wasteland

AUTHOR: Lynn Rush
PUBLICATION DATE:   01/01/12

ORDER LINKS:  Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:

Salvation comes with a price. . .

Bound by the blood contract his human mother signed four centuries ago, half-demon, David Sadler, must obey his demonic Master’s order to capture fifteen-year-old Jessica Hanks. But as he learns more about her, he realizes she may be the key to freedom from his dark enslavement.

The only obstacle-Jessica’s distractingly beautiful Guardian, Rebeka Abbott. He must not give in to their steamy chemistry, or he will lose his humanity. But fresh off a quarter millennia of sensory deprivation as punishment for not retrieving his last target, he may not be able to resist temptation long enough to save what’s left of his human soul. 

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My review of Hunted by Rebecca Zanetti

Hunted 
By Rebecca Zanetti
Release date 4/24/2011
Pre-Order
Excerpt of Hunted

Ready or Not

Moira Dunne is a witch–the quantum physics kind.  Time and space are her playthings.  Which might explain why her one-night stand from a hundred years ago has turned up to “claim” her–and request her family’s assistance with the war he’s brewing.  But the more she learns about Connlan Kayrs, the more she comes to think this is normal behavior for him…

There’s Nowhere to Hide

When Conn and Moira tumbled on the moonlit grass, Conn hadn’t meant to mark her for his mate for all time.  She was only twenty!  But it wasn’t easy to wait for her.  It was even harder to forget her.  So when he finally returns for his wicked-hot witch, he’s ready to let the sparks fly.  Even if he burns up in flames…


My Thoughts: 
Patience.  That is the first word that comes to mind when I think of Connlan Kayrs.    But of course he is fierce, strong, loyal and willing to do anything for his family.  But Patience is what sticks out to me the most.  Why do you ask… Conn give his mate 100 years, YES 100 years to grow, not only in age, but in maturity and power.  But Conn is tired of waiting for her and now has come to claim his mate.   Nothing and no one will stand in his way, not even his mate. 
Moria’s time has just run out.  Conn is coming for her, but she still thinks she needs more time.  She is not ready to be someone’s mate, especially someone who she thinks doesn’t really want her.  Someone who so easily turned his back on her, someone who can possibly hurt her more than anyone other.  But Moria’s time has run out and Conn is here for her.  
I so loved this story.  I love the world that Rebecca has created in this series.  I love all the different types of characters, the complexity of it all.  I am so in love with Conn & Moria.   
Conn and Moria is a force to be wrecken’ with.  Both are fiercely strong loyal warriors, stubborn to a fault, but above all else are willing to sacrifice themselves to save others.  But their greatest battle my just be each other. 
If you have read Fate & Claimed.  Hunted will not disappoint.  There is a lots of action, lots of emotion and even some mile high sex *wiggles eyebrows* 
If you have not started Rebecca’s Dark Protector’s series.  I would HIGHLY recommend you get started.  Want to see the whole series?  Click HERE… 


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My review of Wasteland by Lynn Rush

TITLE: Wasteland
AUTHOR: Lynn Rush
PUBLICATION DATE:   01/01/12
ORDER LINKS:  Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Salvation comes with a price. . .

Bound by the blood contract his human mother signed four centuries ago, half-demon, David Sadler, must obey his demonic Master’s order to capture fifteen-year-old Jessica Hanks. But as he learns more about her, he realizes she may be the key to freedom from his dark enslavement.

The only obstacle-Jessica’s distractingly beautiful Guardian, Rebeka Abbott. He must not give in to their steamy chemistry, or he will lose his humanity. But fresh off a quarter millennia of sensory deprivation as punishment for not retrieving his last target, he may not be able to resist temptation long enough to save what’s left of his human soul.



REVIEW PROVIDED BY: Kelly            
NUMBER OF STARS: 4  Stars

REVIEW:
There has always been a battle between good and evil.  But what do you do when that battle is inside yourself?  That is that very battle that David Sadler has been fighting since before his birth.  But now is David’s time to shine, if only he has faith.

I really enjoyed this story.  It was a great twist on the good vs. evil, light vs. dark and what happens when dark becomes light.  The main characters David & Beka are both very strong, determined and courageous characters who are great at their jobs, whether they want to be or not.  But when they pair up they will be unstoppable.  

I am looking forward to the next installment in this series.