TITLE: The Royal Talisman AUTHOR: Tracey Cooper-Posey PUBLICATION DATE: 01/01/12 ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N
BOOK SYNOPSIS:
It is 1884 and France is at war with China. Stuart Sutherland-Bruce returns to England after a posting in China as a member of the English diplomatic corps. He meets the astonishingly beautiful Bian, an exotic woman who turns his life upside down with the power of his desire for her. As she continues to astonish him at every turn with the unexpectedness of her life and her responses to him, he falls deeply in love with her.
But Bian did not wander into Stuart’s life accidentally. She has orders to become intimate with him and prove he has been giving English secrets to the Chinese. Yet as she works her spell on Stuart, she learns he does not seem to be the traitor her British superiors assure her he is.
Bian is caught in a trap: If she reveals to Stuart her real — and shocking — identity, she will lose the man she loves. If she honours Stuart’s highest values and does her duty, then Stuart will be tried for espionage and hanged.
REVIEW PROVIDED BY: Flying Frog Fairy NUMBER OF STARS: 3 Stars
REVIEW:
I have to say, when I first started this book, I wasn’t sure I would like it. The character of Stuart seemed a little to wimpy for my tastes. I was hoping he would have a little more backbone. Instead he seemed to fall under the spell of Bian immediately. And not in a cute way, but in almost an obsessive way. But that is just me so I continued on. All in all this book was interesting. I was a little disappointed because I hoped the author would go into more historical detail. However, this was really more of a novella and so there wasn’t really room for details. Then there was the whole is he a spy or not. It got a little convoluted and confusing and that took away some of the enjoyment. Confusion aside, the relationship between Bian and Stuart was passionate and I found myself rooting for them. Once the story was concentrating on them, I could get into it. And there was some definitely steamy scenes. Then we were back to the spy question. I predicted early on how it would end and I was right. So I guess you could say the story had a satisfying, if predictable conclusion.
TITLE: Wicked Road to Hell Book 1: A League of Guardian Series AUTHOR: Juliana Stone PUBLICATION DATE: 4/24/2012 ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N
BOOK SYNOPSIS: With the legions of the underworld gathering and chaos close at hand, Sorcerer Declan O’Hara’s deadly skills will be tested. But nothing will sway him from his duty, not even her…
Rescued from eternal darkness, vampire Ana DeLacrux owes her life to a mysterious stranger who asks for only one thing—her absolute allegiance. She serves this master without question until Declan, the one man who can make her forget her vow, returns. His magic is stronger, darker…more compelling than ever. His blood awakens a hunger she must resist, or risk deadly consequences.
As Ana and Declan join forces, the streets of New Orleans become a dangerous place for both humans and the otherworld. And the most dangerous place of all is a road Declan’s traveled before…the wicked road to hell.
REVIEW PROVIDED BY: Kimberly NUMBER OF STARS: 3 Stars
REVIEW: Declan is a sorcerer who has been forced to work for the Seraphim and has been told to pick up a man and deliver him to the Seraphim_. However when he gets there he is in for a couple surprises. One the “man” he was sent to pick up is actually a teenager and two he is protected by Ana, the lost vampire love of Declan. Also the teen is the fifth in the Seventh Mark. These are a group of seven who will grow and turn to either the light or dark and could possibly start an Apocalypse. When Declan decides to protect the teen instead of bringing him in and he brings in others to protect the teen they go looking for Samael, demon lord, who is looking for someone himself… The Teenager.
Ana is a tough vampire and not only feels that taking care of the teen is a order she must obey but her maternal instincts have come out and she sees what she will never have in the boy. Declan is a strong sorcerer but he lost his heart to Ana and where she is concerned nothing else matters.
This is the 1st in the League of Guardians series. There is everything in this book, sorcerers, vampires, shape-shifters, ghouls, etc. It is what every paranormal reader would enjoy but in all honesty I thought this was the first book by this author and was surprised there had even been other series’ by Juliana Stone. It is written a little rough and simplistic but that being said I wanted to know how it ended. I wanted to get back to reading it when I could. If you are not into these type of books this will not be one that would persuade you to change your mind. But certainly one you should pick up if you are into paranormal books.
TITLE: Second Chance AUTHOR: Debbie Gould PUBLICATION DATE: 01/23/12 ORDER LINKS: BN | Amazon
BOOK SYNOPSIS: Lieutenant Colin Beckett, US Air Force special ops, lost his wife in childbirth while off on a mission. Two years later, he’s still trying to come to grips with the guilt that tortures him. And to complicate matters, he finds himself undeniably attracted to his wife’s sister, Emily. Struggling with his desire, he tells himself he doesn’t deserve a second chance with such an amazing woman.
Emily wants Colin in her life and her bed. Enlisting the help of Colin’s teammates and Madame Eve’s 1Night Stand dating service, she plans to prove to Colin he can have everything he lost once again.
Will their one night lead to the happy ending she longs for or the loneliness he thinks he deserves?
REVIEW PROVIDED BY: Flying Frog Fairy NUMBER OF STARS: 4
REVIEW: I love the premise for the 1Night Stand series from Decadent Publishing. Each is a short story about a 1Night Stand through a company of the same name. So following this formula, Ms. Gould has crafted a sweet story about a second chance for love with an alpha Special Ops man and the sister in law who is raising his child. Of course they also have the chance to have a really hot love scene. They have to overcome odds most people would not be able to get past. She really drew me into the story and I found myself rooting for the H/H and loving the lengths a friend would go to help them find happiness. Even in such a short story the emotion conveyed made it a wonderful read. The conflict and resolution did not seem hurried and I was pleased with the HEA ending. I definitely recommend this book.
The Greek island of Corfu unearths the enduring love stories of two generations of the
McQuaid family. First, renowned archaeologist Ian McQuaid meets the love of his life while
recuperating from an illness contracted during a dig in Crete. Even though he is married, his wife had not been a passionate partner for many years, and the appearance of the stunning Maria Calbrese was a miracle sent to him at the lowest point in his life.
Then a generation later, Ian’s daughter Brit travels to Corfu after his death. He left Brit a note
disclosing that he owned a villa on Corfu, and that when he was there he had fallen in love with a
woman named Maria while still married to Brit’s mother. He asked Brit to deliver a package to Maria, who he thought lived somewhere in Venice. Determined to fulfill her father’s requests and return quickly to the US, Brit’s plan is soon derailed. She meets archaeologist Dr. Andreas Leandros who looks like the Greek gods of ancient times, and her own damaged heart begins to come alive.
What does the mysterious package contain, and how will Brit find Maria as requested by her
father? Will finding her change Brit’s life? Will she manage to preserve her bond with Andreas, or will she return to the US to live out her life without him?
Excerpt:
It was on June eleventh that he met her. He had gone to Adriatika for his evening meal. It was a
week night and he had lingered over his late afternoon swim. By the time he arrived, the few other diners were well into their meals.
“What have you for me tonight, my friend?” he asked.
“Ah! You are in luck. We have Rabbit Steffado and I’ve kept a portion back for you.”
Ian settled into his chair at his regular table and opened his book. He’d long had the habit of
reading in restaurants until his food arrived. It kept him from feeling lonely.
He heard a commotion at the door and glanced up from his book to see a stunning young woman in conversation with Yiannis.
“Of course you are not too late, Signorina,” Yiannis was saying as he showed her to a table. “We
always look forward to your return in June. Did you have a pleasant journey from Venice?”
“Pleasant enough, Yiannis. I hope you have some of your Rabbit Steffado for me tonight. I’ve been looking forward to it for months.”
“Alas, I am afraid the last portion was just ordered by someone else,” he said, nodding in the
general direction of Ian’s table. “But I have a very nice fish if you’re interested.”
“Hmm. I’ll think about it. Meanwhile, if you could bring me a pitcher of your good house wine…”
“Of course.”
Ian went back to reading his book. Suddenly he sensed that he wasn’t alone. He looked up to see
the woman who’d just entered the restaurant standing at his table, a brimming pitcher of wine in her hand. She was tall and full breasted, her long ebony hair swung loosely to her shoulders and her eyes were dark and lively. Her face could have come from a Botticelli painting, beautifully oval, classically Italian. She wore a low necked blouse that seemed to fall off one shoulder and a full skirt that emphasized her small waist.
He realized with a shock that she was speaking to him in English and that he hadn’t heard a word
she had said.
“I beg your pardon?”
“I said I assume you speak English since you’re reading a book in that language. If you’d rather, we could speak in Italian. My Greek is a bit primitive.”
Confused, Ian managed to stutter, “English will be fine.”
“Good. I have a proposition for you.” She smiled.
Ian thought whatever it is the answer is yes. He merely nodded.
“You,” she resumed accusingly, “you have ordered the last portion of Rabbit Steffado. I’ve been
looking forward to Rabbit Steffado for months. I propose that we should enjoy that rabbit together. There is always enough for two in Yiannis’ portions. Meanwhile we can order some of Catarina’s eggplant and a salad to start and,” here she held up the pitcher, “I already have the wine.” She waited expectantly.
Ian threw back his head and laughed for the first time in months. “Please,” he said, getting up
quickly and pulling out a chair for her, “Be my guest. I’m Ian McQuaid.”
Over the eggplant she told him she was from Venice and that her name was Maria. “I always spend six weeks here at this time of the year. And this is my favorite restaurant on Corfu. I always came here on my first night back.”
They worked their way through the appetizers laughing and chatting about their experiences on
Corfu as if they were old friends.
The rabbit arrived at the table, steaming and aromatic in its rich sauce. Maria ladled it on to their
plates. “So what brings you to Corfu?”
Ian somehow didn’t want to admit his recent illness to this young woman who was the picture of
health and vitality. “I was working on Crete and I decided to take some time off. A friend suggested Corfu.”
“What do you do on Crete?”
“I’m an archaeologist. My special area is Bronze-Age societies, the Minoans in particular. Knossos, on Crete, is one of the best preserved Minoan sites in the world. I’ve been working there off and on for some years.”
“You’re an American aren’t you? Your accent isn’t British.”
“Yes. I’m a professor at Stanford University in California. But I spend half of every year in Greece.”
They continued to chat and laugh their way through the rest of meal.
Ian could hardly take his eyes off of her. She was so utterly alive. Her mobile face telegraphed her every thought and mood. When she laughed at his stories her whole face lit up. When she was serious,her eyes held the reflective calm of a mountain lake. He found her utterly entrancing. By the time they’d finished dessert he was wondering how he could prolong the evening, how he could arrange to see her again.
Then he reminded himself that he was still married, that he’d no right to become involved with
this young vibrant creature sitting at his table. And that surely she would have no interest in him, a middle-aged man graying at the temples and many years her senior. Regretfully, when Catarina began closing the shutters, he moved to pay the bill. “Please allow me,” he said. “You’ve given me so much pleasure tonight.”
She nodded and rose to leave.
Outside the restaurant, she paused confused, and looked around. “Where’s your car?”
“Actually, I don’t have one. I haven’t found much need for one here. I walk everyplace. The house I’m renting is just up the hill a mile or so.”
“Please let me drive you home,” she said. “I insist. It is small payment for that lovely dinner.”
Ten minutes longer with her, Ian thought. Ten minutes more of her lovely voice and beautiful
face. “Of course,” he responded.
She drove efficiently and competently. He watched the shadows and light fall on her face as she
navigated the curves of the narrow, winding country road.
“Turn here,” he instructed as they reached the open gates to the property. She came to a stop at
the circle in front of the villa. The fountain was splashing, its dolphins alive in the moonlight.
“What a beautiful spot.” She said. They sat in silence for a moment, neither quite willing to end the evening.
“You could come in for a brandy,” he suggested.
They got as far as the front door. Later they could neither of them remember who moved first.
They were in each other’s arms, tearing at their clothing, stumbling up the steps toward the bedroom. Frustrated with their slow progress Ian swept her up into his arms and carried her to his bed, covering her with his body. They made love wordlessly, frantically, as if their very lives depended on their being together in this way at this moment.
When the storm had passed, Ian tried to speak. “I had no right to do this,” he said. “I’m married.”
“Of course you are,” she replied. “No man as attractive as you could be single. Not at your age. I
came to you willingly, I asked for no commitment. We have here and now. We have tonight. Let’s not ask for more.”
He buried his face in her fragrant hair.
Blair McDowell wrote her first short story when she was eleven and hasn’t stopped writing
since. After many years producing non-fiction professional books in her field, Blair decided to
exercise her rich imagination and write novels of mystery and romance set in places she knows and loves, peopled with characters drawn from her experiences in those locales.
One of her favorite places in the world is Greece, the setting for ‘The Memory of Roses’, Blair McDowell’s latest novel. While in Greece Blair was inspired by the ancient culture, friendly people and the picturesque settings, and the plot for the ‘Memory of Roses’ was born.
Blair has a home on a remote island in the Caribbean where the local lore of the ‘Jumbie’ (‘the dead who walk’) formed the basis for her novel ‘Delighting In Your Company’.
The setting for Blair McDowell’s book, ‘Sonata’, is the spectacular city of Vancouver with its
vibrant multicultural population and its rich musical life. In ‘Sonata’, Blair McDowell’s love of
music comes into play, and is intricately woven into this story of mystery and romance.
Blair is a member of the Romance Writers of America, Romance Writers of America (Greater
Vancouver Chapter), and the Romance Writers of America (Women’s Fiction).
Hi Gini, I am SUPER EXCITED to have you back on the blog to talk about your newest release Alien Diplomacy book 5 in your Alien series.
Gini: Awesome to be back! Thanks so much for having me!
BnK: Gini, for the folks that don’t know you can you please share a little about yourself with my followers.
Gini: I write the Alien/Katherine “Kitty” Katt series for DAW Books. I live in Hell’s Orientation Area (aka Phoenix, Arizona) with my husband, 3 dogs (the Canine Death Squad) and 3 cats (the Killer Kitties), and one very spoiled daughter. Who admits to being spoiled, but wants me to tell you that she’s not as spoiled as the pets. And she’s probably right.
book 1
BnK: Can you tell us about your Alien Series.
Gini: It’s the best series ever written and a deal at twice the price! (Hey, you can not blame a girl for trying.)
The Alien series follows the exploits of Katherine “Kitty” Katt, who first discovers that the Roswell rumors are true, but with a twist — the aliens are here to help us and, as a side benefit, they’re all gorgeous. Kitty first gets involved helping save the world from parasitic superbeings. As the series progresses, Kitty gets deeper into Centaurion Division, and discovers that there’s a lot more evil out there to fight, and a wide variety of conspiracies to prevent and disrupt, with dangers both internal and extremely external to guard against.
BnK: How did you come up with the idea for this series?
Gini: I had a dream. I get at least 50% of my ideas from my dreams. This dream was dark, noir-ish, and scary. So I thought I’d write a dark, short, noir-ish horror story. Instead, Kitty’s voice and personality inserted itself, so by page 3 I realized it would be neither dark, nor short, nor horror. Martini breezed onto the page, charmed Kitty and me, and the rest is, as they say, history.
BnK: Do you see a little of yourself in Kitty?
Gini: Oh, of course. However, I see a little bit of myself in every character I write. Including the villains. Perhaps especially the villains. (Be afraid. Be very afraid.) I am the God, they are my creations, they all have me in them somewhere.
book 5
BnK: I know we have talked about this before, but for those who don’t know. Can you tell us how many books you have planned in this series
Gini: Well, right now I’m contracted through Book 8, so Alien vs. Alien will release December 4, 2012, Alien in the House will release April 2013, and Alien Collective will release December 2013. I’m mapped out, as much as I map, through Book 12. And right now I can “see” through Book 16. So, basically, DAW says that as long as people are buying the books, they’ll be glad to publish the books.
BnK: I know you live totally spoiler free, but can you give us a little something about Alien Diplomacy? Please.. just a little tease. How about a quote or your favorite line.
Gini: Sure. I live spoiler free, but not teaser free. ;-D
In Alien Diplomacy, everyone’s dealing with a lot of change, and most of them aren’t dealing with it all that well, Kitty in particular. We see the return of some of my personal favorite supporting characters from an earlier book, and they affect things in a big, big way. And, for those who’ve been wondering when, if ever, they’d get an answer about what’s going on in Paraguay, that answer begins in earnest in this book.
BnK: Do you think Jeff & Chuckie will ever get along?
Gini: Define “getting along”. LOL Seriously, though, yeah, they will. Just not saying when.
BnK: Speaking of Chuckie, I know he says only Kitty can call him that. But I have proof that he said I can call him Chuckie — >> See
Gini: Well, he’s okay with readers and fans calling him Chuckie. Just no one in the books, other than Kitty (and Kimmy) can call him that.
BnK: Oh back to my question. Will, uummm Chuckie ever get over Kitty? Maybe find a new love interest?
Gini: *cough*
BnK: *looks at Gini* What would that be spoilers??
Gini: Yes, we call that a spoiler where I come from. But yes, Chuckie will have a normal life progression just like everyone else.
BnK: How is the rest of the Team dealing with all the changes they have been thrown over the last year?
Gini: Well, that’s pretty much Alien Diplomacy’s main theme — how do you handle being moved into jobs you don’t want, weren’t thinking you were ready to move to, that turn out to be completely different than expected, or a combination thereof? Every character in the book is experiencing major change in some way, so they’re all dealing, and not everyone’s dealing with it well. But then, that’s the fun, isn’t it? If everyone handled all things perfectly, why would we want to read about it?
BnK: You know how much I love Christopher. How is he doing? Any chance we will ever get a story for just him? Maybe just a short… *drops to knees* PPPPLLLEEEAAASSEEEE!!!
book 2
Gini: I know I should never say never, but it’s really unlikely. I get this question a lot, in regards to Christopher, Reader, Chuckie, a variety of other characters, and I don’t always answer it fully. But because it’s you…
#1 – This series is told in first person, from Kitty’s point of view. If I’d wanted to write other POVs, um, I’d have written this in 3rdperson. LOL
#2 – Y’all have NO idea how hard it is to write a short story, do you? I’m a natural novelist. I do indeed write short stories, novelettes, and novellas (I refer you to what I have up at Musa — see answer to a question below — as well as other shorts published in a variety of anthologies). But they are HARD to do. HARD. So, when y’all ask for “just a little story”, what you’re asking me to do is to stop writing the next novel in the series, and to AGONIZE over something that, let’s be honest, is a throwaway.
I love all my fans dearly, but, seriously, ask yourselves this: What do you really want more? A short story about a couple supporting characters, or the next novel in the series? Because you can’t have both right now. (Oh, and my publisher votes for “next book in series”, and DAW has the deciding vote. ;-D)
#3 – This relates to #1. If I’d wanted to write things from Christopher’s POV, I’d have already done it. One of the things I enjoy about writing first person POV is that the reader can ONLY know what the POV character knows, sees, and experiences. Some readers may catch on to what’s going on FASTER than the POV character (which is, after all, part of the fun), but we don’t KNOW what’s going on in other characters’ minds. I enjoy that. I don’t really want to have to tell it all from another character’s POV. And, when I try, well, we usually end up with an entirely different book for an entirely new series, which is nice and all, but not what you’re asking for.
Can this answer change? Sure. Will it change any time soon. Magic 8-Ball says “unlikely”.
BTW, I do have a couple of characters I’m more than willing to do something with “outside” of the series. But not saying who and not doing anything with it right now. Because deadlines say I don’t have time to play.
book 3
BnK: Can you tell us what you have coming up next for Kitty and the Crew?
Gini: Well, in Alien vs. Alien, we have the return of some characters no one ever wanted to see again, as well as the culmination of the Paraguay situation, along with a whole lot of scary stuff going on. But I’d have to say Alien vs. Alien is all about the birds.
Bnk: Gini, I know you write under a multitude of pen names. Can you share with us a little about what your other pseudonyms? What they are, what they write. What is coming up next for them?
Gini: Sure! My pen names include (but are not limited to) Anita Ensal, Jemma Chase, A.E. Stanton, and J.C. Koch — all of which have releases up at Musa Publishing (http://www.musapublishing.com/). As G.J. Koch I have a new series coming from Night Shade Books, Alexander Outland: Space Pirate, which releases June 5, 2012 ( http://www.nightshadebooks.com/cart.php?m=product_detail&p=240)
Alexander Outland: Space Pirate is science fiction set in the far future, with a lot of humor, action and romance. I think if you like Kitty & Company, you’re gonna love the Outland and his crew.
book 4
Pop Quiz:
Diet Coke or Diet Pepsi:Neither. I don’t drink Diet drinks, ever. I can taste fake sugar in anything and everything and I HATE the taste of fake sugar. It’s REAL Coca-Cola all the way, baby.
Rolling Stones or Aerosmith:Really? You have to ASK? Aerosmith, always and forever.
Pizza or Burgers:Both, with extra cheese
Bath or Shower:Shower at home, bath at nice hotels
Sun or Snow:I live in Phoenix, Arizona. SUN, baby. Sun.
Boxers or Briefs:Thong or commando
Christopher or Jeff:Both, and Chuckie, Reader, Gower and Buchanan, too (oh, look…a teaser…)
Ebook or Paper:Whatever the reader wants (for me, personally, it’s paper)
Romance Movie or Action Movie: Action
Batman or Superman:Wolverine
Bnk: Gini, thank you as always for being FABOUOLUS!! I love having you on the blog and love your Alien series. I can’t wait to see where you take Kitty and the crew next.
Gini: Taking them to infinity and beyond, and to a really good designer. (Oh, look…another teaser…)
Bnk: Gini, would you like to do a giveaway?
Gini: Sure, I’d love to give away any book from my backlist (Touched by an Alien, Alien Tango, Alien in the Family, or Alien Proliferation), signed and personalized. And yes, open internationally.
BnK: Okay to be entered for a chance to win one of Gini’s back list book. Please fill out the Rafflecopter form below.
Gini Koch lives in Hell’s Orientation Area (aka Phoenix, AZ), works her butt off (sadly, not literally) by day, and writes by night with the rest of the beautiful people. She writes the fast, fresh and funny Alien/Katherine “Kitty” Katt series for DAW Books, listens to rock music 24/7 (particularly, but not limited to, Aerosmith), and is a proud comics geek-girl willing to discuss at any time why Wolverine is the best superhero ever (even if Deadpool does get all the best lines). She also speaks frequently on what it takes to become a successful author and other aspects of writing and the publishing business.
Her interests include seeing how often she can ask, “So, have I told you about this plot twist yet?” of her husband before he goes insane, going to rock concerts with her daughter, and training her pets to ‘bring it’. Gini started writing to have an excuse to stay up late playing on the computer while listening to music and mooning over pictures of Steven Tyler and Joe Perry.
Now she’s expanded her thinking — she moons over a wide variety of hunks in order to keep the visual creative juices flowing. So to speak.
Books-n-Kisses is super excited to welcome JD Tyler back to the blog today.
JD, Welcome to Books-n-Kisses. Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to sit down and talk with me about SAVAGE AWAKENING and what’s next for the Alpha Pack.
JD: Hi, Kelly! Thanks for inviting me back for a visit today!
Kelly: Do you need anything before we begin? Margarita?
JD: You know, even though it’s early, I’ll take you up on that! It’s that kind of day. J
Kelly: Shall we begin?
JD: I’m ready when you are! Be gentle with me…
Q1) Can you share your Top 5 Guilty Pleasures?
JD: Just 5?I’d love to! Let’s see…
1) Reading! Now there’s a surprise. J
2) I love going to concerts, mostly classic rock! My must-see shows include Bon Jovi and Aerosmith. I scored really great tickets for myself, my rock guitarist son, and daughter to see Aerosmith in Dallas on July 28th, and we can’t wait!
3) One hour-massages and pedicures are a special kind of heaven for me!
4) I enjoy traveling to see friends who live out of state, especially my critique partner and fellow author Tracy Garrett, who lives in Missouri at Lake of the Ozarks. Spending a week with her on the lake is pure bliss.
5) Meeting friends for long lunches which result in copious amounts of alcohol and getting absolutely no writing done!
Q2) Tell me and readers who may have missed it before a little about your 3 pseudonyms? I mean 3… WOW!!!
JD: In addition to writing paranormal as JD Tyler, I write contemporary/romantic suspense as Jo Davis, and paranormal erotica as Jo Carlisle. Honestly, it’s not as hard as it sounds writing-wise. I work on one book at a time, and all of my focus is on that story and those characters at the moment.
Q3) Let’s talk books… Please Describe SAVAGE AWAKENING briefly for our readers.
JD: Aric Savage is the snarky redheaded wolf shifter who was taken prisoner by Orson Chappell’s evil minions at the end of PRIMAL LAW. Aric is suffering brutal experiments in the name of creating a breed of super-shifter soldiers and is losing hope for a rescue. Along comes liberation in the form of his team…and a gorgeous LAPD cop named Rowan Chase, who has joined the team in hopes of finding her missing brother and Alpha Pack member, Micah. She finds a lot more than she bargained for…
Q4) Tell us a little more about Aric. *wiggles eyebrows*
JD: Aric is a wisecracking smartass with a bit of a temper, and loves to harass the guys. He’s a Firestarter/Telekentic, so he torch stuff, or move it at will. He’s got a big heart under his prickly surface, and he’s about to meet his match in one tough, streetwise LAPD cop…
Q5) It looks like BLACK MOON is up next, which is Book 3 in your Alpha Pack series. Would you like to share a little with us?
JD: BLACK MOON is the full-length book featuring our Sorcerer/black panther/Necromancer Kalen Black and Dr. Mackenzie Grant, the lady who’ll eventually be his Bondmate. Kalen’s mind is slowly being taken over by a lethal enemy who wants to harness his power. Mac and the team will have to either save Kalen or execute him…before he destroys them all. The book releases on December 4 and promises to be explosive!
Q6) A birdie told me that you just sold books 4 and 5 of the Alpha Pack series to your publisher! Congrats! Care to tell us a bit about those?
JD: Thank you! I’m thrilled to be able to continue with the series! Book 4 is tentatively titled HUNTER’S MOON, and all I’m saying right now is that it’s a “Predator” story… the scariest monster of all is the one you can’t see…
Q7) SQUEE!! That sounds so exciting! Do you have any idea who will get Book 5 after Ryon?
JD: Thanks, I hope readers love Ryon as much as I do. JI do know who gets Book 5, but I want to keep the suspense going a little longer. (evil grin)
Q8) It was tough for you to pick a favorite pack member before. Do you have one now? If so, who & why?
JD: Yes, it’s still so hard to pick a favorite among these guys! They’re all sexy and loveable in their own way, and they’re all different, appealing to a woman’s various tastes in men. But Kalen is my favorite right now. He’s magnetic and so different, with his kohl-rimmed jade eyes, black nail polish and black rock-star hair. But he’s also very deeply hurt, lost and damaged, having been thrown out of his home at age 14 to survive on the streets. Mac is going to have to be a special woman to get through to him, and show him how to love.
Q9) Can you tell Us what you are currently working on and what’s next?
JD: Right now I’m working on BLACK MOON, which is due to my editor soon. Then I’ll be working on Book 1 of my new series SUGARLAND BLUE, being written as Jo Davis, which is a spinoff of my FIREFIGHTERS OF STATION FIVE series and stars the Sugarland Police Dept. Book 1 (title TBA) is Detective Shane Ford’s story, and I’m so happy to get started! My readers have been requesting his book for some time and I can’t wait.
Kelly: Again a HUGE thank you to JD for stopping by my blog and share with us her newest book.
JD: Thank you again for inviting me back!
Kelly: JD, What do you say we give the readers a chance to win SAVAGE AWAKENING?
JD: Sounds great! I’m giving a signed copy, so good luck, readers!
If you would like to win a copy of Savage Awakening please fill out the Rafflecopter form below
Amy Hardwick has one last Season to shake off her wallflower image and make a love match. If she can’t, she’ll set aside her dreams of romance and return home to a suitor who can provide security—if little else. What she doesn’t count on is the inappropriate—and irresistible—attention lavished on her in a darkened library by rake extraordinaire Will “The Devil” Darcett . . .
DEVILISH DELIGHT
When Will is caught in a tryst with the ton’s shyest miss, he knows he must offer for her hand. Yet Amy is not the shrinking violet she seems to be. Passion lies beneath her prim exterior and Will is eager to release it. But winning Amy isn’t simply a matter of seduction; first, Will must convince her that he’s mended his wicked ways . . .
This was a great book. I loved that Amy got her own book. In the past two books Amy was the wallflower of the group. But in How to Ravish a Rake Amy knows that this may be her last season, so she tries to transform herself. Amy learns so much about herself in this book. It was great fun to watch her grow.
Will is the bad boy of the ton. The one all the women swoon over. But when Will finds himself trapped with the beautiful red head he loves to tease, he doesn’t know the full extent of the consequent of his actions.
I really enjoyed How to Ravish a Rake. Amy & Will are a great, fun, feisty couple to read about. While their wedding may not have come from love, they learn how to make the best of their situation.
If you have enjoyed Vicky’s first two books you will love book 3 How to Ravish a Rake.
Want a chance to win one of three copies of How to Ravish a Rake? Please fill out the Rafflecopter from below.
Recent college graduate Gabriella has finally married the man of her dreams, the older, charismatic attorney Lorenzo Martinez. She’s had a crush on him for as long as she can remember and always imagined they’d one day find their happily ever after. Unfortunately, they enter into a union arranged by their fathers.
Lorenzo is charming, protective, and loyal to his crime lord father Carlo. When Carlo asks Lorenzo to marry Gabriella he jumps at the opportunity. He’s been drawn to her for many years and knows by marrying her he’s helping to protect her father.
Gabby is resentful and won’t be Lorenzo’s charity case. But sparks fly and the couple soon gives into their desire, realizing they were meant to be together.
What happens when Carlo’s enemies threaten their future? Will someone get caught in the crossfire?
Content Warning: graphic sex, some violence
Excerpt
Lorenzo walked up the porch steps, turning to stare at her. “Are you coming, Gabriella?” No one but Lorenzo and his father called her by her full name. She liked when Lorenzo said it. He’d always made it sound so formal and sexy.
These were the first words he had spoken to her since they left the courthouse. They were married in the chambers of the prestigious Judge John Cartwright. He’d been a family friend of the Martinezes for many years. He was their go-to man whenever they needed something done fast and legally. Well, legal in her new father-in-law’s eyes anyway.
She hurried up the steps and followed Lorenzo inside their new home. It was built within a matter of months after she’d agreed to marry him. Carlo wanted them to have their privacy, but he also wanted to keep them close. He didn’t trust she’d hold up her end of the bargain, and keeping her on the property was the best way to ensure she wouldn’t run.
It was silly, really. How could she run from a family like this? They had ties all over the world. There wasn’t any place she could escape to that they wouldn’t know about. She was a woman of her word. She said she would marry Lorenzo and she did. She’d find a way to cope. She always had.
Lorenzo pulled his jacket off, poured himself a scotch, and then loosened his tie. “Would you like a drink?”
“No, thank you,” she said.
Most brides would be dancing the night away and drinking champagne by this point in their wedding night. She didn’t think that was part of Lorenzo’s plan.
“I didn’t think you’d go through with it.” He sipped the amber colored liquid as he looked her over.
“I said I would.”
“I know, but when push actually came to shove, I thought you’d run.”
“You don’t know me that well,” she said. “I don’t run.”
“Good.” He smirked as he put the glass to his lips.
Gabby couldn’t take her eyes away from those lips. She’d never had the pleasure of having them on her own. Judge Cartwright hadn’t asked him to kiss his bride. She hated herself for thinking about him that way.
“You could’ve stopped this. Why didn’t you?” she asked.
As they stood in front of the judge, she kept hoping he’d put an end to the charade and stop the wedding. It didn’t make sense to her why he had agreed to marry her. She didn’t have a choice. Her father’s gambling debts made sure of that. But she didn’t understand why he’d allowed things to get as far as they had.
“I was just as trapped as you were.” He downed the rest of his scotch.
She didn’t believe that. She knew he respected his dad, but she didn’t get why he wouldn’t have put his foot down and said no to such a life-altering decision.
“You could’ve told your father no from the beginning. Why would you agree to marry someone if you didn’t have to?”
“Look.” He shook his head. “It’s done now. We’re going to have to make the best of it.”
“Make the best of it?” She plopped down on the leather sofa. “I’m twenty-two years old. I just graduated from college, and you want me to make the best of it?”
“I know this isn’t what you might have wanted, but it is what it is. You agreed, and now it’s done. You can’t go back on it now. My father won’t forgive that.”
Bio: Ella Jade has been writing for as long as she can remember. As a child, she often had a notebook and pen with her and now as an adult, the laptop is never far. The plots and dialogue have always played out in her head, but she never knew what to do with them. That all changed when she discovered the eBooks industry. She started penning novels at a rapid pace and now she can’t be stopped.
Ella resides in New Jersey with her husband and two young boys. When she’s not chasing after her kids, she’s busy writing, attending PTO meetings, kickboxing and scrapbooking. She hope’s you’ll get lost in her words.
Since I’ve been out promoting and talking about my new series, the Minivan Mom Mystery Series, I’ve been asked about being a man and writing mystery for women.
There was a saying I’ve heard dozens of times about how behind every great man is a greater woman. Well, I’m the proof in that one, especially in this series. Without my wife, this series would not have seen the light of day. In fact, my wife is actually getting interview requests of her own. I guess my job is to just write and hush up.
When my wife was pregnant with our kids, I often read What to Expect When You’re Expecting. It’s a great, big book of the worst case scenarios of what could happen when having a child. In fact, by the time you’re done reading it, you’re terrified.
I’m going to write today about what to expect when you expecting the second book in the Minivan Mom Mystery Series.
In the first book, we introduced Eve Bailey and her family.
Ben, her husband.
Delaney, her oldest daughter.
Cody, her only son.
Penny, her youngest daughter.
Then, of course, is the cast of characters from Eve’s enemy, Karen Corothers, to the gossip queen of Marysville, Charlotte Williams.
When I started writing this story, I told myself and my wife that when we got to the second book and there on, I refuse to rewrite the same story.
I wanted each one to be new, different, and fresh.
So, what to expect in the second book (which is titled A Mess to Die For) –
There will be murder. This is a give in. It’s a mystery book. I need to kill someone. The fun part in the second book is that it’s an interesting murder…
Eve will be involved. Without Eve getting involved, there’s no story! In the first book, Eve doesn’t believe what the police are saying. In the second book, it’s Eve’s memory that keeps her involved. She just can’t let it go. She feels tied to the murder and her mind won’t let her rest.
There will be suspense. In the first book, the suspense came directly to Eve, pulling her along within the story. In the second book, the suspense is layered throughout the book in small sets. The suspense hooks all the characters, and the readers.
Kids will be kids. One of my favorite parts of writing this series is writing about the kids. In the first book, Delaney prepared for her big soccer game while Penny learned to speak goldfish, and Cody learned that skipping school isn’t such a good idea. In the second book, the kids are always there, keeping Eve on her toes. Delaney has some troubles with her favorite soccer medal, Penny has a boy picking on her, and Cody just can’t stop fighting with his enemy, Max Corothers.
Messes all around! The title was created from the story. When writing the first book, we had the title from day one. With the second, we were without title until a quarter way through the book when I realized all Eve is doing is cleaning up messes. The messes could be a spilled glass of orange juice all the way to a murder. It’s the true cycle of Eve Bailey and how strong she is as a stay-at-home and how big her heart can be… even though it gets a little dangerous sometimes.
The good news is that A Mess to Die For is slated for a Mother’s Day release. The even better news is that the first book, If Errands Could Kill, is out now and is sitting exclusively on Amazon in both Kindle and paperback form.
Thanks for stopping by and if you enjoy a fast paced mystery, then check out the Minivan Mom Mystery Series.
Up at sunrise to enjoy the quiet of a sleeping household, Eve Bailey gets her coffee, prepares breakfast for her three children, and has a spare tie ready knowing that her husband, Ben, will definitely spill something on the one he is wearing. Their oldest daughter, Delaney, is one game away from moving onto the soccer championships, their son, Cody, skipped school yesterday, and innocent 7 year old Penny is trying to communicate with her goldfish. Eve’s days are that of a typical stay at home mom.
Her typical day changes drastically after she drives Cody to school as part of his punishment for skipping school. Cody’s creepy science teacher, Mr. Jackson, approaches Eve to let her know that her check for Cody’s field trip had bounced. Knowing it had to be an error, Eve heads to the bank to figure it out. While in line, she chats with her mother in law who works at the bank. Then she notices Janet, another bank employee and self-made town outcast, acting very strange at the back counter.
Eve’s concern grows when she is leaving the bank and sees Janet open the gas tank door and then drives away. Against her better judgment, Eve follows Janet. What happens next is something unheard of in quiet Marysville, Pennsylvania. Janet is murdered in front of Eve’s eyes, and the police find drugs in her car.
Murder and drugs? It doesn’t make sense. Eve is now a witness and determined to disprove the “drug deal gone wrong” theory.
Can she convince the police that she knows who the killer is, save her family, and make it to Delaney’s big soccer game in time?
BOOK SYNOPSIS: Being newlyweds and new parents is challenging enough. But Jeff and Kitty Martini are also giving up their roles as super-being exterminators and Commanders in Centaurion Division while mastering the political landscape as the new heads of Centaurion’s Diplomatic Corps. Enter a shadowy assassination plot and a new set of anti-alien conspirators, and nothing will ever be the same…
REVIEW PROVIDED BY: Kelly NUMBER OF STARS: 4 Stars
REVIEW: First I have to say a HUGE thank you to Gini Koch for hosting the giveaway that allowed me to win an ARC of Alien Diplomacy. It was great fun and I enjoyed everyone that played.
Now, back to the review…. It is up to Kitty, Jeff and the whole Centaurion Division to again save the world. But this time the threat comes at them from all sides and no one know who is the true target is this time.
I have to say that I LOVE Gini’s Alien Series, but sadly Alien Diplomacy has been my least favorite so far in this series. I enjoyed this story, but was not in love with it. The book felt a little slow to me. Maybe it was just me. Maybe I should not start a book when I am sick. I am not sure, but for me it was not up to the high standard of a story I have come to expect from Gini. I still did enjoy getting back into the head of Kitty Martini.
Now don’t get me wrong I still love Kitty, Jeff, Christopher (the most), Chuckie, Reader and the rest of the crew and I am truly looking forward to their next big adventure.
TITLE: Truly, Madly, Deeply, You AUTHOR: Cecilia Roberts PUBLICATION DATE: 03/21/12 ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N
BOOK SYNOPSIS: Four days before Valentine’s Day, Liese Hansfeld is determined to shut the door to her house, as well as her heart, for her annual four days of mourning her one true love. Little does she know her best friend Freytag Meier is just as determined to keep her from her ritual. He’s ready to pick the lock to her apartment door and camp in her living room if that’s what it takes.
What Freytag isn’t prepared for is the surge of deep-rooted emotions he feels for Liese, but two things stand in his way: the grief and guilt she still clutches close to her heart, and a man who threatens to snatch Liese from under Frey’s watchful eye. Frey is determined to distract her into forgetting her pain. But is that enough to ease her grief, or help her see he can be more than her best friend?
REVIEW PROVIDED BY: Kimberly NUMBER OF STARS: 2 Stars
REVIEW: Liese has been morning her lost love for 2 years. Every year before Valentine’s Day she locks herself away to wallow in self-pity. But this year will be different. Frey feels like Liese has felt guilty for long enough and this year he is going to keep her busy for the 4 days around Valentine’s Day. Frey has been her best friend for what seems like forever and loved Liese for almost as long. Can he wake her from her heartbreaking nightmare? Can she see that it is time to move on? Honestly, I could never get into these characters. Frey seems desperate and the is just too sweet to be the real at least when it comes to Liese. Liese just seems like a lost cause and you spend the whole story thinking “Why does Frey even bother? What does he see in her?” Frey’s desperation is palpable. Liese, it seems ,is suffering from a major depression and as a reader it just makes her hard to connect with. Both characters are sadly pathetic in their longing for love and it makes the reader feel dispirited as well. However the book is well written. I didn’t feel that the story or the writing could be better in and of itself, it is just not a feel good, love the characters, wished it could have gone on for longer kind of book. But hey give it a try… Different opinions is what makes the world go round and you could enjoy it more than I did.
