Author: Kelly

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Interview with Zoe Winters

Books-n-Kisses is so excited to have Zoe Winters back on the blog. 
BnK: I am so excited to share you and your newest release Dark Mercy with my followers.  Thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedule to sit down and talk with me. 
Zoe: Thanks for having me!
Bnk:  Are you ready?
Zoe: No, I need fifteen more minutes. Just kidding. Having this kind of convo via text is bringing out the weird in me.
BnK: Have you always wanted to be an author?
Zoe: I’m not sure if “always”, but I know I was pretty serious about it by junior high school. I was writing novels in 8th grade. I shudder to think how bad those were!
BnK:  What would you say is your most interesting writing quirk?
Zoe: I’ll have to think about that one. I’m pretty sure I’m nothing “but” quirks since it seems that I think very differently than a lot of people about a wide range of topics, sometimes.
BnK: I am very excited about Dark Mercy.  Your newest release in the Preternaturals Series.  Can you tell us a little about this story?
Zoe: Dark Mercy just released. It’s a novella that is the beginning of a story for a new Pretverse couple. Angeline starts out a vampire and Hadrian is the priest she wants to turn. Her sire (Linus. Fans of the series might recognize him a the Villain from Claimed.) was so abusive to her that she’s distrustful of other vampires and wants one she made herself. I must warn that this story is not an HEA but it’s also not the end of their story. Their HEA will happen in their full-length book which will be book 5.
Hadrian does make a cameo in the third book of the series, The Catalyst, though. Dark Mercy is what I call “supplementary” material to the series, in that it doesn’t have to be read in order with the rest of the series, not that the information learned is less important to the overall story. Important things happen both for Hadrian and Angeline, and the larger series. One major character from Save My Soul, who gets her own book in book 4, has a few of her secrets at least partially revealed in Dark Mercy.
Dark Mercy is also a little more angsty than a lot of my Zoe stuff. It’s just the nature of this story. Mated is also a bit angsty. But the snark is coming back big in The Catalyst.
BnK: How did you come up the idea for the Preternaturals Series?
Zoe: Well, Save My Soul was written first, and it actually became book 2 in the series. (Incidentally you can start either with Blood Lust [book 1] or Save My Soul [book 2] and not be lost.)
It involves an incubus trapped in a house by a 50-yr-old curse. I wrote it largely because I didn’t want to start out with “vampires” because I was told that “vampires” were over and nobody would buy it (what a lie. Vampires are SO not over.) Anyway, I was driving by this house in the historic district of my town and most of the plot for Save My Soul arrived that way. I was looking at this house I always loved, and that became Luc and Anna’s house and these ideas just sort of popped in my head. It was pretty creepy, actually. Sometimes I think Luc really does live in that house, LOL.
Then a year or two after that, an ebook publisher was running a contest for addition into a werecat novella anthology. So I came up with the story for Kept for that. But I didn’t make it by the deadline, so in the end, I released Kept on my own as an ebook.
Then I wanted a couple of other novellas to round it out so I could do a print release/collection, so Claimed and Mated came along to make Blood Lust.
By the time I got to writing Mated, I really really wanted it to turn into a big series because I had this whole idea for this world and all this politics and struggle between these different factions and how each book would be its own romance but there would be this larger meta plot connecting the series. I was also really intrigued by the idea that everybody is the hero of his own story, so sometimes a hero in one book will be a villain in another and vice versa because I want to show what everybody is fighting for and what their intentions are without demonizing any one faction or leader.
I figured out a way to tie Mated in to Save My Soul by introducing Save My Soul’s villain in Mated. By the time we get to book 3, it’s going to be really clear how this all intersects. My biggest fear is that people won’t hang out with me until they start seeing the bigger picture, because it is really cool and I think those who can hang with me, will be really glad they did.
BnK: What is up next for the Preternaturals Series?
Zoe: Right now I’m working on The Catalyst, which is book 3 in the official order. Though, technically one can read them out of order, it just depends on if you need to have meta plot in order. Some people like to read series of this nature out of order so it comes together like a jigsaw puzzle. Either way works. My suggestion would be to start out with the story that sounds most interesting to you, then if you feel you want it all in order, start from the beginning.
But meh, I totally sidetracked there. The Catalyst is about Z and Fiona. Z is a panther therian (were-panther, but NEVER call him were. He will eat your face) who has gotten saddled with a stray wolf pup, and Fiona is an agoraphobic witch who has the ability to understand the language of animals. So he sort of has to kidnap her and take her back to his cave because he needs her help with the pup. Z really is such a caveman, but he’s sweet. He just has no concept of social boundaries.
The Catalyst is a bit of an ensemble book because not only are we dealing with Z and Fiona’s relationship and HEA, but, Jane and Cole’s story (from Mated) will go from an HFN (happy for now) to an HEA. Some readers may not have realized, but therians (shapeshifters) can live hundreds of years. Cole is a werewolf. Jane is a human. So with their divergent lifespans, that’s not exactly an HEA. But The Catalyst will solve that issue. (And yes, this was part of the plan to begin with.)
There is also a lot of Cain in this book, which sets up book 4, LifeCycle… which is Cain and Tam’s book. And I feel like anybody not already a fan of my stuff is glazing over back there in the cheap seats. Sorry! Read, so you know what we’re talking about! 😉
BnK:  So, recently you came out of the closet about your pen name. Would you like to share a little about your other name?
Zoe: Kitty Thomas is for a mature audience. That’s all I’ll say. It’s darker. It’s more literary than Zoe. And it’s really just not for the faint of heart. In a lot of ways *I* don’t think the kitty stuff is dark, but clearly mainstream readers feel differently, so I warn and disclaim. Zoe has always been kink subtext. I mean, every relationship in the Preternaturals series definitely has a strong power exchange going on. There may not be any whips and chains or other props but these heroes pretty much “own” these heroines…
Kept involves this werecat in her heat cycle basically at the mercy of a dark sorcerer. Claimed involves a vampire claiming a human female (and a claim gives him power over her, like… forever.), Mated involves a werewolf who takes a human as payment for a gambling debt and basically keeps her against her will in his compound. Sure, he doesn’t do anything bad to her and he needs to protect her because he senses she’s meant to be his mate, but it still is what it is.
In Save My Soul, the incubus demon breed mates by taking a human female who must give him her soul which ties them together forever in a way in which he is the dominant party.
In Dark Mercy there is definitely some power games going on there, but I don’t want to give that away because it’s a spoiler.
In The Catalyst, Z kidnaps Fiona and drags her back to his cave.
I mean, it’s a pretty blatant pattern. I like what I like. Zoe is subtext, Kitty is text. And Kitty definitely is not for everybody. Kitty is me unfiltered. Zoe is a little safer. I ended up coming out of the closet because it was too difficult to keep them separate/secret, mainly because a lot of Zoe fans were Kitty fans. I had all these twitter followers who were following both of my names and didn’t know they were both me. I guess, then, that a lot of people picked up on the subtext in the Zoe work, LOL.
I also felt like it was going to come out eventually and the most important thing to me was that people know I wasn’t “ashamed” of writing Kitty. I’m incredibly proud of the Kitty work.
I’ve always felt in general that the romance genre had a lot of D/s (Dominant/submissive) subtext. I mean sometimes you have a beta male and some readers are into that, but the vast majority of romance is a dominant alpha male who behaves in a dominant (not abusive) fashion toward the heroine. So make of that what you will. I know subtext when I smell it.
BnK: Zoe and Kitty are very different.  How did you get into two very different genres?
Zoe: I had this book I *needed* to write. (Comfort Food) At the time I had no grand plan to start a new brand but I needed to write this book and I knew it wouldn’t fit in the Zoe world. I didn’t expect people to fall in love with it and to go on about it like it was the second coming. But it really connected with a lot of people.
It was just a book. Yes, it meant a lot to me. I opened a vein for that book. It was the hardest thing I’ve ever written, and up until that point, the most naked thing. But I’m really proud of it. (Not that it’s perfect, no book is perfect, but yeah. Comfort Food will always be Comfort Food.)
I tend to flip back and forth between the names. For awhile I’d gotten burnt out on the Pretverse and everything was kitty kitty kitty. And now, after having released 5 Kitty releases in a row (some novels, some novellas), I’m totally Kittied out, so my focus is shifting back to Zoe for the next 4 or 5 releases. And I’m really excited about the pretverse right now!
I probably won’t go back to kitty until after I release book 5 (Hadrian and Angeline’s book.) I mean, I tease people with Dark Mercy so it would be crappy for me to go back into the kitty zone before I wrap that up.
BnK: Zoe, Thank you again for taking the time to sit down and talk with me.  I look forward to The Catalyst.  Is there anything else you would like to add?
Zoe: Thanks! I’d also like to add that full-length books in the series—Blood Lust and Save My Soul—are also in audiobook and available at Audible/Amazon and itunes, for those who listen to audiobooks. Chet Williamson is my narrator and he is AMAZING. He makes all my books sound like fifty times more awesome than they actually are.
BnK: Where can my followers find you? 
Zoe: my blog: http://zoewinters.wordpress.com , facebook (though I have no idea what the link is for that. Facebook has those ridiculously long links, though there is a facebook app on my blog for those who want to “like” me.), and Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/zoewinters
Bnk:  Again Z, Thank you.
Zoe: Thanks!
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Interview with Shanon Grey

Books-n-Kisses is pleased to welcome Shanon Grey to the blog.  
1. Can you please share with us a little about yourself?
I live in the very magical “low” mountains of Northern Georgia. Not too high up to get a nose bleed, but just enough to make for some great rolling pastures, fields, and forests. Having come out of Hurricane Katrina with pretty much what was on our backs, we relocated to Georgia. All my work, everything that wasn’t in my head, disappeared. Luckily, Georgia proved to be inspirational and the Gatekeeper Series poured right out of me. I discovered that the imagination is fairly disaster-proof.
2. Have you always wanted to be an author?
No. At age seven, I wanted to me a Faerie Princess. By ten, it was the female version of “The Phantom,” by twelve it was an airline stewardess, and by fifteen, it was a world-renowned cancer researcher. I came closest to the last when I took premed in college. It was there that I started writing, mostly journal articles. I stayed with technical writing most of my life, sneaking in fiction in the late night quiet hours when no one was up.
3. Can you share with us your typical writing day.  Is there anything you have to have while writing?
Coffee. Lots and lots of coffee. Then Splenda Diet Coke. Everything thing else is arbitrary. My family is very, very supportive. Fortunately for them, my son is a fabulous cook and makes sure we all eat sometime during the day. I have an incredibly inspiring office (which my husband and son created for me) and I spend a great deal of my waking hours in there, our dog nearby (in case I drop some tasty cookie crumb). I never seem to have any trouble with writer’s block—again, that overactive imagination to the rescue—so I am pretty much ensconced in one story or another from morning until the wee hours.
4. Most challenging or rewarding part of writing?
The most challenging part of writing is patience. There’s always something someone needs that has nothing to do with putting my story on paper. Bookkeeping, marketing, filing—the administrative end of having a business. I wish I were rich and could have a “team.” Alas, I am not, so the drudgework is still mine. I wonder if I’d ever give up the control anyway.
The most rewarding part of writing is when a reader sends me an email or posts a comment telling me they love my work. Writing is hard at best. We put ourselves out there every time we put words down. To get a positive word or review (we love positive reviews, as well) makes our day, our week, month…. I was stopped one day in Barnes & Noble and was asked to sign my book. I floated around for hours. Having readers like that is the most rewarding thing in the world.
5. Can you please tell us about your latest book(s)?
The Shoppe of Spells is the first in the Gatekeepers Series. It isn’t a series per se, since all the books actually “stand-alone.” They do, however, center around the quaint small southern town of Ruthorford, GA and the special inhabitants or “descendants” from that town. In The Shoppe of Spells, Morgan Briscoe’s relatively normal life is turned on its ear when she learns not only that she is adopted, but her birth parents are dead and she now holds half-interest in a business with their ward, Dorian Drake, who, despite his riveting good looks, can barely conceal his hostility toward his new partner. Morgan discovers that she is more than she seems and together she and Dorian have the ability to control a portal to another dimension. Unable to contain their growing attraction, Morgan and Dorian dance around their desires and her burgeoning abilities, until danger forces them to face their destiny.
 6. How did you come with the idea for this story?
I had been driving around the area and stopped at Barnes & Noble for a coffee and scone. Standing in line, the story came to me. It was the longest wait of my life. I grabbed my order, found a table, pulled the scone out of the bag and started making notes on the bag. I have since framed the bag. I have learned when an idea hits, write SOMETHING down. Anything. You’d think I’d learn to carry a notepad around with me. Nope. I’m still writing down ideas on whatever happens to be in my purse at the time. Oh, and ideas never come at convenient times.
7. Can you share with us your current work in progress?
Meadow’s Keep is due out late spring or early summer. It is Jasmine Monroe’s story. She is introduced in The Shoppe of Spells. Here’s the teaser:
 Jasmine Monroe once felt like damaged goods. But, not anymore. Her latent abilities, although appearing too late to save her from a brutal attack, will keep her safe from anyone ever hurting her again. She’s made sure of that. Secure in that fact, she’s moved on. Until she meets her first love’s doppelganger.
Eryk Vreeland, a misfit and embarrassment to his upper-class/upper-crust family, is a magician. His shows are renowned, his contributions to charity astronomical, his illusions precise. Except, not everything is an illusion. Sometimes there is real magic.
Jasmine stumbles upon a secret that will change Eryk’s life forever, and in doing so, she must face her own destiny as well. When Jasmine and Eryk are forced together to rescue and protect a young woman, each must overcome the barrier that protects, yet hinders any personal attachments. The safeguards must come down to combine their abilities and, when that happens, their attraction strengthens—beyond their control—until they can barely tell where one person stops and the other begins.
Can their hearts take the toll? Will they surrender to one another or risk a disaster to stay apart?
8. Who are some of your favorite authors?
That’s not fair. I have so many. After a day of writing, I can’t go to sleep without being transported away into another author’s world. I tend to read genres and definitely many subgenres of romance. At the moment, I am reading Nora Roberts, Sharon Sala, Ted Dekker, and Sherrilyn Kenyon. Did I mention that I am always reading more than one book at a time? My husband is constantly warning me that someday my bedside table will give up the ghost and crumble from the weight of all the books.
9. Do you feel that any of your favorite authors have inspired your writing style? 
Unfortunately, no. I admire so many authors’ styles and, since I am still developing mine, I don’t want to embarrass those great writers by implying my style is anywhere near as good as theirs. My writing is definitely character driven, so my style varies by the characters that are in charge at the moment. I enjoy that. It keeps things fresh.
10. What is in your To Read Pile that you are dying to start or upcoming release you can’t wait for?
In about a week, Susan Mallery’s new book, Barefoot Season, comes out. I also want to read The Help, which I haven’t yet.
11. Is there anything else you would like to add?
I want to thank you for having me. There are many authors out there and you give readers a chance to get to know us a little better. I also wanted to thank you for reviewing The Shoppe of Spells on March 11, 2012 (click here to read review) . It is always wonderful to have a reviewer recommend your book.
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Interview & Giveaway with Inara Scott

Books-n-Kisses is pleased to have the very sweet Inara Scott on the blog today.  Please make my fellow Oregonian welcome… 

Q1)  Can you please share with us a little about yourself 
Inara:  Let’s see…I was born in Buffalo NY, and as a result spent most of my childhood complaining about being cold. I headed south for college and never went back. Now, I live in Oregon with my husband, two kids, and obscenely cute little white dog Rosco. I have a master’s degree in recreation (bet you didn’t know they give a master’s for that!) and traveled around after college leading outdoor and wilderness trips. From there, I went to law school, and practiced as an energy lawyer for almost ten years before I quit my full time job to focus on my writing. Now, besides writing I juggle a lot of different jobs—I still lawyer part time, but I also travel, teach writing, do school visits, and work on a really cool student art anthology.
Q2)  Have you always wanted to be an author?
Inara:  I have always loved to write, but I never thought I’d actually do it for a career. I’m frighteningly practical, and it never occurred to me to try to pay the bills with something fun like writing! But yes, I wrote my first full-length novel when I was in ninth grade, and my mom recently discovered something I wrote when I was six saying I wanted to be a writer when I grew up. So I think it’s safe to say that this has been a dream of mine for a long, long time.
Q3)  Can you share with us your typical writing day.  Is there anything you have to have while writing?
Inara:  I usually write best early in the morning, with a cup of coffee by my side. By noon, I’m pretty much done. It’s funny—whether I have 3 hours or 6 hours for writing, I seem to accomplish the same amount. I guess there’s only so many creative thoughts in my brain each day! I try to use my down-time to send email, do social media stuff, or catch up on my reading.
Q4)  Most challenging or rewarding part of writing?
Inara:  Ah, I find writing the new stuff to be the most challenging. Sometimes I feel like I’m fighting for every word. But I adore revising. There’s nothing more fun than reworking and polishing. It’s like eating the frosting off the cake. The most rewarding thing is having an impact on readers. I’ve had reader mail that made me cry. Stories are powerful things, and I can’t imagine anything more rewarding that knowing your stories touched someone’s heart.
Q5)  Can you please tell us about your latest book?
Inara: How about a blurb? Those always seem to tell the story better than I can!
Rules of Negotiation
She made all the rules…
After juggling the demands of her career and the stress of caring for her ailing mother, high-powered corporate attorney Tori Anderson doesn’t have time for relationships—but that doesn’t mean she doesn’t want to feel like a woman. When Brit Bencher, NYC’s most eligible bachelor, offers a no-strings attached fling, it sounds like exactly what she needs. But what will she do when her Brit decides he won’t take “one night stand” for an answer?
…until he started breaking them.
Brit Bencher will do anything to take care of his family, even seduce Tori Anderson in the hopes of getting her to reveal confidential information about one of her clients. But for the first time in his life, he finds he’s falling for a woman. When Tori uncovers his lies, will he lose his chance with her forever?
Q6)  How did you come with the idea for this story?
Inara:  This story was definitely a “what if “that was inspired by my own career in the law. I can be a bit of a workaholic, and I often wondered what would have happened to me if I hadn’t met my husband long before law school. I think I probably would have buried myself in my work and not gotten out much! And I think I would have been very lonely, and still wondering when my prince would come.
Okay, all that, and I love the “meet a gorgeous CEO at a business meeting, have a crazy one-night stand and fall in love” fantasy! I mean, who doesn’t, right? J 
Q7)  Can you share with us your current work in progress?
Inara:  Not really, mostly because I’ve got too many going on! I’m currently working on a new book in my Handmaid Seduction series, a new YA that I’m really excited about, and plotting out a new contemporary romance series. My worst problem right now is focusing on one project long enough to finish it!
Q8)  Who are some of your favorite authors?
Inara:  I absolutely adore Jenny Cruise, Susan Elizabeth Phillips, Julie James, Susan Sey, and Victoria Dahl.
Q9)  Do you feel that any of your favorite authors have inspired your writing style?
Inara:  Probably not inspired my style, because they’re too amazing to compare myself to, but I think reading Julie James made me believe that people might actually enjoy a lawyer romance!
Q10)  What is in your To Read Pile that you are dying to start or upcoming release you can’t wait for?
Inara:  New books by all of these authors!
Q11)  Is there anything else you would like to add?
Inara:  Thanks so much for taking the time to interview me! Now I’m always on the hunt for new authors to read, so leave me a comment with your favorite contemporary romance author, and I’ll give away a copy of Rule of Negotiation to one commenter!
Inara loves to hear from readers; you can find her on Twitter (@inarascott) or Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/inarawrites) far more than is healthy. For email contact information, event schedules, her blog, and much more, check out www.inarascott.com. 

RULES OF NEGOTIATION is available now:
Get your copy at Amazon & Barnes & Noble!
About Inara Scott
Inara Scott is a writer, lawyer, teacher, mother, and coffee-addict currently growing mold in the beautiful (but rainy) Pacific Northwest. Inara also writes for teens in her paranormal young adult series The Talents. Inara firmly believes in magic and fairy tales, and doesn’t think happily ever after is the least bit unrealistic.



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Spotlight Feature of Hot Summer by Judy Powell

A hot-tempered spitfire and a sexy, arrogant man – put them together and sparks fly!

After her first embarrassing encounter Summer Jones vows to stay away from suave record producer, Lance Munroe. But then she ends up working for the man. Her quick temper and sharp tongue keep landing her in hot water with him but no matter how hard she tries she can’t deny her growing attraction for him. Then they go on a business trip to Jamaica – and her world is turned upside down.
Lance is intrigued by the feisty woman who practically tells him off the first time they meet. When they begin working together he realizes how much he enjoys the challenge of taming the little tigress. But, before he knows it, he’s the one caught in the snare of passion. The tables are turned – the tigress has tamed the lion.
If you love the sizzle of a romance between two strong-willed individuals, follow Summer and Lance from Chicago to Jamaica and be swept away in the thrill of their hot summer.

Judy Powell is a writer and marketing consultant who lives in Ontario, Canada. Her works are diverse, featuring romance novels, a historical novel and non-fiction essays which have appeared in anthologies.  Her titles include ‘Hot Summer’ which placed second in the Toronto Romance Writers Contemporary Romance Competition, ‘Hot Chocolat’ – the sequel to ‘Hot Summer’, ‘Some Like It Hot’ – a sensual multicultural romance novel, and ‘Coffee, Cream and Curry’ – a literary work which received the silver medal in a national creative writing competition. 

Judy is a great lover of learning which is reflected in the diversity of her studies which includes Masters degrees in Spanish, Marketing, Literature and Creative Writing and a BA in Foreign Languages & International Business. She is a member of Phi Beta Kappa (US Honor Society), Romance Writers of America, Toronto Romance Writers, and Writers and Editors Network of Canada.  She loves to travel and has lived in countries including Puerto Rico, the USA, France, Jamaica and Canada.  She likes to feature diverse cultures in her works. 
Website
EXCERPT
As he spoke he leaned back into the couch and peered up at her through half-closed eyes. She turned away from his gaze and quickly opened the bottles and poured bubbling liquid into both glasses.
“Here you go,” she said with a smile and handed him the drink. She sat on the edge of the sofa beside him but as far away as was polite. She put the glass to her lips and sipped the sharp cold liquid, feeling the bubbles bursting in her mouth.
She felt his eyes on her and gulped more liquid, then opened her eyes wide as it flooded her throat. Her eyes burned and she struggled to swallow but it was no use. Before she could cover her mouth she coughed violently, spraying her lap and the coffee table with soda.
Summer clapped her hands over her mouth, but too late. The damage was already done.  Her eyes grew huge with distress and she looked across at Lance, hot with embarrassment.
“Are you alright?” He’d quickly rested his glass on the table and was leaning towards her, a large white handkerchief in his hand. She took it gratefully, still coughing. Then the spasms gradually subsided and she was able to look at him again. Her eyes were brimming with tears.
“Are you crying?” He looked incredulous, almost out of his depth, as he raised his hand and wiped away a tear with his thumb.
Summer dabbed at her eyes, sniffed, then looked up at him again, her lips curling into a grin.  “Of course not, silly. I’m not crying. It’s the coughing that made my eyes fill up with tears.” Somehow, seeing him look so nonplussed had made her more at ease with him.
“Silly, huh?” He smiled back at her.  “You’re the one who gulped down a carbonated drink too fast and ended up losing the whole lot all over yourself. So, who’s silly?”
While he was speaking Lance had rested his arm at the back of the couch right behind her head and had begun to gently stroke her nape with his thumb. Summer swallowed hard but couldn’t get the lump out of her throat.
 “I guess…I am,” she said, her voice breathless.
“Yes,” he whispered as he leaned forward to press his warm lips against the side of her neck, “you are.”
Summer’s breath came in shallow gasps as she sat still, not feeling she could move even if she wanted to. She was like a bird frozen in the mesmerizing stare of a snake, knowing it was about to be eaten alive but not able to make a move to save its own life.
She moaned and closed her eyes as his lips stroked the sensitive skin then moved to the base of her throat where he licked softly and gently. She didn’t realize that she was still clutching the handkerchief tightly in her hand until she felt his strong fingers pry hers open to pull it away so that he could seduce her palm with his thumb.
“Relax, baby.” He moved his lips up her neck and to her ear.  “You’re so tense. Just relax.”
As he spoke he pushed her back gently into the plush pillows and began to nibble her ear lobe. He gave a lick just behind her ear and shock waves ran down her spine.
“Oh, God,” she breathed, “what are you doing to me?”
“What someone should have done to you a long time ago, Summer Jones,” he whispered.  “Teach you what it means to be a woman.”
He dipped his head and slid his lips back down her neck, over her collar bone and down to that oh, so sensitive place between the curves of her breasts. Here he paused and she held her breath, eyes shut tight, wondering if he was going to stop now. She prayed he wouldn’t.
She was not disappointed. An involuntary gasp escaped her lips as he slipped a warm tongue down her cleavage, sliding it between the orbs and teasing her soft flesh until her body screamed and she felt she would die from the sweet sensation. She grabbed the back of his head and pressed him into her, wanting more of the pleasure, more of the sweetness…
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Interview & Giveaway with Jennifer Probst

Books-n-Kisses is super excited to welcome Jennifer Probst to the blog today to talk about her new book The Marriage Bargain.  


Q1) Can you please share with us a little about yourself
Jennifer: Sure! I’m a mom of two active little boys, and live in Upstate New York with a gorgeous view of the mountains. My household is always in chaos, I hate to clean, am a big animal lover with a terrible habit of rescuing dogs, and am thrilled to finally be writing full time.
Q2)  Have you always wanted to be an author?
Jennifer:  Yes. I can’t remember ever wanting anything else, and when I was twelve years old I wrote my first book in longhand, took it to school, and read it to my friends. As soon as I learned to read, my mother told me I was telling everyone I’d be a writer one day. I feel very lucky to find my dream to pursue so early in life.
Q3)  Who are some of your favorite writers? Who do you feel has influenced your writing?
Jennifer:  The classics turned me on to romance – the romance classics, I mean! I consumed vast amounts of category including Jayne Ann Krentz, Sandra Brown, Iris Johansen, Nora Roberts, and Suzanne Brockmann. I turned to large contemporary and gobbled up Susan Elizabeth Phillips, Johanna Lindsey, Judith McNaught, and countless other authors. That’s how I learned craft, and knew I wanted to do what they did. Then I adored reading horror and suspense, and finished every book by Stephen King and Dean Koontz. You learn from the masters.
Q4)  How did you get into writing in this specific genre?  Have you ever thought about writing in a different genre?
Jennifer:  I always knew romance was my first love and I’d always write in that genre. But as I grew and became a mom and branched out, I wrote a children’s book with my twelve year old niece entitled Buffy and the Carrot. It was a wonderful experience for both of us. I did some parenting essays and launched a mommy blog. And then a dog’s voice pounded into my head, demanding I tell his story. I wrote A Life Worth Living which details the life of a shelter dog in his own voice. It hit #1 on Amazon in its category and I donate half of the proceeds to the animal shelter, so I was thrilled.
Q5)  What are some of your writing rituals?
Jennifer:  I have none. Absolutely none. In my household, you grab time when you can, write in the chaos, and be grateful for it. Don’t know if it’s good or bad but it’s how I survive!
Q6)  Can you please tell us about your latest book(s)?
Jennifer:  Well, certainly! (rubs hands here in eagerness).  I am over the literal moon to report my book with Lori Wilde’s Indulgence line entitled The Marriage Bargain, hit #1 on the Barnes and Noble bestseller list! It’s the first in my series called Marriage to a Billionaire and details the marriage of convenience by two characters who knew each other in the past and are completely different.
Q7)  How did you come with the idea for this story?
Jennifer:  My characters leapt out of my mind. onto the page and demanded freedom. Alexa was easy to write, she has a big heart, is spunky, and deals with life in a positive way. Pair her up with a brooding, cynical, hot man who doesn’t believe in anything, and you get fireworks. I adore opposites attract, and hard assed heroes who need to be tamed and given the courage to love. I also adore certain themes such as marriage of convenience and friends to lovers, so I wanted to write something fresh with a theme I love.
Q8)  Can you share with us your current work(s) in progress?
Jennifer:  Absolutely! I am happy to report I am just about finished with the sequel to The Marriage Bargain called The Marriage Trap. It’s the story of Alexa’s best friend, Maggie, and the Count (who you will meet in TMB and hopefully fall in love with!). It takes place in Italy and I have a few surprises in store for my readers!
Q9)  What would you be if you were not an author?
Jennifer:  An animal rescue worker. Or a dancer if God gave me talent!
Q10)   What is in your To Read Pile that you are dying to start or upcoming release you can’t wait for?
Jennifer:  Oh, my! I have a TBR list that is explosive! First off, I’m tearing through the other Indulgence books because I love them so much – they are fresh and full of quality and themes I love to read. I also love the One Night Stand series by Decadent, they are short reads that are always well done. I have a bunch of writers I stalk, but honestly, I’m not avoiding the question, there are too many to name here! And the way I man twitter, I’m always finding something new to read that looks good. Call me an addict. I need a meeting.
Q11)  Is there anything else you would like to add?
Jennifer:  I adore hearing from my readers and connecting in a relationship. I remember after I read one of my favorite authors, I always dreamed of telling them how the book made me feel, but felt silly writing to them. It’s not silly – I know now how much writers appreciate readers and talking about their books. So I highly encourage stalking at all my sites listed below. Thank you so much for hosting me today!
We’re also giving away a free copy of The Marriage Bargain so please leave me a comment!
Website andBlog 
Goodreads   
AuthorFacebook Page  
Twitter 
The Marriage Bargain
Purchase links : Barnes and Noble | Amazon

A marriage in name only…

To save her family home, impulsive bookstore owner, Alexa Maria McKenzie, casts a love spell. But she never planned on conjuring up her best friend’s older brother—the powerful man who once shattered her heart.

Billionaire Nicholas Ryan doesn’t believe in marriage, but in order to inherit his father’s corporation, he needs a wife and needs one fast. When he discovers his sister’s childhood friend is in dire financial straits, he’s offers Alexa a bold proposition.

A marriage in name only with certain rules: Avoid entanglement. Keep things all business. Do not fall in love. The arrangement is only for a year so the rules shouldn’t be that hard to follow, right?

Except fate has a way of upsetting the best-laid plans… 


Giveaway time:   
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Kelly’s review of Oracle’s Moon by Thea Harrison

Oracle’s Moon
Elder Races #4
by Thea Harrison
Amazon | B&N|  Powells 
As a second daughter, Grace Andreas never had to worry about the intrigues of the Elder Races. But when her sister, Petra, and Petra’s husband are both killed, Grace inherits the Power and responsibilities of the Oracle of Louisville, as well as her sister’s two young children – neither of which she is prepared for.
Yet, she is not alone. Khalil, Demonkind and Djinn prince of House Marid – driven by his genuine caring for the children – has decided to make himself a part of the household both as their guardian and as an exasperating counterpoint to Grace’s impudence toward the Elder Races.
But when an attempt is made on Grace’s life, she realizes that Khalil is the only one who can protect her – and offer her more than a mortal man…
My thoughts:
From the first interaction between Khalil & Grace, I knew that they would be a fun couple to read.  And boy was I right.  Khalil is an uptight, always has to be right Djinn Prince, one of the oldest of his kind.  Grace is just a mire human, well that is not entirely true.  Grace has recently taken over the job of being the Oracle after the death of her sister. 
I really enjoyed this story.  But it is safe to say that if it was not for Khalil am not sure I would have loved this story, but luckily Khalil is our hero in this story.  I liked Grace as a character, but felt without Khalil I would have been bored with her. 
Thea has created such a wonderful world with the Elder Races.  But after reading Oracle’s Moon I have so many questions of what is going to happen in the Elder Races series.  The Who’s, The What’s, The Why’s and The How’s.  And like any good author Thea doesn’t give me any answers to these questions.  J  I know that Dragos & Pia are getting another book Lord’s Fall (preorder here).  Can’t wait to see what twists and turns are next for the Elder Races.  And I hope that we see more of Khalil in the coming books.  But until then I leave you with some of my favorite Khalil lines…
From Serpent’s Kiss:
“I will sit on the baby’s”
From Oracle’s Moon:
“Indeed”
“Do you know that I am the doggie-cat”
“….I will achieve pancakes”
“Speak”
“You will shower first……then I will tell you that your beautiful”
“Well, dude….sometimes you just have to get over shit”
**AHHH** Khalil, a man of many words. 
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Vi Carious’s review of Beyond the Misty Shore by Vicki Hinze

Beyond the Misty Shore
by Vicki Hinze
Amazon | B&N | Powells
Marketing executive Maggie Wright and artist T.J. MacGregor are linked by a mysterious car accident that killed Maggie’s cousin, Carolyn, T.J.’s fiancée. When Maggie arrives on the Maine coast determined to get answers from T.J., she discovers a tortured man who is bound to the Seascape Inn by supernatural forces. Despite the tragedy that stands between them, Maggie and T.J. begin to fall in love, seeking answers and a healing spirit they may never achieve.

Review by Kimberly:

5 Stars
I want so badly to tell you about this book and why you should read it but there are not enough words to tell you how wonderful this book is. It is rare I give a book 5 stars but this book is most deserving. There is something magical about this book. It feels like a romance novel from years gone by even though it is set in the present. It makes you believe you are there and watching the love unfold instead of turning pages. Seascape Inn is a place you want to visit
This book reads like a movie. Have you seen the movies “Somewhere In Time” or “The Two Worlds of Jenny Logan”? OK this is dating myself but then if you have not seen them you should. Anyway, this book has the feel of these timeless movies. The softness of love as it grows between the characters and the mystical spirit that is there to guide not haunt make this book worth the read. More than worth the read it is worth owning the book and never letting it go. Luckily this is the 1st in a trilogy and I cannot wait to enjoy the other two books.
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Flying Frog Fairy’s Review of Steam Powered Passion by Corinne Davies

Steam Powered Passion
Steampunk Lust 1:
By Corinne Davies
Amazon | B&N
Tori is dealt a terrible blow when she is given to a couple of pirates as insurance on a ship. But finding herself lifted up into an airship is only the first of many surprises. The second?
Malcolm and Sean attacked her ship in order to get their hands on her. Malcolm and Sean both realize they need a woman in their relationship. Tori seems to be the perfect solution. But can she see past their physical differences to the men beneath and accept them as they are?
But Tori is more then she appears. She’s been passing secrets to the old-world rebels for years. When she is seen leaking information to the new-world military, will her men believe she wasn’t trying to betray them?
Can each of them see past their personal expectations and accept a relationship steam-built for three?
Review by Flying Frog Fairy:
Tori is keeping some serious secrets, but no one in this book is as they seem. So many characters have hidden agendas or double lives that you will be guessing who is good and who is bad throughout the whole story. And the story was engrossing. Equal parts passion and intrigue, it kept my interest from page one.  The characters were rich and I felt like I could immerse myself in the story as though I were really there.  The sex scenes were hot but what really got my attention was the plot.  It is an exciting story full of mystery and action.  There are several scenes where you feel like you are part of the battle. Just when you think you have it all figured out, something happens to throw it off course.  I do so love a story that isn’t too predictable.  Of course the main characters get their HEA. And there are also many other characters introduced that make it clear there will be more books in this series.
This was my very first Steampunk book. I was blown away! The details were rich and imaginative. I love how they mix a Victorian era with all sorts of new technology and off the wall inventions.  Writing a story like this takes some serious world building and Corinne Davies did not disappoint.  I was very impressed with the attention to detail and the effort Ms. Davies put into making this a rich exotic adventure for the reader. I am ready to start book 2: Steam Up Memories in which we get to know more about Tori’s sister Yzabeau. I highly recommend this book!
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Flying Frog Fairy’s Review of Steam Up Memories by Corinne Davies

Steamed Up Memories
Steampunk Lust 2
By Corinne Davies
Amazon | B&N
In a misguided attempt to atone for her mistaken loyalty to her father, Yzabeau Gifrator branches out on her own to find the truth and ends up in more danger than she ever faced before.
Liam McKenna never forgot the girl he failed to protect from being taken from their village, and now his days are filled with missions to locate women sold in the slave pits.
Tristan has loved Liam ever since the day he heard stories of a thirteen-year-old boy trying to fight an entire New World garrison in an attempt to protect someone he cared about. But their relationship has been built on the present without any true thoughts to a future.
Together, will the three of them find a love strong enough to face the bitter memories that shaped them, or will their pasts blow them out of the sky?
Review by Flying Frog Fairy:
Slave traders, spies and a forgotten past.  This book has them all, along with a healthy dose of steamy sex. Corinne Davies has done it again!  I was eager to read her follow up to Steamed Powered Passion and I was very pleased when I did.  This book grabbed my interest and never let it go. I read the entire book in one sitting.  Once again, there is rich detail in the fantastic world building.  More off the wall inventions and unbelievable technology. Even more secret lives and people who aren’t who they seem. Did I mention I love this book?  The fast pace and intrigue make for a very satisfying read.
There was also plenty of heart wrenching emotions.  I waited in agony for Yzabeau to finally realize that Liam was the boy from her childhood. And I wanted to hold Liam and tell him it wasn’t his fault. I waited with bated breath for Yzabeau’s memory to finally come back. And my heart hurt for Tristan as he desperately tried to keep them all together. It is a story of lust and love, triumph and treason, and ultimately good wins out over evil.
For now.
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Meljean Brooks’ Guardian Series

Falling for Anthony
Novella found in Hot Spell
In Regency England, a desperate lady is Falling for Anthony when a childhood friend comes back from the dead to protect her brother from an unnatural evil.
“An emotional roller coaster for both the characters and the reader.” –Romance Junkies
“…fantastic death-defying love…” –Fresh Fiction
$14.00 Berkley Trade ISBN 0425206157
$7.99 Berkley Sensation ISBN 0425212882
Amazon.com ~ Borders.com ~ BN.com ~ Powells.com
Excerpt: http://meljeanbrook.com/books/the-guardian-series/hot-spell
Demon Angel
Book 1
For two thousand years, Lilith wrought vengeance upon the evil and the damned, gathering souls for her father’s armies Below and proving her fealty to her Underworld liege. Bound by a bargain with the devil and forbidden to feel pleasure, she draws upon her dark powers and serpentine grace to lead men into temptation. That is, until she faces her greatest temptation—Heaven’s own Sir Hugh Castleford…
Once a knight and now a Guardian, Hugh spent centuries battling demons—and the cursed, blood-drinking nosferatu. His purpose has always been to thwart the demon Lilith, even as he battles his treacherous hunger for her. But when a deadly alliance unleashes a threat to both humans and Guardians in modern-day San Francisco, angel and demon must fight together against unholy evil—and against a desire that has been too long denied…
Who will be the first to succumb?
“Extremely engaging…A fiendishly good book. Demon Angel is outstanding.” –The Romance Reader
$7.99 Berkley Sensation ISBN 0425213471
Amazon.com ~ The Book Depository ~ BN.com ~ Powells.com
Excerpt:  http://meljeanbrook.com/books/the-guardian-series/demon-angel

“Paradise”
Book 1.5
Novella found in Wild Thing
Lucas Marsden has faced nosferatu before and survived, but he doesn’t know how to defeat the demon who hunts the vampires in his community…
But he knows exactly what he wants from the beautiful Guardian sent to protect them.
“Once again, Brook plays with the notion of free will on multiple levels, adding hope to her dark world of demons and nosferatu, and substance to a genre that is too often dismissed as fluff.” — Nicola, Alpha Heroes
$14.00 Berkley Trade ISBN 0425215164
$7.99 Berkley Sensation ISBN 0425225445
Amazon.com ~ Borders.com ~ BN.com ~ Powells.com
Excerpt: http://meljeanbrook.com/books/the-guardian-series/paradise-in-wild-thing
Demon Moon
Book 2
Return to the sensual netherworld of Demon Angelfor a startling romance of eternal love threatened by the consuming darkness of a Demon Moon…
No one would call vampire Colin Ames-Beaumont kind, but they would call him unnaturally beautiful. For two centuries his tainted blood has kept him isolated from other vampires, sustained only by his beauty and vanity—bitter comforts, since a curse has erased his mirror reflection, replacing it with a terrifying glimpse of Chaos.
Savi Murray’s insatiable curiosity had gotten her into trouble before, but she’d always escaped unscathed. Then came Colin. In the midst of Heaven, he gave her a taste of ecstasy—and of Chaos. Deadly creatures from that realm herald the return of an imprisoned nosferatu horde, and Colin and Savi’s bond is their only protection—and their only passion…
“A read that goes down hot and sweet– utterly unique–and one hell of a ride.” –Marjorie M. Liu
“The fourth book in Meljean Brook’s Guardian series turns up the heat without losing any of the danger or biblically tinged lore. A-” –Entertainment Weekly
$7.99 Berkley Sensation ISBN 0425215768
Amazon.com ~ Book Depository ~ BN.com ~ Powells.com
Excerpt: http://meljeanbrook.com/books/the-guardian-series/demon-moon
Demon Night
Book 3
Explore the seductive corners of the dark, as a forbidden attraction tempts danger under the canopy of the…
Charlie Newcomb worked hard to get her life back together. But all that is shaken when she’s set upon by three vampires desperate to transform her beauty into something evil. Because Charlie is the vital link to something they want—and need. It’s Charlie’s flesh and blood sister, a medical scientist whose knowledge could be invaluable to the predators.
But to get to her, they must first get to Charlie, now under the intimate protection of Ethan McCabe. As her Guardian, Ethan is attracted to her vulnerabilities—as well as her strengths. The closer he gets, the more protecting her becomes not just his duty, but his desire. But will it be enough to save Charlie when the demon night falls?
“[Brook] is truly one of the best voices out there. Sexy, exciting…a dark and sultry world.” –Gena Showalter
“Charlie’s traumatic past has left her believably afraid of her own needs, and Ethan is a brave, sweet guy with old-fashioned ideas about chivalry. Brook gives them distinctive dialogue and paints a fascinating, erotic world full of angels, demons, vampires and ambiguity.” –Publisher’s Weekly
$7.99 Berkley Sensation ISBN 0425219771
Amazon.com ~ Borders.com ~ BN.com ~ Powells.com
Excerpt: http://meljeanbrook.com/books/the-guardian-series/demon-night
“Thicker Than Blood”
Book 3.5
Novella found in First Blood
A 2009 RITA® Finalist!
Annie Gallagher is the only survivor of a demon attack that exterminated every other vampire in her city. But she can’t leave before she finds Cricket, a young human girl whose vampire guardians have been killed. Annie needs help, but the rules of her kind demand that she operate in secrecy.
And when help comes, it’s from the one man she never expected…
“…a wonderful novella, with strong characters, an intriguing plot, and–of course–a good dose of blood and sex to boot.” –The Book Smugglers
“…four great vampire stories for readers who enjoy their romances with a bit of bite.” –Romantic Times BOOKreviews
$7.99 Berkley Sensation ISBN 0425224007
Amazon.com ~ Borders.com ~ BN.com ~ Powells.com
Excerpt: http://meljeanbrook.com/books/the-guardian-series/thicker-than-blood-in-first-blood
Demon Bound
Book 4
The seductive and dangerous world of the Guardians now yields a secret that threatens the soul of a woman and the fate of the universe, both…
Among the Guardians, Alice Grey is known as the Black Widow—a woman trapped in a web spun by the demon Teqon. To save her soul, she agreed to deliver to Teqon the heart of the oldest and most powerful Guardian of all, or else be damned for eternity. After more than a hundred years, Teqon is calling in his debt.
Jake Hawkins is a novice Guardian whose gift of teleportation could be invaluable to Alice in determining her next move. But in aligning himself with her he never expected to fall in love. Now, their passionate flight to escape Alice’s damnable bargain is threatening both their souls. For they’re about to discover a hellish secret about the Guardians—something that will change their universe forever.
“Readers will be blown away by the fascinating and unique heroine.” –Romantic Times BOOKreviews
“…raises the bar on paranormal romance for sheer thrills, drama, and world-building, and hands-down cements Brook’s place at the top of her field.” –Romance Junkies
$7.99 Berkley Sensation ISBN 0425224538
Amazon.com ~ Borders.com ~ BN.com ~ Powells.com
Excerpt:  http://meljeanbrook.com/books/the-guardian-series/demon-bound

Demon Forged
Book 5
Meljean Brook returns to the darkly sensual world of the Guardians with a tale of a prophecy, a devilish bargain, and doomed love…
An RT BookReviews 2009 Reviewers’ Choice Nominee!
Four centuries ago, Irena and Alejandro would have succumbed to the need smoldering between them — if a demon and a monstrous bargain hadn’t shattered the possibility of love. Torn apart by shame, Irena avoided Alejandro for centuries — until a vampire’s call for help throws her into his arms again.
Alejandro can control fire, but he’s never been able to control — or quench — the flames between him and Irena. And he knows Irena, hardened by her hatred for demonkind, will never accept that he now works at a demon’s behest. But even as he fights for a second chance, a shocking betrayal and a deadly prophecy shake the foundations of the Guardian universe, and all Hell threatens to break loose…
Are you starting the Guardian series with DEMON FORGED? No problem! Read a brief overview ofThe Story So Far.
“A dark, gripping read…the characters are brilliant, and the breathtaking romance, vivid setting and darkly delicious adventure will immerse readers in this spellbinding world until the satisfying conclusion. Description: http://www.meljeanbrook.com/star_full_whitebk.gifDescription: http://www.meljeanbrook.com/star_full_whitebk.gifDescription: http://www.meljeanbrook.com/star_full_whitebk.gifDescription: http://www.meljeanbrook.com/star_full_whitebk.gif½” —RT Book Reviews
ISBN 0425230414 | October 6, 2009
Amazon.com ~ Borders.com ~ BN.com ~ Powells.com
Excerpt:  http://meljeanbrook.com/books/the-guardian-series/demon-forged
“Blind Spot”
Novella found in Must Love Hellhounds
Book 5.5
The job was simple: find her boss’s niece, bring her home safely, and hand out a whole lot of pain to whoever had abducted her. But Maggie hadn’t counted on her boss’s nephew, the hellhound who loved to make her life difficult, or her own past rearing its complicated and ugly head.
“Page-turning romance…” –Publishers Weekly
$15.00 Berkley Trade ISBN 0425229599
Amazon.com ~ Borders.com ~ BN.com ~ Powells.com
Excerpt: http://meljeanbrook.com/books/the-guardian-series/must-love-hellhounds
Demon Blood
Book 6
“Brook brings together two broken heroes in the high-stakes sixth Guardian paranormal romance… Fans won’t be disappointed.” —Publishers Weekly*
“Brook’s characters leap from the page. Deacon is the perfect hero, tortured but worthy, and Rosalia is just the woman to save him. Description: http://www.meljeanbrook.com/star_full_whitebk.gifDescription: http://www.meljeanbrook.com/star_full_whitebk.gifDescription: http://www.meljeanbrook.com/star_full_whitebk.gifDescription: http://www.meljeanbrook.com/star_full_whitebk.gif½!” —RT Book Reviews
…Fiery attraction and steamy love scenes…*
Long before she was transformed into a Guardian and trained to fight demons, Rosalia knew darkness all too well. Raised by a demon, Rosalia learned to guard her heart—and her soul—until she found a man worthy of her love. Once, she thought that man would be the powerful vampire, Deacon…until he betrayed the Guardians.
After losing everything to the lies of a demon, Deacon lives only for revenge—and is taken aback when Rosalia offers to help. A vampire who has nothing—who is nothing—isn’t worthy of her attention. But Rosalia wants to do more than just look, and the explosive need between them can’t be held in check. And when Deacon’s vengeful quest creates a dangerous alliance of their enemies, she will be his only hope…
ISBN 0425235475 | July 6, 2010
Amazon.com ~ Borders.com ~ BN.com ~ Powells.com
Booktopia (Aus) ~ Book Depository
Excerpt: http://meljeanbrook.com/books/the-guardian-series/demon-blood
Demon Marked
Book 7
A stunning and sexy addition to the world of the Guardians about one man’s revenge against the half-demon he once loved…
Amazon | Book Depository | BN.com | Powells
Kindle | Kobo | Nook | Sony | Goodreads
Nicholas St. Croix is familiar with the evil of demons. After his father’s death, a demon took over his mother’s body and raised him. Six years ago, his “mother” was responsible for the disappearance of the woman he loved, and Nicholas swore he’d find her—even if he had to go to Hell and back. Except she finds him first—and with one tormented kiss, he knows she too is a demon. Now he is determined to take his revenge…
Ash is a half-demon with no memory of her past or how she got to Hell. All she knows is that Nicholas St. Croix holds the key to her identity. And though he’s clearly drawn to her, Nicholas makes no secret of his distrust of her. Yet one kiss at a time, he breaks down her defenses as they battle an array of demons and Guardians. But is Ash’s greatest enemy the man at her side?
“The award-winning Brook adds another multifaceted and intense drama to her already impressive Guardian series.” Description: http://www.meljeanbrook.com/star_full_whitebk.gifDescription: http://www.meljeanbrook.com/star_full_whitebk.gifDescription: http://www.meljeanbrook.com/star_full_whitebk.gifDescription: http://www.meljeanbrook.com/star_full_whitebk.gif½” —RT Book Reviews
$7.99 Berkley Sensation | ISBN 978-0425242698 | September 6th, 2011
Excerpt: http://meljeanbrook.com/books/the-guardian-series/demon-marked
“Ascension”
Book 7.5
Novella found in Angels of Darkness
When vampires begin disappearing from a community protected by Guardian Marc Revoire, the world-weary warrior doesn’t know whether he’s hunting a demon or one of the bloodthirsty nosferatu — but he’d rather face either of those monsters than accept help from Radha, the irreverent, blue-skinned, and oft-naked Guardian who’d once loved him and left him. He won’t be able to persuade her to leave this time, however, because lighthearted Radha is on a deadly serious mission of her own: not just to help Marc save the community…but to save him.
$15.00 Berkley Trade | $9.99 Berkley Ebooks
ISBN 978-0425243121 | October 4th, 2011
Amazon.com | Borders.com | BN.com | Powells.com

Excerpt:  http://meljeanbrook.com/books/the-guardian-series/angels-of-darkness
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Interview & Giveaway with Sophie Oak

Books-n-Kisses is excited to have Sophie Oak on the blog today to talk about her new release Pure Bliss.   


Q1)  Can you please share with us a little about yourself
Sophie:  I live in Texas. I started writing very young, but I worked in journalism and theater. My first play was produced when I was 17. I’ve had full productions in both the US and Canada. I’ve also worked in comic books. I have 3 kids who range from 17 to 3 years old. My husband is a full time stay at home dad. I have a rescue dog who firmly believes she’s a cat.
Q2)  Have you always wanted to be an author?
Sophie:  Not at all. I wanted to be a marine biologist for a really long time. I loved dolphins and whales. Then I got my first real look at a shark and decided writing was really a better career for me.
Q3)  Who are some of your favorite writers? Who do you feel has influenced your writing?
Sophie:  I grew up reading a lot of the classics, but I loved genre fiction. I still do. I love romance and science fiction and thrillers. If I can get a combo, I’m in heaven. In romance I love Jayne Ann Krentz, Linda Howard, Shayla Black. I also have mad love for Steve Berry and James Rollins. I just finished reading The Hunger Games and loved that one, too. Oddly though if I had to say who really influenced me it would be a TV writer. I love the rhythm of Joss Whedon’s stories. I think I picked up an enormous amount of my own style from him.
Q4)  How did you get into writing in this specific genre?  Have you ever thought about writing in a different genre?
Sophie:  I write erotic romance, but that’s just a label to put on it so the reader knows it’s got a lot of graphic sex. Under the heading of erotic romance, I’ve written romantic suspense, small town contemporary and fantasy. I love suspense. There’s an element of it in everything I write. I’ve got a six book Urban Fantasy series that I haven’t even tried to sell yet. It’s less erotic though there’s an element of that in there. I started writing erotic romance because I loved to read it.
Q5)  What are some of your writing rituals?
Sophie:  I have a very regimented schedule. I work best in short bursts so I literally split up my day in 45 minute to hour long bursts. I tend to write for an hours or so and then I’ll walk or exercise and then back to writing. I’ll work like that all day. My favorite thing to do is sprint with my writer friends. The competition really gets me going. Then if I can get my daily word count (approx5K) in, I get a glass of wine on the balcony before dinner.
Q6)  Can you please tell us about your latest book(s)?
Sophie:  My latest is called Pure Bliss. It’s the sixth book in my Nights in Bliss, Colorado series. James Glen has shown up in all of the previous Bliss books. He’s a rancher. Hope McLean showed up in book 3. She’s always been kind of a quiet character, but you find out she’s hiding a really big secret that’s caught up with her after ten years. Throw in James’s long lost brother, Noah, and it’s a Bliss free for all.
Q7)  How did you come with the idea for this story?
Sophie:  I knew I was going to write a James/Hope story. Noah came in later. This book is really about Hope and what she went through, her redemption. She seems deeply quiet and retiring, but she has a very dark past. She’s riddled with guilt. I often “find” a character through listening to a song. The song that really opened up Hope to me is a Florence + the Machine song called “Shake it Out.” There’s a great line in there – “It’s hard to dance with a devil on your back, so shake him off.” That’s what Hope goes through in this book. She finally deals with her demons.
Q8)  Can you share with us your current work(s) in progress?
Sophie:  I’m waiting on the edits to Texas Sirens 6, Siren in Bloom. And I’m starting to write Beauty: A Faery Story.
Q9)  What would you be if you were not an author?
Sophia:  Really bored. And unemployed. I’m not good at anything else.
Q10)  What is in your To Read Pile that you are dying to start or upcoming release you can’t wait for?
Sophie:  I just finished the first book in The Hunger Games trilogy. I’m going to read all three. I can’t wait for Cherise Sinclair’s next book. And I’m waiting on Triple Dog Dare from Tymber Dalton.
Q11)  Is there anything else you would like to add?
Sophie:  Thanks so much for having me here today! If anyone has a question or wants to know more, please look me up at www.sophieoak.com.
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Sophie-Oak/120829387962141
I’m @authorsophieoak on Twitter

Giveaway time:  
Sophie is giving away an e-copy of anything from her backlist.  To enter fill out the Rafflecopter form below.  Winner will get to choose which book. But if you want to see what Sophie has on her shelf check out her website book list 


a Rafflecopter giveaway