Spotlight feature of Lolita Lopez’s Wicked Dark Dragon + a giveaway

WICKED DARK DRAGON

Adopted at birth, Ivy Morales always suspected she was more than human. Still, she keeps the outlandish thought to herself-even though she can’t ignore her powerful dreams of an ancient blood feud . . . or the darkly erotic turn of those hallucinations. Kidnapped in Mexico for her visions, Ivy has only one chance to escape: find the wickedly sexy man in her dreams.

Welsh dragon shifter Ian Madoc doesn’t understand the strange dream connection he shares with an unknown, beautiful woman. Yet after the seductive images turn into pleas for help, Ian rushes off in the middle of the night, hell-bent on rescuing her. But will she turn out to be the soul mate he’s always longed for . . . or the downfall of his entire clan?

Excerpt:

Looking up into the face of the red-haired man who had slammed into him, Mad realized he wasn’t watching the revelry from above as he had every night before this. He was in the body of the dreamer and sharing this bizarre sleep state with him. He was in her body, the nameless, faceless presence who owned this world where he now trespassed.

And she was small. Judging by the height difference between her and the man who had nearly knocked her over, the woman was barely an inch or two above five feet. Despite her tiny stature, she didn’t take any shit from the man who had whacked her with his bigger body. When he slid closer in a provocative manner, she put up both hands and shoved hard. Shaking her head, she sidestepped the taller man’s grabby hands and continued her hazardous trek across the packed dance floor.

A desperate urge to protect this tiny a woman blazed within him. It was a sensation he could no longer deny. Since the first dream they had shared, he had been unable to shake this growing need within him. He wanted to know her. He wanted to see her smile and hear her laugh. More than anything, he wanted to be the one holding her hand and guiding her through the crowd, using his bigger, stronger frame to shield her from all others.

Despite playing down his dreams to his cousin and best friend Griffin, Mad grudgingly acknowledged that this was no simple case of psychic energy siphoning. This was so much more complicated and dangerous. A word he never dared imagine he would ever claim floated in the back of his mind. While he wanted to insist that it was impossible that this unknown woman was that word, he couldn’t deny the feeling clenching his gut.

She entered a room at the rear of the club. A bathroom, he quickly realized, as women chatted and primped at the sinks. She entered an empty stall and locked it. Worried this dream was about to get awkward, he experienced a wave of relief when she leaned back against the stall door and closed her eyes. Suddenly, he could hear her thoughts.

Leave. Leave and stay far away.

A cold sensation crept along his spine. His stomach pitched, and his chest tightened. He wanted to get out of her body and out of the bathroom as quickly as possible, but he was anchored in her mind. The other women in the bathroom weren’t as tightly moored. One by one, they drifted out of the bathroom.

Confused, Mad tried to figure out if what he was experiencing was truly a dream or a memory. If it was a memory, if this was a snapshot of a real moment, had she really cleared an entire room with a single thought? Was this woman more than human?

She exited the stall and crossed to the entrance. She locked it from the inside and then marched to the closest mirror. He expected to finally catch a glimpse of her face but the mirror’s surface looked smoky and smudged. Despite being totally alone in the bathroom, he sensed a dark, evil presence lurking just out of sight. A cold, unsettling sensation crawled along his skin.

With shaking hands, she flipped the clasp on her small black purse and retrieved a tube of lipstick. She dropped the lid into the sink and twisted the base. Using the flirty pink shade like a pencil, she started to write on the mirror.

My name is Ivy Morales.

I have been missing for three weeks.

I am like you.

I need your help.

Save me.

About Lolita Lopez

While browsing bookstore shelves as a teenager, Lo discovered the erotic writings of Anaïs Nin and A.N. Roquelaure. Certain her mother would not approve, Lo smuggled the books home and squirreled them away in the most likely of places: under her bed. Late at night, she delved into the sensual worlds both writers created.

As a co-ed studying biochemistry and genetics at Texas A&M University, Lo dabbled in creating naughty tales to entertain her friends. Study for a midterm or pen a deliciously dirty story to delight her small band of fans? Not surprisingly, Lo is now on an extended sabbatical from college.

Luckily, Lo stumbled onto the world of erotic romance publishers. She realized there were other readers and writers who loved and craved breathtaking romance with the spiciest of love scenes. She took a chance and submitted her first novella. The rest is history.

Lo lives in Texas with her husband, daughter and big blubbering Great Dane with mommy issues.

You can learn more at: Website| Twitter @lowriter | Facebook | Goodreads

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March 4, 2015March 3, 2015

Blog Tour & Giveaway: Diary of An Accidental Wallflower by Jennifer McQuiston

Pretty and popular, Miss Clare Westmore knows exactly what (or rather, who) she wants: the next Duke of Harrington. But when she twists her ankle on the eve of the Season’s most touted event, Clare is left standing in the wallflower line watching her best friend dance away with her duke.

Dr. Daniel Merial is tempted to deliver more than a diagnosis to London’s most unlikely wallflower, but he doesn’t have time for distractions, even one so delectable. Besides, she’s clearly got her sights on more promising prey. So why can’t he stop thinking about her?

All Clare wants to do is return to the dance floor. But as her former friends try to knock her permanently out of place, she realizes with horror she is falling for her doctor instead her duke. When her ankle finally heals and she faces her old life again, will she throw herself back into the game?

Or will her time in the wallflower line have given her a glimpse of who she was really meant to be?

Amazon/B&N

DIARY ENTRY #1:

May 2, 1848

Dear Diary,

If a man’s worth is measured in pounds, a woman’s is measured in dance steps.

And if those dance steps are with a future duke, surely they are worth all the more.

Mr. Alban, the future Duke of Harrington, asked me to dance again last night, the third time since the start of the Season. My friends are abuzz with what he might ask next, and I must confess, I hope it is something more significant than a dance. I know the Season has just begun, but surely a proposal cannot be far from his mind?

When I feel the sting of jealousy from the less fortunate girls lining the walls, I remind myself some casualties are inevitable if I am to dance all the way to a ducal mansion. Any girl who feels tempted to accept the first offer that comes their way would do well to comfort themselves on the arm of a mere marquess.

~~Miss Clare Westmore~~

The Future Duchess of Harrington

About the Author:

A veterinarian and infectious disease researcher by training, Jennifer McQuiston has always preferred reading romance to scientific textbooks. She resides in Atlanta, Georgia with her husband, their two girls, and an odd assortment of pets, including the pony she promised her children if mommy ever got a book deal. Jennifer can be reached via her website at www.jenmcquiston.com or followed on Twitter @jenmcqwrites

Jennifer’s Review of Diary of An Accidental Wallflower

Review (5 Stars): I have heard so many wonderful things about Ms. McQuiston’s books and I can definitely see what everyone has been raving about over the years. Diary of An Accidental Wallflower is an enchanting romance that will sweep you away with its fascinating characters and witty dialogue. Clare Westmore has everything planned to attract the attention of a certain Duke and hopefully gain the wedding proposal she has been waiting for. On the day of the big event, Clare twists her ankle in the park and even though she is in terrible pain, nothing will keep her from attending this dance and see the Duke of Harrington. At the dance, Clare carefully disguises her injury from everyone except the one person whose job it is to treat what ails the upper class, Dr. Daniel Merial. Daniel sidelines Clare for a month to heal her sprained ankle but Clare feels that her chances to win a Duke may be slipping out of her hands while she sits out part of The Season. What she soon discovers is that the more time that she spends with the handsome doctor makes her realize that she may not want a Duke after all, but that love has another plan for her entirely.

I wasn’t sure what to make of Clare in the beginning of this story because she seemed like every other young woman of that time, focused on only herself and looked down on others around her. Meeting Daniel was a great thing for her and because of him she was a very different woman by the end of the book and I was so glad to be able to watch that journey right along with her. Daniel was adorable, smart and sexy and I wish that there were more guys like him in the world. Clare was a very lucky woman and I loved the romantic chemistry between her and Daniel from the very beginning. I think that Diary of An Accidental Wallflower is one of my favorites this year and I hope some of Clare’s siblings get their happy endings sometime soon in future books from Ms. McQuiston.

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March 4, 2015March 3, 2015

Blog Tour & Giveaway: A Wee Murder in My Shop by Fran Stewart

How to Dress a Ghost
Guest Blog by Fran Stewart

Did you ever notice that some writers go into great detail dressing their characters in Armani and Blahnik, Hermes and Chanel? Those meticulously turned-out characters would be quite in place on a Paris runway.

But what do you do when you’re writing a 14th-century Scottish ghost? He’s not even palrt of the nobility, so a floor-length ermine cloak is off limits. I wouldn’t write one on him anyway, since I have this thing against using dead animal skins for high fashion or any other kind of fashion.

Fortunately Macbeath Donlevy Freusach Finlay Macearachar Macpheidiran of Clan Farquharson—can you see why Peggy Winn calls him Dirk?—is something of a hunk. He doesn’t need any extras. Just ignore that picture of Jamie in the Outlander. Dirk’s belted plaid (pronounced played) is what most of us would call a kilt, a real kilt, made with nine yards of tartan fabric. What man with broad shoulders and good knees wouldn’t look good in a kilt?

Of course, Dirk’s shoulders are very broad. And his knees would be the envy of everyone in the town of Hamelin, Vermont—and in your hometown, too—if only “everyone” could see them.

You see, Dirk is invisible to everyone except Peggy Winn, but I must say she appreciates his … his kilt enough for everyone.

And his shoulders? Ahh. Don’t you love to see a man in one of those poet shirts (like this one from a website called the witches spindle)? They make even a fairly skinny fellow look pretty good, and someone like Dirk look absolutely magnificent. He doesn’t get any ruffles on his shirt, but then again, he doesn’t need them. Did I mention that he’s dead, though? He’s been that way for a little under 700 years. Poor Peggy.

Add to that the fact that he’s still in love with Peigi (it means Pearl), the woman who knitted the shawl that allows Peggy Winn to see Dirk when she puts it on. I know, I know, the shawl must be 700 years old, but believe me, it makes sense in the book.

So, I’ve dressed Peggy in a Scottish arisaidh that she wears while she’s working at her store, the ScotShop, and the ancient shawl that lets Dirk “be” – somehow. Meanwhile Dirk wears his poet shirt, his kilt, a knife in his sock, a dagger, and a kilt pin made of antler and wood. With him dressed like that, you can see his … uh … attributes without any high fashion anywhere.

Happy drooling … I mean reading!

About the Author:

Fran Stewart is the author of the Biscuit McKee Mysteries – GRAY AS ASHES is the seventh book in that series – as well as a standalone mystery – A SLAYING SONG TONIGHT. Her new ScotShop Mystery Series from Berkley Press begins with A WEE MURDER IN MY SHOP.

Fran lives quietly with various rescued cats beside a creek on the other side of Hog Mountain, Georgia, northeast of Atlanta.

She sings alto with a community chorus and volunteers at her grandchildren’s school library. She is a member of Sisters in Crime and Mystery Writers of America.

Website/Facebook

Hamelin, Vermont, isn’t the most likely place for bagpipes and tartan, but at Peggy Winn’s ScotShop, business is booming…

While on a transatlantic hunt for some authentic wares to sell at her shop, Peggy is looking to forget her troubles by digging through the hidden treasures of the Scottish Highlands. With so many enchanting items on sale, Peggy can’t resist buying a beautiful old tartan shawl. But once she wraps it around her shoulders, she discovers that her purchase comes with a hidden fee: the specter of a fourteenth-century Scotsman.

Unsure if her Highland fling was real or a product of an overactive imagination, Peggy returns home to Vermont—only to find the dead body of her ex-boyfriend on the floor of her shop. When the police chief arrests Peggy’s cousin based on some incriminating evidence, Peggy decides to ask her haunting Scottish companion to help figure out who really committed the crime—before anyone else gets kilt…

Amazon/B&N

Jennifer’s Review of A Wee Murder in My Shop

Review (4.0 Stars): Peggy Winn has taken a trip to Scotland to search for treasures that she can sell at her Scottish shop back home in Vermont and forget about her lying, cheating ex-boyfriend. On this lovely trip to the Scottish Highlands, Peggy acquires a beautiful shawl in a store that she has never seen before on her many trips to the area. What she soon discovers, is that her lovely shawl comes with the ghost of handsome Scot. When Peggy returns home with her new companion, she finds the body of her ex-boyfriend lying of the floor of her beloved shop and Peggy’s cousin is blamed for the crime. Peggy must find the real killer soon before she ends up joining her new friend on the other side.

A Wee Murder in My Shop is a fun, delicious mystery that will keep you entertained for hours. I liked Peggy from the very beginning and envied her trips to Scotland to visit the Highlands and spend time in this beautiful country. I loved Dirk as he struggled to accept the fact that he was dead and now in the 21st century, which had some very funny moments in the book. Ms. Stewart is a new mystery writer to me but that won’t be for long because I thoroughly enjoyed A Wee Murder in My Shop and am now a big fan of this new series.

Giveaway

I’m excited to give away a copy of A Wee Murder in My Shop. This giveaway is for US Residents only. To be entered in the drawing by March 13th, please leave me a comment below:

March 3, 2015March 3, 2015

Blog Tour & Giveaway: Start Me Up by Nicole Michaels

Single mom Anne Edmond can handle and hand-make just about anything. From table settings to party favors, floral arrangements to nursery décor, there is no project her creativity and a glue gun can’t tackle. But dating? That’s a whole another story. Case in point: Mike Everett. He’s a gorgeous mechanic and known car-whisperer, a man who can work with auto parts like nobody’s business. And he has thrown a monkey wrench into Anne’s carefully-crafted life.

One look at Anne is enough for Mike to know that she’s no fixer-upper. She’s perfect just the way she is and the chemistry between them works like a charm. Mike’s always been a no-strings kind of guy, but Anne’s impressive self-reliance and gorgeous exterior gives him pause. This time, a fast joyride just doesn’t seem like enough. But first he has to convince Anne that he means to take her all the way…

Amazon/B&N

*EXCERPT*

As the party wrapped up, Mike excused himself from the table, on a mission to grab Bailey and leave, when all the little girls ran inside. He followed, just in time to catch sight of them running up the stairs. Well, he certainly wasn’t going to follow her up into the personal living space. He walked back toward the kitchen and straight into Anne. They stopped in the narrow hallway between the living room and the kitchen, their bodies close. A light sheen of perspiration had built up on her cleavage and on her temples. He realized the floral smell wasn’t only the home, it was also her.

“Hey, this was a really nice party, Anne. Bailey seemed to have a great time,” he said.

“Thank you for bringing her. Bailey and Claire have become best friends this year at school. I think the party turned out well, too.” She looked genuinely happy about his comment, which made him think of a few inappropriate things he’d like to thank her for. He took a deep breath and tried to resist his baser urges, the ones telling him to get closer… ask her out, say something to let her know he was into her.

No, he’d already decided that was not going to happen. Never mind the fact that his sister would kill him if while doing her a favor he ended up trying to hook up with one of the school moms. As if Anne was even the hookup type. No, she was definitely the making-love kind of woman. He expected her to rotate any second, put some space between them, but she shocked him by stepping slightly closer as she spoke.

“So, I . . . um, put some stuff in a box.” He glanced down, and she was holding a pink pastry box with the Callie’s Confection’s logo on it. He raised an eyebrow, and she instantly looked embarrassed. “I mean, there were just so many cupcakes left . . . and Lord knows the last thing I need is more sweets in the house.”

She bit her bottom lip and scrunched up her nose in the most adorable nervous tic he’d ever seen. He was pretty sure she was trying to flirt with him by giving him take-home treats. She wasn’t offering any of the moms boxes to take home. At least he didn’t think she was. In that moment he wanted to take the awkwardness away, assure her that flirting with him was not only welcome, but a complete turn-on.

“You’re perfect. I think you should eat all the sweets you want.” He edged closer, placing his fingers over hers on the box. The sharp hitch of her breath made him feel a little bolder and a lot like ignoring the part of his brain telling him this was not a good idea. She chewed again lightly at her lower lip, the sight of it sending inappropriate signals throughout his body. Well, fuck it. “And thank you, I’m sure what you’re offering is . . . delicious,” he murmured.

Her lips parted on a tiny gasp and he worried he had gone too far, misunderstood the gesture. Some women liked to feed the dude in the room. But then her expression softened. Her mouth slid into a little smile, relaxing his nerves along with it. She was so out of his league, and he didn’t exactly fit the mold of ready-made stepdad. At least he hoped he didn’t. So what really was her motivation? Maybe she was interested in a little fun.

“You know.” Her head tipped to the side and her voice had gotten soft. “Claire and I were going to head to Settlers Park in about an hour… you are more than welcome to bring Bailey and meet us there. I mean since they’re best friends . . .”

“Oh, Anne, I’d love to, but—” Shit, there was nothing more he would like to do than go to the park with Anne, which surprised him almost as much as her asking him to do it. But he had a date with Katie. He couldn’t even bring himself to say it out loud. “I can’t.”

“Oh my gosh, I mean, of course. God, I’m so sorry, I don’t even know why I asked . . .” She made the cute little scrunched face again, and it was killing him to see her uncomfortable. He didn’t want Anne to regret being forward with him, hell it was amazing, but why did she have to suggest today of all days? “It’s Saturday, you probably have . . . oh gosh, you would never want to go to the park. Never mind, the girls will see each other at school, and gymnastics class or . . . something.”

“Uncle Mike has a hot date tonight. He told me.” Bailey was jumping down the stairs above them, and each thud of her feet hitting the squeaky old wood matched the pounding of his heart as he watched the expression of understanding and then embarrassment on Anne’s face.

“Well . . . good for you. How fun, it’s such a beautiful day. It should be, umm, perfect for a date.” Anne’s words were excited and over-the-top happy, making this even harder and more uncomfortable.

“I’m sorry—” he started.

“Oh goodness, stop.” She held a hand up to shush him and smiled. “No need for all that, let me just, um. Let me get Bailey’s goodie bag and you guys can get outta here.”

She walked away, her pink dress swishing around her legs. He caught her rubbing her temple, a gesture that implied she was upset or embarrassed, and it pissed him off that the situation had gone from flirty to awkward in a matter of seconds. It was only a hunch, but he would bet that Anne Edmond didn’t make the first move often. She likely wouldn’t be repeating it anytime soon after this.

Then again, maybe it didn’t really bother her. Hell, it wasn’t like she could possibly be looking for something serious, not with some random blue-collar guy that showed up at her daughter’s birthday party. She probably felt safe flirting with him, testing the waters before she worked up to someone who was her equal, some- one she would want to build a family with in this cute little house. It was really for the best. He had no business considering spending any more time with Anne

because they were complete opposites and she needed the sushi-loving man who wore a tie. Mike was not that guy. No, he was the man that would get grease stains on her matching pillows. It wasn’t a natural fit, not by a long shot, and he’d known it from the moment he laid eyes on her.

He had done his job, covered for Erin, played the parent for the day, and now it was time to go back to his very unpink, uncluttered, and unhomemade life. He had a date with Katie and he was pretty damn sure her hobbies were more of the carnal variety. Which was exactly what he needed in order to forget Anne Edmond.

About the Author:

When she’s not writing, cooking, or hanging out with her husband, NICOLE MICHAELS is a portrait and wedding photographer. She enjoys writing love stories with happy endings and lives outside of Kansas City with her husband and three sons. Visit her at http://nicolemichaelsbooks.com/

Jennifer’s Review of Start Me Up

Review (4.5 Stars): Start Me Up was a sweet and charming romance that had me laughing at the humor that was laced throughout most of this book. I liked Anne and Mike together even though he was used to playing the field and Anne had a hard time believing that she was as wonderful as everyone told her that she was. There were times in this book that I wanted to smack Mike for the way that he treated Anne because she deserved happiness in her life and Mike needed to step up to the plate to be that guy for her. He redeemed himself in the end and I hope he spends the rest of their lives making up for it. Start Me Up was a delightful story and I can’t wait to read more from this talented author.

Giveaway

I’m excited to give away a copy of Start Me Up. This giveaway is for US Residents only. To be entered in the drawing by March 7th, please leave me a comment below:

March 3, 2015March 2, 2015

Blog Tour & Giveaway: Assault and Pepper by Leslie Budewitz

Judging a book by its cover
By Leslie Budewitz

“Don’t judge a book by its cover.” As a metaphor, it’s spot-on: Don’t judge the interior by the exterior; don’t assume you know a person’s nature—their heart, mind, and values—by their appearance.

When it comes to actual books, though, we do it all the time. And it’s not a bad way to make that first decision—“Is this a book I’m likely to enjoy?” Occasionally, there’s a miss—a cat prances across the cover of a book with no felines, or the cover shows a bridge that appeared in a previous draft only to be demolished by the wrecking ball of later edits.

But in the world of the light-hearted mystery, the cover works hard. It cues us in to the protagonist’s occupation and where she spends most of her time, conveys the mood of the story, and may offer clues to the central conflict. Food, pets, and even the murder weapon are common elements.

I love hearing reader compliments about my covers. While I adore them all, ASSAULT AND PEPPER may be my favorite cover yet. My publisher, Berkley Prime Crime, part of Penguin Random House, contracts with artists who have a magical ability to convey our story worlds in pictures. (Both my series are illustrated by the same artist.) Authors provide images and a description of key locations— the cover of the first book in a series usually showcases the protagonist’s shop, library, or bakery, while later covers illustrate a location that features in the story. The artist may also read a draft, or at the least, a synopsis.

The cover of ASSAULT AND PEPPER takes us inside Pepper Reece’s Seattle Spice Shop, with the Pike Place Market visible through the open door and window. Shelves brim with spice jars. Pepper’s collection of antique grinders and spice boxes can be seen on the shelves beneath the front counter, and the pseudo-samovar the staff uses to serve sample cups of tea sits on a vintage tea cart Pepper snatched up on a junking trip with her BFF, Kristen. Both the samovar and the sample cups—a few are littered on the floor—are critical to the story.

And so, of course, is Arf the dog, who comes alive on the cover. It’s been great fun to see how my artist works Mr. Sandburg, Erin Murphy’s Burmese cat, into the covers of the Food Lovers’ Village Mysteries. He lives at home with her, not in the shop, but there he is on the cover of DEATH AL DENTE, demonstrating both his cuteness and his influence over Erin. On the cover of CRIME RIB, he and Pepé, his dog-in-law, join Duke the Retriever, who belongs to one of the chefs competing in the steak grill-off, for a romp on the stone patio of Caldwell’s Eagle Lake Lodge. The lodge is the scene of both festivities and crime. In BUTTER OFF DEAD (coming July 2015), Mr. Sandburg takes in a movie, presiding over a concession stand brimming with the over-the-top treats typical of the Food Lovers’ books. The artist even worked in the movie posters that play a role in the story. And if you look closely, you’ll see another cat ….

My artist, Ben Perini, illustrates covers in other styles as well—he’s done covers for J.A. Jance, literary novelists, and even nonfiction. He’s also a fine artist who calls himself “a professional dreamer.” His covers are your invitation to enter the world of my dreams and play for a while.

So, welcome—come on in.

About the Author:

Leslie Budewitz is the author of the Spice Shop Mysteries and the Food Lovers Village Mysteries, both from Berkley Prime Crime. She is the only author to win Agatha Awards for both fiction and nonfiction—the 2013 Agatha Award for Best First Novel, for Death al Dente and the 2011 Agatha Award for Best Nonfiction, for Books, Crooks & Counselors: How to Write Accurately About Criminal Law & Courtroom Procedure (Quill Driver Books). She lives in northwest Montana with her husband, a musician and doctor of natural medicine, and their cat Ruff, a cover model and avid bird-watcher.

Website/Twitter/Facebook

From the cover of ASSAULT AND PEPPER:

Pepper Reece, owner of the Seattle Spice Shop, thinks she can handle any kind of salty customer—until a murderer ends up in the mix…

After leaving a dicey marriage and losing a beloved job in a corporate crash, Pepper Reece has found a new zest for life running a busy spice and tea shop in Seattle’s Pike Place Market. Her aromatic creations are the talk of the town, and everyone stops by for a cup of her refreshing spice tea, even other shopkeepers and Market regulars.

But when a panhandler named Doc shows up dead on her doorstep, a Seattle Spice Shop cup in his hand, the local gossip gets too hot for Pepper to handle—especially after the police arrest Tory Finch, one of Pepper’s staffers, for murder.

Tory seems to know why she’s a suspect, but she refuses to do anything to curry favor with the cops. Convinced her reticent employee is innocent, Pepper takes it on herself to sniff out some clues. Only, if she’s not careful, Pepper’s nosy ways might make her next on the killer’s list…

Amazon/B&N

Jennifer’s Review of Assault and Pepper

Review (4.5 Stars): Pepper Reece is the owner of the Seattle Spice Shop in the lovely Pike Place Market and life is slowly coming together for her when she discovers a body of a homeless man on the shop’s front doorstep. Pepper recognizes the panhandler from her interaction with him the day before and believes that the man simply died from natural causes. Soon, she discovers that the police believe that the man was murdered and one of her employees has been arrested for the crime. Pepper knows that she is innocent and decides that she needs to find some clues before an innocent woman is put away for a crime she didn’t commit.

I loved Pepper and the gang at Seattle Spice Shop. Pike Place Market has always been one of my favorite places to visit when I’m in Seattle and Ms. Budewitz has done a wonderful job of putting you right there with Pepper and savoring the ambiance that is the Market. I enjoyed learning about Pepper’s shop and the different spices that she had available for her customers. These characters are an absolute delight to spend time with and Assault and Pepper has the perfect aroma of mystery that is sure to be a delicious treat to cozy readers. Can’t wait to see what Pepper and the gang are up to in the next installment of this series.

Giveaway

I’m excited to give away a copy of Assault and Pepper. This giveaway is for US Residents only. To be entered in the drawing by March 12th, please leave me a comment below:

March 2, 2015March 2, 2015

Spotlight & Excerpt from Ms. Lorelei James Unraveled + a giveaway

UNRAVELED

Buy Links: Print | E-Book

In this sizzling continuation of the Mastered series by New York Times bestselling author Lorelei James, a man will find the domination he’s always craved…

Shiori Hirano and Knox Lofgren are left to run the martial arts program at Black Arts while Ronin Black travels. On the surface, the two highest ranked belts appear to cooperate—but in private, they butt heads constantly, despite the undeniable attraction between them. Soon their power exchanges start to make for a sweltering dynamic in the bedroom…

At first Knox is shocked to be living out his submissive desires, but Shiori sets out to prove that embracing his true sexual nature doesn’t make him a weak man. But even while their sexual relationship grants him a power and fulfillment he finds surprising, there’s no training regimen for the fight that comes with loving a strong woman

UNRAVELED Excerpt

The slow, bluesy music was the perfect tempo to sway together.

When she sighed and melted into him, he felt the insane urge to press his lips to the top of her head.

“This is nice,” she said softly.

“You really haven’t ever danced like this?”

“No. I went to an all-girl’s school. In college when I went out with my friends, we went to clubs where we all danced in a group. We did some dirty dancing as a joke.”

“So no drunken groping and sloppy kisses at your friends’ wedding dances?”

“Wedding dances aren’t a big thing in Japan. Or at least not in my circle of friends.”

“Glad I’m your first.”

She laughed. “I’ll bet you had girls lined up to slow dance with you.”

A compliment? He waited for her to tag it with an insult, but she didn’t. “Yes, I did. You’re looking at the slow-dancing stud of Westwood Hills Junior High.”

“And what made you such a hot commodity?”

“I was tall, for one thing. Other boys in my class hadn’t hit their growth spurts yet. It was awkward for taller girls to dance with shorter boys. The other appeal of dancing with thirteen-year-old Knox was I figured out girls might say they didn’t want a boys’ hand on their butt, but if you made the move gradually, they didn’t notice until you’re rubbing circles on their ass and then they realize they like it. So I could cop a feel, but not in a threatening way.”

Shiori tilted her head back. “You think I didn’t notice your big hand is on my ass?”

He grinned. “Well, you didn’t put me in a wrist lock, so I figured it was okay.”

While she kept her eyes on his, her hand traveled up his neck to the back of his head. She grabbed a handful of his hair and pulled. Hard.

Sweet baby Moses, his knees nearly buckled.

What the ever-lovin’ fuck? How could he like that? Why did he want her to stop and yet . . . at the same time he felt desperate for her to continue.

Knox returned his hand to her lower back.

She released him but kept the lock on his eyes.

“What?”

“Not the reaction I expected from you.”

“That’s not a reaction I expected to have either,” he said without anger or sarcasm.

“You confuse the hell out of me, Knox Lofgren.”

“The same could be said for you, Ms. Hirano.”

They studied each other, almost as if it were the first time they’d met.

Shiori curled her hand around his neck and stroked the pulse point by the hollow of his throat. “How many songs have we danced to?”

Not enough. “Two. Why?”

“How long do you plan to keep me out here dancing with you?”

Knox slipped his hand up her back and beneath her hair to curl around the side of her face. “Junior-high Knox had worked out a strategy that if he could keep a girl in his arms, moving body to body, by song three she would let her kiss him.” His gaze dropped to her mouth.

Make sure to check out Kelly’s review of Unraveled HERE

Lorelei James is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of contemporary erotic romances, including the Mastered series: Bound and Unwound and the Blacktop Cowboy novels. Lorelei lives in western South Dakota with her family. Connect with her online at http://www.loreleijames.com, https://www.facebook.com/LoreleiJamesAuthor, and https://twitter.com/loreleijames.

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March 1, 2015March 1, 2015

Kissin’ the week of Feb 23rd- Feb 28th Goodbye

02.23.15

Kelly reviews Accidentally Demonic by Dakota Cassidy

02.24.15

Kelly reviews Whipped by Jayce Conrad & Gia Corona

Natasha review Cursed by Fire by Jacquelyn Frank

Book Spotlight & Review: Heartbreak Cove by Lily Everett

02.25.15

Kelly reviews What a Devilish Duke Desires by Vicky Dreiling

02.26.15

Kelly reviews Bound By Danger by Katie Reus

Kelly reviews At Wolf Ranch by Jennifer Ryan

02.27.15

Kelly review Accidentally Catty by Dakota Cassidy

Blog Tour & Giveaway: When Good Earls Go Bad by Megan Frampton

Release Week Blitz Blog Tour & Giveaway: Soulbound by Kristen Callihan

02.28.15

SINsational Saturday Series

Corenne Callahan’s Dragonfury Series

February 28, 2015February 27, 2015

SINsational Saturday Series: Coreene Callahan’s Dragonfury Series

Fury of Fire

Dragonfury #1

A clandestine race of half-dragon, half-humans known as dragon-shifters lives among us.

Bastian, leader of the Nightfury dragon clan, is sworn to protect humankind at all costs. For him, honor and duty always come first. When the clan dictates he take a human mate to sire a son, he falters, aware that for a human to birth a dragon-shifter she must die. Myst, the woman given into his care, is the most extraordinary he’s ever met, and though he can’t bear the thought of harming her, he is bound by duty.

Myst loves her life in the human world, but Bastian has captured her heart in an instant of electric connection. But Bastian and his warriors are in the middle of a deadly battle with the Razorback dragon-shifters, intent on killing every Nightfury clan member—and the humans they protect—the fate of their world and ours hangs in the balance.

An extraordinary blend of action, fantasy, and steamy romance, Fury of Fire brings to life a dangerous new world intertwined with the survival of humanity, all while exploring the meaning of honor and the nature of true love.

*****

Fury of Ice

Dragonfury #2

Coming from a race of dragons able to assume human form, Rikar, the last of the frost dragons, never imagined he could be conquered ? until a sizzling encounter with street-tough homicide detective Angela Keene. He’s consumed by his need for her, and willing to do anything to be with her again. Then the unthinkable happens: Angela falls into the clutches of a clan of dragonkind who feed off the life energy of women. If Rikar can’t rescue Angela, the only person who has ever been strong enough to command his love will be destroyed. Refusing to accept this fate, he vows to track down Angela and make her abductors pay ? even if it costs his life.

*****

Fury of Seduction

Dragonfury #3

Successful landscape designer Tania Solares prides herself on living by her own terms, relying on no man to provide for her. But her carefully controlled life takes a turn for the extraordinary when her inquiry into the disappearance of her best friend thrusts her between two warring factions of dragon-shifters. Suddenly Tania’s survival depends on Mac, a newly initiated dragon-warrior who will break every rule to keep her safe.

Now that Tania knows the truth about Dragonkind, returning to her old life is too grave a risk. Ivar, leader of the Razorbacks, plots to decimate the human race, and Tania is just the tool he needs. Despite the danger, Mac cannot deny her a choice: Trade the independence she’s fought so hard to achieve for safety in a magical world, or turn her back on the man she’s grown to love in order to reclaim a freedom that might not last? It is an impossible choice. And yet a sacrifice must be made

*****

Fury of Desire

Dragonfury #4

No warrior of the Nightfury pack is more complicated or damaged than Wick.

Scarred from a childhood of slavery and torture, Wick cannot bear the touch of another person. But all bets are off when he meets J.J. Solares. When she is unjustly imprisoned, Wick agrees to help rescue and keep her from harm. But Wick lives a life of self-imposed isolation and venturing into the world to seek justice for J.J. may be more than he can bear.

Brutalized by the harsh reality of prison, J.J thinks she is hallucinating when a majestic dark-haired god sweeps in to save her—and Wick is shaken to his core by the attraction he feels for J.J. But neither is out of harm’s way yet. When they find themselves at the center of a Dragonkind war, they are forced to make the ultimate choice—surrender to their fears or accept each other’s love.

*****

Fury of Fate

Dragonfury #4.5

She’s determined to try something new…
Sasha Cooper is a woman on a mission. Determined to let loose and live a little, she takes her best friend’s advice and embarks on a night of passion with a complete stranger. No regrets in the morning. No looking back either. But when the one she chooses turns out to be a Dragonkind warrior, Sasha knows she’s in trouble—and that the man she believed was a dream come true could end up being her worst nightmare.

He never intended to get involved…

Ivar, leader of a rogue faction of Dragonkind, isn’t a pushover. So when a noisy neighbor jeopardizes the security of his secret lair, he decides to take care of the problem once and for all. Little does he know banging on Sasha’s door will send him on a passionate odyssey unlike any he’s ever experienced. But when the night takes a deadly turn, he’s left little choice—escape from the woman who possesses the power to kill him, or die trying.

*****

Fury of Obsession

Dragonfury #5

He can’t escape the sins of his past…

Toxic to all those who touch him, dragon-warrior Venom lives in self-imposed isolation, a prisoner of the poison in his veins. But when a chance meeting with a woman challenges the belief he is destined to be alone, he pulls out all the stops, vowing to put the savagery of his past behind him and take a chance on love.

She doesn’t want to face her future…

Wanted by the Russian mob, creative accountant Evelyn Foxe isn’t looking for love. She searching for the fastest way to escape instead. When Venom offers to get her out of trouble, she accepts his help, but remains skeptical, afraid he’s in league with those sent to harm her. But when someone unleashes a biological weapon in her hometown, and she gets caught in the firestorm, little choice remains—trust Venom to keep her safe or risk her life by going it alone.

February 27, 2015February 27, 2015

Release Week Blitz Blog Tour & Giveaway: Soulbound by Kristen Callihan

Once two souls are joined . . .

When Adam’s soul mate rejected him, there was more at stake than his heart. After seven hundred years of searching, his true match would have ended the curse that keeps his spirit in chains. But beautiful, stubborn Eliza May fled-and now Adam is doomed to an eternity of anguish, his only hope for salvation gone…

Their hearts will beat together forever

No matter how devilishly irresistible Adam was, Eliza couldn’t stand the thought of relinquishing her freedom forever. So she escaped. But she soon discovers she is being hunted-by someone far more dangerous. The only man who can help is the one man she vowed never to see again. Now Adam’s kindness is an unexpected refuge, and Eliza finds that some vows are made to be broken…

Amazon/B&N

*EXCERPT*

Eliza sat back on her heels, while Adam merely stared at her as though he had all the time in the world. “Fine,” she said. “Three weeks. I free you and you help me.” She gave him a warning look. “I’ll need your word that you will help me, that this” she waved her hand between them, “isn’t merely a way to trick me into freeing you.”

“This business was your idea, woman,” he said with affront.

“Nevertheless, I’ll need your word.”

The demon’s nostrils flared with a sharp exhalation. “My word then.” Eliza did not look away from him, and he glared back in obvious exasperation. “What now?”

“I’m merely considering if I ought to trust your word,” she said.

A low growl rumbled in his chest as he bared his teeth. “I keep my word, whether I want to or not. My word is my bond. Honor, Miss May. Unlike you, I have it.”

“How dare you—”

“How dare you?” He craned forward, the muscles along his shoulders bunching. “Not so long ago you broke your promise of fealty. To me!”

“Oh, yes, how quick you are to remind me.” Eliza leaned close, grinding her teeth to keep in a shout. “You enjoy being quick, don’t you?”

His thick, dark brows furrowed. “What in the bloody blazes are you talking about?”

“You gave me all of ten seconds to make a choice.” Eliza’s fists ached from clenching them. “And what a choice. I was dead, my body sliced open, my blood on the ground. I would have done anything, anything,” she thumped her fist to her chest, “to get back my life.”

“So that makes it better?” he snapped back in outrage. “Desperation gives you leave to go back on your word?”

“No. That is not what I meant.”

“Then you agree that you bloody well have no honor—”

“You never explained what was involved. You never said I’d be chained to you, like some animal, for the rest of my days,” Eliza shouted. “I was told I would be a GIM. I was ready to serve you in that manner. You knew full well that’s what I believed. If anything, you swindled me!”

All at once, he sagged, though he still eyed her with resentment and distaste. Well, she had a healthy helping of those feelings for him too.

“Tick, tock, Eliza,” she mimicked. “You rushed me because you didn’t want me to think things over.”

When he broke eye contact, his hard jaw twitched.

“I’m correct, aren’t I?” Ire and a red rage surged up within her. “And you have the brass to sit on your high horse and talk of honor. Well let me tell you something, demon. There is little honor in forcing a person’s hand. Or using your power to coerce those weaker than you.”

A black scowl twisted the demon’s face as he glared at some distant point. “Fine. May I continue, or have you more complaints to heap upon my head?”

“Please do continue,” Eliza granted.

His golden gaze flicked back to her. “I want to kiss you.”

“No.” The word burst out of her with force. “Absolutely not.”

Unfazed, Adam shrugged. “Unless you have something to offer in exchange for your freedom, Mellan and Mab will, as you say, merely hunt us down, and you’ll be back to where you started.”

“Then I shall find out what he wants.” Eliza straightened her back. She could do that. She must. Like hell was she going to kiss this demon.

Adam simply gave her a slow, wicked half-smile. “Fortunately for you, lass, I already know what he wants. What they both want. More than controlling you. More than torturing me, even.”

“Then why in blazes haven’t you used it to secure your own freedom?” Eliza blurted out.

“I’m only alive because they cannot break me into revealing where this item might be.” The belligerence burning in his eyes was gone in a blink, replaced by a look of pure cunning. “However, I might be persuaded to help you use the knowledge. All I require is— ”

“Fine,” she snapped, irritation getting the best of her. “I’ll kiss you.”

Silence fell, and Adam stared at her with those eyes of his. Devil’s eyes. Eyes that made a woman forget herself. Heat rose up over her breasts and crawled along the back of her neck. Eliza grasped her skirts, her fingers twitching. She would kiss him. Kiss a man who had brought her nothing but irritation. Maybe she’d bite him to boot.

His chest, gleaming with sweat, rose and fell in a soft pattern. A bead of perspiration broke free from the top of his shoulder and ran down along the firm rise of his pectoral muscles, straight toward the dark nub of his nipple. All this time arguing with him, she’d forgotten his state of undress. Not so now. She’d have to press up against those hard muscles, touch his skin. Eliza wrenched her gaze back to his face, and his sinful lips curled in a knowing smile.

“You know,” he said casually, “I believe I shall pass for the moment. I’d rather it be when you aren’t wearing such a sour face. Kills a bloke’s ardor, you realize.”

Eliza blinked. And then his meaning hit her. “Why you…rutting…cheap, trickster…”

He laughed, a flash of even teeth. “Come now, Eliza, fret not.” He stopped then, that obnoxious smile growing and heating with promise. “I’ll take that kiss soon enough. ”

She rose to her feet in a rustle of skirts. “And I’ll be sure to bite that wicked tongue when you do!”

She marched out of the cell, slamming it behind her, as he began to laugh again. Bastard. She might just leave him here to rot after all. His laughing taunt echoed through the dark. “Now that I know tongues are involved, I’ll be sure to collect.”

About the Author:

Kristen Callihan is an author because there is nothing else she’d rather be. She is a three-time RITA nominee and winner of two RT Reviewers’ Choice awards. Her novels have garnered starred reviews from Publishers Weekly and Library Journal, as well as being awarded top picks by many reviewers. Her debut book, Firelight, received RT Book Reviews’ Seal of Excellence, was named a best book of the year by Library Journal, best book of Spring 2012 by Publisher’s Weekly, and was named the best romance book of 2012 by ALA RUSA. When she is not writing, she is reading.

Website/Twitter/Facebook

Jennifer’s Review of Soulbound

Review (4.5 Stars): This is an absolutely amazing series and each story keeps getting better and better! I’ve always been interested in Adam, the mysterious leader of the GIM and in Soulbound, we finally get answers to who Adam really is. We first meet Eliza back in Shadowdance, when she was saved after being brutally attacked by street thugs. In return for saving her life, Eliza had to agree to bind herself to Adam to serve him for a period of time until she could receive her freedom. What Eliza didn’t know in the beginning was that she was Adam’s true soul mate and the only person that could save him from the personal hell he had been living in for seven hundred years. She turned her back on him and escaped, only to come to face-to-face with him when she least expects it a few years later. Now, everything that Eliza has known comes into question and she looks to Adam for help, bringing him a second chance to win over the one woman that he is meant to be with.

Soulbound is a fascinating paranormal romance that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Ms. Callihan is a very talented writer and each book in her Darkest London series is a breathtaking adventure that can’t be missed. Eliza was a tough character who seemed disillusioned with everything after she met Adam. She had a hard time showing emotion for me but Adam seemed to be able to bring out the best and the worst of her. In previous books, Adam seemed cold and calculating and always seemed to have an ulterior motive for everything he did. Eliza kept him on his toes and I was glad to see a softer side of Adam that I didn’t even know existed for this character. He had a lot to make up to Eliza for how he treated her while she was with him and I’m glad to see that he was able to make amends for his actions. These two belonged together and it was nice to witness their journey back to one another even if it had quite a few bumps along the way. Soulbound is the sixth book in the series and I strongly suggest that you start with Firelight and work your way up to Soulbound. There are so many wonderful characters and stories from the previous books that will add to the enjoyment of this one and these intriguing adventures in Darkest London are worth the ride.

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February 27, 2015February 26, 2015

Blog Tour & Giveaway: When Good Earls Go Bad by Megan Frampton

What’s a lovely young woman doing asleep in his bed? Matthew, Earl of Selkirk, is shocked to discover it’s his new housekeeper! She’s a far cry from the gray-haired woman he expected. Matthew is no fan of surprises, and Annabelle Tyne is pure temptation. Perhaps he shouldn’t have had her hired sight unseen.

Annabelle, co-owner of the Quality Employment Agency, is no housekeeper, but she wasn’t about to lose a potential client simply because there was no one to fit the bill. Imagine her shock when the Earl arrives at his London townhome and she’s awoken in the night by the most attractive man she’s ever seen.

Matthew is a man who lives life by the rules, but sometimes rules are made to be broken…and being bad can be very, very good.

Amazon/B&N

“What is Scotland like? I’ve never been, at least not that I know of.” Miss Tyne rested her elbows on the wooden table, her eyes the brightest spark in the dimly lit pub.

Conversation had stopped when the food arrived. Both he and Miss Tyne were apparently starving, since they spent the first fifteen minutes of their meal together in complete silence, both just concentrating on eating.

He’d glanced at her a few times, of course, just to ensure they weren’t in some sort of awkward silence of which he wasn’t aware, but she seemed just as happy as he was not to talk. That was unexpected, given how much she seemed to like to talk. Unexpected, but not one of those unpleasant unexpected surprises; instead, it felt as though he might not know all about her yet. That was unusual as well; normally he could assess a person within a few minutes of making their acquaintance.

“It’s like here, I suppose.”

“Here like a pub, filled with laborers and solicitors and men who seem as though they are very important? Possibly a few women who appreciate the company of important men?” Her smirk told him she was joking. That she saw fit to do so was another unexpected item to add to the list of things he now knew about her. Few people joked with him, and of those, he liked very few of their jokes.

What made her so different from most people?

“No, Miss Literal, not like here.” He allowed himself to roll his eyes at her. Something he normally chided his sisters for doing. Of course, they were usually rolling their eyes at him. “Where I live, in town, Edinburgh that is, is a busy city much like London. Different accents, of course, but most things are the same.”

Now it was her turn to roll her eyes. “Honestly, the same? I should think not, and I’ve never even been there! The people, the language, the food, the habits, the celebrations, the clothes—all of those things are different in different areas. The west side of London is different from the docks, correct? You wouldn’t say all of London is all the same; how can you say Edinburgh is?”

She waved her hand around the pub. “Even here, where things are the same, the people are different. You, for example, are clearly of the nobility; your linen is fresh, your clothing is well-kept and well-made, and you are well-groomed.” She picked his hand up from the table and examined his fingers. “Your nails are cut, and you don’t even have any dirt underneath your fingernails.”

He drew his hand back and looked at it. She was correct, and he hadn’t even thought about it.

“Now look at my hand,” she said, stretching it out to him. He took it, the warmth of her skin reminding him of before when his naked body had been close to hers, however briefly.

He could not get distracted by that, however. It wasn’t practical.

Her hand was small and its shape was delicate, but the skin was rough and her fingernails were ragged, although clean. He looked at the back of her hand, then turned her hand over and looked at her palm, which had a few red spots where calluses were beginning to form.

“You’re not a housekeeper,” he said, sliding the pad of his finger along one of those new calluses. “If you were accustomed to this sort of work, your hands would be rougher. You obviously work with your hands in some capacity, but not doing what you did today.”

“Oh!” she said, snatching her hand back and stuffing them into her pockets. “You are very observant, even if you think two completely different cities are similar to one another.” She stuck her tongue out at him quickly, then clapped her hand over her mouth, her eyes wide. “I am so sorry, I should not have done that.”

Matthew tried to keep himself from smiling, but couldn’t, not in the face of such . . . joy. She was practically overflowing with it, and he wished he could figure out a way to capture some of that joy for himself. “I am not offended at all; in fact my sisters would be applauding you right now.” He spoke in a lower tone. “I am very glad they are not here for that very reason.” Not to mention he was definitely liking being alone with her, and wasn’t that another surprise?

“Shall we go?” Matthew said, signaling to the man behind the bar. He made the “final bill” gesture, then drew out a few coins from his pocket and laid them on the table.

The barkeep came bustling over, an obsequious smile on his face. “Four shillings, my lord.”

Matthew counted out the four shillings, then rose from his seat.

The barkeep picked up the coins, scowling. “You’re Scottish, aren’t you?” he said in an accusing tone.

Why did that keep coming up?

Matthew didn’t bother to reply, just strode around to Miss Tyne’s side of the table and took her cloak, holding it up so she could put it on.

As she wriggled into it, her arm brushed his side, and Matthew felt something very unexpected indeed.

Something he wished to expect more of, and hopefully in the near future.

About the Author:

Megan Frampton writes historical romance under her own name and romantic women’s fiction as Megan Caldwell. She likes the color black, gin, dark-haired British men, and huge earrings, not in that order. She lives in Brooklyn, NY, with her husband and son.

Website/Twitter/Facebook

Jennifer’s Review of When Good Earls Go Bad

Review (4 Stars): This was a fun, romantic tale that had me laughing as I turned the pages. Annabelle agrees to take the position of a housekeeper for the visiting Earl of Selkirk for one month to prevent her employment agency from missing out on a client. She never expected that the Earl would be devilishly handsome and a stickler for the rules. These two may soon find that love doesn’t always go according to plan and life can’t be lived by rules alone.

Matthew was so uptight in the beginning of this story until he met the carefree, spirited Annabelle. She only planned to take the job for a month so she wouldn’t lose out on any business and ended up falling in love instead. These two were adorable together and she seemed to have this natural way to break down Matthew’s rigid walls without much effort. Delightful romantic tale from a fabulous new author.

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February 25, 2015February 9, 2015

Gift Ideas for the Book Lover #20

Great assortment of items this week! Which one is your favorite? Mine is the last one!Don’t limit yourselves to only holidays or special occasions to get some of these great gift! This weekly series is full of fun and unique gifts for the book lover in your life or for yourself!

*****

Keepsake Alice in Wonderland Pocket Watch Necklace

By AGothShop

$32.00 (plus S&H)

This keepsake pocket watch necklace features and very detailed Alice in Wonderland Motif on the front of the case. The Alice motif is securely cast into the front case of the watch. The case itself is copper base with a high quality bronze plating. It measures a large 1-3/4 inches round and overall with the loop measures 2-1/2 inches. Hanging with the watch are two Alice in Wonderland related charms: on Victorian style vintage key and a tea pot both cast in white bronze. The fully functional watch hangs from a silver plated chain that measures 30 inches and closes with a lobster clasp closure.

Harry Potter Coasters, Hogwarts Crests, gifts under 20, tile coasters, Geek Gift Idea, Harry Potter Gift, Book Lovers Gift, Harry Potter

By BlueJayDecor

$ 15.00 (plus S&H)

What a perfectly unique and functional gift for anyone you know! 1 in 3 people are Harry Potter fans (that’s my own made-up statistic!) It might be 1 in 2.

These are sure to impress!! My 4 1/4″ coasters are ultimately sealed with a clear satin finish. They are water, heat, and scuff RESISTANT. Unlike a lot of coasters out there, my coasters are backed with cork, not felt.

This set of 4 Harry Potter tile coasters will ship in 1-2 weeks.

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I LOVE to READ Ladies 3/4 sleeve raw edge wide neck Raglan Pullover Long Sleeve Shirt
By MondayGirlApparel
$28 (plus S&H)*3/4 sleeve raglan pullover (sleeve cuffs are a bit snug so pushing up as far as the model has is probably as high as you can go up the arm)*Raw edge wider neck line.*Super soft and lightweight.These are a nice true to size fit although if you’d like a little more of the off the shoulder slouchy look, you may want to go up a size.

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Just one more chapter 8×8 wood sign- hand painted

By HomeDco
$18.00 (plus S&H)

Our first addition to our new book lovers section inspired by my book loving, reading girls. Jade, Megan and Kaylee.

The perfect gift for the book lover in your life. A great addition to a personal library or just sitting on a shelf or nightstand. “Just one more chapter” –

8×8 in white on black background- sanded edges. All wood and hand painted.

Custom orders on sizes and colors excepted.

If items are no longer available, please contact the seller to inquire further information.

Click here to see more gift ideas!!

Visit us every Wednesdays for more awesome gift/present ideas for you or the

Book Lover in your life!!!

February 25, 2015February 24, 2015

Kelly’s interview with Jennifer Ryan

Books-n-Kisses is please to welcome first time guest Jennifer Ryan….

Jennifer, can you please share with us a little about yourself?

I married my high school sweetheart nearly twenty-four years ago. We have three amazing kids. I live in the San Francisco Bay Area. When I’m not writing, I’m spending time with my family and working in the garden. I hate doing laundry and am obsessed with all things chocolate.

Have you always wanted to be an author?

I’ve always been an avid reader. I get that from my mother. Believe it or not, I never thought about being a writer until I became a stay-at-home mom. All those books I read and loved turned into a passion for making up my own happy-ever-afters with some suspense thrown in. I was actually working full-time as a Cable Systems Designer when I sold my first book. I continued to work for more than a year after my first book came out. Five books later, I quit my job and am now living my dream as a full-time writer. I love it!

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

Ask my husband and he’ll tell you I am a creature of habit with one superpower, I can block out everything when I write – including my kids talking to me. They’re used to it, and I make it up to them with baked treats. I write 7 days a week. It almost always goes the same way – coffee or tea with cookies or chocolate, a movie from the DVR I’ve seen a hundred times (right now it’s Divergent), me on the couch with my laptop. I write anywhere from a couple of hours to all day some weekends, depending on how well it’s going. No matter what, I try to move the story forward each day.

Most challenging or rewarding part of writing?

Most challenging is naming all the characters. I swear, it’s like naming your child, but there’s a dozen people who show up on the page.

Most rewarding is seeing my books in print and fans contacting me to tell me how much they loved the story. It never gets old and every book that gets published makes me anxious and nervous in the best way.

Can you please tell us about your latest book?

AT WOLF RANCH is the first book in my new Montana Men series. Fans of The Hunted Series got a glimpse of my Montana Men in CAN’T WAIT when Caleb married Summer and Caleb’s brothers attended the wedding.

Gabe Bowden gave up the rodeo to move home and settle down on his own land. When Phillip Wolf offers to sell him Wolf Ranch at a too-good-to-be-true price, he doesn’t ask questions and takes the deal. He’ll finally have the ranch he’s always wanted, and maybe he’ll find a woman who shares his dream of a simple life on the ranch.

Ella Wolf is a New York socialite everyone thinks is nothing more than a party girl. They don’t know her. When her twin sister Lela is murdered by their uncle, Ella will do anything to discover the secrets her sister uncovered about their uncle.

The only clue Ella has leads her to their family ranch in Montana. Stranded on the side of the road in a snowstorm and about to freeze to death, she’s rescued by a handsome cowboy. Gabe vows to help her find the evidence and take down her uncle before he finds and kills her too.

How did you come with the idea for this story?

The idea for the Montana Men series came while I wrote Can’t Wait and Caleb’s brothers arrived for his wedding. Gabe, Blake, and Dane needed their own stories.

For AT WOLF RANCH, I wanted Gabe to fall for a woman who is all wrong for him, but really the right one. He was stood up at the altar by a woman who seemed like the perfect country girl. He loves Ella, but doesn’t think it will work because she’s a city girl. She’ll prove to him she’s a country girl at heart.

Can you share with us your current work in progress?

I am actually working on Book 5 – The Hunted Series. No title yet. Fans of the series have asked for Ben’s story, and I’m happy to give it to them. Ben appears in SAVED BY THE RANCHER. He’s a lawyer with a mission to help abused women escape their terrible circumstances. Right now, he’s trying to save Kate and her son from falling victim to a spoiled, entitled man who thinks his money can get him out of anything – including murder.

Who are some of your favorite authors?

Nora Roberts, Sandra Brown, Julie Garwood, and Tami Hoag are some of my favorite contemporary and suspense writers. Some of my favorite writer friends are Lia Riley, Marina Adair, Hannah Jayne, and Jules Barnard. Believe it or not, I’m a huge historical romance fan. I love Stephanie Laurens, Monica McCarty, Hannah Howell, and Lynsay Sands to name a few.

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

All of them in some way. Over time though, I’ve developed my own style and voice. I have a way of organizing my stories that works for me, like the opening scene is usually something that will blow you away – or at least I hope it does.

Open your book to a random page and please reads us a few lines.

“I’m staying. Don’t mind me.”

“A little privacy would be nice,” she shot back.

“I’ve already seen you half naked. Believe me, right now, all I’m interested in are your injuries.”

Right now. As in later might be a different story. Maybe that was wishful thinking, because this man did all kinds of weird things to her insides. She wanted him to stay. She wanted him to go. And, oh God, how stupid of her, she wanted him to wrap his arms around her again and tell her everything was going to be okay.

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

Due to my writing schedule, it’s hard to find time to read, but on top of my To Read pile is Elizabeth Lowell’s Running Scared.

I am very excited to see Gabe’s brother’s books come out. If you’re interested in Gabe, you’ll love his brothers Blake and Dane in WHEN IT’S RIGHT and HER LUCKY COWBOY.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

I had a great time, Kelly. Thanks for inviting me to Books-n-Kisses today.

*****

At Wolf Ranch

Montana Men #1

Amazon| B&N

Everything’s bigger in Big Sky country, including the hearts of the Montana Men…After years on the rodeo circuit, Gabe Bowden wants nothing more than land of his own and a woman who will claim his heart for more than one night. When he has the chance to buy the enormous Wolf Ranch spread, he snaps up the incredible deal. Everything is set, until Gabe rescues a woman on the deserted, snowy road leading to the property, and the half-frozen beauty changes everything.

Ella Wolf rushes to her family’s abandoned Montana ranch after her twin sister is murdered. She knows she’s next . . . unless she can uncover a secret hidden somewhere at Wolf Ranch. The last thing Ella expects is to be rescued by a rugged rancher with his own agenda. A man who almost makes her forget how dangerous love can be.

As an unlikely partnership sparks into something so much more, and a killer closes in, can Ella and Gabe learn to trust one another before it’s too late?

About the Author:

Jennifer Ryan is the New York Times & USA Today bestselling author of The Hunted Series and The McBrides Series. She writes romantic suspense and contemporary small-town romances featuring strong men and equally resilient women. Her stories are filled with love, family, friendship, and the happily-ever-after we all hope to find.

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

Learn more about Jennifer here Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads