Book Spotlight & Review: Banishing the Dark by Jenn Bennett

Complicated does not begin to describe Arcadia Bell’s life right now: unnatural magical power, another brush with death, and a murderous mother who’s not only overbearing but determined to take permanent possession of Cady’s body. Forced to delve deep into the mystery surrounding her own birth, she must uncover which evil spell her parents cast during her conception…and how to reverse it. Fast. As Cady and her lover Lon embark on a dangerous journey through her magical past, Lon’s teenage son Jupe sneaks off for his own investigation. Each family secret they uncover is darker than the last, and Cady, who has worn many identities—Moonchild, mage, fugitive—is about to add one more to the list.

Amazon/B&N

About the Author:

Jenn Bennett is the author of the Arcadia Bell urban fantasy series from Pocket Books and the Roaring Twenties historical paranormal romance series from Berkley. Born in Germany, she’s lived and traveled extensively throughout Europe, the U.S., and the Far East. She currently lives near Atlanta with one husband and two very bad pugs.

Website/Twitter/Facebook

Jennifer’s Review of Banishing the Dark

Review (5 Stars): I’m so sad to see this series come to an end because it has been so awesome to be a part of Cady’s journey of supernatural self-discovery over the course of these books. To me, Arcadia “Cady” Bell is one of the best paranormal heroines out there and I am amazed at the person that she has become since the first book, Kindling the Moon. She has grown so much as a person and witch and I was so happy for Cady at the revelation that occurred in the beginning of Banishing the Dark. Meeting Lon and Jupe and having them be a part of her life has been the best thing for Cady and provided her with the support that she needed to see things through to the end.

In this book, Cady is slowly recovering from her injuries from her epic battle with Mr. Dare and trying not to attract the attention of her psychotic mother who is trying to find her way out of the hell that she was banished to. She must find the true conception spell that her mother performed years ago so she can break it and prevent her mother from possessing Cady’s soul. I was on the edge of my seat for most of this book because time was running out for Cady and her mother was getting dangerously close to finding her from the other side. The final showdown between Cady and her mother was an epic battle royale that shouldn’t be missed and I wanted so desperately for Cady to get revenge for all the pain that her mother caused her over the course of the series.

Ms. Bennett has created an amazing roller-coaster ride with the Arcadia Bell series and Banishing the Dark provides the perfect closure to Cady’s storyline. I recommend reading Kindling the Moon first to follow Cady’s journey from the very beginning and I can definitely say that I will be revisiting this series again in the very near future.

May 31, 2014May 27, 2014

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.

May 30, 2014May 30, 2014

Blog Tour & Giveaway: Murder, Simply Stitched by Isabella Alan

Today I have Isabella Alan here to talk about her new mystery, Murder Simply Stitched, which is about an Amish Quilt Shop. I enjoyed this mystery with its great cast of characters and I hope you will too. Take it away, Isabella.

Publisher’s Punch List

by Isabella Alan

Way back in 2011, I received a call from my literary agent. “Penguin is looking for an established cozy mystery author to write a series about an Amish Quilt Shop. There are some requirements. They want the author to know Amish people and be from Ohio. You are the only option.”

It turns out, she was right. If the publisher wanted to fill its punch list for the perfect author of the series, it was me. I had already published cozies under my real name “Amanda Flower.” I’m an Ohioana, and I know Amish people. In 2011, I was the only author who hit all the criteria. I drafted a writing sample, it passed the muster, and I got the series.

I appreciated the publisher was specific as to what it wanted. Not just because it gave me another opportunity to write but because it showed me they cared about their books being authentic. They wanted the author to know Ohio. I know Ohio. I’ve lived in the state my entire life and have no intention of moving. One constant that can be found in all my series–beside someone dying, they are mysteries after all–is they are set in the Buckeye State. I probably know Ohio better than many of my fellow Ohioans. I find its history fascinating and even worked at a living history museum one summer. Part of the job was being well versed in Ohio history. I had to study it, so I could “convincingly” spout off facts to visitors. No, I did not wear period dress…all the time.

The publisher wanted the Amish elements in the story to be true, not just to the general Amish culture, but to Ohio’s Amish culture, which is different than the Amish found in different parts of the country. I could do that. In addition to being an author, I am a college librarian. Right after graduate school, I searched and searched for a librarian job. It wasn’t easy. Finally, I got one offer. It was to be a cataloger for a small university library in the middle of Ohio’s Amish country about two hours from where I grew up. I took it. While I lived in the small town, I saw and interacted with Amish on a regular basis, but it never occurred to me that I could write a mystery someday based around Amish characters.

Thankfully, Penguin didn’t include the ability to hand quilt as one of the criteria for the perfect author because I would have failed the test. I have made a few quilts on a sewing machine but never by hand. However, since I’m a librarian and want to research everything to death, I took hand quilting lessons before I wrote the first book in the series, Murder, Plain and Simple. My teacher said I wasn’t “naturally gifted” in quilting, and a few of my sad attempts at hand quilting are best tucked away in my closet. Shhh, don’t tell my publisher.

Isabella Alan is celebrating the release of Murder, Simply Stitched with a special giveaway!

Enter to Win an Amish Charm Bracelet from author Isabella Alan (aka Amanda Flower)! Click here to Enter!

About the Author:

Isabella Alan is the pseudonym for Amanda Flower. Amanda Flower, an Agatha-nominated mystery author, started her writing career in elementary school when she read a story she wrote to her sixth grade class and had the class in stitches with her description of being stuck on the top of a Ferris wheel. She knew at that moment she’d found her calling of making people laugh with her words. Her debut mystery, Maid of Murder, was an Agatha Award Nominee for Best First Novel, and her children’s mystery, Andi Unexpected, was an Agatha Award Nominee for Best Children’s/YA. Amanda is an academic librarian for a small college near Cleveland.

Follow Isabella on Facebook /Twitter/Pinterest

When Angela Braddock enters her quilts in an Amish auction, she never expects one of her neighbors to end up going, going, gone….

Angie is finding her niche as the new owner of her late aunt’s Amish quilt shop, Running Stitch. But as the summer is winding down, so is business. To bolster support for the shop, Angie decides to sell her quilts in the Rolling Brook Amish Auction, including some of her aunt’s most prized works.

The quilts promise to be a hit—but the gavel comes down on the lively event when Angie stumbles upon the body of township trustee Wanda Hunt behind a canning shed. The cause of death: a poisoned blueberry fry pie from Rachel Miller’s bakery table. Now Angie’s closest friend is a murder suspect. With Angie taking the lead, she and the other women of her aunt’s quilting circle set out to patch together the clues and stop a killer set on shredding the simple peace of Rolling Brook.

Amazon/B&N

Jennifer’s Review of Murder, Simply Stitched

Review (4.5 Stars): I have been a big fan of this author’s India Hayes mystery series for quite some time and I was very excited to read her new Amish Quilt Shop series. I instantly connected with the main character, Angie, and enjoyed her experiences living in an Amish community while trying to run her quilt shop, Running Stitch. It was very interesting learning about the Amish community and I loved how the mystery took off right from the very beginning. Ms. Alan has created an absolute gem with Murder, Simply Stitched and I know that other readers will enjoy this series just as much as I have.

Giveaway

I’m excited to give away a copy of Murder, Simply Stitched. This giveaway is for US Residents only. To be entered in the drawing by June 6th, please leave a comment or question for Ms. Alan:

May 30, 2014May 22, 2014

Guest Blogger: Paige Tyler

HER PERFECT MATE (X-OPS Book One)

Paige Tyler

Thank you so much for having me at Books-n-Kisses! I thought I’d introduce readers to the world of my new X-OPS Series with an inside look at a conversation between the hero, Special Forces Captain Landon Donovan and the resident psychologist at the Department of Covert Operations during a mandatory counseling session all agents must attend after completing their first mission with a new partner. While this scene isn’t in HER PERFECT MATE, I imagine it would have gone something like this.

Landon was a little nervous. He and Ivy had just gotten back from South America and he’d been called in for a mandatory counseling session with the DCO’s head shrink, Marlon Anders. After what happened between him and his new partner down in the jungles of Venezuela, Landon wasn’t too eager to let anyone go sniffing around in his head. But what choice did he have? These stress-reduction sessions were apparently part of the job description at the Department of Covert Ops. If he didn’t do it, he’d just draw that much more attention.

The door to Marlon’s office was open, and the short, curly-haired man motioned him in the second Landon poked in his head.

“Agent Donovan, come in and close the door.” He got to his feet and came around the desk. “I’m glad you were able make it. I know how busy you are right now.”

Busy didn’t even begin to cover it. He and Ivy had just gotten back to the States last night and had at a full day of training ahead of them starting in an hour.

“Have a seat.” Marlon gestured to the couch against the wall. “I’ll get you out of here as fast as I can.” He smiled as he made himself comfortable in an adjacent chair. “Remember, these are confidential sessions—you can tell me anything and it will stay just between the two of us.”

Sure it will. Landon had a sneaking suspicion whatever he said was going to end up in the written report Marlon gave to the director of the DCO. He eyed the sofa. Brown leather, it looked comfortable enough, but he didn’t sit. Marlon smiled at him in that unamused doctor kind of way and gestured to the couch again.

Landon sat, but promised himself he would not—under any circumstances—lie down.

“I understand things got pretty intense down there in South America,” Marlon said. “Tell me about that.”

Landon almost groaned as he remembered the sensation of Ivy’s mouth on his, her body under his hands. But he doubted that was the kind of intense that Marlon was talking about…at least he hoped that wasn’t where the shrink was heading with this.

He propped his ankle on his opposite knee, hoping it would hide the hard-on pitching a tent in his pants. “It wasn’t any more intense than I’m used to. We did the mission, got shot at, shot back, then got the hell out of there.” He shrugged. “Stuff like that was an everyday occurrence back in Special Forces.”

Marlon wrote something down on a pad, then eyed him over the tops of his reading glasses. “Then you and Agent Halliwell got along well? You didn’t find it too hard working with a female EVA?”

While Landon found himself shaking his head and giving a pat answer about how well he and Ivy had worked together—which was true—he couldn’t forget that little nap they’d taken in their tiny makeshift tent. His erection stiffened even more at that and he shifted on the couch.

“And that fact that she’s an EVA,” Marlon continued. “That doesn’t bother you at all?”

Landon hated that acronym—Extremely Valuable Asset. Who the hell came up with that anyway? “No. I have no problem working with a shifter.”

He’d never considered himself much of a cat person, but that was before he met Ivy. With her exotic beauty and long silky hair, she was the epitome of grace—even when she was out there kicking ass.

Marlon took off his glasses and dangled them between his fingers, his gray eyes piercing. “You know Agent Halliwell had problems getting along with her previous partners, right?”

Landon nodded. “She told me.”

“But the two of you have no problems working with each other at all?”

“None,” Landon said.

“I see. And why do you think that is?”

Landon grinned. “I guess we just have better chemistry.”

That was an understatement. Hell, they were jonesing for each other so badly they were practically going nuts. The only thing that had kept them from taking things too far when they were in Venezuela was knowing they were too good together as a team to risk getting split up. Which was what would happen if their boss found out.

Marlon jotted something else down in his notebook, then smiled. “I’m glad to hear that. I was a little concerned that they purposely sent you two on a mission so soon just to see you fail. Nice to see you proved them wrong. I think you two have the makings of a special team.”

Landon couldn’t agree more.

Amazon | B&N | Are | iTunes | Sourcebooks

He’s a High-Octane Special Ops Pro

When Special Forces Captain Landon Donovan is chosen for an assignment with the Department of Covert Operations, he’s stunned to find his new partner is a beautiful woman who looks like she couldn’t hurt a fly, never mind take down a terrorist.

She’s No Kitten

Ivy Halliwell isn’t your average covert op. She’s a feline shifter, and more dangerous than she looks. Her feline DNA means she can literally bring out the claws when things get dicey. She’s worked with a string of hotheaded military guys who’ve underestimated her special skills in the past. But when she’s partnered with special agent Donovan, a man sexy enough to make any girl purr, things begin to heat up. He doesn’t think she’s a freak-and he’s smokin’ hot. Soon they’re facing a threat even greater than anyone imagines…and an animal magnetism impossible to ignore.

Read an Excerpt

http://paigetylertheauthor.com/BooksHerPerfectMate.html

What are the people saying about Her Perfect Mate:

“An absolutely perfect story-one I honestly couldn’t put down. One of the best books I’ve read in years. I hope this is the beginning of a very long series, because I definitely want more of Paige Tyler’s shifters.” – Kate Douglas, author of the bestselling Wolf Tales and Spirit Wild series

“A wild, hot, and sexy ride from beginning to end! I loved it!” – Terry Spear, USA Today bestselling author of A SEAL in Wolf’s Clothing

“Once I began, the outside world ceased to exist. It’s exciting and fast paced.” – Paranormal Kiss

“I love a good paranormal romance and this series has started off with a bang!” – Hopeless in Literature Reviews

Check out Kelly & Kimberly’s reviews of Her Perfect Mate HERE

A little about Paige:

Paige Tyler is a USA Today Bestselling Author of sexy, romantic fiction. She and her very own military hero (also known as her husband) live on the beautiful Florida coast with their adorable fur baby (also known as their dog). Paige graduated with a degree in education, but decided to pursue her passion and write books about hunky alpha males and the kickbutt heroines who fall in love with them.

She is represented by Bob Mecoy.

Learn more about Paige here:

May 29, 2014May 28, 2014

Cover Reveal of Kait Ballenger’s Shadow Hunter

Coming in August 2014!!!

And on pre-order right now for only $0.99

Are you ready to see?

Are you?

Well here you go.

Please welcome

Damon Brock!!

Amazon | BN | Kobo

Vampire hunter Damon Brock’s first assignment with the Execution Underground is Rochester, New York, a city crawling with the undead. But he isn’t the only hunter in town gunning for vamp blood. Tiffany Solow is fierce and ruthless when it comes to slaying the monsters that destroyed her family-and she works solo. But being alone is no longer so desirable when she meets the mysterious hunter who wants more than just her turf. As they work to massacre the local covens, the line between good and evil blurs when they are forced to decide between their lifelong beliefs… and their newfound hearts.

A little about Kait:

Kait Ballenger is a full-time paranormal romance author, wife, former professional bellydancer, and soon-to-be-professor. She has a BA in English from Stetson University and an MFA in Creative Writing from Spalding University. She lives in Central Florida with her screenwriter husband and three sweet furry babies, all three of whom are named after fictional characters. Kait hopes that one day with hard work and dedication, she will be a bestselling author, and then, people will name their pets after her characters, too.

May 29, 2014May 27, 2014

Blog Tour & Giveaway: Hot Fudge Frame-Up by Christine DeSmet

Guest blogger: Christine DeSmet, author of Hot Fudge Frame-Up, the second book in the new Fudge Shop Mystery series.

Ava is gearing up for the First Annual Fudge Festival –a huge celebration that could draw national attention to her old-fashioned fudge shop in Door County, Wisconsin–known at the “Cape Cod of the Midwest.” She’s invited two celebrity chefs to go head-t0-head with her in a fudge contest. Everyone is having a tasty time…until a judge for the festival is found dead.

Ava Oosterling and her grandfather, Gil, run Oosterlings’ Live Bait, Bobbers & Belgian Fudge & Beer on the docks of Lake Michigan in fictional Fisher’s Harbor, Wisconsin.

I’m thrilled to introduce you to Ava and “Gilpa,” as she calls her grandpa Gil.

Kisses definitely get Ava in trouble in her life.

Ava has returned to this tourist area and her home territory after a stint working for a TV show in Los Angeles for eight years. Her self-imposed exile in LA followed her embarrassing mistake of eloping with a man who was married to two other women at the same time. Oops! She’s determined to become a new person by creating her quaint Fairy Tale line of fudge. But men keep coming out of the woodwork, as the saying goes, wanting to take this Cinderella to the fudge festival ball.

In Hot Fudge Frame-Up, Ava and her grandmother discover the secret to attracting men and kisses. It starts with cherry-vanilla fudge, of course, but then proceeds with a few other tricks my readers may have found worked with men, too. I can’t give it all away, of course, but I believe you’ll find a tickle or two as you read about the connections among love, fudge, hugs, and kisses.

Door County is a unique and intriguing setting for a cozy mystery series. Like Cape Cod, the county is a peninsula jutting out into a large body of water. There are picturesque beaches and beautiful vistas overlooking the water and much to do, including hiking, swimming, golf, outdoor theater, music venues, art shops and retreats, dining vineyards to visit and more. The county is also known as the playground for Chicago’s rich, since it’s only about a three-hour drive away along the Lake Michigan coastline.

Door County has 11 lighthouses and shipping lights, and the real Eagle Bluff Lighthouse plays prominently in this new book. Coinciding with the publication of Hot Fudge Frame-Up, the Great Lakes Lighthouse Festival Association chose the Eagle Bluff Lighthouse as “Lighthouse of the Year.” The structure is open to the public and retains many of the furnishings from one of the lighthouse keepers, and is definitely worth the small fee to take the tour.

One more unique thing about Door County is that it and the nearby counties have the largest rural population of Belgians in the country. Ava and her family are Belgians; her parents run the farm where Ava gets her organic cream and butter to make her luscious fudge.

Belgians settled into the county in the 1850s, back when the United States advertised in Europe for farmers, fisherman, and forestry workers. Land sold for $1.25 an acre. Belgians are known for their yummy pies and love of pets, gardens with loads of flowers, neat lawns, and community gatherings. And of course they also deal in the world’s finest lace, diamonds, beer, and chocolate.

You’ll get to taste Ava’s scrumptious Cinderella Pink Fairy Tale Fudge and many other flavors developed in her copper kettles as you read the pages of my series. Each book contains a new fairy tale recipe plus other recipes, and tips about fudge making.

In addition, Hot Fudge Frame-Up contains a Belgian booyah recipe I got on my Door County travels. I stopped at a kermis–a Belgian harvest festival–and the delectable chicken stew was being stirred over an outdoor fire in a pot that fed 100 people. My book also gives you a version for 12.

Another thing to know about Belgians–they can be stubborn as well as good problem solvers, which makes Ava a perfect new “Hercule Poirot” (another Belgian!) for our contemporary times.

And what about those kisses? Who among the many men vying for her attention will end up getting the first dance with Ava at the upcoming First Fishers’ Harbor Fudge Festival?

Thank you for visiting this blog. I hope you enjoy my latest mystery book.

About the Author:

Christine DeSmet is the author of the Fudge Shop Mystery Series. Book 1, First-Degree Fudge, spent 10 weeks on the Barnes & Noble mystery bestseller list when it debuted in September 2013. Christine is a past winner of the Golden Heart Award from Romance Writers of America, and a past winner of the Slamdance Film Festival writing contest with a screenplay that optioned to New Line Cinema. Her other publications include short stories, and the novel Spirit Lake, a romantic suspense from Hard Shell Word Factory. Christine is a writing teacher at University of Wisconsin-Madison Continuing Studies where she directs the “Write-by-the-Lake Writer’s Retreat” every June in Madison. She’s a member of Mystery Writers of America, Sisters in Crime, Romance Writers of America, Writers Guild of America, and Wisconsin Screenwriters Forum. Find out more at www.christinedesmet.com

Candy shop owner Ava Oosterling mixes it up with a fudge judge with a grudge—who loses his life before he can pick a winner….

Ava is gearing up for the First Annual Arts Festival—a huge celebration that could draw national attention to her old-fashioned fudge shop in Door County, Wisconsin. She’s invited two celebrity chefs to go head-to-head with her in a fudge contest. Everyone is having a tasty time…until a judge for the festival is found dead.

To her shock, he’d been complaining around town that her Fairy Tale fudge flavors were…well, fudged. Now the sheriff is wondering if Ava fits the mold for a murder suspect. As Ava tries to square her reputation and find the real killer, she’s in for a whole batch of trouble….

Amazon/B&N

Jennifer’s Review of Hot Fudge Frame-Up

Review (4.25 Stars): Ava is getting ready for the First Annual Arts Festival in Door County which will feature her and two other contestants in a not so friendly fudge contest. Ava soon finds that her other competitors are at each others’ throats and someone is threatening the judges to throw the contest. When one of the judges is found dead, everyone becomes a suspect and Ava finds herself in the middle of another mystery where she may be the killer’s next target.

I love culinary mysteries and this book seems to have everything. A deliciously light-hearted mystery, a love triangle with hot guys and of course, yummy fudge. Ava was a great character because she admits that she has made mistakes in her life in regards to love and isn’t actively “pursuing” a relationship with anyone. She just wants to focus on making her fudge business a success and get her life back on track. I also love the small town atmosphere in these books with Ava and the other characters in her life.

I definitely liked this book better than the first one, First Degree Fudge, because I felt that I could actually connect with Ava compared to the first one. The mystery had quite a few plot twists and I had a difficult time trying to figure out who was the killer among this crazy group. Hot Fudge Frame-Up is a delightfully decadent addition to the series and I’m looking forward to reading more about Ava and her adventures in Door County, Wisconsin in the near future.

Giveaway

I’m excited to give away a copy of Hot Fudge Frame-Up. This giveaway is for US Residents only. To be entered in the drawing by June 5th, answer me this question in the comments:

What is your favorite candy?

May 29, 2014May 27, 2014

Spotlight feature of His Choice by Carrie Ann Ryan

His Choice

Dante’s Circle Series, Book 3.5

Release Date: May 27, 2014

Amazon | B&N | ARe | Kobo | iTunes

As the youngest son of Lucifer, Fawkes has long since known what paths his future could take. He could follow his father’s footsteps, stealing the souls of humans and slowly lose his own, or starve himself and wither away until he finds his true half and forms a bond that can not only save his life, but his soul.

Leslie Masterson’s life has been one torment after another. A submissive wolf, she’s tried to hide in the shadows of her Pack and find the will to live another day. After her brother—the man who has beaten her verbally and physically her entire life—is killed when he challenges the Alpha, Leslie finally sees a path to freedom.

It only takes one look between the two for them to know that they could be the answer to each other’s prayers, but some of the Pack isn’t ready to let Leslie go. It will take the strength of a fiery demon from hell and the love of a submissive wolf to overcome not only their past, but their chance at a future.

His Choice was also found in the Ever After Anthology.

A little about Carrie Ann:

USA Today Bestselling Author Carrie Ann Ryan never thought she’d be a writer. Not really. No, she loved math and science and even went on to graduate school in chemistry. Yes, she read as a kid and devoured teen fiction and Harry Potter, but it wasn’t until someone handed her a romance book in her late teens that she realized that there was something out there just for her. When another author suggested she use the voices in her head for good and not evil, The Redwood Pack and all her other stories were born.

Carrie Ann is a bestselling author of over twenty novels and novellas and has so much more on her mind (and on her spreadsheets *grins*) that she isn’t planning on giving up her dream anytime soon.

Carrie Ann loves hearing from readers. Visit the links to the left to contact her.

Get in touch with Carrie Ann Ryan!

May 28, 2014May 26, 2014

Interview & Giveaway with Laura Moore

Books-n-Kisses is excited to welcome back our pal Laura Moore to the blog to chat about her newest book Once Tasted.

BnK: Can you please share with us a little about yourself?

LM: I write contemporary romances that are on the sexy side. My stories feature rugged, outdoorsy heroes who clean up well when the occasion demands. My heroines are strong and passionate about what and whom they love. Lots of four-legged creatures of various shapes and sizes make their way into my books because I’m a serious animal lover. My new release, Once Tasted, has all of the above. When I’m not sitting in front of the computer and writing, I like to be active. I love to ride, swim, garden, and then relax at the end of the day by cooking a really nice meal for my family.

BnK: Have you always wanted to be an author?

LM: Nope. My first dream was to be a professional rider. Then I wanted to be a racecar driver. After that I got interested in photography and art. Basically I managed to avoid writing fiction until I was in graduate school for art education. One evening a story came to me that I simply had to try and put into words. After that, I was pretty much hooked. I think I resisted writing because I have a lot of writers in my family and know how unglamorous an activity it is. Luckily it has its rewards, too.

BnK: Are you a plotter or a pantster or combo of both? Can you explain the difference?

LM: I’d say I do a bit of both plotting and flying by the seat of my pants.

I find writing a synopsis helps me get some idea of my characters’ backstory, where the story will go, and what the different conflicts will be. But I’m definitely not the type of plotter who then makes charts or spreadsheets (both of which give me the hives) or breaks the story down chapter by chapter. Once I get the synopsis finished, I pretty much let my imagination loose. Sometimes the writing proceeds at a crawl, sometimes it flies. My method is hardly the most efficient way of writing (which is important in this business) but some of the scenes I’ve most enjoyed writing have been unplanned.

BnK: What is your most interesting writing quirk?

LM: Darn, I wish I could tell you something really fun, like that I dictate my stories while reclining on a chaise longue in my peignoir while eating chocolate truffles and sipping champagne. The only quirk I can think of while I’m writing is that I like to be near my dog. His presence kind of centers me. Oh, and I also like to listen to rock-n-roll when I’m working. I think it’s a holdover from my barn days when the radio would be playing continuously as we fed, groomed, and tacked horses or mucked out their stalls.

BnK: Can you please tell us about your latest book?

LM: Once Tasted is the second book in my Silver Creek series. My hero is a smooth-talking, laidback cowboy, named Reid Knowles. Reid and his bright blue eyes can dazzle just about any woman…except for Mia Bodell, whose youthful infatuation for her handsome neighbor was shattered years ago. For his part, Reid would just as soon steer clear of Mia and her pointed disdain. Unfortunately, he’s made a promise to Mia’s uncle to help manage the winery that he and Mia own. All too soon the sparks begin to fly between Mia and Reid as their long-denied attraction becomes impossible to ignore.

BnK: How did you come up with the idea for this story?

LM: I came up with the premise of writing a series about a family that owns a large working guest ranch in California because some friends of mine own a hotel and I’m fascinated by all the different jobs running a hotel demands. I decided to make the setting a working ranch because I love a chance to write about horsemen and women, whether they ride English or Western. And okay, I’m kind of a perpetual student. I love to learn new things. I realized that if I wrote about a heroine who owns a winery, I’d get to learn all about grape growing and winemaking, and that the research would involve a lot of Pinot Noir tasting. A win-win situation!

BnK: Can you share with us your current work in progress?

LM: I’m writing the third book in the series. It’s called Once Touched and is about Quinn Knowles, Reid’s younger sister, who’s an animal lover and rescuer. My hero is Ethan Saunders, a photojournalist who’s come to Silver Creek ranch to recover from an injury he sustained in Afghanistan. Quinn soon discovers Ethan’s wounds go much deeper than he lets on and her instinct to try and heal him overcomes her need to protect her heart.

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

LM: Can this be when I die and go to writer’s heaven? Shakespeare. Just to be able to thank the man who used the English language so beautifully and bawdily.

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

LM: Write constantly and read voraciously.

Bnk: Can you share with us something off your bucket list?

LM: Scuba diving off the Great Barrier Reef.

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

LM: Kristan Higgins’s Waiting on You, Molly O’Keefe’s Never Been Kissed Eloisa James’s Three Weeks with Lady X and about twenty others.

BnK: What is one book everyone should read before they die?

LM: Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White. I re-read it recently. I actually think the world would be a lot better place if we possessed the wisdom of Charlotte and the kindness of Wilbur.

BnK: What is your favorite time of year & why?

LM: Spring. I love the bursts of color, the perfume in the air, the promise of rebirth.

Bnk: Who is your Celebrity crush?

LM: I’m a huge George Clooney fan from way, way back. I’m actually kind of relieved he’s gotten engaged. Perhaps now I can move on and stop having these fantasies of being locked in a car trunk with him and that gravelly voice of his whispering in my ear…

Bnk: And what would you do if you ever met him?

LM: Embarrass myself–of that I have no doubt!

Bnk: Is there anything else you would like to add?

LM: Just my thanks to you, Kelly, for having me at Books-n-Kisses today! This was such fun. I’d also like to give away two copies of Once Tasted. The winners will be chosen at random by Books-n-Kisses.

To enter to win, just leave a comment below.

The question I leave you with is: What’s on your TBR pile? I love to hear about what others are reading and find new authors to enjoy…and I hope that Once Tasted makes it onto your lists!

Happy Reading!

~Laura

Learn more about Laura here: Website| Facebook | Twitter

*****

Once Tasted

Silver Creek #2

Amazon link | Barnes & Noble | Indiebound

Three siblings, an extraordinary family, a lasting heritage—in the irresistible Silver Creek Ranch trilogy, they’ll fight for the land and the people they love.

Everything has come easily to Reid Knowles, the middle son of a California ranching family. But his charmed life is suddenly complicated when his good friend and neighbor asks him to help run the winery next door. His neighbor’s niece, Mia Bodell, is in charge—and she has made it clear that she’d rather be roped to a steer than to Reid Knowles. Never one to back down from a challenge, Reid vows to win her trust.

Her life marked by loss, Mia knows that nothing comes easily—love included. In high school, her heart was crushed by Reid, and even though years have passed, the hurt lingers. Mia is achingly aware that the teen heartthrob has matured into a devastatingly handsome playboy, and the budding winemaker refuses to let down her guard. But one taste of unbridled passion changes things. From Reid’s first intoxicating kiss to his unexpectedly tender seduction, Mia is swept into a passionate affair that could tear her heart to pieces . . . or give her everything she has ever wanted.

Check out my review of Once Tasted HERE

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May 27, 2014May 17, 2014

Interview & Giveaway with Gina Conkle

Books-n-Kisses is super excited to have first time guest Gina Conkle on the blog today to talk about her newest release.

Gina, can you please share with us a little about yourself

First, thank you for letting me be part of Books-n-Kisses.

I write Viking and Georgian romance with a softly sensual side, which stems from my history nerd-ness. Our family’s big news is we’re moving to the mid-west this summer. My husband grew up in Ohio, but my boys and I have never lived in snow. This will be an adventure!

Have you always wanted to be an author?

Pretty much, yes. I read Gone with the Wind in 5^th grade and subsequently wrote a story called ‘The Girl Who Stopped World War III.’ That could be pre-teen hormone drama setting in, or I was bound to write someday.

What is your most interesting writing quirk?

I can write just about anywhere. I prefer quiet or some music with my laptop, but I’ve had great productivity with a spiral bound notebook in airports, planes, restaurants, and doctor’s offices.

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

Meet the Earl at Midnight is a loose spin on Beauty and the Beast with my “beast” (Edward) quite happy as a recluse, but he needs a woman. He strikes a midnight bargain with Lydia that changes in the light of day with distracting chemistry and secrets revealed.

Edward’s passion for science and Lydia’s passion for art rule their lives until they find each other. The crux of their love story comes to decisions and sacrifices. Both have to answer the question: What do you truly want?

How did you come with the idea for this story?

I needed a break from the Norse hammers in my head! I write Viking romance as well but this character kept showing up covered from head to toe in leather with a tricorn hat pulled low. So, I started writing him and in walked Lydia.

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

I’m almost done with The Lady Meets Her Match (April, 2015). This is book 2 in the Midnight Meetings series and tells the tale of Cyrus, a self-made man dubbed England’s King of Commerce. Sparks fly at a masked ball between Cyrus and a mysterious woman named Claire. She flees at midnight, leaving a shoe behind…a common brown shoe. But, Claire is one Cinderella who doesn’t want her shoe back.

At the same time I’m deep into Norse Fire, book 2 in my Norse series (Dec., 2014). This story features Brand a rough-souled, lone wolf warrior who must work with a feisty slave to save the kingdom. Then comes book 3, Norse Wolf, with Addis, a bad boy Viking who finds himself at the mercy of a tender-hearted healer (Mar. 2015).

As you might’ve guessed there’s a lot of juggling lately.

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

Josie Litton (a pseudonym for Maura Seger). She’s a lyrical and prolific writer. Her book Dream of Me is my all-time #1 top favorite book.

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

Write everyday. Make it a habit.

Can you share with us something off your bucket list.

I want to hike Hadrian’s Wall. Badly.

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

My reward for getting certain tasks done is to buy Julie Brannagh’s Blitzing Emily and Christina Dodd’s Just the Way You Are.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Kelly, thanks again for hosting me on your blog. The questions were fun.

Learn more about Gina here:

It’s going to take a Beast to tame this Beauty

Enigma Earl. The Phantom of London. That’s what the gossip pages call Lord Edward Greenwich, a mysterious nobleman who doesn’t show his face in London Society. With a reputation like that, no wonder Lydia Montgomery is horrified to be dragged from bed and packed off to live with him to save her mother from penury.

While Lydia has received all of the training a lady should endure, she’s decidedly un-ladylike. She despises her corset and isn’t interested in marriage. She’d prefer to remain unmarried and spend her time improving her art. But if she wants a chance at happiness, she’ll have to set aside her fear of the earl and discover the man hiding behind the beast.

Will Edward and Lydia’s greatest discovery be each other before time runs out?

Book 1 in the series Midnight Meetings

*****

GIVEAWAY TIME!!!!

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May 27, 2014May 26, 2014

Cover Reveal of Sylvain Reynard’s The Raven

The Raven

by Sylvain Reynard

Order links: Coming soon

From the New York Times bestselling author of the Gabriel Series comes a dark, sensual tale of romance in a city shrouded in mystery…

Raven Wood spends her days at Florence’s Uffizi Gallery restoring fine works of Renaissance art. But an innocent walk home after an evening with friends changes her life forever. When she intervenes in the senseless beating of a homeless man, his attackers turn on her, dragging her into an alley. Raven is only semi-conscious when their assault is interrupted by a cacophony of growls followed by her attacker’s screams. Mercifully, she blacks out, but not before catching a glimpse of a shadowy figure who whispers to her…

Cassita vulneratus.

When Raven awakes, she is inexplicably changed. She returns to the Uffizi, but no one recognizes her and more disturbingly, she discovers that she’s been absent an entire week. With no recollection of the events leading up to her disappearance, Raven also learns that her absence coincides with one of the largest robberies in Uffizi history – the theft of a set of priceless Botticelli illustrations. When the baffled police force identifies her as its prime suspect, Raven is desperate to clear her name. She seeks out one of Florence’s wealthiest and elusive men in an attempt to uncover the truth about her disappearance. Their encounter leads Raven to a dark underworld whose inhabitants kill to keep their secrets…

Release Date:

Early 2015

About the Author

I’m interested in the way literature can help us explore aspects of the human condition – particularly suffering, sex, love, faith, and redemption. My favourite stories are those in which a character takes a journey, either a physical journey to a new and exciting place, or a personal journey in which he or she learns something about himself/herself.

I’m also interested in how aesthetic elements such as art, architecture, and music can be used to tell a story or to illuminate the traits of a particular character. In my writing, I combine all of these elements with the themes of redemption, forgiveness, and the transformative power of goodness.

I try to use my platform as an author to raise awareness about the following charities: Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep Foundation, WorldVision, Alex’s Lemonade Stand, and Covenant House. For more information, see my Twitter account.

You can find Sylvain at:

May 27, 2014May 26, 2014

Blog Tour & Review: Fifty Shades of Greyhound by Sparkle Abbey

A big thanks to Books-n-Kisses for hosting this stop on our blog tour for Fifty Shades of Greyhound, book five in our Pampered Pets mystery series from Bell Bridge Books.

This book was so much fun to write and now we’re having even more fun sharing it with readers. It’s similar to the others in the series in that it’s a cozy mystery. To be more specific, all the books are pet-related, amateur sleuth, cozy mysteries. The main characters are cousins and former Texas beauty queens, Caro Lamont, a pet therapist, and Melinda Langston, the owner of Bow Wow, a high-end pet boutique in Laguna Beach, California.

The ideas for our books come from many different places: a news headline, an overheard conversation, an intriguing anecdote. However the idea for Fifty Shades of Greyhound came from none of those. In this case, the book started with the title. We’d brainstormed title ideas, hoping to continue the light-hearted theme started with Desperate Housedogs, Get Fluffy, Kitty Kitty Bang Bang, and Yip/Tuck. (This brainstorming usually involves margaritas.) When we came up with the idea to use Fifty Shades of Greyhound for the next title, we felt like we had a winner. Then the fun began…Where would Caro and Mel find themselves in their latest adventure? And what kind of trouble could we stir up for the two cousins?

After pitching the idea to our editor and getting the green light, we began researching Greyhounds and found so much about the breed, the rescue efforts, and about rescue workers who are very devoted to the dogs. Just a few of the interesting factoids we learned were:

Greyhounds can live to be 12-14 years old, but they are at the end of their racing careers at 2-5 years.
Most have been raised in kennels and have little experience outside that environment, but they are quick learners. By nature the dogs tend to be friendly gentle dogs.
They can run 40-45 mph. But although they are fast runners, they’re known for their enjoyment of dozing and some sleep up to sixteen hours a day.

So after learning about the breed, it made sense to us that the story in Fifty Shades of Greyhound had to begin with Greyhound rescue and so it starts at a what Caro would call a “fancy smanchy” fundraiser.

Caro is thrilled to support the elite fundraising gala for Greys Matter, a SoCal greyhound rescue group. All the guests in the couture-attired crowd are clad in varying shades of grey, the champagne and donations are flowing, and there are fifty gorgeous greyhounds in attendance. But before the evening ends, a stranger in their midst is dead.

Caro sets out to help the rescue group find the identity of the mystery guest but soon finds herself in the doghouse with homicide detective, Judd Malone–oh, and federal agent, John Milner. When there’s a second death, Caro is convinced she’s on the track of someone who wants a secret to stay buried, but it’s a race to see whether Caro can uncover the truth before the killer decides she’s next.

We’d also like to mention that we have some wonderful celebrity endorsement for the book:

“Fifty Shades of Greyhound gives ‘roll over and play dead’ a whole new meaning!”-Ethel Merman & Ella Fitzgerald, canine companions to award-winning author, Holly Jacobs

Thanks again, Books-n-Kisses for letting us stop by. Mwahh and XXOO to you!

About the Author:

Sparkle Abbey is the pseudonym of mystery authors Mary Lee Woods and Anita Carter. They write the popular pet mystery series which features whodunits set in the wacky world of pampered pets, precious pedigrees, and secrets. The first book in the series Desperate Housedogs, an Amazon mystery series bestseller and Barnes & Noble Nook #1 national bestseller, was followed by Get Fluffy, Kitty Kitty Bang Bang, and Yip/Tuck. Fifty Shades of Greyhound is the latest installment.

Website/Twitter/Facebook

It was a killer party.

Caro Lamont, Laguna Beach’s favorite pet therapist is thrilled to support the elite fundraising gala for Greys Matter, a SoCal greyhound rescue group. All the guests in the couture-attired crowd are clad in varying shades of grey, the champagne and donations are flowing, and there are fifty gorgeous greyhounds in attendance. But before the evening ends a stranger in their midst is dead.

Caro sets out to help the rescue group find out the identity of the mystery guest, but soon finds herself in the doghouse with homicide detective, Judd Malone. And federal agent, John Milner. When there’s a second death, Caro is convinced she’s on the track of someone who wants a secret to stay buried, but it’s a race to see whether Caro can uncover the truth before the killer decides she’s next up.

Full of adorable pampered pets, the story re-visits lovely Laguna Beach, and some of the colorful characters readers have come to love in previous titles: Desperate Housedogs, Get Fluffy, Kitty Kitty Bang Bang, and Yip/Tuck.

Amazon

Jennifer’s Review of Fifty Shades of Greyhound

Review (4 Stars): The humor in this book had me laughing out loud and I enjoyed every minute of it. Caro Lamont was attending a fundraising gala when a dead body literally falls into her lap. Finding herself involved in yet another mystery, Caro starts searching for clues when the brother of her receptionist is the prime suspect for the murder. She must hurry to find the real killer before she becomes the next victim.

I couldn’t believe how much I laughed while reading Fifty Shades of Greyhound. Caro is a great character and this mystery was very light-hearted and fun. I enjoyed reading about Caro’s career as a pet therapist and I thought her experiences with the animals were very interesting. Fifty Shades of Greyhound was a fun and hilariously entertaining mystery that will have you wanting more of these zany characters.

May 26, 2014May 26, 2014

Book Spotlight & Giveaway: Whisper To Me by Christina Lee

Hot and consuming, this is a New Adult romance about a wayward musician and the one girl who keeps him grounded…

At college, Rachel has a reputation for being a sarcastic flirt with a thing for ripped athletes. No one at college knows her heart was ripped to shreds by her high school boyfriend, who’d driven them both off the side of the road on a borrowed motorcycle. And then subsequently abandoned her. No one really knows Rachel Mattson at all, with one exception…

Ever since he helped nurse his sister’s feisty best friend back to health, pierced bass player Kai Nakos has been head over heels in love. But the supposed bad boy can’t risk letting Rachel know the truth—especially now that the two of them are back in their hometown for the summer, together for the first time since the months following that horrible night. Never mind that Rachel’s ex is also back, groveling for her forgiveness.

Shaken by her ex’s return, Rachel finds herself turning to the one guy she knows she can trust. Now that Kai has had a taste of Rachel, he’s willing to do anything just to have her touch him again, even hiding his true feelings. After all, she only wants a temporary fling. Until it becomes something more. But perhaps it had been more all along.

Amazon/B&N

About the Author:

Mother, wife, reader, dreamer. Christina lives in the Midwest with her husband and son–her two favorite guys. She’s addicted to lip gloss, salted caramel everything, and believes in true love and kissing, so writing romance novels has become a dream job.

Website/Twitter/Facebook

Jennifer’s Review of Whisper To Me

Review (4.25 Stars): Rachel was still trying to pick up the pieces of her life after a motorcycle accident that left her physically and emotionally scarred. Coming back home after college for the summer brought back a lot of heartbreaking memories including the appearance of her ex-boyfriend who left her after the accident. Kai was Rachel’s best friend and was there with her every step of the way for her recovery. Both of them had feelings for each other but they were afraid of telling the other how they felt and destroying whatever friendship that they had with one another.

I liked Rachel because she came back from an accident that almost killed her. She was strong yet vulnerable and was determined to do things on her own. Being back home with the memories and seeing her ex-boyfriend after the accident was a huge step for her and I thought that she was extremely courageous for making that journey. Kai was a great guy. He was strong, and would do anything to protect Rachel from harm. I loved that he was there everyday for Rachel while she was in the hospital encouraging her and helping her on the difficult road to recovery. He was such a great caretaker for the people in his life and you don’t see that trait much in guys, let alone male characters. It was very nice to see that side of him in this book.

Rachel and Kai were great together as a couple and they definitely had this hot sexy chemistry with one another. I think that Rachel needed someone like Kai in her life because he was always there for her, especially when she needed him the most. I understand that this is the third book in a series and I will definitely be catching up with the previous titles in this series. I loved how Ms. Lee created a romantic story of two troubled souls that found love when they least expected it and I can’t wait to read more from her.

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