Interview & Giveaway with Melinda Leigh

Books-n-Kisses is super excited to have Melinda Leigh on the blog again to talk about your newest Romance Suspense novel She Can Hide.

Melinda, for those who don’t know you can you please tell us a little about yourself

ML: Hi everyone! I’m the author of bestselling romantic thrillers, including SHE CAN RUN, my debut International Thriller Award nominated book, and my latest release, SHE CAN HIDE. I’m also a mom, a wife, a martial artist, and a dog person. I have a fondness for rescue animals, British comedy, and ice cream.

BnK: Melinda, have you always wanted to be an author?

ML: Like all the best things in my life, I became a writer by accident. When my kids were small, I was reading 3-4 books a week because it was the only activity that didn’t wake them up from their afternoon naps. One day my husband suggested I try writing a book instead of reading one. I liked the idea. At first writing was just a hobby. It wasn’t for several more years that I’d try to write as a serious career, but I was hooked.

BnK: Can you tell us a little about She Can Hide?

ML: SHE CAN HIDE is the 4^th book in the She Can Series (Don’t worry. They’re all stand-alone reads. The connections between the books are slim.) The story is all about trust. Can a woman who’s already been betrayed learn to trust again, even if her life depends on it?

BnK: What is next in the She Can…. series? I heard a rumor of a novella?

ML: I have a short story, HE CAN FALL, releasing March 26. It’s a quick, fast read about a romantic weekend gone horribly wrong. I’m considering another book in the series. I don’t feel like I’m through with the characters in Westbury, Pennsylvania just yet.

BnK: I know you write another Romance Suspense series The Midnight Series. What is it about the Romance Suspense genre that you love so much?

ML: Romantic suspense combines my two favorite genres, thrillers and romance. RS is the best of both worlds, a fast-paced exciting thriller with a happily-ever-after (a must for me!).

BnK: Do you ever see yourself writing any other genres?

ML: Sure, why not? Who knows what the future holds? I love to tell stories. I’m very happy writing RS right now, but I might want to try something else someday.

BnK: I think I suggest not too long ago that you and Kendra Elliot should team up to write a book. How is that project going? 😉

ML: Shhhh. It’s all a big secret. J

BnK: What is up next for you?

ML: Midnight Betrayal is scheduled to release in September, and I’m currently working on a new project, which might turn out to be the start of a new series. I haven’t decided yet. New projects are so much fun. The possibilities are endless.

BnK: Melinda, it is always a pleasure to have you on the blog!! Is there anything else you would like the masses to know before we end?

ML: I’d love to hear from your readers. Do you love romantic suspense? What is it about the genre that thrills you? For any of you who have read the She Can books, is there a particular character you’d love to see her his/her own story?

Once again, it’s been a huge thrill to be here at Books-n-Kisses. Thank you so much for hosting me today.

BnK: You are so very welcome! We always love having you on the blog 🙂

*****

She Can Hide

She Can…..#4

Amazon| B&N

From the moment Officer Ethan Hale pulls Abby Foster from icy waters, he senses there’s more to her than meets the eye. Abby has no memory of the accident that submerged her car in the frozen river. Three years ago, Abby was kidnapped and abandoned in a well for a week. The botched police investigation nearly killed her. Abby had moved to the mountains of Pennsylvania for a fresh start, but when it becomes clear that this car crash wasn’t an accident, she knows the violence from her past has caught up with her. But Abby’s former assailant was convicted and imprisoned, so who else wants her dead? Ethan uncovers a fresh string of murders tied to Abby’s past. Someone is trying to kill her, and this time the stalker seems determined to finish the task. As the killer grows bolder, Abby begins to trust Ethan enough to share the truth, her heart, and her life. But to stop the murders, Ethan must make a decision that could jeopardize it all.

Giveaway Time

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March 19, 2014March 19, 2014

Guest blogger Elizabeth Michels talks about kisses and her newest release + a giveaway

I’m so excited to be here on Books-n-Kisses today to celebrate the release of the second book in the Tricks of the Ton series, Desperately Seeking Suzanna! And, what better juicy tidbits of this story to share with you on this fabulous blog than the first kiss scene between Holden and Sue. Technically, the first kiss in this story occurs on page 34 when Holden and Suzanna have an unexpected evening together at a masquerade ball…after she accidentally kicks him in the nose. But, when she disappears later that night, he spends the London season searching for her, only to find simple, girl-next-door, Sue Green, standing in his path.

Finally, on page 191, Holden realizes not only that Suzanna was a myth, but he has developed a fondness for the very real lady at his side on the bench in the garden…

She wasn’t sure at what point in his story she’d slid her hand down his arm to wrap her hand around his, but she glanced down to find their fingers entwined now. She should move. She should remove her hand from his grasp. Instead she squeezed his fingers and laid her other hand on his forearm, attempting to rub the tension away.

With his story came understanding. A few of the missing pieces that made him whole snapped together in her mind. Not all of them, but enough for now. “Your father can’t honestly hold you responsible for such a thing.”

“I can’t believe I told you any of this. What is it about you?” He glanced down at their joined hands, pulling away as if burned. Flexing his fingers for a moment, his gaze returned to her face with an intensity she hadn’t seen since they’d met on the stairs that night.

“Holden.” Her mouth went dry and she licked her lips. “This is why you try as you do to play the disreputable rake.”

“Might we return to the subject of wiggling toes?” His breathing seemed harsh as he looked at her.

“You wish to confirm your father’s presumptions about you. You try to sink to his expectations. I can’t say I blame you. I suppose…”

Unexpected warmth flooded her senses as he reached up to frame her face with his hands, pulling her closer. His kiss was harsh, punishing, but with a desperation she matched. She heard a startled whimper escape her throat as his lips moved over hers. Her hands fluttered in the air for a moment before landing on his chest. He pulled back, watching her. There was an awareness in his eyes that she didn’t quite trust, as if he remembered something he’d forgotten long ago.

Her lips parted in question, yet she had too many thoughts to ask. He’d released her lips but his hands held her head still. His thumbs brushed against the wisps of fallen hair at her temples.

Blinking up into dark green eyes and lips she wanted back on hers, she tugged on his lapels until his mouth met hers once more. He chuckled, the rough sound vibrating through her, only to be soothed by the softness of his mouth. His tongue traced the lines of her lips until she opened to him, allowing him in. Time must have passed but she was unaware of anything beyond his lips on hers.

His hands slid to the back of her neck as he tasted her, his warm skin heating hers more than a thousand suns. His lips slashed over hers, pulling her deepest desires from her, then delving for more. Exposed, in need, she bit at his bottom lip, dragging him into the spiral of longing with her. As if in a battle where neither side would surrender, she matched every movement he made. She’d learned. Whether he knew it or not, he’d been her teacher. Her hands were inside his coat now, splayed on his chest and slipping further around him with every passing second.

Nearness. That’s what she needed.

His body pressed close to hers. His hand moved down her neck, sliding down her back to rest on her hip. He pulled away with a lazy smile, his eyes darting across the garden. “Where’s a bedchamber when you need one?”

“Holden, we shouldn’t.”

“Yes, actually I believe we should.” He pulled her in for one more kiss, leaving her flustered, confused, and giddy.

She touched her fingers to her lips as he pulled away. He’d kissed her. Not Suzanna, her! Sue Green!

“For someone who hasn’t danced a quadrille before, you certainly are experienced,” he mused.

“You. Only you,” she whispered. Had she spoken aloud or only in her mind?

How do I go about writing a first kiss? There are 3 steps that lead to the creation of a scene like this one: longing, atmosphere and wine.

Longing- The characters have to earn that first kiss by surviving far too many pages of heartache. Readers have to want these two crazy characters to get together, and to cheer for it when it finally happens. Also, the characters have to finally reach that turning point in their relationship. This was a challenge in Desperately Seeking Suzanna because Holden had to have time to befriend Sue and then choose her over the image of Suzanna. And for a disreputable rake, he doesn’t move very fast. *grins*
Atmosphere- The couple must be alone with no prying eyes, preferably, in a location with a romantic atmosphere. This isn’t easy in Regency England when chaperones were required and matronly eyes were always watching.
Wine- This is the point when the characters have suffered, the setting is perfect, the couple is ready to turn that corner in their relationship, and I just need to pour a glass of wine, close the door to my office, and write it.

Thank you for hosting me on Books-n-Kisses today! I hope you enjoy Desperately Seeking Suzanna. What’s your favorite setting for a first kiss scene?

DESPERATELY SEEKING SUZANNA

IN STORES MARCH 2014

Her Cinderella Moment…

Sue Green just wanted one night to be the pretty one. But a few glasses of champagne and one wild disguise later, she’s in some serious trouble. Who knew the devastatingly handsome face of Lord Holden Ellis would get in the way of her foot? And how exactly did all that high-kick dancing start in the first place? At least she blamed it on her new persona—Suzanna—so Society’s most eligible bachelor will never find out the truth.

All Holden wants is the truth. Who was that vixen who seduced him so thoroughly, then disappeared? The only one who seems to have any answers about Suzanna is Miss Sue Green. She’s promised to help him find his mystery woman, but she’s not being all that helpful. And the more time Holden spends with Sue—witty, pretty, and disarmingly honest—the more he realizes he may have found exactly what he’s been looking for all along…

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Elizabeth Michels grew up on a Christmas tree farm in rural South Carolina. After tip-toeing her way through school with her focus on ballet steps and her nose in a book, she met a boy and followed him a thousand miles away from home to Kansas City, Missouri, before settling down in North Carolina. She attended Park University where she graduated Magna Cum Laude with a BA in Interior Design. Elizabeth is a lover of happily-ever-afters; she invites you to read her stories, get lost, and enjoy. For more information, please visit http://www.elizabethmichels.com/

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March 18, 2014March 18, 2014

Guest Blogger: Vicky Dreiling + giveaway

The Glamorous Life of an Author

by Vicky Dreiling

It is a truth universally acknowledged that authors lead glamorous lives.

Not even close. At least I don’t. Fear not, there are some perks to living the life of an author. Prior to my gig as an author, I actually wore business casual clothes and drove to an office. Sometimes I flew all over the US and to some swanky places in Europe like London and Paris. Eventually, I gave up my marketing gig for the high life as an author. Now I have a different wardrobe. Depending on the season, it might consist of sweats or shorts, but my favorite is my Tinkerbell nightgown. Hey, don’t judge!

As a published author I live for the thrill of…. the UPS man. I love him because he brings my author copies of my books. I’m amazed at how athletic these guys are. I tell myself Mr. UPS is not running away from a scary looking woman decked out in the author height of fashion: A pink bathrobe over sweats (that would be moi).

You might feel sorry for authors. After all we dwell in solitude all the day long or so you might think. I assure you I have friends—you know, the imaginary ones who snatch the metaphorical keys and take over the scene. It’s quite irritating, so I frequently put them in character time out. The last time I did that they revolted. Never fear, I bribed them.

I admit I had my hands full when Colin and Angeline arrived on the scene. Now I knew a few things about the couple. Their families had been close all of their lives, but my budding couple had been at odds for many years after an unpleasant incident at Angeline’s debut. To be honest, they loathed each other until they found themselves in difficult circumstances at the annual house party. Here’s an excerpt from WHAT A RECKLESS ROGUE NEEDS.

What a Reckless Rogue Needs

The Sinful Scoundrels #2

Amazon| Barnes & Noble | iTunes | Books-a-Million

Will the Rogue’s Perfect Plan…

Colin Brockhurst, Earl of Ravenshire, has no desire to wed, this season or any other. So when his father demands he give up his wild ways and take a wife, Colin refuses. But his father raises the stakes and threatens to sell the ancestral home if Colin doesn’t comply. Now Colin has no choice but to find a wife. Unfortunately, the only woman he wants is the one whose heart he broke years ago.

Lead to the Perfect Seduction?

Regardless of the ton‘s whispers, Lady Angeline Brenham won’t settle for anything less than true love. After rejecting more than her share of suitable suitors, spinsterhood looms before her—until the devilishly handsome Colin reappears in her life with a proposition. Angeline vows to keep her feet on the ground and her heart in check. That is, until one searing kiss melts her resolve and reignites a burning desire for more.

How about an excerpt from What A Reckless Rogue Needs:

As Colin drew nearer, recognition dawned. The candlelight burnished her brunette hair and shed a mellow glow over her creamy complexion. He felt as if she’d knocked the breath out of him. Hell, she’d literally done it when he’d tried to give her a chaste kiss beneath the Christmas mistletoe a few years ago. She’d always had a sharp tongue, and he’d remained wary of her with good reason.

Angeline curtsied and regarded him with a shrewd smile. “Bonsoir, mon ami.”

Their relationship had always been closer to adversary than friend, but he’d not seen her in a long time. There was no question that she’d grown even more beautiful.

Angeline offered her gloved hand, and he bowed over it. He flicked his eyes quickly over her generous bosom. Colin mentally reminded himself to keep his gaze a very safe distance above her low neckline. “I suspect you’ve had more than a few Parisian admirers.”

Her one-shoulder shrug was all Gallic. “The French have a proverb: ‘Beautiful grapes often make poor wine.’” A sly expression flitted through her green eyes. “So I avoid the grapes and drink the wine.”

“Clever,” he said.

Angeline clapped her hands twice. “Girls, repair to the drawing room. The marchioness is expecting us.”

He offered his arm to her. “Shall we?”

“I don’t know. You look as if you’re facing a prison cell rather than a drawing room.”

He said nothing, but he’d always dreaded visits to his father’s home. He’d been at Eton when his father remarried, and on his infrequent stays at Deerfield, he’d never felt he belonged. It wasn’t as if they were estranged; it was just circumstances. He’d always felt a bit awkward here, and as a result, he didn’t visit often.

They entered the drawing room to the delighted exclamations of Angeline’s mother—the Duchess of Wycoff—and his stepmother, Margaret, the marchioness. He noted the proliferation of gray in the duchess’s hair, and the fine hair on his neck stiffened. The scandal must have created a great deal of vexation.

“I daresay they make a handsome pair,” the duchess said.

Colin winced. When they were children, their deluded families had concocted the idea of a match between them, all because they were born only a week apart. But that had happened when they were mere babes, before his mother’s death and his father’s second marriage.

“Unfortunately, Colin and Angeline are about as compatible as two spitting cats,” the marquess said.

“Chadwick, please mind your words,” Margaret said. “Oh, look what you’ve started. The girls are hissing at each other. Bianca, Bernadette, you will cease.”

His father had spoken the truth. Beyond the annual house party and the spring season, Colin and Angeline had done their best to avoid each other over the years, though they had not been entirely successful. Despite her outward civility this evening, he knew her capacity for causing trouble, and he could not afford to be distracted. The fate of Sommerall hung in the balance.

Don’t miss Kelly’s review of What a Reckless Rogue Needs HERE

GIVEAWAY TIME

Make sure to leave a comment or questions for Vicky (plus your email). Vicky has 2 copies of What a Reckless Rogue Needs up for grabs 🙂

A little about Vicky:

Vicky Dreiling is a confirmed historical romance junkie and Anglophile. Frequent business trips to the UK allowed her to indulge her passion for all things Regency England. Bath, Stonehenge, and Spencer House are among her favorite places. She is, however, truly sorry for accidentally setting off a security alarm in Windsor Castle. That unfortunate incident led her British colleagues to nickname her “Trouble.” When she’s not writing, Vicky enjoys reading, films, concerts, and most of all, long lunches with friends. A native Texan, she holds degrees in English literature and marketing.

Email: vicky@vickydreiling.com

Publicist: Melissa Sangiocomo

Grand Central Publishing, Publicity
237 Park Avenue NYC, NY 10017

March 17, 2014March 15, 2014

Interview & Giveaway with Leisl Leighton

Books-n-Kisses is pleased to welcome 1st time guest Leisl Leighton to the blog today. Leisl, can you please share with us a little about yourself

I am a tall red head with an overly large imagination. As a child, I identified strongly with Anne of Green Gables. A voracious reader and a born performer, it came as no surprise to anyone when I did a double major in English Literature and Drama for my BA, then went on to a career as an actor, singer and dancer, as well as script writer, stage manager and musical director for cabaret and theatre restaurants (one of which I co-owned and ran for six years).

After starting a family I stopped performing and instead, began writing the stories that had been plaguing my dreams. My stories have won and placed in many competitions in Australia and the US, including the STALI, Golden Opportunities, Heart of the West, Linda Howard Award of Excellence, Touch of Magic and many others.

I live in the leafy suburbs of Melbourne, Australia with my two beautiful boys, lovely hubby, overly spunky dog, Buffy and improbably named white cat, Ezmerelda. I love to spend time with family and friends, sometimes sing in a choir and perform solo and have a penchance for trying unusual x-treme things. I work as a swim teacher in my day-to-day job.

Have you always wanted to be an author?

I always wanted to do something creative. Having a family put a halt on me performing on stage as often as I wanted to and I’d written scripts on and off for years which I always loved doing. English was always one of my favourite subjects, creative writing a bliss, so it wasn’t too far-fetched a stretch from that to writing the stories that inhabited all my dreams.

What is your most interesting writing quirk?

Ooh, tough one. I think, probably, I always write really interesting and fun secondary characters that always threaten to steal the scene. But that’s okay because that just means I’ll need to give them a book sometime soon.

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

Dark Moon is the first in a paranormal series, The Witch-Were Chronicles. It is about a reluctant Witch and an Alpha Were torn by his loyalty to Pack and his budding feelings for the woman who would be his mate.

Blurb:

Lately, Skye Collins has been unable to shake the feeling that she’s being watched. After a lifetime spent hiding her true nature, she knows that any unusual attention is something to be wary of. And the only attention she’s been receiving lately is from the intense and attractive Jason McVale.

Jason claims to know things about Skye that can’t be true, and it’s obvious he’s hiding secrets of his own. Yet despite herself, Skye can’t resist the attraction between them, and her surrender will set in motion a chain of events that will have consequences for everyone she holds dear.

Gradually, Jason convinces Skye that she has to trust him if she is to solve the riddle of her past and learn the truth about her power. But believing Jason means that her entire life has been based on a lie.

As her enemies gather strength and the danger increases, Skye is forced to accept who she really is. Will she risk everything and fight for those she loves? Or save herself and let them be destroyed by the forces of darkness?

How did you come with the idea for this story?

It actually just started as a scene where a woman was knocked down on the ski slopes by an out of control snowboarder (something that had happened to me many a time). But in the dreams that I had about this, the snowboarder (unlike the reality of what had happened to me) was unbelievably gorgeous and the girl felt an instant spark of reaction to him. As I wrote her story, it soon became apparent that there was a paranormal aspect to my characters and that spark she felt was something more than just sexual attraction.

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

I am currently working on the 2^nd and 3^rd in The Witch-Were Chronicles series, Healer Moon and Blood Moon.

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

If I could go back in time, it would have to be Shakespeare. He had a fascinating mind, an ability to create his own language and to take old stories and make them into something new. He was also prolific and incredibly visual.

If I couldn’t go back in time, hmm…

I am lucky in that I’ve met quite a few of my favourite Australian authors already (and a lovelier, more generous bunch of writers you’d be hard-pressed to meet), but I think I’d like to meet Nora Roberts or Raymond E. Feist. Nora, because I’d like to find out how she manages her time, how she comes up with so many stories and makes her characters so convincing, and Raymond simply because he is my favourite fantasy author and I’d love to just chat to him about Pug, Jimmy the Hand and all their cohorts and find out where they’ve gone now he’s finished with the series.

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

Read. Write. Read some more. Write some more. Go to workshops. Read some writing books. Learn from them. Keep reading. Keep writing. Try out some comps. Get yourself a good critique partner or two. Join a writing group. Join something like RWA and just keep going. Talent is part of the equation, but persistence is also in there too.

Can you share with us something off your bucket list.

I don’t really have a bucket list. I’ve always made a point to try the things I want to do. I’ve travelled overseas, have been parachuting, have done white water and black water rafting, climbed up a volcano (although I’d like to go up one that was a little more bubbly), have been caving, done abseiling, I horse ride, ski, and last year did a rap jump (forward abseiling down a 6 story building) with my sister. I would love to travel more, though, travel back to some of my favourite places in the world (I love Italy) and visit more places in the world to experience their flavor, their history, would therefore be on any bucket list that I have.

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

I can’t wait to sink my teeth into Nalini Singh’s next book in the Psy-Changeling series (still not out yet, but soon), and also MJ Scott’s next one in her Half-Light City series. And Anne Gracie’s next novel is high on my list too – I just love her stories set in a much more gracious world than ours – if harder.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Thank you so much for having me as a guest on your blog. It’s been a lot of fun answering your 10 questions.

I would also like to give away a kindle copy of Dark Moon to one of your readers. Being in Australia, there is a little bit of a region problem – so I can send anyone outside Australia an Amazon gift voucher so they can buy Dark Moon in whatever region they’re in.

Dark Moon is out on March 15^th. You can buy it here:

Amazon | Kobo | Destiny Romance | iBooks | Google Play

Leisl’s romantic suspense, Killing Me Softly is out now:

Amazon | Kobo | iBooks |Destiny Romance | Google Play

You can follow Leisl and find out more about her and her books on her website: www.leislleighton.com

Facebook| Goodreads | Follow her on Twitter @LeislLeighton

Giveaway Time:

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March 16, 2014March 15, 2014

Kissin’ the week of March 10th-15th Goodbye

3.10.14

Book Blitz of Mine to Crave by Cynthia Eden

Kelly reviews Tucker by Juliana Stone

Kelly reviews Slave To Sensation by Nalini Singh

3.11.14

Immortal Hunter by Kait Ballenger Blitz

Spotlight Feature of Sasha Summer’s Cowboys & Kisses

Kimberly reviews Her Summer With The Marine by Susan Meier

Kelly reviews Visions Of Heat by Nalini Singh

What releases the week of March 10th? Check here!

3.12.14

Pre-order announcement of Masters of Seduction

Kimberly reviews Driving Mr Wrong Home by Shirley Jump

Kelly reviews Caressed By Ice by Nalini Singh

Blog Tour Review & Giveaway: Hot Rock by Annie Seaton

3.13.14

Kelly reviews Rewarded by Jo Davis

Kimberly reviews The Sheriff’s Secret by Susan Meier

Kelly reviews Mine To Possess by Nalini Singh

Thursday’s Thought…

3.14.14

Interview & Giveaway with Terry Spears

Kelly review She Can Hide by Melinda Leigh

Kelly reviews Hostage To Pleasure by Nalini Singh

3.15.14

SINsational Saturday Series

Melinda Leigh’s She Can…. Series

Blog Tour & Review: Big Money by Jack Getze

March 15, 2014March 14, 2014

Blog Tour & Review: Big Money by Jack Getze

In this jaunty follow-up to Big Numbers, a scruffy stockbroker returns to tangle with mobsters, women and his own big mouth. The good news, as the story opens, is that the hero is in the company of a gorgeous naked lady. The bad news is that she’s pointing a shotgun at him. It’s a typical predicament for Austin Carr, a semi-shady New Jersey financial professional temporarily in charge of Shore Securities…He’s being extorted into opening a money-laundering account for local crime boss Bluefish; an auditor who was investigating his company has turned up murdered; a fetching state police captain figures he’s the key to her organized-crime probe; and his boss’s mother has been picked up for fixing her church bingo game.

Amazon/B&N/Goodreads

About the Author:

Former Los Angeles Times reporter Jack Getze is Fiction Editor for Anthony nominated Spinetingler Magazine, one of the internet’s oldest websites for noir, crime, and horror short stories. Through the Los Angeles Times/Washington Post News Syndicate, his news and feature stories were published in over five-hundred newspapers and periodicals worldwide. His two screwball mysteries, BIG NUMBERS and BIG MONEY, are being reissued by DOWN & OUT BOOKS, with the new BIG MOJO to follow. His short stories have appeared in A Twist of Noir and Beat to a Pulp. Getze is an Active Member of Mystery Writers of America’s New York Chapter.

http://austincarrscrimediary.blogspot.com/

Jennifer’s Review of Big Money

Review (3.5 Stars): This is the second book in the Austin Carr mystery series and I’m was pleasantly surprised with this book. Austin Carr always seems to get himself in hot water especially when he is asked to “watch” over things for his boss while he takes a long vacation from the investment firm. Soon, he finds himself involved with the local mob boss, murder and dangerous women. Austin never seems to catch a break in this one.

I liked this fast-paced mystery with its crazy antics, over-the-top characters and side-splitting humor. I couldn’t believe the scenarios that Austin seemed to find himself in and they usually ended up with him on the wrong side of a gun. Looking forward to seeing what kind of trouble Austin gets himself involved in with future installments of this series.

March 15, 2014March 1, 2014

Melinda Leigh’s She Can… Series

She Can Run

She Can… #1

Elizabeth was a young widow with two small children when she met Congressman Richard Baker. Handsome and wealthy, with a sparkling public image, Richard seemed like the perfect man to provide the security that Beth and her kids were craving. But when she uncovers a dangerous secret about her new husband, Beth realizes he will go to any lengths—even murder—to keep it. After barely escaping with her life, she and her children flee. They eventually make their way to a secluded estate in the Pennsylvania countryside, where Beth dares to hope she has found a safe place at last…

Forced into retirement by an unexpected injury, Philadelphia homicide detective Jack O’Malley is mourning the loss of his career when his uncle abruptly dies, leaving Jack to dispose of his crumbling country house. Unbeknownst to him, his uncle engaged a caretaker just before his death, a mysterious woman with two children and a beautiful face that haunts his dreams. Determined to know her, Jack begins an investigation into Beth’s past. When he uncovers the shocking truth, and a local woman is viciously murdered, Jack puts his own life on the line to keep Beth and her children safe.

*****

She Can Tell

She Can… #2

After Rachel Parker returns home to rebuild her family’s horse farm, she receives threats from someone who wants her to abandon the effort, as Police Chief Mike O’Connell tries to protect her, suspecting that she has a secret that’s endangering her life

*****

She Can Scream

She Can… #3

In one moment, high school teacher and single mother Brooke Davenport interrupts a vicious assault, saves a young woman’s life, and attracts the attention of a serial killer.
Sixteen years ago, Brooke lost her roommate to a brutal murder. Now she teaches women’s self-defense, still trying to heal from the guilt and grief that plague her. Convinced the predator knows his victims and is stalking his prey online, she is determined to find him before he strikes again. Her brother’s friend, Luke has the computer expertise to help. But Brooke’s unexpected desire for Luke complicates her investigation, and her fixation with the case provokes a deadly reaction from the killer.

Injured in terrorist bombing overseas, computer expert Luke Holloway is still haunted by flashbacks of his young assistant’s death in the explosion. But Luke can’t refuse the request of a deployed friend to look after his sister, Brooke. Taking on responsibility for Brooke’s safety threatens Luke’s tenuous recovery, especially after he develops feelings for her that transcend a promise to a friend. When Brooke saves a young girl from a brutal assault and becomes a killer’s obsession, Luke vows to protect her at all costs.

*****

She Can Hide

She Can… #4

*****

He Can Fall

A Short Story

April 23, 2014

*****

March 14, 2014March 13, 2014

Interview & giveaway with Terry Spear

Books-n-Kisses is pleased to welcome Terry Spear back on the blog to chat about her newest book Silence of the Wolf.

Terry, for those who missed you last time can you please share with us a little about yourself
Terry: I love to write! Make award-winning teddy bears that have found homes all over the world. Love to do photography, garden, and visit wolf and other reserves all over while doing my research. I’m a retired military officer and live near Waco, Texas—where it’s hot 3 seasons of the year!

Have you always wanted to be an author?

Terry: I’ve always, always told stories, either orally or written them down. My father used to tell us stories when we were kids. I really didn’t think of authoring a book until I began teaching my children to read, and then I began to write children’s stories and read them to my children. One was passed along to a second editor, but they had another book that was coming out that year that she felt might be too similar. But it encouraged me to believe in my storytelling. From there, I started my first historical romance story. I had some of my paranormal romances picked up, sold a couple of Young Adult paranormal stories, and then went on to write a popular Highland series. Then Sourcebooks picked up Heart of the Wolf, and I just received the word that the sixteenth book in the series, A Silver Wolf Christmas, will be available in October 2015.

Are you a plotter or a punster or combo of both? And you explain the difference?
Terry: Total pantser, seat of the pants writer. I do think of the goals and motivations for the main characters, and how I want to open the scene and how the hero and heroine meet. But other than that, I couldn’t plan out the rest of the story even if you gave me a year’s supply of my favorite Christmas thin mints. My brain just doesn’t work that way. I really think it’s cool how other authors can do that, but for me, as I’m writing, things will just start to come together, twists in the plot happen, a conversation takes place between the characters that I didn’t plan. A kiss suddenly occurs when I wasn’t ready for it, but the characters are. Much more fun and lots less predictable! 🙂

What is your most interesting writing quirk?
Terry: I HAVE to have a title on my page before I can write the story. Some authors can just write and come up with a title later. But I can’t. I can’t start with Chapter 1, until I can save it by a title. Sometimes titles are changed, and sometimes it works okay, but sometimes I’ve been working on the story by that title for so long, that’s what I remember it by! 🙂

Can you please tell us about your latest book(s)?
Terry: Silence of the Wolf is about Tom Silver’s story. In Destiny of the Wolf, Book 2, this was the first mention of the Silver wolf pack in Silver Town, Colorado. The wolf brothers, triplets, have been much loved since that first book, but I had so many other book obligations, I couldn’t get Tom’s in there. So he’s the youngest brother, looking for wolves that are scaring the farmer’s sheep, suspecting they’re not strictly wolves, when he’s given the task during a recent snowstorm to watch over a woman who’s not all wolf, a news reporter writing about the ski resort. It’s a murder mystery, sexy, romantic, adventurous, and humorous—from a wolf pack perspective.

How did you come with the idea for this story?

Terry: I love to share a lot of reality in my urban fantasy romance series, so one of the things that fans had asked me was if I’d ever explain which wolves came first: red wolves or gray wolves. I had mentioned this in two earlier stories, but left it up to the reader’s imagination as to which came first. It was a debate between gray wolves and red wolves, you see. Each side said they came first. In Silence of the Wolf readers will learn the truth. Another thing I wanted to make some mention of was the Silver cousins and what had happened to them. I’d always felt badly that they’d left the pack. So I wanted to do something about that. 🙂

Can you share with us your current work(s) in progress?
Terry: I just finished writing Jaguar Pride, book 4 in the Heart of the Jaguar series, and I am editing it. I always love this part because the book is done, and I get to read a “finished” book from the beginning to the end. I’m also starting to write A SEAL Wolf for Sale, and The Viking’s Highland Lass.

Who is the one author that you would love to meet someday and why?
Terry: I loved Sandra Brown’s romance stories, and I just got a follow from her on Pinterest. I was so surprised and had a real fan-girl moment. I learned from that that she was born in Waco, Texas, near where I live. So it was just amazing to me.

What is the best piece of advice you would give to someone that wants to get into writing?
Terry: Never give up, keep writing, revising, learning the craft (and this is forever, even after you’re multi-published), and submitting.

Can you share with us something off your bucket list.
Terry: I would love to go to Ireland, France, Prince Edward Island, Scotland again, England, Germany. 🙂

What is in your To Read Pile that you are dying to start or upcoming release you can’t wait for?
Terry: Right now, I’m reading 8 books for the Rita and getting ready to turn in a book on deadline! 🙂 That’s all I have time for.

What is one book everyone should read before they die?
Terry: Mine. I mean, you know, just to experience a wolf’s life.

What is your favorite time of year & why?
Terry: Winter. We have mild winters here and all other seasons can be lumped into summer. No bugs in winter, so I love it.

Who is your Celebrity crush? And what would you do if you ever meet them?
Terry: Gerard Butler. Take a picture. If he could be reading one of my Highland wolf books, while wearing a kilt as I took a picture of him, even better.

Is there anything else you would like to add?
Terry: I’ll be going to several readers’ conventions this year including: Authors After Dark in Charlotte, NC; Readers and Ritas in Dallas, TX, Chicago-North Spring-Fling and book signing in Chicago, Romance Writers of America National Conference and signing, San Antonio, TX; RT Booklovers Convention in New Orleans and I’ll be signing in MN in the fall also.

******

SILENCE OF THE WOLF

IN STORES MARCH 2014 \

Life For the Silver Pack Just Got Wilder…

Elizabeth Wildwood has been a longer all her life, ostracized because of her “mixed” half-wolf, half-coyote blood. When she ventures into gray wolf territory on a dangerous quest of her own and his thrown together with the sexiest shifter she’s ever met she begins to wish for the first time that she could be part of a family.

When this unusual shifter female comes into his pack’s territory, it’s Tom Silver’s job to protect her—if only she would let him.

Praise for Silence of the Wolf:

“The outstanding and gripping plot of Spear’s latest installment in the Heart of the Wolf series will appeal to paranormal fans, and romance junkies will take delight in the red-hot love story embedded within.” —RT Book Reviews, 4 Stars

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

USA Today bestselling author Terry Spear has written over fifty paranormal romance novels and five medieval Highland historical romances. Her 2008 novel, Heart of the Wolf, was named a Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year (romance category). A retired officer of the U.S. Army Reserves, Terry creates award-winning teddy bears that have found homes all over the world. She lives in Texas. For more information, please visit http://terryspear.com/

*****

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March 12, 2014March 11, 2014

Blog Tour Review & Giveaway: Hot Rock by Annie Seaton

I’m excited to be a part of this tour for Entangled Publishing. Please visit the rest of stops on this tour for guest posts, reviews and prizes.

Megan Miller is on a dream trip to research her doctoral thesis at a rock festival in England. When she arrives in town she’s stunned that her temporary neighbor is the spitting image of her 70’s rock idol, too bad he’s also a world-class jerk. So why can’t she stop thinking about him?

Seventies rock star Davy Morgan is a man with a secret: rockin’ in one time and living in another. He holds his privacy close to his heart, so when a beautiful girl who not only loves but truly understands his music moves in next door, he works overtime to keep her at a distance. Easier said than done.

Megan follows Davy to the rock festival, but it’s not what or when it seems. The lure of the music draws them closer, but can their newfound love span across the decades, or will it get lost in time?

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes and Noble

About the Author:

Annie Seaton lives on the beautiful east coast of Australia, where she loves sitting in her writing chair, gazing at the ocean and writing stories. She has always been fascinated by romance and has found her niche writing contemporary romance.
Her debut novel, Holiday Affair, a contemporary romance set in the South Pacific was released as part of Entangled Publishing’s Indulgence line in March. The sequel Italian Affair was published Spring 2013, followed quickly by Outback Affair,Dangerous Desire and Tangling with the CEO! Blind Lust, is one of Annie’s favorite novels. Despite the title…it is a sweet romance about a witch and her difficult choice between two men.

Website /Twitter/Facebook/Goodreads

Jennifer’s Review of Hot Rock

Review (3.5 Stars): One of the things that I liked about this unique time travel story was its main character, Megan. She has come all the way to England to attend the Glastonbury music festival to fulfill a dream and finish her thesis about rock music. Even though her professional career is in turmoil due to the actions of previous boyfriend, she is determined to fight and enjoy what little time she has at the festival. I liked her strength and determination in this book and she wasn’t going to let anything get her down.

When she meets David, the next door neighbor, it is like a dream come true because he looks exactly like her rock idol from the seventies. The more time she spends with him, she can’t shake the feeling that everything isn’t what it seems and David sounds too much like her favorite singer. What Megan doesn’t know is that “David” is from the past and has found an interesting way to visit the future on the property where she is staying for the festival. I had a hard time connecting to Davy because he was a jerk to Megan for a good half of the book. He may have been a rock god but I just couldn’t see them as a great couple. I liked this well-written story even though I didn’t fall in love with Davy like Megan did and I’m interested in reading more stories from this author.

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March 12, 2014March 5, 2014

Pre-order announcement of Masters of Seduction!!

* * Pre-order for just 99 cents! Save $4 on the collection when you order now! * *

Pre-order here: Masters of Seduction: Books 1-4: Paranormal Romance Boxed Set or http://amzn.to/1hHwSqt

Summer 2014 is going to sizzle with the launch of a sexy new series from four of the hottest authors in paranormal romance!

In the realm of the Incubi Masters, pleasure is to die for and love is the deadliest game of all . . .

Surrender to sinful pleasures and forbidden passions with Masters of Seduction, the sizzling new paranormal romance novella series from New York Times and internationally bestselling authors Lara Adrian, Donna Grant, Laura Wright and Alexandra Ivy.

This all-new, never-before-published boxed set contains the first four novellas in the Masters of Seduction series. Each book in the collection is approximately 20-25,000 words.

Merciless: House of Gravori ~ by Lara Adrian

Soulless: House of Romerac ~ by Donna Grant

Shameless: House of Vipera ~ by Laura Wright

Ruthless: House of Xanthe ~ by Alexandra Ivy

The Masters of Seduction collection releases July 14, 2014 in ebook (all formats) and trade paperback. Pre-order now in ebook for just 99 cents!

Learn more about the ladies by visiting their websites here:

Lara Adrian, Donna Grant, Laura Wright, & Alexandra Ivy

OH!!!!

I forgot to tell you!!

You never know who might stop by today.

So please leave a comment or question of the ladies. 🙂

*whispers* there might be prizes too

March 11, 2014March 10, 2014

Spotlight Feature of Immortal Hunter by Kait Ballenger + a giveaway!!!

“Kait Ballenger is a treasure you don’t want to miss!” –New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author Gena Showalter

Hunters of the supernatural, the Execution Underground are an elite group tasked with protecting humanity…but at what price?

As an exorcist, David Aronowitz grew up the target of demonic assassins. Now he’s a member of the Execution Underground and hellspawn everywhere fear his name. But when a demon slips into the seductive body of the only woman he’s ever loved, David must confront the heartbreak of their past to save her.

The piece of her heart Allsún O’Hare gave to David so long ago left her trapped between two worlds: the Fae and the human. And when David comes to her rescue, fate reunites her with her

greatest temptation–and her biggest mistake.

Now, as they’re swept together into a wicked game with the demon who controls her, David must decide if saving Allsún’s life is worth sacrificing his own–and the future of humanity itself.

Immortal Hunter on Amazon | Immortal Hunter on B&N | Immortal Hunter on Goodreads

Author Bio: Kait Ballenger is a full-time paranormal romance author, wife, professional bellydancer, and graduate student. She lives in Central Florida with her husband, their doggie-daughter Sookie (like Charlainne Harris’ character), and two kittens, Elliot and Olivia (like the SVU characters). Kait believes anything is possible, and one day, she hopes people name their pets after her characters, too.

Website | Facebook | Twitter: @kait_ballenger

“Special GIVEAWAY offer! Leave a comment today (the date this blurb was posted) with your email address in order to receive a free chapter sample of IMMORTAL HUNTER before the release date on April 1st!”

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March 11, 2014February 28, 2014

Spotlight Feature of Sasha Summer’s Cowboys & Kisses

Cowboys & Kisses(Teens of Black Falls Texas, #1)

By Sasha Summers

Blurb:

Allie had big plans for the future. Falling for a cowboy wasn’t part of it.

1. Get out of Black Falls Texas – aka Redneck Hell

(Graduation was eight months away. After that, she was out of there.)

2. Avoid Wyatt Holcomb at all costs.

(Except he was everywhere and kind of hard to ignore since he was hot-and a really nice guy.)

3. Avoid her parents.

(Shouldn’t be too hard to do since her father hated her and her mother pretended nothing was wrong.)

4. Stop thinking about Wyatt.

(Which would be a lot easier if he wasn’t so sweet… and he’d keep his shirt on.)

5. Decide what she really wants.

(Instead of holding onto the past and the guilt.)

Available for purchase at

Excerpt

“I don’t feel right leaving you here alone.” His voice had
an edge to it.

I paused, trying to think of the right words. “I’m not
your problem.”

He smiled, his brows going up. “You’re nobody’s problem.”

“My parents would argue with that, but that’s not what I
meant and you know—”

He stood up suddenly. “You’re not my problem.”
He crossed to me. “But…Allie, I want you to be.”

I really like the
sound of that. Which hurt. I’m the
last thing you need.

As hard as it was to
breathe, I managed to argue. “No, you really don’t.” I sidestepped him, needing
distance to keep fighting. “I’m one of those damaged goods on the quick-sale
table at the grocery store. Pretty packaging makes you curious, interested, but
then you get it home and open it up and realize you wasted your time and money
on trash.” I walked out of the kitchen as I spoke. More distance.

His hand caught my arm. “Jesus, Allie, that’s harsh.”

I very carefully pulled my arm out of his hold. “Sometimes the truth is.
My best friend taught me that.”

About the Author

Sasha is part gypsy. Her passions have always been storytelling, Hollywood, history, and travel. It’s no surprise that her books include a little of each. Her first play, ‘Greek Gods and Goddesses’ was written for her Girl Scout troupe. She’s been writing ever since. She loves getting lost in the worlds and characters she creates; even if she frequently forgets to run the dishwasher or wash socks when she’s doing so. Luckily, her four brilliant children and hero-inspiring hubby are super understanding and supportive.

You can stalk, I mean find Sasha here

Oh, Did you know that Sasha has a Street Team? She does! If you love/like her books and want to help support her join the Street Team. What would you have to do if you join? Let’s see…1.) Have Fun

2.) meet other people with common interest

3.) you get first dibs on info, snippets, excerpts and even get to review in advance!!

4.) your input! We might ask you to name her next cowboy! LOL

5.) there will be missions where we ask you to share links and information, but we provide you with all the info so it’s easy as pie. Or cake! What ever you prefer!

So if you want to support Sasha, ask to join her Street Team here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/456419371077920/

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