Kelly reviews Take A Chance On Me by Jennifer Dawson

TITLE: Take a Chance on Me
SERIES #: Something New #1
CHARACTERS: Mitch Riley & Maddie Donovan
AUTHOR: Jennifer Dawson
PUBLICATION DATE: February 4, 2014
ORDER LINKS: Amazon| B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Gorgeous runaway brides. . .
When Maddie Donovan runs out on her high school sweetheart moments before walking down the aisle, she ends up at a bar in the small town of Revival, Illinois, with only the wedding dress on her back, fifty dollars to her name, and her “good girl” reputation in tatters. Not ready to return to Chicago and face the music, she accepts hot bartender Mitch Riley’s offer to stay at his place. But sharing such close quarters is driving Maddie insane with desire.
Always drink for free. . .
Mitch thinks he’s seen it all—until Maddie strides into his bar in full wedding attire and downs three shots of whiskey. Though the gorgeous knockout seems tough as nails, he also senses her vulnerability. With a troubled past of his own, Mitch has no interest in ties of any kind—yet he can’t help falling for Maddie. Now he’s got to find a way to convince her to give love a second chance.

REVIEW:
4.25 Hearts I really enjoyed this book. I loved the beginning, nothing sets a scene like a runaway bride, who has sore feet, a dirty ripped up dress and needing a drink badly walking into a bar. I really enjoyed Maddie, except the references about how much she was sinning. At that point she had not done anything wrong. Mitch is just yummy. I love that he keeps Maddie on her toes, that he knows when to push her and when to pull back (well most of the time).

These two are just so cute together. They both would have never thought that the thing they need to help them heal would come in the form of a broken down care and a determined runaway bride who wants a drink.

I can’t wait to see where this series goes. Maddie has 3 brothers that I think will need some very amazing women to wrangle them in.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book from NetGalley & Kensington Books (Zebra) in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

February 6, 2014February 5, 2014

Blog Tour & Review: Death of an Irish Diva by Mollie Cox Bryan

Spring is in the air, but the ladies of the Cumberland Creek Scrapbook Crop hardly have time to stop and smell the roses. Not when famed Irish dancer Emily McGlashen is found murdered in her studio just after the St. Patrick’s Day parade–and one of the Crop’s own members is the prime suspect. Vera’s dance studio may have suffered when Emily waltzed into town, but the croppers know she’s not a vengeful murderer. Lucky for her, co-scrapbooker Annie is a freelance reporter eager to vindicate her friend. What she discovers is a puzzling labyrinth of secrets that only add question marks to Emily’s murder. Just when it seems they’ve run out of clues, an antique scrapbook turns up and points the croppers in the right direction–and brings them face to face with a killer more twisted than a Celtic knot. .

Amazon/B&N

About the Author:

Mollie Cox Bryan writes the Cumberland Creek Mysteries, published by Kensington. The first book, Scrapbook of Secrets, was nominated for an Agatha Award for Best First Novel of 2012; the next one Scrapped, was published in January 2013. Death of an Irish Diva is the third in the series. Plans for the series include two more novels and two novellas—the first one Scrappy Summer will be available in summer 2014. She writes, gardens, runs, and scrapbooks in Waynesboro, Va. with her husband and two daughters.

Website/Twitter/Facebook

Jennifer’s Review of Death of an Irish Diva

Review (4 Stars): This is the third book in The Cumberland Creek series and I would definitely suggest reading them in order just so you can be familiar with these lovely characters. In this book, Irish dancer, Emily McGlashen, is found dead in her dance studio and the prime suspect is Annie’s good friend, Vera. As Annie investigates Emily’s murder, she finds that things aren’t adding up and Emily wasn’t who everyone thought she was. Now, Annie needs to find the killer before tragedy strikes again.

Ms. Cox Bryan has created such a great cast of characters with this series and I enjoyed learning more about scrapbooking. The mystery was well-written and kept me on my toes until the very end. I also loved Annie and Vera and I can’t wait to read more about them in future installments of this delightful series.

February 5, 2014February 2, 2014

Jennifer reviews Somebody To Love by Lori Wilde

TITLE: Somebody To Love
SERIES #: Cupid, Texas #3
CHARACTERS: Jericho Chance, Zoey McCleary
AUTHOR: Lori Wilde
PUBLICATION DATE: 12/31/13
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS: Sexy cowboy-scholar Jericho Chance always knows exactly what he wants and how to get it. And after sauntering back home to Cupid, he’s shocked to discover that he wants Zoey McCleary. After years from home, he takes one new look at his bubbly best friend, with her lightning smarts and luscious body, and it hits him like a bolt: she’s his somebody to love and he’s not leaving town again without her.

Settling down always seemed like a time waster to Zoey, a man magnet with a trail of broken hearts behind her. She’s not meant to marry–but how can she resist someone as persuasive as Jericho? There’s no way they can ignore the explosive chemistry seething between them…even if it means risking their friendship….

REVIEW:
4.5 Hearts I’ve always loved Lori Wilde’s books and Somebody to Love is no exception. Zoey and Jericho have been best friends since childhood but each have been wanting their friendship to turn into something more. When Jericho comes back to Cupid for an opportunity of getting him dream job in Archaeology at the local college, it looks as though they finally have a chance to take things to the next level. The only problem is that Jericho will lose his dream job if he gets caught in relations with a student and Zoey just happens to be a student on his archaeological dig. They make a pact to keep their hands off each other until the end of the program, but being in close quarters is making it difficult to not give in to temptation.

I thought this was a great book and Zoey was an adorable character to me. She was such a free-spirit wild child that everyone believed had no direction in her life. When she finally committed to her archaeological studies, she finally felt that she found what she had been looking for and it would bring her closer to Jericho.

They had been best friends for ages and when Jericho arrived back in Cupid, he was surprised at how seeing Zoey would affect him romantically. He was always attracted to her, but never really knew how she truly felt even when she kissed him on her 21st birthday. Now, there was no denying the sexual chemistry between them but he had to stay away from her or he would lose his job. Easier said than done when they kept ending up situations that tempted them to break that pact.

Somebody to Love was a heart-warming friends to lovers romance that was hard to put down. I love every book in the Cupid, Texas series and Somebody to Love is a delightful addition to an already fabulous series. I can’t wait to read more from Lori Wilde and the residents of Cupid in her next book, Love With a Perfect Cowboy.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book from the author in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

February 4, 2014February 4, 2014

Kelly reviews Avenger’s Heat by Katie Reus

TITLE: Avenger’s Heat
SERIES #: Moon Shifter #4
CHARACTERS: Noah Campbell & Erin Flynn
AUTHOR: Katie Reus
PUBLICATION DATE: February 4, 2014
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
To truly have her, he must free her from her dark secret…

Enforcer Erin Flynn has dedicated her life to protecting her kind. But keeping her heart safe from Noah Campbell, the smoking-hot shifter who saved her life last year, is more difficult. The deadly beauty would love to sink into his arms and become his mate, but she knows she can’t—he must never know about her dark past.

When Erin is sent to investigate the disappearances of pregnant shifters in New Orleans, Erin and Noah find themselves involved in a mystery more sinister than anyone expected. And as Erin delves further into the crimes, chilling information about her own past is revealed. The people who wanted her dead in the first place are trying to finish the job, and Noah wants nothing more than to shield her from harm. But can Erin truly trust Noah and let him see the wounded beast she’s hidden for so long?

REVIEW:
4.5 Hearts Erin is on her first solo mission, not completely solo Noah has been set with her, to find out why pregnant shifters are disappearing. Erin’s first step is to meet with the Alpha of the area, who just happens to be Noah’s father. This mission has lots of twists and turns and will become very difficult for Erin. Having Noah by her side will both help and hinder her at the same time.

Another great story in the Moon Shifter series. Loved reading about Noah & Erin. I loved how patient Noah is with Erin. It was heart breaking to learn more about Erin’s past. But these two make an awesome team and I can’t wait to see glimpse of them in future books.
I would have like to jump into parts of Noah’s past a little more. But maybe this will come out in a future book. I am sure that Noah & Erin’s story is far from over. I did enjoy reading about Brianna and Angelo and hope that we get to see more of them in the future too.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book from PENGUIN GROUP Berkley, NAL / Signet Romance, DAW in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

February 3, 2014February 3, 2014

Blog Tour & Giveaway: Love and Other Games

The sexy winter Olympic anthology, Love and Other Games, has a new cover! To celebrate, the authors are giving away a nook.

Love and Other Games is a collection of four sexy new adult stories centered around athletes competing in the Winter Games by Ana Blaze, Melinda Dozier, Aria Kane, and Kara Leigh Miller.

Worth More Than Gold by Ana Blaze

Amy Pierce, the klutzy sister and manager of America’s Skating Sweetheart, is used to being invisible. But when a friend drags her to a party near the Olympic Village, Amy catches the eye of a sexy Norwegian ski jumper. It’s a magical night, but an awkward next morning has her running.

Everyone knows Erik Andresen’s best shot at an individual medal was back in 2010, before an injury pulled him from the competition. He’s there for his team, but a hot night and a remarkable final training session have him wondering if a gorgeous good-luck charm could give him another chance at the podium.

With a little bit of luck, these two might have a shot at something worth more than gold.

Trouble with Gold by Melinda Dozier

US snowboarder and notorious prankster, Ty (Trouble) Madsen is only getting a taste of his own medicine when his Olympic teammates shackle him to a fence wearing nothing but his boxers.

Reception and protocol volunteer, Nadia Hoffman, gets up close and personal with the sexy snowboarder to rescue him, but she’s not the kind of girl who lets her hormones get in her way. A professional performance could help her land her dream job at Olympics Committee Headquarters, but her new assignment supervising the rambunctious US Snowboarding Team is making that difficult. Can she see behind the snowman in the community center bathroom and into the warm heart of the man everyone calls Trouble?

The Girl behind the Gold by Aria Kane

Greek aerial skier Lia Milonas’s parents are about to lose the family farm. Saving it means medaling and landing a huge sponsor. While her no-nonsense attitude has her well on her way to a medal, it hasn’t won her a place in fans’ hearts.

“Come back with a story that will make readers cry, or don’t come back.” This is what Brandon James’ boss told him before he left New York to cover the Winter Games for Moment Magazine. With a wink and a smile, he can charm his way into any invite-only party, but that career-making story is nowhere to be found – until he meets Lia.

The two strike a deal that should get them both what they want – but neither would have guessed they’d also find what they need.
Ice Gold by Kara Leigh Miller

Colton Campbell thrives on the fast paced, adrenaline rushed lifestyle of being an Olympic hockey player.

Despite Brenna Jessup’s abhorrence for the games and the athletes, she’s hand-picked as the official photographer for the U.S. Olympic Hockey Team.

When a faux pas by Brenna almost costs Colton his career, she owes him. Too bad for her, Colton doesn’t want apologies — he wants retribution! And he knows just how to get it — and her — in the process.

What readers are saying:

“It’s like a rom-com marathon with lots of sexy included. Who knew the Winter Olympics were so hot?” ~Book Nookie Reviews

“Four short stories full of lust, love and laughter. Each story was enjoyable to read and hard to put down.” ~Author Katie L. Thompson

“I fell in love with each one of these stories (and guys).” ~White Zin Bookends

Pick up this hot winter romance on your Kindle, Nook, or Kobo.

The authors are giving away a nook and other prizes to celebrate.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Jennifer’s Review of Love and Other Games

Review (4 Stars): I really enjoyed each of these stories about athletes finding love while competing in the Winter Olympic games. These hot sexy romances will keep you warm even on the coldest of nights. All the stories were great but my favorites would have to be “Trouble with Gold” and “The Girl Behind The Gold” because I just found myself connecting more to these characters than the other two stories. This anthology is filled with great love stories and steamy sexual chemistry that definitely shouldn’t be missed.

February 3, 2014February 2, 2014

Kelly reviews Melting The Ice by Jaci Burton

TITLE: Melting the Ice
SERIES #: Play by Play #7
CHARACTERS: Drew Hogan & Carolina Preston
AUTHOR: Jaci Burton
PUBLICATION DATE: February 4, 2014
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Carolina Preston has only one goal in mind—launching her new fashion line. She needs only one last thing to make it perfect—hockey phenom Drew Hogan. But Carolina and Drew have a history that goes back to their college days, and Carolina doesn’t want the embarrassment of her past to cloud the brightness of her future.

Drew is eager for the chance to show Carolina he isn’t the boy who hurt her back then, but a man now, with the skills necessary to melt the icy exterior of her cold heart.

REVIEW:
But I will say that in the prior books and chapter one I really didn’t like Drew. I hated him for how he treated Carolina all those years ago. I really hated how he keep bring it up like it was no big deal. But I will say that as the story went on and on I found myself falling for Drew. He is such a sweet guy who realized that what a mistake he made all those years ago. A mistake that was made for all the right reasons. Drew was not the man that Carolina need back then, even if he really wanted to be. But this second time around he is the right man and it is the right time. Convincing Carolina about that might be another story, but Drew is up for the battle.
Carolina is not the same shy girl with a horrible crush on the boy of her dreams. Oh no, Carolina is now a woman who is determined, stubborn and still has a horrible crush on the man of her dreams. It just happens that the man is the same boy she loved so many years ago. But can Carolina finally forgive Drew for the hurt he caused her in college? And can she finally let the walls around her heart to fall and take a chance on Drew?

I just love Jaci’s Play by Play series!!! I am a huge sports fan and so love reading about these hot guys and the women that push them into learning to love. I loved this story and so glad that Drew & Carolina both finally realized what they mean to each other. I am so looking forward to the next story in this series.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book from NetGalley & PENGUIN GROUP Berkley, NAL / Signet Romance, DAW in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

February 3, 2014February 1, 2014

Kelly reviews Marine For Hire by Tawna Fenske

TITLE: Marine for Hire
SERIES #: Front & Center #1
CHARACTERS: Sam Kercher & Sheridan
AUTHOR: Tawna Fenske
PUBLICATION DATE: February 3, 2014
ORDER LINKS: Amazon| B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
She thought she’d sworn off military men for good…

Sam Kercher is every inch a wickedly hot Marine. Tall. Sexy. Lethal. When his best friends call in a favor, Sam is forced to face an entirely new line of duty—playing nanny for their newly divorced sister and her squirming seven-month-old twin boys. If Sam can dissemble an M16 in his sleep, diaper duty should be a cakewalk…right?

Unfortunately, Operation Nanny isn’t quite that simple. Sheridan has sworn off overbearing military men, so Sam must protect her from her dirtbag ex without revealing just how much he has in common with her brothers. Or that he’s been ordered not to touch her. Ever. Problem is, Sheri’s one hell of a gorgeous woman, capable of making this hard-bodied marine even harder. And Sam wants her bad.

Protect the girl. Care for the babies. Hide his identity. And keep his handsoff. But even the most disciplined Marine has weaknesses…and Sheridan is one Sam might not be able to resist

REVIEW:
Sam is such an awesome guy who is tortured by his past. But when Sam’s best friend Mac show up and asks him for a favor Sam can’t say no. Not to this mission. Not if it means he gets to get close to Mac’s super hot sister.

Poor Sheri has had a bit of a rough year: twin boys, a cheating husband, a divorce, being a single mom. And now she has to deal with her brother’s idea of a nanny. Who just happens to come in the form of a very very handsome man.

This was a fun book to read. I totally fell in love with Sam from page one. And Sheri is very stubborn yet she worries so much about being a bad mom. These two were really fun to read about the sexual tension between these two was great.

As always Tawna’s story mixes romance, sexy and make you laugh out loud. If you are looking for a fun read I would suggest picking up a copy of Marine For Hire.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book from Entangled: Brazen in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

January 30, 2014January 6, 2014

Kelly reviews Shameless by Rebecca J Clark

TITLE: Shameless
CHARACTERS: John Everest & Samantha Rossi
AUTHOR: Rebecca J. Clark
PUBLICATION DATE: December 2, 2012
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Haunted by a tragic accident 20 years ago, John Everest knows he doesn’t deserve a family of his own, so he spends his days building the most successful fitness franchise in Seattle…and his nights alone. But that all changes when Samantha Rossi storms back into his life.

Happily single, Samantha feels there are only two types of men in this world: those who are good for nothing and those who are good for one thing. Now she needs that one thing desperately, because she wants a baby. John, a man from her past, is the perfect donor. He doesn’t want children. He doesn’t want a wife. He just wants her body. She can deal with that.

John agrees to Samantha’s no-strings-attached proposal, never expecting to fall for the fiery beauty he’d wronged so many years ago. It’ll take more than a shameless proposal to overcome their tragic past, but with a little luck and forgiveness, anything is possible.

REVIEW:
4.5 Hearts 20 years ago John and Sammy Jo meet under the worst circumstance but they lived through it. Now 20 years later John has tracked her down again. But only wanting to see that she is okay quickly changes with John realized that Sammy Jo has grown into a very beautiful women. Just one date. That is all he wants, just to make sure she is okay.

Samantha is a woman on a mission. She wants a baby, but so far things have not gone her way. A chance meet with John Everest at a fundraising event will change Samantha’s plan for the future and who will father her baby.

This was a great story!! Shameless takes you on a wild ride of emotional highs and lows. There were so many times I wanted to shake then hug the crap out of both John & Sam. Both have so many demons in their past that shape the future of every relationship in the future. Both know what they want but neither is willing to jump. With their future slowly slipping out of their fingers John & Sam have two choices let go or hang on tight.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book from NetGalley & Aspendawn Books in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

January 29, 2014January 6, 2014

Kelly reviews Burn For Me by Cynthia Eden

TITLE: Burn For Me
SERIES #: Phoenix Fire #1
CHARACTERS: Cain O’Connor & Eve Bradley
AUTHOR: Cynthia Eden
PUBLICATION DATE: January 28, 2014
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Under Fire

Eve Bradley was undercover looking for a story, not a cause. But something about the man they called Subject Thirteen got her involved. The scientists said he was a devil, and they had a decent case: Terrifying power. A bad attitude. And looks that could lead anyone to sin. . .

Cain O’Connor knows the minute he catches her candy scent that Eve could drive him wild. But she’s a threat–in a way no one has been for him in years. She’s safer away from him, too. But with a powerful conspiracy determined to shut Eve up for good, there’s no time to argue. All they can do is trust their instincts–and their hearts.

REVIEW:
Being undercover didn’t turn out the way that Eve had planned. I don’t think that she ever expected to see the type of pain and torture that were being inflicted on the subjects in Genesis’s control. And I am 100% she never thought she would end up as one of those subjects.

This was a great start to a new series by Cynthia. I really enjoyed this book. Cain & Eve are great to read about. Although I would have like to see more about what Eve is. I felt a little let down on that part. I was hoping she would use her powers in some awesome way. Maybe we will get to see more of that in future books. And speaking of future books I can’t wait to read the next book in this series. Ryder’s books should be an awesome journey. Really like this vampire 🙂

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book from BRAVA in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

January 28, 2014January 27, 2014

Blog Tour & Review: Picking Lemons by J.T. Toman

Economic theories can predict many things – just not the death of a renowned Economics professor. When Professor Edmund DeBeyer is found dead in his office, strangled to death by his own Ph.D. hood, the police don’t have to look further than his colleagues in the Economics Department for suspects. After all, Edmund was the most despised member of the department. C.J. Whitmore, the department’s only tenured female, (who also has a penchant for wearing pink cowboy boots to class) resolves to get to the bottom of the mystery using economic principles. Comparing tracking down murder suspects to to selecting a used car, she attempts to discern the real deals from the “lemons.” That is, which suspects are really telling the truth and which are lying to protect their guilt. Will C.J. be able to pick the lemon before her clever adversary strikes again?

Amazon/B&N

About the Author:

J.T. Toman lives in Boulder, Colorado. She received her Ph.D. in economics from Yale University and has taught econometrics at the University of Sydney and the University of Colorado at Boulder. She also has a degree in zookeeping from Pikes Peak Community College and has cared for everything from butterflies to elephants. She now teaches math at Front Range Community College, and truly believes fractions are useful in everyday life.

In her spare time, J.T. Toman joins the rest of Colorado hiking, biking and skiing. However, much like her cats, she finds food more inspiring than scenery. J.T. particularly loves home- grown tomatoes, udon noodles and tall glasses of chocolate milk, but not at the same time.

Picking Lemons is her first novel.

Website

Jennifer’s Review of Picking Lemons

Review (4 Stars): The main thing that I liked about this book was its main character, C.J. Whitmore. She was a breath of fresh air in this story within a stuffy group of male college professors and I loved her down to her adorable pink cowboy boots. This was a fun, entertaining mystery that was fast-paced and I liked how everyone was trying to figure out who killed the unpopular member of the Economics faculty. It is also surprising to me that this is Ms. Toman’s debut novel because it felt like she had been writing for a long time. Hopefully, there will be more to this series and I can’t wait to read what she comes up with next.

January 28, 2014January 10, 2014

Kelly & Kimberly review Bare Essentials by Shalvis & Kelly

TITLE: Bare Essentials
SERIES #: Naughty but Nice\Naturally Naughty
CHARACTERS: Cassie Montgomery & Sean Taggart\ Kate Jones & John Winfield Jr.
AUTHOR: Jill Shalvis\ Leslie Kelly
PUBLICATION DATE: January 28, 2014 (reissue)
ORDER LINKS: Amazon| B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Naughty But Nice by New York Times bestselling author Jill Shalvis

Lingerie model Cassie Tremaine Montgomery intends to have her revenge on the citizens of her hometown—starting with seducing the sheriff, Sean “Tag” Taggart. Tag, however, isn’t cooperating. He’s more than willing to set the sheets on fire with her, but he’s asking for more than just sizzling sex…. He knows Cassie’s not as tough as she pretends. And he knows she cares about him—even if she won’t admit it. So he’ll just turn up the heat until she concedes there’s more between them than this red-hot passion.

Naturally Naughty by New York Times bestselling author Leslie Kelly

Kate Jones, the girl from the wrong side of the tracks, is home. And she’s got an agenda. To get revenge on the man who humiliated her mother, Kate’s going to seduce that man’s son—the town’s golden boy, John Winfield Jr.—and then leave him drooling in a puddle of lust. However, when she finds herself seduced by a sexy stranger named Jack, little does she guess that the tables have just been turned….

KELLY’S REVIEW:
2.5 Hearts I think this might have been the first time I picked up a Jill Shalvis book and didn’t fall head over heels in love the the characters. I am not sure what it was but I just didn’t care for Cassie at all.

This was my first read of a Leslie Kelly story and while I liked Kate and John I just never felt totally vested in them.

Not to say that these were bad stories or anything. I just didn’t get sucked into the world.

KIMBERLY’S REVIEW:
4 Hearts This is a reprint from 2002 but to be honest I didn’t know that until I pulled up the information to type of this review. There were a couple of small things written that now I realize are dated but a handful of small comments does not take away from the story and 99% of the story is not dated at all.

The story of Cassie and Tag is very engrossing. I enjoyed the way they came together. I story background is interesting and comprehensive. I think Tag is a great character and I love that he has a list of what he wants in a woman and yet realizes that Cassie is none of those things and yet everything he wants. Cassie has issues but she is still fun to read about. She has an interesting way of thinking. Shalvis is one of the best and from this story you can see she had the golden touch even a dozen years ago.

The story of Jake and Kate was just as sweet as the story of her cousin. Jake is a great guy. I enjoyed the instant chemistry they had and the interesting history of the town. The sexual side of this story is a lot more intense than the first story but it is done in a fun and interesting way. Kelly has a much different way of writing then Shalvis does but their writing seems to mesh really well.

I enjoyed these stories very much.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book from NetGalley & Harlequin in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

4 Hearts

January 27, 2014January 25, 2014

Interview & Giveaway with Maya Banks

Books-n-Kisses is super excited to welcome Maya Banks back on the blog to chat about her new book Letting Go (The Surrender Trilogy).

Maya, can you please tell us about Letting Go (The Surrender Trilogy)?

Letting Go has some of my favorite tropes (as do all my books) But essentially it’s a second chance at love story. Typically when a heroine has lost or divorced her husband he’s cast as “bad” in order to make the new hero better. In this case Joss was very much in love with her husband and mourns his loss deeply and she feels as though she’ll never find that kind of love again. Except her husband’s best friend has secretly been in love with Joss for years and he’s been waiting for her to be “ready” to move on because he’s determined that he’ll be that man for her when she’s ready. (Check out Kelly’s review of Letting Go HERE)

How did you come with the idea for this story?

I’m often asked where or how I come up with the ideas for my stories and I can never truly answer it because they literally just pop into my head. Characters start talking to me and telling me their story and I just write it down.

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

I’m just finishing up When Day Breaks, the 9^th book in the KGI series and then I’ll be working on the final book in the SURRENDER trilogy, TAKING IT ALL.

What is your most interesting writing quirk?

I wouldn’t say “Interesting” but I’m very linear in my work. I can NOT write out of order and I can NOT work on more than one story at a time. Every story that I write gets my complete and utter focus and I write one story at a time. I’m very rigid that way!

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

I actually already got to meet the one author I’d go completely fan girl over. Julie Garwood. She’s always been my inspiration and I’ve often said that everything I’ve learned about writing no matter what genre, I learned from her.

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

To be patient. Not give up. Keep writing and don’t get discouraged. It takes a lot of hard work and PERSISTENCE to make a career out of writing. And never let others change your voice or your style. Protect both fiercely.

Would you share with us something off your bucket list?

I’ve always wanted to go to Colorado when the Aspens are in color. Colorado is one of my favorite places on earth and I’ve been there MANY times but never when the Aspens are in color. So ONE DAY I’m going to do that 🙂

Who is your Celebrity crush? And what would you do if you ever meet them?

Oded Fehr and The Rock. And I’d just stand stupidly and stare and probably never utter a word lol

*****

Letting Go

PUBLICATION DATE: February 4, 2014
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

Josslyn found perfection once, and she knows she’ll never find it again. Now widowed, she seeks the one thing her beloved husband couldn’t give her. Dominance. Lonely and searching for an outlet for her grief and wanting only a brief taste of the perfection she once enjoyed, she seeks what she’s looking for at an exclusive club that caters to people indulging in their most hedonistic fantasies. She never imagined that what she’d find is the one man who’s long been a source of comfort—and secret longing. Her husband’s best friend.

Dash has lived in an untenable position for years. In love with his best friend’s wife and unwilling to act on that attraction. He’d never betray his best friend. And so he’s waited in the wings, offering Joss unconditional support and comfort as she works past her grief, hoping for the day when he can offer her more.

When he finds her in a club devoted to the darker edges of desire, he’s furious because he thinks she has no idea what she’s getting herself into. Until she explains in detail what it is she wants. What she needs. As realization sets in, he is gripped by fierce, unwavering determination. If she wants dominance, he is the only man who will introduce her to that world. He is the only man who will touch her, cherish her…love her. And the only man she’ll ever submit to.

(Check out Kelly’s review of Letting Go HERE)

Maya Banks is a #1 New York Times bestselling author whose chart toppers have included erotic romance, romantic suspense, contemporary romance, and Scottish historical romance. She lives in the South with her husband, three children and a variety of pets. Visit her online at www.mayabanks.com, www.facebook.com/AuthorMayaBanks, and twitter.com/maya_banks.

Giveaway:

a Rafflecopter giveaway