Spotlight feature of Kimberly Kincaid’s Gimme Some Sugar + a tour wide giveaway

Let’s meet Kimberly:

Kimberly Kincaid writes contemporary romance novels that split the difference between sexy and sweet, taking the traditional idea of boy-meets-girl and infusing it with a sassy magic all her own. She believes in fiery yet flawed characters destined for a crash-course in falling in love– usually the hard way– and injects her trademark humor as well as poignant touches into her writing to create her stories.

Kimberly’s writing journey has led down some bumpy roads (that first manuscript is under the bed, where it is very likely to stay), but there has been some fresh pavement too (her second manuscript earned her very first contest final, and landed the fantastic Maureen Walters at the Curtis Brown Literary Agency). One thing is certain — the wild ride of being a writer is a lot richer in both its ups and downs because of friends and readers along the path.

When Kimberly’s not sitting cross-legged in an ancient desk chair known as “The Pleather Bomber”, she can be found practicing obscene amounts of yoga, whipping up anything from enchiladas to eclairs in her kitchen, or curled up with her nose in a book. She resides in northern Virginia with her wildly patient husband and their three daughters.

Places to find Kimberly Kincaid: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

*****
Gimme Some Sugar

Amazon|Kindle| B&N | Kobo | iTunes

Desperate to escape the spotlight of her failed marriage to a fellow celebrity-chef, Carly di Matisse left New York City for a tiny town in the Blue Ridge Mountains. The restaurant she’s running these days may not be chic, but in Pine Mountain she can pretend to be the tough cookie everybody knows and loves. Until she finds herself spending too much time with a way-too-hot contractor whose rugged good looks melt her like butter…

Jackson Carter wasn’t looking for love. But he’s not the kind of man to walk away from a worksite—or from a fiery beauty whose passionate nature provides some irresistible on-the-job benefits…

It’s the perfect temporary arrangement for two ravenous commitment-phobes, except that Jackson and Carly keep coming back for seconds… and thirds… and fourths…

Make sure to check out Kimberly’s review HERE and Kelly’s review HERE.

Tour Wide Giveaway

$20 Gift Card (Amazon or Barnes & Noble) + Swag Pack

a Rafflecopter giveaway

June 4, 2014May 22, 2014

Interview with Marie Force

Books-n-Kisses is pleased to welcome Marie Force to the blog for her first visit. We are chatting about life and her new release

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

Let’s see… First and foremost I’m a mom to two teenagers, a daughter who will be nineteen in July and a son who is fifteen. I live in Rhode Island and have been writing fiction since 2004. I Want to Hold Your Hand will be my 33^rd published book, including two novellas.

Have you always wanted to be an author?

I’ve always wanted to be a writer. The author part came a little later, but I always hoped I’d eventually write fiction.

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

I Want to Hold Your Hand is book 2 in my Green Mountain Series and it features Hannah Abbott Guthrie, an Iraqi war widow who finds new love with her late husband’s close friend Nolan Roberts. It’s an emotional story that took me on an amazing journey. I hope readers will love Hannah and Nolan as much as I do. It’s out everywhere on June 3. If you want to catch up with the series, you can start with Book 1, All You Need Is Love, which is out now. Book 3, I Saw Her Standing There, will be out in November.

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

I’m currently working on And I Love Her, which is Book 4 in the Green Mountain Series, featuring Hunter Abbott, the oldest of the ten Abbott siblings.

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

I have soooo many books on my TBR pile that it would be hard to narrow down one that I’m looking forward to reading. I read every day, and I love being swept away in a fun romance.

Connect with Marie here Website | Facebook | Twitter: @marieforce | Goodreads

*****

I Want to Hold Your Hand

Green Mountain #2

Amazon | B&N

For the Abbott siblings, the Green Mountain state has always been an idyllic place to call home. But it isn’t until they open themselves up to love that they’ll truly discover how fulfilling life can be…

Almost seven years after losing her husband in Iraq, Hannah Abbott Guthrie isn’t sure she’s ready—or able—to move on, but the attentions of a lifelong friend are making her think about it for the first time. The memory of the sweet kiss she shared with Nolan Roberts hasn’t strayed far from her thoughts, but she also fears that pursuing something with him would mean betraying her husband’s memory.

Nolan has loved Hannah for years, but he’d been giving her the space she needed to heal from her devastating loss. Now, when an opportunity arises to show her how he feels, Nolan can’t resist, but he knows earning her love will take more than a kiss. Somehow he has to prove to Hannah that finding love twice in a lifetime is possible—and well worth risking her heart

June 3, 2014June 3, 2014

An exclusive excerpt of THERE’S WILD, THEN THERE’S YOU by M. Leighton

There’s Wild, Then There’s You

The Wild Ones #3

Amazon| B&N

He’s someone she can’t trust…She’s someone he thinks he knows…Violet Wilson is a wallflower. Shy, serious, and accident-prone, she’s got a bad habit of being in the wrong place at the wrong time. The night she’s forced to pose with her friend might just be the worst time of all—that’s when she meets Jet Blevins. She knows better than to get involved with someone like him, but he touches her in ways she never expected, neverwanted before.On the outside, Jet is a typical rocker, an arrogant lead guitarist who unapologetically lives a wild lifestyle. But on the inside, he’s battling demons and using the stage to escape the troubles of his past and the addictions of his present. Until the night he sees Violet standing at the back of the room. She brings his life into focus. She knows his secrets. She’s the girl he can’t forget, and the one thing he craves more than his addiction.But can they ever hope to have a future when their very foundation is nothing but lies?

Excerpt Four

There’s a burn behind my eyes as I slide behind the wheel of my car. I knew there was a good chance she wouldn’t even talk to me, hear me out. And, although she did, I can see that she can’t forgive me. At least not now. Just the thought of her never forgiving me is what’s making my gut churn, my heart ache, and my eyes burn. It’s eating me up inside, not being with her, thinking that I’ll never be with her.

But what are my choices? I can’t really see that I have any. I’ve told her the facts, apologized to her, and asked for her forgiveness. Even told her that I loved her in a roundabout way. But none of it mattered. I didn’t know if it would. I had hoped, but I knew it was a long shot.

Now, I should just walk away. She’s made her choice, and I ought to respect it.

Only I can’t.

I can’t live with her choice. I can’t live with her unforgiveness. I can’t live without her.

So what the hell am I supposed to do?

That question rings through my head all the way back to my father’s place in Summerton where I have to go to pick up some stuff I’d left there.

It’s when I pull into the driveway, thinking of Violet when I see the place where she was dropping off her dad that day, that I realize there is something I can do. I can love her from a distance. I can do things for her, make her life better and happier, without her ever having to know. But I’ll know. I’ll know that, somewhere, she’s smiling and feeling a little happier, and that I might’ve had a small hand in it.

And as long as I can make her happy, make her life better (even without me in it), that’ll have to be enough.

A little about M. Leighton:

New York Times and USA TodayBestselling Author, M. Leighton, is a native of Ohio. She relocated to the warmer climates of the South, where she can be near the water all summer and miss the snow all winter. Possessed of an overactive imagination from early in her childhood, Michelle finally found an acceptable outlet for her fantastical visions: literary fiction. Having written over a dozen novels, these days Michelle enjoys letting her mind wander to more romantic settings with sexy Southern guys, much like the one she married and the ones you’ll find in her latest books. When her thoughts aren’t roaming in that direction, she’ll be riding horses, swimming in ponds and experiencing life on a ranch, all without leaving the cozy comfort of her office.

Visit my website: http://www.mleightonbooks.com/

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 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 15, 2014May 15, 2014

Long for Me by Shiloh Walker Spotlight Tour

Long for Me

Secrets & Shadows #0.7

by Shiloh Walker

Release day May 13, 2014

Purchase here: Amazon | B&N | Kobo | iBooks

Christina Bell remembers what it was like to be part of a loving family. The youngest of the Bell children, she simply cannot believe that her dad, or anyone else she loves, had a hand in her mother’s disappearance. She’s looking forward to moving on and spending more time with her sexy best friend, Guy Miller, who she is starting to see in a whole new light.

Their attraction sizzling and love deepening, Christina feels confident in her life and ability to handle what comes her way…But when Nichole’s body is found—and the mystery of her death slowly reveals itself—Christina is left not knowing who to trust. What if Guy, her one true desire, proves to be her biggest danger?

Read an excerpt HERE

Add to your Goodreads list: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/19079884-long-for-me

Professional Bio

Shiloh Walker is an award-winning writer…yes, really! She’s also a mom, a wife, a reader and she pretends to be an amateur photographer. She published her first book in 2003 and since then, has tried her hand at digital publishing, traditional publishing and self-publishing. Her publishers include Hydra Publications, Ellora’s Cave, Samhain, Berkley, Random House and St. Martins. She writes romantic suspense, contemporary and paranormal romance, and urban fantasy under the name J.C. Daniels.

Learn more about Shiloh:

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Giveaway Details:

A coach purse
Signed books from my back list
$20 Gift Card to Amazon or Barns & Noble
***Due to shipping & insurance, this contest will be limited to the US only***
Retail value $150

a Rafflecopter giveaway

April 29, 2014April 12, 2014

Break for Me Spotlight Tour

Break for Me

Secrets & Shadows #0.6

by Shiloh Walker

Release day April 22, 2014

Jensen Bell had twelve happy years before her her mother disappeared and her whole world went to pieces. Since then, she’s become a cop—one who takes great pride in her work, and in helping keep others safe. The saving grace in her own life has been Dean West, the only man who can make her burn with desire and help her through her burdens. But when a shocking discovery turns her life upside-down, even being wrapped in Dean’s arms might not be enough to keep her out of harm’s way

Read an excerpt HERE

Add to your Goodreads list: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/19283098-break-for-me

Purchase here:

Amazon | B&N | Kobo | iBooks

A little about Shiloh:

Learn more about Shiloh:

Website | Facebook | Twitter| GoodReads

Giveaway Details:

A coach purse
Signed books from my back list
$20 Gift Card to Amazon or Barns & Noble
***Due to shipping & insurance, this contest will be limited to the US only***
Retail value $150

a Rafflecopter giveaway

April 10, 2014April 9, 2014

Release Blitz for Carly Phillips

Title: Dare to Desire (Dare to Love #2)

Author: Carly Phillips

Release Date: April 10, 2014

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Book Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=275YTkBUOSg

Synopsis

Quarterback Alex Dare, had it all — an all-star football career with the Tampa Breakers and his choice of willing women — until a severe injury forces him into early retirement. When he is offered a ground-breaking position with a rival team, he’s intrigued, but there’s a catch. He’ll be working alongside the same woman he hasn’t been able to get out of his head for too long.

Social worker Madison Evans grew up in foster homes and knows first hand what it means to have-not. She isn’t impressed by Alex Dare’s wealth or charm. Not since she fell hard for him once before, only to discover she was just one of his too-easy conquests. This time around Madison refuses to succumb to Alex so easily.

But Alex wants Madison. And if there is one thing Alex does well, it’s to get what he wants. The playboy athlete must prove he’s got game in more places than on the field. He means to prove that he’s a changed man but no sooner does he begin to break through Madison’s defenses when a new opportunity comes knocking and threatens her new-found trust. Can he make Madison take a risk and dare to love?

Excerpt

Without replying, Ian opened the door. They stepped into the room, and Alex laid eyes on the one woman he hadn’t been expecting to see. The same woman who’d haunted his dreams and sidetracked him from many of his nightmares.

Madison faced him head on. Her shoulders drawn back, golden-blonde hair pulled away from her face, she didn’t back down from his stare. She wore a pair of black slacks that hugged her curves and a white silky-looking top that clung to her generous breasts. And those unusually blue eyes frosted over at the sight of him.

“Alex, I believe you know Madison Evans.”

Blindsided — and his half brother knew it — Alex strode up to her. He inhaled her familiar fruity scent, which only served as a reminder of the hot times he’d spent breathing her in as his cock moved inside her body. Her effect on him was potent, and even the most common expressions failed him.

“Alex,” she said, her cool tone bringing his head out of the desire-filled fog he’d found himself in.

“Hey, Angel,” he said, using the endearment he’d started calling her during their brief time together. Another sign he’d had it bad, whether he’d wanted to admit it or not.

Her head whipped up, her eyes narrowing and settling on Ian. “This won’t work.” She turned to go.

Alex still had excellent reflexes, and he grabbed her arm before she could stride past him.

She glared.

He didn’t look away, determined to win this battle of wills. This potential job, which had interested him on an intellectual and emotional level initially, suddenly felt even more important, and she was the reason.

“We need to talk,” he insisted.

“I have nothing to say.”

“Ian’s proposition said otherwise.”

Madison looked over his shoulder in search of Ian and frowned. “Well, the traitor is gone. No big surprise there.”

Smart man, Alex thought. “If I let you go, will you stay long enough to discuss this position Ian and Riley want me to take?”

She let out a frustrated puff of air.

He took that as a yes and released her.

“Us working together is not a good idea, and somewhere in that thick head of yours, you know that.”

“Because we slept together? More than a couple of times?”

She set her jaw. “That was a mistake.”

Ouch. That hurt, he thought, and filed away the why to deal with later. “I want to know more about this training program and what my role in it would be.”

“Why? You can’t possibly be interested.”

“It sounds more like you don’t want me to be interested.”

She rolled her shoulders back even farther, stiffening her posture. “You’re right. I don’t. This is a serious project that could help a lot of people and have far-reaching positive repercussions for years to come. I need a partner willing to go all in. And let’s face it, I’ve seen your staying power. It’s nonexistent.”

Buy the Book

Dare to Desire (Dare to Love #2)

Amazon | iTunes

Dare to Love (Dare to Love #1)

Amazon US | Amazon UK | B&N | Kobo | iTunes

About the Author

New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author Carly Phillips N.Y. Times and USA Today Bestselling Author Carly Phillips has written over 40 sexy contemporary romance novels that today’s readers identify with and enjoy. After a successful 15 year career with various New York publishing houses, Carly is making the leap to Indie author, with the goal of giving her readers more books at a faster pace at a better price. Her Serendipity books will still finish up in January/February 2014 via Berkley as planned. Carly lives in Purchase, NY with her family, two nearly adult daughters and two crazy dogs who star on her Facebook Fan Page and website. She’s a writer, a knitter of sorts, a wife, and a mom. In addition, she’s a Twitter and Internet junkie and is always around to interact with her readers. You can find all information about Carly at her website and other social media sites …

Follow Carly on the web:

March 31, 2014March 28, 2014

Brazen Blast: Rising Assets by Rebecca Zanetti

If you like your heroes hot, the sex hotter, and a swoon-worthy romance to swoop in and save your happily ever after, Brazen has the story for you. Sinfully sexy soldiers. Alpha cops who demand control. Sweet guys with a naughty side in the bedroom. At Brazen, they’ve got the hero destined to melt your… heart. Visit the Entangled website, the Brazen Blog, follow them on Twitter, Like their Facebook page, and follow them on Pinterest.

Introducing Brazen’s March 31st releases:

Friends with benefits was never the plan…

Melanie Jacobs’s chances for having a family are shrinking with every passing day. Her only comfort is her best friend, sexy cowboy Colton Freeze, but when a heated argument between them turns into an even hotter kiss, the boundaries of their friendship are blurred. But will their new friends-with-sexy-benefits arrangement destroy everything they once shared?

Find out more!

Special $0.99 Introductory Price!

Also, don’t miss these three great novellas from our prior Halloween Anthology, now available individually for the first time!


Possession is nine-tenths of the law. And she belongs to him.	He’s not who she thinks, and he has seduction plans of his own…	When a battle of wills becomes a game of lust, one wrong move could be fatal.
Find out more!	Find out more!	Find out more!

Follow the Blog Tour
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March 29, 2014March 28, 2014

Rebecca Zanetti’s Maverick Montana Series

Against the Wall

Maverick Montana #1

Never challenge a cowboy in the courtroom…

Surveying the proposed site for a high-end golf course should have been a breeze for spunky Landscape Architect Sophie Smith. But when this born-and-bred city girl is suddenly—and quite literally—swept off her feet by a sexy cowboy on horseback, she realizes that the country life has some serious (and seriously steamy!) possibilities. That is, until she finds out exactly who her smokin’-hot wrangler really is.

Cowboy and Tribal lawyer Jake Lodge is desperately trying to block the development. And if that means playing hardball—and being every inch the shark lawyer—so be it. But Sophie is a distraction he didn’t expect. A distraction that makes his blood burn.

Two different worlds. Two opposing sides. And when they finally give into the exquisite temptation, the consequences will shake the foundations of both of their lives

*****

Under the Covers

Maverick Montana #2

Opposites don’t attract. They ignite.

The small Montana town near the Kooskia reserve seemed like the perfect place for Juliet Montgomery to hide from her not-so-law-abiding family. But when her peace is shattered by a break-in and threatening phone calls, it’s clear someone back in New York knows where she is. It’s time to plan her getaway, and fast—but first, she needs to tie up a few loose ends. Namely, finding out exactly what the town’s sexy cowboy sheriff is hiding in his holster…

Sheriff Quinn Lodge has enough demons of his own to know when someone’s hiding something. Clearly, he needs to do a thorough investigation to uncover what’s beneath Juliet’s uptight, city-girl exterior—preferably one piece of clothing at a time. But when their chemistry goes from fizzy to full-on explosive, things start getting complicated. How can Juliet stay beneath the covers with Quinn, when doing so means blowing her cover?

*****

Rising Assets

Maverick Montana #3

Friends with benefits was never the plan…

Melanie Jacobs is in trouble. With three jobs—including running her ranch—and dwindling funds, she’s exhausted. Not to mention desperately trying to hide a secret. Unfortunately, her best friend Colton Freeze knows all too well that’s something is going on, and he won’t give up until he knows exactly what he needs to fix.

Then Colton learns the truth—that Melanie’s future happiness rests in the fickle hands of fate, and her chances for having a family are shrinking with every passing day. Her only comfort is Colton, but when a heated argument between them turns into an even hotter kiss, the boundaries of their friendship are erased, leaving only a scorching-hot hunger formore.

Every kiss—every touch—is a stolen pleasure. But will their new friends-with-sexy-benefits arrangement bring them closer together, or destroy everything they once shared?

March 27, 2014March 27, 2014

Cover Reveal of Donna Grant’s Wild Dream

In this second rousing story in the Chiasson series, New York Times bestselling author, Donna Grant delivers a scorching tale about a woman running from her past and the only man who can save her.

ONE FAMILY TORN APART…

Ava Ledet has had a hard time forgiving her father for walking out on her to hunt the supernatural. When Ava returns to the bayous to visit a friend and attempt to gain some closure, she’s confronted by the ghosts of her past. Unfortunately, that’s not the only darkness descending upon her. An evil unlike anything she’s ever encountered has focused on her, and she’s forced to put her life in the hands of a handsome hunter if she’s to live another day.

ANOTHER CURSED…

Gorgeous, loyal Lincoln Chiasson always has his brothers’ backs, and when his cousin from New Orleans needs his help after being cursed by a Voodoo priestess, he’s among the first to offer assistance. Until he sets eyes on Ava. After that, protecting her becomes more important than anything. Or anyone. But can he win her trust – and her love – while keeping her safe from his family?

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Lincoln wanted to forget the haunting beauty that was Ava Ledet, with her long, wavy auburn hair and unusual amber eyes. She walked fluidly, almost as if she glided upon air.

She had the look of a city girl, but there was something in the way that she gazed longingly at the bayou. Then there was her creamy skin, only accentuated by the black shirt that molded to her pert breasts. And, of course, her tight white pants.

Lincoln watched her help Olivia clear the table, and bit back a moan as she bent over and he got a view of her breasts when her collar dipped.

“She’s very pretty,” Beau said as he walked up and handed Lincoln a beer.

“Yep.”

Pretty was like calling the Grand Canyon a hole in the ground. Ava was…enthralling, spellbinding. Captivating.

She was calm and easy-going now, but he would wager his best knives that she had a temper to go with that hair of hers. Her face was that of an angel, with her high cheekbones and wide, expressive eyes. But her sensual mouth and tempting curves hinted at a sexier side that Lincoln itched to bring out of her.

“Are you laying claim, because I’m definitely interested,” Beau said.

Lincoln paused with his beer half way to his lips, and slanted a glare at his youngest brother.

Beau chuckled and shook his head. “I get the point, Linc. Stop with the look. By the way, who called earlier? You looked upset.”

Shit. How could he have forgotten about Solomon’s call? As his gaze once more snagged on Ava, he knew exactly why he had forgotten.

“Is it bad?” Beau asked.

“Bad enough. I can’t exactly tell the family with Ava here.”

Beau rubbed his jaw. “Christian brought her bag into the house. Is she staying?”

“I hope to hell not.” For several reasons. The main one being that Lincoln didn’t think he could keep his distance from her.

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A little about the Awesome Donna Grant:

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Donna Grant has been praised for her “totally addictive” and “unique and sensual” stories. She’s the author of more than twenty novels spanning multiple genres of romance. Her latest acclaimed series, Dark Warriors, features a thrilling combination of Druids, primeval gods, and immortal Highlanders who are dark, dangerous, and irresistible. She lives with her husband, two children, a dog, and three cats in Texas.

Visit Donna at www.DonnaGrant.com

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March 25, 2014March 24, 2014

Interview with Robyn Carr

Books-n-Kisses is pleased to welcome Robyn Carr to the blog for her first visit! We are chatting about her newest book Four Friends. You can learn more about Robyn on her website.

Q: This is a novel about relationships. Romantic relationships. Friendships. Relationships with family. Is it hard to write the ins and outs of important and sometimes painful relationships? How do you do it?

A: Oh, this is what I love. Frankly I have a harder time writing romance than women’s fiction like Four Friends. For whatever reason, I’m acutely aware of the complexities of relationships. Life can be so messy and grievous sometimes, but it doesn’t have to spell doom. I read a book many years ago about the study of happiness or the psychology of the optimal experience. The question that drove the study was something like this: What is it that makes a woman who has suffered a divorce unable to get off the couch for ten years yet a woman of the same age who has survived Auschwitz goes on to live a fulfilling and satisfying life? I know these people—they’re all over my life and their stories are told constantly. Some people collapse and some rise to the occasion. I love creating new characters who face complicated human problems and through diligence and struggle find a way to make their lives well worth living.

But do I get a stiff neck as I’m marching them through the minefields of their difficult situations? Absolutely. Do I get tears in my eyes as they grieve and struggle? Yes! I also get tears when they approach the resolution that makes their lives a positive force, a joy. Getting from sometimes monumental problems to realistic and intelligent solutions is the greatest fun in my life.

Q: It’s often said that choosing whom you’ll marry is the most important decision of your life. Do you believe that? Do you think your characters believe that?

A: Oh, this is tough. I think choosing who to marry is powerfully important, but I’ve seen many, many women redefine their goals, reinvent themselves after making the wrong decision or the wrong choice. People make mistakes every day of their lives. The goal isn’t to never choose wrong or never to make a mistake, the healthiest life goal is to learn from those mistakes and emerge stronger and better and wiser.

I married at the age of twenty. It turned out to be the right choice; that turned out to be a miracle. A gift. Certainly a twenty-year-old girl doesn’t know what she’s doing when choosing a husband. And my husband was no smarter! We were very lucky we could make that work. In every marriage on record there will come a time (if not many times!) when you’ll rethink that decision and ask yourself just what you were thinking! Sometimes, you’ll say, I was damn lucky. In some marriages the question will linger and refuse to go away and ultimately it can be time to admit it was all wrong and move on to form stronger and healthier relationships.

In Four Friends some of the characters must admit they had chosen wrong, some will be so grateful for their choice. All of them will emerge stronger and wiser. And happier.

Q: Of the four women in this novel, which is the most like you? And which of them would you most like to be real friends with?

A: I’m not like any of them! There are characteristics in each of them I admire, but that’s the beauty of being a storyteller. If I’m in an argument with my husband, we’ll stumble and fumble, say the dumbest things, the cruelest things, botch everything or even have a brilliant moment or two. But in a story, I have days to write the dialogue between characters and in the end they say things I wish I had been smart enough to say, intuitive enough to conclude. The characters are smarter and quicker than I am! And they live such great lives—turning their foibles into victories.

I loved Gerri’s righteous anger. I loved Andy’s openness and willingness to take a closer look at who she has been in relationships. I loved Sonja’s tireless quest to keep her life meaningful and her generous spirit. I loved BJ’s courage. I loved the honesty of the psychiatrist and the wisdom of Murial, Gerri’s mother-in-law.

But if I wrote a character who resembled me, she would be so much more flawed! So dull!

Q: Without giving anything away, we will say that infidelity is a topic that comes up in the book. What made you decide to include this? Is it because a lot of women deal with this?

A: Every woman will deal with it on some level! If it doesn’t happen to us it has happened to someone we know, often someone we only know about. We have very strong opinions about it—very strong! I’ve heard many women say, “I’d kill him.” Or, “That’s a deal breaker!” And yet the percentage of marriages in which this has been a problem at one time or another is huge. I went into this book asking, “What would this character do? Is this pathology an opportunity for this character? Or is it the straw that breaks the camel’s back? Are there components in this problem that can make them stronger as a couple or is it the end of the line, turning everything she believed into a lie?”

The devil is in the details. Not knowing how it would all turn out, my job was to explore the details of this particular challenge.

Q: These women seem like people you would know from work or your neighborhood. And it’s because they all have problems like the rest of us. And yet, you help them deal with these problems so the book still has a message of hope. Do you think that’s something most women can have in their lives—hope that they can deal with hard things?

A: Yes I do, but hope comes in all shapes and sizes, doesn’t it? Hope for one woman is getting to the bottom of the flaw in the marriage that predisposes the cheating, hope for another is understanding, with great disappointment, the marriage cannot work. Ultimately hope lies in knowing yourself, knowing your limits and potential, knowing what really drives you toward a fulfilling and satisfying life, knowing and believing in your personal values. In this game, everyone gets a life! Not just the boys or the kids or the boss! Everyone deserves quality of life; everyone deserves the chance to live a full, rewarding life. And that’s a very individual thing.

*****

Four Friends

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Gerri can’t decide what’s more devastating: learning her rock-solid marriage has big cracks, or the anger she feels as she tries to repair the damage. Always the anchor for friends and her three angst-ridden teenagers, it’s time to look carefully at herself. The journey for Gerri and her family is more than revealin—it’s transforming.

Andy doesn’t have a great track record with men, and she’s come to believe that for her a lasting love is out of reach. When she finds herself attracted to her down-to-earth, ordinary contractor—a man without any of the qualities that usually appeal to her—she questions everything she thought she wanted in life.

Sonja’s lifelong pursuit of balance is shattered when her husband declares he’s through with her New Age nonsense and walks out. There’s no herbal tonic or cleansing ritual that can restore her serenity—or her sanity.

Miraculously, it’s BJ, the reserved newcomer to Mill Valley, who steps into their circle and changes everything. The woman with dark secrets opens up to her neighbors, and together they get each other back on track, stronger as individuals and unfaltering as friends.

Don’t miss Kimberly’s review of Four Friends HERE

***** Gimme Some Sugar

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I Want to Hold Your Hand

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Once Tasted

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Break for Me

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Introducing Brazen’s March 31st releases:

Against the Wall

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Under the Covers

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Rising Assets

GIVEAWAY TIME

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Four Friends

*****
Gimme Some Sugar