Category: Giveaway/Contest

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Interview & Giveaway with Tara Lain


Books-n-Kisses is pleased to welcome Tara Lain to the blog today to talk about her new books.  

Tara Lain never met a beautiful boy she didn’t love – at least on paper. A writer of erotic romance, mostly ménage and male/male, Tara loves all her characters, but especially her handsome heroes. A lifelong writer of serious non-fiction, Tara only fell in love with EROM in 2009 and, through perseverance and lots of workshops, had the first novel she ever wrote published in January of 2011. Then she capped off the year by being voted Best Author of 2011 in the LRC Awards and had her Genetic Attraction Series named runner-up for Best Series of 2011! A very good year. After an exotic life of travel all over the world and work in television, education and advertising, Tara settled in Southern California with her soul-mate husband and opened her own small marketing business. She paints, collages, and started practicing yoga “way before it was fashionable”. Passionate about diversity, justice, inclusion and new ideas, she says on her tombstone it will read, “Yes”.


Q 1) Can you please share with us a little about yourself
I write the Beautiful Boys of Romance. I knew from my first moments as a fiction writer that my books would always be distinguished by my gorgeous heroes and so far so good. I’m only a little over one year old as a published author. My first book, Genetic Attraction, came out in Jan of 2011. The book I am introducing this week, Fire Balls, is book number seven for me with another book releasing next month and two more under contract. It’s been a busy year! Most amazing is that I was recently honored to be named Best Author of 2011 in the LRC Awards and my three- book Genetic Attraction series was runner-up for best series of the year. As you can tell it’s also been a breathtaking year! I have a great (and busy) fulltime job in advertising and public relations, I am ecstatically married to my soul mate and, if I ever have a moment’s spare time, I love movies and doing  mixed media collage. I practiced and taught yoga way before it was fashionable. I have a great life.
Q2) Have you always wanted to be an author?
I’ve been a writer forever. I make my living as a non-fiction writer and thought for a long time that I would never write fiction because writing all day and then all night too sounded like work! But then I found erotic romance and suddenly I felt like I could write it all day every day and it would be fun. So one day a couple years ago I sat down and wrote a book. After a lot of editing and learning that book became Genetic Attraction.
Q3) Can you share with us your typical writing day.  Is there anything you have to have while writing?
I am fortunate enough to get to do my “day job” at home which means I can do some writing of novels in the cracks –before I start work, on my lunch hour. Sometimes it’s no more than a few lines, but bit by bit the work gets done. Then on the weekends I write a LOT! I like to write in my home  office on my desktop computer because the screens are so big, although I carry my iPad with me and also write in downtimes when I’m away from home. I don’t mind noise when I write but I can’t write easily with music playing. Background music is okay but I don’t have a writing soundtrack like many authors. Somehow it seems to interfere with my creative flow.
Q4) Most challenging or rewarding part of writing?
I love living in another world (even though my own is pretty great). I love the feeling of being absorbed in my character’s heads and hearts. That moment when they take over and just talk and you try to keep up is thrilling to me. It never gets old. The challenge is to keep getting better. To constantly learn new things, improve your style, deepen your focus.
Q5) Can you please tell us about your latest book
This week, I am introducing Fire Balls. It is a MM contemporary novella but that doesn’t begin to describe it. I love contrast in my books and the unexpected. My alpha males are never the guys you expect and I enjoy giving dominant characteristics to seemingly effeminate men. Fire Balls tells the story of a flamboyant artist who also happens to be a black belt in karate. He has a huge passion for a beautiful, conservative firefighter, but since Rodney the artist is tiny and very ostentatious he assumes that the firefighter could never love him back so he breaks his own heart but helping his friend Jerry, a surfer, to land the gorgeous man. Fire Balls is the second in my Balls to the Wall series of books that take place on the beach in southern California.
Q6) How did you come up with the idea for this story?
Last year I was delighted to be asked to submit a story for a beach anthology. I created a novella called Volley Balls which turned out to be a bestseller on the Amazon Gay Romance list. I knew I wanted to do sequel and I wanted it to have “balls” in the title so I started thinking about all the possible names. Fire Balls leaped out and with it came the germ of a story–it would involve a Laguna Beach firefighter. There was a character in Volley Balls I loved. My hero’s best friend, Rodney. So if you have a hunky firefighter, what could be a more different or unexpected match for him than a hero named Rodney who is 5’ 6” tall and flamboyant. But I wanted another twist and I thought about the old Rostand book called Cyrano de Bergerac in which the hero is a great swordsman and poet but has a big nose and considers himself unworthy of the gorgeous heroine. Consequently, he helps another man win her. That became a thread for my book–without the nose!
Q7) Can you share with us your current work in progress?
My next book being released on March 20 is my first true paranormal. It’s called Spell Cat and it’s about the greatest male witch in ten generations who is called on to save his race by marrying a powerful female witch. Problem is–he’s gay. And he’s in love with a human male which is bad since humans are the cause of the decline of witchery because they steal human energy. There is a black cat familiar in the book named Aloysius. Hence–Spell Cat. The book I am completing now for submission is a MM contemporary fantasy. What is that you ask?  Ah, you will have to stay tuned.  :  )
Q8) Who are some of your favorite authors?
I have many favorites in my genre but I will name the three that I consider my mentors because their writing inspired me to want to try fiction — Jet Mykles, Lynn Lorenz and Z. A. Maxfield. They are all friends now and I have learned so much from them. They inspire me every day.
Q9) Do you feel that any of your favorite authors have inspired your writing style? 
I see a little bit of all three of them in my writing. I love Jet’s over-the-top heroes and I know mine share some of that characteristic. Lynn captures emotion so magnificently and I try to do the same. ZAM writes in this witty, youthful voice that inspires me. They all make me want to get better every day.
Q10) What is in your To Read Pile that you are dying to start or upcoming release you can’t wait for?
Oh sigh. I feel like my poor Kindle is bursting at the seams. I have so many books I want to start I can barely decide where to begin. Right now I am reading Josh Lanyon. Always a good choice.
Q11) Is there anything else you would like to add?
This has been an amazing first year for me as an author. So many people–authors, editors, reviewers, and readers– have helped me and still do! I can only say thank you from the bottom of my heart.  
Would you like to win a 
copy of Fire Balls? 
Enter my contest. I’m having a drawing this coming Friday. Leave a comment here with your email and you’ll be entered in that drawing. Go over to my Contest Blog http://beautifulboysbooks.blogspot.com and leave another comment with your email and you will be entered Again. And there are more chances to Win. Go to my Web Site http://www.taralain.com and look under events. It’s all there.  First leave your comment here.  And thank you to so much to Books n Kisses for being such wonderful hosts. And thank you so much for coming to say hi.  Leave a comment and don’t forget the email.  :  )


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Happy Valentine’s Day

Happy Valentine’s Day to all my wonderful, wonderful followers and most amazing authors!!!!
If it was not for all of you Books-n-Kisses would be nothing. 
So to show you my love I have a little something sweet for you. 
No not just candy…. But there will be candy I promise. 
There will be a little romance….. 
And what is Valentine’s Day with out Chocolate? 

So for all my wonderful peeps….
I have a wonderfully funny surprise package…..

If you want a chance to win.
Please fill out the Rafflecopter form below.
Winner will be announced on Feb 22th.



a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Spotlight Feature of The Iron Heart by Leslie Dicken (& giveaway)

The Iron Heart
By Leslie Dicken
Buy here: AMAZON | B & N | SAMHAIN
Sexy, Victorian Steampunk!
One woman swears to avenge the savagery of a ruthless killer loose on the streets of Lundun; if only she can stay one step ahead of an inventor who fears his greatest work, a labor of love, has turned on humanity.
Grieving the loss of her beloved cousin, Ella Wilder is determined to catch the murderer. Infuriated by the fumblings of the constable, she seeks the assistance of a handsome Noble who seems to be looking for his own answers, and who’s reluctance tells her he has something to hide. Over time, hesitant intimacy grows into fiery passion but brings them no closer to finding the madman.
As the killer reveals darker inventions that blur the boundary between man and machine, Ella fights the fear he may be after her next. Can Ella trust her heart to the man who refuses to share his secrets yet swears to protect her? Will Bennett be able to choose between keeping terrifying family secrets…or losing Ella to the iron-hearted killer who stalks the night?
Excerpt:
When they reached the top, Bennett stopped. Past this point there would be no turning back. She must realize this.
“You do understand you are bringing a man into your bedroom?”
Ellie dropped his hand and turned to face him. Low fires burned in her eyes. “Every move I make is done with full deliberation. I am no simpleton.”
He swept his gaze down her smooth neck to the straining fabric at her breasts.
Lord, was it only a few hours ago that he had her pushed up against the table, pressed his body against hers?
She opened a door. “Tell me what’s happened. You look as though you are in dire need of a friend.”
Light from inside the room illuminated beneath her dress. The features of her body outlined for his viewing pleasure. He could see every round curve, each flare and indentation.
It was becoming evident he needed more than just friendship from her tonight.
With his returning libido came a comforting sense of control. Weakness and vulnerability he could not tolerate. Seduction and yearning pulled him back to strength. He pushed aside the weighty drag of helplessness and the overwhelming ache for casual comfort.
Ecstasy would return him to full health again. Surely.
Bennett closed the door behind them. He glanced about the room. It was smaller than his servants’ rooms. A bed against each wall, an old wardrobe, small dresser and a fireplace. In the center of the room, a tub of still-scented water.
The thought that her naked body was just in there sent quivers down his spine. And a flush of hot blood to his groin.
Ella motioned to the chair beside the fireplace. “Won’t you sit? Perhaps tell me what is going on?”
Bennett continued standing. Sitting in a chair across the room from Ella was not at all in the plans.
Just a short time ago he’d have told her everything. What he’d done to his brother to create this monster, why it was so hard to capture him again.
He swallowed the pitying desire to have her brush her fingers through his hair, to have her hold him close to her heart.
It was the thrilling rush of pleasure he needed. Yes. It must be.
She shrugged and lowered herself to a bed. “Are you going to talk to me or have you just come to see if I was still awake?”
Bennett grinned, the first smile in hours.
“I came because I need you.” He glanced at the bathwater then back at Ella. “But I have found that my needs have changed since I arrived.”
A flush raced up from her chest to the tips of her ears. Once again he was charmed by her passionate blush.
“That is not the reason you came back to my door.”
“No,” he admitted, leaning against the wardrobe arms folded. “As much as my body yearns for you, it is never the initial motivation for me seeking your presence.”
She blinked, unable to answer.
“However, as seems to be the case with each time, my first cause slips away as I am drugged by your heavenly scent and seductive gaze.”
Her hand clenched a fistful of her nightdress.
“You are correct in that I came to you tonight because I was in dire need of a friend. I could not stomach the thought of spending the next few hours in futility. But that has now changed.”
Her chest rose, strained against the fabric. He could make the small outline of her nipples. A shot of electricity blasted to his groin.
Bennett licked his lips. He crossed the room in a few short strides. “You see, once again the sight and smell of you has brought me to my knees.” He sat on the bed next to her. “My body hungers for you.”
Her mouth opened then closed, as she seemed to search for the right words. And then, “Yet you stop us each time.”
He pulled off his gloves and tossed them to the floor. Next he shook his coat off and then his shoes.
All the while she watched with wide eyes and a nibbled lip.
“Yes, Ella, I have halted our progress us each time. And since I am still a gentleman, I will stop if you ask me to. Although it will be with great difficulty.”
He brushed his fingers across her chin. “But this time it will not be me who puts an end to the fire between us. As I stated, I need you. I hurt for you. I need the intimacy that only you can provide me.”
His face was just inches from hers. He could see her eyes searching his, her mind working. She tried to find reasons to put him off, to deny her desires. But she wouldn’t be able to. Ella was a passionate woman. She desired him as much as he yearned for her.
She drew in a deep breath. “Are you waiting for my permission?”
His lip curled. “No. I wanted to make the situation quite clear to you. We are on your bed. I have no intentions of leaving until I have found bliss inside your body.”
Her breath caught. It was the only invitation he required.
Bennett’s fingers went to the knot on her wrap. He quickly untied it and the thin cotton fell to the bed. Her creamy shoulders came into view and on impulse he pressed his lips to the round curve of her skin.
Ella whimpered.
Heat blasted through his blood, hardening his flesh and increasing his pulse.
His hand slid down to her knees. She jumped but did not move away. The cotton was rough on his fingers, not the soft muslin of Noble women. Ella had made herself a Commoner. But it would not stop him from wanting her.
He scrunched up the fabric until it bunched under his hand. Then, to distract her, Bennett pressed his lips to her hair.
“Lord, you smell delightful.” Soothing and stirring, the lavender hummed in his blood.
He kissed his way down her forehead, over her nose, and finally to her lips.
“Bennett?” she said against his mouth.
“Hmm?” His hand slipped between her knees. The skin there was soft, so very soft.
“I-I thought we would go on the dirigible tomorrow. We might…”
“Are you asking me to stop? To wait for the morrow?”
Before she could answer, Bennett slipped his tongue between her lips. He angled his head to press deeper, and in doing so, she lost her resistance.
Her ramrod spine softened, shoulders bent. Bennett gently leaned her back, his mouth never leaving hers, until her head was upon the pillow.
He scooted next to her and pulled her legs up, skimming higher up her leg as he did so. Now they both lay upon the small bed, he partially on top of her, one hand between her thighs, his lips locked onto hers.
Her full body touching him sent the dizzying fog of lust to his brain. Like a bull rutting, need charged through his veins and clouded his mind. He could no longer be gentle.
Bennett thrust his tongue deep to find hers and his hand up beneath her night dress.
She moaned beneath him, responding as she did every other time they were together. Ella didn’t want his tenderness. No, she craved the urgent, desperate fire like he did.
Her tongue brushed his, pulling him further into her. She arched her back, pressing her breasts to his chest.
His fingers skimmed past the treasure between her legs to grasp a delicious mound of sweetness. Her nipple was hard against his palm and she cried out when he flicked it with his thumb.
His erection throbbed, hurt for release from the tight trousers. Soon, he promised, very soon.
Bennett tore his mouth from hers and kissed his way down her throat. He nibbled on a sensitive spot where her neck met her shoulders. She squirmed, but did not pull away.
His lips pushed down on the dress to find the swell of her breast. The shift would not go any lower. He must take it off of her.
“It has to come off,” he whispered. “Lift your hips.”
Her eyes opened and she stared at him. He waited for her to obey, but then she sat up. Instead of removing the night gown, Ella maneuvered herself from under him and got off the bed.
“What are you doing?” He reached out. “Come back.”
She took a step back. “I-I can’t.”
He must not have heard her properly. Ella was always the one urging him to continue. “You can’t? Why the hell not?”
Find Leslie here:  Website | Facebook | Twitter | Good Reads
GIVEAWAY TIME
Leslie is going to giveaway an e-copy of The Iron Heart.  
Please fill out the Rafflecopter form below to enter. 


a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Spotlight Feature & Giveaway of Bess, Nicholas & A Dog Called Bones by Tessa Armytage

Bess, Nicholas & A Dog Called Bones
by Tessa Armytage
Amazon | B&N 
Bess Saint Clair is about to lose everything and the only man who can save her is Nicholas Blake. It’s just a pity she can’t stand him.
Nicholas is a record industry hotshot with a reputation for being a Big, Bad Wolf. That’s okay by publicist Bess – she’s the sort of Little Red Riding Hood who eats wolves for breakfast. From the moment Nicholas and Bess clap eyes on each other they share a common bond: they want to tear each other’s throats out.
When Nicholas discovers that the man he has hired for the job is a woman, he’d like nothing better than to boot her out of his office. When Bess discovers he is one of those creatures of prehistoric legend – a male chauvinist – she’d like nothing better than to flip him the bird and turn on her heel.
But he needs her talent and she needs his money.
Each is hell bent on teaching the other a lesson. Both are about to learn a lesson they’ll never forget. The battle over who will wear the pants will be fiercest when neither is wearing any.
Funny, tender and deeply sensual, Bess, Nicholas & A Dog Called Bones is set in a picturesque valley vineyard and features a heroic, shameless sausage extortionist of a dog who is almost as human, and every bit as unforgettable, as Nicholas and Bess.
  
Excerpt
The bedroom door slammed shut.  Bess jumped and whirled around.
Nicholas leaned back against the door, his arms crossed and one knee bent, his foot upon the door.
“This rule of yours.”
He had on the shirt she had touched in his wardrobe.  It was open at the neck and he had nothing on beneath it and he was bright-eyed from rest and clean-shaven and fresh from the shower and Good God, he was glorious.
“What rule?” she breathed.
“The one about no making love with a man you’re not in love with.”
He pushed himself away from the door.
Her legs wanted to run.  Bess didn’t know – to him or past him – only that they wanted to run somewhere.
“Oh, that one.”  The words were barely audible; her lungs were bellows.
Nicholas took a step toward her.
“Does it apply to… kissing?”
Her mouth went dry. He advanced another step.
“I… hadn’t thought about it.”
One more step. He towered over her.  Bess looked up into his face. 
“No?”
“Strictly speaking… kissing isn’t lovemaking.”
“It can be.”
“You think s–”
One kiss – one soft, warm, hungry-making kiss – and then he was gone, just beyond her reach, his tilted face hovering above hers, his lips parted.  Somehow she had come to be balanced on her tiptoes.  Bess swayed toward him.
“I know so,” he breathed, and his eyes closed as his lips found hers once, twice, thrice he caressed her mouth with a seeking gentleness that breathed sweet life into her mouth, and she tilted her chin and reached for him as his arms swept around her and gathered her into his embrace.
His lips were tantalising, his kisses so soft, so meltingly, deliciously soft, they made her ache and they made her thirst and she tilted her chin higher and reached for more, and sweetly, tenderly, Nicholas answered her need, his fingertips drawing a feathered trail over her throat.
One more – the softest of kisses, it was a billowing cloud against her lips – and then he withdrew almost imperceptibly; his lips, touched to hers, became still.  Bess opened her eyes.  Amber eyes, flashing and dancing in the firelight watched her.   Her fingers curled into his shirt.
“Please, sir,” she whispered, “May I have some more?”
He covered her mouth with an appetite that shocked her.  
Hungry as she was, her appetite was no match for his.  She gasped into his open, seeking mouth and, overwhelmed, she tried to turn her face away, even as her hands gathered his shirt into her clasping fingers.  He arched her back and deepened his kiss, dipping her back to receive him.    Bess closed her eyes and took her medicine.
He pulled away.  She held onto his shirt for support.
Nestling his cheek against hers, he nuzzled the words into her ear.  “What say you, Miss Saint Clair?  Was that lovemaking or kissing?”
“Kissing–”
Seized by the hips she was borne up and around; Nicholas held her aloft, then, holding her eyes, he slowly slid her against his body until her dangling feet touched the floor.
He unclasped her fingers from his shirt and drew her arms around his neck, pressing her chest to his. Without a word, he studied her upturned face, his eyes alight with swirls of burnished copper.  He covered her mouth, kissing her deeply, then drew away.
Suddenly grasping her hips he parted her legs with his hips and thrust her back against the door.
Bess swallowed the cry that rushed to her lips.  She had asked for more, she’d bitten off more than she could chew, and…
Damned before she’d admit to it.
She held Nicholas’s eyes, her chest heaving against his.
A half-smile toyed devilishly with his lips.
His tilted head came down slowly, inch by inch by tormenting inch. His lips a whisper away from hers, he stopped.
“How about that, Miss Saint Clair?” he murmured, “Was that kissing or lovemaking?”
“Strictly speaking–”
Swiftly he descended and how eagerly she rose to his mouth, but at the last moment his lips glanced off the side of her face and lit on her neck. He set to work with breathtaking purpose, his pulsing lips warmly provocative, a living electrical current on her throat.  Her legs were having trouble holding her up.
His hands were under her cashmere sweater; his fingers were cool and long, their delicate stroking utterly sumptuous.  Her head fell forward, she was drowning in sensation: his body was hard, his touch was soft, his lips were electrifying and she could stand no more; Bess took a ravenous taste of that damnable jaw before she placed her lips to his ear and whispered her plea to be kissed.
He smiled against her neck.
Understanding flashed with blinding clarity – once before, she had deflected his kiss.  He was punishing her.
She turned her head to make it easier for him.
Caressing her shoulders he pulled her away from the wall and bent her backwards; further parting her thighs to accommodate him, he pushed himself between them.
He took to her throat like a honeyeater awash in a wealth of nectar.
Bess gasped silently and shuddered beneath him.  Nicholas paused, his lips on her throat, his breathing ragged against her skin.  He seemed to be having trouble speaking.  “Kissing…” he drew a breath, “…or lovemaking, Be–”
“Just… kissing.”
His head flew up.  His eyes were lightning.  “Just–”
Bess shrieked as Nicholas hefted her from her feet and swung her against him, her legs astride his waist.
His forearms brandishing steel against her back, Nicholas carried her to the bed.
The eiderdown rustled loudly as he threw it back.  The bed rocked wildly as she was tossed onto it.
Nicholas knelt above her.
Author Bio:
When Tessa Armytage isn’t writing, she likes to take long solitary walks near her country home, thinking about cooking, writing and whatever else tickles her fancy.  Bess, Nicholas & A Dog Called Bones is her second book.
Blog | Facebook
GIVEAWAY TIME… 
To win an e-copy of  Bess, Nicholas & A Dog Called Bones
Please fill out the Rafflecopter form below. 


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Guest blog & Giveaway with Jessica Subject

The First Kiss
The first kiss in any relationship can be such a magical experience, or absolutely dreadful, but either way, always memorable. It can turn friends into lovers, crushes into relationships, or make you want to run and hide. I remember them all.
In fiction, the first kiss changes everything as well. It is usually a major plot point in any romance story, and determines what the characters do next.
Here is the first kiss in Unknown Futures:
Jewel pressed against her, her head resting on her shoulder, swaying to the decelerated beat. “I don’t want this night to end.”
Their dancing became deliberate, a sensuous and intimate rhythm. “It doesn’t have to.”
Jewel stopped and looked up at her. “You…you’re interested?”
“Why wouldn’t I be? You’re the most beautiful creature in the space station.” Somehow, she had to make her see. She brushed her thumb across her lips, wanting to touch more, her entire luscious body. Taking a deep breath, V steadied herself. If this were to go any further, Jewel needed to show her own intentions. As warm moisture pooled between her thighs, V schooled herself to patience.
“Are you sure you’re not my date?”
Shit! That damn date, the only wedge between them. “No, but I wish I was.”
“I wish you were, too.” Jewel stood on the tips of her toes and claimed her mouth. V pulled her closer until the bit of space between them had been filled. Excited by the warm, curvaceous body pressed against her taut nipples, she fed from the sweetness of Jewel’s mouth, drawing out each delicious sweep. But she wanted more. She wanted all of her.
Now, in one word, describe your first kiss.

Unknown Futures 
Attacked as a young adult, Jewel is left scarred and alone. She applies to the 1Night Stand service, believing no one can see past her appearance to love her. But she doesn’t expect to be sent to a space station where her date could be any number of unusual alien species.
Flavia left everything behind to be one of five humans working for the Space Service space station. Extremely homesick, she is excited to learn she will be a guide to a woman from Earth visiting the station for a couple days. She is immediately drawn to the petite woman, seeing past her scars to her true inner beauty, stirring unforeseen desires.
Unfortunately, Jewel is there for a date which Flavia hasn’t been told about. Can she contain her lust and simply show her a good time? Or will she let her desire lead them into an unknown future?
Book trailer: http://youtu.be/HOBmZ9vKwYE
Available from Decadent Publishing and other ebook retailers.
Buy Links here: http://www.markofthestars.com/wp/?page_id=7671


Bio:
Jessica Subject started writing to encourage her daughter to read. Now she writes to keep herself grounded. Although she reads many genres, she enjoys writing Science Fiction Romance the most and believes everyone in the universe deserves a happily ever after. She lives Southwestern Ontario, Canada with her husband and two kids and loves to hear from anyone who has enjoyed her stories.
Website/Blog: http://www.markofthestars.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/jsubject

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Jessica-E-Subject-author/205759796126370

Giveaway!!
As part of the Unknown Futures blog tour with Sizzling PR, Jessica is giving away a $20 gift certificate to either Amazon.com or AllRomanceEbooks.com. Simply leave a comment with your email address for your chance to WIN! Be sure to follow the tour and comment; the more you comment, the better your chances of winning. The tour dates can be found here: http://www.markofthestars.com/wp/?page_id=8896
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Interview & Giveaway with Margaret Ethridge

Books-n-Kisses is pleased to have Margaret Ethridge back on the blog today.  We are going to be talking about her new book Commitment. 
Hi Margaret, welcome back to Books-n-Kisses
Margaret: Thanks so much for having me back! I love Books-n-Kisses. Your readers are awesome.

Q1) Margaret, for those who may have missed you last time you were on the blog can you share a little about yourself?

Margaret: I went back in my files to see what I said last time so I didn’t repeat myself and I found that it all still holds true. I thought I’d do a little copy and paste with updated commentary. You ready for this?
Each day I roll out of bed with my make-up already applied and every hair in place (Still true. That is, if bed wrinkles count as make-up and Mrs. Toucanella from Horton Hears a Who styled my hair.), hop in my sports car (I did buy a little red coupe since we last spoke, but it’s a 4-cylinder Kia. Cute as all get-out.), and zip through a traffic-free commute to my office (They are expanding our building, so these days I follow the dump-trucks of dirt.). There, I count bottles of booze. (Still counting.) Literally. My mother is proud. I have her dream job. (She still likes her vodka. A lot.)
When I return to my spotless abode each evening (cracking up), my loving husband greets me at the door wearing nothing but black mesh boxer briefs and a smile, asks about my day (This may or may not be true. I’ll never tell.), and leads me to a candlelit table laden with Steakburgers from Steak ‘n Shake, heaps of McDonald’s fries, bowls of candy corn and Smarties, platters of Krispie Kreme crullers, and a convoy of Route 44 Diet Cokes from the Sonic. (Sigh. Is there anything hotter than a food fantasy?) I consume them all without ever gaining an ounce or getting a zit whilst Colin Firth climbs out of the pond in our back yard wearing a wet white shirt… (I’m imagining Mr. Darcy climbing out of the goldfish pond by my patio. Still imagining…)
Yeah. So…I still write fiction-as you can tell. It’s fiction about ordinary people finding extraordinary romance where and when they least expect it. And that’s the truth.
Q2) When did you decide you wanted to be an author?
Margaret: I was one of those people who said, ‘Someday, I’d like to write a book.’ I’ve been an avid reader since I was young, but I didn’t start writing until about five or six years ago. Now, I can’t stop.
Q3) What is your typical writing day like?  What are the things you have to have while writing?
 Margaret: Well, my typical writing day doesn’t begin until 7 or 8PM, which means I have about 2-3 hours to attend to all of my authorly duties including writing, editing, and promotion before I have to hit the sack. Unfortunately, I cannot function on less than 6 hours of sleep, and they don’t appreciate me sleeping at my desk at work. Weekends are prime time for me.
I’m pretty low-maintenance when it comes to my writing routine. I grew up in a large, noisy family, so I do need some form of background noise in order to concentrate. Oh, and my feet must be warm. Fuzzy socks are a must. Cheese Its don’t hurt, either.
Q4) Who do you feel has influenced your writing style?
 Margaret: Wow. So many people. I started reading Nora Roberts when I was in my early teens. I picked up a copy of Irish Thoroughbred, and I was hooked. I love the humor in Janet Evanovich’s books. She always makes me laugh out loud. Sarah Addison Allen’s writing is so breathtakingly descriptive it make my heart go pitter-patter. I love her books and I dream of being able to create stories as utterly charming as hers.
Q5) Can you tell us about your book Commitment 
 Margaret: I love this book! Is it bad to admit that? I can’t help it. I love this couple. They’re so funny and sexy. There were times when I thought they would spontaneously combust on the page. And they’re real. I would totally hang out with them. That makes it even more fun as far as I’m concerned.
Here’s the blurb:

Tom Sullivan wants a woman who is willing to accept him as he is. The successful divorce attorney has seen enough of the flip-side of love to know better than to promise forever. Women have tried to pin him down, but none have managed to make it stick.
Until Maggie McCann.
Maggie is only interested in one thing. Her fortieth birthday is looming and the tick-tock-tick-tock in her head means her biological clock is about to strike midnight on her dreams of finding Prince Charming. Armed with a new plan for her happily ever, she foregoes the Fairy Godmother routine and makes an appointment with a fertility clinic for a rendezvous with a sperm donor.
The last thing Maggie needs is to get mixed up with a player like Tom Sullivan.
A chance encounter and the opportunity to scratch a decade-long itch prove irresistible, and what starts as a one night stand turns into a game of cat and mouse when Tom learns of Maggie’s plan to start a family on her own.
To Maggie, messing with a guy like Tom Sullivan is the single-girl equivalent of playing with fire, but she convinces herself to take what she can get for as long as she can and expect nothing more. But Tom falls hard and fast for Maggie, and now that they’re planning to have a baby together he starts banking on his own happily ever after.

If only he can get her to commit…
 Q6) How did you come with the idea for this story.
 Margaret: We first met Maggie in Tom in my June 2011 release, Contentment. Maggie is Tracy Sullivan’s friend and Jiminy Cricket, and Tom is Sean Sullivan’s snarky and elusive older brother. In Contentment, everyone is stunned when they learn that Tracy’s good-girl friend has hooked up with Sean’s bad-boy brother. And that’s when the fun begins…
Maggie and Tom’s story is much more light-hearted than Tracy and Sean’s story. In Contentment Tracy and Sean were stumbling about trying to navigate the perilous middle of their relationship, and not having much success. Maggie and Tom are just embarking on this backwards kind of relationship. It was great fun to turn their expectations inside-out and upside-down.
Q7) Can you tell us about your current work in progress
Margaret: Well, at the moment my naughty alter ego is monopolizing the writing time (Her name is Maggie Wells. Shh. Don’t tell my mother…), but I do have two more novels coming in 2012. The next is the tale of an unexpected love affair between a small-town widower and the big-city divorcee. Spring Chickens will be released by The Wild Rose Press in April 2012. Coming in June 2012, Turquoise Morning Press will release Inamorata, the sequel to my ghostly paranormal romance, Paramour.
Q8) Can you tell us what you would be doing if you were not an author?
 Margaret: I would probably be reading quite a few more books. I don’t get to read nearly as much as I did once upon a time.
Q9) Because I am nosey.  What is up next in your to read pile?
 Margaret: Just started The Fall of Rain by the fabulous Renee Vincent. It’s the third in her Emerald Isle Trilogy, a contemporary romance to wrap up a historical series. I’m loving it so far.
Q10) Is there anything else you would like to add?
Margaret: I just want to thank your readers for their enthusiastic response. I’ve made quite a few new friends through Books-n-Kisses, which is always a treat. Please feel free to contact me – I love hearing from readers!
Books-n-Kisses, Margaret: it always pleasure to have you on the blog. I look forward to having you back again.  What do you say we give a copy of Commitment away to one lucky follower?
Margaret: I say let’s do it! Thanks again for having me here. The pleasure is all mine. Happy reading, everyone!
Want to learn more about Margaret?  You can find her here:
Website –  Facebook –  Twitter –  Goodreads
Giveaway Time
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Guest blog & Giveaway with Laura Kaye

Huge thanks to Books-n-Kisses for hosting me here today! I’m celebrating the release of my new dark paranormal romance, In the Service of the King, the first in my Vampire Warrior Kings series. I thought I’d play on the awesomely cute name of this blog and assert that there’s nothing better than vampires-n-kisses, too! *winks* And, to prove my case, I’m offering a few vamptastic excerpts to seal the deal.
First, there’s nothing like a first kiss, is there? Here’s Kael’s and Shayla’s:
            Shayla’s mind erupted into a cacophony of joyous confusion. She’d been specifically told there would be no kissing. The king did not kiss. But, holy hell! Did the king ever kiss.
            His large frame bent down over her, surrounding her in his heat. His full lips sucked and pulled at hers and his tongue demanded entrance and exploration, which she freely granted. His hard muscles bunched and thrummed around her, setting her body on fire everywhere they touched. The scent of powerful masculinity filled her nose, and the exquisite flavor of his tongue in her mouth intoxicated her. And, oh God, every time she felt the passing hardness of his fangs as they kissed made her whimper and moan. Her body readied itself immediately for his, moistening, opening.
            Having shielded herself from physical relationships, she was astounded to learn her body had the ability to produce this crazy, urgent euphoria. Her brain scrambled to process each new, maddening sensation. In that moment, she would’ve done anything to maintain the feeling. Was it always like this?
            Kael growled low in his chest as his mouth came at her again and again, and Shayla felt the vibration of the feral sound against her breasts. She squeezed her thighs together, seeking friction to satisfy even a little of her now uncontrollable lust. Her mouth was so filled with his probing tongue it was difficult to get enough oxygen, but his kisses convinced her she could live without it as long as he continued to devour her so intensely.
            Never had she imagined the expression of physical love could make her feel so wanted, so needed.
            His obvious pleasure throbbed against her stomach and flooded her with unbelievable feelings of power, and just a little fear. Because they were off the grid now, outside the bounds of the rules and expectations she’d been taught during her training. And she was thrilled it might mean he was as affected by her as she was by him. Wherever the king was leading them, she was only too happy to follow. In truth, she felt powerless to do otherwise.
While desperate kisses like the one above are amazing, there’s something to be said for soft, sensual ones, too. Like…this one, for example:
            This wasn’t the wild kiss he’d claimed her with earlier. His lips found hers gently, reverently, as if he was savoring small tastes of a rare gourmet meal. One large hand grasped her shoulder and the other cupped her cheek—both brought her closer to him. He pulled and sucked at her lips, his hair falling around their faces as he rose up over her. She opened herself before he even demanded it of her—her body remembered his exquisite taste and begged for its return.
            Their tongues stroked and explored, but she needed more. She pushed forward just enough to suck his whole tongue deep into her mouth.
            Sweet fulfillment exploded against her taste buds, dragging whimpers and moans from her. He groaned and her hands flew to his hair. Her left hand found masses of thick silky bronze she gripped and tugged as she held him to her, but her right hand fell on his jeweled braid. Knowing the significance of it, she yanked her hand back, afraid she’d offended him.
            But then his big hand grasped hers where it rested against his chest and pulled it back up
to his head. “Hold me,” he whispered against her lips. “Touch me.”
And, just to make sure my case for the awesomeness of vampires-n-kisses is full-proof, I offer you more kisses, just, this time, not on the mouth:
            Shayla licked her lips as she gazed at the red-painted knot over Kael’s heart. She wanted to…to…
            She sprang at him and opened her mouth over the red. The moment her tongue touched his skin, she groaned, a nearly strangled sound from deep in her throat. This was the urge she’d been feeling all day. She licked and sucked at the spot over his heart until only his clean tattoo remained. She drew back, whimpering. Not enough. It wasn’t enough.
            “Here,” he rasped. He pointed to another symbol painted on the bulge of his bicep.
            Needy sounds spilled from her as she pulled his arm to her mouth. She feasted on the mark, but it, too, was gone too soon.
            He held his hair away from the left side of his throat. “Again.”
            She moaned and climbed up him. His other arm strapped her against him, held her in place while she sucked and licked the red away. Kael grunted and shook under her frenzied attention and it drove her on.
            It was blood. His blood. It sang to her, beckoned her. She needed more. So much more.
So, did I successful make my case? *winks* The awesome thing is: we don’t have to choose between books-n-kisses or vampires-n-kisses, do we? Because In the Service of the King proves one can have books-n-vampires-kisses altogether!
Thanks for reading!
Laura Kaye
GIVEAWAY!
To celebrate her new release, Laura is giving away one e-copy of In the Service of the King at each stop on her New Release Tour, 1/30 – 2/15! In addition, all commenters from across the tour will be entered to win a prize bag filled with swag and various vampire items, perfect for the vampire lover! RULES: Must leave e-mail address & if from U.S. in comment. Ebook prizes open to international; prize bag to U.S. only.
About In the Service of the Kings
Book 1 in the Vampire Warrior Kings Series
Harlequin Nocturne Cravings
Kael, Warrior King of the Vampires, loathes the Night of the Proffering. He needs the blood of either his mate or a human virgin to maintain his strength, but hasn’t enjoyed the ritual since he lost his mate centuries ago. Kael doesn’t want a new companion, yet his resolve is tested when he lays eyes on his new offering, Shayla McKinnon. He is drawn to Shayla’s beauty and poise…and the submission she offers. She is eager to give him anything he wishes, including her innocence, to please him. Will Kael give in to their overwhelming desire–even if it means risking Shayla’s life?
About Laura Kaye
Voted Breakout Author of the Year in the 2011 GraveTells Readers’ Choice Awards, Laura is the bestselling and award-winning author of a half-dozen books. Hearts in Darkness is a finalist for the EPIC eBook Award for Best Novella, Forever Freed won the NJRW Golden Leaf Award for Best Paranormal of 2011, and North of Need, the first book in the Hearts of the Anemoi series, was named GraveTells’ Best Book of 2011 and won their 5-STAR Gold Heart Award, and won Sizzling Hot Read of the Year at Sizzling Hot Books. Laura lives in Maryland with her husband, two daughters, and cute-but-bad dog, and appreciates her view of the Chesapeake Bay every day.
GIVEAWAY TIME:
To enter for a chance to win Laura’s newest book.  Please use the Rafflecopter form below. 



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Interview & Giveaway with Morgan Kearns

Books-n-Kisses pleased to welcome Morgan Kearns to the blog today.  We are so excited to share Morgan’s new release Heart Ache.

Morgan Kearns survived the intense and ever-changing insanity of television news for nearly 10 years before retiring to enter the jungle of raising four children. She writes novels that are ‘a real page turner’ and ‘couldn’t put the book down’ reads. She does an ‘amazing job bringing her characters to life’. 


Morgan loves to meet new characters as they step out of her imagination, introduce themselves and keep her up all night telling their stories. Morgan lives in Northern Arizona with her wonderfully supportive husband and her four great kids—and her bulldog, Gus.
Books-n-Kisses:  Hi Morgan, Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to sit down and talk with me about you and your new release Heart Ache.
Morgan: Thank YOU! I’m totally stoked to be here.
BnK: Can I get you anything before we get started?  Coffee, Soda, Cookie?
Morgan: I’m good, thanks.
Q1) Can you please tell my followers a little more about yourself
Morgan: I’m a mom, a wife, a friend. I love to laugh and you can assure yourself that every Morgan Kearns novel will end with a Happily-Ever-After. Although, you may doubt that until the very end. *wink*
Q2) Who do you feel has influenced your writing style?
Morgan: I’m not sure I could say. I can tell you the names of some of my favorite authors: JR Ward, Lynsay Sands, Lara Adrian, Christina Dodd, Tina Folsom, and a few of my Arizona Dreamin’ pals; Kris Tualla and Deena Remiel. You want great stories with fabulous characters? Check them out!
Q3) What is your most interesting writing quirk?
Morgan: I need music to write. I have playlists on my iPod for different scenes I’m writing; love songs, break up songs, intense songs (lots of Linkin Park in that one!). But when it comes to editing, I need it dead quiet. Any kind of noise whatsoever breaks my concentration and I’m done. The fam hates it when I edit. LOL!
Q4) What would you say is the most challenging thing for you about writing?
Morgan: Finding time. I have four kids (ages 11-5) and sometimes it’s literally a matter of taking the laptop and escaping in order to meet deadlines.

Q5) Can you tell us what inspired you to write Heart Ache?

Morgan: I read a lot of paranormal romance. The male always finds his female and then ignores the signals screaming that she’s his. Stupid males! Well, I wanted a world, a signal that could NOT be denied. Fight it? Sure, he can do that all he wants. But he can’t deny she’s his!
In my world, upon maturation (at around 30), the male’s heart stops beating. When he touches his female for the first time it starts beating again. No denying it. It’s usually a holy sh!t moment for the male. It took Nikolai 400 years for his heart to find Gabby, but knowing she’s the one, doesn’t make having her easy.
Q6)  Please describe Heart Ache for us in 140 characters or less
Morgan : One Touch. One Beat. Captures His Heart Forever.
Q7) Can you tell us what is up next for you (current WIP)?
Morgan : For those of you who have read IN IT TO WIN IT, I’m writing Xavier’s story. For those of you who haven’t read it, Xavier is the left fielder for the Vegas  Rockets. In WIN he was a rookie. It’s years later and after a successful career, he’s returned to finish it in Rockets blue. Xavier has baggage. Lots of baggage. He’s a player on and off the field. But it’s not only an injury that comes OUT OF LEFT FIELD and changes life as he knows it.
Keep an eye out for Xavier’s story in May 2012.
Q8)  I always like to know what authors are reading or upcoming release you are looking forward to most.
Morgan: The novel of the year for me is JR Ward’s Lover Reborn. I’m a Cellie and cannot wait! My favorite color is amethyst. *wink*
Q9) What do you do when you are not writing?
Morgan: Climb mountains … of laundry. LOL! Seriously, if I have free time, I like to read. I enjoy taking a few minutes every day to hit the treadmill (my iPod and Kindle come with me). I work with the Cub Scouts and that’s always a riot and a half!  
Books-n-Kisses:  Morgan, It was so great to have you here.  I hope my followers enjoyed learning a little more about you.  What do you say we do a giveaway?
Morgan: Abso-frickin’-lutely! I’d like to offer one lucky person a free digital copy of HEART ACHE. Be sure to check out my blog for a chance at a “Touch Me” t-shirt, inspired by the series!  Click on link to take you over to my page to enter. http://authormorgankearns.blogspot.com/2012/01/have-you-read-heart-ache.html
GIVEAWAY TIME!!!!!!!
To enter for a chance to win an e-copy of Heart Ache please use the Rafflecopter form below.



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Guest blog & giveaway with the WONDERFUL Elisabeth Naughton

Thanks so much to Kelly and Books-n-Kisses for inviting me to stop by the blog today!
If you are a reader who follows writer’s blogs, you’ve probably heard writers talk about “the book of their heart”. This term is tossed around all the time, and doesn’t mean much unless you’re a writer. For me, every book I write is “the book of my heart” otherwise I wouldn’t write it. If I don’t love the characters enough to want to tell their story, my interest won’t last long enough to write the book. But for every writer there is one book that stands out above all the rest. Sometimes it’s the first book they wrote. Sometimes it’s the book they waited to write until they knew they were a better writer. For other authors—like me—it’s the book they wrote, then come back to over and over and over again, even years later.
My most recent release, WAIT FOR ME, is this book. Chronologically, it’s the second book I wrote, but that really means nothing because it’s been revised more times than I can count. My first book sucked big green donkey whompers. Seriously, it was so bad it will never see the light of day. But when I finished—and even though I knew it was awful—I was proud of it. Because I learned a lot in the process of writing that book. And when I was done I knew I could tackle the book I’d wanted to write from the start—WAIT FOR ME.
WAIT FOR ME is the story that got me writing. It’s the one that’s been in my head the longest. When I finished it, I knew the writing still wasn’t that good, but I didn’t shove it in a box and forget about it like I did my first book. Yes, I put it away, but every time I learned something new or discovered a better way to write, I went back to WAIT FOR ME, pulled it out and revised.
The final version of WAIT FOR ME bears no resemblance to that early manuscript. The location is different, the suspense is different, the scenes are totally different. But one element remains: the love story. The love story in this book is what kept drawing me back. It’s that element that I couldn’t let go of. It’s the part that makes this book THE book of my heart.
Putting this book out into the world for readers was not an easy task. Like I said before, I didn’t want to release it until I knew I could do it justice.  After eight published novels, plus two more that are done and waiting to be released, I finally felt ready to revise WAIT FOR ME one last time and let it go. It’s crazy to say that after ten books I’m still totally nervous as to how readers will react to my story and writing, but I am. Especially with this book because it has such a special place in my heart. Thankfully, readers have been enjoying it, and I can’t tell you how happy that makes me. When a book has been with an author as long as this one has been with me, there is no other feeling in the world than hearing from readers how much they love it and that they think it’s my best book yet. In a silly, author-neurotic way, it makes the “wait” totally worth it.
Is there something in your life you waited for that you’re happy you postponed until you were ready? I’m giving away an ebook copy of WAIT FOR ME, a second chance story with a twist, to one lucky commenter today!
***

A woman without a past…
After a tragic accident left her with no memory, Kate Alexander struggled to fit in with a husband and world that didn’t feel right. She’s had no reason to question what friends and family have told her, not until her husband is suddenly killed and she finds a photo of a young girl in his office. A girl who can’t be anyone but a daughter Kate didn’t know she had.
A man desperate for a reason to live…
Ryan Harrison lost his wife in a plane crash five years ago. To cope with the pain of her loss, he dedicated himself to his job and to raising their daughter. Now a successful pharmaceutical executive, Ryan has everything a man could want—money, fame and power—but he’d give it all up in a heartbeat for just one more day with the woman he still loves.
Two lives about to converge.
As Kate begins to dig into a past she doesn’t remember, evidence leads her to San Francisco and puts her on the path toward Ryan, a man who sees in her the woman he loved and lost. Kate feels a draw to Ryan, one she can’t explain, but is that feeling enough to convince her this is where she’s supposed to be? As Ryan and Kate search for answers, they uncover lies long buried, a passion hotter than either expected and a danger that threatens…even now…when the second chance they’ve both been searching for is finally within reach.
“Full of twists and turns, lies and deception, and the ultimate revenge, WAIT FOR ME is a great romantic suspense read.”
—Night Owl Reviews, Top Pick
***
A former junior high science teacher, Elisabeth Naughton traded in her red pen and test tube set for a laptop and research books. She now writes sexy romantic adventure and paranormal novels full time from her home in western Oregon where she lives with her husband and three children. Her work has been nominated for numerous awards including the prestigious RITA® awards by Romance Writers of America, the Australian Romance Reader Awards, The Golden Leaf and the Golden Heart. When not writing, Elisabeth can be found running, hanging out at the ballpark or dreaming up new and exciting adventures. Visit her at www.elisabethnaughton.com to learn more about her and her books.


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Guest blog & Giveaway with Tracey Cooper-Posey

An Innocent Burn With A Bloody History

The United Kingdom today includes Scotland, Wales and Britain, but it took centuries and blood to unite them…especially Scotland, which didn’t take kindly to the idea at all.
Scotland still considers itself an independant country, in spirit at least, and it fought for two centuries and two bloody wars for that right.
BRAVEHEART. The Battle of Falkirk 
The first of those wars is probably the most famous thanks to Mel Gibson, who brought the first half of the Scottish War of Independence to the big screen in the runaway best-selling movie, Braveheart.  William Wallace didn’t survive to see the success of the war.  He was executed shortly after the decisive Scottish vistory at Falkirk, but his influence helped shape the events in the rest of the war.
Robert The Bruce – King of Scotland
The English withdrew most of their presence from Scotland after Falkirk, to lick their wounds.  But they did keep hold of Stirling Castle, one of the most strategically important and strongest castles in Scotland.  The Bruces, the ruling Scots clan, promptly laid seige to the Castle, with Edward Bruce, the King’s brother, in charge.

King Edward “Longshanks” – King of England
Edward bargained with Sir Phillip Mowbray, who was in command of the castle, giving him until mid-summer to give up the castle.  This tactic had worked before with other, lesser castles.  But Stirling was too important to meekly hand over and the seige lingered on, while the English King Edward rounded up a mighty army to come north and face the Scots once and for all.
The river that ran past the castle was called the Bannock River or, as the Scots called them, a ‘burn’.  The Bannock Burn.
It was here that Edward and Robert “The Bruce” met in battle on June 24 in 1314, in a battle that was to last for two days, and would become known as the Battle of Bannockburn.
The Scots won, sending the English from Scotland and declaring Scotland independant.  That independence would be formalized with the signing of the Treaty of Edinburgh-Northampton in 1328.
Alas, Scotland’s independence wouldn’t last.  They would have to fight to preserve it a second time.  The Second War Of Independence lasted from 1332 to 1357, but Scotland won that war, too.
One of the interesting things to come out of both wars was the use of the long bow.  The wars proved how efficient the long bow was as a killing machine, and the long bow became the general weapon of choice across Europe for knights and foot soldiers for the rest of the late medieval period.
___________________________
Bannockburn Binding
by Tracy Cooper-Posey
Time is theirs to keep. But it comes with a price.
MMF Urban Fantasy Futuristic Time Travel Romance Serial

In the early 23rd Century, vampires learned how to travel back in time, and created a time-tsunami that threatened life as we know it, until they corrected their mistake.  They created the Chronometric Conservation Agency, which is tasked with preserving history and therefore protecting humanity’s future.  The Touring arm of the Agency offers trips back into the real past, with vampire guides, called travellers.
When Natalia (Tally) Marta, vampire and traveller, takes her client to visit the siege of Stirling Castle in 1314, she is caught and held hostage for ransom by Robert MacKenzie, a Bruce clansman.  Rob finds himself drawn to the wilful, stubborn and very different English lady he has captured and the relationship becomes an intimate, highly-charged sexual pairing.  Swiftly, Tally and Rob realize their bond is more than sexual, that the emotions stirring their hearts are true.
Christian Lee Hamilton, vampire, one of the last true southern gentlemen, and Tally’s ex-lover, knows the 1314 time marker enough to jump back and help Tally return home. His arrival at Bannockburn adds complications, for Christian finds himself drawn to Rob MacKenzie as much as Tally is.  But neither of them can stay in the past forever.  To do so means certain death.

___
An Excerpt From: BANNOCKBURN BINDING
Copyright © TRACY COOPER-POSEY, 2011
All Rights Reserved.
Rob dragged the servant and his lady into the encampment shortly after the mid-day lull, when everyone was busy with new-found energy and enthusiasm. It also meant everyone would be focused on the castle, and his two captives would rouse the least amount of interest.
He avoided asking himself why he wanted to draw no attention. Later, he would think about it.
For now, the woman’s servant was trouble enough to deal with. He pushed his boot into the man’s behind, encouraging him to keep moving. The man was staggering and moving slowly, making hard going of it.
Rob was puzzled by the man’s over-reaction to the bloody nose and having his hands fastened behind his back. The man was simply terrified, making Rob wonder how long he had been in the service of gentry. In this day and age, capture and ransom was the way of things. Rob had been gentle enough with him, considering.
Rob tugged on Thunder’s halter, encouraging the horse to follow the man’s uneven progress. He glanced up at the woman on Thunder’s saddle. She had managed to arrange her gown so that not even an ankle was revealed, despite her hands being tied to the horse.
“Do ye have a name you’ll give me?” he asked of her.
She glanced at him. “One ye’ll believe is mine?”
She had him there.
“But if ye give me ye name,” Rob countered, “The quicker this’ll all be done with. If ye don’t, we must figure out who ye be and it’ll all take the longer. An army camp is no place for a lady, I assure ye. Even an English one.”
“Especially an English one, in this camp,” she amended. “But you fail to mention that the English king will be here to save his castle before midsummer, and if I am English, I will be saved, also.”
Rob snorted. “Yon Edward won’t move his buttocks out of England, not even for his last Scottish castle. Dinna hold ye breath for that.”
“He will,” she said softly. Firmly. “You’ve given him just the excuse he needs to march his army into Scotland and break King Robert and every last man of ye.”
Rob halted the horse and looked up at her. “How’s a fine young thing as you get to know of such matters?” he said sharply.
She hesitated, and he could feel her caution. “I am a woman. Men speak freely in front of me because I am of no account. So I hear things.”
“And remember them, aye?” Rob nudged Thunder back into motion. “Ye confirm with every word yer high status, my lady. I’m thinking ye’ll raise a goodly number of coins.”
“I think you’ll be surprised,” she returned, still speaking softly. Her assured manner was more the fit of a much older woman, or even a man seasoned in battle or politics. Yet she seemed barely to have blossomed into womanhood.
And a fine, fine womanhood it was, a voice whispered in Rob’s mind.
He tugged at Thunder’s halter irritably, making the big beast snort a protest, for he was already moving forward. Rob scowled at the muddy ground they were crossing, trying not to glance over his shoulder at the fresh young thing sitting on his saddle. The English army might think nothing of returning a woman to her family with her virtue spoiled and her innocence gone, but that didn’t happen in Robert’s army. Well, not in Edward Bruce’s army, at least.
Rob kicked the whimpering manservant again, as he amended the thought. Not in my charge, then. Not while she belongs to me.
“You’d better hope your English king hurries himself,” he told her, keeping his eyes on his tent, fifteen paces ahead, where he could lock her away from his sight and his thoughts. “If ye’ll not tell me who ye are, he is ye best hope for rescue.”
“He is not my king,” she returned, “Any more than he is your king.”
“So ye say.” It was a feeble retort, but the best he could manage. Suddenly, he was desperate to return to the mindless watch at the base of the castle and the ribald masculine chatter around the building of the siege engines. Even Prince Edward’s sharp tongue would be welcome.
“My name is Natalie,” she murmured. Her voice seemed to whisper in his ear.
He reached up and released her hands from their bonds and grasped the trim waist to assist her down. His fingers nearly met, and his body tightened in response. He could feel warmth and soft flesh, beneath the cloth of her gown.
He cleared his throat. The rope was still fastened around each wrist and he gripped it, looking at her. “Ye give me ye word ye won’t try to escape, and I’ll leave the bonds be.”
“I canna do that.”
He sighed and pulled her into the warm, dim tent, leaving her manservant crouched, whimpering, on the ground beneath Thunder’s nose. He’d deal with him after.
The inside of the tent, he was relieved to see, had been tidied by the pageboy he shared with four other officers. It had been a half-hearted attempt, but the tent at least looked somewhat civilized. The furs on the ground had been beaten and re-laid, and his personal belongings stowed in the chest.
Rob lifted the rope around the woman’s wrist up and hitched it to the tent pole, high up above her head so she could not lift the rope off by herself. It raised her hands very high. For a moment, they stood face to face, with only the heavy bole of the tent support between them.
Sweet temptation soared through his veins in a scalding, aching rush. He had only to drop his hand from the rope, slide it down the length of her arm, to tuck his hand beneath the heavy swell of her breast where it lifted her gown in a full, ripe mound….
She was looking him square in the eye. There was not a single whisper of coyness in her glance. He wondered for an insane moment that if he dared let his gaze linger in the depth of her eyes, would he see mutual knowledge there?
He made himself step away. His whole body seemed to pound with the effort it took to move from her. 
“Ye arms will lose feeling,” he told her, his words more brusque than he intended them to be. “Then they’re going to throb, the like of which ye’ve never felt before. Then they will start to burn. Ye may want to reconsider giving me your word, before then.” He turned to go.
“Wait!”
He turned back and lifted his brow. In this low light she almost seemed to glow, so pale and flawless was her flesh. Her lips were full and tempting beyond belief.
“My manservant. What do you intend to do with him?” she asked.
“What do ye care? He led you into danger.”
“He…has sentimental value to my family. I would rather he stay by my side.”
“So he can untie ye the moment my back is turned? What sort of fool do ye take me for, m’lady?”
Rob stalked out of the tent, his black temper roused beyond belief. He kicked the servant up off the ground where he lay shivering, to alleviate his mood.
Such scattered, inane thoughts over a pair of dark eyes and pink lips. He was addled.
___
  • Now Available
  • Erotic MMF romance, time travel, urban fantasy story line, on-going serial storylines.
  • This is the first book in the BELOVED BLOODY TIME series.
  • Futuristic settings:  Australia, near-planetary space.  Historical settings: Medieval Scotland, France.
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  • Pages: 162 in PDF, including front matter. (Short novel-length story)
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__________
Tracy Cooper-Posey is a national award winning author, with more than 35 romance titles published since 1999. She writes mainly romantic suspense and paranormal romance, with brief forays into other romantic genres here and there. She has been nominated for three CAPA’s for best paranormal romance, one CAPA for best historical romance, and the CAPA for Favourite Author, and has won the Emma Darcy Award.

…an author I’ll pick up simply because her name is on the cover.
Kristi Ahlers, Amazon.com

…reminded me of why I fell in love with reading in the first place.
M.M. Gwynn, eBookConnections

…touches the heart and makes you feel everything.
Cherokee, Coffee Time Romance

…writes books which deserve a place on keeper shelves everywhere!
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Connect directly with Tracy at her site…Facebook…Twitter…Google+…Amazon…All Romance eBooks… MMF Romance Novels (Tracy’s Facebook Group). 
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GIVEAWAY TIME!!!!!

Tracey is giving away a copy of Blood Knot.  To enter please fill out the Rafflecopter form below. 

Blood Knot
EROTIC MMF URBAN FANTASY ROMANCE
Winter, a professional thief who can manipulate others’ biologies by touch, accidentally “healed” her former partner—and former vampire—Sebastian, whom she secretly loves. Her healing created a symbiot pairing between them that neither of them wants.
Nathanial, a sexy thousand-year-old vampire and Sebastian’s ex-lover, talks Sebastian and Winter into stealing evidence that will expose all vampires to the world. But Nathanial is a puppet-master who doesn’t believe in falling in love with humans, leaving Winter unsure of his real feelings for her once he seduces her, or how he feels about Sebastian, the former vampire-now-human whose life he has turned upside down once more.
But the evidence they steal is hot property. The future of all vampires is on the line and others will stop at nothing to get it, leaving Sebastian, Winter and Nathanial with no allies but each other. They must trust each other to survive. Only…can they?


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Guest Blog with Jodie Becker & Sidney Bristol

Love of an Era: Musicals

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JODIE: 1950s, what an era. Beehive hair-dos, rockabilly dresses and petticoats, and everyone broke out into song and dance… What? They didn’t really do that? But what about An American in Paris?? Okay, well I WISHED everyone broke out into song and dance. What is it about musicals that carries joy over the next 50+ years. My kids enjoy the shows like Mary Poppins and Sound of Music. They are timeless in their plots and have managed to capture people’s imagination generations later. The most noted in the early era is people like Fred Astaire, but my personal fave was Gene Kelly. I sometimes feel like their looks are also timeless, that we’d never see a guy that pulls off that look again. Which is a shame. I loved Singing in the Rain, with the romance, comedy and singing. Who is your favorite leading man, Sid?

SIDNEY: I have a secret. I love musicals, and I’m almost tone deaf. I also can’t remember a name to save my life, so I concentrate on remembering the names of people around me, which means actors are forever relegated to, “That guy with the face and the eyes.” I can’t tell you Fred Astaire or Gene Kelly’s names, but I know their faces, I know their moves and their voices, which I think they would be okay with. There’s something timeless about the male leads of that era. They’re classic, versatile men who could wear many hats. They could be the smooth talking player bound to get caught up with a sweet southern belle, a lucky man who happens onto the path of the woman he will love, the bad boy who just needs the right woman. Not only that, but they sang and danced and wooed their intended’s heart. There is something that makes me sigh and loose myself in the process of falling in love.

JODIE: I agree. Do you think it might be the techno-color? Everyone is rosy cheeked and dresses are brighter, streets are cleaner and props are man-made. And you know, back then they generally had popular pairings. Fred Astaire was known to always act with Ginger Rogers. In fact, you’ll like this clip, Sid, it’s Fred and Ginger dancing on roller-skates in Let’s Call the Whole Thing Off. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dskTypuEXoM&feature=related
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My fave pairing was Rock Hudson and Doris Day. I loved their chemistry on screen and I must admit I have a box set with Pillow Talk, Don’t Send Me Flowers and Lover Come Back. I adore Lover Come Back. It’s about two competing advertisers who want VIP, a product they know nothing about. When Doris mistakes Rock as the scientist to woo, Rock takes advantage and uses it to seduce ideas out of her. But he ends up liking her and you can see where this is going. Nowhere good. LOL It’s also the romance I adore in musicals.


SIDNEY: The romance plays a huge part in the draw of the genre. There’s something sweet about it, how the culmination of the romance is a touch and a kiss. Those gestures become so much more because of it. I’m also a huge sucker for the music, period. The other day, someone tweeted that they were watching Seven Brides for Seven Brothers and I broke out singing “Bless Her Beautiful Hide,” without breaking a beat! The music from that time period and all of the productions that went on have stayed with us. Who doesn’t know a few bars of, “Singing in the Rain,” or , “Don’t Rain on my Parade,” or “White Christmas.” There was a magic quality knowing any moment could bring about another song, a huge dance number or something. I think one of my favorite dance numbers is from Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, when all of the brothers are dancing and fighting over the girls. Do you have a favorite, Jodie?
JODIE: I love that movie! I think it’s true, there is some type of magic about that era of film. The way romance is played out by simple gestures, music and body language. I actually don’t have a favorite, since each and every one of them have this sense of wonder about them. The colors and the innocence of the time is so mesmerizing. I love the style and the way they also made realities of a time into fantasies. Like The Harvey Girls with Judy Garland, which featured the very famous Harvey Girls of history. Or Doris Day who plays Callamity Jane who sings and dance.

SIDNEY: Musicals somehow made everything glamorous and innocent. I really like Gigi, which is about a teenage girl being raised to become a courtesan to her best friend. Her entire point in life is to go from man to man, whoever can afford to keep her. Now, of course she goes against the rules and falls in love with her man, and he with her. It breaks all the social rules to fall in love with your Mistress, and yet everyone is smiling and singing these happy songs while they’re unhappy. There’s a line at the end after the two have gone through the wringer about wanting a relationship. Gigi says to Gaston, “I’d rather be miserable with you than miserable without you.” Okay, I might have said that to a boyfriend once when we were going through a rough patch…

Readers, have you ever taken direction from a musical? Because there are moments I wish I hadn’t!
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Spotlight Feature & Giveaway of The Fever & The Fury by Stephanie Draven

Books-n-Kisses is pleased to welcome back the wonderful Stephanie Draven to the blog. We have let Stephanie take over the blog today to tell us about her new book. Take it away Stephanie. 

A multi-published award-nominated author of paranormal romance. Stephanie’s critically acclaimed  Mythica series asks: What if the monsters of ancient mythology still walked the earth…and what if you found out that you were one of them? Currently a denizen of Baltimore, Stephanie lives with her favorite nocturnal creatures–three scheming cats and a deliciously wicked husband. And when she is not busy with dark domestic rituals, she writes her books.

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Revenge is a dish best served hot!
Phaedra, a fury, is bound to make Lieutenant Luke Lazaros atone for his supposed crime, but her usual method of inflicting pain doesn’t work very well on a phoenix with the power to be reborn every time he dies. However, each rebirth leaves him with an overwhelming need for sex. Phaedra’s new plan: to drive Luke mad with desire.
But Phaedra has never touched anyone—even herself—except to cause pain. She’s an innocent when it comes to pleasure…but Luke isn’t. His touch is a revelation, arousing a passion in Phaedra that is as delicious as it is terrifying. For no matter how much she wants Luke, giving herself to a man risks awakening her goddess’s wrath.

Excerpt:
She’d already killed him twice this week.
Monday, the harpy bitch grabbed the wheel just as he was making a tight turn on a cliff-side highway. The car jumped the barrier and exploded in a fiery crash of glass and twisted metal at the bottom of Moraca Canyon.
On Wednesday morning, he’d chanced taking a shower and she dropped a hair dryer in with him, sending a deadly shock through his wet body.
It wasn’t even the weekend and she was already trying to kill him a third time.
Luke had awakened to the sinuous slide of her body atop his and, for one groggy moment, he’d enjoyed the carnal sensation of a woman in bed with him.
Then her knee came crushing down on his windpipe.
Now Luke thrashed upon the mattress, grabbing at her supple thighs, trying to throw her off.  The curve of her breast brushed his arm, her moist lips parted and she clutched at his face as if she were going to draw him into an intimate embrace…just before fingernails like talons cut his flesh to bloody ribbons.
Or at least that’s what it felt like.
With the lightest touch, she could put an ordinary mortal man in complete agony. But he wasn’t an ordinary mortal man and she should have known better than to touch him.
“Atone,” the fury demanded, her voice driving needles of agony into his spine. “Atone!”
Luke was desperate enough to consider it. Anything to get rid of her. Anything to make the pain stop. Anything that might relieve him of the memories that haunted him. The blood in the sand and all the lies…
Take the money, Luke. There’ll be more where that came from.
His traitorous lips parted in surrender, ready to tell the fury whatever she wanted to hear, but then he felt his square jaw clench tight in stubborn refusal.
No. Screw atonement and regret. Luke would rather die again.
Her lithe legs wrapped around his waist like a vise. They were locked together as tightly as lovers and in blind suffering he banged the back of his skull on the headboard. It started like a fever, a sexual rush of heat that seared its way through his veins, pulsing through his hammering heart, racing to his groin.
Damn it. He liked this villa, but he’d burn the place down to get free of her if he had to. Sparks leaped from his fingertips to the bedsheets and the scent of scorched linen rose to his nostrils. The fire would obey him—it was the one goddamned thing in his life he still had any control over—so Luke made the fire rise higher, engulfing them both in a flash of flames and searing pain.
His bones went white-hot, molten beneath his skin, and he screamed. He was turning to ash. He was burning her too, burning her alive. He could have held onto her. He could have forced her to share his torment to the bitter end, but he flung her away. And her tumbling body was the last thing he saw before he died….
Phaedra was accustomed to inflicting pain, not suffering it. But now every cell in her body screamed in protest as her burned skin rose up in blisters. She was immortal. She could never die. That didn’t mean she couldn’t feel pain, and making this man miserable had somehow become her own personal torment.
She lay dazed in agony on the floor, smoke filling her lungs while Lieutenant Luke Lazaros burned alive before her very eyes. Gods of Olympus, he was stubborn. He should have broken by now, but he was only getting more unmanageable. None of the men she’d been sent to torture had ever been so obstinate. Then again, she’d never been unleashed upon a phoenix before.
In the light of the crackling blaze, Phaedra’s blistered body healed, new pink flesh knitting over the old with miraculous speed, and it occurred to her that the fire alarm wasn’t shrieking. A quick glance up at the scorched ceiling told her that he’d disabled it. That he’d planned for this exact circumstance. He was handy that way. Good with modern gadgets. And a born strategist. He’d started anticipating her. Adapting…
All at once, the conflagration on the bed extinguished itself and a burst of air dusted her with Luke’s charred human remains. A bit of stagecraft on his part.
Of course, she’d seen him do this before—rise from the ashes as a new man, his dark curly hair cut in sharp military style, his name and blood type displayed upon frayed patches on his desert fatigues. A backpack full of cash in his right hand.
This was how he looked the moment he was war-forged. The instant he stopped being an ordinary mortal man and became a monster. But as many times as she watched him die, she couldn’t enjoy it. Watching him now, she took no satisfaction in his shudder of revulsion at the feel of a new body that wasn’t his own. Nor did it encourage her to see the half hostile, half haunted look in his eyes as he tried to remember himself. Shaking his head as if to fasten upon his old memories, he caught her look of dismay and gave a dark smile-that-was-not-a-smile.
“What’s the matter?” Luke asked. “Didn’t expect me to be so hot in bed?”
Given that she was clutching the burned and blackened remains of her clothing against her body, Phaedra didn’t appreciate the sexual innuendo. It didn’t surprise her though. Every time the lieutenant was reborn, he battled overwhelming hunger. He’d be ravenous now, for food, drink…sex.
Still, he grabbed one of his white dress shirts from a drawer and tossed it to her. “Here. You can wear this.”
The gallant gesture was starkly out of place considering their situation. Phaedra eyed her nemesis as she fastened the buttons, disconcerted by his scent on the shirt and how it mingled with the perfume of her newly healed skin. “Does this mean you’re ready to be redeemed, Luke Lazaros?”
“Just means I was brought up right,” Luke said through his teeth. “And that an officer falls back on his training in a crisis. Or maybe I’ve just always fantasized about a leggy woman wearing nothing but my shirt. Until I get rid of you, I might as well improve the scenery.”
“How many times must we go through this?” Phaedra asked, ignoring the predatory glare in his eyes. She rose to her feet. She was tall, but he was taller. She was hard-bodied and imposing; even before they felt the torture of her touch, most men had the sense to cower. But not this man. “There is no getting rid of me, Lieutenant. Once a fury is unleashed upon a criminal, she’s unbreakably bound to him until he atones or is driven to insanity.”
“I’m not a criminal,” Luke snapped. “And I will find a way to be rid of you.”
I hope you do find a way, Phaedra thought. Because she was every bit as stuck with him as he was with her.
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