Category: Guest Blogs

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Guest Blog Review and Giveaway with Kate Carlisle

I am so excited for Kate Carlisle to be here today to promote her new book, A Cookbook Conspiracy, and to talk a little bit about history which fits perfectly with her wonderful new release.

Fascinating Small Stories of History

By Kate Carlisle, Author of A COOKBOOK CONSPIRACY

I remember dreading History class in high school. Okay, yes, the teacher had greasy hair and a belly that hung out beneath the bottom of his shirt, but I could’ve gotten past that.  Ew, but yeah, I could’ve dealt with the belly-bottom.  No, what I dreaded was the subject matter–memorizing dates and names which, to my unformed teenage mind, had no context in my life.

What I didn’t get then is that history is collection of infinite stories – and I love stories!  Seriously, I’m a writer. I’m all about stories.

Don’t blame history teachers.  They have an impossible job – condense a thousand years into nine months of study – minus Spring Break, Christmas, sick days…They’re trying desperately to imbue students with a big picture view of the world.  They do what they can to make it real, but kids that age have a tough time connecting with their parents, much less ancestors ten generations removed.

But when history becomes one person’s story, when it becomes personal, our collective imagination is engaged.  And for me, while kings and presidents, pharaohs and fuehrers, are interesting in a train-wreck kind of way, I’m much more fascinated by a glimpse into the life of an ordinary person.

 

Some of the Most Fascinating Ordinary People in History

 Lucy – Lucy lived over three million years ago, and her bones were discovered in 1974. That alone makes her fascinating. I include Lucy in the category of “people” because although she wasn’t human, scientists believe she’s an ancestor of humans. How freaking cool is that?!


Anne Frank – I don’t know if boys had this experience, but every girl I know connected deeply with Anne Frank, the young Jewish girl in hiding from the Nazis during World War II. At one time or another, we’ve all kept diaries. We’ve all had a crush on the cute neighbor boy. Until I read the end of the book, I had no idea that Anne didn’t survive the war. I cried as though I’d lost a dear friend. Anne brought the horrors of war and prejudice home to me in a way that no textbook ever could.

Obedience Green – Oh, you’ve never heard of Obedience Green? That’s because I made her up as a way to bring history to life in A COOKBOOK CONSPIRACY, my latest Bibliophile Mystery. Bookbinder Brooklyn Wainwright has been asked to restore the handwritten cookbook-cum-diary of Obedience, an indentured servant who lived in America during the Revolutionary War. Obedience kept painstaking notes about her life in the New World, the British general she served, and the recipes she learned.

When Brooklyn is asked to restore the 230-year-old book, she immediately recognizes it as a priceless treasure.  Valuable enough to kill for? Or could its owner’s murder have something to do with the Revolutionary War secret code buried in the text?

If your body and present surroundings were frozen in time, what would the future archaeologists who discover you learn about the life of an ordinary person in 2013?

About the Author:

Award winning author Kate Carlisle spent over twenty years working in television production as an Associate Director for game and variety shows, including The Midnight Special, Solid Gold and The Gong Show. She traveled the world as a Dating Game chaperone and performed strange acts of silliness on The Gong Show. She also studied acting and singing, toiled in vineyards, collected books, joined a commune, sold fried chicken, modeled spring fashions and worked for a cruise ship line, but it was the year she spent in law school that finally drove her to begin writing fiction. It seemed the safest way to kill off her professors. Those professors are breathing easier now that Kate spends most of her time writing near the beach in Southern California where she lives with her perfect husband.

A lifelong love of old books and an appreciation of the art of bookbinding led Kate to create the Bibliophile Mysteries, featuring rare book expert Brooklyn Wainwright, whose bookbinding and restoration skills invariably uncover old secrets, treachery and murder. Find Kate online at www.katecarlisle.com.

Jennifer’s Review of A Cookbook Conspiracy

 

TITLE:  A Cookbook Conspiracy

SERIES #: Bibliophile Mysteries #7

CHARACTERS: Brooklyn Wainwright, Savannah & Derek

AUTHOR:  Kate Carlisle

PUBLICATION DATE:  06/04/13

ORDER LINKS:  Amazon | B&N

 

BOOK SYNOPSIS: It’s a recipe for disaster when bookbinder Brooklyn Wainwright is asked to restore an antique cookbook…..

Brooklyn has always been a little obsessed with food, but it was her sister Savannah who became a chef, graduating from the prestigious Cordon Bleu school in Paris.  She and her classmates all went on to successful careers, but none of them achieved culinary superstardom like Savannah’s ex-boyfriend Baxter Cromwell.

 When Baxter invites the old gang to participate in his new restaurant’s gala opening in San Francisco, Savannah looks forward to seeing her friends, and even asks Brooklyn to restore a tattered cookbook–an old gift from Baxter–as a present for him.  But Brooklyn immediately recognizes that the book, which has strange notes and symbols scrawled in the margins, is at least two hundred years old.  She thinks that it probably belongs in a museum, but Savannah insists on returning it to Baxter.

 Shortly after receiving the gift, Baxter is found dead, with Savannah kneeling over him, bloody knife in hand, and the rare cookbook has disappeared.  Brooklyn knows her sister didn’t kill him, and she suspects the missing cookbook might lead to the real villain. Now Brooklyn will have to turn up the head on the investigation before Chef Savannah finds herself slinging hash in a prison cafeteria.

 REVIEW PROVIDED BY: Jennifer             NUMBER OF STARS: Five Stars

 REVIEW: A Cookbook Conspiracy is the seventh book in the Bibliophile mysteries and I enjoyed every minute of this story.  Brooklyn’s sister, Savannah, is in town to celebrate the opening of a new restaurant by her ex-boyfriend, Baxter Cromwell, where the opening festivities include the cuisine of her old Cordon Bleu classmates. When Baxter is found dead later that evening and Savannah is holding the murder weapon, Brooklyn will do everything she can to find the real killer and possibly put herself in the killer’s path to prevent her sister from going to jail.

 I love Kate Carlisle’s mysteries because they are always fast-paced with smart dialogue and a heroine that you can’t help but adore.  I think this book is one of my favorites in the series because I love books that deal with the culinary world as well as learning a little bit about history. I enjoyed seeing more of Brooklyn and Derek’s relationship as well as learning more about Savannah and Derek’s brother, Dalton, who has come to decipher the code embedded in Obedience Green’s cookbook. The mystery will have you guessing up until the very end of the book and I had a hard time trying to figure out who the actual killer was.  Kate Carlisle’s Bibliophile mysteries are wonderfully well-written with vibrant characters and engaging mysteries that will have you wondering where the time went once you start reading one of her books.

 

  GIVEAWAY

Kate has been gracious enough to offer one of our readers a hardback copy of her fabulous new release, A Cookbook Conspiracy.
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Top 10 drink list with Quinn & Juliet from Rebecca Zanetti Under the Covers

Please welcome one of our favorite authors back to the blog!!! Here is a little about Rebecca before we let her take over the blog.

Rebecca Zanetti has worked as an art curator, Senate aide, lawyer, college professor and a hearing examiner – only to culminate it all in stories about vampires and science. She is a member of RWA and several of its chapters and has won awards for her works throughout the industry.
Her favorite movie is “Life with Father” and her favorite book is “Raise High the Roofbeams, Carpenters.” She has a journalism degree with a poly sci emphasis from Pepperdine and a Juris Doctorate from the University of Idaho.
Please visit Rebecca at: http://www.rebeccazanetti.com/
Please drop by my facebook page and like:  http://www.facebook.com/RebeccaZanetti.Author.FanPage

 

 

Thank you to Kelly for having me over today to talk about UNDER THE COVERS!  As you probably already know, I’m a huge fan of Books n Kisses, and I’m so happy to be here talking about the newest book in the Maverick Montana series!  Under the Covers features a sexy sheriff who falls in love with a classy woman on the run.  Sparks fly, and foreplay even starts on a horse.  Honest!  So, I was asked about a top ten list of favorite drinks, and here they are:

1)       If we’re talking a relaxing summer day, then Quinn would have a beer, and Juliet would probably drink a glass of Chardonnay.  But, I can see her drinking a mimosa, too.

2)      Dinner party?  Well, Quinn’s known to have a bit of Scotch once in a while, and if we’re all drinking the hard stuff, Juliet would probably have a Vodka Cranberry.  Vodka because it’s vodka, and cranberry because hey, hydration is important if you’re drinking vodka.

3)      For a wild night out?  Quinn probably would drink a Coke, because he’s the sheriff, and if things are wild, he needs to be clear headed.  Juliet would drink Patron silver.  J

4)      For a holiday family gathering?  They’d both drink Tom and Jerry’s, because that’s what Loni Freeze (Quinn’s mom) would be serving.

5)      For a fun picnic?  I’m thinking they’d both sun tea because if they’re picnicking, it must be summer in Montana!

So, those are Quinn and Juliet’s drinking habits.  Here are mine:

1)      For most writing days:  I’ll have coffee with creamer or a Cool Lime Refresher from Starbucks.

2)      For days at the lake:  I’ll have a glass of wine, probably Chardonnay, unless my sister is there with Riesling.

3)      For wild nights at the lake:  If my friend Jessica is there, we’ll have Petron’.

4)      For winter snowmobiling:  Hot chocolate – of course!

5)      Always:  A glass of water.  I have one with me most of the time, to be honest!

Thanks again to Kelly for having me over today!  You know, I do have a mug and spiral notebook  of AGAINST THE WALL to give away to a commenter here.  ATW is the first book in the Maverick Montana series.

 

Under the Covers

Maverick Montana #2

Amazon | B&N

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 be

Read an expert HERE

To enter for a chance to win fill out the rafflecopter below
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Guest blog & giveaway with Gwen Jones

Julie Does Julia – and makes Traditional French Baguettes

Julie never did much cooking back in Philadelphia, as the only thing she really liked to make was reservations. All that changed of course, once she found herself in the woods with very few dining options beside what she could create herself. So ever adventurous, she threw herself into French cooking and more than that, traditional French eating, a staple being the crusty baguette to go with the evening meal’s cheese course. So armed with a copy of Julia Child’s Mastering the Art of French Cooking, Vol 2, Julie did Andy proud with her crusty fresh loaves of traditional pain… (NOTE: this is made with an electric mixer equipped with dough hook and flat beater).

Julia Child’s French Bread

Ingredients

  • 2 1/4 teaspoons (1 packet) instant yeast
  • 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 1/4 teaspoons salt
  • 1 1/2 cups warm water (120º – 130º)

Directions

  1. In the mixing bowl of a stand mixer using the flat beater, combine the yeast, 2 1/2 cups flour and salt. Mix on low for about 30 seconds.
  2. With the motor running on low, pour in the warm water. Continue mixing until a shaggy dough forms. Clean off beater and switch to the dough hook. Mix in the remaining cup of flour a little at a time, to make a soft dough, adding more or less flour as needed. Knead the dough for 5 minutes. The surface should be smooth and the dough will be soft and somewhat sticky.
  3. Turn the dough onto a kneading surface and let rest for 2 – 3 minutes while you wash and dry the bowl.
  4. Return the dough to the mixing bowl and let it rise at room temperature (about 75º) until 3 1/2 times its original volume. This will probably take about 3 hours.
  5. Deflate the dough and return it to the bowl. Let the dough rise at room temperature until not quite tripled in volume, about 1 1/2 – 2 hours.
  6. Meanwhile, prepare the rising surface: rub flour into canvas or linen towel placed on a baking sheet. (I used parchment paper.)
  7. Divide the dough into 3, 6, or 12 pieces depending on the size loaves you wish to make. Fold each piece of dough in two, cover loosely, and let the pieces relax for 5 minutes.
  8. Shape the loaves and place them on the prepared towel or parchment. Cover the loaves loosely and let them rise at room temperature until almost triple in volume, about 1 1/2 – 2 1/2 hours.
  9. Preheat oven to 450º. Set up a “simulated baker’s oven” by placing a baking stone on the center rack, with a metal broiler pan on the rack beneath, at least 4 inches away from the baking stone to prevent the stone from cracking.
  10. Transfer the risen loaves onto a peel.
  11. Slash the loaves.
  12. Spray the loaves with water. Slide the loaves into the oven onto the preheated stone and add a cup of hot water to the broiler tray.
  13. Bake for about 25 minutes until golden brown. (If you used parchment paper you will want to remove it after about 10-15 minutes to crisp up the bottom crust. Spray the loaves with water three times at 3-minute intervals.
  14. Cool for 2 – 3 hours before cutting.

 

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Gwen Jones, after spending years writing several unpublishable novels, decided to learn what she was doing wrong or give it all up. So after earning an MFA in Creative Writing from Western Connecticut State University, she’s now so good they even allow her to teach there. An unabashed born-and-bred native of Southern New Jersey and the Jersey Shore, she lives with her husband, Frank, and the absolute cutest cat in the world, Gracie.

Visit my website – Gwen Jones Writes

Like me on Facebook – gwenjoneswrites

Follow me on Twitter – gwenjones25

ebook  | paperback!

Andy Devine is advertising for a wife on a utility pole, and interviewing him is the last thing TV reporter Julie Knott needs. Especially after her cheating fiancé just tweeted their disengagement. Now she has got to choose: get the story—or become it?

Wanted: Wife

Landed, Financially Secure 40-Yr-Old Male
* Handsome, but with old-school communication skills and a secret past *

Seeks Healthy, Athletic Female
* Preferably a pretty reporter with a messy love life who has never spent a day in the woods *

For Marriage and Family
* What could possibly go wrong? *

If you love the humor and romance of Rachel Gibson and Susan Elizabeth Phillips, don’t miss the fabulous debut of Gwen Jones!

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Guest blog & tour wide giveaway with Laura Wright

Laura Wright is stopping by to promot her new book Eternal Demon.  She is also sharing with us 10 facts about the Mark of The Vampire world you might not know.  I personally love #9 😀

Take it away Laura…..

10 Facts about the MOTV world you may not know

1.Many vampires really do like the taste of food, but they’re ashamed to admit it.

2. Baby vampires (balas) can be born with a full set of very sharp fangs!

3. Learning to flash (air travel) can come easily to some, but for most it takes practice. Many a vamp get stuck mid-flash, or even with a limb still in the place they started from. (no pain, no gain)

4. Fangs can be used for more than bloodletting. Just one recent example: They work really well as a corkscrew.

5. Impure vampires truly have no desire to be Pureblood. All they want is to accepted for themselves.

6. The taste of blood to a vampire, is like the taste of honey to a human.

7. True Mates are no more powerful than True Love. They just make it easier for some to find the one who completes them.

8. Alexander Roman wants so desperately to remove his sister from the credenti she lives in with his parents and bring her to Soho to live, that he has a plan in place.

9.  Nicholas and Lucian Roman have tossed around ideas to form a metal band. (stay tuned)

10. Gray Donohue has been researching mutore, and how it would be possible to become one with injections of animal/Shifter DNA. He has a secret wish and a fantasy to meet Dillon’s jaguar with one of his own.

Hope you enjoyed 🙂

GIVEAWAY DETAILS

 Laura is giving away the following prizes on her tour:

 Grand Prize:  One winner will receive a Kindle ($69.00 Value)

Runners-Up:  FIVE (5) runners up will receive their choice of eBook from either the MARK OF THE VAMPIRE Series or the BAYOU HEAT Series.

 a Rafflecopter giveaway


 

Here is a look at the MARK OF THE VAMPIRE Series

ETERNAL HUNGER

Mark of the Vampire,  Book 1

Amazon / B&N / Audible.com / Tantor Audio

FEAR IS IN THE BLOOD

Alexander Roman wants nothing to do with the controlling rulers of his vampire breed or the family he escaped from a hundred years ago. But as a new threat to the pureblood vampires emerges, Alexander’s ties to the past are forced upon him again, and without warning, he finds himself – disoriented, terrified, and near death – at the door of a stranger.

TRUST IS A RISK

Dr. Sarah Donohue is dedicated to removing the traumatic memories of her patients – like those of the stranger at her front door. But what he tells her of his past is too astonishing to be anything more than the delusion of a madman. Yet she has seen his flesh scarred by the sun and witnessed his inhuman strength. And never more has she felt so conneted to a man, by both fear and seductive excitement.

LOVE IS ETERNAL …

But as their worlds collide, Sarah and Alexander are bound by something even stronger, as one becomes hunter and the other prey. And Sarah’s only chance of survival is to surrender to the final – and most unimaginable – desire of her life.

 *****

ETERNAL KISS

Mark of the Vampire,  Book 2

Amazon / B&N / Audible.com / Tantor Audio

Sacrifice will be their downfall. And their resurrection.

Family is blood.

His father unknown, his mother dead, Nicholas Roman was raised by the vampire Breed with one wish: to live as a normal vampire. But once he’s transformed against his will into a gifted immortal, Nicholas now has one goal: to stop the Eternal Order of vampires from controlling his life and from transforming more males from his bloodline for their vicious reign. Then comes a beautiful stranger with a startling secret.

Vampire Kate Everborne claims she’s sheltering Nicholas’ long-lost son. If this is true, then who is the mother? And how endangered are they if, indeed, Nicholas does possess the bloodline so coveted by the Order? These are questions that with every seductive whisper, every silken touch, draw Nicholas and Kate intimately closer and nearer still to the truth. But aroused too are Nicholas’ fears that this tantalizing woman has even more secrets—both dangerous and provocative—she has yet to share.

*****

ETERNAL BLOOD

Mark of the Vampire E-special, Book 2.5

Amazon / B&N / Kobo

Gray Donahue is crippled by the guilt he feels for his father’s death. An Impure vampire cursed with the ability to hear the thoughts of others, he indulges in blood and sex to stave off the pain of his existence. He is then abducted by the Eternal Order of Vampires, who subject him to a nightmarish ritual. But when he is rescued by the icy pureblood vampire Dillon, he finds something that is worth living for, dying for, killing for….

*****

ETERNAL CAPTIVE

Mark of the Vampire,  Book 3

Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo

Lucian Roman knows he must stay away from Bronwyn Kettler for sanity’s sake. Since feeding her his blood, he can think of nothing else but possessing her—fighting an uncontrollable desire to kill her, if need be, and the vampire she has sworn to wed. 

Bronwyn, a brilliant vampire genealogist, can never escape her connection to Lucian. He sustained her when she was starving. He still rules her dreams. And when the nights get dark enough, she still craves him. Though his essence still courses through her body, she has found a true mate in someone else. 

But when a dangerous enemy threatens Bronwyn, only Lucian—bound to her forever by blood—can save her life. Even if it means sacrificing his own…

 

*****

ETERNAL BEAST

Mark of the Vampire,  Book 4

Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo

Ever since his abduction by the Eternal Order of Vampires, Gray Donohue has finally found his true calling: vengeance. He will stop at nothing to bring his fellow Impure vampires the freedom they deserve. Now if he could just release his primal need for the beautiful vampire who saved his life-and rules his thoughts and desires . . .

After nearly killing the senator she was assigned to protect, Dillon is now in mortal danger. The jaguar within her has been unleashed, and she can no longer control it. Sex is the only thing that can tame her shift. And Gray is the only man who can make her surrender to a passion strong enough to overpower her inner beast. But she doesn’t want to surrender-she wants her life back. Because she is determined never to belong to anyone, especially not Gray-the man who destiny claims is her mate.

 

****

ETERNAL BEAUTY

Mark of the Vampire Series E-special, Book 4.5

April 2, 2013

Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo

He is captivated by the one who saved him from death—until he finds out who she is…

When his lover is murdered by evil vampire-beast, Cruen, the grief-stricken Synjon Wise believes his life over. Enraged, he flashes her away to a remote spot in South America to give his beloved’s body a proper burial. But when the sun blazes overhead and takes her body before his eyes, Synjon’s mind completely unravels. Mad with the need to join her, he walks into the sun a morphed male, prepared to die.

He awakens to find himself amongst a breed known as Shifters. As he is nursed back to health by Petra, who saved his life, Synjon feels no gratitude—only anger and guilt that he is still alive. But this female is strong and refuses to let Syn waste away. For the bond that will form between them will be enduring: as nurse and patient, male and female, savior and saved.

Betrayer and betrayed

*****

ETERNAL DEMON

Mark of the Vampire,  Book 5

Available:  May 7, 2013

Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo

When Erion’s son is kidnapped by the evil vampire Cruen, Erion vows to stop at nothing to find his hideaway—including intercepting the traveling party of Cruen’s beautiful bride-to-be. But instead of a vulnerable caravan, Erion is met by a feral band of female demons that includes Hellen, the bride—a creature of dark magic and darker passion.

Though the safety of his son is foremost, Erion can’t deny his unexpected connection to Hellen—inflaming a manic desire as primal as it is irresistible. As their bond intensifies, they move toward an inevitable and terrifying battle. With time running out, Erion realizes he must not only find and rescue his son but protect Hellen from Cruen and the underworld forces waiting to destroy her for her betrayal.

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Author of the Bestselling Mark of the Vampire series, Laura Wright spent the early years of her life immersed in the worlds of singing, acting and competitive ballroom dancing. But when she started writing, she knew she’d found her true calling. Laura lives in Los Angeles, California with her husband, two children, three dogs, two frogs and two fish. She’s been thrice nominated for a Romantic Times Reviewer’s Choice Award, and loves hearing from her readers.

Connect with Laura:

Website / Facebook / Twitter / Goodreads

 

 

 

Laura Wright’s ETERNAL DEMON Blog Tour

5/06 – 5/11

5/05 – Under the Covers

http://www.underthecoversbookblog.com/

5/05 – Cocktails and Books

http://www.cocktailsandbooks.com/

5/06 – My Secret Romance

http://www.mysecretromancebookreviews.com/

5/06 – Book Lovers Hideaway

http://booklovershideaway.blogspot.com/

5/06 – Reader Girls

http://www.readergirlsblog.com/

5/07 – Book Monster Reviews

http://www.bookmonsterreviews.com/

5/07 – Literal Addiction 

http://www.literaladdiction.com/

5/07 – Books-n-Kisses

http://www.books-n-kisses.com/

5/08 – The Reading Cafe 

http://thereadingcafe.com/

5/08 – Bookin’ It Reviews

http://www.bookinitreviews.com/

5/09 – GraveTells

http://gravetells.com/

5/09 – Wicked Readings

http://www.wickedreadingsbytawania.blogspot.com/

5/10 – Froggarita’s Bookcase

http://www.froggaritasbookcase.com/

5/10 – I Smell Sheep

http://www.ismellsheep.com/

5/11 – Book Lovin’ Mamas

http://booklovinmamas.blogspot.com//

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My Rescue Story, by Jill Shalvis……..Read Humane® 2013 campaign

This May, Books-n-Kisses is pleased to support Penguin Group (USA)’s Read Humane® 2013 campaign to fight animal cruelty.  We would like to welcome spokesperson and bestselling author Jill Shalvis to our blog today, where she is sharing with us her family’s animal rescue story discusses her Animal Magnetism series with a piece entitled “Why Dogs Make Great Sidekicks!”

Read Humane® is an initiative created by Penguin Group (USA) in 2012 to support our furry friends in honor of National Pet Month (May).  As part of the Read Humane® 2013 campaign, six special edition, animal-themed mass market paperbacks have been reissued featuring the official Read Humane® seal.  Penguin supports the fight against animal cruelty with a $25,000 donation, regardless of sales, to The Humane Society of the United States’ Animal Rescue Team.

For more information, and complete lists of the six participating authors and book retailers, please visit Penguin Group (USA) or view the official Read Humane® Prezi here.

And remember to join the conversation on Twitter with @BerkleyRomance and @HSUS throughout May by using the hashtag #readHumane.  Followers are encouraged to Tweet about Penguin’s animal friendly books, share their own rescue stories, and join in other pet themed conversations.

Jill Shalvis is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of over four dozen romance novels, including her fun contemporary Animal Magnetism series, which promotes animal rescue dogs. Jill is a 3-time National Readers Choice winner, and lover of animals! More information about Jill and her collection of fabulous romance titles can be found at www.JillShalvis.com.

 

***

My Rescue Story, by Jill Shalvis…

At any point, on any day in the Shalvis abode, there are animals.  All of them rescued, always.  It’s become somewhat of a family tradition, rescuing animals in need, and we’ve found that not only is it a nice thing to do, we get a really great pet out of the deal.

A couple of years ago, our house was fairly full.  Okay, so it was straining at the wall joints.  We had Ashes — our rescue Border Collie/Australian Blue Heeler.  Sadie – our cat who thinks she’s a dog.  Micky – a field mouse rescued from the high school science lab.  And four teenage girls.

Actually, it wasn’t a house.  It was a zoo.

But a year before we’d lost Izzie, our beloved brown lab.  And we missed having two dogs.  Yes, we’re crazy.  Anyway, on that fated day I’m about to tell you about, Alpha Man (my husband) had heard about a yellow lab puppy who needed rescue.

No.  No way.  I was adamant.  I had enough on my plate.  But Alpha Man just wanted to go make sure the lab was okay.

So we left the mountain…

 

And drove…

 

And drove…

 

We were following the sketch directions from a guy who knew a guy who had told us about a woman who lived out in the middle of nowhere, and I mean NOWHERE, and she rescues animals.

The landscape was like something out of a Criminal Minds episode, so we were wary at first.  We had no idea what we were going to find.  A box of puppies, or a meth lab … nothing would have surprised me.  I was a little worried because the kids were with us, but it turned out the place was fifty acres of love.

Any animal in need is welcome.

Even the funny looking ones…

The woman had goats, horses, turtles, geese, snakes, angry chickens … you name it and she had it.  She was rehabbing it, doctoring it, loving it … whatever the animal needed.

We’d gone because of the rumor of the puppies, the yellow labs.  And she did have two puppies.  She’d rescued them out of a horrible situation.

But the yellow lab wasn’t the one who stole our hearts.  Nope, it was her little baby brother.  The runt.

He was filthy and living in a hovel. And the minute he saw us, he came alive. Wriggling, happy, loving. All you had to do was touch him and he writhed in joy and dropped to the floor for a belly rub.

And once he was picked up by the teenagers and loved up by them, he didn’t want to get down.  I tried.  I tried hard.  But the thing had wriggled his way right into my heart.  I remember looking at Alpha Man, laughing and crying at the same time.

“You didn’t want another dog,” he reminded me.

I told him to zip it.  We were taking this dog and that was that.  Besides, there was the little matter of him being in my arms and refusing to be put down.

So we never put him down again.  Meet Frat Boy…

***

 

Why Dogs Make Great Sidekicks, by Jill Shalvis…

Now that you know a little bit about my rescue story, I want to share with you some of the inspiration for my Animal Magnetism series.  One of the fun things about writing this series is developing complex and lovable characters… that just happen to be adorable dogs!  Here’s why dogs make great sidekicks…

1. Because when you’re on the mountain trail and you come across an angry mama bear and her baby cubs, your dog will run like hell.  This will warn you to run like hell as well.  Just be careful because if your dog is like my dog, he will throw you under the bus (or in this case bear) to get home before you do.

2. Because when all the cookies are gone you can totally blame your cookie loving dog.  No one has to know that you ate all the cookies yourself.  And your dog can give you dirty looks for blaming him but he can’t actually talk and dispute your story.  Solid alibi.

3. Because if you’ve eaten in a way that disagrees with your stomach, there are never any worries.  Your dog will always, ALWAYS, out stink you.  And if he doesn’t, you can still point the finger at him.  Again, he can’t talk and dispute your story.

4. Dogs are not just great sidekicks but they also make great a really great wingman.  If you’re single, you can totally put your dog to work at charming the person you’re interested in.  Just make sure that person likes dog drool and dog hair all over everything first.

5. There is never a need for a pillow or extra blanket because your dog will always be willing to get into bed with you and share body heat.  Always.  Just be forewarned.  Being a great sidekick is not the same thing as a good bed partner.  They have a habit of being a total bed hog.

 

***

Thank you so much, Jill for sharing your stories with us!  If you have enjoyed Jill’s stories please feel free to show your support in our comments section below and by visiting the other participating websites/blogs…

Read Humane® Blog Tour 2013!

For more information on Read Humane® please visit Penguin Group (USA).  To view more special features from spokesperson Jill Shalvis, please visit the following websites/blogs; each website/blog will feature a unique perspective on Read Humane, so be sure to stop by each for a new and exciting experience!

 

You will be able to buy special copies of these books at these retailers!!

Check out the rest of the Tour stops here.

4/29/2013   USA Today’s Happy Ever After – Special Feature!

4/29/2013     Fresh Fiction -Spotlight

4/30/2013   RT Book Reviews Online– Special Feature!

5/1/2013        Happily Ever After Reads– Spotlight

5/2/2013       Teresa’s Reading Corner-Spotlight

5/3/2013       The Book Reading Gals – Spotlight

5/4/2013       Book Crack-Spotlight

5/5/2013       Love Romances & More– Spotlight

5/6/2013       Books-N-Kisses-Spotlight

5/7/2013       RT Book Reviews Online-Spotlight

5/8/2013       Cocktails & Books-Spotlight

5/9/2013       The Book Pushers-Spotlight

5/10/2013     Kindles & Wine-Spotlight

5/11/2013      My Book Addiction & More -Spotlight

5/12/2013     Eye on Romance-Spotlight

5/13/2013     eBook Obsessed-Spotlight

5/14/2013     My Friend Amy-Spotlight

5/14/2013     Pretty Fluffy-Spotlight

5/16/2013     The Romance Dish-Spotlight

5/16/2013     Pretty Fluffy– Spotlight

5/17/2013      Ramblings from a Chaotic Mind-Spotlight

5/18/2013     Romantic Book Affairs-Spotlight

5/19/2013     Ramblings from This Chick -Spotlight

5/20/2013     Under the Covers Book Blog– Spotlight

5/20/2013     The Romance Studio-Spotlight

5/21/2013     Chick Lit Reviews -Spotlight

5/26/2013     The Reading Café -Spotlight

5/27/2013     Sharon’s Garden of Book Reviews  -Spotlight

5/28/2013     Stuff and Nonsense  – Spotlight

5/29/2013     Thoughts in Progress -Spotlight

 

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Guest Blog& Giveaway with Jennifer Ryan

The Right Bride – Book 3: The Hunted Series

Cameron Shaw has two beauties after his affections. One’s out for his bank account, the other his heart.

Let’s meet our bachelorettes and see who really is The Right Bride.

Describe Cameron.

Shelly: Rich, powerful, handsome, the perfect guy.

Marti: Kind, generous, loving, a truly good and decent man. He’s a great father.

Describe Cameron’s daughter, Emma.

Shelly: Nice girl. Talks too much. She’s constantly in the way and interrupting.

Marti: Smart. Pretty. Wonderfully imaginative. She brings out the child in me.

Cameron invites you on a date, where do you ask him to go?

Shelly: The most exclusive restaurant in town only someone like Cameron can get into without a reservation made three months in advance.

Marti: A picnic at the park with Emma and a round of miniature golf.

You attend a business party with Cameron, what do you wear?

Shelly: Sexy red strapless mini.

Marti: Classic little black dress.

Describe your perfect wedding.

Shelly: Huge and lavish. Everyone who’s anyone will be there. All eyes on me.

Marti: Cameron, Emma, and I with our closest friends and family.

Describe your perfect wedding gown.

Shelly: Strapless, the gown hugs every curve to the floor with a small flare at the back.

Marti: Classic Cinderella. Cap sleeves, a fitted bodice and full skirt and train.

What does happy-ever-after look like for you?

Shelly: Cameron and I live in a huge mansion, travel the world, and have everything our hearts desire.

Marti: Cameron and I live with Emma and our other children, building memories as a family. We watch our children grow and enjoy our grandchildren long into our old age. No matter what comes our way, we’re together.

While it may seem clear who Cameron should marry, it’s not so cut and dry when Shelly announces she’s pregnant. Will he fall into her trap, or marry The Right Bride


 

The Right Bride 

Book 3: The Hunted Series 

Available 4/30/13

High-powered businessman Cameron Shaw doesn’t believe in love—until he falls in love at first sight with beautiful, passionate, and intensely private, Martina. She’s perfect in so many ways, immediately bonding with his little girl. Martina could be his future bride and a delightful stepmother…if only Cameron wasn’t blinded by his belief that Shelly, the gold-digging woman he’s promised to marry, is pregnant with his child.

No matter how much his friends protest his upcoming marriage to Shelly, he knows he has a duty to his children, so he’s determined to see it through.

Will he find out in time Shelly’s lying and Marti’s the one actually carrying his child? It’ll come down to the day of his wedding. After choosing Shelly over Marti at every turn, will he convince her she’s his world and the only woman he wants?

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

About Jennifer:

Jennifer lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her husband, three children, her dog, Bella, and cat, Shadow.

When she isn’t writing a book, she’s reading one. Her obsession for both is often revealed in the state of her home and how late dinner is to the table. When she finally leaves those fictional worlds, you’ll find her in the garden, playing in the dirt and daydreaming about poeple who live only in her head, until she puts them on paper.

Learn more about Jennifer HERE

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Guest Blog & Giveaway with Ana Blaze

Seven Reasons Beth (and You) Should Give Colin Pratt a Chance to Win Your Heart

            Colin knows he doesn’t fit the standard definition of a romance hero. After all, his only serious girlfriend ditched him for his brother, he’s a bit of a klutz and the word lanky works its way into his description fairly often. But I think he isn’t giving himself enough credit. The tweed-wearing cutie is a catch. Here’s why:

 

  1. He has a dreamy British accent.
  2. He looks great without a shirt … or pants.
  3. He likes Doctor Who.
  4. He admires strong woman.
  5. He like his curry hot.
  6. He has a Master’s Degree in dirty talk.
  7. Someday he’ll make a great dad.

So what do you say, would you give him a chance?

*****

The Best Man

by Ana Blaze

Available April 29

Purchase HERE

Blurb

Beth Chase is too busy planning perfect weddings to worry about the lack of action in her own love life. But if she was looking for a man, she wouldn’t be looking at Colin Pratt. Her boss swears that Best Man Colin is a quiet scholar and science fiction writer who couldn’t possibly cause a fuss at his own brother’s wedding. He’s clearly never met the man in question. Snarky, sexy and more than a little inebriated, Colin is the final obstacle between Beth and the last perfect wedding she needs to make partner. Of course, when she helps him into a taxi at the end of the night she has no idea that he’s only just begun to poke holes in her professional exterior. Colin might have the skills to seduce a romance professional, but can he convince her that he’s the best man to share her happy ever after?

 

About the Author: 

Ana lives just outside Washington DC with her very supportive husband and three rather demanding cats. She loves the ocean, Indian food, IKEA, and cooking. Ana admits to watching too much television and she swears that someday she’s going to learn how to play the guitar resting on the bookshelf in her office.

Website: www.anablaze.blogspot.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/AnaBlazeLove

Twitter: @ana_blaze

Book trailer: http://youtu.be/PiNLdS1d1h8

 

Blog Tour Giveaway (US only)

One lucky reader will win The Best Man ebook and a goodie pack to share with the best man or woman in their life. The pack contains candles, Godiva chocolate, Tuscan lavender soap, Sensual Massage Oil from The Body Shop and two lip treatments from The Body Shop. It will come packaged in a pretty photo box.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

Extra stuff

Mr. Right, a free novella by Ana Blaze, is available now at Smashwords.

  

Find out more here: http://www.entrancedpublishing.com/readers-club-4/entranced-extras/

Thanks from the Entranced team for being part of
The Best Man blog tour. 

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Guest Blogger Gabrielle Bisset

Thanks so much for having me here today at Books-n-Kisses! This is my first time here, so it’s always exciting to find a new place to visit.

I’m touring blogs all month with Book Monster Promotions talking about my Sons of Navarus series in preparation for the 4th novel in the series, Blood Prophecy, which is coming May 14, 2013. For readers who’ve followed the Sons from the beginning, it will be a real turning point.

I’ve had a number of people ask why I write erotic paranormal romance, especially with the new fads like 50 Shades like books and 1st person POV being so popular now. I always say the same thing: fads come and go, but vampires will always be popular. Years from now, 1st person POV is very likely going to be discouraged once again, as it has for a long time in most genres, and BDSM will lose its wow factor, but the sensuality of vampires will be around. Need proof? Name one other type of character that has been around for over a century and still enchants readers.

Vampires are sexy, partly because they’re always young and gorgeous, but also because they’re animalistic without being animals. They’re fixated on one of the sexiest areas of the body—the neck—and have a style unlike any other paranormal character. I love other types of paranormals (in fact, I introduce weres and dragon shifters into the Sons series in Blood Prophecy), but there’s no denying the classic seducer, the vampire.

They aren’t for everyone, but time has shown that readers love vampires as much today as they did when they first became popular. Who wouldn’t want a sexy male who’s forever young but has the experience of the ages seducing them?

Thanks for having me here today! Readers can grab the first five chapters of Blood Prophecy for FREE as they wait for the May 14th release of the full book. Find links and details at my website at www.gabriellebisset.com For more information on the Sons of Navarus series, readers can visit my website for excerpts, buy links, character profiles, swag (romance trading cards), and free desktop wallpapers to bring those delicious Sons to your computer. And look for Blood Prophecy coming soon!

LINKS:  Website|Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Like the Sons of Navarus Facebook Page

 

Sons of Navarus Series Blurb:

Eight vampire warriors descended from the gods and chosen to defend their world against the Archon takeover, each dedicated to the war they must win. But there’s another side to these Sons of Navarus—one that only the women they love know. Behind the strength they need to defeat their enemies lies a passion different in each one of the Sons. Their war will take them around the world and even involve the gods themselves, but they must unlock the secrets of the Prophecy of Idolas to defeat the Archons or perish in trying for none of their kind can be safe if the Archons win this battle.

*****

Blood Avenged

Sons of Navarus #1

Amazon | Kobo | Smashwords | iTunes | Audible

 I am everything you desire. I am vampire. 

Powerful and manipulative, Vasilije does as he pleases. A vampire beholden to no one, he takes what he desires, drinking deeply the pleasures this life has to offer.

When one of his own is staked, Vasilije must travel to New Orleans to exact his revenge. There he meets Sasa, a beautiful woman who arouses him like no other has for centuries. Vasilije’s need for vengeance is equaled only by his passion for her, but what he finds in his revenge is just the beginning…

*****

Blood Betrayed

Sons of Navarus #2


Amazon | Kobo | Smashwords | iTunes

I am everything forbidden.  I am vampire.

Haunted by betrayal, Saint hides in the human world, giving his heart to no one and finding the only solace from his past in the arms of human women. Now as the Archons begin their takeover of the vampire world, this Son of Navarus has been marked for death.

Summoned to defeat the Archons by the world that shunned him, Saint must face his past and Solenne, the woman he loved and lost a century ago, for only in accepting her will his body and soul finally find salvation.

*****

Blood Spirit

Sons of Navarus #3


Amazon | Kobo | Smashwords | iTunes

I am everything you seek. I am vampire.

Blessed with the gift of telepathy, Terek always knows what a woman wants. His gift has afforded him nightly sensual pleasures and exotic treats for centuries, but beneath the surface he yearns for much more.

Ilona can give him what his soul craves, but only if he trusts his heart. One fateful choice made out of desire puts all he cares for in danger. With a civil war and the threat of Archon hunters at every turn, this Son may lose everything if he can’t find the balance between heart and mind.

*****

Blood Prophecy

Sons of Navarus #4

COMING MAY 14!

I am everything you fear. I am vampire.

As the two Sons chosen to decipher the Prophecy of Idolas, Ramiel and Thane journey to find the key to defeating the Archons. Together with Noele, a born vampire, they confront their fates as they fulfill their duty to their world. Along the way, they’ll find love, but death and betrayal lurk in the shadows, threatening everything dear to them.

Descended from the gods and warriors all, each Son’s loyalty will be tested. Every action has consequences, and the choices they make now seal their fates. Alliances as old as the vampire world itself are reforged, and the Sons’ duty is clear. Stop the Archons. Or die trying.

Download the FREE 5 Chapter Preview below!

 Kobo | Amazon or download epub format on Gabrielle’s website (scroll down to bottom of page)

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

I’m a UF/PNR author and my newest releases are Blood Spirit, the third book in my new series Sons of Navarus, and the Sons short stories Longing and The Deepest Cut.

For me, a book does more than just tell a story. It transports readers away from their daily lives to another place where they can be a part of something different than the common and everyday. I’m always so touched when readers tell me they felt like they were a part of the story when they read my books.

When I’m not writing, I can be found reading romance novels but often mysteries, cookbooks, and anything dealing with ancient and medieval history and European history, in general. I also love the outdoors, so I enjoy the wonderful weather Pennsylvania has to offer. I live there with my son and a herd of pets.

Connect with Gabrielle:

Website | Facebook | S.O.N. FB Page | Twitter | Goodreads

GIVEAWAY DETAILS

Gabrielle is offering up the following prizes. This is a tour wide giveaway.

Grand Prize:
Autographed copies of the first three books in the series (Blood Avenged, Blood Betrayed, Blood Spirit) and SWAG (bookmarks, trading cards, cover flat, etc.) to ONE lucky winner.

Runners-Up:
THREE runners up will receive a SWAG pack

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Guest Blog & Giveaway with Eliza Daly

My Life in the Federal Witness Protection Program

Do you ever have a bad day and dream about leaving your life behind and starting over someplace where nobody knows you? I admit, I’ve flirted with the idea more than once. However, I never seriously thought it through until I was researching my romantic suspense novel, Identity Crisis. I learned what people went through when entering witness protection, officially called the Federal Witness Security Program (WITSEC). They gave up their lives to keep themselves and their families safe. I’m very close to my family and friends and I couldn’t imagine living without them. But if I had to enter the program to stay alive, here’s how I picture my life.

My new name. WITSEC recommends that you keep your first name and initials so you can catch yourself if you start writing your old name or so family members don’t slip-up and call you by your real name. My name is Elizabeth, but most people know me as Beth. So I’d stick with Beth or Eliza. My last name starts with a W, but here’s my chance to move up in the alphabet. My pseudonym Daly is an Irish surname, so maybe I’d use another Irish surname, such as Butler or Byrne.

My new abode. As much as I hate Wisconsin winters, there aren’t a lot of places I’d like to move to, outside of Ireland and Paris. WITSEC wouldn’t place me internationally, so I would choose a warmer destination. At the top of my list would be San Francisco or Savannah. But WITSEC wouldn’t place me in my preferred cities because I’ve likely mentioned them to someone. Maybe they’d compromise and relocate me to Napa Valley, near San Francisco. I love wine and the countryside is beautiful.

This leads me to my new job. I could own a winery. I’m an event planner, but I couldn’t continue to travel extensively for my job, since I could encounter people I know in airports and hotels. My winery could host special events like weddings and parties. One of the perks of being a writer is that I can do it from the privacy of my own home. I could use a pseudonym, a name different from my fake name, and really confuse the bad guys. I could use my cat for my author pic. After all, authors are a quirky bunch of characters. Social media is my main marketing tool, so unless I make it really big I wouldn’t have to worry about doing book signing tours. As a writer, it would be easy for me to hide out, except for my author’s voice. That elusive voice comprised of an author’s word choice, sentence structure, etc. I’ve had many people who know me well tell me that my real voice comes through in my comedy books. It would be difficult to change my voice. I’d have to stick to writing romantic suspense or historical romance, which wouldn’t require a contemporary voice.

My hobbies. WITSEC recommends that you don’t continue with hobbies that could lead the bad guys to you. I wouldn’t have to give up reading or my genealogy research, since it would be next to impossible to track me down through either. The dead people I locate can’t give away my new identity.

My new look. My hair is auburn, which would be very difficult for me to part with, but maybe I could try plum. I would have to stop wearing my hair up in a twist. I hate styling my hair, so maybe this would be the time to try wigs, which have become more popular in recent years. My signature color is fuchsia with both my wardrobe and my lipstick. If I had to select an alternate color I guess it would be red.

And now that I’ve put this all out there on the worldwide web, I guess I’ll have to change my plans if I ever enter the Federal Witness Security Program.

What life changes would you make if you had to enter the Federal Witness Security Program?

*****

Identity Crisis 

 

Identity Crisis is available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, iTunes, All Romance, eBooks.com, and Kobo

When Olivia Doyle’s father dies under suspicious circumstances, rather than inheriting a family fortune, she inherits a new identity. She learns they were placed in the Federal Witness Security Program when she was five years old. Her father was involved in an art forgery ring and testified against the mob. Brought up not to trust anyone, Olivia has a difficult time relying on U.S. Marshal Ethan Ryder to protect her, and to keep her secret. She fears her father may have continued his life of crime through her art gallery. She has little choice but to depend on Ethan when she realizes someone is now after her. Olivia’s search for the truth leads her and Ethan across country to a family and past she doesn’t remember.

At the age of ten, Ethan witnessed a brutal murder. He vowed when he grew up, he’d protect people in danger. Protecting Olivia is difficult when she won’t trust him. He soon realizes his desire to protect her goes beyond doing his job, but if his judgment becomes clouded by emotions, her safety could be jeopardized.

Can Ethan and Olivia learn to trust each other when they uncover secrets that will change their lives forever?

 

 

 Author Bio: 

Eliza Daly’s first attempt at creative writing was in fourth grade. She and her friends were huge Charlie’s Angels fans and she would sit in her bedroom at night writing scripts for them to act out at recess the following day. She was Kelly Garrett. Fast forward to the present, she’s still writing stories about beautiful women who always get their men. The journey from fourth grade script writer to published author wasn’t an easy one, but it was always an adventure and the final destination was well worth it.

When Eliza isn’t traveling for her job as an event planner, or tracing her ancestry roots through Ireland, she’s at home in Milwaukee working on her next novel, bouncing ideas off her husband Mark, and her cats Quigley, Frankie, and Sammy.

You can find Eliza on the web at Website, Facebook, Twitter and Goodreads.

 

Giveaway—Thank you so much to Books-n-Kisses for having me here today and helping me celebrate the release of Identity Crisis. I will be giving away an e-copy of Identity Crisis to one commenter. To enter to win, please answer the question at the end of my post. The winner will be announced April 1.  Thank you for stopping by!

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Guest Blogger: Lindy S. Hudis

Weekends by Lindy S. Hudis

Guest blog – A Fantasy Come True!

Ahhh…..romance. I must confess, I am hopelessly addicted to it. There is no feeling as exciting, no rush more exhilarating, and nothing I can name that gives an energy boost like that of a romantic and hot encounter. I seem to get quite a bit of inspiration from that, the real and the imaginary.

Want to know about one of my romantic fantasies? I am sitting on a beach at an exclusive California beach resort, listening to the sound of the waves and sea gulls, all while sipping a Pina Colada. I am sitting in the warm sand, covered with coconut scented lotion, watching the palm trees sway in the cool ocean breeze, and lusting as the smoking hot, scantily clad men walk by. Living in California, I have participated in similar activities, but more along the lines of the Santa Monica Pier than at the Bel-Air Bay Club.  However, we all have fantasies, I know I do….and mine get pretty vivid and sensual. Being a fiction author I find that the more fantasies I have, the more material I have to share with you! So, here is the deal – “Weekends” was inspired by a sexual fantasy that caught on fire. One day, many years ago, I met this gorgeous, hot, sexy, blonde dude named Joe. He was a struggling actor living in Los Angeles (like I myself was at the time) so we met up and had a brief fling. He turned out to be nuttier than a can of Planters, but that is beside the point. (A nutty person in LA???? What????)

So, Joe and I didn’t fall in love and run away together. He was just a “man from my past” who I still think about on occasion. However, his looks were the inspiration for the character “Joe” in “Weekends”. Joe is a fantasy, as is most of the romantic and sexy fiction that I write.  I took the crazy, hot man and, instead of being in a relationship with him in real life, and the fruitless task of trying to change him, I just made who I wanted him to be a character in my romance-suspense novel.  I fell madly in love with Joe, the one I created, not the real one.

So, what was the real inspiration behind “Weekends”? I must confess, I live in a fantasy world, however, I take a very spiritual approach to my daydreams and fantasies.  On some level, I believe that a person’s idle thoughts and daydreams are actual realities in another dimension.  Vivid imagination have I? You bet!

As a fiction author, I tend to live in my imagination. I become very emotionally close with my characters (I cried one time writing a scene where one of my characters gets fired), I live vicariously through all of their circumstances, and I tend to see parts of myself in every one of their situations. No, I’m not a nutcase- just a fiction author. Because of this, I create little worlds in my imagination. That is what I do, I create, and sometimes live in, these little worlds. Sometimes these little worlds become published works of fiction for different readers to enjoy, sometimes they just live in my crazy noodle. However, what if there is some truth to this theory? What if, as Mark Twain once said, truth is stranger than fiction?

What does this have to do with writing? Plenty! Fiction is my forte, my strong point. I was not destined to write anything else. ( I don’t have the knowledge or experience to write non-fiction. I can’t compete with all the doctors out there.) My stories come from the little people who live in my head. They come from my imagination. That is what fiction is, plain and simple. To invite a reader into my story, and to keep them there, I have to create another world for them to enter into. As the risk of repeating myself, I create worlds – and perhaps those worlds exist somewhere else? Somewhere far, far away?  As a creative person, (that is the kind of mind I was blessed with. Anything technical would confuse the hell out of me…) I feel at my best and most fulfilled when I am doing just that – creating. What am I creating exactly? Only my higher power seems to know for sure, but I have a hunch!

Perhaps I am writing my next life as I am thinking this? Maybe I’m just a hopeless romantic? Both? I just happen to love what I do, and I hope that many readers feel the same.

Buy Links

An innocent-sounding family reunion at an exclusive California beach resort turns into a weekend of murder, deceit, exposed secrets and unexpected intimate encounters. John Peterson has it all: He’s a respected, successful Beverly Hills entertainment lawyer with a loving wife and grown son, the strikingly handsome young film director Joe Peterson. John also has a secret and he decides to gather his disparate family members at the elegant Hotel Del Moor in picturesque Linda Bella, California for some luxurious fun, togetherness and re-connecting before revealing his secret. Unbeknownst to the family, a brutal serial killer is lurking in the midst of all the wondrous festivities.

 

About the Author:

Lindy S.Hudis is a graduate of New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts, where she studied drama. She is a former actress, having appeared on such television shows as “Sunset Beach” and “Married with Children”. Her romantic murder mystery, Weekends, is currently available from Lachesis Publishing. She is also a filmmaker, her independent short film “The Lesson”, which she wrote, produced and directed, screened at the Seattle Underground Film Festival. She is co-owner of an independent production company called Impact Motion Pictures. She and her husband Steve, a Hollywood stuntman, have just completed the screenplay adaptation of Charmaine Hammond’s best selling book, “On Toby’s Terms.”  She lives in California with her family.

Website Facebook

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Guest Blog & Giveaway with Beth Ciotta

The Tortured Hero

by Beth Ciotta

In real life, I’m attracted to men who make me laugh. A keen sense of humor is incredibly sexy. My husband, in addition to being handsome and kind-hearted, is incredibly funny. Clever funny. I love that. As far as being in a committed relationship, I can’t see myself with a deep, dark, complicated guy.  Odd that I’m attracted to them in fiction and film. Or maybe not.

When we need a break from reality, we often escape by losing ourselves in a movie or book.  It’s our chance to live vicariously through another person, a fictional character. A time and place to live out our fantasies. Although I wouldn’t want to share my real life with a man as tortured and complicated as Daniel Craig’s version of James Bond, I wouldn’t mind losing myself to him for a few hours in fantasy land. His personal intensity, the constant brushes with danger, and the underlying sense of a good heart intrigue and seduce. I think that’s what drew me so strongly to Jayce Bello, the hero of my second novel in the Cupcake Lovers series—THE TROUBLE WITH LOVE.

Born and raised in Sugar Creek, Vermont, Jayce was a bit of a hometown “golden boy”. A popular high school jock who went out of his way to champion and protect the underdog.  Folks weren’t surprised when he grew up and joined the police force, although his move to New York City was unexpected. Everyone figured he’d stay in Sugar Creek. He was, after all, practically joined at the hip of his best friend, Devlin Monroe, and was indeed favored by the entire Monroe clan—Sugar Creek mainstays.

The thing is . . . Jayce has secrets. One of them having to do with his best friend’s sister Rocky Monroe.  Others having to do with his parents. Those secrets aren’t pretty. In fact, they’re downright ugly. I knew the details of Jayce’s dark past when I first wrote him into the debut Cupcake Lover’s novel—FOOL FOR LOVE. But when I got to his featured story in THE TROUBLE WITH LOVE, I wasn’t sure how deep I wanted to go, how much to share with the reader. In the first draft I didn’t share enough. My editor wanted more. And so, along with Rocky’s help, I unburied the sordid memories Jayce had locked deep inside.  I think it’s about as close as I ever want to get to a truly tormented man. That said, I love Jayce Bello. In fantasy land, I’d duke it out with Rocky to win his affections. Although that would never happen.

A)    Rocky would beat the tar out of me.

B)    There’s only one woman for Jayce. Guess who?

 

 

Learn more about Beth here:

Beth’s Website |  Beth’s Blog  | Facebook |  Twitter

 

The Trouble with Love

Cupcake Lovers #2

THE TROUBLE WITH LOVE
BETH CIOTTA Rocky Monroe’s bad luck is legendary. So it stands to reason that during a quick trip to New York on behalf of the Cupcake Lovers’ forthcoming book, she winds up in the arms of the one man she never wants to see again. So what if he’s also the man she can’t stop dreaming about? Mouth-watering Jayce Bello has always been Rocky’s biggest mistake, and she’s not going to let history repeat itself … unless she gets a new taste of his delicious kisses.When Jayce Bello left Sugar Creek ten years ago, it was the right thing to do—for him and for Rocky, his best friend’s little sister. But one passionate night with gorgeous, reckless Rocky is enough to prove that she’s the missing ingredient in his happiness. Now, with scandalous secrets souring the sweetness of the Cupcake Lovers’ club, Jayce needs to convince Rocky that their love is something to savor

An Excerpt from The Trouble With Love

Jayce’s homecoming had been a dismal affair.  Rolling into Sugar Creek just prior to midnight, he’d parked in front of the chalet he’d grown up in, staring into the darkened overgrown lawn twenty minutes before having the balls to cross over the threshold.  Crossing that threshold represented the meshing of his past, present, and future.  It meant dealing with some shitty-ass memories instead of locking them behind a mental armored door.  Purchasing another property would’ve have been easier, but would’ve entailed admitting defeat.

Screw that.

Because of his time on the force and his years as a private investigator, Jayce had witnessed people battling demons far greater than his own.  Yet whenever he visited Sugar Creek, in particular this house, the past seemed insurmountable.  How could a grown man feel like a vulnerable kid?  Why couldn’t he believe what Dev and Dev’s dad had told him that one terrible night—that it wasn’t his fault?  Normally he kept the painful memories at bay, but by God they thrived inside the four walls of 241 Lark Lane. He hated the power this house had over him.  That his parents had over him—even after death.

Time to come to terms.

Jayce had spent the night bunking on a bare mattress in his old bedroom, alternating between nightmares and insomnia.

This morning, he stood in the shower—hands braced on the tile, head lowered—trying to snap out of a bad mood while the pulsating water pounded his tense shoulders and back.

He was wiped.

Not so much from the long drive or the restless night of sleep but because he was being haunted by a whole new set of memories.  Twenty-four hours chock full of Rocky.  Rocky at the hospital—mugged, rattled, and bloodied.  Rocky striding into a publishing house with kick-ass confidence and curves.  Rocky eating hot dogs in Central Park and bemoaning the treatment of carriage horses.  The list went on.  He couldn’t purge the sound of her laughter or the smell of her shampoo or the sight of her naked luscious body.  He couldn’t shake off the memory of her writhing beneath him in bed, begging for more, screaming his name.  His name.  He kept reliving one moment after another, knowing they were meant to be together.

If they could just get past the bullshit.

Jayce gave up on the shower, slaking water from his body and stepping out onto a folded towel.  Somewhere, in the dozens of boxes stacked in the living room, dining room, and kitchen was a bathmat.  The house was in chaos.  Dev had gone above and beyond, meeting the moving van and getting all of Jayce’s furnishings and belongings inside.  Mostly everything was crammed into the three larger rooms of the fairly small house.  Which was fine.  Jayce had had the walls repainted and the hardwood floors refurbished, but there were still a lot of details left undone.  He wasn’t quite ready to set up house.  Not that he was stalling.

Jayce stepped into a pair of jeans, eyeing his cell when it rang.  Dev.  “Mornin’.”

“You up?”

“You coming over?”

“Just pulled into your driveway.”

Beautiful.

Dev hadn’t been happy when Jayce had called from New York with the news that he and Rocky had quarreled and that she’d be returning to Sugar Creek on her own. The man was fed up with the bad blood between his sister and friend and their constant reluctance to fill him in on the crux of their hostility.  Jayce fully expected Dev to call him on the mat today.  He just wished they could’ve duked it out somewhere else. Just what this house needed—another ugly scene.

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Guest Blogger+ a giveaway with Shana Galen

Writing Historicals that Appeal to the Modern Reader

By Shana Galen

For the past decade, I have heard the same refrain: the historical romance is dead. The assumption is that the modern reader doesn’t want to read about a world where there was no internet or cell service and where indoor plumbing was still a relatively new concept.

But I’m still writing historical romances, and readers are still reading them. In fact, I’ve been surprised at my last few signings to see so many young, meaning early twenties, readers. The genre is gaining new readers!

What is it about books like my Jewels of the Ton series that appeal to modern readers? I think it’s a combination of three factors—the hero, the heroine, and the plot.

The Hero

Although it seems counter-intuitive, modern readers like traditional heroes. Take the hero from If You Give a Rake a Ruby. Warrick is an alpha male. He’s the son of an earl, so he’s also wealthy and powerful. Oh, and he’s also an elite spy for the Crown. Cliché? Sure. But clichés are cliché because readers love them. What woman fantasizes about meeting a nice middle class shop owner? Not me! It’s fun to dream about a strong, powerful hero who thinks he knows everything, only to realize that the woman he falls in love with knows a few things too. Modern readers want an alpha traditional male who also comes to respect and admire the woman he loves. Male chauvinism is fine when a hero is introduced, but he should have evolved by the end of the book.

The Heroine

In contrast to the hero, heroines really should be modern women in historical clothing. Make that gorgeous historical clothing. My readers like a heroine who can stand on her own. Fallon from If You Give a Rake a Ruby is such a woman. She’s strong and independent. She’s had a tough life, but she’s a survivor. She doesn’t need to be saved, but she does need to be loved. We all need to be loved and cherished and valued, and those needs cross all genres and time periods.

Modern readers certainly appreciate a kick-ass heroine (and Fallon kicks more than a few in this book), but readers like their glamour too. I loved dressing Fallon in silks and rubies, having her attend all the most fashionable events, and giving her servants and other luxuries. But I’m well aware there was a darker side, a seedier side of London, and my characters step foot in that world as well.

The Plot

I can’t speak for all readers, but modern readers are used to fast-paced lives and fast-paced media. I think we often enjoy fast-paced reads as well. I love drawing room historicals, but there’s nothing like a good adventure story with spies or pirates or highway men. If You Give a Rake a Ruby is full of intrigue—spies, secret identities, valuable diamonds, priceless rubies, carriage chases, fist fights, and a love story right in the middle. That’s the kind of historical a modern reader likes. I hope.

What are your thoughts? Do you enjoy historicals? Why or why not?

 

IF YOU GIVE A RAKE A RUBY

BY SHANA GALEN – IN STORES MARCH 2013

Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Books-a-Million | IndieBound | Chapters/Indigo | Discover a New Love | Sourcebooks

Her Mysterious Past is the Best Revenge…

Fallon, the Marchioness of Mystery, is a celebrated courtesan with her finger on the pulse of high society. She’s adored by men, hated by their wives. No one knows anything about her past, and she plans to keep it that way.

Only He Can Offer Her a Dazzling Future…

Warrick Fitzhugh will do anything to protect his compatriots in the Foreign Office, including seduce Fallon, who he thinks can lead him to the deadliest crime lord in London. He knows he’s putting his life on the line…

To Warrick’s shock, Fallon is not who he thinks she is, and the secrets she’s keeping are exactly what makes her his heart’s desire…

 

Praise for If You Give a Rake  a Ruby

“Galen is at the top of her game… Galen is a grand mistress of the action/adventure subgenre.” —RT Book Reviews, 4 ½ Stars, Top Pick of the Month

“The writing is excellent and the characters are captivating. Ms. Galen delivers a steamy romance between a determined hero and a reluctant heroine.” — Night Owl Reviews, 5/5 Stars, Reviewer Top Pick

 

A little about Shana: 

Shana Galen is the bestselling author of fast-paced adventurous Regency historicals, including the RT Reviewers’ Choice Winner The Making of a Gentleman and the RT-nominated When You Give a Duke a Diamond. Her books are published all over the world and have been featured in the Rhapsody and Doubleday Book Clubs. She taught English at the middle and high school level off and on for eleven years. Most of those years were spent working in Houston’s inner city. Now she writes full time. She’s happily married and has a daughter who is most definitely a romance heroine in the making. Shana loves to hear from readers: visit her website at www.shanagalen.com or see what she’s up to daily on Facebook and Twitter.

 

 

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