Please tell us about your current release.

My book is titled The Devil’s Garden. It will be available on Veteran’s Day, November 11, which is appropriate because the book is dedicated to the veterans of The War on Terror. The story is centered on two main characters who are military veterans, both of whom participated in such military campaigns.

The first is Brandon Colson, who is from the wilds of Kentucky and served as a Recon Marine. The other is Sam Collier who is from Atlanta, served in the Army’s Military Police in Iraq, and then later became a detective. The two men’s paths cross unexpectedly when heavily armed Muslim terrorists from Colson’s past come back to pay him a visit in the dead of the night. Following the aftermath at his residence, and subsequently at the local airport, Colson finds himself being interrogated by Collier while the authorities are trying to sort out and understand the night’s events. The problem is Colson isn’t talking because the event is directly connected to his past service.

Due to the circumstances, the two men are diametrically opposed at first. In fact, they don’t even like each other. Colson soon decides Detective Collier takes too much pleasure with interrogating prisoners and Collier quickly decides he doesn’t like Colson’s cocky, uncooperative attitude. Of course, Collier comes to the realization that if a man is going to swim with sharks, run with lions, or fight with those special forces Recon types, then they are going to have to possess a certain kind of confident swagger about them. On the other hand, it is only after Colson discovers the detective is an Iraqi War veteran that he begins to appreciate Collier’s potential as an ally. With the stage set, the two combat veterans quickly find themselves joined at the hip and fighting for their lives.

Can you tell us about the journey that led you to write your book?

I suppose the journey started when I was 17 years old and looking to join the military. I knew I wanted to serve in a specialized warfare unit like the Army Special Forces or the Navy Seals. So I did some research and talked to the recruiters. That was when I discovered the Marine Corps had this unit called “Reconnaissance.” To make a long story short, the Navy and the Army guaranteed me a spot in whatever specialized unit I wanted and offered me a hefty enlistment bonus. The Marines, on the other hand, guaranteed me nothing and I guess they decided to keep the bonus money. They only guaranteed that I would first have to prove myself against all the other Marines before I could even have a chance to try to become a Recon Marine. These words did little more than wave a red flag at a bull and dare it to charge. The Marines have a unique way of taking a young man’s pride and turning it into a work of art. Of course, I must admit not all art is pretty or pleasing.

So I went, I made it into Recon, I served and got out. After that it was the typical college, career, family scenario. Then a few years ago, a Department of Veterans Affairs laptop was stolen. It contained the names, addresses, phone numbers, dates of birth and social security numbers of every veteran who served this country since the Vietnam conflict. The “missing” laptop was not recovered until about a month later, which was an eternity for someone to copy the information and sell it. There is a market for such information. In fact, according to the news it is not uncommon for some military personnel to sell their identification cards to people off base in order to get some extra cash. Of course, most do so not knowing to what end their identification cards will be used. Although common sense would dictate that nothing good could come of it, there are still those who do it anyway even though the military has harsh penalties for such conduct.

Considering these events and weighing them against the fact that there are those in the military services whose identities are protected — and they are protected for good reasons — the potential for disaster becomes painfully apparent. Combine all of this with one slightly paranoid, socially gruff, former Recon Marine and the story almost wrote itself.

Can you tell us about the story behind your book cover?

The Devil’s Garden is not just the title of the book. It is also an actual place in the wilderness of south-central Florida. It is a large geographic area with an old name that no longer appears on any modern maps. For the book’s cover I tried to visualize what kind of garden the Devil would keep. Instead of the Devil tending a field of crops, I see him fanning a field of flames and watching in delight as they grow toward the sky. Hence, the book’s cover is a field of flames reaching upward for its title.

What approaches have you taken to marketing your book?

The book’s website is at www.thedevilsgarden.us . There you can read excerpts and order it directly from me. The book will also be available through online retailers and bookstores. We are sending out press releases and setting up book signing events. We are also using social networking as well as my own personal network of friends who are either still in the military or are veterans of the military services.

What book on the market does yours compare to? How is your book different?

The book could be compared on many levels to any popular action-packed mystery thriller that involves a highly-trained military operative or agent who is pitted against a powerful enemy. However, I wanted to introduce a hero unlike any other, who is much more simple and yet, much more complex at the same time. I wanted him to be exceedingly more colorful, realistic and human. As such, Colson is a man of many faults, with a unique flair that is only amplified by his intelligence and the confidence that is required to obtain the title of United States Marine. He is impulsive, compulsive, and confrontational and yet has the capacity to be loyal, loving, gentle and kind. Moreover, I believe the most significant defining difference is Colson’s pure, unadulterated killer instinct which is only balanced by his unwavering faith.

What would you say is your most interesting writing quirk?

I cure writer’s block by target practicing with my knives. I can spend hours throwing them. Focusing on the target helps focus my thoughts. Not to mention the fact that it is both fun and effective.

Open your book to a random page and tell us what’s happening.

Page 151. Colson and Collier are patrolling through a forested area to the location where two fugitive Palestinian terrorists are hiding out. Colson is advising his new “hunting buddy” as to the dangers of the Floridian woods and wetlands such as the native predatory animals, poisonous snakes and spiders, as well as the dangers associated with booby traps when infiltrating a bomb maker’s lair. Needless to say, this is a matter of great concern to Collier who quickly decides he would have been better off not knowing.

Do you plan any subsequent books?

Yes. I do have a sequel in the works. In rough draft form, it is about a third of the way done.

Tell us what you’re reading at the moment and what you think of it.

I am nearly finished reading Biblica, which is a social and historical treatise on the many lands and cultures of the Bible. It is a wonderful and detailed work which only fuels my desire to take my family on a tour of the ancient world from Rome to Constantinople to Jerusalem to Cairo. I’d like my family to experience the lands of the exodus, the lands of promise, and the Kingdom of David, the paths of the Apostles John, Peter and Paul, but most importantly, to see where Jesus journeyed, preached, suffered, died and arose again into glory.

More about Brady Christianson:

Web Site |   Tribute Books Blog Tours Facebook |  The Devil’s Garden blog tour site 

The Devil’s Garden 

Brady Christianson‘s Bio: 

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I am so excited to have one of my favorite people on the blog.  I have had the great pleasure of getting to know Rebecca and she is a total doll and super funny.  So please welcome the wonderful Rebecca Clark to that blog

Bec, can you please share with us a little about yourself – I live in the beautiful Pacific Northwest with my husband, two kids, a German shepherd beast, a rat that comes when he’s called, two cats that plot to kill the dog and eat the rat, and a dead gecko. When I’m not writing, I work as a personal fitness trainer and group exercise instructor—I teach Zumba, Pilates and yoga. With all this exercise, you’d think I’d be the perfect size 2 or something, wouldn’t you? Well, you’d be wrong. I like Cheetos. A lot. Enough said.

Have you always wanted to be an author? – Yes, since I was 11 years old and read my first Harlequin romance. (Before that, I wanted to be Nancy Drew.) I didn’t start writing for publication until I was about 30 though. All good things to those who wait, eh?

Can you share with us your typical writing day.  Is there anything you have to have while writing?  — I don’t have a typical writing day, because I don’t have a typical work day. Some days, I work a single shift, but on other days I might work a split, triple or quadruple shift, where all I’m doing is commuting back and forth to work. But on a “normal” day, which I’m trying to schedule more of, I try to write between 1-3 p.m. I’d love to be a morning person so I could get up early to write, but I’m not. I’d love to be a night person so I could stay up late to write, but I’m not. I’m a day person, so I write during the day.

Most challenging or rewarding part of writing? – Man, every part is challenging for me right now. Sheesh. Back when I started writing and didn’t know what I was doing (ah, to be young and dumb again), it was so easy and so much fun. The words just seemed to spew from my brain into a fairly clean first draft. Now, not so much. Every single word is like pulling teeth and my first drafts are so hideous I wouldn’t let my dog read them (assuming, of course, he could read).

Can you please tell us about your latest book(s)? – I just released my fourth book, SHAMELESS. It’s the “book of my heart” – the story that just had to be told. It’s a sexy contemporary romance about forgiveness and redemption. Here’s the blurb:

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

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

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

How did you come with the idea for this story? – I read a newspaper article about a man who’d been driving recklessly and killed a pedestrian, and the story talked about how that event changed his life. That little tidbit got me wondering how such a tragedy would affect a person’s life. Thus, John’s character was born.

Can you share with us your current work in progress? – I always have several works in progress, which is probably why it takes me so long to finish a project. But the main project I’m working on is a contemporary romance series about weddings and baseball. I’ll finish it…someday.

Who are some of your favorite authors? – I have to give a shout out to my sister, author Laurie London, and my first critique partner and good friend Candis Terry (Avon author). Both of them are such fabulous writers I almost hate to read their latest books because it depresses me. I’ll never be that good. But as their sometimes critique partner, I will take full credit for their brilliance and successes. Other authors I love are Kevin O’Brien (not romance, obviously), Cherry Adair and Gayle Roper. Yes, I have very eclectic taste.

Do you feel that any of your favorite authors have inspired your writing style?   — I’m sure they have, but I read such a wide variety of styles and voices, I could never point to one favorite author and say, “I write like her/him.”

Open your book to a random page and tell us what’s happening. – Well, what do you know? A sex scene. This is the first time John and Samantha made love. They’ve had sex before, but it hasn’t meant anything beyond trying to get her pregnant. Until now.

What is in your To Read Pile that you are dying to start or upcoming release you can’t wait for? Well, it’s not a romance. It’s not even fiction. It’s a nonfiction book called The Hunger Fix by Dr. Pamela Peeke. I have major emotional eating issues (yes, even personal trainers deal with this LOL), and one of these days I’ll figure out why. Maybe this book will help. In the meantime, where are my Cheetos?

Is there anything else you would like to add? – I once drove naked on Strange Road.

Twitter: @RebeccaJClark

Facebook: Rebecca J. Clark

website: http://RebeccaJClark.com

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

Happily single, Samantha feels there are only two types of men: the ones who are good for nothing and the ones who are good for one thing. Now she needs that one thing desperately because she wants a baby. And John, a man from her past, will make the perfect donor. He doesn’t want kids. He doesn’t want a wife. He just wants her body. She can live with that. 

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

Books-n-Kisses is pleased to have Heather Killough-Walden on the blog today to chat a little about her upcoming release “Death’s Angel”

Heather, can you please share with us a little about yourself?

My favorite holiday is Halloween; my favorite colors are deep royal purple and fog gray; In the last few years I’ve been to nine different countries and six different US states in order to do research for my books; and I love putting pennies on train tracks.

Have you always wanted to be an author?

Yes. 🙂 Of course, there were times that I wanted to be an author AND an actress AND a dancer AND an archaeologist. But always a writer.

Can you share with us your typical writing day.

About 60% of the a 20-hour work day is spent in correspondence with readers or agents or publishers, coming up with marketing ideas and implementing them, dealing with giveaways or contests, editing, making covers, or posting books. About 30% of the day is spent homeschooling my child. The rest is spent writing or sleeping or laying comatose on the couch in front of an episode of Deep Space Nine.

Can you tell us what you’re working on right now?

I’m working on The Warlock King today, the third book in The Kings series. I’m loving Jason Alberich more with each wicked word.

Is there anything you have to have while writing?

I have to be left alone. My daughter bugs me constantly.  My phone. The front door. And each new interruption is an emotion lost, a pivotal scene gone awry. It’s like climbing a rollercoaster slant; climb, climb, climb – and then getting to the top and preparing for the scream-ride down, and then having someone come out of the booth up top and say, “I’m sorry but the roller coaster is broken and you’ll have to climb out here.” I have to get on a whole new roller coaster and start a whole new climb.

Most challenging or rewarding part of writing?

The most challenging part is making deadlines while trying to juggle the marketing/communications/editing/promotion workload and still maintain a desire to write.

The most rewarding is finishing a book and having a reader tell me it was amazing and that they loved it and can’t wait for the next one.  That never gets old.

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

I’ve released three books in three months: Secretly Sam in October, A Sinister Game in November, and Death’s Angel will be coming out December 31^st.  Death’s Angel is the third book in my Lost Angels series – this one focuses on Azrael, the former angel of death and the king of the vampires. This is the one everyone’s been waiting for. Here is the synopsis:

As the Angel of Death, Azrael could never be like his brothers. While the others fell to Earth in human form, Azrael descended as a vampire. Today, as the lead singer of a popular rock band, he keeps his true nature hidden–a powerful darkness constantly at odds with his angelic self. Beneath his mask, Azrael holds onto the hope that he will one day find the archess who will complete him.

At his brother Gabriel’s wedding, Azrael set his golden eyes on Sophie Bryce, the maid of honor. He is certain she is his destined mate, and will do anything to make her his. But Sophie is unaware of her archess identity, and is haunted by unspeakable demons of her own.

When supernatural forces emerge from the shadows, threatening Sophie, Azrael is the only one who can protect her. But to do it, he must reveal his true, savage self.

How did you come with the idea for this story?

Oh, Az’s story has been waiting to be told since the beginning. As has Samael’s.

Who are some of your favorite authors?

Me. J Also, Samuel Clemens (Mark Twain), Edgar Allan Poe, Ray Bradbury, Lewis Carroll, Terry Pratchett….

Do you feel that any of your favorite authors have inspired your writing style? 

Bradbury was a very descriptive author. He used a lot of color, a lot of sounds and smells and sensations in his work. I like that – a lot.

Open your book to a random page and tell us what’s happening.

Okay. Random page. Random paragraph. Here are a few lines:

The need inside him shoved all else aside and left no room for subtle kindnesses. He was all monster now, his sole saving grace the absolute love he felt for the woman in his dangerous embrace. Had it not been for this tempering compassion, he would have turned her. No hesitation. No remorse.

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

Can this be a movie instead? Because I absolutely cannot WAIT to see Oz, the Great and Powerful. The trailers have left me all aflutter. LOL

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Just that I am very grateful for the time you’ve given me, and for the chance to appear on your blog. Thank you and have a wonderful holiday season!

Coming December 31, 2012
(book three in the Lost Angels series)

Since the beginning of time, the archangels have longed to know true love. When four female angels were created for the four archangels, Michael, Gabriel, Uriel, and Azrael, a chaos spurred by jealousy erupted, and the archesses were secreted away to Earth. The four favored archangels followed, prompting a search that has lasted millennia.

As the Angel of Death, Azrael could never be like his brothers. While the others fell to Earth in human form, Azrael descended as a vampire. Today, as the lead singer of a popular rock band, he keeps his true nature hidden–a powerful darkness constantly at odds with his angelic self. Beneath his mask, Azrael holds onto the hope that he will one day find the archess who will complete him.

At his brother Gabriel’s wedding, Azrael set his golden eyes on Sophie Bryce, the maid of honor. He is certain she is his destined mate, and will do anything to make her his. But Sophie is unaware of her archess identity, and is haunted by unspeakable demons of her own.

When supernatural forces emerge from the shadows, threatening Sophie, Azrael is the only one who can protect her. But to do it, he must reveal his true, savage self.

Excerpt:

Azrael smiled, flashing perfect white teeth that sported incisors slightly longer than the norm. Some people naturally looked like that, he knew, but on him it looked different enough that he didn’t smile often. On him, it seemed to fit too perfectly and only served to reinforce the otherworldly impressions people often had when looking at him.

He was a starkly charismatic individual. He was taller than anyone he knew, save perhaps Samael. His voice could literally mesmerize. He was also uncommonly, almost painfully handsome. He wasn’t certain why the Old Man had seen fit to bother with such a thing while simultaneously making him a vampire. It was like the curse of Beethoven, who created the most beautiful music in the world and couldn’t hear it. What good was a beautiful face when placed on a monster?

But Sophie didn’t seem to mind the hint of fang he exposed. In fact, as he brushed her mind, unable to help himself from drawing nearer to her in any way possible, he was surprised to find that she found it attractive. My God, she thought. He really does look like a vampire.

This was the second time she had thought such a thing. If he’d been capable of choking, he would have done so the first time her mind had muttered the impression. Hearing it now had nearly as strong an effect on Azrael. Sophie wasn’t repulsed by vampires. And the idea that he resembled one was appealing to her.

Of course, Azrael was no fool. A lot of girls believed they would enjoy the company of a vampire – if vampires existed. In reality, he knew they would cower or scream or run, or most likely all three.  Still… he found himself hoping.

“Sophie Bryce, right? The maid of honor?” he asked, his smile utterly disarming. He’d had millennia to practice.

Sophie blinked and he read her thoughts. She was desperately trying to find her head in the wake of his sudden presence. She’d been torturing herself over the last few days, and he knew it. He’d watched her every night. Listened to her. He knew damn well that she was drawn to him – and that she hated herself for it.

He sensed it when a slight pain twinged up her arm and Sophie realized that her friend was holding her tight. Taylor’s fingers curled into Sophie’s forearm in utter distraction, her hazel eyes glued to Azrael. He knew she couldn’t help it and wasn’t aware of what she was doing, but the fact that she’d brought his archess even the slightest discomfort was difficult for Az to ignore. It upset him.

And with practiced control, he tamped down the anger.

Sophie, on the other hand, appeared to be glad for the pain. It shot through the dazed fog that Az’s appearance had caused. It also cleared her senses enough to allow her to pull her arm out of Taylor’s grip, clear her throat, and say, “Yes.” He tried not to smile when her voice cracked halfway through the single syllable. She cleared her throat some more and forced a smile to her lips. “That’s me.” She was so fucking cute with half of her glorious golden locks tucked up underneath that Penguins cap. Wisps of it fell about her face, framing it and caressing it the way he wanted to.

He chuckled softly, watching her carefully to gauge the effect his laugh had on her. Sophie’s gold eyes brightened, her lips parted, and her cheeks flushed ever so slightly. Az’s monster reared its head and he felt his vision begin to heat up. If he wasn’t careful, his eyes would begin to glow. “We never got the chance to actually meet the other night,” he told her, forcing himself to continue with the charade.

“No,” she agreed, relieved that she was finally finding her voice. “We didn’t.”

He cocked his head to one side and slid his gaze from hers to regard her friends. He needed to look away – just for a moment. Long enough to get himself under control once more. His gold eyes slowly scanned the faces of her companions – and then stopped on the pair of men who sat behind them.

A quick scan of their minds told him they were recent graduates from Carnegie Mellon University. The one on the right was the son of a wealthy factory owner here in the city. His name was Richard. And he’d been thinking all sorts of biblical things about Sophie that night.

Azrael grew very still and something dark flickered across his face. He knew it was there; he knew he was failing to hide his sudden fury. But he barely cared.

Richard fell back into the curve of his seat and swallowed hard as the blood drained from his face. Below him, Sophie cleared her throat, at once drawing Azrael’s attention. Sophie slowly stood and turned to face him. “Az, these are my friends, Taylor and Emily.” She gestured toward them and they smiled nervously, but politely, nodding in his direction.

Emily and Taylor’s eyes were still a little glazed over at his presence, so, Az allowed some of his vampiric influence to snake around and through the girls, easing them into a more comfortable state of relaxation.

It worked like a charm. Within seconds, Taylor was smiling easily and standing to greet him properly. “It’s a pleasure to meet you,” she said, extending her hand.

“Likewise,” Az agreed, and with a slight bow, accepted the offered hands of both Taylor and then Emily, who quickly followed suit.

While he shook hands, Sophie’s thoughts echoed through Az’s mind.

She couldn’t believe that her friends weren’t guessing he was the Masked One. It seemed so obvious to her now that she knew his secret. Everything about him screamed of the kind of rock star charisma that it took to hold millions of fans in sway.

Meanwhile, Sophie’s gaze traveled over Azrael’s form, and he tried not to visibly crow with the triumph he felt when she shamelessly took in the way the black button-up shirt under his sports coat stretched taut across the muscles of his chest. She was particularly fond of the curve of his neck where it met his shoulder.

Azrael released Emily’s hand, straightened again, and heard Sophie’s heart rate speed up.

He looked up to see that her sunshine eyes were glassy with unabashed desire. And, as if it would hide the way her mouth watered for him, she had pressed her bottom lip between two perfect, white teeth. Azrael’s gaze locked on the plump lip. He quickly slipped his hands into the pockets of his trench coat as they tightened into fists at his sides, and his nails began to cut into his palms. He imagined her pressing hard enough with her teeth to draw blood.

If she did… it would all be over.

“Juliette mentioned you live in Pittsburgh,” he said, trying to break through not only his tension, but hers. “I’d forgotten.” His tone was gentle, personal. He knew that to her, it was as if they were the only two in the arena.

“For now,” she told him flat-out. She didn’t want to bore him with the fact that she would only be there for two more days, but he was well aware.

“But what are you doing here?” she asked, honestly curious. It was quite a coincidence to her that she had never seen him before in her life – and then, suddenly, she’d seen him twice in the space of a week. She wasn’t stupid; she was wary.

That was okay with him. He had a story and he would use it, but even this lie was too much of a secret for him to share with her friends. Az glanced at Taylor and Emily and smiled an easy, even somewhat shy smile. “It’s a personal matter actually,” he said. “However…” he paused, turned, and glanced up toward the private booths up above them. His band awaited him in one of them; they had a bird’s eye view of the entire arena from their vantage point. He knew because he’d been watching Sophie from it all night.

He also knew that Sophie had never been in one of those suites herself, and he was hoping she’d be tempted enough by what he was about to offer that he could pull her away from her companions at least for a little while. “Second period will begin in a few minutes,” he said, looking back down at her and scorching her once more with stark eyes. “And there is plenty of room in our suite for another guest.” He chanced another glance at the men seated behind Sophie – especially Richard – and was smugly satisfied when the young man looked as though he wanted to piss himself. “Perhaps you would care to join me?” he asked, turning his gaze back on his archess.

He could hear her blood rushing through her veins. He was scaring her and thrilling her at the same time. She was finding it hard to think.

He wasn’t opposed to working with that; he had no desire to stand here and play the good guy much longer anyway.

A gentle push of his power, and it surrounded Sophie. In a few moments, she not only found it difficult to think, she found it impossible. Seconds ago, she’d had a thousand reasons why she should keep away from Azrael. And the fact that he belonged to – was destined to be with – another, was the most powerful.

But just then, every reason she’d had, and in fact, reason itself, fled from her consciousness and she found herself saying, “Yes.” She’d barely whispered it, but it was enough.

Azrael’s smile broadened.

– Death’s Angel, by Heather Killough-Walden

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Books-n-Kisses is excited to welcome first time guest Toni Anderson to the blog.  

Toni, can you please share with us a little about yourself.

First, thanks for having me here, Kelly. When I was a little girl I always wanted to travel. After I left home to go to university I got my wish in spades and I’ve since been all over the world. But when I was younger my only escape was through other people’s stories. I was a voracious reader and that’s something I’ve never lost. Thank god for libraries! I grew up in Britain and now live in the Canadian prairies, which always feels weird to say, but it’s home now. I like it—except for the crazy winters J.

Have you always wanted to be an author?

No—I was a Marine Biologist for many years and then I had kids. I found it hard to be part of a scientist couple and to raise kids the way I wanted to raise them. Science isn’t a 9-5 career and I did a lot of fieldwork. I started trying to write a novel to give my brain an escape from being home-with-the-baby syndrome, but I got hooked.

What is your most interesting writing quirk?

I don’t think I have any quirks but I do have a favorite mug I use when I start a new story. It’s from a Highland pottery. I ♥ it.

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

My latest release is called DANGEROUS WATERS. It’s a Romantic Suspense novel set in a remote town on Vancouver Island. It combines a strong female lead, RCMP Sergeant Holly Rudd, who becomes involved with a former elite soldier, Finn Carver, who is now the dive master at a world famous marine lab. The story encompasses a modern day murder and a thirty-year-old mystery and I’m hoping readers enjoy both the mystery aspect and the sexy romance.

How did you come with the idea for this story?

Oddly it started as a dream (wow, just flashed to Hot Chocolate’s ‘It Started with a Kiss’ in a weird 80’s moment) and then developed from there. I’ve visited the region where the story is set—Bamfield, BC—and it’s amazing. The dream and the setting clicked together to spark the plot. It all came from there.

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

I’m working on a follow up book to DANGEROUS WATERS featuring some secondary characters from that first story. The next book is tentatively titled DARK WATERS and is another Romantic Suspense.

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

I’d love to meet Nora Roberts. She’s an amazing spokesperson for the romance genre and just so smart and savvy.

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

Write. It seems so obvious but people put it off for some unspecified time in the future. Do it now. Write every day. And read. Every day. You have to train those muscles.

Can you share with us something off your bucket list.

Funny. I was talking to a friend of mine about bucket lists as he’s training to do a marathon to cross off his. Needless to say a marathon doesn’t feature on mine. My bucket list tends to be places. I’d love to go to New Zealand or Africa.

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

ICED by Karen Marie Moning. I’m not into paranormal or urban fantasy but I loved the FEVER series. And SCORCHED by Laura Griffin. Then THE ART OF INTELLIGENCE: LESSONS FROM A LIFE IN THE CIA’S CLANDESTINE SERVICE by Henry A. Crumpton. So many books. So little time.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Just thank you for having me here today and that I love hearing from readers. I’d like to offer a copy of SEA OF SUSPICION from my backlist to one lucky commenter that you choose.

Check out Toni’s website and Amazon Author Page for a list of current titles, her blog and Facebook Author Page for writing news. She also has a very infrequent newsletter for special announcements. If you like dogs or weather talk there’s her personal Facebook page, and Twitter (@toniannanderson) for up-to-the-minute chatter.  And she’s on Goodreads.

DANGEROUS WATERS

 Available from Amazon USA or UK. Also, Canada, France, and Germany.

Also in print from Barnes & Noble (US) and McNally Robinson (Canada).

Audio from Brilliance Audio.

Known as the Graveyard of the Pacific, Barkley Sound is notorious for surging swells with the power to pull helpless victims into its merciless abyss…

Sergeant Holly Rudd arrives in the coastal community of Bamfield after local divers discover a body with a knife jutting from its chest in the waters of Barkley Sound. As she investigates the crime, Holly soon realizes the sleepy town is rife with secrets. But what unsettles her most is the residents’ insistence that she bears a striking resemblance to the victim of a murder from three decades earlier. She shrugs off the uncanny likeness as a coincidence. But her simmering attraction to Finn Carver, one of the divers who discovered the corpse, isn’t so easy to ignore.

Finn, a former Special Forces soldier, knows it’s best to keep his distance from Holly. Yet it isn’t long before they both give in to the consuming desire they share. And as the danger escalates, Finn and Holly must rely on each other to thwart the plans of a cold-blooded killer who’s intent on keeping the past buried.

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

I’m a busy mom, wife, freelance journalist and author. I’ve been writing since I was a little girl, so I’m still thrilled by the fact that I write books for a living!

Have you always wanted to be an author?

Yes. My husband asked me years ago what my dream lifestyle/job would be. I said without hesitating that I’d be an author. He gave me a weird look and said: Why don’t you write a book then? So I started writing again and many years later I became published.

Who are some of your favorite writers? Who do you feel has influenced your writing?

I like to read books that are completely different to those I write. My absolute favorite author is Nalini Singh, and I also love Harlan Coben, Rachel Vincent and Nora Roberts.

How did you get into writing in this specific genre?  Have you ever thought about writing in a different genre?

I have experimented with writing paranormal YA, but I love writing contemporary romance for adults. My self-published work is a little “hotter” than my sweeter books for Harlequin Romance.

What are some of your writing rituals?

Before I had my son, I stuck to a more set routine, but now I just write as fast as I can, when I can.

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

The Navy SEAL’s Promise is a story about love finding you in the most unexpected of places. A Navy SEAL on his way home for some R&R, and a soldier flying home to see her son for Christmas… things don’t turn out as either of them had planned, but it’s 48hrs they’ll never forget.

How did you come with the idea for this story?

I admire the many men and women serving their countries, and was inspired by the brave mothers fighting for what they believe in, even though it must break their hearts to leave their children at home.

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

I’m currently finishing off the first in an upcoming series – Montana Reunion. The Montana series will be four books in total, all to be released in 2013. I’m so excited about it!

What would you be if you were not an author?

A veterinarian.

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

I’m actually dying to buy the next installment in Nalini Singh’s archangel series.

About the Author:

As a child, Soraya dreamed of becoming an author. Fast forward more than a few years, and Soraya is now living her dream! Working as a freelance writer and now a professional author too, she writes every day and loves her job. Soraya describes being an author as “the best career in the world”, and she hopes to be writing romance for many years to come.

Soraya loves spending her days thinking up characters for books, and her home is a constant source of inspiration. She lives with her own real life hero and son on a small farm in New Zealand, surrounded by animals and with an office overlooking a field where their horses graze.
For more information about Soraya, her books and her writing life, visit www.sorayalane.com or follow her on twitter @Soraya_Lane. She would love to hear from you.

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The Navy SEAL’S Promise

Soraya Lane

 Amazon

With only 48 hours back on home soil for Christmas, United States Army Corporal Saskia Cullen is desperate to spend every minute with her young son. So when heavy snowfall closes JFK airport and she misses her connecting flight to Buffalo, she’s devastated. Until Navy SEAL Luke Gray offers to keep her company… and then personally escorts her home.

Luke is back in the US on leave, waiting to hear the details of his next mission, and Saskia proves to be a pleasant distraction. And when he hears that she needs to get home to see her son, he’s prepared to do anything to help the sexy single mom. Trouble is, he hadn’t planned on falling for anyone, let alone a beautiful soldier about to return overseas.

Excerpt:

“Luke?”

He raised his eyebrows but didn’t look at her again, the snowflakes suddenly falling with more insistence on the windscreen, making it hard for him to see.

“Shit, hold on.”

She did as she was told, obeying Luke’s command. “How the hell can you see through that?” she asked.

He grimaced. She could see a tightness in his face that hadn’t been there before.

“I can’t, but I need to find somewhere safe to pull over.”

Her heart dropped. They weren’t even half way there and the storm was coming in so bad she was starting to think they could be snowed in for the rest of the day. Or worse.

Luke had slowed the vehicle to a crawl, but now they’d come to a dead stop. He opened his door and jumped out before she could protest, disappearing into the whiteout without a jacket on, before reappearing and leaping back into the truck.

“Luke you must be frozen.” She unbuckled herself and reached out to him, hand hovering before closing over his arm.

Luke stayed still, his body no longer shivering like it had been when he’d stepped back in. She hesitated, stayed still, wondering if she’d done something wrong.

“I don’t think we’ll be going anywhere for a while,” Luke told her, his voice husky and low, turning away only to flick the hazard lights on.

Saskia swallowed then nodded. “Okay.”

They both stayed still, staring at one another. Until Luke reached out a hand, broke the silence and stillness and reached for her, his palm cupping her cheek. “I will get you home, Saskia. No matter what happens, I promise.”

She gulped again, not able to break their gaze, staring into the depths of Luke’s dark chocolate eyes like a spider trapped in its own web. Saskia didn’t answer him, just slowly nodded. He still hadn’t moved his hand, and it was no longer cool, warming up from its connection with her skin.

It seemed like she wasn’t breathing, like she couldn’t have breathed if she tried, as if there wasn’t enough oxygen to even make it possible. Until Luke moved closer to her, his mouth hovering over hers, and suddenly all she could do was suck back short, silent bursts of air.

“Saskia…” As he murmured she leaned closer, couldn’t help herself.

But it was Luke who kissed her. His lips grazed hers so gently, so carefully, that she thought she’d imagined it. She reached her hands up, cupped his face with one, mirrored his action, and clutched at his shoulder with the other. A shiver licked its way down her spine, made her lean closer into him, and Luke didn’t need any further encouragement.

“Hey,” he suddenly said, pulling back slightly and looking down at her.

Saskia knew she was blushing – her face was burning. “Hey,” she whispered back.

They stared at one another again, like they had before. Not saying a word, but Saskia’s mind was racing. Was she actually doing this? Making out with a guy she’d known for less than 24 hours, and ready to rip her clothes off it meant staying close to him?

“We might be stuck here for awhile,” he said, voice low as he glanced out the window. They were surrounded by white. “Maybe quite a while.”

Luke cleared his throat, but Saskia didn’t miss what he was trying to hide. His eyes flickered past her, only for a second, but not fast enough for her not to keep up.

She glanced over her shoulder, made certain there was nothing else there, that he was actually thinking what she was. That he was struggling to look at her for the same reasons she was struggling to look at him.

Luke’s eyes said it all. They were inquisitive, mesmerizing… hungry. And her fingers were itching to touch his face again, her lips tingling, ready to be covered with his.

She was having that problem with not enough air again. Because she wasn’t this kind of girl. She’d never had a one-night stand, never done anything reckless with a man before, never done anything risqué in her personal life. Not ever.

Screw it.

Saskia flicked her tongue over her lips, nervously moistening them, before closing the distance between Luke’s body and hers. She leaned in closer, kissed him full on the mouth, and pushed back his shoulders as she landed in his lap, straddling him.

She’d flown halfway across the world for a 48 hour trip home, and she was damned if she was going to waste it. She might not be able to make it to where she was supposed to be going, but she sure as hell could make it a trip stuck in the snow that she’d never forget.

Books-n-Kisses is pleased to welcome Kim Carmichael to the blog.

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

I spend my days selling to doctors and my nights writing romance.

Have you always wanted to be an author?

No, I always wanted to be a rock star!!  Writing happened after I realized I couldn’t sing worth a damn.

What is your most interesting writing quirk?

I have test songs for every story.  I know my story is done when I have a scene that goes with these certain songs.

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

Hands On Me is part of the Tramp Stamp Series from Keith Publications.  It deals with one night in the lives of two spies who share a passion and a past.

How did you come with the idea for this story?

The story had to have a Tramp Stamp, but I wanted it to be a functional part of the story, not just a tattoo.

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

My book Closure was just released about a woman confronted with her high school crush and he doesn’t know you.

My book Eternity will be released from Keith Publications for Valentine’s Day and is the flagship release of their Hearts and Arrows Line.

The anthology I edited, MILF & Cookies is due out in December.

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

Isaac Marion who wrote Warm Bodies, cause he made me love a zombie.

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

There are always going to be naysayers and people who try to take you down.  Many people are wolves in sheep’s clothing.  Surround yourself with people you trust and never stop.

Can you share with us something off your bucket list. 

I want to spend the night with Steven Tyler

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

The sequel to Nathan Squire’s Curtain Call

(Did I tell you he wrote a scene with my two favorite characters just for me!! Le Swoon)

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Thank you for having me here today!

Books-n-Kisses is pleased to welcome Honey Jans to the blog today

Honey, can you please share with us a little about yourself.

I’m romance author Honey Jans. I’m a small town girl from Wisconsin with a big imagination. I guess you could say that I’m a natural born romantic who tends to daydream. Sometimes it gets me into trouble. But on the plus side it sparks my vivid and sometimes kinky imagination. I love writing erotic romance and it’s my fervent hope that readers will enjoy my books. So stick around. Check out my red hot covers…some of those cover models are truly drool worthy. Read my excerpts, and enter my giveaways. I hope well be friends. I’d love to hear from all my readers. Feel free to post on my blog.

Have you always wanted to be an author?

Actually I’m a late bloomer.  I’ve always loved to read but never thought to write until my sister gave me two bags full of her cast off romances.  Well after wading through the stack I thought maybe I could write one.  Of course it wasn’t that easy but there isn’t anything else I’d rather be doing.

Can you share with us your typical writing day.  Is there anything you have to have while writing?

I typically write in the mornings and edit in the afternoons.  And I love to start my sessions with a steaming cup of my favorite coffee.

Most challenging or rewarding part of writing?

The challenging part is staring at that blank screen and wondering what comes next.  The rewarding part is feedback from my readers through my blog, emails, or at book signings and tours.

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

RESCUING A RUNAWAY BRIDE from  Whiskey Creek Press Torrid

Samantha Logan is a runaway bride. Jake Ramsey is a PI on a stakeout. When they meet in the dark after midnight all their formerly suppressed desires explode. Samantha so needs to prove her sexiness after finding her fiancée in the sack with another woman and Jake has wanted his bosses daughter for years. But will the fire burn out when she finds out he’s here to arrest her brother? To find out come along on the thrill ride as they battle her kinky ex-fiancée, espionage, and each other. Will Jake be able to rescue this runaway bride?

Rescuing a Runaway Bride was inspired by a daydream about what might happen if a woman unknowingly invaded a man’s home.

Can you share with us your current work in progress?

I have an upcoming release with three of my colleagues, Debi Wilder, Shari Dare, Lynn Crain.  This paranormal erotic romance series was inspired by the Beast of Bray Road a myth that lives in the Kettle Moraine Forest of Wisconsin.  It’s really special and I hope you’ll give it a try.

BLUE MOON MAGIC

One father.  Two mothers.  Four siblings.  One incredible night that will change them all forever.

I also have another work in progress that’s a bit of a departure for me.  The working title is Bayou Heat and it’s a ménage with a suspense twist.  When this story came to me I just had to write it.  In hoping my readers will enjoy coming along for the ride.

Who are some of your favorite authors?

I have so many it’s hard to narrow it down.  I love Ann Rice, Sherylinn Kenyon, JA Konrath, and Jayne Ann Krentz for starters.

Do you feel that any of your favorite authors have inspired your writing style?

They may have inspired me but my voice is all me.

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

My To Be Read Pile consists of anything by my favorite authors.  I’m constantly looking for new releases.  One thing I really would love is another book by Bob Mayor and Jennifer Cruise like Agnes and the Hitman.  It loved that book and hope there will be more from them.  I also loved Toni Magee Causey’s Bobby Faye series and hope for some sequels.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Simply that I’m pleased to be here and I’d like to thank everyone for stopping by.

Website | Blog

Books-n-Kisses is pleased to welcome frist time guest Marina Adiar to the blog today to talk a little about her upcoming Christmas story “Kissing Under the Mistletoe

Marian, can you please share with us a little about yourself?

Hi, Kelly! Thanks for having me today. I will give you the ten-second rundown of myself: I am a screenwriter turned romance novelist who has a thing for burgers, beer, and Jane Austin novels—sometimes simultaneously. My relationship with Eggo waffles boarders on unhealthy and I hate mayonnaise. I am also a mother and a wife and I love reading.

Have you always wanted to be an author?

Actually, I wanted to be a teacher, then a Marine biologist, then an FBI agent, then an international business woman ( I had no idea what that even meant but I wanted to be one), then a fashion designer … Then I got into high school I realized that I could be all of those things if I was a storyteller. But since writing never came easy for me—my worst subject in school was English—and Claymation wasn’t a booming industry when I was college, I decided to become a cinematographer…until I realized that that cinematographers couldn’t tell the actors what to say or point out if there was a gaping plot hole in the story. So I turned to screenwriting and eventually found my home as a romance writer. And it is the best job in the world.

Can you share with us your typical writing day.  Is there anything you have to have while writing?

By 9ish my kiddo is out the door and my cats have been properly loved, so I pull out my laptop and get to work. The goal is a solid 5 hours of writing before school lets out. Usually, I get in about two hours before one of my cats decides to take a nap—on my laptop. Which means that I contort my body so I can type around them as not disturb their peaceful slumber. After my daughter gets home I do “other” work related stuff, like social media, blog posts, return emails, etc… I don’t go by hours so much as word count. In order to make my deadlines I have to hammer out at least 10k words a week.

As for the “have to haves”, I am a basket-case when working. I forget, well, everything. So I “have to have” an alarm to remind me when my daughter gets out of school, when she has dance, and she needs to be picked up from a play date. But my biggest “have to have” is my hubby who brings me lunch and reminds me to hydrate.

Most challenging or rewarding part of writing?

The most challenging part of writing is making sure all of my plotlines not only matter to the overall story, but work in conjunction with one another while working against my hero and heroine. The most rewarding part is when they all synch up.

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

My latest book, KISSING UNDER THE MISTLETOE, is about two sworn enemies, who can’t seem to keep their hands off of each other, living in the same small town where neither is willing to move. Regan Martin is a single-mom looking for a fresh start and Gabe DeLuca is a smooth talking vintner who can’t decide what tops his Christmas List: Regan’s sweet ass swishing right out of his town or waltzing toward his bed in nothing but a red bow. The goal was to see how far I could push Gabe and Regan before they were able to let go of their tumultuous past and give in to the chemistry between them, because I knew that if they stopped arguing long enough they would see how perfect they were for one another.

How did you come up with the idea for this story?

I had a babysitter when I was in grammar school who was the only girl in an Italian family of seven. Her brothers were 100% alpha, extremely over protective, and, since they beat the crap out of anyone who looked at her twice, made dating virtually impossible for her. I loved the idea of writing a series about a big, loud Italian family who were always in each other’s business and even though they irritated the hell out of one another, they were fiercely loyal.

Since KISSING UNDER THE MISTLETOE is a holiday story, I wanted the theme of family to be at its heart. But I also knew I wanted to contrast the holiday spirit of giving and forgiveness with an enemy-to-lover story. Who could be a bigger enemy to the oldest brother, Gabe, than someone who screwed with his baby sister? And since his family means everything to him, I paired him with a single mom who would do anything to give her daughter the best life.

Can you share with us your current work in progress?

I just received edits back on the second book in the St Helena Vineyard series, which is slated for release on April 16, 2013. SUMMER IN NAPA follows renowned chef, Alexis Collins, who had lived her life right—right guy, right college, right career . . . right up until she finds her husband trussed up like a Thanksgiving turkey while trying to play hide the baster with her sous chef. Divorced and humiliated, Lexi moves back home ready to rebuild her life and convert her grandmother’s patisserie into her dream bistro—until she realizes that her new neighbor is none other than her ex-husband’s best friend, Marco DeLuca, and he is interested in sampling more than just her cooking.

This book was so much fun to write because my hero and heroine are not only fighting the need to get naked every time they see each other, they are also fighting against their past. So finding a good reason for Marc to break man-law and fall for—and into bed with—his best-bro’s ex was entertaining.

Who are some of your favorite authors?

Oh, I love this question. You already know I swoon for Jane Austen, but I also adore Julie Garwood, Britt Bury, Jill Shalvis, Hannah Jayne, and my absolute favorite, screenwriter Aaron Sorkin.

Do you feel that any of your favorite authors have inspired your writing style? 

Aaron Sorkin definitely! I can hear 30 seconds of dialogue and tell you if it is his or not, that is how amazing and unique he is. His dialogue is fast paced, witty, smart, overflowing with subtext and I think some of the best writing on television since M.A.S.H. His scenes have a million things going on in them, yet I never get lost. He is a master weaver and inspired me to find and embrace my own voice, even if it is quirky and different.

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

As soon as I finish my edits and the final copy is handed in, I am dying to read the last two books in the Lucky Harbor series by Jill Shalvis. I have saved them as my special treat for finishing book #2.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Thanks for having me today, Kelly! Oh, and I love to hear from readers, so please don’t hesitate to contact me. I can be found online at:

Website|  Facebook  |  Goodreads  | Twitter: @MarinaEAdair

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Books-n-Kisses is please to welcome Honey Jans to the blog today to chat about her newest release “Goldie & the Three Bears”

Honey, can you please share with us a little about yourself.   

I’m romance author Honey Jans. I’m a small town girl from Wisconsin with a big imagination. I guess you could say that I’m a natural born romantic who tends to daydream. Sometimes it gets me into trouble. But on the plus side it sparks my vivid and sometimes kinky imagination. I love writing erotic romance and it’s my fervent hope that readers will enjoy my books. So stick around. Check out my red hot covers…some of those cover models are truly drool worthy. Read my excerpts, and enter my giveaways. I hope well be friends. I’d love to hear from all my readers. Feel free to post on my blog.

Have you always wanted to be an author? 

Actually I’m a late bloomer.  I’ve always loved to read but never thought to write until my sister gave me two bags full of her cast off romances.  Well after wading through the stack I thought maybe I could write one.  Of course it wasn’t that easy but there isn’t anything else I’d rather be doing.

Who are some of your favorite writers? Who do you feel has influenced your writing?  There are many but off the top of my head I’d have to say Sherylinn Kenyon, Ann Rice, Jane Ann Krentz, and JA Konrath.  I like them all for different reasons and they may have influenced me in different ways but my voice is all my own.

How did you get into writing in this specific genre?  Have you ever thought about writing in a different genre?  I’ve written in many genres starting with contemporary romance then suspense and futuristic.  When I tried my hand at writing erotic romance I found it was a perfect fit for me.

What are some of your writing rituals?

I steaming cup of coffee in the morning when I sit down in front of my computer.  Then taking my laptop outside in the afternoon or early evening to edit and dream up new twists.

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

Goldie and the Three Bears is a torrid twisted tale for Whiskey Creek Press Torrid.  It’s my first foray in the ménage world and it was loads of fun to write.

GOLDIE AND THE THREE BEARS

When Goldie Lockwood, a half breed Were-Bear with no powers, runs away from her clan the last thing she expects to run into is the trio of Were-Bear studs of her erotic dreams. It’s mating season and she isn’t even in the running, being a dud DNA-wise.

But when they touch her she can’t resist making them her harem. Just who seduces who in this twisted tale? And will Goldilocks find the Were-Bear mate that’s just right?

How did you come with the idea for this story?  I love to take traditional fairy tales and give them an erotic spin.  And Goldilocks seemed to be tailor made for that.  I’ve previously done versions of Cinderella and Little Red Riding hood for WCP.  They’re titled Cindy Revisited and A Wolf’s Tale.

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

I have an upcoming release with three of my colleagues, Debi Wilder, Shari Dare, Lynn Crain.  This paranormal erotic romance series was inspired by the Beast of Bray Road a myth that lives in the Kettle Moraine Forest of Wisconsin.  It’s really special and I hope you’ll give it a try.

BLUE MOON MAGIC

ONE FATHER. TWO MOTHERS.  FOUR SIBLINGS.  ONE INCREDIBLE NIGHT THAT WILL CHANGE THEM ALL FOREVER.

I also have another work in progress.  The working title is Bayou Heat and it’s a ménage with a suspense twist.  When this story came to me I just had to write it.  I’m hoping my readers will enjoy coming along for the ride.

What would you be if you were not an author? That’s hard to say because there’s nothing else I’d rather be doing.  It would probably be something in the arts or travel because I love both of them.

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

Anything by my favorite authors.  I’m constantly looking for new releases.  One thing I really would love is another book by Boy Mayor and Jennifer Cruise like Agnes and the Hitman.  It loved that book and hope there will be more from them.  I also loved Toni Marie Causeys Bobby Faye Series and hope for some sequels.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Simply that I’m pleased to be here and I’d like to thank everyone for stopping by.

Learn more about Honey here:  Website / Blog