Books-n-Kisses is pleased to welcome Kellie Kamryn to the blog today to chat a little about her newest book

Kellie, can you please share with us a little about yourself: Mom to four by day, erotic/contemporary author by night. Well, I write during the day too. I need to sleep at night.

Have you always wanted to be an author? I think to some degree yes, but it wasn’t until a few years ago that I became serious about pursuing it as a career.

Who are some of your favorite writers? Who do you feel has influenced your writing? Eloisa James, John Sheridan, Dawné Dominique, Daisy Dunn, Jennifer Labelle, Julie James…my list could go on, but I’d run out of room and we don’t have all day!

How did you get into writing in this specific genre?  Have you ever thought about writing in a different genre? I always wrote slightly spicy contemporary, but after reading some really good erotic literature by authors such as Jennifer Jakes and Jo Davis, among others, I tried my hand at it. Turns out I really enjoy writing it, and I’m pretty good at it.

What are some of your writing rituals? I try to write at least 1000 words a day if I’m working on a new piece. When the words are flowing, I’ll write as much and as fast as I can in a day. I break up my day into sessions – 1 in the morning, 1 in the afternoon with breaks in between to eat, exercise and promote.

Can you please tell us about your latest book(s)? The Love and Balance series are about gymnastics coaches finding love. I used to be a competitive gymnast and coach, so I combined passions to create the series.

How did you come with the idea for this story? My plot ideas came to me in dreams as so many of my stories do.

Can you share with us your current work(s) in progress? Right now, I’m working on an erotic romantic suspense. That’s all I’ll say!

What would you be if you were not an author? Probably still a gymnastics coach.

What is in your To Read Pile that you are dying to start or upcoming release you can’t wait for? The third book in the Eden series by Dawné Dominique, some erotic shorts by John Sheridan, and a romance by Lori Leger.

Is there anything else you would like to add? Thank you for having me as a guest today. One lucky commenter can win a signed copy of Rebound just for leaving a comment!

 

Learn more about Kellie here:

Website / Facebook / Twitter

To enter for a chance to win a signed copy of Rebound.  Please leave Kellie a comment or question

*giveaway end 10/15/2012*

 

Secrets & Desires of the Heart

Amazon / Barnes and Noble

Eyes are the window to the soul, words falling from our lips attempt to express our innermost desires, but it’s the heart that holds the secrets behind our smile. Join erotic/romance author and poet, Kellie Kamryn, as she takes you on a journey of the heart with twenty seven poems of romance, love and lust you’ll never forget. Lose yourself in a world of Secrets and Desires of the Heart.

 

Rebound

Secret Cravings / Amazon / Barnes and Noble

An award-winning choreographer must face the only man she’s ever loved then lost when they are teamed up to work together at a gymnastics camp for Olympic hopefuls.

Claire LeMay is at the top of her game – she’s head of a prominent gymnastics facility with her gymnasts winning awards for her outstanding choreography. Now her biggest challenge is to coach alongside the man she’s avoided for three years after he demanded she live in his shadow instead of forging her own path.

After sinking every penny of his inheritance into his state-of-the-art gymnastics facility, Justin Black has achieved his dream. But even with hundreds of members and well-trained coaches, when Claire’s presence invades his space, he reluctantly admits she’s the one thing missing in his life. As their old passion tumbles out faster than a gymnast sprinting down the vault runway, Justin knows he can’t let her walk out of his life this time.

Are they destined to repeat the same old routine or will they be able to choreograph a new one?

 

Excerpt:

“We’re adults. We can share a bed to sleep. No big deal.”

She glanced away, hoping he couldn’t see her cheeks blush. “Exactly.”

He tugged on the other end of her blanket to get her attention. When her eyes met his, he asked, “Unless you’re chicken?”

Her eyes narrowed to slits. “That only works once.”

He stared her down. “I dare you to share a bed with me for the night.”

She sat heavily on the edge of the bed and slipped off her sandals. “That is a stupid dare.”

“No stupider than it was for me to fall for you and your little anxiety attack over performing the full-in this morning.”

She crossed her arms in front of her chest and blinked at him. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Her lips twitched as she fought a smile.

“Don’t play innocent with me.” Justin grabbed his pillow and smacked her in the face with it.

She squawked in surprise.

“You knew I’d take the bait,” he said. “I never could resist helping you.”

She took up her own pillow, kneeled on the bed, and hit him back. “Then you shouldn’t have been spying on me.”

He smashed his pillow into her ribs, nearly knocking her over.

She righted herself and took a swing at him, hitting him square on the side of his head, causing him to give it a vigorous shake.

The next thing she knew they were in the midst of an all-out pillow war. On their knees on the bed, they took turns whacking each other over and over. It felt good to take her frustration out on him.

Finally, he wrenched the pillow from her hands, took hold of her wrists, and yanked her up against his chest. Her nipples hardened on contact, and she inched back, hoping he wouldn’t notice.

His eyes flicked downward and then up. A slight move, but she saw it. She bumped her pelvis lightly into his and felt his bulging erection. Good. She wasn’t the only one affected by their physical proximity.

She wrenched free of his grasp. “That’s not fair, using your size against me.”

He shrugged. “All’s fair in l– war.”

Interesting slip up, buddy. She thought back to the days when they had wrestled with one another and he had used his strength to win. If memory served, she’d come up with some pretty creative ways of gaining the upper hand. He was in for a big surprise if he thought she’d give up so easily tonight. Even after all this time, she still had a few tricks up her sleeve.

She hopped to her feet and kicked one leg out, her shin connecting with the side of his

ribcage. Caught off guard, he toppled sideways, ending up on his back with her on top, her knees on either side of his torso, her hands pinning his arms to the bed.

Surprise registered on his face, but it wouldn’t last long, and she knew it. She sprang off the mattress, flipped over his head, and landed on her feet on the floor. Quickly, she turned, and twisted his arms together in her grasp.

“Shit,” he muttered. “I’d forgotten how quick you are.”

Fresh out of ideas, she let go of him, having no desire to put herself in a more vulnerable position. But, she failed to step away fast enough. He reached above his head, grabbed her at the hips, and sat up while flipping her forward.

A squeal escaped her lips, and the next second, she was suspended upside down in the air with her face an inch from his crotch. She wet her lips at the sight of the bulge there.

 

 

The Perfect Score

Secret Cravings / Amazon / Barnes and Noble

The new head coach has barely gotten her beams in alignment when she’s threatened with a lawsuit by a father for refusing to train his brat of a daughter.

Shelley Longstaff finally has her chance to be in charge only to rue the day when she is asked to train the dreaded Anna Fortier, a gymnast who has no sense of sportsmanship and makes everyone in her vicinity miserable. When Shelley refuses, she’s threatened with a lawsuit by her father. To make things worse, Shelley has an inexplicable attraction to the arrogant rich lawyer!

Since his wife’s death five years ago, Jacques (Jack) Fortier does whatever it takes to protect what is his. Shelley’s club is his last resort to keep his daughter in the sport, but threatening to sue her isn’t exactly his smartest move. When she grudgingly agrees to give Anna a chance, he finds himself attracted to the spritely gymnastics coach – the first woman he’s had any feelings for since his wife passed away.

As Shelley and Jack leap over the line in their parent-coach relationship, Shelley worries over falling in love with a man who admittedly still loves his late wife. But when a crisis of teenage proportions threatens their relationship, will they risk everything for the chance to achieve The Perfect Score?

Excerpt:

He didn’t say anything, but placed a hand on top of the one she had on his thigh. That’s when she noticed the intimacy of their current position. Flustered, she stood and gestured with her hands. “I wanted to go to the Olympics when I was little, but as I got older, I realized I wouldn’t make it. I changed my vision. I wanted to be able to compete, and later I wanted to become a coach. At university, I studied human movement, and I chose to be a part of the sport in a different way.”

“It’s something to think about.”

The faraway tone of his voice told her he didn’t like admitting defeat. Their eyes met again, and the intensity of his gaze had Shelley frozen to the spot. He rose, towering over her, and picked up one of her hands. Lifting it up to eye level, he flattened his palm against hers. Her hand was half the size.

Her heart pounded when he folded his fingers over hers, and the sound of blood rushing in her ears was all she heard. A small smile blossomed as she remembered what she’d thought the first time she’d seen the size of his hands.

“I like it when you smile,” he said, his voice deep. “What are you thinking?”

“The first time I saw your hand I thought it would cover my whole chest. Such an inappropriate thought when first meeting a parent of a potential club member.” She snapped out of her stupor and blushed deeply. “Oh, dear Lord, I can’t believe I said that.”

He shifted his gaze to her breasts. “Shall we test your theory?”

Her nipples hardened in response, and her eyes widened. “It’s not appropriate for you to be staring at my breasts.”

“You shouldn’t have mentioned them.”

“Are we sixteen?”

“Far from it.” He glanced at her lips. “I suppose it wouldn’t be appropriate for me to kiss you.”

“Precisely.” Her voice was far too breathy for her liking. She tried taking her hand out of his, but he tightened his grip.

“I’m going to do it anyway.” He lowered his face toward hers.

She turned her head, trying to remain in control of this situation. Her brain told her this wasn’t a good idea. Her body said, What the hell? “Jack.” Her firm tone should have brooked no argument. Too bad it came out with a quiver.

His eyes closed. “Say it again.”

Her voice trembled when she spoke. “Say what?”

“My name. I hate it when you call me Mr. Fortier.”

“Mr. Fortier,” she began, but Jack caught her chin gently in his hand. Her eyes narrowed, but she didn’t try to escape. “Do you always expect to get what you want?”

“Not a lot of people say no to me.” His lips were a hair’s breadth away from hers. “Please say my name.”

With their lips almost touching, she whispered, “Jack.”

She had been about to say they should keep their relationship professional, and intimate contact was out of the question. But when he sealed her lips with a kiss, further protest died in her throat. He added a little pressure, and warmth spread throughout her entire body.

Her body responded like a woman dying of thirst needs water. She thought his kisses would’ve been aggressive like him, but this was unlike any kiss she had ever experienced. It spoke of moonlit walks and breakfasts in bed, promised tender good nights, and passionate good mornings, whispered words meant only for a lover’s ear, and dreams shared only with another.

Shelley had always viewed a kiss as a prelude to sex, but never to her future.

She drew back and pressed a shaking hand to her lips. Future? She had no future with this man beyond seeing him from time to time at the gym when he brought his daughter for practice.

Completely unnerved, she could only muster two words. “Oh. Wow.”

 

 

 

 

Books-n-Kisses is pleased to welcome Soraya Lane to the blog today. 

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

I live on a small farm in New Zealand. I work as a freelance writer as well as an author, and I’m a mom and a wife too!

Have you always wanted to be an author?

Absolutely. I’ve been writing stories since I was about 8 years old, and I started reading from a very young age too – The Saddle Club inspired me as a child to read and write!

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

I think every book I’ve ever loved has probably inspired me, because reading is so important to an author. Some of my favorite authors right now are Nalini Singh, Nora Roberts, Stephanie Meyer, Harlan Coben and James Patterson.

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

I usually write contemporary romance novels for Harlequin Romance, so writing a paranormal young adult book was completely different for me. I loved it because it was a fun, enjoyable challenge.

What are some of your writing rituals?

I used to write to music a lot, but now I tend to work on my books when my toddler is asleep, so I sit in silence to make sure I don’t wake him up!

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

Change is my debut young adult paranormal romance…

When her twin sister dies of a mysterious heart condition, Riley King is sent to her grandma’s ranch. But instead of the isolation she’s been aching for, she learns of a family secret that’s been deliberately kept from her, until now.

As if finding out she’s actually a leopard wasn’t enough shock for one vacation, Riley meets Hunter Logan … the guy she’s promised to. For life. But Riley has no intention of being told what to do by anyone, certainly not some stubborn, dominant shifter. Even if he can make her purr, her claws are slicing out. Until Riley realizes that not fulfilling her destiny would commit her sister to a life on the other side without her.

How did you come with the idea for this story?

Like most of my ideas, it just popped into my head J

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

Right now I’m working on my next book for Harlequin Romance, as well as the sequel to Change. I’ve also just release a contemporary romance, The Navy SEAL’s Promise – available on Amazon.

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 can’t wait to read the latest book in Nalini Singh’s changeling/psy series, and Zoo by James Patterson.

Learn more about Soraya here:

www.sorayalane.com

 

@Soraya_Lane

 

Giveaway time: 

Soraya is giveaway a kindle ebook copy of Change 

Just leave a comment to go in the draw!

Please leave your email address though as otherwise I’ll have no way to contact you J

You must be able to receive a gift from amazon.com in order to be eligible, and I believe that includes all entrants from the US, Canada, India, Australia & NZ.

I’d also appreciate an honest review on Amazon or Goodreads in exchange for the free copy J

Welcome Frank.  Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to sit down and talk with me.

Frank: *settles significant bulk into chair, looks around uncomfortably*  You’re welcome.  Julie Ann Walker told me to come, so here I am.

BnK: Can I get you anything before we get started?

Frank:  Coffee.  Black.  *reaches into shirt pocket and pulls out Root Beer-flavored Dum Dum*

BnK: For my followers that don’t know you please tell them a little about yourself?

Frank:  *shoves sucker in cheek, talks around it* I’m an ex-Navy SEAL who started a custom motorcycle shop on Goose Island, Chicago.  It’s called Black Knights Inc.

BnK: Can you tell us what you do at Black Knight Inc?

Frank:  I build and sell custom motorcycles.

BnK:  Okay, now please tell us what you really do at BKI?

Frank:  *shifts in chair, eyes narrow slightly*  Julie Ann Walker spilled the beans, didn’t she?  *big sigh*  Okay, the truth is, Black Knights Inc. is the cover for my covert government defense firm.  I employ a bunch of ex-spec-ops warriors and we take on the jobs too hot for Uncle Sam to handle.

BnK: Can you tell us a little about the guys that you work with.  Any favorites?  Any you would like to slap upside the head? You know give us some dirt.

Frank:  *pops sucker from mouth and frowns, considering*  I guess I’ve known Snake and Rock the longest.  They were part of my SEAL Team.  But all the guys who work for me, each and every one, is a cog in the machine that makes up Black Knights Inc.  Take out one component, and the entire unit breaks down.  As for slapping anyone upside the head, I have to admit I’ve wanted to do that to all of them at one point or another.  There’s a lot of testosterone running amok around that place.  Still… Ozzie is the one who pushes my buttons most often.  Oh, hell… er… heck, who am I kiddin’?  That kid pushes everyone’s buttons.

BnK: What about your resident mechanic *wiggles eyebrows*

Frank: *frown deepens, but eyes twinkle*  Talk about someone who pushes buttons…

*Becky comes in*

BnK: Hello Becky!

Becky:  Hello!  *squeezes Frank’s shoulder and grabs the extra seat*

BnK:  Can you confirm everything that Frank has been telling us?  *hands Becky the interview to look over*

Becky: *reads quickly and shakes head*  A man of very few words, isn’t he?  But, yeah, he gave you the basics.  The absolute bare minimum.

BnK:  So tell me how do you both feel about Julie Ann Walker telling your story?

Frank:  *crosses arms and scowls*  She’s got a big mouth.

Becky:  *rolls eyes*  She’s only doing her job.  And I think she does us all justice.  Frank’s just upset *hooks thumb in Frank’s direction* because she once described his face as a “big, beautiful mess.”  The big guy here likes to act all tough, but he’s really just a softy.

Frank:  *fighting a grin*  That’s not what you said last night when-

Becky:  *slaps hand over Frank’s mouth*  This is a professional interview, you big dillhole!  Keep it PG!

BnK: Do you think Julie Ann Walker did a good job of keeping it true?  Anything you wish Julie put in or left out?

Frank:  I wish she left it ALL out.  I’m supposed to be the government’s biggest secret.  Instead I’m here, talking to you about-

Becky: *interrupting*  I heard she had to leave out a particular sex scene that involved one of my suckers.

Frank:  *glancing over, eyes wide*  She wouldn’t have dared to put that in a book.

Becky:  *nodding and grinning*  Oh, yeah.  She dared.  But her editor made her remove it.

Frank:  Thank God for small miracles.  That stuff’s supposed to be private.

BnK:  Becky I have to ask.  Pirates?  Really, Pirates?  You couldn’t think of a better way to get Frank’s attention?

Becky:  Hey! *holds hands in air*  It’s not like I intended to get abducted or anything.  I was out minding my own business- 

Frank: *interrupting* She was out minding her own business in the middle of the goddamned… er… gosh darned pirate-infested Indian Ocean. 

Becky:  *grinning*  Okay, so maybe he has a point.

Frank:  But in her defense, trouble does seem to find her wherever she goes.

Bnk:  But I can see that it worked.  How are you two doing?

Becky:  Oh, we’re good.

Frank:  Better than good.  *wiggles eyebrows*

Becky:  *rolls in lips and giggles*

BnK: Can you tell us what is next for the BKI crew?

Frank:  Julie Ann Walker just finished with Rock’s story. It’s titled THRILL RIDE and it’s slated to hit the shelves this coming April.

Becky:  The story begins with Rock on the run after he’s been listed as a rogue operator.  It’s mostly set in the jungles of Costa Rica, and it is one hot read, even if I do say so myself.

BnK: Thank you again you two for sitting down and talking with me for a little bit.

Becky:  You’re so welcome.  We’re always happy to help out Julie in any way we can.

Frank:  *snorting*  Speak for yourself.

Becky:  *shakes head and pushes up from chair, extending a hand toward Frank*  Come on, big guy.  I’ve got something special planned for you back at the shop.

Frank:  *wiggles eyebrows at BnK before standing and following Becky from the room*

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Lets take a look at the BKI series

 

Hell on Wheels

Book 1 in the Black Knight Inc Series

PUBLICATION DATE:   08/07/12
ORDER LINKS:  Amazon | B&N

 He’s the bad boy she’s always wanted…

Nate “Ghost” Weller has loved Ali Morgan nearly half his life. But he’s done something so heinous he’s convinced she’ll never forgive him if she discovers the truth, so he keeps his feelings and his secrets to himself. Then she blows into town with a mother lode of bad guys on her tail and Nate can’t deny she’s in serious trouble. Unfortunately, he’s the only one who can help her.

She’s the good girl he’s kept at arm’s length…

Ali knows Nate as the most solemn, aloof man on the planet. Sadly, he’s also the sexiest. For years she’s avoided him, unable to stomach his dark scowls and brooding silences… especially when she secretly yearns for his touch. Now she must rely on him to save her from the malevolent shadows ghosting her every move. When the bullets explode, so does their passion. But can love really conquer all? Or are some things just too terrible to forgive?

 

In Rides Trouble

Book 2 in the Black Knight Inc series

PUBLICATION DATE:   09/04/12
ORDER LINKS:  Amazon | B&N

Rebel with a Cause

Becky “Rebel” Reichert never actually goes looking for trouble. It just has a tendency to find her. Like the day Frank Knight showed up at her door, wanting to use her motorcycle shop as a cover for his elite special ops team. But Becky prides herself on being able to hang with the big boys-she can weld, drive, and shoot just as well as any of them.

Man with a Mission

Munitions, missiles, and mayhem are Frank’s way of life. The last thing the ex-SEAL wants is for one brash blonde to come within fifty feet of anything that goes boom. Yet it’s just his rotten luck when she ends up in a hostage situation at sea. Come hell or

high water, he will get her back-whether she says she needs him or not.

Rev It up 

Book 3 in the Black Knight Inc Series

PUBLICATION DATE:   10/01/12
ORDER LINKS:  Amazon | B&N

He Never Misses a Target

Jake “the Snake” Sommers earned his SEAL codename by striking quickly and quietly – and with lethal force.  That’s how he broke Michelle Carter’s heart.  It was the only way to keep her safe – from himself.  Four long years later, Jake is determined to get a second chance.  But to steal back into Michelle’s loving arms, Jake is going to have to prove he can take things slow.  Real slow…

She Aims to Make Him Beg

Michelle Carter has never forgiven Jake for being so cliché as to “love her and leave her.”  But when her brother, head of the Black Knights elite ops agency, ticks off the wrong mobster, she must do the unimaginable: place her life in Jake’s hands.  No matter what they call him, this man is far from cold-blooded.  And once he’s wrapped around her heart, he’ll never let her go…

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Julie Ann Walker is the USA Today and New York Times Bestselling Author of the Black Knights Inc. romantic suspense series. She is prone to spouting movie quotes and song lyrics. She’ll never say no to sharing a glass of wine or going for a long walk. She prefers impromptu travel over the scheduled kind, and she takes her coffee with milk. You can find her on her bicycle along the lake shore in Chicago or blasting away at her keyboard, trying to wrangle her capricious imagination into submission. Look for the first two books in her fast-paced series: Hell On Wheels (August 2012) and In Rides Trouble (September 2012). For more information, please visit www.julieannwalker.com or follow her on Facebook www.facebook.com/jawalkerauthor and/or Twitter @JAWalkerAuthor. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Books-n-Kisses is pleased Zoe Archer to the blog today to chat a little about life and her newest book Skies of Steel

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

I was born in New York, but grew up in Los Angeles, and went to college and grad school in different parts of California.  The first time I lived out of state (aside from right after my birth), was when I attended the University of Iowa for their MFA program in Fiction.  That was the first time I’d ever lived anywhere that snowed—but I didn’t mind so much because I’d come home to my boyfriend (now husband) in Southern California every holiday break.  Snow’s easy to take when you know it isn’t forever!

Basically, I wanted to be a writer since I was a little girl.  I wrote all the time—all different kinds of stories from murder mysteries to fantasy epics.  In high school, a friend of mine introduced me to romance novels, and almost immediately after, I started to write them.  I’m pretty glad that those manuscripts, printed on a dot-matrix printer, are long lost.

Have you always wanted to be an author?

Yep!  I went through a few different phases during high school, college and grad school—I thought about being a book illustrator, a costume designer, a dramaturge, a literary professor—but it always came back to writing.

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

I write full time, so I try to get up at a reasonable house and plant my butt in front of the computer.  I like having music when I write, since it helps me focus.  Also, I have to have my outline and research books (and the internet) handy.

Most challenging or rewarding part of writing?

Some of the most difficult aspects of writing involve motivation.  You’ve got to be responsible for getting the words on the page.  Nobody else is going to write that book for you.  I had a bunch of full-time day jobs after I finished my MFA program, and I’d get up early to write in the morning before work.  I knew if I left it until I came home, I’d be too tired, so I made time to get it done, even when I just wanted to keep sleeping.

The most rewarding is definitely hearing from readers.  It still amazes me that people I’m not related to or know people I’m related to read my stuff.  And when they not only read my books, but like them—that’s just incredible.

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

SKIES OF STEEL is part of the steampunk romance series THE ETHER CHRONICLES.  The Ether Chronicles was actually co-created by me and my husband, Nico Rosso.  As we were creating the world for me, we realized it was expansive enough and had enough stories to have two writers telling different tales within it.  Nico writes the steampunk Westerns, and I write the steampunk everywhere else.

In SKIES OF STEEL, British anthropologist Daphne Carlisle finds herself in a terrible situation.  Her archaeologist parents have been kidnapped by a ruthless warlord in the Arabian Peninsula, and the British government is unwilling to help her rescue them.  The Mechanized War between different nations rages on, and if Britain gets involved, things could get very dangerous, politically.  But Daphne’s determined to free her parents.  Desperate, she turns to the one man who can help her: Captain Mikhail Denisov.

Not only is Mikhail an untrustworthy mercenary, he’s also a rogue Man O’ War, making him doubly dangerous.  Man O’ Wars are men who have been enhanced through technology to be faster and stronger than normal men.  Those technological enhancements also make them capable of powering and flying airships.  It takes a lot of convincing and the promise of lots of money to get Mikhail to agree to help Daphne.  So the scholar and the mercenary set out on an adventure in Arabia, but of all the perils they encounter on their travels, the most dangerous is the unexpected attraction between them.  And not everything is precisely as it appears.

Oh, did I mention Mikhail has a Mohawk?  He’s one sexy mo-fo!

How did you come with the idea for this story?

It was a collaborative process between me and Nico.  I liked the idea of a supposedly prim and proper woman tangling with a scoundrel Man O’ War, and so we thought about what kinds of situations would find them thrown together.  Plus, I really wanted to set the story in Arabia so we could see how the Arabic world interpreted steampunk technology.  It was so much fun!

Can you share with us your current work in progress?

In addition to working on the next Ether Chronicles book, I’m working on a new historical romance series for St. Martin’s Press, called Nemesis, Unlimited.  It’s gritty and dark and sexy.  I’ve been pitching it as Leverage/Burn Notice in Victorian England. The first book in the series, SWEET REVENGE, comes out June 2013.

Who are some of your favorite authors?

For romance, I love Julie Anne Long, Joanna Bourne, Meredith Duran, Sherry Thomas, Tessa Dare, and Courtney Milan.   It’s been a while since I read something that wasn’t romance, but Jane Eyre was always one of my favorites, and I love Austen, of course.  When I read Anna Karenina, by Leo Tolstoy, I was stunned.  His writing and ability to get into so many characters’ heads is incredible.  Some other authors I like include Lorrie Moore, Graham Greene, Michael Ondaatje, Vladimir Nabokov, Alice Munro, and Deborah Eisenberg.

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

I can’t point to a specific author, but my love of language comes from reading, and that’s what compels me to write: I love words.  Beautiful, elegant, rough, crude, rich, spare, luminous, complex, simple words.

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

As soon as Joanna Bourne has a book on the shelf, I’m there.  I’m also really looking forward to Julie Anne Long’s A Notorious Countess Confesses.  And I have Sherry Thomas’s Tempting the Bride on my TBR. Of course, when it comes to steampunk, it’s all about Meljean Brook’s Iron Seas series.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

 

SKIES OF STEEL

Links to buy: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Apple, Books A Million

In the world of The Ether Chronicles, the Mechanical War rages on, and appearances are almost always deceiving . . .

The prim professor

Daphne Carlisle may be a scholar, but she’s far more comfortable out in the field than lost in a stack of books. Still, when her parents are kidnapped by a notorious warlord, she knows she’ll need more than quick thinking if she is to reach them in time. Daphne’s only hope for getting across enemy territory is an airship powered and navigated by Mikhail Denisov, a rogue Man O’ War who is as seductive as he is untrustworthy.

The jaded mercenary

Mikhail will do anything for the right price, and he’s certain he has this mission—and Daphne—figured out: a simple job and a beautiful but sheltered Englishwoman. But as they traverse the skies above the Mediterranean and Arabia, Mikhail learns the fight ahead is anything but simple, and his lovely passenger is not entirely what she seems. The only thing Mikhail is certain of is their shared desire—both unexpected and dangerous.

Excerpt

 

 

Zoë Archer is an award-winning romance author who thinks there’s nothing sexier than a man in tall boots and a waistcoat. As a child, she never dreamed about being the rescued princess, but wanted to kick butt right beside the hero. She now applies her master’s degrees in Literature and Fiction to creating butt-kicking heroines and heroes in tall boots. She is the author of the acclaimed BLADES OF THE ROSE series and the paranormal historical romance series, THE HELLRAISERS. She and her husband, fellow romance author Nico Rosso, created the steampunk world of THE ETHER CHRONICLES together.  Her steampunk romance, SKIES OF STEEL, is now available from Avon Impulse, and Nico’s steampunk Western, NIGHT OF FIRE, is also available now. Zoë and Nico live in Los Angeles.

Website, Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr, Blog

 

 

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Books-n-Kisses is pleased to welcome Tory Michaels to the blog today to chat about life and her newest releases

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

I still flail around at how to answer this question. Unfortunately, I’ve got a fairly boring life. 3 kids (twin 18 month girls, 6 y/o boy), husky, husband, and I work as a legal assistant in a corporate law firm. I’ve lived in California, Oregon, Washington, Florida and Colorado.  Oh, and I was born with a congenital heart defect!

Have you always wanted to be an author?

Technically, no. I wanted to as a kid, right up until just before I got married and the desire faded into the background. But about 3 years ago, it roared back with a vengeance and I got published after learning how to actually write a decent (in my opinion, fantastic!) book.

What is your most interesting writing quirk?

I don’t have as many as I did. I used to need to multi-task (i.e., have Facebook and Tweetdeck open as I tried to write), but finally got out of that habit. It’s helpful to have music on, but again, have found that’s not absolutely necessary. Probably my #1 thing is I canNOT have my children roaming around as I try. Even the hubby isn’t a good idea, just because I can’t concentrate if other people are around (unless it’s at Starbucks, and then I’ve got my headphones in and have zoned out on the world).

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

I have two books out, Blood Rage and Blood-Mage Rising, as part of the Dream-Walker War. They take place in an alternate reality Earth where non-humans are out of the shadows and are well integrated into mainstream society (they came out in 1929).

Rage is paranormal romance with an urban fantasy edge to it. Dara MacKechnie’s nicely ordered life is thrown into chaos when her ex-lover, Anthony Caldwell, shows up expecting her to help him find a group of terrorists who are trying to inflame the international community against the vampires (or so they think for the course of the book).

Blood-Mage Rising takes place at the same time as Blood Rage, but follows the investigations into the Aristocrats (the terrorist organization from Blood Rage) from the perspective of Christine Javert and Jordan MacNaught, minor characters introduced in Rage. They learn that there is far more to the Aristocrats than simply pissing humans off toward the vampires, and the reader discovers who exactly is the man behind the Aristocrat organization (though Chris and Jordan don’t).

How did you come with the idea for this story?

It started with Blood Rage (with a totally different title, plot, everything except the characters). As I wrote it for the third time (during which writing the title Blood Rage emerged), the idea of someone trying to start a war between humans/non-humans really stuck to me. It was as I wrote a book which will never see the light of day unfortunately (it doesn’t fit the timeline after I put together Blood-Mage Rising) that the idea of what Ares was ultimately after came to me. I love getting to see how very similar the world is, and yet very different because of the needs that non-humans would put on the system.

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

My latest book, which I’m hoping will be complete and just about ready to submit by the time this blog post goes up is the third book in my Dream-Walker War series. It’s the resolution of the romance arc between Christine and Jordan, along with the race to stop Ares from fulfilling his plan to bring Atlantis back to our world (this isn’t really a spoiler, considering it will in the book blurb I’ve got in mind).

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

Sadly, I’ll be stereotypical and say Nora Roberts. She’s the queen. I’ve met Christine Feehan, or she would have been my pick. I think Nora has an incredible backlist and has done just about everything a writer can do in the romance genre, and yet her work comes out feeling fresh in almost every book she puts out (there have been a couple of exceptions, but when you write at the pace she does, a little slacking off can be forgiven).

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

If you think it’s easy, go find something else to do. Sure, sometimes writing can be easy, but then you get to the revisions, the edits, and learning how to write. I did that with my various version of what became Blood Rage. Rage is the book in which I learned to write for more than just myself. I had great plot ideas, but I didn’t fully comprehend the need for tension and pacing until then.

Can you share with us something off your bucket list?

Let’s see, travel to Egypt and Iran to immerse myself in their culture and history. Egypt, I can see doing some day. Iran, with all the problems currently going on over there…not so much, unfortunately.

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

Heart of Atlantis, by Alyssa Day. It’s the last book in her Warriors of Atlantis series and FINALLY tells Alaric’s story. And lemme tell you, she’s an RWA chapter-mate and it was a little awkward admitting I was working on an Atlantis series too, though it’s very VERY different from hers of course.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Thanks for having me here today! I really appreciate it and hope you’ll all check my books out, or at the very least come by my blog from time to time. I have lots of interviews with other authors. You can discover some great reads that way. J You also get sneak peeks at what I’m working on.

Tory Michaels

The Dream-Walker War Tour

 Blood Rage

The Dream-Walker War, Book 1

Evernight Publishing

Paranormal Romance/Urban Fantasy

2/8/12

Evernight Publishing / AmazonUK / AmazonUS / BookStrand / AllRomance / B&N

Blurb:

For eighty years since the Great Awakening, humans and non-humans have lived in relative peace together. The peace is threatened when three bodies turn up less than a mile from the Bureau of Non-Human Affairs in Tampa, all bearing the signature of vampires who once terrorized Europe.

The Bureau’s chief liaison to the vampires, Dara MacKechnie, learns that the Tampa victims are not alone when her ex-lover, and head of the vampire’s Great Council, Anthony Caldwell comes calling.

The pair discovers the lie that separated them two centuries ago only banked their passion, not extinguished it. Dara must decide whether she can trust Anthony with her heart a second time as they try to head off the war that threatens all they hold dear.

Excerpt:

Instinct helped her draw back before she took more than she should. Dara sucked in air, trying to wipe away the addictive taste of him even while she absorbed the new details about his true nature.
“Good lord,” she said against his throat. “Wow doesn’t seem quite adequate.” The exchange was bliss itself, but ultimately left her unfulfilled. Her body throbbed with it, and she felt the same need in him, rock-hard desire pressing up against her core through their clothes. Dara shifted, trying to alleviate the pressure trapped between her thighs.
Anthony’s arm around her waist tightened, holding her still. He groaned, teeth grinding together. “I suggest, my pet, you stop moving if you wish me to remain a gentleman. There’s a reason exchanges take place during sex.”
Her mouth fell open. Chris had mentioned something of that nature on more than one occasion.In for a penny, in for a pound, Dara reasoned. It would be better than walking away right then, knowing they wanted the same thing. Maybe a second night would quench the lust, and she could let go of the need, the hunger for him he created just by breathing.
She shifted, straddling his lap to settle more firmly against the erection that bulged in his jeans and wrapped her arms around his neck. She felt reckless right then. A second night wouldn’t hurt anyone or anything. Dara found the notion liberating. “Do you really want me to stay still, Tony?”
His dark eyes glittered with familiar intensity as he clutched her hips. His mouth curled up at one corner. “Don’t call me that.”
“What?” She leaned forward and nuzzled the side of his neck, just above the tiny marks from where she had bitten him, and reached for the button on his jeans. “I don’t know. I rather like it. Sarah might be onto something with that. Tony Caldwell, man about town. Maybe I can convince you to like it.”
Anthony groaned as she slid the zipper down, shifting back on the couch. “Unlikely, but you can always try to convince me. What do you propose to do?”
Dara trailed her fingers just inside the waistband of his pants, toying with the firm flesh there. “I have an idea or two. It might be easier if you took your pants off though.”
“Are you going to reciprocate?” He set her own her feet before standing, towering over her.
She grinned up at him, easing the pants over his narrow hips until she could cup the rampant erection he sported. “Wasn’t planning on it quite yet.”
He shucked the pants off the rest of the way, kicking them to one side. A heartbeat later, his shirt joined the heap on the floor. Dara leaned back to admire the gorgeous sight he made, standing there totally nude. Oh, to have her camera, take a picture to remember this night for the rest of her existence, long after they moved on. Broad shoulders, chiseled abs leading down to his waist, with only a faint sprinkling of body hair.
She slowly circled him, trailing her fingertips over his middle, watching with delight as goosebumps rose in their wake.
****
Anthony held up his hands, watching her as she paused in front of him, clearly debating her course of action. It was a bit of a role reversal, as he was well-used to having her naked while heremained clothed. But he was inclined to give her her head and see where she led. “Now what?”
“Sit.” In that effort, she rested her hands, silky smooth and warm, on his chest to urge him down.
Yes, he liked this more decisive, assertive woman. He cherished the memory of her innocence and enthusiasm, but he found it quite alluring, a woman who knew what she wanted. And clearly she wanted something beyond the obvious. He settled back on the couch, arms spread along the back. If he didn’t, he’d reach for her and end this now. Control, Anthony, control.
His breath caught in his throat when she dropped to her knees between his legs and took him in her hands, stroked along his length. His world narrowed to just the two of them, everything not her fading rapidly as he thought only of the soft hands caressing him, something he’d long feared might never happen again. Anthony groaned. “You’re going to kill me, woman.”
A tiny, teasing smile crossed her face. “La petite mort, yes. That’s certainly the idea,” she said, cupping his balls. Warm breath tickled the length of him as she spoke.
His hands clenched into fists. He wouldn’t be able to take much of this, or he’d thoroughly disgrace himself by coming too soon. When she took him in her mouth, his eyes crossed. Gods, yes. If Odin himself popped in and offered to take him off to Valhalla, he would turn the god down in a heartbeat, just to stay like this. It’d been so long.
****
Dara allowed herself a satisfied mental smile at his raspy growl and swirled her tongue around his cock, continuing to caress him. He’d never let her get away with calling him Tony, but it’d been an excellent segue to this.
Her eyes closed as his fingers speared into her hair, massaging her scalp even as he slowed her pace.
“Such a talented mouth, pet,” he said, tugging strands free from the braid trailing down her back. “I’ve miss this so damned much.”
The words echoed round and round her head, and she hummed with satisfaction, drawing another long, tortured groan from him. And then voices from the past exploded from her subconscious, rough hands pulling at her. Such a good little pet. Dara choked.
“No!” She fell back, scrabbling away on the floor. Voices pressed in on her, upper-crust British accents, laughter, and pain. The newly recovered memories dug their claws in, and she buried her face in her knees, trying to force them back.

 

 

Blood-Mage Rising

The Dream-Walker War, Book 2

Evernight Publishing

Urban Fantasy/Paranormal Romance

4/12/12

Evernight Publishing / Amazon UK / AmazonUS / BookStrand / AllRomance / B&N

Blurb:

In the eighty years since the Great Awakening, humans and non-humans have lived side by side, relatively at peace.  In an attack that leaves his wife dead, Jordan MacNaught is caught up in the start of a war meant to turn the other races against the vampires. He knows beyond a doubt the vampires of yesteryear are not involved in the attacks. They’re all dead, except for him.

 Jordan asks for Chris Javert’s help in hunting those who murdered his wife. She’s no stranger to hunting vampires. After all, she nearly destroyed Jordan when she ended the reign of his Aristocrats in Europe two hundred years ago.

Excerpt:

Despite the disturbing turn to her daydream, the shower centered her. It certainly ended her bout of the hornies. When she exited the frosted glass enclosure into the steam and gardenia-scented room, Chris could face the world, and Jordan, again. Cool marble tile provided a sharp contrast against the balmy miasma blanketing her. She needed to get dressed and back to work.

“It’s about time you got out,” Jordan said as he materialized, seated on the edge of the counter between the sink bowls. His legs dangled over the edge.

“Son of a—” Chris yelped and leaped for her towel.

He blinked slowly, warning, and she just caught herself before the last word slipped out. The last time she called him a son of a bitch, he buried her alive for disparaging his mother. For some reason, he objected to the pejorative, even though rumor had it he’d killed his mother at some point. She clutched at her towel like a shield.

“What are you doing in here?”

“To quote a certain someone, I should think that it’s fairly obvious. I wanted to talk to you.” He flashed a smile, fangs just barely showing, and leaned his weight back on his palms. “You know, Chrissy, if you’d just given me a bit longer, you wouldn’t have had to resort to alternative methods.”

She might be claustrophobic, but right then she wanted the floor to open up and swallow her whole. Dear God. Her reflection turned a nice, brilliant, beet red, and she looked around for her bathrobe, finally finding it slung over the door that separated the toilet from the main portion of the room. “Mother of Lorminstra, you perverted jackanapes!”

Jordan blinked again, the picture of innocence. “I am the perverted one? Which one of us just masturbated in the shower?”

This absolutely can’t be happening. Please let this be a continuation of the weird-ass dream. Chris snatched her robe down and yanked it on, surreptitiously pinching her side in the process. Pain flared and dissipated. Unfortunately, the bathroom invasion continued unabated.Damn, no dream. She belted the flimsy scrap of silk, not feeling much more secure than with the towel. “You could have waited five minutes.”

“I did. Then, when you still didn’t emerge, I thought I’d wait in here.”

Since the universe didn’t see fit to rescue her by sending a great bolt of lightning or a tsunami to kill her, she needed to brazen the situation out. And had her shower really taken that long? Good lord.

“What was so important you couldn’t wait? And while there’d better not be a next time, next time let me know you’re there. I could have finished…ah, I could have gotten, ah, ….”

There really wasn’t a good way to end that statement, and she floundered. He didn’t seem inclined to rescue her either, judging by his grin. Asshole. The recently departed headache began to squeeze her temples again.

“I wouldn’t have enjoyed it half as much if I had interrupted, unless I joined in.”

“Well, why didn’t you?” In her brief glimpse before she bent at the waist and flipped her hair over her head to begin toweling it dry, she got good visual confirmation that he definitely enjoyed the view. Must have been in mist form to see much, given the frosted glass that surrounded the shower.

“And get my clothes wet? Don’t be absurd.”

“A normal person would join me.” She wrung her hair out with more force than strictly necessary. “Now, explain what was so important you felt the need to become a Peeping Jordan, and then get out!”

“I think you need to have another go in the shower, if you’re still this waspish.”

Anthony would thank her if she killed him.

“I’ll make this brief. You’re fond of gambling, aren’t you?”

“What of it?” She continued to rub viciously with the towel, not sure she followed him yet. “I’m fond of lots of things.”

“Earlier, you propositioned me.”

Chris choked. “I did no such thing!”

“Then what would you call it?”

“Losing my mind.”

Jordan chuckled. From her upside down position, she saw his legs stop swinging as he leaned forward. “I propose a bet. Just to make our time a little more interesting, although I doubt it will beat what I just saw.”

She purposely ignored the latter half of his statement. Finished with her scalp she moved on to the longer portion of her hair.

“If you win, I will walk the straight and narrow for, hmmm. Two decades should be impetus enough, even for you. While not admitting to having done anything that might get me in trouble under your country’s Rights and Responsibilities Act, I promise not to indulge in any of my more exotic entertainments for that period. No murder, no torture, nothing of that nature.” Her eyes widened, and she stood, towel held loosely in her right hand. “I thought that might garner your exclusive attention.”

Mouth dry, she swallowed hard. For that offer, he wanted something big in return. “And if I lose?”

“I get your blood. More specifically, we forge a blood-bond.”

No chance in hell.

Though she wanted to say the words, she didn’t. If she rejected him out of hand without a good reason, he might wonder. Vampires commonly shared blood. It wasn’t safe for her to do, since most people would feel obligated to turn her over to the Circle for execution if they figured out what she was.

She couldn’t dismiss the possibility he’d offered the bet to see how desperate she was to avoid sharing blood. In that case, she should say yes and win, no matter the cost.

“Quite the stakes. What’s the bet?”

 

Author Bio:

Originally from the Sacramento Valley, Tory packed up and moved all the way to Southwest Florida in 2004 with her husband (a Florida native) under the premise that ‘hurricanes almost never hit that part of the state.’ That year, 4 blasted the area. 4 more came the following year, and her husband blames her for bringing the hurricanes. She now resides in Jacksonville and is relieved that, thus far, no more hurricanes have followed her around.

She began writing in kindergarten when a turnip wished to be human and, other than a hiatus shortly after getting married, has never stopped. Her love of vampires began somewhere in junior high, and combining the two loves didn’t take long. She loves music, considers herself a ‘book slut’ whose reading habits would break her family financially if given free reign, and is (usually) delighted to be a mommy of twin Shrimpettes and a Shrimp.

 

Author Links

Tory Michaels Website / Facebook/ The Dream-Walker War Facebook / Twitter / Goodreads

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Books-n-Kisses is pleased to welcome T.K. Anthony to the blog to talk about her newest book FORGE.

 1.     T.K., can you please share with us a little about yourself

Hello, Kelly, and all the Books-n-Kisses’ readers! Thanks for having me over for a visit!

I was born and raised in Pennsylvania. I’ve also lived in Illinois, Virginia, Upstate and Central New York, and Massachusetts. I’ve gone through a few major life changes in the past year—amazingly—all good: sold my first book, got married, and moved to Texas, with my wonderful husband and two cats, Pip and Tazhret. Taz was a stray, and I named him after Keir, my hero in Forge. (No, really. When the book opens, Keir’s an unidentified amnesiac, and he’s called “Tazhret”—“Nameless” in the Tormin tongue.) For hobbies, I read, sing, pick guitar, bake, do crosswords and Sudoku, and travel to visit my and my husband’s tribes across the country.

2.     Have you always wanted to be an author?

Ever since I read “Little Women” in second or third grade. I idolized Jo March. In high school, I wrote a Hardy Boys fanfic for my best friend—I’m hoping she burned her copy. It was a long time before I tried writing any fiction again.

3.     What is your most interesting writing quirk?

My closest collaborators are my cats. When I first started writing, Pip, Squeak, and Taz took an active interest in the whole process. Squeak, sadly, has gone to her reward. But Pip and Taz still sit on the arm and back of my chair, or on the ottoman next to my feet—although Taz often nudges his way onto my lap and under the laptop. My keyboard gets so furry, my niece (highly allergic to cats) broke into a watery-eyed sneezing fit when she opened my laptop at her place!

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

I’d be delighted! “Forge” is the first book of the Thrall Web series, and my first book, ever, so I’m just a tad enthused when anybody gives me an opening to talk about it!

Forge is a protectorate of the Scotian Realm, open to settlement from the peoples of neighboring star domains: the mind-blind reptilian Xern and Tormin amphibs, as well as the psychically gifted humans of the Realm. The shared colony, sitting in its nest of wormholes, is at the crossroads of the three star domains. Only the Scotian high king and a trusted few know the planet is also in the crosshairs of conquest. The high king’s father had Seen in a vision that an enemy is coming. An unknown race of psychic predators who will enslave all the three peoples, unless they can put aside their distrust and stand together in defense of Forge.

When the book opens, Keir is discovered naked, hung over and crashed on an illegal hallucinogen. The drug stripped his memory, leaving behind visions of dire enslavement in chains. Convicted of vagrancy and sentenced to indentured servitude on Forge, Keir lives out his dark dreams. Chain-hobbled and laboring under the whip of his abusive Tormin master, he wonders if another of his visions might be true: a beautiful woman who whispers to him he is not “Tazhret,” not “nameless.” He has a good name. A good life. He endures, surviving on hope and the scraps of kindness thrown him by his master’s mate. When another human shows up, Keir thinks his luck might have changed at last. But as he rediscovers his name, and the identity of his beloved, Nica, he never dreams the fate of Forge is entangled with his own, or what he will be called on to sacrifice in order to save it.

5.     How did you come with the idea for this story?

I’m still not sure. Although I made my living in the world of words for years in communications and human resources, I never considered myself a creative writer. I hadn’t met the Muse. Then I was laid off in a third round of downsizings, on my birthday (!) a week before my 84-year-old mother broke her leg. Instead of getting another HR job, I took on night nursing for Mom, without benefit of any medical training. During that incredibly stressful time, I finished an unpublished fanfic I’d been writing, off and on, for at least ten years for my own amusement. When it was done, I needed another escape hatch. I sat down with my laptop, opened a doc file called “don’t know” and described a picture in my head, which eventually became the second chapter of “Forge.” The Muse started talking to me, telling me what would happen next. The main characters got into a lot of trouble, and their challenges brought up themes I cared about, and was facing in very personal ways as I helped to take care of my mom: freedom, human dignity, the power and meaning of sacrificial love, suffering, and enduring courage. They kept talking until I had drafted two books and Mom—against all medical expectations—was back on her feet.

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

I’ve begun editing the sequel to “Forge.” The working title is “Web of Destiny,” and it will complete this story arc in the Thrall Web series. I’m also in the middle of what I hope will be a short story (I never can tell until it’s done). An urban fantasy has been stirring in the back of my mind for about two years now, and it might be time to let it out….

 7.     Can you share with us something off your bucket list.

A lot of my bucket list has to do with travel—going places and seeing things. I’ve done quite a few road trips through the US, including the California coast and the southwest. But I’ve never seen the northern states, outside of Michigan. I’d love to road trip through the northern US and southern Canada. Or, go back to visit Scotland again!

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

Lois McMaster Bujold’s newest in the Vorkoverse: “Captain Vorpatril’s Alliance.” Ivan Vorpatril has been standing in the shadow of his odd, brilliant, damaged, and driven cousin Miles Vorkosigan for decades now. I can hardly wait to see him step out into the light, and rise to whatever hairy scenario Bujold has tossed him into.

9.     Is there anything else you would like to add?

I just want to let everyone know that a comment here will enter you into today’s drawing for another Decadent Publishing title in the ebook format of your choice. Also, if you follow me on Twitter, &/or friend me on Facebook between now and October 12^th—mentioning “Forge blogtour”—you’ll also be entered into a drawing on October 13th (the day after the end of my blog tour), for a $20 Amazon gift certificate. If you both friend and follow, you’ll be entered twice. Good luck, everyone!

Thanks again, Kelly, for having me here to visit with you and all your readers. I love to hear from folks! You can find me on my website, www.scotianrealm.com.

I can also be found here: Website / Facebook / Twitter
Or, send me an email: tesskanthony@gmail.com

 

Warned by a Seeing…

The high king of the Scotian Realm expects the arrival of an enemy, a race of psychic predators bent on galactic conquest. The Realm’s one hope is alliance with the neighboring star domains in defense of a shared colony, Forge.

Caught in Fate’s grim weaving…

Mindblind, amnesic, Tazhret lives out his drug-induced visions of servitude on Forge. He wants to believe the beautiful woman with the nut-brown hair who whispers reassurances to his harrowed heart: “You have a name.” But is she even real? Or just one bright thread in his dark dreams?

An unexpected hope…

Tazhret’s destiny leads him to freedom and the woman he yearns for—and to a desperate struggle against the enemy.

Tazhret can save Forge, and the clan of his beloved. But only at the cost of all he has hoped for:

his name, his freedom, and his love for the woman with the nut-brown hair…

 

Excerpt:

Clenched in the grip of a fateful vision, the black web of Tazhret’s nightmare suffocated him, paralyzed him. While his heart pounded in terrified denial, the ensnaring net grew dense, and tight, cutting off all light, all sound…every breath of air. The nightmare shifted, and the web became chains, chains of red fire burning into his skin, binding him, crushing him in nameless enslavement to an evil will while his soul cried for freedom.

One thread of light, an answer to a desperate prayer, shone in Fate’s grim weaving of a dark future.

She was beautiful. She gazed at him, her luminous amber eyes sorrowful in a pale face framed by dark hair. She insisted against all evidence, You have a name. A good one.

He knew he loved her. His heart ached for her.

He wondered who she was.

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Books-n-Kisses is pleased to welcome Deborah Cooke to the blog today to chat about her upcoming release Ember’s Kiss.

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

Hi. Thanks for inviting me to visit! I’m Deborah Cooke and I also write as Claire Delacroix. In fact, I wrote first as Claire Delacroix – I sold my first book in 1992, a medieval romance called THE ROMANCE OF THE ROSE. That publisher preferred authors to use pseudonyms and I thought having another name sounded like fun. My editor and I came up with the name Claire Delacroix together. As Claire, I’ve written and published 23 medieval romances, 3 urban fantasy romances  and a bunch of novellas. Currently, I have one medieval romance that is a free read (THE BEAUTY BRIDE ) a new medieval romance out called THE RENEGADE’S HEART , and an upcoming urban fantasy novella called “No Halo Required”.

I also write the Dragonfire series of paranormal romances as myself , and wrote a spin-off paranormal YA trilogy called The Dragon Diaries . This summer, I republished some contemporary romances that were initially published under the pseudonym Claire Cross as Deborah Cooke books. The Coxwells are right HERE.

I’ve published almost 50 romance novels in a wide variety of sub-genres in the past twenty years – which is an amazing thing to me. I have a wonderful time writing these books. In 2009, I was the writer-in-residence at the Toronto Public Library, the first time TPL hosted a residency focussed on the romance genre, and in 2012, I was honored to receive the Romance Writers of America PRO Mentor of the Year Award.

Have you always wanted to be an author?

I always loved writing and telling stories. When I was in school, I didn’t think it was practical for anyone to want to be an author. It was only after I finished college and started working that I began to write fiction and pursue publication. I was right – it’s not a practical way to make a living, but I enjoy it more than anything else I’ve ever done.

Are you a plotter or a panster? And can you explain the difference?

A plotter is someone who works out every detail of the story in advance, in a fairly detailed outline. Some plotters work in a series of outlines, beginning with a high level and short one, then working their way to a scene by scene outline. It’s like a map of the book before it’s written. Pantsers wing it. They put their fingers on the keyboard and start writing, letting the story flow as it comes to them. They may have a definite idea of their destination or the shape of the story, or they might not.

I am intuitively a pantser. I think that many writers who have been avid readers tend to be pantsers. But I have learned the value of having a plan in advance – there is nothing worse than having to chuck a scene or a passage or even a chapter after it’s written, especially if it’s written well. Just because it’s good doesn’t mean it belongs in the finished book. So, I work somewhere in the middle. I begin with a fairly solid synopsis of 8 to 10 pages which presents the structure of the story at a high level, like an executive summary. But as I write, I’m open to surprises. I often modify the plan for the middle of the book as I write – when the characters come to life and begin to defy the outlined action, they often have better ideas than my original ones. I’ve learned to listen to them!

What is your most interesting writing quirk?

When I finish writing a book, I do my filing, clean my office and get a haircut. It’s a ritual so I can start the next day fresh, with a new story.

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

My current Dragonfire release is EMBER’S KISS, the 8th book in my Dragonfire series of paranormal romances. In this series, the heroes are all dragon shapeshifters – they’re the good dragon shifters, called the Pyr, and are locked into a final battle with the bad dragon shifters, called the Slayers. The Pyr live a long time but are not immortal. They each have one chance to make more dragon shifters. When a Pyr meets the human woman who can bear his child, he experiences a firestorm – sparks literally fly between the pair. So, each of the Dragonfire novels focusses on the firestorm of one of the dragon guys. They’re action-packed romances, because all of the dragon shifters can feel the burn of the firestorm, even if it isn’t their own – inevitably, the heroine is targeted by the Slayers. She may be reluctant to be seduced by a dragon shifter, let alone bear his child, but the flames burn until their match is consummated – and a child is conceived that first time, every time.

The issue with writing a long-running series is that the books can start to seem the same. I really don’t want that to happen with Dragonfire and have been determined from the outset to make each book distinct. This year, my two dragon shifters have been reluctant Pyr. They are outsiders by choice, who are drawn into the circle of the Pyr as a result of having their firestorm, and meeting a woman who changes their minds about many things. (I like heroines like that!) In January, in FLASHFIRE, we met Lorenzo, who actually had a plan to ditch the dragon side of his nature because he hated it so much. Cassie changed his thinking on that, and his evolving relationship with her brought him into closer alliance with the other Pyr.

In October, in EMBER’S KISS, we meet Brandon, who is living in denial of his dragon nature. He’s estranged from his father, from whom he inherited the power to shift, and blames his father for his parents’ divorce. The last thing he wants is any common ground with his dad, or to be like his dad in any way. When Brandon has his firestorm, he’s awed and amazed, and isn’t quite sure how to proceed. What I like about this story is that Liz is the first of the Dragonfire heroines to have any paranormal powers of her own. Once I realized that one of them had to have an understanding of such inherited powers and the logic of magic, Liz’s magical past made perfect sense to me. (I knew she had a secret, right from the first time she showed up on the page. Only Brandon convinced her to tell me about it, though.) I love how these two change each other’s perceptions and how they become a powerful team together.

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

Currently, I have a couple of projects in the works. I am polishing “No Halo Required”, the urban fantasy romance novella mentioned above. I’m writing THE HIGHLANDER’S CURSE, which is the next Claire Delacroix historical in the True Love Brides series. I’m also writing a trilogy of Dragonfire novellas, which star Drake and the Dragon’s Teeth Warriors. They’ll be published in 2013, initially as digital novellas, then bundled together as a print and digital anthology.

There will be a post on my blog on November 1 about the 2013 plan for Dragonfire. It’s not live yet, but here’s the permalink

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

Most of the authors I’d love to meet are (unfortunately) dead. I’d love to meet J.R.R. Tolkien and Jane Austen, Charles Dickens, Chaucer and Bocaccio. I’d love to meet them because they were great storytellers and intuitive storytellers.

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

If you want to be a writer, you need to read a lot. Most writers I know were avid readers, even when they were kids. Those who read a lot become intuitive storytellers – they develop a sense of when something needs to happen in the story, or what kind of thing needs to happen next. That’s an invaluable instinct and it’s one you can develop. You also read to read a wide variety of work, not just focus on one specific genre. When your reading takes you all over the bookstore (or the library), your ideas break free of the notions of specific genres. You’ll have richer ideas, and more original ones, which is a big part of becoming a successful writer.

Can you share with us something off your bucket list.

I want to visit Australia and New Zealand. One of these days!

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

My TBR pile is enormous and constantly growing – it’s also well-aged. Let me go poke at it and see what’s near the top today.

CITY OF ASHES Cassandra Clare

ZORRO Isabel Allende

BESPELLING JANE AUSTEN Mary Balogh, Colleen Gleason, Susan Krinard and Janet Mullany

I’m just going to put these back on top and tiptoe away, before I start an avalanche!

What is one book everyone should read before they die?

How could anyone just choose one? I don’t think anyone should die without having read 1000 books, maybe 10,000 books. Books are the ultimate adventure – and addiction. I can’t imagine reading just one or choosing a favorite.

What is your favorite time of year & why?

I love all the seasons, but autumn is my favorite. I like how the air becomes crisp, the colours of the changing leaves and the energy surge that I get in September. It might be a learned response from going back to school each year, but it’s invigorating.

Deborah Cooke’s Bio

Deborah Cooke has always been fascinated with dragons, although she has never understood why they have to be the bad guys. She has an honours degree in history, with a focus on medieval studies. She is an avid reader of medieval vernacular literature, fairy tales and fantasy novels, and has written over forty romance novels and novellas. She has also been published under the names Claire Cross andClaire Delacroix.

Deborah makes her home in Canada with her husband. When she isn’t writing, she can be found knitting, sewing or hunting for vintage patterns.

Connect with Deborah:

Deborah’s Blog /  Deborah’s Listserve / Deborah’s Facebook Page / Deborah’s Amazon Page

Deborah’s Smashwords Page / Claire Delacroix website

EMBER’S KISS Blog Tour Giveaway

Deborah will be giving away a paperback of EMBER’S KISS for each blog stop –

They will be coming straight from the publisher so the giveaway is limited to

US and Canada winners only. 

To Enter please leave a comment or question for Deborah along with your EMAIL

*giveaway ends Oct 1st*

 GRAND PRIZE:

There is a Grand Prize drawing of an autographed set of the DRAGONFIRE series, (that’s all 8 Dragonfire novels) over on Deborah’s blog.  To enter, click the link below: http://www.delacroix.net/wordpress/?p=4483

 

 

Want more chances to win?  Check out Deborah’s other stops

Deborah Cooke’s Blog Tour for Ember’s Kiss

Tour runs from September 24 – October 10

9/24 – RCJReZine Blog – http://rcjrezineblog.blogspot.com/

9/25 – Vampires, Werewolves & Fairies Oh My  – http://vampireswerewolvesfairiesohmy.blogspot.com/

9/26 – Books-n-Kisses – https://books-n-kisses.com/

           The Reading Café – – http://thereadingcafe.com/

9/27 – All The Fun Starts After Dark – http://allthefunstartsafterdark.blogspot.com/

9/28 – Riverina Romantics – http://riverinaromantics.blogspot.com/

9/29 – Reading Between The Wines – http://readingbetweenthewinesbookclub.blogspot.com/

9/30 – Book Lovin’ Mamas – http://booklovinmamas.blogspot.com//

10/1 – My Keeper Shelf – http://mykeepershelf.blogspot.com/

10/2 – United By Books (Interview) – http://unitedbybooks.blogspot.com/

10/3 – Under The Covers (Interview) – http://underthecoversbookblog.blogspot.ca

10/4 – Book Monster / Literal Addiction –

                Book Monster – http://bookmonsterreviews.blogspot.com/

                Literal Addiction – http://www.literaladdiction.com/

10/5 – The Book Nympho – http://thebooknympho.blogspot.com/

10/6 – Book Reader Addicts – http://bookreaderaddictsgiveaways.blogspot.com/

10/7 – Cocktails & Books – http://www.cocktailsandbooks.com/

10/8 – Paranormal Haven –  – http://www.paranormalhaven.com/

10/9 – Grave Tells – http://gravetells.com/

10/10 – I Smell Sheep – http://www.ismellsheep.com/

 

 

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

I’m fueled by coffee and cake, addicted to naked men and music. I live in Brooklyn, New York where I write, I read, I love and sometimes I sleep.

Have you always wanted to be an author?

Looking back I’d have to say yes. Back then I was too in love with reading to think about writing myself, but it’s always been in my veins. In my blood.

What is your most interesting writing quirk? Music. Need it.

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

Till Surrender is book two in my Paranormal Security Council series. Paranormal creatures are known by, and live alongside, humans. Said Paras are governed by a Secret Service-type entity known as The Council. There’s a traitor inside The Council and the series follows the members of The Council’s elite ‘Kill-Squad’ as they find love and try to keep The Council from imploding from the inside out. Saint is sent to eliminate the professor turned activist who’s rallying humans to rise up against Paras, but Saint falls in love with his target’s younger brother instead.

How did you come with the idea for this story?

Um, stuff just popped into my head. I turn on some music, close my eyes, and allow the characters to lead me where they want.

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

I’m currently working on Book three in the PSC series, Till Mercy. This book follows Nathan, the professor turned activist I mentioned above. Nathan has some major pain happening and he has to find a way to deal with loss without losing himself. He finds unexpected love with a most unexpected someone, but it remains to be seen if Nathan will keep that love. His story—and love interest—is a secret I’ll reveal much later J

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

Cameron Dane. ‘Cause she makes me cry every damn time!

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

Read. Write. Research.

Can you share with us something off your bucket list.

Travel. Anywhere.

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

My TBR pile is huge and ever-growing. I’d like a week to just read all the books I have on there.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Thanks for having me!

Visit: http://www.avrilashton.webs.com

http://www.avril-ashton.blogspot.com

Friend Avril on: http://www.facebook.com/writeravrilashton

http://www.twitter.com/#!/AvrilAsh

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Books-n-Kisses is pleased to welcome Jennifer James to the blog today

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

I’m a secret agent living undercover in the Midwest, fighting crime in my fuzzy blue slippers while singing the theme song to Blue’s Clues and making peanut butter and jelly sandwiches with the crusts cut off.

Actually, I’m the mother of two, still in college (senior year! Yay!) getting a bachelor’s degree in English with a concentration in Creative Writing, have been married to an amazing guy for the past 13 years, and only recently left my job as a dental assistant because my mother became ill. If you’d like a long explanation of why dental floss would be in my “must have” items if I was on a deserted island, I can go on and on.

Or not. *grin*

Have you always wanted to be an author?

Yes, but I don’t think I realized it for a long time. I would mention it to my husband now and then, how I wanted to be an author and he’d say “Go do it then!” but I never finished the stories I’d start on yellow legal pads. I was intimidated and scared by the process of submitting a book, heck, even finishing one. (Which I still think is the hardest part.)

Once I got down to it and realized that the ideas in my head weren’t going away and that people I knew actually liked my stuff, I got down to it and haven’t looked back.

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

Oh boy. Jeaniene Frost, Ilona Andrews, Karen Marie Moning, Kresley Cole, Lois McMaster Bujold, Anne McCaffery, Kristen Britain, Charlaine Harris, Keri Arthur, Seanan McGuire, Laurell K. Hamilton, Cinda Williams Chima, JoAnne Kenrick, Nalini Singh, Ann Mayburn, Laura Kaye, Sandra Bunino, Tom Winship, and of course my critter gals, (you might not have heard of these ladies yet, but they’re amazing!) Ellie Heller, Eden Summers, Sarah Cass, Mary Terrani, Tonya Cannariato, Sabrina Garie, and Fiona Druce.

That’s a crazy mix of UF, PNR, Sci-Fi and Fantasy with some contemporary romance thrown in for fun. I also like horror novelists like Stephen King, Dean Koontz, and Kathryn Meyer Griffin.

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

I really love Urban Fantasy. It can range from dark to light, but if you asked me, that’s my favorite genre. But I also love happy endings and romance. So while LOVE KINECTION is a most definitely a contemporary piece, I actually tend to drift to things with paranormal elements.

I have story ideas for books that are more sci-fi and fantasy oriented with only sprinklings of romance in them, so eventually you’ll see more of those in the future. But I think (for me anyway) that the stories form as I go, and I don’t worry about the genre all that much. The story is what it is. I follow it wherever it leads. So I guess I got into this genre mostly by accident.

What are some of your writing rituals?

Depends on how the writing is going. When the book is going well, I plug in my head phones, turn on music, and let my fingers fly over the keyboard.

If it’s not going well, I get out a notebook and write freehand. I will even write letters to my characters to try and get into their “heads” or jog the story.

I’m learning what a terrible distraction the internet can be, so I turn off my wi-fi connection when writing so I have less temptation to surf when I’m stuck in the plot.

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

LOVE KINECTION is a contemporary novella with a hurt but snarky heroine and a hunky tech guy hero. They’re both geeks and silly references abound in this book. Abby and Tom have sexual tension to spare, and I never knew what kind of joke was going to come out of their mouths next.

LONG TIME COMING is also a contemporary novella but told from the man’s POV, and much higher on the heat scale. It’s an erotic romance out from Etopia Press. A hot friends to lovers story with a hero (Rob) who is alpha, but sweet and slightly awkward with the heroine Joey in way that just makes you want to see more from those two. I had a blast writing that book.

How did you come with the idea for this story?

It was actually from a submission call from Entangled Publishing. They were looking for Valentine’s Day stories. There were also calls for geek stories and military themes. All those things coalesced in my head to form LOVE KINECTION.  The book was rejected at Entangled, but ultimately sold to Decadent Publishing, and I was paired up with an amazing editor who encouraged me to geek it up.

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

Which one? I’m in content editing for a big fat erotic paranormal romance novel called HUNGER EMBRACED (book 1 in a series) and am finishing up book 2 HUNGER UNBOUND. The heroine in those books is funny, snarky, resourceful, and while a vampire, still rather vulnerable. She’s not totally bad ass and superhuman, which I like about her.

I’ve also got a contemporary western started called LUCKY SEVENS, a novella I decided to lengthen out to a full novel called COVERT CRAVING (also a paranormal romance), and a trilogy of werewolf books plotted, waiting in the wings.

What would you be if you were not an author?

Oh, I’d still be dental assisting/wifeing/mothering/studenting. And I guess if I wasn’t authoring I’d be knitting and sewing in my spare time. I like to do those things anyway. I’m a creative sort, so anything I can create with my hands appeals to me.

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

ONCE BURNED by Jeaniene Frost. (Gah! But I’m saving it for my victory dance after edits on HUNGER EMBRACED are finished. Love Vlad!)

HOUNDED by Kevin Hearne.

UNHOLY GHOSTS by Stacia Kane.

MAGIC BURNS by Ilona Andrews.

BLACKVEIL by Kristen Britain.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Thanks so much for having me on today. I love to hear from readers, bloogers, and other authors, so don’t be shy! Come stalk my website or FaceBook or Twitter.

LINKS:

Website: http://www.authorjenniferjames.com/

FaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Jennifer-James/212335188856799?ref=hl

GoodReads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/644267.Jennifer_James

Twitter: @JenniferJames34

 

Love, romance, hearts, flowers ,cupid…. Rubbish.

Abby Fine still hasn’t gotten over the pain of a year-old betrayal and plans to spend this Valentine’s Day drowning her sorrows with a ménage of men named Ben, Jerry, and Riesling.

Her plans are diverted when she drops and breaks her new iPhone and gives in to a momentary hormone surge, agreeing to let office hottie and tech god Tom Walker squirm his way into her condo to fix it.

Tom shows up with his Xbox, spicy Chinese food, and a habit of stealing kisses every time she lets her guard down.

Can a weekend of laughter, videogames, and movies change Abby’s opinion of stupid Cupid?

Excerpt:

His hands crossed the gap between our bodies and rested on my hips.  Backing away would be the smart thing to do. But hope filled my belly he’d kiss me again. The stupid part of my brain had taken control again, and I didn’t fight it. I wanted a real kiss. “So if you are in fact the geekier geek, what do I get as a forfeit?” he asked.

The shadow of stubble covered his chin and his upper lip, ran up to the short sideburns he wore. His ears begged to be nibbled on. What would that stubble feel like brushed against my skin? Dangerous thoughts, especially since my hands had somehow ended up on his waist and my fingers clenched his shirt. I looked at his arms, still surprised by the size of muscles when they flexed. If the biceps were any indicator of the body hidden under the cloth, it broke the mold of a stereotypical geek’s.

“Forfeit?”

“Yeah. You know, like a prize.”

“I think you already got a forfeit. You got to see me naked.” And all I’ve gotten is a few stolen kisses.

“That was an accident.” He grew hard against my belly. It pleased me to wonder what direction his thoughts had gone. I wondered if ice cream intoxication existed. “How about sex in my truck?”

“No. Car sex isn’t really comfortable. And who said anything about sex?”

“A man can hope. Besides, I know you’ve thought about it.”

“Have not.”

“Have, too.”

“Shut up and kiss me.”

He shook his head. “I promised to behave. You kiss me.”

Books-n-Kisses is pleased to welcome Charles Johnson to the blog today.

Charles, please tell us about your current release.

For the millions of singles around the world who have struggled to find the right one or to maintain a lasting relationship, my book, “How to Find the Right One & Make it Last,” provides a tutorial on the lost art of dating.  “How to Find the Right One and Make it Last: Bring Love and Romance Back to Dating” offers practical advice for both men and women about how to initiate interaction as well as how to respond in various dating situations.

In addition to the book, I created a website,  http://www.AskCharlesJohnson.com, where my readers can have easy access to relationship advice and personal coaching at any time.

I have been officially and unofficially helping clients and colleagues find personal success. Over the years, I have developed a proven set of principles and concepts that have helped singles looking for love not only find their ideal life partner, but also to keep the relationship fresh and thriving.

Over the years, I have watched my colleagues work incredibly hard to achieve professional success, but often struggle to find that same level of success in their personal lives. By applying the same discipline from their professional development to fine-tuning their dating skills, these colleagues transformed their lives and found the personal fulfillment that had previously been so elusive.

My book provides step-by-step guidance starting with how an individual can make small changes in their personal style and appearance or to their daily routine to improve the odds of finding their ideal partner. I walk readers through the first call, planning the perfect date, and what to say and do on the date.  Everything first starts with a clear idea of what each individual is looking for – as well as what they’re not – to provide a guide along the way.

The principles don’t stop once a match has been made.  The book provides advice for nurturing relationships for the long run.  By walking readers through the seven phases of relationships, I explain how and why they change over time and how to keep them growing strong.

I draw on personal experience, primary research, and the stories of more than 500 singles I’ve connected and 118 who I’ve helped marry and continue to help. I’ve have peppered their stories throughout the book to highlight the principles in action.

Also included is a chapter to help unravel the mystery of Internet dating sites. I outline practical guidance on how to get the most out of the Internet dating site as well as what to be weary of when using the various sites.

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

As a corporate senior executive I had the responsibility of taking new young talent and developing them into executives. For 15 years, I groomed hundreds of men and women in the boardroom and thought them the principals that would help them achieve all their professional and financial goals. I was honored and enjoyed mentoring them and watched their careers grow. But, I discovered, as my successful executives matured they would turn to me for guidance in their personal lives. Most of them who were in their early 30’s had achieved all their financial goals but lacked a personal life and wanted someone special with whom they could share their life. Many of them had been so focused on building their professional skills that they lacked the social and personal skills required to connect with someone special. That was the beginning of my unofficial matchmaking business. Over the years, I mentored my up and coming executives and helped them first determine what to look for in a partner and then helped them execute a plan of action. I would run social scenarios and conduct role-play to help them become more confident in social environments. I’ve worked with over 500 people and been able to connect and help marry 118 couples. And, to this day I continue to help the couples to keep their relationship alive and fresh.

When I left the corporate world five years ago, many of the people I mentored and their friends still called for guidance. I decided to write a book that would help everyone in similar situations to give them a starting point to change their personal life and give them a road-map to “How to Find the Right One & Make it Last.”

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

I wanted to have the book cover to convey an emotion in people. We wanted the book cover to convey passion and we chose the burnt orange as the color for the cover of the book because it’s the color of fire.

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

I cannot think of a book that is anything like the book I’ve written. In my years of mentoring and matchmaking I found that there was nothing in the market that gave single people practical tools and a step-by-step guide in how to find the right person and make their relationships last. I found that many professional adults needed to learn the skills and gain the confidence that would improve their dating prospects and I don’t believe there is anything in the market to help them. That’s part of the reason I decided to write the book. Finding the right person that will be a life partner is a process and no author has ever written about that process.

What would you say is your most interesting writing quirk?

I am a retired Air Force and senior vice president from the corporate world. My writing style and quirk is my ability to write in a very conversational and relatable manner.

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

I’m on page 32 where I describe how one can meet quality people by taking a dance class. People always wonder where they can meet new people who can be potential partners. I always tell my clients to change their routine. One way to do that is to take a dance class in your local community college or dance studio.

Do you plan any subsequent books?

I am currently working on a workbook that will be an extension of “How to Find the Right One & Make it Last!”

I am also working on a teen book based on a similar topic.

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

I am re-reading “You Can Heal Your Life,” by Louise Hay. The book gives people great insight into how they can change their life and make it the life they always imagined. It helped me re-invent my life and myself after leaving corporate America. Using the principles in Hay’s book, I have been able to take my experience from my military and corporate life and show people how to be successful in their personal lives and relationships.

 

 

Charles Johnson’s Bio: