Kelly’s Interview with Molly Harper + Giveaway

Books-n-Kisses is pleased to welcome one of our favoritest authors to the blog. Everyone please welcome the awesomely funny Molly Harper.

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

I am a newspaper reporter turned church secretary turned romance novelist. That’s a common career path for romance novelists, right? My first book, NICE GIRLS DON’T HAVE FANGS, came out in 2009 from Pocket Books. In addition to the NICE GIRLS books and their Half-Moon Hollow spin-off titles, I have written the Alaska-based NAKED WEREWOLF novels and several contemporary romances.

Have you always wanted to be an author?

Yes, “author” was always my dream job, but no one in my family is a professional writer and there are very few authors from my hometown. So I went for journalism, which was writing with a guaranteed paycheck. But I always came back to fiction. It’s what makes me happy.

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

Nora Roberts, Stephen King, Jane Austen, Olivia Goldsmith. I think every good book I’ve read has stuck with me in some way. Stephen King has an amazing method of making horrific circumstances seem completely possible by adding mundane but memorable details. Jane Austen is the mother of the romantic comedy. Olivia Goldsmith wrote antagonists that are total sociopaths that you could meet at the grocery store and not even realize it. I hope I incorporate those elements into my writing.

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

Romance is my favorite genre, so it only makes sense that I would write romance novels. I have tried writing fantasy and science fiction, but it doesn’t come across as naturally.

What are some of your writing rituals?

I have to have tea or Perrier and some lip balm nearby. I am apparently terrified of dehydration in all its forms.

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

After dumping her horrible boyfriend, Kentucky Tourism Commission employee and executive assistant extraordinaire Kelsey Wade is grateful for the distraction of her office’s winter retreat. But as the staff approaches their lakeside lodge destination, an unprecedented ice storm smothers half of Kentucky and basically shuts down the state. Kelsey and her coworkers are stuck together, no electricity, no heat, no escape.

Kelsey wouldn’t mind being stuck inside if it wasn’t for the tension with her not-so-secret crush, Charlie Bennett, the office’s statistician. But handsome Ranger Luke, the lodge’s only employee on hand, is there to take Kelsey’s mind off her discomfort. Even though this weekend is supposed to be a planning session for KTC, Kelsey can’t help her mind from wandering and finds herself conflicted over Luke and Charlie. Someone’s love will keep her warm, but whose will it be?

How did you come with the idea for this story?

In January 2009, a huge ice storm hit the southeast, taking out power for several states, including Kentucky. I spent almost two weeks sleeping in my in-laws’ living room, on a mattress in front of their fireplace with my infant son and four-year-old daughter. No electricity, no heat, no escape. It was a little stressful. My only relief came from scribbling down story ideas that eventually became the NAKED WEREWOLF books and this title.

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

I am writing a Half-Moon Hollow spin off title about a single mother who becomes a vampire. I can say no more!

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

My main character’s six-year-old son is interrogating her vampire sire with a stream of questions about the sire’s blood-drinking habits and intentions towards my main character – which is something my six-year-old son does nearly every day. (Not about blood-drinking, but about everything else.)

What would you be if you were not an author?

A gibbering mess.

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

Outlander by Diana Gabaldon. My author friends are all huge fans, while I’ve only watched the TV show. So I have to read it on an upcoming vacation, or they will mock me mercilessly at our next retreat.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

My Half-Moon Hollow Christmas short story, I’M DREAMING OF AN UNDEAD CHRISTMAS, will be available in ebook on November 3, 2014.

Learn more about Molly and her books here: Website | Facebook | Twitter @mollyharperauth| Goodreads

Let’s take a look at Molly’s newest release:

*****

Snow Falling on Bluegrass

Bluegrass #3

Amazon| B&N | Audible

Parks & Recreation meets The Blue Collar Comedy Tour in this third ebook in Molly Harper’s Bluegrass series of contemporary romances: A love triangle of colleagues heats up the winter lodge where they get snowed in for a week.

Kentucky Tourism Commission employee and executive assistant extraordinaire Kelsey is known around the office for having everything under control. So it’s not surprising that she and her boss, Sadie, have everything planned to the second for the office winter retreat. But there are things even Kelsey can’t micromanage.

An unprecedented snowstorm smothers half of Kentucky and knocks out the power, closes the roads, and generally shuts down the state. Luckily, the lodge has working fireplaces and enough food to keep the staff from turning on each other like something out of The Shining. Kelsey wouldn’t mind being stuck inside if it wasn’t for the tension with her not-so-secret crush, Charlie, the office’s statistician. But handsome Ranger Luke, the lodge’s only employee on hand, is there to take Kelsey’s mind off her discomfort.

Even though this weekend is supposed to be a planning session for KTC, Kelsey can’t help her mind from wandering and finds herself conflicted over Luke and Charlie. Someone’s love will keep her warm, but whose will it be?

*Giveaway Time***

I have been giving the okay to giveaway two e-copies of Molly’s Snow Falling on Bluegrass.

To enter please fill out the rafflecopter form below.

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September 10, 2014September 10, 2014

Sheldon’s Interview Zach and Lisette from Dianne Duvall’s Night Unbound

Thank you for joining me! I’m happy to be here today, celebrating the release of NIGHT UNBOUND, the fifth book in my Immortal Guardians paranormal romance series. If you like powerful heroes, kick-ass heroines, action scenes that will keep you flipping pages well past your bedtime, and romance that is alternately sweet and steamy and laced with humor, then I hope you’ll pick up a copy, because you’ll find all of this in Zach and Lisette’s story. 😉

My friends on Facebook thoughtfully provided some Hot Seat questions for Sheldon, one of the human characters in NIGHT UNBOUND, to ask Zach and Lisette that I hope will help you get to know them a little better:

Sheldon: *opens a small spiral notebook* Okay. The first interview didn’t go quite the way I’d hoped, so I’m just going to ask you some hot seat questions this time. Cats or dogs?

Lisette: Cats.

Zach: I’ve never had a pet, so I’m ambivalent.

Sheldon: You’ve never had a pet?

Zach: No.

Sheldon: That sucks. Vampires or shifters?

Lisette: I have to listen to the thoughts of psychotic vampires every night when I hunt them, and they sicken me. So I much prefer immortals who can shape shift. *peeks up at Zach* One in particular.

Zach: *winks* Immortal shape-shifters, for the same reason. Though I admit I admire Bastien’s young vampire friend, Cliff. He’s an honorable man and has managed to keep the madness that strikes all vampires at bay far longer than most.

Lisette: *nods* I like Cliff. I hope Melanie and the network will be able to help him.

Sheldon: If anyone can help him, Melanie can. What about . . . humans or immortals?

Zach: If you’re asking who is more annoying, I’ll choose immortals.

Lisette: *elbows him* That’s just because you’ve so little contact with humans.

Zach: I doubt humans would chap my ass the way your Immortal Guardian brethren do. They’ve certainly never declared me a traitor.

Sheldon: What about you, Lisette? Do you like one group over the other?

Lisette: No. My fellow immortals and the humans who aid us are all like family. I don’t know what I would do without Tracy. She’s like a sister to me, and she’s human.

Sheldon: She totally kicks ass, too.

Lisette: *laughs* Yes, she does.

Sheldon: *consults list of questions* Okay, I really don’t want to know this, but apparently all the ladies do . . . Boxers or briefs?

Zach: You want to know what kind of underwear I wear?

Lisette: When you DO wear it.

Sheldon: That’s . . . too much information.

Zach: *shrugs* Boxers. I was born thousands of years ago. Men didn’t wear tight, binding undergarments then, so why the hell would I want to do so now?

Lisette: Especially when you look so hot in boxers.

Sheldon: Gag. Day or night?

Zach: Both.

Lisette: Night. I’m a younger immortal and can’t withstand direct sunlight without suffering the consequences. Zach, on the other hand, is lucky. He’s like Seth and is so old that sunlight doesn’t affect him adversely.

Zach: *frowns at Sheldon* Were you asking what time of day we prefer? I thought you were asking when we prefer to make love.

Sheldon: Why would you think that?

Zach: *shrugs* You asked about my underwear.

Sheldon: Dude, no one wants to know about your sex life. *consults list again* Crap. I spoke too soon. Top or bottom?

Zach: Both.

Lisette: Both.

Zach: *takes Lisette’s hand as his eyes acquire a golden glow and hers begin to glow a vibrant amber*

Sheldon: Great. Now your eyes are glowing. Don’t pounce on each other yet. I still have a few questions I’m supposed to ask. Spaghetti or steak?

Lisette: Spaghetti.

Zach: *smiles* She’s a carbohydrate fiend.

Lisette: It’s true.

Zach: She’s also ALWAYS hungry.

Lisette: *winks* And not just for pasta.

Sheldon: Come on, guys. No flirting. *checks list and sighs* This is so not going to help. Bed or sofa?

Zach: Is THIS one a lovemaking question?

Sheldon: *resigned expression* Yes.

Zach: Bed. Her sofa is way too short.

Lisette: *laughs* I’ll have to get a larger one.

Sheldon: Change of subject. Petite or tall?

Zach: Petite.

Lisette: I’m 5’6”. I don’t think that’s considered petite.

Zach: And I’m more than a foot taller than you. You’re petite.

Sheldon: Who ISN’T, compared to you? Daggers or swords?

Zach: Daggers suffice.

Lisette: Says the immortal who can kill a man with a thought and doesn’t need ANY weapons. I favor shoto swords myself.

Zach: And you’re exceedingly skillful at wielding them.

Sheldon: Strong women are so hot.

Zach: Not to you, she isn’t.

Sheldon: Dude, I totally just flashed back to interviewing Étienne. Next question . . . Which speaks louder to you—actions or words?

Lisette: Actions.

Zach: I agree.

Sheldon: I agree, too. Which brings me to my last question. *eyes Zach* Friend or foe?

Lisette: Sheldon! I told you, he’s on our side!

Sheldon: I know. But I’d like to hear it from him. Zach?

Zach: I believe the—

Lisette: If you say the jury is still out on that, I will beat you.

Zach: *eyes flash golden* With what?

Sheldon: Aaaaand that’s my cue. See you guys later.

*****

New York Times and USA Today Best Selling Author, Dianne Duvall, returns with the much-anticipated 5th book in her paranormal romance Immortal Guardians series, NIGHT UNBOUND!

Title: Night Unbound

Series: Immortal Guardians #5

Author: Dianne Duvall

Format: eBook/Mass Market Paperback, 432 pages

Publication: September 2nd 2014 by Zebra

ISBN: 1420129805

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Praise for the Immortal Guardians series:

“Duvall is a major player.” –RT Book Reviews

“The Immortal Guardians series is one you’ll want to follow.” –The Romance Review

“These dark, kick-ass guardians can protect me any day!” –Alexandra Ivy on Darkness Dawns

“Whizzing along at light speed. . .this sophomore effort sizzles.” –Publishers Weekly on Night Reigns

Dianne Duvall’s Immortal Guardians protect humanity from unspeakable horrors–but their hearts are as fragile as any mortal’s. . .

For centuries, Lisette d’Alençon has been a warrior against the dark. She fights alongside her brothers and comrades. But when the dreams start coming, she can’t bear to confess them to the Immortal Guardians’ command. Dreams of a dark-haired man with soft eyes and brutal wounds, a man her heart aches for–and a man she knows has been declared a traitor.

Zach is an exile, a loner. He won’t defend himself against false accusations or grovel to those who should have faith in him. But he’ll damn sure defend the woman who kept him sane against a plague of super-vamps that seems to have appeared from nowhere. The Guardians will blame him, and that will make Lisette suspect, too. With life, death and eternity on the line, who can they really trust?

Kelly’s review of Night Unbound:

NUMBER OF HEARTS: 4 3/4

It feels like I have been away from the Immortal Guardian world for way too long. When Ms. Duvall announced that Night Unbound was going to be Zach’s book I was over the moon. I just love this Immortal with wings!! And that Lisette was going to be his lady love. Super excited.

Night Unbound did not disappoint me. Zach & Lisette are so perfect for each other. I love that Zach is always wanting to try something 🙂 (you will have to read to understand). I am so glad that Zach got his own book. He really need to be excepted and find love after so many years of nothing.

There were so many heartbreaking tissue grabbing and happy joyful scenes in this book. Just a few that stood out were:

1) The scene with Cliff were heartbreaking I hope that they find a way to help him.

2) The scene with Amy: Oh gosh, poor Amy. Poor Marcus. Many tears

3) The scene with Aidan broke my heart.

4) Every scene with Zach & Lisette

I just loved this book. And as always I had the wonderful Kristin Potter read to me yet again. I just love how she is able to bring the characters to life for me. Kristin is so very talented at voices that it is really easy to tell who is who even before she reads who is speaking. I am very much looking forward to the next installment of the Immortal Guardian series.

Disclaimer:

I received a complimentary copy of the book from NetGalley & Tantor Media in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author Dianne Duvall earned a bachelor’s degree in English from the University of St. Thomas, where she studied fiction writing, playwriting, and poetry writing. Darkness Dawns, the first book in her Immortal Guardians paranormal romance series, was nominated for the RT Reviewers’ Choice Award for Best Vampire Romance by RT Book Reviews and for Best Paranormal Romance – Vampire by The Romance Reviews. It was also deemed a Top Pick by The Romance Reviews and a Best Book by Long and Short Reviews. Night Reigns, the second book in the series, was nominated for Best Best Book of 2011 – Paranormal Romance by The Romance Reviews and declared an “utterly addictive” Top Pick by RT Book Reviews. Phantom Shadows, the third book in the series, has been declared a Top Pick by both The Romance Reviews and Night Owl Reviews. Her Immortal Guardians novella In Still Darkness was released in the Predatory anthology on May 7, 2013, and has received many fabulous reviews. Darkness Rises, the fourth book in the series, hit the USA Today Bestseller list, has been nominated for the RT Reviewers’ Choice Award for Best Vampire Romance by RT Book Reviews and was deemed a Night Owl Reviews Top Pick.

Dianne has also completed two not-yet-published paranormal romance novels that are prequels to Darkness Dawns. A Sorceress of His Own is a medieval romance with paranormal elements that won awards in the Lone Star, Where the Magic Begins, Southern Heat, Picture This, Book of Your Heart and Suzannah national writing competitions. Rendezvous With Yesterday is a time travel romance and won second place in the Picture This writing contest.

In addition to writing romance, Dianne has completed a one-act play (comedy) and teamed up with an award-wining screenwriter to write a spec script for a new situation comedy. Several of her poems have also been published in anthologies.

When she isn’t writing, Dianne is very active in the independent film industry and once even appeared on screen as a machete-weilding maniac not unlike the vampires she so loves to create in her novels.

1st Prize – 1 Winner

$25 Amazon Gift Card

2nd Prize – 2 Winners

Autographed copy of DARKNESS RISES, tote bag, and swag

3rd Prize – 3 Winners

Autographed paperback of winner’s choice from backlist + Immortal Guardians Swag Pack

4th Prize – 5 Winners

Immortal Guardians Swag Pack

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September 8, 2014August 31, 2014

BnK interviews Claudia Connor – Author of Worth The Fall – Kimberly’s favorite book of 2014

Kimberly has claimed WORTH THE FALL to be her “favorite book of 2014” so she asked Claudia to visit Books-n-Kisses.

WORTH THE FALL releases tomorrow. Pre-order it today!

Welcome Claudia thank you so much for stopping by to answer of our questions. First I want to say that I loved this book and gave it 5+++ Hearts. I laughed, cried and smiled throughout the whole book.(The review will be posting tomorrow.)

Claudia: Thank you so so much!!! I can’t tell you how much I appreciate that!! Really.

BnK: Can you please share with us a little about yourself
Claudia: Hi. Thank you so much for having me. I majored in Early Childhood Education and taught kindergarten and first grade on and off for ten years. I married my first love and we have three daughters. Three teenage daughters, so, yes. Say a prayer for me.

BnK: Have you always wanted to be an author?
Claudia: No, I never considered myself a writer or even wanted to be a writer, BUT I’ve always had stories in my head. I see them in a flash like I’m watching a full color movie. I’ll catch myself staring out the window, smiling. Or even crying. One day I described the above to my friend, thinking everyone did that. She gave me a really strange look and said, “No. That’s not normal. Maybe you should try writing it down.” So I did.

BnK: Can you share with us your typical writing day. Is there anything you have to have while writing?
Claudia: I get my kids off to school and usually start working around seven, after I finish my tea. ~ I recently switched to black tea in my Keurig after a trip to Europe. LOVE it. ~ I take a short break for lunch, no more than ten minutes, then back at it until the kids get home at 2:15. They’re teenagers, so there isn’t much talk before they disappear to their rooms for homework and post-school decompression. I go back to work until I need to drive someone somewhere around 5. Most days I put in a few more hours after everyone’s asleep, until around midnight. If I don’t feel time crunched, or I’ve had a particularly good day, I’ll reward myself with a good book.

What do I absolutely HAVE to have? Other than pen and paper, and that paper can be a receipt or a napkin, a Diet Coke. There just comes a time a can not function without a Diet Coke and it is the one and only thing I will leave the house for when I’m on a deadline. And by leave the house, I mean drive two minutes to Walgreens in my pajama pants with a quick jacket over my pajama shirt.

BnK: Most challenging or rewarding part of writing?
Claudia: The most challenging thing for me so far is not having enough hours in the day. I’m just beginning to get the incredible reward of readers telling me they loved my book and that it meant something to them. That’s the absolute best.

BnK: Can you please tell us about your latest book?
Claudia: Sure. Worth The Fall is a love story, plain and simple, though love is never simple. Abby and Matt are two people with no other reason to be together and lots of reasons to be apart. Matt’s a Navy SEAL hero with skills, badassness, and an intense sense of responsibility, but he’s also a man with so much love to give. He’s just never found anyone he wanted to give it to. Until Abby. But Abby’s been left all her life and knows she can’t watch another person walk away.

So it’s about falling in love, making choices and taking chances. It’s also about believing you’re enough, believing you’re worthy of what’s being offered. I absolutely LOVE these characters. I spent three years with them before I ever considered writing their story, then almost three more years writing it. Any minute of any day I can pop into their lives, be a fly on the wall. It’s like watching your favorite movie that never ends! Hopefully when people read the book they’ll feel the same.

BnK: How did you come with the idea for this story?
Claudia: I honestly don’t feel like I come up with anything or create anyone, as odd as that may sound. I didn’t go into it wanting it to be a certain way, I just saw it playing out in my head like a movie. I watched and listened and hope I did them justice. I’m a constant thorn in the side of anyone who offers suggestions for changes because I always reply with, But that’s not how it happened!

BnK: Who are some of your favorite authors?
Claudia: I have TONS of favorite authors. Let’s see…Kristan Higgins, Susan Elizabeth Phillips, Linda Howard, Sharon Sala, Catherine Anderson, J.D. Robb ( Nora Roberts), and Christine Feehan, just to name a few.

BnK: Do you feel that any of your favorite authors have inspired your writing style?
Claudia: Definitely. I’m sure they’ve all influenced me through osmosis. And just about everything I’ve learned about story telling and romance has come from reading, beginning with my first Sweet Valley High.

BnK: Open your book to a random page and please reads us a few lines.
Claudia: “I used my knife to cut off the damaged parachute so I wouldn’t get tangled in it, then I pulled—”
Their eyes met. His heated gaze slid from her face, over her chest and the V-neck sundress that tied around her neck. He continued his perusal slowly down the length of her legs and back up again.
“Hi.” That was all she could manage with his hot eyes melting her from across the room.

BnK: What is in your To Read Pile that you are dying to start or upcoming release you can’t wait for?
Claudia: I’m anxious to read Kristan Higgin’s new book, In Your Dreams. I’ve been waiting for Jack’s story.

BnK: Is there anything else you would like to add?
Claudia: Thank you so much for having me. I really appreciate it and hope readers will check out Worth The Fall and let me know what they think. I’m in all the usual social media places. In addition to the ones below, readers can find me on Pinterest. I have a special board for each book. Thank you again:)

http://claudiaconnor.com
https://www.facebook.com/ClaudiaConnor
https://www.goodreads.com/claudiaconnor

Tweets by Claudia__Connor

August 20, 2014August 13, 2014

Interview with Shana Galen

Books-n-Kisses is pleased to welcome back Shana Galen to the blog. We are chatting about her best piece of advice and her newest release Love and Let Spy (Lord and Lady Spy)

Shana it is always good to have you on the blog. For those who don’t know you can you please share with us a little about yourself

I’m a wife, a mom, and a former English teacher. I’ve been writing fulltime for the last 5 years, and I’ve published almost twenty books.

Have you always wanted to be an author?

Not at all. I used to want to be an opera singer. I never really thought about authors or where books came from. It didn’t occur to me until after I’d been teaching English for a couple of years, that people wrote these novels and that was their job. Seemed like a good job to me!

What is your most interesting writing quirk?

I have to walk around a lot in order to think while I’m writing.

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

Love and Let Spy is basically James Bond, except James is Jane. She’s the best spy the Crown has to offer, and she’s single-minded when it comes to completing missions. But she doesn’t count on meeting Dominic Griffyn. He’s not the typical Bond love interest. He’s dark and complex, and I think he’s as interesting a character as Jane.

How did you come with the idea for this story?

All of the books in this series are based on iconic spy movies—Mr. and Mrs. Smith, True Lies, and of course I had to include James Bond. He’s the spy we all know and love. But I wanted to make my Bond different, so I made James a Jane and explored what Bond might be like as a woman in the Regency era.

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

I have a new series coming out in January, and it follows a group of thieves and their intersection with a noble family in London. The first is a novella titled The Viscount of Vice, and it’s about a viscount with a bad reputation who has the chance to redeem himself. The first book is out in February, and it’s Earls Just Want to Have Fun. It’s about the head of the Derring family, the Earl of Dane, and what happens when he meets a female thief who challenges everything he thinks and knows.

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

Honestly, I’ve met every author I really wanted to meet at this point. I’ve been writing seriously since 2000, so I’ve had the chance to go to many conferences and conventions. The only author I hadn’t met that I wanted to meet was Julie Garwood, and I finally met her in Kansas City at the RT 2013 convention.

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

I always give the same advice, the advice of the indomitable Winston Chruchill: “Never, never, never give up.”

Can you share with us something off your bucket list.

I want to spend a month living, touring, and working in the UK when my daughter is a bit older and can come with me.

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

I want to read Siege and Storm by Leigh Bardugo and The One by Kiera Cass. They are waiting for me to get ahead on my work, so I have time to read.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

I just want to thank my readers for embracing this series. It was originally intended to be one book, but due to reader support, I’ve written three books and a novella in the series. Thank you!

A little more about Shana:

Shana Galen is the bestselling author of fast-paced adventurous Regency historicals. She taught English at the middle and high school level off and on for eleven years. Most of those years were spent working in Houston’s inner city. Now she writes full-time. She lives in Houston, Texas .

Want to learn more about Shana and her books? Check her out here Website | Facebook | Twitter @shanagalen | Goodreads

*****

Her name is Bonde, Jane Bonde…

A beautiful and eligible member of the ton, Jane has more than a few secrets: she’s one of the Crown’s most elite agents. She may be deadly, but she doesn’t know a thing about fashion, flirtation, or love…until Dominic Griffyn shakes up her carefully stirred world and asks her to be his bride. He’s exactly the kind of man she’s not looking for. And he’s dangerous, because falling into his arms is so much more satisfying than saving England from her enemies.

He’s an improper gentleman who needs a wife…

Talk, dark, and tortured, Dominic Griffyn is haunted by demons from his past. When his stepfather insists that he marry, Dominic allows himself to hope that the beautiful but mysterious Miss Bonde might help him forget his troubles. As they grow closer, it’s clear that there’s more to Jane than danger. She might be just what his neglected heart needs.

August 18, 2014August 18, 2014

Interview with Marie Harte

Books-n-Kisses is pleased to welcome fellow Oregonian Marie Harte to the blog for her first visit. We are talking about Luke Evans, bucket lists and her new release How to Handle a Heartbreaker (The McCauley Brothers). So please make Marie’s visit wonderful.

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

Hi. I’m Marie Harte. I’m a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author with over a hundred books to my name, and I have no intention of slowing down. I’ve had a varied career. After majoring in English from Penn State, I served in the Unites States Marine Corps, then worked in the IT field before moving on to supervise about sixty truck drivers during my time working for a trucking company. (Talk about stories!) I finally segued into writing fulltime after quitting the trucking company to raise my children. I now live in Central Oregon with two young boys who are threatening to eat me out of house and home. My days are spent writing, staring at snow-capped mountains, and imbibing ludicrously large amounts of coffee.

Have you always wanted to be an author?

YES.

Are you a plotter or a punster or combo of both? And you explain the difference?

I do a bit of both. Typically I flesh out my characters, have a basic premise of plot, and go—a pantster (writing by the seat of my pants). But when writing proposals for my publishers, I have to submit a synopsis. Surprisingly, I find I follow the synopsis, though minor points in the story may change—hence the plotter path. But I have to admit I usually write fastest when the story has been percolating in my brain for a few days/weeks before simply writing. So in a sense, I plot mentally, then just let the words flow.

What is your most interesting writing quirk?

I’m a fast writer. I can’t think about it; I just have to write. When I think too hard, I mess myself up.

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

How to Handle a Heartbreaker is such a funny, sexy, and emotional book. I made myself cry (in a few spots) while writing this, and I’m not a crier. Most of the time, though, I was laughing or fanning myself. Here’s a short blurb that describes How to Handle a Heartbreaker best:

It’s lust at first sight when Brody Singer first lays eyes on Abby Dunn. The dark-haired beauty looks a lot like a woman he once knew, who died years ago. At first Brody fears his attraction is a holdover from that secret crush, but Abby’s definitely different. She’s a lot shyer, a lot sexier and, despite her attempts to dissuade his interest, absolutely mesmerizing.

Abby isn’t having it. She’s still trying to put her last disastrous relationship behind her and overcome the flaws her ex wouldn’t let her forget. But somehow Brody isn’t getting the hint. It doesn’t help that when writing her steamy novels, she keeps casting Brody as the hero.

Brody is more than happy to serve as her muse and eager to help make sure her “research” is authentic. But when their research turns into something real…will she choose her own happily ever after?

How did you come with the idea for this story?

I wrote The Troublemaker Next Door and Sourcebooks accepted it. Hurray! But Flynn had three brothers, two by blood, one of the heart. Brody—Flynn’s “twin”—had to have his story told, and he had hidden depths I was eager to explore. After writing this book, his behavior in the first story made much more sense. Abby too made me love her all the more when I met her family and saw what she’d gone through to get so far. Man, I can’t STAND that Kevin jerk.

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

I’m currently working on a military romance novella for inclusion in a military bundle with some extraordinary authors. The project hasn’t been announced yet (and it’s KILLING me) but it should release soon.

I’m also working on edits for Served Hot, the second in my Best Revenge trilogy for Samhain Publishing. Three friends decide to get back at the men that did them wrong with some unintended, steaming hot results. Served Cold, book one, releases September 16^th.

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

Johanna Lindsey, because her book, A Gentle Feuding, was the very first romance I read and the book that got me hooked on the genre. So to Ms. Lindsey, thank you.

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

To believe in yourself and never give up. There are enough people in the world ready to tell you no. Only you can make yourself believe in yes.

Can you share with us something off your bucket list?

Well, first on my list was one day going to Europe. Check. Then it was hitting the New York Times list. Check. (And super big surprise/thrill just a few short weeks ago!) Now I think it’s a toss-up between learning to play the piano and learning martial arts.

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

I’m on tenterhooks waiting for the next Guild Hunter book from Nalini Singh and Thea Harrison’s next Elder Races novel. I love those series!

What is one book everyone should read before they die?

A Wrinkle In Time. I loved that book as a kid and love it even more now. Talk about writing outside the box. Madeleine L’ Engle was one of the greats.

What is your favorite time of year & why?

I absolutely love fall. Halloween is my favorite holiday, and the weather is just perfect. Jeans and sweatshirt weather, hot cocoa and football. Plus school is in session, and I’ve always loved academics. What’s not to love when the leaves change color and float to the ground?

Who is your Celebrity crush? And what would you do if you ever meet them?

Hmm. Lately I’m on a Luke Evans kick. He’s hot, pretty dark and broody in his roles, and hell, he plays a human hero in the next Hobbit movie as well as the title character in Dracula Untold. What’s not to love? If I met him? I’d ask for a signed autograph. That’s about it. I’m not uber-impressed by fame. I would drool while staring at him, though. LOL

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Thanks so much for having me! I have releases ongoing through the rest of the year, as well as a Facebook reader group. Make sure to sign up for my newsletter (scroll to the bottom of my website to subscribe) to keep up to date on releases and contests. 🙂 I enjoyed my time at Books-n-Kisses. Great questions. Thank you!

A little more about Marie:

Caffeine addict, boy referee, and romance aficionado, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Marie Harte has over 100 books published with more constantly on the way. She’s a confessed bibliophile and devotee of action movies. Whether hiking in Central Oregon, biking around town, or hanging at the local tea shop, she’s constantly plotting to give everyone a happily ever after.

Visit http://marieharte.com and fall in love.

*****

HE CAN’T GET HER OUT OF HIS HEAD

It’s lust at first sight when Brody Singer first lays eyes on Abby Dunn. The dark-haired beauty looks a lot like a woman he once knew, who died years ago. At first, Brody fears his attraction is a holdover from that secret crush, but Abby’s definitely different. She’s a lot shyer, a lot sexier, and despite her attempts to dissuade his interest, absolutely mesmerizing.

SHE CAN’T GET HIM OUT OF HER BOOKS

August 11, 2014August 8, 2014

Kelly’s interview with Maya Banks

Books-n-Kisses is pleased to welcome back Maya Banks to the blog. We are chatting a little about life, not working well with others and her newest release Taking it All.

1. Maya, Can you please share with us a little about yourself?

I’m a wife and mother of three teenagers and we live in SE Texas. We’re very active in sports, hunting and fishing and we love traveling! But my favorite place on earth is home with my family and just being together.

2. Have you always wanted to be an author? If not what did you want to be?

Well yes and no actually. I was writing full length novels in five subject notebooks using front and back of the pages and cramming as many words onto a page as possible from a very early age (6^thgrade) And I wrote purely for the love of being able to create a story I knew I would love. Being an actual author was a total pipe dream and I never even gave it a passing THOUGHT that I was good enough or lucky enough to actually BECOME an author.

It wasn’t until after my third child was born that I even gave thought to pursuing a career in publishing. I began writing with that intent in 2002 and contracted my first book in 2006 so it took me four years or very hard work, a lot of persistence and a lot of patience to finally achieve the goal of becoming a published author.

3. What is your most interesting writing quirk?

I wouldn’t say it was “interesting” but I’m not an anal person as a rule. I’m very laid back and disorganized and don’t have a “system” for writing. The only thing I am super anal about is HOW I format my manuscripts as I write them. I’ve done it for every single book I’ve ever written and I’ve written over 60! And I just refuse to change my “system” lol

I create a folder for the series. Then a subfolder for the book IN the series I’m writing and then within that subfolder I then have a separate document for every single chapter and I also have a file called “Working Full”

As I complete a chapter I save the individual file but then I also copy and paste it to the “Working Full” document so I have the entire book in one file and then individual chapters in the folders as well.

Now I sound crazy! Lol

4. Can you please tell us about Taking It All?

Taking it All is about one of my absolute favorite tropes. Marriage in jeopardy. The hero and heroine have been married for 5 years and I focus on the bumps in the road that couples encounter after the HEA. I love the idea of a couple having to work to KEEP the HEA and not just having it come easy.

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

A scene literally just popped into my head of a husband who in one moment of inattention put his wife at great risk and she came to harm and is the breaking point for her and he realizes that he’s going to have the fight of his life to get her back.

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

I’m currently working on a book from my upcoming SLOW BURN series which debuts this October. The first book is KEEP ME SAFE. The 2^nd book is IN HIS KEEPING and releases in January. The third will release in March.

7. Who is one author that you would love to co-write with and why?

I honestly don’t play well with others lol. I’m a control freak so I don’t think I COULD do it even if I desperately wanted to. I’m very stubborn. I would be a nightmare to work with I’m sure and I can’t imagine ANY author signing up for that gig haha

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

Be patient and vigilante. Stay true to your voice. Never let others change who you are as a writer. And be persistent. Writing is HARD WORK. It’s a job and one that requires a LOT of hours. So treat it like a job and work accordingly.

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

I want to one day go to Finland and stay in their igloos with the glass dome ceilings where you can see the Northern Lights in the sky 🙂

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

I literally have thousands of books in my ginormous TBR pile! A book I can’t WAIT for is the next wolf story from Kresley Cole that was excerpted in MACRIEVE. I thought it was next and was crushed that a different story was next!

Learn more about Maya and her books here Website | Facebook | Twitter @maya_banks| Goodreads

Here is a look at

Taking it All

Amazon|B&N

Chessy and Tate have been married for several years. In the beginning, their relationship was everything she wanted. Passionate. All consuming. She offered her submission freely and Tate cherished her gift with a tenderness that made her feel safe. Content. Wanted. And loved beyond all measure. But as the years have gone by, Tate has become more immersed in making his business the success it has become, and Chessy has taken a back seat to his business obligations. Growing unhappier with the status of their once blissful marriage, Chessy knows that something has to give. Or they stand to lose it all

Tate loves his wife. Has always loved her. Providing for her has always been his number one priority. But lately she’s seemed unhappy, and he’s worried. Worried enough that he arranges for a night together that he hopes will reignite the fire that once burned like an inferno between them.

But a business call at the wrong time threatens everything. Chessy’s safety, his concentration, his wife’s faith in him as her husband, a man sworn to love and protect her above all else. Gutted with the realization that he’s going to lose her—has already lost her—he readies for the fight of his life. Whatever it takes, he’ll get her back. And prove to her that nothing is more important than her love. And that if she’ll allow him to prove himself one more time, he’ll take it all. Everything. But he’ll give far more back. Himself. His undying love.

Don’t forget to check out my review HERE

August 7, 2014August 6, 2014

Blog Tour & Giveaway: Well Read, Then Dead by Terrie Farley Moran

I’m excited to have Terrie Farley Moran here today to discuss her new book, Well Read, Then Dead. This is the first book in a new series and I loved the idea of a bookstore cafe’ and I would definitely be living here if one of these were near me. 🙂

1. Tell me about your new release.
The title is Well Read, Then Dead. Two Brooklyn girls, Sassy Cabot and Bridgy Mayfield find themselves at loose ends after Sassy’s company moves out of state taking her job with it and Bridgy catches her husband fulfilling his Mrs. Robinson fantasy with one of his mother’s friends. Sassy and Bridgy decide to move to the resort town of Fort Myers Beach, Florida. (Yes it is a real place, right on the Gulf of Mexico. Visit—you will love it.) The two friends open the Read ’Em and Eat Café serving breakfast, lunch and all the books you can read. When one of their favorite regular customers is found murdered, well, Sassy and Bridgy can’t rest until the crime is solved.

2. What inspired you to write mysteries?

I have always loved mysteries in books, movies and television shows. As a child I wrote stories like “Susie’s Missing Pencil” or “The Case of the Missing Library Book”. It was inevitable that anything I wrote as an adult would have a crime or mystery component.

3. How much input do you have on the covers of your books?

Berkley Prime Crime has an extraordinary art department. My editor asked for my ideas about the cover before the art department started to design it. Then she sent a copy of the cover to me and to my agent for approval. I was thrilled to see my name in big letters (name up in lights syndrome!) so I was not really capable of intelligent comment. My agent and editor, professionals both, made some suggestions that resulted in refining an already great cover into the “come in have a cup of tea and read a book” cover that you see here.

4. What is the most interesting/strange thing you had to research for your book?

I spent way too much time studying Mollusks, you know the teeny beings who make their homes inside those gorgeous sea shells we all collect at the beach. In Florida it is illegal to collect shells that still have a resident inside, so if you pick up shell that is somewhat closed, you have to shake it. If it isn’t empty, you must put it down and step away from the shell. I also enjoyed kayaking on the nearby Caloosahatchee River to get the feel of Sassy and Bridgy’s kayak trip on Estero Bay. And then there was the Everglades and sunken treasure ships—wonderful research that often took over my life for weeks at a time.

5. What are you working on now?

Well I recently sent the second Read ’Em and Eat novel, Death Branches Out to my editor, so I am working on the third, untitled book in the series. I also really enjoy reading and writing short stories so I expect to get a short story written over the summer.

6. Are there any authors or books that have influenced you to become a writer?

The Golden Age writers. You know, G.K. Chesterton, Mary Roberts Rinehart, Dorothy L. Sayers, Agatha Christie, Margery Allingham, Ellery Queen, Ngaio Marsh, etc. I devoured their books when I was a teenager and still re-read them frequently.

7. What was the first book you ever wrote and was it published?

My first novel is called Driven to Death. It remains unpublished.

8. Favorite TV show guilty pleasure? The Last Book You Read? Favorite Food/Drink While Writing?

My TV Guilty Pleasure? Without a doubt Justified, starring Timothy Olyphant as Deputy U.S. Marshal Raylan Givens and Walter Goggins as Boyd Crowder. Considering my adoration of cozy mysteries and my addiction to reruns of Murder, She Wrote and Matlock, I’m sure Justified seems like an odd choice for me. Every episode is fraught with violence and visible bloodshed. It is sooooooooo unlike my usual fare. What draws me to Justified? It is the relationships between and among the characters, and especially the relationship between Raylan and Boyd. Season six, expected this winter, will be the final season. I am waiting impatiently to see how the Raylan and Boyd tango will end.

The Last Book I Read: It happens that I also love non-fiction particularly anything to do with American history. I am just finishing a re-read of Adams vs. Jefferson, the tumultuous election of 1800 by John Ferling. Bitter as that election was, I always think of it as exhibiting the strengths and weaknesses of two men who fought side by side and then on opposite sides of governmental issues. Late in life they became friends once again only to die hundreds of miles and several hours apart on the fiftieth anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. These two men help me to understand the foibles of human beings, no matter how great others think them to be.

Favorite Food/Drink While Writing: Green tea or decaf coffee, either one, hot or iced.

About the Author:

Twice short-listed for Best American Mystery Stories, Terrie Farley Moran’s cozy mystery novel, Well Read, Then Dead is the first book in the Read ’Em and Eat Café and Bookstore series. You can find Terrie blogging amid the grand banter of New York writers known as the Women of Mystery. www.womenofmystery.net Terrie tells anyone willing to listen that hanging out with any or all of her seven grandchildren provides life’s grand and joyful moments.

Website/Facebook

Nestled in the barrier islands of Florida’s Gulf Coast, Fort Myers Beach is home to Mary “Sassy” Cabot and Bridget Mayfield—owners of the bookstore café, Read ‘Em and Eat. But when they’re not dishing about books or serving up scones, Sassy and Bridgy are keeping tabs on hard-boiled murder.

Read ‘Em and Eat is known for its delicious breakfast and lunch treats, along with quite a colorful clientele. If it’s not Rowena Gustavson loudly debating the merits of the current book club selection, it’s Miss Augusta Maddox lecturing tourists on rumors of sunken treasure among the islands. It’s no wonder Sassy’s favorite is Delia Batson, a regular at the Emily Dickinson table. Augusta’s cousin and best friend Delia is painfully shy—which makes the news of her murder all the more shocking.

No one is more distraught than Augusta, and Sassy wants to help any way she can. But Augusta doesn’t have time for sympathy. She wants Delia’s killer found—and she’s not taking no for an answer. Now Sassy is on the case, and she’d better act fast before there’s any more trouble in paradise.

Amazon/B&N

Jennifer’s Review of Well Read, Then Dead

Review (4.0 Stars): Once I heard the premise of this book, I was beyond excited to read about a bookstore cafe’ and Well Read, Then Dead is bound to entertain readers. Sassy and Bridgy own the Read ‘Em and Eat, which caters to the book buying needs of both locales and tourists in Fort Myers Beach. Things start to go wrong for these lovely ladies when their cook breaks his leg and a beloved patron of Read ‘Em and Eat is found in her home dead. Sassy soon finds herself involved in the murder investigation of Miss Delia, where everyone believes that the killer is a treasure hunter wanting the sunken treasure that is rumored to be on property that has been owned by Delia’s family for years. Hopefully, Sassy can find the killer before more residents of Fort Myers Beach turn up dead.

I loved the idea of a bookstore cafe’ and I enjoyed spending time with the colorful characters of Fort Myers Beach. Sassy and Bridgy were downright delightful and I loved how they created their cafe’ with tables that each featured beloved authors for their customers. Aunt Ophie was hilarious and brought a lot of humor to this engaging mystery even though she was a huge headache for the girls. Well Read, Then Dead is an entertaining mystery in the perfect literary setting that will definitely charm its readers. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series and I wish Read ‘Em and Eat was located near by because I would be there reading all the time.

Giveaway

I’m excited to give away a copy of Well Read, Then Dead. This giveaway is for US Residents only. To be entered in the drawing by August 14th, please leave a comment (and email address) below:

July 22, 2014June 30, 2014

Interview & giveaway with Jennifer Estep

Books-n-Kisses is pleased to welcome the wonderful Jennifer Estep to the blog today to chat about being author, life and her newest release Poison Promise (Elemental Assassin)

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

JE: My name is Jennifer Estep, and I’m the New York Times bestselling author of the Elemental Assassin urban fantasy series.

The books focus on Gin Blanco, an assassin codenamed the Spider who can control the elements of Ice and Stone. When she’s not busy killing people and righting wrongs, Gin runs a barbecue restaurant called the Pork Pit in the fictional Southern metropolis of Ashland. The city is also home to giants, dwarves, vampires, and elementals – Air, Fire, Ice, and Stone.

Have you always wanted to be an author?

JE: My mom used to take me to the library every Saturday when I was a kid, so that’s how I fell in love with books and reading in the first place. So I think wanting to write my own stories and be an author grew out of that love of books and reading.

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

JE: Some of my favorite writers are Robin McKinley, Donald Westlake, David Eddings, Ian Fleming, Lisa Kleypas, and too many others to name.

Every time I read a really great book, it always inspires me, and I hope that I can write something just as good one day.

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

JE: I’ve always enjoyed fantasy stories and strong heroines, so writing urban fantasy seemed like a natural fit for the kind of stories that I wanted to tell. I also write young adult and paranormal romance.

I have ideas for books in different genres, and I’d love to write a western or a heist book someday. But I will probably always write urban fantasy just because I enjoy it so much.

What are some of your writing rituals?

JE: I know a lot of authors listen to music while they write, but I don’t do that. It’s just me and my computer with no distractions. I always joke that the only thing I need to write is dead silence. LOL.

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

JE: Poison Promise, the 11^th book in my Elemental Assassin series, will be released on July 22. My heroine Gin Blanco has to protect someone who witnesses a horrific crime, so there’s a lot of magic, action, and adventure in the book. I hope everyone has as much fun reading the book as I did writing it.

How did you come with the idea for this story?

JE: Many times in the series, Gin finds herself getting into trouble because she’s trying to protect her friends and family, and that’s what happens in Poison Promise as well. Being a protector and watching out for people is one of the core things that drives Gin, so it sort of naturally leads to a lot of story ideas.

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

JE: Right now, I’m working on Black Widow, the 12^th book in my Elemental Assassin series which will be published on Nov. 25.

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

JE: In the first chapter of Poison Promise, Gin gets into a fight with a couple of vampires.

What would you be if you were not an author?

JE: Good question! I would probably still do something book-related, like be a librarian or work in a bookstore.

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

JE: I have about 40 books waiting in my TBR pile, so I’m looking forward to catching up on books/series by Katie McGarry, Sarah J. Maas, Alex Bledsoe, Scott Lynch, and several other authors.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

JE: Thanks for hosting me on your blog! I appreciate it.

If folks want more info on my books, they can check out my website at www.jenniferestep.com or follow me on Facebook, Goodreads, and Twitter.

Happy reading, everyone!

A little more about Jennifer:

Jennifer Estep is a New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author prowling the streets of her imagination in search of her next fantasy idea. Spider’s Bite, Web of Lies, Venom, Tangled Threads, Spider’s Revenge, By a Thread, Widow’s Web,Deadly Sting, Heart of Venom, The Spider, and Poison Promise, along with the e-shorts Thread of Death, Parlor Tricks, andKiss of Venom, are the other titles in her Elemental Assassin urban fantasy series for Pocket Books. The Mythos Academy young adult urban fantasy series and the Bigtime paranormal romance series are her other works. For more on Jennifer and her books, visit JenniferEstep.com and @Jennifer_Estep.

Find Jennifer here: Website | Blog | Facebook| Twitter (@Jennifer_Estep) | Goodreads

*****

Poison Promise

Pub Date: 07/22/14

Amazon | B&N | BAM| Indie Bound | Simon & Schuster

In book eleven of her New York Times bestselling Elemental Assassin series, author Jennifer Estep continues “one of the best urban fantasy series going on the market” (Fresh Fiction).
Gin Blanco is hard-nosed, sexy, and lethal. Nicknamed “The Spider,” she’s a stone elemental assassin who brings her unique mix of magic and tact to every assignment, no matter the target.

There’s a new drug on the streets of Ashland, and its name “Burn” sums up the potent effect it has on its users. When one of her restaurant employees is threatened by dealers of the drug, Gin steps in to set things straight…

GIVEAWAY TIME!!!!

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July 15, 2014July 14, 2014

Blog Tour & Review: Alias Hook by Lisa Jensen

I am excited to welcome Lisa Jensen to Books-n-Kisses today to talk about her new book, Alias Hook. This book gives us a look at the infamous Captain Hook and a different take on the tale of Peter Pan.

1. Can you tell us a little bit about yourself.

My first professional writing gig was writing film reviews for an alternative weekly in Santa Cruz, CA—a job I still have. I also contributed book reviews to the San Francisco Chronicle for many years, which is how I fell in love with the idea of writing my own books! I also have a thing for pirates—who knows why?— so my first couple of forays into fiction have involved swashbuckling!

2. Tell us about your new release, Alias Hook.

It’s an adult romantic fantasy that views the world of the Neverland from the caustic perspective of Captain James Hook, its prisoner. He’s trapped playing villain to a pack of malicious little boys in a pointless war that never ends—until Stella Parrish, a forbidden woman, tumbles into the Neverland in defiance of Pan’s rules against grown-up “ladies.” The magical elements of the Neverland—the Sisterhood of the fairies, the First Tribes, the mermaids in their grotto beneath the lagoon—open up for Stella as they never have for Hook. And in James himself, she begins to see someone far more sympathetic and complex than the storybook villain. She might be James Hook’s one last chance for redemption and release—if they can break the curse that binds him there before the boys can capture Stella and drag Hook back into their neverending game.

3. Where did you come up with the idea to tell Captain Hook’s story?

Captain Hook has always been one of my favorite pirates. He has the funniest lines in Peter Pan! But when I re-encountered Peter Pan as an adult awhile back, I was also struck by the pathos of a grown man trapped in a world run by little boys. Who was Captain Hook before he became the villain of the Neverland? What on earth had he ever done to deserve such a fate? And most important—how can he ever get out? As soon as I got this idea, I started hearing James Hook’s voice in my head, and I knew I had to tell his story.

4. Have you always wanted to be a writer?

I’ve always written for myself, ever since I was a child—stories, journals, comic strips. It never occurred to me I could make a living at it until I lucked into my newspaper job! Writing fiction is what I’ve always really wanted to do; I just picked a roundabout way to get to it!

5. Which authors do you feel have influenced you to become a writer?

Well, let’s see: Charles Dickens, for the complexity of his stories and all his colorful characters, Diana Gabaldon for the emotional depth of her love stories, J. K. Rowling and Patrick O’Brian, for telling such cracking good yarns.

6. What are you working on now?

Still dabbling in retold fairy tales, I have a Beauty and the Beast story in the works with another unique perspective.

7. Favorite TV guilty pleasure? Favorite movie? Favorite book that you’ve read lately?

Game of Thrones; I’m in withdrawals during the off-season. Too many movies to mention! (But here’s a random shuffle: Midnight In Paris, Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon, A Hard Day’s Night, Captain Blood.) I loved The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern, and The Winter Sea by Susanna Kearsley.

Thank you so much for answering my questions and being here on Books-n-Kisses.

It was my pleasure! Thanks for having me.

About the Author:

LISA JENSEN is a veteran film critic and newspaper columnist from Santa Cruz, California. Her reviews and articles have appeared in the Los Angeles Times, Cinefantastique, Take One, and Paradox Magazine. She has reviewed film on numerous area TV and radio stations. She also reviewed books for the San Francisco Chronicle for 13 years, where her specialty was historical and women’s fiction.

Website/Facebook

“Every child knows how the story ends. The wicked pirate captain is flung overboard, caught in the jaws of the monster crocodile who drags him down to a watery grave. But it was not yet my time to die. It’s my fate to be trapped here forever, in a nightmare of childhood fancy, with that infernal, eternal boy.”

Meet Captain James Benjamin Hook, a witty, educated Restoration-era privateer cursed to play villain to a pack of malicious little boys in a pointless war that never ends. But everything changes when Stella Parrish, a forbidden grown woman, dreams her way to the Neverland in defiance of Pan’s rules. From the glamour of the Fairy Revels, to the secret ceremonies of the First Tribes, to the mysterious underwater temple beneath the Mermaid Lagoon, the magical forces of the Neverland open up for Stella as they never have for Hook. And in the pirate captain himself, she begins to see someone far more complex than the storybook villain.

With Stella’s knowledge of folk and fairy tales, she might be Hook’s last chance for redemption and release if they can break his curse before Pan and his warrior boys hunt her down and drag Hook back to their neverending game. Alias Hook by Lisa Jensen is a beautifully and romantically written adult fairy tale.

Amazon/B&N

Jennifer’s Review of Alias Hook

Review (3.5 Stars): I was very excited to read this book because I enjoy books that have a different take on well-loved fairy tales and I couldn’t wait to read Captain Hook’s side of things. In Alias Hook, we see another side to the infamous Captain Hook and it changes how we look at the beloved story of Peter Pan. Captain Hook isn’t really a villain in this story but a pawn in Peter Pan’s wicked game and Peter Pan is the bad guy in this tale. We find that Hook is actually trapped in Neverland, destined to repeat events over and over again without any way to escape this never-ending nightmare. This is all changes when a woman falls into Neverland by mistake and gives Captain Hook a chance at freedom to break this dreadful curse once and for all.

For me, Alias Hook had a lot of potential with beautiful descriptions of Neverland in such vivid detail and glimpses into Captain Hook’s true personality since the book is mainly from his point of view. I felt sorry for Captain Hook and was amazed that being in this never-ending nightmare hasn’t slowly driven him insane. I loved his personality and by meeting Stella, it finally gave him hope and the one opportunity to defeat Peter Pan to change the end of his story. My only complaint with this book was the pacing of the story, at times it felt very slow and drawn out, which had me skimming pages of this story to see when things picked up again. With that said, I feel that Alias Hook was a very enjoyable adult fairy tale that I’m sure will please fans of the beloved Peter Pan. I would recommend that people take their time reading this book and savor the rich vivid world that Ms. Jensen has created and hopefully will like Captain Hook as much as I did.

July 13, 2014July 12, 2014

Blog Tour & Review: A Biscuit, A Casket by Liz Mugavero

I’m excited to have Liz Mugavero here today to talk about her new book, A Biscuit, A Casket. This series is a lot of fun and I hope everyone gets a chance to read this great series.

1. Tell me about your new release.

A Biscuit, A Casket is the second in the Pawsitively Organic Gourmet Pet Food Mysteries.

Stan Connor’s Pawsitively Organic pet food business is taking off – she’s even catering doggie parties. That’s what she’s doing at the local dairy farm during Halloween season – but the party is derailed when the farmer’s dead body is discovered in his haunted corn maze and Stan finds herself once again mixed up in murder.

2. Where did you come up with the idea for this series?

When I was discussing proposal ideas with my now-agent, John Talbot, we talked about my interests and weaved those into what he thought the market might want. I’ve always been an animal lover and a mystery lover, and one of my constant quandaries was, how would I combine my two passions? When John suggested gourmet pet food, I thought, Yes! Because it allows me the opportunity to touch on rescue, as well, which is very important to me.

3. What was the most interesting thing that you had to research as a writer? Do you base characters on people that you know?

I’m working on revisions for a darker mystery that I wrote before Pawsitively Organic. This book touches on a lot of topics: alternative education, state social services, child abuse, mental illness, to name a few. The research on those topics was crazy – and there’s so much to understand.

As far as basing characters on people I know – I don’t take people in their entirety, change their names and plop them in my books, but I do infuse parts of many people into my characters. I love people watching and noting traits, habits, gestures, speech patterns, and all of that (and more!) makes it’s way into my books.

4. Which authors do you feel have influenced you to become a writer?

I’ve loved mysteries since I was a kid, and of course the Nancy Drew books were top of that list. Those were my first influence. And there have been so many since! Janet Evanovich’s humor, Dennis Lehane’s poetic darkness, Agatha Christie (of course!).

5. What are you working on now?

I just completed a proposal for the 4th, 5th and 6th books in the Pawsitively Organic series. I’m also working on revisions of the book I mentioned above. I’m anxious to get that out into the world. Maybe you all will see that in the near future!

6. Favorite TV guilty pleasure? Favorite Food? Favorite place to travel? Favorite movie you’ve seen recently?

Oh, the fun questions! Let’s see. I love to watch Gilmore Girl reruns. My favorite food these days is any yummy smoothie I can make in my Vitamix – I love some of Kris Carr’s recipes. Travel? I am counting the days until I can visit San Francisco again. And movies – I’ve been so busy I’m terribly behind. But some of my all-time favorites are The Outsiders, Mystic River, Shawshank Redemption.

About the Author:

Liz Mugavero has been writing stories since she could hold a pen. Before that, she would tell them to anyone who would listen (not many at the time). After deciding early on she would write books for a living, she practiced by writing bad, angst-filled poems, short stories and even a storyline for a soap opera–all by age 15. She never wavered from her goals despite all the usual questions including, “So are you going to be an English teacher with that degree in English?” or, “That writing thing sounds nice, but how are you REALLY going to make a living?”

She went on to get a master’s in writing and publishing and spent time in journalism, PR, and presently, corporate communications. And she’s confident this writing thing IS the way to make a living.

Aside from writing, she loves animals (has a houseful), the beach, reading other writers’ masterpieces and Starbucks coffee.

Website/Twitter/Facebook

The small town of Frog Ledge, Connecticut, has wholeheartedly embraced Kristan “Stan” Connor’s new business – preparing quality organic treats for dogs and cats. On a healthy diet, the animals may live longer…but one local farmer won’t be so lucky. As Halloween approaches, Stan is asked to cater a doggie costume party hosted by the Happy Cow Dairy Farm. Part of a local co-op, Happy Cow specializes in organic dairy products, and farmers Hal and Emmalee Hoffman have started opening up the farm for parties, offering a “haunted” corn maze as an added attraction. When Hal’s lifeless body is found in the maze, the police at first suspect his wife, but Stan soon learns the dairy farmer had plenty of enemies – from bitter family members to shady business associates. If Stan can’t extract a kernel of truth from the labyrinth of lies, she may be the next one to buy the farm…

Amazon/B&N

Jennifer’s Review of A Biscuit, A Casket

Review (4 Stars): This is a very cute series and I love how Stan has created her own business from doing something she loves such as creating special organic treats for animals. In this book, Stan is gearing up for Halloween and is invited to Happy Cow farms to host a doggie costume party with her delicious treats. After arriving at the farm, the body of Hal Hoffman is found in the corn maze and Stan immediately finds herself involved in another murder investigation. The victim wasn’t a very likeable guy and had a handful of people that wanted to see him dead but no clues on who the killer could be. Stan must find the answers quick before the Happy Cow farm goes under and Hal’s wife is charged with the murder.

A Biscuit, A Casket is a great addition to a charming mystery series that is bound to entertain. I’ve liked Stan since the first book Kneading to Die because even though she lost her high-powered publicity job she realized that things happen for a reason and it was time for her to enjoy the simple things in life. She has a new home, new furry friends and a new career in a place that is absolutely delightful. I love books that center around Halloween and I enjoyed A Biscuit, A Casket from beginning to end. Such a fun well-written mystery that you can’t help but love. I’m definitely looking forward to reading more from Ms. Mugavero and her third book in the Pawsitively Organic mystery series in the future.

July 5, 2014July 4, 2014

Blog Tour & Giveaway: Be Careful What You Witch For by Dawn Eastman

I’m delighted to have Dawn Eastman here to discuss her new book, Be Careful What You Witch For. This is the second book in her Family Fortune Mystery series and it is just as delightful as the first. Please welcome Dawn to Books-n-Kisses.

1. Tell me about your new release.

Be Careful What You Witch For is the second novel in the Family Fortune Mystery series. It takes place in October, a few months after Pall in the Family ends. My main character, Clyde Fortune, helped her friend, Diana, to plan and organize the annual fall festival. Because Diana is Wiccan, she planned a ceremony in the woods on Halloween as part of the festival. Right in the middle of the ceremony, one of the participants dies from an allergic reaction. Accident or murder?

2. Where did you come up with the idea for this series?

I have two versions of this story – one is the out-of-the-blue version, the other is that it percolated for many years! I was working on developing a series that would be entertaining and unique. I had written a couple of “practice” novels and focused on fixing the things that didn’t work in those books for developing a new series idea. I knew I wanted to write something lighter, like a cozy.

The characters themselves seemed to just show up. I saw Clyde and her mother and aunt talking and arguing about the family business. I wondered what kind of family business they might have, and once I realized it was a psychic business I wondered what kind of a town would support such a business. I decided to place the town in one of my favorite places – Western Michigan – and before I knew it, a bunch of other characters showed up and started populating the town. A psychic tourist town amused me and I thought I could develop some entertaining stories with that setting and the new characters that were lining up to live there.

3. What was the most interesting thing that you had to research as a writer?

Because I have psychics and Wiccans in my books, and I am not psychic or Wiccan, I have been able to research all sorts of interesting things. I’ve researched psychic phenomena, ghost sightings, Wiccan philosophy, and divination techniques. It would be difficult to pick one interesting thing since it is all fascinating to me and whatever I’m currently researching is always the most interesting.

4. Which authors do you feel have influenced you to become a writer?

I love all sorts of books and have always been a reader. My obsession with mysteries began with Nancy Drew and quickly moved to Agatha Christie and Conan Doyle. When I discovered Janet Evanovich and realized that mysteries could be funny as well, I was sold. I had to try it for myself.

5. What are you working on now?

I’m finishing up book three in the series and working on plotting out the next few.

6. Favorite TV guilty pleasure? Favorite Food? Favorite book that you’ve read recently?

TV: I can’t pick one. I’ll go with Castle, Murdoch Mysteries, and anything on Masterpiece.Food: chocolate chip cookies and tea. Book: The Other Woman by Hank Phillippi Ryan.

Thank you for being here today on Books-n-Kisses.

Thank you for hosting me on your blog!

About the Author:

Dawn Eastman is the national bestselling author of Pall in the Family, the first book in the Family Fortune Mystery Series. She lived in Michigan for many years in a house full of animals, unusual people, and laughter. She now lives in Iowa with her husband, son, daughter, and one extremely bossy small dog.

Website/Facebook/Twitter

Leaving a traumatic police career behind, Clyde Fortune has returned to her seemingly quiet hometown of Crystal Haven, Michigan. In spite of the psychic powers of its residents, there’s no telling what trouble is brewing in this burg…

The highlight of the fall festival in Crystal Haven is a bonfire with a witch’s cauldron resting over it. Clyde’s best friend Diana leads a ritual to divine the future, but it seems no one foresees that one of their own will drop dead—or that Diana will be a prime suspect.

Clyde already has her hands full with her eccentric family, runaway nephew, and burgeoning secret romance with a hunky homicide detective. But after another coven member is attacked, Clyde suspects there’s a witch hunt afoot and focuses her psychic and sleuthing skills to clear her friend’s name and catch a killer.

Amazon/B&N

Jennifer’s Review of Be Careful What You Witch For

Review (4.5 Stars): I am a big fan of this series because Ms. Eastman has written a delightful series with memorable characters, supernatural elements and laugh out loud humor that will have you clamoring for more. Be Careful What You Witch For is the second book in the Family Fortune series and I was hooked from the very first page. Clyde is a great heroine for me because she used to be a police officer so she is smart and strong but just happens to be a member of a family full of psychics. This mystery involves Clyde’s best friend, Diana, who is suspect in the murder of a family friend during a fall festival ceremony. Clyde is on the hunt for the true killer to clear her friends name and protect other people from getting hurt.

This book was fast paced and well-written so I had no trouble following along with the story. I love Ms. Eastman’s humor in these books and Crystal Haven is definitely a fun place to visit. I can’t wait to read the third book in the series and see what these zany characters are up to next.

Giveaway

I’m excited to give away a copy of Be Careful What You Witch For.

This giveaway is for US Residents only. To be entered in the drawing by July 11th, please leave a question or comment for Ms. Eastman:

(Please include email address in comments)

June 26, 2014June 24, 2014

Interview with Molly Harper

Books-n-Kisses is super excited to have one of our favorite authors Molly Harper on the blog today!!! Molly just had a new release Better Homes and Hauntings. Better Homes and Hauntings is a stand alone book. Let’s learn a little about what makes Ms. Harper tick.

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

I am a newspaper reporter turned church secretary turned romance novelist from western Kentucky. I am married to my high school sweetheart, a captain with our local police department. I am obsessed with sushi and Tom Hardy movies.

Have you always wanted to be an author?

Yes, but I didn’t think the chances were good. There aren’t many authors from Paducah, Ky. So I pursued a career in journalism because I thought it would be awesome to make my living writing in some capacity. (I was right. It was awesome.) But the schedule was insane. Combined with my husband’s even less predictable schedule, it made life with kids pretty complicated. I took a more stable position as a secretary at a local Baptist church and started writing books at night.

What is your most interesting writing quirk?

I have to have lip balm nearby. Preferably the little Eos balls.

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

This is my first standalone paranormal romance and my first haunted house story, so I am thrilled to have written my own grown up, highly romantic version of a Scooby Doo episode. The Crane’s Nest is a Gilded Era mansion that never quite made it as a family home since Gerald Whitney, the business tycoon who built it was accused of murdering his wife shortly after it was completed. The murder mystery and inevitable stories of hauntings and family curses followed the Whitneys throughout the generations. Deacon Whitney, a social media mogul who has managed to rebuild his fortune, wants to restore the house to its former glory and finally put the supernatural rumors about his family to an end. The team of experts he assembles to remodel the house is contracted to live there over the summer while the work is completed, a measure he had to take after mysterious noises and cold spots chased away previous teams.

Landscaper Nina Linden is hired to rehabilitate the gardens and she sees it as her chance to rebuild her failing business after being cheated by her unscrupulous ex-partner. She never expects that her new client would see more in her than just a green thumb. But Nina shows no signs of being scared away, even as she experiences some unnerving apparitions herself. And as the two of them work closely together to restore the mansion’s faded glory, Deacon realizes that he’s found someone who doesn’t seem to like his fortune more than himself—while Nina may have finally found the one man she can trust with her bruised and battered heart.

But something on the island doesn’t believe in true love…and if Nina and Deacon can’t figure out how to put these angry spirits to rest, their own love doesn’t stand a ghost of a chance.

How did you come with the idea for this story?

I knew I wanted to set in on an island. I thought about the coast of Washington or South Carolina. And then I saw one of those true murder mystery shows and the episode was set on Newport. I took one look at the houses and there and thought, “Oh, yeah, I could haunt that.” I looked up info on the Breakers, Rosecliff, The Elms, all of the Gilded Era mansions and the ghost story practically wrote itself.

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

I am working on several spin-offs to the Half-Moon Hollow series. I could tell you about them, but then Ophelia would send a vampire goon squad after me.

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

Nora Roberts, because she is the queen. I would say Jane Austen, but if she was walking around, that would mean zombies are a thing and I don’t want that to happen.

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

Just sit down and start writing. Don’t wait until you have time. Don’t lose yourself in research. Just sit down and do it.

Can you share with us something off your bucket list.

See Italy. I would go to Venice and eat all of the gelato. All of it.

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

I am eager for the next book in Mari Mancusi’s Scorched series.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

I will be writing several more spin-offs to the Half-Moon Hollow books. Also, my Half-Moon Hollow Christmas short story, I’M DREAMING OF AN UNDEAD CHRISTMAS, will be available in ebook on November 3, 2014. And third book in the Bluegrass contemporary series, SNOW FALLING ON BLUEGRASS, will be released on September 22.

You can find out more about Molly Harper here: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

*****

Better Homes and Hauntings

Release Date: 06/24/14
Amazon | B&N

When Nina Linden is hired to landscape a private island off the New England coast, she sees it as her chance to rebuild her failing business after being cheated by her unscrupulous ex. She never expects that her new client, software mogul Deacon Whitney, would see more in her than just a talented gardener. Deacon has paid top dollar to the crews he’s hired to renovate the desolate Whitney estate—he had to, because the bumps, thumps, and unexplained sightings of ghostly figures in nineteenth-century dress are driving workers away faster than he can say “Boo.”

But Nina shows no signs of being scared away, even as she experiences some unnerving apparitions herself. And as the two of them work closely together to restore the mansion’s faded glory, Deacon realizes that he’s found someone who doesn’t seem to like his fortune more than himself—while Nina may have finally found the one man she can trust with her bruised and battered heart.

But something on the island doesn’t believe in true love…and if Nina and Deacon can’t figure out how to put these angry spirits to rest, their own love doesn’t stand a ghost of a chance.

Check out Kimberly’s review of Better Homes and Hauntings HERE. My audio review will be coming soon.

*****

Snow Falling on Bluegrass

***Giveaway Time*****

Taking it All

*****

Poison Promise

GIVEAWAY TIME!!!!

*****

Better Homes and Hauntings

*Giveaway Time***