Category: Sizzling PR

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Interview with Sandra Sookoo

Books-n-Kisses is pleased to welcome Sandra Sookoo to the blog today to talk about her new book Come Hither.  
Sandra is a writer of romantic fiction.  Her portfolio includes historical, contemporary, sci-fi and paranormal romances in full-length books as well as shorts and novellas.  No matter if the heat level is scorching or sweet, she loves to blend genres and often times will add humor as well.   
When not immersed in creating new worlds and interesting characters, Sandra likes to read, bake and travel.  Her favorite place to spend vacation hours is Walt Disney World.  It’s where dreams come true and the soul can play.  When she’s not writing, she’s keeping things interesting at the Believing is Seeing blog or spending time with her husband.
You can write to Sandra at sandrasookoo@yahoo.com, visit her website or look her up on Facebook and Twitter.



Q1) Can you please share with us a little about yourself
I’m an almost 40 gal who loves to write, bake and anything Disney.  I’m an avid zoo fan and make it a point to visit the local zoos anywhere I happen to travel.  I believe in a happily ever after for everyone, no matter what.

Q2) Have you always wanted to be an author?
Pretty much.  I knew by the age of ten I either wanted to be a writer or a cake decorator.  Since my skill at cake decorating stinks at an epic level, I guess writing’s my path!

Q3) Can you share with us your typical writing day.  Is there anything you have to have while writing?
Usually I write Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.  Wednesdays are reserved for catching up on promo stuff and the weekends I try really hard to spend with my husband without working.  Stuff I like to have while writing:  ice cold water, gummi bears (the ones in the gold package) and if I’m working at home, the Food Network on in the background.  If I’m working at a coffee shop, I like to listen to Disney music.

Q4) Most challenging or rewarding part of writing?
The most rewarding is when folks tell me how much they like my stories, characters, etc.  The most challenging part is when a plot point isn’t working, bad reviews, negativity, etc.  In those instances, I just grit my teeth and keep moving forward.  It’ll be better the next day.

Q5) Can you please tell us about your latest book(s)?
My latest release is called COME HITHER, and it’s my modern day take on the Red Riding Hood tale as part of Liquid Silvers Silver Slipper line.  I fondly and tongue in cheek refer to the story as a “trouser ripper” since my heroine is the more dominate one in the relationship, not to mention she’s a wolf.

Q6) How did you come with the idea for this story?
I’m a sucker for fairy tales anyway, and this is my third remake in the Silver Slippers line, but there’s always been something about Red Riding Hood that I found fascinating.  So, I decided to put my own spin on it and my own twist.  The results were funny and very sexy.

Q7) Can you share with us your current work in progress?
Sure!  At the time of writing this interview, I’m working on a dark, action-filled sci-fi romance.  Also on the horizon is finishing a contemporary short and starting an emotional historical piece.

Q8) Who are some of your favorite authors?
Oh wow, that’s a huge question!  I love reading in all different genres, but I love to concentrate on mysteries, so in that genre I like Donna Andrews, Kate Collins or Laura Childs.  I also like thrillers by Michael Crichton or Robin Cook, etc.

Q9) Do you feel that any of your favorite authors have inspired your writing style?
Not really.  Since a lot of my reading falls outside what I write, I don’t think so.  Of course, I do have a couple of favorites in the romance genre, but there again, the inspiration is in the fact they’re out there writing, the same as me.  That in itself is inspiration. 

Q10) What is in your To Read Pile that you are dying to start or upcoming release you can’t wait for?
There are two new Tea Shop mysteries by Laura Childs I’m desperate to buy, and I’m woefully behind on Donna Andrews’s series.  Not to mention I’d love to catch up on Elizabeth Boyle’s historicals that are mocking me from my bookshelf LOL  None of these are on my Kindle so it makes reading a bit difficult when I’m on the go.

Q11) Is there anything else you would like to add?
Thanks for taking the time to come out and read about my life.  I hope you’ll pick up a copy of COME HITHER.  There may or may not be a scene inside where someone uses a raw chicken as a defensive weapon…


Order Here: 
Heroes don’t wear capes and heroines sometimes have fur.  This ain’t your grandma’s fairytale.
Riley Hanson has fate by the balls.  She’s a kick-ass wolf-shifter who’s not afraid to tell people off, especially if they try to suggest how to live her life.  She lives with her grandma in the Wisconsin woods, hoping to keep the worst of humanity away. 
Carson Hoode, the guy every woman wants to talk to but not date, drives a truck for Red Riders Express. Six months off a divorce, the only thing he’s got going for him is a perfect delivery record, except a heavy October downpour and a muddy road threaten it.  As he tries to finish his route on foot, he slips and wrenches his knee. The business end of Riley’s rifle closes out his day.
The fur and pheromones fly as Riley and Carson battle their attraction while eluding a back woods hunter intent on bagging more than local wildlife.  They’ll need a healthy dose of fairytale magic to survive—too bad there’s no such thing.  Now, if only Grandma would give them some privacy because someone’s getting laid at the end. 


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Interview & Giveaway with Leia Shaw

Books-n-Kisses is pleased to host Leia Shaw on the blog today. 



1.    Can you please share with us a little about yourself
Well, I have 6 tattoos, I’m addicted to diet pepsi, I love being outside, I have two kids, a husband, and a dog who feels like a third kid, and I write paranormal romance.
2.    Have you always wanted to be an author?
Yes, but I didn’t always know it. I think I knew it better as a child than an adult and I resisted for a long time thinking I wasn’t good enough. But in actuality, it’s one of the only things I’m good at. Bored as a stay-at-home mom, I started using nap times to play around with different fantasy story ideas in my head. It was kind of a stress reliever too. Something to take me away from diapers and sippy cups. A couple years later and I haven’t looked back.
3.    Who are some of your favorite writers? Who do you feel has influenced your writing?
In my genre I’d have to say Kresley Cole is my favorite author and biggest influence. A Hunger Like No Other was the first romance book I ever read. So, yeah, the fact that I started writing my own after that says a lot.
4.    How did you get into writing in this specific genre?  Have you ever thought about writing in a different genre?
I felt most drawn to paranormal romance because I’ve always had a thing for dark stories and fantasy. I’m like a little kid whose eyes light up about magic and superpowers and vampires and bad guys. But the woman in me loves a good love story. So a combination of both seemed most fitting. I did write a contemporary erotic novel with steampunk erotic author Cari Silverwood. We’re planning to write another. Normally I’m not attracted to contemporary but the first had a lot of comedy in it and as long as I can keep doing that then I don’t mind. It’s fun to write physical humor. I can’t do it too much with paranormal because all of the characters are super coordinated. Lol.
5.    What are some of your writing rituals?
Locking the door.
6.    Can you please tell us about your latest book(s)?
Shadows of Destiny in a 3 book series with the fourth coming out in June. Each book can be read as a stand-alone or out of order, but some of the characters repeat. The stories are character driven – a man and a woman fall in love despite obstacles in their way. And they do it with a sword in hand fighting nasty beasts and aren’t afraid to get a little dirty. Destiny Unchained is my latest release. It’s a darker story than my other books. Natalia is a vampire assassin who shut down her emotions a long time ago. Cristian is a passionate, warm alpha of a werewolf pack. Both species hate each other but they’re forced to team up to hunt down a sadistic serial killer stalking the northwest wilderness. This book has a lot of dark humor, some sadness, but the message is one of my favorites. It’s all about forgiveness.
7.    How did you come with the idea for this story?
The idea for my first book came to me in a dream. The rest of the series tumbled from it as I started writing. I get inspired by movies, music, other great books. Honestly, the initial idea for a story is the easy part.
8.    Can you share with us your current work(s) in progress?
Destiny Bewitched is book 4. It features a witch, Samantha, who travels to the Underworld to rescue her younger sister. She meets a demon, Geo, and strikes a deal to get his help saving her sister. I’m excited for this book because it’s very high fantasy. It even features a supernatural version of the gladiator games. It was so much fun to write! But it still has what my readers expect in my books – steamy sex scenes, romance, an alpha hero, and lots and lots of snark!
9.    What would you be if you were not an author?
Well my dream job would be a stand-up comedian. I love to make people laugh. And you’ll do a lot of that reading my books.
10. What is in your To Read Pile that you are dying to start or upcoming release you can’t wait for?
Anything by Kresley Cole (I really want Lanthe’s story). The rest of the Kate Daniels series by Ilona Andrews too.

Would you like a chance to win e-copy Destiny Unchained?  
Please fill out the Rafflecopter from below. 



a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Interview with L.J. Garland

Books-n-Kisses is pleased to host L.J. Garland on the blog today.  



1. Can you please share with us a little about yourselfWell, to start…L.J. Garland isn’t just one person! It’s two! Laura & Jeff – We’re a husband-wife writing team. We met in college over 20 years ago and have been driving each other nuts ever since. Hey, after that long, ya gotta have a since of humor for sure! We have tons of hobbies and interests—but we have two that top our list.
First, we’re both licensed helicopter pilots with hundreds of hours of flight time. On our 10thwedding anniversary, we flew from the east coast to west and celebrated our special day in the honeymoon suite in Palm Springs. Course, we were so exhausted, we passed out. I’m still chewing nails over not getting to check out that humongous Jacuzzi tub! *sigh* Anyway…books. Chances are good you’ll see one type of flying machine or another in our stories…and the landings won’t always be pretty. But hey, any you walk away from are good, right? lol

The second thing that tops our list is we practice with a variety of weaponry from long bows to high-powered combat rifles. This, along with years of military experience, gives our books a heightened sense of reality. So, fire, fireworks, guns, pretty much anything that goes Boom!…yeah, it’s all good. You’ll see that in our stories as well. High-action adventure and romance…and a happy-ever-after.

On the home front, we enjoy a life in a house filled with love, laughter, and tenuously restrained chaos. We have three cats, one whistling guinea pig, and three boisterous sons—who conspire to ensure there’s never a dull moment. It’s awesome!


2. Have you always wanted to be an author?
Wow…come to think of it, we never really decidedto become authors. It was a long, surreptitious process, and it wasn’t long before I found myself obsessing over it. And now, crafting stories has become kinda obsessive/compulsive, but we won’t talk about that right now. <g>
Jeff and I both have always enjoyed science fiction and have read voraciously since childhood. Later, I branched out into romance. I truly loved the happy ever after that it offered…that one way or another, the hero and heroine would end up together no matter how daunting the obstacle. SFR offers a wide cross genre…horror, military, paranormal, time travel, steampunk, the list goes on and on…even westerns, as given by FireFlyand Cowboys and Aliens. The possibilities are endless – which is one of the wonderful aspects that attracted us both to SFR.
3. Can you share with us your typical writing day.  Is there anything you have to have while writing?
COFFEE! Oh, gosh, personally I can’t get through the day without it! I get up and get Jeff out the door, fix breakfast for the kids, then I sit down with them for home schooling. Somewhere in there we have lunch, play outside. After that, I edit manuscripts, do all I can to keep in touch with the writing community, blog, interview authors, answer emails. All the while, the clothes washer and dishwasher are churning in the background.  Then dinner, the dreaded bath and brushing of teeth (boys and water don’t mix for some reason…sheesh, they act like it’s acid or something! “I’m melting!” Who knew little boys were sooo dramatic? lol) At last, we tuck the little angels into bed, hugs and kisses. Then I collapse…maybe type a paragraph or two on a story…and pass out to do it all again the next day. Whew!

4. Most challenging or rewarding part of writing?
Between kids and house and editing for epubs, it’s more like writing minutes. LOL However, all those ‘distractions’ allow for my subconscious to work out plot issues and also gives me time to write and rewrite the next chapter in my head before I sit down to the computer. Most times I have a really good idea where the scene is going and a good bit of the characters’ dialog as well. And then there are the bubble baths where Jeff and I brainstorm stories and work out plot problems. Needless to say, we’re squeaky clean. Somehow it works….

5. Can you please tell us about your latest book(s)?
Raven is on a suicide mission. Jex is a biomech on a mission to save humanity. They discover their mutual passion to destroy the enemy isn’t their only desire.
A war against the Darch has raged for years, and humanity is on the verge of extinction. Scientists have created biomechs to supplement as warriors, but it’s just a temporary fix on what appears an insurmountable problem. One desperate scientist injects JXS241, a biomech warrior, with what he hopes is the solution for mankind’s survival. But the biomech is captured by the enemy.
Raven Nirvanni survives on the fringes of a shattered culture. While on a self-imposed suicide mission to annihilate an enemy destroyer, she encounters the imprisoned biomech. Deciding the fate of humanity far outweighs the destruction of a single ship, she rescues him and decides to ensure he reaches his destination. With the enemy anticipating their every move, Raven is completely taken aback when she realizes she’s falling for JXS241. But can she really love a machine? And if so, can he reciprocate?
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6. How did you come with the idea for this story?
Well, we were in the bathtub, enjoying a hot bubbly soak…um, ahem. The story, right. lol The inspiration started with the basic questions: What if a woman fell in love with a machine…only to discover that the machine, which wasn’t supposed to have feelings, had also fallen in love with her? How would they deal with their relationship and what others might think? Would they even care? And from that came MechMan!

7. Can you share with us your current work in progress?
We’ve got a romantic suspense, Sins of the Mind, co-written with the wonderful Debbie Gould, set to release April 20thfrom Decadent Publishing. It’s a story about a woman, who after years of therapy from a horrible incident, decides it’s time to live again…but then all the people she loves start being brutally murdered one by one.
The other story is a short (12K) SFR, Dead or Alive, coming from Decadent’s 1Night Stand series. It’s about a guy who is falsely accused of murder and ends up turning toward the one woman who can help him, a bounty hunter who’s been after him for years. Together, they uncover conspiracies on both Earth and their homeworld, use some fun high-tech gadgetry, and even visit Area 51.

8. Who are some of your favorite authors?
Anne McCaffrey – her stories are so creative, yet easy to visualize. Her detailed worlds and series are inspirational, not to mention fun to read!
Henry Beam Piper – his Little Fuzzy series is creative and memorable for sure!
Orson Scott Card – Ender’s Game and all that came after was amazing. And he also did a nice twist on ‘What you think is true, might not be.’
Stephen King – because he didn’t write horror just for the sake of writing horror, there was a deep, psychological aspect that caused the blood to run cold.

Dean Koontz – because his style of writing drew me. The way he wove his earlier stories was unusual, never in a straight line, which left me wondering how these diverse characters would ever collide.

Suzanne Brockmann – for her high-action stories and her hero’s perspective.

Robert Jordan – for his epic stories.

Thomas Harris – psychologically terrifying.


9. Do you feel that any of your favorite authors have inspired your writing style? 
Absolutely! The stories we read for pleasure are because we love the author and the genre. We can look at the list above and see bits of them all in our stories.

10. What is in your To Read Pile that you are dying to start or upcoming release you can’t wait for?
Linnea Sinclair’s Rebels and Lovers
Dean Koontz’s Dead and Alive
Stephen Hawking’s The Grand Design

11. Is there anything else you would like to add?
We can be tracked down at www.lj-garland.com. Or we can be caught at http://www.garland-and-gould.blogspot.com/where we blog, chat about stuff, and interview other authors. Or, we can be emailed at mail@lj-garland.com– We love hearing from people who have enjoyed our stories.
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Guest Blogger: Emily Cale

Books-n-Kisses is please to let Emily Cale take over the blog today as part of her Getting Ahead blog tour. She is talking about the appeal of cowboys.  



Appeal of a Cowboy

What is it about cowboys that attract our attention? I grew up seeing and talking to cowboys (and girls!) on a daily basis and never gave it a second thought. It wasn’t until I was older that I started to realize how sexy they are. It’s not just me either. A quick look around Amazon shows an abundance of Westerns, both in the romance genre and in other genres. It’s stood the test of time for many decades.

So what is it that makes cowboys so alluring? For me, it’s several things. First, I love the thought of a man working out on the land all day. He not only has to use his muscles (and they are wonderful), but his mind as well.
Second, they usually come across as serious family men. They work the same land that their father and grandfather did. The whole family gets on taking care of the property, from the smallest child up to the oldest adult. Even with all that work, they still find time for a little fun (If you’re one of my characters, you find time for A LOT of fun).
Finally, something about the way they say “ma’am” and “pardon” makes my heart skip a beat. I’m not sure if it’s the accent or the sincerity, but I can’t help but swoon over it. Yes, I did just say swoon.
What about you? Do you love cowboys? How come?


Getting Ahead Blurb:
Colton is exactly the kind of distraction Amber doesn’t want, but he might be exactly what she needs to get back on track.
Recovering from a bad fall during competition, Amber McDonald decides to spend her last week of training before her next rodeo at a Colorado ranch, away from any and all distractions. It’d be the perfect arrangement—if only her fear wasn’t stopping her from getting back on her horse.
Then Colt Riley steps in. He’s sexy and seems to have incredible insight into her situation, but he’s everything she’s been trying to stay away from.
Colt knows exactly what Amber is going through…because he’s been there before. Forced to give up his riding career after an accident, he sets his mind to helping her get back on track. All that’s easier said than done, especially when she discovers his hidden past. Will his efforts be enough to help her get ahead?

Buy Links:
Publisher: http://www.breathlesspress.com/getting-ahead
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007B25V7M/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wwwbreathless-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B007B25V7M
Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/getting-ahead-emily-cale/1109505995?ean=2940033070534
All Romance ebooks: http://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-gettingahead-728018-340.html

Author Bio:
Emily Cale spent the majority of her childhood as a visitor to the worlds of her favorite authors. With encouragement from her English teachers, she put pen to paper and began imagining her own stories. Preferring the fascinating lives of her characters, she majored in creative writing. When not lost in a manuscript or a good book, she enjoys crocheting, rock climbing, and playing board games. She currently lives in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, with her husband and a very spoiled cat.
You can find Emily online on her blog (http://www.emilycale.blogspot.com) or on Twitter (http://www.twitter.com/emilycale. 
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Interview & Giveaway with Jessica E Subject


Books-n-Kisses is excited to have Jessica Subject on the blog today to chat about her newest release. 

Jessica Subject started writing to encourage her daughter to read. Now she writes to keep herself grounded. Although she reads many genres, she enjoys writing Science Fiction Romance the most and believes everyone in the universe deserves a happily ever after. She lives Southwestern Ontario, Canada with her husband and two kids and loves to hear from anyone who has enjoyed her stories.


      

     


1.      Can you please share with us a little about yourself
Thank you so much, Kelly, for having me on your blog again. It’s always a pleasure to visit. Besides being an author, and a reader, I’m also a wife and a mother of two. I live in Southwestern Ontario, Canada, which is reflected in the settings of many of my books, especially The Zurian Child. Although I do have a contemporary romance published, and a paranormal romance coming soon, I mostly write science fiction romance, specifically alien romance. Because everyone in the universe deserves a happily ever after…
2.      Have you always wanted to be an author?
Although I’ve been writing various stories and producing newsletters most of my life, I didn’t write with the hopes of publication until three years ago. It’s hard to believe it took me this long to figure out what I wanted to be when I grew up. LOL
3.      Can you share with us your typical writing day.  Is there anything you have to have while writing?
I don’t have a typical writing day. LOL I have another at home job which keeps me pretty busy, so I fit in writing time while I can. Some days I have more luck than others.
4.      Most challenging or rewarding part of writing?
The most challenging is remembering all of my bad habits while I’m writing so that I can leave them out and save editing time later. I know some authors worry about that later, but I guess I’m a bit anal that way.
The rewarding part comes in three stages: the contract, the cover, and release day. But hearing that a reader enjoyed your story is the best of all.
5.      Can you please tell us about your latest book?
Sure. The Zurian Child is an alien romance novel, which takes place here on Earth, though it begins on another planet. It is the first book in the Mark of the Stars series. Here’s the blurb:
Lindsay Beckett longed to be reunited with her first love, Quinn Montgomery, until she learns the secret that sent him fleeing from her in the first place. He’s an alien, a Hemera, and she’s half-Hemera herself. As if that wasn’t enough to ruin her dreams of a perfect life, when their child is born, they discover she fulfills a prophesy told twenty light years away and many years ago. Lindsay wants to ignore it, until her husband is murdered and suddenly believing becomes a matter of survival.
Lindsay and her young daughter are forced to rely on another Hemera, her husband’s partner and best friend, Bryce Beuermann as more and more of the Hemera are slaughtered. Bryce will do anything to help his best friend’s widow—including suppressing his own deep feelings for her. But he must prove they can trust him, even pretending he doesn’t want her with all his heart.
6.      How did you come with the idea for this story?
Honestly, it started out as a superhero story for my 5 year old (at the time) daughter, but quickly morphed into something else. Thought nighttime and day dreams, and long showers (a great place to plot out a book) I worked out the story. But it is definitely not a story my daughter can read yet.
7.      Can you share with us your current work in progress?
Sure, I’m actually working on book two of the series, All Grown Up. In it, Katrina (The Zurian Child) is an adult. With a sexy military fire fighter—whom she’s had a crush on since she was a teenager—after her, she has a hard time focusing on her destiny.
8.      Who are some of your favorite authors?
Oh, gosh. I always feel like I’m excluding someone, but here are some of them: DL Jackson, Rebecca Royce, Lorna Suzuki, Zee Monodee, Gini Koch, Liz Crowe, JD Robb, Beth Revis…
9.      Do you feel that any of your favorite authors have inspired your writing style?
I think they all have. I can’t read for the sake of reading anymore. Instead, I enjoy a story, and pick out the aspects which made me enjoy the story. Then I try to incorporate them into my own writing.
10.  What is in your To Read Pile that you are dying to start or upcoming release you can’t wait for?
Um, you know there are over 200 books in my TBR pile, right? LOL I have at least one book from most of the above mentioned authors, and many more in various genres. I have a bunch of YA dystopian that I really want to get started on though, including Divergent, Under the Never Sky, Truth, and Ashes, Ashes. Plus, Flight For Control by Karlene Petitt who shared her knowledge of the airline industry with me for a story out on submission.
11.  Is there anything else you would like to add?
Thank you again for hosting me today, Kelly! And thank you to everyone who stops by to read the interview!
Links:
Website/Blog: http://jessicasubject.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/jsubject
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Jessica-E-Subject-author/205759796126370
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4959083.Jessica_E_Subject
Google +: https://plus.google.com/100079570422204018357/posts
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/author/jessicasubject
THE ZURIAN CHILD BLOG TOUR GIVEAWAY: Leave a comment with your email address for your chance to WIN a $25 AllRomanceEbook/OmniLit Gift Certificate. Be sure to follow the tour and comment; the more you comment, the better your chances of winning. The tour dates can be found here: http://sizzlingpr.com/2012/03/13/the-zurian-child-by-jessica-e-subject-tour/
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Tri-Destiny Spotlight

Tri Destiny Publishing – http://www.tridestinypublishing.com  –  A publishing company with a new concept: Help new authors hone their writing skills, build a better author platform to reach fans, and provide authors with the best resources possible in a warm and welcoming atmosphere.  We pride ourselves on giving authors the personalized attention they deserve, start to finish.  We believe in collaborative processes, from cover art to editing, working together to build the best book possible.  In an industry-first partnership with Autography, LLC, we provide authors a platform from which to personalize and sign their eBooks in the same way they sign their print copies. 
Tri Destiny Publishing has no “formula” or “mold” and we encourage thinking outside the bounds of the ordinary subjects and styles.  We have a continuous open call for submissions from authors who write what they love, not what we tell them to write; guidelines can be found on our website.   


SIzzlin’ Books – http://www.sizzlinbooks.com – Tri Destiny Publishing’s spicy romance line.  Unlike the mainstream romances offered through Tri Destiny Publishing’s website, Sizzlin’ Books offers readers a wider range of subjects (paranormal, supernatural, BDSM, ménages, LGBT, and anything else our authors can imagine) with varying heat levels.  We provide a “Sizzle Scale” so, as always, our readers know exactly what to expect when they buy from the Sizzlin’ Books line.    
Much like Tri Destiny, Sizzlin’ Books has a very open policy on submissions and content.  Our guidelines can be found on our website.  We encourage all authors who are unsure if their manuscript would be a good fit for the Sizzlin’ Books line to send a query letter to us.  
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Interview with Cassandra Carr

Books-n-Kisses is pleased to welcome back the wonderful Cassandra Carr to the blog to talk about her new releases and upcoming releases. 



Q1) Can you please share with us a little about yourself
I’m a multi-published author with Loose Id, Siren, Ellora’s Cave, and Sybarite Seductions. I have only been writing since 2008 *dodges rotten tomatoes* and it appears I’m prolific, since Collision, my latest release, was the seventh in a little over a year of being published. I live in the Western New York area with my hubby, Inspiration, and daughter, Too Cute for Words. I’m a Sabres fanatic and hang out on Twitter far too much.
Q2) Have you always wanted to be an author?
No. I had no thought to being writing as a profession until my mother, Cynthia Racette, (who is an author – her debut came out in late March!), told me I should fictionalize a fan fiction story I was writing. Unfortunately, that book did NOT turn into 50 Shades of Grey.
I was in Corporate America for about 15 years. Most of that time was spent doing various things in marketing and public relations. But then I got laid off and couldn’t find another full-time position. Then we decided to have a baby. And, well, the rest is history!
Q3) What is your most interesting writing quirk?
Oh geez. I’m going to sound like the most boring writer ever. I really don’t have a lot of quirks. I don’t have much choice about when I work or where – it all depends on when I can get childcare. When my daughter is gone I need to hunker down and get the words on the page.
Q4) Can you please tell us about your latest book(s)?
My last two releases are both book 2’s in my different series. On March 7thSiren released Cold As Ice, Buffalo Intimidators book 2. The Buffalo Intimidators series revolves around a hockey team that coincidentally (well, actually, not all coincidentally or I wouldn’t have a series!) has permanent ménage relationships. Book 1 of that series is Head Games, published last November.
On April 4th Ellora’s Cave released Collision, Buckin’ Bull Riders book 2. The Buckin’ Bull Riders series tells the stories of various bull riders on the professional tour. The first book of that series, Impact, published in February of 2012.
Q5) How did you come with the idea for this story?
For Cold As Ice, I wanted to use an entire forward line. Doing one of the first book featuring the captain made sense, so I started to work around those two things to develop the story.
For Collision, it’s kind of a funny story. I actually wrote Collision before Impact, but sold Impact first, so the order of the books got reversed and I had to make some changes to reflect that. I decided to write about bull riders after stumbling upon a professional bull riders (PBR) event one day. It was on the same channel as many hockey games. 😉 I had also read some great stories from people like Lorelei James and Cat Johnson.
Q6)  Can you share with us your current work(s) in progress?
I’m currently writing two books – book 3 in the Buckin’ Bull Rider series, Momentum, is with my critique partners currently. One just got back to me and said it was her favorite so far so I’m pretty pumped about that! I’m also working in an 85k story to give to my agent to try to sell to a NY publisher. That’s a five-book series featuring IT geek heroes. I married an IT geek and I highly recommend them!
Q7)  Who is the one author that you would love to meet someday and why?
LOL – I already had my fangirl moment last year at the Romance Writers of America national conference. I adore Maya Banks and I met her there. The first time I met her that week she was really sweet, and then I saw her at another signing a few days later and made a joke about how I really wasn’t stalking her. I think that freaked her out. *blushing*
So see? Authors do really dumb fangirl stuff too!
Q8)  What is the best piece of advice you would give to someone that wants to get into writing?
Write. If you’re going to do it, don’t take ten years to write your first book. Write the silly thing. Then polish it to within an inch of its life. Then, and only then, should you submit.
A note: if you sell that book it took you five or ten years to write, your publisher is not going to be amused if it takes another five or ten years to get another one written.
Q9)  Can you share with us something off your bucket list.
I’d love to spend about a month trolling around Europe with my husband. I’ve been to Italy and he’s been to France, but there’s so much to see!  And people are always flabbergasted when I say I don’t want to bring my daughter. She’s three. Even if she was older I’d like to take the time with my hubby and reconnect.
Q10)  What is in your To Read Pile that you are dying to start or upcoming release you can’t wait for?
*snort* My TBR list is, no joke, well over 200 books. Despite that, I can’t WAIT for the next book in Maya Banks’ Sweet series, Sweet Addiction. The hero is a guy I’ve loved as a minor character in some of the other books and I’m so excited to read his story.
Q11) Is there anything else you would like to add?
Just that I’ve got a big 2012 unfolding and if readers want to keep in touch with what’s happening, they can check out my website at http://www.booksbycassandracarr.com. I also have a FB fan page at http://www.facebook.com/AuthorCassandraCarr. And if you want to witness my Twitter addiction, you can do it at http://www.twitter.com/Cassandra_Carr. If you follow me be sure to tell how you found my name. At this point I don’t auto-follow but am always happy to connect with readers!



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Guest Blogger: LW Herndon (giveaway)

Books-n-Kisses is pleased to let LW Herndon take over the blog today… 
Thank you for having me on your blog, Kelly.
One of the things I enjoy most about writing is research. It’s a necessity and temptation all rolled into one. And while a reader might wonder what there is to research about urban fantasy, I can state for a fact, there’s plenty. Almost nothing exists in print, movies or television that doesn’t originate from history or mythology. Star Wars, Star Trek, and the tales of werewolves and vampires can all find their roots in the philosophy and mythologies of China, Greece, and many other countries. The names are slightly changed and the histories mutated, but the ideas come from existing information sources.
So when I decided to use demon clans as the backdrop for the Thaddeus Kane novels, I read about demons across a variety of cultures and religions. The world as Kane knows it holds demons from ancient clans spanning back to the creation of man. Similar to human beings, these demons evolved in many forms, from the mischievous, to the downright evil, to mild-mannered live-and-let-live varieties.
With stories from Christian and Jewish demonology, European, Chinese, Japanese, and even Sumerian mythology, there is wonderful lore and details available. Enough to be a real distraction from actual writing. But with a little bit from here and there, and a twist of something different, it evolved into a framework for the demons who become Kane’s allies and enemies.
Here’s an example of an interesting demonic character that I ran across in my search. Buer: listed as a Great President of Hell. Bearing an auspicious title, he’s charged with ‘teaching Natural and Moral Philosophy, Logic, and the virtues of all herbs and plants.” Not exactly the role I had expected to see from the Commander in Chief of Hell. With the head of a lion and five goat legs he would also be difficult to camouflage. I didn’t pattern any of my demon hierarchy after Buer, but who knows, there are Thaddeus Kane tales left to tell. Perhaps Buer will show up one day. I’m fairly certain he’ll never make a romantic lead, but I could see him as a good side-kick (no pun intended) or turncoat ally.
What demons or creatures of the night do you find most surprising in the stories you read? Which ones stick in your memory long after you’ve read the story?
~LW Herndon
My name is Thaddeus Kane. I exist in Los Angeles, the city known for the hustle of Hollywood, an average 266 days a year of sunshine, and smog.
That’s not my L.A. I operate under the mantle of the city as a troubleshooter for the demon clan who saved my life. Not a bad job if I can stay alive, but I have my limits. I refuse to risk innocents, which causes me problems. That one line I won’t cross for anyone. Loyalties—I have them. I’m pretty sure none of my associates would approve of my particular choices.
Human sorcerers are murdering my clan to harness superpowers and I’m the only one capable of finding the evil. A tough assignment, made harder by my secret alliance with a rival demoness to save prophetic teenagers from the same horrible fate. I’m all they’ve got.
LW Herndon is a pseudonym for the author of the Thaddeus Kane urban fantasy novels and the Declan Other Realm young adult urban fantasy tales. More information on LW Herndon and future books can be found at the website http://www.lwherndon.com and blog http://demonssorcerersandmore.com/lwherndonblog
Website / Blog / Facebook / Twitter

For the giveaway:A $25 Amazon or Barnes & Noble GC to one randomly drawn commenter during the tour as well as to the host with the most comments. Additionally, two random drawn winners will receive the 2nd Thaddeus Kane ebook, on its release date, Fall 2012.

Readers can follow the dates and locations for the Mark of Kane Sizzling PR Book Tour @ http://sizzlingpr.com/2012/04/02/the-mark-of-kane-by-lw-herndon/
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Interview with Casea Major

Book-n-Kisses is pleased to welcome to Casea Major to the blog. 



1.    Can you please share with us a little about yourself
I am a stay-at-home mom with two school-aged children and one preschooler.  I was born and raised in Texas and am a die-hard Cowboys fan. I love reading well-written emotional stories. I enjoy writing them too.
2.    Have you always wanted to be an author?
I always enjoyed writing but not until a year ago did I understand I could actually finish a story.
3.    What is your most interesting writing quirk?
I write most of my stories out of order, usually writing the last chapter well before the preceding chapters.
4.    Can you please tell us about your latest book(s)?
My current release is a sexy 1Night Stand story that I came up with watching football one Sunday afternoon. I wondered what catalyst would make someone venture out into a sexual realm they’d never tried. Voila! Night with a Dom was born.
5.    Can you share with us your current work(s) in progress?
I’m writing a sexy short erotic story which will be part of a series of  stories a anti-hero.

6.    Who is the one author that you would love to meet someday and why?
The Apostle Paul because he wrote the largest percentage of the greatest book ever written

7.    What is the best piece of advice you would give to someone that wants to get into writing?
Find a good critique group and critique, read and write as much as you possibly can.

8.    Can you share with us something off your bucket list.
I would love to do a river boat cruise down the Danube. That is a dream. 
Thanks for having me, Kelly! It’s been a pleasure.

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Spotlight Feature: Truly, Madly, Deeply, You by Cecilia Roberts

Book Title:  Truly, Madly, Deeply, You
Author: Cecilia Robert
Genre:  Contemporary Romance
Publisher: InkSpell Publishing
Publication Date: March 21st  2012
Format: eBook, Kindle
Book Synopsis:
Four days before Valentine’s Day, Liese Hansfeld is determined to shut the door to her house, as well as her heart, for her annual four days of mourning her one true love. Little does she know her best friend Freytag Meier is just as determined to keep her from her ritual. He’s ready to pick the lock to her apartment door and camp in her living room if that’s what it takes.
What Freytag isn’t prepared for is the surge of deep-rooted emotions he feels for Liese, but two things stand in his way: the grief and guilt she still clutches close to her heart, and a man who threatens to snatch Liese from under Frey’s watchful eye. Frey is determined to distract her into forgetting her pain. But is that enough to ease her grief, or help her see he can be more than her best friend?
Book Excerpt
“You all right, Li?”
She nodded as her eyes swept the room, then back at him. “Really, Frey, you didn’t have to do all that. I was going to clean after the four days.”
He  shrugged. “No worries, sweetheart. What are friends for?” He smiled and beckoned her to him with his free hand. She followed the delicious smell of food more than she obeyed him, and stood beside him. He smiled at her, and pulled her into one arm hug and placed a kiss on her forehead. “Feeling better?”
She nodded, peeking inside the pot. “Yes, I am,” she said, hoping her voice came out cheerful. She didn’t want to have him worried. “Smells good. What’s this?”
“Healthy food.” He turned his attention to the pot of whatever delicious concoction he was cooking and continued stirring.
Liese glanced around for something to do while he went about preparing the meal.  She frowned, as her gaze zeroed in on the sofa.
“Er, Frey, what’s that?”
He glanced up from the pot, and followed her pointing finger. “Oh, that. My overnight bag,” he said nonchalantly. “Didn’t I tell you I’m staying here for those four days? No? Well, I am.” He turned, unconcerned, and continued stirring, dipped two fingers inside the array of bottles of spices in front of him, pinched small amounts and sprinkled dashes into the pot. He repeated the action a few more times before he grunted in satisfaction.
She glared at his back, watching the rise and fall of the muscles there. “No, you’re not.” She glanced up, then poked his arm with her finger to make her point. “You can’t do this to me, Frey. Another time, but not these four precious days. I need to be alone.”
Frey tilted his head slightly, his midnight blue eyes gentle and kind as they’d always been. “Sorry, I’m not leaving. Get used to the idea, Li. Besides, I have five votes from your mom and dad. We voted who should come over and stay with you. I won.” He grinned, and turned away to stir what she now saw was red sauce. The scent of mint filled the air, and her stomach grumbled.
She ignored it and twisted out from under his arm. He snatched her back and held her snug and tight against the length of his body. She leaned into his soothing touch, savouring the comfort of his fingers as they caressed up and down her arm. Her body began to relax. “If I needed you, I’d have called you and asked—”
“Eat, and then if you want to talk later, we’ll talk.” Frey pecked her on the forehead once again, then brought his hand to her face and tucked a few strands of her wayward curls behind her ear. He let her go. “Now sit over there like a good girl.”
She grunted in frustration and stalked away, well, as much as her weakened body would allow her to stalk without losing her pride. She plopped down on the sofa. “You’re no better than my parents.”
He chuckled. “You bet I’m not. I’m worse.”
 Author Bio
Cecilia Robert enjoys the play and weave of words that make up a good story. She enjoys creating fantastical worlds and getting lost in them. She often meets a prince, a princess, a pirate, ordinary and badass boy or girl who take her through the wonderful world of dreaming and fantasy.
 She doesn’t have particular leanings to any kind of story as long as it captures her attention She reads and enjoys urban/dark fantasy romance,  paranormal, contemporary, sci-fi, mystery or horror as much as her children’s school books.
 Some nights, you can find her reading Puss in Boots for her daughter, or trying to understand how to read Manga comics from her son.
Important Links
Author Website:
http://cecereadandwrite.blogspot.com/
Twitter:
https://twitter.com/#!/CeCeMR
Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/CeciliaMRobert
Publisher Website:
http://inkspellpublishing.com
Goodreads:
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13358709-truly-madly-deeply-you
Pre-order:
http://www.inkspellpublishing.com/4/post/2012/01/truly-madly-deeply-you.html
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Interview & Giveaway with Debbie Gould

Books-n-Kisses is pleased to have the wonderful Debbie Gould on the blog today to talk about her up coming 1 Night Stand release.  


1.    Can you please share with us a little about yourself
Debbie: Let’s see, I work full time as a nurse at a rural family practice in Vermont. I have 3 children. My daughter, the oldest, is in the Air Force, the middle son works for the family Water Well Drilling business, and the youngest is in college.

2.    Have you always wanted to be an author?
Debbie: Nope, lol. Not until about ten years ago. I am an avid reader. Started out with Stephen King as a teenager and moved to romantic suspense as I got older. I finally started hearing all these characters in my head wanting a story for themselves.

3.    Who are some of your favorite writers? Who do you feel has influenced your writing?
Debbie:  Well, like I said, I cut my teeth on Stephen King and Koontz. Still love them. Most recently, Lori Foster, Cindy Gerard, Suzanne Brockmann(I want to be like her when I grow up) lol, Catherine Mann. Gosh I could go on and on.

4.    How did you get into writing in this specific genre?   Have you ever thought about writing in a different genre?
Debbie:  I love romantic suspense and that is really where my heart lies, but this story is more contemporary. I have a writing partner with some other novels, L.J. Garland, and we are writing all kinds of different sub genres within the romance spectrum. It’s been fun.

5.    What are some of your writing rituals?
Debbie: I really don’t have any. I used to be a punster, and just write without knowing where I was going, but L.J. has taught me the fine art of outlining. Even though we may stray, I find it keeps me much more focused.

6.    Can you please tell us about your latest book(s)?
Debbie:  Second Chance. is a story about getting past your self perceived failures. The hero is an Air Force Special Ops Officer who lost his wife in childbirth while he was on an op. For two years he’s lived on the guilt he feels for not being there for her. The baby is being cared for and loved by his wife’s sister, Emily. He financially supports them, but has emotionally distanced himself.
Emily has grown to love Colin and with the help of one of Colin’s teammates, together they set up the one night stand where she hopes to show him he can still have the family he thought he lost. It’s an emotional story of forgiving yourself and allowing yourself to take that second chance.
7.    How did you come with the idea for this story?
Debbie:  I’d heard about the 1 Night Stand series and wanted to do a story for it. You’ll see a lot of the military theme in my stories because of my daughter. She and her friends inspire me everyday. The sacrifices they make take their toll though and I think those stories need to be told.

8.    Can you share with us your current work(s) in progress?
Debiie:  Well L.J Garland and I are actually working on Colin’s teammate’s story at the moment. We also have a romantic suspense coming out in April form Decadent Publishing.

9.    What would you be if you were not an author?
Debbie: Since I’m a nurse, I guess that’s your answer, although I do believe I was supposed to be born a Billionaire so I could just sit on the beach and write all day, but that didn’t happen, lol.

10. What is in your To Read Pile that you are dying to start or upcoming release you can’t wait for?
Debbie:  I can’t wait for Sins of the Mind to be release in April. I’m dying to get the reactions. It’s a bit of a dark book. If anyone has read my Infidelity, I do believe this one is darker, lol. As for my TBR pile? It’s huge and mostly compiled of other 1 Night Stand stories from Decadent.

11. Is there anything else you would like to add?
Debbie:  Thank you so much for having me and I’ll be giving away a copy of Second Chance to one lucky commenter so don’t forget to leave an email addy.

Website / Blog


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Guest Blogger: Lee Ann Sontheimer Murphy

            We all love our Saturdays and most of us have our routines.  Mine is to visit the library and the supermarket, maybe enjoy dinner out.  In my latest release Miss Good Samaritan (April 2012, Rebel Ink Press) Robin Cavanaugh’s ordinary Saturday goes awry.  After visiting the Laundromat and heading toward her hair appointment, she’s driving along a busy thoroughfare in Tulsa, Oklahoma when she notices a man, dressed in Goth leathers, running hard.  He cuts across a grassy area and at the traffic light he jumps into the passenger seat and urges her to drive.  Shocked, she does – and notices he’s bleeding heavily from a gunshot wound.
            In those moments, her ordinary existence as a librarian changed forever.
            
Miss Good Samaritan 
And you can find Miss Good Samaritan here:
ARe | Amazon | BookStrand | B&N 

Here’s the official blurb:        

Robin Cavanaugh’s ordinary Saturday goes awry when a wounded man leaps
into her car at a traffic light and refuses to go to the hospital. Robin’s
first instinct is to take him to the nearest police station but when he
tells her his name, she realizes he’s a member of her church. He swears
he’s one of the good guys and Robin feels inclined to believe him. So she
takes him home and tends his wounds.

When his condition worsens, she even uses his cell phone to contact what
turns out to be his brother, the local medical doctor. Robin soon learns
that Gray is no criminal but an undercover agent whose life may be in
danger.

As their relationship develops and Gray heals, Robin becomes part of the
action, too. When she gives him her heart and accepts his marriage
proposal, Robin has no idea if he’ll survive his last undercover operation
or not.

I enjoy writing all of my novels and stories but I really had fun writing this one.  Tulsa – the setting – is one of my favorite cities around and my daughter loves it so much she wants the family to make a move there.  She also is considering attending college in Tulsa.  Without giving away any spoilers, Robin and Gray make a road trip during the novel and they visit my hometown of St. Joseph, MO.  I will share this – Gray’s Aunt Susie, a minor character in the novel – is based on my late Aunt Susie, one of my favorite aunts.  I gave her a cameo because I miss her very much and sometimes long for her laid back, never worried, always calm approach to life.

Here’s a brief excerpt from the novel:
“I can take you to the hospital,” she said. “That’s all I can do. Hang on and we’ll be there in a few minutes, just as soon as I figure out if we’re closer to Hillcrest, OSU, or St. Francis,”
He closed his eyes, shuttered tight against the pain but at her suggestion, he opened them and glared at her.
“No hospital,” he choked. “They report gunshot wounds,”
Disbelief cut through her anxiety so that she spoke without thinking,
“Are you telling me you don’t want to go to the hospital?” He must be insane, Robin thought. He needed immediate medical attention. Those drops of blood she’d noticed were now a stream flowing down the seat and puddled onto the floorboard. “You need to get help – you’re bleeding all over the place.”
His eyes narrowed as he glared at her.
“I know but I can’t go to the hospital. The law requires them to report any gunshot wound and if they do, I’m a dead man. Drive faster. I don’t think they saw what car I got into but they might have.”
“Who saw you?” Robin asked, afraid to hear the answer.  The way he’d been running, she figured it must’ve been the police, drug dealers, a gang or maybe organized crime.
“I think maybe the cops did,”
Her attention strayed from the road as Robin wheeled around to stare at him, realizing for the first time that he wore black leather pants, leather jacket, and a black T-shirt.  His hands displayed half-leather gloves while studded bracelets circled both wrists.  His long hair curled around his neck in back but he kept it close cropped in front.  The hair on top must’ve been spiked with gel although it wilted, flat after his run.  Robin couldn’t decide if his getup represented a biker look, pUnk, gothic, or what but his fashion statement stretched way outside her comfort zone. He must be a criminal, she thought and in an effort to remain calm, she asked,
“Were the police chasing you?”
Her voice emerged shrill and frantic but he didn’t appear to notice.
“Yeah, they were. They shot me.”
She braked hard and pulled from the road into a discount store parking lot.
“I ‘m sorry about this,” Robin said. “But I need to take you to either the hospital or the police station. I can’t help you if you broke the law.”
Beneath his mussed hair, his sweat-slimed face relaxed and he grinned, looking younger and vulnerable.
“I’m not a criminal and I’m innocent. I promise you I am.”
Robin pulled into a parking space far away from any other vehicle and turned to him, hands shaking, with a major headache in progress.
“Let’s see if I understand,” she said, with slow precision. This impossible scenario couldn’t be happening. Her reputation and record were washday clean.  She’d never been written a single traffic ticket and now a fugitive from justice might be bleeding to death in her car. “You were pursued by police officers, they shot you, and you don’t any medical treatment because they’ll report it and then authorities will arrest you.”
“That’s about it.”  He sounded serene despite his injury and situation.
Robin wasn’t calm at all, as words tumbled from her mouth. “What am I supposed to do with you? I’m getting my phone out of my purse and calling the police. I can’t do this. I’m a law abiding citizen.”
A dry, harsh sound burst from his mouth and it took more than a minute to realize he was laughing, even though his bleeding increased.
“Go ahead,” he said in a raspy, thin voice. “They’ll charge you with aiding and abetting a fugitive from justice. It might lessen the charges a little because you called but the fact is you’ve picked me up and drove around with me in the car. The old innocent until proven guilty thing doesn’t always apply.  If it did, I wouldn’t be bleeding all over your car. I really am innocent.”
He sounded so convincing Robin wanted to believe him but doubt reared up with a powerful surge. Wondering just how she ever got into this mess, Robin sighed and rubbed her forehead as her headache expanded. By now, without this twist of fate, she’d be at Ci Ci’s Curling Iron, relaxed in the beauty chair.  Right now she should be getting her hair done, not dealing with a fugitive and a headache pounding like a bass drum in a football homecoming parade, all at the same moment.  
What I should do, Lord, she prayed and waited for an answer but no clear one came so she sighed and tried to find some way out of this mess.
“I don’t even know your name.”
Her passenger tried to grin. “I guess you want the real one.”
His nonchalance sent her headache into a new dimension of pain.
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