Kelly reviews Snow Falling On Bluegrass by Molly Harper

TITLE: Snow Falling on Bluegrass
SERIES #: Bluegrass #3
CHARACTERS: Kelsey, Charlie, Luke and the whole KTC crew
AUTHOR: Molly Harper
NARRATOR: Amanda Ronconi
PUBLICATION DATE: September 22, 2014
AUDIO RUN TIME: 6 Hours & 7 Minutes
ORDER LINKS: Amazon| B&N | Audible

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
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?

REVIEW:
Snow Falling in Bluegrass takes us back into the world of the KCT (Kentucky Tourism Commission). But this time the crew is going on location, well a work retreat. What started out as a fun outing (well as much fun as spending the weekend with your co-workers) soon turns into the snow apocalypse (think Gillian’s Island covered in snow, no power, no heat, no phones, no internet, lots of ice, snow and ice. Oh and your co-workers). But it is not all bad. There is Auntie Nina’s rubbery bacon cheeseburger pizza cooked in a gourmet redneck oven, The Professor, Fort Kelsey, a very cranky marsupial, the lost of panties, and some sweet revenge that smells like popcorn.
Another awesomesauce story from Molly Harper. I love how Molly can bring together such a great story while delivering some of the funniest stuff I have ever read. I have never meet a Molly Harper book that didn’t leave me in tears, gasping for air, and loving every page of what I read. I am already preparing for my Molly Harper book withdrawals (trust me it is not pretty)
As always I listened to this book on audio, because one I love love love Amanda Ronconi reading to me. Two, I love listening to Molly’s stories because Amanda brings the character to life in a way that I am not my mind could do. And three because I am weird and I started Molly’s books on audio and plan to continue listening to them on audio. But I do still own them all on paper or in ebook form (Yes, I know I have a book hoarding issue. No, I don’t need help 😀 )
One of many of my favorite lines:
“I would gladly slap her with a salmon”
“With a salmon”
“I would follow with cream cheese” I told him “My vengeance is best served with bagels.”
“You’re an incredibly strange girl, and I mean that in the best possible way.”
If you have not picked up a Molly Harper *wiggles finger at you* shame on you. I demand you go grab one of Molly’s book and try it out.

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

September 30, 2014September 17, 2014

Writer’s Tips & Tricks Day 22: I will finish… by Lisa Hendrix

First, a huge thank you to Kelly for including me in Tips and Tricks month.

I’m writing this in mid-August, so I haven’t seen anyone else’s posts yet, but I can tell just by looking at the names of Kelly’s other guests that the last 29 days have been chock full of good advice, clever tips, and wonderful inspiration from highly productive writers.

I am not, however, one of those highly productive writers, and so this post is directed at those of you who find it as hard to get those words written as I have recently. Maybe I can teach by bad example. Let’s see how this goes:

Hello, my name is Lisa Hendrix, and I haven’t finished a book since 2010.

[Wow. That looks even worse in print than it sounds aloud.]

Here’s some background. I’ve been writing since 1990 and have been published since 1994. I think Nora finished eleventy-billion books in those 20 years. I finished eight. I’m not a fast writer, but this time it has gotten way out of hand. Being mortifyingly aware that this post will appear right after that of Yasmine Galenorn, who’s remained highly productive despite challenges that would stun most people into immobility, I’m not going to embarrass myself by trotting my excuses out. They’re pitiful.

What they amount to, is…I haven’t finished anything in four years because I haven’t written.

That’s not precisely true. I have about 70,000 words in a Scrivener file, and I peck away at the story every now and again. But it’s true enough.

I finished Immortal Champion in a blaze of caffeine-fueled glory during the 2010 RWA National Conference. If you were in Orlando, you might have seen me stumbling through the hallways in a sleep-deprived stupor or heard me snoring in a workshop (only once, I swear!). I basically collapsed afterward, telling myself I’d start later, when I recovered. I roused myself a few weeks later when my editor sent back revisions, then again when copy edits and final galleys came. Somewhere in there, I began the fourth book in the Immortal Brotherhood series, Immortal Defender, but I didn’t work consistently. Other things to do, you know. Important things. In January of 2011 when Immortal Champion came out, I signed at ALA Winter in San Diego and went on a ten day West Coast book tour with Delilah Marvelle.

And then I completely stalled.

Like I said, there were reasons, which seemed valid at the time but now look like utter bullshit when I look at the things other people have written through. Bottom line: I didn’t write.

Oh, I promoted. I Tweeted and Facebooked, and blogged a bit, and…avoided. The longer I didn’t write, the less inclined I was to try. Even opening the file became painful.

In the meantime, my fans have been asking for the next book, and in my embarrassment, I’ve been avoiding them, too. Picture that: I have fans that want my book and I have a contract with a NY publisher (which I’m way overdue on, needless to say), and I still haven’t gotten the book done. Those of you who write on with no external motivation at all have my deep admiration.

By this point, you may be asking yourself why on earth I’m hanging myself out in public with this depressing story of non-accomplishment?

Because I want to fix myself.

Because I want to change my trajectory.

And because I know there are other people out there who struggle in the same way and want to show them it’s possible to change theirs, too.

Therefore, I’ve set myself a challenge: to finish at least the first draft of Immortal Defender by the end of September, i.e. by the time you’re reading this.

I’ve already announced this to my local writers group, and now I’m announcing it here, writing to you in the future from Friday, August 22 when I had to have this to Kelly.

This is about more than getting the book done. I want to get my mojo back. I want to get back into good writing habits and rediscover the joy of slipping into the flow of the story. I want to be done with this damned book so I can start the next one and do the first draft of a second during NaNoWriMo, and then keep writing all the other stories bouncing around in my head. And the only way I can do any of that is by getting back into the habit of writing: every day, a minimum of 1250 words per day. If I do that, by the time this goes live on September 30, I should be finished.

I will come here and tell you if I made it. You’ll know instantly what I’ve accomplished in the 40 days since I typed the following words:

I, Lisa Hendrix, will finish Immortal Defender by September 30, 2014.

So, there’s my plan. And buried in all that are my Tips (you didn’t think I was going to leave you without Tips did you?):

Write every day. Make it a habit, lest you veer off the path like I did.
Set a goal, and as Debbie Macomber taught me, make it SMART: specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and timely (as in with a time frame).
If you try all that and still aren’t getting your writing done, set things up so you’re accountable to someone, or as I’m doing here, to many someones. Everyone is motivated by something different, but for me, public humiliation seems to be the next step.

Check the first Comment(s) below to see if I made it. And then come over to my site, lisahendrix.com, and found out what’s next in my writerly makeover.

A little about Lisa:

Lisa Hendrix got hooked on mythology when she first heard stories about Hercules as a child. Her love only got grew when she discovered the Norse gods, and was sealed forever with the Robin Hood. She tries to incorporate a mix of legend and history into her books, which have ranged from a western outlaw story to a modern take on the Irish epic poem, The Midnight Court.

Her obsession currently manifests itself in the Viking warriors of the Immortal Brotherhood series, who struggle against the mischief of both gods and men to break the curse that condemns them to take animal forms. The first three in the series—Immortal Warrior, Immortal Outlaw, and Immortal Champion—have all received 4½ Star Top Picks from RT Book Reviews.

Want to learn more about Lisa and her books here: Website | Amazon Author Page | Facebook | Twitter

*****

Let’s take a look at Lisa’s Immortal Champion

IMMORTAL CHAMPION

Amazon|B&N

He faces a future of cold uncertainty, until her warm embrace…

Part of a Viking crew of warriors cursed by an evil sorceress, Gunnar the Red must toil through eternity as half-man, half-beast, living out his days as a great bull, while his nights are spent in human form. And though he keeps mostly to the wilds, his heart yearns for the simple comforts of man—and the chance to redeem a tragic past…

Seeking refuge from a bitter winter in the welcoming hall of Richmond Castle, Gunnar rescues two maidens when a blaze erupts—and his destiny is forever altered. For one of the young women is Lady Eleanor de Neville, who is immediately entranced by her rescuer. Her kiss of gratitude—the brief touch of her lips against his cheek—awakens a longing in her soul. And even when she is betrothed to another, Eleanor never forgets her courageous knight.

When Gunnar rides back into Eleanor’s life, she is consumed by undeniable passion. And though his body surrenders to her every touch, Gunnar’s heart remains imprisoned by the curse—and only the magic of the truest love can save him

*****

Make sure to check out all of the other stops on this month long tour HERE and enter the grand prize giveaway.

All winner’s will be picked at the end of the month and announce the 1st week of October.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

September 30, 2014September 16, 2014

Release Day Blitz: He’s So Fine by Jill Shalvis

He’s So Fine

Lucky Harbor #11

For Olivia Bentley, Lucky Harbor is more than the town where she runs her new vintage shop. It’s the place where folks are friendly to strangers-and nobody knows her real name. Olivia does a good job of keeping her past buried, not getting too cozy with anyone . . . until she sees a man drowning. Suddenly she’s rushing into the surf, getting up close and personal with the hottest guy she’s ever laid hands on.

Charter boat captain Cole Donovan has no problem with a gorgeous woman throwing her arms around his neck in an effort to “save” him. In fact, he’d like to spend a lot more time skin-to-skin with Olivia. He’s just not expecting that real trouble is about to come her way. Will it bring her deeper into Cole’s heart, or will it be the end of Olivia’s days in little Lucky Harbor?

A little about Jill:

New York Times bestselling author Jill Shalvis lives in a small town in the Sierras full of quirky characters. Any resemblance to the quirky characters in her books is, um, mostly coincidental. Look for Jill’s bestselling, award-winning books wherever romances are sold and visit her website for a complete book list and daily blog detailing her city-girl-living-in-the-mountains adventures.

You can learn more about Jill and her books here: Website | Facebook | Twitter @jillshalvis| And of course you can add it to your shelf on Goodreads

We are hosting a giveaway for a print copy of HE’S SO FINE. Click HERE to enter.

HE’S SO FINE is available in mass market paperback, ebook and audio book formats wherever books are sold (please see links at the top of this post.)

Don’t forget to check out Kelly & Kimberly’s reviews of He’s So Fine HERE

September 30, 2014September 29, 2014

Book Spotlight & Review: Bitter Greens by Kate Forsyth

French novelist Charlotte-Rose de la Force has been banished from the court of Versailles by the Sun King, Louis XIV, after a series of scandalous love affairs. At the convent, she is comforted by an old nun, Sœur Seraphina, who tells her the tale of a young girl who, a hundred years earlier, is sold by her parents for a handful of bitter greens…

After Margherita’s father steals parsley from the walled garden of the courtesan Selena Leonelli, he is threatened with having both hands cut off, unless he and his wife relinquish their precious little girl. Selena is the famous red-haired muse of the artist Tiziano, first painted by him in 1512 and still inspiring him at the time of his death. She is at the center of Renaissance life in Venice, a world of beauty and danger, seduction and betrayal, love and superstition.

Locked away in a tower, Margherita sings in the hope that someone will hear her. One day, a young man does.

Award-winning author Kate Forsyth braids together the stories of Margherita, Selena, and Charlotte-Rose, the woman who penned Rapunzel as we now know it, to create what is a sumptuous historical novel, an enchanting fairy tale retelling, and a loving tribute to the imagination of one remarkable woman.

Amazon/B&N

EXCERPT

A Heart of Gall
Château de Cazeneuve, Gascony, France – June 1666
I had always been a great talker and teller of tales.

‘You should put a lock on that tongue of yours. It’s long enough and sharp enough to slit your own throat,’ our guardian warned me, the night before I left home to go to the royal court at Versailles. He sat at the head of the long wooden table in the chateau’s arched dining room, lifting his lip in distaste as the servants brought us our usual peasant fare of sausage and white-bean cassoulet. He had not accustomed himself to our simple Gascon ways, not even after six years.

I just laughed. ‘Don’t you know a woman’s tongue is her sword? You wouldn’t want me to let my only weapon rust, would you?’

‘No chance of that.’ The Marquis de Maulévrier was a humourless man, with a face like a goat and yellowish eyes that followed my sister and me as we went about our business. He thought our mother had spoilt us, and had set himself to remedy our faults. I loathed him. No, loathe is far too soft a word. I detested him.

My sister, Marie, said, ‘Please, my lord, you mustn’t mind her. You know we’re famous here in Gascony for our troubadours and minstrels. We Gascons love to sing songs and tell stories. She means no harm by it.’

‘I love to tell a gasconade,’ I sang. ‘A braggadocio, a fanfaronade . . .’

Marie sent me a look. ‘You know that Charlotte-Rose will need honey on her tongue if she’s to make her way in this world.’

‘Sangdieu, but it’s true. Her face won’t make her fortune.’

‘That’s unfair, my lord. Charlotte-Rose has the sweetest face . . .’

‘She might be passable if only she’d pluck out that sting in her tail,’ the Marquis de Maulévrier began. Seeing that I had screwed up my face like a gargoyle, waggling my tongue at him, he rapped his spoon on the pitted tabletop. ‘You’d best sweeten your temperament, mademoiselle, else you’ll find yourself with a heart of gall.’

I should have listened to him.

About the Author:

KATE FORSYTH is the bestselling and award-winning author of more than twenty books, ranging from picture books to poetry to novels for both children and adults, including The Heart of Stars, The Forbidden Land, The Pool of Two Moons, and The Witches of Eileanan. She is the only author to win five Aurealis Awards in a single year and was recently voted one of Australia’s Favourite 25 Novelists. Her books have been published in 17 countries. She recently earned a doctorate in fairytale retellings at the University of Technology in Sydney. She lives in Sydney, Australia.

Website/Twitter/Facebook

Jennifer’s Review of Bitter Greens

Review (4 Stars): One of the things that I loved about Bitter Greens was that it immediately sweeps you away with its richly descriptive story and I felt as though I was experiencing the same things as the main character, Charlotte-Rose de la Force. We find in the beginning of this story that Charlotte-Rose has been banished to a convent by the King Louis XIV for her scandalous behavior and must remain there until she agrees to take her vows or the King calls her back to his court. While there, Charlotte-Rose reflects back on her life and is comforted by Sœur Seraphina, who tells Charlotte-Rose an amazing story about another young woman whose situation rivals her own. Bitter Greens is a haunting story that involves a very different and darker take on the beloved tale of Rapunzel through the eyes of three very intriguing women. I love historical fiction and I was impressed by Ms. Forsyth’s tale of three courageous women that are bound by society and situations that are completely out of their control. I enjoyed getting to know each of these characters and their journey captivated me until the very last page.

September 30, 2014September 28, 2014

Kelly, Jennifer & Kimberly review Chained By Night by Larissa Ione

TITLE: Chained by Nights
SERIES #: MoonBound Clan Vampires #2
CHARACTERS: Hunter & Aylin
AUTHOR: Larissa Ione
PUBLICATION DATE: September 30, 2014
ORDER LINKS: Amazon| B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
THE FUTURE OF HIS TRIBE
Leader of the vampire clan MoonBound, Hunter will do what he must to save his people from extinction—or worse, a torturous eternity as vampire slaves and subjects of human experimentation.To keep his enemies at bay, he has agreed to mate a rival clan leader’s daughter in return for peace between the clans and an ally in the looming war with the humans.

THE LOVER OF HIS SOUL
But survival comes at a price. First, Hunter must break an ancient curse by successfully negotiating three deadly tests. Then he must resist the searing passions of the gorgeous vampire warrior he despises but is bound to mate. Will Hunter stay true to his word? Or will he risk everything for the woman he really loves: the vampire seductress’s identical twin sister?

KELLY’S REVIEW:
5 Hearts In Chained by Night we pick up a few months after where we left off in Bound by Night (bk1), with Hunter waiting to be mated to a rival clan’s first daughter. But this is not a mating of love, but one of duty. Even so, Hunter is willing to do what needs to be done to protect his clan. So when Hunter’s intended mate is attacked outside his clan’s walls he runs to her rescue. Once she is safe Hunter is happy to see that she is more than he could have wished for.

Aylin is strong, feisty and determined. Unfortunately, she has been told all her life that she is nothing and noone. But in Chained by Night Aylin learns so much about herself and grows into an amazing person. One of the many things that Alyin learns is that she loves a man that can never be hers.
Rasah is Hunters intended mate. And let me tell you I hate this girl. I mean I wish there was a deep dark hole for her to fall into. Rasah, has no problem taking what she wants no matter who she hurt or what stands in her way. Not even her sister.
This book was Awesome sauce. I honestly don’t think that I have met a Larissa Ione book that I have not fallen in love with. And like all of Ms. Ione’s books, Chained by Night kept me up late at night and turning that next page to see what would happen. If you have not read Bound by Night you need to start there.
I am hoping that Myne’s story will be told next. Although there are many others that need a story too 🙂 Either way I will be very happy for the next book in this series.

KIMBERLY’S REVIEW:
5 Hearts Let me think how to be describe this book… Wonderful? Sure. Maybe Amazing? Sure. Maybe Perfect? Yep that about covers it.

Ione has brought us back into her world of the MoonBound Vampires. The world where everyone knows that vampires exist and are something to be hunted. At the end of the first in the series we told that Hunter was being forced to mate with Rasha for the good of the clan but Hunter had one problem he can’t stand the vampire. But when Hunter meets her identical sister, Aylin, now that is a vampire he could sink his teeth into to (did I just say that?). This world is a bit different then most of the worlds that are written in vampire lore. She also takes some liberties with what we have learned about the “norm” of vampires but those liberties make this story special and she mixes a bit of Native American lore which is a fun twist.

I couldn’t put this book down. I am a huge fan of Ione’s books and love this series. If you have not read any of Ione’s books then you are missing out. Ione is one of the best in the paranormal genre and should not be missed. While this story could (mostly) be read as a stand alone I would not suggest it. Read the first in the series first. It explains why Hunter is being forced to mate with Rasha.

Enjoy… I did!

JENNIFER’S REVIEW:
4.75 Hearts Hunter was a character that had always intrigued me and I definitely wanted to learn more about him when he made his appearance in Bound by Night. In Chained by Night, we learn that Hunter has agreed to mate with the daughter of his mortal enemy to help pacify the volatile relationship between the two clans. What he never expected was that his future mate, Rasha, was a nightmare to be around and that he unexpectedly finds himself attracted to Rasha’s twin sister, Aylin.

A man of his word, Hunter prepares for the mating ceremony, but first, he and his future mate must take part in three deadly trials to save their future first born child. Each born vampire must participate in these trials before the mating ceremony or be destined to lose their future child to a deadly enemy. Rasha declines to participate in these trials but Aylin agrees to take her place, to assist the man that is like no other that she has ever known before. As Hunter’s feelings for Aylin deepen, will he be able to say goodbye to the one woman who has his heart in order to protect the people that he has been his family for so long?

I loved Hunter and Aylin together as a couple in Chained by Night and I was praying that they would find a way to stay together in the end after everything they went through. Hunter had spent most of his life trying to be good man for his clan and even though he didn’t want to be around Rasha, he was willing to make the sacrifice. Meeting Aylin wasn’t what he planned but she was the perfect partner for him. She was smart, humble and was always looking out to help other people. After the horrors that she had been through growing up had made her not only a strong person but a good one as well and she’s become one of my favorite heroines to date. Personally, I would love to smack Rasha with a shovel just because of her attitude and the way she treated Aylin during the course of this book. She made me hate her and because of that, I loved Aylin all the more because she was still able to love her sister even after the things Rasha had done to her.

Chained by Night was an amazing paranormal tale of forbidden love and adventure that will definitely strike a chord with readers. I was swept right along with Hunter and Aylin during their dangerous trials and tribulations to protect the people they loved or die trying. Ms. Ione has always been one of my favorite authors and with each new book, she continues to captivate with her stories of hot, sexy romance and heart-stopping action.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book from Pocket Books in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

September 30, 2014September 21, 2014

Kimberly reviews The Betrayed by Heather Graham

TITLE: The Betrayed
SERIES #: Krewe Of Hunters #14
CHARACTERS: Mo & Aidan
AUTHOR: Heather Graham
PUBLICATION DATE: 09/30/14
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Sleepy Hollow isn’t so sleepy anymore…
One night, New York FBI agent Aiden Mahoney receives a visitor in a dream–an old friend named Richard Highsmith. The very next day he’s sent to Sleepy Hollow because Richard’s gone missing there.
Maureen–Mo–Deauville now lives in the historic town and works with her dog, Rollo, to search for missing people. She’s actually the one to find Richard?or more precisely his head, stuck on a statue of the legendary Headless Horseman.
Mo and Aiden, a new member of the Krewe of Hunters, the FBI’s unit of paranormal investigators, explore both past and present events to figure out who betrayed Richard, who killed him and now wants to kill them, too. As they work together, they discover that they share an unusual trait?the ability to communicate with the dead. They also share an attraction that’s as intense as it is unexpected?if they live long enough to enjoy it!

REVIEW:
4.25 Hearts Another wonderful tale by Graham. The best thing about Graham’s stories is the history. There is no way to read her books without wanting to jump in the car and race off to the locale to see all she speaks of. Or if you can’t drive there at least jump in the car to head to the library to read about the places and people that are real. In this case we are in Sleepy Hollow, the home of the classic by Washington Irving. Sleepy Hollow is something I have known for a long time, really who doesn’t, but there was background that I was not aware of which made it more interesting.Other things happened in this story that I am not used to in Graham books. First, Aidan is different. Aidan has the gift but it is dormant which is a real difference from the normal Krewe tales. Most of the time the main couple each have the gift but aren’t willing to tell each other right away. In this one Aidan doesn’t have it. Or at least he thinks he lost it and Mo has the gift but in a much different way than is normally written. They both are very interesting characters and a welcome change. And the second thing that was different? I figured out the “who-dun-it” which I usually am not able to do. And to tell you the truth I am not even sure how I figured it out this time. But again that was a welcome change for me. While I love the fact that I usually can not figure it out once in a while it is nice to know I am not just plain dumb.
I really enjoyed this story. Probably one of my favorites from Graham lately even though I would never miss one of her Krewe Of Hunters books.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

September 29, 2014September 29, 2014

Writer’s Tips & Tricks Day 21: Five tips for aspiring writers by Yasmine Galenorn

Five tips for aspiring writers: Ways to Keep the Words Flowing

One: If you want to be a career writer I tell you this: there is no guarantee of success, but I guarantee that if you quit, you will fail. I don’t care what platform you approach for publishing—if you quit? You have nothing to work with. So don’t stop. The only real failure is quitting because you are afraid of hard work or afraid that you won’t make it.

Two: Be flexible. Your words aren’t set in stone. You must have a good editor—in traditional publishing you are assigned an editor. If you decide to self publish, don’t just slap your work up on line—that’s shoddy and lazy. Hire an editor. Make the book as good as you can. If you expect people to put down money for you? You owe them the best you can manage.

Three: Be consistent. Whether you have time to write five days a week or three…or only on weekends, be consistent with what you do and develop self-discipline. I work 60-80 hours a week at my career (yes, I am a more-than-full-time writer), and there are times I want to just goof off. But the books don’t turn themselves in. So I get the work done.

Four: Recharge. Take time to recharge and regroup when you do need it. There are some deadlines that I work myself to a frazzle on, because yes, they have to be met. But afterward? I take a little time to play. It may only be a few days but I totally focus on what I love to do. You can also recharge in little ways. I love going to the water. Sitting by the water, even for fifteen minutes, calms my thoughts.

Five: Write naturally. Don’t force a style, don’t copy other writers, and write in your own worlds. Find your own voice, even if it’s not the way you “think” you should be writing. Play—see how the words flow. You may have a bent for humor but if you think you should be writing “serious” work and you ignore your natural voice, your writing will seem stilted. You can never write someone else’s books, and they can never write your books. We are all unique, and our views of the world are colored by our experience, our perception, and our personal natures.

Author Bio:

New York Times, Publishers Weekly, and USA Today bestselling author Yasmine Galenorn writes urban fantasy for Berkley: the Otherworld Series, the Indigo Court Series, and the Fly By Night Series. In the past, she wrote mysteries for Berkley Prime Crime, and nonfiction metaphysical books. She is the 2011 Career Achievement Award Winner in Urban Fantasy, given by RT Magazine. Yasmine can be reached via her website at www.galenorn.com, and on Twitter at http://twitter.com/yasminegalenorn

You can learn more about Ms. Galenorn and her books here Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter @yasminegalenorn | Goodreads

Don’t forget to watch for Ms. Galenorn’s upcoming release of Priestess Dreaming out September 30, 2014. Here is a little peek at the beautiful cover and the back blurb

Amazon | B&N

We’re the D’Artigo sisters: savvy half-human, half-Fae operatives for the Otherworld Intelligence Agency. My sister Delilah is a two-faced werecat and a Death Maiden. Menolly is a vampire married to a gorgeous werepuma. And me? I’m a Moon witch married to three gorgeous husbands, and I’m about to journey through the veils to search for a long lost legend…

With the war in Otherworld raging, the Queen of Shadow and Night summons me to her court. Aeval orders me to embark on a hunt through the mists to find an ancient ally she once knew. I must seek out The Merlin and wake him from his long sleep. But Morgaine and Bran are along for the journey, and the pair pose a threat to both me and my quest. Now, surrounded by danger on all sides, I must pray they are allies rather than enemies, as we undertake a perilous search through the labyrinth of time.

*****

Ms. Galenorn is giving away three paperback copies of Crimson Veil.

Let’s take a quick look at Crimson Veil

*****

Crimson Veil

Otherwold #15

We’re the D’Artigo sisters: savvy half-human, half-Fae ex-operatives for the Otherworld Intelligence Agency. My sister Camille is a wicked good witch with three gorgeous husbands. Delilah is a two-faced werecat and a Death Maiden. And me? I’m Menolly, a vampire married to a scorching hot werepuma. And right now, we’re facing enemies on all sides

It’s been a long and devastating week. Back in Otherworld, war has decimated the elfin city of Elqaneve, our father has gone missing, and Shadow Wing has managed to obtain another spirit seal. On the home front, somebody burned down my bar, the Wayfarer, killing eight people, including a friend.

To make matters worse, we still haven’t found a way to stop Lowestar Radcliff—the daemon in charge of a supernatural corporate power grab. He’s attempting to awaken Suvika, the lord of vice and corrupt businessmen, and we have to stop him. Our enemies are closing in on all sides, and this time, there’s no place to hide

To Enter for a chance to win.

Please leave a comment or question for Ms. Galenorn.

Along with your email

(please use (AT) and (DOT) we don’t want any spam)

*this giveaway is sponsored by the author*

*****

Make sure to check out all of the other stops on this month long tour HERE and enter the grand prize giveaway.

All winner’s will be picked at the end of the month and announce the 1st week of October.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

September 29, 2014September 25, 2014

Kelly’s interview with Jaci Burton

Books-n-Kisses is pleased to welcome back the awesome Jaci Burton to the blog. To chat about life, influences and her newest release Hope Burns.

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

I live in Oklahoma with my husband and my dogs. Between us we have three grown kids and several grandchildren. I’ve been writing for thirteen years, published for eleven. I’ve written over sixty books so far, and have no intention of stopping any time soon.

Have you always wanted to be an author?

Not always. I’ve been reading romance since I was a teenager. I dabbled a bit in writing romance in my early adult life, but working and raising kids was my priority then, and writing was backburnered until I had more time.

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

My writing was influenced by all those awesome authors I read for so many years when I was young and first started reading romance. Kathleen Woodiwiss, Rosemary Rogers, Johanna Lindsey, Elizabeth Lowell, Karen Robards. They all made me fall in love with the genre and kept me reading. My favorite writers today are Julie James, Maya Banks, Shannon Stacey, Jill Shalvis, Nora Roberts, Nalini Singh and so many more.

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

When I first published, I wrote in several genres—not only contemporary, but paranormal, suspense, futuristic and fantasy. It was a way to get my feet wet and decide what I wanted to write. But I always came back to contemporary romance. It’s what I love to write the most, a genre I’m most comfortable in.

What are some of your writing rituals?

I don’t know that I have any rituals. Other than coffee first thing in the morning. I go through email and social media to see what’s happening out there while my mind is waking up. Then I’ll start writing.

Can you please tell us about HOPE BURNS?

HOPE BURNS is the story of Carter Richards and Molly Burnett, two people who reunite after being apart for many years. They have a history together, and a painful past that must be overcome before the two of them can have a future.

How did you come with the idea for this story?

When I wrote HOPE FLAMES, the first full-length story in the Hope series, it featured Emma Burnett, Molly’s sister. Molly appeared in the book, but only by phone. There was a mystery to her, a reason why she never returned to Hope. I knew then that I needed to write her story.

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

I’m currently working on Love After All, Book 4 in the Hope series. It’s about Chelsea and Bash, two characters I love so much.

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

There’s a holiday parade in progress in downtown Hope. Molly’s one of the judges.

What would you be if you were not an author?

Probably still working in corporate life. Dealing with spreadsheets and budgets and personnel issues. Did I mention I’m very happy to be a writer? 😉

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

I can’t wait for He’s So Fine by Jill Shalvis. I love and adore her Lucky Harbor series. And I’m really looking forward to Maya Banks’ Keep Me Safe, the first book her new series.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

I’m so excited about the reissue of my Wild Riders series with new cover art. Hot men on hot motorcycles. Really, everyone should check them out! And thanks so much for letting me be a guest here on your site!

A little about Jaci:

Jaci Burton is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Play by Play and Hope series. She’s a total romantic and loves a story with a happily ever after, which you’ll find in all of her books. She lives in Oklahoma with her husband and her dogs. Find out more about Jaci and her books at jaciburton.com, Facebook.com/AuthorJaciBurton, and Twitter.com/jaciburton.

*****

Let’s take a look at

Hope Burns

ORDER LINKS: Amazon| B&N | Penguin

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Molly Burnett and Carter Richards share a painful past, one that sent Molly running out of town, vowing never to return. The only thing bringing her back is her sister’s wedding, and she doesn’t intend to stay long. But circumstances force her to remain in town, and within close distance of the one man who hurt her more than she’d ever been hurt before. Can the two of them face down the past and work together toward the possibility of love and happiness in Hope?

Make sure to check my review HERE

September 29, 2014September 28, 2014

Book Spotlight & Giveaway: Once Perfect by Cecy Robson

Evelyn Preston’s future once looked perfect—until her wealthy father was caught in an embezzlement scandal and took his own life. Alone and struggling to pay her college tuition and bills, Evelyn finds a job as a waitress at the ultra-hip nightclub Excess, where she used to have more in common with the privileged private-school clientele than her fellow staff members. But something attracts her to the sexy six-foot-four bouncer and underground MMA fighter Mateo Tres Santos. Although they’ve led different lives, their troubled pasts bonds them in both survival and love.

Mateo is ex-army who wound up in prison for assaulting the man who harmed his sister. Now he’s feeling the same protective impulse for this petite blond waitress. When Evelyn experiences a panic attack at the club, Mateo comes to her rescue. And when Mateo is wounded shielding her from a brawl, Evelyn returns the favor and comes to his aid.

As their attraction intensifies, Mateo is determined to find out what nightmares are lurking in Evelyn’s past—even if that means tackling his own to save her.

Amazon/B&N

About the Author:

Cecy (pronounced SESSY) Robson is the New Adult Romance author of Once Perfect, Once Loved and Once Pure and the award-winning author of the Weird Girls Urban Fantasy Romance series. A self-proclaimed professional napper, her list of talents includes jaw-dropping knowledge of useless trivia, the ability to make her hair big, and a knack for breaking into song despite her family’s vehement protests. A full-time writer, registered nurse, wife, and mother living in the Great Northwest, Cecy enjoys spending time with her family and silencing the yappy characters in her head by telling their stories.

Website/Twitter/Facebook

Jennifer’s Review of Once Perfect

Review (4.25 Stars): Mateo is one of the sexiest heroes that I have seen in a while. Not only is he a MMA fighter (which to me is very hot) but such a strong caring guy to the women in his life. He is definitely an alpha male but has learned to be the support system that Evie needed through this difficult time. He was attracted to her from the very beginning, when she first started working at Excess and never even knew that Mateo had worked there as a bouncer. He did everything he could to protect her and introduced her to a world that she never even knew existed.

Evie was a very sweet character that was struggling her way through nursing school after the loss of her father to a family scandal. She worked as a waitress at Excess on the weekends and was always aware of the strong silent Mateo, whose eyes seemed to follow her wherever she went. Mateo was able to help Evie through a panic attack one night and as a result, they develop feelings for one another that can’t be denied. During the course of their relationship, Evie discovers that she has been suppressing the events of the night of her father’s death and when those secrets finally come to light, Mateo is there to support Evie when her once perfect world starts to fall apart.

Once Perfect is a great romance with a very difficult subject matter that Ms. Robson handles with the utmost compassion and grace. Evie needed Mateo in her life to help her face her past and help her heal from her emotional and physical trauma. Mateo was also dealing with a difficult situation himself in his own family and I was impressed that these characters were able to hold things together with everything they were facing. Love conquers all and I couldn’t imagine two people more perfect for each other to build a real loving relationship that they deserved to experience. I love everything that Ms. Robson writes and Once Perfect is a emotional story about two troubled hearts that are able to heal with love that I know will stick with me for quite a while.

Giveaway

I’m excited to give away a Once Perfect/Weird Girls Swag Pack. This giveaway is for US Residents only. To be entered in the drawing by October 5th, answer me this question (w/email address) in the comments:

What is your favorite type of male hero? (Firefighter, Cop, Military, etc)

September 29, 2014September 21, 2014

Kelly & Kimberly review In Your Dreams by Kristan Higgins

TITLE: In Your Dreams
SERIES #: Blue Heron #4
CHARACTERS: Jack Holland & Emmaline Neal
AUTHOR: Kristan Higgins
PUBLICATION DATE: September 30, 2014
ORDER LINKS: Amazon| B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Emmaline Neal needs a date. Just a date—someone to help her get through her ex-fiancé’s wedding without losing her mind. But pickings are slim in Manningsport, New York, population 715. In fact, there’s really only one option: local heartthrob Jack Holland. Everyone loves Jack, and he won’t get the wrong idea…. After all, Jack Holland would never actually be interested in a woman like Em. Especially not with his beautiful ex-wife creeping around, angling to reunite ever since he rescued a group of teens and became a local hero.

But when the wedding festivities take an unexpectedly passionate turn, Em figures it was just one crazy night. Jack is too gorgeous, too popular, to ever end up with her. So why is she the one he can talk to about his deep, dark feelings? If Em is going to get her dream man, she’ll have to start by believing in him

KELLY’S REVIEW:
3.5 Hearts Everyone loves Jack Holland. Well everyone, but me. Jack is sweet, yes. Jack is uber hot, yes. Jack is the town hero, yes. But Jack as a serious I can say no to anyone problem. I liked Jack a lot in the beginning then he kinda got on my nerves. By the end of the book I liked him again. But I think he had it too easy. There should have been a lot more I need to kiss your ass for screwing up so badly.
Emmaline on the other hand I liked all the way through the book. Oh she had her moments I wanted to shake her and tell her to get over it. But, I knew she would be okay. She is one tough chick. And really should have made Jack work harder.
But all in all this was a great story. So much going and so many sensitive issues were addressed. I am looking forward to the next novel in the Blue Heron series.

KIMBERLY’S REVIEW:
3.5 Hearts Ok so here is the thing… Everyone in town just adores Jack but 95% of the time I really didn’t like him at all. He is so sad and stuck in his own head and waiting for bad things to happen and then he can be mean and thinks that an “I’m sorry” will fix everything and that is the second problem. With Em it does. Why that girls falls for him I have no idea. I get that when he is sweet he really is cute and funny but those times are so rare that it really shouldn’t matter. And Em has had her heart broken before and in such a big way that why she lets Jack walk all over and use her I just do not get.

I really enjoyed the Jack we met when he was a background character but the writing was different with him in this book and I didn’t like that very much. The book is very wordy with a bunch of the same things over and over. And the amount of time we spend reading about the ex’s is just too much. I liked Em most of the time. She is comfortable in her own skin and sassy and just plain likeable but she can also be such a doormat.

I have enjoyed the others in the series and look forward to reading the next one but this one just didn’t do anything for me at all.

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

September 29, 2014September 21, 2014

Kimberly reviews Indecent Proposal by Molly O’Keefe

TITLE: Indecent Proposal
SERIES #: Bishop Boys #4
CHARACTERS: Ryan & Harrison
AUTHOR: Molly O’Keefe
PUBLICATION DATE: 09/30/14
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
With his chiseled jaw and his thick blond hair, Harrison Montgomery was born to lead. Four generations of Montgomery men have served the state of Georgia and now he’s next in line. Harrison, though, is driven to right wrongs: namely to clean up the political mess left by his father’s greed and corruption. But Harrison must first win his congressional bid, and nothing can get in his way—not even an angel who served him whiskey and gave him a shoulder to lean on and a body to love for a night. Problem is, she’s pregnant. Scandal is brewing and there is only one solution: marriage.
Damage control? Ryan Kaminski can’t believe that a cold, calculating political animal now inhabits the body of the emotionally vulnerable stranger who’d given her the most unforgettable night of her life. Really, she doesn’t want anything from Harrison, except to be left alone to have her baby in peace. But Ryan is broke, jobless, and essentially blackmailed by Harrison’s desperate family to accept this crazy marriage deal. For two years, she will have to act the role of caring, supportive wife. But what is Ryan supposed to do when she realizes that, deep in her heart, she’s falling in love.

REVIEW:
3.75 Hearts This was a cute story. Not my favorite of the series but still a sweet story. Ryan and Harrison have had so much pain in their life and have lived so many lies that they just can’t trust anyone or anything. And both have never felt true love or I guess I should say Harrison never felt it and Ryan knew love growing up but then had her world drop out from under her. Weirdly enough they are perfect for each other but at the same time them hiding their feelings gets a bit old after a while.

There was no question we would get to read Harrison’s story. We actually got a taste of it in the last story in the series. We found out he was married during his sisters story so we knew it would come soon to hear what had happened. As I said this was not my favorite in the series but still worth the read. Since none of this story took place in Bishop I wonder what or who is next in the series?

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

September 28, 2014September 27, 2014