Kimberly reviews Behind The Scenes by Trish Jensen

TITLE: Behind The Scenes
CHARACTERS: Tanya & AJ
AUTHOR: Trish Jensen
PUBLICATION DATE: 11/11/13
ORDER LINKS: Amazon| B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Together they might produce a hit TV show. If they don’t kill each other while falling in love.
Tanya Pierce’s TV-executive uncle has tapped her to host a reality show about beauty makeovers. Tanya runs an acclaimed beauty spa in a small California town—definitely outside the Hollywood spotlight, just the way publicity-shy Tanya likes it. Her partner will be AJ Landry, a sexy producer known for creating hit programs—and for distrusting women, like his ex-wife, who are looking for a meal ticket to television fame and fortune.
When Tanya and AJ meet, sparks fly. Get ready for a rollicking story filled with humor, wit, and dizzying romance.

REVIEW:
An adorable quick read. Tanya is just such a character. She is fun and sarcastic and just the kind of girl you would want to be friends with. AJ is sweet. I wouldn’t say he is a favorite lead alpha but he is sweet and charming and the books is great.

This is a great book to have hanging around for the time you need a book to grab, enjoy and be done with.

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

December 6, 2013November 24, 2013

Kelly reviews Full Throttle by Erin McCarthy

TITLE: Full Throttle
SERIES #: Fast Track #7
CHARACTERS: Rhett Ford & Shawn Hamby
AUTHOR: Erin McCarthy
PUBLICATION DATE: December 3, 2013
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Easing into the turns…
As one of only two girls on the tween racing circuit, Shawn Hamby has always run with a fast crowd. But now at thirty-two, she doesn’t need to prove anything to anyone. And she definitely doesn’t need a man bossing her around off of the track…

Putting the pedal to the metal…
But after a silly girls’ night at a fetish club, Shawn can’t get Rhett Ford out of her mind. He’s younger than her, and he’s her best friend’s brother-in-law, which should be red flags. Rhett is looking for someone to lead in bed, but he can’t imagine that Shawn would ever submit to him. Boldly surrendering is more her style. And with Rhett behind the wheel, it’s going to be one wild ride

REVIEW:
4.5 HEARTS A fault book club trip to a fetish club leads to Shawn being whisked out on the dance floor and sends her heart racing until her girlfriends drag her out of the arms of one very hot man.
A condition of her grandpa’s will that will force her to grow up or lose everything she loves, her dirt track.
And proposal “Will you marry me?” is not the first question a girl normally asks on a first date. Is this a first date? But desperate times call for desperate measures.

Loved this story. Love Rhett & Shawn. They are just to cute together. This was my first Fast Track novel and I am super excited to backtrack and read the first 6 books. If you are a fan of Erin’s Fast Track series you will love Rhett & Shawn’s book!! Can’t wait to see who is next

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

December 5, 2013December 3, 2013

Spotlight feature of Waking up Dead by Margo Bond Collins & tour wide giveaway

Walking Up Dead

by Margo Bond Collins

Amazon

When Callie Taylor died, she expected to go to heaven—or maybe hell. Instead, when she was murdered in Dallas by some jerk with a knife and a bad-mommy complex, she went to Alabama. Now she’s seen another murder, and she can’t just let it go; she must find a way to make sure the police figure out who really killed Molly McClatchy before an innocent man goes to prison, all the while trying to determine how and why she woke up dead in Alabama.

A little about Margo:

Margo Bond Collins is the author of the paranormal mystery “Waking up Dead,” forthcoming in 2013 from Solstice Publishing, and “Legally Undead,” first in an urban fantasy series coming in 2014 from World Weaver Press (http://worldweaverpress.com/). She lives in Texas with her husband, their daughter, several spoiled cats, and a ridiculous turtle. She teaches college English online. She loves paranormal fiction of any genre and spends most of her free time daydreaming about vampires, ghosts, zombies, werewolves, and other monsters.

Website| Facebook | Twitter @MargoBondCollin | GoodReads

*****

Giveaway (5 copies of Waking Up Dead):

a Rafflecopter giveaway

December 5, 2013December 4, 2013

Blog Tour & Giveaway: Whips, Cuffs and Little Brown Boxes by Kathryn Long

Turning forty, menopausal and single mystery writer, Lilly M. needs a little excitement in her life now and then. So, when her aunt Fran turns up missing, Lilly decides playing amateur detective might do the trick. Of course, she would have to keep her snooping from Irene, her adopted mom. She thinks Lilly will snoop herself right into trouble. It doesn’t take a crystal ball or Irene to predict Lilly’s fate; most of the time, her life just turns out that way.

Amazon/B&N

About the Author:

Kathryn Long is a recently retired school teacher who has enjoyed writing mysteries for several years. Credits include mystery shorts, “Betrayal in an Envelope” and “A Good Man”, both published by The Piker Press. Long has ventured into self-publishing the cozy Lilly M. mystery series with titles Whips, Cuffs, and Little Brown Boxes and Gangs, Illegals, and a Rose Tattoo, as well as a series of YA novels, Cinderella Geek, Not So Snow White and Alice in Realityland under the pen name Jennkrist. Dying to Dream is her latest mystery gone to print with indie publisher, Mainly Murder Press. Future publications include a romantic suspense novel titled A Deadly Deed Grows, which will be coming out next year with The Wild Rose Press

Website/Twitter/Facebook

Jennifer’s Review of Whips, Cuffs and Little Brown Boxes

Review (4 Stars): This was such a cute little mystery for me. Lilly is a 40-year-old woman who is trying to finish her mystery novel while dating a police detective and has her family hounding her at every turn about when she is going to settle down and have a family. She discovers that her aunt Fran has disappeared and no one has a clue where she went to in this small town. Lilly decides to try to find clues on her aunt’s whereabouts and why she would just disappear without a word. What Lilly finds is more than she bargained for leaving her with more questions as to what aunt Fran got herself involved in before she disappeared.

The thing that I liked the most about this book was the characters. I liked Lilly because I could really relate to her situation as being a single woman who is just trying to make a living while your family keeps asking you when you are going to settle down. She had family everywhere and three women that she considered her “mom.” In a small town, everyone knows everyone else and that is what makes this book fun. Especially the old neighbor who believes that he is Davy Crockett and is always on the lookout for enemies which includes her little dog, Lou. The mystery was well-written and I liked how everything wrapped up nicely at the end. Looking forward to reading more about these characters in future installments of the series.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

December 5, 2013November 24, 2013

Thursday’s Thought…

December 5, 2013November 24, 2013

Kelly reviews Hot Pursuit by Jo Davis

TITLE: Hot Pursuit
SERIES #: Sugarland Blue #2
CHARACTERS: Taylor Kayne & Cara Evans
AUTHOR: Jo Davis
PUBLICATION DATE: December 3, 2013
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
In Sugarland, Detective Taylor Kayne is always ready with quick wit and a quicker smile. But he’s about to meet a woman who will make him want to take his sweet time….

Taylor is a laid-back, smart-aleck kind of lawman. He’s also a man’s man, as well as every woman’s private fantasy. But years ago, he was part of a botched hostage situation that ended with him being hailed as a tough-as-nails hero—even though the pain, fear, and shame from that terrible day still haunt his every moment.

Cara Evans couldn’t care less about Taylor’s pain. In the moment he became a so-called hero, she lost someone she dearly loved. Yet neither of them is prepared for the instant, undeniable attraction that flares between them—or the danger that’s soon hot on their heels.

REVIEW:
Book 2 in the Sugarland Blue series thoughts back into the world of Sugarland police force. Hot Pursuit we get to learn more about the Taylor and the demons that chase him. As a young cop Taylor was put into an unwinnable situation. But after leaving LA and trying to start over Taylor thought things might be getting better, even if his nights are still plagued with nightmares.
Cara is a woman out for revenge. She wants the man responsible for her sister’s murder to pay for his crime. Revenge is all she can think about for the last four year. Cara had made this man a monster in her mind. An unfeeling, uncaring, unthinking monster. When Cara finally finds her mark she realizes that the man she has hated for 4 years is anything but the monster she made it out to be.
Theses two are a great couple. Things move really fast for them. But when it is right it is right. But with a threat from the past stalking them at each moment their time together maybe too short to really explore what they might have.
Another good book for Jo Davis. I am loving the Sugarland series. I can’t wait to see what or who Jo is going to give us next.

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

December 4, 2013December 3, 2013

Spotlight feature of Hunger Moon by Melissa Snark & tour wide giveaway

HUNGER MOON

by Melissa Snark

Victoria Storm faces seemingly insurmountable odds to keep her dwindling pack of werewolves alive and together. She fights hunters- including the brother and father of her deceased lover-and the pack takes another devastating loss. When they seek sanctuary in a small town near Lake Tahoe, high in the secluded Sierra Nevada Mountains, Victoria discovers they are infringing on the territory of a vastly more powerful Alpha wolf. To save her pack, she uses her feminine wiles to seduce the Alpha. Nothing comes easily for Victoria. Her plans are complicated by the Alpha’s erratic son, a ghostly wife, and a vengeful witch. Not even her status as a Valkyrie or the favor of the Goddess Freya can change the course of destiny for Victoria or her packmates.

Hunger Moon Excerpt #5

She caught the scent of a male wolf behind her. Her hackles rose when his whiskey voice mocked her. “Fie, foh, and fum, I smell the blood of a tiny woman.”

Victoria spun to face the offending male wolf intruder. Her upper lip peeled back to reveal her canines and a rumbling snarl issued from her throat. He towered over her, standing at least a foot and a half taller, and had at least a hundred pounds of lean muscle on her. He wore a short-sleeve tan shirt featuring a Chinese dragon, faded blue jeans, and black Doc Martens.

She assumed a defensive stance, extending her right hand to reach for her dagger, when he caught her gaze. She found no threat in his amber eyes, only naked lust and wicked humor. His generous mouth twisted into a smirk. In her assessment, he did not present an immediate physical threat.

“Well, halloo, Blondie. Has daddy found himself a new playmate?”

She modified her snarl into a cold smile. They might be wolves, but they were also human. She was a guest in his home. Relaxing her guard, she assessed him with an appreciative glance.

“You must be Logan.”

“I must be.” He regarded her with a lascivious leer.

Victoria rolled her eyes. She had no doubt. The physical resemblance to Arik became apparent upon consideration. Father and son shared the same high forehead, strong thin-profiled nose, cheekbones and jaw. The boy wore his light-brown hair in a spiky style and lacked his father’s sturdy build. Broad shoulders, long limbs, and a narrow waist kept with his youth. In time, he would fill out. She could tell he’d be huge once he reached maturity.

A quick glance over her shoulder revealed that the woman among the trees had vanished. With a shrug, Victoria dismissed the incident.

“You have me at a disadvantage. What’s your name?” Logan stepped forward, invading her personal space even more. He tilted his head back, mocking the surrender of his throat.

She refused to give ground, so they were almost touching. “Victoria Storm.”

“Victoria—sounds like an old lady,” Logan said. “Can I call you Vicky?”

“Do so and die.” Victoria glared. She expected he got away with murder, thanks to an uncanny beauty that even a distinct lack of charm failed to eradicate.

Logan threw back his head and laughed, further exposing his throat. He oozed arrogance from every pore. “Are you always so defensive, Vic?”

Her fists clenched, and she reined in the impulse to pummel him. “Does that facile charm work with the little high school girls? Do they call you Wolverine and swoon when you walk by?”

“Ouch.” He smirked. “You know, they do. Swoon. But I’m long out of high school and good ol’ dad is to blame for my namesake. Is it my fault he’s a secret comic book fan boy?”

“Our parents’ literary tastes are never our fault.” She felt his heat on her skin and longed to wrap her mouth around the thick column of his throat. He smelled delicious.

“The real question is whether it’s your fault that you’re a bitter disappointment to your father?” She delivered the final cut with a cruel smile.

A facial tick in his jaw showed she had scored a direct hit. His glib tongue formed a quick reply. “It’s always easier to slip under my father’s bar than to try to go over it.”

“A self-professed failure. I’m not surprised. After all, you’re still living at home, and let me guess, no job?”

Murderous anger drove the amusement from Logan’s eyes. He performed a pantomime of hurt, his hand pressed to his heart. “Wow, they really teach trailer trash how to be mean.”

Author BIO:

Melissa Snark is an erotic romance and paranormal fantasy author. She lives in Northern California with her husband, three children and a glaring of domestic house cats.

Website | Facebook | Goodreads | Amazon Author Page

Email: melissasnark at gmail dot com

Make sure to check out book 1 in the Loki’s Wolves series

THE CHILD THIEF

by Melissa Snark

A Victoria Storm novella

#1 Loki’s Wolves series

Amazon Kindle | Barnes & Noble | All Romance Ebooks | Smashwords

Valkyrie Victoria Storm has werewolf hunters hell bent on revenge trying to kill her. She can barely keep her own downtrodden pack alive, let alone respond to the pleas of a murdered mother. Can she set aside her differences and work with her sworn enemy to save a little boy from a Christmas nightmare?

*****

Melissa Snark is offering a tour wide giveaway:

(Giveaway is for the continental United States only.)

• (2) $15Amazon gift cards to Amazon

• (2)signed paperback copies of Hunger Moon.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

December 4, 2013December 3, 2013

Blog Tour: The Bitches of Brooklyn by Rosemary Harris

Today I have the wonderful Rosemary Harris talking about her new book, The Bitches of Brooklyn. This book is inspired by a classic Hollywood film, The Bitches of Brooklyn is for fans of Sophie Kinsella, Susan Isaacs and every woman who’s ever had a best friend and wondered…is she really??

The B Word

by Rosemary Harris

My new book, The Bitches of Brooklyn didn’t start out with that title. In its first incarnation it was a mystery entitled, The Fifth Woman. I loved that title. It was mysterious, intriguing.

And then I walked through an airport and saw Hennel Mankell’s book, The Fifth Woman. And then The Sixth Man came out. The Fourth Witness. Suddenly everything sounded too much like my title.

On top of that, my agent said she liked the book but thought I should consider taking the murder out. (Hunh?) It was really about friendships, she said. Marriages. And it was funny. She annointed me the next Susan Isaacs ( from her lips to you-know-who’s ears.) But the title would have to change.

At one point it was The Bitches of Bushwick (a neighborhood in Brooklyn and a nice riff on The Witches of Eastwick.) The location may have changed but they’ve always been bitches.

Back in the day, it was an epithet. Joan Crawford’s character doesn’t even utter it at the end of The Women. “There’s a name for you, ladies but it isn’t used in society – outside of a kennel!”

Nowadays, it is. Skinny Bitch. Stitch ‘n’ Bitch. Don’t trust the B*tch in 2B. Elton John sang that The Bitch is Back and The Stones thought love was a bitch. Miles Davis made a brew out of it. We’ve got Bitch Magazine, The Book Bitch, Smart Bitches, Trashy Books. In many circles, including the one in my book, it’s a term of endearment.

And for goodness sake, we regularly kill, maim and otherwise abuse characters in our books. One would not think a simple one syllable word would be cause for censorship. (Facebook refused to run my ad. It kept popping up as The Of Brooklyn.)

I haven’t crossed the rubicon yet in terms of using the F word in my books (and may never) but I have embraced my inner – and some would say outer – Bitch. But to paraphrase Margaret Cho – “any time anyone has ever called me a bitch, I’ve taken it as a compliment.”

Are they really bitches? That depends who you ask…Rachel, Clare, Tina and Jane are four friends awaiting the arrival of a fifth at a secluded Cape Cod bungalow where they spend an all-girls weekend every summer. But this time the fifth woman doesn’t show. Instead she sends a note that reads – “I’ve run off with one of your men.”

Has she? Is it a prank? Do they run for the phone or try to enjoy the weekend without her?

Amazon/B&N/Goodreads

About the Author:

Rosemary Harris is a native Brooklynite, like some of the characters in The Bitches of Brooklyn. A former bookstore manager and television executive, she’s the author of the Dirty Business mystery series featuring amateur sleuth Paula Holliday. Her debut novel, the Agatha and Anthony-nominated, Pushing Up Daisies (Minotaur), was followed by The Big Dirt Nap, Dead Head and Slugfest. The Bitches of Brooklyn is the first in a new series. Rosemary is past president of Mystery Writers of America’s NY Chapter and Sisters in Crime’s New England Chapter.

She lives in New York City and Fairfield County, CT.

She blogs with seven other mystery writers at www.jungleredwriters.com.

Visit Rosemary at www.rosemaryharris.com

Like her on facebook at www.facebook.com/RosemaryHarriswriter

Jennifer’s Review of The Bitches of Brooklyn

Review (4 Stars): This was an enjoyable novel about a group of women that travel to Cape Cod for a girl’s weekend but soon receive a message from another woman in their group saying that she has run off with one of their men. As the women try to enjoy the rest of their weekend, while trying to determine who has run off with Abby, they each look back on their lives and the reasons why it could be their husband or boyfriend.

This was a delightfully charming book about four lifelong friends who have stood by each other through everything and I loved the humor that was laced throughout this book. Each of these characters were fun and entertaining and I loved how they truly cared about one another. The Bitches of Brooklyn was a great read and will have you wishing that you had good friends like these.

December 4, 2013December 3, 2013

Kimberly reviews Christmas in Tahoe by Elisabeth Barrett

TITLE: Christmas In Tahoe
CHARACTERS: Ann & Chase
AUTHOR: Elisabeth Barrett
PUBLICATION DATE: 11/11/13
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Silicon Valley actuary Ann Smith is an expert at calculating probabilities, but lately the odds haven’t been in her favor. Two years ago her fiancé died a week before their planned Christmas wedding, leaving Ann heartbroken and alone. When a friend suggests heading up to Lake Tahoe for a long Christmas weekend of skiing, wine, and relaxation, Ann thinks it might be just the thing to help get her life back on track. But Ann’s plans go awry when her friend cancels at the last minute, and Ann ends up driving to Tahoe with Chase Deckert, a sexy snowboarder who pushes all her buttons.

Chase Deckert is a man who lives by his own rules. A few years ago his business partner betrayed him by selling out their biomedical research for a quick profit. Chase left science far behind, and now spends his days snowboarding in Tahoe, wanting nothing to do with the dog-eat-dog world of Silicon Valley. Chase has closed his mind and his heart and only believes in one thing: fate. But fate seems to be in a giving mood, because joining him for Christmas is a brave, beautiful woman who shows him the true meaning of the season and helps him rediscover a part of himself he’d long forgotten.

Fueled by the mountain scenery, the season, and their unbelievable chemistry, Ann and Chase end up learning more about each other—and themselves—than they ever imagined possible. Can one long, steamy Christmas help them realize they’re meant to be together? Or when the holiday is over will they be right back where they started?

REVIEW:
3.5 HEARTS This is a sweet holiday romance about a second chance at love. While sweet and sentimental I had a couple of problems with it. Ann thinks too much about the fiance’ she lost during the story. She seems to still be IN love with him. While I understand the concept of she will always love him but she needs to move on the fact that she thinks about him so much even while being in Chase’s bed it a bit much for me. And the other problem was Chase’s change of heart at the end. It seemed too quick. But then again this is a short story.

I enjoyed the romance of it. I enjoyed the way Chase was written as a caregiver who seemed to understand Ann so quickly. I enjoyed their romance in general. Will this get you into the holiday spirit? Nope. But it is a nice read (and if you are from the area as I am it was a great to know the landmarks mentioned.

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

December 4, 2013November 24, 2013

Winter Romance Wednesday! Kelly reviews Some Kind Of Wonderful by Beth Ciotta

TITLE: Some Kind of Wonderful: A Holiday Novella
SERIES #: Cupcake Lovers #3.5
CHARACTERS: Zachary Cole & Maya Templeton
AUTHOR: Beth Ciotta
PUBLICATION DATE: October 22, 2013
ORDER LINKS: Amazon| B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Have yourself a scrumptious, small-town Christmas with this special Cupcake Lovers holiday novella, Love on a Winter’s Night!

Growing up in Sugar Creek, Maya Templeton and Zachary Cole were best friends. After high school, each went out into the world in search of adventure. Maya moved to Florida to explore her passion for baking and pastry-making, eventually establishing her own business:

Cupcakes & Dreamscapes. Zach joined the military and became a Marine Scout Sniper. Now, after years apart, they’re both going home for the holidays. They don’t seem to have much in common anymore. In fact, Zach seems to have the hots for Maya’s business partner. But when the two get stranded together during a blizzard, they are forced to reexamine their connection. Are Maya and Zach better off “just friends”—just as they were when they were young? Or could it be that true love was there all along?

REVIEW:
3.5 Hearts This was a fun quick Cupcake Lover’s read. Maya & Zach have been friends for years. The best of friends, but never anything more. But when the holiday’s bring them back together fire works spark.
Since this is a novella I am not giving you more than that. But if you love Beth’s other Cupcake Lover’s stories you will enjoy Some Kind of Wonderful.

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

December 3, 2013December 3, 2013

Book Spotlight: A Cursed Moon by Cecy Robson

Bren is a cocky, brash hound of a werewolf who loathes the idea of belonging to Aric’s pack–much less finding a mate. But Bren’s hotheaded behavior lands him in the doghouse when he defies Aric’s authority in front of his pack, bringing up a sore subject that’s bound to make the Alpha wolf’s blood boil…

Luckily for him, no one can stay mad at Bren and his wild charm for long. And when some frightening ghosts launch a hostile paranormal takeover, Bren will team up with Celia Wird to take down the evil ghouls before they hurt someone they both love…

Amazon/B&N/Goodreads

About the Author:

Cecy (pronounced Sessy) Robson is a full-time writer, registered nurse, wife, and mother living in the Great Northwest. A member of Romance Writers of America, she attributes her passion for storytelling to the rough New Jersey neighborhood she was raised in. As a child, she was rarely allowed to leave the safety of her house and passed her time fantasizing about flying, fairies, and things that go bump in the night. Gifted and cursed with an overactive imagination, she began writing in May 2009. Her Weird Girls Urban Fantasy Romance series is published with Penguin Random House’s Signet Eclipse and released to stellar praise from multiple reviewers including: Publisher’s Weekly, USA Today, and Romantic Times. THE WEIRD GIRLS: A Novella, SEALED WITH A CURSE, and A CURSED EMBRACE are now available. A CURSED MOON: A Novella, releases December 3, 2013, followed by CURSED BY DESTINY, January 7, 2014.

Website/Twitter/Facebook

Jennifer’s Review of A Cursed Moon

Review (5 Stars): In this novella, Bren has joined Aric’s pack and is finding it slightly difficult to adjust to pack life. He constantly calls Aric names and taunts him about Celia at every turn which hasn’t really gone over too well with his new Alpha. In his spare time, Bren hangs with the only people that he truly cares about: Dan and The Wird Sisters. During a visit with Celia, they are both attacked by evil spirits that have been summoned by a witch and it is now their job to put a stop to her. If they can’t find her and destroy her, the evil spirits will take over the town and try to kill as many people as possible, including the people Bren cares about most.

In the Weird Girls series, Bren has always been in the background and we never really knew much about him until now. We finally learn his back story and how he met his best friend, Dan. Bren, at times is an absolute jerk and will stick his foot in his mouth at the wrong time which has gotten him into a bit of trouble. But he is a good friend and will fight until his last dying breath to protect the people that he loves which makes me adore him all the more. I want him to be my new book boyfriend because he is definitely the guy that I want to have on my side in any kind of fight. Unless it is with Aric, then I’m going to get as far away from Bren as possible.

I love this series and I can’t wait to read Cursed by Destiny which continues the story of the Wird Sisters after the events of A Cursed Embrace. Cecy Robson is such a talented writer and each one of her books are action-packed thrill rides with such amazing characters. I adore Ms. Robson and I’m looking forward to reading more of her books in the future.

December 3, 2013December 2, 2013

Interview & Giveaway with Isabel Cooper

Books-n-Kisses is excited to welcome Isabel Cooper to the blog today .

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

Isabel: I grew up as a faculty brat in a variety of boarding schools: first in Pennsylvania, then in southern California, and finally in Maine. Now I live in Boston and take the subway everywhere, which means I get to read a lot. No kids, boyfriends, or pets: I shun responsibility.

Have you always wanted to be an author?

Isabel: At least since sixth grade. The teacher read one of my essays aloud in class, everyone seemed entertained, and I thought that was pretty cool. Plus, I heard you could work in your bathrobe. I’m still hoping for that part one day.

Can you share with us your typical writing day. Is there anything you have to have while writing?
Isabel: Other than a computer, not really! I try and do at least a thousand words a day when I’m on deadline, 500 when not. I actually do most of my writing during downtime at work. J Life with roommates has left me able to tune out most distractions.

Most challenging or rewarding part of writing?
Isabel: The most rewarding moments are those when I’m really in the zone and words come easily—especially when dialogue is working, as that’s my favorite part. The most challenging is anything to do with physical details: sex, fighting, or geography. Lord, do I hate geography.

Can you please tell us about your latest book?
Isabel: She’s a late-Victorian secretary with ambitions beyond her East End roots! He’s a two-hundred-and-some-year-old shapeshifting Scottish dragon with a curse! They…fight crime? Kind of? They definitely fight one really awful guy. And they make out a lot.

How did you come with the idea for this story?
Isabel: My former editor, Leah Hultenschmidt, actually suggested dragons. I was all “Ooh, cool!” and started brainstorming, and settled on trying to do a version of “Beauty and the Beast” that made the Beast less of a jerk. (The instinct to do this is in like eighty percent of romance novelists, as far as I can tell—it’s like getting a tattoo in college. One can only hope to do it well, in both cases.)

Can you share with us your current work in progress?
Isabel: I’m tackling the story of Stephen’s sister Judith, who’s being all kinds of weary-quasi-mortal-veteran out in Scotland, and the spy who loves her. Only he doesn’t love her yet: they’re in the stage where neither trusts the other and each is pretending to be way less badass than he or she is. As one does.

Who are some of your favorite authors?
Isabel: Robin McKinley, Stephen King, Terry Pratchett, Mercedes Lackey, Candace Camp, and Georgette Heyer. This is a very abbreviated list. J

Do you feel that any of your favorite authors have inspired your writing style?
Isabel: I can only hope! I really love how both McKinley and King, each in their own very different ways, mix fantasy or horror and romance, and I expect I’ve tried to imitate that a little in my own way.

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

Isabel: I’m actually at the office as I’m writing this, so it’s more Google Docs Pointer Roulette, but: okay, so Stephen and Mina have just cast this spell to keep Bad Stuff out, only it’s triggered his transformation, and he’s all “RUN NOW” and starts Hulking out. She runs, because she’s a sensible girl. He starts angsting in a paragraph or two.

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

Isabel: I’ve promised myself Doctor Sleep to read when I travel this December. Otherwise, I tend to see what’s at the library when I go.

Is there anything else you would like to add?
Isabel: Thank you very much for having me on here! I hope you enjoy the interview and Legend of the Highland Dragon.

LEGEND OF THE HIGHLAND DRAGON

by ISABEL COOPER

IN STORES DECEMBER 2013

He Guards a Ferocious Secret…

In Victorian England, gossip is often as precious as gold. But the Highlanders are a more mysterious bunch. And if anyone found out that Stephen MacAlasdair really was, he’d be hunted down, murdered, his clan wiped out. As he’s called to London on business, he’ll have to be extra vigilant—especially between sunset and the appearance of the first evening star.

Mina just wanted to find out more about the arrogant man who showed up in her employer’s office. Some might say it was part of her job. She never thought the stranger would turn into a dragon right in front of her. Or that he’d then offer her an outrageous sum of money to serve as his personal secretary. Working together night and day to track a dangerous enemy, Mina comes to see a man in love is more powerful and determined than any dragon.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Isabel Cooper is the author paranormal historical romances No Proper Lady, a Publishers Weekly and a Library Journal book of the year in 2011, and Lessons After Dark. Both titles were also nominated in the RT Book Reviews Reviewers Choice Awards. During the day, Isabel maintains her guise as a mild-mannered project manager working in legal publishing outside of Boston. For more, visit www.isabelcooper.org.

a Rafflecopter giveaway