Coreenee Callahan’s Dragonfury Series

Fury of Fire

Dragonfury #1

A clandestine race of half-dragon, half-humans known as dragon-shifters lives among us.

Bastian, leader of the Nightfury dragon clan, is sworn to protect humankind at all costs. For him, honor and duty always come first. When the clan dictates he take a human mate to sire a son, he falters, aware that for a human to birth a dragon-shifter she must die. Myst, the woman given into his care, is the most extraordinary he’s ever met, and though he can’t bear the thought of harming her, he is bound by duty.

Myst loves her life in the human world, but Bastian has captured her heart in an instant of electric connection. But Bastian and his warriors are in the middle of a deadly battle with the Razorback dragon-shifters, intent on killing every Nightfury clan member—and the humans they protect—the fate of their world and ours hangs in the balance.

An extraordinary blend of action, fantasy, and steamy romance, Fury of Fire brings to life a dangerous new world intertwined with the survival of humanity, all while exploring the meaning of honor and the nature of true love.

*****

Fury of Ice

Dragonfury #2

Coming from a race of dragons able to assume human form, Rikar, the last of the frost dragons, never imagined he could be conquered ? until a sizzling encounter with street-tough homicide detective Angela Keene. He’s consumed by his need for her, and willing to do anything to be with her again. Then the unthinkable happens: Angela falls into the clutches of a clan of dragonkind who feed off the life energy of women. If Rikar can’t rescue Angela, the only person who has ever been strong enough to command his love will be destroyed. Refusing to accept this fate, he vows to track down Angela and make her abductors pay ? even if it costs his life.

*****

Fury of Seduction

Dragonfury #3

Successful landscape designer Tania Solares prides herself on living by her own terms, relying on no man to provide for her. But her carefully controlled life takes a turn for the extraordinary when her inquiry into the disappearance of her best friend thrusts her between two warring factions of dragon-shifters. Suddenly Tania’s survival depends on Mac, a newly initiated dragon-warrior who will break every rule to keep her safe.

Now that Tania knows the truth about Dragonkind, returning to her old life is too grave a risk. Ivar, leader of the Razorbacks, plots to decimate the human race, and Tania is just the tool he needs. Despite the danger, Mac cannot deny her a choice: Trade the independence she’s fought so hard to achieve for safety in a magical world, or turn her back on the man she’s grown to love in order to reclaim a freedom that might not last? It is an impossible choice. And yet a sacrifice must be made

*****

Fury of Desire

Dragonfury #4

No warrior of the Nightfury pack is more complicated or damaged than Wick.

Scarred from a childhood of slavery and torture, Wick cannot bear the touch of another person. But all bets are off when he meets J.J. Solares. When she is unjustly imprisoned, Wick agrees to help rescue and keep her from harm. But Wick lives a life of self-imposed isolation and venturing into the world to seek justice for J.J. may be more than he can bear.

Brutalized by the harsh reality of prison, J.J thinks she is hallucinating when a majestic dark-haired god sweeps in to save her—and Wick is shaken to his core by the attraction he feels for J.J. But neither is out of harm’s way yet. When they find themselves at the center of a Dragonkind war, they are forced to make the ultimate choice—surrender to their fears or accept each other’s love.

October 19, 2013October 18, 2013

Sherlock’s Home Blog Tour

Today I have Pamela Rose here answering questions she’s received as a writer and to present her new book, Sherlock’s Home, which is a delightful mystery. Loved the characters in this one and I’m hoping to read more from this author.

Q&A with Pamela Rose

1. Are there occupational hazards to being a writer?

Hazards? Do you mean other than voluntarily delving every day into the macabre subject of murder? (Laughter Here) Well, other than that life-affirming activity the only hazard I personally struggle with is the amount of sedentary activity I engage in on a daily basis. It’s a truism that a writer’s life is a solitary endeavor. Speaking for myself, I need large blocks of quiet time in which to focus and concentrate on the creative process. Because of that, I spend a fair amount of time staring at a computer screen. Sometimes I’m so deeply involved that time melts away and I have to make a conscious effort to get up from the desk regularly and move around. (Albert Einstein got it right, “time is relative.”) I’m only halfway joking when I say that one of these days I’m going to rise from my chair only to find that both appendages have numbed out and as a result I do a half-gainer into the floor. Worst case scenario-like a scene from an old horror flick-someone will find my crumpled, desiccated husk of a body, a stack of first drafts scattered around me like discarded mummy wrappings.

2. Is there a snobbery directed at mystery cozy writers as opposed to other writers in the mystery genre?

Regarding the question of writing “snobbery,” I do believe that there is some misconception that mystery cozies are somehow less involved, less demonstrative of the writing craft. But I don’t think that kind of thinking is universal, and certainly not in the mind of the readers. I believe that the research time and writing effort necessary to create a well thought out novel, whatever genre it might be, is pretty much up to the individual writer. If you’re a careless writer it’s going to come out in your writing regardless of genre. Perhaps the misconception comes from the fact that mystery cozies inject a bit of humor into their writing, so because it’s less serious it might be perceived as having less demands put upon it. But, as any hardworking comedy writer can tell you, writing humor is an art all by itself and not every writer can successfully pull it off.

3. Is writing important? In other words, how does what you do matter?

Oh my goodness…is writing important? Oh, I don’t know. Is Oxygen important? First of all, I suspect that writing developed in the first place because humans were reaching out to other humans and lacked the proper vehicle to do so, sign language having its obvious limitations. Writing is our connection to each other. It’s a way to huddle under our umbrella of humanity and say “this is what I see, this is what I think, this is what I feel.” And in turn, have the recipient respond to that connection…or not, but in either case the attempt was made because those commonalities are important to the human experience. As both a reader and a writer I know that there’s a lot of crap out there, (yes, crap-it’s a technical term) and yet, the ability to sift through it and say “yes, that’s me,” or “no, I’m not like that” requires a medium to bring it under the spotlight and sort it out. Fiction or non-fiction, it doesn’t matter, because that’s the exchange that’s taking place. Vital? Yes…I should think so. To use the words of another writer, Caroline Gordon, “a well-composed book is a magic carpet on which we are wafted to a world that we cannot enter in any other way.” I would humbly add that any written words could fall under that directive whether it’s Tolstoy’s War and Peace or an owner’s manual for the lawnmower.

4. Do you have writing advice for a new writer?

I have no writing advice of my own today, but I will share this: Stephen King says “Amateurs sit and wait for inspiration, the rest of us just get up and go to work.” That’s what writing is-work. Glorious work at times, but no laborer ever toiled any more earnestly than a writer working hard at his or her craft. And speaking of ‘earnest,’ Ernest Hemingway put it this way: “There is nothing to writing. All you do is sit down at a typewriter and bleed.”

About the Author:

Many moons ago on an Indiana farmstead My Weekly Reader became Pamela’s first true love, miraculously discovered at the behest of her somewhat humorless third-grade teacher, notorious among her students for being a bit of a pickle-puss. About the same time Pamela realized her ability to cleverly manipulate prose when she read aloud in class her very first book report on a small, much beloved book appropriately named Twig. She was startled to learn subsequently that nearly all of her classmates signed up to read the tiny tome as a result. It was Pamela’s first brush with true power and it was intoxicating. Love affairs with The Hardy Boys, Nancy Drew and Trixie Belden soon followed. Before very long, a grand obsession with all things related to Sherlock Holmes ensued. Ever fickle, Pamela moved on to a brief fling with Ellery Queen. Her short attention span regarding other equally engaging mystery writers soon became obvious to those who were paying attention. However, it should be said that Pamela wistfully returns from time to time to revisit these former loves and renew her passion.

Little did Pamela realize that a true career path had been decided upon. It would be years before this avenue would manifest after Pamela successfully dabbled in careers in advertising, television retailing and radio; eventually teaching in subjects related to all areas at Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana.

Pamela Rose currently lives in the mountains of North Carolina with her tuxedo cat Jake who amuses himself by impersonating a multi-syllabic, tirelessly fetch-playing dog. Also being of a benevolent mind, Jake graciously allows Pamela to serve as his personal valet in exchange for long periods of quiet in which to write.

Website /Facebook

Life imitating art? That’s Finn Sherlock’s first bizarre thought when she stumbles across a dead body within the Civil War era hiding place inside Sherlock’s Home Mystery Bookstore. Thinking that it’s her gnome-like Uncle Oz costumed to play the part of a fortunetelling druid for ‘All Hallows’ Eve,’ she is relieved when she learns that the hooded figure is not her favorite uncle, but the town’s favorite outcast, Odds Bodkins.

Unfortunately, murder suspects abound due to the fact that the mystery bookstore and its adjoining 221b Bakery were the first stop on the Leapers Point’ Halloween circuit and any number of people were on the scene for the annual ‘Fright Night’ tour. More than that, Odds Bodkins was almost universally detested; far too many would agree that the assisted demise of the loathsome little witch was more treat than trick…possibly even a community service.

With a little help from Uncle Oz and her identical twin sister, Echo, Finn sets out to discover who amongst the congenial southern townsfolk had the audacity and plain bad manners to murder the contentious crone right under the Sherlock family noses. Was it the fire and brimstone preacher Willie Ping? ‘Blooming Idiots’ talented but slightly mental florist? Or what about fluffy nonagenarian Eula May Binks…can anybody really be that sugary sweet? But, when the local Sheriff, Wavy Davey, learns that it was Uncle Oz’s Halloween prop – a bona fide hangman’s noose – that was the murder weapon, there’s more heating up inside the 221b Bakery than just the ovens.

Join the heart of Dixie’s new sleuth Finn Sherlock as she resolutely follows in the footsteps of her namesake to create more than a little mayhem and detect a folksy murderer. Sherlock’s Home Mystery Bookstore…where the game is always afoot.

Amazon / Goodreads

My Review: 4 Stars – I loved this book from the very beginning because I instantly connected to Finn Sherlock and her sister, Echo. They are the proud owners of a bakery/bookstore with their loveable uncle Oz. On Halloween night, during the festivities, they have a run-in with the local outcast, Odds Bodkins, who is known around town as being a negative, bitter old woman. The next day, they find her body hidden in a secret compartment in their fireplace and everyone becomes a suspect.

I think the best part of this book is its characters. I liked that Finn and Echo are twins, which I don’t see much of in books. They brought a lot of humor to the book and I enjoyed reading this light-hearted mystery. The mystery was very interesting and I had a hard time figuring out who was the murderer. I really enjoyed Sherlock’s Home and I can’t wait to read more about these characters in the future.

October 18, 2013October 9, 2013

Interview & Tour Wide Giveaway with Angela Smith

Books-n-Kisses is happy to welcome first time guest Angela Smith to the blog today.

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

I’m a writer, but my full time job is as a paralegal and office manager for a District Attorney’s Office, where I have been for over fifteen years. I’ve been married going on twenty years to the love of my life and the inspiration for all my romance novels (even though I wanted to write romance even before I met him). Most people who know me say I live a double life, because of my writing and my career and how different they both are (and how they perceive me when I’m at work.)

Have you always wanted to be an author?

I was about nine years old when I discovered I wanted to be a writer, although I’m pretty sure I knew at birth. My mom read so much to me that I could recite books before I was able to read, and then she gave me romance novels with words I could barely pronounce, must less tell you the meaning. And yet I didn’t end up damaged. I always thought I’d like to write but didn’t give it a try until I spent a week with my aunt, who wrote poetry. She helped my sister and me pass the time with writing and told us it was okay if we just wanted to rewrite a movie that we loved and write it how we would want it to go. Right about that time, I was diagnosed with diabetes, and writing helped me get through those first few years. Writing was just something I knew I had to.

What is your most interesting writing quirk?

I don’t really have a writing quirk. I can write anywhere, anytime, with or without any habits I might have devised.

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

I would love to! Basically, a woman inherits a stash of stolen jewels, is accused of heisting those stolen jewels, and falls for the sexy FBI agent investigating her.

How did you come with the idea for this story?

I can’t say I came up with the idea. I think this story found me, and I had no choice but to write it.

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

Yes, I’m working on the third and final story in this series where a recovering alcoholic-turned triathlete hires a former investigator-turned bartender to help track a missing child.

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

I’d say Sandra Brown, because I love how she structures her novels, how she releases one a year, and how she balances the elements of thrill, intrigue, romance, and mystery. However, I’ve listened to her talk about her style and I’ve had the honor of meeting her a few years ago at a conference. Though we didn’t talk for long, she still helped me to see she’s an everyday person who succeeds at making writing a part of her life.

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

Learn all you can but above all, sit down and start writing. Go with what is in your heart and learn to stop listening to advice.

Can you share with us something off your bucket list.

My bucket list is pretty simple. My craving for adventure is pretty simple, and I know I can find joy in everyday life and I’ve already accomplished a lot. To be a bestselling author would make me pretty happy.

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

I just started a book (Sandra Brown’s latest) that I was waiting all year to read and I’m sure there’s a million more I will find between now and the next month to put on my to be read pile.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

I want to thank you for hosting me, thank the readers for reading my interview and tell them I hope you’ll read Burn on the Western Slope, leave a review, and look for Chayton and Naomi’s story out soon!

Thank you for taking the time to answer my questions. If you could please make sure to include links to your Website, Facebook page, Twitter account or Goodread’s page I will make sure to include them in the post. If you have any other questions please feel free to contact me.

Email: angela_gsmith@yahoo.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/angelaswriter

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/authorangelasmith

Website/blog: http://www.loveisamystery.com

Amazon author page: amazon.com/author/authorangelasmith

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7173505.Angela_Smith

Burn on the Western Slope

by Angela Smith

Reagan McKinney is on a mission to discover more about a deceased uncle who mysteriously left her a sizable inheritance, a condo in the mountains, and a stash of stolen jewels. With both her graphic design career and her love life in shambles, the opportunity to begin a new life couldn’t have come at a better time. When she becomes involved with the sexy FBI agent next door, she finds her struggle is not only to keep her heart intact, but her life. Grief stricken after an undercover investigation ends in the death of his partner, FBI Agent Garret Chambers goes home to find solace in the arms of his mountain retreat. That is, until his boss assigns him to investigate the spirited brunette staying in the condo next door. He is assigned to investigate Reagan’s involvement with a large jewel fencing organization, but his investigation becomes compromised when his attraction to her heats up. Will his discovery destroy everything he has come to love, including Reagan?

Excerpt:

“I’m not sure I’m ready for that,” Reagan said, running her tongue over her lips as she rested her glass on the counter. “Skiing, that is,” she quickly added. He would never know she’d been thinking of kissing him, but she had to force herself to look away from his mouth. Nudging Naomi, she stood. “It’s time for me to go. I need to settle in. I haven’t even unpacked yet.” And she had no intention of doing so now, but it was a good excuse to leave. She wiped her hands on her jeans before extending her hand to his, praying hers weren’t clammy. “It was great to meet you.”

Garret grasped her proffered hand and nested his other on top, engulfing her hand. She burned. Everywhere. “Meet me on the slopes tomorrow?”

Reagan bit her lip and glanced at the floor. “Tomorrow? I don’t know. I might need a little more time to get used to this place.”

“We’ll start with sledding. You can’t not like sledding.”

She didn’t know, seeing as how she’d never done it, but cozying up to him at a hundred miles an hour would probably be amazing.

“I’m safe,” Garret said as he dropped his hand.

“You’re what?” she asked, meeting his eyes. Maybe he was a good guy in most people’s standards, but he made her heart beat too fast to be anything but dangerous.

“I’m harmless. Several people in town will vouch for me.”

“But I don’t know them either.”

Giveaway:

$5 Amazon Gift Card

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Authors Bio:

Angela Smith is a writer and paralegal who lives in Central Texas with her husband, a handful of animals, and a gathering of books. Learn more at www.loveisamystery.com

Solving the mystery of love with romance novels
Website Facebook Twitter @angelaswriter

October 18, 2013October 13, 2013

Kelly reviews First Rapture by Alexandra Ivy

TITLE: First Rapture
SERIES #: Rapture #1
CHARACTERS: Luc Angeli & Madison Philips
AUTHOR: Alexandra Ivy
PUBLICATION DATE: Sept 28, 2013
ORDER LINKS: Amazon| B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
FROM NEW YORK TIMES AND USA TODAY BESTSELLER the first book in a new erotic series.

Madison Philips has only one reason to return to Las Vegas: Luc Angeli. The tall, dark bad boy took her virginity on her eighteenth birthday and then walked away, now she’s back, and ready for revenge. Luc Angeli spent his youth trying to earn the approval of his philandering father. Now he’s his own man, but there’s still something missing from his life. He doesn’t know what it is until he catches sight of Madison across a balcony. Suddenly he knows this woman is what he’s been searching for, and this time he’s not walking away.
Approximately: 20,000 words
Author note: First Surrender is part of the Wicked Firsts anthology. It can be purchased as part of the multi-author box set or individually.

REVIEW:
Who doesn’t love a chance at second love? But what do you do when you want revenge more?
This was a great story. I don’t want to give too much away since this was novella. But I did love Luc & Madison’s story. I loved the strength of both characters. I do wish the story was a little longer, I would love to learn more about Luc’s past. And I would love to see what the future holds for these two. I hope that Ms. Ivy revisits them soon.
If you are looking for a quick, steamy read filled with love, torment and forgiveness you need to pick up a copy of First Rapture.

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.

October 17, 2013October 11, 2013

Interview & Giveaway with Erin McCarthy

Books-n-Kisses is please to welcome Erin McCarthy back to that blog. Erin for those who missed you the first time can you please share with us a little about yourself

I’m just your average neurotic writer, with a four story one hundred year old house and two (almost) grown kids. And a cat. And a dog. And lots of books. J

A little more about Erin:

Erin McCarthy is the USA Today bestselling author of more than 48 novels and novellas in the paranormal, contemporary romance, and young adult genres. The author is a RITA award finalist and an American Library Association winner of the Reluctant Young Reader award. She lives in Ohio. Visit Erin online:

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Have you always wanted to be an author?

Since the first grade. But in an effort to be practical I pursued my other love- the law. Fortunately, I stopped myself before I got too far into the whole thing because I think being a lawyer would have made me very cynical very fast, and that’s just not me. I’m optimistic maybe to a fault.

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

Unfortunately, I don’t seem to have the time to read much genre fiction these days. I have been reading mostly non-fiction. I always go back to the classics though and probably Jane Austen and the Bronte sisters would qualify as all time favorite authors. I would have to say with romance, Lori Foster taught me how to strip the story down to the basics and go for the guts of the romance. She is fabulous at that.

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

I started writing romance because that’s what I was reading. I started reading romance because when I had little babies, I could easily get into the stories and read for just a few minutes at a time if that’s all I had. Romance novels also kept me awake at 3am when I nursing. Having little ones I loved the hope and joy of romance novels. I couldn’t deal with traumatic stories with sad endings.

What are some of your writing rituals?

I don’t think I have any rituals, exactly. I do always write with music playing and either coffee or Diet Coke nearby so I guess that is a habit. I can write anywhere and I do. I’ve written in half the rooms in my house, the coffee shop, airplanes, etc. I do have a weird habit of writing single spaced. I’m not sure why. And I have on occasion, been called manic, because my knee bouncing a lot when I write. We’re back to that neurotic writer thing. 😉

Can you please tell us about SWEET?

SWEET is the second book in the series and it features, Jessica, who was maybe not the most likable character in TRUE. I think being inside her head in SWEET and seeing all her fears and vulnerabilities will give readers a different view of her. She and Riley, Tyler Mann’s brother, are both sarcastic, stubborn, and hide their true emotions. But when they fall for each other, it’s based on an amazing friendship.

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

I am currently writing the eighth book in my Fast Track contemporary romance series.

What would you be if you were not an author?

I would probably be an interior designer or a real estate agent. I love houses and decorating.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Thanks! I hope you all enjoy SWEET. J

*****
Sweet

Amazon| B&N

Jessica Sweet thought going away to college would finally make her free of her parents’ constant judgments and insistence she play chastity club role model for their church events, but if anything, the freedom has made her realize she can’t go home and be a hypocrite anymore. Tired of dodging their questions, she stays at school over the summer and lands in an unexpected crash pad: Riley Mann’s house.

Sarcastic, cocky, and full of opinions, Riley is also sexy personified with tattoos and biceps earned from working as a roofer all day. Not the right guy for her even if Jessica was looking for a relationship, which she is definitely not. But Jessica knows that Riley hides the burden of having to raise his younger brothers behind that grin and as she helps him get his house in order for a custody hearing, they begin to fall hard for each other, and she is forced to question what she’s hiding herself.

Jessica has never had a problem getting naked with a guy, but when it comes to showing Riley how she truly feels inside, her fear of rejection may just ruin the best thing—the best guy—to ever happen to her.

GIVEAWAY TIME!!!!

Penguin has give me one e-copy of Sweet to giveaway.

Winner HAS to have a NETGALLEY account.

To enter fill out the rafflecopter below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

October 17, 2013September 30, 2013

Thursday’s Thought…

October 17, 2013October 6, 2013

Kimberly reviews First Bite by Danie Harper

TITLE: First Bite
SERIES #: Dark Wolf #1
CHARACTERS: Neva & Travis
AUTHOR: Dani Harper
PUBLICATION DATE: 10/15/13
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Geneva “Neva” Ross doesn’t want to die. But now that she’s been turned into a werewolf against her will, she’ll do anything to protect her family and friends…even if that means taking her own life.

After witnessing Neva’s leap from a high ledge, Travis Williamson—a Changeling with a dark past—uses his powers to save her life. He feels a connection to the strong-willed woman whose eyes flash that familiar Changeling green. While Neva is hospitalized, Travis risks everything to kidnap her, knowing the approaching full moon will put everyone in jeopardy.

Bickering constantly to hide their growing attraction, Travis and Neva run from the authorities…and from Neva’s sinister sire, Meredith de la Ronde. Meredith delights in creating new shape-shifters and compelling them to do her dark bidding; now Neva must join Meredith’s murderous wolf pack…or die.

Intensely suspenseful with deliciously sexy twists, this paranormal romance—the first in (the title of series)—intertwines sensual passion with an epic, thrilling battle between good and evil.

REVIEW:
3.5 Hearts This is an interesting story of werewolves/Changlings (you will understand that when you read the book). It is different in not only is there shapeshifters but also a bit of magic. What I really appreciated was that Neva became a shapeshifter but had a hard time with it. Her character references what she has seen on movies and tv and is scared. So many of these books the person is turned and 2 pages later they are fine with it. But really wouldn’t you be freaked with a bunch of questions?

I liked Travis too but he is not the alpha wolf so many of these books are known for. He is the lone wolf. They bicker a lot and I am not sure the chemistry is there as much as the need for each other is. But I liked them.

I am guessing this is not the end of the story since this is the first in the series so it will be interesting to see where the author takes the next one.

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

October 16, 2013October 16, 2013

Wicked Thing Blog Tour & Giveaway

The Evolution of Wicked Thing

by Angeline Kace

I’ve always found it fascinating when authors share the journey a book took to get to where it is when I read it, so I thought it’d be fun to share with you a lot of the ways Wicked Thing changed from beginning to end.

I got the idea for Wicked Thing while sitting in my auditing class one morning (I majored in accounting). I wrote long hand and wrote out the whole story, from their first time together (wink-wink) to the point their love story is resolved. When I was writing like a madwoman in class, I gave the characters names that felt were right for then at the time without much thought. Dallas was originally called Luke, and Carmyn was originally called Krista. Denton’s storyline didn’t come up until later, so Denton was always his name.

I originally called the book Don’t Speak after a line that is said in a crucial scene by one of the characters and then repeated by the other one later on in the story at another crucial moment. I called the book Don’t Speak for probably about 9 months. The DropBox folder on my computer where I have all the Wicked Thing files is still labeled as Don’t Speak. I ended up retitling the book when I found the song Wicked Game by Phillip Phillips. This song became the theme song for this book. It was the one song that I listened to that fit the tone and story with what I had going for the book perfectly. I couldn’t call the book Wicked Game because there are already so many books by that name. Plus, my favorite line in the song is, “What a wicked thing to do, to make me dream of you.” I knew from the beginning that it would be the guy who would recognize his feelings first and that the girl would be the one afraid to admit or allow herself to feel anything for him. So this song was perfect.

Another thing that changed multiple times was the cover image. I was set on a cover that I absolutely loved. But then a well-known author used that image on her book as it’s a stock image and anyone can purchase the rights for it, so I changed it. I finally found another imaged that I loved, but then another author published a book with the image as the cover and it actually became a bestseller, so it was back to the beginning. After that, I had a really hard time finding an image I liked enough as these original 2 to make it my cover. I went through numerous versions until I finally found the image of the cover as it is now and looooved it. I just didn’t know how to make it pop. That was when my designer, Emily Tippits, did her magic to make it how it is today.

Carmyn Rafferty witnessed the aftermath of her mother’s affair. She learned at a young age not to trust anyone. Especially not your spouse. So she’s planned. She’s planned every detail of her life: who her husband will be, what their careers will be, what their lives will be like. All to avoid the pain of infidelity.

Dallas Brown lives a life all his own. He doesn’t do relationships, he doesn’t care what anyone thinks of him, and he doesn’t live up to anyone’s expectations but his own.

When Carmyn’s fiancé cheats on her, it sends her into a whirlwind of one-night stands with the most infamous player on campus. She can’t seem to stay away from this tough guy and his dangerous motorcycle. Everything about him is the complete opposite of who she’d planned to fall in love with: tattoos, dark stubble along his jawline, and hair that brushes his shoulders.

As Dallas and Carmyn begin to fall deeper and deeper into each other, they learn that love can truly be a wicked, wicked thing.

Goodreads link: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18005643-wicked-thing

About the Author:

Angeline is a Scorpio living in the Rocky Mountains with her husband and dogs. She loves all things paranormal, believes ghosts are real, werewolves aren’t, and vampires? Definitely real! At least in the Vampire Born world they are. She is currently at work on her first New Adult Romance, Wicked Thing, which releases September 2013.

Website / Facebook /Facebook Fan Page
Twitter / Goodreads

Giveaway

One lucky winner will receive a WICKED THING charm bracelet with 6 charms. They will also receive a Dirty Dancing blu-ray and some candy. This contest is international.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

October 16, 2013October 14, 2013

Spotlight feature of Linda Barrett’s Hopefully Ever After

To help promote Breast Cancer Awareness we are sharing Linda Barrett story of surviving Breast Cancer. Not once, but twice.

AMAZON

Linda Barrett could be any one of us. She’s an ordinary woman living a wonderfully ordinary life – husband, kids, teaching, writing – totally unprepared for Murphy’s Law on steroids. In February 2001, everything goes wrong. She discovers her breast cancer exactly when she starts a brand new teaching job which is exactly the same time as the release of her very first published novel. Secrets must be kept to protect her fledging career as a writer. No secrets in the classroom however. Her adult students, preparing for the GED exam, out her in five minutes when they spot her wig!

Nine years later, Linda is fully recovered from her lumpectomy, chemo and radiation when breast cancer hits a second time. She is no longer a random one-in-eight woman who develops this disease. Blood tests show she’s a target of faulty genes, a carrier of the BRCA 1 gene mutation. Without drastic measures, she’d be susceptible to a third or fourth cancer hit. Murphy’s Law once again comes into play. This second time around coincides with a thousand mile relocation from Houston to Tampa. Putting a house on the market while handling a double mastectomy, implant prep, and six rounds of chemo is not for the faint of heart. Linda’s heart is not faint as she implores: “Do house hunters think we’re part of HGTV? Real homes aren’t perfect!”

At the heart of this memoir, however, is a love story. Cancer is merely the vehicle that exposes a mature marriage in full bloom. With her Knight-in-Shining-Tinfoil at her side, Linda and Michael Barrett meet the challenge of two enemies: cancer and fear. Their fight is hard won, but with cancer now in their rearview mirror, they are relaxed and laughing again. As Linda says, “Life is good. After all the turmoil, we’ve landed in a soft place. Friends and family are all around, and I expect to live out a natural lifespan however long that may be.”

Everyone deserves a Hopefully Ever After, and that’s what you’ll find here.

A little about Linda:

Linda Barrett is the author of 13 novels of contemporary romance. She’s earned many industry awards through Romance Writers of America, including the Holt Medallion, The Award of Excellence and the Write Touch Reader’s award. Family Interrupted is her first women’s fiction story. A graduate of Hunter College, Linda now lives in the Tampa area with her husband. They have three grown sons and the most adorable, intelligent, super-duper grandchildren ever!

Learn more about Linda on her website at www.linda-barrett.com.

You can also find Linda on FACEBOOK | GOODREADS

Just for you here is a look at chapter 1

And they lived hopefully ever after….

Tampa, Florida

Spring, 2012

A cancer diagnosis slams into you with the subtlety of a freight train. You can’t talk or breathe. You stare at familiar surroundings, but everything looks distorted. This isn’t real, you think. It’s just an out-of-body experience, and it is not happening to you.

Except it is. Breast cancer happened to me twice, but you don’t get any points for experience here. That freight train hit with the same ferocity the second time as it did the first.

After a decade of turbulence, however, I’ve now landed in a soft place. Outside the screened lanai where I’m sitting, a pair of sand hill cranes walks across the back yard, their bright red head feathers in brilliant contrast with the soft gray of their bodies. They are tall and majestic birds, deliberate in their steps, their posture exuding the confidence I’m lacking.

“So much has happened since the first diagnosis,” I say to my husband, who’s nose-deep in a crossword puzzle. “I need to come up with the perfect starting point for this story.”

Mike lowered the newspaper and looked at me over his reading glasses. “You do know you’re always cranky when you begin a new book? But in the end, you figure out a good place to start.”

I must have looked doubtful because he glanced longingly at his paper before lifting his eyes to mine. “All right, all right. Here’s an idea: try starting with our current lives. We’re doing well. You’re healthy again. We’re finally living without holdings our breaths. Begin in the here and now.” With pen back in hand, he was once more engrossed in Across and Down.

Had I asked him to solve my problem?

No. I was just kvetching out loud. But Mike was being Mike, trying to find a solution. In our early days, long before cancer crept into our lives, I’d tease him about being my Knight in Shining Tin Foil. I’d expected him to share chores and didn’t want his head to swell because he shopped for groceries, cleaned the sink, or vacuumed the carpets. Tin foil seemed an appropriate garment.

More recently when the going got rough, he was at my side–sure, steady, and strong. A full-time job. I should replace his tin foil with armor now, but I’m holding off. He knows it and laughs; we laugh together. Gentle teasing is our way. After more than four decades as husband and wife, we understand each other very well. I know why he suggested I focus this story in the present. He prefers to live in the moment, enjoying the sunshine and the sand hill cranes. He prefers to leave the dark days behind us. I can’t blame him.

Although I’m half of the Linda-and-Mike team, I am also a mother, grandmother and novelist with fourteen works of fiction in print. My stories are about ordinary people in crisis, struggling to reach their happy endings. In 2001, when breast cancer hit me for the first time, I had to fight for my own happy ending which I achieved and enjoyed for nine years.

Sitting on the screened porch today, I feel great, look pretty good, and am planning for a long future. Part of me doesn’t want to look back; I’m not that different from Mike. I should simply put the cancer experience behind me and, as we native New Yorkers say, fuhggedaboudit! The other part of me, however, wants to write about the turmoil and examine it for my own sake as well as for my children and grandchildren’s sakes, and for those families facing the same situation. There was a specific reason for my cancers; neither was a random hit, but I didn’t know that at the time.

On a sticky note taped to my computer is a quote I borrowed from Churchill: Never, never, never give up. Staring at those words got me through many a day.

Lab reports and medical records lay on the wrought iron table in front of me. Fact checking is a must for any book. I need no notes, however, to recall my feelings as a two-time rider on the breast cancer express. I need no cues to recall the complications the illness brought to my busy life and the heartache it brought to my family. And I need no reminders as to what I’d learned: in the fight to live, no decision is too extreme. They may be dramatic and scary, but if they work, so what?

Twelve years have passed since my first bout with the disease; two years since my second one. Fortunately, that tumor wasn’t a recurrence, but a brand new visitor. A good thing. Isn’t it weird that a malignant tumor can bring good news? My last appointment with my surgeon at Tampa General is long over, and I love my new oncologist at Moffitt Cancer Center who will monitor me from now on. Since our recent move to Florida, I’ve had to search for new cancer specialists, a chore I hadn’t anticipated taking on while recuperating from a second bout of the disease.

The timing of our relocation couldn’t have been worse. I adored my original oncologist who practiced in Houston, Texas where I’d lived for sixteen years. I fought most of my cancer battles there and didn’t plan on a second assault when we decided to move to Florida during the fall of 2010. I certainly wouldn’t have left at that point had I known the future, but I didn’t. Sometimes life presents choices, and we deal with the decisions we make.

Which brings me back to choosing this memoir’s starting point. I briefly considered Mike’s suggestion of Right Now. Now is important because it measures the time out from surgery: one year out, two years out, five years out. The more years, the better. Now is important because I am living in it. But…where’s the story? I’m an author in search of a story, and my daily routines don’t cut it. They’re boring. As for the future? Well, that’s the sticky one. Tomorrow doesn’t come with a hundred percent guarantee, so why think about it? Besides, tomorrow’s events haven’t happened yet, so where’s the story?

The story lies in Yesterday. Yesterday provides the yardstick to measure the journey since the original diagnosis. I must sift through Yesterday in order to pull up remembrances and mine for the truth. For that is the meaning of memoir.

Sorry, honey.

October 16, 2013October 14, 2013

Dark + Dangerous = 6 Hot Paranormal Romances in one Bundle.

An Excerpt from Assassins Touch by Laurie London

The crimson tunic Rickert wore was simple and functional, yet elegant at the same time. Although it had none of the fancy embroidery or adornments that Lord Tierney’s or Rosamund’s garments sported, it fit his muscular torso perfectly, as if it had been hand-tailored. The hemline hit just below his natural waistline, right at the crisscrossed laces of the fine leather breeches—probably deerskin, if she were to guess—that stretched tightly over his—

Neyla coughed and attempted to put her mind into its former work mode: fabric, cut, and fit. When she’d tailored men’s clothing, she’d often kneel and hold her tape measure right at the crotch. She was used to examining and assessing various bodies simply as shapes, marking how much of the seam to take in or let out. Where to position a dart or tuck.

The leather clung to the curve of his thighs and butt with just the right amount of ease—neither too tight nor too loose. Whoever had made them was very skilled. Leather, particularly deerskin, could be tricky to work with.

Enough about the clothes, she told herself. God, she could get so distracted by pretty things.

She was sure of one thing, though. If she had any hope of getting back home, she needed to squelch her physical reaction to him and keep her wits about her.

Then she realized he now blocked her only escape, and she had nowhere to go but up. No wonder he was pleased. She’d made it easy for him. God, she could be such an idiot.

“And why should you care what happens to me?” she repeated.

He propped one boot casually on the step above him and rested a hand on the hilt of one of his swords, looking very much like the powerful medieval warrior he was. “I agree. It makes no sense.”

“Then why?”

He shrugged. “Perhaps I’ve been bespelled.”

She scoffed at him and yet her whole body went numb at the thought that he could be bespelled by her.

Before she could contemplate further, he said, “Keep going. It’s not far now.”

Soon, they stood in front of a wooden door with a large metal ring for a handle. After sliding back the bolt, Rickert leaned into it with his shoulder and pushed. The hinges creaked as the heavy door slowly opened. She wouldn’t be able to manage it easily on her own.

The first thing she spotted in the elaborately furnished room was the huge, curtained bed, piled high with quilts and pillows. An empty tub, half hidden by a curtain, stood in a far corner, and several large parchments—maps, maybe?—were scattered on a low table. The room was decidedly masculine. His bedchamber.

And now it all made perfect sense.

“Is this elaborate scheme of yours designed to get me into your bed?” She glanced around for some sort of weapon and spotted several glass paperweights in various colors holding the maps flat. Those could work. In college, she’d pitched on an intramural co-ed softball team and could throw a decent fastball.

“What are you talking about?” he asked.

She inched closer to the table. “Do you have an old-fashioned belief system over here that prevents you from shagging a woman you’re not engaged to?”

He closed the door with a bang that rattled her insides, and slid the bolt into place. Standing there like he had in the cave, taking up all the available space, he looked big and formidable. She was trapped. This was it. And she’d just provoked him.

*****

DARK AND DANGEROUS

Six-in-one hot paranormal romances.

Whether you like shifters, weres, vampires, fae, magic or secret portals, there’s a sexy story here that’s sure to tantalize your darkest, most dangerous desires.

Buy now ($.99 – all 6 stories!) from Amazon US | Amazon UK | Amazon CA | B&N |

*****

HARD MATED

by Jennifer Ashley

A USA Today bestselling book!

Spike, a wildcat Shifter and the champion fighter of Shiftertown, is stunned when Myka, the best friend of a dying human woman, announces that Spike has fathered a cub. What’s more, the mother is giving the boy to Spike to protect and raise.

Spike is torn between the cub and his duties as tracker to the Shiftertown leader, and begs sassy and sexy horse-training Myka, the only person who understands, to help him. When Spike’s job puts his cub and Myka in danger, Spike is forced to choose between those to whom he’s pledged his loyalty and his need to protect the woman and cub he’s come to love.

*Buy this book individually from Amazon / B&N / Amazon UK / Amazon Ca / ARe / Kobo / iBooks

*****

THE MATING HUNT

by Bonnie Vanak

After a childhood trauma left Arianna Sanders terrified of sex, the only man the pretty Lupine werewolf desires is her fiercely protective guardian. But the sexy, mysterious shifter harbors a dark secret, one he’s determined to hide from Arianna.

Kyle Morgan hungers for the voluptuous Arianna and dreams of consummating the passion smoldering between them. When he’s forced into mating with her to save her life, he must tame the savage, sexual beast inside him before taking the virgin he’s vowed to protect from those hungering to claim her, including himself…

*Buy this book individually from Amazon / B&N / Amazon UK / Amazon Ca / ARe / Kobo / iBooks

*****

EMBRACE THE DARK

Book #1 of the Blood Rose Series, by Caris Roane

Will she fall to temptation and give herself to a vampire…

Abigail doesn’t mind doing business with the realm-world, until she discovers she’s a rare commodity called a blood rose, something designed to satisfy the deepest needs of a mastyr vampire. She wants nothing to do with that kind of power and servicing a vampire is just wrong. But Mastyr Gerrod’s resistance to her gift, as well as his hot hunkiness in his Guardsman uniform, soon turns her head and she bends her neck to receive a sharp pair of fangs. Mind-blowing sex, ecstasy, all good things follow. But how can she give up her human world to serve as a blood rose the rest of her life?

*Buy this book individually from Amazon / B&N / Amazon UK / Amazon Ca / Kobo / iBooks

*****

ASSASSIN’S TOUCH

Book #1 of the Iron Portal series, by Laurie London

Two worlds. Two enemies. One fated touch.

Former fashion designer Neyla Trihorn had the perfect life until a deadly accident revealed her latent para-abilities—now she’s the army’s hottest asset in their fight against invaders. Rickert D’Angelus, the dangerously sexy assassin from Cascadia, leads a group of warriors into New Seattle with one goal—to stop enemy soldiers from finding the Iron Portal into his world.

When he captures the beautiful Protection-Talent, a passionate vision appears and stirs something deep inside him. Rickert must decide if it’s a Talent trick, designed to foil the enemy…or the answer to his deepest desires.

*Buy this book individually from Amazon / B&N / Amazon UK /Amazon Ca / Kobo / iBooks

*****

SHADOW BOUND

Book #1 of the Shadow Series, by Erin Kellison

Dark fantasy meets modern fairy tale…

Adam Thorne founded the Segue Institute to study and destroy his monster of a brother, but the key to its success is held in the pale, slender hand of a woman on the run. There is something hauntingly different about Talia O’Brien, her unknowing sensuality, her uncanny way of slipping into Shadow. Twilight is the place between life and what comes after—a dark forest of fantasy, filled with beauty, peril, mystery. And Talia is about to open the door.

*Buy this book individually from Amazon / B&N / Amazon UK /Amazon Ca / ARe / Kobo / iBooks

*****

SEDUCE

by Felicity Heaton

Enter the dark, sinful and seductive world of the vampire owners of London’s premier vampire theatre, Vampirerotique, and discover how these powerful men are brought to their knees by the women who claim their hearts.

Bloodlust runs in Antoine’s veins, a dark master waiting for the day it will reign over him. Now a woman with a pure soul and wicked intentions has him in her sights and is determined to crack the ice around his heart, and she might save or damn him. But when Sera discovers the shocking truth about his past and the darkness that lurks within him, will she be strong enough to seize his heart with both hands and win him forever or will she lose him to the ghosts that still haunt him?

*Buy this book individually from Amazon / Amazon UK /Amazon Ca / B&N / Kobo / iBooks

About the Author’s

Jennifer Ashley

New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author Jennifer Ashley has lived and traveled all over the world, and now lives in the Southwest. She writes historical, paranormal, and contemporary romance as Jennifer Ashley; mysteries as Ashley Gardner; and paranormal romance and urban fantasy as Allyson James.

Jennifer’s/Allyson’s/Ashley’s more than fifty novels have won RWA’s RITA award, the Golden Quill, RT Reviewer’s Choice awards, and the Prism award, among others. Jennifer’s novels have been also been translated into French, German, Spanish, Dutch, Japanese, Norwegian, Hungarian, Italian, Thai, and other languages.

Jennifer enjoys writing and reading above all else, but her hobbies include cooking, hiking, playing flute and guitar, painting, and building miniature rooms and dollhouses.

Jennifer’s backlist includes the HIGHLAND PLEASURES, SHIFTERS UNBOUND, NVENGARIA, and REGENCY PIRATES series.

Connect with Jennifer: Website, on Facebook, on Twitter, and on GoodReads.

Bonnie Vanak

Bonnie Vanak is a multi-published author of sexy paranormal and historical romance novels. After a career in journalism, she became a writer for an international charity, traveling to poor countries like Haiti to write about issues affecting the poor. When the strain of her job demanded a diversion, she turned to her childhood dream of writing books. Bonnie lives in Florida with her husband, Frank, and three rescue dogs.

Bonnie’s backlist includes the KHAMSIN EGYPTIAN, THE ANCIENTS, WEREWOLVES OF MONTANA, and PHOENIX FORCE as well as numerous single titles.

You can keep up with Bonnie online at her Website, on Facebook, on Twitter, and on GoodReads.

Caris Roane

Best-selling author, Caris Roane, has published thirteen paranormal romance novels and has also recently released her first contemporary novel. As Valerie King, she’s written over fifty Regency romance novels and in 2005, Romantic Times gave her a Career Achievement award in Regency Romance. Caris lives in Phoenix, Arizona, loves to write, really doesn’t like scorpions, and has two cats, Sebastien and Gizzy.

Caris’s backlist includes the GUARDIANS OF ASCENSION, DAWN OF ASCENSION, THE BLOOD ROSE, MEN IN CHAINS and THE AMULET series.

Connect with Caris: Website, on Facebook, on Twitter, and on GoodReads.

Laurie London

Laurie London is the award-winning author of the Sweetblood and Iron Portal series—dark, sexy paranormal romance, set primarily in the Pacific Northwest. Publisher’s Weekly calls her work “sexy” and “sizzling.”

She lives on a small farm outside of Seattle with her husband, two children and a variety of animals. Someday she hopes to qualify for the Quarter Horse World Show – that is, if her horse doesn’t get hurt again.

Laurie’s backlist includes the SWEETBLOOD and IRON PORTAL series.

Connect with Laurie: Website, on Facebook, on Twitter, and on GoodReads.

Erin Kellison

Erin Kellison is the award-winning author of the SHADOW series, the SHADOW TOUCH NOVELLA series, and the SHADOW KISSED series, all of which share the same world, where dark fantasy meets modern fairy tale. RT calls her latest, Soul Kissed, “a dark fairy tale with a twist, perfect for readers who love passion with their fantasy.”

Connect with Erin: Website, on Facebook, on Twitter, Pinterest and on GoodReads.

Felicity Heaton

Felicity Heaton writes passionate paranormal romance books as Felicity Heaton and F E Heaton. In her books she creates detailed worlds, twisting plots, mind-blowing action, intense emotion and heart-stopping romances with leading men that vary from dark deadly vampires to sexy shape-shifters and wicked werewolves, to sinful angels and hot demons!

Felicity’s backlist includes the HER ANGEL, VAMPIRES REALM, VAMPIRE EROTIC THEATRE, SONS OF LYRA, DAUGHTERS OF LYRA, VAMPIRE VENATOR, and IN HEAT series, as well as the SHADOW AND LIGHT Trilogy.

Connect with Felicity: Website, Blog, on Facebook, on Twitter, Pinterest and on GoodReads.

Dark and Dangerous Release Week Promo Blitz Schedule:

10/15: Romance Junkies – Spotlight and Excerpt from Jennifer Ashley’s Hard Mated

10/16: Books-n-Kisses – Spotlight and Excerpt from Laurie London’s Assassin’s Touch

10/17: Mad Hatter Reads – Spotlight and Excerpt from Caris Roane’s Embrace the Dark

10/18: Book Monster Reviews – Spotlight and Excerpt from Erin Kellison’s Shadow Bound

10/19: Bookish Babbles – Spotlight and Excerpt from Felicity Heaton’s Seduce

10/20: Book Pages and Dripping Ink – Spotlight and Excerpt from Bonnie Vanak’s The Mating Hunt

Contest Info:

The authors of Dark and Dangerous are offering up a $25 Giftcard to either Amazon or B&N at the end of the blitz.

To enter, find the Rafflecopter widget, follow the directions, take action, and mark as ‘Done’.

Note: The more tasks you complete, the more entries you will have.

Good luck!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

October 16, 2013October 6, 2013

Winter Romance Wednesday! Kimberly reviews Secret Santa by Michael, Levine, Bostwick and Myers

TITLE: Secret Santa
CHARACTERS: Various
AUTHOR: Michaels, Levine, Bostwick and Myers
PUBLICATION DATE: 10/29/13
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Christmas is the time for miracles, mayhem, and holiday romance in these wonderful stories from four of today’s most beloved authors…

“Mister Christmas” by Fern Michaels
A week before Christmas, attorney Claire O’Brien is summoned to Ireland to change her wealthy client’s will–only to encounter resistance from his handsome nephew. Will Claire be forced to spend the holidays up close and personal with her irresistible Irish nemesis?

“The Yellow Rose of Christmas” by Marie Bostwick
Though Miss Velvet Tudmore wrote off romance years ago, rumor has it she has a secret admirer. And when her surprise suitor promises to reveal himself at the annual Christmas ball in Too Much, Texas, Velvet starts to wonder: is it ever too late to find love?

“Nightmare on Elf Street” by Laura Levine
Aside from the mortifying costume, how bad can a gig as a mall Santa’s elf be? Jaine Austen finds out when she’s teamed up with the Santa from Hell. But things go from bad to worse when he’s found murdered on the job–and Jaine is a suspect. Now all she wants for Christmas is to find the real killer…

“Room at the Inn” by Cindy Myers
When a Rocky Mountain blizzard forces Barb and her husband to spend Christmas in a remote Colorado cabin with their fellow travelers, Barb struggles to cope–especially when her husband reveals troubling news. But sometimes a holiday shake-up is all a woman needs to discover what she’s truly made of…

REVIEW:
I was going to review each story separately but in all honesty they were all equally boring. There was no true connection between any of the characters. There was no real feel of the holidays either.

I just couldn’t get into these stories and I love the holiday stories when they come out. I’m sorry I just couldn’t enjoy this book.

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

October 15, 2013October 4, 2013

Interview & Tour wide giveaway with Hildie McQueen

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

I’m a transplant to the south who became passionate about writing about five years ago. After almost thirty years working in and with the US Army I left the government to pursue writing full time. I am addicted to reading romance, everything about it makes me happy, so it was a natural transition to writing. I love shopping, traveling and wine. My favorite thing to do besides everything above is to hang out with my husband and friends.

Have you always wanted to be an author?

Growing up I wanted to be a soldier/mercenary. Isn’t that what every little girl wants to be? (Laughs) It was during High School that I began to write. Short stories at first. I think it wasn’t until my forties that I developed a hunger for writing

What is your most interesting writing quirk?

I can’t write and drink. So when writing, no alcohol for me. It’s too bad, sometimes I really want a glass of wine. But my writing turns to crap really fast when I drink.

Can you please tell us about your latest book?

Westbound Awakening is a sequel to Where The Four Winds Collide. I use the term ‘sequel’ loosely since it is a complete standalone story. Westbound Awakening is the story of a young woman, Mae Hawkins, who was raised in a brothel. She is now the madam and has been in love with a cavalry captain, John McClain, for years. When he escorts her west to see her dying father, the attraction for each other is hampered by preconceived notions and the hero’s pride. It’s not an easy love story for these two. I cried several times while writing it, but in the end I think it’s a great tale of how two people come together and work through adversity.

How did you come with the idea for this story?

When they appear in How The Four Winds collide, they spoke volumes to me. In the moments of awkward silence and few words they exchanged, I knew there was a story to be told.

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

I am in the midst of writing another Western HIstorical series. “Shades of Blue”, for which the prequel novella Big Sky Blue, has already been published. It is my hope the series will be published on December 1, 2013.

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

I want to meet Linda Lael Miller. I love her westerns, both historical and contemporary. She’s my muse!

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

Write what you love and never give up. The more you write the better you and your stories become.

Can you share with us something off your bucket list.

I have a group of friends and we’re working on our bucket lists together. I’ve traveled extensively, it’s my hobby. But I’ve yet to visit New York City. I want to go thee so bad!

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

The next JR Ward novel, Possession. I’m hooked on her books!

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Thank you so much for allowing me the privilege of visiting. Its great to reach new readers! One commenter on this blog will win a prize pack from me!

Westbound Awakening buy link

Captain John McClain finds himself on the wrong end of a shotgun when attempting to find his child. Heading west to find the mother of his son and the outlaw who shot him, John is forced to escort an enticing woman whose lifestyle goes against every one of his moral standards, yet she calls to every part of him.

Heading west to meet the dying father she never knew, and possibly starting a new life, Mae Hawkins didn’t expect the added complication of traveling with the one man she always loved.

When they’re joined along the road by a minister and his wife, things get beyond complicated for John and Mae who awaken to the lesson that sometimes differences are more imagined than real in this unforgettable journey.

A little about Hildie

Hildie McQueen loves storytelling and unusual settings, pair that with humor and you’ve got an idea of what her writing is like.

She makes sure action, intrigue, and sizzling romance add up to a story, her readers won’t soon forget. Her favorite past-times are traveling, shopping and reading. She resides in beautiful small town Georgia with her super-hero husband Kurt and two unruly Chihuahuas.

Learn more about Hildie here: Website | Facebook | Twitter| Goodreads | Pinterest

Giveaway:

Coach wristlet (Stagecoach days and all) and an e-copy of Westbound Awakening

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Fury of Fire

*****

Fury of Ice

*****

Fury of Seduction

*****

Fury of Desire

Burn on the Western Slope

Giveaway:

***** Sweet

GIVEAWAY TIME!!!!

An Excerpt from Assassins Touch by Laurie London

*****

DARK AND DANGEROUS

*****

HARD MATED

THE MATING HUNT

EMBRACE THE DARK

ASSASSIN’S TOUCH

*****

SHADOW BOUND

*****

SEDUCE

Good luck!!

Giveaway:

*****
Sweet