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Guest Blogger: Lindy S. Hudis

Weekends by Lindy S. Hudis

Guest blog – A Fantasy Come True!

Ahhh…..romance. I must confess, I am hopelessly addicted to it. There is no feeling as exciting, no rush more exhilarating, and nothing I can name that gives an energy boost like that of a romantic and hot encounter. I seem to get quite a bit of inspiration from that, the real and the imaginary.

Want to know about one of my romantic fantasies? I am sitting on a beach at an exclusive California beach resort, listening to the sound of the waves and sea gulls, all while sipping a Pina Colada. I am sitting in the warm sand, covered with coconut scented lotion, watching the palm trees sway in the cool ocean breeze, and lusting as the smoking hot, scantily clad men walk by. Living in California, I have participated in similar activities, but more along the lines of the Santa Monica Pier than at the Bel-Air Bay Club.  However, we all have fantasies, I know I do….and mine get pretty vivid and sensual. Being a fiction author I find that the more fantasies I have, the more material I have to share with you! So, here is the deal – “Weekends” was inspired by a sexual fantasy that caught on fire. One day, many years ago, I met this gorgeous, hot, sexy, blonde dude named Joe. He was a struggling actor living in Los Angeles (like I myself was at the time) so we met up and had a brief fling. He turned out to be nuttier than a can of Planters, but that is beside the point. (A nutty person in LA???? What????)

So, Joe and I didn’t fall in love and run away together. He was just a “man from my past” who I still think about on occasion. However, his looks were the inspiration for the character “Joe” in “Weekends”. Joe is a fantasy, as is most of the romantic and sexy fiction that I write.  I took the crazy, hot man and, instead of being in a relationship with him in real life, and the fruitless task of trying to change him, I just made who I wanted him to be a character in my romance-suspense novel.  I fell madly in love with Joe, the one I created, not the real one.

So, what was the real inspiration behind “Weekends”? I must confess, I live in a fantasy world, however, I take a very spiritual approach to my daydreams and fantasies.  On some level, I believe that a person’s idle thoughts and daydreams are actual realities in another dimension.  Vivid imagination have I? You bet!

As a fiction author, I tend to live in my imagination. I become very emotionally close with my characters (I cried one time writing a scene where one of my characters gets fired), I live vicariously through all of their circumstances, and I tend to see parts of myself in every one of their situations. No, I’m not a nutcase- just a fiction author. Because of this, I create little worlds in my imagination. That is what I do, I create, and sometimes live in, these little worlds. Sometimes these little worlds become published works of fiction for different readers to enjoy, sometimes they just live in my crazy noodle. However, what if there is some truth to this theory? What if, as Mark Twain once said, truth is stranger than fiction?

What does this have to do with writing? Plenty! Fiction is my forte, my strong point. I was not destined to write anything else. ( I don’t have the knowledge or experience to write non-fiction. I can’t compete with all the doctors out there.) My stories come from the little people who live in my head. They come from my imagination. That is what fiction is, plain and simple. To invite a reader into my story, and to keep them there, I have to create another world for them to enter into. As the risk of repeating myself, I create worlds – and perhaps those worlds exist somewhere else? Somewhere far, far away?  As a creative person, (that is the kind of mind I was blessed with. Anything technical would confuse the hell out of me…) I feel at my best and most fulfilled when I am doing just that – creating. What am I creating exactly? Only my higher power seems to know for sure, but I have a hunch!

Perhaps I am writing my next life as I am thinking this? Maybe I’m just a hopeless romantic? Both? I just happen to love what I do, and I hope that many readers feel the same.

Buy Links

An innocent-sounding family reunion at an exclusive California beach resort turns into a weekend of murder, deceit, exposed secrets and unexpected intimate encounters. John Peterson has it all: He’s a respected, successful Beverly Hills entertainment lawyer with a loving wife and grown son, the strikingly handsome young film director Joe Peterson. John also has a secret and he decides to gather his disparate family members at the elegant Hotel Del Moor in picturesque Linda Bella, California for some luxurious fun, togetherness and re-connecting before revealing his secret. Unbeknownst to the family, a brutal serial killer is lurking in the midst of all the wondrous festivities.

 

About the Author:

Lindy S.Hudis is a graduate of New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts, where she studied drama. She is a former actress, having appeared on such television shows as “Sunset Beach” and “Married with Children”. Her romantic murder mystery, Weekends, is currently available from Lachesis Publishing. She is also a filmmaker, her independent short film “The Lesson”, which she wrote, produced and directed, screened at the Seattle Underground Film Festival. She is co-owner of an independent production company called Impact Motion Pictures. She and her husband Steve, a Hollywood stuntman, have just completed the screenplay adaptation of Charmaine Hammond’s best selling book, “On Toby’s Terms.”  She lives in California with her family.

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Kimberly’s review of Wolf With Benefits by Shelly Laurenston

TITLE: Wolf With Benefits
SERIES #: Pride #8
CHARACTERS: Ricky & Toni
AUTHOR: Shelly Laurenston
PUBLICATION DATE: 03/26/13
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Ricky Lee has no plans of getting serious about anyone, but he will protect Toni Jean-Louis Parker. Not just because he’s been hired to do so, but because it’s the right thing to do. And if that means traveling around the country with one complicated She-jackal, dealing with chocolate-eating wild dogs, instigating trouble between his brothers, and having the most amazing sex he’s ever had…well, who said his job didn’t have perks?

Toni doesn’t know how she keeps getting herself into these situations. But even she has to admit there’s something about Ricky Lee Reed that she finds kind of interesting…and downright sexy. Now they just have to survive long enough to figure out if what they have is worth fighting for…

REVIEW:
This is the 8th is the Pride series and I would definitely say if you have not read the other books this is not the one to start with. While I enjoyed the story of Ricky and Toni (her’s family was fine too) but the rest was just too much. The story is over 400 pages and that to me was 100 or more too many.

Again, having not read the previous books in the Pride series I will say in the beginning I was a little lost on who everyone was and what they did and why they were in the storyline. There were just way too many characters/breeds mentioned (and the hybrids were just overkill). It was really confusing. There is a background story that seems to have continued throughout the series that was again confusing because it did not explain the storyline much in this book to understand why the characters were searching for this person.

Now that being said. I take full responsibility for picking this book from NetGalley without even realizing that it was part of a series because if I had I would not have picked it up especially with it being so far into the series. I can completely understand why someone who has followed the series from book one would enjoy it. I enjoyed it enough to know that with the right information before beginning this book I would have enjoyed it too.

So I leave this review with how I started it. If you have not read the series I wouldn’t start it with this book but if you have read the others in the series you will really enjoy this book.

Disclaimer:

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

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Kimberly’s review of Grounds To Kill by Wendy Roberts

TITLE: Grounds To Kill
AUTHOR: Wendy Roberts
PUBLICATION DATE: 01/07/12
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Barista Jen Hanby’s coworkers give her a hard time for bringing coffee and pastries to a homeless man who sits outside her café—but she has a secret. The scruffy man is her father.

She’s also hiding the little matter of why her palm itches. But how can she explain that her hand has a mind of its own and writes messages from the beyond? Right. That’ll get her Employee of the Month.

When she finds herself scrawling your boyfriend is cheating on you! to herself on the bathroom mirror, she immediately dumps the guy. But then his little fling—who just happens to be her half sister—turns up dead, and suddenly Jen’s homeless father is the prime suspect.

Jen knows he is being framed and must take matters into her own hands to protect him. But will anyone believe that the crazy old man is innocent? Or that his spirit-writing daughter holds the truth?

REVIEW:
I don’t know what it was about this story but I could not get into it. The characters were so… umm… cheesy… I guess that is the right word. Maybe too quirky or something. It seemed so juvenile yet it is not a YA read. There are too many “throw ins”.. meaning it had to be thrown in that her boyfriends fling was her half sister. Like just having a fling with a neighbor wasn’t enough? And a bunch of other things. It was just too much to me. It made the book seem childish.

Maybe someone else would enjoy it, and I suggested giving it a try if the synopsis appeals to you, but I just could not get excited about his book.

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

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Spotlight Feature of BURIED by Kendra Elliot (plus a giveaway)

Buried

A Bone Secrets Novel #3

Release Date:   3/26/2013

Order here:  Amazon  | B&N | Powell’s

Twenty years ago, a small private-school bus of children and their driver completely vanished on the way home from touring the state capital building of Oregon.   No clues were ever found. Two years later, a boy near death, Chris Jacobs, walked out of the Cascade Forest as the sole survivor.   Brain and physical trauma left him unable to help police find the other children and the investigation went cold. Today, multiple gravesites of children have been uncovered at an abandoned dairy farm and investigators determine they are the remains of the vanished children from the bus.

Investigative reporter Michael Brody anxiously awaits news of his missing brother’s body. All the lost children’s remains, except for Michael’s brother’s, are recovered. Desperate for answers, Michael reaches out to Chris Jacobs to see if Chris has recovered any memory to create leads for the investigation. Unable to locate Chris, Michael goes to Chris’s only relative, his younger sister Jamie. Attraction is instantaneous between Michael and Jamie. But so is utter frustration with each other’s attitude and opposing positions on Chris’s whereabouts and his inability to help the police. Michael and Jamie hunt for Chris, racing against a tattooed stranger who wants to find Chris and silence him permanently this time.

Excerpt: Present Day

“No press.” Suspicious cop eyes squinted at Michael.

The Oregon farm smelled strongly of manure, but there wasn’t a cow in sight. His research had told him the old dairy farm had been out of operation for over twenty years. Wood and wire fencing traced the edges of the fields in crooked, drunken lines. A hundred yards away stood a barn that Michael wouldn’t step foot into for a million dollars. He didn’t mind taking risks, but this building looked like it’d collapse if a bird landed on the sagging roofline. “I’m not here as press. I’m meeting up with Dr. Campbell,” Michael lied.

“The Medical Examiner left an hour ago.” The cop tilted up the brim of his hat, doubt in his gaze, knowing Michael was namedropping to get into the recovery site. How many reporters had he chased off today? The discovery of multiple hidden remains tended to draw out the vultures. One brow rose and challenged him to create a more original ruse.

Luckily Michael had one. “Not that Dr. Campbell. His daughter. Dr. Lacey Campbell.”

The cop ran a hand across his sweating forehead and checked his clipboard. His instant lascivious grin made Michael’s jaw clench.

“Oh, her. Yeah, she’s still here.”

Jackass.

“Can you let her know—”

“What’s your business with her? She’s in the middle of an excavation and a murder investigation. I don’t think she’ll appreciate me bugging her ‘cause some stalker is looking for her.”

“Oh, Jesus Christ.” Michael took half a step forward and lowered his voice. “Pick up your radio and get someone back there to tell Dr. Campbell that Brody’s finally here. She’ll want to talk to me.” He glanced at the fleet of police cars and obvious unmarked American sedans. “Callahan here yet?”

The cop’s eyes narrowed at the detective’s name and his hand moved to his radio. “Not yet.” He deliberately turned his back and spoke into his radio.

About time. Michael rubbed at the skin of his baking neck and wished for an icy bottle of water. Or beer. Would Lacey drag herself away to talk to him? When she was deep in a case she had a tendency to forget about the outside world. Her cell was turned off; he’d tried to call a dozen times.

The cop half turned his head and watched Michael from the corner of his eye as he spoke quietly into his radio. Michael ignored him, studying the recovery scene in the ninety degree heat. It was hot, dry, and dusty. Every time he inhaled, his lungs were coated with fine dirt.

Cops in navy blue uniforms dotted the brown fields. God, they had to be dying in this summer heat. Small white tents hid private procedures from prying eyes and the news helicopters’ cameras. Too many tents. More tents meant more bodies. A tall figure in a Tyvek protective suit strode from tent to tent.

Aw, shit.

Victoria Peres. Identifiable at any range. The rangy forensic anthropologist probably wouldn’t let him on the site even if Lacey held his hand. Michael blew out a hot breath and felt sweat trickle down the center of his back. He slipped his sunglasses back on and turned away. Might as well start making some more calls instead of wasting his time trying to get into Fort Knox. He needed to know what they’d found buried beneath the dirt; he wasn’t here for a story. This was personal.

“Hey!”

At the cop’s bark, Michael looked over his shoulder. He’d finished with his radio and had crossed his arms over his chest, biceps bulging below the short sleeves of his summer uniform. His name badge read “Ruxton.”

“You’re the damned newspaper reporter who raised a stink about our overtime pay,” Ruxton sneered.  “Had every suit on the city council pissed off about the overtime we get paid.”

Not again. Michael briefly closed his eyes.

Ruxton wasn’t nearly done. “If the city would loosen its ass to gives us some cash to hire more police, then we wouldn’t have to work overtime.”

“I didn’t—”

“You reporters just write headlines when someone decides to sue us because they dinged their head while running away during an arrest. Or because they broke a rib fighting against being cuffed. You don’t know—”

With two rapid steps, Michael closed the distance between them, eyes hot. “I’m also the reporter who helped hunt down that sick son-of-a-bitch cop killer last winter.”

The cop’s mouth slammed shut.

A little about Kendra: 

As a kid, I read and read and read. Laura Ingalls, Nancy Drew, and Trixie Belden were my close companions, and I was never without a book in hand. Today, mysteries are my primary reading genre. I enjoy Lee Child, Karen Rose, Robert Crais, and Tami Hoag. But I also love a sweeping historical novel by Diana Gabaldon or a contemporary romance by Rachel Gibson.

I decided to try my hand at novel writing after I read a newspaper article about NaNoWriMo. Heck, I can do that. I sat down and wrote a contemporary romance but kept tripping over dead bodies in each chapter. I got the hint and my stories evolved into romantic suspense.

I joined my local Romance Writers of America chapter, the Rose City Romance Writers, and found a fabulous community dedicated to educating its members about writing and publishing. Book purchases are tax deductable?? I also belong to International Thriller Writers and the Kiss of Death Chapter of RWA.

In 2010, my manuscript, Stronger Than Bone, was a finalist in RWA’s prestigious Golden Heart® contest. This same manuscript caught the attention of Jennifer Schober of Spencerhill Literary Agency and she became my agent. The book is now published as HIDDEN.

I grew up in the lush Pacific Northwest and still live there with my husband, three daughters, two cats, and a Pomeranian. In the real world, I’m a dental hygienist who is fascinated with forensics, refuses to eat anything green, and loves a good Mai Tai on the beach on Kauai.
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Book Blitz: Jessica by Laura DeLuca

Website|  Free buy Link

Wilbur was used to going to his college formals alone. He thought the Halloween Ball would be no different. He’s amazed when a beautiful girl in a Victorian costume displays an interest in him and even more amazed to find himself alone with her on one of the campus nature trails. What Wilbur doesn’t realize is that another woman has her eye on him too. The White Lady returns every Halloween to take revenge on the men of the campus for her brutal murder. She has chosen Wilbur as her next victim.

Excerpt:

Wilbur thought he was going to collapse when Jessica wrapped one arm around his waist. He could feel her fingers, soft as silk, touching the nape of his neck with her other hand, and it made his flesh tingle. She even went so far as to lay her head on his shoulder. Her hair brushed against his cheek and the fresh, flowery scent made his vision blur. At first he thought it was just his allergies, but then the whole room and all the people in it seemed to change. The woman all wore full lacy gowns with their hair piled up in fancy up dos, while the men waltzed beside them in tailored suits with long tails and top hats. Even the music had changed from the typical sappy love song to a classical ballad played by a string quartet. He swore he saw the musicians in the corner; their bows sliding effortlessly over the strings of their instruments while their fingers pulsated in perfect vibrato. Even the floor under their feet had changed from the faded gymnasium floor, marked with the lines and circles of the basketball court, to hand laid tile in intricate patterns reminiscent of a Victorian ballroom.

As they circled the dance floor in an oddly quickened pace, the faces of the dancers started to transform even more. The beautiful nineteenth century ballroom aged and decayed, as did the men and women that surrounded him. Grotesque monsters with bloated skin and empty eyes dragged their decaying limbs in slow motion. Wilbur watched them with growing horror, almost forgetting about the girl in his arms. The monsters noticed the stranger among them. They reached for him with fingers green from rot. Catching his breath in fear, Wilbur pulled away from Jessica and very nearly stumbled to the ground.

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Interview & giveaway with Elle James

Books-n-Kisses is pleased to welcome Elle James to the blog today

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

Elle James spent twenty years in South Central Texas, ranching horses, cattle, goats, ostriches and emus. A former IT professional, retired Army and Air Force Reservist, she’s proud to be writing full-time, penning intrigues and paranormal adventures that keep her readers on the edge of their seats or laughing out loud. Now, living in northwest Arkansas, she’s given up wrangling cattle and exotic birds to wrangle her muses, a malti-poo and a yorkie. When she’s not at her computer, she’s traveling, out snow skiing, boating, or riding her four-wheeler, dreaming up new stories.

ELLE JAMES

….escape with elle

VOODOO ON THE BAYOU (Cajun Magic) – Entangled Suspense

Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter | GoodReads

Have you always wanted to be an author?

I don’t think I really considered being an author as a full-time job or lifestyle until I turned forty. All my life, I dabbled at poetry, wrote some short stories for fun and plays for fun at work as an IT Professional. I grew up with a pretty strong work ethic and knew I would work to support my family no matter what I did, thus the IT profession. When I about had my children grown, I started thinking about what made me happy. My sister and I joined forces and started on the path to becoming published authors and there’s been no turning back.

Can you share with us your typical writing day.  Is there anything you have to have while writing?

I start my day with a good breakfast, feed my dogs, grab my Diet Dr. Pepper and the mini Milk Bones (for the dogs) and head to my office. I go through emails and social media for about an hour then get started writing and go until 5:00. Sometimes it’s more, sometimes less. Depends on how well the story is coming along. And there are lots of interruptions—dogs need to go out, dogs need to play, dogs need more treats—you get the picture.

Most challenging or rewarding part of writing?

Challenging – writing when the story isn’t gelling.  Usually because I don’t know enough about my characters. I go back and dig a little deeper into who they are.

Rewarding: When my readers feel the same emotions I do when I’m writing the story. I love it when my readers laugh when I laugh, cry when I cry, or sit on the edge of their seats when the action is crazy intense.

Can you please tell us about your latest book?

Voodoo On The Bayou (CAJUN MAGIC Series Book #1)

A frog by day, man by night, a cursed, cynical lawyer hopes to break a voodoo spell by making a lovelorn scientist fall in love with him before the next full moon while helping her unravel the mystery of swamp pollutants.

How did you come with the idea for this story?

I’m sure you recognize the fairytale in the story. It’s the Frog Prince told with a different setting, a different magic (Voodoo) and a suspense twist.

Can you share with us your current work in progress?

The Cajun Magic Series continues with VOODOO FOR TWO, Lucie Le Bieu and Benjamin Franklin Boyette’s story of a love potion gone wrong. Then DEJA VOODOO Alexander Belle Boyette and Ed Marceau’s story where Voodoo goes to the dogs.

Who are some of your favorite authors?

Michael Crichton, James Patterson, Stephanie Bond, Jennifer Cruisie, Sandra Hill, Jane Anne Krantz and Delilah Devlin

Do you feel that any of your favorite authors have inspired your writing style? 

I think they’ve inspired me to write what I love writing. My favorite author, Delilah Devlin (my sister) inspired me to reach for this dream. Without her love and continued support, I wouldn’t be where I am today.

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

My heroine scientist, Elaine Smith, entered the marina’s bait shop and encountered a naked man behind the counter (Craig Thibodeaux). She’s a bit flustered…

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

The Athena Project by Brad Thor

Looking forward the action!

Is there anything else you would like to add?

I loved writing the Cajun Magic Series and hope to write more in the series soon. Look for the three books in the series:

VOODOO ON THE BAYOU (Feb 2013)

VOODOO FOR TWO (April 2013)

DEJA VOODOO (Jun 2013)

Any ideas title ideas for the next Voodoo book?

Leave a title suggestion for a chance to win a copy of THE WITCH’S INITIATION

Make sure to leave your email address too.  We have to be able to contact you.

Giveaway ends March 29

Amazon |  B&N |  Kobo |  Ibookstore

About Voodoo on the Bayou:

“By day a frog, by night a man, ‘til de next full moon…”

At first, lawyer and ladies’ man Craig Thibodeaux thought Madame LeBieu’s chant was a strange bayou joke. But the voodoo worked and Craig is spending his days as…well, a small green frog. Now he has only two weeks to find love, or his new froggy transformation becomes permanent.

When she receives the anonymous toxic water sample from Bayou Miste, research scientist Elaine Smith decides a trip to the bayou is the perfect excuse to escape the lab, and forget about her cheating ex-fiancé. Then she accidentally stumbles upon Craig’s oh-so-fine naked form, and her science-nerd brain is overrun with naughty thoughts about her new gorgeous night-time bayou guide.

But there’s more to Bayou Miste than voodoo curses and sexy late-night trysts. Dark secrets threaten the delicate ecosystem, and there are those who would do anything to keep those secrets hidden. Even murder…

Tour Stops:
3/12 – The Romanceaholic
3/14 – Book Lovers Inc
3/19 – Feeling Fictional
3/21 – Paranormal Haven
3/26 – Books-N-Kisses
3/29 – Cocktails & Books
4/3 – Just Romantic Suspense
4/4 – Froggarita’s Bookcase

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Kimberly’s review of Currant Creek Valley by RaeAnne Thayne

TITLE: Currant Creek Valley
SERIES #: Hope’s Crossing #4
CHARACTERS: Alexandra & Sam
AUTHOR: RaeAnne Thayne
PUBLICATION DATE: 03/26/13
ORDER LINKS: Amazon |B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:

If you build it, love will come…to Hope’s Crossing. Alexandra McKnight prefers a life of long workdays and short-term relationships, and she’s found it in Hope’s Crossing. A sous chef at the local ski resort, she’s just been offered to Hope’s Crossing. her dream job at an exclusive new restaurant being built in town. But when it comes to designing the kitchen, Alex finds herself getting up close and personal with construction foreman Sam Delgado….

At first glance, Sam seems perfect for Alex. He’s big, tough, gorgeous—and in town for only a few weeks. But when Sam suddenly moves into a house down the road, Alex suspects that the devoted single father of a six-year-old boy wants more from her than she’s willing to give. Now it’s up to Sam to help Alex see that, no matter what happened in her past, together they can build something more meaningful in Hope’s Crossing.

REVIEW:

This is a sweet romance about second chances. Having not read the first three in the series I will say there are a bunch of background characters that make it obvious that there are previous books in the series. Of course once you get to know them it does make it easier but there are a bunch so it does take a while.

I enjoyed Alex and Sam. There might have been a bit too much of the typical “I can’t be with him even though I love him” attitude going on but really it is so sweet that it makes it ok. Ethan is adorable even though having a seven year old I know there is no way in heck a seven year old talks the way his character is written no matter how “special” he is.

If you are looking for a sweet and simple romance to read then this is your book. There is a good storyline, it is written well and the characters worm their way into your heart.

Disclaimer:

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

4 Hearts

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Kelly’s review of Buried by Kendra Elliott

TITLE: Buried
SERIES: Bone Secret #3
CHARACTERS: Michael Brody & Jamie Jacobs
AUTHOR: Kendra Elliott
PUBLICATION DATE: March 26, 2013
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Reporter Michael Brody is used to getting answers. The one that’s eluded him, though, for twenty long years is learning what happened to his brother Daniel the day his school bus disappeared. When the remains of the other children are discovered—and Daniel’s aren’t among them—a desperate Michael calls upon the sole survivor of the tragedy, Chris Jacobs, hoping he will finally break his silence.

Constant fear of being found by his kidnapper has driven Chris into hiding. The only lead Michael has is Chris’s sister, Jamie. Strong and impenetrable, she’s capable of burrowing deep into Michael’s heart. As they race to find Chris, Michael and Jamie somehow find each other among the decades of wreckage. But locating Chris may not be so easy. Now grown, his scars go far deeper than skin.

In Buried, the next thrilling Bone Secrets novel from bestselling author Kendra Elliot, a damaged hero digs deep into his terrifying past…and unearths a chance at love for the future.

REVIEW:
4.5 Stars After 20 years of no answers to who or why someone would kidnap 9 children and a school bus driver, the discover of the children & the drivers remains only leave more questions than answers. There are only 8 bodies, 7 children & 1 adult. There should be 8 children not 7. 10 people were taken and only 1 walked away, so that leaves 9 bodies. So that means one body is still missing.

Michael wants answers. He needs to know what happened to his brother. There is only one person that he know who can answer these questions for him. Chris Jacobs. The only known survivor of the kidnapping. But finding Chris is another story. He is a man that doesn’t want to be found and finding Chris may just be the easiest part of this whole mess.

I loved BURIED… I do believe that this is my favorite of Kendra’s Bone Secret books today. Kendra just keeps getting better and better with each book. I really can’t wait to see what she comes up with next. If you like a good romance suspense story you really need to pick up a copy of Kendra’s books. They are all great reads. For me I just had to keep turning the page. I had to know what was happening next. But don’t worry if you grab BURIED 1st, while there are connected characters you can easily read any of the Bone Secret books as a stand alone

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.

4 Hearts
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Cover Reveal: Hard as it Gets by Laura Kaye

Amazon Kindle Pre-Order | Amazon Paperback Pre-Order |  Nook Pre-Order Coming Soon
Add to Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17331433-hard-as-it-gets

Tall, dark, and lethal…

Trouble just walked into Nicholas Rixey’s tattoo parlor. Becca Merritt is warm, sexy, wholesome-pure catnip to a very jaded Nick. He’s left his military life behind to become co-owner of Hard Ink Tattoo, but Becca is his ex-commander’s daughter. Loyalty won’t let him turn her away. Lust has plenty to do with it too.

With her brother presumed kidnapped, Becca needs Nick. She just wasn’t expecting to want him so much. As their investigation turns into all-out war with an organized crime ring, only Nick can protect her. And only Becca can heal the scars no one else sees.

Desire is the easy part. Love is as hard as it gets. Good thing Nick is always up for a challenge…

About Laura Kaye:

Laura is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of nearly a dozen books in contemporary and paranormal romance. Growing up, Laura’s large extended family believed in the supernatural, and family lore involving angels, ghosts, and evil-eye curses cemented in Laura a life-long fascination with storytelling and all things paranormal. She lives in Maryland with her husband, two daughters, and cute-but-bad dog, and appreciates her view of the Chesapeake Bay every day.

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Spotlight Feature of Against the Wall by Rebecca Zanetti

AGAINST THE WALL

Book 1–Maverick Montana Series   

    March 25, 2013  

Amazon | B&N

Never Challenage a Cowboy in the Courtroom!

Surveying the proposed site for a high-end golf course should have been a breeze for spunky Landscape Architect Sophie Smith. But when this born-and-bred city girl is suddenly—and quite literally—swept off her feet by a sexy cowboy on horseback, she realizes that the country life has some serious (and seriously steamy!) possibilities. That is, until she finds out exactly who her smokin’-hot wrangler really is.

Cowboy and Tribal lawyer Jake Lodge is desperately trying to block the development. And if that means playing hardball—and being every inch the shark lawyer—so be it. But Sophie is a distraction he didn’t expect. A distraction that makes his blood burn.

Two different worlds. Two opposing sides. And when they finally give into the exquisite temptation, the consequences will shake the foundations of both of their lives…

Excerpt:  (this was one of my many favorites in this book 😀 )

The image of thick black hair, hard-cut jaw, and Stetson hat burst through her shocked mind as muscled thighs gripped both the back of a massive stallion and her hips. The beast ran full bore over rough ground.

Only the sinewed forearm around her waist kept her from flying through the air.

This wasn’t happening. Sophie shut her mouth on a scream as the powerful animal gracefully leaped over a fallen log and her captor pulled her into his solid body. He moved as one with the animal. Her hands fisted the silky mane like it was a lifeline to reality.

Maybe it was.

Screw this. She threw back an elbow and twisted to the side, fear and anger finally galvanizing her into action.

“Stop.” A deep voice issued the command as warm breath brushed her cheekbone.

With a mere tightening of his thighs on the great animal, they skidded to a stop. The arm trapping her shifted so she slid easily to the ground and stayed around her waist until she regained her footing. With a sound that was more growl than gasp, she backed away from man and mount until she collapsed against the bark of a towering tree. The horse tossed his head and snorted at her retreat.

The man sat straight and tall on the animal, dark and curious eyes considering her.

The smell of wet moss surrounded her. She gulped in air and studied him. He was huge—and packed hard. Scuffed cowboy boots pressed down on the stirrups while a dark T-shirt outlined impressive muscles. Long lashes framed incredible eyes, and she could swear a dark eyebrow lifted in amusement.

Two more horses charged suddenly through the meadow, sliding to a swift stop behind her captor. One animal was a pretty white, the other a spotted paint, and both held powerful cowboys complete with boots, jeans, and Stetsons. All wore black hats—like the villains in every Western movie ever filmed.

“Unbelievable,” she muttered under her breath.

At her voice, her captor jumped gracefully off his mount and stepped toward her.

“What should we do with her?” the man on the white horse asked. His gravelly voice contrasted oddly with the glint of humor in his tawny eyes. Filtered sunlight illuminated the gold, brown, and even black hair flowing unchecked around his shoulders. He was a symphony of twilight, where the other men wore the ominous tone of midnight.

“I caught her. I get to keep her,” her captor said, his eyes intent as he took another step toward her, firm muscles bunching in his upper arms.

A little about Rebecca:

Rebecca Zanetti has worked as an art curator, Senate aide, lawyer, college professor and a hearing examiner – only to culminate it all in stories about vampires and science. She is a member of RWA and several of its chapters and has won awards for her works throughout the industry.
Her favorite movie is “Life with Father” and her favorite book is “Raise High the Roofbeams, Carpenters.” She has a journalism degree with a poly sci emphasis from Pepperdine and a Juris Doctorate from the University of Idaho.
Please visit Rebecca at: http://www.rebeccazanetti.com/
Please drop by my facebook page and like:  http://www.facebook.com/RebeccaZanetti.Author.FanPage

 

The most wonderful Rebecca has given me a prize package to giveaway to one of my followers…

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Interview & giveaway with Jennifer Apodaca

Books-n-Kisses is super excited to have the WONDERFUL Jennifer Apodaca on the blog today to chat about her newest release (which by the way is really good) THE BABY BARGAIN.

 

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

Sure! I grew up in Southern California very close to Disneyland and attended Walt Disney Elementary School.  Years later, I met my husband at the dog pound—a story that cracks up our kids.  I was working there, and he came in to do an audit looking suave and sexy in a business suit. Obviously it was puppy love at first sight, LOL. We soon married and produced a house full of  boys (three sons).  I loved being a full time mom, but I needed something more, and that’s when I started writing.  I published my first book in 2002, DATING CAN BE MURDER, which was the first book in The Samantha Shaw Mystery Series. Since then, I’ve published over 15 books and novellas.

Learn more about Jen here: Website | Blog |Twitter | Goodreads  | Jen Lyon’s Goodreads Page

Have you always wanted to be an author?

When I was very little I wanted to be a princess so I could have my two older brothers locked in a dungeon. That whole princess thing didn’t work out. Then I wanted to be a witch like Samantha on Bewitched so I could turn my brothers into frogs. Once again, I was doomed to disappointment.

The truth is that deciding to write was more of a process. My father passed away suddenly when I was 13, and life got tough. Books were my escape, and I dreamed of writing. But it seemed an impossible dream for an average girl like me. It wasn’t until after I married and had my sons that I developed the confidence to go after my desire to write books. I had a lot of support from my husband and sons, and also from my mom and sister.  I credit them for encouraging me to not only try, and keep trying.

I lost my mom before DATING CAN BE MURDER (my first book) hit the bookstores, but her belief in me lives on in my heart.

Can you share with us your typical writing day.  Is there anything you have to have while writing?

Time! I need time to write.  Time to just sit with the characters and let them tell me their story.

My typical day varies.   If I’m starting a book, I procrastinate a lot.  If I’m at the end of a book, I write from morning until night only stopping to eat or do essential things. My typical day starts off with me going to the gym a few mornings a week (so early my husband thinks I’m nuts), or doing things like grocery shopping. I’m usually at my computer between 8 and 9. I take care of email and whatever needs to be done. Then I write and try to resist the lure of the Internet.

In the eveings, I uusally write blogs, do interviews, work on copyedits or do whatever needs to be done.

These days I work very long hours. Sometimes, I start at 6:15 am and don’t end until after 8pm. But I think everyone is working harder, not just authors.

Most challenging or rewarding part of writing?

Getting the story right is always the most challenging  part. Diving deep into the characters and their lives, finding their innermost fears, and hidden desires. And then making sure the plot is working both to move the story along and reveal the characters to the reader. It’s a layered and time-consuming process. But it’s also a labor of love.

I find two things most reward. Finishing a book is an awesome feeling of accomplishment. And nothing is as gratifying as when a fan tell me how much they love the story.

Can you please tell us about your latest book?

THE BABY BARGAIN was fun, challenging and surprisingly emotional for me to write.  I started off with the idea of former Marines coming home,  but not quite fitting back into civilian life.  Battle can leave emotional and/or physical scars, and  I wanted to give them the love of a heroine to help them heal and find happiness. After all, who deserves it more than men (and women) who have put their lives on the line for their country?

Here’s is the blurb for THE BABY BARGAIN:

Seeing Adam Waters is the last thing veterinarian Megan Young expects. Ex-Marine. Ex-boyfriend. And still extremely dangerous territory. But Adam doesn’t know the secret Megan has been keeping from him. The secret that was created three years ago, after their last night together…

Adam returns to Raven’s Cove to sell his home in a final break with the town and memories that haunt him. The problem is that his attraction to Megan is as blazing hot as it ever was. But when a vicious smear campaign against Megan turns ugly, Adam learns the truth he never knew—he has a son.

Now the only way Megan can protect her child is to strike a bargain with Adam. And it’s a bargain that looks a lot like blackmail…

How did you come with the idea for this story?

The idea came to me when I watched several news stories about soldiers returning home. You know those video clips where they surprised their loved ones? Well…what if they came home to nothing? What if they didn’t have loved ones waiting for them? They really just had each other so they banded together to form Once A Marine Security Agency.  What if the battle scars they carried were just a little too deep for these men to believe they could have happily ever after? That’s how I came up with the idea.

Can you share with us your current work in progress?

I’m working on two things: I’ve outlined the next two books in the Once a Marine series. In book two, Logan Knight goes home to his beloved plot of land on his family’s cattle ranch—only to find his house occupied by a desperate woman on the run.

And I’m desperately trying to write POSSESSION, Book 2 in The Plus One Chronicles written under my Jennifer Lyon name. That book is keeping me up nights. People can see more about that series on my website here  http://jenniferlyonbooks.com/the-plus-one-chronicles/

Please open The Baby Bargain to a random page and read us a few lines.

Okay, a random few lines between Adam and Megan:

He laughed. “I want to show you my offices on my laptop. Not drag you to my room and pressure you into sex. I told you, tonight is just for getting reacquainted.”

“And touching.”She remembered him saying that.

“And kissing,” he said. “Anywhere you want me to.”

Tingles shivered over her skin, while her belly warmed. It had been so long since anyone had touched her with desire, since anyone had made her feel like more than a mom and a vet…like a woman. “Tempting offer.” She held her breath, her nerves pulling tight.

He dropped his gaze to her mouth.

Blood rushed through her and desire pooled between her legs. She wanted him to kiss her. Needed it almost as much as she needed her next breath.

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

Oh! So many books! I want to read Rebecca Zanetti’s AGAINST THE WALL. Laura Wright’s ETERNAL DEMON, Georgia Cates BEAUTY FROM SURRENDER.

I’m currently reading COLLIDE by Gail McHugh. I have so little time to read right now that it’s extremely frustrating.

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

Gerald Butler and his oh-so-sexy Scottish accent J

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Just that I am grateful for all the support for THE BABY BARGAIN and The Once A Marine Series.  I appreciate each and every fan-friend. You guys are the reason I keep writing!

And thank you Kelly for having me on Books-n-Kisses and being so completely awesome!

*****

The Baby Bargain

by Jennifer Apodaca

Amazon |  B&N  | Kobo |  iBookstore

Seeing Adam Waters is the last thing veterinarian Megan Young expects. Ex-Marine. Ex-boyfriend. And still extremely dangerous territory. But Adam doesn’t know the secret Megan has been keeping from him. The secret that was created three years ago, after their last night together…

Adam returns to Raven’s Cove to sell his home in a final break with the town and memories that haunt him. The problem is that his attraction to Megan is as blazing hot as it ever was. But when a vicious smear campaign against Megan turns ugly, Adam learns the truth he never knew—he has a son.
Now the only way Megan can protect her child is to strike a bargain with Adam. And it’s a bargain that looks a lot like blackmail…

Genre: Contemporary Romance
Length: 184 pages
Release Date: March 2013
Ebook ISBN: 978-1-62266-073-5
Imprint: Indulgence

Tour Wide Giveaway!

Jennifer is offering a $50 Amazon Gift Card to one lucky winner! Please fill out the Rafflecopter form below for your chance to be entered.

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