Welcome back Sandra.  For those who missed you the first time you were on the blog can you please share with us a little about yourself

I’m getting ready to turn forty, I live with a computer/gamer geek husband and I write romantic fiction. Plus I’m a foodie, a Disney nut and a lover of tea.

Have you always wanted to be an author?

Ever since the day in the fifth grade I decided to either be a writer or a cake decorator. I completely fail at decorating cakes LOL

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

Well, usually I start writing around nine a.m. That is unless I have errands to run in the morning. I strive for 1-2K a day but don’t sweat it if I don’t hit that goal.

Most challenging or rewarding part of writing?

Hearing from readers is the best part of writing.

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

My latest story is an erotic Regency-era pirate story called ACT OF PARDON. It’s a story about a disenchanted missionary’s daughter who’s out to kill the pirate she thinks killed her father and fiancé. Captain Westerbrooke sails the seas on the Lady Catherine. He’s a hard man working a harsh profession, but when he meets Sarah at the gallows, his interest is captured. The bad thing? They’re both very stubborn and their viewpoints often clash… out of the bedroom.

Here’s the blurb: Retribution and sorrow can bring redemption and salvation if you look hard enough.

The year is 1814 and piracy is drawing to an end in the Caribbean yet Sarah Covington, a disenchanted missionary’s daughter, has a plan to kill the pirate who murdered her father and fiancé. When the assassination attempt goes horribly wrong, she’s taken aboard the Lady Catherine as prisoner. Though she’s forced to embrace a life of degradation and subservience by the very pirate she tried to kill, he stirs passions she never knew she harbored.

Adrian Westerbrooke captains the Lady Catherine but not by choice. Officially a privateer under England’s protection, he has his own agenda and will take down targets for the highest bidder. The only problem is the beautifully flawed Sarah. He’ll try everything in his power to break her spirit and make her bow before his. At sea, his word is law, no matter how much she intrigues his mind and inflames his body.

Yet Sarah possesses a stubbornness that matches his own, on deck and in the bedroom, and a battle of wills begins. As trust grows, so does their desire–whether they can survive the threats at sea while working through their differences is up to faith… and perhaps love.

Excerpt:

She shook her head and swallowed to alleviate her dry throat. He didn’t deserve her lustful curiosity or approval. He was evil and a murderer. She wanted him dead.

Again, her elbow was jostled.

“‘e’s a looker, ain’t ‘e miss? Cap’n knows ‘is way around a woman’s body, true.”

“Ain’t that a fact?” Another deeper, and no less smarmy, voice said from her other side.

The first man gave a bark of laughter. “Not’n gets a lady more filled with desire than seein’ a real pirate. Seems they all fantasize about the masters of the seas and bein’ takin’ by ‘em jest the same.”

“What I feel for him is not desire.” And why am I talking to either of these men anyway? Yet warmth ebbed over her skin. Her gaze slid down his torso, past the ragged red sash around his waist, to his tight-fitting breeches tucked into dusty boots. She frowned, as much from the flutters filling her stomach at seeing the faint outline of his manly parts as from the recognition of the excellence of his clothes. What quality fit and expensive Hessian boots for a pirate to own. Of course, he’d likely stolen them.

She tamped her response, angry that her body betrayed her so badly. He deserved to have the clothes and boots stripped from his dead body for all the crimes he’d committed. She closed her fingers around the dagger’s hilt. Almost time.

On the platform, the Spanish general read out what she assumed was a list of charges in his heavy, lyrical language. He paused as the British counterpart translated the charges: treachery, thievery, murder, treason, and a host of others.

John Westerbrooke—pirate—and a captain no less. Sarah bit her lip. An alias no doubt. She narrowed her eyes. Titled or not, he’d swing the same as any man. Once he was finally dead, she could begin to put the pieces of her life back together, such as they were. Perhaps she’d sail to a far-flung country. That thought garnered another snort. And do what? I’ve never been anywhere outside America, never had an adventure of my own. She shook her head. It did not matter. Even if she did manage to travel, she had no survival skills. Hadn’t her father told her time and again she needed someone to look after her? Her stomach pitched. While her future would be bleak, there’d be small comfort in the fact the pirate wouldn’t have one.

As the list of charges concluded, the British general asked, “Do you agree with these accusations?”

One of the pirate’s full eyebrows inched toward his hairline. “I disagree inasmuch as I had no choice with the bulk of them, but on a gentleman’s grounds, I would say yes, I am guilty.”

A collective gasp rose from the crowd.

A strained smile lifted the pirate’s lip. “However, these crimes do not fall squarely on my shoulders as a pirate never acts alone.”

Several nods and verbal affirmations circulated through the gathering.

The hangman touched the pirate’s shoulder. “Captain Westerbrooke, would you like the courtesy of a hood?”

The pirate glared at each man on the platform. “I refuse to assuage your consciences. If you wish to put me to death by hanging, then you can watch the proceedings in all their gruesome color and detail. May God have mercy on your souls.”

Sarah gasped at his daring. Put in the same position, wouldn’t she feel the same way? There was always a chance—however slim—the man wasn’t guilty. A snort escaped. If that were true, then why was he here, since he’d all but admitted to some of them? There must be too much truth that balanced the lies, yet she hated the tiny niggle of compassion she felt. I cannot forget he murdered my father. Ruthlessly ignoring everything except the bite of the metal in her palm, she concentrated on the activity around the pirate.

The hangman took a position near the lever that would release the trapdoor. The crowd strained forward, once again hushed. The other men on the gallows resumed their previous military posture; their gazes focused on the pirate. The olive-skinned priest opened his Bible and began to recite the Twenty-third Psalm in accented English. “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want…”

Now!

Her heart lodged in her throat, Sarah raised her hand, and with a quick flick of her wrist, she let the dagger fly. The morning sun glinted off the blade as it arced sure and steady toward the platform. Any second now I’ll have my vengeance fulfilled. The priest chose that moment to move in front of Captain Westerbrooke. While he made the mark of the cross over the pirate, her blade embedded deep into the priest’s back. He staggered. The Bible tumbled to the wood as he fell to his knees.

Dear heavens, this wasn’t supposed to happen.

Pandemonium erupted, robbing her of the ability to think. Their sabers drawn, the men on the platform plunged down the wooden stairs. With nowhere to hide and no open path to flee through, she attempted to shrink within the confines of her cloak. Her heart slammed against her ribcage. I killed the wrong man.

You can buy the book at Amazon, All Romance e-books and Smashwords, or visit my website to be connected with buylinks.

How did you come with the idea for this story?

Probably because I’ve always been fascinated with pirates. Part of the fun of writing pirates stories is doing the research. I love all the stories and legends.

Can you share with us your current work in progress?

Right now I’m working on a sci-fi piece when I’m not finishing off shorter pieces. I’m kinda taking it easy for the month of August and letting my brain have a break.

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

I’m actually waiting for the last book in the Wicked series by Gregory MacGuire. Such a great series.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Thanks for having me back on your blog. It’s always a great time when I’m here. Also, I’m offering a $10.00 (ten) Amazon gift card plus book swag to a random commenter. Please remember to leave your contact information.

Want to connect with me online? Find me here:

Website:  http://www.sandrasookoo.com

Believing is Seeing blog:  http://sandrasookoo.wordpress.com/

Twitter:  http://twitter.com/sandrasookoo

Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/sandra.sookoo

To enter for a chance to win the $10 Amazon gift card please fill out the Rafflecopter form below.

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Books-n-Kisses is pleased to welcome Lillian Grant to the blog today to talk about her newest book Male Review.  Lillian can you please share with us a little about yourself

I grew up in the UK and after meeting and marrying my lovely husband we emigrated to Australia. I have a very uptight boring day job but escape in the evenings and on weekends to the world of romance. I’ve done many creative things as a release from my everyday world, including singing in a band, but writing is it for me. Tapping away on a netbook bringing people and places to life is the biggest adrenalin rush I ever had, other than the time I almost threw up after going on Space Mountain at Disneyland, but I don’t plan to repeat that particular experience anytime soon.

Learn more about Lillian here:   Website / Facebook

Have you always wanted to be an author?

I never knew what I wanted to be but I always believed everyone had a book inside them. I often wondered if I could ever write anything but never tried until about six years ago. Now I am completely hooked.

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

I love Janet Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum series, JD Robb’s In Death Series and I have just got hooked on JR Ward’s Black Dagger Brotherhood Series.

I think Janet Evanovich has been a big influence. She showed me that people who write comedy can be real writers. I thought I should be struggling to write something deep, dark and meaningful but actually it is perfectly fine to write something funny and still be an author..

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

I love comedy. I love stories that make me laugh out loud. I have always had an ability to make people laugh so I think it was only natural my writing would lean toward the funny side. I have tired writing something darker but my characters won’t behave and the humor slips in even if I don’t want it to.

What are some of your writing rituals?

Music. I love to listen to music. I usually chose one song and put it on repeat. Different story, different song but always something to stir the blood and create the right mood.

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

My latest book is called Male Review. It’s book two in my Reigning Men series. Each book can be read as a stand alone even though they all contain the same core characters.

If I had to sum this book up in a couple of lines I would say.  A nymphomaniac octogenarian great aunt, a frigid mother and a BDSM themed male strip club, what could possibly go wrong?

How did you come with the idea for this story?

For book one, Male Order, I got to wondering one day what would happen if a girl got involved in a male escort business without ever realizing it was a front for prostitution. I added in a great aunt obsessed with sex, a mother who didn’t believe in sex and a male flat mate, Sam, willing to show Meg how great sex could really be.  Then I tossed in a male stripper and newly hired prostitute, Michael, who takes a more than passing interest in my heroine.

I loved writing book one so much I wanted to see where the story went so I wrote book two, Male Review. The book shows the fallout from Meg’s arrest for pimping Michael and her desperate attempts to clean up the mess and prove her innocence. It also takes her and Sam’s relationship in a kinky new direction.

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

I have another book coming out in August called Go With the Flo. It’s a humorous romantic suspense set in the 1990’s.  When Florence notices her eccentric ex-boyfriend, Eddie, isn’t putting on his usual show in the front window on Friday night she decides to investigate.  She asks her best friend, Nelson Tyler, to help but he seems more interested in seducing Florence than in finding her personal flasher. Florence has no idea when she embarks on the adventure she will accidentally shoot an undercover policeman, or that her actions will lead to Nelson’s kidnapping.  Now with two men missing she has no choice but to continue and thwart the plans of a psychotic soon to be divorcee.  She needs to rescue Nelson because life without him is unbearable, especially since she’s discovered his long sensitive fingers are far more erotic than scissorhands.

I am also working on the sequel to Male Review. This is really Michael’s story and I am loving finding out more about him.

What would you be if you were not an author?

I’m only an author in the evenings and on weekends. During the day I’m a senior tax manager in an accounting firm. So, I guess, as there aren’t many openings for four foot ten super models, accountant would be it. Boring, but true.

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

I still have a few more JD Robb books to read and I am only three books into the JR Ward Black Dagger Brotherhood series. Oh and I can’t wait for the next Stephanie Plum book.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Only to thank you for taking the time to interview me and for letting me loose on your blog.

Amazon | B&N 

Sam Stephens and Meg Riley are in love, and finally on the cusp of sex anytime, anywhere, anyhow. That is until Meg’s Great Aunt Maud, the octogenarian nymphomaniac, gets tossed out of the old folk’s home and moves in with them, closely followed by her polar opposite, Meg’s scarily frigid mother.

Meg’s best friend Laura convinces Aunt Maud to invest in Male Review, a BDSM-themed male strip joint. For Meg, it’s just one more step along the path to disaster, made even worse when former prostitute Michael is hired as the bar manager. After all, Laura’s last venture ended with Meg being arrested as a pimp. And Michael’s to blame for the crazies invading Meg’s home, and even worse, he still has the hots for her.

If she wants to get her life back, all Meg needs to do is find a new home for Maud, resolve the dispute between her warring parents, keep Michael at arm’s length, and rescue her relationship with Sam before it disintegrates completely. Male Review appears to be just one more problem to deal with, but perhaps it could provide an unexpected solution.

Excerpt: Chapter One

Meg rolled her eyes as a loud snort rent the air. She lifted her head, smashed a fist into her pillow, and glared at the comatose old woman lying next to her. This wasn’t how things were supposed to work out. Once Sam declared his undying love for her they should have ridden off into the sunset together. Instead, they jumped into her compact Korean car and hustled around to the old folk’s home to meet her mother.

Clearly it wasn’t her fault that St. Andrew’s had tossed Aunt Maud out. The whole disaster had been down to Laura and her stupid idea to start a male escort business. Meg went to the hotel to try and fix things. Given a few more minutes she would have un-cuffed Michael Monaghan from the bed and persuaded Aunt Maud elderly ladies had no need to use the services of a male prostitute. She might even have recovered Michael’s clothes so he could get dressed. Thank God her mother arrived at the old people’s home after the police left and she never got the whole story behind Maud’s eviction. Although, having her mother yell and show disappointment in her debauched daughter might have been a quicker and less painful punishment than agreeing to let Aunt Maud move in with her and Sam until she found a new home. To date, every old people’s home in Sydney, Australia had turned the crazy old lady away.

Meg’s mind turned to her new beau. They’d been on the cusp of sex any which way, anywhere, any time, and then, when Aunt Maud showed up, the sex fest was over. She couldn’t sleep in his bed because Maud would know what they were doing and Meg would be horribly embarrassed. How was he coping? Sam had needs. Big needs. Often needs. She hadn’t heard yips of “yee-haw” coming from his room since Aunt Maud moved in a month ago, so either he was suffering from a case of blue balls, or he’d learned to jack off quietly. The thought of him lying in his reclining chair naked with his fist wrapped around his hard, hot, heaving cock sent a heat wave through her body and a definite dampening in areas that had no business being damp when you shared a bed with your eighty-something great aunt.

Another loud snarl made Meg sigh loudly and check her alarm clock. She hadn’t planned on getting up until after eight as, on top of everything else, she didn’t have a job to go to, but sleep was impossible. Maybe an early morning snack would help. Yes, she was on a diet, but everyone knew calories consumed before seven in the morning didn’t count. Besides, she might check out the gym where Sam worked later, purely for exercise purposes. The thought of Sam and exercise wouldn’t cool her down, but Ben & Jerry were more than up to the job.

She climbed out of bed and dragged on her robe. One last look at Sleeping Beauty, sans teeth and wig, assured her Maud was dead to the world and she should get going while the getting was good. The door squeaked on its hinges, but Aunt Maud continued to saw logs. Meg pulled the bedroom door closed behind her and relaxed. In the last thirty days the only time she’d been without Maud was when either of them went to the bathroom. Except the hour she left her with Sam while she went to buy groceries. That hadn’t ended so well. She’d found Sam’s whimpering and begging never to be left alone with Maud again quite disturbing. The old girl seemed to think men were game for sex twenty-four seven, and Sam usually was, but not with octogenarians who had a penchant for pinching butts and ripping towels off freshly showered men.

Meg crept down the hall, through the living room, and into the kitchen. The place shone. No one would fault Maud on her work ethic. She had cracked the whip for hours, only stopping her nagging when Meg had cleaned every surface until they could eat off it. So, she was a bit slap dash about housework, and Sam was no better, but who cared. Now the place didn’t feel like home at all.

After retrieving a large spoon from the cutlery drawer, Meg opened the freezer and bent over to find her favorite flavor made by her favorite men. Just as she reached inside to pull out a tub of Chunky Monkey, two hands splayed across her back and something rigid buried itself in her arse crack.

She’d recognize Sam’s particular brand of foreplay anywhere. He had a thing about bending her over and taking her from behind, but she wasn’t so hot on the idea with her head buried in the freezer and Maud likely to walk in at any moment. The old lady would never believe she had a platonic relationship with Sam if she found him buried up to his testicles inside Meg. Once her mother found out she had taken up sleeping with her male flat mate Meg would be moved into a nunnery, or Sam tossed out on his ear before either of them had a chance to explain. Her mother didn’t do sex, and neither did the rest of the family, if she had anything to say about it.

*

God, Meg was beautiful. How she could think otherwise escaped him. The sight of her abundant curves sent Sam’s already thumping pulse rate higher. Unable to believe his luck at finding her alone, and in such a seductive pose, he leaned forward and wrapped his arms around her still bent form. He slipped his hands inside the front of her robe. The fingers of his left hand edged inside her panties on a seek-and-plunder mission between her thighs, while he used his right hand to tweak her left nipple into surrender.

Maud was a pain in the arse. All his good work at not only finally seducing Meg, but getting her to lose her inhibitions, was coming unraveled. He missed her. His cock missed her. The bed felt empty when she wasn’t in it. Never before had he felt this way about a woman, but Meg was the one. He’d fallen hopelessly and passionately in love with her and he wanted to show her … hard and often.

Heat spread through his body. Oh, she felt so good. He fingered the dampness between her thighs and brushed his thumb over her nipple. Her breast was heavy in his hand. Her womanly curves sent a rush of desire straight to his already straining dick. She was his perfect wet dream. Warm, soft, and the girl had a mouth to die for, but that could wait for next time. He had no idea when he would get another opportunity like this. He growled in her ear and tugged her robe up the back of her legs, desperate to bury himself inside her.

“Sam. Stop!”

She wriggled out of his grasp and he groaned his disappointment. His stallion bucked at the gate waiting for the starter’s orders. The feisty bugger would put an eye out if it broke free of his very tight white boxer briefs.

He took a deep breath. “I’m dying here.”

Meg glanced at his bulging erection.

“We can’t. Maud might come through.”

Sam growled, “Fuck Maud.”

A giggle escaped Meg. “I’m sure she’d be a more than willing partner and at least you could get some relief.” She popped the top off the ice cream and filled the spoon. Maybe she hoped the cool dessert would bring them both back to their senses. She offered him the first taste. “Here, have some ice cream instead.”

He took the spoon from her and slipped it seductively between his lips then pulled it back out and slowly licked the remaining dessert from the stainless steel surface. The way she licked her lips and swallowed showed his actions were getting the desired reaction. Encouraged, Sam reached out, took the tub, and refilled his spoon. He leaned forward and brushed his ice cream cooled lips against hers as he whispered, “Coming?”

Meg squeaked out, “Not yet,” then followed him as he disappeared through the house.