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Speed Quiz with Joan Swan & giveaway

Hi Joan,

Thank you for taking the time to stop by the blog for your Intimate Enemies blog tour.  Since I know you are a little busy with the new release of Intimate Enemies and preparing for Blaze (bk2 release 9.25.12).  What do you say we do a quick speed round quiz?

Joan:  Shoot

Kelly:  Ready

Joan:  M14

Kelly: Set

Joan:  Hollow point ammo

Kelly: Go…..

Dark Chocolate or Milk Chocolate

Joan: Milk, definitely!

Dirty Dancing or Grease

Joan: Dirty Dancing. Hooooooooooot!

Doritos or Ruffles

Joan: Ruffles, who needs all that orange stuff all over your fingers? Well, unless one of my heroes would be licking it off…then, I change my answer to Doritos.

Angels or Demons

Joan: Demons – love me a bad boy.

Beach or Mountains

Joan: Oooo, tough one. I’ll say trade off six months of the year at the beach, six months in the mountains.

Boxers or Briefs

Joan:  Boxer briefs. J I love that question!! (Because I like being difficult!)

Chest hair or bare

Joan:  Either as long as we’re not talking Gorilla Man here.

Teague or Rio

Joan:  That is just WRONG!!

Kelly:  *evil grin*

E-book or Paper

Joan:  Audio. J

Summer or Winter

Joan:  Where? Where I live, I’ll take Fall and Spring. J

80’s music or 90’s music

Joan:  Was there any decent music in the 80’s?

Goonies or Gremlins

Joan:  WTF are Goonies? That’s a trick question isn’t it?

Kelly: *jaw drops*  WHAT??? You don’t know what a Goonie is????

The Lost Boys or Interview with a Vampire

Joan:  *looks right* *looks left* No idea what you’re talking about. *shrugs* But if the Boys are hot and older than 12, I’ll volunteer to go find them!

Pizza or Hamburgers

Joan:  Pizzaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!

Beer or Wine

Joan:  Margarita, fruity, blended, sugar rim…didn’t we talk about this already?

Kelly:  Thanks Joan for stopping by the blog.  What do you say we give the readers a little peck at Rio & Cassie?

Joan:  Oh, yes! Lets!

Intimate Enemies

Covert Affairs #1

She is on a quest for answers; answers that could just get her killed.

Six months after the mysterious yacht explosion that killed Cassie Christo’s mother and stepbrother, authorities still have no answers to the cause. Searching for closure, Cassie returns to her childhood home on the Pacific Coast of Baja, Mexico, where she launches her own investigation into the accident. She never expected to find an adversary in the man who had once touched her heart with kindness in her darkest moment.

Rio’s been fantasizing about reconnecting with Cassie for months. But not here and sure as hell not now. As an undercover agent with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, he’s working the biggest sting operation in all of northern Mexico, and he definitely doesn’t have time for the wild attraction he feels for Cassie.

Not only is his cover on the line, so is his heart. Because as the end of a yearlong operation draws closer, Rio knows if he tells Cassie the truth about who and what he is, it won’t only jeopardize his mission, it may result in him losing her forever. And if he doesn’t, his lies and deception could get them both killed.

Excerpt: 

A ring sounded somewhere behind him. He reached back and pulled his phone from his jeans.

Cassie’s mouth dropped open. “You made love to me with a phone in your pocket?”

The smile that broke out over his face could have lit the room. “At least it wasn’t my gun.”

He leaned in and kissed her before he answered the phone.

The voice coming over the other end of the line, while muffled, clearly wasn’t speaking English. Or Spanish. And Rio’s smile went flat.

“Good,” he said. “Keep me posted.” He disconnected and slid the phone back into his pocket.

“I have to get things ready for the party. Are you joining us tonight?”

She sighed. “I haven’t decided yet. But either way, I’ve been strictly instructed not to make trouble for you, so you don’t have to worry about that.”

“Really.” His eyes narrowed. “Who do I have to thank for that little bonus?”

“A friend in San Diego.” She watched closely for any reaction. “The friend I mentioned at the clinic.”

It took a second for Rio’s mind to travel back, pinpoint the conversation, identify the friend. But Cassie saw the moment it registered. Only, no reaction showed in his expression—just a slight tic beneath his left eye, something she’d never seen before.

Rio said nothing. He just pulled her into him for a long, deep, hot kiss. And even with all the turmoil on her mind, she found she could lose herself in him.

She rolled back and tried to pull him on top of her, but he resisted. “Please? Just for a minute?”

“I don’t want to…upset you.”

With her fingers curled in the waistband of his jeans, she pulled his hips toward her. “I don’t recall being upset earlier.”

His arms wrapped around her, and he slowly turned into her. “You’re going to make me late, Christo.”

She parted his shirt so the muscles of his chest and belly pressed against her. Opened her legs and wrapped them around his hips on a sigh. Skimmed her fingers through his thick, soft hair.

“I know the boss.” She kissed him. “I’ll put in a good word for you.”

He laughed. Trailed kisses across her jaw, down her neck. “God, you are heavenly, baby. Heavenly.”

Cassie memorized the feel of him. Their fit—physically, mentally, emotionally.

“I could love you,” she whispered, and his mouth froze on her collarbone. “So easily.”

He lifted his head. “Why do I hear a but in there?”

“You know why. Because I don’t have one hundred percent Rio here. Because I don’t know who Rio really is. You have all of me, but…how much of you do I have?”

He pressed one hand against her face, kissed her deeply, then said, “You have everything that’s important.”

 

To enter for a chance to win one of 2 e-copies of Intimate Enemies.

Please fill out the Rafflecopter from below

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Guest Blog (&giveaway) with Joely Sue Burkhart

You Know You’re An Avid Ebook Reader When…

* You have several hundred (thousand?) ebooks on the device, but can’t decide on anything to read. So you buy a new one.

* You’re getting ready for a trip and the first thing you do is charge your reader.

* Then you buy more books for the trip! Because you simply *can’t* run out of books on the plane…

* The “one-click” owns half your monthly income.

* To finish an exciting series, you’ve drained the battery on your reader, your phone, and finally switched to the computer because you can’t wait for the device to recharge.

* You buy a purse because it’s the perfect size for your reader.

* You might have bought a book while on the toilet.

Are you an avid ebook reader? Where’s the funniest place you’ve ever bought a book?

One commenter will win a free copy of The Bloodgate Warrior!

Celebrating ebooks, I’m running a “Save An Ent – Read an Ebook” Giveaway where you can win your choice of an eReader.

Details are on my blog.

I’m also offering a free read, Bloodgate, if you’d like a taste of the underlying Maya mythology used throughout the books!


~ * ~

Joely always has her nose buried in abook, especially one with mythology, fairy tales, and romance. Find her on her website, Twitter, and Facebook.. Be sure to check out her freereads!

Publisher: Carina Press (Coming August 6, 2012)

As the Mayan hero Técun lay dying, a sorceress cast a spell tying her bloodline to him, so that one day he could return and avenge their people…

Following a near-death experience, Cassandra Gonzales is haunted by erotic dreams of a mysterious man. As the dreams intensify, she is compelled to travel to Guatemala in search of him. There she learns that her blood has opened a gate—and she is the only one who can bring the great warrior back from the afterlife.

Once faced with Técun in the flesh, Cassie fears the need he stirs within her. She aches to submit to the pleasure he promises, but first she must learn to trust in him, and in her own desires. Their time for sensual exploration is brief—Técun’s killer has escaped, intent on sacrificing Cassie and wreaking havoc on the world. Now, only Cassie’s complete and willing surrender to Técun will give him the power to defeat the demon once and for all…

 

To Enter for a chance to win a copy of The Bloodgate Warrior.  Please fill out the Rafflecopter form below

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Guest Blog & Giveaway with Sabrina Darby

Thank you for having me!  I’m very excited to have The Short and Fascinating Tale of Angelina out in the world.  It’s a fun little Regency story in which a mother hires a mistress for her war-scarred son.

The official blurb is:

Wanted:                                               

A beautiful young woman—preferably one with no connections, who won’t ask too many questions—to spend two weeks in the North of England with an obstinate, aloof, and utterly handsome man.

Must love dogs, fixing up crumbling castles, and gorgeous and complicated war heroes who may or may not be hiding hearts of gold under their gruff exteriors.

Must not, under any circumstances, fall in love . . .

Simpering misses need not apply

Read an Excerpt: HERE

If you notice, there’s a crumbling castle mentioned in this story, which meant I had to do a little research on castles.  And, more importantly, on the construction and deconstruction of them.

As much as I love castles that look like

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bolton_Castle.JPG

this one was far too large for my purposes.

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Hellifield_Peel_-_geograph.org.uk_-_640957.jpg

This one was far more manageable but still not quite right.

What I really wanted was a great hall and a tower, but I couldn’t find the right castle on which to base my hero’s, and so I decided that his castle was built in stages and slowly improved upon by successive generations. At least, before war destroyed it and peace sent its ruins into disuse. It’s a modest little castle, but absolutely perfect for my use.

However, if I were ordering a castle for my own habitation, it would be a bit larger with many secret passages!

What about everyone else? If you were to build a castle from scratch, what are some must have features? And do you have a favorite real castle?

Bio:

Sabrina Darby has been reading romance since the age of seven and learned her best vocabulary (dulcet, diaphanous, and turgid) from them. Her debut book with Avon Red, On These Silken Sheets, was a Favourite Erotic Romance finalist in the Australian Romance Readers Awards and a Best First Book finalist in the National Readers’ Choice Awards. Her new Regency novella, The Short and Fascinating Tale of Angelina Whitcombe, released July 31st from Avon Impulse. She can be found online at TheBallroomBlog.com, SabrinaDarby.com and Twitter.com/SabrinaDarby.

Want a chance to win an e-copy of The Short & Fascinating Tale of Angelina Whitcombe?

 

 

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Kimberly’s review of A Night Away by Carrie Ann Ryan

A Night Away
AUTHOR: Carrie Ann Ryan
PUBLICATION DATE:   04/30/12
ORDER LINKS:  Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Kade Jamenson has been mated to Melanie for almost two years. They’ve been through mating circles, battles, loss, misunderstandings, and finally, the birth of their son, Finn. The world is in turmoil around them as the Redwoods engage in war with the Centrals. But for Kade and Melanie, the turmoil is also happening at home. The responsibility of a restless baby and their Pack has taken a toll and they need a break.Not from each other. But from their Pack. Just for a night.

Kade takes Mel away for a romantic getaway and leaves Uncle Maddox alone with baby Finn. The Omega of the Redwood Pack may be adept at emotions but the idea of a baby may be beyond his immense capabilities.

Author’s Note: This is a novella set between books 3 and 4 to give you a taste of Mel and Kade. It is best that you have already immersed yourselves in the Redwood Pack world, however even new readers will enjoy a glimpse of one of the Redwood’s favorite couples.

REVIEW:
This is a novella that takes place between book 3 and 4. It revisits the couple from the first book (An Alpha’s Path) Kade and Melanie. In the earlier books Kade and Melanie had a son, Finn, but now they are exhausted and want to reconnect as a couple.

If you have had a child you will connect with this book. The feeling that you need to do everything yourself and do not want to burden family to help. The feeling of needing time to sleep and reconnect with your significant other, yes with sex but also just with time and talking. While you can read this book on its own you will not get the full context of the story. The first three books are great and I would recommend picking them up before you read this story. But if you can not get all three books do not read this book at least until you read the first one to know the characters. You will not be disappointed in this series.

4 Hearts
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Kelly’s review of Lucky In Love by Jill Shalvis

 Lucky In Love
Lucky Harbor #4
AUTHOR: Jill Shalvis
PUBLICATION DATE: 05/22/12

ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Mallory Quinn has had enough of playing it safe. As a nurse and devoted daughter, she takes care of everyone but herself. And as the local good girl, she’s expected to date Mr. Right. But for once, she’d like to take a risk on Mr. Wrong. And who could be more wrong than Ty Garrison? The mysterious new guy in town has made it clear that he’s only passing through, which suits Mallory just fine. Besides, his lean, hard body and sexy smile will give her plenty to remember once he’s gone…

For the first time in his life, Ty can’t bear to leave. Helping this sexy seductress-in-training walk on the wild side is making him desire things he shouldn’t — including leaving the military for good. As their just-for-fun fling becomes something more, Mallory and Ty wonder if they could really be this lucky in love. After all…anything can happen in a town called Lucky Harbor.

REVIEW:
When Mallory Quinn wants to go bad she doesn’t hold back.   As the good girl in the Quinn Family, Mallory had always keep her nose clean and has always tried to keep her family out of trouble.  Which is easier said than done.   But when a chance blind date happens Mallory jumps in with both feet, never expecting that this one night would ever last longer then one night.

Ty knows he is only in Lucky Harbor for a short period of time, trying to recover from his latest injury.  Ty is hoping he gets the good Doctor’s okay to get the heck out of dodge soon.  But when the town’s sweet heart wrangles him into her blind date he is instantly smitten and soon realizes that leaving so soon might not be an option.

Ahh, Ty & Mallory.. Love these two.  Love the dynamics of their relationship. A storage loft will never look that same *wiggles eyebrows*

Another wonderful, wonderful Lucky Harbor book.  It is safe to say after 3 books I am totally in love with Jill Shalvis and her books!!

4 Hearts
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Kimberly’s review of Just A Wish Away by Barbara Freethy

 Just A Wish Away
AUTHOR: Barbara Freethy
PUBLICATION DATE:   03/30/12
ORDER LINKS:  Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Alexa Parker and Braden Elliott fell in love when they were twelve years old. On a summer day, while searching for sea glass on the beaches of Washington State, they discovered an unusually shaped blue bottle. The ever-imaginative Alexa declared it a genie’s bottle. Popping the cork, they were surprised by a rogue wave that sprayed them with a fine, cool mist. Closing their eyes, they each made a wish …

Before their love had a chance to grow, life, family and tragedy separated the two best friends. Now fifteen years later, Alexa returns to Sand Harbor after her aunt is injured in a mysterious break-in at her antique store. Braden is also back, but he’s not the innocent boy Alexa remembers. His military service has left him with physical and emotional scars.

Can the sweet love of youth be recaptured by two now cynical souls? Can solving the mystery of the past bring them to a new future? Or will it take a wish, maybe two …

REVIEW:
This is the second in the Wish series however you do not need to read the first to read this one. It most certainly stands alone. In all honesty they have nothing to do with each other except both books have wishes made in them.

Alexa and Braden were summer time best friends when they were young. Alexa makes a wish to have Braden fall in love with her not knowing he already is. Then they are separated and years later Alexa returns to Sand Harbor and Braden is there now too. Can a wish come true 15 years later?

This book is the ultimate “you can never go home” book. Don’t we all wonder at some time what would have happened if we were still with our first love? Would we use the chance to reconnect if we had it? And if we did reconnect would it be the same now? That is what this book is all about.

4 Hearts
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Kelly’s review of At Last by Jill Shalvis

At Last
Lucky Harbor #5
AUTHOR: Jill Shalvis
PUBLICATION DATE:   6/26/2012
ORDER LINKS:  Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
HER LOVE HAS COME ALONG . . .
Amy Michaels loves her new life in Lucky Harbor. A waitress in the local diner, she’s looking forward to her first weekend hike through the mountains. But when a wrong turn takes her off the trail, she finds herself up close and personal with forest ranger Matt Bowers. And even though she’s tempted to kiss that sexy smile right off his face, she won’t make the mistake of getting involved with the town heartthrob.

A former cop whose life went south, Matt doesn’t let anyone get too close. But something about the feisty beauty caught his eye the moment he first saw her in the diner. After a hot night under a starry sky, Matt can’t deny their attraction-or the fact that for the first time in a long time, he feels the stirrings of something more. Now it’s up to Matt to help Amy see that, no matter what is in their past, together they can build a future in Lucky Harbor

REVIEW:
Amy is only in Lucky Harbor because she is retracing the steps of her grandmother’s journey to find peace, hope and love.  Amy is hoping that maybe she will be able to find a little peace from her past, hope for her future, but she has no illusions that she will find love.  While that is until a very sexy forest ranger has to come save her from the wilds of nature.

Matt is an in Lucky Harbor to get away from everything and everyone in his life.  He has failed so many people that living a life of solitude is the right thing to do.  But one very feisty, stubborn and determined female keeps getting under his skin.  So when a chance to save her turns up Matt ups at the chance.

I loved Matt & Amy together.  They are so good for each other.  They both have troubled pasts that makes it hard for them to trust, love and let go.  But sometimes letting go is the only way that you can move on to find the happiness you never dreamed you could have.

I am so in love with Jill Shalvis Lucky Harbor Series.  I have now read the last 3 books in the series and will be reading the 1st 3 very soon.  If you are looking for a great feel good love story. You really need to stop in Lucky Harbor, because you are guaranteed to find love.

4 Hearts
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Kimberly’s review of Consent To Love by Abby Wood

Consent To Love
AUTHOR: Abby Wood
PUBLICATION DATE:   04/02/12
ORDER LINKS:  Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Twenty-four-year-old small-town girl Ana Reynold serves beer at the local bar, tries to keep her beater car running, and dreams of a better life as a painter. If she can learn to make a decent steak, she might get promoted to cook—and earn enough for her real heart’s desire. Right now, that doesn’t include romance.

But when she meets a tall, dark and sexy Native American man named Kane, Ana can’t take her eyes off him—or stop thinking about him. But she’d better. Everyone knows the proud Lakota who raises horses wants nothing to do with a townie barmaid who’ll bring shame to his people.

Except Kane can’t get Ana off his mind. He proposes a red-hot weekend in bed, a no-strings affair to end Monday morning. Yet once Kane brings the outsider onto Lakota land, everything changes…

REVIEW:
This novella is a quick read with only about 135 pages. The story is very well written. There were a few times while reading the dialogue of the characters that I thought to myself “this is not how a normal person would speak” but once you get into the swing of the story it is not as obvious (either that or the conversations get better). Ana seems somewhat naive for a twenty-four year old even one raised in a small town but she is a sweet character. Kane is hard to describe. At some points he seems loving and others like he is only out for sex. I was confused by his character but I liked him. There was a lot of talk in the storyline about how the outside world views “injuns” and would give Ana a hard time for being involved with Kane so I was disappointed that there was not a more intense moment of something that happens when Ana is off of reservation land. I enjoyed this story and think if you enjoy cowboy romance then this is one you will want to pick up and enjoy yourself. *Note* This apparently is the second in the “consent” series because in this book Daphne and Will (Consent to the Cowboy) make an appearance and while “Consent to Love” stands alone you do get the feeling that Daphne and Will had their own story before.

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Kelly’s review of Forever And A Day by Jill Shalvis

Forever and A Day
AUTHOR: Jill Shalvis
PUBLICATION DATE:   7/31/12
ORDER LINKS:  Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:

LOVE CAN HAPPEN IN A HEARTBEAT.

Grace never thought she’d be starting her life over from scratch. Losing everything has landed her in Lucky Harbor, working as a dog walker for overwhelmed ER doctor Josh Scott. But the day his nanny fails to show up, Grace goes from caring for Josh’s loveable mutt to caring for his rambunctious kids. Soon Grace is playing house with the sexy single dad…

With so many people depending on him, Josh has no time for anything outside of his clinic and family–until Grace arrives in town. Now this brainy blonde is turning his life inside out and giving a whole new meaning to the phrase “good bedside manner.” Josh and Grace don’t know if what they have can last. But in a town like Lucky Harbor, a lifetime of love starts with just one day

REVIEW:
I have to admit this is my 1st Jill Shalvis book.  Yes, I started with book 6.  But really Forever and A Day can easily be a stand alone read.  But I have already started book 5 and will be working my way back to book 1.  Yes, not my normal way of doing it, but I have found that I am in love with the town of Lucky Harbor and more in love with Jill.

Grace has always done what everyone else expects of her.  But Grace now finds herself at a crossroads.  She is not sure who she wants to be or what she wants to do.  She has not been being true to herself.  Determined to make her life her own she starts having to pick up odd jobs, doing some very odd things.  But when a wrong number looking for a dog walker  for the day offers her a ridiculous about of money, she can’t turn it down.  But what Grace finds from this mistaken dog walking job will forever change her future.

Josh.  1st I have to say *sigh*, love him.  Josh is a single father of a very sweet and loving little boy who thinks he is a Jedi/dog (trust me you need to read the book to understand). On top of being a dad, he also takes care of his sister, and a doctor, running his own practice.  Needless to say Josh is a very busy man, that doesn’t have time for his little boy or sister,  let alone a love life.  But when Josh hires his new dog walker, he could never imagine the outcome of this one choice.
Okay, from page one I fell in love with this little town called Lucky Harbor.  So much so I want to pack up my bags and move there right now, find my prince charming and live happily every after.  Okay fine, I won’t go.  But still Jill, does an amazing job of getting me connected with the characters.

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SINsational Saturday Series “Armed & Dangerous Series by Cheyenne McCray”

Zack

Armed and Dangerous #1

by Cheyenne McCray

Ever since bad boy Zack Hunter left her ten years ago, breaking her heart, Sky MacKenna hasn’t been able to find a man who sets her on fire the way he did. Then he comes striding back into her life–bigger, badder, and sexier than before….

Zack Hunter never thought his job as an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent would lead him back to his small hometown, and he never thought he’d set eyes on Sky again. Leaving her behind had been the stupidest thing he had ever done, but this time he isn’t going to let her go. And as soon as Zack lays eyes on Sky, he makes it clear that he intends to make her his all over again.

When Sky becomes entangled in the case he’s investigating, Zack can’t help but take the threat personally. As the danger mounts, their passion burns even hotter.

 

Luke

Armed and Dangerous #2
by Cheyenne McCray

After four years abroad, Trinity MacKenna has returned home to her family’s ranch in southeastern Arizona. Everything in her life is going just the way she planned it—a home in London, a brilliant career, and she’s practically engaged to a gorgeous English gentleman. But when Trinity meets Luke, the cowboy turns her perfect world upside down. Everything about him is virile and sexy, dark and dangerous—and definitely not part of Trinity’s carefully arranged plans.

From the moment Luke Denver sees the sensual strawberry blond, he knows he’s got to have her. Luke is intrigued by Trinity’s combination of sophistication and innocence, boldness and shyness. Even when Trinity tells him she’s taken, Luke doesn’t let that stop him, because he’s determined to make her his…no matter the cost.

 

Kade

Armed and Dangerous #3
by Cheyenne McCray

After a bitter divorce, reporter Kelsey Nichols has erected a border around her heart too strong for any man to cross. She’s not ready for a relationship of any kind with any man. But when Kelsey meets Kade she can think of nothing but being in his powerful arms and in his bed.

Intelligence Agent Kade Owen is hot on the trail of a notorious smuggler when the sensual blonde reporter comes into his life. Once he gets a hold of Kelsey, nothing will stop Kade from winning her heart.

 

Clay

Armed and Dangerous #4
by Cheyenne McCray

Rancher Rylie Thorn loves everything about men, but she’s positively phobic about commitment. After growing up in a broken family and witnessing too many failed marriages, Rylie knows “forever” is just not in the cards for her.
Sheriff Clay Wayland has been called in to investigate a rash of crimes in the southeastern corner of Cochise County. But one night when he goes into the field to do some obersevation, he comes across a sensual woman who’s doing some investigating of her own. Rylie immediately sets his blood on fire and he knows he has to have her. And it isn’t long before Clay begins the job of taming this wildcat and making her his for keeps.

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Interview & Giveaway Leanna Ellis

Books-n-Kisses is pleased to welcome first time guest Leanna Ellis to the blog.  

Leanna, can you please share with us a little about yourself
LE: Hi, y’all! First, thanks so much for having me here today! I love books and words and the written language. Nothing thrills my soul like a well-turned phrase or an amazing story that takes me on a journey. I simply love to read and write. I’m a total book-aholic. I have been ever since I was a little girl and read Charlotte’s Web. There is something about reading that opens our imaginations and helps us to soar.

Have you always wanted to be an author?

LE: I actually never dreamed of the possibility. It wasn’t until I was a teacher, searching for something else to do (LOL!) that my sister said, “You’re always writing in that journal of yours. Why don’t you write a book?” When I was a kid, I thought all writers were dead. Not true! We’re alive and well (some of us anyway) and busy writing. Anyway, when my sister planted that seed, I quit teaching and struck out on this crazy path of writing. And I love it!

Can you share with us your typical writing day.  Is there anything you have to have while writing?
LE: There is no typical writing day. Not for me anyway. I’m in that very busy season of life with two young teenagers who are very active. So I stay busy running them from place to place. Much of my time writing is sitting in a car, waiting for my kids to get out of their rehearsal or practice. Have laptop will write. I suppose I could say that I need my laptop but even at times when I don’t have it, I can write the old fashioned way: pen and paper. Peanut M&Ms are always useful too.

Most challenging or rewarding part of writing?
LE:  The first draft is always the most challenging part of writing for me. Staring at a blank page and conjuring up something to say is never easy. I love when I have the first draft down and can then begin massaging the story and fine tuning it. The most rewarding part of writing is hearing from readers, especially when a book has really meant something to them, helped them over a hurdle, or touched them. That is what its all about!

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

LE: FORBIDDEN is the second book of my Plain Fear series. Rachel Schmidt Nussbaum, a young Amish widow, is now seven-and-a-half months pregnant with her first child. She blames herself for her husband Josef’s death and believes she is being punished by God for her past sins.
So when a stranger arrives claiming to be an old friend from her wilder years, saying only she can fix things for him, for Josef, and for herself, she makes an impulsive decision to follow him. It is a decision that will send Rachel on a dangerous journey—one that will lead her to the depths of ultimate danger, the potential for new love, and a battle that will decide both the fate of her soul and the life of her unborn child.

How did you come up with the idea for this story?
LE: I was sitting in church one weekend and had been struggling with my agent’s request to turn my one book idea into a trilogy. After the sermon, my church always has a time for folks to come down and pray if they have something they need to pray about. Folks pray for their jobs or about troubled relationships or whatever, and so I went down to pray, because at the time I was praying for guidance about whether God wanted me to write this story. So I met with someone, quickly told them my prayer request, and we prayed. The man who prayed for me said, “I just know ideas are going to pour down on you.” Sure enough, before I reached the parking lot, the whole plot for book #2 Forbidden came to me and I sat in the parking lot scribbling down the plot. I must say that does not always happen.

Can you share with us your current work in progress?
LE: I am working on book #3 of the Plain Fear series called FORGIVEN. In fact, I just reached the end of a very rough draft, and so I can’t wait to start getting it ready to send to my editor.

Who are some of your favorite authors?
LE:  Oh, my! That is such a hard question. There are so many wonderful current authors, some I am blessed to know and call friends. Reading gets me so jazzed! There are so many authors who have passed on who inspire me with their work. One is Ray Bradbury, who recently passed away, and he was truly a master.

Do you feel that any of your favorite authors have inspired your writing style? 
LE: Absolutely! Amazing writing pushes me to be better and work harder at my own craft. Stories with heart that move me to tears remind me of the power of story and inspire me to be a better person and writer.

What is in your To Read Pile that you are dying to start or upcoming release you can’t wait for?
LE: My To Read pile is very high as I am always way behind, but I have a couple of upcoming trips and so I’m hoping to be able to relax and read until my brain is saturated with words.  One book that I am going to reread is Gone With the Wind. Its been a long time since I read it and I am wanting to read it again.

Is there anything else you would like to add?
LE:  Thanks so much for having me today! I hope all of your readers have a great summer, with plenty of sunscreen and lots of fabulous books!

 

 

PLAIN FEAR: FORBIDDEN BY LEANNA ELLIS – IN STORES AUGUST 2012

 

How Long Must We Pay for the Sins of Our Past?

She blames herself for her husband’s death. But for Rachel Schmidt Nussbaum, redemption may only lie in the ultimate sacrifice.

When a stranger arrives claiming only she can save him, Rachel’s impulsive instincts lead her on a perilous journey, one that leads her to a battle that will decide both the fate of her soul and the life of her unborn child.

A far–from–ordinary story of love and desperation, sin and sacrifice, Amish faith and vampire lore, Plain Fear: Forbidden is an imaginative thrill ride that’s like nothing you’ve ever read before.

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Leanna Ellis is the winner of the National Readers’ Choice Award and Romance Writers of America’s Golden Heart Award. She has written numerous books for Harlequin/Silhouette and has published four books with B&H Publishing. With her husband, two children, and wide assortment of pets, she lives in Texas. For more information, please visit www.leannaellis.com, follow her on Twitter, @LeannaEllis, and “like” her on Facebook.
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