Kelly’s review of Wishful Thinking by Gabi Stevens

Wishful Thinking
AUTHOR: Gabi Stevens
PUBLICATION DATE:  04/24/12
ORDER LINKS:  Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Free-spirited artist Stormy Jones-Smythe was raised by two talented Wizard fathers but never showed the slightest hint of magical abilities. Which is why she’s totally surprised when three famous fairy godmothers show up at her door to tell her she’s one of them.

Surprised, and none too happy.  The godmothers are fugitives, framed for treason, and the last thing the magical Council wants is another fairy godmother going rogue. Hence Stormy’s new full-time Guard, Hunter Merrick.

Stormy quickly realizes she’s not going to escape Hunter’s watch…and before long, she’s not sure she wants to. But her freedom depends on her ability to expose the plot against the godmothers, and that means getting control of her magic. Despite the growing chemistry between them, Hunter is fiercely loyal to the Council—and duty-bound to keep Stormy from doing either of those things.

But he didn’t count on Stormy’s irrepressible exuberance and passion for life. Before long, even Hunter isn’t sure which side he’s on, and he can’t contain Stormy either way.

Kelly’s REVIEW:
I am not sure where I stand on this book.  I liked the story.  But did not  love.  I have to admit that I ended up skimming a lot of parts in the book.  I like the hero of this book Hunter is a straight up kind of guy.  The heroine Stormy I never really connected with her.  I am not really sure what I can say…
If you love the first two books in Gabi’s series I think you will be happy with Wishful Thinking.  And this is maybe where I went wrong.  I started with book 3.

Kimberly’s review of Ruined By Rumor by Alyssa Everett

TITLE: Ruined by Rumor
AUTHOR: Alyssa Everett
PUBLICATION DATE:   05/21/12
ORDER LINKS:  Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
After waiting five years for her fiancé to return from the war and marry her, Roxana Langley has been jilted! She may have longed for excitement, but this was not what she had in mind…

Who could possibly throw over a woman as beautiful and vivacious as Roxana? Certainly not Alex Winslow, the Earl of Ayersley, who has spent years trying in vain to forget his unrequited love. When he learns she’s been abandoned by her cad of a fiancé, he finds himself offering a shoulder for her to cry on. Comfort soon turns into a passionate kiss—and scandal when they are caught in an embrace.

Only one thing will save Roxana from certain ruination: marriage to the earl. The match may save her reputation, but responsible, tongue-tied Ayersley is a far cry from her dashing former fiancé. She’s convinced Ayersley is merely doing his duty…while he’s sure Roxana is still in love with another man. Are they trading one disaster for another?

REVIEW:
So this book could go either way for me. It was nicely written and a good story. The problem is it is a lot like other historicals I have read. The difference is Ayersley is shy and intelligent and not the rogue or rake that is used in most historicals. Typical of historicals though Roxana is compromised by a kiss so she and Ayersley have to be married. And of course Roxana thinks Ayersley is marrying her to be proper and he thinks she is still in love with her ex-fiance’. There are so many mixed and missed signals that the reader easily becomes impatient with the couple. However, that being said this is not an uncommon storyline in historicals and if you are a fan of the genre then you are used to the storyline and probably enjoy it. The author did a good job with the feel of the book, I just wish there had been more to it then the normal historical that so many have already written. I also felt the ending was rushed. Once the feelings had finally come to the forefront the book seemed to end and we were given the epilogue.

If you are only a passing fan of the genre then this may not be your cup of tea. But if you like historicals then you will most likely enjoy this book and enjoy the differences that it does have like a man being a politician instead of a rake.

SINsational Saturday Series is Yasmine Galenorn’s Indigo Court

Night Myst (Indigo Court #1)

Eons ago, vampires tried to turn the Dark Fae in order to harness their magic, only to create a demonic enemy more powerful than they imagined. Now Myst, the Vampiric Fae Queen of the Indigo Court, has enough power to begin a long prophesied supernatural war. And Cicely Waters, a witch who can control the wind, may be the only one who can stop her-and save her beloved Fae prince from the Queen’s enslavement.
Cicely Waters, a witch who can control the wind, has returned home to New Forest, Washington, after learning that her family is in danger. The Indigo Court holds the city in fear. People are vanishing, and strange deaths plague the town. And when she is swept into an unexpected and passionate reunion with Grieve, the Fae prince who taught her how to harness the wind, Cicely finds herself with a fierce and territorial lover.

But Greive has been enslaved in Myst’s court, and now, caught betwen two evils, the lovers must survive the machinations of the Vampiric Fae queen, even as Cicely untangles the hidden secrets to her own heritage.

Night Veil (Indigo Court #2)

Eons ago, vampires tried to turn the Dark Fae in order to harness their magic, only to create a demonic enemy more powerful than they could have imagined. Quietly amassing their strength for centuries, the Vampiric Fae-led by the merciless Myst, Queen of the Indigo Court-are determined to enslave the world. Only one witch stands in her way…
Cicely Waters had always through she was simply one of the magic-born-a witch who can control the wind-but recently she discovered she’s also one of the shifting Fae. Now she must perfect her gift. Because Cicely and her friends may have escaped from Myst and her Shadow Hunters, but Myst has managed to capture the Fae Prince who holds Cicely’s heart.

Night Seeker (Indigo Court #3)

Eons ago, vampires tried to turn the dark Fae to harness their magic, only to create a demonic enemy more powerful than they could have imagined. Now, the Vampiric Fae are on the move, hunting anyone in their path. As the war with the vampires ratchets up, Myst, Queen of the Indigo Court, enshrouds New Forest in her chilling grasp.

Cicely Waters, owl shifter and Wind Witch, has rescued the Fae Prince Grieve at a great cost. Their reunion has lost them the allegiance of the Summer Queen — and the tolerance of the vampires. In desperation they turn to the Consortium for help. Now, to regain the good will of Lainule, they must dare to enter the heart of Myst’s realm. But as Cicely and Grieve embark on their search for the heartstone of Summer, Winter is already wreaking her terrifying revenge.

 

© Yasmine Galenron *all photos and blurbs were taken from GoodReads*

Interview with Eliana Lee

Books-n-Kisses is pleased to welcome Elaina Lee to the blog today. Elaina can you please share with us a little about yourself

Hello!  My name is Elaina Lee.  I’m a mother, a wire, an author and a cover artist.  J  I live in Alabama in the tiny remote city.  In my spare time I try to find creative ways to feed us since we’re no longer near any sort of restaurants.  It’s proving to be a challenge.

Have you always wanted to be an author?

Actually no.  I started writing at a young age as a way to get pictures out of my head.  I enjoyed it and just considered it something I did for fun.  It wasn’t until I actually finished a book that I realized I wanted my hobby to go somewhere.

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

I sadly no longer have a typical writing day.  If I have time to write after designing covers all day, I’ll sit down and peck out as many sentences as I can before my life interrupts or inspiration runs dry.  I usually need to listen to music, but that isn’t always possible, so I do the best I can!

Most challenging or rewarding part of writing?

Seeing my characters come to life and knowing they’ll eventually be read and hopefully enjoyed by readers is the most rewarding part.

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

A Very Southern Affair is a southern romantic comedy about a northern man arriving in the south and hoping to make a change to a city that doesn’t really want changing….

How did you come with the idea for this story?

I’m from Oregon and moving here was a huge culture shock.  I couldn’t resist writing a romantic comedy revolving around some of the issues/situations that I have personally dealt with or witnessed.

Can you share with us your current work in progress?

Sure!  I am working on the sequel to A Very Southern Affair.  The heroine is Hollee’s best friend Estelle, who has found herself in quite a Dilemma.

Who are some of your favorite authors?

Iris Johansen is my absolute favorite author.  But I never miss books by Sarah Balance, Stephanie Taylor or Jerri Drennen.

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

No, it’s actually a fear I have, another author influencing my writing style.  A style is as unique as a voice, and I’d hate to copy or imitate anyone’s unique way of storytelling!

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

I so rarely have time to read right now!  I haven’t gone on the hunt for a new book in a long time.  I have a few I’d like to check out that I’ve recently done covers for.  Marie Hall’s Kingdom Series is something I’m really excited to check out.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Thank you for having me!

WESBITE – www.elainalee.com

BLOG – www.elaina-lee.blogpsot.com

FACEBOOK – www.facebook.com/elainaleeauthor

Spotlight Feature & Giveaway of Afraid to Die by Lisa Jackson

Afraid to Die
Montana ‘To Die’ Series #4
by Lisa Jackson
Amazon | B&N

Afraid To Scream

Others may dread the chill of winter, but he relishes it. The way the frigid water preserves his victims, the feel of their icy skin beneath his fingers… And soon the world will see their beauty—and his vengeance.

Afraid To Run

The town of Grizzly Falls is on edge in the wake of a serial killer, and Detective Selena Alvarez is no exception. That case was solved, but a new nightmare is about to unfold. There are two victims so far—their bodies found frozen solid and deliberately displayed. Both are women she knew. And each wears a piece of Selena’s jewelry…

Afraid To Die

Selena’s partner, Detective Regan Pescoli, and the entire department are on the case, as is P.I. Dylan O’Keefe—a man Selena got too close to once before. But this killer already knows too much about Selena’s secret terror, her flaws, and the past she’s tried to outrun. And soon he’ll show her that she has every reason to be afraid…

Excerpt:  

Stop it! It’s Christmas! Again she caught her gaze in the rearview mirror and again she saw the anger that seemed to be forever lurking just beneath the surface of her gaze. It was something she was working on. A Christian woman, she believed fervently in forgiveness. She just couldn’t find it in her heart when it came to Ray.

Someday it might happen, she thought, once she found another man to fix the sagging porch, replace the old pipes under the sink and hold her long into the night. Oh, what she wouldn’t do to find a real Prince Charming the second time around. At forty-two she wasn’t ready to give up on love.

Well, at least not yet.

The residential houses gave way to countryside, where snow covered the surrounding fields and drifted against the fence posts. Even the skeletal brambles and berry vines took on an unlikely serenity with the snowfall.

As she turned off the main road, she noticed a car parked at the side of the road. Its hood was lifted, a man peering at the engine. She slowed, the beams of her headlights catch­ing him in their glare. He waved, flagging her down, and she told herself to be careful, then she recognized him as a regular customer at the restaurant and as a member of the church.

Slowing, she rolled down her window as he scurried through the piling snow to the driver’s side.

“Hey,” she said. “You got a problem?”

“Darned thing just died on me,” he said “and I left my cell phone at home. Can’t call my wife.”

“I could call her.”

“That would be great.” He flashed the smile she’d always found endearing. “Or maybe I should?”

“Sure.” Turning, she reached into her bag, found her cell and said, “I know it’s about out of battery life, but it should work…” As she straightened again, she was making cer­tain the phone was on when she felt something cold against her neck. “Wha—” A second later, pain scorched through her body. She screamed and twitched, losing all control as he pressed the trigger on his stun gun. Dear Lord, help me, she thought, jerking and trying to scream. Her phone slipped from her palsied fingers, and horrified, she watched helplessly, unable to fight as he unlocked her door, bump­ing his head on the frame and losing his hat for a second, before he hauled her into the cold weather. She tried to fight, to punch and kick and bite, but all her efforts were fu­tile as her mind could not control her twitching, useless body.

No, no, no! This can’t be happening.

She trusted this man, knew him from church, and yet he was coldly throwing her into the backseat of his sedan and locking the door. She was helpless to do anything to save herself. The world was spinning, her body flopping on the vinyl of his backseat, and for a few minutes he left her alone in the frigid car only to show up, get behind the wheel and drive in the same direction she’d been heading.

Why? Her mind screamed but she had no control of her tongue, couldn’t say a word, and listened feebly as he snapped on the radio and an instrumental version of “Silent Night” filled the interior.

Oddly, he didn’t bother with the heater, and as the miles rolled under the car’s tires, Brenda wondered where he was taking her and, oh, God, what he planned to do to her.

He’s a Christian man. This is just a prank, she tried to convince herself, but she knew, deep in her heart, that whatever was in store for her tonight, it wouldn’t be good.

Over the strains of the Christmas carol, Mildred’s theory echoed through her mind, haunting in its precise predic­tion:

The devil’s behind this!

He’s always there, y’know, Satan, he’s just over your shoulder, waiting to pounce

©  **used with permission from Kensington Publishing Corp.**

 

GIVEAWAY TIME:

Kensington Publishing has given me one copy of Left to Die  Montana ‘To Die’ Series #1

*US/Canada Only*

Amazon | B&N

Nothing’s More Terrifying…

One by one, the victims are carefully captured, toyed with, then subjected to a slow and agonizing death. Piece by piece, his exquisite plan takes shape. The police can’t yet see the beauty in his work—but soon, very soon, they will…

Than Being Left Alone…

In the lonely woods around Grizzly Point, Montana, four bodies have been discovered. Detectives Selena Alvarez and Regan Pescoli have been hoping for a career-making case, but this is a nightmare. Even with the FBI involved, Selena and Regan have nothing to go on but a killer’s cryptic notes, and the unsettling knowledge that there is much worse to come…

To Die…

When Jillian Rivers opens her eyes, she’s trapped in a mangled car. Then a stranger, claiming to be a trail guide named Zane McGregor, pries her free. Though she’s grateful, something about him sets Jillian on edge. And if she knew what lay out there in the woods of Montana, she’d be truly terrified. Because someone is waiting…watching…poised to strike and make Jillian the next victim…

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Guest Blogger Chastity Bush

Books-n-Kisses is pleased to let Chastity Bush take over the blog today….

A little about Chastity Bush is the author of the several published novels known for their spice romance, suspense, and humorous edge. When not working on her next novel, you can find her spending time with her husband and two daughters. Chastity loves to hear from her readers and answers all email/mail received. You can contact Chastity at: chastitybush@yahoo.com

 

First off, I’d like to thank you for hosting me today!

For those of you who don’t really know me, I’m Chastity Bush and I write romance novels of all genres. Like many of you, I’m a wife, and the mother of two great daughters, ages 13 and 8. If your life’s anything like mine, things can get quite hectic and having the time to make yummy treats is rare. That’s why instead of beating you over the head with a bunch of chatter about me, and my many books, I decided to share a recipe with you that my family absolutely loves. It’s really simple, and once I make it, it’s gone by the next day. So, here it is, a simple, quick, and easy recipe for Cherry Limeade Cake! I hope you enjoy!

Cherry Limeade Cake- (As per Betty Crocker Website)

 1 Box Betty Crocker White cake mix

1 ¼ cup Lemon Lime soda

1/3 cup vegetable oil

3 egg whites

1 lime

1 box cherry jell-o

1 cup boiling water

1 fluffy white cake frosting

Maraschino Cherries- if desired

Heat oven to 350. Spray pan with non-stick spray

Mix cake mix as directed, replacing water with lemon lime soda and adding juice from ½ lime.

Bake as directed. Cool 20 minutes.

Mix Jell-O as directed.

Using fork, poke several holes in cake from one end to the other. Pour jell-o mixture over entire cake. Be sure to let the liquid get into the holes.

Cool for 30 minutes in refrigerator.

Beat icing and ½ limejuice. Top cake.

Serve topped with Maraschino cherries and enjoy!

 

Thanks again for having me here today. You can find me, and my many works, at the links below!

Website |  Blog  | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Killer Kisses

By Chastity Bush

Paranormal Romance

Liquid Silver Book

http://www.liquidsilverbooks.com

The man straddling the Harley was, in one word…juicy.

Adult novelty store owner Tina James loves a good adventure, and the man peering at her through onyx black eyes is the closest thing to adventure she’s ever come across. Unless of course, you count the mugging at gunpoint she experienced only hours earlier.

Leather clad Alex Monroe and his big bike just moved to number one on Tina’s sexiest man alive list, and with every searing kiss, every white hot caress, Tina finds herself living out her wildest fantasies with the man of her dreams.

But is it all too good to be true?

There’s something about Alex, from his unusual habit of only leaving the house at night, to his amazing speed and strength that has Tina wondering what exactly the man she’s falling head over heels for is hiding?

Meeting Tina James is the best thing that’s happened to Alex in the last five hundred years. She’s spunky, sassy, and beyond sexy.

But there’s a problem…or three.

Alex is a vampire, Tina’s a mortal, and he’s searching for a rogue vampire who just so happens to have his sights set on her as his next victim.

Now, not only does Alex have to find a way to tell the woman he loves what he is, he has to catch the killer before he loses her forever.

Excerpt-

The cold, night air swirled around Alex as he rode down the desolate streets. The motorcycle beneath him rumbled, sending a wave of comfort throughout his tired body.

He was a long way from home and for Alex Monroe the old saying was true; there’s no place like home.
He’d spent the entire night in his hotel room searching through cold case files, going back years and years, looking deeper at unsolved murders, trying his hardest to find something, anything that would lead him in the right direction. He needed to find this murderer and fast. It was only a matter of time before he slipped up and exposed their kind to the entire world, spelling disaster for them all.
Only sparkly, vegetarian vampires appealed to most people nowadays, and he was neither sparkly, nor vegetarian.
Rounding the corner, Alex wondered if his contact inside the precinct would have any new leads to share with him. He doubted it; the local authorities didn’t have a single shred of evidence to help lead them toward who the killer might be. He’d hoped to find some connection between the recent murders and some of the unsolved ones from the past. But so far, he’d hit a dead-end.
The sooner he got this mystery solved, the sooner the women of this city would be safe…from this killer anyway, there would always be others wreaking havoc somewhere.
And he would be there to hunt them down.
It was his job. As an Immortal Detective he would do whatever it took to end the terror rogues caused with their senseless killing.
Pulling next to the curb in front of the police station, a flash of gold caught his attention.
Taking a closer look through the dim streetlight, he frowned.
A lone woman walked along the desolate sidewalk. Her long, sandy-blonde hair whipped in the breeze as she pulled her lightweight jacket tighter around her small frame.
“What the hell is she doing?” he asked himself aloud.
Didn’t she know there was a killer on the loose? Why would she be walking the streets alone at three o’clock in the morning?
Sometimes Alex couldn’t help but wonder how humans had lived so long without being overrun by his- or any other- species.
Before he knew what he was doing, Alex pulled away from the curb, and rolled his bike along the street beside the woman.
Alex wasn’t your typical knight in shining armor. He wasn’t even what someone would consider valiant, it just wasn’t in his nature, but something inside him wouldn’t let him turn his back on this woman.
“Are you all right?” he called loudly over the rumble of the motorcycle.
Stopping, she turned to face him, and all thought fled his mind at the beauty revealed before him.
Large, sea green eyes bore into him as her gaze widened cautiously.
Despite her petite stature, her legs, encased in tight, distressed jeans, were long and shapely.
Letting his eyes sweep over her boldly, he took in every inch of her lithe body, as though admiring every brushstroke of a masterpiece.
Her skin was a flawless, creamy ivory with a pinch of rose color staining her cheeks and nose from the bite of the crisp night air.
“Listen,” she said wearily, “if you’re looking to rob me, you’re too late. Someone beat you to it about three hours ago.”
Smiling, Alex shut off his bike.
“Actually, I was just wondering why a beautiful woman such as yourself would be walking alone in the dark when there’s a killer on the loose.”
And she is beautiful, he mused.
Stunning even. He’d lived a long time and faced countless women, but could remember none who matched her in beauty.
The impulse to reach out and grab her, to pull her against his chest and explore every delectable inch of her, rocketed through him like a bolt of lightening.
Taking a deep breath, Alex struggled to rein in his fast rising desire.
What had gotten into him? There was one rule he refused to break; never get involved with a mortal. Once they found out his secret, it was all over. But something about this sarcastic little bundle pushed him, urging him to learn more about her.
Just the sight of her held him on a razors edge. The silky glide of her voice only added to his desire.
Cocking a brow, she tilted her head. “I didn’t have much say in the matter. Some skuzz-bucket robbed me after I left work. He took my purse, which had everything in it, and the creepy cop who took my statement didn’t offer to give me a ride home or let me call anyone to come pick me up. So, here I am.” She finished, waving her hand in the air with exasperation.
She was feisty and, much to his surprise, he found he liked it. Alex never cared much for loud sarcastic women, but something was different about this one, and he couldn’t fight the feeling that he was supposed to know her. If he’d learned one thing in all of his years, it was to follow his instincts and at the moment, his instincts were screaming for him to grab hold of this woman and not let go.
He couldn’t let her continue on her way. Not only was it dangerous for her to be out alone this time of night, the knee-high, black leather boots on her feet looked like they would cripple her before she reached the end of the block.
How the hell do women wear those things?
“What was the cops’ name?”
“Briggs.” She grimaced, “He even tried to give me his number.” She shuddered as though the though disgusted her, and he chuckled.
He would have a little talk with his contact about Officer Briggs’ unacceptable behavior. But for now, he needed to get her on the back of his bike and her thighs pressed firmly against his hips.
“Let me give you a ride.”
“I’m sorry, but I don’t think so.” She laughed cynically.
“Why not?”
Suppressing a groan, Alex watched as she propped her hands on her wonderfully curved hips.
“Because, I’ve already been mugged tonight and I don’t wish to add raped and murdered to the list.”
Alex couldn’t contain the laughter that burst from his lips.

Interview with KT Grant

Can you please share with us a little about yourself

KT: I’m a loopy redhead who blogs and writes. I write under the name, KT Grant, and my books are GLBT and straight romance that are sexy, sweet and sometimes naughty.

Have you always wanted to be an author?

KT: I think I always have wanted to be an author. I always enjoyed writing poetry and short stories and soon my ideas evolved into longer stories. When it came to a point where all I wanted to do was write, that’s when I decided try and get published. And now here I am!

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

KT: Since I have a “day job”, I usually will get up around five in the morning to write and will try to write another hour or two hours when I get home at night. I do a majority of my writing on the weekends. I would say I spend twenty hours or more a week writing.

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

KT: My latest release is Alana’s Surrender, a short story that’s part of Decadent Publisher’s new erotic line, the Edge. This is the second story in my Good Vibrations series about the owner of a bar and the bartender there who lusts after the same woman who happens to be the lead singer of a cover band. She’s also attracted to both men, and one night after the bar closes, they all give into temptation, which leads to some hot times on a couch in an office for all three.

How did you come with the idea for this story?

KT: I have so many ideas rolling around in my head. Usually one will rise above all the rest and bother me to the point where I have to get the characters and the world I’ve created down on paper.

Can you share with us your current work in progress?

KT: I have a Lesbian Historical Romance based on the fairy tale, Cinderella coming out this month from Ravenous Romance called, Cinderella and the Lady. I also just sold another story to Decadent Publish for their 1Night Stand series. This one is called Island Pleasures and just like Alana’s Surrender, it’s a ménage romance where sparks fly on the beautiful Caribbean island of Grand Turk. Island Pleasures will be released this fall.

I would also like to write a third story for the Good Vibrations series. This time it would involve the bouncer of the bar and two women. It would be my first FMF and I plan on making it very steamy and hot.

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

KT: I just finished reading Tiffany Reisz’s The Siren and The Angel. She’s my new author addiction and I’m anxious to read the third book in the series, The Prince in November. I’m also a hard core JR Ward addict and I don’t know how I’m going to make it to March when her next book in her Black Dagger Brotherhood series comes out, her first M/M romance called Lover at Last.

I also have over 200 books in my TBR pile at home. One day it’s going to come alive and eat me.                                                                               

Links:

Website: ktgrant.com

Twitter: @katiebabs https://twitter.com/katiebabs

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kate.garrabrant

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5371939.KT_Grant

 

Interview & Giveaway with Kira Brady

Books-n-Kisses is pleased to welcome for the first time Kira Brady.   We are chatting about her new Deadglass Trilogy.   Please make Kira feel welcome.  We have a special little treat for you at the very end of the interview!!!! 

Kira, can you please share with us a little about yourself.

I’m a vegetarian tree-hugger from Seattle who enjoys hiking through gloomy forests in persistent drizzle, wearing wool sweaters year round, and marveling over all to brief sun-breaks. I moved to Philadelphia for college, because the day I visited campus, it rained. Unfortunately, this was a cruel joke. It’s always sunny in Philadelphia. After graduation from the University of Pennsylvania, I quickly ran back home, where you can now find me huddled against the oppressive grey skies with a book, a mug of tea, my story-loving toddler, and my handsome hero.

Have you always wanted to be an author?

Only in elementary school. After that I came to the conclusion that an author was someone who enjoyed picking apart great literature like Camus’ The Stranger and Conrad’s Heart of Darkness—this was obviously not the path for me. I was in graduate school for city planning when I finally decided I’d rather write about imaginary cities than stamp development applications.

Are you a plotter or a panster? And you explain the difference?

I started off pansting, which meant I had a vague notion of my beginning, middle, and end, but no clear idea of how to get from A to B to C. It meant that I wrote about twice as many words as ended up in the final book. My process has thankfully evolved to plotting. The third book in the trilogy, Hearts of Chaos, I plotted out scene by scene with my critique partner before I started writing a word of it. It has been much more fun, and less frustrating, to write!

What is your most interesting writing quirk?

Even though I love writing, I have an awful time sitting down to the blank page. I need to use two special programs to keep me focused: Write or Die is a program where I enter my time or word goal for a session, and, if I stop writing, it will 1) flash red, 2) start playing a siren, and finally 3) delete my words. That’s motivation to keep going! I usually write in 1000 word sprints, which I can do in about 40 minutes to an hour. Mac Freedom shuts down the internet on my computer.

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

Hearts of Darkness is the first book in the Deadglass Trilogy. It’s set in a gritty alternate Seattle where two shapeshifter races fight over the cracked Gate to the Land of the Dead. A human woman who doesn’t believe in the supernatural must team up with an outcast mercenary werewolf to find her sister’s killer before the Gates open and all hell breaks loose.

How did you come with the idea for this story?

I took the Pike Place Market Ghost Tour, which told about the founding of Seattle on liquor, whores, and gambling, and the ghosts that haunt our present day city. The historic landmark Butterworth Mortuary was featured on the tour, and it struck my imagination. There’s this spooky quote from Chief Seattle about the dead haunting the living. He also said, “There is no Death, only a change of worlds.” Thus the sinfully haunted Seattle of the Deadglass was born.

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

I’m finishing up the last book in the trilogy, Hearts of Chaos.

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

I’d love to meet the ghost of J.M. Barrie. Peter Pan was my favorite story as a kid. I can sing you every Broadway song and quote you random passages.

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

Write every day. Don’t think about writing. Don’t talk about writing. Don’t blog about writing. Just write. Write the story idea you have all the way through to completion, and then start the next one. The only way to learn how to write is to do it, and do it frequently. Give yourself permission to suck on the first draft. I really love Write or Die for this.

Can you share with us something off your bucket list?

Hiking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu

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

Kristin Cashore’s Bitterblue, Karina Cooper’s Tarnished, and Meljean Brook’s Riveted.

What is one book everyone should read before they die?

One??? Miss Rumphius by Barbara Cooney

What is your favorite time of year & why?

I’d say summer, but it’s currently 66 degrees and overcast. 😛 August is a beautiful month in Seattle. The rest of the year it rains. That said I really love Halloween. It’s all about the challenge of designing a fabulous waterproof costume.

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

I have a huge crush on this tech blogger and evangelist. He’s a celebrity in certain geek circles. If I ever meet him, I’d probably ask him to have my babies.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Thank you for having me!

Learn more about Kira here: 

Website  | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads 

 Want a chance to read  the Prequel to The Deadglass Trilogy

Fill out the Rafflecopter from below.

*giveaway is sponsored by Books-n-Kisses*

Hearts of Fire

A Deadglass Novella
June 26, 2012 from Kensington Zebra

 

HEARTS OF FIRE
by Kira Brady
Paranormal Romance
Kensington Zebra, 2012
ISBN 13: 978-1-4201-3137-6
(an ebook exclusive novella)

In the prequel to a stunning new paranormal series, one woman’s desire for a forbidden man will spark a centuries-long supernatural conflict—and a love nothing can destroy. 

She’s the heiress to Seattle’s most powerful shifter clan. Her destiny is as controlled and certain as moonrise. However, from the moment Alice Snow encounters the man known as Brand, she will defy all constraint and break every rule to make this dragon-shifter hers. Brand is determined to repay the clan leader he owes his life to. But one taste of Alice’s exquisite spirit will make him question his loyalty—and plunge them both into the middle of a ruthless power play. Their only chance at freedom is a gamble that could risk the future of humans and shifters alike…

Available for [Amazon kindle], [Nook], and [Powell’s Books].

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Spotlight Feature of Laugh in the Dark by Lynn Hones

 

Laugh in the Dark

Amazon

How many times have the carts run through the funhouse at Conniesyaught Park? After one hundred years, Nick and May Connors and their four children figure plenty. It’s what’s inside the funhouse, however, that won’t let them rest at night and keeps them looking over their shoulders during the day. After sitting abandoned and forlorn for over thirty years, they bought the old park and hotel on the lake with the good intentions of refurbishing it. Unfortunately, not everything or everyone in life wants to be restored and the family finds out the hard way when ghosts of the past make their presence known to the future, in an ominous and uninviting manner.

 

 

 

Spotlight Feature of A Gift of Darkest Magic by Ashlynn Monroe

Ashlynn Monroe

A Gift of The Darkest Magic

Ashlynn Monroe is a busy wife and mom. She enjoys writing about anything and everything paranormal or fantasy related. She spends most of her time daydreaming up her next tale of romance.

Visit her website at http://ashlynnmonroe.com/ to learn more about the worlds she imagines.

She’d love to hear from you at authorashlynnmonroe@gmail

Website / Facebook / Twitter

 

Would you be willing to betray the person you love in order to save their life?

Clarissa’s husband Matt is dying of cancer. They’ve tried everything that medicine has to offer, both traditional and experimental, and nothing’s worked. Clarissa spends her days in the hospital, watching the man she loves slip closer and closer to certain death.

When her sister tells her she knows a way to save Matt, but it involves visiting a local club run by vampires, Clarissa is outraged that her sister would believe something so insane. But then she learns the truth.

Braden, the sexy and mysterious vampire who runs the club, does indeed have the means to save Matt, but he demands a high payment in return. He doesn’t want money, her blood, or even her life…he wants something she never expected. Clarissa has a choice—spend twenty-four hours in Braden’s bed or let her husband die.

But what she never foresaw was how much more the vampire would truly want after he’d given her the gift of the darkest magic.

Content Warning: infidelity, light bondage, anal sex, and rough sex

 

Excerpt

The quiet drip of the IV and the occasional bleep of the monitor were the only sounds in the dim hospital room. Clarissa Blair held the cold hand of her husband, Matthew. Matt’s diagnosis of cancer, just after Christmas, had been a horrible surprise. His condition rapidly deteriorated. The vibrant forty-year-old lay reduced to a thin husk, wasting away in the mediumroom on the fourth floor of Mercy General Hospital. Clarissa could only wait and mourn quietly. She’d tried to hide her pain and stay positive for Matt, but it was getting harder to pretend as he slipped closer to the end of his life.

Their twin seven-year-old daughters spent a lot of time with her mother. She didn’t want them to remember their father as the corpse she saw each day when she came to the hospital after work. Her life was a cycle of working and grieving. She knew the girls missed her, but she just didn’t have the strength to be there for them and keep up with the day-to-day battle of holding herself together. Matt was leaving them.

The sound of the door opening roused her from the dark, sad thoughts. She stood up and hugged the visitor. “Hi, sis.”

Caren, her younger sister, breezed into the room smelling of sunshine and fresh air, in contrast to the stale stench of death she’d come to associate with her husband’s hospital room. “How is he today?”

Her sister’s sadness only added to the weight in Clarissa’s heart. “About the same. The nurse said last night was tough, but he pulled through. He’s a strong fighter.” She knew the last words sounded bitter. He was the strongest man she’d ever known; she couldn’t understand why he couldn’t beat the disease ravaging him. His once handsome face was pale and sunken. Her Matt had left long ago, leaving the dying man in his place. Her Matt would never have abandoned her and their daughters as this man was doing.

For a long moment, Caren looked into her face. She knew Caren wanted to say something, but was holding back.

“Go ahead and say what’s on your mind. You’re always so afraid of saying something that’ll make me cry. I’m past that stage now. Just talk, you’re irritating me.” She knew her shrill statement bordered on cruel, but she didn’t care. What was the use of pleasantries when her whole life was over and she’d never be happy again?

“Sorry, sweetie,” Caren whispered, laying a gentle hand on Clarissa’s shoulder.

The simple act of kindness tore at her soul, making her want to lash out again. She shrugged off her sister’s caring touch. The unwavering love in the deep turquoise eyes, the same shade as her own, sent a little stab of guilt through Clarissa. “I’m the one who should be sorry, but seriously just tell me what’s on your mind.”

Caren gave her a weak smile. “You know I love Matt too.”

Clarissa nodded. Matt had no siblings. She’d married him when Caren was still in high school and he’d taken to her sister as if she were his own. “I know.” She sighed.

“I think I know a way to save him, but I need your help,” Caren whispered.

Clarissa’s eyes narrowed. Her whole body began shaking. “How dare you!” She hissed at her beloved younger sister.

“Really. I mean it, Clarissa. I think I know a way that we can save Matt’s life.” She said the words with genuine hope.

“We’ve tried faith healers, herbs, expensive specialists, what more can there be? I can’t believe you’d spout such bullshit. Especially when he’s so close to…” She couldn’t say “the end”, but it was true. Her husband only had a few more weeks to live, maybe less. The doctors had made it perfectly clear. It was time to give up hope. She’d already picked out his casket and bought the plot. Matt was gone.

“I’m not pulling your leg, or giving you false hope. I saw it work!”

Interview with Mal Olson + Tour wide giveaway

Can you please share with us a little about yourself

Mal: I write adrenaline-kicked romantic suspense. When my consuming passion for writing allows time, I enjoy reading, flower gardening, jamming with friends on my mountain dulcimer, and hiking in a nearby state forest (or in the mountains somewhere). I have three grown children and one granddaughter and reside with my own special hero in southeast Wisconsin where I juggle writing time with my freelance landscape design business

Every author’s bio I read starts out saying something like this: “I’ve been a ravenous reader since the age of six.”

Not me. Call me not a wiz-kid because as a child, I read, but I didn’t start reading books by the carload until I was a young adult. And I don’t devour books–as in reading two or three a day. I savor them by the half-carload and enjoy every morsel while analyzing the magic the author has produced to keep me turning pages.

Along the road to publication,, I have been blessed with help from many others–writers who give of their time to present workshops and seminars, especially those sponsored by Romance Writers of America and WisRWA, and classes offered at the University of Wisconsin Writer’s Institute, and by the generous authors of Mad City Writers.

Have you always wanted to be an author?

Mal: I’ve always had the urge to write, and my first romantic short story was the result of a seventh grade creative writing assignment–which was so long ago I don’t remember my English teacher’s name, but I remember it was the era of poodle skirts and saddle shoes–when I crafted the story of two star-crossed lovers reunited when the hero was freed from the Bastille Prison. Guess what we were studying in History at the time? The time span between writing my first romance story in junior high school and having my first romantic suspense novel published is a period of epoch proportions. I’m one of those overnight success stories that happened after decades of work and trying.

Over twenty years ago, my first-born daughter and I decided we could write a romance novel, and we had a lot of fun working jointly on creating two books. There’s still a place in my heart for those stories and characters. Later, we branched into writing our own novels, picking each other’s brains and critiquing for one another. If it weren’t for her support (she’s an awesome writer as well as a fabulous editor) I would never have reached my lifelong goal of becoming a published author.

What is your most interesting writing quirk?

Mal: I’m not really very quirky. Probably writing at any hour during the day, evening or into the wee hours of the A.M. is my quirkiest.

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

Mal: My latest book is my debut novel. Shadow of Deceit is a romantic suspense filled with non-stop action, hot and sexy characters, betrayal, smokin’ romance, and a thrilling plot. On the two-year anniversary of a car accident that robbed Shannon Riedel of her husband and infant son, a gunman breaks into her office and accuses her husband of swindling a half million dollars from him. When FBI agent Tony Crazaniak, an ex-Delta Force Operative with demons of his own, shows up to investigate, sexual heat sizzles. They collaborate to unearth secrets Shannon’s husband left behind—secrets connected to a terrorist leader Crazaniak has vowed to take down. With danger surrounding them, two emotionally wounded souls bond, but can they put their demons to rest and trust in love? Can they survive long enough to find out?

How did you come with the idea for this story?

Mal: This story has been re-written so many times, I don’t remember how I originally came up with the idea.

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

Mal: I’m currently working on another romantic suspense involving a Lieutenant Deputy Sheriff and his “off limits” new recruit. Too Sexy For His Stetson is set in the mountains of Idaho.

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

Mal: Since I am a big fan of Suzanne Brockmann, I’d really enjoy meeting her. Maybe some of her magic would rub off?

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

Mal: Follow your dream. Write every day. And never give up.

Can you share with us something off your bucket list.

Mal: Travel to Australia.

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

Mal: I loved Trish McCallan’s Forged In Fire, so I can’t wait until her next release.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Mal: Thank you so much for inviting me to Books n Kisses today. Readers, be sure to join in with any questions or comments you may have. One lucky commenter will win a $20.00 Amazon gift certificate at the end of my Sizzling Hot Blog Tour.

Check out my website www.malolson.com for two free short stories ~ Me and Brad-edge of the heart romance with a canine twist. And a Danger Zone ~ Are two strangers destined to become kindred souls when they survive a rock n’ roll landing on an icy Milwaukee runway and chase a could-be terrorist into the danger zone? Both are both also available at Amazon, B & N and most ebook retailers.