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Spotlight Feature of Waterborne by Katherine Irons (& Giveaway)

Waterboune
by Katherine Irons
Release date:  June 26, 2012
Order here Amazon | B&N

A Force Of Nature
Ree O’Connor is more than she seems to be. Despite her delicate appearance and her broken heart, she sees what others don’t. In fact, she is an agent of a clandestine world court, about to bring down a monster when a stranger springs her trap instead. The mistake nearly costs Ree not only her prey, but her life, too–until mysterious Alexandros spirits her to an underwater world she never suspected, even with all her secret knowledge.
As a prince of Atlantis, Alexandros has centuries of experience in love and battle. His magic draws from the power of the ocean itself, and he can be just as beguiling–and just as unfathomable. Could any man heal Ree enough to become more than a sometime lover? And can she trust her heart to a soldier-prince of the deep?

Excerpt:

Nick . . .

The pain tore at her, ripped and chewed with savage ferocity.  Ree opened her mouth to scream but nothing came out.  Her skin was on fire . . . her tongue swollen and dry.  If she believed in hell, she could have believed that she’d died and ended up there.  But she didn’t . . . she’d given up believing in anything when she was six years old.

Flash!  The pictures were back, jerking across a tattered gray screen.  A ship’s galley.  Flash! Nick’s head on the pillow next to hers.  Flash! A cavalcade of black limousines and the cloying scent of lilies.

“No!”

Nick’s arms were around her, lifting her, carrying her.  His mouth covered hers in a searing kiss of passion as a wall of water engulfed them.  She wasn’t afraid.  The water felt good on her hot skin; it soothed the raw ache that gnawed at her stomach and sent shards of glass through her head.  She felt the water on her parched lips, tasted the salt, and inhaled the cool moisture deep into her lungs.

The blackness came and went, came and went.  In between, she thought she saw impossible scenes around her . . . walls of ancient cities, fallen columns, and a road of giant blocks of stone that stretched out to the curve of the earth.  Swaying forests of green kelp rose around them.  Red and yellow, blue, and purple fish darted and floated between the leafy fronds of foliage.  Massive creatures slid past amid the haunting songs of ghostly leviathans.

She had so many questions she wanted to ask Nick.  Why was his hair so light and how had his beautiful brown eyes turned to green?  How had he found her on the deck of the Anastasiya and why was she so thirsty?  But, try as she might, no sounds would pass her lips.

She wanted to wrap her arms around his neck and feel his mouth on hers, but she found it impossible to break free from her crystalline prison.  And this time, when the dark tide threatened to sweep over her, she didn’t fight it.  Nick was here, and he would take care of her.  If Nick had found her, everything would be all right.

She opened her eyes to see a wall of molten lava erupting from the forest around them.  Heat flashed against her skin, and she clamped her eyes shut against the glare.  But not before she’d seen the impossible, seen the tattooed men with their flashing spears and heard their hideous war cries.

“Don’t be afraid,” Nick said, and this time, it seemed that she heard his voice in her head.  “I won’t let them hurt you.”

Why would they hurt me? she wondered.  They aren’t real.  Any minute the piano will begin to play and the Little Tramp will throw his hat and knock them all down. They will fall like dominoes. Flash.  Flash.  Flash.

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Spotlight feature of Haunted by Dana Michelle Burnett

 

Haunted 

Spiritus Series Book Two

Amazon | B&N 

Alastor came at me then, forcing me back against the wall. He was so solid that I could feel his weight against me. I could feel his frozen breath on my face….He ran his hand up my arm, over my shoulder, and rested at the base of my throat. His blue eyes glittered dangerously.

With the publication of Spiritus, Dana Michelle Burnett created ghostly romance in a small town. Now, in her new novel, she brings us again – even more magically – into the midst of the haunted love story she introduced in Spiritus, of the solitary and beautiful Becca McAllister and Alastor, the darkly captivating ghost whom she loves and killed over a century ago.

Becca has already decided that it’s Alastor that she loves, but now, as their uncommon relationship limits Becca’s future, Alastor must decide if he’s willing to make the ultimate

sacrifice for Becca’s happiness….

 

Excerpt

I clutched his hand as we moved along toward Magnolia Bridge. Still yards away, I could hear the drums as well as feel them vibrating somewhere deep inside the middle of my body. As the bridge came into view, the beat of the drums took over the air and shook the ground beneath my feet.

The crowd kept moving closer and closer to the old wood and metal bridge. As I stepped up on the first creaking wooden plank, I saw eerie drawings of symbols and words in glowing white chalk scratched on its surface.

The air was thick with humidity and noise, too loud to even breathe. It all began to spin, the drums, the wooden planks covered in glowing drawings, and the sickening sweet smell of so many bodies pushed together.

I felt myself staggering, everything going hazy and then coming back to quickly, like a record played at the wrong speed. Before I could recover, I was spinning and the drums became loud booms that shook the ground and far off there was a baby crying.

It wasn’t safe here. I had to get away. They were going to find us. They were going to get

“Jonah,” I pleaded, “I’ve got to get out of here.”

He didn’t hear me. I was clutching at his arm, but he was lost in the sea of bodies. At last, I clasped his hand and jerked him around to face me.

“Now!” I demanded. “I want to go now!”

Jonah was reluctant to leave, but the expression on my face must’ve convinced him because he guided me through the crowd without complaint.

As we stepped off the bridge, a beautiful woman with deep olive skin stepped into our path. She seemed to glow in her long white dress and white head wrap. There was something

pulsating on her shoulders. It took a moment for my eyes to focus enough to see that it was a large snake that slithered about her neck.

“I see that which you want most,” she declared, pulling the snake’s head up to hers so that it’s forked tongue could flicker across her lips.

I stepped around her, cringing away from the serpent.

The woman laughed, showing a wide mouth of bright white teeth, “He can come back, you know.”

The air left my lungs and I stopped short. I couldn’t have heard her right. I dropped Jonah’s hand and turned around slowly.

“What did you say?” I asked.

She stepped over to me, swaying her hips so that her dress swung like a bell.

“I can bring him back,” She whispered as she came within inches of my face. “I know that is the thing that you want most.”

There was a surge of air swirling around me and over my head. The woman’s eyes focused on it with a knowing smile.

“He will be angry,” She said and took a card out of the waistband of her dress. “Come and see me when you can.”

I clutched the card in my hand as Jonah led me away. I looked back and watched the woman disappear in the darkening crowd.

Jonah pulled me along, oblivious to the exchange. Once we were safe in a taxi and heading back to the hotel, Jonah put his arm around me and kissed me on my cheek.

“You’ll feel better after a long soak in the tub and a little rest.” He whispered hot and wet in my ear.

I don’t remember saying anything. I just remember the feeling of the card’s sharp edges in my palm. Nothing else in the world mattered except that card.

Late that night, I slipped from the bed were Jonah still lay sleeping. I dressed and went down to the Carousel Bar. Again, the card that I was turning over and over in my fingers held my attention.

MADAME MARIE DESMARAIS’S SHOP OF VOODOO

Royal Street

New Orleans, LA

Could it really be possible? Could Alastor actually come back?

I glanced around at the other patrons of the bar reflected in the many lights and mirrors throughout the room. Were they aware of such possibilities? If so, how could they just sit there and drink the night away?

I sipped at my hurricane cocktail and enjoyed the tingling burn as it went down my throat. I tapped the edge of the card on the table one, two, three times.

The bartender sat another cocktail in front of me. I was already lightheaded, but I took it anyway.

What was I supposed to do now? Could I bring Alastor back and lose Jonah forever?

Would I ever be happy with Jonah if I knew there was even the smallest chance that Alastor could come back?

It was just too impossible to sort out. It was easier to just keep drinking and pretend like I didn’t already know the answer.

Two more drinks later and I barely recognized Jonah when he took a seat at the bar beside me.

“Why aren’t you upstairs?” He asked, taking the drink from me and pushing it away.

I rubbed my hands over my face, “I couldn’t sleep.”

“Is anything wrong?”

I looked down at the card on the bar and then covered it with my hands.

“Not really,” I said. “Just restless, I guess.”

Jonah leaned over and kissed my cheek. He brushed his lips over my ear, “Why don’t you come back upstairs?”

I slid off the barstool, struggling to stand on unsteady feet. Jonah’s arm went around my waist to steady me.

As I reached back to get the stiff white card from the bar, I saw Alastor’s face reflected in the mirrors surrounding the bar. He glared at me with angry blue eyes as I took the card and slid it into my pocket. I silently dared him to try to stop me.

I glanced back at Alastor’s image as I stepped into the elevator with Jonah. He glared at me with hostile eyes until the elevator doors closed and it was just me and my new husband

alone in the elevator.

I leaned back and let out a sigh.

Alastor’s secret voice reverberated in my brain, “Becca, throw the card away, no good will come of it.”

I can’t do that.

“What you’re thinking is impossible,” He argued. “I wish it could be different, but it cannot.”

You don’t know that.

“Yes, I do and you’re not being fair to Jonah.”

I glanced over at Jonah. He leaned against the wall, watching the floor numbers change as we went up. He felt me watching him and turned and gave me one of his brilliant smiles.

“I love you.” He said simply and looked back up at the numbers.

How could he be so trusting? That familiar stab of guilt hit me in the gut.

“I love you too.” I answered.

But I love him more…

Alastor swirled near me, whispering inside my head. “I’m telling you that what you want is impossible.”

I can’t give up while there is even the slightest chance for you.

“Becca, you have to see that this is a lost cause.”

I can’t believe that.

“You have to believe it or else you will drive yourself mad.”

 

About Dana:

Dana Michelle Burnett spent most of her life writing short stories and sharing them with family

and friends. Over the years, her work was published in numerous commercial and literary magazines including Just Labs, Mindprints: A Literary Journal, Foliate Oak, and many more. Her short story John Lennon and the Chicken Holocaust was included in The Best of Foliate Oak in 2006.

In 2010, Burnett’s first novel, Ghost Country, was released. Based on her own Cherokee heritage, the novel marked her return to the literary world after a four year hiatus. She followed that with the release of her romance novel, Two Out of Three in the summer of 2011.

Spiritus is the first novel in her new paranormal romance series by the same name. The second book, Haunted, is now available.

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Spotlight Feature & Giveaway of Fire Kissed by Erin Kellison

Thank you to Kelly for inviting me back to Books-n-Kisses and for her outrageously generous support of my books. I’ve got a new series debuting with Fire Kissed and to celebrate, I’m giving away a copy of Fire Kissed and a $25 gift card to a reader chosen at random who answers this question: Do you believe in the supernatural and why?

 

Order here: Amazon | B&N | Powell’s 

Fae Fire

It is Kaye Brand’s power to wield. But outcast from her kind, she’s been selling herself to the highest bidder – money for her survival in exchange for a magic glimpse into the flames of the future.

 Angel Ice

One of the angelic Order, Jack Bastian has no use for a female like Kaye, as provocative and unexpected as her blazing beauty. Yet he has no choice but to hire her to uncover the secrets of his sworn enemy and her former fiancé, Ferrol Grey.

 Magekind

War is inevitable between the defenders of the Order and the mage Houses who threaten to engulf the world in Shadow. For Jack, mage-born Kaye is off limits, no matter how hot the impossible attraction between them. But in the coming darkness, beset by danger and desire, everything is about to change…

Excerpt:

Never trust a pretty face, her father had once warned her. A pretty face masks a killer.

This angel wasn’t pretty; he was perfect, which was something altogether different, Kaye was now learning. He had none of the soul of that other angel, none of the warmth. This angel, Jack Bastian, had fair eyes, blue probably, or hazel, though she couldn’t be sure that far away. His hair was darkest brown, cut brutally short to tame a tight curl. Square face. An almost Roman nose with a full mouth to match. Though attractive, he was no model. No poet. And yet each expression and angle of his face was impossibly beautiful. Therefore, treacherous.

Angel. Memory had her throat closing. Her eyes ached as angel light filled them. She hadn’t seen another, until now.

Not her fault. The other angel had said so himself. Not her fault. She’d been just a kid.

What could this one possibly want with her?

Bastian, who’d been leaning in her doorway, straightened. He was broad of shoulder, tall, and well-muscled. Something dangerous in his bearing. Every bit the assassin. “We would need you to reenter magekind to gather information on how they are using the wraiths.”

The flames in Kaye’s hands diminished to a weak yellow and orange glow, as if the oxygen in the room had suddenly thinned. If she had any idea why the mage families used wraiths, she wouldn’t have those scars.

“I thought you might be curious yourself,” Bastian continued. He tilted his head and she could feel the stroke of his gaze on her scars. The stroke was echoed by a flutter deep within her belly.

Fear, arousal—both sometimes felt the same.

 

For excerpts and more information, please come find me at:

Erin’s website: www.ErinKellison.com.

Facebook: www.facebook.com/ErinKellisonAuthor

Twitter: www.twitter.com/EKellison

  To enter Erin’s giveaway.  Please answer Erin’s question and fill out the Rafflecopter from below.

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Interview & Giveaway with Kelly Jamieson

Books-n-Kisses is pleased to welcome Kelly Jamieson to the blog for the first time.
We are chatting about her new book Sweet Deal.

Can you please share with us a little about yourself

I write romance books. 🙂

I’ve written over twenty romance novels and novellas. My writing has been described by reviewers as “emotionally complex”, “sweet and satisfying” and “blisteringly sexy”, hence the tag line “Romance with sweet heat”. I’m also an avid romance reader, and I like to read cookbooks (and sometimes cook!) gardening books (and I sometimes garden!) and I also like to read magazines and shop for shoes.  I’m  mom of two adult children and happily married to my hero and best friend for 28 years.

Have you always wanted to be an author?

Yes! Always, even as a kid, I spent hours writing stories.

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

My favorite authors are mostly contemporary romance or women’s fiction authors, although I do like some historical as well. There are really too many to name. Marian Keyes is a big favorite. I also love Erin McCarthy, Jill Shalvis, Emma Holly, Shannon McKenna, Sandra Brown, Toni Blake, Emily GIffen, Lorelei James…I could go on and on.

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

I love to write about love. I guess I am romantic—I’m a sucker for any kind of love story, so even if I wrote any other genre (I have dabbled in women’s fiction and some romantic suspense) there would still be a love story.

What are some of your writing rituals?

I don’t really have any rituals. With a full time job and a busy family, I squeak out writing time whenever I can. Sometimes I have to kick the family out of “my office” because I’m trying to write a hot sex scene, and I do find that difficult to do with other people around.

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

My latest book is Sweet Deal, a sexy contemporary romance. Readers who know me for my ménage or BDSM books will find this a little different, but it’s not unlike my book Friends With Benefits, which is quite popular – one man, one woman, a few problems and a lot of sexual tension.

Jake is a guy with a one date rule, who doesn’t do relationships after his last girlfriend dumped him and married his best friend, who Jake was also planning to go into business with. So his love life and his career are pretty dead and he needs a kick in the pants. On the other hand, Shelby’s career is just picking up again after a disaster at her last job, except for one pesky problem – her boss is a little too interested in her…

For something different, I created a Pinterest Board for Sweet Deal – check it out for some images from the story…

How did you come with the idea for this story?

I got the idea for this story from an advice column…wait! I think I’ve said that before! Apparently I get a lot of ideas from advice columns! A woman wrote in because she was concerned about the relationship developing between her and her boss and the fact that others were starting to talk about them…she didn’t want to have an inappropriate relationship with her boss, but she didn’t want to lose her job either. Well the advice columnist didn’t tell that woman to come up with a fake boyfriend, but that’s what Shelby does in Sweet Deal. Of course, that only creates more problems…

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

My “WIP” is the third book in a series that I haven’t yet submitted to my editor, so I do hope this eventually gets published! It’s set in a fictional coastal California town that is home to a big surf event, and the hero of the WIP is a pro surfer. He makes an appearance in the first book, but right now I’m working on his story.  I also have a Pinterest board for this book for a sneak peek at the story…

What would you be if you were not an author?

The career I wanted when I was in university was to be a translator. I think that would have been a good fit for me. My degree is a double major in English and French. Then I took one year towards a translation degree but didn’t finish. When you translate, you translate into your first language, English for me, which means you have to be a good writer to be able to have the text flow and not sound “translated”. That career didn’t work out for a few reasons – oh well!

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

I always have a huge To Read Pile (okay it’s not really a “pile” since I read ebooks, but it’s a big list!) with books by my fellow Nine Naughty Novelists who always have something great coming out, and upcoming releases by some of my fav authors mentioned above. I’m anxiously awaiting a new Marian Keyes book but I don’t think that will be for a while.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Thank you so much for having me here today! I don’t love talking about myself, but I do love talking about my books and my characters, who become so real to me! Here’s where you can find me around on the web:

Kelly Jamieson – Bio

I’m a married mother of two who lives a very ordinary life outside of my imagination. When I’m not writing I’m usually reading. I also like to cook and that means I like to read cookbooks and cooking magazines. In the summer I enjoy spending time gardening and in the winter I like to read gardening magazines and seed catalogues. I love lying on the beach or on my deck with a glass of wine and a good book. I also love to travel. As you can see, pretty much all my activities involve reading somehow! Although I don’t have as much time for it any more, I also love to shop, especially for clothes and shoes. Some think I’m obsessed with shoes but that is not true (although my husband would point out that there is no room left in our closet).

I love to hear from readers, so Tweet me on Twitter, leave me a comment on Goodreads or Amazon or my blog , or email me at info (at) kellyjamieson.com

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Nine Naughty Novelists | Pinterest

Sweet Deal – available June 12, 2012

 Samhain Publishing |  Amazon |   Barnes & Noble 

 Blurb:

The relationship is pretend. The chemistry…isn’t.
After her last job ended with a broken heart and a humiliating exit from the company, Shelby Leighton’s project management career is back on track with a new job and a high-profile project. The problem: her new boss is a little too friendly, and the staff is talking. Can you say, “déjà vu?” The solution: casually mention a fictional new boyfriend.

Jake Magill doesn’t do relationships. It’s casual or nothing, but the hot blonde he’s been eyeing at the coffee shop sure is something. Especially when she confesses her problem, and he finds himself offering to act as her date.

Sounds simple. Stroll around the party with Shelby’s sexy curves clinging to his arm? He’s all over it. Until he meets her boss—the man who once stole and married the one woman Jake thought he loved.

Now Jake’s the one with a reason to pretend. If only to save his own pride…and Shelby from the predatory gaze of the man who could ruin her, and any chance of finding out if their fake connection is the real thing.

Product Warnings

Contains one desperate lady in need, and a pretend boyfriend who shows impressive dedication to nailing all—and then some—elements of his role. Oh my!

 

GIVEAWAY TIME!!!!
To enter for a chance to win an E-copy of Sweet Deal. Please fill out the Rafflecopter from below.
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Seduced by Blood Pre-Order Contest

As most of you know Laurie London’s 4th book in her Sweetblood  series will be released later this month (7-24).  Seduced by Blood is Tristan Santiago’s story.  The fearless, stubborn, rules with a iron fist and doesn’t need anyone leader of the Northwest Guardian Divison.  I loved this book.  I loved reading about Santiago’s demons and how he learns to love and be loved.

So because I loved Santiago’s story so much I want to see who loves the Sweetblood Series as much as me.

So here is what I am going to do.

I have a set of the first three books in the Sweetblood series, Bonded by Blood, Embraced by Blood, & Tempted by Blood, all 3 signed by the wonderful Laurie London that I am going to giveaway.  Also I have a custom made bookthong by the wonderful Mandy from Shiny Stupid Designs.    So one lucky person will get all three books, the bookthong and there might be a little something extra too *wink, wink*.

So how do you enter?

Pretty simple:

1st: Pre-order Seduced by Blood (you can pre-order from any of your favorite book retailers) Between now and July 23rd.

2nd:  Send me an email that shows you ordered.  Please send email to books.n.kisses(at)gmail(dot)com . Please put “Seduced by Blood” in the title area.

3rd:   Gain an extra point for sharing on Facebook, twitter or your own blog.  Please make sure to let me know where you shared in your email (please include links)

4th: Now you wait.

Contest will run until July 23rd.  Winner will be drawn & announced on July 25th.

 Seduced by Blood

7/24/2012

Amazon | B&N | Powells | Books a Million

Deep within the forests of the Pacific Northwest, the battle for supremacy rages on between two vampire coalitions: Guardian enforcers sworn to protect humanity, and Darkbloods, rogues who kill like their ancient ancestors… Hot-blooded and hard-edged, Tristan Santiago has an uncanny ability to see beneath the surface-a power that serves him well as the Guardians’ region commander. But when a deadly plot against his fellow vampires is uncovered, he must turn to the one woman he can’t read: the beautiful yet mysterious Roxanne Reynolds, whose sensual presence soothes his tormented memories. Roxy had put love before duty once before, with devastating results. But to root out a dangerous traitor in their midst, she must put her faith in Santiago, the one man skilled enough to break through her defenses. Posing as lovers, Santiago and Roxy work side by side-and discover a powerful craving that threatens to consume them both

 

Giveaway Details:  Giveaway is Sponsored by Books-n-Kisses Blog.  Giveaway is open to everyone.  No shipping restrictions.  Winner will be chosen with the help of Random.org.  Winner will have 72 hours after email notification to contact me with required information to claim prize.

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Interview & giveaway with Kristin Miller

 

Can you please share with us a little about yourself?

I’m a wife, mother and paranormal romance writer all tied up into one complex bow. I live in Northern California and write while my children are in school. Wish I could say I write on the sunny beaches of Cali, but I don’t. Most mornings are spent looking out my front window at acre upon acre of beautiful farmland. My sixth book, Forbidden by Fate, will release July 1st and my seventh, Last Vamp Standing, will release August 28th.

Have you always wanted to be an author?

I wish I could say that I have, but no. All I ever wanted to be was a middle school English teacher, but life had other ideas in mind. I got my BA in English and my teaching credential, and taught English for a few years…but then my two munchkins came into my life. While I loved staying home with my kids, my brain wouldn’t quit spinning. Ideas took form. Not long after my son was born, my first book idea was too.

What is your most interesting writing quirk?

You got me on this one…so I asked my husband. His answer is that I put everything on Post-It notes. So yeah. I do. Our house is littered with purple, blue, orange and pink squares of paper. There you have it, straight from the husband’s mouth.

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

Forbidden by Fate is the second novella in the Isle of Feralon series, though you don’t have to read the first one, Claimed by Desire, to understand the second.

Here’s a taste:

Dragon shifter Damon Frost has been banned from stepping foot onto Were land after sharing a night of pleasure with Sasha Moore, heir to the Were throne. Since then, he’s been waiting for the opportunity to return and claim her once again—until a territory dispute finally reunites him with his werewolf princess. Damon plans to use every minute with Sasha to remind her of the passion they shared—a fire he’s determined to reignite.

With their desire impossible to resist, Damon and Sasha indulge in a night of illicit ecstasy. But will it be enough to satisfy their lust? Or will their forbidden love start a war between their clans?

How did you come with the idea for this story?

I’ve wanted to write dragon shifters since I first started writing. They’re powerful, majestic creatures and strong to the umpteenth degree. I simply needed to create a world where they could fly. Once I started thinking about a magical isle where they could roam, I thought why not? Why wouldn’t there be other shifters that roam that isle, too? Werewolves and Merfolk were born and I’ve been in love with all of them (and the Isle of Feralon) ever since.

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

Since I just finished edits for Last Vamp Standing (Book #3 in the Vampires of Crimson Bay series), I’m in the plotting stage of my next series which means anything can happen. If I told you about my early thoughts here, they’d probably be foreign to me by next week. Let’s just say my next series is paranormal romance, set in contemporary times. I’m thinking angels…or dragons…or angels and dragons. I warned you that anything could happen.

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

I’ve met so many authors at writing conferences and every single one of them is absolutely wonderful. I’ve met some of my favorites: Nora Roberts, Jayne Ann Krentz Larissa Ione, Monica McCarty. I’ve even met some that I didn’t know would become my favorites at the time: Veronica Wolff, Stacia Kane, Rachael Herron. As for an author I’d love to meet and haven’t yet? How about Lauren Kate? I’m in love with her Fallen series and would love to pick her brain on how to make a series fly. (Pun 100% intended.)

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

Take one step at a time. Don’t worry about getting an agent or submitting to a publishing house until you’ve finished your first book. There are so many ins and outs of the publishing business that someone could go insane trying to figure it out. So don’t. Worry about writing the best book you can and the rest will fall into place.

Can you share with us something off your bucket list?

I’m not too daring—no sky-diving or bungee-jumping for me!—so my bucket list is filled with other things. Like, you know, taking a boat over the exact spot where the Titanic sank. I’ve studied the Titanic for over 20 years. It’d be a moment I’d never forget. That’s what my bucket list is filled with…moments.

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

First up: Monica McCarty’s The Saint. I LOVE everything about her Highland Guard series, but unfortunately can’t read off-genre while I’m writing. That means I’ve got to get as much reading done as I can between books. I can’t wait to start! Second on my list: Lauren Kate’s Rapture. Third: Marcus Zusak’s The Book Thief. I’m half way through and am dumbfounded by the beauty of Zusak’s words.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Thank you so much for having me today!

Want to learn more about Kristin?  Check her out here: 

Website |  Blog  |  Facebook page |  Twitter  | Goodreads

FORBIDDEN BY FATE

Purchase Links:

Amazon | Barnes and Noble

Book Blurb:

A forbidden love……

A second chance……

A night of passion neither will forget.

Sasha, a love-thirsty werewolf and rightful heir to the Were throne, is ready to take control over her pack. But when her first love, dragon shifter Damon Frost, lands on her doorstep, demanding their races negotiate ownership over Feralon’’s hot springs, he makes her question more than the fight for the enchanted neutral ground. No matter the emotions bubbling inside her, Sasha can’’t become involved with Damon. Not now. Not ever again.

Forbidden to step foot onto Were land after a romp with the Alpha’’s daughter as a teenager, Damon has bided his time, waiting for the day when he’’d be accepted back onto Were land. Using the hot spring negotiation as a way to get closer to Sasha, Damon plans to use every minute alone to remind her of the passion they shared–—a passion they could ignite again.

One night of ecstasy stands between them and the fight for the springs. One night of revealing glances, skin searing chemistry, and erotic desires they’’d long buried.

Will one taste of forbidden love be enough to satiate their desires? Or will the need to explore the depths of their love unleash a Were-Draco war?


 Giveaway Details: 

  • Two random commenters from the tour will win their choice of either a Kindle or Nook format eBook of Forbidden by Fate OR a Kindle or Nook format eBook of Claimed by Desire, the first novella in the Isle of Feralon series.
  • The tour host with the most comments will receive a Kindle or Nook format eBook of both Forbidden by Fate and Claimed by Desire.
  • Please leave a comment along with your broken up email addy.
  • Contest is open the duration of the tour (July 2 – 20) and Internationally.
  • Winner will be randomly selected and notified via email.
Want more chances to win?  Follow the whole tour HERE:

 


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Spotlight feature of Angel of Darkness by Cynthia Eden (&giveaway)

Angel of Darkness

(The Fallen #1)

by Cynthia Eden

As an angel of death, Keenan’s job is to collect the souls on his list. He’s carried out his duty for two thousand years and never faltered once. Until he meets Nicole St. James. When the moment of death comes, Keenan hesitates, and instead of taking Nicole, Keenan touches the vampire who’s attacking her.

Cast out of heaven for disobedience, Keenan plummets to earth. Six months later, he finally manages to track Nicole to a bar in Mexico. He’s stunned to discover that the woman he remembers has undergone a dramatic change—she’s become a vampire. And when he realizes that she’s the target of all manner of enemies—other vampires, demons, even shifters—he’ll do whatever it takes to protect her, even if all hell breaks loose

Excerpt from ANGEL OF DARKNESS by Cynthia Eden

(Kensington Books…Available Now)

 Nicole wrenched her head away from him. She was breathing hard, her breath rasping.  “What the hell was that?”

Keenan blinked, then let his eyes narrow. His cheeks seemed to burn as he stared down at her. “I bled for you. I thought a kiss was the least I deserved as payment.”

She jerked from his hold but only because he let her go.  “You thought wrong.”

“Didn’t you kiss your other prey?” And that had the rage stirring again. So many emotions churned inside him now.  Sometimes it seemed as if they’d rip him apart.  “Weren’t you rubbing against them, promising sex, when you—”

“I wasn’t going to sleep with them!” Her hands flew up into the air, and he saw the small, deadly claws on the ends of her fingers.  “I didn’t want to scare them, so I was…” She broke off and shook her head. “Never mind. I don’t have to explain myself to you.”

“You were seducing them.”  The words fell between them.  He lifted a brow. “You think seducing the blood away is any better than holding down your prey and just taking what you want?”

She flinched. “Maybe I don’t have a choice.” Nicole spun around and gave him one truly glorious view of her butt as she stormed away.

But she wasn’t really going anywhere. They weren’t done.

“Why didn’t you try seducing me?”  Probably not what he should have asked then, but…did she not find him appealing at all?

Perhaps the kiss had been wrong. He, too, could try seduction instead of force.  If it worked for her…

“There’s no point in seducing hunters.” She threw this over her shoulder. “You’d screw me, then still kill me.”

Maybe. But… “If you walk away from me now, you will die.”

Those words stopped her.  She glanced back. “That’s a threat, huh? What are you gonna do? Jump me?  I’m not so easy to take down.”

She would be.

“I’m not the threat right now.” Keenan went closer because her scent drew him in.  Lush woman.  But, also, something else. Soft. Light.  A wisp of…vanilla?

“You look like a threat to me,” she said, turning slowly to face him.

He was a threat. “In about five minutes, more of Romeo’s friends will be here. I told them to stay away.” Keenan tilted his head and his nostrils flared.  “But I don’t guess they listened.”

She licked her lips, a fast flash of pink tongue. “Romeo?  Who’s that?”

His jaw tightened. “The first idiot you had ready to donate blood tonight.” Keenan guessed he counted as idiot number three. “I took down him and his men, but I didn’t kill them.” He hadn’t touched any of them with his hands because he’d been afraid that one touch would shove them all straight to hell.

But that particular power was gone.  A very, very good thing.

“You walk away,” he continued, “and they’ll have you long before you can make it to that broken down Chevy.”

 

What is next?

Angel Betrayed 

(The Fallen #2)

Release: July 2012

A LITTLE BIT OF ANGEL LUST.

Sammael – call him Sam – was an angel once. An angel of death. But the dispassionate, watch-from-above thing just wasn’t working for him when it meant watching evil torture innocent souls day in and day out. It might have cost him his wings, but these days, he gets to apply the direct method on the bad guys. Problem is, what’s making his life difficult is a bad girl…

Seline O’Shaw needs protection, and with the hounds of hell on her tail, she’s not going to quibble too hard about where she gets it. Sam’s virtue is questionable, but he’s smoking hot, massively powerful, and owes her a favor. So what if she’s getting a little case of angel lust? There are some damn deadly sins after her hide

 

Angel in Chains

(The Fallen #3)

Released date November 2012
The Fallen Angel AZRAEL (Az) is well acquainted with sin—it was his own sins that led to his banishment from heaven. Now, with his wings burned away, he walks the earth and is battered by the emotions of humans. He wants to return home, but unless he can earn some kind of redemption, he’ll be spending the rest of his very long life trapped in his own hell.

Now for the Giveaway Details

Kensington Publishing has sponsored one copy of  Angel of Darkness for me to giveaway.  To enter please fill out the Rafflecopter from below. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

{US/Canada only, Sponsored by Kensington Publishing}

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Kelly’s ARC review of Forever A Lady by Delilah Marvelle

Forever A Lady
Rumor Series : book 2
by Delilah Marvelle
PUBLICATION DATE:   7/24/ 2012
ORDER LINKS:  Amazon | B&N | Powell’s

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
TWO DIFFERENT CLASSES, ONE COMMON DESIRE…
Lady Bernadette Marie Burton  may be the richest widow in England,  maybe the richest widow in England, but like her dreams of finding true passion, her reputation is deteriorating. Cruel gossip, loneliness and hoards of opportunistic suitors have her believing Society couldn’t be more vile…or dangerous. So when an attacker threatens her life, she finds safety in the most unseemly of places: the arms of a mysterious, Irish-American gang leader. His fortune stolen, young  Matthew Milton is done playing the respectable gentleman. In the slums of New York, only ruffians thrive. But from the moment he arrives in London and encounters the voluptuous Lady Bernadette, he can’t help but wonder about the finer pleasures he’s missing. Or just how much he’s willing to risk-not only to bed her, but to prove his worth.

REVIEW:
Another wonderful book by the amazingly talented Delilah Marvelle.  Forever A Lady is book 2 in Delilah’s Rumor series.  Now, while the books are linked together by common characters, you don’t HAVE to read them in order.  I would recommend it, but you don’t have too.

Forever A Lady takes us back to New York and Five Points.  Where we learn a little more about Matthew (who we meet in Forever & A Day) and his past.  How he ended up where he is and why he chose to form  the Forty Thieves.  Matthew is strong, determined, a little rough around the edges, but an extremely good man, one who stands up for others and what he believes in.  But some times standing up for yourself and other gets you noticed.  Getting noticed in Five Points is not always a good thing and can end up getting you killed.  When a plan is revealed that a neighboring ward plans to take Matthew out, his best friend Coleman rushes him off to London for his safety.  While Matthew is not happy about the trip to London, he is about to meet someone that will change is his life forever.

Lady Bernadette or Mrs Shelton as she started calling herself after a very unfortunate event in New Orleans has come back to London, not of her own free will, but to help a friend win back the lover of her life.  Bernadette has sworn off true love, marriage and any of the other mushy love stuff for herself, yet she wishes it for others.  Men are not to be trusted, therefore she lives now by the love them and leave them mentality.  But this trip to London will test Bernadette and have her starting to think that maybe the right man could change her idea of marriage, love and the future.

I LOVED this book, Matthew & Bernadette are great together.  The bring out the best in each other even during the worst of times.  They fight each other, for each other and with each other for the things and the people that they love and care about.

If you loved Forever & A Day you will love Forever A Lady.  If you have not stated this series I would highly recommend you start with Forever Mine.  Forever Mine is Delilah’s novella that starts this whole series rolling.

If you have never read a historical romance Delilah Marvelle is a perfect place to start.  Her books are fun, witty and full of great characters.

REVIEW PROVIDED BY: Kelly

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Kelly’s review of Once Burned by Jeaniene Frost

Once Burned
AUTHOR: Jeaniene Frost
PUBLICATION DATE:   6/26/12
ORDER LINKS:  Amazon | B&N
BOOK SYNOPSIS:
She’s a mortal with dark powers…

After a tragic accident scarred her body and destroyed her dreams, Leila never imagined that the worst was still to come: terrifying powers that let her channel electricity and learn a person’s darkest secrets through a single touch. Leila is doomed to a life of solitude…until creatures of the night kidnap her, forcing her to reach out with a telepathic distress call to the world’s most infamous vampire…

He’s the Prince of Night…

Vlad Tepesh inspired the greatest vampire legend of all—but whatever you do, don’t call him Dracula. Vlad’s ability to control fire makes him one of the most feared vampires in existence, but his enemies have found a new weapon against him—a beautiful mortal with powers to match his own. When Vlad and Leila meet, however, passion ignites between them, threatening to consume them both. It will take everything that they are to stop an enemy intent on bringing them down in flames.

REVIEW:
Vlad uses fear and torture to keep the ones around him loyal.  So when he realizes he is being spied on he does what Vlad does best he threatens to kill that person.  But what he never expected is that that spy is going to ask him for help, ask him to save her and in doing so will change both of their paths forever.

Leila just wants to live in peace or what little peace she can find.  But it is really hard to do that when you just got kidnapped by three very nasty and hungry looking vampires.  Forced to use her power to try to get answers for them, Leila finds herself connecting to another vampire.  And this vampire may be her only hope to make it out of this room alive.

I wanted to give this 5 stars maybe even 4 1/2 but it was a 4 for me.  I guess I have not been paying attention to the Frost world.  I was totally shocked that Vlad’s story is told by the heroine (just like all of Cat & Bones stories are from Cat’s point of view) Lelia.  I was hoping for more insight on the man we have all come to love.

I enjoyed this story.  I am very happy that Vlad finally gets his story told.  We do learn more about the man behind the myth of Dracula. Although I would have loved to have seen many parts of this story through Vlad’s point of view.

Vlad & Leila make a great team.  Both are stubborn, determined and will do anything for the people close to them.  I loved that Leila challenges Vlad every step of the way.  I can’t wait to see where Jeaniene takes us next on Vlad & Leila’s journey.  Sadly we have to wait until Spring of 2013 for the next Night Prince novel to come out.  But I think it will be worth the wait.

4 Hearts

REVIEWED BY: Kelly

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Kimberly’s review of Let Me In by Callie Croix

Let Me In
AUTHOR: Callie Croix
PUBLICATION DATE:   05/21/12
ORDER LINKS:  Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
On leave for Thanksgiving, the last thing marine lieutenant Talia Barnett expects to find is Liam Brodie waiting for her at the airport. He’s had a starring role in her fantasies for the past two years, and although she’d love to make them a reality, she has a dark secret that prevents her from taking things further.

A former marine, Liam’s specialty is planning tactical operations, and that’s just what he plans to do to win Talia. The woman has kept him at arm’s length for too long, and this time he’s finally going to claim her—body and heart.

What begins as comfort quickly turns hot. When Liam shows Talia a hint of the dominant nature inside him, the submissive part of her flares to life. Though she desires him, she’s going back on deployment and doesn’t want to dump all her drama on him. Will he find a way to break through the protective walls around her heart and convince her they have a future that goes far beyond the bedroom?

REVIEW:
This is a short read (about 100 pages). The synopsis really does not go into all the storylines of this book. Of course the book has the story of Talia and Liam together but it also is the story of a daughter who needs to care for her mentally ill/hoarding mother, her inability to become close to anyone because they might find out about her mother, her desire to be in a real family where she feels loved and cared for and her desire to know she is not alone in her world. Talia is a very complex character who can be a strong Marine and put her life on the line every day while deployed but a scared child when she comes home on leave. Liam has been in love with Talia for the two years he has known her and is willing to take on her burdens if she would only let him.
While the book mentions over and over his dominant nature there really is not much shown in the book. There is very little that I would even consider that makes this book require the “erotica” title. Of course there is sex in the book but we are not talking S&M dominant just a man who takes control in the bedroom. I enjoyed this read and it would be a great book to have on your e-reader for when you need a short, interesting, and enjoyable read.

4 Hearts


REVIEWED BY: Kimberly

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Kelly’s review of Under Fire by Catherine Mann

Under Fire
Elite Force #3
AUTHOR: Catherine Mann
PUBLICATION DATE:   05/01/12
ORDER LINKS:  Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
A decorated hero, pararescueman Liam McCabe lives to serve. Six months ago, he and Rachel Flores met in the horrific aftermath of an earthquake in the Bahamas. They were tempted by an explosive attraction, yet parted ways. Still, Liam has thought about Rachel every day—and night—since.

Now, after ignoring all his phone calls for six months, Rachel has turned up on base with a wild story about a high-ranking military traitor. She claims no one but Liam can help her—and she won’t trust anyone else.

With nothing but her word and the testimony of a discharged military cop to go on, Liam would be insane to risk his career—even his life—to help this woman who left him in the dust.

REVIEW:
WOWZA!!!! Okay I have to tell you this is my first Catherine Mann book and I am now totally in love with her and her Elite Force team  Now while Under Fire can easily stand as a read alone book, I am going to go back and read book 1 and 2.   I want to know more about the team!!

Liam McCabe, is…well not very lucky in love.  Oh he loves to be in love, three marriages prove that.  But the three divorcees provide that he is very unlucky when it comes to finding the right woman.   That is until about six months ago when he met the most perfect woman ever.  But after a three short weeks together and just one kiss she walked away from him never to look back.   So image Liam’s shock when he finds Rachel hiding in the back of his jeep, wet and scared to death.

Rachel can’t believe the mess she is in.  Not only has she been getting threatening phone calls, but now someone was following her.  All because she believed the tale that one soldier told her.  But now she is really scared.  She can’t trust the police.  She can’t trust anyone.  Except Liam.  Liam will keep her safe, but first she has to get to him.

This was a great book.  I LOVED Liam and his team.  They are all witty, sexy and can kick your ass with just a look.  It was fun to read Liam & Rachel’s love story as each of them have been burned in the past and are just a little scared of what they feel for each other.  But in the end love will always win.

4 Hearts

4 ½ Stars

REVIEW PROVIDED BY: Kelly