Kelly’s (arc) review of The Taming of a Scottish Princess by Karen Hawkins

The Taming of a Scottish Princess
AUTHOR: Karen Hawkins
PUBLICATION DATE:   05/22/12
ORDER LINKS:  Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:

A DETERMINED EXPLORER

When famed Egyptologist Michael Hurst discovers that the infamous Hurst Amulet is hidden in Scotland, he insists his trusted assistant, Miss Jane Smythe-Haughton, accompany him north. Strangely, the usually unflappable Jane seems perturbed by their destination—the mysterious Isle of Barra. A fascinated Michael watches as his staid assistant transforms, revealing intriguing layers of mystery and vulnerability. Could he be about to uncover not one, but two, precious treasures?

A DAUNTLESS PRINCESS

Once her clan’s princess, Jane fled Barra years ago to avoid a forced marriage. Since then, she has made her living as efficient Miss Smythe-Haughton—the perfect (and highly paid) assistant. Now she must confront her secrets . . . including her feelings for her irascible employer, too-handsome-for-his-own-good Michael Hurst.

A PERILOUS PLEASURE

Others are also searching for the missing amulet, however. Can Jane and Michael learn to trust each other in time to solve two riddles: the location of the Hurst Amulet, and the meaning of the vivid passion flaring between them?



REVIEWED BY: Kelly            

NUMBER OF STARS: 4 Stars

REVIEW:
This was my first Karen Hawkins book.  I have to say I really enjoyed this book.  The Taming of a Scottish Princess started out a little slow and Michael came off as a pompous ass, but as the story goes on I grew to love Michael’s character.  Michael may still be single minded but by the end of the book what he has his mind set on has changed.  He finally learns what is truly important to him.  
Jane. 



While you might think she a mouse type of character you would be very wrong.  Jane is a very strong, determined and can put her boss in his place any time kind of girl.  But when their latest adventure takes them back to Jane’s birth place, her future will forever be changed.

Michael & Jane were a fun, witty and determined couple to read about.  I loved their batter.  The sassy mouths that both have. The name calling, oh the name calling.  But their adventure to a small island in Scotland will make them realize that the ultimate treasure has been in front of them the whole time.

If you are a fan of Karen Hawkins’ books you will enjoy The Taming of a Scottish Princess.  If you are new to Karen, I believe you will enjoy the adventure and trouble the Michael and Jane get them self into.

Kelly’s review of Black Magic by JD Tyler

Black Magic
#1.5 Alpha Pack series
AUTHOR: JD Tyler
PUBLICATION DATE:   03/06/12
ORDER LINKS:  Amazon | B&N


BOOK SYNOPSIS:
A terrible storm is coming, and Alpha Pack’s newest man will face not only a battle within himself, but a war on the horizon that could end them all…

Sorcerer/Necromancer/black panther shifter Kalen Black and Dr. Mackenzie Grant battle a lethal enemy and come together in an explosion of passion. One night will set in motion dire consequences not only for the couple, but for the entire Pack…

This novella is the beginning of Kalen and Mackenzie’s story, to be concluded in December 2012 with their full-length book, BLACK MOON.


REVIEWED BY: Kelly         NUMBER OF STARS: 5 Stars

REVIEW:
I was so excited for this novella.  It seems so long ago that I opened Primal Law and fell in love with JD Tyler and the Alpha Pack.  In Primal Law we got to met the very dark and disturbing Kalen Black.  From the moment we meet Kalen I was totally interest in his story.  Where did he come from, was he good or evil, how did he have the power to shift into a black panther (which is my favorite type of shifter)  What role is he going to play within the Alpha Pack.

Black Magic gives us a little sample of who Kalen really might be.  I say “might be” because the guys has been through so much in his life and it seems he has a heck of a battle coming his way.  But we do get to see a much softer side of Kalen, when he is with Mackenzie.  With Mackenzie he opens up and shares thing he would never share with anyone else.

JD Tyler, I love and hate you right now. Love Kalen & Mackenzie together. But darn you for writing this novella and leave me hanging at the end…… I am not a very patient person and now I have to wait for the follow up story  Black Moon to see what happens to Kalen & Mackenzie.  

JK Beck’s Shadow Keeper Series

When Blood Calls 

The Shadow Keepers #1

by J.K. Beck

Attorney Sara Constantine is thrilled with her promotion—until she finds out that she must now prosecute vampires and werewolves. The first defendant she’ll be trying to put away? Lucius Dragos, the sexy stranger with whom she recently shared an explosive night of ecstasy.

When Lucius kisses a beautiful woman sitting next to him at the bar, he’s hoping only to avoid the perceptive gaze of the man he’s planning to kill. But what starts as a simple kiss ignites into an all-consuming passion. Charged with murder, Luke knows that Sara is determined to see him locked away—unless he can convince her that he’s not a monster. And that might mean making the ultimate sacrifice

When Pleasure Rules 

The Shadow Keepers #2

by J.K. Beck

Seven innocents have been brutally murdered in Los Angeles, yet the Shadow Alliance has no suspects and no leads. As the body count mounts, the age-old feud between vampires and werewolves threatens to explode.

Lissa Monroe—a strong-willed, ravishing succubus who entices men to surrender their souls—agrees to go undercover for the Alliance. Her mission: infiltrate the mind of werewolf leader Vincent Rand, a ferociously alluring enemy who exerts a powerful hold over her. As the City of Angels teeters on the brink of apocalypse, these two adversaries must join together in order to survive an even more lethal enemy hidden in plain sight.

When Wicked Craves 

The Shadow Keepers #3

by J.K. Beck

Petra Lang is cursed never to love. One touch of her skin unleashes the vilest demons. Sentenced to death by the Shadow authorities, who fear she’ll turn her curse against them, Petra is rescued by vampire advocate Nicholas Montegue. As their bodies merge and transform into mist, Petra feels an erotic longing.

Nicholas risked his own life to save Petra, yet he knows he can never give in to the explosive attraction he feels for her. But the deep yearning they share tempts them. Together, they must find a way to lift the curse. For only a love this strong has the power to overcome such monstrous evil.

Midnight 

The Shadow Keepers #3.5

by J.K. Beck

Enter J. K. Beck’s thrilling, seductive world of the Shadow Keepers, which New York Times bestselling author Lara Adrian calls “exciting paranormal romance with a sharp, suspenseful edge.”

Carissa de Soranzo will not rest until her kidnapped younger brother has been freed from the nobleman Baloch de Fioro, a fiendish werewolf who means to turn the boy at the next full moon. Against her father’s wishes, Carissa secretly seeks help from the mysterious werewolf hunter Tiberius. Desperate, she promises to do anything if he’ll save her brother—and she can see in his eyes what that will mean.

Dark, strong, and virile, Tiberius cannot resist ravishing the most beautiful woman he’s seen in centuries. But he can never truly have his fill of her, for Tiberius is a vampire. On a quest to trap the werewolf in his den, Tiberius realizes that the only way to rescue Carissa’s brother is to reveal what he truly is. But he risks losing Carissa forever—especially when she discovers that she has given her heart to a vampire.

When Passion Lies 

The Shadow Keepers #4

by J.K. Beck

Available: May 29, 2012
Tiberius is a vampire dedicated to protecting his kind—and the secrets of the shadow world. Now, as his quest to become head of the Alliance draws within reach, a shattering new threat puts him to the ultimate test. It’s a nightmare of grim proportions: a dark plot to bring about the mass extermination of human and shadow alike. And it forces Tiberius to turn to the woman he loved and lost, the lover he still desires but doesn’t trust.

Caris was Tiberius’s mate for centuries—until a fateful mission changed her forever. Her tortured secrets drove her into the arms of his rival, but desperation has brought her back. As a horrifying new weapon of mass destruction is about to be unleashed, Tiberius and Caris harness the power of their immortal and passionate love. But will it be enough to battle devastating odds and a ruthless enemy with the ambition to destroy them all?

When Darkness Hungers 

The Shadow Keepers #5

by J.K. Beck

Available: June 26, 2012
FBI agent Alexis Martin knows that vampires exist—because one of them killed her sister. Assigned to investigate a series of bizarre homicides in Los Angeles, Alexis believes the murders are the work of rogue vampires—perhaps even the monster responsible for her sister’s death. Now she finally has a chance for retribution. Even better, Alexis receives unexpected help from a sexy stranger as hungry for rogue blood as she is.

Serge is a centuries-old bad boy who stays off the grid—keeping his secrets, his hunger, and his heart safe from exposure. A new breed of vampire that feeds off other shadowers, Serge finds sweet torture in Alexis’s arms. Loving her is a chance to be free from the hiding, the loneliness, the secrecy. But the truth about what he is, and what he’s done, may banish him to the dark confines of his own private hell—and destroy the beginnings of their love

When Temptation Burns 

The Shadow Keepers #6

by J.K. Beck

Available: July 31, 2012

Half human, half daemon, Ryan Doyle is a driving force for justice. As an agent for the Preternatural Enforcement Coalition, he’s investigating murders linked to a Los Angeles fringe group bent on exposing the shadow world to humanity. He is a master of self-control, keeping his deepest hungers hidden beneath a veneer of cool professionalism. Until he crosses paths with sinfully sweet Andy Tarrent, a gutsy reporter who makes him crave all the pleasures he’s denied himself for centuries.
 
Tracking a band of conspiracy theorists eager to spill blood, Andy has uncovered the story of her career. Brooding, mysterious Ryan is an enigma—but their dance of seduction is hotter than any fantasy. As they race to stop mass murder on the streets, Andy knows that Ryan is holding back, keeping secrets. But getting close to Ryan means opening the door to a world that will challenge her deepest beliefs—including what it means to truly surrender to love.

Interview with Xandra James

Books-n-Kisses is pleased to have Xandar James to the blog today. 

1.    Can you please share with us a little about yourself

I’m a married, British author, and have had a serious love affair with romance books, since I was very young and sneaking looks at my Mum’s large stash. If I say to some of your readers I’m a June baby (so a Cancer crab) I’m sure they’ll figure me out i.e. stubborn and moody 😉

2.    Have you always wanted to be an author?

Since I was about ten years old. I was always obsessed with books though. I was one of those kids who were completely happy when alone with multiple tomes – whatever the genre. It was a natural progression to start writing as my parents always said I had a very vivid imagination (although I think that was their way of telling me I could lie through my teeth with the most amazing excuses…lol)

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

I have lots of favourites and am always finding new authors to check out (just have to find the time to read ’em!!).

There are certain points, however, I can pinpoint and say a certain author influenced my own personal journey/writing. Johanna Lindsey was the first full length novel I read (Hearts Aflame) and so lead me to thinking there is (slightly) more out there than category ;). Sidney Sheldon gave me a love of suspense wrapped around a hot romance.  Janet Evanovich for making me laugh and realizing that this sort of book is what I would ultimately like to write. And Kerrelyn Sparks for making me love paranormal books again (with a little humour thrown in). All have been favourites and will probably proceed to be.

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

As I said, Kerrelyn Sparks gave me my love of paranormals back. It was before the whole obsession with vampires in tv and movies came out that I actually starting writing one, though. It started off as a suspense and morphed into a paranormal suspense, which eventually became (over a few years), Reluctant Revenge – my debut book.

And yes, I would consider writing in another genre. I’m not limiting myself – I’m only writing the story that comes out on the page, not trying to make it fit into one certain line.

5.    What are some of your writing rituals?

Well, at the moment, I’m loving taking my laptop and my trusty notebook into my dining room and sitting so I can look out onto the garden with the birds and trees. It’s good for my creativity, it seems. Other things I need are caffeine and little munchies. Apart from that, I don’t have any particular routines or rituals.

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

There’s my debut which is Reluctant Revenge. It’s an erotic, paranormal action/adventure and I love the hero – Nash – completely! 😉


Nash was bound to Sienna completely – by a blood connection and a deep desire. An Enforcer for the Supranormal community, he was obligated to protect his sexy assignment, despite her family devastating his world.

After being betrayed, Sienna falls into the arms of her surly protector; a demon with a secret of his own. But can she face her destiny knowing she’s more dangerous than those Nash was protecting her from?

My second is Shadow Justice – another erotic, paranormal romance with suspense and fantasy thrown in! Another hero I love, Luka, because he’s just so hot 😉

Luka was a bounty hunter who just wanted to do his job and get paid. Being a banished Shadow, he’d learnt the bitter lesson long ago that he was alone, after he was expelled from his home world by his own blood. Now, he needed to understand why he was wanted dead whilst his desire for the fiery haired witch erupted, out of control.   

As a rare moon-witch, all she’d ever known was a life of misery under the oppressive Fae-Guard. Nine years ago Cerys escaped the Meta-World after regretting the forced banishment of a Shadow. Now, she leads a normal life without her abilities and all she wants is to blend in. When a bounty hunter wants to take her back for a crime she didn’t commit, she’s willing to take a chance on her future by trusting the man who had no idea she’d wronged him years before.

7.    How did you come with the idea for these stories?

As I said earlier, the idea for Reluctant Revenge was definitely a work in progress for quite a while. It was actually after a rejection of the first chapter in New Voices 2010 (from mills and boon) that I made it darker and found that Nash had a past (who knew?! Lol). From there, the story just poured out and I wrote it in double quick time.

With Shadow Justice, I’d already written three chapters when I had the idea to make Cerys a moon-witch (probably because I’d spent a lot of time gazing at the night sky, figuring out the plot for my story!). I changed my characters some and then their story came pouring out too and I could barely keep up.

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

I’ve just finished a short story for an anthology called Her Demon Charms. It’s about a succubus who makes a deal with the devil to turn herself mortal. Problems arise when her deal terms state that she must make a man fall in love with her via a dating site and without using her natural, sexy charms to make him bend to her will!

I had a lot of fun writing that one and it’ll hopefully be out around June with Evernight Publishing, in an anthology called Keyboards and Kink.

Currently I’m scribbling down a general outline for a fairy tale. Not sure of the details as yet but I’m sure I’ll give it a good shot at making it fun and sensual 😉

9.    What would you be if you were not an author?

In the publishing/book selling business. I wish I’d have had more guidance at school, when I was choosing my college courses and taking classes etc. It never even crossed my mind that I could work towards something that I loved and be involved in the writing industry (I guess I was too busy hiding at the back of the class, pretending to be listening! Lol).

If I couldn’t be anything to do with the writing industry, I’d probably run a bar or a nightclub. 😉

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

I’ve just started reading the latest Kerrelyn Sparks book in her Love At Stake series. I’ve been waiting for some free time to actually appreciate it and not fall asleep with the book stuck to my face!

I’ve also got the next in the Chicagoland Vampire series from Chloe Neill which I can’t wait to find time to read. Oh and Immortal Love by Danica Avet. Oh and… err… loads actually!

11. Is there anything else you would like to add?

Thank so much, Kelly, for inviting me here today! I enjoyed answering your questions and checking out your blog.

Oh and I’m always around on the web, so if you see me, please say hi!

Interview with Judy Powell

Books-n-Kisses is pleased to have Judy Powell back on the blog today to chat about her newest book Hot Summer 


Can you please share with us a little about yourself.
Thanks so much for having me on your blog today, Kelly.  I live in Ontario, Canada, and I write primarily romance novels although I have one literary fiction novel as well.  I love to read (as do most writers) and I love to study.  I have 5 degrees (a Bachelor’s and 4 Master’s) and am applying to schools to enroll in a sixth degree program.  My brothers think I’m crazy but I love going to school.
Have you always wanted to be an author?
I’ve always loved reading.  I remember joining the library when I was five.  I checked out ‘Ramona the Pest’, my first library book.  I’ve been devouring books ever since, and that stirred in me an interest in writing.  I started to take this seriously about seven years ago and since then I’ve written seven novels and a memoir and have had my essays and short pieces featured in journals.

Who are some of your favorite writers? Who do you feel has influenced your writing?  I love the late Kathleen Woodiwiss who wrote the historical romance novel, ‘The Wolf and the Dove’.  As we speak I have three copies on my bookshelf.  Every year or two I read the novel all over again, all five hundred pages.  I love the strong sexual tension, the conflict between the characters and their development as the novel progresses.  Of all writers I believe Kathleen Woodiwiss has influenced my writing the most because I try to give my readers the same thrill that she has given me with her expert writing style.  In another genre (memoir) my greatest influence has been Frank McCourt, author of ‘Angela’s Ashes’.  I absolutely enjoy his writer’s voice and, when writing memoir, I try to be as true to my writing voice as he is in his work.
How did you get into writing in this specific genre?  Have you ever thought about writing in a different genre?  When it comes to reading material the romance genre is my first love.  I enjoy reading about arrogant alpha males and the feisty heroines who challenge them.  Because of this, when it came to writing I chose that genre because it is the one I most enjoy reading.  I do write in other genres, however.  I have a literary fiction novel which starts in the fifteenth century and I’ve also written in the memoir category, both long and short pieces.  Another area I would like to branch into is nonfiction (self-help).  I already have the outline for a self-help book for children.
What are some of your writing rituals?
I get up at 4:00 a.m. every day to write, even on weekends.  During the week I write until 7:00 a.m. then break to get ready for my day job and to prepare my son for school.  Usually, by the time the day ends and I’ve made dinner and helped my son with homework I’m too exhausted to write more than a paragraph or two.  The mornings are my favorite writing time – greater focus and clarity at that time of day.
Although many writers type their story directly onto the computer I flow better when I write long hand.  Then a friend helps me out by typing the manuscript.  That way, I can usually get a novel done in a couple of months.
How did you come up with the idea for this story?
I’ve lived and worked in both Chicago and Jamaica (for the same multinational corporation) and so I decided to use both locations as settings in my romance novel, ‘Hot Summer’.  ‘Hot Summer’ was born when a good friend of mine, a record producer, was working on an album.  I was inspired to create the character, Lance, a record producer in Chicago, the typical arrogant alpha male found in lots of romance novels.  I pit him against feisty grad student, Summer Jones.  Both characters have strong personalities and when they butt heads you can imagine the result.  I love stories with characters who challenge each other so that’s what I created in ‘Hot Summer’.

What would you be if you were not an author?
If I were not an author I would be a perpetual student.  As I said before, I love to study because I love to learn new things.  Now, being realistic, I know most people don’t earn money from being a student so it is likely I would become a teacher as that would ensure my constant presence at an institute of learning.  I would be learning each time I interact with my students.
What is in your To Read Pile that you are dying to start or upcoming release you can’t wait for?  My ‘To Read’ pile keeps growing as I add writing projects and run out of reading time.  I’ve resorted to reading a lot of my favorite books on audio CD while driving or doing housework.  Right now my list includes ‘Teacher Man’ by Frank McCourt, ‘The Way to Wealth’ by Brian Tracy and ‘Pleasure, Pregnancy and a Proposition’ by Heidi Rice.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
I love to hear from my readers.  Readers can reach me through my website at www.judypowell.com.  Stop by for a chat!

Spotlight on Passion Becomes Her by Shirlee Busbee

Passion Becomes Her 

Becomes Her #4 
by Shirlee Busbee
Release Date June 5, 2012
Pre-order here:  Amazon | B&N 



Thief Of Hearts

Forced to resort to a life of crime in order to support his siblings, Asher Cordell is now ready to walk the straight and narrow path. But when an old rival, the Marquis of Ormsby, infuriates him with his insipid arrogance, Asher cannot resist stealing the pompous fool’s famous diamond. However, he’s shocked to discover he isn’t the only intruder in Ormsby’s library. The culprit is none other than his beautiful neighbor, Juliana Greeley. Asher has known Juliana since childhood and has always harbored a secret affection for her. When she asks Asher to steal letters Ormsby is using to blackmail her sister, he’s happy to oblige. Embarking on a bold scheme that gives way to an equally fiery passion, the adventurous pair discover a love neither can live without


Want to learn more about Shirlee Busbee or her books? 
Check her out here:   

Want a chance to win a copy of Passion Becomes Her?  
Then just fill out the Rafflecopter from below.  
I have been given one copy from Kensington Publishing to give away. 
US/Canada Only..

Interview with Nana Malone

Books-n-Kisses is pleased to welcome Nana Malone to the blog today to chat a little about life and Sexy in Stilettos.  Her newest release… So lets get started. 

Nana’s love of all things romance and adventure started with a tattered romantic suspense she borrowed from her cousin on a sultry summer afternoon in Ghana at a precocious thirteen.  She’s been in love with kick butt heroines ever since.  With her overactive imagination, and channeling her inner Buffy, it was only a matter a time before she started creating her own characters.
Waiting for her chance at a job as a ninja assassin, Nana, meantime works out her drama, passion and sass with fictional characters every bit as sassy and kick butt as she thinks she is.  Though, until that ninja job comes through, you’ll find her acting out scenes for hubby and puppy while catching up on her favorite reality television shows in sunny San Diego.




Can you please share with us a little about yourself
I’m a Ghanaian American romance author who currently resides in sunny San Diego with Hubster, Bratlette, and Wonder Dog. I primarily  write sexy superheroes paranormals and sexy interracial contemporaries.
Have you always wanted to be an author?
Nope.  There was once a time I wanted to be an MTV VJ. since. My romance writing career started with Bridget…Jones that is. I was in New York hating pretty much every aspect of my PR job but the writing when I picked up Bridget Jones’s Diary from the library. After I stayed up all night to finish it, I wished I could do that, put words to paper and make people laugh or cry or cringe. Then I thought, why not.
What is your most interesting writing quirk?
I have to have a plan of attack.  If I don’t, or worse I deviate, I mentally shut down and spend entirely too much time watching Bravo.
Can you please tell us about your latest book(s)?
Sexy in Stilettos is about what happens to you when you have no back up plan for life.
What’s worse than having to watch your sister marry your ex fiancé?  How about when that fiancé fires you from the family business?   
Hyper-organized, event planner Jaya Trudeaux is used to doing things by the book and never making waves.  It’s a strategy that’s served her well until she finds herself in failure alley with no fiancé, no job and her thirtieth birthday looming.  Maybe it’s time to change her methods.  Starting with an unlikely date to the wedding from hell.
The only thing that can tie carefree playboy, Alec Danthers down is his formidable step mother.  When she calls him home to help find his wayward brother, he never imagines an uptight, list making, sass- talking woman would make him think about putting down roots.
Can Jaya put the lists down long enough to enjoy the ride that is Alec?  Will Alec stop running long enough to recognize true love?
Warning: Sexy, sass talking women will make you laugh, cry and want a pair of killer footwear.
How did you come with the idea for this story?
Well my husband has been trying to get me to be more spontaneous and do things without having a plan.  Sometimes with minimal success. J I started to think about what would happen if I had two characters that were more extreme versions of our personalities and how in the world they would ever get together.
Can you share with us your current work(s) in progress?
Sure thing.  The next in the Protectors series, called Forsaken Protector is due out this June.  Then the next in the In Stilettos series is due this coming August.  I’ve also got three additional books slated for release this year, so busy, busy.
Who is the one author that you would love to meet someday and why?
JR Ward.  She’s managed to build a world we salivate over and her marketing is amazing.  I’d love to pick her brain.
What is the best piece of advice you would give to someone that wants to get into writing?
Write. Write some more.  Study your craft.  Keep writing.  Find someone to give you brutally honest feedback.  I promise you, your mother will not tell you the truth.  Oh, and then keep writing.
Can you share with us something off your bucket list.
Sure.  To see Victoria Falls.  Or the Smoke that Thunders as they call it.
What is in your To Read Pile that you are dying to start or upcoming release you can’t wait for?
Lover Reborn – JR Ward
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Just a thank you for having me and if anyone wants to get in touch with me, here’s how:

Spotlight Feature of Sin’s Bite by Patricia Bates

Sin’s Bite  

Lady Kora has spent three hundred years within the hallowed walls of her ancestral home – now on the brink of becoming a full Vampire, she’s faced with the hardest choice ever…claim her mate, one sworn to hunt her kind…or spend eternity alone


Excerpt:
Pale, silver moonlight crept across the faded tapestries hanging from the cold, dank stone walls. Iron hinges creaked when a heavy door opened. A tiny candle flickered and danced as a lone figure moved through the empty halls. The shadows broken on the narrow beam of light fell on the lone occupant of the massive stone palace. Long golden hair curled down over her hips as she walked through the darkness.
She paused, her hand on the icy wall, her attention focused on the world outside the window. Below her, lights flickered and danced in windows. The rich, sweet smell of blood drifted along the wind through the open shutters. Her tongue rubbed over a single, sharp canine. Her pale eyes flashed with red before she retreated to the gloom.
Heavy, throbbing booms drifted up the stairwell. Scarlet lips lifted in a sardonic smile. Her steps beat a rapid tattoo along as she descended the stairs in a flurry of silk and lace. Smoothing a delicate hand down her body, she opened the door to meet the uneasy stare of a thin, hunched figure wrapped in rags.
“Yes?”
“I brung you your order.” He croaked out, his hand shaking badly as he held up a brown wrapped package.
“Thank you,” she turned and lifted a small sack. As she took the parcel, she pressed the coins into the old man’s hand. “You’ll bring me my next order in two days?”
“As you wish.” The old man wrapped his cloak tighter around his stooped shoulders before vanishing into the night.
Pressing the door closed, she eyed the bag for a moment before drifting into the parlor. A flicker of her eyes over the candles had the light rising in the room. Two intricately carved crystal goblets sat atop a silver tray, glittering in the live flames. With care she opened the package and swallowed. A small, intricately stitched leather bag was decorated with bits of bone and feathers, an obvious attempt to procure favor from the gods. Lifting it to her nose she inhaled. Sweet, untainted by the vile habits of humans, it smelled of fresh grass and cool, clear water.
Lady Kora opened the bag and poured it into the delicate looking decanter on the hutch. She drained the last drops into a glass and raised it to her lips. Warm and succulent it slid down her throat with ease, each swallow giving a few more drops of life within her. She sat the glass down atop the polished black piano and took her seat on the padded bench. Her fingers stretched out over the keys, trailing over them like a lover’s caress.
Her pulse throbbed in echo with the music, rising with the wind beyond the stained glass. Each chord sinking like her fangs into flesh, toying with her emotions as she swayed to the beat. Lonely, haunting she closed her eyes as the melody swelled around her like a tempest in a winter storm. The candles in the room flickered, danced before one by one extinguishing into darkness leaving the silver glow of the moon as her only companion.


A little about Patrica: 
Reading has been such a large part of my life. I cut my literary teeth on such author’s as Louis L’Amour, Nora Roberts and Janet Dailey. For me it wasn’t such a jump from reading the wonderful tales these author’s spun to imagining my own. 
Soon I was writing poetry, short stories and by junior high I’d written my first full length romance novel. Since then I’ve taken my love of history and my passion for writing and combined them into what I hope will continue to prove a successful career.
With six books contracted, four of which are currently available in print. All are available in electronic format with the last two ebooks due for a release in May and the other in the summer. I’m currently working on three projects, an erotic paranormal romance featuring a witch who loves Christmas, another Ancient Ireland novel, rich in the history of the Irish Celtic peoples, and plotting out a Cowboy Series tentatively titled “The James Gang”.
Of course I’ve got a lot more on the go. I’m developing and growing my editing company with some amazing authors, working on getting the books that Blade had revamped to fit the submission guidelines for some other publishers and keeping up on my writing and being a full time mom, working outside of the house…its amazing what I can manage in a 16 hour day.

Interview & Giveaway with G.J. Koch

Books-n-Kisses is super excited to have the WONDERFUL G.J. Koch on the blog today… We are going to be chatting about her newest adventure in to the world of Space Pirates…. So buckle up and hang one.. Oh and don’t roll down the windows!!!!!!!


Bnk: G.J., so excited to have you here.  I have had your other personality on the blog a few times and she is always great.  I am looking forward to learning more about you and what makes G.J. tick.
G.J.: I’m motivated by booze, chocolate, Coca-Cola, deadlines, the voices in my head, and the need for speed (going fast, not the drug, for any authorities who might be reading this). So, pretty much the same things my alter ego’s motivated by.
BnK: For those who don’t know your other persona can you please tell them who you are.
G.J.: I’m part of the mental collective that includes Gini Koch, she of the Alien/Katherine “Kitty” Katt series for DAW Books/Penguin. (Our mental collective also includes Anita Ensal, Jemma Chase, A.E. Stanton, and J.C. Koch, but that’s not important at this precise time.) (Of course, THEY think it’s important. And they’re whining. So check out what they write over at Musa Publishing http://musapublishing.com/ )
Of course, I’m the most important part of the mental collective, regardless of what anyone else tells you.
BnK:  Tell us a little about G.J. Koch
G.J.: I write science fiction. Not the hard stuff, though. Because that requires actual scientific knowledge or at least actual scientific research. Knowledge may be power and research may be cool, but they take time away from writing jokes, action, and romance, and being witty in the face of death is what it’s really all about.
Bnk:  How does G.J. differ from Gini?
G.J.: I’m taller and slightly better looking.
Oh, fine, fine. Well, in my mind when I’m writing, I actually see G.J. as Gini’s twin brother, who’s even crazier than she is. And yes, they’re in competition. (Isn’t it always the way?)
In terms of the books themselves, G.J.’s have more humor (it’s true!) and less visual sexy times.
BnK:  How are G.J. and Gini the same?
G.J.: They both write SF/F, they both have skewed worldviews, they both have a lot of action and humor in their books, and they’re both funny.
And, sanity has reared its ugly head and is insisting I share the most obvious: They’re both me, myself and I. (There, sanity. Happy now? Good. Take off for a bit, will you?)
BnK:  Okay let’s talk about books…. Tell me about Alexander Outland:
Space Pirate.
G.J.: Surely! In Alexander Outland: Space Pirate, trouble’s brewing out in space, and Alexander Outland — the least likely hero in the galaxy — and his eccentric crew have to save the day, despite the fact they’d prefer to take the money and run.
Alexander Napoleon Outland is the best pilot, and ladies’ man, in the galaxy. But Nap, as his friends call him, is more than that — he’s a schemer with a heart of gold he desperately wants to hide, a soft spot for other people’s cargo and his exotic weapon’s chief, and the unerring ability to find the biggest misfit on any planet or space station and somehow join that person onto his crew.
Nap’s not your classic hero, but that tends to make him the right guy for the job…whatever the job happens to be. He’s a little bit Han Solo, a little bit Malcolm Reynolds, a little bit Captain Jack Sparrow, and a whole lot of fun to fly with.
There are aliens, explosions, telepaths, donkeys, space pirates of all kinds, and a galaxy-wide conspiracy. And the most horrifying “underwater” trip any crew’s had to face in a long, long while. But mostly, there are laughs.
Bnk:  I have to say thank you for the pleasure of reading this book early. I LOVED reading about Nap and his crazy crew…
G.J.: I’m so glad! Nap says that he knew an attractive, discerning lady such as yourself would appreciate his charms and exploits.
*Kelly blushes*
BnK:  Does G.J. live spoiler free like Gini?  If not, want to share a little spoiler?
G.J.: G.J. lives potentially MORE spoiler free than Gini. Sad, innit?
I can share teasers, though. If I could only think of some… Nope, coming up blank. Guess your readers will all just have to buy the book and find out all the spoilers in real time.
*Kelly shakes heads…..*
BnK: How did you come up with the idea for Alexander Outland?
G.J.: I ran across the name, actually. It was a cool, interesting name, and it immediately struck me as being a super cool name for a space pirate. An interesting, fun space pirate. I tried to figure out what he’d be like and what his world would be like, and the rest is, as they say, coming to a bookstore near you.
BnK:  Will we see more of Nap, Slinky, and the rest of the Sixty-Nine crew? *fingers crossed*
G.J.: I sincerely hope so, and my digits are crossed, too! I have at least a trilogy mapped out and, seeing as it’s me, probably more. But that’s up to Night Shade. They’re making their determination in August sometime, so everyone needs to buy Alexander Outland: Space Pirate and hopefully that means we’ll see more of Nap and his crew sooner as opposed to later!
Bnk:  G.J., thank you so much for your time.  Always love having you on the blog!!!
G.J.: Thanks for having me, it’s always great to be here, under any and every name!
Check out G.J.’s rollicking Alexander Outland: Space Pirate series from Night Shade Books and reach G.J. at Space…the Funny Frontier (http://www.ginikoch.com/GJKbookstore.htm).

BnK: I have one copy of Alexander Outland Space Pirate up for grabs.  This contest is open to everyone.. But my international followers if you win you will be getting an e-copy of the book.  US I have a paper copy up for grabs.   So to enter please fill out the Rafflecopter form below.   Good Luck 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Interview with Suzie Grant

Books-n-Kisses is pleased to welcome Suzie Grant to the blog today.   We are chatting about her new book Valkyrie’s Vengeance.  So enough with my rambling let get started. 

Can you please share with us a little about yourself?
I am a mother of three boys ages, 19, 15, and 4.I’m a mother first and foremost, a lover of adventure even if it’s only in my own backyard, my kids keep me active, I would love to travel, I have a knack for running into things, and I hate to cook. My favorite movies are Star Wars, The Goonies, Romancing the Stone and Indiana Jones. I have to add 300 to that list simply because Gerard is so hot lol. I love watching Dancing with the Stars and NCIS. Gibbs is da’ man!  
Have you always wanted to be an author?
Yes, since I was very young. Books were such a huge part of my life as a child. I am grateful to my mother for passing on her love of books and reading to me. It was perhaps one of the greatest gifts she’s ever given me.
Who are some of your favorite writers? Who do you feel has influenced your writing?
Oh wow, Margret Mitchell, Daniel Defoe and of course, who didn’t love Treasure Island by Robert Louise Stevenson. Pre teen years I discovered The Baby Sitters club and ended up having the entire series!  And then once I hit my teen years and discovered historical romance I knew I’d found my niche. I love history and stories from authors like Johanna Lindsey, Elizabeth Lowell, Marsha Canham, Virginia Henley, and Heather Graham were some of the authors who really influenced my life, both as a dreamer who wanted to write and as a teen girl who dreamed of true love.
How did you get into writing in this specific genre? 
Have you ever thought about writing in a different genre? I fell in love with happily-ever-after romance novels and it’s a love that’s never wavered over the years. I later began to read men’s adventure novels by authors like James Rollins, Mathew O’Rielly, and Steve Berry. And I learned that I wanted to combine the utter thrill and fast-pace of those novels with the traditional happily-ever-after in historical romance. And that’s what I seek to do with my own stories. I have considered writing contemporary on occasion but I think my heart lies in historicals and I really don’t foresee that ever changing.
What are some of your writing rituals? Very complicated actually. I am a plotter and before I even write the first word I often end up with a notebook full of historical facts. I use index cards, a dry erase board to map out my scenes and then I’ll write the first three chapters just to get a feel for the story. Then I start to map out my characters, who they are, their backstories and what not. It’s complicated and a lot of work, but I think its part of the fun.
Can you please tell us about your latest book(s)?
Valkyrie’s Vengeance is the first book in the Maidens of the Shield series and begins the complicated story of two mystical swords. Here is the blurb:
Stranded on foreign soil. Rescued and raised by the enemy. Tyra Svensdottir declares war on her own people after witnessing the death of the very woman who’d saved her life. Kidnapping the man who wields the sword of the underworld—Hel’s Hammer—Tyra forces him to repair her shipwrecked vessel. Her quest to kill the swordsman’s king takes them across frigid waters on a myriad of adventures and a voyage of sensual discovery.

Rorik Thorlicksson uncovers treachery within his clan but in order to return home to warn of the impending attack, he must yield to the woman holding him captive. Along their voyage he unravels the mystery behind his captor. He discovers she is the woman promised to him in wedlock at birth though her disappearance years ago released him from his betrothal. Dissuading the little heathen from her purpose and into his bed becomes a more appealing prospect with every passing day.

Blood vengeance brings them together even as desire binds their hearts. Amongst the secrets and obscurities of their destinies, they find a love that spans a lifetime as well as an end to A Valkyrie’s Vengeance.

How did you come with the idea for this story?
It’s funny because my husband was watching a movie called The Pathfinder and I only caught about ten minutes of the movie before I had to go to work. For the rest of the day I plotted out a story of a young Viking maiden who became stranded on foreign land. By the time I returned home, I knew exactly what I wanted to happen in this story. It was wonderful because this story came to me so easily. The only place I struggled a bit was at the very end. But even then, it went relatively smooth.
Can you share with us your current work(s) in progress? I am currently working on the second book in a series called The Devil Ryder Series. A western based around a group of estranged brothers.
What would you be if you were not an author?
Hmm difficult question for me because I’ve been doggedly pursuing writing since I turned nine years old. I’ve known what I wanted to do with my life. Although, I’ve taken odd and end jobs to put food on the table, but the moment I returned home, I continued to write and learn my craft. I’ve written for twenty years now so I’m not sure that I would want to do anything else with my life. If I had to choose though I wish I had the chance to become an archeologist. History has had such an impact on my life that it’s a career that I would simply love to try.  
What is in your To Read Pile that you are dying to start or upcoming release you can’t wait for?
Hmm so many. I am waiting on the chance to read the new Marsha Canham The Following Sea. Nobody writes adventure like Canham. I love her stories and she’s one of the people who inspired me to write. Also hoping to read James Rollins The Doomsday Key. Excellent author as well. Let’s see I’ve got Claudia Dane in my tbr pile, Sandra Hill, as well as debut authors Samantha Grace and Erin Knightly. Of course the last two are crit partners of mine but I really must say I like to read their stories for fun. It’s not work when you love it.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
I’d love to thank everyone that has taken a chance on a new author, whether it’s myself or anyone else. It takes guts and I know because I’m a reader as well as an author. It’s kind of like going into the movie theater and hoping you get your money’s worth. It’s a gamble. It’s much more difficult nowadays for a reader because you have to wade through quite a bit of what we term “the slush pile.” I know it gets nerve racking but I have to say I’ve found quite a few gems this way. It’s completely worth it when you find that rare author that writes exactly what you love to read. Now it’s the readers who are the gate keepers to the slush pile. It’s a tough job sometimes and I commend the readers who keep trying, hoping to find that rare gem. Good luck in your reading adventures and may you always keep taking chances. Life without it is no life at all. Happy reading, folks! I’d love to add that Second Wind Publishing has picked up my print rights and I will now have print books in stores! Coming soon! Feel free to like my Facebook page for more updates as they are available. Thanks again for having me Books-n-Kisses. This was fun!

Learn more about Suzie Here: 

Interview with Sarah Ballance

Books-n-Kisses is pleased to welcome Sarah Ballance to the blog.  We are chatting about life, kids (and she has lots 6!!!) and her new book Tide of Lies.  So lets get started. 



Q1)  Can you please share with us a little about yourself
Hi, and thanks so much for having me! I’m a stay-at-home, homeschooling mom to six children ages 13, 11, 8, 6, 4, and 23 months. That aside, I don’t have a “real job” so I get to say I’m a full time author, LOL. My husband and I live within minutes of the beach and spend as much time on a boat as possible (although it’s not nearly enough!)
Q2)  Have you always wanted to be an author?
No. In fact, I specifically did NOT want to be an author. It wasn’t until after my first book was published (purely a dare and a whim, lol) that I discovered romantic suspense and realized I’d found my calling.
Q3)  What is your most interesting writing quirk?
I wouldn’t dare call any of my quirks interesting, LOL. The quirkiest, perhaps, is my tendency to listen to the same CD over and over and over. For the first couple of years, I wrote to Miranda Lambert’s Kerosene. Now I’m listening to Jason Aldean’s Wide Open. It’s like my brain is programmed to write as soon as I hear those first notes. It’s pretty awesome!
Q4)  Can you please tell us about your latest book(s)?
TIDE OF LIES is a contemporary romantic suspense about an old flame, a shocking secret, and a devastating betrayal. When an ex-love reappears in my hero’s life, a chain reaction is set off involving a cold case, a recent crime spree, and this woman he can’t seem to let go. But she’s only the beginning, and the end isn’t one any of them saw coming.
Q5)  How did you come with the idea for this story?
I had to write a novella using the “Timeless Desire” theme for a blog tour, but my plot refused to stick to the 10k word count limit so I added a twist at the end of the first story, FAMILIAR LIGHT, so it leads into TIDE OF LIES. As for the plot itself, I had to sit down with my husband—who doesn’t read romance but rocks at plotting—to figure out how to tie the books together while leaving them as standalone titles. I dare say we pulled it off, but it all started with the blog tour prompt.
Q6)  Can you share with us your current work(s) in progress?
LAST CALL is a contemporary romantic suspense that will be out soon. Here’s the blurb:

An accidental witness to a murder-for-hire, ex-cop Rhys Clark becomes the target of ruthless killer—one determined to silence her at any cost. Playing dead seems to be the most likely way to stay alive, but when her protection comes in the form of mega-sexy former adversary Nick Massey, Rhys can think of  a few fates worse than death.
Nick Massey may have walked away from his troubles, but he never got past wanting Rhys. Once paired undercover, they’d been nothing but fireworks until a botched assignment ended her career, sending his into a tailspin. Now a mysterious client is willing to pay Nick anything to keep Rhys safe, but it isn’t until fate takes a critical turn that he realizes the devastating truth: he’s been her greatest threat all along.
I’m also working on a free read called STAY THE NIGHT. ;c)


Q7)  Who is the one author that you would love to meet someday and why?
Aside of the couple of authors I already have plans to meet, I have to say Rosalie Stanton tops my wish list. She’s an awesome person, an unfailing friend, and the extent to which she’s helped my writing career is immeasurable.
Q8)  What is the best piece of advice you would give to someone that wants to get into writing?
Find someone who will be honest with you about your work. As authors, we never stop improving (or we never should, that is) and the best thing you can do for yourself is find someone who will point out your weaknesses so you can improve upon them. A cheerleader is great, but endless enthusiastic praise is not how you become a better writer.
Q9)  Can you share with us something off your bucket list.
My husband and I bought a boat last year—one we thought we were years and years away from owning—and one thing we really want to do is travel on it. (When the kids get a little bigger, you just might find me somewhere in the Florida Keys with my laptop, a cold drink, and my hubby there for inspiration.) We wanted to travel the Great Loop (a 5,500-7,000 mile voyage up the East coast, west, and down the Mississippi), but our boat is actually a bit too big to make that particular trip—we need more water to float than some of the passages can afford. *shakes head*
Q10)  What is in your To Read Pile that you are dying to start or upcoming release you can’t wait for?
I am dying to see Melissa MacKinnon’s debut, RETURN TO ME, with a buy link next to it. The story is amazing, and Melissa is a phenomenal author.
Q11)  Is there anything else you would like to add?
I offer a weekly gift card giveaway on my blog, and all email subscribers are automatically entered. Subscribers are also among the first to find out about the many other giveaways offered by myself and my guests, so it’s a definite win-win situation. *grins* I hope some of our readers will consider joining me. Full details are available at http://sarahballance.wordpress.com/weekly-giveaways/
TIDE OF LIES
A devastating secret. A shocking betrayal. A deadly obsession.

Haunted by three unsolved murders, Detective Holden Whitlow is stunned when his cold case takes a heated turn. Julia Cohen, his ex-lover, is back in town, and in the face of a brutal attack she’s ready to run. No matter how tightly she holds her secrets, for Holden, turning away from the woman he’s spent a decade trying to forget isn’t any more an option than walking away from his job . . .even when it threatens to cost Julia her life.

Julia is still reeling from a past she can’t bear to face. When she becomes the target of a killer, fate throws her back into Holden’s arms, but she’s yet to recover from a truth that has stripped her of everything—and everyone—she loves. Will she tell him the secret that will destroy him, or will her lie destroy them both?

BUY LINKS
SARAH BALLANCE | about the author
Sarah and her husband of almost fifteen what he calls “long, long” years live on the mid-Atlantic coast with their six young children, all of whom are perfectly adorable when they’re asleep.  She often jokes that she writes to be around people who will listen to her, but her characters aren’t much better than her kids.  Fortunately, her husband is quite supportive of her writing career, having generously offered to help her research “the good parts” . . .  and she’s never had to ask twice.