Posts

Posted on

Guest blog & Giveaway with Laura Kaye

Huge thanks to Books-n-Kisses for hosting me here today! I’m celebrating the release of my new dark paranormal romance, In the Service of the King, the first in my Vampire Warrior Kings series. I thought I’d play on the awesomely cute name of this blog and assert that there’s nothing better than vampires-n-kisses, too! *winks* And, to prove my case, I’m offering a few vamptastic excerpts to seal the deal.
First, there’s nothing like a first kiss, is there? Here’s Kael’s and Shayla’s:
            Shayla’s mind erupted into a cacophony of joyous confusion. She’d been specifically told there would be no kissing. The king did not kiss. But, holy hell! Did the king ever kiss.
            His large frame bent down over her, surrounding her in his heat. His full lips sucked and pulled at hers and his tongue demanded entrance and exploration, which she freely granted. His hard muscles bunched and thrummed around her, setting her body on fire everywhere they touched. The scent of powerful masculinity filled her nose, and the exquisite flavor of his tongue in her mouth intoxicated her. And, oh God, every time she felt the passing hardness of his fangs as they kissed made her whimper and moan. Her body readied itself immediately for his, moistening, opening.
            Having shielded herself from physical relationships, she was astounded to learn her body had the ability to produce this crazy, urgent euphoria. Her brain scrambled to process each new, maddening sensation. In that moment, she would’ve done anything to maintain the feeling. Was it always like this?
            Kael growled low in his chest as his mouth came at her again and again, and Shayla felt the vibration of the feral sound against her breasts. She squeezed her thighs together, seeking friction to satisfy even a little of her now uncontrollable lust. Her mouth was so filled with his probing tongue it was difficult to get enough oxygen, but his kisses convinced her she could live without it as long as he continued to devour her so intensely.
            Never had she imagined the expression of physical love could make her feel so wanted, so needed.
            His obvious pleasure throbbed against her stomach and flooded her with unbelievable feelings of power, and just a little fear. Because they were off the grid now, outside the bounds of the rules and expectations she’d been taught during her training. And she was thrilled it might mean he was as affected by her as she was by him. Wherever the king was leading them, she was only too happy to follow. In truth, she felt powerless to do otherwise.
While desperate kisses like the one above are amazing, there’s something to be said for soft, sensual ones, too. Like…this one, for example:
            This wasn’t the wild kiss he’d claimed her with earlier. His lips found hers gently, reverently, as if he was savoring small tastes of a rare gourmet meal. One large hand grasped her shoulder and the other cupped her cheek—both brought her closer to him. He pulled and sucked at her lips, his hair falling around their faces as he rose up over her. She opened herself before he even demanded it of her—her body remembered his exquisite taste and begged for its return.
            Their tongues stroked and explored, but she needed more. She pushed forward just enough to suck his whole tongue deep into her mouth.
            Sweet fulfillment exploded against her taste buds, dragging whimpers and moans from her. He groaned and her hands flew to his hair. Her left hand found masses of thick silky bronze she gripped and tugged as she held him to her, but her right hand fell on his jeweled braid. Knowing the significance of it, she yanked her hand back, afraid she’d offended him.
            But then his big hand grasped hers where it rested against his chest and pulled it back up
to his head. “Hold me,” he whispered against her lips. “Touch me.”
And, just to make sure my case for the awesomeness of vampires-n-kisses is full-proof, I offer you more kisses, just, this time, not on the mouth:
            Shayla licked her lips as she gazed at the red-painted knot over Kael’s heart. She wanted to…to…
            She sprang at him and opened her mouth over the red. The moment her tongue touched his skin, she groaned, a nearly strangled sound from deep in her throat. This was the urge she’d been feeling all day. She licked and sucked at the spot over his heart until only his clean tattoo remained. She drew back, whimpering. Not enough. It wasn’t enough.
            “Here,” he rasped. He pointed to another symbol painted on the bulge of his bicep.
            Needy sounds spilled from her as she pulled his arm to her mouth. She feasted on the mark, but it, too, was gone too soon.
            He held his hair away from the left side of his throat. “Again.”
            She moaned and climbed up him. His other arm strapped her against him, held her in place while she sucked and licked the red away. Kael grunted and shook under her frenzied attention and it drove her on.
            It was blood. His blood. It sang to her, beckoned her. She needed more. So much more.
So, did I successful make my case? *winks* The awesome thing is: we don’t have to choose between books-n-kisses or vampires-n-kisses, do we? Because In the Service of the King proves one can have books-n-vampires-kisses altogether!
Thanks for reading!
Laura Kaye
GIVEAWAY!
To celebrate her new release, Laura is giving away one e-copy of In the Service of the King at each stop on her New Release Tour, 1/30 – 2/15! In addition, all commenters from across the tour will be entered to win a prize bag filled with swag and various vampire items, perfect for the vampire lover! RULES: Must leave e-mail address & if from U.S. in comment. Ebook prizes open to international; prize bag to U.S. only.
About In the Service of the Kings
Book 1 in the Vampire Warrior Kings Series
Harlequin Nocturne Cravings
Kael, Warrior King of the Vampires, loathes the Night of the Proffering. He needs the blood of either his mate or a human virgin to maintain his strength, but hasn’t enjoyed the ritual since he lost his mate centuries ago. Kael doesn’t want a new companion, yet his resolve is tested when he lays eyes on his new offering, Shayla McKinnon. He is drawn to Shayla’s beauty and poise…and the submission she offers. She is eager to give him anything he wishes, including her innocence, to please him. Will Kael give in to their overwhelming desire–even if it means risking Shayla’s life?
About Laura Kaye
Voted Breakout Author of the Year in the 2011 GraveTells Readers’ Choice Awards, Laura is the bestselling and award-winning author of a half-dozen books. Hearts in Darkness is a finalist for the EPIC eBook Award for Best Novella, Forever Freed won the NJRW Golden Leaf Award for Best Paranormal of 2011, and North of Need, the first book in the Hearts of the Anemoi series, was named GraveTells’ Best Book of 2011 and won their 5-STAR Gold Heart Award, and won Sizzling Hot Read of the Year at Sizzling Hot Books. Laura lives in Maryland with her husband, two daughters, and cute-but-bad dog, and appreciates her view of the Chesapeake Bay every day.
GIVEAWAY TIME:
To enter for a chance to win Laura’s newest book.  Please use the Rafflecopter form below. 



a Rafflecopter giveaway

Posted on

my review of Tempted by Blood by Laurie London.

Tempted by Blood
Book 3 in the Sweetblood Series
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….

He might be known for his effortless charm, but Guardian Jackson Foss is hiding a terrible secret. For months, he has battled the emergence of his dark nature—deadly urges that threaten to consume him. And those cravings only intensify when he meets Arianna Wells, the human he’s been assigned to protect. Smart and perceptive, Arianna doesn’t seem like a dangerous temptress. Yet she awakens in Jackson an unstoppable need that, if left unchecked, will brand him a traitor…a crime punishable by death.

But soon their bond may be Arianna’s only hope. For stalking her in the shadows is a merciless enemy—one who will stop at nothing to claim her completely….

My Thoughts:
Jackson is the playboy, extreme bad boy of the group but he has been keeping secrets from this team mates.  Secrets that once exposed could get him killed.  But in order to save the ones he loves he will put everything on the line.
Arianna has always known that there are monsters hiding in the shadows, because she watched those shadows kill her mother.  When Arianna learns the truth of these monsters she will have to learn to trust the one thing that she has feared all her life.
OH, How I loved Jackson’s story.  I just love when the bad boy gets taken down a notch or two by the woman that they are going to fall in love with.  It is so much fun to watch them fall, and boy do they fall hard.   Jackson & Arianna are great together.  And Jackson is a man with many talents and a few surprises I never saw coming.
This was another wonderful book from the uber talented Laurie London.  If you enjoyed the first two books in the Sweetbloods series, Tempted by Blood will not let you down.  
I am looking forward to book 4 now, scheduled for release summer 2012
HUGE thank you to Laurie for allowing me to read and review Jackson’s book, I have only been begging for Jackson’s book since I finished Alfonso’s book.  
Posted on

Review of Heart Ache by Morgan Kearns

Book 1 in the Bound by Touch series
One Touch
 Gabrielle Ryan felt an electric attraction to her new employer the first time he reached out and shook her hand. She dreams of him, fantasizes about him, but all Nikolai wants is an assistant—and to Gabby’s chagrin, it’s not to assist him with taking off his pants!
One Beat
 An ache has inhabited Nikolai Voinea’s chest for the last four hundred years. Yet stubbornly resolute not to repeat his father’s mistakes, Nikolai refuses to take the one female who is his heart’s greatest desire.
Captures His Heart Forever
 When murder charges make Gabby second guess everything she knows about him, she’s hurt and angry and determined to walk away. But Nikolai’s just as determined to do everything within his power to keep her.
My Thoughts:
Nikolai will do anything for the woman he loves.  Even give her away to marry someone else.  But if given the chance to love her he will never let her go.

Gabrielle has had a huge crush on her boss for the last three years.  But now she is engaged to someone else.  But if Nikolai would just say the words would she change her mind or is it too late?

Nikolai is stubborn to a fault.  I wanted to slap him upside the head at times.  But finally, FINALLY he does something.  But it may be too late.

Heart Ache is book one in Morgan’s Bound by Touch series and WOW!!  This was a really good book.  There is so much emotional turmoil happening both good and bad.  And let me tell you the bad is really, really BAD!!!!!  But just like any good romance novel there is always light at the end of the tunnel.

I can’t wait to see what Morgan has in store for us next in this series.   

Thank you to Morgan for allowing me to read and review your story. 
Posted on

Shiloh Walker’s Ash Trilogy

If You Hear Her
By Shiloh Walker
Book 1 in the Ash Trilogy
Amazon | BN | BAMM | Indiebound | Book Depository
A CRY IN THE WOODS
The scream Lena Riddle hears in the woods behind her house is enough to curdle her blood—she has no doubt that a woman is in real danger. Unfortunately, with no physical evidence, the local law officers in small-town Ash, Kentucky, dismiss her claim. But Lena knows what she heard—and it leaves her filled with fear and frustration.
Ezra King is on leave from the state police, but he can’t escape the guilty memories that haunt his dreams. When he sees Lena, he is immediately drawn to her. He aches to touch her—to be touched by her—but is he too burdened by his tragic past to get close?
When Ezra hears her story of an unknown woman’s screams, his instincts tell him that Lena’s life is also at risk—and his desire to protect her is as fierce as his need to possess her.
Read an Excerpt Here
If You See Her
By Shiloh Walker
Book 2 in the Ash Trilogy
Amazon | B & N | Booksamillion | Indiebound | Book Depository
A FACE IN THE MIRROR
Hope Carson may not look like a survivor, but she has escaped an abusive ex-husband and recovered from a vicious assault. Now she endures the painful memories and suspicious rumors surrounding her involvement in the attack. Her ex is a cop, so the last people she trusts are law enforcement officials—and she certainly doesn’t trust how the local DA makes her feel inside.
Remy Jennings should know better. He has no business falling for a woman who he suspects may have a deeply troubled mind. And even if he did make a move, she’d bolt like a frightened rabbit. But how can he deny a burning desire that threatens to consume him? As Hope’s past catches up with her in the worst way, Remy is determined to break through her defenses, earn her trust, and keep her safe in his arms—before it’s too late.
He wanted to touch her…he wanted it so bad, he hurt with it, ached with it, would have gone to his knees and begged it he thought it would have done any good.
Read an Excerpt Here

If You Know Her
By Shiloh Walker
Book 3 in the Ash Trilogy
Feb 28, 2012
PreOrder:
Amazon| B&N | Booksamillion | Indiebound | Book Depository
A SHADOW IN THE WINDOW
Nia Hollister doesn’t scare easily. Come hell or high water, she intends to find her cousin’s killer. She returns to Ash, Kentucky, for answers. What she doesn’t expect is to ache with desire every time she sees Law Reilly. If any man can help her escape the nightmares for a while, it’s him. But can she allow herself to take comfort in those strong arms when a murderer still roams free?
Unknown to Nia, as she quietly slips into Law Reilly’s home, is that she’s being watched—by someone who is waiting for an opportunity to strike.
Timing is everything, though he can’t wait forever. If she’s not frightened, she soon will be. Nia has made a vow to find her cousin’s killer. She should be careful what she wishes for.
Read an Excerpt Here
Learn more about Shiloh Walker here: http://www.shilohwalker.com
Posted on

Spotlight Features of Jennifer Probst


Release: February 17, 2012 from Decadent Publishing
Rick Steele has avoided women since he caught his fiancée cheating, but when he’s talked into spending a one night stand through Madame Eve, he’s not prepared for his emotional and physical reaction to his date. For the first time, he wants more than one night..but he needs to catch her first…
Tara Denton escaped a brutal past and needs one night with a stranger to break down her sexual and emotional limitations. On the brink of recovering her strength and independence, she wants nothing to do with a relationship. But Rick Steele does more than rock her body…he rocks her heart. Tara has to make a choice, and she’s not ready to get caught…
Release: February 1, 2012 from Red Sage Publishing
An unbreakable contract. A stunning lie. And lots of mind blowing, take-no prisoners sex…
Julianna needs to marry a man with money to save her family estate.
Jack needs to marry a woman who will love him for himself, and not for his wealth and title.
 When Jack disguises himself a gardener, and promises to show Julianna the dark world of pleasure she never experienced, he’s convinced his heart is safe. But when his cousin comes to town, disguised as the perfect husband for Julianna and intent on stealing Jack’s legacy, he ignites a chain reaction that will change them forever. Can love and truth triumph?
The Marriage Bargain Releasing March 1, 2012 from Entangled Publishing
Alexandria Maria McKenzie casts a love spell for a man to help save her childhood home, but she never planned on her best friend’s older brother.  He offers her a bargain: marry him for one year and he will meet her price.  A marriage in name only with certain rules: no emotion, no attachments, no sex.  The terms should be easy to follow since he is the man who broke her heart years ago.  Or are they?
Nicholas Ryan doesn’t believe in marriage or family, but he needs a wife in order to inherit DreamScape Enterprises.  He looks for a suitable candidate, but never planned on his sister’s childhood friend.  She is everything he usually avoids in a woman: too impulsive, too emotional, too demanding.  Of course, he intends to avoid any real entanglements and stick strictly to business.  Or can he?
The stakes are high, but neither bargained for love…

Jennifer Probst wrote her first book at twelve years old. She bound it in a folder, read it to her classmates, and hasn’t stopped writing since. She took a short hiatus to get married, get pregnant, buy a house, get pregnant again, pursue a master’s in English Literature, and rescue two shelter dogs. Now she is writing again.
She makes her home in Upstate New York with the whole crew. Her sons, one 4 and one 6, keep her active, stressed, joyous, and sad her house will never be truly clean.
Her first contemporary romance, Heart of Steel, was re-launched in e-book form. Her publications with Red Sage include “Masquerade” Secrets Volume 11,  The Tantric Principle, and her February 1st release, Sex, Lies and Contracts. She has also written a children’s book, Buffy and the Carrot, co-written with her twelve year old niece, along with a short story, “A Life Worth Living.” Her newest series include Catch Me, the first in The Steele Brothers series with Decadent, and The Marriage Bargain, her new Marriage to a Billionaire series with Entangled. All of her books are available at her website or Amazon.
Website / Facebook
Posted on

Spotlight Feature of When Copper Suns Fall by KaSonndra Leigh

When Copper Suns Fall 
by KaSanndra Leigh

In fifteen-year-old Chela Prizeon’s city, alchemy is forbidden, and angels hide among the mortal. With a deadly virus ravaging the globe, Chela’s nightmarish memories compels her to experience a past riddled with gloom, and now her brother is infected.
Chela’s only hope is the Caduceans, slayers sworn to protect the last seven Light Keepers and the ancient memories they share. A group led by the sometimes elusive, sometimes infuriating boy who intrigues Chela. But can she trust this boy with the mysterious past, someone who can influence her memories?
With the Caduceans aid, Chela races to defeat her rivals, to unearth dark family secrets, desperate to find a cure…only to discover the glutovirus is far more than a simple disease.
In this haunting debut, KaSonndra Leigh offers an escape into a world as intriguing as The Mortal Instruments and a story as chilling as Enclave. Full of celestial creatures, fascinating villainy, high-stake choices, and a secret romance, When Copper Suns Fall, is a fresh and original urban fantasy—with a dystopian twist—that will take readers on an unforgettable adventure.

Excerpt
                Forcing my eyes to open, I found myself outside the Cradlehack. I was standing in Faris’s arms, my head against his chest, my fingers entwined in his black vest. It was a smooth fabric that felt like silk. A cloth no one had worn outside of ceremonies since before the Tidal Years. This boy was no common citizen. His earthy-sweet smell made me feel hypnotically safe, as we stood among the crowd fleeing down the hillside. He lifted my chin, stared in my eyes. But this wasn’t some dumb player’s move.
                No, a mysterious thing stirred behind his silvery-gray eyes.
                “Feel better, Chela?” he asked. I nodded.
                “Thanks for helping me,” I said, still fighting a light head. Still afraid the dreaded black blobs lingered somewhere around us. Somewhat ashamed I’d spoken so horribly to him moments ago.
                “You probably shouldn’t do that,” he said.
                “Do what?”
                “Thank me.”
                “Why? Because I caught you using alchemy? That’s what your kind does. Make magic in the shadows, right?” I said.
                His left eye ticked. The girl in the hoodie had called him a Caducean. Could it be possible? Father told me Caduceans were a mythical group—demon slayers from a time long gone. Yet, here I stood with a boy who didn’t deny my claim.
                Around us, fewer people were leaving the Shack. They paid no attention to the two idiots standing and staring at each other. Did Jalen and Lexa make it out safely?  They were taking forever to reach me.
                Did I really want them to find me?
                “They’ll call me, now, and make me a witness against you. I’m sorry, but I already have too many problems. So I—I have to tell the truth,” I said.
                “That won’t be a problem.” Faris smiled, a catchy one that lit his face up. I couldn’t decide whether it was angelic or downright wicked. Just like I couldn’t remember where I’d ever heard an accent like his. What kind was it? Old southern? Old English? Irish? It sounded like a mix of all three, but with a deep timbre, making him sound god like. “In a few minutes, you won’t remember me or any of this.”
                “Really? How do you figure that?” I asked, heart racing.
                “Because my gift to you…” He moved his face closer to mine, pulling me into whatever was happening in his head. “My gift is to remove memories that cause you pain.”
                “Okay, um, right.” Had I lost my mind? It probably wouldn’t have hurt to scream.
                He held my gaze, locking me into something I couldn’t explain. A tear puckered up in his left eye, and slid down his cheek where it stopped on his top lip. Then he blinked, snapping us out of whatever place he’d taken us to, and glanced behind my head. “Here comes your dark knight,” he said, easing his arms away from me.
                He strolled off into the last group of stragglers hanging around the Shack. How did he know my nickname for Jalen?
                I wiped away a tear rolling down my right cheek. 
                “Chela, there you are. You scared me, girl.” Jalen’s voice cut into the moment. He spun me around to face him. I blinked, clearing my eyes. “What’s wrong? Did you get hurt?”
                I glanced around us. The boy was gone. A dull headache joined the fuzziness in my head. Lost inside a clouded mind, I forgot what I wanted to say. The entire night’s events were hazy.
                I fumbled with my thoughts.
                What happened to me in there?

KaSonndra Leigh lives in the City of Alchemy and Medicine, North Carolina. She likes to write about teens doing fantastical things in magical worlds. Her two sons have made her promise to write a boy book next.
She holds the MFA in creative writing, and loves to play CLUE, Monopoly (the Indiana Jones version), and Pandora’s Box (good writer’s block therapy). She lives in an L-shaped house with a garden dedicated to her grandmother. It has a secret library complete with fairies, Venetian plastered walls, and a desk made out of clear blue glass.
When Copper Suns Fall is her debut novel.
Website / Twitter / Goodreads / Facebook
Buy Links: Smashwords / Amazon / Barnes & Noble
Posted on

My Daring interview with Reyes Farrow

Books-n-Kisses, is pleased to welcome Reyes Farrow to the blog today.  Today we are going to be doing something a little different.  We are, well Reyes has to take a test.  Yes, I am putting my neck on the line for you all to see just how well Reyes knows the Charley.  So without further ado, I begin.
Art work by PickyMe
Kelly:  Hi Reyes
Reyes: *nods head*
Kelly:  Ummm, I get the feeling you don’t really want to be here?
Reyes: You’re very perceptive.
Kelly:  What do you say we talk about your favorite thing Charley?
Reyes: . . .
Kelly: Uuummm, Okay, here we go…..
Q1) Charley’s favorite drink:
Reyes: *Sighing* I wouldn’t know, but I’m sure it’s loaded with caffeine.
Q2) Charley’s favorite piece of clothing:
Reyes: Easy. Blue Oyster Cult Reaper shirt.
Q3) Charley’s best friend
Reyes: Cookie.
Q4) Charley’s favorite hobby?
Reyes: Getting her ass in a sling.
Q5) Is Charley a good kisser?
Reyes: *a sinister smile emerges*
Q6) Why is Charley so pissed at you right now?
Reyes:  When is she not pissed at me?
Q7) Uuummm, What are you going to do to make it up to her? I would like details, please.
Reyes: *Raises eyebrows* Brave, aren’t you? I’d start by getting on bended knee in front of her. Then I’d grab her and turn her over my knee. You don’t get to hear the rest.
Q8) Charley’s idea of a perfect date.
Reyes: I’m not sure Charley’s ever been on a normal date. But if I had to guess, target practice with live objects, maybe?
Q9) What would Charley tell us about you that you won’t want her to share?
Reyes: Nothing if she values her Jeep.
Q10) Is there anything else you would like to share about Charley that we don’t already know?
Reyes: I always know the color of underwear she’s wearing. I like her underwear. Today they say, “bite me.” I’m planning on it. *leans forward* I’ll enjoy it, too.
Kelly:  Thank you Reyes for sitting down and doing this “How well do you know Charley quiz”. I will be turning over this quiz to be graded by Darynda.
Reyes: I scare her, you know.
Kelly: Hey D~ Thanks for stopping by and checking out Reyes’ answers.  So how did he do?
Darynda: He did pretty well. And, no, I’m not scared of him.
Reyes: *stares . . . a really long time*
Darynda: Okay, maybe a little. You know, I can write anything I want about you and it doesn’t have to be all sexy and smoldering. I can write mean stuff.
Reyes: You think I’m smoldering?
Darynda: Pfft. No.
Reyes: *stares . . . a really long time*
Darynda: Okay, maybe a little.
Reyes: *smug grin* Here to promote your book, writer lady?
US Cover
Darynda: Yes, actually, I do have a new book out. Third Grave Dead Ahead came out yesterday. Would you like to read it?
Reyes: *furrows his brows at Darynda before condensing into a dark, shrouded mist, flinging himself in her direction and whispers in her ear* Who do you think was peeking over your shoulder while you wrote it?
Darynda: *inhales sharply* That’s . . . good to know. *looking around* Wait, where did he go? Did you see where he went, Kelly? Do you think he’s gone?
Kelly: Wh-what?
Darynda: Reyes. Where do you think he went?
Kelly: I-I’m not really—

Darynda: I think I wet myself a little. *glances at Kelly* Great job with that test, by the way. I’m a little surprised you’re still alive, but super glad about it. Reyes’ answers were almost wordy. I’m impressed. I only get yes or no answers from him myself. But I also feel the need to apologize. If Reyes was rude or scared you. . .
Kelly: No, I’m good. I’m always this pale.

Darynda: That whole son-of-Satan thing doesn’t exactly make him user friendly. So, again, sorry. Also, I want to say thank you. I appreciate the opportunity to be here with you and your readers. I am always so honored when I’m asked to guest on your blog and share a bit of my world with your readers. As you can see, it can sometimes be a bit harrowing, but well worth it. Hope your readers agree.


Kelly:  I think since I survived this interview I say we give away a prize.  What do you think D? 


Darynda:  Sounds good to me.

Giveaway time: 
Please fill out the Rafflecopter form below to enter. 







a Rafflecopter giveaway

Posted on

Interview & Giveaway with Morgan Kearns

Books-n-Kisses pleased to welcome Morgan Kearns to the blog today.  We are so excited to share Morgan’s new release Heart Ache.

Morgan Kearns survived the intense and ever-changing insanity of television news for nearly 10 years before retiring to enter the jungle of raising four children. She writes novels that are ‘a real page turner’ and ‘couldn’t put the book down’ reads. She does an ‘amazing job bringing her characters to life’. 


Morgan loves to meet new characters as they step out of her imagination, introduce themselves and keep her up all night telling their stories. Morgan lives in Northern Arizona with her wonderfully supportive husband and her four great kids—and her bulldog, Gus.
Books-n-Kisses:  Hi Morgan, Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to sit down and talk with me about you and your new release Heart Ache.
Morgan: Thank YOU! I’m totally stoked to be here.
BnK: Can I get you anything before we get started?  Coffee, Soda, Cookie?
Morgan: I’m good, thanks.
Q1) Can you please tell my followers a little more about yourself
Morgan: I’m a mom, a wife, a friend. I love to laugh and you can assure yourself that every Morgan Kearns novel will end with a Happily-Ever-After. Although, you may doubt that until the very end. *wink*
Q2) Who do you feel has influenced your writing style?
Morgan: I’m not sure I could say. I can tell you the names of some of my favorite authors: JR Ward, Lynsay Sands, Lara Adrian, Christina Dodd, Tina Folsom, and a few of my Arizona Dreamin’ pals; Kris Tualla and Deena Remiel. You want great stories with fabulous characters? Check them out!
Q3) What is your most interesting writing quirk?
Morgan: I need music to write. I have playlists on my iPod for different scenes I’m writing; love songs, break up songs, intense songs (lots of Linkin Park in that one!). But when it comes to editing, I need it dead quiet. Any kind of noise whatsoever breaks my concentration and I’m done. The fam hates it when I edit. LOL!
Q4) What would you say is the most challenging thing for you about writing?
Morgan: Finding time. I have four kids (ages 11-5) and sometimes it’s literally a matter of taking the laptop and escaping in order to meet deadlines.

Q5) Can you tell us what inspired you to write Heart Ache?

Morgan: I read a lot of paranormal romance. The male always finds his female and then ignores the signals screaming that she’s his. Stupid males! Well, I wanted a world, a signal that could NOT be denied. Fight it? Sure, he can do that all he wants. But he can’t deny she’s his!
In my world, upon maturation (at around 30), the male’s heart stops beating. When he touches his female for the first time it starts beating again. No denying it. It’s usually a holy sh!t moment for the male. It took Nikolai 400 years for his heart to find Gabby, but knowing she’s the one, doesn’t make having her easy.
Q6)  Please describe Heart Ache for us in 140 characters or less
Morgan : One Touch. One Beat. Captures His Heart Forever.
Q7) Can you tell us what is up next for you (current WIP)?
Morgan : For those of you who have read IN IT TO WIN IT, I’m writing Xavier’s story. For those of you who haven’t read it, Xavier is the left fielder for the Vegas  Rockets. In WIN he was a rookie. It’s years later and after a successful career, he’s returned to finish it in Rockets blue. Xavier has baggage. Lots of baggage. He’s a player on and off the field. But it’s not only an injury that comes OUT OF LEFT FIELD and changes life as he knows it.
Keep an eye out for Xavier’s story in May 2012.
Q8)  I always like to know what authors are reading or upcoming release you are looking forward to most.
Morgan: The novel of the year for me is JR Ward’s Lover Reborn. I’m a Cellie and cannot wait! My favorite color is amethyst. *wink*
Q9) What do you do when you are not writing?
Morgan: Climb mountains … of laundry. LOL! Seriously, if I have free time, I like to read. I enjoy taking a few minutes every day to hit the treadmill (my iPod and Kindle come with me). I work with the Cub Scouts and that’s always a riot and a half!  
Books-n-Kisses:  Morgan, It was so great to have you here.  I hope my followers enjoyed learning a little more about you.  What do you say we do a giveaway?
Morgan: Abso-frickin’-lutely! I’d like to offer one lucky person a free digital copy of HEART ACHE. Be sure to check out my blog for a chance at a “Touch Me” t-shirt, inspired by the series!  Click on link to take you over to my page to enter. http://authormorgankearns.blogspot.com/2012/01/have-you-read-heart-ache.html
GIVEAWAY TIME!!!!!!!
To enter for a chance to win an e-copy of Heart Ache please use the Rafflecopter form below.



a Rafflecopter giveaway

Posted on

Spotlight Feature of by Shadonna Richards

An Unexpected Bride
Amazon paperback | Kindle | B&N paperback
Format: Kindle Edition
File Size: 285 KB
Print Length: 208 pages
Page Numbers Source ISBN: 1463774826


Emma Wiggins is about to marry her heart-stopping, gorgeous boss, CEO Evan Fletcher, in seven days—too bad he doesn’t know it yet!
Desperate to fulfill her ailing grandfather’s last wish to see her settle down and get married, Emma Wiggins, a 30-year-old, career-focused executive tells him a little white lie on his deathbed that she is in fact engaged–to her boss, deliciously handsome and emotionally unavailable, Evan Fletcher.
The situation takes an unexpected turn when her grandfather’s condition improves slightly and to her shock, he goes ahead and arranges a wedding ceremony at his hospital bedside before he passes on. Now, all Emma has to do is convince unsuspecting, commitment-phobic Evan to tie the knot with her in seven days. Can love blossom in the most unlikely situation?

You can find Shadonna here: 
Website / Twitter
Posted on

Guest blog & giveaway with the WONDERFUL Elisabeth Naughton

Thanks so much to Kelly and Books-n-Kisses for inviting me to stop by the blog today!
If you are a reader who follows writer’s blogs, you’ve probably heard writers talk about “the book of their heart”. This term is tossed around all the time, and doesn’t mean much unless you’re a writer. For me, every book I write is “the book of my heart” otherwise I wouldn’t write it. If I don’t love the characters enough to want to tell their story, my interest won’t last long enough to write the book. But for every writer there is one book that stands out above all the rest. Sometimes it’s the first book they wrote. Sometimes it’s the book they waited to write until they knew they were a better writer. For other authors—like me—it’s the book they wrote, then come back to over and over and over again, even years later.
My most recent release, WAIT FOR ME, is this book. Chronologically, it’s the second book I wrote, but that really means nothing because it’s been revised more times than I can count. My first book sucked big green donkey whompers. Seriously, it was so bad it will never see the light of day. But when I finished—and even though I knew it was awful—I was proud of it. Because I learned a lot in the process of writing that book. And when I was done I knew I could tackle the book I’d wanted to write from the start—WAIT FOR ME.
WAIT FOR ME is the story that got me writing. It’s the one that’s been in my head the longest. When I finished it, I knew the writing still wasn’t that good, but I didn’t shove it in a box and forget about it like I did my first book. Yes, I put it away, but every time I learned something new or discovered a better way to write, I went back to WAIT FOR ME, pulled it out and revised.
The final version of WAIT FOR ME bears no resemblance to that early manuscript. The location is different, the suspense is different, the scenes are totally different. But one element remains: the love story. The love story in this book is what kept drawing me back. It’s that element that I couldn’t let go of. It’s the part that makes this book THE book of my heart.
Putting this book out into the world for readers was not an easy task. Like I said before, I didn’t want to release it until I knew I could do it justice.  After eight published novels, plus two more that are done and waiting to be released, I finally felt ready to revise WAIT FOR ME one last time and let it go. It’s crazy to say that after ten books I’m still totally nervous as to how readers will react to my story and writing, but I am. Especially with this book because it has such a special place in my heart. Thankfully, readers have been enjoying it, and I can’t tell you how happy that makes me. When a book has been with an author as long as this one has been with me, there is no other feeling in the world than hearing from readers how much they love it and that they think it’s my best book yet. In a silly, author-neurotic way, it makes the “wait” totally worth it.
Is there something in your life you waited for that you’re happy you postponed until you were ready? I’m giving away an ebook copy of WAIT FOR ME, a second chance story with a twist, to one lucky commenter today!
***

A woman without a past…
After a tragic accident left her with no memory, Kate Alexander struggled to fit in with a husband and world that didn’t feel right. She’s had no reason to question what friends and family have told her, not until her husband is suddenly killed and she finds a photo of a young girl in his office. A girl who can’t be anyone but a daughter Kate didn’t know she had.
A man desperate for a reason to live…
Ryan Harrison lost his wife in a plane crash five years ago. To cope with the pain of her loss, he dedicated himself to his job and to raising their daughter. Now a successful pharmaceutical executive, Ryan has everything a man could want—money, fame and power—but he’d give it all up in a heartbeat for just one more day with the woman he still loves.
Two lives about to converge.
As Kate begins to dig into a past she doesn’t remember, evidence leads her to San Francisco and puts her on the path toward Ryan, a man who sees in her the woman he loved and lost. Kate feels a draw to Ryan, one she can’t explain, but is that feeling enough to convince her this is where she’s supposed to be? As Ryan and Kate search for answers, they uncover lies long buried, a passion hotter than either expected and a danger that threatens…even now…when the second chance they’ve both been searching for is finally within reach.
“Full of twists and turns, lies and deception, and the ultimate revenge, WAIT FOR ME is a great romantic suspense read.”
—Night Owl Reviews, Top Pick
***
A former junior high science teacher, Elisabeth Naughton traded in her red pen and test tube set for a laptop and research books. She now writes sexy romantic adventure and paranormal novels full time from her home in western Oregon where she lives with her husband and three children. Her work has been nominated for numerous awards including the prestigious RITA® awards by Romance Writers of America, the Australian Romance Reader Awards, The Golden Leaf and the Golden Heart. When not writing, Elisabeth can be found running, hanging out at the ballpark or dreaming up new and exciting adventures. Visit her at www.elisabethnaughton.com to learn more about her and her books.


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Posted on

My ARC Review of Eternal Captive by Laura Wright

Eternal Captive
By Laura Wright
Since feeding her his blood, Lucian Roman has struggled with his obsession with Bronwyn Kettler-fighting an uncontrollable desire to kill her, if he has to, and the vampire she has sworn to wed. But when a dangerous enemy threatens Bronwyn, only Lucian can save her life. Even if it means sacrificing his own…
My Thoughts:
Eternal Captive takes us on an emotional rollercoaster ride.  There are so many ups and downs, highs and lows you start to wonder if it will ever end.  Will there ever be light at the end of the tunnel.
I will admit I was very, very nervous about this book.  I was not sure how Laura was going to pull it all off, but she did!!  And she did a beautiful job of it.  While Eternal Captive was not my favorite book so far in the Mark of the Vampire series *cough Nicky’s*.  But I can safely say that Lucian fans will be extremely happy with this book.
Eternal Captive introduces us to a new group of characters and opens so many doors in the Mark of the Vampire world.   I am very excited to see where Laura takes us with this new group of Roman’s.  
And since I try hard to keep my review spoiler free but I am dying to give you something.  Let me just say that the ending of Eternal Captive surprised the hell out of me…  Never ever saw that coming. 
So can’t wait for Gray’s book Eternal Beast in August. 
Posted on

My Review of Chosen by Sin by Virna DePaul

Chosen by Sin
by Virna DePaul
book 3 in the Para-Ops Series
E-version ($4.99) Amazon OR Barnes and Noble
Paperback ($7.99)Amazon
For now, werebeast Dex Hunt serves on the Para-Ops team, but his true purpose is to kill the werewolf leader he blames for his mother’s death. Biding his time, Dex keeps his emotional distance from his team members and anyone else he might care for, including a mysterious vampire he met in LA.
As a doctor, vampire Jesmina Martin has dedicated her immortal life to healing others. As a scientific researcher, she’s trying to prolong life spans, in particular those of her adoptive dragon-shifter family and the werewolf who saved her as a child. Her greatest hope lies with Dex, a werebeast she believes can gift immortality to others.
Only Dex knows nothing about his gift or the fact Jesmina wants to harness it. After a passionate night together neither expects to see the other again. Weeks later, they are reunited in France and forced to acknowledge a fragile miracle—a new life struggling to survive. At the same time, they must stop a group of rebel shape-shifters hoping to unleash every demon in hell. But before Dex and Jesmina can save their child or the world, they must relinquish their secrets, face their fears, and open themselves to love.
My Thoughts:
I really enjoyed Chosen by Sin.  Dex is like an island.  He doesn’t allow anyone to get close to him.  Not his team members, not his lovers, no one.  Until he crosses paths with Jesmina Martin, the sexy, sassy vampire who helped the Para-Ops team on their last mission.  Jesmina changes everything for Dex.
This was a really good book.  I enjoyed reading about Dex & Jesmina’s struggle with their feelings, although I wanted to slap both of them around at times.  There are so many secrets and lies that Dex & Jesmina are keeping from each other.  But when push comes to shove only true loves will always win out.
I am really excited to see what is next for the Para-ops team.