Welcome to Day 3 of the Winter’s Favorites Giveaways. Today we have the wonderful Keri Ford and the uber talented Sherrilyn Kenyon sharing their favorite thing about winter.
Keri Ford and Winter Wonderland.
Thanks so much Kelly for having me today! One thing I love about winter is snow, which is unfortunate since it rarely snows where we live. Once a year, if we’re lucky. The last three years we’ve gotten extra lucky with a light dusting.
Enough that we can build a small snow man on the porch, barely do some sledding, get enough for ice cream and toss a couple snow balls. At least until the cold snow leaks through our gloves—then it’s all over with.
There’s just one problem with playing in the snow…I don’t like to be cold. But I have my reasoning! Thing is, if it’s going to be cold, by golly, I want to make it worth it and have snow on the ground too. And while we get a little snow, it’s not really enough to make it truly worth it. We bundle up and survive outside for about fifteen minutes before we’re all freezing and ready to come in. The snow we get is very wet and it’s melting by afternoon, making it just leak through your clothes in double-time.
Even with the cold a longtime dream trip of ours is a winter resort with skiing and snowmobiling. I guess we’ll just have to stuff our clothes with hand warmers to survive the trip.
What are your feelings on snow? Leave me a comment and one randomly selected person will win their choice of my backlist!
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Keri Ford is the author of six sexy contemporary novellas set in the small town of Apple Trail, Arkansas. She’s got 3 more novellas currently scheduled for 2012 and a series of single-title romantic mysteries coming 2013.
Her latest release is Chasing Her Trail and is available at TMP | Amazon | Smashwords | AllRomanceEbooks | Bookstrand (will be available in more places soon! distribution times and all that)
To keep with the latest on Keri, check out her website.
Twitter , Facebook
Sherrilyn Kenyon’s favorite thing about winter:
I absolutely love gloves! They are an inexpensive fashion accessory and I have a giant box of them.
The Fun Bio:
The #1 New York Times bestselling author, Sherrilyn Kenyon, who is proud of her mixed Cherokee heritage, lives a life of extraordinary danger… as does any woman with three sons, a husband, a menagerie of pets and a collection of swords that all of the
above have a major fixation with. But when not running interference (or dashing off to the emergency room), she’s found chained to her computer where she likes to play with all her imaginary friends. With more than twenty-five million copies of her books in print, in over one hundred countries, she certainly has a lot of friends to play with too. In the past three years, her books have claimed the coveted #1 bestselling spot sixteen times. This extraordinary bestseller continues to top every genre she writes. Her current series include: The Dark-Hunters, The League, Chronicles of Nick and Beladors. Since 2004, she has placed more than 50 novels on the New York Times list in all formats including manga.
Her Lords of Avalon novels have been adapted by Marvel and her Dark-Hunter novels
are now a New York Times bestselling manga published by St. Martins. Coming soon in
manga, the Chronicles of Nick.
Keri Ford has offered one lucky follower one of her back list books. And let me tell you I LOVE her Apple Trail series.
I have an extra copy of Sherrilyn Kenyon’s Fantasy Lover (not signed) I am donating to the giveaway.
So here is what you need to do. Leave a comment below then head over to the MAIN Winter’s FavoritesPage(ßßß click on the link it will take you there) and enter the contest over there. The top 5 items on Rafflecopter will be new. Fill those out for extra points.
If you have any question please email my by using the Contact page at the top of the blog. Or email me at books.n.kisses(at)gmail(dot)com.
Books-n-Kisses is pleased to let Kenya Carlton take over the blog today.
Helpless and Hopeless is my first dip in the short story pond. I like to take my time and poke around in my characters head for awhile but that would defeat the purpose of mini erotic stories for readers short on time. With the challenge of constructing a short story from my usual 300 pages to a tight and healthy 100 I came up with two of my cutest characters Brooke Langley and Sam Foley.
The adult versions of the two high school misfits that grew up are the type of friends that everyone thinks should bone if they are not all ready. A couple of cute kittens that jump, play, and snuggle. Familiar as an old marry couple but unwilling to throw in the towel and admit that they were made for each other.
I had fun with these two friends that go way back and I don’t think I could have pulled off my first short with any other couple but them.
Sam the quintessential shy jock is the guy girls really want in high school instead of the obnoxious block head that they ultimately end up with. Most girls aren’t mature enough to know that. Brooke Langley on the other hand saw Sam’s potential but unfortunately not her own. Big boobs with a lot of ambition and just as much heart Brooke allowed the moniker of the poor kid follow her around and dog her through out her entire high school experience.
Both of these characters succeed as adults on different life paths but always seem to find themselves back in each other’s arms within a 16 year time period.
In this short the question will they or won’t they become more than friends with benefits isn’t answered but stick with these two because I plan to revisit this characters once more in Helplessly Hopeless at a later date.
Undressed Inc. Anthology
At Undressed Inc., the women you meet are an eclectic bunch, but there is one thing that connects them: their sexual desire and their need to satiate that desire. In the hot anthology Undressed Inc., sit back and enjoy four stories that bring you front and center on dynamic women who, once tangled with a man who pushes all her hot buttons, fight for every drop of pleasure and love they can get.
HELPLESS AND HOPELESS by K. Carlton
Not at all happy about her long-awaited homecoming, video vixen Brooke Langely finds herself the maid of honor in her best friend’s wedding and face to face for the first time in years with her old high school rivals. But Brooke has her silver lining in the form of Sam Foley, the shy jock in high school that was Brooke’s favorite extracurricular activity after school.
For the next few days, Brooke plans to make up for old times and screw her sex buddy like crazy. Unfortunately, her best friend’s circus of a wedding threatens to get in her way.
NO OTHER LOVE by Embue
Arizona “Ari” Garrison has made some changes in her life: she’s finally left her abusive ex-husband Fletcher and she’s graduating college with her degree in business. Despite her accomplishments, what she lacks is a real man to be the comforter she seeks. Her vibrator can only do but so much to curb her sexual desires. The night of her graduation, her best friends take her out to have a good time. Little did she know that she’d find love in a jazz club.
Newman Riley Myers has had his share of women. After breaking off his engagement to the daughter of a wealthy socialite two years ago, he vowed to never love again. It’s not until he lays eyes on Ari that his mind is swayed. Handsome, educated and interested, Riley pursues Ari and wants her in the worst way. His only fear is can she love him for who he really is.
With secrets lingering in the balance and jealousy in the air, can Ari and Riley shed their fears to have…No Other Love?
BLACK HONEY by Samara King
Skeletons could wake the departed and make the living – dead targets!
Who could she run to?
When Officer Elisha “Elle” Taylor finds out crime lord Monty “Black” Kearns was her father, there is only one man she can turn to in the midst of a deadly plot for revenge. The very man she’d sworn never to touch again. Durant Kane.
Leaning on her father’s enforcer and her ex-lover seemed suicidal when the hit on her father was said to be ordered by his own people. Yet, the impulsive and heady sexual chemistry between them was undeniable.
One touch was all it took for the lines between good and bad to blur. One kiss was all she needed for him to steal her breath away…
TABLES TURNED by Ayanna Pierce
By day, Samantha Long uses her hands and pressure points to help her clients relax as a massage therapist. By night, Sam is Mistress Siren and uses her whips and leathers to make her clients submit as a dominatrix at Destiny Parker’s ultra-hot spot, Awaken. No matter the time of day, her mind is constantly focused on Drew Winger, a man she wants but can’t seem to conjure up her sexy nighttime persona Siren to express her feelings.
When Destiny “gets real” with her and allows Sam to think of the alternative of not expressing her feelings to Drew, Sam unleashes Mistress Siren in the hopes to making Drew only hers. She soon realizes, however, that sometimes, in order to get what you truly want you need to be willing to relinquish control and let go.
I would like to introduce you to the wonderful Kristina McMorris
Kristina McMorris has garnered nearly twenty national literary awards and two nominations for the highly coveted Golden Heart® for her fictional work. A former PR Director and weekly television host, she has been named one of Portland’s “40 Under 40” by The Business Journal. Her in-depth literary research includes rare interviews with WWII vets, an internment camp pilgrimage, and a flight on a restored B-17. She currently resides in the Portland, OR area, where she is a member of several literary organizations including Willamette Writers, RWA®, and Rose City Romance Writers.
For more information about Kristina McMorris, television clips, recipes from her books and more, please visit: www.KristinaMcMorris.com
My Favorite thing about winter:
Aside from the icy roads (ack), what’s not to love about winter?! Personally, I love snuggling up in a cozy blanket by the fire, ugly fuzzy socks on my feet and a mug of hot cocoa (with a splash of Peppermint Schnapps) within reach. I simply adore all that comes along with Christmas: decorating the tree with my family, old-fashioned Christmas tunes (hard to beat Bing Crosby and Dean Martin), our annual holiday brunch with close friends (the white-elephant gift exchange somehow never gets old), and movie classics like It’s a Wonderful Life and (to my husband’s dismay) Emmet Otter’s Jugband Christmas.
I love when the house smells like Date Pinwheel Cookies and hot apple cider and grandma’s Pineapple Cream Cheese Pie (ugh, now I’m getting hungry). And most of all, I love watching my kids play in the snow. Bundled up like Randy from the movie A Christmas Story, the two will play together for hours, their noses pink and voices full of giggles. I tell you, for me, nothing in the world can top that sound.
Wishing you all a very safe and happy holiday season!
xo,
Kristina
Now for a chance to win an ARC of Kristina’s next book Bridge of Scarlet Leaves. (US/Canada Only)
Los Angeles, 1941. Violinist Maddie Kern’s life seemed destined to unfold with the predictable elegance of a Bach concerto. Then she fell in love with Lane Moritomo. Her brother’s best friend, Lane is the handsome, ambitious son of Japanese immigrants. Maddie was prepared for disapproval from their families, but when Pearl Harbor is bombed the day after she and Lane elope, the full force of their decision becomes apparent. In the eyes of a fearful nation, Lane is no longer just an outsider, but an enemy.
When her husband is interned at a war relocation camp, Maddie follows, sacrificing her Juilliard ambitions. Behind barbed wire, tension simmers and the line between patriot and traitor blurs. As Maddie strives for the hard-won acceptance of her new family, Lane risks everything to prove his allegiance to America, at tremendous cost.
Skillfully capturing one of the most controversial episodes in recent American history, Kristina McMorris draws readers into a novel filled with triumphs and heartbreaking loss–an authentic, moving testament to love, forgiveness, and the enduring music of the human spirit.
To Enter please go to the (MAIN) Winter’s Favorite Giveaway page. Look for the new items on Rafflecopter that have to do with Kristina for more chances to enter to win.
Don’t forget to leave a comment or question for Kristina here!
To celebrate winter I have asked 40 of some of my favorite authors to tell me about their favorite thing about winter. Some shared memories, some shared recipes, and some wrote a short flash fic story just for this giveaway.
For the next 31 days there will be an author or two posting each day and each day there will be a giveaway. On the December 31st, will be a very large Thank you gift basket from me, filled with a whole lot of really good stuff.
To enter, you will need to go to the main Winter’s Favorite’s Giveaway page (click link above to take you to contest page) and use Rafflecopter to enter. Each day there will be new requirements to enter. You can enter every day to increase your odds at win a prize or two. There is no limit to how many prized one person can win. So even if you enter on day 1, 3, 10 and 25. You can still win a prize from any of the 31 days, including my Huge Thank you basket.
So let’s get this Celebration Started.
For day 1 the Wonderful Yasmine Galenorn has sent me a signed copy of her newest book Courting Darkness (book 10 in Otherworld series).
We’re the D’Artigo sisters: sexy, savvy ex-operatives for the Otherworld Intelligence Agency. But being half-human, half-Fae means our powers go haywire at all the wrong times. My sister Delilah is a Death Maiden and werecat who belongs to the Autumn Lord. My sister Menolly is a vampire who’s dating a gorgeous werepuma, and the godfather of the undead-set. And me? I’m Camille, Priestess of the Moon Mother, married to a dragon, a youkai, and a Svartan. But my dragon father-in-law has decided that he doesn’t like having me for a member of the family…
It’s Winter Solstice, and Aeval welcomes me into her Court of Darkness. With Morio still dangerously weak from his injuries and Vanzir alive only thanks to my silence, the thought of training under Morgaine doesn’t seem as daunting as it did. But then, Hyto returns to shatter my life. Captured and swept off to the Dragon Reaches, can I manage to stay alive long enough to escape, even as Smoky’s father intends to break my spirit, then my body?
So I am going to start off the Winter Giveaway with my Favorite thing about winter. My favorite thing is warm drinks, a good book and family time, but when I am not doing that. Give me a mountain, a snowboard and some really warm gloves because I LOVE SNOWBOARDING!!!!!!
So now that you know my favorite… Swing over to the main Winter’s Favorite’s Giveaway and enter. Don’t forget to leave a comment here!!
Lucius Black lives a debauched and wild nightlife. Being a ‘Quarter’ (1/4 vampire), blood and sex are what he is. However, his existence wears thin after a century of hedonistic pleasure.
Trevina Patterson lives a quiet, happy life running a hair salon in a village on the east coast of the United Kingdom. It was a perfect life and all she could ask for, until a chance encounter with Lucius Black.
What was it about him that was so unsettling and yet so attractive?
For Lucius, no woman had ever been enough, until Trevina. She awakened in him feelings he had not thought possible. Passions considered by him to be little more than vampiric mythology. She awakened his…black lust.
Teaser Excerpt:
Trevina strolled up the stone walkway and knocked at the door. It was ajar, so she stuck her head in. “Hello? Anyone here?”
No one answered so she took a hesitant step across the threshold. Oh brilliant, it had hardwood floors and a fireplace. She felt the nearby wall, plaster, but with a fresh coat of paint. It was clean and bright. She imagined where she would place her few sticks of furniture when a deep voice boomed from the hallway.
“Who the hell are you, and what do you want?”
Her head turned toward the direction of the irritated voice. Her breath caught in her throat. A stunning looking man stood opposite her, his legs apart, and his arms crossed. He was in black leather from his long coat to the skin hugging leather pants and black boots. A tight black T-shirt accentuated rock-hard pectorals.
Trevina assumed this stunner looked like a fallen angel or a sexy demon, maybe both. At least that is how they seemed in the movies and on the telly. He had full red lips no man should possess and a scruffy days-old beard and chiseled handsome features. But it was his eyes, the same silver-gray as the sky over a stormy North Sea. They were very large and expressive, framed by long black eyelashes. She imagined the lashes were as soft as mink. He appeared dangerous, and she should be scared, but those eyes had her locked in a searing sexual Svengali-like gaze. He exuded perilous detachment. Impenetrable, guarded, and shielded from emotions. Why she sensed all that, she had no idea. Instead of running to her scooter for safety, she stepped forward holding out her hand. “Trevina Patterson. Do you own this lovely cottage?”
The man stared down at her hand as if deciding whether to take it. He uncrossed his arms, took her hand and shook it. His hand was large, masculine, and very warm. His touch almost brought her to her knees it was so potent. His thumb stroked the top of her hand in a gentle circular motion. A slight sly smile curved his ruby red lips. She tried to bite back a moan but a shaky exhale escaped her throat. He let go of her hand. She felt anger mix with the intoxicating attraction. Did he get off making women react to him, especially women who were not beautiful? She knew she wasn’t. She accepted her blunt-plain features years ago; it saved her plenty of heartache.
“No, it belongs to a cousin of mine. I was looking at it, deciding if I was going to rent it. Why do you ask, Trevina?”
He used her first name. Oh, he was skilled at seduction. It dripped like molten honey in his voice, and she noticed he didn’t have a British accent. She moved closer to him. She would show this sexy leather clad demon she wasn’t intimidated. She looked up at him. Bloody hell, he was tall. “I would like to rent it myself. What’s your name?”
He crossed his arms again, a defensive posture to be sure. “Lucius Black.”
She couldn’t help but smile. The name fit him like a leather glove.
He cocked an eyebrow. “Something amusing?”
She bit her lower lip. “No. Nothing. So I’m out of luck apparently.”
He shifted his stance so he was, just inches away. Her breasts brushed by his impressive muscular chest causing a gush of liquid between her legs. He stared down at her, and his warm breath fanned her cheeks like the incendiary breath of a dragon. A damned sexy one. He exuded a spicy, woodsy scent that was bloody appealing. Warm flickering flame, fire and brimstone perhaps?
“I would not say that,” he whispered sensually.
Living in a small town in a corner of Ontario, Canada, I wile away my spare time writing, reviewing and reading romance. As long as I can avoid being hit by a runaway moose here in this wilderness paradise, I assume everything is golden. Originally from the east coast of Canada, I love to set my stories in the Maritime Provinces~
Happily married for a long time to my own hero, a teacher that braves everything that is thrown at him. His encouragement keeps me moving forward.
Books-n-Kisses is excited to welcome Tracey O’Hara to the blog today. We are excited to learn more about Tracey and her books.
I was born in Australia – Launceston, Tasmania to be precise, but actually grew up in North and Far North Queensland. My family is very supportive of my writing. They encourage me to keep writing and pursuing my dream.
I discovered a passion for writing in March 2004. It started after doing some research into my family history. A story came into my head, screaming to get out, about an Irish girl who works for an English captain as a governess/nanny for his children while their mother is very ill. Set in Australia in the early 1820s.
But as I started to plot the story, another one emerged, which was much stronger. It involved the sister of the girl in the first story, who gets raped on the voyage out to Australia and falls pregnant. I wrote 120k in about 4 months – the story flowed out like molasses on a hot day.
This was before I learnt anything about writing, and I followed every bad writing practice known, making every writing mistake. But everyone loved the story – even if it was badly written. So I figured that I am more a story teller than a writer – so now I must learn to write. Now I am writing Dark stories, Dark Urban Fantasy to be precise.
In August 2004 I joined RWA and started to get involved with the Canberra group meetings. I haven’t looked back. I joined RWA America early 2005
Books-n-Kisses: Welcome Tracey
Tracey: Thanks so much for having me here J
Books-n-Kisses: Can I get you anything before we start? Coffee, Tea, Wine?
Tracey: oh – wine – a nice glass of Moscato please <grin>
Books-n-Kisses: Let’s get started
Q1) Tracey, can you tell us a little something about yourself we won’t find in your bio?
Tracey: Hmm – good question. I’m fond of Moscato? LOL.
Q2) What would you say is your most interesting writing quirk?
Tracey:I love to listen heavy metal music while I write and as I revise the heavier the music I listen too.
Q3) Have you always wanted to be an author?
Tracey:Actually no. I never wanted to be a writer – in fact I hated what we call English in school. I’d break out in a cold sweat at the word essay. I’d never written anything until 2004, but have always been a veracious reader and have always had the ability to tell a story. If I didn’t like the end of a movie, I would sometimes make up an alternate ending. The next time I saw that movie I would think my ending was how it ended and be surprised when it wasn’t how I remembered it.
Q4) Who are some of your favorite writers? Who do you feel has influenced your writing?
Tracey:My mostest favoritest would have to be George RR Martin followed closely by Raymond E Fiest with Stephen King taking out the bronze medal. But I have to say the one who has influenced my writing the most would be Stephen King – while I love fantasy – I write a better horror thriller.
Q5) What is a typical writing day for you like? Anything you have to have while writing?
Tracey:On weekdays I have a day job so I write at night when my husband’s at work. On weekends I try to spend as much time with my husband as I can but sometimes when deadlines loom I do some writing.
Let’s talk about your Dark Brethren Series
Q6) Tell us about Dante Rising (Prequel to Night’s Cold Kiss)
Tracey:Dante Rising: The birth of a Venator actually started out as a prologue but was cut early on. It’s a story behind Antoinette’s hatred of the Aeternus and the thing that drives her to become a Venator. Many people make the mistake that Dante is a Necrodreniac – but he’s actually a psychotic Aeternus who doesn’t need the death-high to enjoy murder.
Q7) Night’s Cold Kiss is book 1 in your Dark Brethren series. Can you tell us more about this book?
Tracey:This book started out as an image of the opening scene that popped into my head one day. It was so vivid of a girl creeping through a darkened warehouse with a man watching from high above in the rafters. The book went through several changes over the years – but that is one thing that never changed. Night’s Cold Kiss is the story of Antoinette and how she becomes embroiled in a hunt for a serial killer as she tries to fight her attraction to Christian who she thinks of as her enemy.
Q8) Death’s Sweet Embrace is book 2 in your Dark Brethren series. Tell us a little more about this book?
Tracey:Death’s Sweet Embrace takes place shortly after the end of Night’s Cold Kiss. This time we follow Kitt Jordan – a snow leopard shape shifter and her ex-lover Raven. Some people have been disappointed not to see Antoinette and Christian in the lead for this book – but others have told me they enjoyed seeing different facets of the world I have built.
Q9) What is up next in the Dark Brethren series?
Tracey:The third book in the Dark Brethren is Sin’s Dark Caress is it’s released next August. This one is about the magic users. Bianca Sin is a broken witch – who has learned to use her talents to invent devices to detect magic signatures and used to collect forensic evidence in crimes where magic is used or suspected. A homicide detective she has worked with before calls her to the scene of a murder. This leads to a string of events that draws her deeper and deeper into the world of the Dark Brethren.
Q10) How did you come up with the idea for this series?
Tracey:As I said – it started with the opening scene of Night’s Cold Kiss. But once I started to explore the world it opened up. It was like it always existed in my head and I was just discovering the wonders as I went along with the story. There is so much more to the world I want to explore and write about, I just hope I get the chance.
Q11) Who has been your most challenging &/or rewarding character to write so far?
Tracey:My favorite character was Viktor, I loved him. The most demanding was Oberon, he was just a bit part until he stomped into my story with his huge boots and demand that he was there to stay. And who am I to argue with a seven foot bear shape-shifter.
Q12) What is your current work in progress?
Tracey:Same as above
Q13) Because I am really nosey. What is in your to read pile that you are dying to get started on?
Tracey:Because I work full time and write as well, I have had very little time to read in the last few years. So my TBR pile has turned into a TBR bookcase. At the moment I am trying to catch up and am reading the Song of Ice and Fire series and listening to the Hunger Games on audio book. I have recently got into audio books and they are awesome. Speaking of which – the audio book for the first 2 books in the Dark Brethren series are out early next year.
Q14) Best piece of advice you would give to someone thinking of trying their hand at writing?
Tracey:The best advice is keep writing, keep learning your craft and don’t give up.
Q15) Is there anything else you would like to add?
Tracey:I would like to thank all those people that have bought and read my books, and I especially love hearing from people that have. Without readers there wouldn’t be any books. J
Books-n-Kisses: Tracey, again thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to sit down and talk with me. I hope my followers enjoyed learning more about you and your books. I look forward to seeing what you come up with next.
Tracey: Thank you so much for having me at Books-n-Kisses. It’s been lovely chatting with you. J I would like to give away a Kindle version of the first 2 books.
GIVEAWAY TIME:
To Enter for a chance to win a Kindle version of Night’s Cold Kiss & Death’s Sweet Embrace. Please fill out the Rafflecopter form below.
In this Prequel, you will be introduced to a series of events that will drag you steadily closer to the truth behind a most ominous rumor. Rumor has it that in the year of 1800, a ten year old boy, British heir to the Sumner estate disappeared in New York City & was never seen again. Rumor also has it that 30 years later, details pertaining to his disappearance
have resurfaced. What will it lead to?
Only you, the reader, will ever know.
Delilah Marvelle
My Thoughts:
Okay I have to start by saying a HUGE thank you to my girl Delilah for allowing me to read Forever Mine early. And now I am going to curse her, because now I have to wait until early 2012 to read the next book Forever & a Day.
Forever Mine is the pre-quel novella to Delilah’s new series The Rumor Series (add Link). Forever mine will be a free read the month of December. Followed by book 1 Forever & a Day (Jan 2012) book 2 Forever a Lady (Aug 2012) and book 3 Promise me Forever (Jan 2013).
Forever Mine takes place in New York 1800 & then in London 1802. We meet Lady Augustine and her very dysfunctional family. After a strange man is found lurking outside the children’s window night after night, Augustine tells her father. While he is not pleased he is not worried, he states that the man is his friend and will not case them any harm, but will ask him to leave. When the man doesn’t show up the next night Augustine is relieved. When the next morning breaks her worst fears are realized her brother is missing, not missing Gone. Augustine fears her father has had something to do with it. Augustine’s life will never be the same.
For being a novella, Delilah is able to pack so much emotion into this story. I really didn’t want this story to end. I have so many questions. I hope that they all get answered in the next three books.
I just adore Delilah and her books they are fun, witty, hot and always filled with scandals and rumors.
Watch my blog for details on how to get a free read of Forever Mine and a chance to win book 1 Forever & a Day.
Squeee!!!!! Books-n-Kisses is beyond excited to have Gini Koch here today… *jumping up and down* Gini is the author of the Katherine “Kitty” Katt series. Gini has made me fall in love with Sci-fi, when I never thought I would. I’m not sure anyone can hold a candle to Gini in my eyes. Her Aliens are to die for HAWT, her heroine can kick your butt with her eyes closed and her bad-guys are just Fugly!!
Gini: Aww, shucks, I’m blushing. Thanks so much for the warm welcome, Kelly! Very happy to be here.
Kelly: Gini, welcome, welcome, welcome finally to my blog…. Did you bring Christopher? *clapping hands* Did you? Because you know he is my favorite. Right?
Gini: ROFL, yes, yes, I brought him along.
Christopher: Hey Kelly. I brought you some gladiolas. Hopefully you’re not like Madonna and going to toss them into the trash while flipping me the bird.
Gini: Wow, way to make that first impression, there, Christopher.
Christopher: Whatever. I think they’re pretty flowers and it’s the thought that counts.
Kelly: *blushes* Hi Christopher, the flowers are wonderful……. *hehe* OMG!!! Kitty & Martini (Jeff) are here too… *fans self, looks at Christopher and mouths* “you are still my favorite” Anyone else joining the party today?
Kitty: Jeff, you really need to get past the Chuckie jealousy. Yo, Kelly girl! *fist bumps Kelly*
Kelly: *fist bumps Kitty*
Martini: Uh huh. Anyway, hi Kelly, you’re looking lovely today.
Christopher: Always.
Martini: Always what?
Christopher: You’re always Mr. Smooth. She likes me better than you.
Martini: I think she likes you because you’re not taken.
Kitty: Yet.
Gini: MOVING ON…
Kelly: Can I get you anything before we start? Water, coffee, Tea, Kisses for me from Christopher, Oops I mean Cookies?
Gini: Keep it PG! Geez.
Kitty: I’ll take a cookie! Or two. You have any Coke?
Martini: I’m good, thanks.
Christopher: I was all for the making out, but fine, water and a cookie’d be great.
Kelly: *Hands Kitty a plate of cookies & Coke. Hands Christoper some water & cookies* Okay let’s get started:
Q1) This one is for Kitty. Kitty for my followers who may not know about you can you please tell them a little about yourself.
Kitty: Sure! I’m a former marketing manager who was in the right place at the wrong time with the right skills. Now I’m a superbeing exterminator. I have the genetics to make that work, too, as I found out. Oh, and per The Creator, as we call Gini, I’m the world’s best accidental badass.
Martini: I think you’re the world’s best everything, baby.
Kitty: Isn’t he sweet? Christopher?
Christopher: I’ll give you “accidental” for sure.
Kitty: Humph!
*staring dreamily at Christopher*
Kelly: Oh where was I? Oh yeah, questions
Q2) Okay Martini, your turn…. Tell my followers a little about yourself.
Martini: I’m the Head of the Field for Centaurion Division, which is made up mostly by my people, those of us who were exiled to Earth from Alpha Four in the Alpha Centaurion system. I’m also the strongest empath we have.
Kitty: And you’re incredibly jealous.
Martini: Yeah? You try knowing what someone’s feeling before you tell me I’m overreacting.
Kitty: Whatever. He’s also far too modest to says so, but Jeff’s incredibly drool-worthingly hot.
Martini: Thanks, baby.
Kelly: I would have to agree with you Kitty. Jeff is drool worthy. *thinks to self Christopher is still my favorite*
Q3) Christopher? Would you like to share anything? *winks at Christopher*
Christopher: With The Creator here, not going to be sharing what you’d like, I don’t think. But I’m the Head of Imageering for Centaurion Division. Like Jeff, I’m the strongest we have, only my talent is with imageering — imageers can touch any image and we know all about the person, because the photo or video or whatever actually copies the person’s mind and soul, not just their image.
Kitty: So all the aboriginal tribes who think pictures steal some of their souls aren’t wrong.
Christopher: Well, the pictures don’t take parts of the mind and soul, just copies. So they’re kind of right and kind of wrong.
Kitty: Story of my life. Oh, and Christopher’s hot, too. All the A-Cs are. I have to admit, I love working with the most gorgeous people on Earth on a daily basis.
Kelly: *nodding head* I totally agree with you Kitty. All the A-C’s are beyond hot!! *winks at Christopher*
Q4) Martini/ Christopher: What is it like working with Kitty?
Martini: Great. If you ignore that she tends to fall from a great height far too frequently.
Christopher: And if you don’t mind that she never, ever follows orders.
Kitty: Orders are for other people.
Martini: See? And if you ignore the constant low-level lust for pretty much every guy we work with.
Kitty: Geez. My lust for you is far from “low level”.
Martini: Which is why I can deal with it.
Kitty: Good to know.
Christopher: They bicker like this a lot.
Kitty: Blah, blah, blah.
*Kelly daydreaming of Christopher, Kitty elbows Kelly in the side*
WHAT? Oh yeah, interview……
Q5) Kitty: What would you say is the hardest part about working with Martini & Christopher?
Kitty: The fact that they tend to look at things the A-C way, which is “how we’ve always done it”. They need my kind of out-of-the-box thinking.
Christopher: I don’t think you believe there is a box.
Kitty: And here I was thinking you never paid attention.
Martini: That’s your only complaint?
Kitty: That I’ll voice in front of you two, yeah.
Q6) To all: How do you feel about Gini telling your stories?
Kitty: Well, she really just takes the dictation from me, but I think she does a good job.
Martini: I wish she’d stop writing more books.
Christopher: Huh?
Kitty: Why?
Martini: Sure, you guys think it’s all fun. The book ends, I’m a HAPPY MAN. The next book starts, and look at all the torture The Creator puts me through. You think you’re dictating, baby, but trust me, I’ve looked inside her mind, and she has nothing but evil planned for me.
Gini: Wow, overdramatic much?
Martini: You take the next adrenaline harpoon to the chest and then tell me that I’m being overdramatic.
Gini: You do have a point.
Martini: Does that mean you’re going to stop making me your punching bag?
Gini: Hardly. But I’ll spread the love around a little bit, okay?
Martini: As if I have a choice in this? Fine.
Christopher: Who are you spreading that “love” to, exactly?
Q7) You guys have had quite a few incredible adventures trying to save the world, do you ever get tired of always being called in to dangerous situations?
Kitty: Nope. It’s all in a day’s work.
Christopher: It’s what we’re here for.
Martini: I’d like a vacation.
Christopher: Why? These are our jobs.
Martini: Right. I point you to the prior answer and mention that no one ever stabs you with anything, ever.
Q8) Kitty, What do you guys do when you are not trying to save the world?
Kitty: Jeff and I have sex.
Martini: I thought we were supposed to keep it PG?
Kitty: Whatever.
Christopher: I honestly can’t remember a time when we weren’t saving the world.
Q9) Gini, What is it like to work with Kitty and the gang?
Gini: They’re no more or less demanding than my other characters. But I do love all of them very much.
Kitty: I resent that you have other characters.
Martini: I think you should spend more time with those other characters. A lot more time.
Christopher: The Creator loves me. I’m her favorite.
Gini: *coughs*
Christopher: Come on! You know you love me.
Gini: I do. I love all my creations. Including the bad guys.
Christopher: Thanks a lot.
Martini: She can love you a little more if that means I get less torture.
Q10) Gini, rumor tells me that as long as Kitty & the Alpha team are still around fighting bad guys you will keep telling their stories. Is that true?
Gini: As long as readers want to read the books and DAW wants to publish them, I’ll be writing.
Kitty: I can guarantee that we won’t be leading boring lives. Ever.
Martini: Can I go whimper in a corner or something? I know what “not boring” means to you and The Creator. It means I’m going to get thrashed. Again.
Christopher: I don’t like the smirk The Creator just shot at me, either.
Gini: Blah, blah, blah. MOVING ON…
Q11) Can share with us the next big adventure the Alpha Team will be on?
Gini: Next book up is “Alien Proliferation” releasing December 6th. I live spoiler free, but I can say this — the term “We’ll always have Paris” will take on a whole new meaning for the team, and the readers.
Christopher: She smirked at me again!
Martini: See? She’s evil.
Kitty: I think she’s awesome. And let’s be honest…The Creator likes ME best.
Q12) Kitty/Martini: How do you feel about Kate Perry making a song about you?
Because I have to say, every time I hear it I think of you two.
Martini: I’m flattered, of course.
Kitty: I’m waiting for her to endorse the series!
Gini: Me too. Believe me, me too.
Kelly : Kitty, Martini, & Christopher: *tearing up a little thinking about Christopher leaving* Thank you so very much for taking time away from saving the world to sit down with me and talk a little. Is there anything else you would like to add before you take off?
Kitty: Great to be here, hope everyone picks up the books and enjoys our adventures!
Martini: Thanks for having us. Read the books, and you’ll see I have every reason to be jealous.
Christopher: I’m really the star of the series. Just saying.
Kitty: You are not.
Christopher: Guess they’ll have to buy the books to find out, won’t they?
*Kelly waves bye Kitty & Martini, runs up and gives Christopher a HUGE bear hug* Sorry Chris, had to do it. I don’t know when I will see the real you again. The clones are nice and all, but I am really happy to see the real you!! Oh and I promise if you come back I will not act like as teenage girl crushing on a boy….
*rolls eyes* Who am I kidding I will…
Christopher: Oh, it’s okay. I like it. Jeff gets a lot more attention these days than I do.
Martini: You get a ton of attention.
Christopher: You get more.
Gini: Boys…
Martini: Fine. See everyone later!
Christopher: Have a great one!
Kitty: Nice to see them so obedient. Must be because The Creator’s here. TTFN gang!
Q13) Okay, now that they are gone… Tell me the Truth about them… Are they as nice, sweet, SMOKIN HOT and can kick your ass if you look at them wrong as they seem?
Gini: Pretty much, yeah. They are as they’re written. And they’re very fun characters to spend time with, so I’m happy I get to write about their adventures.
Q14) How can I get Christopher to realize I am the girl for him?
What? A girl can dream right *wink, wink*
Gini: *cough* Enjoy those Clones babe.
Q15) So Gini, what is up next after book 4 Alien Proliferation?
Gini: Book 5, Alien Diplomacy, comes out April 3, 2011. Book 6, Alien vs. Alien, which I’m writing right now, releases December 2013. And, DAW has bought Books 7 & 8, Alien in the House and Alien Collective, which will release in April and December 2013, respectively. So, lots more of Kitty and Company coming!
Kelly: EEEEKKKK!!!!! I have to say thank you to the Gods of Random for allowing me to read Alien Proliferation early… I loved every minute of the book. My Spolier free review can be found HERE.. I can wait for Alien Diplomacy. And so EXCITED for books 6, 7 & 8!!!!
Q16) I really meant what I said at the very beginning of our interview. You have forever changed Sci-fi for me. If someone is on the fence about reading a Sci-fi book, what would you tell them? Because I would tell them to get off their duff’s and go pick up Touched by an Alien and then tell me they didn’t fall in love with you and your Aliens.
Gini: LOL, I think my first inclination is to let you do the talking.
I kind of look at my stuff as Sci-Fi Lite. I’m not a hard science fiction writer. I read it, but I’m not really going to get into the technical and scientific weeds when I’m writing. So, I’m sort of the entry drug for science fiction. Test the waters with the Alien/Katherine “Kitty” Katt series, and then branch out. My stuff will always be there to protect you from the rest.
Q17) I understand you have other series going. Can you tell us just a little about those?
Gini: Sure! I’m writing The Martian Alliance Chronicles for Musa Publishing. The first book in that series, The Royal Scam, released October 1. The second, Three Card Monte, is coming early in 2012.
I also write under a variety of pen names, and I’ve sold several things to Musa under those names as well. So, look for books by Jemma Chase, Anita Ensal, A.E. Stanton, and J.C. Koch — they’re all me, just different voices, characters, settings, and so forth.
Q18) Is there anything else you would like to add Gini?
Kelly: Gini, Thank you ever so much for stopping by and talking with me. I am so looking forward to reading about Kitty, Martini, Christopher and the rest of the gang’s next adventure.
Gini: Thanks so much for having me, Kelly! It’s been a blast.
Kelly: Please come back anytime Gini. You and the whole gang. Maybe next time we can get Chuckie here too. How do you feel about giving away a book?
Gini: I would love too. How about a signed copy of Alien Tango.
Kelly: Sounds good.
Ready for a Giveaway? Please feel out Rafflecopter for a chance to win….
Alien Super-Being Exterminator Kitty Katt is expecting her first baby. But the alien attacks are getting more dangerous, and now Kitty and her Alpha Centaurion husband, Jeff, have to find out who’s behind the conspiracy to kill Kitty’s secret agent mom and what caused Kitty’s transformation into a superhuman-and they’ve got to do it all before the baby shower…
My Thoughts:
First I have to say a huge THANK YOU to the Gods of Random’s and Gini Koch for having the ARC giveaway and picking me as one of your winners. I seriously went totally Justin Bieber fan girl when I saw I won.
To The Queen of Sci-fi Thank you for writing this series!!!!! I SO FLIPPIN LOVE YOU and YOU’RE ALIENS!!
My Review:
There is so much happening in this book that I will be very careful not to give any spoilers. I will say you that you HAVE TO READ the 1stthree books in this series to get a history of all the characters.
In Alien Proliferation we find Alpha Team again is threatened by an outside force. But this time multiple members of the team & Kitty’s family are threatened. It will take all the tricks in the book and a few new ones in order to save everyone this time.
There is so much emotion happening in this book. Kitty & Jeff have their normal banter about Kitty’s flirting. Christopher, Oh my sweet, sweet Christopher. I cried for you, was happy, and then cried again. Of course I can’t tell you what happened but Christopher fans will be happy. Chuckie is…… Well Chuckie, can’t wait to see what the future hold for our Conspiracy King.
Really, all I have to say is buy this series… SERIOUSLY!!!!! The Kitty-Alien series so rocks my world. I cried when I finished this book. I can’t wait for April for Alien Diplomacy. I am already thinking of bribes or sacrifices for the Gods of Random in hopes I may get lucky and win the next book too. If you are listening Gods of Random. I love you!!!
If you have not read Gini’s Alien Series what are you waiting for…. GO, GO, Now and buy them, read them, LOVE them!!!
Best line of this book: “This is the GREATEST! I’m Wolverine with boobs! I’m Wolverine with boobs! This is like the most exciting thing that’s ever happen to me.”
Books-n-Kisses is pleased to let Catherine Bybee take over the blog today. Take it away Catherine.
Thank you so much, Books & Kisses for having me here today.
I’m rounding out the last few guest blogs on my blog tour for Wife by Wednesday and have decided to give away one copy of my contemporary romance away today. So, dear Books & Kisses readers, all you have to do to enter this giveaway is write a comment here on this blog and answer me one simple question…
Turkey
Or
Ham
Okay, on with my guest blog…
A few words of holiday advice.
As we say goodbye to Thanksgiving, those of us who are in The States, and run head-long into the Christmas holiday, it’s really easy to forget ourselves while we’re trying to please everyone else. Tension ramps up, family dynamics slip into every pour of our skin. We watch the running ticket of credit card bills soar. We see people we really don’t want to see and have to keep a smile on our face while sipping that glass of wine that never seems to empty. If you’re lucky your family gets along and everyone pitches in to even out the holiday drama. *sigh*
If an author wrote a book based during the holidays and all the characters blended together well, what a yawn-fest that would be. Isn’t it more interesting if there’s some reality based conflict everyone can identify with?
Without conflict, books are boring and forgetful. Sure an author may do a stellar job turning up the heat and creating complex characters… but without conflict you put the book away and never look back. Unlike books, this is a time of year we don’t want to revisit in May with big bills or ten pounds.
This is the time of year where conflict is all around us. At a time in history where the economy stinks in all corners of the world, it might be a good time to put aside some of the stress and do something for yourself each and every day. If you’re a writer… sit down and write a page or two. If you’re a reader, pick up a book and escape for thirty minutes a day. There is going to be a lot of conflict between now and January 1st. So take a moment and ease some of that pain and maybe… just maybe you won’t start the new year out with a desire to lose weight, or start exercising… or meet those writing goals. Why? Because you never lost site of those goals during this hectic time.
Conflict in books is paramount.
Conflict in life is stressful.
Happy Holidays Everyone.
Award Winning, Bestselling, blah, blah, blah, Romance Author Catherine Bybee
Wife by Wednesday
A Contemporary Romance with a dash of humor and a whole lotta sexy…
Blake Harrison:
Rich, titled, and charming… And in need of a wife by Wednesday so he turns to Sam Elliot who isn’t the business man he expected. Instead, Blake is faced with Samantha Elliot, engaging and spunky with a voice men call 900 numbers to hear.
Samantha Elliot:
Owner of Alliance , her matchmaking firm, and not on the marital menu… That is until Blake offers her ten million dollars for a one-year contract. All she needs to do is keep her attraction to her husband to herself and avoid his bed. But Blake’s toe-curling kisses and charm prove too difficult to combat. Now she needs to protect her heart so she can walk away when their mercenary life together is over.
Catherine Bybee is known for her time travel / paranormal romance books. Wife by Wednesday is her first straight contemporary with more in the loop coming. This is Indie Published with 4.5 and 5 star reviews already coming in.
Award Winning Author for Silent Vows Paranormal Category of the More than Magic 2011 contest
Amazon Bestseller in Time Travel/Historical/Fantasy-Ghost (All MacCoinnich Time Travel Books) + Anthology’s (Soul Mate)
Desire is the resident slacker in the super villain roster of Saint Clara, CA. She has amazing powers that let her perform incredible feats, but doesn’t really have that take over the world mentality most villains do. She makes her living as a free-lancer for some of the more motivated evil-doers in her area, and despite not playing well with others, has carved herself a nice reputation as the one to call if you need something punched (and don’t mind cigarette smoke). When Desire gets invited to apply for a position as bodyguard for one of the city’s most notorious gangsters, she and the other meta-humans involved get more than they bargained for attempting to steal a mysterious painting from the museum of art…
My thoughts:
This was a very, very quick read. It was fun thought. It was very different then what you normally would read on heroes and villains but these villains are very, very likeable. I hope that Adam will keep these stories going I would like to see where his super villains end up at.
Want to learn more about Adam and his books? Check out his blog HERE
Books-n-Kisses is pleased to welcome Diane Alberts to the blog today. We are going to be talking about her new book Kill Me Tomorrow, which is a part of the 1 Night Stand series.
Diane: I’m very happy, and honored to be here today! Thanks for having me!
Q1) Can you tell us a little about yourself?
Diane: Me? I’m pretty boring. I’m almost 30, been married for almost 10 years, and have 4 kids (2 boys and 2 girls). I live in Northeast PA, and currently have three contracted books with Decadent Publishing (with another being considered as of today). Oh, and I dye yarn.
Q2) Have you always wanted to be an author?
Diane: Yes, absolutely! Ever since I cracked open my first romance book at 12, I’ve been hooked.
Q3) Who are some of your favorite writers? Who do you feel has influenced your writing?
Diane: Johanna Lindsay, Julia Quinn, Teresa Mederios, and Christina Dodd to name a few. I aim to make my readers feel so deeply for my characters they keep coming back for more. I own almost every book each of those authors has written, because I love them all!
Q4) Can you tell us what a typical writing day for you is like.
Diane: When in writing mode, I try to wake up around 6am. It’s hard to get quiet time in a house with four kids, so I steal what I can. Then, I sometimes write in the morning after I get three of the four kids off to school. Sometimes, my husband can take baby duty while I write. Otherwise, I have to wait for twelve o’clock, which is—NAPTIME. Then I get another two hours in. Occasionally, I’ll write at night, as well, but I tend to work better in the daytime.
Q5) Let’s talk about your new book Kill Me Tomorrow. Can you tell us a little about it
Diane: It’s a story about two supernatural characters who each book a one-night stand for reasons of their own. Unfortunately, they also happen to be enemies, with Jasmine being sworn to kill all creatures like Gavin.
Passion erupts, and they must decide whether they can ignore everything they’ve been told about one another, or whether they must fight. Here’s the trailer for it:
Q6) How did you come up with the idea for this story?
Diane: Hm…I don’t really know. Stories just kind of…come. I don’t know where from. I like to imagine an inner vault in my head where, one-by-one, the stories emerge for me to write. Hopefully there are lots of doors in there.
Q7) What is up next for you?
Diane: My first full length novel, Reclaimed, will be out from Decadent Publishing soon. Also, I contracted another 1NightStand book called Escape to Me. I have anotherstory out being considered for submission with the publisher, and am about to start a sequel to Reclaimed.
Q8) What is the best piece of advice you would give to a buddy author?
Diane: Take a few self-editing courses. Edit a lot! Find someone who will read your manuscript, and isn’t scared to slash it to pieces. Don’t be upset when she/he slashes it to pieces.
Q9) What is the next book on your To Read Pile that you are dying to jump into?
Diane: Trinity by Deena Remiel. I’ve had it for a while, and am dying to dig into it.
Q10) Is there anything else you would like to add?
Diane: Yes!
Kill Me Tomorrow is a paranormal romance book, in Decadent Publishing’s fabulous 1Night Stand series. The series revolves around the enigmatic Madame Eve who always seems to be able to find the perfect match for that special someone.
Blurb:
Jasmine Baruch is a jinn-a supernatural being who fights demons with fire. While that’s difficult enough, she’s got bigger problems. She’s a virgin, and in the jinn culture, that is sheer blasphemy. Jinn are supposed to be passionate, promiscuous creatures-everything she isn’t. Due to marry the next day, she takes matters into her own hands by using 1NS. But, like the rest of her life, nothing is easy. The man chosen for her, though incredibly gorgeous, is a demi-sanguine; a half-human, half-demon-her enemy.
Gavin Werbato is looking for an easy night of sex. Nothing more, nothing less. Instead, he gets a gorgeous jinn convinced it is her duty to kill him. He can certainly think of better things to do with her soft hands than murder. He need only convince her of that…
Can the fire sparked when these beings collide be controlled, or will it consume their world as they know it?
Books-n-Kisses: Diane, again thank you so very much for making Books-n-Kisses a stop on your book tour. I have enjoyed learning more about you and your book. I look forward to reading and see what you come up with next.
Diane: Thank you very much for having me! I hope to be back again sometime soon!
