What Women Want - A Special Guest & A Giveaway!!

I have a special guest on my blog today, Keri Ford. Keri writes sexy, country, contemporary romances and is celebrating her latest release, Rough Ride. Take it away, Keri!.

*****

Thank you Kaily so much for inviting me here today for a stop on my Roughneck Blog Tour!

I’m dishing on things women want. And not the movie. But in general. What do we want?

Me? With a husband, toddler and a dog—I want a maid! Have someone in to wash my clothes, clean my house, bathe my dog. Now that’s the stuff. Practical stuff. Either that or I’m just lazy.

We’ll stick with practical.

Gretchen Jones, heroine of Rough Ride isn’t so much into material needs like I am. She just wants someone to fill that empty space in the bed next to her. Lightly snore during the middle of the night to have something else to listen to besides the whine of the air conditioner and hum of the refrigerator. Feel a heartbeat against her back. His breath on her shoulder. Someone to beat the loneliness.

Not just any man will do. She wants Lane Iverson. And to get him, she’s going to have to work for it. In her own way, on her own terms. Terms Lane isn’t sure he can resist!

Leave me a comment! Let me know what YOU want! Today’s winner gets an ecopy of And She Liked It by Voirey Linger. Thanks so much Voirey for donating your book to my tour! Learn more about Voirey at her website, twitter and Facebook!

Blurb

You do for family, no matter what. Lane Iverson knows that better than anyone. Harboring a secret about his mother’s death, Lane is counting the days until he finishes helping his brothers with some work and can head back to his hiding hole hours away. As long as he doesn’t have to face his three brothers every day, the guilt is easier to carry.

There is only one thing that can risk his plan. All of five foot tall with these deep eyes and a voice that shudders through him. The completely addicting, Gretchen Jones. She’s been watching him the entire time he’s been in town. With courage from her friends behind her, she confronts what she wants. To her surprise, that’s the easy part. Keeping her heart protected when she knows he’ll be leaving? Not so easy, but her only choice.

Links

Read Chapter One http://bit.ly/H0azIz

Amazon http://amzn.to/IQiTz8

Barnes & Nobel http://bit.ly/J9Rzth

AllRomance Ebooks http://bit.ly/JN35rh

TMP http://bit.ly/JrZkK1

Goodreads http://bit.ly/KgZbaL

*****

Well, now know what I want! I want to read that book :). Check out Keri's website for more information about her books and The Roughnecks Blog Tour with all the giveaway, sneak peeks and blog stops: http://bit.ly/Hb1hwS

You can also connect with Keri:

Website http://bit.ly/Heo4Vr

Twitter http://bit.ly/HRgGgu

Facebook http://on.fb.me/HenzL0

Special Guest - Lorraine Nelson

I have the pleasure today of welcoming Lorraine Nelson to my blog. I 'met' Lorraine awhile ago now on a writing forum. It's funny how you develop these relationships over time, but may never actually meet in person. The internet has made such connections possible. I knew Lorraine had been writing for a long time, aspiring to be published, trudging the submission and rejection cycle and I was rooting for her to make it almost from the first SO I'm pleased to have her here to talk about her latest release :) with such an inspiring post. Take it away, Lorraine!

Some people (I refuse to name names) have commented on the fact that I’ve left it too late to be a success as an author. After all, my children are all grown up and (gasp!) I have grandchildren.

Do you want to know what I think? It’s never too late to dream and to actively pursue a goal!

Anyone who persists in achieving their dream is a success in my book.

Even if I’d never been published, writing fills a need, a restlessness inside me. I can’t remember a time when I didn’t write, jotting down short stories (back then only a page or two or six) or poetry. I love rhyming, making thoughts connect, telling a simple story through words.

When my children were small, I enjoyed reading to them, imparting my love of the written word. I even wrote and published a couple of books and posters aimed at their age group. The learning experience involved in that was unreal…challenging and rewarding in equal measure.

I’d tried to write what I enjoy reading, but with a full-time job and kids at home, I rarely had a spare minute to myself. I applaud anyone who can write with children under foot. I certainly can’t. J

Peace and quiet is the rule of thumb for me.

In the past two and a half years that I’ve lived alone, I’ve written eight full-length novels and three novellas. I also have six novels in various stages of completion, including the one I just started today. Writing involves a continual learning curve. I learn something new with each manuscript I write. I’ve also learned that you can’t always ‘write what you know’, especially when your characters take you in the opposite direction. I’ve had to research oodles of stuff, but it’s all good.

Zakia and the Cowboy was rejected seven times before being picked up by Evernight Publishing. To date, I’ve suffered more rejections than I care to count, but each one served its purpose by making me more determined than ever to succeed. “I can do this” became my mantra. The thought of giving up never crossed my mind. I love writing! Positive thinking is the key. Don’t let the negatives bog you down. Learn from those rejections and keep striving to craft the best story possible.

The day I received the contract offer from Evernight, I couldn’t believe it. It took a few days for it to sink in, but once I received that gorgeous cover, designed by the fabulous Dara England, I knew it was very real indeed.

Since the release of my debut novel in October, Zakia and the Cowboy has been a phenomenal success, appearing on several Bestseller lists and becoming a Featured Title at All Romance Ebooks for three weeks. Better than that were the reader reviews. They’d enjoyed it and wanted more. Luckily, I had more planned. J

Covert Mission: Undercover Cop is Samantha Muldoon and Blake Northrup’s story. It’s the second book in the Thunder Creek Ranch series and I was lucky enough to have Dara design this cover as well. It perfectly complements the Cover for Book 1. I’m eagerly awaiting its release on November 28^th, but I’m anxious, too. Will it entertain my readers and give them as much joy as Zakia and Luke’s story did? I think so. I definitely hope so. It was such a joy to write.

I remember falling in love with Blake when I wrote Book 1. And Sam, well, she’s a feisty, independent woman who challenges him at every turn.

Book 3 is written and once it’s edited, it’ll be off to Evernight as well. I’ve started writing Book 4, and the words are flowing great.
Have I left it too late to become a successful author? No, I don’t think so, and according to reader reviews, they don’t either. J

I so love hearing from my readers! It’s important to know what works and doesn’t work for them as I continue to craft stories of love and mystery. You can find me at:

http://www.lorrainenelson.weebly.com
http://lorrainenelson.wordpress.com
http://www.facebook.com/LorraineNelson.Author
http://twitter.com/#!/lornelca
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5254629.Lorraine_Nelson
http://www.amazon.com/Lorraine-Nelson/e/B005XMAYFQ/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_pop_1

Thank you for having me here today, Kaily. It’s been fun.

Thanks, Lorraine for your wonderful words!! Your journey is one to be admired.

One commenter will receive a free download, their choice, Thunder Creek Ranch, Book 1, Zakia and the Cowboy, or Book 2, Covert Mission: Undercover Cop (releasing Nov 28th). You must be a follower of LORRAINE'S blog to be eligible. So leave your comments and/or questions and I’ll do my best to answer. :)

Keeping it Clean - Missy Jane

I have a special guest with me today, fellow Ellora's Cave author, Missy Jane! Missy and I share an editor, so she's extra special :). Missy has a tag line which I just love - Make reading a guilty pleasure... I just adore that because for me, reading has always been a special treat I reward myself with, something to savor, something to look forward to. Missy has a great post today, one that I can totally and completely relate to so I'm going to hand it on over to Missy...

Keeping it Clean

I became an erotic romance author by accident. Four years ago, all of the writing I did was just for me. I’d get ideas in my head and have no choice but to write them out of my brain. Writing kept me sane and happy. Once I made the decision to query a publisher I did my homework and decided to start with Samhain, but knew from their backlist that I needed to add romance to my book. Okay, not just romance but S-E-X. I was wary and giggled through the entire first scene as I wrote it. I’m sure I was probably blushing too. I kept looking over my shoulder to make sure no one was watching. Once I got through the first one it became a lot easier and now I have to work not to put sex in my books. Much to the annoyance of my daughters.

My kids want to read my writing but they can’t…at least not for a few years. They’ve been asking me to please write something they can read. I’ve tried, really I have, but it’s just not working. Every time I start a nice, clean manuscript the characters decide to do things their way and either kill someone violently, start cussing up a storm or have sex. Maybe even all three, but not usually at the same time. Perhaps I need to write the ending first where everyone lives happily ever after. I should probably start with a married couple, or make sure all of my characters are under the age of ten. The book will probably only be about twelve pages long but there won’t be room for sex or violence.

If you were writing a book for your children to read what would you put in it or keep out? Leave a comment and you could win a prize pack. Plus all commenters are entered to win the Birthday Blog Tour grand prize! Please include your email address. For all the details check out my website. Good luck!

Missy, thanks so much for stopping by!! My own kids are still small but I've thought about writing YA for them when they get older. It would probably be something urban fantasyish, perhaps with a little romance thrown in. My son has already warned me that there can't be any kissing!

The Ramblings of a Writer's Mind: Grapes! - with Wendy S. Marcus

Please welcome Wendy S. Marcus to my blog today. Wendy begins her journey as a published Harlequin author this month. What an exciting time!

Hi Kaily! Thank you so much for having me to your blog today! I know I should be talking about my book or my journey to publication. But, odd as it may seem, I’ve chosen grapes as my topic for this blog post. Read on to see how this ties into writing.

You're welcome but...grapes? Grapes!? Okay, this has got to be good!

 A few weeks ago I volunteered to prepare and serve lunch at a local shelter. My food donation was 25 servings of fruit. I chose to bring grapes, which are not as easy as bananas or oranges because grapes need to be washed, cut into portions, and placed in single serving baggies.

During the washing process, after dumping a large package of grapes into the colander, I found a poker chip. Yes. I said poker chip. Now most people would have tossed that chip into the trash and got back to work. Not me. I’m a writer and my mind tends to wander.

I examined the chip. Dark blue with white lettering. Along the outer rim were pictures of hearts, spades, diamonds and clubs. In the center the number 25 next to a C with two short lines running horizontally through the middle.

Where had this chip come from and why was it in my bag of grapes? I wondered. My writer’s mind went to work. Maybe there was something hidden in the bag of grapes and the chip was to help someone locate it. Maybe a drug dealer. I sniffed my grapes, like I had any idea what the heck I was sniffing for, but certainly if there were drugs I’d smell them. Right? I inspected the grapes for white powder. Hey, I watch television.

Nothing.

So I carefully washed the grapes, palpating each for anything abnormal.

Nothing.

So I ate a few. I can’t very well serve them to strangers if I wasn’t willing to eat them myself.

Nothing.

Okay. The chip was probably not drug related. So I continued on with my task. But couldn’t get past the question: How did that poker chip wind up in my grapes?

What if it’d been in the pocket of some poor migrant worker, his last thing of value in the world? What if he’d meant to cash it in before work so he could feed his seven children? And now I had it and his children were going hungry. Because of me. I felt horrible.

I called my daughter, the movie fanatic, to share my concerns. She suggested maybe the poker chip was a tracking device. For what? Drugs! I actually imagined two burly men with Uzis tracking a red flashing dot that led to my kitchen. “But I didn’t find any drugs,” I said to my daughter actually starting to feel a bit nervous. “Oh no,” I cried out. “Maybe the poker chip is the drugs.” After all it was very light weight.

I picked up the poker chip like it would explode if mishandled. I ran my fingers over the edges. Solid. I tried to bend it. Solid. I threw it on the floor. Solid. All while my daughter laughed hysterically on the phone.

I am an absolute lunatic. Which, it turns out, is the right frame of mind for a writer. I don’t take things at face value. I question. I wonder why and what if. I imagine the possibilities.

I see a happy couple at the library and I wonder why they’re so happy. What were they doing fifteen minutes ago to make them all smiley and touchy-feely? And what if the librarian is the girl’s mother and she knows what they’ve been doing and she’s fuming? Does she make a scene? Maybe lay into her daughter or fling a thick autobiography at the boys head? Or does she maintain the strict librarian code of conduct…while she places a call to her husband…who grabs his shotgun and jumps into the family Ford?

It is exhausting being me.

But entertaining.

So, the reason I’m actually here is to tell you about my debut Harlequin Medical Romance, When One Night Isn’t Enough now available to any UK visitors on the Mills and Boon website here. Kaily has graciously invited me back for another chat on July 11th, my release day in the U.S. and Australia. I hope you’ll all stop by for another visit!

As part of my debut release celebration I’m running two contests with Amazon gift cards as prizes. Please check out my website for details on how to enter. And while you’re there check out the excerpts for When One Night Isn’t Enough and its sequel Once a Good Girl.

Now for my questions: Have you ever read a Harlequin Medical Romance? If yes, what did you think? If no, why not? And are you willing to make mine your first? Also, do you have a writer’s rambling mind? Give me some examples. Or tell me this, what do you think is the story behind my poker chip? One lucky commenter will win a copy of the 2in1 UK version of my book which includes a second complete novel by Author Janice Lynn.

LOL. Wendy, what a great story. Yeah, it's a chore being a writer sometimes! Thank you so much for stopping by. Much congratulations and best wishes for your book and I look forward to delving further into your journey to publication as part of Just Published in July!

Me & Desiree Holt. Oh, and there's prizes!!! Good ones!

Okay, so there's not really a Desiree Holt and me. Not quite like that anyway LOL. I know she's read my books and I was fortunate enough to meet her at last year's RomantiCon. Fangirl moment, anyone? What an awesome lady! She was so nice and incredibly fun and she's filled with just so much energy. I guess she has to be because you know what? Desiree just published her 100th book. 100! One. Zero. Zero.  Downstroke released from Ellora's Cave April 8.

BLURB

It’s been twenty years since security specialist Charley Roper and country star Dallas Creed had their bitter parting. Now a killer has brought them together again, but neither is ready for a reunion—despite signs that their explosive chemistry hasn’t waned with time. She can’t forget the feel of his hands on her body. He can’t forget the hot touch of her mouth. When they finally tumble into bed, the sex is just as good as they remember, hot enough to singe the sheets. But is it enough?

Thrown together during an exhausting, frenzied concert tour, with a killer nipping at their heels, Dallas and Charley find themselves on a hot, suspenseful, erotic roller coaster ride. Can he convince her to trust her heart to him one more time, to reach out for a richer, deeper, more mature love?

More importantly—can Charley keep Dallas alive long enough for either of them to enjoy a second chance?

You can view more information and buy it here.  I haven't picked this one up yet but I recently read another of Desiree's books, Eight Second Ride. Whew. OMG. Hot. It featured a hot guy, rockin off the charts sex, but underlying all that was an emotional thread which gave depth and richness to the story. It's clear to see why Desiree is an icon in this industry and why she is so highly regarded.

100 books. It boggles the mind. Really. What an incredible accomplishment and what a tremendous contribution she's made to the romance industry. So, I'm going to join her celebration in recognition of her awesomeness and help her give away books and a Netbook!!

As part of the celebration, Desiree is giving away a prize every day of one copy of one of her novels of the reader's choice from her backlist. Post here to enter for today!! Names will be drawn from those who post comments. At the end of the month, one lucky person will win a grand prize of a refurbished Netbook with digital DVD drive. After you post here, go to Desiree's web site at http://www.desireeholt.com/ and enter to win the grand prize of the netbook at the end of the month. You'll also find other blogs participating in this event for more chances to win!

Show a Zombie Some Love!

I have the absolute pleasure today of handing over my blog to the fabulous Paige Tyler. Paige is a fellow EC author and a very talented and prolific writer. She has a release today and her book..well it's not exactly your run-of-the-mill romance or paranormal. It's...well, why don't I just hand it on over to Paige and she can tell you all about it?

Thanks so much for letting me guest blog today, Kaily!


Readers often ask me how I come up with ideas for my books, so I thought I'd give you a little behind-the-scenes peek at how I came up with my new release, a paranormal erotic romance from Ellora's Cave called DEAD SEXY.

Before I say anything else though, isn't that cover too hot for words?! When the art department sent it to me, I probably gazed at it for a good ten minutes in mouth-drooling appreciation before I could email them back telling the artist it not only rocked, but totally fit the book. The hero is "Dead Sexy," after all!

Okay, back to the story and how I came up with it. First, to set the stage, I need to share a little something with you about myself. Well, about my hubby and me, actually. We love zombie movies, from the George Romero gems to Shaun of the Dead and everything in between, including "Walking Dead," the new series on AMC. You just can't go wrong with a movie full of walking dead people, can you? Well, if you've ever seen a zombie movie (or even you haven't), then you know the creatures aren't the heroes of the film. I mean, how can they be, right? They're all dead and decayed and downright unattractive, not to mention pretty damn scary. Which was why you can imagine my surprise when my hubby suggested I write an erotic romance about a zombie hero. I was like, you're kidding, right? What woman in her right mind would fall in love with a dead guy? No way could that possibly work, or so I thought.

Turns out, my hubby wasn't kidding. In fact, he started working up ideas for the story.

"The hero didn't have to be a zombie all the time," he told me. "Think outside the box - take a little literary license!"

Okay, I thought. I suppose I could be open minded.

My hubby told me that in his out-of-the-box world, the hunky hero got cursed by an evil Voodoo priestess and only turns into a zombie sometimes.

"I'm listening," I said.

"And when he does go zombie, he doesn't have to be like the kind in the movies," my hubby added. "Well, he has to look like one, you know all dead and stuff, but he doesn't have to be a mindless creature or attack humans or eat anything gross."

So, brains are completely out, thanks goodness!

"Think Jensen Ackles or Jared Padelecki, with a really, really, really dark tan - (yes, my hubby knows I've got a thing for the Supernatural hunks!) - well, maybe more gray and black than tan, but you get the idea."

I thought about that for a minute. "So, the hero's dead, but he's still sexy, is that what you're saying?"

"Exactly," he said, giving me a grin as my eyes lit up with understanding.

By that point, my hubby had pretty much sold me on the idea. Of course, I knew if I ran with it, I was going to have to sell it to a publisher, and I knew that could be tough since the hero is a zombie. But I ran with it anyway and ended up with a full-length novel. And it came out pretty damn good, if I do say so myself! I still had to find a publisher for it, though.

About this same time, It just so happens that several of my other books were in the process of being picked up by Ellora's Cave and I thought what the heck? Why not pitch it to my editor there and see what she thinks? So I did, and she told me to send it to her. She was interested to see how I handled the whole zombie-thing. Well, long story, short, she liked it. A lot! My zombie romance with it's dead-sexy hero had a home! I was thrilled and my hubby walked around for a week with a smug, "I-told-you-so" look on his face.

I've been getting the word out there about DEAD SEXY ever since I signed the contract for it and I'm thrilled with the interest from readers who can't wait to get their hands on it! I can't wait for them to read it, too!

Now that I've revealed the story behind the story, I thought I'd share the blurb and an excerpt just to whet your appetite for more!

BLURB
Romance author Simone Kent thinks she might just have found the most perfect guy in all of New York City - in bed and out. But Drake Parrish is about as far from perfect as any man can get. Eight years ago, he was cursed by an evil Voodoo priestess to live part of his life as a zombie. Since then, he has lived like a recluse on New York’s Upper East Side, afraid to go out for fear he’ll suddenly turn into one of the walking dead.
 
The sex if the hottest either of them has ever experienced and Simone discovers just how naughty she can be with Drake, while he finds himself feeling things for her that he hasn’t felt in a very long time. When the Voodoo priestess learns of their relationship, however, she comes after him again. She is determined to make sure he won’t have a future with Simone, even if that means killing both him and the woman he loves.

EXCERPT
As she led him up the steps to the second floor, Drake found himself wondering if she would ask him in. And wondering what he’d say if she did. When they came to a stop outside the door to her apartment, Simone turned to give him a smile.
 
“I had a great time tonight.”
 
“Me, too.”
 
She caught her bottom lip between her perfect white teeth and chewed on it thoughtfully as if unsure what she wanted to say next. It was probably an unconscious gesture, something she did whenever she was thinking, but to him, it was sexy as hell and all he could think about was kissing her.
 
Surely, one kiss couldn’t hurt. He desperately wanted to. He hadn’t kissed a woman in so long. It would be nice to see if he still remembered how.
 
Before he could stop himself, Drake tilted Simone’s face up to his and pressed his mouth to hers.
 
She tasted just as sweet and delicious as he thought she would. Her lips were soft and pliant under his as she kissed him back, her tongue eagerly seeking his out.
 
Drake groaned and slid his hand into her hair, deepening the kiss. Simone sighed into his mouth, running her hands up the front of his shirt to grasp his shoulders. The feel of her touch was like a tonic to his deprived soul and he let out another groan, deeper this time.
 
He ran his free hand up her side and around to her breast, cupping it through the soft material of her dress. He couldn’t stop himself and apparently, Simone didn’t want him to. She moaned and arched against him. He could feel the heat of her pussy through their clothes as she pressed up against his hard cock. Damn, she felt good.
 
Drake drew her bottom lip into his mouth and gently suckled on it before slowly kissing his way along the delicate curve of her jaw. Simone clutched his shoulders and tilted her head back. He eagerly trailed a path of hot kisses down her neck, then back up, his mouth finding hers again. Simone looped her arms around his neck, pulling him in even closer as their tongues met.
 
Down the hall, a door slammed, reminding him where they were.
 
Drake dragged his mouth away from hers, his breathing ragged as he tried to regain control. He had to get it together because he was about five seconds away from doing something really stupid. Like taking her to bed. “I should go.”
 
Her lips curved into a sexy, flirtatious smile. “Or you could stay.”
 
God, how he wanted to. But as much as he’d love to spend the rest of the night exploring every inch of her body, he couldn’t take the chance he might go zombie on her right in the middle of sex. Talk about coitus interruptus, And it had already been almost four days since he last turned, which meant he was already pushing his luck.
 
“You don’t know how much I want to,” he groaned. “But I can’t.”
 
Simone looked up at him with those big, blue eyes. “Why not?”
 
“Because I…” He hesitated, trying to come up with something that would sound believable. “I have a column due in the morning and I haven’t even started on it yet.” She knew all about deadlines, so she would understand that. Besides, he did have a column to write, it just wasn’t due until next week. “Rain check?”
 
She looked disappointed, but she smiled anyway. “Absolutely. How does coming over for dinner tomorrow night sound?”
 
It would be crazy to agree when he could be so close to having an episode, but he couldn’t say no. Not when she asked in that soft, sultry voice. “Sounds great.”
 
“Good. Be here at seven.”
 
“Seven it is.”
 
She pulled him down for another long, slow kiss on the mouth. “Don’t be late.”
 
His mouth twitched. “I won’t.” He bent his head to kiss her again, then groaned. “If I don’t go now, I’ll be here all night.”
 
Simone laughed. “Would that be such a bad thing?”
 
“Not to me, but my editor at Money Issues might not be too understanding when he doesn’t find my column sitting in his inbox tomorrow.”
 
She sighed. “Deadlines can be a real pain in the butt sometimes. Okay, go home and write your column. I’ll cuddle up with a bowl of ice cream instead.”
 
He chuckled. “Sounds better than taking a cold shower, which is what I’m going to be doing when I get home.” He closed his mouth over hers once more. “See you tomorrow night, beautiful.”
 
Resisting the urge to pull her into his arms again, Drake turned and walked down the hallway toward the stairwell. At the top of the steps, he glanced over his shoulder to see Simone standing where he’d left her, a sexy curve to her lips.
 
It took every ounce of strength he possessed not to go back and pin her against the door for one more long, lingering kiss. God, what he wouldn’t give to spend the night with her. Man, it was going to take more than a cold shower to get her out of his head.


Hope you enjoyed the excerpt and that you can't wait to read more! You can get DEAD SEXY from Ellora's Cave here.  You can also check out the trailer here.

If you decide to pick up DEAD SEXY, let me know how you like it!

*hugs*
Paige
http://www.paigetylertheauthor.com/
http://paigetylertheauthor.blogspot.com/

Stranded! Now what? Shelley Munro has some ideas...

Today I have the wonderfully prolific, the wonderfully talented and well, just wonderful, Shelley Munro visiting with me. Shelley has been incredibly supportive and I'm so excited to have her here. It's also exciting because she has a new book out! It's an historical romance called The Spurned Viscountess and you just might want to add it to your TBR pile. Unless you win a copy here, of course :).  Instead of a standard interview or a blog, we decided to do something different and fun. I posed a single question to Shelley. Well, technically it was more than that, but it's related:

If you were stranded but could only take one thing from each of the following categories, what would it be & why:

Person – I thought about this for a good ten minutes. I thought of all the sexy movie and pop stars and decided I’d keep my hubby. I’ve spent 28 years training him. He’s almost perfect and I know I can count on him. He’s also very resourceful and thinks outside the box, which I think would be very handy.

Animal - An alpaca. Their wool is lovely and soft and they’d be too cute for my hubby to eat. I’m a vegetarian so any animal is safe from me.

Food – My head is telling me to be sensible and take lots of fresh fruit but my heart is crying “chocolate”. I love chocolate. It’s one of my favorite food groups.

Book – I have so many favorite books, it’s impossible for me to choose just one. I think I’d take my current read with me, which is Moon Sworn by Kerry Arthur. The Riley Jensen series is one of my favorites and this is the very last book in the series. I’m reading slowly and savoring it.

Music – I’ve turned into a bit of a country music fan after our last visit to the US. We could only get country music on our rental car radio and after a month, it must have sunk into our brains. I went from someone who actively disliked country music to a real fan. (Note – we don’t have any country music stations in New Zealand. I usually listen to pop and rock)

Personal Item – That’s easy. I’d take writing materials so I could write my own stories and maybe send a message for help.

Shelley, awesome answers! I'd probably take my hubby as well and for the same reasons LOL. Of course, if I didn't say him, he'd probably get huffy.

Shelley is holding a CONTEST today. She's giving away a download of her new book The Spurned Viscountess to a lucky commenter on this post. Just answer this question - If you were stranded, what one book would you take with you and what one type of food would you take?

The Spurned Viscountess

BLURB 

She must marry him.


Cursed with the sight and rumors of witchcraft, Rosalind’s only chance at an ordinary life is marriage to Lucien, Viscount Hastings. She doesn’t expect love, only security and children of her own. Determined to go through with the wedding, she allows nothing she encounters at the gloomy Castle St. Clare to dissuade her.

He wants nothing to do with her.

Recently returned from the Continent, Lucien has no time for the English mouse his family has arranged for him to marry, not when he’s plotting to avenge the murder of his beloved Francesca. He has no intention of bedding Rosalind, not even to sire an heir.

Dark secrets will bind them.

Though spurned by her bridegroom, Rosalind turns to him for protection when she is plagued by a series of mysterious accidents and haunted by terrifying visions. Forced to keep Rosalind close, and tempted into passionate kisses, Lucien soon finds himself in grave danger of falling in love with his own wife…

The book is available from Carina Press! If you've never checked out Shelley's blog, you should. Find out more about Shelley from her website.

Mysti's on Tour!

Please join me in welcoming Mysti Holiday to my blog today. Mysti's here today to talk about her new book, but she also shares some fun and interesting things you might not have known about writers. Or her! Comment for a chance to win a $10 gift certificate to the online book retailer of your choice and follow Mysti on her tour here for more chances to win! So, let's find out some more about Mysti:

What 3 words best describe your writing?
Fun, sexy, sweet (yes, I’ve been told I write sweet erotic romance ... apparently it’s not an oxymoron *G*)

Why erotic romance?
I sort of fell into it, to be honest. I’m actually published under a different pen name in mainstream romance, but I had a friend challenge me to write an erotic story. Never one to turn down a challenge, I accepted and did so. And I discovered that I really had fun doing it, so I’ve kept on.

How do you come up with your story ideas?
That’s a really tough question, actually. I think stories are everywhere – and sometimes it only takes a picture, or a word, or .... anything to spark an idea. I’m more a pantser, though, so my characters can let me know their stories, too. Usually I need the characters and at least one scene in my head (plus the conflict) in order to start a story. But, being a pantser, sometimes other things come first! How’s that for a non-answer?

Is there anything of you or your real life in your stories?
I bartended for several years, like Karin in “Blue Light Special”. The bar was even named The Roadhouse, and we had a bouncer named Z. Bartending is a great job, lots of fun and lets you meet an amazing variety of people. I’d go back to it in a heartbeat.

I suppose I bring other parts of “me” to stories, but it’s not intentional.

How long does it take you to write a book?
Depends. I wrote my first full length, published novel (under my other name) during NaNoWriMo – so less than 30 days. OTOH, I have others that I’ve been working on for years. My first published erotic short story, “Shut Up & Kiss Me” was written in two days. “Blue Light Special” took longer. The first erotic story I ever attempted still isn’t finished. ::shrugs:: I’m full of ambiguous answers today! The truth is, though, that I thrive on a challenge, which is why NaNoWriMo is so much fun for me.

If you had a room full of your readers in front of you, what would you say to them? What would you want them to know about your you and your books?
Oh wow.. that may be the hardest question I’ve ever been asked! I suppose I’d invite questions about what they think about books, especially in the much-maligned romance genre (I mean ... why hasn’t Oprah ever picked a real ROMANCE as her book selection?) and how they choose what they read. What attracts them to a particular book, especially when it’s a new author?

As far as me and my books... To be honest, I don’t think who I am is all that important, but I do want them to enjoy my books. I do my best to make them as romantic as possible, I want my readers to feel the stories in their hearts, first. I want them to know that they can always get a happy ending with my work, no matter what.

What are your long term goals as a writer?
To be a NYT bestselling author, of course. To sell as much as Nora Roberts. What else is there? *G*

List 5 things about yourself that most people wouldn’t realize.
1. I like to eat peanut butter off the spoon – and sometimes, I dip it in hot chocolate powder first. Mmmm...
2. I crave sunlight. I used to live in an apartment that get very little sun, and in the winter when it was too cold to be outside much, I would curl up in a ball in the one spot on the floor where sun came in and just lay there, soaking it up.
3. I read the ends of books first. Really. Because I HATE sad stories. I’ve been doing this ever since I was little and was absolutely destroyed by the end of “Where the Red Fern Grows”. I think that book also molded my desire to only write stories that end well.
4. I can’t stand having hair touching my face. I always wear my hair back, no matter what length it is.
5. I can NOT stand rap music. I used to think it was fun – back in the 80s, “Bust a Move”, “Funky Cold Medina” but anymore? It’s just angry, profane, irritating noise. Not that I have a strong opinion or anything.

Tell us something about your book that isn’t in the blurb.
Caleb knows who Holly Hobbie is. Do you? *G*

You can visit Mysti at:
Her website: http://www.menagerieauthors.com/
Her blog: http://www.menagerieauthors.blogspot.com/

Here's a blurb of Mysti's book, Blue Light Special:
When Karin Lattimer moves across the country and her over-protective brother asks his friend Caleb Hawkes to keep an eye on her, she’s more than annoyed…she’s turned on. The attentive cop is a walking wet dream, but Karin knows he’s only hanging around out of a sense of duty. Acting on her crazy attraction would reveal more than the man’s buff body—it would also reveal her heart.

Caleb is well aware that Karin is all woman. He can’t keep his eyes off her and his hands itch to touch her. But she’s not one-night-stand material, and he firmly believes cops make lousy partners for long-term relationships.

Still, thinking clearly isn’t a top priority when Karin and Caleb finally touch. Sparks fly and barriers melt away as easily as their inhibitions, but can she convince him there's more to life than playing it safe?

And of course, a hot and sexy excerpt:
   Caleb grinned and tapped his watch. “Time for last call.”

   “Who died and made you my boss?” Karin sauntered to the other end of the bar, purposely adding a little more swing than usual to her hips as she walked away, sure in the knowledge his gaze was locked on her ass. So what if he was a jerk who was “babysitting” her as a favor to her brother. Just because she was miles away from her home town in Missouri didn’t mean she needed a keeper. No matter why he was there, fact was he stirred her up in the worst way and she didn’t figure it was right she should be the only one feeling all het up.

   “Hey, baby!” The shout was followed by a fair number of cat calls from the pile of barely legal boys hanging on the far end of the bar.

   Karin turned and smiled at them, then took three slow steps to where they stood.

   “The name’s Karin, honey. Not Baby.” She knew exactly how to piss off Caleb and took great pleasure in leaning over the bar, her breasts all but falling out of her low cut tank. She made eye contact with the boy closest to her, walked her fingertips up his chest, and ended with a tweak of his cheek with her perfectly manicured nails. “But, with the right incentive, I’ll answer to just about anything.” She purred the words and touched the tip of her tongue to her upper lip. She’d need to give the boy a napkin for his drool pretty soon, but hell, the tips should be good.

   When he didn’t say anything else, she shook her head. “Last call, boys. Can I get you one final drink?” She trailed a finger down her throat to the V-neck of her shirt before she continued. “A Slippery Nipple, maybe? A Piece of Ass or a Bald Pussy?” She licked her lips again and kept them parted, warm and moist, for a heartbeat before continuing. “Or, my personal favorite—a Sloe...Comfortable...Screw?”

Thanks Mysti! I really enjoyed your answers!! Good luck with the book.

Meet Isabel Roman

Well, I'm back from RWA Nationals pumped and jazzed, inspired and humbled. And buried in revisions LOL! I'll post some thoughts and some pictures on the conference when I get a chance, but first a treat, something a little different. I have Isabel Roman here today talking about the hero from her lastest book, Sex & Subterfuge. Isabel has been on this amazing, whirlwind virtual blog tour. Comment on her post here and be in the running to WIN a Vice Versa beaded fashion purse, a summer shawl, and a box of Godiva chocolates. Yum!

Take it away, Isabel!

Lucien Harrington, Earl Granville, Viscount Harrington. Who is he and why did I choose to write about him?

There are so many different types of heroes in romance novels these days. I have noticed that one of the more popular is the anti-hero or the bad boy tamed by a good woman. Lucien is not the bad boy, though he has his wicked streak on occasion.

When I conceived Lucien, I didn't have to suffer over how much alpha maleness to pour in or unnecessary bravado. He just happened easily. Lucien Harrington is not intimated by much. He has absolutely nothing to prove to anyone—he’s confident, aggressive or caring as the situation demands, and has followed his own path without regret.

He can mix with the highest of nobles or the lowest of seamen. When he encounters a woman who is stronger in magicks than he, he doesn’t scoff or run, he relishes it.

Lucien is one of those protagonists who approaches life with the ease that confidence gives. When he sets on a task, he does not stop until it is accomplished. He is a gentleman, but he is still a sexual creature. As a Druid, Lucien is far less judging of sexual activities than his Victorian counterparts. Morgana Blackthorne puts that judgment to the test and she is not disappointed.

For me, the mark of a good romance hero is the lingering desire to find just such a man. I know I would be happy with a Lucien and I certainly hope my readers will be too!

You can read  Dark Desires of the Druids: Sex & Subterfuge available now in bookstores! Also be sure to check out my free Dark Desires of the Druids: Choose Your Own Adventure story!

Blurb:

A master magicker, Morgana Blackthorne has a tenuous hold on her following. When a strange Englishman arrives on her doorstep with news of other druidic magickers, and magicker problems, she’s intrigued but suspicious. There hasn’t been contact between the American and European druids in over a hundred years. Plus she has her own worries and doesn’t need the handsome earl adding to them.


Lucien, Earl of Granville, left England to seek out the Blackthorne Druid line and discover what they’ve been up to since contact was lost. Once he and Morgana meet, their mutual attraction distracts him from his purpose. Embroiled in her problems, he finds himself more concerned with her welfare than is practical for a passing affair.

When I invited you into my bed, it never occurred to me I wouldn’t want you to leave.

There are darker forces at work and the hunger of a weak magicker desperate for power. Will Lucien convince Morgana of his true feelings before things spiral out of control? Or will the surrounding subterfuge tear them apart?

Excerpt:

“Lucien Harrington,” Jacobs, her butler, intoned, “the Earl of Granville.”

Smiling, Morgana swept out of the circle, stepping into the foyer, and greeted her guest. His timing was off, but as the magicker she knew him to be, not suspect.

“Welcome, Lord Granville,” she said, offering a slight curtsy.

He was tall, with dark blond hair, dark blue eyes, and a sharp nose over which he looked down at her. Her eyes traveled over his face, down his body, clothed in immaculately tailored Savile Row, back to his face. Arousal pooled hot in her belly.

She’d never wanted any man. Yet Morgana wanted Lord Granville. Her skin prickled at his nearness, her womb clenched with want.

Forcing her mind off his body, she studied his face. Briefly, want flashed in his eyes and she smiled a truly wicked smile at him. It was gone as fast as it’d shone and she returned to studying him. There was grief hidden deep in his eyes, along with suspicion and weariness. Tilting her head, she wondered what caused those emotions. Suspicion she could easily understand. It’d been more than a hundred and thirty years since their families had any contact. Though, since he’d sought her out, she should be more suspicious of him.

“Mistress Blackthorne,” he bowed over her offered hand. Flicking a glance behind her, he said, “I hope I’m not interrupting.”

“Not at all,” Morgana smiled. She could all but feel David’s displeasure. Suppressing a giddy smile, she took Lord Granville’s arm and led him into the parlor. “We’re about to begin the New Moon Ritual. Do you still practice it in England?”

Looking up at him with guileless eyes, she waited for his confusion, gratified when it sparked briefly in those bottomless depths. Damn them all. She could be as gracious as she liked, but in the end, resentment bubbled to the surface. They’d abandoned her ancestors to indentured servitude and hadn’t bothered to contact any of them since.

“I’m afraid we lost that custom when we lost the valuable Blackthorne line.”

Morgana raised her eyebrow at him as they entered the parlor. Wasn’t he the diplomat?

“Would you care to join the ritual, Lord Granville?”

He bowed again and smiled. “It would be my pleasure, Mrs. Blackthorne.”


Thanks Isabel. It was a pleasure having you here and I love your measure of a hero! You can find out more about Isabel and her stories here.