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29 April 2012

Six Sentence Sunday for Apr. 29 ~ Sunset Desires ( #sixsunday @6_Sunday @DecadentPub )

Six Sentences from Sunset Desires

    “Why? Is there more?”
    Gwen froze, trying to keep her expression neutral since he still fixated on her via the reflection. She couldn’t tell him, didn’t want to tell him about the rest of her silly dreams. His uncle had paid for his set up just as Heather had paid for hers. He’d said he’d saved up for the room and outfit. It wasn’t like he had money and could fulfill her whole fantasy, so why bring it up?

    For more, on Sunset Desires visit Decadent Publishing & for other Six Sentence participants visit www.sixsunday.com

27 April 2012

Welcome special guest: author Tami Vinson ( #FF @TamiCat76 )

Today we have author Tami Vinson (a.k.a. Tami VanGurp) visiting. Tami says, "A little Bit of Me... As you probably can tell by now I have an off the wall sense of humor, but I can be shy at times. I'm the youngest of three and the only girl, so yes I could be a little spoiled, but I'm not. (ha!) I'm a preacher's kid and a military brat who was born in Phoenix, AZ and raised between there, Georgia and Louisiana. As a result of that mixed upbringing, I'm a creative little southern brew :) That creativity has lent itself to many different areas of my life. For instance: my love for cooking Creole food, being a professional hairstylist and most recently a romance author. It’s been a secret dream of mine to write romance novels for a while and now that I've started, the words just won't stop! lol Good thing there are 24 hours in a day, right?" She's also a featured author at Arizona Dreamin' - Arizona's first romance-reader event! http://arizonadreamin.wordpress.com/

So, Tami, what inspired you to become a writer?
My absolute love of reading romance novels and my career as a single girl! What single woman doesn’t want to write her very own love story and create the perfect ‘happily ever after’? I simply couldn’t resist!!

When did you attempt your first story? What length was it? What's become of it?
I wrote my very first story in 1999 when I was 8 months pregnant and on bed rest with my daughter and completely bored outta my mind!! I was halfway finished with it when I went into labor and it’s been shelved for twelve years and counting. It’s in the back of my mind to finish it someday soon.

How many stories did you complete before you sold your first?
Just one. I did some ghost writing in 2009 and throughout that process, I got over my fears of putting my working out ‘there’.

What genre(s) do you write in? What drew you to write in it/them? What’s your favorite genre of all to write in?
I write in the Interracial Romance genre. What drew me to this genre was my personal belief that true love is colorblind and how the color of our skin is the very least of our problems when it comes to finding and keeping someone you love. As a result, its my favorite genre to read and write.

What are the best and worst pieces of writing advice you ever received?
The best? Treat it like it’s a job. Best piece of advice ever!! Those were the exact words I needed to hear at the time and they have motivated me to kick my hinny into full gear and be ambitious in 2012.
The worst? Hmmm, I’ll have to think about that one for a moment…I haven’t received any bad yet, thank goodness! :)

How do you celebrate/deal with acceptance/rejection letters?
I celebrate by simply doing the ‘happy dance’! It’s a little uncoordinated but it works!! Lol :)
I deal with rejection process by going through my book again and making it better. Gotta keep moving ahead no matter what!!

In regard to the book you’re promoting, which actor and actress do you envision playing the roles of your hero and heroine? If there’s a villain or other characters who are pertinent to the story, who would play those parts?
With no hesitation I’d shout, “Hugh Jackman” to play the role of Eric Jameson. Definitely Kerry Washington playing the part of Winter Jones.

The book you’re promoting, is it a stand-alone story or part of a series? If it’s part of a series, please list the order the books need to be read in for maximum reading enjoyment.
Winter’s Heat is the first book in the Heat series. Everyday life sparked the idea behind the Heat series. The idea that love could be right underneath your nose if you only recognized it. The next book in the Heat series will be Protective Heat and it’s the story of Eric’s partner Quinn Thomas.

*** Now for some fun info… ***
What’s your favorite color?
My favorite color is black because it has every color within it.

What’s your favorite ice cream flavor?
Chocolate!! Is there any other?

Are you a cat, dog or both kind of person?
I’m a dog person all the way. I have two 1 yr old Boston terrier dogs named Tyson and Moochie who are simply adorable….bad as hell, but adorable. lol

Would you/have you own(ed) a snake or some other exotic pet?
Let’s just say I’m not allowed to buy anymore fish from the pet store…lol

Which do you prefer: rain or sun & warm weather or cold weather?
Oh my goodness I’m a total sun baby!!! Cold weather and I are bitter enemies…

Are you a morning person or night owl?
I can be both as long as I get a nap and some B-12. Not necessarily in that order… Lol :)

What’s your favorite day of the week?
Sunday is my favorite day of the week because I get do a lot more writing on that particular day.

What’s your favorite number?
#1 of course!! “There can be only one…” (totally said that in the highlander voice because Adrian Paul is hot!!)

If you could live anywhere in the universe, where would it be and why?
Right here on God’s green earth because it’s breathtakingly beautiful with places still yet to be explored. And because I hate packing and moving almost as much as a hate spiders!!!

If you were stranded on a desert island and were only allowed to have five modern conveniences with you, what would they be?
Cell phone, solar charger, kindle tablet, chocolate, and (drum roll please) underwear. (sandfleas…need I say more?) lol

*** About Tami’s book/series… ***
My latest book, Winter’s Heat was so much fun to write from start to finish! It took me about three months in between running my hair salon and going to school to become a nurse and was a very welcome relief for my tired brain.
    The character of Eric Jameson came to me as this guy who followed the rules especially the ones he himself made no matter what. In walks the character of Winter Jones and she unknowingly challenges his strict code with her sweet, but innate sensuality. Soon business becomes pleasure as they both give into the draw of sweet temptation.
    But as desire quickly turns to love, their newfound love is threatened by a villain that’s been hiding right underneath their noses.
    No worries though, love does conquer the day!! (What?! You expected me to give all the juicy details away? Lol)
    If you’re ready to be coolly seduced by Winter’s Heat, you can find my new release on Amazon.com or AllRomance.com.
    Happy reading!! <3 <3


***Find Tami here***
I love hearing from readers immensely! Feel free to check me out on my website @ TamiVinson.com, my blog TamiVinson.blogspot.com, FaceBook under Tami Vinson, or TamiCat76 on Twitter.com. So basically everything except smoke signals!! lol

Thank you for joining us here today, Tami! It was a pleasure getting to know you and your work.

24 April 2012

Tuesday Tea with Kristine Cheney ~ Chivalry Isn't Dead ( @SpartanHrtBooks )

Hi all! Grab a cup of tea – or whatever it is you like to drink – and join in the discussion. Today we have Kristine Cheney visiting and giving us a look into her writing. She's also a featured author at Arizona Dreamin' - Arizona's first romance-reader event! http://arizonadreamin.wordpress.com/
    About our guest, Kristine ~ She's an award-winning, best-selling author of paranormal and contemporary romance and is an Arizona native, living in Surprise. She’s been married twenty-two years to her high school sweetheart, Brett, and is the mother of Taryn, Brett Tyler, and Zackary, and is Grammy to Parker, Ivy, and Evely'nn. A huge Labrador lover, she is mom to yellow lab Magnus and to the very naughty (and quite huge) white Labra-Doodle puppy, Brody.
    Hobbies include writing passionate love stories that involve chivalrous characters, dashing adventure, forked humor, and the ever-true good vs. evil dilemma. Her favorite place to relax is anywhere within close proximity to a beach or wooded lake. A huge history buff, she plans to one day make a trek across the US to get her fill of American wonder (with hubby, labs, and lap top in tow).
    She loves a good hot cup of coffee with Crème Brule liquid creamer and sugar. A maestro with a bag of frosting, Wilton cake decorating lessons only fueled her artistic fire. She's pretty darn awesome at creating a deluxe wedding, baby shower, or themed birthday cake that will make your toes curl.
    She's here today to tell us about her Spartan Heart Saga and Secret Santa books. Welcome Kristine!


The exciting Spartan Heart Saga begins with Book #1 and is Dorien & Evageline's story.
Spartan Heart, Part One ~ Blurb:
Sent away to college in America, Evangeline swore she would never return to England. Anger loses its value when tragedy forces her home to assume ownership of the family's beloved Greco-Roman museum.
    Placing a foolish, drunken kiss on a Greek statue in the museum's basement, Evangeline unknowingly frees a Spartan prince from an evil oracle's curse. Suddenly, her lonely life is invaded by the rakish man with knowing emerald green eyes who never eats or sleeps, and seems to know her every thought and feeling.
    Falling in love is dangerous, especially when it's with a man who has already been claimed by the bitter oracle Demona. From the moment of her kiss, Evangeline is swept into Dorien's world of mystery, danger, and passion. The Oracle's fury only mounts as they unravel Demona's darkest secrets, but not before Demona finds out about their unborn half-breed immortal twins.
   Demona uses her knowledge of the future to manipulate, but sometimes love has a will, and a heart...of its own.

Excerpt:
Her father rested in a casket of dark mahogany wood, etched with Hellenistic vases and statues of art. Her mother’s casket was a rich iridescent lavender. Edged like a round Grecian pillar, it was adorned with flowing fountains and lush gardens made from mother-of-pearl and diamond dust. Evangeline had cared nothing about cost. Her parents deserved the best.
    Taryn leaned forward and whispered in her ear. Somehow Evangeline knew what her best friend was going to say.
    “Evan, it’s time. Are you ready, love?”
    With a furrowed brow, she shook her head. But it mattered little that she wasn’t ready. The time to face her darkest fear was now. She wasn’t sure how long she had held her breath. Her body burned its need for air. She sucked in deep, but it felt scarce and thick. Every muscle in her body threatened to spasm in revolt. Taryn and Eliza helped her to stand. Every agonizing step only brought her closer. She was surprised she made it to the caskets.

For more excerpt goodness, visit: http://www.kristinecheney.com/p/spartan-heart-saga.html

Spartan Heart, Part Two. The exciting Spartan Heart Saga continues with Book #2 and picks up where Spartan Heart, Part One left off!
Oh! So sorry for that deliciously naughty cliff-hanger...muhuahuahuahuahuahua!
(But for a peek at it, visit: Smashwords)

Spartan Heart, Part One & Spartan Heart, Part Two are available in one print volume ~ Spartan Heart! Get it here: Amazon.com

The exciting Spartan Heart Saga continues with Book #3, Spartan Surrender, Thessalus & Taryn's story.
Blurb:
Stubborn and independent, Taryn Hampton takes a calculated gamble. Despite the dangers of a half-breed birth, she’s run off to Blackpool Sands, determined to deliver Thessalus’ baby alone. But when complications arise, desperation soon sets in. With no one around to save Taryn and her unborn child, she’s forced to barter with an evil nemesis for the safety of her newborn. Cursed to endure the consequences of her foolish decisions, she must face this eternal punishment with a mother’s sacrifice.
    Thessalus Agiad wants only Taryn, but the willful woman refuses to submit to her feelings. Finding out about his unborn, half-breed babe, he’s aware that Taryn loves him, but she’s still terrified of his immortality. To make matters worse, she now fears his child that grows within her belly. Tired of her repeated rejections and the endless game of chasing after her, Thessalus gives the woman he loves an ultimatum.
    The Oracle Demona is wretched, as ever. Tipped off by one of her visions, she awaits the day to retaliate against Dorien and Evangeline. Aware of Taryn’s impending folly, Demona exploits her mistakes to the point of utter devastation. The Witch hires the rakish immortal, Dastan, to carry out her evil plans, knowing well that he’s just another pawn in her self-rigged game.
    Enamored with Taryn Hampton, Dastan wants the feisty vixen for himself. Thessalus Agiad is the only man who stands in his way. Hired by Demona to kidnap Taryn, Dastan decides it’s an added bonus to torment his enemy. But Taryn is sick with fever, and he gets more than he bargained for when she becomes a tempting siren in his bed. It matters not that his comely hostage believes that he is Thessalus.
    Curses, manipulations, and fears may decimate everything that lies between Taryn and Thessalus, but sometimes love can balm the scars of a wounded soul, and force the most stubborn heart to surrender.


Here's a peek into Secret Santa.
Blurb:
Holly Gordon’s estrangement from her family makes loneliness of the Christmas season hit close to home. Volunteering for the annual Ashton Falls Secret Santa Program is more than a comfort, it’s a blessing. Just knowing she’s able to help another hurting soul experience the joy of a heartfelt Christmas makes her own reality a tiny bit sweeter, that is, until Marcus Jenner ends up on her list.
    Marcus Jenner is more than a bronze, muscled looker. This Chickasaw loner isn’t happy being placed on the town’s Secret Santa list. Suffering from the blow of a devastating loss, he has chosen to withdraw from living almost completely. For the life of him, he can’t figure why this pretty little blonde keeps bumping into him, calling him by name, and insisting on giving him presents. Unfortunately for Marcus, every time she does, a billowing cloud of havoc seems to ensue. Why can’t this uninvited vixen leave him alone?
    They say time and fate have all of the answers. Holly, in all of her innocence, is drawn to Marcus like a moth to the flame. But Marcus has no intentions of submitting to the threat of his newfound feelings. A painful exchange pushes their lives into a pendulum chaos. His demand for privacy is granted by Holly’s hidden illness. Her sudden absence hits him hard, especially when the arrival of a stranger delivers the rest of his gifts. Right away, he knows something’s horribly wrong.
    Love and selfless giving can rouse a wounded, sleeping heart. But sometimes a Secret Santa gets a few unexpected gifts of her own.

Excerpt:
With a loud growl, Marcus lifted her over his shoulder like a five pound sack of flour. Stepping over the threshold in a rush, he set her down hard on her feet, the click of her heels thumping hollow upon contact with the fine, redwood porch. His long body leaned toward the table and with a foiled ripple, snatched up her present. Her jaw dropped in horror when he shoved it into her hands, crushing the pretty gift box. “Save it, woman! I don’t care about your list, or your present. Goodbye, Holly.” With a large step backward, he breached the safety of his house. The blurred flash of his swinging red door slammed directly in her face.
    Tears stung Holly’s eyes and blurred her vision. The solid lump forming within her gut was nothing short of nauseating. Every muscle in her body trembled with grief, while her soul filled to the brim with a heavy burden of sadness. Giving the package a careless, disgruntled toss, she watched the box tumble several times before coming to a tilted stop within the dimple of a fancy bench cushion.
    Stomping her boots, Holly hit every wood step on purpose. If she were lucky, the echo of every hollow knock would rock that jerk right where he stood. But deep inside her heart, she truly wasn’t angry. Why did she find it so difficult to blame him? Raw, exposed emotions got the best of her. Every cell in her body throbbed with the sting of being wounded. All of her willpower reduced to calamity and waste, she ran crying to her car. How could anyone refuse the joy of a present?

For more excerpt goodness, visit: http://www.kristinecheney.com/p/secret-santa.html

To buy the books, find the purchase links here: http://www.kristinecheney.com/p/buy-now.html

Please feel free to add/follow Kristine at the links below:
Website: http://www.kristinecheney.com
Blog: http://www.spartanheartbyauthorkristinecheney.blogspot.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/AuthorKristineCheney
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/KristineCheneyFanPage
Facebook Personal: http://www.facebook.com/KristineCheney
Twitter: http://twitter.com/SpartanHrtBooks
Youtube.com Book Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a4DH3ipxVbQ
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/authorkristinecheney

Kristine's happy to run a contest! Here are the details from her...
Want a chance to score any Spartan Heart Saga or Secret Santa e-book?
1) Follow my website (via GFC+) at www.kristinecheney.com
2) Consider following me at my other links above.
3) Leave a comment below. :)
Thank you for visiting!
XOXOXO
KRISTINE CHENEY

22 April 2012

Six Sentence Sunday for Apr. 22 ~ Sunset Desires ( #sixsunday @6_Sunday @DecadentPub )

Six Sentences from Sunset Desires

Shall we what? her mind screamed as sexual tension warred with her logic. She swallowed hard again. How much of her fantasy did he know? “What else did my cousin write in my profile? I mean in regard to my fantasy?”

For more, on Sunset Desires visit Decadent Publishing & for other Six Sentence participants visit www.sixsunday.com

21 April 2012

Saturday Spotlight Special ~ Welcome special guest: author J.E. Taylor ( @JETaylor75 )

Today we have author J.E. Taylor visiting. J.E. Taylor is a writer, a publisher, an editor, a manuscript formatter, a mother, a wife and a business analyst. She lives in Connecticut with her husband and two children and during the summer months enjoys her weekends on the shore in southern Maine.

So, J.E., what inspired you to become a writer?
My daughter inspired me to get back to writing. I’ve always had stories playing in my head and when I was younger, I wrote quite a bit. But when I graduated from college and got married and obtained a job, things got too crazy to write. Then came kids and I just set it aside until 2007. Once I started, twenty years of stories flooded onto the computer screen.

When did you attempt your first story? What length was it? What's become of it?
I wrote my first story in sixth grade. My father recently gave it back to me and I’m going to laminate it for posterity. It’s illustrated too and let me tell you, I still can’t draw worth a damn.

How many stories did you complete before you sold your first?
I spent the first eighteen months just writing and ended with seven books. It took another two years of polishing those one by one before I was signed with a publisher for my erotic series. Since then, I’ve pulled my books under my own e-publishing label due to the amount of control that allows and I’m very happy I took that jump.

What genre(s) do you write in? What drew you to write in it/them? What’s your favorite genre of all to write in?
On writing...
"It’s a walk into the darkest corners of my imagination where my nightmares fester until something living and breathing escapes onto the screen of my laptop." - JET
That’s how I described my writing and in general, I write thrillers. Almost all my books fall into that vein – whether they are considered adult only thrillers or mainstream or young adult. I’m somewhat of an adrenaline junkie and love being scared, so this is just a natural extension of how my mind works. I do have a couple erotic romance shorts that don’t fall into this box, but those offer a different intensity level – so, I guess my adrenaline fix is satisfied in a different way with these.

What are the best and worst pieces of writing advice you ever received?
Best – dig deeper and engage all the senses, striving for a bouquet of descriptions meant to hook readers on a visceral level so they are unable to put your book down.
Worst – self-editing is all you need.

How do you celebrate/deal with acceptance/rejection letters?
I don’t anymore. :)
However, as a publisher, there is nothing more exciting than offering that acceptance letter and helping to bring a writer’s story to publication. It’s a fantastic journey and sometimes I’m not sure where my true passion lies – my own stories or those I bring into our publishing house. Both are satisfying in very different ways.
As far as writing rejection letters – that is one of the hardest things to do because I try to give some feedback that I hope the author is open enough to take to heart. I have written the standard no thanks too, but I really try not to do that because when I was on the query-go-round, I hated receiving the standard template.

In regard to the book you’re promoting, which actor and actress do you envision playing the roles of your hero and heroine? If there’s a villain or other characters who are pertinent to the story, who would play those parts?
Hmmm – this is a tough one because I can only envision Agent Steve Williams right now and I flip flop between Jensen Ackles – who portrays that gritty dark side so well in SUPERNATURAL, besides – he has that killer smile that just fits with my Steve Williams character image. The other actor I can see easily stepping into the role of Steve is Tom Welling. He is a much closer match to the face on the Hunting Season cover, but I’m not as sure about the translation into an FBI agent on the edge.
I haven’t put much thought into the other characters – but then again, none of the others in Crystal Illusions have occupied a space in my head or my heart like Agent Williams has.

The book you’re promoting, is it a stand-alone story or part of a series? If it’s part of a series, please list the order the books need to be read in for maximum reading enjoyment.
While Crystal Illusions is tagged as being A Steve Williams Novel, it truly is a standalone book. The main character in this book is not Steve Williams. My main character is Carolyn Hastings, an assistant district attorney in Manhattan. The focus is her life and what happens when she starts seeing a string of murders through the killer’s eyes. Agent Williams makes an appearance about halfway through the book after the killings are identified as serial killings and the city reaches out to the FBI for help. There are references to past situations that Agent Williams has been in, but nothing that would require the reader to have read the prior books in order to make heads or tails of this one.
However, with that said, the Steve Williams Series is comprised of five books: Dark Reckoning, Vengeance, Hunting Season, Georgia Reign and Crystal Illusions. The sixth Steve Williams book – Saving Face – is coming out later this year.

*** Now for some fun info… ***
What’s your favorite color?
Blue – like a crisp fall late afternoon sky when you have sunglasses on.

What’s your favorite ice cream flavor?
Mint Chocolate Chip.

Which do you prefer: rain or sun & warm weather or cold weather?
Sunny, warm beach weather.

What’s your favorite day of the week?
Saturday – my day to rest and relax in some way or another and let the stress of the work week melt off.

*** About J.E’s book/series… ***
CRYSTALL ILLUSIONS…
Assistant D.A. Carolyn Hastings has an uncanny knack for putting away criminals. With one of the best prosecution records in recent history, her future as Manhattan’s next District Attorney looks certain. But her sixth sense for winning cases threatens to work against her when she starts seeing a string of murders through the eyes of the killer.
With suspects piling up as fast as bodies, and the motives of those closest to her questionable, Carolyn doesn’t know who to trust. When the FBI assigns Special Agent Steve Williams to the case, Carolyn discloses her deepest fear - that the man she loves may be the one responsible for the city’s latest crime spree.
The only thing Steve knows for sure is Carolyn has an inexplicable psychic connection with the killer, and all the victims have one thing in common…a striking resemblance to Carolyn Hastings.
And he knows it’s only a matter of time before this psychopath knocks on her door.
“Taylor has a strong thriller where every single character has reasonable doubt flashing like a neon sign hanging over them, and right from the beginning you are trying to guess who the killer really is. Gripping, rich and magnificent - crime whodunnits don't get any better than this!” Author Poppet / Gemma Rice – Author of Quislings, Blindsided, Djinn and Dusan

***Find J.E. Taylor here***
WEBSITE
BLOG
FACEBOOK
TWITTER
GOODREADS

Thank you for joining us here today, J.E.! It was a pleasure getting to know you and your work.

Readers, thanks for swinging into this stop on my Blog Tour and I hope you’ll swing in to Bitten By Books on the 20th for a chance to win a $50.00 Amazon gift certificate and if you’d like to check out Crystal Illusions, you can purchase it here on Amazon.
Until next time, Ciao, JET

20 April 2012

Welcome special guest: author Judy Duarte

Today we have author Judy Duarte visiting. Judy sold her first book in 2002 and has published more than forty more novels since then. A two-time Rita® finalist with MULBERRY PARK (2009) and ENTERTAINING ANGELS (2010), she was awarded two Maggies and a National Reader’s Choice Award for her heartwarming stories. Judy lives in Southern California.

So, Judy, what inspired you to become a writer?
I’m an avid reader. Back in 1996, I began wondering if I could write a book of my own. So I purchased a computer and played around with a story idea. Before long, I was caught up in creative process. I found Romance Writers of America, and the rest is history.

When did you attempt your first story? What length was it? What's become of it?
In 1996, I began work on LEGACY OF THE HEART, a historical romance that takes place on a wagon train. That 90,000 word manuscript was my very first attempt at writing. It’s now under the bed, hiding amidst the dust bunnies.

How many stories did you complete before you sold your first?
I wrote three more historical novels after LEGACY OF THE HEART. And I’m hopeful they’ll eventually be published. In fact, one of them was a Golden Heart finalist in 2001. I recently revised that manuscript, and my agent is currently trying to sell it.

What genre(s) do you write in? What drew you to write in it/them? What’s your favorite genre of all to write in?
I write contemporary
romance for Harlequin Special Edition, one of their home and heart lines. I also write inspirational women’s fiction for Kensington. If my historicals take off, I’ll be writing in that genre, too.
Writing different stories for different publishers allows me a change of pace sometimes, while still providing the readers with heartwarming reads.

What are the best and worst pieces of writing advice you ever received?
The best was: Never give up on your dream. It will happen, but not if you quit writing.
The worst was… Hmm. I can’t say that I’ve ever gotten any bad advice… Well, if I did, I filed it away as unimportant and kept dreaming and writing and submitting.

How do you celebrate/deal with acceptance/rejection letters?
Selling a book leaves me with a high that lasts for days. Even after more than forty sales, it’s still a thrill to learn that a publisher wants to buy my book.
As for rejections, I’ve found that putting them aside for a few days or a week gives me a better perspective. I usually revise with the rejecting editor’s comments in mind and resubmit a better proposal the next time around.

In regard to the book you’re promoting, which actor and actress do you envision playing the roles of your hero and heroine? If there’s a villain or other characters who are pertinent to the story, who would play those parts?
In THE RANCHER’S HIRED FIANCEE, I described the hero, Ray Mendez, as looking enough like Antonio Banderas to be his younger brother. The heroine, Catherine Loza, could be played by Katherine Heigl.

The book you’re promoting, is it a stand-alone story or part of a series? If it’s part of a series, please list the order the books need to be read in for maximum reading enjoyment.
THE RANCHER’S HIRED FIANCEE is book 2 in a series called Brighton Valley Babies. The first book, A BABY UNDER THE TREE, was released in December of 2011.
This series is a spin-off of the Brighton Valley Medical Center series and The Texas Homecoming series. But this book—and the series—all stand alone.

*** Now for some fun info… ***
What’s your favorite color?
Green—at least, these days.

What’s your favorite ice cream flavor?
Strawberry—especially if it’s homemade!

Are you a cat, dog or both kind of person?
Both! Sadly, Tina, our cat, hates dogs with a passion. So we haven’t had the heart to adopt a new pet.

Would you/have you own(ed) a snake or some other exotic pet?
No, I haven’t wanted any kind of scaly or exotic critter.

Which do you prefer: rain or sun & warm weather or cold weather?
I love cold, rainy days, especially if I can stay inside.

Are you a morning person or night owl?
I love the wee hours of the morning, when the household is quiet.

What’s your favorite day of the week?
Sunday, which is a day for church and family.

What’s your favorite number?
Ten.

If you could live anywhere in the universe, where would it be and why?
Heaven would be awesome. Other than that, I’m happy just where I am. :)

If you were stranded on a desert island and were only allowed to have five modern conveniences with you, what would they be?
Wow, that’s tough. All the important modern conveniences need batteries or electricity or some kind of power source! So how about a lighter, a knife, a spear, a hammer and nails…

*** About Judy's book(s)… ***
Fake Fiancée…True Romance!
    The Antonio Banderas look-alike standing on the porch in Western gear wasn’t at all what actress Catherine Loza had expected. But when the tall, dark and totally irresistible rancher asked her to play the role of his fiancée to get the local matchmakers off his back, well…it was an offer the actress couldn’t refuse.
    Brighton Valley mayor Ray Mendez thought he’d come up with the perfect plan. But as his fake engagement awakened stirrings of real romance—and real passion—he soon found himself wondering if he could persuade his costar to make their arrangement of convenience permanent. A proposal from the heart—and a baby on the way!—might just convince her that he was for real…
    Brighton Valley Babies—A new generation of cowboys—and cowgirls!—is on the way.

The Rancher’s Hired Fiancée
Harlequin Special Edition
By: Judy Duarte
Coming out ~ June 2012
ISBN: 978-0-373-65675-2
Pre-order here: Amazon.

***Find Judy here***
WEBSITE

Thank you for joining us here today, Judy! It was a pleasure getting to know you and your work.

You're welcome! I'd also be happy to host a contest. I'll give autographed copies of my backlist--including MENDOZA'S MIRACLE, book 3 in the Fortunes of Texas, a Harlequin Special Edition, March 2012--to three lucky commenters.

17 April 2012

Tuesday Tea with KC Klein ~ Pushing the Limits ( @KCKleinbooks @AvonImpulse )

Hi all! Grab a cup of tea – or whatever it is you like to drink – and join in the discussion. Today we have KC Klein visiting and giving us a look into her writing. She's also a featured author at Arizona Dreamin' - Arizona's first romance-reader event! http://arizonadreamin.wordpress.com/
About our guest, KC ~ She's the author of Dark Future, a sexy futuristic time-travel. She became serious about writing three years ago and was as surprised as anyone when her stories took a turn toward dark and snarky. Today, she divides her time between taking care of her family and driving in circles around Arizona, too busy creating stories in her head to pay attention to mere road signs. KC would love a visit at kckleinbooks.com. You can also find her at Twitter and on Facebook.
    Welcome KC!


First, I want to thank C.R. for asking me on her blog. I am so excited about Arizona Dreamin'. It's a bit surreal for me. Last year I went as a reader and this year I'll be going as an author. It still blows me away when someone comes up to me or shoots me an email to say that they've read and loved, DARK FUTURE. (I have to interject here and say I was one of those people who read her book and emailed her about it. The story was dark and gritty and an absolute pleasure to read! I can’t wait to meet KC this June!)
I have been racking my brain for over two months to come up with something interesting about how I write. Here's what I got: I write in yoga pants and leopard slippers. I write most of my books long-hand in a spiral notebook. I suffer from mild dyslexia so I use a computer program to help read my work back to me.
    Okay, other than the leopard slippers, not real interesting. But what I do find interesting is WHAT I write. I'm finding that I like to push the envelope when creating stories. I like tortured characters and morally ambiguous situations. Recently, a reader said something along the lines of…she’s not afraid to push the limits of what might be “comfortable” to read, and instead explores the very dark side to what is turning out to be a very intriguing dystopian world. After I read that I thought perfect, that's exactly what I want. I never want to create stories that are safe. To me writing is daring, thrilling, and absolutely exhilarating, but only if I have the courage to let go.
    Below is an excerpt of my debut novel, DARK FUTURE. If you find that you like it put your email in a comment below, and I will send a random winner an e-copy of my book. For a shorter read, I also have an anthology, HOTTER ON THE EDGE, out with two other fantastic authors, and a small-town, contemporary romance, TEXAS WIDE OPEN, coming out this September. I hope to see lots of readers at AZ Dreamin' and I promise to leave my leopard slippers at home. (But what if we want to see these leopard slippers of yours? ;) )

DARK FUTURE is available
here: Avon Romance.

Blurb for Dark Future
    Awakened in the middle of the night by a future version of herself, Kris Davenport is given a mission: go forward in time to save the world—and His life. Of course, her future self doesn't tell her who he is, just sends her into an abyss and straight into an alien invasion.
    He turns out to be ConRad Smith, the callous, untrusting Commander of Earth’s army and the world’s last defense. There’s only one way to know for sure if this strange woman is an alien spy—slice her throat. Except, he didn’t anticipate the heat he would feel as he interrogates the hot-tempered, warm-blooded woman. For a man whose sole focus has been survival, she's more temptation than he can handle. But a world on the brink of destruction leaves no room for love…and time is running out.


Excerpt for Dark Future
    “Mmm, you taste human. Like salt or more like … warm sunshine?” He pinned me with his gaze. His eyes spoke a primal language. Desire warred with anger; need against punishment.
    I looked away. Embarrassed. Violated. His body crushed mine, suffocating in its nearness. I couldn’t move. I couldn’t even breathe without crushing my breasts against him. I always considered myself strong and physically fit, but he subdued me with barely any effort. Heart racing, I panicked.
    The feeling of no control would break me—complete powerlessness always did. I used whatever weapon was available; whatever maneuvers would give me a fighting chance. This was no different. I turned my head, opened my mouth against his neck, and … sunk my teeth in.
    He cursed. Grabbed hold of my shirt, picked me up, and slammed me back against the wall.
    A painful whoosh came from my lungs. My vision rocked—brain swished inside my skull.
    “You bit me.” He sounded shocked.
    My head hurt so bad I had to blink hard to keep my eyes in their sockets. “You licked me,” I shouted back.
    He assessed me, aqua blue eyes hooded with thick, long eyelashes, for what seemed like an eternity. “I will ask you one more time. Who are you?”
    “I’ve told you everything.” My voice sounded desperate, tired, even to me. “I went running and fell into the dark … I’m a doctor at a hospital. If you don’t believe me, just call them. I’ve worked there for years.”
    He stood still, his body hard against mine, creating an insurmountable barrier. His face so close I could see his pupils enlarge, almost hiding the hard blue of his irises. The rage in him lived and breathed. One hand ran along my scalp in a mock caress, grabbed hold of my hair and pulled.
    “Liar,” his voice barely a whisper, the knife was back … shaking at my very exposed, very vulnerable artery. “There hasn’t been a hospital anywhere on Earth since the year 2075.” And in one efficient movement, he drew the knife across my throat.


Here’s a quick peek at the story, To Buy a Wife, KC has in the anthology Hotter on the Edge
In a harsh land where corruption rules and women are few, cold realist Hudson Land must purchase a wife to save his farm. Instead of an auction, he witnesses the start of an execution. With his first look at a beautiful woman in years, Hudson knows he has to have her—no matter the cost.
    Lake, a chemist and a rebel fighter, is resigned to her death, but when some back-hill farmer rescues her from the chopping block she has no intention of simply becoming his wife. She’s pledged her life to the Rebellion and being bought for some stranger’s bed doesn’t change a thing, even if his soft caresses are damn distracting.
    As lies and secrets build between them, are the quiet moments they’ve shared enough to stand against two warring factions in a world where only the strong survive?

For more about this wonderful anthology, visit HotE.

Thanks for joining us here today, KC!

15 April 2012

Six Sentence Sunday for Apr. 15 ~ Sunset Desires ( #sixsunday @6_Sunday @DecadentPub )

Six Sentences from Sunset Desires

His mouth, so very close to her throat, let slip wicked hot breath against her skin. If he were a vampire, this would be the part where he’d bite her. She pushed the fictional thoughts aside, desiring reality, welcoming him to kiss her…lick her…suckle on the curve where her shoulder met her neck. She leaned back, bare parts of her skin encountering the hard planes of his chest.
   “Shall we…?” His voice rumbled in his chest and against her back.

For more, on Sunset Desires visit Decadent Publishing & for other Six Sentence participants visit www.sixsunday.com

13 April 2012

Welcome special guest: author Vijaya Schartz ( #FF @Vijayaschartz )

Today we have author Vijaya Schartz visiting. Award-winning author Vijaya Schartz is a daredevil, a world traveler who brings exotic settings to her writing. She writes girls with blasters, guns, swords, and adds a kick to contemporary shape shifters, futuristic and historical romance. Her compelling stories will keep you entranced, turning the pages until the last line.

So, Vijaya, what inspired you to become a writer?
I always wanted to write. I read fluently at age three and started writing poetry at six. I read extensively as a teen, and I admired authors, especially the classics. Although I thought I could write, I didn't realize at the time that writing could become an occupation.

When did you attempt your first story? What length was it? What's become of it?
My first poem at age six was a rhyming Christmas tale, but after so much time and so many travels, it disappeared long ago. Just as well. It was probably humiliating.

How many stories did you complete before you sold your first?
My first book published, Ashes for the Elephant God, was the fourth novel I completed. Later I rewrote the other books and they are now published as well.

What genre(s) do you write in? What drew you to write in it/them? What’s your favorite genre of all to write in?
I like to write action and romance, whether it's in futuristic, historical, or contemporary settings. Although I am known for my sci-fi romance, I also have contemporary romantic suspense novellas, paranormal shape shifters, and I'm working on a medieval fantasy series based on authentic post Arthurian legends.

What are the best and worst pieces of writing advice you ever received?
Best: write every day
Worst: write what you know. I would say write what you want to know, because through research and travel you can become familiar with anything, if you are passionate about it. I write about space travel, yet I've never been in space. That's a big item on my bucket list.

How do you celebrate/deal with acceptance/rejection letters?
You can't please everyone. Rejection is a fact of life. As long as my readers love my books, I can handle rejection. I celebrate both with chocolate and wine. For acceptances, I do a little dance around my home office. Sometimes I shriek, often I sing. I treat myself to a nice French Restaurant.

In regard to the book you’re promoting, which actor and actress do you envision playing the roles of your hero and heroine? If there’s a villain or other characters who are pertinent to the story, who would play those parts?
My April 1st release, NOAH'S ARK, is the prequel to the Chronicles of Kassouk series. Kostas, the hero, is a Space Marine with a terrific physique and a deadly secret. For him I would picture some hunk like John Cena of The Marine action movies (love the cleft in the chin) or maybe The Rock. My heroine is a no-nonsense ship captain with sassy short blond hair and daddy issues. She is an optimist with a good heart. I could see Charlize Theron in that role.

The book you’re promoting, is it a stand-alone story or part of a series? If it’s part of a series, please list the order the books need to be read in for maximum reading enjoyment.
NOAH'S ARK is the prequel for the Chronicles of Kassouk series. It takes place centuries before the first book. It's the story of the human settlers who colonized this farflung planet. Book One in that series is White Tiger, Book Two: Red Leopard, Book Three: Black Jaguar, Book Four: Blue Lioness. All these books are available in all eBook formats. Noah's Ark is coming to eBooks April 1, 2012, and White Tiger, the first in the series, is coming to paperback this spring, to be followed by the other books in paperback soon after.

Thank you for joining us here today, Vijaya! It was a pleasure getting to know you and your work.

Vijaya says, "I always have a contest going on my website. Just click on CONTEST at top right at: http://www.vijayaschartz.com."

11 April 2012

Still feelin' the love. Check out these fab 5 stars reviews ( #WW @rmsotera @crmoss @evernightpub )

Yee-haw! Found two more wonderful reviews for Wild West Weekend today!

***** "To be honest, I'm not one who reads western based books because I don't dig cowboys. A friend recommended this read to me, so I bought it. Can I say, what a kick-ass read?" A 5 Star Reader Review!

***** "Fun story line, great characters and white hot sex!" Another 5 star reader review!

To read the full reviews (and others) go to: Evernight Publishing via the Reviews tab *****

Thank you readers!

10 April 2012

Tuesday Tea with Deena Remiel ~ Angels really do exist. Evil better start running!(tm) ( @deenaremiel )

Hi all! Grab a cup of tea – or whatever it is you like to drink – and join in the discussion. Today we have Deena Remiel visiting and giving us a look into - The Brethren ~ Angels really do exist. Evil better start running! She's also a featured author at Arizona Dreamin' - Arizona's first romance-reader event! http://arizonadreamin.wordpress.com/
    About our guest, Deena ~ She's an author of paranormal romance and poetry, and her first paranormal romance, TRINITY, A Brethren Novel, is available through Decadent Publishing
    I asked her to share the background and information for her Brethren novels. Welcome Deena!


Angels really do exist. Evil better start running!(tm)

The Brethren have arrived and there’s no place for evil to hide any longer! So, out with you dastardly demons! Brethren Beginnings Volume 1 documents the angels’ arrival and introduces the world to Gabriel, Nathanael, and Cassiel, three of the nine Brethren to manifest on earth. But it’s in Trinity where we see Michael and the entire team work together to wage war against evil while protecting a young mother and her daughter. The story continues in Relic, where Raphael is fighting personal demons, has lost his healing mojo and must find a way to get it back. Elixxir will be here soon to expose Nathanael’s little secret.
    I so enjoy creating the world of the Brethren. The angels are like family to me now. Sometimes they’re like the brothers I’ll never have. Other times, they’re the men of my lust-filled fantasies. No matter which way, though, they are forever a part of me, of who I am. As more stories unfold, I hope they become like family to you, too.
    Here are the blurbs for the series so far, and following them is an excerpt from Relic.


Brethren Beginnings Volume 1
The Brethren. Who are they and why are they here? Discover the origins of these enigmatic angels manifested on Earth for millennia. Lose yourself in their compelling stories of human salvation and triumph over Evil.

This is an anthology of three short urban fantasy stories that were originally part of an online serial. It is meant to be a companion to the Brethren series, and not necessarily a stand-alone, but can be read as such. It brings us closer to three of the nine Brethren, Gabriel, Nathanael, and Cassiel- who they are and what they do. There are more stories to come. There is no romance here, but plenty of hot-blooded angel!

Trinity
One way or another, terror will reign tonight...

School teacher and single mom, Emma Livingston, has been through hell—and back so she thinks. While dealing with the night terrors and active imagination of her five-year old daughter, Hannah, she attempts to lead a normal life. That is, until the demon from those nightmares pays her a visit, too, and threatens both of their lives. Desperate, she reaches out for help—and finds Michael waiting.

Michael D’Angelo is known to everyone in Prophet’s Point, Arizona, as their loving elementary school principal. But to The Brethren, he is the most powerful Protector. Immortal and angelic does not mean he’s without doubts or fears, as protecting Emma and Hannah from Evil tests his ability to fight his tortured past.

As the Trinity is formed, ancient secrets are revealed and faith is tested. When a prophecy is exposed, Hannah becomes the main target and Emma wonders if a normal life will ever be possible again. Hope is like an anchor, but can a mother, her daughter, and an angel overcome the evil determined to annihilate the world?

Relic
Raphael, a Brethren Savior, an angel with a forgotten past, has lost his power to heal and is on a self-imposed guilt trip to get it back. If he can’t, his tour of eternal duty as Brethren Savior will be revoked. On his journey, he winds up enmeshed in a web of attempted murder and resurrection, all thanks to a woman he’s only seen in a photograph and by chance on an Arizona desert hiking trail.

Serena Sikes is a wanted woman. Desired by “undesirables” for a gift her brother gave her—a stolen relic with suspected healing powers. Hunted down in the Arizona desert and left for dead, she is found by none other than the angel who cannot heal.

Raphael and Serena are inexorably bound together, for locked deep within the relic’s heart had lived the soul of his long lost wife. Now, it resides inside Serena. Evil lurks around every corner as Raphael tries to keep both Serena and his dead wife’s soul alive and lustful temptation at bay.

Three souls bound together by an ancient relic, bound by a timeless gift, and bound by a love that is eternal.

RELIC EXCERPT:
    Serena lay asleep in her hospital bed, a small, seemingly fragile wisp of a woman. The way the setting sun cast a glow about her face, she looked enchanting and more like a delicate flower. He could almost smell the sweet scent of a Lily of the Valley in the air. He shook himself free of his musings as he moved into her room and quietly took a seat next to her.
    Glancing around the room, he found the sweet-smelling culprit that had captivated him—a small bottle of perfume. Returning to gaze upon his enchantress, he noticed the bruising along her jaw line much more pronounced since he’d first come upon her. A cold, steel anger welled within him. His eyes trailed down to her slender arm outfitted with an IV, and to all the machines with their bells and beeps.
    “I’m sorry, Serena,” he whispered. “You wouldn’t have needed all of this if I could’ve done my job properly.” He bristled in frustration and leaned his head against his arms resting on the bedrail. He noticed her stirring in her sleep. She seemed agitated and surprised him by blindly reaching out to grab hold of his hand.
    “Mmm…I cannot die. I am immortal. An feidir le heinne cuidiu liom? Can anyone help me? Graim thu, Raphael, anam chara. I love you, my soul mate.” Serena whimpered and fell silent once again.
    The chair screeched across the floor as Raphael sprung out of it like a Jack-in-the-box. Her hand stayed firmly gripped around his, and a flood of memories—well-hidden for centuries—came crashing through unbidden. Sirona, Goddess of Healing—the love of his immortal life, his wife—smiled at him as they walked in the mountains. She bathed him in the hot roman baths. She made love with him under the stars. She was lifeless in his arms as he carried her to her temple. He was asking E.L. to wipe his memory clean of all remembrances of her and to harden his heart.
    Raphael wrenched his hand away from Serena’s tight grasp, involuntarily backing up to the door. He clutched his chest over his racing heart, now filled with centuries of unresolved anguish, his mind buzzed with too many questions.
    Serena’s eyes fluttered open. He must have had a look of utter horror on his face because she raised her hand to her face shielding the bruise. “It appears worse than it feels,” she stated quietly. “Really. Have you come to fix the TV? They told me someone would be coming by this afternoon to fix it.”
    “Uh…no,” Raphael croaked. “I, uh…I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable. I’ll be on my way.” I have to get out of here. Who the hell is she, some kind of witch? Why is this happening now? And where do I begin to process what I just experienced?
    “But wait. Who are you? Why did you come to my room?”
    Now she doesn’t know who I am? What gives? “I’m the one who found you and brought you here to the hospital, actually. I was checking to see how you were doing. Now I see you’re doing much better, so I’m going to leave you to your rest.” Raphael headed to the exit.
    “Wait! Please, before you go I’d like to say something.” He turned around slowly and stood transfixed by her glittering emerald eyes. “Thank you. You saved my life, and I’m forever grateful.” She smiled, and her eyes brimmed with unshed tears.
    “Make no mistake,” he grumbled. “I didn’t save you. The doctors did. But you’re welcome for bringing you here. Now, I really must go.”
    “Hey,” Serena shouted as he walked out the door, “what did you say your name was?”
    He stopped but couldn’t face her again. “I didn’t.”



TO BUY (click on a book title below)
TRINITY
RELIC
BRETHREN BEGINNINGS VOLUME 1

WHERE YOU CAN FIND ME:
www.deenaremiel.com
http://paraposse.blogspot.com
http://plotmamas.com
http://www.facebook.com/deena.remiel
http://www.twitter.com/#!/deenaremiel

APPEARANCES:
RT CHICAGO – APRIL 10-15 ~ https://www.rtconvention.com/register
ARIZONA DREAMIN’ ROMANCE READERS EVENT- JUNE 2 ~ http://arizonadreamin.wordpress.com