Tuesday, February 9, 2010 | Category: Claudine The Mean
Amber Quill Press
Feb 7:
- Jade Dreams Barbara Clark
- Amber Heat Locker Room Diaries: Signing Bonus Trixie Stilletto
- Amber Allure Soothe The Burn T. A. Chase
- Amber Allure Ring Of Fire Lee Avalone
Feb 14:
- Amber Heat The Forever Heart Adrianna Dane
- Amber Allure The Bad And The Beautiful Jamie Craig
- Amber Allure Breakfast At Tiffany’s Lynn Lorenz
- Amber Allure Independence Day Christiane France
- Amber Allure Thunderball Mimi Riser
- Amber Allure Twilight Carolina Valdez
Loose ID
2/9/10
- Given Roslyn Holcomb & Lisa G. Riley
- FTA This Side of Heaven Fallon Blake
- Heart and Soul Evangeline Anderson
- Another Night, Another Reality Mechele Armstrong
The Wild Rose Press
2/10
- Borrowed Stilettos by Rebecca J. Clark
- Design For Life [The Flower Basket] by Cate Masters
2/12
- A Penny for Your Thoughts by Bess McBride
- Deadly Messages by Rebecca Grace
- Señora of the Superstitions by Pinkie Paranya
The Wilder Roses
2/12
- Bound To Be Mine by Tess Lamont
2/2
- The Thirteenth: A Vampire Huntress Legend (Paperback) – L.A. Banks
- Real Vampires Hate Their Thighs (Real Vampires Series #5) – Gerry Bartlett –
- Knock Me for a Loop – Heidi Betts -
- Laced with Desire (Anthology, Trade Paperback) – Jaci Burton, Jasmine Haynes, Joey W. Hill, Denise Rossetti
- Accidentally Demonic (An Accidental Series, Book 4) – Dakota Cassidy
- Back in Black (Paperback) – Lori Foster
- Nothing Denied: A Novel – Jess Michaels
- Blonde With a Wand (Babes On Brooms Book 1)- Vicki Lewis Thompson
2/9
- First Drop of Crimson (Night Huntress World, Book 1) – Jeaniene Frost
- Chickasaw County Captive (Harlequin Intrigue #1189) – Paula Graves
- Marrying the Lone Star Maverick (Silhouette Desire #1997) – Sara Orwig
- The Enforcer (Harlequin Intrigue #1185) – Anna Perrin
- Life as I Know It – Melanie Rose
- Racing Hearts: A Calculated Risk\An Outside Chance\This Time Around (NASCAR Anthology) – Vicki Lewis Thompson, Nancy Warren, Dorien Kelly
Ellora’s Cave
2/8
- Haunted by the Past, by Riley Ashford (Twilight/Naughty Nooner)
2/9
- Waltz Me Through Time, by Eileen Ann Brennan (Yoyager)
2/10
- Timeless Wrath, by Lexxie Couper (Twilight)
- Good With His Hands, by Michelle M. Pillow (Twilight)
- Seducing Reagan, by Stephanie Adkins (Exotika)
- Guitar Man, by Marie Treanor (Twilight)
- Claiming Derryn, by Vivian Arend (Aeon)
2/12
- Branded Sanctuary, by Joey W. Hill (Taboo)
- A Taste of Oblivion, by Aubrey Ross (Twilight/vampire)
- Head Over Heels, by Paris Brandon (Moderne)
- His Every Breath, by Fae Sutherland & Chelsea James (Spectrum/MM)
Cerridwen Press
2/11
- Jennivere’s Journey, by Jean Hart Stewart (Paranormal Romance)
- Magical Man List, by Christie Walker Bos (Romantic Comedy)
Monday, February 8, 2010 | Category: Book News
Michelle Buonfiglio of B&N’s Heart to Heart Bookclub recently named the much-anticipated next edition of RITA Award-winning author, Sophia Nash’s Widows Club – Secrets of a Scandalous Bride – one of her Top 10 New Year reads!
To celebrate the honor, Avon is offering five Coffee Time Romance readers a chance to win an advanced reader’s edition. To win, leave a comment below with the answer to this question:
For which book did Sophia Nash win the coveted RITA Award?
(Get a hint here: www.sophianash.com)
Winner will be announced on the 10th. So tell your friends to hurry over for their chance to win (wink)
Special thanks and congratulations to Sophia Nash!
More posts by
KarenneLyn |
My name is Samantha Gentry. I’m thrilled to be here today at the Coffee Thoughts blog. I write contemporary romance, highly sensual/erotic romance, romantic suspense and mystery. I also have a couple of paranormal romance works in progress that I’m trying to find some more time to work on.
In addition to eBooks written as Samantha Gentry, I also have 21 published novels from Harlequin Intriuge and Silhouette Desire under the pseudonym of Shawna Delacorte. The complete list including blurbs and covers is available at my website www.samanthagentry.com
For the last several years I’ve been teaching an eight week fiction writing class twice a year at the local campus of the state university.
****
There’s no denying that research is a part of writing. But there is an area of research that is often considered trivial or inconsequential in the overall scope of your story. And that’s the location where your story is set. Certainly the setting is important, but as a matter of research it seldom makes it to the top of the list.
A contemporary novel set in your home town requires little in the way of research for location. You live there so you know about the geography, weather, the businesses, the good neighborhoods vs. the bad neighborhoods, streets and highways, tourist attractions, places of special interest and historical interest. That’s easy.
But, what about setting your contemporary story somewhere that you have never been? If that is the case, you have options available. The most obvious for accuracy is to visit the location—take in the ambiance, make note of the geographic elements, study the activities of the residents, and grab the tourist brochures the hotel makes available.
All major metropolitan areas have certain ‘must see’ tourist attractions that are common knowledge around the world. The Empire State Building, the Golden Gate Bridge, Big Ben, the Eiffel Tower. Well known tourist attractions can certainly be included in descriptive passages of your setting or become part of a scene where some action takes place. That gives the reader an immediate mental image reference to go along with your descriptions.
Travel and tour books can be a great help for general research information. The Auto Club (AAA) publishes tour books for all the states that includes information about the major cities in that state and certainly the tourist areas. A real estate search of a city will give you knowledge of the various neighborhoods. A city’s website will tell you about the educational system, shopping, cultural events, sports activities, etc.
I had several decisions to make regarding setting in my latest release.
DÉJÀ VU is my January 15, 2010, release from the Crimson Rose line of romantic suspense/mystery novels at The Wild Rose Press (www.thewildrosepress.com) available in both ebook and print.
DÉJÀ VU blurb: When Alexandra Caldwell is hired by a reclusive author to research the thirty-year-old disappearance of a big name newspaper tycoon and his wife, she wasn’t sure what she would discover. As she embarks on this project, she finds herself in the middle of a series of frightening events and an unexpected attraction to Gable Talbot, the current owner of Skull Island where the disappearances occurred…a man with a magnetic sex appeal and a past as mysterious as the case she’s researching. Will she be able to do the job she was hired for, or has she stumbled too close to the truth?
You can check my website for several excerpts from DEJA VU. www.samanthagentry.com
I set the story in the San Juan Islands off the coast of Washington state. I’ve been to the San Juan Archipelago several times (both the San Juan Islands on the U.S. side and the islands on the Canadian side of the Archipelago). That, combined with a television show I’d seen on privately owned islands, led me to create the specifics of the fictional Skull Island where the story takes place.
I was able to be true to the geographic area and also the feel of being in that type of location without being concerned about infringing on a real location and taking a chance that my “creative license” might cause a problem if someone believed I was intruding into their private and legally owned domain.
My most interesting location research experience was for one of my Harlequin Intrigue novels, THE SEDGWICK CURSE, a romantic suspense written under my other pseudonym of Shawna Delacorte.
My contemporary story was set in a small stereotypical village of the type found in the Cotswolds in the English countryside. A large estate inhabited by the Lord of the manor—land and a title that had been in the family for centuries. An annual festival that had been held on the estate grounds every year for over two hundred years. And murder involving the titled rich and powerful.
I needed to research several things including accurate information about the physical setting I’d chosen. I had been to England several times and had another trip planned, so I included spending one week in the Cotswolds to do the research I needed. I found a charming centuries old hotel in the town of Tewkesbury and used it as my base to explore the surrounding area.
While driving through the countryside and taking pictures as part of my research, I stumbled upon a major stroke of good luck. About three miles north of Tewkesbury is the village of Bredon where I found everything I needed for my fictional setting of Lord Sedgwick’s property, including a large estate that hosted a village festival every year. And the weekend I was there happened to be festival weekend. I was able to wander around the grounds of the estate, take pictures, and get information directly from the owner. One of the buildings on the grounds, the Tithe Barn, is part of the National Trust and dates back to the 1300s. It is accurately described and used in my book, as are many of the features of the real counterpart of my Sedgwick Estate.
Obviously, traveling to a foreign country to research a location isn’t that practical. If the location is a well-known tourist attraction, you will have lots of research material available to you. But what if your desired setting is a typical small town or village in a specific area? That brings us to the more practical solution of creating a fictional small town as the setting for your story.
If there’s someplace you’ve been, a vacation you enjoyed, and you want to recreate the feel and ambiance for your story setting without fear of getting some of the facts wrong about the real place, a good way to handle it is to create a fictional location. Do some basic research including looking at lots of pictures of the general type of location you’ve selected for your story such as a fishing village on the coast of Maine. That will give you basic generic facts for that type of setting. Then you can take the feel of the real life place you visited and impose those memories and impressions on top of your researched facts for a fully realized story setting. Your characters can then impart that sense of place to the readers with the words and actions you give them in addition to your descriptions.
Do any of you have any research tips for story setting that you’d like to share?
More posts by
Samantha Gentry |
My name is Candy Caine and I live at www.candycaine.com. People who know me and my writing know that I’m the edgier, more erotic counterpart of Candace Gold. I’ve been lucky and have around 200 short stories under my belt–most written for the confessions market. I also have two novels in print. I live in New York–on Long Island, actually, with my husband, Robert. Robert is very supportive of my writing–especially Candy’s erotica. He tries to keep me honest. According to him, “Technique is very important for good writing and all the scene should be authentic.”
I didn’t always write for adults, though. When I first decided to write, I wrote children’s stories and Robert wasn’t as supportive then as he is now. In fact, the morning I woke up deciding to write for kids, he laughed his bloody head off. He stopped laughing when my story was selected to be included in the Chicken Soup Anthology Chicken Soup for the Kid’s Soul.
I also had two book signings for the book. But in time, I noticed that my writing had been getting older as if it was growing up. I left the pictures books for chapter books and even they got older. One day I was writing picture books and the next YA. Then one day, it all changed.
No I wasn’t hit by lightning. I came across a rack of Confession magazines and began to write adult material. I still write a children’s book every now and then, though. You just can’t take the Sesame Street mentality out of me. My older son fears that one day I’ll write porno for kids. (LOL)
Somebody once asked me why I write. As a kid, I was an avid reader. I read everything–including those dirty books like Fanny Hill, my father hid in the back of his closet–and I want to provide that joy to others. Making people laugh or cry with the words that knock around in that head of mine is the great thrill.
Everybody has a story why they write. What’s yours?
Hello, ladies!
I’m so glad to be here today. This is my blogging day here at CTR and I’m looking forward to connecting with you!
First, let me introduce myself. My name is Barbora Knobova. I am an author who writes about women and for women. As a relationship coach I focus on women’s issues – I’m always on women’s side and I dedicate myself to helping women find their path to self-love and happiness. Therefore, writing for women is the most natural thing in the world for me. I believe that every woman deserves to be loved, appreciated and respected, and my books speak to women of all ages, providing them with support and encouragement. I’m also a firm believer in female friendship, loyalty and bonding.
I sponsor three little girls in India – Cynthia, Clarita and Josphine, my beloved “adopted daughters”. I’m a member of Amnesty International and I actively cooperate with SVAW (Stop Violence Against Women). I also support Women for Women, an organization that helps women survivors of war rebuild their life. I’m big fan of Fairtrade.
I love photography, golf, dancing and dark chocolate with almonds – I’m a serious chocoholik 
I’m a world traveler and I always say that I live everywhere and nowhere. I have found my home away from home in New York and London and I’m always on the move, accompanied by my beagle Brinkley, the nasty dog from my book Tales for Delicious Girls.
My motto is: I believe in myself. In us. And in you. Because we all are Delicious.
So, let’s talk about my “Delicious Books” – Tales for Delicious Girls and Delicious Girl’s Guide to Self-Love!
Tales for Delicious Girls
The wo
rd “Delicious” is very important because it expresses exactly what we women are: D for daring, E for enchanting, L for loving, I for inspiring, C for captivating, I for intriguing, O for outgoing, U for unique, S for sophisticated: DELICIOUS.
The book contains twenty-five exhilarating real-life stories about delicious women, eccentric men and stubborn dogs. “Tales for Delicious Girls” offers witty, refreshing, clever and ironic insight into relationships between men and women from all points of view. The book is a modern relationship manual, providing answers to the most pressing dating and friendship questions that strong, independent, modern women want to know. “Tales for Delicious Girls” deals with wishes, desires and dreams – as well as hilarious mishaps and dating disasters.
However, “Tales for Delicious Girls” is not simply a humorous book. In addition to entertaining the readers, the tales inspire women to think about their own life and relationships, see themselves through different eyes and realize that they are their own best friend, the pillar of their own life, and the only person they can always count on. “Tales for Delicious Girls” encourages women to love, respect and appreciate themselves, to live the life they have always wanted, and become aware of their true uniqueness and deliciousness. I promise you, this book will make you laugh till there are tears in your eyes. It will become your faithful companion, and will help you find yourself! It was written for you because you’re delicious – the most delicious girl in the world. And that’s not all! “Tales for Delicious Girls” contains almost sixty original illustrations which are edgy and feminine, just like the book.
Every day I see that no matter how strong we are, how educated we are, how great our career is, sometimes we just get lost in the complicated web of relationships. I have written Tales for Delicious Girls because I would like every woman to truly love herself. I hope that my book makes women laugh and also helps them deal with any personal and relationship issues they may have.
Delicious Girl’s Guide to Self-Love
Every wo
man should love herself truly, celebrate the fact that she is a woman and be proud of her femininity. Your happiness is in your hands and the key to it is your self-love!
Delicious Girl’s Guide to Self-Love is a simple, straightforward and effective guide to creating more happiness in your life and improving your relationships. It is a workbook that will help you find your real-self, get rid of negative emotions and teach you to love, respect and appreciate yourself more.
You will learn:
- How to deal with harmful patterns that you may be following without even realizing it and that block your path to harmonious relationships.
- How to actually use your negative emotions for your own good by turning them around and changing them into positive emotions.
- How to ignore your real or supposed imperfections and focus on your virtues.
It takes just three weeks and a few simple steps: The Steps to Self-Love. Delicious Girl’s Guide to Self-Love includes almost thirty original illustrations and the Delicious Three-Week Journal with daily advice.
This book is a guide to self-love and happiness that teaches women about the importance of self-love and helps them start loving themselves in only three weeks. In a way it picks up where Tales for Delicious Girls left off. It’s a complete step-by-step system, easy to use and understand. It helps women find themselves, respect and appreciate themselves and accept themselves.
Book Giveaway
I have two books to give away today! Please, feel free to comment and ask me anything you want – and tonight I will choose two Delicious Girls that will receive Tales for Delicious Girls and Delicious Girl’s Guide to Self-Love for free. No e-books – real paperback books!
Free E-Course in Self-Love
I would also like to invite you to sign up for my FREE E-Course in Self-Love. Do you know that SELF-LOVE is the key to HAPPINESS? Your relationships, the way you perceive your life, your emotions, your career success.
Every area of your life reflects your self-love. If you don’t love, respect and appreciate yourself enough, true happiness will always be out of your reach. However, when you discover your real self, when you decide to love yourself and be your own best friend, your life will change almost miraculously. This free mini course in self-love is divided into three weeks and it can be your first step to a happier self. So give it a try because you deserve to love yourself. You are Delicious!
You are welcome to find out more about the course and sign up.
Would you like to know more?
You can find more information about me, my books and my coaching practice on my website http://www.barbora-knobova.com. Please feel free to download the Delicious Gifts – Delicious e-books and e-reports!
I’m looking forward to your questions!
Feel free to ask me questions about my books, about relationships, dating, about things that worry you. I’m here for you! And remember:
Rule your life and love yourself because no one is more precious than you.
Deliciously Yours,
Barb
More posts by
BarboraKnobova |
First of all I want to thank Bonnie for all her help in getting me here! Believe me, you would think I was born in the last century the way my brain would not function to get me here today, LOL! A techno-geek I am not, that’s for sure….
Anyway, onwards and upwards – I wanted to guest blog today to let you know all about my latest release The Sharp Points of a Triangle as well as my previous books and what’s coming up next. But first a little about me!
I
live in the UK, just a few miles from the famous City of Bath – Any Coffee addicts who love to snuggle down with a Georgian or Regency book…or sit glued to a BBC adaptation of any Jane Austen novel will know just how beautiful a city Bath is. Bath plays host to approximately 3.7 million visitors each year who come to soak up its rich Georgian and Roman history. If you have a chance I urge you to at least google Bath if you can’t visit!
I am married with two wonderful daughters, aged ten and eight who keep me busy when I’m not writing. I love to read, of course, and even though I write romance, I enjoy every genre from crime to historicals, biographies to chick lit. A writer is a reader through and through.
OK, let’s talk about The Sharp Points of a Triangle! Since it’s release I have had many kind comments from other writers who acknowledge the difficulty in writing in first person, present tense. But the thing is ‘Triangle’ is the only book I have ever written this way (before and after) and although I am grateful for their comments, I had no choice in the matter! Hannah (the heroine) talked to me throughout the entirety of writing this book. I could hear her accent, every sigh, every huff, every screech of delight – this was by far the easiest of my books to write. Hannah is a joy and I LOVE her! Jamie, the object of her comedic frustration isn’t too bad either….mmm. Here’s an excerpt….
“Let’s swim.”
We quickly discard the remainder of our clothes and sprint towards the water. I cannot believe what I’m doing, and I’m secretly hoping the moonlight isn’t bouncing too savagely off my lily white ass. My breath catches as I leap head first into the waves and when I re-surface, Jamie snatches me close. I can feel the length of his erection pressing up against my belly. I smile as I reach up to push the hair from his eyes.
“Now that’s just showing off,” I say.
“What is?” he murmurs, his eyes lingering over my breasts as they bob above the water.
“There aren’t many men who could dive into cold water like this and maintain an erection of that size.”
He raises an eyebrow. “That size, huh? The lady is impressed.”
I reach my arms around his neck. “Nah, not really.”
He throws his head back and laughs. The sound penetrates my skin and fills my heart. And I know in that moment, I want to hear him laugh forever. I look into his eyes and purposefully, push the notion of regret to the back of my mind. I lean closer and his smile slowly dissolves as my lips find his. I taste salt, feel heat and hear my own blood rushing through my veins as he lifts me. My legs easily encircle his waist. The world drifts farther and farther away from us. It’s Jamie and I, alone, happy, re-discovering each other.
“Hey you, Mr. and Mrs. Naked Lovers! Yoo-hoo!”
We break apart and turn to the shore. I slap one hand over each tit.
“Oh, good God. Nooooooo!”
But it’s too late. The three teenagers have taken our clothes and they’re running, screaming and laughing up the beach like the little shits they are.
I am giving away a PDF copy of ‘Triangle’ today to one lucky person who leaves a comment! I will be back later to talk about my past work and what I have on the way…..
More posts by
Rachel Brimble |
Tuesday, February 2, 2010 | Category: Claudine The Mean
Happy February!!
Liquid Silver
- Wolf Reborn Rebecca Royce
Unraveled Souls – Sandra Sookoo
A Blanket of Bitter Frost – Grey-Gerou/Sanborne
A Pirate’s Mercy [PP] – Brenda Williamson
Breed True Gem Sivad
Cold Blooded Dee Carney
Velvet Valentines [Valentine's Day] Violet Summers
Jinx and Her Werewolf [Strange Hollow] Marisa Chenery
Love Defined Celia Kyle
Bound by Rebellion Christa Paige
Fine Print Alanna Coca
Wolf’s Valentine [Valentine's Day] Rebecca Royce
Purple sword
- Tarnished Wings by Crymsyn Hart
- Return to Me by Dawne’ Dominique
Loose Id
- Painted Lady Roxy Harte
- Last Chance Viki Lyn
- Cold Victory Fiona Jayde
- Seducing Stephen Bonnie Dee/Summer Devon
Champagne Books
- For February we`ve got
- Flawless by Kimber Chin
- Hitting The High Notes by Nan D. Arnold
- Snake Dance by Angelica Hart & Zi
- Flaherty`s Crossing by Kaylin McFarren (debut author)
The Wild Rose Press
2/3
- Before the Moon Rises byCatherine Bybee
- I’ve Got You by Linda Engman
- Moving In by Alice Audrey
2/5
- Chasing the Moonlight by Anne Marie Novark
- Dangerous Magic by Devin McKee
- Hooked On You byAnne Whitfield
- Memory’s Edge by Bette McNicholas
- The Perfect Country And Western Story by Christine Columbus
- Trouble in Texas
- [Third book in Double B] by Roni Adams
- The Wilder Roses
- Banished Scoundrel by Anita Philmar
Pink Petal
Showdown at Yellowstone River by Angelia Sparrow and Naomi Brooks
Latin Heat by Tess MacCall
Amber Quill Press
- AQP Jade Dreams Barbara Clark
- Amber Heat Locker Room Diaries: Signing Bonus Trixie Stilletto
- Amber Allure Soothe The Burn T. A. Chase
- Amber Allure Ring Of Fire Lee Avalone
2/1
Ellora’s Cave
- Cajun Blue, by Dominique Adair (Taboo)
2/2
- Eva’s Last Dance, by Teal Ceagh (Twilight/vampire)
2/3
- A Spanking for Valentine, by Evangeline Anderson (Taboo)
- Just Right, by Paige Tyler (Exotika)
- Knocking on Demon’s Door, by Cathryn Fox (Twilight)
- License to Pleasure, by Beverly Havlir (Aeon)
- South Beach Submissive, by Jennifer Dunne (Taboo)
2/5
- Shards of Ecstasy, by TJ Michaels (Twilight)
- Dani’s Demons, by Cindy Spencer Pape (Exotika)
- Whispered Surrender, by Lynn LaFleur & Randi Monroe (Moderne)
- Seductive Illusion, by Desiree Holt & Allie Standifer (Moderne)
- Love and Kinks, by Madeleine Oh (Taboo)
Cerridwen Press
2/4
Heart of the Hunter, by Madeline Baker (Paranormal romance)
Anya Bast is an author I stumbled upon in the bookstore one night. I was actually at a book release party for one of the Harry Potter books. While waiting in line to participate in one of the activities to take home to my son I noticed the cover for Witch Fire. I picked it up, read the back cover and put it back. I walked back by the same isle again and again the book cover caught my eye, so I knew I had to get it and I’m so glad I did.
Witch Fire is about Mira Hoskins a woman who doesn’t know she’s a witch. A powerful, not to mention rare, air witch to be exact. She’s in danger from a group of warlocks bent on using her power and take her life. Jack McAlister is a fire witch who is sent by the Coven, a governing authority of witches, to protect Mira from the warlocks, but he’s finding it hard to keep it professional because of the natural attraction between their elements. While Mira is leanring to harness her powers Jack is straining to control his feelings. There’s also another reason Jack’s bent on protecting Mira. When he was a young boy he watch her parents die by the warlocks magic and he wants to make up for what he couldn’t stop before. Can they stop the warlocks and find happiness?
In Witch Blood, Isabelle Novak is a water witch who’s life has been chaotic for a very long time. Her sister and only friend has been killed by a demon and Isabelle wants revenge so bad that she’ll go against the Coven’s sacred rede: Harm ye none. Running on pain and rage Isabelle will do anything to get the warlock she holds responsible for her sister’s death including freezing the life out of him which is exactly what is happening when Thomas Monahan, head of the Coven and an earth witch, meets her for the first time. Thomas and Isabelle make a shaky alliance to go after the demon that killed her sister while he tries to keep her from doing something with her dark impulses. Only problem is that something more is stirring in Isabelle than the darkness Thomas thinks is there and his presence brings forth desires she’s never knew she had.
Witch Heart is the story of Adam Tyrell, a fire witch with the Coven who’s mission it has become to protect Claire from the demons after rescuing her from her enslavement and finds himself enchanted by her. Claire has lived with the demons all her life as a handmaiden, so when she’s shoved through a portal earthside, she’s not only running from the demons that want her back, but warlocks that want to harness her magic for their own purposes. Things heat up in more ways than one as Adam takes Claire on the ride of her life to keep her safe.
In Witch Fury, we are introduced to Sarafina Connell. She’s having a really bad week and it’s about to get worse when she’s kidnapped by a millionaire playboy who introduces her to a world she never knew existed. She is given a chance to join the warlocks who want to gain absolute power. It turns out that she’s a witch with an untapped gift for creating fire though she doesn’t know it… Yet. She’s rescued from her captors be the very hunky Theo, an earth witch, that has no love for the warlocks at all. He doesn’t believe that she’s an innocent bystander in all of this, but takes her to the Coven anyway. As the battle between the witches and warlocks is waged Sarafina and Theo realize that they have no choice but to trust each other and unite in battle for ultimate supremacy. Will it be a win win situation or will all be lost?
I have to say that Ms. Bast sucked me in from the first paragraph and hooked me for the rest of the books. All her books in this series build on each other, but they each have a happy ending for the main characters of the stories and I really like that. I was sad to see this series end, but thrilled that she wrote a free read for another character in that we see through out the whole series that never got a full length book, so I still had one more story to read. I was also just as thrilled to find out that she was starting a new series and the first book, Wicked Enchantment, was released in January. She is an author that I return to and will continue to return to in the future.
Her website is http://www.anyabast.com. Stop by and check her out.
Red dragon Emily Carrington found her mate in black dragon Vahid Delrey, but misunderstandings, painful secrets, and distrust keep them apart. Emily thinks Vahid doesn’t want her. Vahid thinks Emily is a stuck up snob who could never truly love him. Both dragons hide crippling secrets from their pasts as their pain at being apart escalates. Emily falls for the strong, sexy black dragon and hides her need of him behind an icy facade. Vahid longs for Emily to need him but can’t bring himself to mate with such a cold woman. When Emily’s secret pain fetish threatens her life, Vahid must decide whether to save her or let her self-destructive ways rid him of the mate he never thought he’d love.
Warning this book contains one asshole hero, one cold as ice heroine, mating in shifted form in a haystack, a suicide attempt, spanking, anal play, BDSM and it’s all needed to create a very happy ending.
This series is the best and provides a whole lot of different kinds of love. Ride the Lightning is the latest but you shouldn’t miss the story of Holden and and Garrett.
Black dragon Holden Antaeus isn’t looking for a mate. His life is filled with family, work, and dating. Women adore him and he’s never short of offers for sex, but a relationship isn’t something he’s interested in. When Holden’s brother Sean hires a new executive for Antaeus International, Holden’s whole world, and everything he’s ever believed about himself, is blown to bits. Garret Renquist is a green dragon, intelligent, witty, bi-sexual, and hot for Holden. Despite the fact that Holden is positive he’s heterosexual, the moment he meets Garret, something happens inside him. What follows is a journey through stereotypes and ingrained beliefs as Holden struggles with the fact that his destined mate is a man.
Lex Valentine is choice and all of her releases are on my calendar. You can see more books by Lex Valentine on her site:
http://www.lexvalentine.com/library/
Master of the paranormal
CHRISTINE FEEHAN
Dark Prince is one of the very few paranormal romances I ever read and now I am hooked for life. I particularly like this first one in the Dark Series because the cast of characters is introduced and the reader can witness the depth of Mikhail and Ravens love. Their first encounter is hauntingly beautiful. It has made such an impact on me that I have read the story numerous times throughout the years and can still pick it up at anytime and be as excited as the first time.
Book Description:
He came to her in the night, a predator — strength and power chiseled his features. The seduction was deep and elemental; he affected her soul. His need. His darkness. His terrible haunting loneliness. Her senses aroused, she craved the dangerous force of his body. Burned for him. And he had only touched her with his mind.
She came to him at dawn, his bleakest hour. As the beast raged inside him, threatening to consume him, he vented his centuries-old despair in an anguished cry that filled the waning night. And she answered, a ray of light, piercing his darkness. A beautiful angel. Her compassion, courage, and innocence awakened in him an exquisite longing and tenderness. He knew he must possess her, for only she could tame his savage side and lift the dark shadow from his soul. Apart they were desolate, bereft. Intertwined physically and spiritually, they could heal one another and experience an eternity of nights filled with love.
You can read chapter one here and I challenge you not to be hooked:
http://www.christinefeehan.com/dark_prince/chapter1.php
For the rest of the Dark Series you can visit the Authors website:
http://www.christinefeehan.com/
Jennifer Turner is a fabulous author who is a true master of
providing an entertaining tale, which enthralls the reader.
Logan is a unique personality with a very nonchalant attitude in the face of the undead and provided a unique spin. Kerestyn is the complete opposite of the traditional vampire persona and makes you cheer for him. The dialogue between the characters was hilarious and made me laugh out loud several times. The story is a rollicking good time; it runs the readers through an emotional gauntlet. Jennifer Turner has an incredible ability to ensnare the audience and keep them interested to see what will happen next. This is the first story I have ever read about a drug addict who is worthy enough to become a heroine.
About the book:
After living on the streets of New York City for over a decade, Logan Ellis admits her perceptions might be a little skewed. But twisted or not, there’s a satisfying irony in watching a well dressed vampire stand in the middle of a ghetto alley, windblown trash scraping small circles near his feet. What she finds even more intriguing, is waiting for him to decide whether or not he’s going to kill her.
Kerestyan Nelek hasn’t quite made up his mind. As the Lord of New York, he can’t allow a homeless drug addict, whose memories are packed with knowledge of vampiric existence, to run free in his city. It’s not the first time he’s been in this situation with a human, it’s just the first time in thousands of years he’s come face to face with one who doesn’t seem to care. And that’s what makes the decision so damn difficult.
What horrors would you have to witness before you went numb? How many years would it take for you to feel that way? What would it take to make you care again?
Logan’s answers are simple: the worst humanity has to offer, almost thirty…and something she never expected.
You can visit the Darkness Within site:
http://www.darknesswithinnovels.com/books.html
Stormy Glenn is such a talented writer. No matter what she writes I am compelled to buy it. I have no need to even read the excerpt on her books.
One of my favorite books by her is Mr. Wonderful.
For straight-laced club owner Darius Alexander, Julian is perfection; his wild ways, his bold colors, his gorgeous good looks, all add up to the man of his dreams. He wants him immediately and is determined to have him any way he can.
This book has it all; raw emotions that will draw the reader in and keep them enthralled until the end. There is definitely some happy ever after for everyone from the characters to the reader.
If you have never experienced Stormy Glenn you can visit her site here:
http://www.stormyglenn.com/books.htm
If you like series books she has a wide variety to choose from.
Down Home Ever Lovin’ Mule Blues by Jacquie Rogers is an entertaining read that is purely fantastic. Socrates is a joy as he is always planting some kind of humor into the tale. Ms. Rogers creates characters with a wide range of emotions and some frisky animals included that make the story a-one in my book. There are some laugh out loud antics mixed in with some romance along the way. This book is a pure joy to read.
Ms. Rogers has created a website that should not be missed, too, http://www.jacquierogers.com/ – I absolutely loved this book and think you will, too.
Gemma Halliday will have you in stitches with her High Heel Series. The first book in the series is SPYING IN HIGH HEELS and here is a brief synopsis of the book:
L.A. shoe designer, Maddie Springer, lives her life by three rules: Fashion. Fashion. Fashion. But when she stumbles upon the work of a brutal killer, her life takes an unexpected turn from Manolos to murder. And things only get worse when her boyfriend disappears along with $20 million in embezzled funds and her every move is suddenly under scrutiny by the LAPD’s sexiest cop. With the help of her post-menopausal bridezilla of a mother, a 300 pound psychic and one seriously oversexed best friend, Maddie finds herself stepping out of her stilettos and onto the trail of a murderer. But can she catch a killer before the killer catches up to her?
I really love Maddie. Ms. Halliday crafts a fun character in Maddie that this reader really connected with.
Maddie finds herself even in more trouble with the second book in the series:
Here is a synopsis:
L.A. shoe designer Maddie Springer hasn’t seen her father since he reportedly ran off to Las Vegas with a showgirl named Lola. So she’s shocked when he leaves a desperate plea for help on her answering machine – ending in a loud bang. Gunshot? Car backfire? Never one to leave her curiosity unsatisfied, Maddie straps on her stilettos and, along with her trigger-happy best friend, makes tracks for Sin City in search of her MIA dad.
Maddie hits the jackpot, all right. She finds not only her dad, but also a handful of aging drag queens, an organized crime ring smuggling fake Prada pumps, and one relentless killer. Plus, it seems the LAPD’s sexiest cop is doing a little Vegas moonlighting of his own. In a town where odds are everything, Maddie bets it all on her ability to out-step a vicious murderer. She just hopes her gamble pays off before her own luck runs out.
Undercover in High Heels is the third installment, Alibi in High Heels is the fourth in the series, and Mayhem in High Heels is the fifth installment.
I laughed at some of the characters that Maddie deals with while trying to do some investigating of her own. Ms. Halliday has many other books that are fascinating, I just happen to love Maddie Springer in her High Heel Series. Be sure to check out her website and see what Ms. Halliday has cooking up for her next story, http://www.gemmahalliday.com/
If you want a good book with a happy ending, some light fun along the way, and a bit of witchcraft that might even curl the toe, then grab a Linda Wisdom book that will bring a smile, a laugh or toe, and just warm the heart. I promise you will end the book with a thoroughly satisfying smile with all the characters she incorporates into her stories.
Here is a synopsis of 50 Ways to Hex Your Lover (I love the part about the bunny slippers)
When she isn’t getting into trouble with her oddball companions—a vicious pair of bunny slippers and a frustrated ghost who haunts her sports car—hot-tempered witch Jazz Tremaine earns money lifting hexes and driving limos for Southern California’s All Creatures Limo Service. When the vampire cop she’s loved and hated for centuries, Nikolai Gregorivich, seeks her help in catching a serial vampire slayer, Jazz fends him off to focus on her own problems (the sleazeball limo service owner; a client who generates supernaturally disgusting odors). She can’t resist her sexy vamp lover for long, though, especially as clues in the killings point to an evil figure from her past.
When that delightful book is finished, then there is always Hex Appeal, and here is a synopsis on the second book in the series
The second book in the Hex series features feisty witch Jazz and her drop-dead gorgeous vampire cop boyfriend in a new installment. On again, off again for over 300 years, Jazz and Nick are finally back together, but then Jazz thinks Nick has bitten her. Separated again, upset and angry, the two of them start having violent, recurring dreams in which each one figures in disturbing and menacing ways. They can’t sleep, they can’t eat, and they finally figure out they’d better get together and discover who’s poisoning their dreams-and their relationship.
And another excellent choice is Hex In High Heels, these books are clever, witty and downright happily-ever-after books that will really leave you wishing for more books by Linda Wisdom.
Check out Linda’s website and see what she has coming up next http://www.lindawisdom.com/ She really makes these witches adorably enjoyable to be around.
http://www.kathycarmichael.com Author Bio: Welcome to the world of Kathy Carmichael where there are evil dust bunnies and troublesome trolls lying in wait around each bend, ready to make you laugh and smile and discover your inner child.
This book was so laugh-out-loud funny that even a year later I shake my head at all the antics the characters did within the pages. I love a good comedic book but sometimes a novel can be both funny and yet not as greatly written as you hope. Luckily for us, Hot Flash is NOT one of those. From the first page until the last, you will find yourself enthralled not only with the humorous and outrageous events but the very cadence and flow of the author’s words.
Synopsis:
Calm, cool, and premenopausal?
In this laugh-out-loud story about self discovery and coming to terms with aging, forty-year-old Jill Morgan Storm sets out to find the man of—if not her dreams, her son’s college tuition. Thanks to survey responses from couples celebrating significant anniversaries, she’s discovered the secret to a successful marriage: a man who travels. When she “auditions” traveling salesmen, she’s hoping for one week of marital bliss, three weeks off, and a monthly paycheck. Will she find herself and the man of her schemes?
My Review: “Maybe life is not like a box of Tampax. Perhaps it is more like a Goodwill store. There are useless items all over the place, but you never know when you will uncover a treasure.” I love, love, love this book! Ms. Carmichael has written a sensational novel that will leave you laughing throughout all of Jill’s hijinks. Hot Flash is the story of what one woman will go through to give her child all he deserves. The way Jill jumps blindly into dating and comes out smelling like a disaster is hilarious. I especially loved the bikini wax episode. This is a book that has feel good chick flick movie written all over it. Pay attention book and movie fans alike because I would not be surprised to see this on the big screen! A laugh-out-loud treasure of a book for women and mothers of all ages!
To read the full review, check it out here: http://www.coffeetimeromance.com/BookReviews/Hotflash.html
Author Bio: Might as well use the professional bio here — this is the one my publisher uses on my books Award-winning author Kelley St. John’s previous experience as a senior writer at NASA fueled her interest in writing action-packed suspense, although she also enjoys penning steamy romances and quirky women’s fiction. Since 2000, St. John has obtained over fifty writing awards, including the National Readers’ Choice Award, and was elected to the Board of Directors for Romance Writers of America. Basically, I write romance for Warner and for Harlequin Blaze. I always dreamed of writing fiction and seeing my name on the shelf, and that dream has come true — yea!!!
http://www.myspace.com/kelleystjohn
Synopsis: In high school, Bill Brannon was head over heels for his childhood friend Lettie Campbell. Twelve years later, Bill has almost forgotten his crush on the wild and feisty Lettie. Almost. But when fate reunites them, he realizes that some opportunities shouldn’t be missed. Lettie Campbell wants to start her own business designing lingerie. Her dream is going to become a reality with the cash she’s bringing in as a cheating consultant at My Alibi, a company that lies for cheaters 24/7. When her sister, Amy, asks her to help a friend by providing an alibi, Lettie agrees. Lying to strangers is easy. But lying to the friend you’ve had since third grade is hard. As the lies pile up and Lettie and Bill burn up the sheets, she will have to come clean. Because the person she’s lying to is Bill, and no amount of lies will help her when he discovers that he’s been conned.
Why this book? Again with the humor! First off though was the bittersweet feelings Bill has for his friend Lettie. When they meet up again years later, she finds herself talking about her g-spot to him without even realizing it! From there it is one hilarious moment after another. This is a great story wtih a HEA that will have you laughing, chuckling, and just make you feel great.
http://heidibetts.com/
Author Bio: Bestselling, award-winning author Heidi Betts began her love affair with the romance genre in junior high school, where she used to sneak romance novels into study hall when she should have been doing her homework. It didn’t take long to decide she wanted to write a few romances of her own, so she set out to do just that.
Her first book was released by Dorchester Publishing in 2000, with five more to follow. From there, Heidi moved into the contemporary arena by writing numerous category titles for Silhouette Desire, and recently she signed with St. Martin’s Press to begin writing funny, sexy single titles.
With each new book, Heidi asks herself how she can bring to life endearing heroes and heroines whom readers will believe are meant for each other. A with each new novel to hit the stands, readers and reviewers alike declare she knows how to create a story that sizzles, charms, and delights from the first page to the last. Her first title for Silhouette Desire landed at #1 on the Waldenbooks/Borders Series Romance Bestseller List, where her books have continued to make an appearance ever since.
Heidi loves to read, write, watch movies (and just a little too much television), and surround herself with furry, four-legged friends in her home in the beautiful hills of Central Pennsylvania.
THIS IS KNOT YOUR AVERAGE LOVE STORY
Jenna Langan knows what she wants, and as she tells her best friends after their weekly knitting group, she doesn’t need a man to give it to her…only a few of his best swimmers. And just because her marriage to undercover vice cop Gage Marshall ended badly doesn’t mean he can’t still give her the baby she’s always wanted. In fact, she’s willing to bet a couple of her favorite hand-knit boas that she can tie him up in knots he’ll definitely enjoy…
BUT TRUE LOVE IS MORE THAN JUST SKEIN DEEP
An unexpected seduction is one thing, but stud service? No, thank you. Gage had his reasons for pulling the plug on his happily ever after with Jenna, and nothing that’s happened since their divorce has changed his mind. That is, until Jenna got it into her head to tie him up and drag him down. Now he has no choice but to stick around until he knows for sure if his ex-wife is pregnant. But the more time he spends with Jenna, the more his resolve begins to unravel…
Here is part of my review: Ms. Betts writes a story in such a way that pulls the reader in and has them feel as if they are part of the script themselves. Loves Me, Loves Me Knot is a wonderfully funny and yet heartbreaking tale of what happens after the fact in a divorce between two people who should never have gone down that road in the first place. Pitting a six foot three alpha male cop against a five foot three school teacher may seem kind of unfair, but in my opinion he stood up fairly well and held his own, at least for the most part. The emotional highs and lows had the storyline coming off as very realistic and believable, and made getting to the heart of their problems all the more poignant. A remarkable novel that will have any book lover scrambling to find more stories from this incredibly talented author!
To read my full review, go here: http://www.coffeetimeromance.com/BookReviews/lovesmelovesmeknotchickswithsticksbook2.html
After reading and reviewing this book I did what I call my happy book dance. Meaning I stood up, sighed, and with a very sappy smile on my face proceeded to act like a total dork! But that is how Heidi Betts makes you feel. Her witty, sarcastic, and ironic voice of writing extends quite a bit farther than just her written works. Just check out her blog to see what I mean: http://www.heidibetts.com/wipsandchains/. She is the kind of author that makes you laugh at how outlandish her characters are and makes you just feel good. Even months after you have read her book, you will spot her book cover and it will have you cracking up all over again, just thinking about all those zany stunts pulled. She is an automatic buy for me. In fact, she has another book coming out tomorrow and I am literally scrounging around underneath my couch cushions looking for loose change just so I can buy her next book. That should tell you how wonderful and talented she is as an author. You will not be disappointed!
DISASTER NUMBER ONE: MEN
Hard knocks and hunger taught Faith Duffy not to believe in love. Still, when she married her very wealthy—and very old—husband, she became the perfect wife. He gave her security; she gave him fidelity and loyalty, but not her heart. And then he went to that big bank in the sky, leaving Faith with a lot of lonely nights, a pile of money, and a total mess of a pro hockey team. Heck, Faith doesn’t even
watch hockey!
DISASTER NUMBER TWO: PASSION
But most of America and half of Canada is watching Ty Savage, team captain. His lethal sex appeal and deadly right hook make him the favorite of hockey fans. For most of Ty’s life, he’s dreamed of winning the Stanley cup. The last thing he needs is a gold-digging bimbo messing up his plans.
DISASTER NUMBER THREE: LOVE
Faith loathes Ty on sight, but she can’t stop thinking about him all day…and all night. Then a night of temptations ends with Faith in Ty’s bed, and she begins to see there’s more to him than sex appeal and slap shots. Ty discovers there’s far more to Faith than beauty and billions. A relationship with Faith is impossible, and falling in love—would be a disaster.
I chose this book for a couple of very simple reasons. 1) Because when someone is knocked down repeatedly, made fun of, told they can’t do something, or are just plain stupid to accomplish something…it makes me thrilled to see them prove everyone wrong. With Faith, that is exactly what I like to see! 2) Is the humor. I have said repeatedly I love humor in books, and Rachel Gibson has boatloads of humor.
When I found out we were doing Happily Ever After themed Blog this month, True Love and Other Disasters was definitely one of the first books I thought of. Trust me, you will love it to.
And check out Rachel Gibson’s website for some more awesome books and to learn how she began storytelling thanks to a simple car crash…
www.rachelgibson.com
Michelle’s Bio: I was born in Auckland, New Zealand, and lived next door to Titirangi Golf Course, which makes me a bonda fide ‘Westie’. Our house had the (then) standard kiwi quarter-acre section, and my brother and sisters and I treated the golf course like an extension of our back garden. My first attempt at writing was a romance about Elton John and a kiwi girl after I saw Elton at Western Springs during the Yellow Brick Road tour when I was thirteen. Hearing ‘Funeral For A Friend’ and ‘Love Lies Bleeding’ still gives me goosebumps.
To read more about this very talented author, check out her interview here: http://www.coffeetimeromance.com/Interviews/MichelleHolman.html
Synopsis: What would happen if an Angel decided to play Devil’s Advocate?
After a head-on collision between a glamorous sports car and a serviceable but very plain little car, a kind-hearted angel does a swap in Heaven’s waiting room.
A short, feisty rugby-loving schoolteacher gets a second chance and finds herself in hospital in the body of a tall, glamorous, philandering American wife. She has a wealthy, drop-dead gorgeous husband who looks as if he’s just stepped out of a romance novel – but for some reason he can’t stand the sight of her.
She thinks she’s gone crazy, and if she tells anyone they’ll know she has . . . and lock her up. They’ll think she’s bonkers. And she can’t run away and hide: she’s got a broken leg.
Why did I choose this book? Well first off I love humor in books! If a book makes me laugh then I am pretty much hooked. But it cannot be just any type of humor. I have a very dry, sarcastic sense of humor. Most people don’t get me nor do they get what I consider funny. My husband gave up on making me laugh a LONG time ago. Bonkers has a very witty, dry, sarcastic, and yet emotionally charged sense of humor that will have you wanting to both laugh and cry. Secondly, the fact that Lisa gets a second chance at life, love, and big boobs helps. Can you imagine going from being practically flat chested to having very nice cushiony and REAL breasts overnight? What a fantastic idea! Check it out. It is one book I feel has a very happy ending and one I am sure to reread.
And while you are checking out her website, take a look at her blog. You will see what I mean about humor! http://www.michelleholman.com/
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