Robyn Bachar's Blog, page 15

Author Thursday: Interview with Pippa Jay

Pippa Jay is one of the awesome authors of the SFR Brigade, and I'm excited to have her here today. :) (The Tales from the SFR Brigade anthology is a free read, and it's very cool. You want to read it. I discovered many new-to-me sci-fi romance authors thanks to it.) Pippa's new book Tethered is out now. Check out that gorgeous cover!


1. What flavor is your writing? (Contemporary? Spicy? Action? Space odyssey? Ninjas? All of the above?)

For my latest release I'd say spicy space opera action adventure romance. Hmm, too many words?! Mostly I'd describe them as high action, character driven adventures, sometimes with romance.

2. Where do you get your inspiration?

Absolutely anywhere and from everything. But for Tethered it started off with a conversation on Twitter about under-represented mythological creatures. I had a vague idea for a succubus story, which I then put a scifi twist on.
3. What was your favorite part of working on your new release?

I had a sparring scene between my two MCs, which they both very much enjoyed and it's one of my favourite bits in the book. But to make all the moves authentic, I read up on hand to hand combat and learned a few things, and watched a few DVDs like Fifth Element and Farscape, to see how the heroines fought and to give me some ideas.

4. What are you reading now or what books do you have in your TBR pile?

I have about 200 books on my Kindle. I'm so bad! But I'm looking forward to finding some new to me authors that will become my favourites. I've just read and enjoyed In the Black by Sheryl Nantus, Collateral Damage by KS Augustin, Spark Rising by Kate Corcino (not yet available to everyone, bwahahaa!), Sovran's Pawn by JC Cassels, Caught in Amber by Cathy Pegau, and Dragonfly by Erica Hayes.

5. What are you working on now?

I'm currently working on a futuristic UF angel story, I have another release in less than a month, the sequel to a current re-release to edit, a paranormal short releasing in October, and a superhero romance releasing in November. So mostly edits and blog tours.

You can find out more about Pippa at these links:
Website: http://pippajay.co.uk Blog: http://pippajay.blogspot.co.uk Twitter: @pippajaygreen FacebookGoodreads Newsletter Wattpad: http://www.wattpad.com/user/PippaJay Amazon page
For Tyree of the Su, being an assassin isn’t simply something she was trained for. It's the sole reason for her existence. A genetically enhanced clone—one of many in Refuge—she's about to learn her secluded lifestyle, and that of all her kind, is under threat by a race capable of neutralizing their special talents to leave them defenseless.

For Zander D'joren, being a diplomat has not only cost him his appearance, but also the love of his life. Scarred, grieving, he must nonetheless continue in his role as co-delegate to the fearsome Tier-vane or risk a conflict that could only end one way.

Now both of them need to keep each other alive and maintain a perilous deception long enough to renegotiate the treaty with the Tier-vane, or throw their people into a war that could wipe out Terrans and Inc-Su alike. But there's more at stake than humanity, whether true or modified. Can the love growing between them save them both? Or merely hasten their destruction?

Tethered is available now at Breathless Press, Smashwords, ARe, Bookstrand, Amazon US, and Amazon UK.

Author Thursday: Interview with Tracey Devlyn

I'm thrilled to have Tracey Devlyn as my guest today. Tracey is a co-founder of Lady Jane’s Salon-Naperville along with Adrienne Giordano, who was interviewed here last week.

Tracey is an award-winning author who writes historical romantic thrillers, which as she puts it involve "a slightly more grievous journey toward the heroine’s happy ending." (BFF Diana, take note, for this is your catnip.) Tracey's answer to question 3 is awesome. I think it's my new favorite answer. ;) I just started reading her book A Lady's Revenge.

1. What flavor is your writing? (Contemporary? Historical? Spicy? Action? Space odyssey? Ninjas? All of the above?)

I write sexy historical romantic suspense novels. My heroines tend to be unconventional for the Regency period – spy, underground informant/entrepreneur, apothecary-surgeon...
2. Where do you get your inspiration?

My inspiration comes from everywhere - conversations, articles, TV, snippets from reference books—a multitude of places. Sometimes the story itself can inspire unique ideas. Last week, I handed in NIGHT STORM, Book 1 of my new series, Bones and Gemstones (October 2014). The heroine’s occupation as an apothecary-surgeon came to be out of necessity. In A LADY’S SECRET WEAPON (Nexus series), I needed a healer to set the hero’s dislocated shoulder. Voila! Now, Charlotte (aka Charley) has her own series. :)

3. I love the idea of historical romantic thrillers. What’s your favorite part of writing them?

Surprising readers. I love to take readers to uncomfortable places and make them say, “She wouldn’t, would she?”

4. What are you reading now or what books do you have in your TBR pile?

These days, I do most of my reading via audiobooks. Just finished listening to DIRTY LITTLE SECRETS by Liliana Hart. Right now, I’m listening to Julia London’s MATERIAL GIRL. Queued up next: DRAGONFURY by Coreene Callahan and CHARMING THE SHREW by Laurin Wittig.

5. What are you working on now?

At the encouragement of my readers, I’ve decided to re-publish my first short story—HIS SECRET DESIRE—in August. This is a sweet Regency romance originally published through The Wild Rose Press. It’ll be great to see Julian and Lily available again. Huge thanks to my readers for giving me the nudge.

I’m also gearing up to write the fifth book in my Nexus series, SHEV. Really excited about this hero and heroine. It’s my first Governess-Lord or the Manor story. SHEV will have my signature suspense angle, though I suspect this will prove to be my most humorous work yet.

You can find out more about Tracey at these Links:
Website: http://TraceyDevlyn.com Twitter: @TraceyDevlynFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorTraceyDevlyn Street Team: https://www.facebook.com/groups/DangerousDarlings/ A LADY’S SECRET WEAPON

Seduction is His Duty to King and Country

Ethan deBeau has charmed his way into the beds of countless women, enticing them to whisper state secrets in his ear. But his latest assignment is completely different: find a missing young boy. It's practically child's play for a master spy such as Ethan. Until Miss Sydney Hunt threatens to unravel all his carefully laid plans. Who in the world is this woman?

But Tempting Her is All for Pleasure

Sydney has worked hard to maintain a facade of respectability--all while keeping a network of contacts among London's underground world. When she hears of strange activities at a local home for orphans, she's determined to find out what's really going on. Until she runs headlong into a notorious rake eager to expose every inch of her...

Nancy Drew and The Mystery of the Future Romance Reader

As I mentioned in my TBT post, I've been cleaning out the attic and I discovered boxes of the books I read when I was a kid. I found my Little House books, my Anne of Green Gables books, a plethora of stories about horses, my Babysitter's Club books, and, of course, Nancy Drew.

Reading the Nancy Drew mysteries was the first literary connection I shared with my mom. She read them in the 60s, and she gave me her books. I became addicted to The Nancy Drew Files. I spent my allowance on new releases and combed through the library for titles I'd missed.
I've taken care of my hardcover Nancys in hope that one day I can pass them on to my niece, but I'd forgotten about my piles of paperbacks from the 90s. When I discovered them, I realized that Nancy Drew was my gateway drug to romance (and to romantic suspense, where the characters get to fight crime and fall in love). Specifically, the Nancy Drew & Hardy Boys Super Mystery series was a big influence on me as a reader and writer.

They're almost like fanfic--"What if these characters met and fought crime TOGETHER?" (Though, as the Wiki informed me, this wasn't the first time they'd paired up to fight crime. It was just my first experience with it.) There's always an obligatory moment in each book where Nancy thinks, "Damn, Frank Hardy is hot, but I have a boyfriend. Oh well." Which caused great frustration in Young Me, who wanted Nancy to ditch Ned, marry Frank Hardy and have crime-fighting babies.

See the transition to romance reader there? Or at least to frustrated shipper... Romance fans, did you have a similar Nancy Drew experience? Please comment! Because I want to include your thoughts in my next post.

For your enjoyment, here are a few of the covers of the books I discovered while cleaning. (Of course after I labored to get my evil phone to take clear-ish pictures of the covers, I discover that they're all on Goodreads. Sigh. The next post will have links to their much nicer covers.)

Double Crossing , 1988. That hair. THAT. HAIR. What is going on here? Did they just escape from a wind tunnel? A sharknado? I don't even... Why is the Titanic in the background? I do love everyone's white gym shoes.

Apparently Nancy's boyfriend Ken--Ned, I mean Ned--wasn't on this cruise, which means the sexual tension between Nancy and Frank is steamy.

They watched Joe walk off. Then Frank and Nancy strolled in silence past the closed shops. Neither felt it was necessary to say a word. They ambled slowly, comfortable and close.

"Hey--I have an idea," Frank said. "How about a swim? It'll help us to relax for tomorrow."

"All the pools are closed," Nancy said. Then she turned and looked up into Frank's eyes and gave him a dazzling grin. "But who cares?"

"Best time to avoid the crowds," Frank said lazily "Well, what do you say? Meet me at the pool on the Palace Deck in fifteen minutes."

"I'll be there!"

On the way back to her stateroom to change, Nancy thought about Frank. Was she attracted to him? she asked herself. She honestly had to answer yes. He was warm and funny and caring and, best of all, intelligent. He was almost the most special boy she knew--almost. But there was Ned, and Nancy knew Frank could only be her friend. She would have to leave it at that--and she hoped she could.

Young Me = Mind. Blown.

But sadly the potential for sexy fun times in the cruise ship's pool was ruined by discovering a body. Boo!

Dat ass.
Shock Waves , 1989. Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys go to Padre Island for Spring Break. And fight crime! Kids, you need to read this blurb.

Nancy Drew and her boyfriend, Ned, are among the guests invited to flourish Padre Island, on the Gulf Coast. Everyone's geared up for spring break, including Frank and Joe Hardy. The brother detectives happen to be staying at the home of wealthy friend Buck Calhoun. While scuba diving, Buck makes a play for Nancy, which Ned intercepts. But, the game begins when Buck finds a sunken wreck, and a dead body.

Meanwhile, Padre Island's social set is raided buy a squad of resort sharks. The sophisticated crime group has ripped off a fortune in loot. But, they've never left a clue until they snatch a pair of melted keys belonging to Joe Hardy. The worthless keys have deep personal value for the youth sleuth. And, he vows to track them down no matter what the risk...in Shock Waves.

I'm sorry, did you just say "wealthy friend Buck Calhoun"? And he makes a play for Nancy? Holy cow. How did this not end up as a Harlequin Presents? Nancy Drew totally could have had the millionaire's secret baby. Missed opportunity, people.

"I said take the shot!"
"I can't, I may hit Bond!"
"Take the bloody shot!"
...
"Agent down."
Mystery Train , 1990. I'm still trying to figure out what's going on with those earrings. Clearly they are the mystery in this book. That, or the mystery of "Who looks good in a bright yellow sweater?" Answer: Big Bird.

OMG, is that Jay Leno?
Best of Enemies , 1991. There is so much crazy sauce in this blurb, you guys.

The Berlin Wall has come tumbling down, and a major American agent--code-named the Swallow--wants to come home. On a top-secret mission for the Network, THE HARDY BOYS head to Memphis, where a mystery man named Pritchiff has promised to turn the agent over for a price. But a ruthless German spymaster, known only as Klaus, has vowed to beat Frank and Joe to the punch--and shoot the Swallow out of the sky.

Meanwhile...

NANCY DREW comes to the aid of Beau Davis, a guy with a bad case of the Memphis blues.

Accused of stealing a guitar once belonging to Elvis, he is now a prime suspect in a more ominous matter--the murder of Pritchitt! In a case as twisty and treacherous as a Mississippi River current, Frank and Joe and Nancy are headed for a stunning rendezvous and revelation in "Best Of Enemies"

Young Me is totally mesmerized by the summer blockbuster action this promises. Older, Filthy Mind Me is inappropriately giggling at "the Swallow". Also, it seems somehow less perilous to crash into a river when you're in a convertible. And also clearly not wearing their seatbelts! For shame!

Author Thursday: Interview with Adrienne Giordano

Today's guest is USA Today best-selling author Adrienne Giordano. Adrienne founded the Naperville satellite of Lady Jane's Salon along with fellow author Tracey Devlyn. (Tracey will be an Author Thursday guest here soon!)

Adrienne is talking about the second book in her Justice Team series. I'm currently reading the first book, Stealing Justice, and it's good stuff. Fans of romantic suspense should definitely check it out. :)

1. What flavor is your writing? (Contemporary? Historical? Spicy? Action? Space odyssey? Ninjas? All of the above?)

My flavor would be spicy-light. I write romantic suspense and I’ve been told my books are steamy, but I honestly don’t think they’re that steamy. Maybe I shouldn’t be saying that! :)

I honestly believe my books are more about the sexual tension and the push-pull between the hero and the heroine and that creates the steam. I also like to include a bit of humor in my dialogue. Particularly with the men. On any given day, the conversations between men and their friends can be funny so I try to infuse that into my books.
2. I love hearing where romantic suspense authors get ideas for the crimes in their books. Where do you get your inspiration?

I am a true-crime junkie. I can’t get enough of it on television and in the news. I love to read the newspaper and sometimes a little snippet of something will spark an idea. The idea for The Prosecutor came to me after reading a newspaper clip about a man who spent twenty years in prison for a crime he didn’t commit. I started to wonder what that must have felt like for his family and before I knew it, I had an idea for a book.

3. How would you describe Lady Jane’s Salon--Naperville to those who haven’t experienced it yet?

Lady Jane’s Salon is a live reading series that features romance and women’s fiction authors and their books. The Naperville salon is a satellite location to the original Lady Jane’s Salon in New York. Audience members at our Naperville salons indulge in decadent coffees and desserts while listening to authors read excerpts from their books. We generally have three to five authors at each of the salons so our audience has a great opportunity to discover new-to-them authors. I think of Lady Jane’s Salon as the adult version of being read a bedtime story. For more information on Lady Jane’s Salon-Naperville check out our website at http://ladyjanessalonnaperville.com/

4. What are you reading now or what books do you have in your TBR pile?

Right now I’m reading 10% Happier by news anchor Dan Harris. In the book, he talks about the events that led him to discover meditation. I’ve recently started practicing Transcendental meditation so I’m able to identify with a lot of what Mr. Harris writes about. I’ve also just downloaded Carolyn Crane’s Against the Dark so that’s up next on my TBR list.

5. What are you working on now?

I have a couple of projects going now. I’m plotting my next Harlequin Intrigue and also drafting the first book in a new series. The new series will take place in Las Vegas, which is exciting for me because I love Vegas and have always wanted to use it as a setting.

And, of course, I’m getting psyched up for the July 21st release of Cheating Justice , book two in the Justice Series. I’m co-writing this series with the fabulous Misty Evans and it’s been an amazing experience. The book required massive research, and I think it’s probably the most involved plot I’ve ever worked on. Such fun.

You can find out more about Adrienne at these links!
Website: http://adriennegiordano.com/ Twitter: @AdriennGiordano Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/AdrienneGiordanoAuthor Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/AdrienneGiordano
Cheating Justice

For fans of Scandal and Justified. The second novel in the exciting and bestselling Justice Team romantic suspense series.

While investigating a government cover-up, former FBI agent Mitch Monroe is framed for murder. A wanted man, Mitch has no choice but to stay off the grid, and he needs Special Agent Caroline Foster—the FBI’s top sniper and a woman who wants nothing to do with him—to clear his name.

After sharing a single night of simmering passion with Mitch a year ago, Caroline hasn’t been able to get him out of her head. Or her heart. He's jeopardized her job once…helping him now could end her career. But a friend has been murdered, and no matter how Caroline feels about Mitch, he's not the killer. She needs answers, and she needs Mitch Monroe out of her life once and for all.

On the run and with no one to turn to, Mitch and Caroline can’t fight the reigniting passion between them. She’ll lose her career if she proves Mitch is innocent…he’ll lose his life if she doesn’t.

Throwback Thursday: Harlequin World's Best Romances from 1996

I've been cleaning out the attic lately, and I discovered these Harlequin's World's Best Romances magazines. (Also, I found the first romance novel I officially read!) (As opposed to the actual first romance I read, which I have no idea what the title, author, or plot was, other than it was contemporary 2-books-in-1 combo that I snuck out of my mom's nightstand.)

Behold, the awesome:

March/April 1996: Is she sleeping? Melting? I love her jeans. I think I owned those jeans. And guys, please to enjoy this bonus art from the back cover:

Him: My neckerchief, let me show you it. Her: *swoon*
Ain't nothin' sexier than a man in a bright yellow shirt with a green neckerchief. Amirite, ladies? Even that horse is checking him out.
May/June 1996: Is that the same guy from the last issue? Scandalous! :-o Look at his perfect hair. The giant dad wristwatch. The random man ring. The fabulous high-waist jeans. So much light denim. I'm guessing that her inner monologue is "I can see up your nose."

July/August 1996: OMG IS THAT THE HOFF??? Also, she looks like she's about to burst into song, doesn't she? "THE HILLS ARE ALIVE, WITH THE SOUND OF DENIM..." And neckerchiefs. Because reasons.

September/October 1996: Behold the 90s businesswoman's power suit. I'm pretty sure Scully wore this outfit on an episode of X-Files.

I also found an absolutely fabulous treasure trove of 90s Nancy Drews. Oh yes. The khaki shorts, people. THE WHITE SNEAKERS. I will share them at some point soon.

Poison in the Blood VBT: Week 4 Recap

We're nearing the end of the Poison in the Blood virtual book tour. In case you missed it, this week I was spotlighted at Cover Reveals, and I shared my Top 10 favorite Emily quotes at Darkest Cravings.
I discussed magic librarians at Marsha A. Moore's blog, and I was interviewed at Eclipse Reviews.

Poison in the Blood received a 5-heart review from Corazones Literarios:

Overall, this was a wonderful read.

I was interviewed at Little Read Riding Hood. They also gave Poison in the Blood a 5-star review:

So you may have noticed that I do not give 5 stars out that much, well this book deserved a five star rating from me. This was due to a combination of things, the authors writing, the historical research, and the story. For me it was a very insightful look at magicians and it really gave a new look on the enter supernatural world.

Yay! Very cool. :) There are only 4 stops left on the tour.
June 30: Writing from Corsets to Bustiers and Immortality and BeyondJuly 1: Urban Fantasy Investigations and Paranormal Romance and Authors That Rocka Rafflecopter giveaway
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Goodreads Book Giveaway Poison in the Blood by Robyn Bachar Giveaway ends July 01, 2014.
See the giveaway details at Goodreads. Enter to win

Author Thursday: Interview with Victoria H. Smith

As I have mentioned before, I love being an RWA member because I get to meet and hang out with fabulous authors. Here's a picture from the 2012 Chicago-North Spring Fling with three of my local chapter members, including the very awesome Victoria H. Smith. (Victoria is between me and BFF Diana. It was Victoria's first conference. We drove, and she survived me and Diana singing in the car.)

I'm thrilled to have Victoria as my guest today, and she's talking about her new release Found by You. It's out now, people! Go forth and buy it! ;)


1. What flavor is your writing? (Contemporary? Spicy? Action? Space odyssey? Ninjas? All of the above?)

I think it’s safe to say I’ve definitely touched on a lot of different flavors in my writing. From epic battles with extraterrestrials to drama-filled, sexy contemporary romances. They’re all blanketed under the “new adult” (NA) category; meaning, I write stories about young people in that in between stage of youth and adulthood. The common theme is they are all just trying to find their way, make their mark on the world.
2. Where do you get your inspiration?

A lot of my inspiration comes from the things around me. From old films to people I see walking around and going about their day. I love observing and absorbing. I always tend to write in some type of scandal into my books regardless of the genre. I blame that on my degree in political science. :P

3. What is your favorite series to work on? Are you planning more series, or sticking with The Space Between and Eldaen Light Chronicles for now?

I actually just officially released a book today (June 26, 2014) called FOUND BY YOU. I’ve written a lot of different types of people, but this one was my favorite. It’s a contemporary sports romance about an average girl and the star basketball player on campus. I think what I enjoyed about it was how real it felt as I was writing it. I believe the relationship between Roxie and Griffin could happen to anyone, and I love the realism there.

4. What are you reading now or what books do you have in your TBR pile?

Ah, the never-ending files to-be-read on my Kindle. I just read a book called TETHERED by L.D. Davis. It’s a NA contemporary romance like what I write. I have a bunch of contemporaries I need to work through, but one of the best books I read this year was a dystopian NA romance. It’s set in modern day England, but slavery is legal in this world. People are allowed to own and enslave a seemly devolved race they believe to be Neanderthals. The heroine in the book falls in love with a slave owned by her brother. It’s called IN CHAINS by Michelle Abbot, and it was amazing.

5. What are you working on now?

I’ve got so many WIPs! Two of them are within the story world of FOUND BY YOU. I’ve also got a few contemporary romances I’ve started and the final book in the Eldaen Light Chronicles. Now, if I could just focus on one, lol.

You can find out more about Victoria at these links:
Website: http://www.authorvictoriahsmith.com/ Twitter: @VictoriaSmith76 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorVictoriaHSmith Found by You

He's noticed by everyone...

Griffin Chandler.

He's captain of our college's basketball team. I swear to God I've already seen him in a Nike ad, and he's one of the top picks when he goes pro following our spring graduation.

His life is on display for the world. Both his accomplishments and demons there for judgment.

I'm a girl who likes to play roller derby from, of all places, Wisconsin. My own demons better concealed. And one day...

He notices me.

Found by You is a new adult contemporary romance. It is available in ebook at Amazon, BN, All Romance Ebooks, and in print at CreateSpace.

Starry Nights Blog Hop

Welcome to the SFR Brigade's Midsummer Blog Hop! The hop is offering several great grand prizes to celebrate, including a copy of my spicy space opera Nightfall and an advanced copy of the second book in the series, Morningstar. And I'm revealing the cover for the third book in the trilogy, Sunsinger!
When I heard that the theme for this hop was Starry Nights I immediately thought of my Cy'ren Rising books, Nightfall and Morningstar. (Night and star--perfect, right?) But on the Cy'ren home world, all of their cities are underground. Not a starry night in sight.

Thankfully the Cy'ren are a spacefaring people, with plenty of opportunity to fall in love among the stars. In Nightfall the heroine Talena risks everything to help a handsome stranger, and is drawn into the fight of the Cy'ren resistance. The crew is made up of misfits and the ship is held together with spit, electrical tape and a prayer, but it's a good cause (though those never pay well).

In Morningstar, Bryn and Sabine are rescued by Jace, the second son of House Morningstar. Bryn is disappointed to find out that the resistance is still losing the war that it was fighting five years ago when her ship was destroyed in battle, but serving aboard the Talon II gives her a chance to re-enter the fight. (Provided she doesn't strangle Jace, who happens to be the ship's first officer.)

On that subject, here's a snippet from Morningstar:

The deck shook beneath her boots as the rumble of an explosion rocked the ship, and then flashing alarms and blaring sirens kicked on. Bryn froze, paralyzed by the nightmare memories of the final moments of the Sabre. Fear clutched her throat, and she struggled to breathe—if the ship was taken by slavers, Bryn would be right back where she started. Worse, even, because new slavers would surely separate her from Sabine. Then Bryn’s training overrode her fear and started her moving. The Talon II was down a first officer, and they would need a hand on the bridge.

Captain Hawke glanced at her with a raised brow when she entered, but then motioned her forward. “Lieutenant Viera, take weapons. I’ll cover engineering.”

The captain moved to the engineering station, and Bryn took a seat at the weapons console. It was all familiar, even after so much time spent as a slave. It helped that this ship was older than she was, so there were no surprises in the technology. The bridge was larger than the Sabre’s, but the Sabre had been a light—and admittedly ancient—military cruiser, not a modified transport. At least the chair was comfortable. Civilian design was always more comfort-oriented than military specs.

The indicator lights flashed green across the board. Their cannons were armed, but the approaching ship was out of firing range.

“Captain, they’re broadcasting an Alliance military ID,” the navigator announced. “They’re ordering us to power down and submit to being towed aboard their ship.”

And here, revealed for the first time, is the cover for the third book in the Cy'ren Rising trilogy, Sunsinger.



Isn't it shiny? It has the Talon II in the background! And I love Lady Andelynn and her sword. :) Lady Andee is here to chew bubble gum and fight for Cy'ren freedom, and she's all out of bubble gum. ;)

Nightfall won second place in the Fantasy/Sci-Fi category of the 8th Annual Passionate Plume Contest, and was a finalist in the Science Fiction Romance category of the 2014 EPIC eBook Awards. Nightfall is available in print and e-book at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Samhain Publishing, and All Romance eBooks. You can pre-order Morningstar at Amazon and Barnes and Noble. Sunsinger will be out in December 2014.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Giveaway note: Cash or other alternative prizes will not be made available if winner cannot accept the prizes offered. If a winner cannot accept the prizes as listed, another winner will be chosen.

Here's a list of the hop participants: ');

Poison in the Blood VBT: Week 3 Recap

I can't believe that the tour is more than half over. Where did June go? But there's still plenty of time to enter the giveaways!

This week I was spotlighted at Houston Havens, Share My Destiny, and Books and Tales.

I shared a character profile of Emily at Paranormal Romance Fans for Life.

I was interviewed by Deb Sanders, and talked about my favorite role-playing games and my plans for future books.

I was interviewed at Butterfly-o-Meter Books, and they gave Poison in the Blood a 4 butterfly review:

All in all, it was a fun, fast-paced read without becoming obnoxiously agitated, and if you’re into some mystery solving, historical-flavored London settings and magic happenings, this is definitely for you!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Goodreads Book Giveaway Poison in the Blood by Robyn Bachar Giveaway ends July 01, 2014.
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Author Thursday: Interview with Rena Koontz

Recently my RWA chapter member Rena Koontz tagged me in the My Writing Process blog tour, and I asked that she do a guest interview for me. Thankfully she said yes, and I'm thrilled to have her here today. :) She's awesome, and look at the gorgeous book cover for The Devil She Knew! I love that cover. It's so striking.

1. What flavor is your writing? (Contemporary? Spicy? Action? Space odyssey? Ninjas? All of the above?)

First of all, Robyn, thank you for inviting me to share your blog space today. Your first question made me smile. I write romantic suspense and, since I’m one-hundred percent Italian, I like things hot and spicy. My writing is like the traditional pot of Sunday sauce –put it on the stove to simmer slowly, adding ingredients gradually, until it’s done just right. Sometimes, the recipe calls for adding meat or sausage, sometimes not; different tomatoes might require more or less seasoning. My writing is like that – sometimes just a hint of romance and other times, full blown passion. Maybe just a clue about the bad guy or a full-blown parking lot shootout. I’m always striving for the perfect recipe.
2. Where do you get your inspiration?

You know the saying, “It’s the little things...” That’s where my inspiration for characters comes from. For example, as I worked on the draft for “The Devil She Knew,” a door-to-door salesman knocked on my front door selling a cleaning product. His name was Marcus, his smile was contagious, he had a great personality and we chatted for almost an hour. And yes, I spent $35 on a quart of cleaning solution. I also made Marcus a character in my book because he stuck with me.

Or a particular incident that happens to me or someone I know lodges in my brain. As a news reporter, I covered a string of arson cases and one night rode shotgun with the fire captain as he patrolled the city’s back alleys hoping to catch the arsonist. I was scared to death and that night set the wheels in motion for “Love’s Secret Fire.”

I’m also motivated by things I can’t do anything about and need to get out of my system, like an awful sister-in-law who will be dead at the bottom of the steps in my next novel. Sometimes, it’s a phrase that catches my ear or maybe part of a song lyric. All these tidbits are stored in my head because the minute I hear them, or meet them, I know they deserve a space on my pages.

3. What drew you to write romantic suspense? (Aside from having a retired FBI agent as a husband, though I bet he is an awesome source of information.) ;-)

Now, I’m laughing. Yes, having Jed the Fed at my beck and call is an invaluable resource. The mobster Tony DelMorrie in “The Devil She Knew” comes from a real case he worked. I’d first say I am a romantic at heart so my books, at their core, deal with true love, the undying kind that every woman hopes to find and hold on to. But, as a reporter, I covered Cops and Courts and reported so many tragic stories that shocked me. And so they find their way onto my pages. There truly was a man who killed his girlfriend because she hit him in the face with a shoe and chipped his tooth (“The Devil She Knew"). There really was a woman whose husband surprised her when he shot her and she died with her eyes wide open, still surprised. The coroner’s words, “death surprised her” never left my memory and work to describe a victim in my next novel.

4. What are you reading now or what books do you have in your TBR pile?

Right now, I’m reading a romantic suspense by Jessica Starre titled “Date with the Devil.” Jessica is a fellow Crimson Romance author and I love her easy writing style. On my to-be-read pile are three books I picked up recently at the Chicago Spring Fling – a romance by Kristan Higgins, “The Best Man”; a paranormal romance by Lauren Dane, “Goddess with a Blade”; and an historical romance by Mary Balogh, “The Arrangement”.

5. What are you working on now?

I have a new romantic suspense releasing at the end of June titled “Thief of the Heart,” and as I write this, I’m waiting for the edits. I have a completed contemporary – dare I call it the book of my heart? – that I’m querying now, hoping to catch someone’s eye. And my WIP is another romantic suspense – the one where I get to knock off the sister-in-law! – tentatively titled “Deadly Love.” It’s another book inspired by real-life – my friend is in an abusive relationship and refuses help. At least on my pages, I can take matters into my own hands.

You can find out more about Rena at these links:
Website: www.renakoontz.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/RenaKoontz Blog: www.renakoontz.wordpress.com/renas-ramblings
The Devil She Knew

"You have to trust somebody, Cassidy. It might as well be me," he said. But she didn't know him. And something her mother taught her once always stayed with her: 'Better the devil you know than the devil you don't.'

When reputed mobster Tony DelMorrie feuds with his girlfriend and wins the fight by killing her, Cassidy Hoake is the only witness. She quickly becomes a target when DelMorrie skips bail - running is Cassidy’s only option. Now, she’s hiding from the devil, living in a small Ohio town, aware that only her anonymity protects her. She can’t afford complications like Clay Cestra. His police uniform fits like a second skin and he looks even better with his clothes off. But he is the law and she is a fugitive. A life with him means risking everything, confronting her demons and defeating the devil.