Sarah Ballance's Blog, page 65

Kreativ Blogger Award & The Highlight Reel: April 2012

Time to look back over the month of April! It’s hard to believe we’re already one-third of the way through 2012—it still feels like it should be January (although I, for one, am grateful the bitter cold has passed). Let’s see what the April highlights were, shall we?

KREATIVE BLOGGER AWARD

I’ve recently been nominated for the Kreativ Blogger Award by *three* of my fellow bloggers: Kate Warren, Wildcat’s Wife, and Elizabeth Morgan. (Click each name to learn 7 things about these awesome peeps!) Thank you all very much! As per the rules, I now have to bestow upon you lovelies seven things about myself. I think most of my regulars have heard all this before, but what the heck. Let’s give it a shot!

1. We welcomed a litter of piglets about a week ago. Yesterday a photographer came to take pictures, which is pretty funny considering the piglets will be, um, sold. (It was the photographer’s idea, not ours. LOL.)

2. I’ve owned horses more than half my life, from age 13 until a couple of years ago. I’ve tried it all, from jumping six foot fences to exercising race horses. (The race horses weren’t mine, but I spent many, many mornings on the track with them.)

3. My husband and I originally talked about having eight kids, but at the time most “normal” vehicles (passenger vans and such aside) only held seven people, so we settled on five so we’d all fit in one car. (And ended up with six.)

4. We love the beach, and it only takes about 15 minutes to get there … but we don’t go very often. FAIL!

5. I get to sleep late almost every day.

6. I’d still be a vegetarian if my husband hadn’t talked me into trying his steak and cheeseburgers. (The scent of a charcoal grill is pure romance if you ask me.)

7. In my first year as a published author (2010) I had two book releases (DOWN IN FLAMES and RUN TO YOU). In my second year, there were three (HAWTHORNE, UNFORGIVEN, and FAMILIAR LIGHT). I’m shooting for four in 2012. TIDE OF LIES is out, so that leaves me with three to go … and LAST CALL is up next.

Coming Soon: LAST CALL

Your first peek at LAST CALL is coming up soon! It’s going to be my next featured title for Six Sentence Sunday, with an anticipated release date in June. Here’s the blurb:

LAST CALL | romantic suspense

An accidental witness to a murder-for-hire, ex-cop Rhys Clark becomes the target of ruthless killer—one determined to silence her at any cost. Playing dead seems to be the most likely way to stay alive, but when her protection comes in the form of mega-sexy former adversary Nick Massey, Rhys can think of  a few fates worse than death.

Nick Massey may have walked away from his troubles, but he never got past wanting Rhys. Once paired undercover, they’d been nothing but fireworks until a botched assignment ended her career, sending his into a tailspin. Now a mysterious client is willing to pay Nick anything to keep Rhys safe, but it isn’t until fate takes a critical turn that he realizes the devastating truth: he’s been her greatest threat all along.

This Just In: Book Reviews

The follow reviews have come in since our last update:

TIDE OF LIES (4/25): “This was an exciting romantic suspense story that will keep you on your toes…not only wondering if Holden and Julia will work out their issues but also if you have think is responsible could really be the killer after all.“– Cocktails and Books (3/5)

UNFORGIVEN (4/20): ” It was action from the beginning of the story with some hot passion in-between. The characters were hot and intense; the plot of the story was perfect.” — The Romance Reviews (4/5)

UNFORGIVEN (4/2): “The chemistry is off the charts and the story twist really keeps one guessing!” — Hildie McQueen 

UNFORGIVEN (3/27): “The characters are well written, wonderfully real and easy to like and care for, their chemistry works well and you believe the passion and the love.” — For the Love of Reading (3.5/5)

Giveaways and Winners

We had some great giveaways in April, including one print copy giveaway of HAWTHORNE which amassed 290 entries! There’s another giveaway open through May 11 (click here) and many more blog hops coming right here. How can you be the next to score? I’m glad you asked! The easiest way to win is to subscribe to my blog **by email** in the box at the top of the left hand side bar and you’ll be automatically entered in my weekly gift card giveaways. (For full details, click here.) I also participate in a number of blog hops, and when they’re open to entries you’ll find the graphics in the side bar. Be sure to check back often for a shot at the good stuff!

Easy Stalking Guide (AKA Linkage)

Are you following me? Am I following you? (Are we going in circles?) Let’s connect!

FACEBOOK | FACEBOOK FAN PAGE | TWITTER | GOODREADS

Comments? Questions?

If you have any comments or questions or would like to be a guest on my blog, please don’t hesitate to ask! I can’t say I don’t bite (just ask my husband), but I *can* say I don’t bite well from a distance. ;c)

 

“A Bodyguard of Lies” with Donna Del Oro … and a G!ft for Everyone!

For more info on this thrilling suspense, click the book cover image.

I’m pleased to welcome back Donna Del Oro, and she has brought with her an extremely generous offer. If you’d like to find out how you can get one of her books for FREE, simply read to the end of the interview. In the meantime, settle in and join us for some rather fascinating conversation. If you’re not familiar with her book, this will blow you away.

Welcome, Donna! You’re here to talk about your release, A BODYGUARD OF LIES, but before we jump in, I’d love for readers to know about your dedication to keeping your stories real. Can you tell us about your trip to Mexico’s border town Nuevo Laredo? (Yikes!)

To do some research for my first book, a women’s fiction novel with a Latina heroine, I drove from San Antonio, Texas with my sister, Gloria, to the bordertown of Nuevo Laredo. This was in 2005 before the bordertowns became more violent and dangerous. Even then, we were warned to be careful and not go into bad areas, to stay in the touristy, downtown section. Which we did. We walked across the Rio Bravo, as the Mexicans call it, and had lunch and shopped a little. Then we saw a pickup truck loaded with men in civilian clothes. The men in the bed of the truck all carried Uzi-looking machine guns. I asked someone who they were, and he said, “No son federales.” Meaning, they weren’t the state police; they were drug cartel militia, the Zetas, on patrol. So Gloria and I decided it was time to leave and we hurried across the border back to Texas. It was scary and I don’t think I’ll do anything that bold or stupid again while researching for one of my novels. The scene in the Zetas’ saloon, however, conveyed the kind of fear I felt. So in a sense, the “boots-on-the-ground” research was very helpful.

I’m pretty sure I just sprouted a new crop of gray hair reading that, although the writer in me has to agree the experience had to be phenomenal for authorly purposes. *gnaws fingernails* On to A BODYGUARD OF LIES. Can you introduce our readers to the story?

BODYGUARD is a blend of spy fiction, mystery and thriller with a romantic subplot. Jake Bernstein, a Jewish American FBI analyst, is recruited by MI-5 to go undercover and investigate a naturalized American citizen, an elderly grandmother suspected of World War II war crimes. MI-5 believe her to be a notorious Nazi spy never caught by the Allies during the war. They believe her to be responsible for the deaths of thousands of soldiers and civilians in Europe, so they are anxious to see justice prevail. Jake begins the assignment, thinking the grandmother is most likely a harmless, cranky old woman. Little does he know…

I’m blown away by the depth here. Your plot has such incredible layers. What made you decide to write a story along these lines . . . or did the story decide for you?

Well, I’ve always been a student of World War II. I used to watch the old “World at War” TV series with my father, who fought in the Pacific campaign during the war. And I’ve loved espionage thrillers ever since I read Ken Follett’s THE DAY OF THE JACKAL and THE EYE OF THE NEEDLE. I’ve always wanted to write my own spy novel, so this was a kind of hybrid spy, mystery-thriller with a little romance thrown in. Jake finds himself falling in love/lust with the suspect’s beautiful grand-daughter, Meg, who doesn’t know the truth about her grandmother. The themes of moral ambiguity and the need for justice and retribution are dominant themes of this story.

Here’s what NY Times bestselling author, Brenda Novak, has to say about A BODYGUARD OF LIES:

“The past and the present collide in this intriguing romantic thriller that captures the angst and pain a lifetime of lies can cause. The complex plot combines politics, romance and history. This story positively captivates!”

–BRENDA NOVAK, NY Times bestselling author of romantic suspense, March, 2012

I am still absolutely shaking my head at the complexity of your plot, and I mean that as a high compliment. I can’t imagine what it took to write, but it must be such a unbelievable experience for readers. What draws you to the suspense genre?

It’s the only genre that holds my full attention as a reader and a writer.

That’s a great reason! What might readers be surprised to learn about the plot or characters of A BODYGUARD OF LIES.

Probably that even Nazi spies were human, too. I inserted a couple of chapters written in the spy’s POV so that the reader could understand the circumstances of the war, the need on both sides for expert intelligence, and understand how a German woman of that time could do what she did.

I think I become more intrigued with each of your answers, and that’s a great point. It’s hard to personalize people most of us have grown up villainizing, so I’m quite interested in how you accomplished that. Okay, let’s have some fun with A BODYGUARD OF LIES. What’s the first sentence?

Well, let’s toss in the first couple of sentences.

“In wartime, truth is so precious that she should always be attended by a bodyguard of lies.” –Winston Churchill

Prologue

June, 1940

The four-decker ferry tossed about in the Irish Sea. Clare Eberhard, keeping her sea legs, stood and peeked through the curtains of stateroom number five. It was dark and the rain lashed the window with unleashed fury. She glanced at her watch. It was time.

WOW, what a hook! What’s your favorite line in the book?

“Lady Justice may be blind but she has a long memory.”   Some of the WWII generation is still alive and I bet they understand this quote.  The Jewish Defense League and others involved in finding the perpetrators of the Holocaust would also understand. Finally, even Jake comes around to understanding this human need for justice.

A simple but profound statement. How about an excerpt … three sentences long! Yep, that’s it. Three!

Okay, here goes:

“She was no longer Clare Eberhard. No longer the Wehrmacht trainee, code named Hummingbird.  She was no longer Katy O’Donnell with her fake documents.”

That brings many questions to mind, Donna. Great excerpt! Which scene of A BODYGUARD OF LIES was most difficult for you to write? Why?

Strangely enough, not the WW II scenes written in the Nazi spy’s POV.  I found myself completely understanding her and her motives. Writing from a man’s POV is very challenging. I have to think like a man, assume a different attitude and, of course, talk like a man. Fortunately, I’ve read a lot of books, including thrillers, written by a variety of male authors. Getting inside Jake’s head was quite an adventure!

LOL! Which scene of A BODYGUARD OF LIES would you most like to experience for yourself? From whose POV?

Ha, probably the love scene between Jake and Meg. Oh, yeah! I’m not THAT old!

LMAO! What’s next for you?

I’m beginning to do research on the sequel to BODYGUARD. Another Jake Bernstein thriller, only this time he goes undercover in Silicon Valley with the San Jose FBI counter-terrorism task force. One of the mosques in Santa Clara, the FBI discovered later, funneled money to Al-Qaeda before 9-11.  Within a mile of where I used to live! Unbelievable, what goes on beneath our own noses.  It’s espionage in its most evil form right in our own back yards!

Wow, that is incredible. You have some of the most amazing plots, Donna, and here’s a closer look at one of ‘em.

A BODYGUARD OF LIES | about & links

A BODYGUARD OF LIES (release: Jan. 13th) has a dual setting, a contemporary one and a WWII/London setting. It’s a blend of romance, mystery and WWII espionage. I researched it while in England, Ireland and Germany in 2009. The story involves a Jewish-American FBI analyst, who’s recruited by MI-5 to go undercover and investigate a naturalized American grandmother. The elderly woman is suspected by MI-5 of being a notorious Nazi spy never caught by the Allies during the war, who caused the deaths of thousands and is wanted for war crimes. Jake Bernstein runs into a series of unexpected obstacles and complications: This spy knows a secret that could endanger the royal family; the old woman has a beautiful granddaughter who threatens to derail his investigation; a neo-Nazi group in Ireland known as the Celtic Wolves; and a clever, cagey old woman who’s not as weak as she looks.

MORE INFO & BUY @ MUSA PUBLISHING

DONNA DEL ORO | about the author

Donna Del Oro spent her childhood in two places, Silicon Valley, CA and the countryside of East Texas, as her father tried several job opportunities. Finally settling in Silicon Valley, she grew up in a bilingual, bicultural world–Spanish on her mother’s side and English on her father’s. Comfortable in both worlds, she decided upon retiring from teaching to write about her Hispanic side. Four women’s fiction books resulted and a series about professional singers, their careers and love lives. Retired and devoting much of her abundant free time to exercise, writing, singing and her grandson, Donna has finally reached a point in life that totally satisfies her. Life is good and she has no complaints, just a lot of gratitude for her many blessings.

More Info @ Website | Facebook

**Request a Free Book**

Donna is giving you *all* a chance to get a copy of her *award winning* debut release OPERATION FAMILIA for *free!* To request the book, read A BODYGUARD OF LIES and leave a review on Amazon, then contact Donna with a link to your review. Awesome, right? *grins*

I’d like to thank Donna for her time today, as well as all of you for being here with us. I hope you’ve enjoyed this look at A BODYGUARD OF LIES. Have a fantastic day!

 

E. Jamie’s Unforgettable “We’ll Meet Again”

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Click image for a heartwarming, sensual affair you won’t soon forget!

I can’t tell you what a huge fan I am of E. Jamie. She snagged me through Six Sentence Sunday with excerpts from WE’LL MEET AGAIN, so I’m thrilled she brought it with her today so you all can get acquainted with both book and author. I absolutely devoured this book and I can honestly say it’s one of the most beautiful stories I’ve read (note to self: review it!). I sincerely hope you will find equal enchantment with this wonderful story … and the author behind it. Shall we?

Welcome, E. Jamie! It’s so great to have you here. Can you tell us a little about how you became a writer? When and why did you decide to pursue publication?

Firstly, I’d like to say thanks for letting me play in your sandbox today. I’m such a HUGE fan of your work and hope some of your awesomeness shall rub off on me today!

(Sarah: totally blushing. Just totally.)

I started writing when I was 11! I was that kid with a notebook in my lap ‘pretending’ to take notes while really I was writing stories to entertain my fellow classmates. I’d share pages with them and they’d love it and ask for more… they especially liked the naughty parts. Hmm. Funny that. (smiles) That kind of feedback led me to believe I could actually do this for a living someday. It wasn’t until 2000 though that I actually gathered up enough guts to start submitting.

You’ve put together an impressive portfolio since then! If you could change something, or go back and learn something sooner than you did, what would it be?

Writing wise, it would be that promotion is going to take up almost as much, if not more, of your time than the actual writing will! And to start promoting that book before it even gets published. WIP’s are incredibly powerful promotional tools to draw readers to YOU, then YOUR BOOK.

That’s how you got me with WE’LL MEET AGAIN, lol! And speaking of it, can you introduce us to the story? Tell us something we won’t learn from the blurb!

We’ll Meet Again is a story about an American nurse, Cassie Atherton and an English captain, James Harrison who meet during WW2. They fall in love while she’s nursing him after he’s wounded. Major problem though, Cassie is engaged to somebody else! Major MAJOR problem, when James returns to duty, he meets Cassie’s fiancée and when they’re stuck in a POW camp, they become best friends. Much angst, passion and heartbreak ensues.  Let’s see, something you won’t learn from the blurb… James ALSO has an ex flame who comes back into the picture and makes Cassie’s life miserable.

That was a most interesting complication, indeed! I have to tell you (E. Jamie and readers alike), the emotional struggles of Cassie and James once the love triangle surfaces is so incredibly heart wrenching and real. It’s just beautifully written! Okay, I’d better quit babbling before I give something away, LOL, but how about a scoop from you? What might readers be surprised to learn about the plot or characters of WE’LL MEET AGAIN?

Maybe that I plan for both of James’ siblings, Eric and Whilemina to have their own books someday. That came as a surprised to me!

I can absolutely see them with their own titles! Let’s have some fun with WE’LL MEET AGAIN. What’s the first sentence?

“Come on, Cassie,” Ginny called out , popping her head in the ward.” I’m amused that the first line isn’t even from James or Cassie!

LOL! That is funny! (Ginny can’t say she didn’t have her moment, at least. *grins*) What’s your favorite line in the book?

“And Cassandra, don’t ever ask me again if I feel anything for you. Not ever, unless you want me to dishonor myself and prove it to you.” Guh! How’s that for restrained passion. That line just gives me the happy shivers. That sums of James character perfectly. Honor is everything to him. It’s an annoying habit and one I gleefully went about him struggle with in his love for Cassie.

I actually remember that line. I think it has the same effect on me—a funny little feeling in my chest. I just hear his voice sort of low and dangerous when he says it, too. While I cool off (LOL), how about an excerpt … three sentences long! Yep, that’s it. Three!

You are EVIL!  ”Oh believe me, I’ve called it every name under the sun: infatuation, a crush. But the fact is that I have felt all those things in my life but I have never felt for anyone, anyone–do you understand what I’m saying, James, anyone–what I feel for you. And that is why I’m out here bawling like the stupid twit that I am, because it’s all so ridiculously hopeless I could just throw myself off this damn balcony.”

Evil? Moi? LOL. Seriously, I cannot imagine having to deal with her feelings, but you do a wonderful job of creating strong characters so your readers really feel the struggle as if it’s their own. Which scene of the story was most difficult for you to write? Why?

Probably the scene/scenes with Cassie, James and Phillip in Paris. I kept trying to postpone what happens!

I can definitely see that. (For readers not in the know, suffice to say it’s a huge turning point in the story.) Which scene would you most like to experience for yourself? From whose POV?

James and Cassie in the cottage. (purrs)

LMAO! Yes, that was INSANELY hot—talk about building tension to the point of explosion! *fans self* What inspired the title of WE’LL MEET AGAIN?

We’ll Meet Again was inspired by the war-time ballad by Vera Lynn of the same name.

It’s the perfect title for the story, too! Before we leave off with the blurb, can you tell us what you’re currently working on? 

I’m working on a post civil war erotic romance called Wanted featuring a yummy cowboy and a spoiled plantation owner’s daughter. I’ve also got a contemporary erotic romance coming out this week called The Vendetta which is the first book in the Blood Vows trilogy. Then I’m going to polish up Book 2 of the Resistance trilogy. Book One is called The Arrangement and it’s also set during WW2. LOVE that era!

And you write it *so* well. I’m looking forward to more reading time with your books. ;c) And speaking of reading, I hope some of our readers out there will be compelled to check out a truly amazing book. Here’s a bit more about it.

[image error]WE’LL MEET AGAIN | blurb & links

It’s 1943; Cassie Atherton’s fiancé Phillip Davis is fighting in the war, and she is doing her part as an American nurse in England. When nursing a seriously injured English captain named Edward James Harrison, Cassie suddenly finds herself truly in love for the very first time. Instantly drawn to each other, Cassie tries to resist James’s shameless flirting but the two of them grow close during his convalescence. They know their futures lie elsewhere but neither expect their parting to come when the unexpected death of her father calls Cassie back home. James returns to active duty and ends up on a mission with Phillip in Japan, where both men are captured. Their joint suffering in the POW camp under Lieutenant Dai bonds them as the best of friends.

They manage to escape, and Phillip brings James with him when he returns to Boston and Cassie, not being aware that the two already know each other. Torn between friendship and love, honor and passion, against a backdrop of violence and historical upheaval, Cassie and James try to fight a love that refuses to be denied.

MORE INFO & BUY @ NOBLE ROMANCE | AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE

E. JAMIE | bio & linkage

A self confessed ‘city girl’ E. Jamie lives in Toronto Canada and loves roaming the streets of her vibrant city to feed her muse. It’s a good day when she discovers a new book store or antique shop on her walks. She loves penning passionate tales that leave the bedroom door wide open! She enjoys writing across all erotic sub genres from contemporary to historicals! But readers love her cowboys best so she is currently hard at work on a new Western featuring her hottest cowboy yet! In her spare time she wishes she had more time to read, explore her city, watch TV and dish up some delicious creations. Cooking feeds both the culinary and writing muse and she is also going to be working on a non-fiction cookbook soon! She’s always thrilled to hear from her readers at her website www.ejamie.net

STALK @ WEBSITE | BLOG | FACEBOOK | TWITTER

E. Jamie, it has been an honor to have you here today, and I have to thank you for introducing me to a “new” era of historical romance, which I now *adore.* Readers, thank you all so much for joining us. I hope you’ll take a moment to check out E. Jamie’s links—authors love stalking! (The legal, harmless kind, that is. LOL.) Have a fantastic day, everyone!

Robin Badillo’s “Midnight Beckoning” Up for Grabs!

Feel the pull? Learn more about MIDNIGHT BECKONING by clicking the image!

I met Robin Badillo through Twitter and was immediately drawn to her. Then, when I stalked her bio for this interview, I figured it must have been something in the radar because her rowdy household full of kids and stray gray hairs sounds *so* much like mine, it feels good just to know her, LOL. At any rate, I think you guys are really going to like her and I’m so pleased to introduce you to her today. She came bearing gifts, too, as there’s an e-copy of MIDNIGHT BECKONING up for grabs. Details follow the interview, so let’s get to it!

Robin, you may not know it yet, but we’ve totally bonded. We each have a *whole* lotta kids who give us gray hair and we write to escape the madness that is life. Isn’t it SUBLIME? *grins* Okay, that’s not the real question, lol. Let’s go with this: What triggered your writing career?

My writing career stemmed from a need to have the ‘happily ever afters’ I always imagined for other books that didn’t deliver. After complaining to a friend of mine that I wished certain stories would have gone in other directions, she agreed and told me the only way to remedy it would be to write my own. The rest is history.

What a cool story! Do you write in a particular genre or do you write across several? Can you tell us about your backlist?

Initially, I started with paranormal romance, which led to southern contemporary stories and, believe it or not, I’ve just christened my alter ego, Tyler Robbins, and will soon have a M/M erotic story published. I suppose you could say I’m dipping my proverbial quill in several ink wells and loving every minute of it.

Oooh, I love the way you think! ;c) What about our featured title? Can you introduce us to the book? Give us a scoop we won’t find in the blurb!

Midnight Beckoning offers a particular situation I have a soft spot for…love triangles. Temptation is a true test and when the chemistry is there as well as good intentions, it’s so much fun to see what fate decides for the hero and heroine.

This tasty story has it all:  Vampires, Damphyr, Incubi, legends and folklore and a couple other surprises along the way.

As far as a scoop? As with most of my books, paranormal or not, there is always a twist and of I did my job, you won’t see it coming.

You had me at “love triangle,” LOL! But what a fascinating line-up of  Let’s have some fun with MIDNIGHT BECKONING. What’s the first sentence?

The first sentence of chapter one:

The deafening sound of shattering glass yielded to an eerie silence and clouds of settling dust and debris.

Excellent hook! I can’t imagine anyone not wanting to read what comes after that. Let’s reel ‘em in with an excerpt … three sentences long! Yep, that’s it. Three!

This excerpt is said by Ford, the hero, to Lauren, the object of his affection:

“You make me insane, furious and every intense emotion left in the dictionary.” He kissed her softly. “But you also make me feel weak, clumsy and useless.”

Oh, gosh, isn’t that how we all want our men? (Maybe not verbatim “useless”—we don’t want the guys out there taking this too literally, LOL.) Which scene of MIDNIGHT BECKONING was most difficult for you to write? Why?

The final battle scene was the most difficult. It was hard because I never take the loss of a character easy and goodbyes are never fun. I hope that isn’t a spoiler.

It’s intriguing is what it is, LOL! Which scene would you most like to experience for yourself? From whose POV?

I would love to experience the opening scene in chapter one from Lauren’s point of view. All heck is breaking loose and the hero, Ford, rushes in to save the day. Who wouldn’t want some tall dark and menacing Damphyr King to bust in and whisk you away on his back to keep flying hell demons from killing you? Very sexy!

Sexy indeed! What inspired the title of MIDNIGHT BECKONING?

In this story the main Damphyr have a gift of connecting to one another in their dreams. After all, in this story, human women are impregnated by incubi in their sleep and awaken thinking it was all just a dream.

Ford is able to find Lauren when she comes to him in her own dreams, beckoning him to find her, even though they have never met.

What a great plot thread! (And since my husband and I were surprised by our sixth child *after* I had my tubes tied, I bet he’d love this as an excuse so I can stop blaming him, LOL.) Okay, Robin, before we go, can you tell us what’s next for you?

I have a release coming very soon from Evernight Publishing. This will be published under my pen name, Tyler Robbins. “Beyond Honor” is a M/M erotic romance based on the repeal of the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy of the US military and takes place in Texas.

As far as current works in progress, I have a paranormal /vampire story and another southern romance involving undercover police officers and a serial killer. I like to keep y’all guessing. You’ll never know what I’ll come up with next.

I love serial killers! (Well, in terms of plottage, LOL.) It sounds like your readers are treated to a huge variety from you. On that note, here’s a closer look at MIDNIGHT BECKONING.

MIDNIGHT BECKONING | blurb

Damphyr, Ford Lenox had waited three hundred years for an ancient prophecy to be fulfilled allowing his destined mate to assume her rightful place at his side.

And that day has come…

Lauren Neil had no idea that the damphyr lurking beneath her human surface was about to be unleashed, and no idea that her greatest enemy would be the incubus who sired her.

Even a match made in heaven, may have to go through hell to survive!

MORE INFO & BUY @ eXtasy Books | Amazon

ROBIN BADILLO | bio & linkage

Robin Badillo, who lives in a small Texas town and is the mother of four nearly grown kids, two boys and two girls.

Although not the stereotypical writer with a stubborn, fluffy cat, who listens adamantly to her ramblings, she does have two pups named Maxie and Chino who provide tons of comical relief.

Robin enjoys stepping out of her comfort zone and pushes the envelope on the stories she writes every chance she gets. She hopes her readers are just as thrilled as she is with the chances she’s taking.

Always the optimist, Robin is a firm believer that grey hair is merely God’s graffiti!

LINKAGE @ Website/Blog |Publisher Author Page |Amazon Author Page

Facebook Fan Page | Twitter | Goodreads

**Giveaway**

As promised, Robin brought an ecopy of MIDNIGHT BECKONING to give to one lucky reader. The winner will be chosen at random—just be sure to leave your email address when you comment—but for fun, since Robin and I both have a bunch of kids, let us know how many kids you have or how many brothers and sisters you grew up with. I’m an only child and my husband has one sister (seven years younger) and we ended up with six kids—I wonder if the generations normally flipflop like that? LOL. Thank you all so much for being here. Robin, it’s been a blast! Have a wonderful day, everyone!

Robin Badillio’s “Midnight Beckoning” Up for Grabs!

Feel the pull? Learn more about MIDNIGHT BECKONING by clicking the image!

I met Robin Badillo through Twitter and was immediately drawn to her. Then, when I stalked her bio for this interview, I figured it must have been something in the radar because her rowdy household full of kids and stray gray hairs sounds *so* much like mine, it feels good just to know her, LOL. At any rate, I think you guys are really going to like her and I’m so pleased to introduce you to her today. She came bearing gifts, too, as there’s an e-copy of MIDNIGHT BECKONING up for grabs. Details follow the interview, so let’s get to it!

Robin, you may not know it yet, but we’ve totally bonded. We each have a *whole* lotta kids who give us gray hair and we write to escape the madness that is life. Isn’t it SUBLIME? *grins* Okay, that’s not the real question, lol. Let’s go with this: What triggered your writing career?

My writing career stemmed from a need to have the ‘happily ever afters’ I always imagined for other books that didn’t deliver. After complaining to a friend of mine that I wished certain stories would have gone in other directions, she agreed and told me the only way to remedy it would be to write my own. The rest is history.

What a cool story! Do you write in a particular genre or do you write across several? Can you tell us about your backlist?

Initially, I started with paranormal romance, which led to southern contemporary stories and, believe it or not, I’ve just christened my alter ego, Tyler Robbins, and will soon have a M/M erotic story published. I suppose you could say I’m dipping my proverbial quill in several ink wells and loving every minute of it.

Oooh, I love the way you think! ;c) What about our featured title? Can you introduce us to the book? Give us a scoop we won’t find in the blurb!

Midnight Beckoning offers a particular situation I have a soft spot for…love triangles. Temptation is a true test and when the chemistry is there as well as good intentions, it’s so much fun to see what fate decides for the hero and heroine.

This tasty story has it all:  Vampires, Damphyr, Incubi, legends and folklore and a couple other surprises along the way.

As far as a scoop? As with most of my books, paranormal or not, there is always a twist and of I did my job, you won’t see it coming.

You had me at “love triangle,” LOL! But what a fascinating line-up of  Let’s have some fun with MIDNIGHT BECKONING. What’s the first sentence?

The first sentence of chapter one:

The deafening sound of shattering glass yielded to an eerie silence and clouds of settling dust and debris.

Excellent hook! I can’t imagine anyone not wanting to read what comes after that. Let’s reel ‘em in with an excerpt … three sentences long! Yep, that’s it. Three!

This excerpt is said by Ford, the hero, to Lauren, the object of his affection:

“You make me insane, furious and every intense emotion left in the dictionary.” He kissed her softly. “But you also make me feel weak, clumsy and useless.”

Oh, gosh, isn’t that how we all want our men? (Maybe not verbatim “useless”—we don’t want the guys out there taking this too literally, LOL.) Which scene of MIDNIGHT BECKONING was most difficult for you to write? Why?

The final battle scene was the most difficult. It was hard because I never take the loss of a character easy and goodbyes are never fun. I hope that isn’t a spoiler.

It’s intriguing is what it is, LOL! Which scene would you most like to experience for yourself? From whose POV?

I would love to experience the opening scene in chapter one from Lauren’s point of view. All heck is breaking loose and the hero, Ford, rushes in to save the day. Who wouldn’t want some tall dark and menacing Damphyr King to bust in and whisk you away on his back to keep flying hell demons from killing you? Very sexy!

Sexy indeed! What inspired the title of MIDNIGHT BECKONING?

In this story the main Damphyr have a gift of connecting to one another in their dreams. After all, in this story, human women are impregnated by incubi in their sleep and awaken thinking it was all just a dream.

Ford is able to find Lauren when she comes to him in her own dreams, beckoning him to find her, even though they have never met.

What a great plot thread! (And since my husband and I were surprised by our sixth child *after* I had my tubes tied, I bet he’d love this as an excuse so I can stop blaming him, LOL.) Okay, Robin, before we go, can you tell us what’s next for you?

I have a release coming very soon from Evernight Publishing. This will be published under my pen name, Tyler Robbins. “Beyond Honor” is a M/M erotic romance based on the repeal of the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy of the US military and takes place in Texas.

As far as current works in progress, I have a paranormal /vampire story and another southern romance involving undercover police officers and a serial killer. I like to keep y’all guessing. You’ll never know what I’ll come up with next.

I love serial killers! (Well, in terms of plottage, LOL.) It sounds like your readers are treated to a huge variety from you. On that note, here’s a closer look at MIDNIGHT BECKONING.

MIDNIGHT BECKONING | blurb

Damphyr, Ford Lenox had waited three hundred years for an ancient prophecy to be fulfilled allowing his destined mate to assume her rightful place at his side.

And that day has come…

Lauren Neil had no idea that the damphyr lurking beneath her human surface was about to be unleashed, and no idea that her greatest enemy would be the incubus who sired her.

Even a match made in heaven, may have to go through hell to survive!

MORE INFO & BUY @ eXtasy Books | Amazon

ROBIN BADILLO | bio & linkage

Robin Badillo, who lives in a small Texas town and is the mother of four nearly grown kids, two boys and two girls.

Although not the stereotypical writer with a stubborn, fluffy cat, who listens adamantly to her ramblings, she does have two pups named Maxie and Chino who provide tons of comical relief.

Robin enjoys stepping out of her comfort zone and pushes the envelope on the stories she writes every chance she gets. She hopes her readers are just as thrilled as she is with the chances she’s taking.

Always the optimist, Robin is a firm believer that grey hair is merely God’s graffiti!

LINKAGE @ Website/Blog |Publisher Author Page |Amazon Author Page

Facebook Fan Page | Twitter | Goodreads

**Giveaway**

As promised, Robin brought an ecopy of MIDNIGHT BECKONING to give to one lucky reader. The winner will be chosen at random—just be sure to leave your email address when you comment—but for fun, since Robin and I both have a bunch of kids, let us know how many kids you have or how many brothers and sisters you grew up with. I’m an only child and my husband has one sister (seven years younger) and we ended up with six kids—I wonder if the generations normally flipflop like that? LOL. Thank you all so much for being here. Robin, it’s been a blast! Have a wonderful day, everyone!

04.29.12 #SixSunday with Tide of Lies

Thrilling new romantic suspense! Click image for several electronic formats, including PDF and Kindle/Nook files.

TIDE OF LIES is *now available* from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Noble Romance! And for the scoop on the unsolved murders leading to the lies, check out FAMILIAR LIGHT, on sale for $1.50.

ARGH! So many spoilers near the end of this book! (I’ve had to skip a lot, lol). Last week Holden found out who had Julia, and now the heat is on. He’s just arrived at the spot he’s convinced harbors the woman he loves … and a cold-blooded killer.

(BLEEP)’s house, a modest cottage two blocks in from the ocean, was meticulous . . . and horribly at rest. Whatever Holden expected, it wasn’t the quiet “normal” of daily life on an unsuspecting street, but there was little else to describe the secret hamlet. It lounged in the bright sun, a decorative flag holding court among a line of hanging baskets teeming with summer blooms. There was no lawn—this close to the ocean, landscaping consisted of little more than shifting sand—but a border of sea grasses swished along each edge of the concrete drive.

The absurd irony of a murderer inside those picturesque walls was sick. Horribly sick.

MORE INFO @ Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or Noble Romance

Enjoy your Sunday six sentences at a time!  To see other participating authors, click here.

04.28.2012 #SweetSat Samples: Unforgiven

Riley Beckett's past just came back to haunt her ... and this time he's got a gun. UNFORGIVEN ... click image.

Congratulations to mckymsmm(at)etc, this week’s gift card winner! If you’d like to be eligible for my weekly giveaways of a $10 gift card to Noble Romance or $5 to Amazon or Barnes & Noble (winner’s choice), simply subscribe by email using the box to your left. You’ll be automatically entered every week for as long as you remain a subscriber.

Gage and Riley were once lovers, but a deadly twist of fate tore them apart. Now, one year later, they’re thrown together by a murder in which Gage was the intended victim and Riley is wanted for the crime.

Last week, devastated by Gage’s lie, Riley took his truck without a word of protest from Gage. Now he’s stranded, and he’s just listened to a voicemail from his boss, Maverick, indicating they’ve hit yet another dead end.

Perfect. Gage ended the call, determined there was no future for him in investigation. Two solid days of trying to figure out why his brother was dead and Riley a target, and all Gage had was a pile of random facts and a long walk home.

And memories of loving Riley that would have to sustain him for a long time to come, because she didn’t look in the mood for forgiveness.

But first things first. She was still wanted by the law, and after dragging her into this mess, he at least wanted to set her free from it. Whatever that meant.

Whatever it took.

BUY @ NOBLE ROMANCE | AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE

For more Sweet Saturday clean excerpts, click here.

UNFORGIVEN

Riley Beckett’s past just came back to haunt her . . . and this time, he’s got a gun.

When Gage Lawton finds his brother shot dead on his back porch, every shred of evidence points to one person: Gage’s former lover, Riley. He and she didn’t part ways on good terms, and he’s not planning to rekindle anything now–not when he’s got a revolver pointed at her head and a finger on the trigger.

A year after Riley swore she and Gage were over, he returns in a hail of gunfire. One look into those achingly familiar blue eyes and she knows how wrong she was to let him go, but now far more than their heated past stands in the way. A twist of fate puts them in the crosshairs of a killer, leaving Riley with two slim options:  trust her greatest betrayer or face a murderer on her own.

BUY @ NOBLE ROMANCE | AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE

Review: “Some Like it in Handcuffs” by Christine Warner

For more information, please click image.

Don’t let the title fool you: Christine Warner’s debut release SOME LIKE IT IN HANDCUFFS isn’t hardcore. To the contrary, this delightful romantic suspense, full of unforgettable humor, absolutely sizzles with a slow, sensual burn and characters who positively leap from the page.

Sunny Kennedy’s off-the-record investigation of a cold case murder takes a heated turn when she’s hauled to the police station in handcuffs, her only crime being  a woman in a family full of men. Her father and brothers—all police detectives—want her off the case, but she’d determined to seek justice for a man who still grieves the loss of his daughter, years after her death. Her brothers think she’s asking for trouble and won’t be able to handle herself when the aforementioned trouble arrives. She’s not on board with their assessment, but to appease the manfolk—and ensure her access to police records—she agrees to work with Judson Blackwolf, a behemoth detective in a hot bod with baggage of his own.

Judson already lost one partner on a case, so when Sunny insists on keeping her undercover gig tending bar, neck deep in murder suspects, he insists otherwise. But Judson gets a fast taste of Sunny’s dogged determination when she sneaks off to work anyway. Not to be outdone—or outsmarted—he shows up, playing the ex who can’t let her go—a stint that quickly leads to real fireworks. As the tension heats up, so do those protective instincts, and before they know it, threads of real emotion have them both tied in knots.

The suspense is thick, suspects plentiful. It’s not often the reader is genuinely enamored with the purported bad guy, but with a couple of great twists it’s hard to know who to suspect . . . or who to trust. Sunny’s close interaction with the major players might skew her judgment, or does it? Judson’s objectivity is a nice balance to her belief in the prime suspect’s innocence, the banter fast and furious when Judson questions her defense of a man who has for years carried the burden of presumed guilt.

And just when you think you have it all figured out, you better think again. The truth is definitely in the details, and even down to the wire, things aren’t always what they seem, and sometimes help comes from the most surprising places.

Christine Warner’s debut release delivers with a feisty heroine and a hero who proves to be her ultimate match. Packed with breathtaking suspense, sizzling with sensuality,  and doused in humor, SOME LIKE IT IN HANDCUFFS is a must read for lovers of romance and suspense.

MORE INFO & BUY @

THE WILD ROSE PRESS | AMAZON (PAPERBACK) | BARNES & NOBLE

Q&A with Ruby Lioness Press

Today I’m again welcoming Ruby Lioness Press. Marissa Dobson is here to give readers a look at the press and what they can expect from their titles. (A quick note to readers: if a cover you see here catches your eye, click it for more information on the book.)There’s also a few links for authors with story ideas they’d like to pitch to RLP, so if you’re an author (or aspire to be) hang tight to find out how you can join the Ruby Lioness family. Now, on to the interview.

Marissa, welcome back! Thanks for being here. Can you tell our readers a bit about Ruby Lioness Press?  What prompted the creation of the house, and when was it founded?

Ruby Lioness Press is a new publishing house that publishes pretty much everything. Angelique Mroczka (Angie) and I started this house when we noticed a need for it. Ruby Lioness Press puts our authors first, without them we wouldn’t be in business in the first place.

Fantastic policy! What types of books will readers find there?

We publish all genres. At this time you will find romance is our most forefront genre but we have a number of young adult novels coming soon. As well as mystery, erotica, and more.

See that, readers? No excuse not to drop in, LOL! Marissa, what sets Ruby Lioness Press apart from other publishers?

We market the books. We work with the authors to set up book tours, send out reviews, set up local book signings, etc. Getting the books out there is the only way you are going to find the readers. Letting it set on the bookshelf (or virtual shelf) isn’t going to help the author.

We want every author to be happy with the final project. We don’t want our authors putting their name on something they aren’t completely happy with. We do our best to make their book shine.

Marketing for your authors is HUGE, and something I’m sure your authors appreciate. How often do you release new books?  Which formats can readers find at Ruby Lioness Press?

At this time we are releasing one book a week. Our books come in all formats and are on all sites.

That’s fabulous, especially considering some readers are partial to certain vendors. Any releases (or upcoming releases) you’d like to highlight?

Ruby Lioness Press has a multi author series, the Clearwater series. We recently just released our first book in the series, Winterbloom by Marissa Dobson (link- http://rubylionesspress.com/shop/winterbloom/) and the next book in the series Finding Home by Lacey Wolfe releases May 11th.

We have a number of wonderful authors involved in this series so far and more I’m sure to come. You can find our websites here (http://clearwaterrlp.wordpress.com/ ) and our facebook pages here (https://www.facebook.com/ClearwaterSeries )

I’ve checked out the series page and I have to say it’s a really cool concept. ;c) What’s next for Ruby Lioness Press?

We are currently hosting a live pitch session, http://dlindunauthor.blogspot.com/ and we are also accepting pitches via email (marissa@rubylionesspress.com) and this form https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dHBZSnRBNTYtWVBtRlphVWFTOEd1V0E6MQ

Awesome! And on that note, if an author is interested in learning more about submitting to Ruby Lioness Press, what does he or she need to know? What types of stories are you seeking?

Ruby Lioness Press is always open to new authors and stories. We are currently seeking to add some novellas to our upcoming lineup. You can find our submission guidelines here… http://rubylionesspress.com/submissions/ and you can contact me at marissa@rubylionesspress.com

Other links are:

Ruby Lioness Press Website – www.rubylionesspress.com

Ruby Lioness Press Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/pages/Ruby-Lioness-Press/279190975451409

Ruby Lioness Press Twitter – https://twitter.com/#!/RubyLionessPres

Clearwater Website – http://clearwaterrlp.wordpress.com/

Clearwater Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/ClearwaterSeries

You can also contact me at marissa@rubylionesspress.com

Lots of great info here for readers and authors alike! Thanks so much for sharing this, Marissa. Readers, if you have any questions about Ruby Lioness Press feel free to leave them in the comment section or email Marissa directly. Thank you all for being here today!

R. Renee Vickers: “Chasing Ashes” and Writing Out Child Abuse

Today I welcome back my ol’ pal R. Renee Vickers — yes, musey-poo herself — to talk about her upcoming WOCA release, CHASING ASHES. And how much do I love that title? I wish I’d thought of it first, but I’ve got to say, it fits the serious subject matter perfectly. I hope you guys will join me in learning more about Renee’s story and the cause she’s supporting by penning this emotional tale.

Welcome back, Renee! You’re working on a special project right now—WOCA, or Writing Out Child Abuse—and while I know it’s not yet available, I’d love for you to tell our readers about the charity.

Thanks for having me back to your pad, Sarah! It’s always a fun time hanging with you. And thank you so much to taking time out of your schedule to shine light on this worthy endeavor. WOCA is a project near and dear to my heart and I’m hoping that our passion for helping victims and survivors of child support is infectious!

Absolutely! What drove you to write a book for this cause? When can readers expect charity titles to become available?

J.S. Wayne is a great project pitcher. He uses his amazing super-Swedish-Chef spatula flinging ability to shock and awe… no really, all he had to do was tell me what he had in mind and I was on board. I made it through my childhood with minimal scars (thank goodness) but as a parent I often think of the what-ifs when it comes to children’s safety.  So participating in a project that could help raise awareness and aid victims and survivors was a no brainer.

I absolutely agree with you there. J.S. had me convinced to join up from moment one (only I write slow and am still working on it, lol) and as a parent it is *so* hard not to wonder and what-if. That’s one reason I think this story will resonate with readers of all backgrounds. We all want to keep our babies (and grandbabies) safe!  You’re here to tell us about CHASING ASHES. Can you introduce us to the story?

I’m not going to lie, this was a difficult story to write. The project called for us to write about child abuse, and to write about characters who have been abused or are going through the abuse means that as the author must get into the head of that character as they’re experiencing their story. I assure you, I’m no sissy. I can read and write horror and often find it enjoyable. But, when it comes to kids getting hurt… it wrecks me, to be completely honest. So it took me a while to conjure the gumption to work this one out.  Much to my relief, Chasing Ashes, came to me as a story of a survivor doing everything in her power to save as many people as possible from the fate she suffered through, even if that means she must do something unthinkable.

I’ve had the same struggles while plotting my WOCA story. Like you, I get so involved and my characters are so real, the *pain* is real. I hope what readers might find difficult to read will result in stories which resonate deeply with them, as I’m sure yours will. ;c) What might readers be surprised to learn about the plot or characters of CHASING ASHES?

There are three main characters in this story but they all share one similarity, they were all victims. It was important to me to show the simple fact of reality, which is that victims have a choice once they’re away from the abuse. They can either chose to survive and move on with their lives or they can chose to perpetuate the abuse and be stuck in the endless cycle.

Hopefully WOCA will have a hand in helping those who were affected to move on–it’s hard to imagine a more admirable cause! Let’s have some fun with CHASING ASHES. What’s the first sentence?

The sound of the engine rumbling up the drive way tore her from her sleep.

Oooh, I love the use of the word “tore” — it adds such urgency. What’s your favorite line in the book?

My favorite line is where the title came from. It’s Grace speaking about the act of seeking revenge. “I heard this saying once that seeking revenge is like chasing ashes as they fall from the sky.” This line just came to me before I sat down to write. When you seek revenge you chase what should be insignificant. Ash looks pretty when it falls from the sky, like snow, but when you catch it you’re left with nothing but a little soot in your hands. Though revenge seems like a good idea, once you have it what are you left with?

Yowza! That’s deep and absolutely profound. Let’s dig a little deeper. How about an excerpt … three sentences long! Yep, that’s it. Three!

Three??? Only three? Hm…okay, how’s this? Again, this is from Grace’s POV:

I caressed the deadbolt latch between my forefinger and thumb while I took one last look at him.

I want to remember this moment forever.

As I shut the door I could feel the corner of my mouth quirk up in a victorious sneer.

Aw, man, what a great tease! Nice little twist at the end, too. (Clearly she kicked some boo-tay!) Which scene of CHASING ASHES was most difficult for you to write? Why?

The antagonist is a real S.O.B. and in some ways I got a lot of sadistic pleasure in putting him through his paces. That’s not to say I didn’t find delving into his mind to be difficult, because it was. Giving him a believable reason for his actions was difficult and writing from his perspective on what he intended to do to Madeline, or him reminiscing on he did to his other victims just flat out gave me the creeps at times.

I can only imagine. (I need to read it so I’ll *know* LOL!) Which scene of CHASING ASHES would you most like to experience for yourself? From whose POV?

Oh, shoot…none of them? Option C? No, this isn’t a story where I’d like to fantasize being in at any point.

Yeah, I can’t say I blame you there. What are you currently working on? 

I’m in the revision and editing phase of my story Evening at the M.U.T. That was supposed to come out earlier this month, but it ran into a snag as stories sometimes do. I’m playing with a couple other stories right now, but there’s nothing on the near horizon to speak of.

I know that snag thing *way* too well. *hangs head* Okay, m’dear, let’s get your blurbs out there and give ‘em something to mull over while we’re waiting for release day.

A Light in the Darkness | the anthology

In A Light in the Darkness, the inaugural anthology from the authors of WOCA, a dark world awaits you. Spanning centuries of time, encircling the globe, and running the gamut from eerie historical fiction to gritty urban fantasy to page-scorching erotic romance, these authors unflinchingly dissect the horror of child abuse in all its forms. These authors have taken great pains to ensure the innocent are assured justice and the guilty pay for their crimes in the unique fantasy worlds they have created. Sadly, in real life, this is not always the case.

CHASING ASHES | blurb

Special Investigator Grace de Pierre has a sixth sense when it comes to abduction cases, so when Madeline Sanders is reported missing from her home in Macon, GA, Grace is called in to help with the investigation. In the race against time, the detectives struggle to find the right clues to save Madeline. Grace knows all too well what could happen if they’re too late.

COMING IN JUNE 2012

R. RENEE VICKERS | bio

Born in Florida but raised in various towns in New England, R. Renée Vickers now lives in a small town just outside of Charleston, South Carolina, with her husband and children. And although work and family life leave her little free time, she spends every available moment indulging in her favorite passion, writing.

LINKAGE

Website WOCA WEBSITE: http://writingoutchildabuse.wordpress.com/
Blog : http://museampoule.wordpress.com/
Publisher Author Page: https://www.nobleromance.com/Authors/200/R-Renee-Vickers
Amazon Author Page
Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/muse.ampoule
Twitter : https://twitter.com/#!/ReneeVickers
Goodreads : http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5359850.R_Renee_Vickers

This is such an amazing cause, and I can’t wait to buy my copy of the anthology! Thanks so much for stopping by to tell us about your story, Renee. Readerly-types, I thank you for joining us and hope you’ll consider asking this worthy cause to your TBR pile. Have a fantastic day, everyone!