Sarah Ballance's Blog, page 72

On the Lookout for Desi Moon's "Accidental Intent"

To learn more about Desi's books, click image above.

My pal and fellow Noble Romance author Desi Moon is here today talking about her upcoming release … and she brought goodies! So hang out, get the scoop on ACCIDENTAL INTENT, and stay tuned until the end when Desi opens the *floor* (ahem) for a pretty awesome discussion for her giveaway. (When I answer her question, you guys will laugh me out of blogosphere. Trust me.)

ACCIDENTAL INTENT is slated for release next month. Since we have to wait, can you whet our appetites a bit and tell us a little something about the story?

My "tag line" for  Accidental Intent is a romantic murder mystery that has gone to the dogs, and some really killer footwear.

(Sarah interrupts to say LOL!)

Lucy is a mild mannered dog trainer who finds her somewhat calm existence thrown for a loop when she gets sucked into a murder investigation by an arrogant albeit handsome detective.

It will be released on March 17th.

Love the tag line, and the book sounds great! Did this plot hit you and demand to be written, or did something else inspire an idea that grew into the story?

Oh gosh, Um, well the story started with a phone call, and blossomed from there. I am a dog trainer, so it was a natural leap for me to make my "heroine" one. Accidental Intent was supposed to be another contemporary romance, but then a dead body emerged, and Nicolai (Lucy's love interest) stepped forward telling me he just happened to be a homicide detective. It just snowballed from there.

I am SUCH a sucker for romantic suspense, so I happen to love your snowball. *grin* Let's have some fun with ACCIDENTAL INTENT. What's the first sentence?

Conversation filled the large meeting hall, glasses clinked, laughter mingled with the perfumed air, and Lucy Lafferty stewed.

Oooh, I love it! What's your favorite line in the book?

"Seriously? You think he's capable of murder?"

"Seriously? You think he planted the bomb because flowers are too cliché?"

LMAO! That's a good one. How about an excerpt … three sentences long! Yep, that's it. Three!

Lucy ushered Nicolai out the door and closed it behind him.

Her fingers went to her lips, oh he was good.

This could lead to something very, very bad.

Wow, woman, you have a way with words! I love your style. ;c) Which scene of ACCIDENTAL INTENT was most difficult for you to write? Why?

The climax, because it is after all a mystery, I would hate for the reader to invest themselves in the story, get to the climax and be irritated because it made no sense.

That's an excellent point, and it's something I have in the back of my mind as I careen toward the finish line of my books, LOL. Okay, Desi, let's open up the backlist. If a reader is unfamiliar with your work, which of your books would you suggest he or she read first?  Why?

OH Summerland, definitely! One of my favorite authors, Christopher Moore, crosses characters in his books, I like that and decided to do something similar. Summerland characters do get mentioned in Accidental Intent and Accidental Intent characters will be mentioned in my current WIP Hometown Blues. Tis the circle of my warped mind.

Oh, very cool! It's a great way to get readers to pick up the next book, too. *grin* Let's dig a little.  Have you ever battled with any of your characters over their personality traits?  If so, who won – you or the character?

Did you just see my eyes roll????

It all goes back to Aunt Genie who made her "introduction" in Summerland. She showed up three chapters early and decided all on her own to throw a pool party. Yes she won, and got the stupid party. And yes, I admit the scene turned out so much better than what I had planned, but still! She does occasionally pop into my head while I am writing to give me her two cents.

Oh, I love her already! LOL!  What are you currently working on? 

I have a short story coming out for Rebel Ink's Father's Day Anthology called "For the Love of Mac".

The story is about a man who is pushed into fatherhood when he "inherits" a four year old girl. Trading adult activities for play dates, Mac realizes love and family are not as bad as he once thought and opens his mind to the possibility of a stable relationship.

Hometown Blues is a contemporary romance. Dylan thought she had it all, lived in New York City, loved her high profile job, dated an incredibly successful man. But as we all know all good things must come to an end. When Dylan's world crumbles around her she is forced into the decision to go back home, to the place she swore she would never return.

They both sound so good! You've got some clever plot bunnies, Desi. Let's take a closer look at ACCIDENTAL INTENT.

ACCIDENTAL INTENT | blurb

The most exciting thing to happen to Lucy recently is the new flavor of coffee at the Howling Moon Cafe, but when her best friend stumbles upon a dead body, a new coffee is the least of Lucy's concerns.

The seemingly quiet life that Lucy has grown to love unravels the moment her on again/off again lover begins to imagine a relationship that doesn't exist. It grows even more complicated when she meets Nicolai Petrovski, a handsome detective who makes her blood boil, her knees weak, and her fingers itch to grab a fistful of jet-black hair.

When Lucy finds her name on the killer's short list of victims, her first concern is for her furry four- legged family. Her second is for the closely guarded secret hidden in the back of her closet .

Between conference calls and coffee dates with her best friends, Lucy wades through the complicated world of love, honor, betrayal and the allure of a very hot man. But is there enough coffee to keep her one step ahead of the killer and as far away from Nicolai as she can get?

Coming March 17 to Rebel Ink Press

DESI MOON | bio & linkage

I have been a freelance content writer for four years, but a fiction writer since I could hold a pencil. My first story written at the age of seven was a historical piece ala Little House on the Prairie.

I reside in beautiful Boulder, Colorado with my writer/game designer husband, two incredibly energetic children who keep me on my toes, three very entitled cats and one hopelessly neurotic, but none the less lovable dog.

A bit of sweet, a touch of steam and a lot of laughter, my contemporary romances are called "sweet" but they do offer a bit of grit.

When not cajoling or arguing with the voices in my head (ie. my characters)

I work as a dog trainer, am an all around coffee snob and Project Runway junkie. I also love to bake decadent desserts and am a kickboxing addict.

LINKAGE @ BLOG | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | GOODREADS

**GIVEAWAY**

Desi is going to introduce her contest today, so I'm gonna move and stare sheepishly at my feet while I do it.

Well since I suggested that Summerland be read first I would like the opportunity to give away a copy—but since we are talking about Accidental Intent, let's discuss shoes and favorite shoe designers! I'll go first, I am a Jimmy Choo fanatic  J

Kenya Carlton is Jaded, Undressed, and Sweet as Sin!

[image error]

Click image to indulge in Kenya Carlton's SWEET AS SIN!

If your TBR list was getting a little light, I've got great news for you! Kenya Carlton is here showing off two new books, and you'll get the inside scoop on each one from the author herself. Let's get to know the backstory, then you can indulge on the blurbs following the interview. ;c)

Welcome, Kenya! You're here to share with readers TWO fantastic releases, SWEET AS SIN and JADED. To which of these books do you connect most strongly?

Since the books are so vastly different, I wouldn't be able to pick.  Jaded is a contemporary ghost story and Sweet as Sin is a historical paranormal with witches and wolves.  It would depend on what I was in the mood for.

Oooh, great variety! Which of the two heroes do you find most attractive? Why?

Wow! Good question and the answer is…Another draw.  Gabe from Jaded is the guy you laugh with over a mug of beer, and I don't even drink beer.  Drake is the chauvinistic sexy mutha that takes forever to fall in love with you, but when he does watch out!

How deliciously enticing … times two! LOL. Let's have some fun with SWEET AS SIN and JADED. What's the first sentence?

Sweet as Sin

Sienna Caldwell stopped what she was doing as a subtle breeze blew through her cottage window.

Jaded

Something moved!  Jade Demarro turned towards the door and listened to the sounds of the manor but heard nothing new.

First sentences are so much fun, and those are great ones! ;c) Which scene of SWEET AS SIN was most difficult for you to write? Why?

Sweet as Sin as whole was a bit of a challenge; there were so many characters, and I had to keep them all very distinct with their own voices.

A large cast of characters can be very difficult, indeed. I'm always impressed when an author can handle them well. (Mine tend to make me want to hide, LOL.)  Which scene of these books would you most like to experience for yourself? From whose POV?

For both books, I would have loved to been the guys when they laid eyes on their love interest for the first time.  I think Gabe in Jaded was so arrogant he figured it would be a breeze to sleep with Mia. Drake from Sweet as Sin was just taken off guard by his attraction for Sienna at first glance.

Those first moments can be SO amazing! I love it when my heart quickens right along with the characters'.  If a reader is unfamiliar with your work, which of your books would you suggest he or she read first?  Why?

Jaded, I wrote it first and the twist and turns are very contemporary.

Twists and turns — I love reading a story packed with them!  Have you ever battled with any of your characters over their personality traits?  If so, who won – you or the character?

I would have to say Grey from Sweet as Sin.  I imagined at some point Grey would get a conscience or turn good, but his will was stronger than mine, so he just became defeated.  Grey was one weary bastard at the end.

LOL! That sure makes me want to check out his story. *grin*  How do you keep track of plot elements or twists?

I'm a plotter.  So the outlines for the chapters are already done and if some new development arises that I didn't anticipate, Post-its on the computer are quite helpful.

I'm amazed by how many authors use Post-its! I'm impressed, but darn if I'm not starting to feel defective, LOL. What's next for you, Kenya?

I'm close to finishing the follow up to Sweet as Sin; it's a tad different from the original. I'm curious to see how people will take it.

Awesome! We'll look forward to that one, and in the meantime your readers can indulge in your new releases. *grin* Let's take a look.

SWEET AS SIN | blurb & links

The rich and available Captain Drake Devilin had the biggest body count in World War I.  Injected with serum that turned him into something unnatural, Drake's troop annihilated the enemy, but once his tour ended, Drake was plunged into a world of family tragedy and financial ruin.

Sienna Caldwell is stunning to even the biggest cynic; with her exotic looks and rich brown skin, the playboy wasn't exempt from her charms.  Buckling under the pressure of his financially strapped inheritance, Drake makes a deal with the devil to marry the prosperous landowner in order to protect her.

After one year, he can return the black beauty back to her island and collect on the fortune that will save his family's reputation, but the task proves far easier said than done.   The war may have made Drake into something lethal, but he soon finds his new bride was born more powerful than he could ever imagine.  Not only does Drake have to figure out away to keep his hands off his alluring wife, but also he has to make sure she stays alive. BUY LINK

[image error]JADED | blurb

War correspondent Mia James is back on US soil and ready to tackle a juicy political story that could make national headlines.  A politician's aid goes missing, and the son of the wealthiest family is the only suspect.

Determined to take down the mayor of the small seaside town, Mia comes up against an angry ghost with her own agenda.

Afraid she may be suffering from post traumatic stress Mia figures that she's way over her head and enlists the help of resident black sheep Gabe Montgomery.  Now, she must solve the mystery of her not so friendly ghost, stop herself from falling in love with the mysterious winery owner, all while making it out alive. BUY LINK

[image error]UNDRESSED | blurb

Undressed Inc., the women you meet are an eclectic bunch. The connection? The melding of sexual desire and any means necessary to satisfy it. Sit back and enjoy the ride! Four sexy stories bring readers front and center as four dynamic women enjoy every drop of pleasure they can get. BUY LINK

KENYA CARLTON | about the author

Kenya has a B.A. in Mass communication, Television and Radio. She has fifteen years in production of television and film and five in television engineering. In 2009 Kenya Produced Dawn a short film and Executive Produced Destination Everywhere the pilot for a travel series through her production company Black R.O.K Productions established in 2008. WEBSITE

Readers, you all get to take your pick today! I hope you'll find at least one you just have to have. *grin* Thanks so much for being here and, as always, we welcome your comments. Kenya, it has been a pleasure. Have a wonderful day, everyone!

New Cover Reveal: I'm in TROUBLE Now!

If you want to see the cover without listening to me blather, feel free to skip to the end of this post. Some of you know how I like to talk, LOL! But seriously, this is an unusual story so hang with me and see how easily I find trouble. ;cP

So, a week or three ago I was browsing the pre-made covers from Elaina Lee's For the Muse Designs, which I had no business doing to begin with. I am not sitting on a bunch of free time and I have a long line of stories to write, so really, I just got busted loitering, but I digress. I SAW THIS COVER, YOU GUYS! I saw it, and I loved it. I WANTED it. I tried to back away, but it got ugly. I started obsessing. I left the tab open on my computer, and every time I restarted my computer it was THERE. I looked at it NONSTOP. It got kind of crazy, so in an act of utter defiance, I finally closed the tab. My stomach tingled. I worried. I wondered if someone bought the cover. (She only sells each cover one time, so once it's gone it's gone.) It got uglier. (My fretting, that is — NOT the cover, LOL!) Finally I told Elaina I HAD to have the cover and in that moment the weight of the world lifted from my shoulders. Except ….

When I see this cover, I see a historical. That's what I FEEL, so that's what I'm going to do. Which means … I have to write a historical. YIKES! Thanks to my husband I have a plot (he doesn't read romance but rocks at plotting) and thanks to Elaina I have a ton of inspiration in this GORGEOUS cover, but I'm still so nervous. Writing a historical romance really pushes me out of my comfort zone, but I believe we all need to push those boundaries every now and then. Last time I pushed myself I wrote HAWTHORNE, so it can't be all bad, right? LOL. (By the way, that, too, was Elaina's fault!)  Anyway, I'm excited to show you all the cover that held me CAPTIVE from the moment I saw it, and I give Elaina all the props in the world for creating it, then making it beautifully mine. When she added my name and title I thought I'd fall out of my chair. I LOVE THIS!

*fans self* OMG, I LOVE IT! *clears throat*

So stay tuned (or run … run fast!) because I'm going to push myself to a whole new level with this one. I'm really excited, and I can't wait to update you with the progress once this officially becomes a WIP. *silly grin* I'm working on the blurb next, so before too long you'll have the first glimpse into the plot of this story.

In the meantime, my romantic suspense TIDE OF LIES is coming April 2 to Noble Romance, and LAST CALL follows in both ebook and *print* later this spring from For The Muse Publishing. SQUEEE!

Have a fantastic Monday, everyone!

02.19.12 #SixSunday with Tide of Lies

Can't wait for this one? Check out FAMILIAR LIGHT(only $3) to get the early scoop on the unsolved murders leading to the LIES! Here's today's snippet between Holden and Julia, ex-lovers who haven't seen one another since she disappeared years ago without a word of explanation. He's just confronted her about one of her secrets, something which forced him to come clean about his own deception from their past.

The first line of speech is Holden's.

"Ten years ago I found something with you, and I haven't found it since. I don't know what that means, exactly, but it matters to me. A lot."

This time, she couldn't hold back the tears. She'd braced for a myriad of possibilities, but acceptance hadn't been among them. "Me, too," she said in a faint whisper.

TIDE OF LIES – romantic suspense coming April 2012 to Noble Romance (excerpt subject to the wrath of my editor)

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

02.18.12 #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 franchie15_nina(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, 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 time they tracked down someone who might offer answers, but found his house didn't look lived in. So Gage peered through the windows and found something *very* interesting inside, and it wasn't all the junk you'll see here, LOL!

Riley took a deep breath, this time sucking in more than the scent of vermin. "Gage, I smell smoke."

The scent grew stronger with every passing second. There hadn't been a trace of it when they walked through the back door, and already the odor was unmistakable.

He paused, his hand on a stack of papers. "Me, too. Out, now."

She whirled around, swallowing panic when she saw the sea of boxes and junk they'd climbed over blocking the way to the door. Smoke navigated the ceiling-high stacks like clouds maneuvering mountaintops, the acrid scent thickening and growing heavy in the air.

Seconds later, flames followed, attacking both exits from the room at once.

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

Random Acts of Kindness Giveaway Hop Feb 17-21

For more than 170 other giveaways all linked from a single page, click the image above.

Friday, February 17 is Random Acts of Kindness Day, and the party is here! Well, to be more accurate the party starts with I Am a Reader, Not a Writer and is co-hosted by Read for Your Future, but I do get to be a stop on the hop. Wanna know what you can win? Of course you do! *grin*

WHAT YOU CAN WIN

I am giving away a PDF or Kindle gift version (winner's choice) of HAWTHORNE, a paranormal romance that hit #51 on Amazon's bestselling paid Kindle ghost stories and spent several days in the top 100. And if the winner is also a blog **email** subscriber at the time of the drawing via random.org, they will also receive a $5 gift certificate to Amazon to be delivered via email.

HOW TO ENTER

To enter to win a copy of HAWTHORNE, simply leave a comment with your email address. If you'd like to qualify for the $5 Amazon gift card, subscribe to my blog by **email** and please be sure your entry email address matches that of your subscription for verification purposes. (All blog email subscribers are automatically eligible for my weekly giveaways as well. Click here for more info). Winner will be chosen by Random.org at the end of the blog hop. If the winner is also an **email subscriber** a $5 Amazon gift card will be awarded in addition to the PDF or Kindle gift copy of HAWTHORNE. The email subscription box is located on the top of the left hand sidebar.

HAWTHORNE | paranormal romance

After a terrifying encounter with the unexplained, it took ten years and the news of her grandmother's passing for Emma Grace Hawthorne to return to her childhood home.   She sought peace in saying a proper goodbye, but what she found was an old love, a sordid family history, and a wrong only she could right.

Living in the shadow of Hawthorne Manor, Noah Garrett never forgot about Emma Grace.  In a house full of secrets, his search for missing documents revealed a truth that could cost him everything.  What he found gave Emma the freedom to walk away from the mansion, her heart free and clear, but at what price to Noah?

READ AN EXCERPT | BUY FROM ASTRAEA PRESS | AMAZON KINDLE | B&N NOOK

Click here to return to the blog hop!

Carrie Anne Ryan's "An Alpha's Path" (Redwood Pack Series)

For more information about AN ALPHA'S PATH and the rest of the Redwood Pack Series, please click image.

Today I'm really excited to welcome Carrie Anne Ryan, an author I've gotten to know through Six Sentence Sunday. Her "six" (six sentence excerpts) always impress me, and I'm betting you guys will love her as much as I do. AN ALPHA'S PATH is the first in a seven book series for Carrie Anne, so let's settle in and learn about the book, the series, and the author herself. *grin*

Welcome, Carrie Ann! It's great to have you here. ;c) Congratulations on the release of AN ALPHA'S PATH. Can you tell our readers a little bit about the book?

Thanks so much Sarah! An Alpha's Path is the first book in the Redwood Pack series and kicks off my werewolf world.  What happens when a lonely chemist goes on a blind date and finds out her date is actually a werewolf – and claims she's his mate? What does Melanie do? In order to have a HEA sometimes we need to sacrifice.

That is one heck of a predicament (and a great hook), LOL! The Redwood Pack series features seven titles. Did you plan all along for AN ALPHA'S PATH to kick off a series, or did the characters (or readers, LOL) demand it?

When I first started writing it was just a short story – not even a novella and was called The Alpha and the PhD. Then when I went back into it and wrote another scene I added Kade's family. That's how the series was born. And boy am I thankful.

I love how it just happens like that sometimes! The tiniest twist of fate and it literally changes your career. ;c) Let's take a closer look at AN ALPHA'S PATH. What's your favorite scene from the book? Why?

Kade and his brother Jasper talking about Kade's date. This is how I met Jasper, the hero of the second book in the series, A Taste for a Mate, out now. Those boys had way more fun than I thought they would and really made me want to write more about the Jamensons. So I did.

Oh, wow. Those characters who walk on set and demand their own books amaze me! Which book in the Redwood Pack series do you most look forward to writing? Why?

Maddox's story. He isn't for a while yet and I don't even have a title. But I know who his mate is. J I feel I love with him the first time I wrote his name on paper and I needed to find out his back story and who he'd fall in love with. I'm sooo excited about it, but I have a few more books to write before I get to him. Since I'm doing two series at once, characters need to wait their turn. J

LOL! I can certainly relate to that. There just aren't enough hours in the day, and so many great stories and ideas clamoring for attention. ;c) Let's dig in to your list of stories a bit. If a reader is unfamiliar with your work, which of your books would you suggest he or she read first?  Why?

An Alpha's Path is the first book I've ever released LOL. But it's the first book in the series and is a novella. A Taste for a Mate is the second book and is a full length novel. The rest of the books in the seven book Redwood Pack series as well as the seven book series Dante's Circle will have full length novels.

It's a great idea to open with a novella. Go ahead and hook your readers with a taste and leave them salivating for more! ;c) Let's put you on the other side of the book. Which genre are you drawn to as a reader?  Do you prefer to read in the same genre as your WIP or do you mix it up?

I actually read all romance. Paranormal, contemporary, sci-fi, western, ménage, gay – all of it. LOL. But paranormal was the first one I read because of Twilight. *sigh* It was my gateway drug LOL.

I think I am the only person on the planet who has yet to read or see anything Twilight, LOL! But what a way to kick things off for you! And on the topic of love at first sight, take a look back over all of the intimate moments you've created between characters. Which scene would you most like to experience for yourself?  What makes it so alluring?

Oh my. *blushes* Kade and Mel's first experience in the hotel room was so sweet and darned hot that I wouldn't mind. LOL

Carrie Anne, you TEASE! LOL. (I think that's our cue to go read it for ourselves, LOL.) Have you ever battled with any of your characters over their personality traits?  If so, who won – you or the character?

Melanie. I didn't realize she'd be so sarcastic until she came across on paper LOL. But I love her.

Some of the most difficult characters manage to become the most endearing. (I wonder if it works that way with children? LOL!) Have you ever made big changes in your story because someone – your crit partner, a friend, or beta reader – really didn't like it?  Are you glad you did (or didn't)?

In my second book, A Taste for a Mate I actually went back and fixed up Willow some. I wasn't happy with her because she hid from me, and my crit partners knew that. So they helped me open her up. I'm very pleased with the result.

Yay for awesome crit partners! That extra eye is invaluable, for sure. How do you keep track of plot elements or twists?

I'm an outline queen. I have color coded spreadsheets and outlines for the characters, worlds, series and books/chapters. J

Gulp. Did you say *color coded*? WOW. *covers my own paper* LOL! Which of your novels most reflects who you are as a writer?  Why?

Trinity Bound. It's the third book in the series and my first attempt at m/m/f (but not my last *wink*) I really got into my groove and decided what I would do with the overall series arc and how I could work. I'm still finding things new about myself, but I found myself here. And as it turns out, I was the same person in An Alpha's Path and A Taste for a Mate. Nice.

Ooooh, very nice! Great answer. ;c) Okay, before we break to check out your blurb and bio, give us the scoop on what you're working on now.

A Taste for a Mate just came out. J I'm in edits on Trinity Bound and that comes out in April. I'm also starting a new series called Dante's Circle. I'm in the middle of writing the first book, Dust of My Wings now.

SO much fun!

Fun and busy, woman! Let's check out your book. ;c)

AN ALPHA'S PATH | blurb

Melanie is a twenty-five year old chemist who has spent all of her adult life slaving at school. With her PhD in hand, she's to start her dream job, but before she does, her friend persuades her to relax and try to live again. A blind date set up through her friends seems like the perfect solution. Melanie can take one night away from the lab and let her inner vixen out on a fixed blind date - a chance to get crazy with a perfect stranger. The gorgeous hunk she's to meet exceeds her wildest dreams – but he is more than what he appears and Melanie's analytical mind goes into overdrive.

Kade, a slightly older werewolf (at over one hundred years), needs a night way from the Pack. Too many responsibilities and one near miss with a potential mate made Kade hide in his work, the only peace he can find. His brother convinces him to meet the sexy woman for a one night of fun. What could it hurt? But when he finds this woman could be his mate, can he convince her to leave her orderly, sane world and be with him and his wolf-half, for life?

MORE INFO & BUY @ Amazon | Barnes and Noble
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CARRIE ANNE RYAN | about

Carrie Ann Ryan is a paranormal and contemporary romance author. After spending too much time behind a lab bench, she decided to dive into the romance world and find her werewolf mate – even if its just in her books. Happy endings are always near – even if you have to get over the challenges of falling in love first.

Her first book, An Alpha's Path, is the first in her Redwood Pack series. She's also an avid reader and lover of romance and fiction novels. She love meeting new authors and new worlds. Any recommendations you have are appreciated. Carrie Ann lives in New England with her husband and two kittens.

Carrie Ann loves hearing from readers. You can find her at:

Website | Blog | Facebook Author Page | Facebook Friend | Twitter: @CarrieAnnRyan | Goodreads

Thank you so much for being here, Carrie Ann! I've enjoyed getting to know you and your work better today. Readers, as of Feb. 15 AN ALPHA'S PATH is ranked #234 on all of Amazon paid Kindle books and has romance genre rankings of #3 (Fantasy, Futuristic, & Ghost) and #8 (Fantasy & Futuristic). AND it's only 99 cents, so grab your copy and check it out! Click here, but before you go please welcome Carrie Ann with your comments. Thanks, everyone, and have a great day!

Joan Swan: The Science Behind Romantic Suspense (Kiss of Death Blog Tour)

Today it's my pleasure to welcome Joan Swan as part of the Kiss of Death blog tour. Along with her guest blog, she's offering a print copy giveaway of FEVER, which comes out Feb. 28. Stay tuned to find out how you can win! (U.S. only, please.)

To learn more about Kiss of Death, click image.

THE SCIENCE BEHIND ROMANTIC SUSPENSE | Joan Swan

A true romantic suspense is a blend of two strong, yet interdependent story threads, that when separated can't stand alone.  Without the romance, the suspense would fizzle.  Without the suspense, the romance would fall flat.  The two storylines give the writer endless opportunities for conflict and tension, and offer the reader a rollercoaster of excitement, allowing for maximum escape.

Romantic suspense uniquely offers a higher promise of a happily ever after between hero and heroine after the shortest amount of time together on the page.  How?  The presence of physical and emotional threat changes brain chemistry, much the same way a new romance does, altering serotonin and other hormone levels.  And while we may not know this intellectually, our bodies sense it instinctively, giving the idea credibility with us emotionally.  Scientifically, humans bond deeper and more quickly under stressful and dangerous situations, which works well for a reader who needs to be able to believe these characters will stick after their crazy couple of days rummaging through hell together.

And the flexibility of this sub-genre almost makes it a microcosm all its own.  While romantic suspense generally balances somewhere around the 50/50 percentage scale between the two fiction elements, it can vary in scope from twenty percent romance/eighty percent suspense to eighty percent romance/twenty percent suspense.  This makes romantic suspense highly flexible for authors who like to stretch their literary boundaries and enjoyably fresh for readers who like to be surprised.

The strength, excitement and variety romantic suspense offers both authors and readers is what brings me so much joy as an author.  FEVER, my debut novel, also adds a paranormal twist to the genre, adding another spark.  I hope you enjoy reading Teague and Alyssa's story as much as I enjoyed writing it.

Tell me your favorite element of the romantic suspense genre and you'll be entered to win a drawing for a copy of FEVER, available February 28, 2012! (Print copy giveaway is open to US addresses only, please.)

KISS OF DEATH | about

Joan is one of the many talented authors who belong to the Romance Writers of America's Kiss of Death chapter. At Kiss of Death we believe that every great romance should include suspense. Whether a spy thriller in Regency times, a paranormal romance with a revenge-seeking zombie, or a traditional serial killer after the heroine, romance relies on suspense, leading the reader through the trials of the heroine and hero to see if they will get their happily ever after ending. If you can call your writing suspenseful, then the Kiss of Death has something for you! Find out more and join at http://www.rwamysterysuspense.org and follow us on Twitter at @RWAKissofDeath.

JOAN SWAN | about

Joan is a triple RWA® Golden Heart finalist, and a double Kiss of Death Daphne Du Maurier finalist. She writes sexy romantic suspense with a paranormal twist and her first novel with Kensington Brava, FEVER, debuts February 28, 2012.  Her second novel, BLAZE, follows in October, 2012. Currently, she works as a sonographer at a one of the top ten medical facilities in the nation, and lives in magnificent wine country on the central coast of California with her husband and two daughters. You can find Joan online at her website, Twitter, Facebook and her blog.

FEVER | Joan Swan

When Dr. Alyssa Foster is taken hostage by a prison inmate, she knows she's in deep trouble. Not just because Teague Creek is desperate for freedom, but because the moment his fingers brush against her skin, Alyssa feels a razor-sharp pang of need.

A man with a life sentence has nothing to lose. At least Teague doesn't, until his escape plan develops a fatal flaw: Alyssa. On the run from both the law and deadly undercover operatives, he can only give her lies, but every heated kiss tells him the fire between them could be just as devastating as the flames that changed him forever.

(Coming February 28, 2012)

**Giveaway**

Sarah here: Okay guys, let's have it! Comment with your favorite element of the romantic suspense genre and you'll be entered to win a *print* copy of Joan Swan's upcoming release, FEVER. Remember, this is open to U.S. addresses only. Thank you all so much for being here today, and good luck!

Anne Holly's "V-Day" Valentine

Spend "V-Day" with Anne Holly's new erotic romantic comedy! Click image for more info.

Happy Valentine's Day! In light of the holiday, I do believe I've brought you all the perfect guest, as she's here with a book called—what else?—V-Day! Anne Holly's new release is the ideal way to close out a smokin' hot holiday, and I'm so glad to introduce you to Anne and her erotic romantic comedy. Give her a warm welcome!

Welcome, Anne!

Hi, Sarah. Thanks for having me!

My pleasure! (And I bet it'll be everyone else's, too! *grin*) Since it's Valentine's Day, I've got to ask what you're doing to celebrate. Any plans?

Well, this blog tour will likely keep me busy for much of the evening, responding to comments and things, so that might scuttle most of my R&R. Other than that, most likely it will be ice cream and Beauty and the Best with my three year old. Or maybe we'll go really nuts and watch Clifford the Big Red Dog's Valentine's Day special. The exciting life of a romance novelist, eh? Perhaps I should have made up something more romantic there…

LOL! I have a whole houseful of kiddos so I feel you there! I'm going to steal a line from your blurb: "V-Day is the story of a Valentine's Day weekend Daniel fears he may regret, but will never, ever forget." That's sooo enticing! Did you decide to write a story for Valentine's Day and then come up with the plot, or did the whole idea hit you at once?

Well, I had always intended to write one for Valentine's Day back in 2010, because I was already planning and starting the stories that would become my holiday series. And I knew I wanted to make it focused on the violin, because that's my favourite image of Valentine's Day, being an old violin student, myself. But, I admit, the actual idea for the story came from a chat on Facebook – I was challenged to write a virgin hero story from the male perspective, so that's how V-Day was born! You really never know what conversation will lead to a new story.

That is so true! And that's a fantastic "behind the scenes" look at the story. Let's dig a little deeper. V-Day features musical plot elements. Is music a big part of your life? In that sense, do you have a personal connection to the story?

Oh yes. Music is very important to me. Violin was a childhood obsession, and I had an $80 second hand violin I treated like my heart and soul. Then one evening I was watching PBS and I saw some 13 year old prodigy, and I realized I was already "too old" to be a genius (I was 14), so I started to move away from it after that. I regret that, but everything always seems so dramatic at that age. Now, I mess around with a couple instruments with my preschooler – but I make sure he knows you do it for love and fun, and not in order to be the top of the musical world by the age of 12.

Daniel is the 19 year old prodigy I sadly wasn't, I guess.

I think it's easy to feel that sort of intimidation at any age. (I still experience it now, LOL.) This is so cool, Anne. I love this glimpse into you as the author, and I'd love to see a little more of your characters. What's the most romantic thing one of your characters does for the other in V-Day?

That would have to be the serenade. Daniel, knowing that Bronwyn just went through a breakup and is disillusioned with Valentine's Day, stands in a foot of snow beneath her window with a cheap carnation and plays Beethoven's Romance no 2 just for her. It's my favourite piece, and my favourite scene. It might sound a bit cliché, I suppose, but I made it just goofy enough to make it respectable.

Of course, I'm a bit strange, as I also see them making a snowman together very romantic. That might be a Canadian thing, though.

LOL! I think it sounds wonderful. *swoon* Let's have some fun with V-Day. What's the first sentence?

First sentence reflects the author's dilemma, I suspect: What could one say about Daniel Vouks?

Enticing indeed! How about an excerpt … three sentences long! Yep, that's it. Three!

In any case, the bitter irony was he seemed to feel ten times more love for Bronwyn than Warren did, yet it was the hunkish blockhead who was now enjoying her company, while Daniel steeped in his own unmanly grief.

For the hundredth time, Daniel clutched his hair in his hands and tried to focus on the paper flickering on the computer screen before him. But what did the Baroque period matter to him anymore?

That's fantastic … I love your voice. ;c) Which scene of V-Day was most difficult for you to write? Why?

The first love scene was a big challenge. How do you make a virginal guy seem heroic when he doesn't really know what he's doing? I think that's where humour saved my butt.

Oh my gosh! LOL. That just HAS to be a great scene! ;c) If a reader is unfamiliar with your work, which of your books would you suggest he or she read first?  Why?

I think a reader could jump into any of my books and get to know me. So… A cheap one, I guess, would be my advice. But if you want an actual title, this whole publishing thing started for me with my novel Strings Attached, so you could start there as well. That one is a traditional contemporary romance, set in Canada's north, but all my elements are there – love over heartache, optimism, a little humour, heroes that sneak past your defenses, and heroines you don't want to drown in a bucket (unlike some traditional contemporaries). I hope that's my "brand" as an author.

"Heroines you don't want to drown in a bucket." BUAHAHAHAHAA! Okay, that line is a classic! LOL. Let's see if I can come back down to serious now. *grin* Looking back over all of the intimate moments you've created between characters, which scene would you most like to experience for yourself?  What makes it so alluring?

In my Halloween story Like Magic my characters make love in a rooftop garden, very early in the morning and in the rain. I love the morning, rain and gardens, so I'd have to go with that one.

Oh. My. Gosh. That sounds INCREDIBLE! On the more combative front, have you ever battled with any of your characters over their personality traits?  If so, who won – you or the character?

When I first wrote Strings Attached back in 2000 or 2001, the heroine Josie was a perfect Mary Sue. She was flawless. I was 21 or thereabouts, so I forgive myself that amateur enthusiasm. When I re-wrote it in 2010, I laughed and laughed at that. Josie became much, much more realistic. I'd had years, and a major breakup, and marriage, and motherhood, etc, between 2000 and 2010, so I understood that no one is really perfect, and love can actually be a lot better between imperfect people.

I guess you stuffed the original Josie in a bucket, huh? LOL. I have to admit, I laughed along with you on that one! How do you keep track of plot elements or twists?

Notes – lots of notes. I teach at a university, and we use these nifty little booklets called foolscap for exams. I make a folder for each project in the pre-writing stage. I start with a little rough blurb, and then character sketches. Then I write a plot outline, and then a relationship outline, and then I lay those two over each other. Then, I usually pick a title, and then write out my chapter-by-chapter design. Then, I start to write. And I keep notes as I go, so if something interesting pops up during the writing phase, I can make sure it gets developed in editing and re-writes.

Wow, that's an amazing process! I am *seriously* impressed, Anne. Clearly you put a lot into each of your stories. Which of your novels most reflects who you are as a writer?  Why?

The novel I have coming out this summer, Textbook Romance, does, I think. It takes place in a university, and the story line is about how romance conflicts with (and causes problems for) real life. I realize it does, and I struggle with the notion that I might be selling people, especially young women, on the idea that love is all hearts and perfection, which is wrong. I try to balance the magical parts of being love with the work that it takes to make a partnership long lasting, so I hope I do that. In Textbook Romance, I really wrestle with that. It was an important book for me to write, and I think it's my best so far.

Then again, I think most writers will tell you the most important book of their career is always the next one, or the one they are currently working on. That's inevitable, since we change so much from book to book.

I really, really love how much thought you put into your stories. What are you currently working on? 

I have sort of a Top Secret project right now. Not really a romance, though it has a love story. It's a big change for me from my published work, so I'm not sure how it will pan out. It's a recent historical, and deals with how one carries on with life after a cataclysmic event, when you'd rather just lay down and die. For me, love and optimism, which many people snicker at, really comes in handy at times like that.

I'm impressed enough already to say I'm sure that will be something to behold when you finish it, Anne. In the meantime, let's take a closer look at V-Day, which is available right now, and there no better time to buy it than today!

V-Day, an erotic romantic comedy for Valentine's Day

By Anne Holly

It all started with a serenade…

A family like Daniel's and the solitary pursuit of musical excellence is enough to make a young man crazy. No wonder all Daniel Vouks dreams of is getting away. He knows his violin will take him places in life, but the only place he really wants to be is next door. He's been in love with his neighbor since he was fourteen, but can he ever make her see him as more than just a lovesick kid?

V-Day is the story of a Valentine's Day weekend Daniel fears he may regret, but will never, ever forget.

For more information about V-Day, please see my holiday stories website: http://annehollyholiday.webs.com/valentinesdaytales.htm

ANNE HOLLY | bio & links

Anne Holly is a Canadian writer of romance and erotic-romance, as well as a mother and teacher. You may visit Anne at her blog or website, or find her on GoodReads, Facebook and Twitter  (@anneholly2010). Sign up for her newsletter here. Email: anneholly2010@gmail.com.

Anne, thank you so much for spending part of your Valentine's Day here with us, and I sure hope you enjoy your evening with those little Valentines of yours. ;c) Readers, thank you for being here. Happy Valentine's Day, everyone!

Sarah here: Congratulations to pdbartkiw(at)etc, winner of last week's gift card giveaway! To enter for a weekly chance to win a gift card, please subscribe to my blog **by email**!

 

Spotlight on Catherine Bybee's "Highland Shifter"

"HIGHLAND SHIFTER is a beautifully woven, every thread an intricate part of the larger tapestry." Click image for more info.

HIGHLAND SHIFTER | Catherine Bybee

A war split by centuries. A family torn apart by circumstance. A love with no bounds.

And that's only the beginning.

HIGHLAND SHIFTER is a breathtaking trip through the fabric of time, each stitch more intriguing than the last. Through a simple stone pendant with incredible power to an ancient book wielding mysterious clues, Helen Adams is whisked to sixteenth century Scotland. Dropped into a strange world with her life on the line, she finds herself face to face with a young man missing from modern-day California—one who is now very much grown , handsome, and fierce. He's also her only chance for survival, but will he tear her world apart?

The story that follows is beautifully woven, every thread an intricate part of the larger tapestry. Mystery abounds in the form of ancient magic, Druid secrets, and a twist in time which throws Helen and Simon into a conflict with a threat that can—and does—change everything. No single place is safe. As the story progresses, the clues to Helen's past funnel into an ever-sharpening vortex—a collision of past and present that will leave readers reaching fervently  for one page after the next. And in the end, when the path is clear, the choice with which Simon and Helen are left—and the decision that follows—is one readers will remember long after the last page has closed. Intense and adventuresome, with characters so true they're more a part of your life than they are the book in your hand, HIGHLAND SHIFTER is a story that gets to the very core of human emotion and grows there, deep in the heart.

And has there ever been a more exquisitely written romance? One stolen moment at a time, the reader feels the connection grow between Simon and Helen. It's as natural as breathing. Ms. Bybee draws from the reader an ache for these characters, and there builds a yearning for a resolution that's as improbable as the truth itself.  In the face of a world Helen never knew existed, her strength doesn't hide her vulnerability. Simon's sacrifice is bone-deep, his loyalty for his family a large part of who he is. They don't come together as opposites, but with a purpose. And it's through those circumstances their bond surges—tender, strong, and beautifully intimate.

If you've not yet read BINDING VOWS, which precedes HIGHLAND SHIFTER, or the other titles in the MacCoinnich Time Travel Romance series, don't let that discourage you from grabbing this one right away. Ms. Bybee does such a fantastic job of world building in HIGHLAND SHIFTER, it would actually serve as a standalone title if not for the captivating final scene. And while those last words take nothing from the conclusion, they do serve their purpose, as I am positively dying to read the next book. And while I wait, I'll bide my time with the rest of the series. After experiencing HIGHLAND SHIFTER, I won't dare miss a single one.

BUY @ AMAZON | SMASHWORDS

I received a complimentary advance copy of HIGHLAND SHIFTER in exchange for an honest review.