Laura Kaye's Blog, page 66

#SixSunday 62 - The sexiest thing Marco had ever seen... #HerForbiddenHero

Happy Sunday everyone! I've got another six from HER FORBIDDEN HERO today. Some horseplay in a mountain lake turned unexpectedly serious and hot, leading Marco and Alyssa to their first kiss...

Goddamn if the desire shining from her eyes and shaping her lips wasn’t the sexiest thing he’d ever seen.
One hand cradling her jaw, Marco lowered his mouth to hers. Their lips met tentatively, soft presses turned into nibbles as they pursued each other again and again. She turned in the circle of his arms, and this time he let her. She wrapped her whole body around him—arms around his neck, legs around his waist.
And Marco was gone.

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If you have a moment for a click, I'd be so grateful if you'd vote for Her Forbidden Hero; it's up for a 5-Heart Sweetheart Award at The Romance Studio! Voting closes Sunday at midnight.
Don't forget to check out the Other Sixers' Posts and follow the #sixsunday hashtag on Twitter. Thanks for reading and hopefully commenting, too!
Laura  

Highland Hero vs. Western Hero: Top 5 Differences

Excited to welcome to the blog today my good friendEliza Knight / Annabelle Westonwho has an awesomely fun post for us!
Thank you, Laura for hosting me today on your blog!!!
By day and most nights, I write under the name Eliza Knight, but there are a few moments tossed in there when I am someone completely different – Annabelle Weston. Annabelle writes gritty, edgy, provocative, twisted, erotic Western romance. Much different than Eliza Knight, who also writes provocative, sizzling, adventurous romance and erotic romance of the Highlander variety. So today, knowing how different these two genres are, and having to promote a book from both genres in one month, I thought it would be fun to share with you the Top 5 differences between a Highland hero and a Western hero! (And there aren’t many differences in the bedroom—both heroes know how to rock a woman’s world!)
5. Lives in… Scottish Highlands, marshes, castles, lochs VS. American Wild West, desserts, saloons, river (Their settings are completely different, but both men handle it as a hero should—like he owns the place.)
4. Warring against clans and the English VS. Fighting the Apaches and cowboy outlaws (A hero always has to have an enemy.)
3. Scotch WhiskyVS. Moonshine Whiskey (Would love to see them go shot for shot!)
2. Sword VS. Guns (And I’ll gladly hold either *winks*)
1. Kilts VS. chaps baby! (Equally HOT!)
Scandalous Woman available now!
Book two in the Desert Heat trilogy.
Carly Buchanan knows who and what she is. She’s the owner of the Lonesome Saloon, a bawdy place in the harsh West where any man can have his darkest desires fulfilled—for a price. But life at a saloon isn’t easy. After hearing too much one night, Carly is caught in the middle of a deadly dispute. Now no-accounts are shooting up the streets, good men are dying and no one will do a thing about it.
Until he comes to town…
Sheriff Jeddah Poole is lethally serious about cleaning up Tucson. But he can’t stop thinking of Carly’s bright eyes and passionate nature…or the way her lush curves feel pressed beneath him as he takes her again and again and again. In a town on the brink, caught in a divine passion they can’t escape, Jed and Carly have only each other to rely on. And only their love can help them survive.
The Highlander’s Reward releases July 15th!
She belonged to another… But was destined to be his…Lady Arbella de Mowbray abhors the idea of marrying an English noble occupying Scotland. When she arrives in Stirling, she is thrown into the midst of a full battle between the Scots and the English. Besieged by rebels, she is whisked from her horse by a Highland warrior who promises her safety. But when he kisses her, she fears she's more in danger of losing herself.
The last thing Magnus Sutherland wants is to marry the beautiful English lass he saved. As the laird of his clan, he has a responsibility to his clan and allies. But when Arbella is attacked by one of his own men, he determines the only way to keep her safe is to make her his. A decision that promises to be extremely satisfying.
Magnus brings Arbella to his home of Dunrobin Castle in the Highlands. And that’s where the trouble begins… Their countries are at war and they should be each other’s enemy. Neither one considered their mock marriage would grow into a deeply passionate love. What’s more, they were both unhappily betrothed and those who've been scorned are out for revenge. Can their new found love keep them together or will their enemies tear them apart?

Eliza Knight is the award-winning, multi-published author of sizzling historical romance and erotic romance. Eliza is also multi-published under the name Annabelle Weston. While not reading, writing or researching for her latest book, she chases after her three children. In her spare time (if there is such a thing…) she likes daydreaming, wine-tasting, traveling, hiking, staring at the stars, watching movies, shopping and visiting with family and friends. She lives atop a small mountain, and enjoys cold winter nights when she can curl up in front of a roaring fire with her own knight in shining armor. Visit Eliza at , her historical blog, History Undressed www.historyundressed.com , Twitter @ElizaKnight, or Facebook!

So, leave Eliza some comment love and tell her what other differences YOU see and which you'd prefer to rock your world! *winks*
Thanks for reading!Laura

Great 1st Month for #HerForbiddenHero - & Plz VOTE?

HER FORBIDDEN HERO just celebrated its one-month publication anniversary and what a month it's been! And today, it's just getting better because the book has been nominated for  The Romance Studio's 5 Heart Sweetheart Award that could earn me a week of great book promotion if I win! 

Can you please help by voting here?

Need more convincing? Here's the review that earned me the nod:
Bec, The Romance Studio, 5/5 Hearts!: "This book tugged at the heartstrings for me and had me crying at various stages because the hero was such a tormented soul....The plot was highly enjoyable from start to finish, and together with an amazing dialogue brought these two strong characters to life. The sex scenes were fantastic and hot....Ms. Kaye has done an incredible job writing this story, of which I loved the ending and I can't wait to read more of her work in the future."
MORE REVIEWS OF HER FORBIDDEN HERO

Amazon   B&N

Alyssa, Hesperia Loves Books, 5/5 Stars & a 2012 Favorite Read!: "What a fantastic read that has quickly landed itself on my Favorites of 2012 list!  If you are looking for a contemporary romance that has beautifully written characters, tons of sexual tension & a love story that will capture your heart – then look no further than Her Forbidden Hero."
Heidi, The Readiacs, "Definitely 5 STARS!": "Her Forbidden Hero is a tantalizing love affair....Laura Kaye is magnificent with the written word....You absolutely must read"
CozyReader, The Romance Reviews, 5 STARS & TOP PICK!: "Kudos to Ms. Kaye for writing this amazing love story because it became one of my top reads this year. The storyline in this book is so realistic and filled with so many raw emotions....If you are looking for a good, heartwarming romance to read, then this book is just for you."
Grace, S, E, and R's Awesomeness, 5/5 Stars!: "Holy hotness! A friends-to-lovers story one should not miss! I was left smiling so big my cheeks started to hurt!"
Tamara, Sizzling Hot Book Reviews, 5/5 Hearts!: "I absolutely loved Her Forbidden Hero. A wonderful love story about overcoming a painful past and embracing life with a wonderful "make you cry happy tears" scene that makes Her Forbidden Hero a hit in my book. I highly recommend Her Forbidden Hero."
Christi, Smitten with Reading, Grade 'A'!: "God, I really loved this book. I really do love me a wounded hero and you don't get many better than Marco. *sigh*...This is really just a fabulous book. I *think* it may just make one of my top picks for the year!"
Evie, In Love with Romance, 5/5 Stars!: "Dear Laura, I think now I know the secret as to why your books are more than just AWESOME. Your heroes are simply IRRESISTIBLE. Your heroines ROCK. And the conflict is a rollercoaster ride, where at the end I find myself thinking, 'let's do it again!'"
Jennifer, Romance Novel News!: "HER FORBIDDEN HERO satisfies with a tender and emotional romance that makes for a heartwarming read....It will absolutely appeal to fans of deep emotion in romances – especially those who appreciate tortured heroes. Marco’s devastated soul grabbed my heart immediately and still hasn’t let go."
Kristin, Book Sniffers Anonymous, 5/5 Stars!: "Now maybe because I am a Marine wife I really gravitated to this story....I thought Laura Kaye did an amazing job with the story. If you love a good romance then look no farther!"
Alyssa, My Secret Romance Book Reviews, 4.5 / 5 Stars!: "The perfect book...totally drool-worthy hero...packed with a lot of story, depth, and emotion...Laura Kaye definitely delivered!"
Tori, Tori MacAllister Blog, "A Memorial Day Pleasure!": "Watching Alyssa awake a more carefree part of Marco is a joy, and one that has you flipping the pages, praying these two will make it to happily ever after. A full-fledged book for only $2.99 at Amazon.com with one of Entangled Publishing's killer covers makes this contemporary romance a must-read on everyone’s list."
Sarah, Feeling Fictional: "I'm quickly becoming a big fan of Laura Kaye's, this is the second story of hers that I've read and I just love the way she writes her characters...Laura did a great job of making me feel invested in these characters....I'm keeping my fingers crossed that Aly's brother Brady gets his own story and we might get to drop in on Aly and Marco again at the same time. I have no idea if that is something the author is considering or not but if she does release it I'll be first in the queue to grab a copy. In the meantime I'm looking forward to working my way through some of her other stories."
Lexie, Poisoned Rationality, 4/5 Stars!: "Dear Laura Kaye, please stop writing novels that keep me from going to bed at night. I mean, I'm kind of a sucker for the damaged hero with a military past, but add in the best friend of her older brother?  Come on, that's just not fair....Kaye wrote just the right amount of Damaged Soldier and Optimistic Cheerful Girl Who Heals With Love for me."
Donna, Book Passion for Life, 4/5 Flowers!: "An intense, sexy and emotional ride and I loved every minute of it....From page one author Laura Kaye throws us into an exciting setting and turns up the heat within minutes....Her Forbidden Hero is a great read. With great characters and a great love story, it’s not one to miss."
Heather, Book Savvy Babe, 4/5 Stars!: "Author Laura Kaye doesn’t disappoint with her latest contemporary romance, Her Forbidden Hero....Laura does an excellent job developing her characters and endearing them to the reader....The romance and relationship between Alyssa and Marco is very believable, it is also emotional and sweet....I highly recommend to all romance readers. The story is excellent, and it goes by quickly because you won’t want to put it down."
Sara, Harlequin Junkie, 4/5 Stars!: "A touching story of a tortured war torn hero Marco returning home injured from the war zone and reconnecting with his childhood friend Alyssa....A nice engaging read."
Lori, Lori's Book Blog, "Her Forbidden Hero by Laura Kaye was a great little read... it was easy, it was lovable, it was touching, and most of all it broke me free of my reading funk! I love Laura's writing style...her stories are always touching and her men are almost always the kind you want to fall in love with." 
Thanks so much for considering helping with the vote! And thanks for reading!
Laura

#SixSunday 61 - Marco's hard and on edge... #HerForbiddenHero

Happy Sunday everyone! HER FORBIDDEN HERO just celebrated one month since publication, so I'm sticking with six from this story. Here, Marco's just stepped into the bathroom for a shower right after Alyssa took one:

He closed the door and groaned—the air was pure Alyssa, warm vanilla and sweet apples. His mouth salivated and his erection was instantaneous, setting off a yearning ache throughout his body that made him set the water to cold.
But even that didn’t help. His brain knew Alyssa had been standing in this very spot, wet and naked, just a few short minutes before, and it conjured a stream of images that kept him hard and on edge.
Jesus, if he didn’t get some relief from this urgent need, he was going to end up jumping her. And what a shitstorm that would unleash.

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Hmm...what do you think Marco might do next?
It's been an incredible month with this book, and I thank you for all your support! Don't forget to check out the Other Sixers' Posts and follow the #sixsunday hashtag on Twitter!
Thanks for reading and hopefully commenting, too!
Laura

Behind the Scenes of @CaridadPineiro's #TheClaimed!

I'm very excited to welcome backCaridad Pineiroto the blog today.
She's got a great behind-the-scenes post on her new book, The Claimed, just for you. So, read on...
When I finished THE LOST, I knew that now that readers were aware of the Hunters and their powers, it was time to really kick it up and show you the civil war that was going on between the Light and Shadow Hunters.  It was also time to put together the two most unlikely people as lovers - a Light and Shadow Hunter.  You might even say that THE CLAIMED is a paranormal Romeo and Juliet and I loved showing their angst and how they have to set aside old wounds in order to not only love one another, but lead their people on a brave new path.

But not without some battles and sacrifices!

I had to make a choice of location for the final battle scenes in THE CLAIMED.  As I thought about it, it occurred to me I needed a place that spoke to the past that the Light and Shadow Hunters had to embrace, but also had to speak to the future that was possible for them.  I also needed a place that was in the public eye, but could be made "private" with the use of Hunter power.  Add to that the fact that it had to be somewhere that would be a logical place for one of the characters - Samantha aka Sammie - to be as she would be pivotal in that scene.

As all those needs came together, I realized there was only one place where that very important scene could be located - the Casino in Asbury Park.


There is no doubt in mind that the Casino is a link to the past glory that was Asbury Park, much like the past of the Hunters.  But the Casino also stands poised at the edge of the future for Asbury Park.  A future that can be seen in the wonderfully renovated Paramount Theater, the Convention Center (where the early roller derby scenes in and THE CLAIMED take place), and the boardwalk that is once again brimming with life!


The Casino is a very public place for sure.  It's the gateway between Ocean Grove and Asbury Park and people pass through the shell on a daily basis.  Surely Sammie would on her way to her shop on the Asbury Park boardwalk.    Here's a picture of what it looked like in its heydey!


Photo Credit:  National Park Service

Here's another photo of the Casino from afar.  The Casino was built in 1929 and designed by the same architects that designed Grand Central Terminal.



In this shot you can see more of the buildings.  In the past, those to the left as well as the middle section hosted a series of amusement park games and a carousel.  At one time there was another piece to the building that jutted out to the right on stilts onto the beach.  This section had a skating rink inside.  Sadly that part of the building suffered major damage and was torn down in 2006, but the rest of the Casino remains, now used for a variety of things like flea markets and a theater company.

The Casino was therefore the perfect place for my Hunters to have a final battle and also be the kickoff to the next book in the series, THE SHATTERED, but I won't spill about that right now.

I hope you've enjoyed this little peek into Asbury Park and the Casino.  It's one of my favorite sites along the boardwalk.  As I mentioned before, there used to be a carousel in one section of the building and here's a video clip shot on October 28, 1990, the last day the carousel was open for business.  Thanks to cflynn1979 for this clip.

If you can't see the clip of the carousel below, you can click here!



You can also read more about the Casino by clicking here.

Find Caridad and her books here: Buy The Claimed on Amazon | B&N Website | Twitter

Thanks so much for reading everyone! Please leave a comment or question for Caridad - she'd love to hear from you!
Laura

Welcome Guest Author Lynn Cahoon!

Welcome guest authorLynn Cahoonto the blog!

Welcome, Lynn!  Please share a little about yourself, your genres, any other pen names you use.
Hi, I’m Lynn.  I’m a write-a-holic.  Or at least part time.  Yes, I have a day job.  No, I don’t believe it’s my calling.  Telling stories is what I was born to do. Just ask my mother.
Love it! Okay, so, tell us a little about your latest or upcoming release.
The Bull Rider’s Brother is a secret baby, homecoming, reunion story.  Lizzie’s a strong, determined single mom who never reached out to James, her baby daddy, for help. When he shows up in town, his brother in tow, Lizzie has to decide if letting him into her life is worth the pain and confusion of a readymade family.
The setting is a fictional version of a lovely little town, nestled in the Idaho Mountains.
Ooh, sounds fun! Which character is your favorite and why?
JR.  The kid is priceless.  He’s spunky yet tender.  And like all good five year olds, tends to get in trouble, especially when he’s with his best friend, Sandy.
I have a special fondness for child characters after writing one in my first book! *grins* As the author, what surprised you about this story?
The change of plot line from where I started to where the book ended.  My original thought was to write as story about a woman who runs a tilapia farm in the mountains of central Idaho.  No rodeo.  No bull rider. No brother. But when the Sullivan brothers came on scene, they took over and all of a sudden, there was a different story to tell. Men, they always want to be in charge.  Even fictional ones.
LOL! Will there be any sequels or other books in the same series?
I’m working on Queen of the Stampede as we speak (err-type).  Barb Carico is Lizzie’s (The Bull Rider’s Brother’s heroine) best friend and Queen of the Stampede is Barb’s love story.  Then the final book will be how the bull rider (Jesse Sullivan) finally gets caught and falls in love. 
Awesome! What was the hardest thing for you about writing this story?
Relaxing and letting the story tell itself.  Giving up on my pre-conceived notions on where it should go.
Yes, so true! What are you working on right now?
Queen of the Stampede.  The second book in the Shawnee Rodeo Series.  My heroine’s best friend in Bull Rider’s Brother gets herself in a bit of a jam in Vegas.
After I finish Queen of the Stampede, I’ll be working on the second in my paranormal romance series that’s set to launch in November from Lyrical Press.
Wow! Lots going on! Good luck with it all! What happened to the first book you ever wrote?
It’s still on submission.  After a lot of changes and rewrites.  The only reason it’s still on submission after this long is that one publisher had it for six months, and the second a year. So now I’m going with a less traditional publisher (translate e-pub) and see if I can get it out there.
Good luck! What do you find easiest and hardest to write?
Easiest?  The beginning.  When the story still has the new car (or new boyfriend) smell.  Every one is cooperating, there’s no need to worry about conflict or the big black moment that is coming.
Hardest – the middle.  Where I tend to write without realizing what’s happening.  Having a daily word count helps so that I don’t get mired down and eventually, I sit down and write out bullet points for the rest of the manuscript.  Then the ending just flows.
Great look into your process there! Have you incorporated actual events or people from your own life into your books?
Growing up on a small farm in rural Idaho, I guess I was like Lizzie, my heroine in The Bull Rider’s Brother, looking for a way out to the big city. But life takes you on roads you don’t expect.  I was born in Nampa, Idaho. My father died when I was a baby, leaving my mother a widow with five kids.  When my mother remarried, we moved back out to the country, less than a mile away from the dairy farm where I was born. My graduating class from Kuna High School was sixty-three strong. 
Wow! Is there a theme or message that runs through your work?
That sometimes you find family you weren’t born into but are family just the same. 
I like that a lot! What would your readers be surprised to learn about you?
I’m a realist.  Even after reading every fairy tale and working out the revised story starring me, I’m much more realistic about what life has to offer.
Which romance book or series (or other genre, if you don’t write romance) do you wish you had written?
It’s women’s fiction, but Friendship Bread by Darien Gee.
Of all the characters you’ve ever written, who is your favorite and why?
Melinda Baxter – a breast cancer survivor who pours herself into her career after her divorce.  Even when she meets her soul mate, she can’t trust the process.  I relate to Melinda a lot.
Okay, now, just for fun: Milk chocolate or dark chocolate? Dark.  I keep semi-sweet chips in the freezer for quick pick me up.
Salty or sweet? Both – but probably salty would win most days.
Bed or kitchen table? Bed. ‘Nuff said.
Beach or mountains? Mountains.  I so miss camping.
Give or receive? I’m a giver – to a fault.  Recently, I’ve realized I can give to myself as well. :)

Rodeo weekend is the start of the summer the entire town of Shawnee, Idaho. On a girl's night out, Lizzie Hudson finds herself comparing her life as a single mom with her best friend's successful career when James Sullivan, the cowboy who got away, walks his Justin Ropers back into her life.  Seeing him shakes Lizzie's world but James is in for an even more eventful weekend, learning he has a son.  James has enough on his plate trying to manage his brother's bull riding career.  Can he learn to redefine family and become part of Lizzie's life before she gives up on him and marries another?
The Bull Rider’s Brotheris a series contemporary romance about Lizzie Hudson, a single mom who wants to keep her life just the way it is, thank you.  The problems you know are less scary than the problems you don’t.
When James Sullivan comes back for the town’s rodeo weekend and finds out that his high school sweetheart had his child, six years ago, Lizzie’s world is thrown into turmoil and she must decide if safety and certainty are worth giving up on a chance for love.  A love that an emotionally damaged James may never be able to return, breaking her and her son’s heart in the process.

Excerpt:
“I‘ll be there in a minute.” James knelt down next to the kid. He had a new straw hat. Staring at the sheep, James picked up a piece of straw and put it in his mouth like a toothpick.
The kid watched James and mirrored his actions. He, too, picked up a piece of straw and started chewing.
James grinned. “You riding tonight?”
“Yep.”
“First time?”
“Yep. Gramps bought me a new hat. He says I‘m big enough.”
“I rode at your age.” James laid his arms on the rails of the pen.
“You did?” The boy cast a glance downward and away, kicking the dirt with his toe before he asked, “Were you scared?”
“Heck, yeah. I worried I‘d fall. Then I was scared I‘d make a fool of myself and bawl my eyes out.” James peered at the barn toward where his brother stood talking to group of men. “I didn‘t want my brother to tease me.”
“My mom doesn‘t know. Gramps said it was our secret.” The kid bent his head towards one of the men talking to Jesse. “Do you think it‘s okay to have a secret from your mom?”
“As long as it‘s a good secret. Is she coming to the rodeo? Will she be here to watch you?”
“Yep. Gramps says she‘ll shit a brick when she sees me.” The boy grinned.
“She probably will.” James laughed and held out his hand. “I‘m James.”
“I‘m JR.” The boy shook his hand, stood up from his crouch and headed toward the men near Jesse. Turning around, he called, “Are you going to the parade?”
“Wouldn‘t miss it.”
“I‘ll see you then. They throw lots of candy and you even get an ice cream cone at the end.” He waved and took off at a run. When he reached the crowd around Jesse, he grabbed an older man by the knees.
Now that’s love.

Where can we find you on the web?
Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Amazon Author PageBuy The Bull Rider’s Brother

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING MY GUEST, LYNN!
Please leave Lynn some new release love! Did you have a favorite line from the excerpt? Thanks for reading! Laura

#SixSunday 60 - Marco's survival tactics... #HerForbiddenHero

Happy Sunday everyone! It's June 10th! You know what that means??? One month until the release of West of Want , the second book in my Hearts in the Anemoi series! I can't wait! Today, I have six more for you from Her Forbidden Hero. Here we go:

Marco watched Alyssa disappear into the bathroom. He should’ve put a shirt on, but maybe it was just as well he hadn’t. Maybe if she learned all the ways he was damaged, she’d stop looking at him the way she did. Because damn if that girl didn’t wear her emotions on her sleeve. And the affection and invitation in her eyes were almost more than he could bear.
It’s why he’d been staying away.

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Don't forget to take a look at the Other Sixers' Posts and follow the #SixSunday hashtag on Twitter. Thanks for reading and hopefully commenting, too!
Laura

MD/PA Friends: Laura Kaye 6/9 Booksigning in Carlisle, PA! #dsonalum

I loved my college experience. Loved it. I made an amazing group of friends there, some of whom I'm still in touch with. I met my husband there. And in general, I just found Dickinson College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, to be an amazing community to be a part of. This weekend is my 20th college reunion--I. HAVE. NO. IDEA. HOW. IT. COULD. BE. TWENTY. YEARS!!!--and if that wasn't exciting enough, the college is hosting me for a booksigning back at my old stomping grounds! How many times did I walk in and out of the College Bookstore? And now they're hosting me for a signing!
AND I HOPE YOU'LL COME (assuming you're within driving distance of Carlisle, that is! *grins*)
Here are the details:WHERE: College Bookstore, lower level of the Holland Union Building, 28 N. College St., Carlisle, PAWHEN: Saturday, June 9, 11am-12noonOPEN TO: The public!BOOKS AVAILABLE: North of Need, Hearts in Darkness, Forever Freed (display copy of West of Want will also be on hand for you to pet)ALSO FUN: Get your picture taken with a huge-sized Zephyros (West of Want) and even me if you want! *winks*
Can't make it on the 9th? Here are a few scheduled upcoming book signings (more to come, soon!):
July 14: Ukazoo Books, Towson, MarylandJuly 25: Literacy Booksigning, RWA National Convention, Anaheim, California
September 28-30: Baltimore Book Festival, Baltimore, Maryland
Thanks so much for reading! 
Laura

Come Celebrate Jessica Subject's 2 New Science Fiction Romances!

Welcome guest authorJessica Subjectto the blog today! 

See below for her giveaway!

Welcome, Jessica!  Please share a little about yourself, your genres, any other pen names you use.
Thank you so much for having me, Laura!  For those who don’t know me, I write science fiction romance, with more emphasis on the romance part than the science, though I do have a contemporary romance story out, and a paranormal erotica romance coming soon.
I’m also a wife, mother of two, and have a separate part-time job that keeps me busy.
[image error] Awesome! So, tell us a little about your latest or upcoming release.
Satin Sheets in Space released from Decadent Publishing on May 29. It is part of their popular 1Night Stand line, and is a M/F/M ménage. In this story, Danyka is set up on a date by her boss, Josh (from Beneath the Starry Sky ). She doesn’t have many dates due to her extreme height, but the man she is set up with makes her feel small and elegant. When they wind up on his spaceship, she fears her date became an alien abduction.
An Unexpected Return released the day after from Decadent Publishing. It is one of their launch stories for their new science fiction romance line, Elatia. I like to think of it as Star Wars meets Pretty Woman. Here’s the blurb:

Looking to experience all the universe has to offer, Prince Aristides escapes from the kingdom of Tyto and travels through space to the Emerald Planet, Elatia. He yearns to partake in the activities the planet is famous for, and fulfill all his sexual desires, but loses his heart and soul to an Adamos apprentice. Unfortunately, she is Terran, and her people are sworn enemies of those from Tyto. If he can convince Xia to give up her dreams of becoming an Adamos, and travel back to Tyto with him, will his parents accept her, or condemn them both?
Abandoned as a toddler on Elatia, and raised by Kalara, an Adamos specializing in erotic massage, Xia decides to follow in her footsteps. But she remains conflicted as to whether she wants to service clients for the rest of her life, or settle down and raise a family. When she meets Aris, he turns the tables on her, and brings her as much pleasure as she gives him.
Will they have their chance to be together, or will their families tear them away from any chance of young love?

Oh, two really interesting stories! Congratulations! Which character is your favorite and why?
This is always a hard question to answer, as all of these characters are a lot of fun to write. They each have a bit of my personality fused into their character, even Madelia from An Unexpected Return.
Cool! As the author, what surprised you about this story?
In An Unexpected Return, the revelation at the end regarding Xia’s parents surprised me. Though, once I starting writing that part, I knew it was meant to be. And hopefully it will lead to another story.
I love those kinds of moments! Will there be any sequels or other books in the same series?
With both stories, they are part of two different lines at Decadent Publishing, so there will be many more stories in those lines.
As for my specific characters, An Unexpected Return is open for a prequel, as well as two sequels.
Satin Sheets in Spaceis actually my fourth story in the 1Night Stand line, and is connected through characters to the previous three. And I have a fifth story, Sudden Breakaway, coming soon to this line as well, which is once again interconnected.
Go, Jessica, go! *grins* What was the hardest thing for you about writing these stories?
With An Unexpected Return, the world was created for me, so there were certain things I had to include in my story. Getting the details correct became frustrating at some points.
I had to open the bedroom door in Satin Sheets in Space. During sex scenes, I tend to close the door to the scene after a little bit, but one of my critique partners pushed me to open the door and finish the scene. I think the story is so much better because she did that.
Good for you! What are you working on right now?
I’m working on the second book in my Mark of the Stars series, and a couple other shorts.
Good luck with them all! What happened to the first book you ever wrote?
It’s the one mentioned in the last question. LOL I’m rewriting it, even though it’s been revised and rewritten many times before. I’ve learned so much since I first wrote it, and I like it so much better now. I can see the difference. And yes, I wrote the second book in the series first. It happens. J
LOL! What do you find easiest and hardest to write?
Dialogue is easiest for me. The hardest would have to be the sex scenes, as I mentioned above. With some stories, I can’t fade to black, I have to finish them.
Authors tell me sex scenes are the hardest so often! Have you incorporated actual events or people from your own life into your books?
Yes. LOL Or I guess I should say, certain people have inspired the characters in my books, sometimes good, and other times not so much. As for the actual events, most of those scenes were cut from that particular story.
Is there a theme or message that runs through your work?
Acceptance. I’m a big believer that everyone is created equal. I try to show my characters accepting those who are different from themselves, usually through an inter-species relationship.
That’s a great message! What would your readers be surprised to learn about you?
That I’m Canadian? Maybe not. Believe it or not, I used to be terrified of aliens. I thought they lurked in the dark recesses of my house waiting to abduct me. That fear was spawned after watching Signs while living in a farmhouse surrounded by corn fields. I’ve since gotten over that fear, and writing science fiction romance has in many ways been my therapy.
LOL! I’m not sure whether to laugh more at your thought that being a Canadian is surprising or your past fear of what you now revel in! *winks* Which romance book or series do you wish you had written?
I absolutely love the Kitty Katt Alien series by Gini Koch. I wish I could write funny. But my favorite science fiction romance is Lucy In The Sky by Barbara Elsborg. I’d love to be able to write something that HOT!
Of all the characters you’ve ever written, who is your favorite and why?
Okay, this I can answer. That would be Katrina. She is my first character I ever created, and was named by my daughter.
Aw, that’s sweet! Okay, now, just for fun: Milk chocolate or dark chocolate? White chocolate.
Salty or sweet? Garlic. Hehe.
Bed or kitchen table? LOL Kitchen table.
Beach or mountains? Mountains
Give or receive? Give.  :)

[image error]Danyka's unusual height and radiant red hair earn her the cold shoulder from any guy she approaches, unless he wants to experiment with a giant. So when her boss sets up on a one night stand, she hopes for a prince but expects the usual toad.
As a captivating stranger whisks her away from the ball and introduces her to his equally gorgeous brother, she fears her fantasies have become a nightmare. Has she finally given into impulse only to become a lab rat in an unknown world? 

Where can we find you on the web?
Website/Blog | Facebook| Twitter | Goodreads| Amazon Author Page
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING MY GUEST!
Thank you again for having me, Laura!
Excerpt from An Unexpected Return:
Walking into the silky rear-end of an oroke, she came to an abrupt halt. The creature had been walking at a steady pace and then stopped. She’d failed to notice in time. Wiping fluff off her face, she turned around and walked into another hard body. “I’m so sorry.”
Hands clamped down on her arms. “Are you all right?”
She stared up into deep brown eyes. Chewing her bottom lip, she nodded. If this man hadn’t been holding on to her, she would have fallen to the ground. The word swoon held no meaning for her until now.
Am I only like this because of the eletin I inhaled back home? Or was there something more she found heart-racing about the blue-skinned, well-muscled hunk of an Otarian who held her up?
No, she couldn’t feel anything for him. Their races had been sworn enemies for years. Everyone across the galaxy knew that. Yet here she was, standing face to face, gazing intently at him, with no will to move.
He smiled at her, drawing her attention from his eyes to his lips. How would they taste? She’d never kissed anyone intimately before.
“What’s your name?”
Name? Gods, what was her name? “Zee…Xia.” Had she told him, or only thought the word?
He released her arms to brush his fingers along her jaw line. How she remained standing, she had no idea.
“Xia. A beautiful name belonging to a beautiful woman.”

Giveaway!

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Thanks for reading, everyone! Comment now through midnight EST on June 8 to enter to win Jessica's giveaway! Open to international! Now, leave Jessica some new release (x2!) love!
Laura

GIFT! for PreOrdering #WestofWant Thru 6/10!

Hey guys! June 10th is one month away from the release of WEST OF WANT (Hearts of the Anemoi, Book 2), the first book of mine to hit bookstore shelves! So it seemed like the perfect time to encourage you to pre-order the print book AND give you a thank-you gift in return!

SO for this event, I'm offering thank yous for NEW PRINT pre-orders!
Here's how it will work:
Email your print West of Want pre-order confirmation receipts dated June 1 through midnight PST on June 10 to laurakayeauthor at gmail dot com and as a BIG THANK YOU I'll send you a brand new set of collectible book cover magnets for North of Need and West of Want! AND if I receive at least 20 pre-order emails, I'll also choose a few random pre-orderers to receive extra thanks yous in the form of West of Want notebooks, t-shirts, post-it notes, stickers, etc. Open to international! I've never offered any of these items before, so these are exclusive gifts made for this event!

Pre-Order the PRINT West of Want on AMAZON | B&N | Book Depository!

Those of you who already pre-ordered, THANK YOU! If you did so through the 4/10 - 5/10 Preview and Prizes event, don't forget to come on back on July 10 to see if you won one of the seven bookstore gift cards I'll be giving out that day! And, if you're an ebook reader, don't worry, I have tons of fun things in store for when the book releases in July!
Thanks so much for considering! And happy pre-ordering!
Laura