Ute Carbone's Blog, page 26

Busy Day on the Dancing in the White Room blog tour!

It's a three-for-all! Today, Dancing in the White Room is at three wonderful blogs.

P.D. Bell, extreme skier and Mallory's love, gives a rare interview at Romance Lives Forever

Angela Smith interviews me on her blog, Love is a Mystery

And, last but not least, there's a primer of ski terms and a contest over at Deep in the Heart of Romance

Only in cyberspace can you be three places at once! Hope you'll stop by and say hello.

Toot's Book Reviews: Spotlight, Author Interview & Giveaway : Dancing i...

The Dancing in the White Room Blog Tour continues today with an interview at Toot's Book Reviews.

Toot's Book Reviews: Spotlight, Author Interview & Giveaway : Dancing i...: Tour Hosted by Bridging the Gap Promotions & More

Dancing in the White Room #snippet An Unwritten Promise

We're on a break from touring today, so I thought I'd post another short snippet here on the blog.
Mallory has called her father after having a fight with Creech.



“So why are you really calling, sweetie?” he asks.And I’m ready to cry again, except that I’m too old to go crying to Daddy. He wouldn’t know what to do with it, if I did.“I thought me and Em might come visit once the season’s done.” The thought has just popped into my head, as likely an excuse as any. “That would be great.” He sounds like he really means it. “About the middle of April, maybe? Bell ought to be home by then.”The mention of Bell is enough to do me in, and I find I’m telling him all my troubles, about Roddie and Bell’s continuing despite what happened. About how scared I feel. “And Creech is pissed at me too,” I finish, though I don’t even try to explain this part.“Creechie will come round. He always does.”But I don’t know. He didn’t seem very willing to come around when he left here.I don’t feel much better after I hang up. What I’d really like to do is pack up and take Emily down to Wells right now. If this was seven years ago and there was no Emily and no Bell, I might go running home. But it’s not seven years ago, and it’s not so easy to just pick up and go. I have my job to consider. I couldn’t leave Albie in a lurch. It wouldn’t be right.I go to bed but I don’t sleep. I tell myself I better stop obsessing. I’m going to pay for my insomnia tomorrow, but it doesn’t seem to matter what I tell myself. I keep playing my conversation with Creech over in my head. How could I have made him see it differently?Then I get mad, thinking it’s really none of Creech’s business in the first place. He has no right to be upset with me. But that doesn’t sit well either.Then I switch channels and think about Danny and try to imagine Bell running to his grandfather because I wouldn’t marry him. There’s still some kind of promise between us. Even if it’s unwritten.
Isn’t there?

Fiction Witches: Blog Tour Stop for Ute Carbone, author of DANCING ...

At today's blog stop, I'm chatting with Maddie James over at Fiction Witches

Fiction Witches: Blog Tour Stop for Ute Carbone, author of DANCING ...: I have a special guest today, Ute Carbone, author of the newly released women's fiction novel, DANCING IN THE WHITE ROOM. Let's h...

Reviews by Crystal: Dancing in the White Room by Ute Carbone ~ Bridgin...

At today's Blog Stop, I'm being interviewed by Crystal at Crystal's reviews

Reviews by Crystal: Dancing in the White Room by Ute Carbone ~ Bridgin...: Dancing in the White Room by Ute Carbone Giveaway: Ute is giving away a total of 3 ebook copies, winner’s choice of any o...

The Book Bug Reviews: Dancing in the White Room by Ute Carbone Spotlight...

The Dancing in the White Room Blog Tour has begun. Here's today's stop-

The Book Bug Reviews: Dancing in the White Room by Ute Carbone Spotlight...: Dancing in the White Room by Ute Carbone New from Turquoise Morning Press Contemporary Women’s Fiction Da...

Dancing in the White Room Blog Tour

Just because the Winter Olympics are over doesn't mean you can't still enjoy Dancing in the White Room. I'm taking my ski-themed book on tour over the next few weeks and there'll be plenty about my characters and skiing. Hope you'll make a few of the stops with me.


Tour ScheduleFeb 25 - The Book Bug Review   Feb 26  -  Reviews by CrystalFeb 27 -  Fiction WitchesFeb 28 -  Fall into Reading ReviewsMarch 1 -  Harlie's BooksMarch 3  -  Toots Book ReviewsMarch 4- Romance Lives ForeverMarch 5  -  Gemini GirlsMarch 6  -  London ScribblesMarch 6 -  That Girl Reads   

Please Welcome Angela Smith.

Romantic suspense writer Angela Smith, author of Burn on the Western Slope and Fatal Snag,  has come by today to blog about why she loves romance.

Why I love romantic suspense
It’s a question asked of me often, and I usually have the same spiel as an answer. You know, I’ve always read, always loved romance, liked suspense and then I started working at a prosecutor’s office and yadda yadda yadda, blah blah blah.
It’s a difficult question to answer because loving romantic suspense, loving to read and write and loving to write romantic suspense has just always seemed to be a part of me. But when I really dig deep, I see a glimmer of how that love originated, or at least how it developed into my writing.
It all started with the movies. I grew up watching Kung Fu and Looney Toons with my dad. Maybe they aren’t romantic suspense, but they have some suspense and even some romance, right? And then there are the movies I loved as a tween (even though that word didn’t exist back in my day). Not the normal Top Gun, Dirty Dancing, or The Princess Bride movies (even though I love those!) but movies that aired on cable every summer when I was a kid and movies that I couldn’t get enough of. Movies that I feel are often overlooked but still good, which is why I’m listing them today.
Movies like Stakeout. Oh my goodness I love the movie Stakeout to this day. Back then, I would watch it every single time it came on, and it wasn’t near as often. Of course it didn’t hurt that I had a crush on Emilio Estevez. Even today, that movie cracks me up, but the undercover investigations and romantic twist are what kept my eyes glued to the screen. Even as a child I loved that undercover investigation stuff. Is it any wonder I now love to write about it?
One Crazy Summer, although not necessarily suspense (depending on how you look at it) would be my second in a list of top three often overlooked but awesome movies that shaped my love of romance. It was that particular time frame, between 1986-1987, when my sister and I were staying at home by ourselves, baking sugar cookies, and watching movies during the hottest part of the day.
Last, but certainly not least, is Centennial. Although it was already at least a ten-year old miniseries by the time I remember it and it aired at nighttime, for a while it came on once a year every summer and, for twelve days, my entire family was glued to the screen.  I never read the book, written by James Michener, but I remember the time it stopped playing. My heart broke. I thought I’d never see it again. And, sadly even though I can find it now, I never did watch it again.  
Of course there’s Top Gun and Dirty Dancing. What woman between the ages of 30-40 doesn’t love those two movies? More romance with action, adventure, and yes, even some suspense depending on how you look at it.  And even though they are labeled as part of the top romantic movies of the 80s and are well deserved, I have a few that shaped what I love to write and who I am now. Stakeout, One Crazy Summer¸and Centennial are my three.




Burn on the Western Slope by Angela SmithBlurb:Reagan McKinney is on a mission to discover more about a deceased uncle who mysteriously left her a sizable inheritance, a condo in the mountains, and a stash of stolen jewels. With both her graphic design career and her love life in shambles, the opportunity to begin a new life couldn’t have come at a better time. When she becomes involved with the sexy FBI agent next door, she finds her struggle is not only to keep her heart intact, but her life.Grief stricken after an undercover investigation ends in the death of his partner, Special Agent Garret Chambers goes home to find solace in the arms of his mountain retreat. That is, until his boss assigns him to investigate the spirited brunette staying in the condo next door. He is assigned to investigate Reagan’s involvement with a large jewel fencing organization, but his investigation becomes compromised when his attraction to her heats up. Will his discovery destroy everything he has come to love, including Reagan?

Information about the book:Title: Burn on the Western SlopeAuthor: Angela SmithGenre: Romantic SuspenseRelease Date: 15 July 2013Publisher: Crimson RomanceLinks and Short links:
Amazon:http://www.amazon.com/ dp/B00DL3ALDEhttp://bit.ly/14ggWFh Barnes and Noble:http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/burn-on-the-western-slope-angela-smith/1115916239?ean=9781440570353 http://bit.ly/1cFZQE8Kobo Books:http://www.kobobooks.com/ebook/Burn-on-the-Western-Slope/book-DzzRVGdYBE6J_DUxJQHPAg/page1.html http://bit.ly/16rCDkCiTunes:https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/burn-on-the-western-slope/id665930023?mt=11http://bit.ly/14zTtyN



About the Author:During her senior year in high school, Angela Smith was dubbed most likely to write a novel, and that has been her dream ever since her mother read Brer Rabbit to her and her sister so often that they were able to recite it back to each other before actually learning to read. She’s always enjoyed stories about the adventure of love, and getting involved in the legal field developed her love of suspense. A certified paralegal, work gives her perfect fodder for her romantic suspense stories. When not caring for her small farm or spending time with her husband of two decades, she enjoys creating, reading, and dreaming of the places she’ll visit one day.
Angela Smith LOVES talking to readers. You can contact her in the following ways:
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/AuthorAngelaSmith Twitter – https://twitter.com/angelaswriter Goodreads - http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7173505.Angela_SmithWebsite – http://www.loveisamystery.com Email – angela@loveisamystery.com

Excerpt: “The snow’s great, the skiing is great. When are you going out to ski?” Garret asked.Reagan fumbled with the button on her sweater. When Chayton set her drink on the bar, she tightened her hands around the glass to curb her jitters.“I hate to admit it, but I don’t ski.”“You don’t ski?”“I mean, I never have.”“You have to be tempted, right?” “Uh, not really.”
            This was where he’d leave. He would think she was crazy, boring, uninteresting, and he’d find someone more fitting to talk to. Only, he didn’t. He smiled, his eyes twinkling with interest. At least, she thought it was interest. It could have been pity, or mockery, or…No. She cupped a hand over her cheek, as if that would soothe her insecurities. The cold condensation from the glass she’d held sent a chill between her shoulder blades. “How long are you staying?”“A month, at least.”“Do you want to learn to ski? Because I’m a pretty good teacher. And Tanyon is a great place to learn. It’s busy, but not as busy as some of the bigger resort towns.”“Oh, I don’t know.”“Yes. You have to try it at least once. You’ll love it. Chayton can hook you up with gear.”“Well, I’ve always had a secret desire to plunge down a twelve-thousand-foot drop.” Garret’s eyes sparkled, like sunbeams skipping across the ocean and landing under her skin. But even sunbeams on a clear summer afternoon wouldn’t affect her like this.“It’s not so bad,” he said. “We’ll start on the bunny slopes. Then, if you fall it’ll only be half that.”“I’ve seen the size of these mountains and there’s not a bunny slope in three-hundred miles.”“Sure there is.”Reagan clamped her mouth over the straw and slurped the cocktail. It tasted divine, the sugary, minty flavor inciting sweet thoughts of Garret’s lips.“I’m not sure I’m ready for that,” Reagan said, running her tongue over her lips as she rested her glass on the counter. “Skiing, that is,” she quickly added. He would never know she’d been thinking of kissing him, but she had to force herself to look away from his mouth. Nudging Naomi, she stood. “It’s time for me to go. I need to settle in. I haven’t even unpacked yet.” And she had no intention of doing so now, but it was a good excuse to leave. She wiped her hands on her jeans before extending her hand to his, praying hers weren’t clammy. “It was great to meet you.”Garret grasped her proffered hand and nested his other on top, engulfing her hand. She burned. Everywhere. “Meet me on the slopes tomorrow?” Reagan bit her lip and glanced at the floor. “Tomorrow? I don’t know. I might need a little more time to get used to this place.” “We’ll start with sledding. You can’t not like sledding.”She didn’t know, seeing as how she’d never done it, but cozying up to him at a hundred miles an hour would probably be amazing. “I’m safe,” Garret said as he dropped his hand.“You’re what?” she asked, meeting his eyes. Maybe he was a good guy in most people’s standards, but he made her heart beat too fast to be anything but dangerous.“I’m harmless. Several people in town will vouch for me.”“But I don’t know them either.”

Dancing in the White Room--#Snippet The bedtime story. #TMPress

hMallory and Bell's daughter, Emily, asks her mother for a bedtime story that Mallory would rather not tell--

Settled into bed, she asks for a story. “I want the story of Daddy and the mountain.”This stops me for a minute. I have to bite my lip to keep from crying. “I don’t know that one, Em.”“Yes you do. Daddy went to the big mountain,” she begins and she lies back expectantly.I swallow hard. “Oh, that one,” I say and I pick up as best I can. “Daddy went to the big mountain.”“And what’s the big mountain called?” she asks, though I know that she already knows the answer.
“It’s called Denali.” The name is loose and pliable on my tongue. It rolls like pebbles in my mouth.

Dancing in the White Room is available as an e-book. Buy your copy at TMP, Amazon, Barnes and Noble

White Room Snippets: Mallory and Bell #TMP

Part of Dancing in the White Room is told in back flash as Mallory recalls her life with Bell over the past seven years. This snippet is one of those scenes. In it, Mallory tells how she and Bell first met. She's a patrol woman, he's an extreme skier who's at Whiteface doing a demonstration ski.

The lunch crowd had long since filtered out of the cafeteria, choosing to stand in line for the lifts rather than hamburgers. I spooned up a bowl of chili from what looked like the dregs of the pot. Bell sat at a corner table with some other guys from the team. His blond hair curled around his shoulders, and I thought he was the best-looking guy I had ever laid eyes on.
I sat down a few tables from them. When I glanced up, I saw Bell watching me. I smiled and he smiled back, said something to his friends, picked up his tray and started walking in my direction. I figured he was done with lunch and about to leave. I wanted to check him out, but not stare, so I concentrated on my chili.
I didn’t look up again until he sat down across from me, at which point I was caught up in a kind of gummy, adolescent speechlessness. He had a half-eaten burger on his tray and a mound of fries slathered in ketchup.
“Chili any good?” he asked.
I stared at it as though it might give me an answer to his question. The crackers I’d been crumbling into the bowl were stuck to my palm. “I wouldn’t recommend it.” I brushed the crumbs from my hand.
“I was watching you ski,” he said. “You’re pretty phenomenal.” He smiled down at his burger.
“You’re not so bad yourself,” I answered, thinking the minute after I said it that this was possibly the stupidest thing that had ever dropped out of my mouth.
“You want to grab a beer or something later?”

Dancing in the White Room as an e-book at a wide variety of online bookstores including
TMP , Barnes and Noble and Amazon