Kristen Brockmeyer's Blog

*Sniff, sniff.* Goodbye, dear Blogger...

Please feel free to visit my new spot, over at

www.kristenbrockmeyer.com

Same ol' content, fun new digs! [  

Written? Kitten! Why I like it.

I love things that make me write faster, so when I saw a mention on Twitter about Written? Kitten!, a free online writer interface that rewards you with kittens every time you get to 100 words, I had to try it. I pulled up the tool and it was simply a pretty blue screen with a white text box and a little explanation of how things worked. You just click in the box and start typing.

Here's a recap of my experience with this Write or Die-like positive writing reinforcer:

Hello, my name is Kristen and I want to see a kitten. So I'm going to keep writing until I get to 100 words. I love Write or Die, but it scares me, and I'm really more the kitten type, so lets see how positive reinforcement works as compared to scary, scary spiders. Or, like in the original WoD version, screechy loud violin music or crying babies. That last one really got me at the time, since I was pregnant. Hmm... 20ish more words. What else can I say? I like your site. It's really cute and the blue is nice. 

Okay, I'm at 101. Where the hell is my kitten?

Now I'm sad. I was really looking forward to seeing a kitten, and I'm just not sure I can hang in there for another 100 words to see if it works at 200. Well, just about halfway there now, so might as well keep on trying. Ugh. Can I just ask why it's so easy to write 200 words here, when it's lame stuff about nothing, than it is to get them down on my manuscript? That makes me sadder. You know what would make me feel better? A kitten. 

And then, at 200 words, this pops up:


There it is! YAY!

Thank you. My morning is awesome, now.

I'm not sure what it is about earning the baleful stare of a green-eyed tabby that made me feel so accomplished, but it's true: my morning somehow is awesome now. Despite the lack of a kitten* at the first 100 words, I'll definitely be using Written?Kitten! again and will highly recommend it to my writer friends.

*They also offer puppies and bunnies, if you're allergic to digital cats.

Giveaway Winner Announced: Teresa T.!

Image CreditCongratulations, Teresa--thanks for entering Jennifer Lowery's giveaway! (And if anyone missed the interview with Jennifer on MaGM, be sure to check it out here!)

MaGM #6: Meet Author Jennifer Lowery (with GIVEAWAY!)

See, the trick to being late with a blog post is to do it exactly a week later than you said you would. Then, you can pretend you were never late at all! Promise, though, this one was worth the wait. There's even a giveaway!

So, welcome to another Meet and Greet Monday, where we pull an author or reader of romance out from out of that book they're buried in, drag them in front of everyone and introduce them! Please wave hello to today's featured guest, another MMRWA friend and fantastic author (she's a NYT and USA Today bestseller for a reason), Jennifer Lowery!

This is her. Ain't she purty?Hi, Kristen, and all you fabulous readers out there! *waves* Thank you so much for having me today! My romantic suspense, The Maze, released this month so I’m very excited to be here! Thank you so much for sharing it with me!! 

In honor of my release I am giving away an e-book copy of any one of my books (go to my website  to choose) to one lucky commenter so please leave me a comment with your EMAIL so I can contact you if you win!!

Thank you, generous Miz Jennifer! Are interviewers included in that giveaway invite? Just askin'... Okay, lets get to some questions. Here are the just-because-I'm-nosy ones:

What fairy tale character do you most identify with?

Snow White. Loved the story as a kid and always felt the most like her. I am a romantic suspense writer, after all, lol.  And Snow White’s story is very much a suspense story to me. Especially with the huntsman. :)

I love the Snow White story and all of it's variations, but I could not agree with you more about the huntsman version.


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Whew. *fans self* Okay, on to the next. What historic period would you live in if you could? Or would you rather live in the future?

I would love to go back to medieval times-just for a little while-and live with a Scottish Highlander. The kind you read about in romance books, lol. 

It's a good thing you put that qualifier in there. If fairytales have taught us anything, it's that you have to be very careful what you wish for.

original image creditScary thought... but that picture lets me segue nicely into my next question. Which of your five (or six!) senses would you say is the strongest?

My sense of smell. Ugh. My family calls it a curse. It is unusually heightened and very sensitive. I’d make a great narcotics dog, lol. 

Oh, man. I think I'd rather have any other sense heightened but that one. The world doesn't always smell like sunshine and roses and fresh-baked cookies! It could be worse, though. You could have a nose that just looks like it's super sensitive.

"What are you looking at?" Image Credit
Moving on, what's your lucky number?

7. There are three ‘7s’ in my birthdate. And 2 ‘1’s. So maybe 1 is my lucky number. Hmmm…

Seven is my son's favorite number, too, so I'm kind of partial to it. I'm pretty partial to my son, too. Can you tell why? Just look at that shirt. He's my favorite nerd, ever.


Sorry, I'll take any excuse to show pictures of my kids. :)

So, back to you, Jennifer! Are you a good public speaker?

No! Very adamantly no. I would take an F in school if if meant avoiding making a speech. My grades were always pretty good so I could afford the bad grade. Yeah, I hate speaking in front of people. 

Phobias are brutal. I'm that way about spiders. It was even worse when I was was younger--my sister an I had a closet we used as a "fort" when we were kids. I saw a spider in there once the size of a dime, and I kid you not, I never went in to that closet again. And we lived there another three years. I take my phobias very seriously.
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Speaking of scary things, have you ever gone bungee jumping? If not, would you?

Since I’m terrified of heights that would be a no way!

You're in good company, then. Me and Connie Bretes won't do it, either.

What's your favorite holiday?

Christmas. Hands down. I love everything there is about the holiday and we go all out. Christmas in my family is a big event every year. I start baking in November if that’s any indication, lol. And we are lucky if we make it through Thanksgiving before our Christmas tree goes up. :)

I love Christmas, too! My mom has been posting on Facebook that there's only 170-something shopping days left. Not that anyone but us Christmas-lovers are counting.

Image Credit.You're ordering a pizza just for you. What's on it?

Pineapple and ground beef. 


If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?

Ireland.

I've always wanted to visit Ireland! And I hear it's a great place for pale people, too.

Add captionOne last nosy question for you. Ever gone skinny dipping?

Yep. And I shall say no more! LOL.

We'll just watch for skinny dipping scenes in your books if we want to know the details, right? ;) Okay, on to the writerly stuff. Pick up the book closest to you. Turn to page 12. What's the first full sentence on the page?

“Roger that.” As he exited the garage, the sun flooded the cab of the truck, and he pulled on his mirrored aviator sunglasses.

I always forget to ask for the title of the book, too, with that question, but with my mad detective skills (and Google-assisted copy/paste), I know that the book closest to you was Winter's Heat by Cristin Harber! Does that win me a free book? :)

Who is your favorite author of all time?

Cherry Adair. But there are so many, I can hardly narrow it to just one.

I'm the same way. I've had to cut down on my reading time just to fit in my writing. What are you currently working on?

Book #2 of my SEAL Team Alpha series. 

LOVE those military men! What book have you released most recently?

The Maze.

Can we read a little of it?

I am drooling over this cover.Trying to explain was out of the question, he knew she wasn’t in a place where she could listen, so he set the lantern on the ground and stepped back. “Come on, Devayne, take what you need from me.”

“You have nothing I need.”

“Oh, I think I do. Let’s work on your fighting skills before we meet up with Santiago.”

It worked. Attie took off her parka and hung it on a tree limb. Then she lunged. Noah simply allowed her to release her pent up emotions on him, parrying her blows, challenging her and offering what she needed. She flew at and around him with skill and agility that impressed him once again. She jabbed with her fists, kicked and danced as if she were weightless.

The ground below them grew muddy from rain and their boots. Anyone watching would no doubt think them crazy to be out in such weather—Noah would have agreed—but this was important. Attie’s state of mind took precedence over the storm.

Dodging a jab to his kidney, he put his hands together in a time-out gesture as lightning flashed overhead. Attie ignored it and trotted toward him. Deflecting the blow, he said loudly to be heard, 

“Enough. You’re going to catch pneumonia.”

Again, she ignored him.

Annoyed, he waited for her to turn just like so…and in one swift move spun her into his arms and trapped her arms at her sides, holding her tight against him.

Green ice met his stare and her beauty struck him again. Anger never looked so good on a woman. Raindrops clung to her lashes and slid over the smooth flesh of her cheeks. Her hair clung like a deep flame to her head and shoulders. She looked hostile and aggressive and sexy as hell with her eyes flashing, cheeks flushed and clothes plastered to her lithe body. Her chin jutted out stubbornly.

Fantastic. I can't wait to read this. Every excerpt I've read has been better than the last! So, where can we buy it?
Amazon
Barnes & Noble Kobo iTunes
Any other info links for all of us bookstalkers out there? 
Image CreditYes, and thank you for having me today, Kristen!! I also want to send out a big THANK YOU to all my readers out there! Without you I wouldn't be here. My wish is to one day meet each and every one of you so I can personally thank you for your generosity and support! 
Website   Facebook   Twitter    Romance Recipes Jennifer's Newsletter
***BONUS***For everyone who signs up for my  NEWSLETTER  you will receive an e-book copy of my short story, Taking Chances ($.99 value) for FREE!
Sweet! Thank you so much for being on today, Jennifer, and thank you for hanging out with us on MaGM Monday! Best of luck and many booksale wishes for your new release. [  

MaGM #5: Meet Author Connie Bretes

So, when I get back my questionnaires for MaGM, usually the answers I receive are detailed and chatty. My next guest, though, has written more in the past year than probably Nora Roberts and Steven King combined. Plus, she works full-time, has a long commute (no time to dilly dally!) and she's a little shy--so we're going to call this the MaGM Lightning Round! 

Welcome to Meet and Greet Monday (ahem, Tuesday), where we pull an author or reader of romance out from out of that book they're buried in, drag them in front of everyone and introduce them! Please wave hello to today's featured guest, a MMRWA friend and new author, Connie Bretes!

(She barely left off writing long enough to let the photographer take this picture!)Alright, brace yourself, Connie. Here come the just-because-I'm-nosy questions:

What's your favorite color? 

Purple.

Okay, that was easy. Now, what's your middle name?

Sue.

Good. I was just seeing if you were paying attention. Quick, if you were a superhero, what would your superpower be?

Bionic ears.

Did you see that? No hesitation. Connie keeps a cool head under pressure.


And now I know what to get her for Christmas! Image CreditBut I'm just getting warmed up. Connie: have you ever gone bungee jumping? If not, would you? 

No, not on your life.

Are you sure? I've heard it's a lot of fun. Ask anyone that's tried it!


Image CreditNext question! Have you ever met a celebrity?

No.
Have you ever gone skinny dipping? 
No.
Hmm. Ever had a secret admirer?
No.
Scared to fly?
No.
Now, Connie, I've got to get something juicy out of you. Like, stuff that no one else knows. Our readers expect it. Then, I promise I'll let you get back to writing! For example, have you ever had a really bad haircut? Be honest, now.
I had my hair cut, then permed. It turned into a frizzy Afro. It was horrible and made my face look tiny.
I'm sure it wasn't that bad. What kind of afro are we talking, here, anyway? Was it a free-form Bob Ross coiffure?
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Or more of a, uh, stylized 'do?
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And no worries, we all rock styles we regret at some point in our lives. Except me, of course. My hair is and always has been as fabulous as the rest of me.
Don't knock the leggings or the Farrah wings. It was the 80's.Yeah. So. 
Much to Connie's relief, I'm changing the topic to books now. 
Pick up the book closest to you. Turn to page 12. What's the first full sentence on the page?
“Copper ringlets curled on her forehead and on her nape”
I should have asked what book! Now I'm picturing this:



Those probably aren't the copper ringlets you're referring to, though.
Who is your favorite author of all time? 

Victoria Holt.
What are you currently working on? 

Love Songs, getting it ready for release.

Such exciting words for a new author. Bet you don't get tired of saying them! What book have you released most recently? 
The Last Dig, released yesterday.
Woo! Congrats! I feel like I own a little of that excitement, having been one of the first to read it. Can we let everyone know what its about?  Image Credit
Paleontologist Caroline Priest is shocked when she finds a dead body at her dig site. When she calls it in to the sheriff's department, her former boyfriend, Rand Callahan, comes out to investigate. The evidence quickly starts to point to Caroline being the killer, and Rand has no choice but to arrest her.
It's clear to Caroline that she's been set up, but by who and for what reason? While Caroline is out on bail, Rand rekindles his relationship with her as they try to solve the mystery before it's too late.
Where can we buy it? 

Beachwalk PressAmazonBarnes and Noble

And the now-familiar stalker question: where can we find you at?


Just remember, friends... Image Credithttp://conniebretes.weebly.com Facebook Twitter Email 
I'm so excited for your debut, Connie. Enjoy the ride and best wishes for tons and tons of book sales! [  

Book Review: Secret Love by Christine Warner

Will you judge me if I tell you I had never read a novella until yesterday? Matter of fact, when I first saw Secret Love, by Christine Warner, I didn't even know that's what it was. Then I started reading and was like, what? Only 69 pages? Won't I feel cheated? And voila: just an hour or so later, I'm a now a big fan of novellas in general and Christine Warner in particular.

Book: Secret LoveAuthor: Christine WarnerPublisher: Self-PublishedGenre: Sweet RomanceRating:  [   [   [   [   [    (5 out of 5 hearts!)

About the Book:Saranac, Michigan
March 1955

Lizzie Tarleton has always done things her own way—including the time at the tender age of thirteen when she confessed to her brother’s best friend she loved him. But now she’s a new teacher at the local high school, and independent enough to know that you can’t force love. She’ll find love when the time is right—even though her parents are adamant the time is now. The only downfall to her idyllic life is the fact that her childhood crush—who broke her heart—is now her boss. If only she could stop daydreaming about him.

Wayne Whitmore grew up on the wrong side of the tracks and worked hard to get where he’s at in life. Even though he enjoys being principal at the small town high school, he dreams of coaching baseball. When his best friend asks him to watch over his little sister at her new job at Wayne’s school, he agrees. What he doesn’t count on is how she’s grown from the pig tailed kid who told him she loved him, to the woman who breaks his concentration with her beauty and smile. Unable to get over his fascination, and afraid he’ll ruin his friend’s trust, Wayne applies for his dream job—one that will take him far away.

One night while decorating the school gymnasium for an upcoming sock hop, Lizzie and Wayne find themselves alone. They share a kiss and Lizzie realizes her childhood crush for Wayne has never died. Wayne decides he doesn’t want to let Lizzie get away.

Can they come to terms with their secret love and then overcome the other secrets they are hiding in order to get what they each want? Or is their timing for love still off?
My Thoughts:In the spirit of novellas and the abbreviated slices of fiction they offer, I'll try to rein in my enthusiasm about this book enough to keep this review relatively brief. Here are five things I adored about Secret Love:
1. The cover. Visually appealing as heck, with a strong vintage vibe. Feel free to judge this book by it.
2. The vintage factor.  It's no secret that I'm a lover of all things vintage, so when I saw "1955" in the description, I was instantly intrigued. I love historical romance, but I rarely see anything set newer than the Victorian era. 
3. The writing.Clean, polished and error-free, and very well edited. I like that.
4. Portrayal of life in the 50's:I'm still trying to figure this out: since I was born in 1980, how did reading this book make me so flipping nostalgic? I couldn't get over the way the setting was so unobtrusively but unmistakably 1955. It probably helped that I toggled over to YouTube and played the songs that were referenced as I read. The title of the book itself was a catchy Doris Day number.
5. The love story itself.There's no major trauma, no bullets flying, no fatal car accidents, just a lifelike romance with the emotional stakes that come along with the territory. But this is in no way boring: I found myself falling in love with and rooting for Lizzie and Wayne from page one. They're very likable, realistic characters.
To sum it up all short and sweet? Five hearts.
About the Author: Christine Warner is living her dream in Michigan along with her husband, three children, one laptop and a much loved assortment of furry friends.
Besides laughing and a good round of humor, she enjoys spending time with her family, cooking, reading, writing but no arithmetic.  A confessed people watcher, she finds inspiration for her stories in everyday activities.  She loves to read and write about strong heroes and determined, sometimes sassy, heroines.
Connect with Christine Warner:BlogFacebookTwitterGoodreads
Buy the Book:AmazonBarnes and Noble
Disclaimer: I received a free digital copy of Secret Love in exchange for a fair and impartial review.

MaGM #4: Meet Author Nancy Gideon

Woohoo - there's a chance it's actually Monday when you're reading this! Well, unless something crazy happens between now and the time I hit the post button... Welcome to Meet and Greet Monday, where we pull an author or reader of romance out from out of that book they're buried in, drag them in front of everyone and introduce them! Please wave hello to today's featured guest, author Nancy Gideon:
You see that 24-carat gleam in her eye? Nancy was on a bling-buying expedition in Nawleans.
Heya, Nancy - thanks for coming! I'm really looking forward to this interview. I know you're gonna have some good answers for us... *rubs hands together gleefully* 

First, I'm going to ask you a handful of random questions, just because I'm nosy. Starting with: what fairy tale character do you most identify with?

Gretel from the movie Hansel & Gretel, Witch Hunters. If only I looked that bad@ss in leather!  Lie around helplessly and wait to be rescued? Not this babe in the woods.


Oh, Nancy, quit being modest. You do look badass in that leather outfit. Except your shoulder pads are kind of big, but we won't judge.

Which of your five (or six!) senses would you say is the strongest? Your witch hunting sense or...

I wish it was my hearing, but that’s the first to go.  It’s probably my sense of smell.  I’m ultrasensitive to certain scent notes in candles and perfumes.  Boom – massive headache.

Little known fact: Wolverine has the same problem. Click on the pic to read the speech bubbles better.


I hope you're happy, Nancy. I ruined a perfectly good comic book image, just for you. 

Lollypops: are you a licker or a biter?

Let me see.  One, two, three, CRUNCH.

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Speaking of direwolves, do you have any pets?

Though I’m currently at a pet deficit, which I plan to resolve soon with the adoption of a new cat, I adore all things fur, feather and fin.  I’ve always shared my life and love with animals, from gerbils to Guinea pigs, aquarium frogs to foundling cats, my dad’s hunting dogs and a tank of pampered fish to a balcony hosting squirrels (including flying), five varieties of woodpeckers and a family of raccoons – I spoil them all.

That's so cool – what's it even like having a flying squirrel? I've never met anyone that's had one. Do they sell little aviator goggles for them?

Image Credit(Yes, I now want a flying squirrel, in case you were wondering. And I will name it Rocky and it shall be mine.)

Are you a good public speaker?

Actually, I am - once I learned how to conquer the terror the thought of it immediately inspires.  The idea of walking up in front of the class to put an assignment on the teacher’s desk used to make me hyperventilate. I’d prefer to write a 50-page essay than give a two minute speech.  But I do love to talk on any subject endlessly so I had to train myself to circumvent the fear by refusing to recognize it. I volunteer then don’t think about it until it’s time to write my speech. Then I rehearse until I’m comfortable saying the words and with the material and put it away. Out of sight out of mind until I have to get up in front of a half-dozen or several hundred. I take several slow deep breaths and go for it. The size of the group doesn't matter. I focus on one face at a time when I speak and force myself to pause frequently so my brain can catch up with my words. A simple technique but it works for me.

I tried out for a play at the Civic when I was 13 and was coincidentally picked to audition first. I immediately forgot every word of the Thomas Moore poem I had painstakingly spent the previous week learning, and then cried in front of 100 other kids for the awkward 30 seconds it took for someone to come lead me offstage. I did not get the part. 

Today in "Lessons from Nancy." Image Credit
What's your favorite holiday?

I’m a Christmas-aholic.  I collect everything from music boxes and CDs to Santa Clauses and nutcrackers. ’Tis the season to go overboard in my house. I love gift giving and baking and setting that perfect holiday table. Halloween is a close runner-up, probably because I write paranormals and love the drama.

Google Street View of Nancy's house on November 1. Image Credit
Are you scared of flying?

I love to travel and flying gets me where I want to go in two hours without having to stop for a bathroom every 40 miles.  I learned to drink coffee in an aviation class in 12th grade (I was one of three girls in the class—part of the appeal). My younger son volunteered at our local Air Zoo and snuck stick time on small planes whenever he could (including a couple of Warbirds!) and now is teaching my grandson to pilot R/C planes. I guess you could say we’re a heads in the clouds people. 
My husband loves airplanes and flies R/C's, too, and my youngest is showing a lot of interest in them. Me, though, not so much. The only time I've ever flown was to England, and I just happened to come home in the wee hours of the morning on September 11, 2001. So, waking up to the news that morning was pretty sobering and I vowed to take a boat or swim if I ever needed to go overseas again. 

Plus, I always see things like this on the news, and they don't exactly inspire confidence:


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Okay, let's talk about book stuff. Pick up the book closest to you. Turn to page 12. What's the first full sentence on the page?

Chance shook his head, a glint of amusement temporarily cutting through the pained expression on his face. “Lucky, you haven’t changed a goddamned bit, have you? Still a bossy little brat.”


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Okay, that was a paragraph. Do you recognize it?  You should. It’s from your book LUCKY IN LOVE, still on my desk from when you were a guest on my blog! A really fun read, BTW!

Oh, I see what you did, there, lady... I swear, readers, that I didn't tell her to plug my book!

Who is your favorite author of all time? (Not angling for another compliment here, folks, just a legitimate question. lol)

As a writer, Nora Roberts. I admire her seemingly effortless prose, prolific output and absolute professionalism.  As a reader, Dean Koontz.  He’s da man!

You have great taste. I can say that, because you just named off my two of my ever-changed but frequently-favorited authors.

What is your favorite genre overall?

I read and write everything so I don’t really have a favorite genre, but I do have a favorite element. I love anything with suspense, whether it’s wearing chainmail, taking SEAL training, or howling at the moon.

Sure, suspense is an element. But I'll bet I can think of another common appeal...


What are you currently working on?

I’m fine-tuning the ninth book in my “By Moonlight” dark paranormal series, REMEMBERED BY MOONLIGHT. It returns shape shifter Max Savoie and NOPD detective Charlotte Caissie as the main couple for an October, 2014 release.

I've got one of your By Moonlight books! It's literally next in the TBR stack and I'll be reading it by tomorrow. Just working my way through a Karen Robards, so you'll be in good company.  What book have you released most recently?

LOVE’S OWN REWARD written under pen name Dana Ransom was just reissued by BelleBooks/BellBridge Books on May 27th  – my birthday – as the first of four contemporaries in 2014!

Sweet! Talk about a happy birthday for you! Can we read a little of it?

Confronting her was the nicest denim-molded backside she’d ever seen. Whoever was rummaging about in the vegetable crisper of her refrigerator, it definitely wasn't Alan Peters!

Charley must have made some noise, for the forager called back cheerfully, “Good morning. How do you like your eggs? Over easy or scrambled?” He straightened and turned.

With one look at her stunned features, he nodded to himself and said, “Scrambled.”

Charley’s mouth opened and closed several times in soundless wonder. Who on earth was this absolutely gorgeous man taking control of her kitchen with more natural ease than she’d ever managed? She just stared. She couldn’t help it. His untidy brown hair looked finger-combed back from a moody brow and startlingly gray eyes.An overnight stubble darkened his firm jaw and made his mouth appear disarmingly soft in contrast. A white cotton sweatshirt clung to his broad shoulders and exposed very masculine forearms where its sleeves had been shoved up to the elbows. From beneath the hem of the blue jeans she’d already noticed in far too much detail, his feet were bare. “Ruggedly bed-rumpled” was the only way to describe him. And that evoked a more alarming question.

Where had he spent the night?

Noting her confusion with a slight lift of that mobile mouth, he turned back to the refrigerator. 

“How old is this milk?” When she didn’t answer—couldn’t answer—he popped open the spout and sniffed. His head jerked back as if a snake had jumped out at him. “Nevermind.” He upended it in the sink. “Why don’t you go sit down? I’ll have things ready in a minute.”

Obediently Charley stumbled to the breakfast bar and collapsed on one of the high stools.

She knew her jaw was sagging. She could feel the slack weight of it as she struggled valiantly for a stabilizing breath of air. She made a half-strangled noise like a sink gurgling.

“Coffee?” He was already pouring. She stared at the steaming mug in blank amazement.

“Cream? Sugar? Though God knows if you have any.”

“Black’s fine.”

“Ah, she talks. Good. If your hands are bothering you, that’s your prescription on the counter. I filled it for you last night.” At her distressed shift of expression he soothed, “Don’t worry. You were dead to the world. I figured it would be safer to leave you than to haul you around in a wheelbarrow.”

Charley’s mind was still laboring. Emotions were dulled. When she should have been having hysterics, she found herself only mildly bewildered. No, she definitely didn’t want to take any more painkillers. She already felt as stupid as a stump. All she could think of to say to him was, “You undressed me.”

He smiled. It was a very slow, very wide, very sexy smile. “No need to thank me. It was no trouble at all.” He was still grinning when he began to crack eggs into one of her little-used skillets.

Ooh, good stuff. Scrambled eggs, indeed. Where can we buy Loves Own Reward, should we be so inclined?

Amazon
Barnes and Noble 

And say we want to obsessively follow every aspect of your career see what you're up to?

Image Credit
(Please note: This is a joke. Stalkers are creepy. Especially stalkers in gillie suits. Don't stalk Nancy in a gillie suit.)

Website
Blog
Facebook
Twitter
Goodreads
Pinterest

It's been a blast, Nancy - thanks for hanging out with us and we wish you many sales! [  

MaGM#3: Meet Author Sandra Dailey

Okay, sorry, but please pretend it's Monday again, people. The saga of my faulty gallbladder continued yesterday, so, belatedly... welcome to Meet and Greet Monday, where we pull an author or reader of romance out from out of that book they're buried in, drag them in front of everyone and introduce them! Please wave hello to today's featured guest, author Sandra Dailey:
You know what they say... the bigger the foot, the bigger the shoe.Hi, Sandra! First, I'll ask you a series of random questions, just because I'm nosy. 

Hi Kristen! I’m delighted to be a guest on your blog. I love the opportunity to meet new readers and fellow writers. This should be fun.
Hey, fun, traumatizing, it's all semantics. Okay, let's jump right in: if you were a superhero, what would your superpower be?
I’d love to have the power of ‘Invisibility’. There’s two ways this power would work well for me. 1 - As a writer, I work at home. Constant interruptions plague me. 2 - Also, as a writer, I love to listen in on other people’s conversations. You can get some great ideas that way. As they say, truth is often stranger than fiction.

See Sandra listening in? Neither do they... Image CreditThat totally makes sense to me. If they can't see you, they can't interrupt you. Or, in the case of persistent eavesdropping, smack you with a restraining order. Do you have any hidden talents?

It’s not really hidden, but most people who know me would say I have a talent for sarcasm. It serves me well. 1 – It tends to spill out into my writing and helps spice up my characters. 2 – People with a good sense of humor are drawn to me. 3 – People with no sense of humor avoid me. I’m good with that.
And boom. We're kindred spirits. I love sarcasm! I was wondering about that strange, magnetic pull you seemed to have... So, if you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?
I’d love to live in one of those little bungalows out on the water in Bora Bora. It’s beautiful and secluded, a perfect place to write. I’d like to see who’d knock on my door in the middle of the day there. Sandra's dream hut. Image CreditLooks gorgeous, doesn't it? Wonder how much real estate in Bora Bora goes for. If I budget my money right, I could probably afford something more like this: Is there room in your hut for me, Sandra? Image CreditSpeaking of money, what would you do if you won the lottery?
Bora Bora, here I come! I guess I’d also need a boat for those coffee and chocolate runs. You can’t write without coffee and chocolate. It’s a fact.

You buy a boat to go get your chocolate, and I'll just buy a chocolate boat to eat in my cardboard box. I won't tell you how many hours I've spent daydreaming about lottery winnings. I've even promised to buy everyone I know a pony if I ever win... On an unrelated note, are you a good liar?
I believe I've established that I’m a writer. I spend my days, and often my nights, making up fictitious stories and relating them in a believable way. According to my rankings, I’m a pretty good liar. My confession, there you have it.
Image CreditHa, I love that being a writer gives us a legitimate, tax-deductible reason to put lies to paper. And kudos on those rankings! Wait, you're not lying about those, right? 

Okay, next: pick up the book closest to you. Turn to page 12. What's the first full sentence on the page?

Gunshots, shouts, and the squeal of tires against pavement erupted outside the heavy industrial door. (Hard As You Can by Laura Kaye)
I do like the sound of gunshots in a romance - especially by page 12. I haven't read any by Laura Kaye yet. I'll have to check her out! Probably the best thing about being romance writers is that we can read all the other authors we want and call it research or market analysis. 


Image CreditWho is your favorite author of all time?
Oh, that’s a hard one. I guess I’d have to say James Patterson. I’m addicted to his Alex Cross and Michael Bennett series'.
I'm sensing a suspense theme here. So what about your books? What are you currently working on?
I have three stories in the works. A suspense called Close Enemy, (sequel to Common Enemy), a suspense called Independence Day, and a mystery called Deep Blue. However, my publisher doesn’t often agree with my titles, so we’ll see what happens to them later.


Image CreditI personally think those titles sound fantastic. What book have you released most recently?

That would be Common Enemy, a romantic suspense involving a scarred man determined to protect a single mother and her five-year-old daughter from her psycho ex-husband.
Can we read a little of it?
Here’s a bit from the villain’s point of view ~
Bobby Ray Butler watched the sunset through the barred window of his prison cell. He squinted as the florescent lights automatically came on. They’d turn off again to leave him in darkness at nine o’clock. It had been the same for the last five years, five months and twenty days.He’d worn the same orange jumpsuits every one of those days. He’d eaten the same tasteless food and walked the same exercise yard. Any time he was outside his cell, he’d had to watch his back. The bad guys here were dirty, diseased, and mean. The good guys fell to them or learned to be just as bad. Bobby Ray had gone to great lengths to avoid all but a select few.He earned a minuscule amount of money working on the grounds. Almost every dime of it had gone into pads of paper. The only time his mind was truly calm were the hours he spent sketching his pictures.He peeled a picture from the wall where it hung from a small piece of tape he’d had to beg for. He’d never beg for anything again. The circumstance that put him here wasn't right. A man should be able to trust his wife. King of his castle and all that crap.He carefully lifted another picture from the collage on his wall. He’d be leaving soon and wouldn't leave a single one behind. No one here deserved to even look at themHe’d been through hell, but soon it would be his turn to send someone else. The difference was, her hell would be permanent. There’d be no reprieve, no escape, and no second chance.
Sounds right up my alley and I love the concept. Where can we buy it?
Common Enemy is available in ebook and print through Amazon only until the end of June when it goes worldwide. However, it’s currently being offered at a reduced price:
Get Common Enemy here in ebook for $2.99.Or grab a print copy for $11.08.
Score! Sweet, sweet bargain prices. Thanks so much for letting yourself be subjected to MaGM, Sandra. Where can we stalk non-threateningly find out more about you and your books? 


Peeping tom. Image Creditsandradailey.blogspot.comFacebookTwitter

Thank you so much for having me on your blog, Kristen. I’d love to hear from you and your friends.

No problem, Sandra! And don't worry, the emotional effects of this interview will heal eventually... [  

Top 5 Reasons I've Procrastinated on Writing This Week. (With Pictures.)

5. There was a buzzing outside my window in the lilac bush and I spent 10 minutes trying to figure out if it was a baby hummingbird or a freakishly large moth.

Image CreditI'm still not absolutely sure.

4. I started picking out patterns in the textured ceiling of our living room.
Image CreditIf you connect the dots right, you can see Jimmy Fallon's face.
Image Credit3. There was a tickle on the back of my neck and I thought for a second it was a spider. It wasn't. I don't think. *shudder* Image CreditI had to jump up and do the heebie-jeebie dance to make sure, though.

2. I remembered there were leftover frosted lemon sugar cookie bars in my kitchen. 'Nuf said.
Recipe Here (I just added lots of lemon zest to the cookies and left the icing white.)1. But mostly, I was a victim of this phenomenon:

Image Credit: PinterestAnyone else have this problem? Happy Thursday and here's hoping for a very productive day. [  

MaGM#2: Meet Author Melissa Keir

For the record, we're pretending today is Monday. You know how when there's a holiday, they always pick up your garbage the day after? This is kind of like that. So, anyway, welcome to Meet and Greet Monday, where we pull an author or reader of romance out from out of that book they're buried in, drag them in front of everyone and introduce them! 
Please wave hello to today's featured guest, author Melissa Keir:

First, I'll ask Melissa a series of random questions, just because I'm nosy. 

Melissa, how many pairs of shoes do you have? I have two pair of boots, one for winter and one cute pair. I have one pair of tennis shoes which need to be replaced and four other pairs of shoes. This amount is much less than my husband who seems to have inherited the gene for needing many shoes!

Yay, a kindred spirit! Lets just say, this is not my shoe closet. Ahem, Kim Kardashian. 
Image CreditIf you were a superhero, what would your superpower be? I would want to have telekinesis. However, I realized it last night that I would make a bad superhero, since I’m jealous and temperamental. Poor people might get hurt when I get upset! :)
I'm thinking Hulk here. RRR... Melissa... ANGRY. It's cool, though. You'd look nice in green!
What did you dream last night? I dreamed that I had superpowers and misused them. Instead of helping people, I became infuriated when someone hit on my hot husband that I tried to set them on fire. I also wanted to hurt the mean dance instructors who were making the poor little children cry over their lack of talent. The dream reminded me once again of why I’m human.
Note to self: do NOT hit on Melissa's hot husband.
Image CreditWhat would you do if you won the lottery? If I won the lottery, I would get new teeth! Isn't that what everyone does? I would certainly pay off the mortgage and get myself a new car, then help my children pay for college. Now, do you have the winning numbers?
That's totally what I'd do. Put me under, yank 'em all out, and put in titanium choppers that won't get cavities. And every time I buy a lottery ticket, I very nicely ask the person behind the counter to push the winner button, but it must be broken. 
Shut up, Grumpy Cat. Image CreditDo you have a hidden talent? My hidden talent is that I can roll my tongue and twist my elbow so that it looks funny. I know, it seems like a useless talent, but let me assure you that it grosses out the pre-teen demographic and as a teacher, sometimes it’s good to have a gross-out factor.
It's cool. I can bend all my fingers backward at the second knuckle and cross my eyes like you wouldn't believe. Still freaking out my husband after all these years...

Are you a good liar? Would you believe me if I said yes? Really, I don’t know if I am or aren’t. I know that growing up, I always got caught but I seem to be doing better now with telling fibs like… “No those pants don’t make your butt look big.” 

Probably better to tell a small white lie than get kicked in the head.


Add captionNext, I asked a little about Melissa's professional life. She's an author, you know. Melissa has talents beyond just setting people on fire with her mind.


Pick up the book closest to you. Turn to page 12. What's the first full sentence on the page? The book is The W.I.S.E. Journal for the Sensual Woman…. The line- “It is forgotten that these same body scents are what attracts the man to us.”
Are they talking about the scent of vanilla? I read somewhere that men love women that smell like vanilla sugar cookies. Or maybe I just read men love vanilla sugar cookies, I can't remember.
Who is your favorite author of all time? Do I have to pick only one? This could scar me for life! I love Margaret Atwood, Laurell K. Hamilton, Langston Hughes, and J.D. Robb.
I have the same problem narrowing my favorites down. Yours looks like a good spread, though! Mix them all together and you might get an environmental crusade masked as a dystopian fantasy novel about a raisin-loving zombie who solves crimes using futuristic police procedures. Hmm.
What are you currently working on? I’m currently working on the sequel to Protecting His Wolfe. In the second book of the Pigg Detective Agency series, Lucas Pigg finds that someone is targeting his buildings but a sexy arson investigator has him burning for more than just solving the mystery.
What book have you released most recently? Protecting His Wolfe.
Can we read a little of it?
She kicked off her shoes and wiggled her toes, glad to be free of the fashionable toe-pinchers after a long day. Grabbing the stack of papers, she walked over to the tall filing cabinet. She sniffed and sneezed. “Julie must have worn the whole bottle of Chanel this morning.” Her co-worker’s “more is better” perfume policy made their close quarters trying at times. Juggling the folders in one arm, she pushed the window open for fresh air then sat on the floor to sort the files. Perhaps Mrs. Hildebrand, the old dragon who ran the secretarial pool, would appreciate her efficiency and lay off her for once.
Few, if any, other staff members remained so late in the day. Only the soft hum of the fluorescent lights broke the quiet, and she was able to work quickly without all the interruptions of the business day.
As she finished alphabetizing A-L, harsh voices echoed from outside, startling her.
Who could that be? She crept closer to the window, but found it too high to see the people below. 
Perhaps she shouldn’t have stayed alone at night, no matter how it might benefit her career.
“Do you have the stuff?” The voice sounded familiar. She scrunched her eyes, trying to envision the person behind the sound.
“Yes, I do, but the drugs are hidden until you pay me twice the amount we agreed on.”
She held her breath and crouched behind the file cabinet, afraid to make a sound. Is that Mr. Anderson? Why is my boss talking about drugs?
“That’s not the way to do business. We agreed on a fee. I did the loading and driving. I had all the risk.” The rough voice took on a menacing tone with a rasp that sounded like he—and it was clearly a man— had smoked three packs of cigarettes a day for twenty years.
Love those excerpts that grab you and pull you right in to the action, and yours fits the bill, Melissa! Where can we buy it? AmazonBarnes and Noble

And if we want to stalk, I mean visit you, where can we do that? 


From the bushes at the park? Image CreditI do love stalkers…um…readers and visitors. Please feel free to drop in and keep up on what’s going on in my crazy world
Website Blog Facebook FB Author Page Twitter
Thanks for playing, Melissa! And everyone else, be sure to come back next week and meet another talented writer, Sandra Dailey. [