Babs Hightower's Blog, page 99
June 30, 2015
Release Blast for THE PERFECT BARGAIN by Julia London w/a Jessa McAdams (Contemporary)

Enter to Win a $100.00 Amazon GC
or
#GOKILT Mug

THE PERFECT BARGAIN
How to Marry a Highlander
# 1
By: Julia London writing as Jessa McAdams
Releasing June 30, 2015
Entangled: Lovestruck

American lass seeks brawny Scot…
As if being newly single isn’t brutal enough, Sloane Chatfield’s friends are getting obnoxious about setting her up. When Sloane insists she’s waiting for a certain sexy fictional Highlander to come along, her friends surprise her with a trip to Scotland to find her a new boyfriend. She’d rather have a root canal. But if she can find a Highland hunk to “break her heart” before her friends arrive…
In a remote Highland village, Galen Buchanan is struggling to keep the family pub afloat. Everything is falling apart, he’s running out of money, and now there’s an opinionated American lass parked at his best table, driving him mad. But then Sloane asks Galen to be her pretend Highland boyfriend…and offers him enough money to save the pub. It’s only for a few days, he figures. What’s the worst that could happen?
BUY NOW
Amazon | B & N | iTunes | Kobo



Julia London is the New York
Times, USA Today, and Publisher’s Weekly bestselling author of more than thirty
romantic fiction novels. She is the author of the popular Cabot Sisters
historical series, including The Trouble with Honor, The Devil Takes a Bride,
and the The Scoundrel and the Debutante. She is also the author of several
acclaimed contemporary romances, including The Cedar Springs series, and the
recent Homecoming Ranch, Return to Homecoming Ranch, and The Perfect Homecoming.
Julia has added a short contemporary series to her titles as well, including
The Perfect Bargain, writing under the name Jessa McAdams.
Julia is the recipient of the RT
Bookclub Award for Best Historical Romance and a four time finalist for the prestigious
RITA award for excellence in romantic fiction. To keep up with all the Julia
London news, please visit http://www.julialondon.com. Follow her on
Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/julialondon
Website | Facebook | Twitter | GoodReads
The post Release Blast for THE PERFECT BARGAIN by Julia London w/a Jessa McAdams (Contemporary) appeared first on ~*~Babs Book Bistro~*~.
June 26, 2015
Book Blast for REMIND ME by Ann Marie Walker & Amy K. Rogers (New Adult)

Have you met Hudson Chase?

REMIND ME
Chasing Fire #1
Ann Marie Walker & Amy K. Rogers
Released April 21st, 2015
Berkley Intermix

First
in a tantalizing new trilogy about reigniting a forbidden desire from long
ago…
As heiress to a media
empire Alessandra Sinclair was raised to put family obligations first. But
everything changes the night her first love walks back into her life and turns
her whole world upside down. Haunted by the memories of a secret romance with a
boy from the wrong side of the tracks, she can’t seem to get Hudson Chase out
of her mind. Once again torn between two worlds, Allie must decide how much
she’s willing to risk to have the love she’s always longed for.Ten years is a long time to wait, but billionaire Hudson Chase didn’t become CEO
of one of the country’s fastest growing companies by giving up on what he
wants. Now that he’s got Allie in his sights again, he’s determined to make her
regret breaking his heart. And this time, he’s going to make damn sure he’s not
so easy to forget.
Includes a preview of Release Me book
two of the Chasing Fire trilogy.
Praise for the Chasing Fire trilogy
“Exceptional…Seriously sexy and
sinfully steamy. Can’t wait for more from this writing duo!”–New York
Times bestselling author Tara Sue Me
“Walker and Rogers strike the
perfect balance between blistering physical desire and heartfelt
connections…”–RT Book Review
Join the #HudsonChasers
Buy Now
Amazon
|
B&N
|
iTunes
|
Kobo
|
GooglePlay
Allie reached for her lemon drop martini, her second of the night, and licked a bit of sugar from the rim. The tangy beverages were going down much too smoothly. If she didn’t get some food in her stomach, she’d be paying the price come morning. The last thing she needed was to roll into work with a hangover. “We should order.”
Harper took a generous sip of something called a Strawberry Blonde and grabbed a menu off the marble tabletop. She flipped through the small leather binder, bypassing the extensive wine list in favor of colorful drinks with elaborate descriptions. “Oh!” Her eyes grew wide. “How about a Sucker Punch?
“I meant something more along the lines of dinner, but what the hell.”
Harper craned her neck, searching for the waiter she’d been flirting with all night. She startled when he was suddenly at her side.
“Can I bring you ladies another round?” he asked. Allie had to admit he was a bit of a doll. Big brown eyes with lashes that wouldn’t quit, dark hair a little longer than most, and a smile to make you forget what you were going to order. At least that was the effect he seemed to be having on Harper.
Allie came to her rescue. “Two Sucker Punches, please.” As soon as he was out of earshot she jumped on the chance to tease her tongue-tied friend. “Harper Hayes, speechless. Never thought I’d see the day.”
“Oh, shut up,” Harper grumbled. Her cheeks were rosy pink as she reached for her glass. “He just caught me off guard, that’s all. They should tell him not to sneak up on people like that.” She finished off the rest of her cocktail and plucked the strawberry garnish from the edge of the glass. Allie could almost see the wheels turning as Harper regained her composure. “I’m going to give him my number,” she announced.
The waiter returned a few minutes later with two oversize hurricane glasses on his tray. The size alone assured Allie the drinks would live up to their name, but when she tried a sip she knew she was in trouble. The fruity concoction was far too delicious considering the pleasant buzz she was already feeling. She stirred the drink with her straw, watching in awe as Harper jotted her number on a napkin and slipped it into the waiter’s hand. Allie shook her head. She could never be as daring as Harper. Then again, she’d had a pretty daring afternoon.
Images filtered through her mind. Hudson’s body pinning hers against the mirror . . . his warm breath fanning out across her neck . . . his fingers teasing and taunting before sending her spiraling over the edge . . .
“So what’s the real scoop with you and Mr. Hottie from the party?” Harper asked as if reading her wayward thoughts.
Allie tried to hide her blush behind her glass, needing a moment to regroup before once again denying any interest in the man who’d brought her to orgasm during her lunch hour. In a dressing room. At Macy’s. Dear lord. She tipped the glass higher, practically gulping her cocktail.
“He seems like a man who knows his way around a bedroom and would be more than happy to give you a tour.”
Allie choked on her drink.
Harper sucked in a sharp breath. “Oh my God, you slept with him.” It was a statement, not a question, and one Allie knew there was no point in denying. The proof was all over her face, not to mention spilled half way down her blouse.
She wiped her chin with the back of her hand. “A little louder, Harper. I don’t think the valet heard you.”
“Sorry. It’s just . . . I don’t know, you’ve always been so reserved. You’re not exactly the type to get down and dirty with someone you just met.”
“We didn’t just meet.”


(ADD EXCERPT HERE)

#MarkYourCalendars


Though thousands of miles apart, Ann
Marie Walker and Amy K. Rogers are in constant contact, plotting story lines
and chatting about their love of alpha males, lemon drop martinis and British
supermodel, David Gandy. You can find them on twitter as @AnnMarie_Walker and
@Amy_KRogers.

Amy K. Rogers
Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Ann Marie Walker
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Pre-Order the rest of the Chasing Fire Series Now

Releasing July 21st, 2015
Amazon | B&N | iTunes | Kobo | GooglePlay

Releasing October 21st, 2015
Amazon | BAM | B&N | GooglePlay | iTunes | Kobo


The post Book Blast for REMIND ME by Ann Marie Walker & Amy K. Rogers (New Adult) appeared first on ~*~Babs Book Bistro~*~.
June 24, 2015
Virtue and Valor: Highland Heather, Romancing a Scot # 2 by Collette Cameron Book Tour
Virtue and Valor
Highland Heather, Romancing a Scot # 2
By: Collette Cameron
Releasing June 24, 2015
Soul Mate Publishing
Blurb
Bartholomew Yancy never expected to inherit an English earldom and had no intention of marrying. Now, the Earl of Ramsbury and last in his line, he’s obligated to resign his position as England’s War Secretary, find a wife, and produce an heir. Only one woman holds the least appeal: Isobel Ferguson, an exquisite Scotswoman. Brought to Scotland to mediate between feuding clans, he doggedly woos her.
Disillusioned with men pursuing her for her attractiveness, rather than her unusual intellect, Isobel has all but abandoned any hope of finding a husband in the Highlands. Not only does she believe Yancy no different than her other suitors, he’s a notorious rake. She’s been told he’s practically betrothed. Therefore, his interest in her cannot possibly be honorable, and so she shuns his attentions.
When Isobel is mistakenly abducted by a band of rogue Scots, Yancy risks his life to rescues her. To salvage her compromised reputation, her brother and father insist she marry him. Yancy readily agrees, but Isobel—knowing full well she’s fated for spinsterhood by refusing his offer— won’t be coerced into marriage.
Link to Follow Tour: http://www.tastybooktours.com/2015/05/virtue-and-valor-highland-heather.html
Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25556766-virtue-and-valor?from_search=true&search_version=service
Goodreads Series Link: https://www.goodreads.com/series/155046-highland-heather-romancing-a-scot
Buy Links: Amazon |
Author Info
Award winning, Amazon best-selling, and multi-published historical romance author, Collette Cameron, has a BS in Liberal Studies and a Master’s in Teaching. A Pacific Northwest Native, Collette’s been married for thirty years, has three amazing adult children, and five dachshunds. Collette loves a good joke, inspirational quotes, flowers, the beach, trivia, birds, shabby chic, and Cadbury Chocolate. You’ll always find dogs, birds, quirky—sometimes naughty—humor, and a dash of inspiration in her novels. Her motto for life? You can’t have too much chocolate, too many hugs, or too many flowers. She’s thinking about adding shoes to that list.
Author Links: Website | Blog | Facebook | GoodReads
Website: http://collettecameron.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/collettecameronauthor
Blog: http://www.blueroseromance.com/
GoodReads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7047979.Collette_Cameron?from_search=true
Rafflecopter Giveaway (a $25 Gift card to eBook Retailer of choice)
Excerpt 1-Virtue and Valor
Isobel whipped around and wound up planting her face squarely in a very masculine chest.
“Oh!”
She leaped backward reflexively. Her heel caught on the cloak’s hem, and she tilted at a precarious angle.
Simply fabulous.
Her possessions dropped to the floor as she flailed her arms.
Lord Ramsbury surged forward, grasping her shoulders as her feet left the ground.
Eyes locked on his, she seized his coat lapels, frantically trying to stay upright.
His eyes widened when he teetered toward her.
Too late.
Lord Ramsbury’s solid form toppled onto her and mashed her into the rough wood. Eyes closed, she didn’t move, waiting for sharp pain to stab her.
She tentatively moved her fingers and toes.
No pain.
Nothing broken then.
She tried to pull in a breath, but his weight bore down upon her chest.
Gads, how much did his lordship weigh?
She opened her eyes. Silky, whisky-colored hair tickled her nose.
His clean virile scent, with a hint of sandalwood, floated upward. He smelled wonderful, and she had the oddest urge to nuzzle her nose in his hair.
She sniffed instead.
Mmm, heavenly.
Did he twitch the merest bit?
Lord Ramsbury’s chest squashed her breasts nearly flat, and his lean hips nestled between her thighs. For certain her backside and shoulders would sport a bruise or two.
Lifting her head, she winced. She wriggled her fingers, attempting to poke him. Why didn’t he get off? A gentleman would, but he had already proved he didn’t deserve that title.
She squirmed a bit then stilled instantly when a peculiar hardness pulsed against her womanhood.
What in the world?
Had his pocket watch fallen from his waistcoat and wedged between them? Isobel jostled harder, trying to dislodge him and his timepiece.
“Don’t.” He ended on a strangled groan.
He was injured.
But how could he possibly be? Splaying her fingers, she cupped his firm ribs, shoving with all her strength.
“Don’t. Move.” His warm breath caressed her neck.
Booted feet jarred the floor beneath her.
Jocky gasped. “Miss Isobel, my lord, are ye—”
“Yancy, I want to sho—” Ewan gaped at them.
Isobel tried to peek over the earl’s shoulder, which now vibrated suspiciously. She jabbed harder with her fingers.
He quaked more.
Was he ticklish? Turning her hands into half-claws, she scratched at his sides unmercifully.
A rich-timbred chuckle whispered against her skin.
“Get. Off. Me.” She clenched her teeth as his dratted watch poked her again.
All at once, she froze. She knew exactly what prodded her nether regions. She had been raised around animals, for pity’s sake. How could she have been so stupid to think his watch had slipped free?
No, his thing twitched against her.
“I do hope you have a damned good reason to be sprawled atop my sister, Yancy.”
The post Virtue and Valor: Highland Heather, Romancing a Scot # 2 by Collette Cameron Book Tour appeared first on ~*~Babs Book Bistro~*~.
June 22, 2015
Dark Innocence Tour Event, Giveaway, & Posts

Evoking a FANTASY World
by Rahima Warren
When reading a fantasy set in a different (non-historical) world or time, I find it jarring if the characters’ names are old familiar ones from our everyday reality. Why would people in a strange time/place have names like Steven or Julia? Also, why would they use the same words to refer to time or distance that we do? Convenient for the writer perhaps, but too familiar for me as a reader.
TIME AND DISTANCE:
In my fantasy trilogy, The Star-Seer’s Prophecy, I tried to evoke a different world in subtle ways. For example, I avoid using our familiar measures of time. Instead of “minute,” I use “moment.” Instead of “week,” I use “quarter-moon.” Many cultures measure time by that clock in the sky, the Moon. For distance, I just referred to how many days a trip took.
And I had fun making up names and words to help evoke a different world. I used two methods for creating these new words: listening/intuition, and research.
LISTENING:
For most of my characters’ name, I start by ‘listening’ for a name, using my intuition. Sometimes, that’s it. I get it on the first try, like Zhovanya as the name of the Goddess in my trilogy. For others, I play around with the sound of the name until it fits the character. And for some, the name evolves as I get to know the character better. For example, originally Kyr’s name was Arik (which I believe relates to an old Nordic word for eagle). Somehow, I didn’t like the hard ‘k’ as the last sound of his name, so I changed it to Kyr (“keer” like “peer”), which to me sounds like the high, lonely cry of a hawk or eagle, and suits his character.
Over time, I noticed that there was a pattern in the way I was naming men vs. women, and changed a few names to fit that pattern, though there are some exceptions. You might check out the Cast of Characters (in Book Extras) on my website, and see if you can detect the pattern. I also ‘listened’ for the magical commands used by the Warrior-Mage, Rajani; for the names of magical potions; and for the sacred chants. (See the Glossary in Book Extras.)
RESEARCH:
In the case of the evil sorcerer-king called the Soul-Drinker, I found his name through researching the roots of words in the Dictionary of Word Origins by John Ayto. The Soul-Drinker’s name is Dauthaz, which comes from the Old English and Germanic roots of the word ‘death.’
This is also how I created the name of the land where the story takes place, and the terms used at the Sanctuary. The land is named Khailaz, which is a prehistoric Germanic word, ancestor of our word, ‘whole.’ Adding the suffix –itha to khailaz produced khailitha, the root of our words, ‘health’ and ‘heal.’
From this, I made up the words kailitha (divine healing energy); Kailithana (a priestess-healer); Kailithara (healing work of the Kailithana); Kailithos (one who is undergoing the Kailithara); and Kailithama (sacred chamber in which the Kailithana works with the Kailithos).
I don’t recall exactly how I tracked down the roots from which I constructed Aithané (Listener, Confessor), Phanaithos (Speaker, Divulger), or Phanaithara (Divulgence, Confession). I believe they come from Greek roots meaning to listen, and to speak.
A few other words, I just made up. For example, I derived zhan (life force energy) from Zhovanya.
Now, admittedly, I am not Tolkien, creating whole languages, and races of fantastic creatures. My focus is more on the inner world and healing ordeal of my hero, Kyr, than on detailed world-making. However, I did do my best to evoke a different place/time by creating new words and names, and avoiding overly familiar names and terms.
WHAT ABOUT YOU?
As a reader, which do you prefer: familiar names and terms; or new and different ones?
As a writer, what is your approach to evoking a different world?

Interview with Rahima Warren,
Author of The Star-Seer’s Prophecy, a fantasy trilogy
How did this story come to you?
I am still puzzled by where this story and its hero came from. It certainly did not come from my life experience. All I know is that I had a character similar to the protagonist of The Star-Seer’s Prophecy in my dreams and fantasies since I was a child. I have no idea where he came from, but he wouldn’t leave me alone. He kept showing up, over and over.
Partly inspired by my curiosity about him, I studied dreamwork, and became a psychotherapist. I found that Carl Jung’s work with dreams and archetypes most helpful. I did dreamwork and wrote dialogs with this inner character, and tried to analyze what part of my psyche he is, or what archetype he represents. No matter what I did, he kept on lurking around.
Finally, one day, I wrote a short story in my journal, hoping that he would be satisfied and go away. Big mistake! That little story opened the floodgates. This character, whose name turned out to be Kyr, had quite a journey to go on. The only way he could do it was to take over my life and turn me into a writer.
When those floodgates opened, a rush of intense, exciting creative energy poured forth. I surrendered to the current and it swept me along. I had no plan. I just went with the flow and wrote what Kyr showed me. His story started out so dark that I was sure I would never show it to anyone, ever! But writing his story was my secret passion— and it was the only way I could find out what happened next.
After decades of personal growth work; after becoming a transpersonal counselor and working with clients for twenty years; and becoming an Expressive Arts therapist, I’d learned to trust the creative process and my soul’s hidden wisdom, and so I was able to allow Kyr’s story to pour forth without censoring or editing.
After the first draft of the entire trilogy was on paper, I realized it is a powerful story worth sharing. So I studied how to write fiction, hired an editor, and revised, revised, revised.
Did you always want to be an author?
I began reading fantasy and Sci-Fi as soon as I could read, thanks to my parents. (They left F&SF magazines with fascinating cover art lying around the house.) I always wondered how the authors could create alternate worlds and write such fascinating stories, but I never imagined becoming one of them. I thought authors were these odd creatures who lived in flats in New York City.
At one point in the late 1980s, I felt I needed to observe a ‘fast’ from unnecessary words for a month as a spiritual practice. I stopped reading, watching TV, etc. And I got my first laptop. One night, when I couldn’t sleep, I turned on my laptop and started writing whatever imagery showed up in my mind. I found myself writing stories. Still, it was just for fun. I didn’t think about becoming an author until after I had written the first draft of The Star-Seer’s Prophecy.
They say life imitates art, but were there any events or people in your life that became inspiration for your work?
My psychotherapy clients revealed to me the amazing ability we humans have to overcome terrible trauma and abuse, to move toward healing our wounds and recovering our innate beauty, integrity and wholeness. To do this, we need to face what harm was done to us, and eventually, to begin to see beyond our pain to the brokenness of our abusers. Many people were able to move past their anger and vengefulness, and to forgive the person who harmed them, without forgiving their harmful actions. This is a major theme of The Star-Seer’s Prophecy, but it is not based on any particular person’s story.
What were some of your inspirations when you were creating your world?
I’m sure I have been subliminally influenced by reading fairy tales, and many of my favorite authors, such as Ursula LeGuin, Carol Berg, Charles De Lint, Patricia McKillip, and Sherri S. Tepper, to name a few. However, I did not consciously copy anyone. My process was to sort of “listen-see” and write whatever I “heard-saw.” Kyr’s world turned out to be semi-medieval, with black sorcery, healing magic, and magical rituals, but no dragons, unicorns, or goblins.
Magic is always an integral part of fantasy novels, how did you create your magic?
Again, I followed the flow of the story. Ideas for the magic just seemed to arise as needed. In hindsight, I can see that for the healing magic, I drew upon my experience with energy work such as Reiki. For the rituals, I was influenced by my experience of the sacred rituals of Celtic and Native American traditions, but only in a general way. I did not copy any particular culture’s rituals.
What’s the one thing you want people to take away from reading the Star Seer’s Prophecy?
That the real magic is forgiveness – forgiving those who have harmed you, instead of obsessing endlessly about your wounds, and/or seeking revenge. This only perpetuates the pain. Equally important is forgiving yourself for making mistakes, for not being perfect, for being human. Often, one of the hardest things is to forgive yourself for not knowing what you didn’t know at the time. For example, in the story, Kyr begins as an obedient slave to the evil sorcerer-king called the Soul-Drinker. Later, Kyr learns what atrocities he committed as a slave, and feels deep remorse. He painfully learns to forgive himself for not knowing at the time that what he had done was wrong.
Without giving away too much, what’s next for Kyr?
In the first book, Dark Innocence, Kyr chose the hard path of healing, forgiveness and love. With the help of friends and healers, he overcame his terrible upbringing as a Slave of the Soul-Drinker, and became a man capable of kindness, courage and integrity at the Sanctuary of the Goddess Zhovanya.
In Book Two, Fierce Blessings, Kyr faces the familiar nightmare of cruelty and evil that he knew as a boy, in the second hell foretold by the Prophecy. As hostage for the safety of the Sanctuary, his friends, and his beloved Jolanya, he struggles to protect his soul from succumbing to the depravity he has known for most of his life, and fights to keep hold of the blessings he received from Zhovanya.
In the final volume of the trilogy, Perilous Bliss (forthcoming), Kyr is plunged into the third hell of the Star-Seer’s Prophecy. A most intimate and harrowing betrayal throws him into a storm of rage and despair. Alienated from his friends, himself, and, worst of all, the Goddess, he flees to a mysterious tower, where he finds the solitude that is all he can bear.
But the time has come, at last: the stars are moving into the pattern foreseen long ago by the Star-Seer. Will Kyr be able to keep faith with the Goddess Who saved his soul in time to renew the Sacred Balance and restore Her sovereignty? Or will he return to the foul slavery he has known most of his life? The fate of the land and the Goddess Herself depends on his choice.
You can continue the saga with the newly released sequel Fierce Blessings.
Oh, and don’t forget to enter our giveaway for your chance to win an autographed copy of Fierce Blessings or a Star-Seer’s Prophecy t-shirt. We have a total of 4 prizes for 4 lucky winners, hooray! Enter the giveaway right here: www.novelpublicity.com/dark-innocence
About Dark Innocence: In an ancient world of blood sorcery and healing magic, the Soul-Drinker, a vicious necromancer-king, is draining the life from the souls of the people and of the earth itself. Worse yet, he has banished the land’s rightful Goddess, and disrupted the Sacred Balance, sending the mortal and divine realms whirling toward destruction.
The only hope for salvation is a youth named Kyr, born and raised as one of the Soul-Drinker’s blindly obedient slaves. Kyr knows only the pain, evil and cruelty of the Soul-Drinker’s hell–and nothing of the Star-Seer’s Prophecy that declares him to be the long-sought Liberator.
Rescued by strangers, Kyr embarks on a bewildering journey into a bizarre new life, where kindness and love are real. If he is to fulfill his destiny, he must battle his inner demons and fight to find his buried capacities for compassion and courage. Will he be able to surrender the inner ice that has been his soul’s only protection in time to save the world from disaster?
Again, you can grab your copy for just 99 cents at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or iBooks as part of this special event!
The post Dark Innocence Tour Event, Giveaway, & Posts appeared first on ~*~Babs Book Bistro~*~.
June 19, 2015
Cover Reveal for RECLAIM ME by Ann Marie Walker & Amy K. Rogers (New Adult)
The Highly Anticipated conclusion
of the Chasing Fire Series

RECLAIM ME
Chasing Fire #3
Ann Marie Walker & Amy K. Rogers
Releasing October 21st, 2015
Berkley Intermix

As the heart-pounding Chasing Fire
trilogy concludes, a dangerous entanglement leaves Hudson and Allie wondering
how much they’re willing to risk for the love they can’t live without…
There’s
almost nothing Alessandra Sinclair wouldn’t do for Hudson Chase. He was her
first love, and she’s determined that he’ll be her last. But when the terrible
truth Hudson has been hiding comes to light, Allie finds herself caught in a
deadly game of cat and mouse with a man from her past who’s determined to use
what he knows to ruin Hudson. Now, the only way to save the man she loves may
be to lose him forever…
Hudson
has always known that the secrets he keeps could be his downfall, but he never
expected them to put Allie’s life in danger as well. It’s time for him to come
clean–before everything he’s ever wanted is destroyed…
Includes previews of REMIND ME and
RELEASE ME, the first two books of the Chasing Fire trilogy.
Praise for the Chasing Fire trilogy
“Exceptional…Seriously sexy and
sinfully steamy. Can’t wait for more from this writing duo!”–New York
Times bestselling author Tara Sue Me
“Walker and Rogers strike the
perfect balance between blistering physical desire and heartfelt
connections…”–RT Book Review
Pre-Order Now
Amazon | BAM | B&N | GooglePlay | iTunes | Kobo
Though thousands of miles apart, Ann
Marie Walker and Amy K. Rogers are in constant contact, plotting story lines
and chatting about their love of alpha males, lemon drop martinis and British
supermodel, David Gandy. You can find them on twitter as @AnnMarie_Walker and
@Amy_KRogers.
Amy K. Rogers
Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Ann Marie Walker
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Start the Chasing Fire Series Now

Available Now
Amazon | B&N | iTunes| Kobo | GooglePlay

Releasing July 21st, 2015
Amazon | B&N | iTunes | Kobo | GooglePlay

The post Cover Reveal for RECLAIM ME by Ann Marie Walker & Amy K. Rogers (New Adult) appeared first on ~*~Babs Book Bistro~*~.
June 17, 2015
A SEASON FOR KILLING BLONDES Blog Tour
A Season For Killing Blondes
by Joanne Guidoccio
A Season for Killing Blondes
File Size: 397 KB
Print Length: 216 pages
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press, Inc (June 12, 2015)
ASIN: B00XCZ5EE2
Synopsis
Hours before the opening of her career counseling practice, Gilda Greco discovers the body of golden girl, Carrie Ann Godfrey, neatly arranged in the dumpster outside Gilda’s office. Gilda’s life and budding career are stalled as Detective Carlo Fantin, her former high school crush, conducts the investigation. When three more dead blondes turn up, all brutally strangled and deposited near Gilda’s favorite haunts, she is pegged as a prime suspect for the murders.
Frustrated by Carlo’s chilly detective persona and the mean girl antics of Carrie Ann’s meddling relatives, Gilda decides to launch her own investigation. She discovers a gaggle of suspects, among them a yoga instructor in need of anger management training, a lecherous photographer, and fourteen ex-boyfriends.
As the puzzle pieces fall into place, shocking revelations emerge, forcing Gilda to confront the envy and deceit she has long overlooked.
Guest Post:
The Right Character Names
“How attached are you to the name Anna May?”
Sandy Isaac’s question took me and six other members of the critique group by surprise. While I appreciated the suggestions I had received, I wondered about Sandy’s question. Anna May Godfrey is the villain in A Season for Killing Blondes. I had spent several years in Anna May’s company and wasn’t prepared to change her name.
The Godfrey sisters and cousin all have double names: Anna May, Carrie Ann, Jenny Marie, and Melly Grace. They weren’t given those names at birth but decided early in life to distinguish themselves. As Anna, Caroline, Jennifer and Melanie, they ran the risk of sharing names and creating confusion in the minds of their teachers and fellow classmates.
Sandy noticed my hesitation and explained her resistance to the name. Said quickly, Anna May becomes “anime,” a style of animation often featuring themes intended for an adult audience. Two of the other members nodded while five of us merely shrugged. But Sandy’s concern raised several questions in my mind.
How would my readers respond?
Would they make the same connection as Sandy?
Would Anna May’s name suit or hinder her villain status?
A well-chosen name sets the right tone for the character and, in some cases, may even suggest certain physical, emotional, or psychological characteristics. James Bond flows well and suggests excitement and wealth while Scarlett O’Hara conjures up images of plantations and Southern belles. Short one-syllable names like Jane Eyre suggest direct and well-grounded personalities while longer, multi-syllabic names like Anna Karenina and Armand Gamache are often associated with more complex personalities.
I have a personal preference for certain names, in particular, the apostle names, Luke and Paul. Patricia Anderson, one of my beta readers, pointed out that I had used Paolo, Paula and Pauline for three different characters in the novel. Definitely overkill. I had no problems changing the names of these secondary characters: Paula → Belinda and Pauline → Karen.
While researching, I discovered the following tips:
• Avoid names that end in “s.” If you give a character a name like Gladys or James, you will have an awkward time when you write the possessive form.
• Use names to fit the period or ethnic group. I had no problems coming up with Italian names. For the older characters, I borrowed from my mother’s circle of friends. And for the younger crowd, I flipped through my yearbooks.
• Limit the use of weird or exotic names. Many science fiction and historical romance writers spend considerable time finding unusual names that jump off the pages of their novels. When they indulge their creative freedom and create names, they run the risk of introducing names that are awkward and unpronounceable.
• Watch the flow with first names and surnames. The first name should not end with the same sound as the last name. For example: Nelson Neufeld. But combining common first names with unusual surnames (or vice versa) can be very effective. Examples: Victor Frankenstein and Sirius Black.
• Don’t worry too much about the meanings behind names, especially if you have become overly attached to your characters. Lesson learned: Research the names before investing too much time and energy in the manuscript.
When I researched the names of the five principal characters of A Season for Killing Blondes, I achieved a score of 80 percent.
Gilda—golden (appropriate for a nineteen million dollar lottery winner)
Sofia—wisdom (expedient cousin has street smarts)
Carlo—warrior (works well for the chief detective)
Roberto—bright fame (suitable for the well-known local lawyer)
Anna May– Anna means favored by God and, May is often used for girls born during the fifth month of the year.
BTW…I’m sticking with Anna May!

About the Author
In high school, Joanne dabbled in poetry, but it would be over three decades before she entertained the idea of writing as a career. She listened to her practical Italian side and earned degrees in mathematics and education. She experienced many fulfilling moments as she watched her students develop an appreciation (and sometimes, love) of mathematics. Later, she obtained a post-graduate diploma as a career development practitioner and put that skill set to use in the co-operative education classroom. She welcomed this opportunity to help her students experience personal growth and acquire career direction through their placements.
In 2008, she took advantage of early retirement and decided to launch a second career that would tap into her creative side and utilize her well-honed organizational skills. Slowly, a writing practice emerged. Her articles and book reviews were published in newspapers, magazines, and online. When she tried her hand at fiction, she made reinvention a recurring theme in her novels and short stories. A member of Sisters in Crime, Crime Writers of Canada, and Romance Writers of America, Joanne writes paranormal romance, cozy mysteries, and inspirational literature from her home base of Guelph, Ontario.
Social Media Links
Website: http://joanneguidoccio.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/joanneguidoccio
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorjoanneguidoccio
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joanneguidoccio
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/jguidoccio/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7277706.Joanne_Guidoccio
Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QURgFbybQVw
Purchase Link:
Amazon
Tour Participants
June 17 – Babs Book Bistro – Guest Post
June 18 – Tea and A Book – Review, Interview
June 19 – Chloe Gets A Clue – Interview
June 20- Back Porchervations – Review
June 21 – Cozy Up With Kathy – Interview
June 22 – Jane Reads – Review, Guest Post
June 23 – A Blue Million Books – Interview
June 24 – Frankie Bow – Guest Post
June 25 – I Wish I Lived in a Library – Review
June 26 – 3 Partners in Shopping, Nana, Mommy, & Sissy, Too! – Spotlight
June 27 – Brooke Blogs – Guest Post
June 28 – StoreyBook Reviews – Spotlight
June 29 – deal sharing aunt – Interview
June 30 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – Review
The post A SEASON FOR KILLING BLONDES Blog Tour appeared first on ~*~Babs Book Bistro~*~.
June 16, 2015
Suspicion At Sea by Amie Nichols and review

Ellie and Justin will soon learn everything can change in the blink of an eye.
Title: Suspicion at Sea
Author: Amie Nichols
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Cover Designer: Sara Eirew
Release Date: June 2, 2015



When FBI Agent Ellie Marks goes on vacation to Bailey Island in Maine, she plans on having a relaxing few weeks to reset her mind. After an extreme undercover mission and being shot, she needs some time to forget everything horrible that has happened in her life.
She doesn’t plan, however, on meeting Justin Bennett, an ex Navy Seal. An instant attraction forms like neither have ever experienced, bonding them.
A mysterious disappearance of three of the island’s residents begins a chain reaction of secrets that changes everything they thought they knew.
The only thing Justin knows for sure is that he doesn’t plan on letting anything get in the way of his and Ellie’s happiness.

Amazon US | Amazon UK | Amazon AU | Amazon CA

I have never read a story by this author but I am glad I had the opportunity to do so.
The characters are easy to relate to and funny in the first part of the book and then you are on the edge of your seat waiting to read what happens. It is funny to see Justin mess up like most men. With love, loyalty and hope this book does no wrong.
If you like mystery, hot scenes, strong men and woman this book is for you.




Facebook | Twitter | Amazon | Goodreads
I’ve have met some amazing woman on my journey so far, and have learned so much. (Sometimes the hard way.) I’ve been like a sponge soaking up all the information I can on how the publishing world works. It’s been a rollercoaster ride with its ups and its downs.
No matter what, I will never regret anything I’ve done. You can’t succeed if you don’t try, and if you don’t try you won’t succeed. One of my favorite quotes “If the dream is big enough the facts don’t matter”.
Some other info about me, I love my family, friends, wine and anything caffeinated. I also love writing HEA. For the same reason I won’t watch a movie that I know will make me cry, (with the exception of Steel Magnolias) I will never write a book without a HEA. There might be a few twists and turns, a cliffhanger or two. But ultimately my stories will leave you feeling warm and fuzzy inside. For me, reading is entertainment, a way to escape this crazy insane world. If a book leaves me feeling sad, mad or gut wrenched, it is not for me. There is enough gut-wrenching sadness in this world, I don’t need to read about it too.
I started writing four years ago, and have no plans on stopping. So keep your eye on me because with the help of some amazing people and my wonderful fans, this girl is going to be on the New York Times bestselling list someday.

a Rafflecopter giveaway
Rafflecopter Share link: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/ea80a6ed75/

The post Suspicion At Sea by Amie Nichols and review appeared first on ~*~Babs Book Bistro~*~.
Release Blast for WITNESS TO PASSION by Naima Simone (Romance Suspense)

Enter to Win an
Ignite Prize Pack
(US/INTL)

WITNESS TO PASSION
Guarding Her Body #1
Naima Simone
Releasing June 16th, 2015
Entangled: Ignite

Under his protection and in his bed…
For
Fallon Wayland, birthdays are just another reminder of her looming
spinsterhood. This year is shaping up to be no different. Unfairly fired from
her job, dumped by her boyfriend, and oh yes, witnessing the murder of a
high-ranking lieutenant in the local crime family… Yeah, birthdays suck.
Ever
since a disastrous, hot-as-hell kiss years ago, soldier-turned-security
specialist Shane Roarke has avoided his baby sister’s reckless—and
gorgeous—best friend. Yet when her life is threatened after she witnesses a
gang hit, he insists on protecting her…even if she objects.
The
two are forced to hole up in a safe house. Alone. Passion long denied erupts
between them, burning away their inhibitions. But even as layers—and
clothes—are peeled away, danger closes in. Shane and Fallon might finally have
a chance at love…if they survive long enough to see it.
BUY NOW
Amazon | Barnes | iTunes | Kobo



Naima’s love of romance was first
stirred by Johanna Lindsey and Linda Howard many years ago. Though her first
attempt at writing a romance novel at 11 never saw the light of day, her love
of romance and writing has endured. Now, she spends her time creating stories
of unique men and women who experience the dizzying heights of passion and the
tender heat of love. She is the wife to Superman – or his non-Kryptonian, less
bullet proof equivalent – and mother to the most awesome kids ever. They all
live in perfect, domestically-challenged bliss in the southern United States.
Website | Facebook | Twitter | GoodReads

The post Release Blast for WITNESS TO PASSION by Naima Simone (Romance Suspense) appeared first on ~*~Babs Book Bistro~*~.
June 15, 2015
FOOTPRINTS IN THE FROSTING blog tour & review
Footprints in the Frosting
by Laura Pauling
Cheesecake, Love, and Murder!
It’s the Grand Opening for Holly Hart’s new business, Just Cheesecake. When footprints in the frosting lead to a body facedown in one of her cheesecakes, Holly becomes a prime suspect.
With her opening day delayed, Holly deals with a nosy no-good reporter and the local cop, the handsome Officer Trinket, as she puts her sleuthing skills to the test to save her business and her name. With the help of her dog, Muffins, she needs to find the real murderer, before the killer looks to frost someone else.
My thoughts:
What a wonderful read by a new author ( for me ). Holly stays busy from the crazy cat lady and her son, the cop, to the wealthy playboy and the ruthless journalist. There is so much going on but in a great way to keep the reader wanting to turn the pages. If she can just keep herself out of trouble for one and jail for the other.
The best part, you are kept guessing until the end of who the real murder is/was. I love it when an author can do this. The characters are all great and you can tell the author put in a lot of thought into each one. A great read.
I will be checking out more books by the author.
Laura Pauling writes about spies, murder and mystery. She’s the author of the young adult Circle of Spies Series, the Prom Impossible Series, the time travel mysteries, Heist and A Royal Heist, and the Holly Hart Cozy Mystery Series: Footprints in the Frosting and Deadly Independence with more coming.
She lives the cover of a suburban mom/author perfectly, from the minivan to the home-baked snickerdoodles, while hiding her secret missions and covert operations. But shh. Don’t tell anyone. And she may or may not actually bake cookies. You decide.
Visit Laura at http://laurapauling.com to sign up for her newsletter and receive a free Holly Hart cozy mystery novella.
Author Links
Purchase Links
Footprints in the Frosting: Holly Hart Cozy Mystery 1
Deadly Independence: Holly Hart Cozy Mystery 2
~ coming soon ~
Tour Participants
June 15 – Babs Book Bistro – Review
June 16 – Shelley’s Book Case – Review
June 16 – fuonlyknew – Review
June 17 – Lisa Ks Book Reviews – Review
June 18 – StoreyBook Reviews – Review
June 19 – View from the Birdhouse – Interview
July 19 – Kaisy Daisy’s Corner – Review
June 20 – readalot – Review
June 21 – Christa Reads and Writes – Review
June 22 – Back Porchervations – Review
June 23 – Queen of All She Reads – Review
June 24 – Melina’s Book Blog – Review
June 25 – 3 Partners in Shopping, Nana, Mommy, &, Sissy, Too ! – Guest Post
June 26 – Mochas, Mysteries and Meows – Review, Interview
June 27 – fundinmental – Review
June 28 – Frankie Bow – Guest Post
June 29 – Brooke Blogs – Review
The post FOOTPRINTS IN THE FROSTING blog tour & review appeared first on ~*~Babs Book Bistro~*~.
June 12, 2015
Blitz Heroes In Uniform Boxed Set & Giveaway
Excerpt from HER LAST CHANCE by Toni Anderson
“SAC Marshall Hayes? To what do we owe the pleasure, sir?”
Marsh glanced up from his cell phone. A tall wiry Supervisory Special Agent from the Behavioral Analysis Unit in Quantico reached over the local detective’s shoulder to shake Marsh’s hand. Lifting his gaze further, Marsh connected with the cobalt eyes of the woman who haunted his dreams.
Josephine.
His world spun. He gripped the doorjamb tighter, fingernails cracking the smooth black lacquer paintwork. His breath rasped in his throat as the world leveled and relief burst loose inside his chest.
Alive. She was alive.
Beautiful.
Dressed in black jeans and a black sweater with a drab army jacket thrown over her shoulders, her skin appeared almost translucent under the fluorescent light. Fear and vulnerability tightened her expression, but she hid it by narrowing her gaze. Her lips curled in their usual scathing manner.
He didn’t care. She was alive—and apart from looking a little shaken up, she seemed as pissed as the last time he’d seen her. She’d pulled her silver-blonde hair back into a ponytail. Her deceptively delicate features were set in a heart-shaped face that disguised a vicious tongue and a mean temper. For the last six months he hadn’t been able to get her out of his mind.
Why her? It didn’t matter why. He’d thought she was dead and it had reduced his life to meaningless ashes.
Marsh wiped the sweat out of his eyes and remembered the SSA’s name. Agent Nicholl. He was a damn good agent.
His heart settled back into a normal sinus rhythm and he took a deep breath absorbing the fact that she was not dead, not bleeding, not hurt. A huge rush of relief swamped him and suddenly it didn’t matter that they didn’t even like one another. Because, despite all the differences between them, despite their complicated unconventional dealings, she was alive and he wasn’t ever letting her go again.
GIVEAWAY
Blitz-wide giveaway
1 ebook copy of BROSLIN CREEK 1-2 in box set
Audio Download of A COLD DARK PLACE (limited to US and UK)
1 ebook from Karen Fenech, winner’s choice
1 $20 Amazon Gift card (will mail actual GCs if winner is in US, and will send electronically if International)
1 ebook copy of Match Made in Wyoming (Wyoming WIldflower Series)
1 ebook copy of Wedding Party (The Wedding Series)
1 ebook copy of Deadly Descent and Tactical Strike
1 ebook copy of Protector by Gennita Low
1 ebook – winner’s choice
_________
Book & Author Details:
Heroes In Uniform Boxed Set
Publication date: June 9th 2015
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Synopsis:
Ten full-length books and one novella from NY Times and USA Today Bestselling Authors. A Romantic Suspense and Military Romance boxed set of 11 Sexy Contemporary Alpha Heroes — Soldiers, SEALs, Spies, Agents, Rangers and Cops.
Including brand-new, never-before-published stories: a novella from Gennita Low and a full-length novel from Nina Bruhns.
KAYLEA CROSS–Danger Close. With his cover blown, former undercover CIA agent Wade Sandberg finds himself, and an innocent woman, the number one targets of the world’s most dangerous terrorist.
PATRICIA McLINN–At The Heart’s Command. Colonel John Griffin Jr. is a good and honorable soldier who faces the toughest mission of all when he returns home to Wyoming: Protect the woman he’s always loved – especially from himself.
GENNITA LOW–Dangerously Hot. While working undercover, looking for his missing brother, Luke meets the mysterious Nina who appears to know more than she’s saying. Can Luke charm the sexy and dangerous Nina into assisting him?
CARIDAD PINEIRO–Sins Of The Flesh. Ex-Army Ranger Mick Carrera has been hired to hunt down a woman who is nothing like he expects. As passion erupts between them, danger threatens from those who want to end Mick and Cat’s lives in order to safeguard their secrets.
SHARON HAMILTON–Cruisin’ For A SEAL. What starts out as a cruise vacation for 9 Navy SEALs and their wives, winds up a full scale Team operation, as they save the passengers from terrorists.
KAREN FENECH–Snowbound. FBI Agent Mallory Burke, injured and on the run for her life, is stranded in a snowstorm with a reclusive and secretive cop she’s not sure she can trust but is falling in love with.
TONI ANDERSON–Her Last Chance. Eighteen years ago the Blade Hunter found his first victim on the streets of NYC. Now, unless FBI Agent Marshall Hayes can stop him, he’s back to finish the job.
NINA BRUHNS–Barely Dangerous. Blue Wolf Cooper has a bear problem–as in, he suspects the pretty new USFS fire spotter is part of a vicious bear poaching ring he is trying to shut down. Margarethe “George” Johansen has a bare problem–as in, she keeps dreaming the sexy Fish and Game warden who’s been following her around sneaks up into her isolated tower, strips her bare, and makes incredible love to her…right before he kills her.
LORI RYAN–Everlasting. Katelyn Bowden never imagined coming home would dredge up a twenty-four year old murder and put her life at risk. She also never expected the man to come to her rescue would be the one man she’d resented for years. The one man she wanted nothing to do with.
CRISTIN HARBER–Garrison’s Creed. An injured CIA agent runs into the only man she can never see again–her first love, the one who “buried” her years ago.
DANA MARTON–Deathblow. Former small-town football hero turned cop, Joe Kessler never met a linebacker, perp, or a woman he couldn’t handle. Then a troubled single mom walks into his life, and the only place this hot jock will ever see ‘easy’ again is in the dictionary.
Don’t miss this anthology by contemporary romance bestsellers treating you to heroes to melt your heart!
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25256089-heroes-in-uniform?ac=1
Purchase:
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Heroes-Uniform-Soldiers-Contemporary-bestselling-ebook/dp/B00VATUPZA/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1433432538&sr=1-1&keywords=Heroes+In+Uniform
B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/heroes-in-uniform-sharon-hamilton/1121638843?ean=2940151579667
The post Blitz Heroes In Uniform Boxed Set & Giveaway appeared first on ~*~Babs Book Bistro~*~.