As the Pages Turn

CHARACTER Q&A + GIVEAWAY WITH ORIANA DELGADO HEROINE FROM GAME MISCONDUCT BY BIANCA SOMMERLAND

2012-02-10T07:38:00.000-06:00

Interview with Oriana Delgado

Ing approached the front desk on thefourth floor, smiled sweetly at the pinch-faced secretary, and opened her mouthto introduce herself. Before she could speak, heels clicking swiftly on thetiles behind her brought her attention to a young woman with a sleek, bronze up-do.Her lovely face was flushed, but her expression was warm and welcoming.

"Sorry, I hope I'm notlate?" The woman held out her hand. "I'm Oriana."

"I just got here." Ingalways tried to be on time for interviews, but the atmosphere—buzzing withenergy as game time approached—and the men . . . Well, needless to say, she'dgotten a little distracted on the way up. "And I have to be honest, thisisn't at all the type of interview I'm used to. You said we could watch part ofthe hockey game from the press box?"

Oriana nodded. "Yes. So much ofwhat I'll tell you revolves around my family's love for the game. It's in myblood, but I think if you watch the game you'll get a feel for why it's soimportant to us."

Nodding, Ing took her notepad fromher purse and followed Oriana to the elevator. "Your father owns theDartmouth Cobras, right?"

"Yes." Oriana pressed thebutton for the first floor, her hand shaking a little before she stuffed it inher pant pocket. "It was his dream to create a franchise in the Maritimes.At first he had partners who were all excited about the potential profit, butthe population can't support a get-rich-quick kind of team. The profits aremodest, even after five years. But fans are loyal and the team is growing inpopularity. Some players turn down bigger contracts for a chance to play herebecause they'd never get the chance to prove themselves anywhere else. Or . . ." She paused and her cheeks reddened slightly. "They would have tohide an important part of who they are."

Ing arched a brow as the elevatordoors opened and stepped quickly to keep in pace with Oriana. "Are youreferring to the fact that the GM offers contracts to men who are . . .kinky?"

Hand on a door which barely muffledthe sounds of perhaps a hundred people speaking at once, Oriana nodded."There are sadists, swingers, Dominants and sub-missives, all very skilled,but hampered by one very basic thing." She took a deep breath. "Theirlifestyles aren't accepted by themasses. To make their old teams' PRs happy, some of these men dated thecelebrities their agents shoved at them, denying rumors of them being seen atcertain clubs with women—or men—openly involved in BDSM. With the Cobras, atvery least, the can be open with their teammates. None will go on record openlystating their preferences, but really, is it anyone's business?"

Oriana's tone had become a littledefensive. Ing palmed her pen and looked over at her. "Please let me knowif any of my questions make you uncomfortable. That's not at all my intention."

"Oh, don't worry about me."Oriana flashed a shaky smile. "My father isn't happy with me anyway. But .. . ." She lowered her voice. "This interview won't be in the localpapers or—"

"I'll only post it on myblog," Ing said. She ran her finger down her notes and frowned. "Mynext question is a little more personal. Are you okay with that?"

"That's fine." Pushing thedoor open, Oriana stepped aside to let Ing in. "Tim, the assistant coach,had his brother save us a spot near the end. Just avoid the cameras."

The room was a media circus. Dozensof reporters stood in front of the glass wall that separated the room from thebleachers and the rink below, all chiming off stats and gesturing towards theelevated screens as they predicted the game's outcome. Ing followed Oriana pastthe rows of seats, ignoring the curious gazes from the prominently masculine attendees.They looked slightly envious. Oriana probably didn't do many interviews.

"We're playing the Broad-streetBullies—Philly, even though the name doesn't really fit anymore—and most of thereporters came down to make a big deal over some healthy rivalry. They don'thave anyone like The Hammer, or Bobby Clarke, but they have the legacy, whichfills the stands because the Cobras won't back down from anyone."

"Including your lover . . .." Ing checked her notes. "Dominik Mason? He's the enforcer, right?Which means . . . ."

Oriana grinned. "Which means I'mwilling to bet he calls out Philly's tough guy about five seconds after thepuck drops. He likes making his point early in the game."

Beyond the glass of the well litroom, the stadium lights dimmed. A small woman with a subtle French accent sangthe anthems. The puck hit the ice and sure enough, number 6, Dominik Mason,motioned towards a man across the ice from him.

But they didn't get a chance tofight, the team's captain, Sloan Callahan, darted between them and shoutedsomething over his shoulder to Dominik. With carefully restrained, violentgrace The Cobras advanced on Philly. Sloan snapped the puck towards the net.

The goalpost rang and Oriana winced."He's still recovering from breaking his hand earlier this season."

Ing nodded slowly, watching Sloandirect the men as Philly went on the attack. "I read a bit about him—heseemed to have a bit of a temper, but now . . . ."

"He's the epitome of calm andcontrol as Captain, but as a Dom there's always that hint of danger under thesurface . . . ." Oriana bit her bottom lip. "Like you're never surewhen he'll snap."

"Do you think he'd snap?"Ing's gaze trailed the big man, able to ignore his good looks since his helmetand visor obscured them, and focussed on his sheer size. He could really hurtOriana. "Are you afraid of him?"

"No." Oriana didn'thesitate for a second before answering. "He's Max's best friend and Itrust Max's judgement. Besides, Dominik wouldn't be training him to be a Masterif he thought he was unstable."

"So you don't think he'd everhurt you?"

Oriana put her hand to her throat andshot Ing a nervous smile. "I didn't say that. He is a sadist afterall."

"And you're okay withthat?"

Nodding slowly, Oriana moved up tothe glass and held her hand out, as though to touch on of the player. All herlovers were close together on the ice,so it was impossible to tell who she was focussing on. "More than okay.I've learned a lot about myself recently. There are things I didn't think Icould accept—"

"Like Max being a voyeur?"

"Yes. Exactly." Orianafolded her arms under her breasts and leaned against the glass, a wistful smileon her face. "I wish I'd known sooner how . . . precious and desirable hewould make me feel. I experience more pleasure with just his gaze caressing my fleshthan I ever felt with any man before." The soft curves of her cheeksreddened. "And then, with Dominik and Sloan . . . ."

The room seemed to have gotten alittle hot. Ing fidgeted with her collar and stared down at the ice as thoughthat could cool her down. She felt a surge of excitement as Max passed the puckback to Dominik and the big man took a shot. And scored!

"Would you like to stay for thegame?" Oriana asked, her eyes twinkling with amusement.

Ing nodded, then paused and glancedat her notes. "But the interview—"

"Enjoy the game. When it's over,I'll tell you a bit about what happened this weekend."

Smiling, Ing tucked her notes intoher purse, turning back to the game. "I'd like that."

"Then maybe you can meet theteam."

A deep, deep breath and another nod."I'd like that very much."

Blurb:

The game has always cast a shadow over Oriana Delgado's life. She should hate the game. But she doesn't. The passion and the energy of the sport is part of her. But so is the urge to drop the role of the Dartmouth Cobra owner's 'good daughter' and find a less...conventional one.

Playmaker, Max Perron, never expected a woman to accept him and his twisted desires. Oriana came close, but he wasn't surprised when she walked away. A girl like her needs normal. Which he can't give her. He's too much of a team player, and not just on the ice.

But then Oriana's father goes too far in trying to control her and she decides to use exposure as blackmail. Just the implication of her spending the night with the Cobra's finest should get her father to back off.

Turns out a team player is exactly what she needs.

Warning: This ebook contains material not suitable for readers under 18. In also contains scenes that some may find objectionable, including BDSM, ménage sex, bondage, anal sex, sex toys, double penetration, voyeurism, edge play, and hockey equipment being used inappropriately.

Excerpt:

Grinning,Sloan bent down to lick a drop of beer from her bottom lip. "Does thatmean you're coming back?"

Ratherthan answer, she set the beer on the bar and gave him a little nudge. Before hecould get out of her way, she eased off the stool and let her body glide downhis. He groaned when she wiggled her hips.

"I'llthink about it."

Heflipped up the bottom of the jersey and dug his fingers into her ass. "Youkeep that up and I won't wait."

"Youcan't do anything here." She hiked her chin up, shoveling defiance overrampant desire. This guy was way too cocky. Time to bring him down a notch."Save your threats, Mr. Callahan. I'm not scared of you."

Timcleared his throat. "Just a suggestion, Oriana, and then I'm out ofhere." He laughed when she tried to twist away from Sloan. "Tauntingyour Dom is a bad idea. Especially when he's a sadist."

Orianagulped when Tim walked away. She suddenly realized Max had released her handand stepped away from her to finish his drink.

Leavingher alone to deal with Sloan.

"Iwas joking." She pressed her hands against Sloan's chest and gave him themost innocent look she could muster. I'llbe good. I promise. "You're not going to hurt me, are you?"

Hisanswering smile didn't bode well. "Oh, I'll hurt you," he said."But not here. And not tonight." He picked her up and dropped her onthe stool. "Finish your beer."

"But—"She shut her mouth when his eyes narrowed. Okay, maybe she was a little scared of him. The rush of adrenaline in her veinsmade her skin cold. With a shaky hand, she brought her beer to her lips.

Sloanplaced his hands on her upper thigh and framed his thumbs along the rim of herpanties. She choked on a mouthful of beer as her clit throbbed.

Max'spresence behind her made her insides clench with need. He patted her back."Breathe, darlin'."

Shegasped and tried to close her thighs. Solid hips worked between her knees. Hands clamped just above them.

Alittle whine escaped her as she realized whose hands held her open. "Max .. . ."

Sloan'sthumbs stroked her pussy.

"Oh!"She covered her mouth with her hand and shook her head. "You can't—"

"ButI am." Sloan nibbled along the side of her throat as his fingers slippedinto her panties. "And you want me to. You're so wet, babe. Be honest,you'd let me fuck you now if I wanted to."

Yes! Oh god yes! She shifted her hips forwardand pressed her face against his chest to stifle her moans as one thick fingerpenetrated her. Part of her mind objected to letting him do this, here, whereanyone could see. Reason made her say the words out loud. "We'll getcaught."

"That'spart of the thrill." Sloan strained to fill her with another finger evenas he picked up his beer. If anyone was looking, they'd assume he was having anintimate conversation, his face betrayed nothing more. "Would you likeanother drink?"

~~~

BuyGame Misconduct

Amazon / All Romance Ebooks / Smashwords

Formore of the Dartmouth Cobras, visit their website:

Website: The Dartmouth Cobras / Author Website / Twitter / Facebook

Giveaway Details:

Open to US/INT resident
ONE ebook copy of Game Misconduct up for grabs
MUST leave an e-mail in the comment
MUST tell me what part of this post makes you want to read this book
Giveaway ends Feb 15th

Be sure to stop by and visit the other blogs hosting this tour. The more comments you leave at each tour stop the better your chances are to win a $25 GC that Bianca is giving away as part of the tour.

February 8th	Romance Book Junkies
February 9th	The Forbidden Bookshelf
February 10th	As the Pages Turn
February 13th	Seriously Reviewed
February 14th	Kinky Book Reviews
February 15th	Guilty Pleasures Book Reviews

Q&A + GIVEAWAY WITH TORY RICHARDS AUTHOR OF MERCENARY WAY

2012-02-08T22:40:00.000-06:00

Ing: Hello Tory! Welcome to ATPT! I’m happy to have you join me today. Can you tell the readers in your own word a bit about Mercenary Way your latest release? What can the readers expect plot, sexiness, length wise.

Tory: Thank you for that warm welcome! I’m thrilled to be here today. What readers can expect from The Mercenary Way is an action packed, steamy romance. It’s a full length story that goes something like this; mistaken
identity gets heroine kidnapped, hero rescues heroine, bad guys chase them through the jungle.

Ing: Can you tell us a about Clint? What about this ex-navy seal turned soldier of fortune do you think will draw the readers in and make them love him?

Tory: He’s big and tough, maybe a bit arrogant, but he has scruples and a softer side he tries to hide. Sarah brings out his protective instincts and the animal lust in him, in spite of the fact they fight like cats and dogs in the beginning. And who isn’t attracted to a hero that lives a dangerous, mysterious life?

Ing: Now tell us a bit about the heroine Sarah? What about Sarah do you think will draw the readers in and make them love her?

Tory: She’s a fighter, even when she’s frightened. Clint’s the exact opposite of the kind of man she’s attracted to, yet his rugged sex appeal excites her into losing control when she’s in his arms.

Ing: Why are these two perfect for each other? What about them individually makes them so drawn to each other? Why do you think the readers will fall in love with this couple?

Tory: Opposites attract? Though they don’t know it at first, they need each other.

Ing: What was a scene that stood out or was memorable for you when writing Mercenary Way? Why did this scene stand out for you?

Tory: They finally made it to the other side of the island, and they’re waiting for the plane that’s scheduled to pick them up. It’s then they begin to realize their time together is coming to end and they have to say goodbye. The feelings that have developed between them remain unspoken, yet they both seem to know they exist.

Ing: What is a character that you are getting lots of e-mails about? Any plans to write a story for this character?

Tory: I’ve received several comments about Harold, in All the Right Moves. But he’s a talking mynah bird.

Ing: What else can we look forward to from you for the rest of 2012? Could you give some details on these upcoming projects?

Tory: Well, I usually have a few things going on at the same time. Right now I’m sexing up two mainstream romances at the request of my publisher. They want to re-release them in their erotic line. They will keep the same titles but receive new book covers. I also have a couple short erotic romances started, and one werewolf.

Ing: Now on to questions about you. We want to know more about Tory Richards. What are 5 things you could never do without?

Tory: Just five? LOL. Ok, since you said things I won’t include my family and cats, so here goes. My laptop, eye glasses, my old rocker recliner, my cell phone, and chocolate.

Ing: Where is your favorite place to write and why?

Tory: My old rocker recliner. It’s comfortable and when I get tired all I have to do is push it back so that I’m practically lying flat. It’s the best place for an afternoon nap.

Ing: What was the best advice that you’ve ever received from someone in the writing industry that has stuck with you?

Tory: Not everyone is going to like your book. Don’t take it too hard when you receive a bad review. Sure it hurts, but it’s just the opinion of one person.

Ing: If you weren’t writing what else would you be doing right now for a career?

Tory: Well I love to sing so I’ll say singing. Unfortunately I can’t carry a tune.

Ing: Tory thanks so much for stopping by today! I really appreciate you taking the time to answer my questions. Do you have any last words or questions you would like to pose to the readers of this blog?

Tory: Nope! The questions were fun. If anyone is interested in finding out more about me and my books please visit my website at www.toryrichards.com. You can also write me at tory.richards@yahoo.com

Thank you for letting me spend the day with you.

Blurb:

When a ruthless gem smuggler mistakes Sarah for her best friend Susan, she's kidnapped and stashed on an island. Her only hope of rescue is Susan's cousin Clint -- a soldier-of fortune whose my-way-or-else attitude is as infuriating as his muscular body is distracting.

Clint, ex-Navy SEAL turned mercenary, desperately needs a vacation. Rescuing a kidnapped woman from an island paradise isn't what he had in mind. And when he encounters Sarah's sassy mouth and tempting ways, he soon realizes he's the one in trouble.

Excerpt:

He settled behind her, positioning his legs on either side of her before pulling her back to rest against him. He knew immediately it wasn’t the smartest move he’d ever made. He had to ignore how good she felt nestled against the lower half of his body or he was going to go insane fast. Using his hands like paddles, he started steering the boat in the direction of the other side.

“Would you like me to help?” The alluring quality of her voice alerted his senses to a thousand possibilities. He steeled himself not to react, but it was damn hard to do with the boat rocking gently beneath them, causing her bottom to move against his fly. Clenching his teeth, he tried to think of anything that would keep his thoughts off her and what she was making him feel.

Nothing came to mind but the tantalizing thought of sinking his cock inside her tight hole and screwing her until she couldn’t walk. Tomorrow wouldn’t come quick enough. It would be a miracle if they made it off the island before he tasted more than just that impudent mouth. It took every ounce of strength he had not to reach around and take hold of the mounds stretching his T-shirt out of shape, massaging them until he got her out of his system.

“Clint?”

Shit! He quickly slammed on the brakes, but there was nothing he could do to cool the heat rising between his legs. Or the friction against his zipper.

“Just relax,” he advised. “We’re almost there.” He had half a mind to get out of the boat and swim the rest of the way, damn whatever might be lurking in the depths. He’d stand a better chance of keeping his common sense that way, and it sure as hell would cool him off.

For a change, Sarah did as she was told, but he was the one suffering the consequences. She relaxed fully against him until there was no way she couldn’t know he was as hard as steel against her ass.

About Author:

I'm a fifty-something author who discovered my passion for writing and story telling at the ripe old age of thirteen. Before I received my first manual typewriter, with pencil in hand, I would jot my stories down on notebook paper. Later, after receiving that desired typewriter I spent hours in my bedroom, where my parents thought I was doing homework. Writing turned out to be a kind of therapy for me, something I didn't realize until years later.

I also hold down a full time day job. So basically I'm working all the time. Only writing is a hobby for me, something I do during the quiet of the evenings and on my weekends. My goals are simple and realistic. By the time I retire I'll be happy if I'm just making enough "mad money" from it to be able to travel a little, and spoil my grandchildren. I'll travel any place a cruise ship will take me. I've been to: Greece, Italy, Croatia, Spain, and Alaska just to name a few places. I don't like to fly, even before I found myself on a plane on 9/11, but I will if I'm given enough legal drugs. I collect antiques and art, and I love chocolate, who doesn't? And I'm addicted to good coffee and sweet ice tea. For a while life got in the way of my dreams. A few years ago I decided to get serious and haven't looked back!

Find Tory and her books at:

Website / Blog / Facebook / Twitter / Bebo / Wild Rose Press

Tour Giveaway Details:

Tory will be awarding a $20.00 e-gift certificate to Bath and Body to one randomly drawn commenter during the tour. The more comments you leave the better chance you'll win. Be sure to visit the other blogs that are a part of this tour. See other blogs participating below and click on their name.

February 6: AsianCocoa's Secret Garden
February 7: Carrie Ann Ryan's Blog
February 8: Bab's Book Bistro
February 9: As the Pages Turn
February 10: Louisa Bacio -- Love Knows No Bounds
February 13: Realmantic Moments
February 14: Christine Young Romance Writer
February 15: Roz Lee
February 16: The Muse
February 16: REVIEW ONLY Reviews by Molly
February 17: Kacey's Kreations

CHARACTER GUEST POST + GIVEAWAY - RIDE WITH ME BY RUTHIE KNOX

2012-02-06T22:35:00.000-06:00

Good morning ATPT folks. I have two very exciting guests stopping by ATPT this morning. The wonderful and exciting hero and heroine from debut novel Ride with Me by Ruthie Knox is visiting.

Please give a warm welcome to Tom Geiger and Lexie Marshall. I asked them both to tell me what their definition of an ideal riding companion would be. I think you all will enjoy this post. Enjoy and have fun getting to know these two.

My Ideal Riding Companion
A Play in One Scene by Tom Geiger and Lexie Marshall

TOM: Frankly, I’d rather ride alone than with a buddy. I don’t really do buddies. But if you have to have a companion, you ideally want to find one who doesn’t talk much. Somebody who can enjoy the scenery without commenting on every damn plant and hawk along the way.

I mean, I guess for some people, it’s like they see something good, but they haven’t really seen it until they’ve talked to somebody about it. That’s not how I’m wired. I want to get out there on the road and take in the sights and just be alone with them. I like to ride and think, or let my mind go blank. It gets too crowded if somebody’s talking at me all the time. Plus, I don’t want to have to keep saying, Yeah, that’s really something, or Sure, let’s stop for a snack or whatever every two miles. I want to get somewhere.

LEXIE: Right.

TOM: What? Don’t give me that look.

LEXIE: I’m not giving you a look.

TOM: You are. You’re giving me that Tom’s-such-a-hypocrite look.

LEXIE: Well, you are a hypocrite. [grumbles in a low voice] I don’t really do buddies. I just want to get somewhere. I’m a loner, Dottie. A rebel.

TOM: Did you just quote Pee-wee Herman at me?

LEXIE: Yep. I’m not ashamed, either.

TOM: [shaking his head] Go on, then, Trouble. Tell these good people what I really think.

LEXIE: Well, you like telling people what all the plants and animals are. You’ll point off to the right when you see something, and if I don’t respond, you’ll be all, See that, Lex? Red-tailed hawk.

TOM: You hate missing stuff.

LEXIE: Mm-hmm. I’m sure that’s all it is. You loathe commenting on the scenery, but you do it because you can’t bear my unhappiness. It couldn’t be that you actually like talking about plants.

TOM: It’s really your department.

LEXIE: What about that time in Idaho that you spent three days mumbling, What the hell’s the name of that flower?

TOM: It was bugging me.

LEXIE: Exactly. You wouldn’t drop it until you’d asked, like, seven people, and finally somebody could tell you. And you like stopping for snacks, too. And leaving the route to check out side trips. All the way across the TransAm, you were constantly saying stuff like, C’mon, Lex. Let’s go check out the biggest ear of corn in Kansas.

TOM: [shaking his head] It wasn’t nearly as big as I’d expected.

LEXIE: C’mon, Lex, let’s go to the Broward County Fair and pet the bunnies.

TOM: The fair was your idea.

LEXIE: Yeah, but you were the one who wanted to pet the bunnies.

TOM: . . .

LEXIE: Admit it.

TOM: Okay, yeah. I liked the rabbits.

LEXIE: You called them “bunnies.”

TOM: Quit emasculating me in front of these folks.

LEXIE: I will when you admit you’re a blowhard.

TOM: I’m not even sure I know what a blowhard is, babe.

LEXIE: You don’t have to, honey. Just tell them, My ideal riding companion is a woman who loves to talk, tell stories, and follow the road wherever it takes her.

TOM: My ideal riding companion is Lexie Marshall.

LEXIE: All right. That’s acceptable.

[They kiss. Curtain descends.]

Ride with Me, available from Loveswept on February 13, 2012!

Blurb:

In this fun, scorching-hot eBook original romance by Ruthie Knox, a cross-country bike adventure takes a detour into unexplored passion. As readers will discover, Ride with Me is not about the bike!

When Lexie Marshall places an ad for a cycling companion, she hopes to find someone friendly and fun to cross the TransAmerica Trail with. Instead, she gets Tom Geiger — a lean, sexy loner whose bad attitude threatens to spoil the adventure she’s spent years planning.

Roped into the cycling equivalent of a blind date by his sister, Tom doesn’t want to ride with a chatty, go-by-the-map kind of woman, and he certainly doesn’t want to want her. Too bad the sight of Lexie with a bike between her thighs really turns his crank.

Even Tom’s stubborn determination to keep Lexie at a distance can’t stop a kiss from leading to endless nights of hotter-than-hot sex. But when the wild ride ends, where will they go next?

Purchase Links: Amazon / B&N / iBookstore

About Author:

Ruthie Knox figured out how to walk and read at the same time in the second grade, and she hasn’t looked up since. She spent her formative years hiding romance novels in her bedroom closet to avoid the merciless teasing of her brothers and imagining scenarios in which someone who looked remarkably like Daniel Day Lewis recognized her well-hidden sex appeal and rescued her from middle-class Midwestern obscurity. After graduating from Grinnell College with an English and history double major, she earned a Ph.D. in modern British history that she’s put to remarkably little use.

These days, she writes contemporary romance in which witty, down-to- earth characters find each other irresistible in their pajamas, though she freely admits this has yet to happen to her. Perhaps she needs more exciting pajamas. Ruthie abhors an epilogue and insists a decent romance requires at least three good sex scenes.

Website / Facebook / Twitter / Blog / GoodReads

GIVEAWAY DETAILS:

Open to US & International residents
One lucky commenter will be randomly chosen to win a digital copy of Ride with Me. Winners will pick up their copy through Net Galley.
MUST answer this question: What is some things you'd look for in a companion if you went on a bike adventure?
MUST leave e-mail address in comment
Giveaway ends Feb 11th

MONDAY MAN CANDY #39

2012-02-06T07:20:00.000-06:00

So anyone watch the Superbowl last night? What a great game. Congrats to any NY Giant fans out there. They won me some money so I'm a happy girl!

I have some fun authors stopping by this week so be sure to come check them out. Also if you didn't notice I still have some great giveaways that are open. Be sure to enter them if you haven't yet! :)

02/07/12: Debut author Ruthie Knox - Guest Post + Giveaway
02/09/12: Tory Richards - Q&A + Giveaway

Now let's move on to my favorite part of Mondays. I present David Blakeley. Hottie, actor, English and former British military man! He is just hmmmm! Enjoy and have a wonderful Monday!

Love the scruff - yummy

LOTSA WINNERS

2012-02-05T22:06:00.000-06:00

WINNERS! OH WE HAVE WINNERS!

Winners of bracelets from Sidney Bristol and Jodie Becker are:

marybelle
Catherine Lee

Winners of Spartacus - Blood and Sand (Season 1) are:

throuthehaze
Ce-Ce

Winners of ebook copy of After Midnight by Sarah Grimm are:

Heather E
PaParanormalFan

You two should have received an e-mail notification directly from Sarah.

Winner of week #8 and #9 random romance novel from Random House Publishing:

ML (e-mail starts off mljf...) (week #8)
StacieD (week #9)

E-mails will be sent out. If you don't see an e-mail from me by tomorrow night go ahead and e-mail me at asthepagesturn@gmail.com. You have until Feb 8th to respond back with an address. Be sure to check your SPAM or JUNK box if you do not see any e-mail from me.

Thank you everyone who participated. Big congratulations to the winners.

NOTE: Winners were picked by using random.org

ETERNAL WOLF CLAN SERIES - DIRE WARNING BY STEPHANIE TYLER E-BOOK GIVEAWAY

2012-02-05T14:35:00.002-06:00

e-Special novella prequel to Stephanie Tyler's Eternal Wolf Clan series

Blurb:

A breathtaking new tale of the Dire Wolves, from the bestselling author of Dire Needs…

Immortal and invincible, Rifter is the head of the last surviving pack of Dire Wolves—a band of Alpha brothers charged with protecting the Weres. But now that witches have joined forces with nefarious weretrappers, it’s a perfect storm for double trouble. When the murder of a human points to a wolf—along with the threat of the packs being outed to the world—the Dires fear that something even more dangerous is out there hiding in the dark, something waiting for the right time to show itself.

Includes a letter from the author and a teaser chapter from Dire Needs.

Excerpt:

Brother Wolf loved fast. Rifter, almost as much. This close to a full moon, the need for it was magnified.

Unlike the Weres, the Dires weren’t forced to shift during a full moon, and they could remain unshifted for a lot longer than the Weres without any harm. The Dires generally had more control over themselves, their first shift occurring at twenty-one rather than the Weres’ sixteen.

The Dires and their Brother Wolves were equals, inhabiting the same body, respectful of the other’s needs and wishes. And Rifter’s Brother Wolf was more than a little pissed he hadn’t been allowed to fight.

“I’ll make it up to you,” Rifter told him when he stopped the bike off the main trail through the woods and parked it where it wasn’t easily spotted. He stripped and threw his clothes over his bike. Didn’t matter that the temp was below zero—Brother Wolf always ran hot. For a long moment, he took in the quiet of the woods around him, before his brothers and no doubt some Weres arrived. And then it would become rowdy and raunchy and Rifter could get into that, too.

But the feeling that everything was about to change, that’s what sent shivers of a different kind through him.

He’d been around for a hell of a long time, watched eras come and go. He’d seen great leaders and watched the horrors that humans inflicted on one another. Most times, he’d had to numb himself, and they’d always fought on the side of good.

But this . . . something was happening in his world. Surrounded by supernatural beings his entire life—Weres, Vamps, other shifters, witches, demons—most of the time, they kept to their corners.

He’d prayed to the Elders for any kind of help, the way he’d done when he’d been captured but he’d refused to continue because it only made him more frustrated. The mystical clan of four who watched over the Dires, all created by Hati, son of a god who chased the moon, was unattainable; they believed in letting the Dires work out their own problems.

Don’t think on that now, he warned himself, and Brother Wolf agreed enthusiastically.

He shifted, letting himself revel in the pleasure and pain of the process, the impossibility of which had been widely documented by doctors and scientists alike. He felt sorry for those tied so closely to logic that it left them so bound to rules, to black and white, that they missed out on a lot of life and its messy, unexplainable, follow-no-rules beauty.

For Rifter, being a Dire meant everything. There were many things he regretted over the course of his extended lifetime, but being a wolf had never been one of them.

So Stephanie Tyler whom I just love to pieces has an exciting new series coming out in March 2012. She has a special prequel novella coming out February 7th that will introduce the romance world and give them a peek at her wolvies! They're bad, hot, large and in charge. I think you are gonna LOVE THEM!

Anyway Stephanie was kind enough to let me offer up her eSpecial novella Dire Warning up for grabs today. Now if you are interested in taking a peek at her wolvies here's your chance!

Giveaway Details:

Open to US & International residents
3 e-book of Dire Warning up for grabs
MUST leave your e-mail address in the comments field
Giveaway ends ~~Feb 8th~~ Feb 6th

GUEST POST + GIVEAWAY WITH DEBUT AUTHOR HEATHER SNOW - SWEET ENEMY

2012-02-02T23:44:00.000-06:00

Top Ten Reasons You Should Read SWEET ENEMY

Hi! Thank you so much, Ing, for having me today. My name is Heather Snow, and my debut Regency with a twist of mystery will be released next Tuesday, February 7th. Since I’m a brand new author, I thought I’d give you my top ten reasons why YOU should take a chance on SWEET ENEMY.

1. Because #1NYT Bestselling author, Julie Garwood (yes, THAT Julie Garwood! Isn’t she awesome???) says you’ll love it!

"Historical intrigue and heart-pounding passion make Sweet Enemy a great read. Romance fans will love it."

~#1NYT Bestselling Author JULIE GARWOOD

See? However, Julie’s not the only one who gives her “thumbs up”.

"Heather Snow combines sizzling tension, witty dialogue and achingly raw emotions for a passionate love story you'll remember long after the last page."

~Kathryn Smith, USA Today Bestselling Author of “When Tempting a Rogue”

"I have a new go to girl for my historicals. Heather Snow brings a fresh take on nobility, adding her quick wit to her writing."

~Book Obsessed Chicks

“Not often do I pick up something that sucks me in so thoroughly that I have no concept of anything else but the world in the book I am reading. Thank you, Heather Snow, for transporting me somewhere else for a much needed escape!”

~The Book Reading Gals

“In the first in the Veiled Seduction series, newcomer Snow makes a mark on the genre…The plot, with its tinge of mystery, matchmaking and a bit of mayhem, will warm readers’ hearts.”

~ RTBookReviews 4 stars

And guess what? NONE of them are related to me

2. You love to try new things, and new authors!

“Whenever I read a debut book from an author I go into it a bit excited and a little hopeful that I will have found a new favorite, only to be disappointed too many times to count when it did not quite hit the spot for me. Well I am happy to say this is not one of those times! I picked up Sweet Enemy and at first thought it sounded a little familiar but that feeling ended after page 3, the next thing I know I am almost done with the book, could not put it down!”
~ TheBookReadingGals

3. Because it features a heroine who is not your average London Miss.

Meet Liliana Claremont, a brilliant chemist, doesn’t want to be any man’s wife. If she had tuppence for every time she’d been told her place was filling the nursery, not experimenting in the laboratory, she could buy the Tower Bridge.

4. Because the hero not only of the book, but the hero of a cause.

Meet Geoffrey Wentworth, Earl of Stratford, a war hero and rising political star. He never wanted to be the Earl, but when his brother dies, he knows his duty—take up the responsibility for his family’s estates. But his love is Parliament, where he wields his influence and reputation to better the lives of ex-soldiers.

5. Because you like a little mystery with your romance, where people are not always what they seem and where there is a secret that could ruin everything…
When Liliana receives a coveted invitation to the Earl’s house party, she trades in her beakers for ball gowns and gladly takes on the guise of husband hunter—for the chance to uncover what the Earl had to do with the murder of her father. Geoffrey finds himself drawn to the tempting houseguest, although he has no way of knowing she holds a secret from his past that threatens not only his freedom and everything he’s worked for…but his heart.

6. Because even though you like some mystery with your romance, you also like to laugh out loud when you’re reading…
Between Geoffrey’s match-making mother and Liliana’s match-making aunt, and Liliana and Geoffrey’s own schemes, our poor hero and heroine are thrown into some pretty interesting situations.

“Fast paced and well written; witty and fun; sensual and mysterious and I loved the laugh-out-loud moments so much I had tears in my eyes!”

~Melanie, Bookworm2Bookworm, (on Facebook)

7. Because you love stories with a Happily-Ever-After, even if they are filled with so much conflict, you wonder how the hero and heroine will ever find their way to it…

But of course, they do…

8. Because you are looking for a book that will have you staying up all night to read it!
"If I stay up until after 5 to finish a book you know it's good. Sweet Enemy by Heather Snow was worth staying up for. Now I want bk 2! :)"

~ThisBlondeReads

“I am hooked! I started reading it yesterday and stayed up until almost 3am (despite having to come to work today) just to read it.”

~Stella, BookLover’s Inc., on Goodreads

9. You hated chemistry in the classroom, but you’re a big fan of it in the bedroom!

Yes, our heroine does get to blow things up in the story. However, once Geoffrey decides he want the little scientist in his bed (and as his wife) he decides to use her natural curiosity and experimental nature to bind her to him, first with kisses and then with more…

10. Because your Significant Other will be happy you read it…

Psychology Today states that women who read romance novels make love with their partners 74% more often than women who don´t. I’m guess that it’s because a healthy fantasy life spills over into the bedroom, and that will keep your partner with a huge smile on his face! Maybe he’ll even want you to read the fun parts aloud…

Well, there you have it. Thanks again for having me today. If you’d like to read the Prologue and First Chapter of SWEET ENEMY, you can find it here.

Blurb:

Geoffrey Wentworth, a war hero and rising political star, never wanted to be the Earl, but when his brother dies, he knows his duty—take up the responsibility for his family’s estates. His mother’s definition of duty differs from his, however, and can be summed up in one word—heirs. When Geoffrey rushes home to answer her urgent summons, he finds himself host to a house full of women, all vying to become the next Countess of Stratford. But his love is Parliament, where he wields his influence and reputation to better the lives of ex-soldiers, until a tempting houseguest and a secret from his past threaten his freedom…and his heart.

Liliana Claremont, a brilliant chemist, doesn’t want to be any man’s wife, much less a Countess. If she had tuppence for every time she’d been told her place was filling the nursery, not experimenting in the laboratory, she could buy the Tower Bridge. However, when she receives a coveted invitation to the Earl’s house party, she trades in her beakers for ball gowns and gladly takes on the guise of husband hunter—for the chance to uncover what the Earl had to do with the murder of her father.

Liliana believes the best way to get the answers she needs is to keep her enemy close, though romance is not part of her formula. But it only takes one kiss to start a reaction she can't control...

Purchase Links:

Rainy Day Books (Heather's local Indie) / Amazon Kindle / Amazon (Paperback) / Books-a-Million / B&N / Indiebound / iBookstore

About Author:

Heather Snow is a historical romance author with a degree in Chemistry who discovered she much preferred creating chemistry on the page, rather than in the lab. She is forever trying to wrangle her left and right brain to work together (some days with more success than others!), but if her two sides had to duke it out, left would win every time—which can be a creative challenge. Luckily, she loves challenges…she just goes about solving them analytically.

Heather lives in the Midwest with her husband, two rambunctious boys and one very put upon cat. She sincerely hopes you find her stories have just the right chemistry…

Website / Facebook / Twitter / Blog / GoodReads

Giveaway Details:

US/CAN residents only
TWO copies of Sweet Enemy up for grabs
MUST tell me which reason # listed above makes you want to give this book a chance, why?
MUST leave your e-mail address
Giveaway ends Feb. 8th

GUEST POST + GIVEAWAY WITH EMMA CANE AUTHOR OF A TOWN CALLED VALENTINE

2012-02-02T07:47:00.000-06:00

Hello! My name is Emma Cane, and my debut contemporary, A TOWN CALLED VALENTINE, hits the shelves this week. Emma Cane isn’t the first name I’ve written under. I also write historical romance as Gayle Callen. And although I’ll keep writing historicals, I was dying to try something different. So I gave great consideration to what is popular right now, including vampires. I’ve read a lot of vampire novels, and I’m a huge fan of “Buffy the Vampire Slayer.” But…something was holding me back from writing paranormals. I read a lot of contemporary romance, and I discovered that small-town settings are growing in popularity. And who doesn’t love a cowboy? I realized I could set one of them in my small- town romance. So I had a lot of thinking to do—cowboys vs. vampires. Here’s the Top 10 Reasons why I chose cowboys.

10. Cowboys aren’t afraid of a little sunlight and their teeth look nicer.

9. No transfiguration to a small winged mammal. As a side benefit, no need to worry about rabies.

8. When a cowboy talks about his maker, he’s talking about God, not a demon.

7. Do you really want to be touched by something that’s dead?

6. A cowboy won’t be taking any of your blood.

5. You don’t have to worry about a cowboy tell you how hot your great-great-grandma was in her time.

4. You can wear a cross necklace without burning your boyfriend.

3. Get bit by a cowboy, and you’re having a good time. Get bit by a vampire, and you’ll wake up buried alive.

2. A cowboy has better things to do during the day than slink around in the shadows .

1. A cowboy can keep your bed warm at night—and you don’t have to worry about a casket.

So there you have it, the reasons I chose cowboys over vampires. Which do you prefer? And remember, a lucky commenter is going to win a free book!

Blurb:

Emily Murphy never thought she'd return to her mom's rustic hometown in the Colorado Mountains. But after her marriage in San Francisco falls apart, leaving her penniless and heartsick, she returns to her old family home to find a new direction for her life. On her first night back, though, a steamy encounter with handsome rancher Nate Thalberg is not the fresh start she had in mind...

Nate has good reason not to trust the determined beauty who just waltzed into town--he's no stranger to betrayal. Besides, she's only there to sell her family's old property and move back out. But as Nate and Emily begin working side-by-side to restore her time-worn building and old family secrets change Emily's perception of herself, both are about to learn how difficult it is to hide from love in a place known far and wide for romance, family ties, and happily-ever-afters: a town called Valentine.

Purchase Links: Amazon / B&N / Books-A-Million

About Author:

Emma Cane was born in Erie, a small Pennsylvania town on beautiful Lake Erie, where the sunsets are some of the best in the world. Though Emma enjoyed figure skating and skiing (good sports in the northeast), she brought a book everywhere she went, usually science fiction and fantasy. Yes, Emma was a Trekkie. Early in her teen years, she decided maybe she could be a writer, and wrote passionate stories of teenagers in space, first by hand until her fingers cramped, and then on her dad’s manual typewriter, that she still can’t bear to give away. In high school she discovered historical romances, starting with Kathleen Woodiwiss’s Shanna, and Emma never looked back. The first romance she ever tried to write was a historical Western, but now she’s changed to the 21st century, where cowboys can ride pickup trucks as well as horses. Emma fell in love with small-town, heartwarming stories, and created the fictional town Valentine Valley, a small ranching community in the Colorado Rockies, where she sets her novels. A Town Called Valentine is the first in her new series.

Website / Facebook / Twitter / Contact

Giveaway Details:

Open to US & Canada residents only
One copy of A Town Called Valentine up for grabs
MUST answer Emma's question: Which do you prefer vampires or cowboys? Why?
MUST leave e-mail address
Giveaway ends Feb. 8th

MY BOOK BOYFRIEND GIVEAWAY HOP (FEB 1ST - FEB 5TH)

2012-01-31T23:50:00.003-06:00

My Book Boyfriend Giveaway Hop

Welcome ATPT peeps and new visitors to the blog to this fun and exciting hop! This is hop is co-hosted by me (Ing) As the Pages Turn & Crystal from Reading Between the Wines Book Club.

The giveaway hop will run from 12:01 AM February 1st through to 11:59 PM February 5th, 2012.

What better way to celebrate the month of LOVE then with your favorite book boyfriend? Whether you have a valentine or not, the swoon worthy heroes we find in romances can’t be matched anyway! So why not put on those naughty underwear and curl up with one of these steamy reads this year instead? Make you Valentine’s Day perfect by joining the My Book Boyfriend Giveaway Hop where fellow bloggers offer you the chance to win some of their favorite book boyfriends!

Let me tell you I had a hard time choosing a book boyfriend. There are way too many sexy romance heroes out in romanceland that I heart. I decided to give you the choice of choosing which books from my book boyfriend collection you'd want to give a try. I have boyfriends from the past, from the demon world, from small towns, military and so forth. Some of these books are older titles and some are newer titles. See the list of books up for grab below.

One winner can pick any 3 books from the list below
Two winners can pick any 2 books from the list below

Giveaway Details:

Open to US & International residents where Book Depository ships to
MUST leave a comment with your e-mail address and your three choices of books from the list

Be sure to drop by the other blogs that are participating in this hop! Good luck and have fun!

Blue Eyed Devil by Lisa Kleypas	One Night with a Prince by Sabrina Jeffries
Branded as Trouble by Lorelei James	Over the Edge by Suzanne Brockmann
Changing the Game by Jaci Burton	Pleasures of a Notorious Gentleman by Lorraine Heath
Cowgirl Up and Ride by Lorelei James	Sweet Possession by Maya Banks
Dawn's Awakening by Lora Leigh	Scandalous Desire by Elizabeth Hoyt
Dream Man by Linda Howard	See Jane Score by Rachel Gibson
Head Over Heels by Jill Shalvis	Simply Irresistible by Rachel Gibson
Highland Outlaw by Monica McCarty	Sin Undone by Larissa Ione
Highlander Untamed by Monica McCarty	The Leopard Prince by Elizabeth Hoyt
How to Woo a Reluctant Lady by Sabrina Jeffries	The Perfect Play by Jaci Burton
Lady Sophia's Lover by Lisa Kleypas	The Sweetest Thing by Jill Shalvis
Never Love a Highlander by Maya Banks	The What If Guy by Brooke Moss
Virgin River by Robyn Carr	Unleashing the Storm by Sydney Croft

Q&A + GIVEAWAY WITH DEBUT AUTHOR ANNA RANDOL AUTHOR OF A SECRET IN HER KISS

2012-01-31T08:00:00.000-06:00

Ing: Welcome Anna, to ATPT this morning! Anna is a debut author and her debut novel A Secret in Her Kiss is must read. I absolutely fell in love with this book. Anna, can you tell the readers in your own words a bit about the book and what they can expect plot, sexiness, length wise.

Anna: Born to a Greek mother and British father and raised in the heart of the Ottoman Empire, Mari Sinclair doesn’t owe allegiance to anyone. A shot exploding above her head convinces Mari to cease spying for the British and return to her work as a naturalist. The British government, however, refuses to let her go and instead blackmails her into continuing. To make matters worse, they saddle her with Major Bennett Prestwood, an overbearing, battle-weary soldier, ordered to ensure she fulfills her part of the bargain. As her assignment progresses, it becomes clear that her identity has been compromised. Yet even once that fact is certain, she’s given one last task—to draw the specifications of a new Ottoman fort in the heart of an area so perilous two agents have already perished in the attempt. Despite Bennett’s claims to be her protector, he demands her cooperation. When passion flares between them, Mari must decide if she can trust her heart to man who obeys orders at all costs…even if the ultimate cost is her life.

After fighting Napoleon for twelve years, Major Bennett Prestwood knows that without duty, life would be chaos. Yet when he’s ordered to travel to Constantinople to protect a spy, he hesitates. Too many family obligations await him in England to waste time protecting a foolish woman who cares nothing for her own safety. But a good soldier always obeys orders, and he accepts the mission. Despite his expectations, Mari Sinclair tempts him to look beyond his assignment and pursue her for himself. When the full extent of the danger toward her is revealed, he must call upon all his expertise to discover the person behind the plot against her life before it's too late. As always, duty must take precedence over his wishes. But what if that duty forces him to sacrifice the life of the woman he loves?

A Secret in Her Kiss is a steamy, sultry read, but not over-the-top hot. It’s 384 pages.

Ing: I really enjoyed getting to know Bennett Prestwood the hero of your novel. His character is downright yummy. Can you tell the readers a bit more about Bennett? What in your opinion do you think will draw the readers in and make them love Bennett? What are his weaknesses and strengths?

Anna: Bennett is such a big sweetheart. He’s a tough warrior, but there’s a sensitive side to him I think readers will love. He’s always willing to put the heroine’s needs before his own, which I think is very sexy in a hero!

Bennett’s a younger son, so he knew from childhood that he’d be destined to join the military. Even though he secretly yearned to be a poet, he did his duty without complaining. Duty and honor are how he defines himself. They make him a strong and noble man, but he’s clung so tightly to duty that it has become a shield, a way for him to justify the horrors he was ordered to do as a soldier. That makes it doubly hard for him to give up and for him to understand how my heroine, Mari, might not see things the same way. But I think readers will also come to understand that he’s a man who cares deeply. He won’t let anything hurt the ones he’s sworn to protect.

Ing: I adored Mari Sinclair, your heroine. She is not your traditional historical heroine and I really liked that. Can you tell the readers a bit more about Mari? What in your opinion do you think will draw the readers in and make them love her? What are her weaknesses and strengths?

Anna: Mari is an incredibly strong heroine, a situation forced on her when her father became addicted to opium when she was young. She’s had to rely on herself for so long that it’s a bit difficult for her to rely on anyone else. But I think readers will see right away her complete loyalty to her friends, family, and the cause she believes in. Also, she’s never one to wait on the sidelines, if there is a problem she will be the first one trying to solve it.

Ing: What was a scene that stood out or was memorable for you when writing A Secret in Her Kiss? Why did this scene stand out for you?

Anna: I love the scene later in the book where Bennett finds out Mari has read his book of poetry. Even though he regards his writing as an embarrassment, he can’t resist trying to find out what she thought. I love this little bit of vulnerability from such a strong, decisive hero!

Ing: I loved the setting of this book. Not too many historical romances are set in the exotic Ottoman Empire, Constantinople. I would love to hear the back story of how this book came to be set here. Did you pick the place first and then the story came along or was it the other way around?

Anna: I think it was some combination of both. While I was researching information for an earlier manuscript, I came across the letters of Lady Mary Wortley Montagu, wife to the British ambassador to Constantinople. Her descriptions of the city were lush, witty, and exotic. I fell in love with the Ottoman Empire through her eyes. As I read the plot of A Secret in Her Kiss emerged in my thoughts. While it may not be a typical setting for a Regency, as I developed my plot, it became clear Constantinople provided the ideal combination of colorful intrigue and dangerous deceptions—a perfect backdrop for Mari and Bennett.

Ing: What else can we look forward to from you for the rest of 2012? Will we get a story for any of the other secondary characters in this book? Could you give some details on these upcoming projects?

Anna: In June 2012, readers will be able to see what happens to Bennett’s younger sister in her own e-novella. Sophia Prestwood is just rediscovering her own strength, but it’s a knowledge she must quickly claim as she faces off with a maddeningly handsome magistrate who thinks she’s guilty of murder.

Then, in August 2012, my next novel, Sins of a Virgin, will be released. To secure her future, former spy Madeline Valdan announces she’ll auction the one thing no one suspects she still possesses—her virginity. But Madeline’s no fool. She won’t entrust her precious commodity to just anyone. She hires Gabriel Huntford, a Bow Street Runner, to protect her virginity until it’s properly paid for. Although the passion Huntford inspires is unlike anything she’s ever known, Madeline knows better than to give herself away for free. She also knows the man she hired is hiding a dangerous agenda of his own.

Ing: Now on to questions about you. We want to know more about Anna Randol. Who are some of your auto buy authors that you read now?

Anna: I love Joanna Bourne. She has an amazing ability to have her French characters speaking English and yet still sounding French. I also love Sarah MacLean, Eloisa James, and Julia Quinn.

Ing: What was the first romance book you ever read? Do you still have the book on your shelf?

Anna: I wish I could remember! My older sister started reading romances before I did, so I would sneak books from her collection. The first romances I remember getting from the library were Georgette Heyer novels because they were hard back and I could look for them without being seen at the paperback romance shelves.

Ing: What was the best advice that you ever got from anyone in the writing industry that has stuck with you?

Anna: Just keep writing, you can always fix it later. I think is helps me immensely to remember not to get stuck on a scene that isn’t working out. Usually by the time I come back to it, I know how to tweak it until it’s the scene I envisioned.

Ing: If you could be one of your heroines for a day, which one would you be and why?

Anna: I would love to be Madeline Valdan in my August release, Sins of a Virgin. In real life, I’ve never been the type of girl who has men falling over at her feet. I think for one day that would be a blast.

Ing: If you had a dinner party and could only invite 5 characters from any romance book out there including yours who would they be?

Anna: Major Bennett Prestwood (A Secret in Her Kiss), Gabriel Huntford (Sins of a Virgin), Sebastian Ballister, the notorious Marquess of Diain (Lord of Scoundrels by Loretta Chase), Sir Mark Turner (Unclaimed by Courtney Milan), and Lord Ian Mackenzie (The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie by Jennifer Ashley).

What? No one said I had to share my dinner guests…

Ing: Anna thanks so much for stopping by today! Let me just say that I loved your debut novel and look forward to more of your upcoming work. And OMG I love the cover of A Secret in her Kiss. That cover model is so yummy! Anywhoo—thanks again and I wish you much success. Do you have any last words or questions you would like to pose to the readers of this blog?

Anna: I love my cover model, too! So if you were writing a romance, who would you pick to be on the cover yours? (One lucky commenter will receive a signed copy of A Secret in her Kiss!)

Blurb:

She would gladly relinquish her life of intrigue…

A rare beauty, raised in the exotic heart of the Ottoman Empire, Mari Sinclair knows it’s time to end her career as a British spy when she narrowly avoids a brush with death. Unfortunately her employers think otherwise—and they are not above using blackmail to keep Mari in the Game.

Saddled with a handsome, duty-obsessed “minder” to ensure that she completes—and survives—one last mission, Mari is incensed…for her guardian, Major Bennett Prestwood, is simply too dedicated, too unbending, and too disarmingly attractive. But in the face of dark secrets and deadly treacheries, as the true peril to Mari is slowly revealed, loyal soldier Bennett realizes that, to save and win this extraordinary woman, he will have to do the unthinkable and break the rules—rules that passion and desire have suddenly, irrevocably changed.

Purchase Links: Amazon / B&N / Indie Bound / Books-A-Million

About Author:

Anna Randol was raised in Southern California. When she was eight, she decided her diary was too dull and decided to write as if she lived on a raft in the Amazon with her imaginary dog, Cream Puff. At twelve, Anna decided racing down rapids with only a dog for company might get rather lonely. Handsome British heroes began to appear on her raft, and her love of adventure-driven romance was born.
Don’t believe it? See for yourself!

Anna currently lives with her family in Southern California, where she loves eating chocolate, making plans for remodels she never intends to do, and drawing pictures in the sand at the beach to baffle future archaeologists.

Website / Twitter / Blog / Contact

Giveaway Details:

Open to US & Internationl residents where book depository ships to
TWO copies up for grabs. One copy courtesy of Anna and one copy courtesy from me. Loved this book so I want to spread the love! :)
MUST answer Anna's question: Who would you choose be your cover model on your romance novel if you write one?
MUST leave e-mail address in comments
Giveaway ends Feb. 8th

MONDAY MAN CANDY #38

2012-01-30T22:31:00.003-06:00

It's a late edition of Monday Man Candy. Lots of things happening this week at ATPT. You do not want to miss out on all the activities. I have the following authors stopping by this week so make sure you come by and check them out!

Jan 30th - Guest Post + Giveaway with Lorraine Heath author of She Tempts the Duke
Jan 31st - Q&A + Giveaway with debut author Anna Randol author of A Secret in Her Kiss
Feb 2nd - Guest Post + Giveaway with Emma Cane author of A Town Called Valentine

Then I'll be co-hosting my first blog hop with Crystal from Reading Between the Wines Bookclub. There will be tons of giveaways from fellow bloggers and authors. It'll be fun so mark your calendar for Feb 1st. The hop will be up until Feb 5th so hop around and enter to win books and book related items!

Now onto your candy for this week. I present this hottie Brazilian model, Erasmo Viana. OMG...this boy makes me drool just staring at him w/out me realizing it. :) He's muy caliente! Enjoy all.

GUEST POST + GIVEAWAY WITH LORRAINE HEATH AUTHOR OF SHE TEMPTS THE DUKE

2012-01-29T23:22:00.000-06:00

Things Not to Do When Trying to Avenge Your Lost Youth and Dukedom

1. Don’t choose the most well-attended ball in London to rise from the dead.

2. Don’t notice that the girl with whom you raced over the green hills of Pembrook has grown into an enticing—and distracting—woman.

3. Don’t study her intently searching for the freckles that she had as a child. They’re gone.

Well, except for the one just above the low bodice of her gown. Staring at it and wondering how it came to be there will only serve to warm you to the point of needing to remove your jacket.

4. Don’t play silly parlor games because watching her smile and hearing her laugh will only tighten your gut and make you realize she is absolutely unattainable. She’s betrothed for God’s sake.

5. Don’t keep the potted fronds company at the next ball you attend so as not to expose anyone to your hideous scars.

6. Don’t allow the loveliest lady at the ball to persuade you that you can dance even with your limited vision. You’ll only step on her hem and cause her gown to rip so you must apologize for being such an ungracious clod.

7. When you’re trying to make a discreet exit through the garden, don’t stop when she calls out to you.

8. Definitely do not kiss her in said garden.

9. Don’t try to save her reputation by suggesting you play cards with your brothers to determine who will become her champion.

10. Don’t fall in love with a woman who deserves your complete and undivided attention. Loving her will leave little time for revenge.

SHE TEMPTS THE DUKE is the story of a man who is obsessed with revenge until his obsession is in danger of causing him to lose the one thing he can’t live without. What one bit of advice would you give to a man falling in love?

Blurb:

Three young heirs, imprisoned by an unscrupulous uncle, escaped—to the sea, to the streets, to faraway battle—awaiting the day when they would return to reclaim their birthright.

Sebastian Easton always vowed he would avenge his stolen youth and title. Now back in London, the rightful Duke of Keswick—returning from battle a wounded, hardened, changed man—cannot forget the brave girl who once rescued him and his brothers from certain death.

Lady Mary Wynne-Jones paid dearly for helping the imprisoned young Lords of Pembrook, and she remembers well the promise she made to Sebastian all those years ago: to meet him once more in the abbey ruins where they shared a bold, forbidden kiss. While Mary is now betrothed to another, a friendship forged with dark secrets cannot be ignored. Unexpected passion soon burns dangerously between them, tempting Sebastian to abandon his quest for retribution and fight for a love that could once again set him free.

Purchase Links: Amazon / B&N / Books-A-Million / Indie Bound

About Author:

When Lorraine Heath received her BA degree in psychology from the University of Texas, she had no idea she had gained a foundation that would help her to create believable characters—characters that are often described as “real people.” She writes for both adult and young adult readers. She received a Romantic Times Career Achievement Award for Americana historicals. Her novels have been recognized with a RITA, Romance Writers of America’s most prestigious award for excellence; a HOLT medallion award honoring outstanding literary fiction; a Romantic Times Reviewers' Choice Award for Best Americana as well as Best British Isle Set Historical; five Texas Gold Awards; the Golden Quill Award; the Rising Star Award; and many other awards and recognitions. Her novels have been selections of the Doubleday and Rhapsody Book Clubs. Her novels have appeared on bestseller lists, including USA Today, Waldenbooks, and most recently, the New York Times.

At the invitation of Laura Bush when she was the First Lady of Texas, Lorraine served on a romance panel at the Texas Book Festival in 1998. She gave a presentation at the Texas Library Association Conference in 1999. She also served on a panel during RWA's 2001 Librarian Appreciation Day. She often speaks at local libraries, to writers' groups, readers' groups, and at small conferences.

The author of more than 30 novels, she writes historical and contemporary romance for adults and historical romance for teen readers. Under the name Rachel Hawthorne, she writes popular contemporary romance for teens readers.

Website / Facebook / Twitter / E-Mail

Giveaway Details:

Open to US & Canada residents only
One copy of She Tempts the Duke up for grabs
MUST answer Lorraine's question: What bit of advice would you give to a man falling in love?
MUST leave e-mail address
Giveaway ends Feb. 8th

MYSTERY GIVEAWAY WITH ROMANCE AT RANDOM PUBLISHING #9

2012-01-27T22:09:00.000-06:00

Welcome to week #9 of the Romance at Random mystery giveaway! It's the last Friday that this will be up! It's been fun hosting this giveaway with Random House Publishing. Thanks to Random and all of you who've participated.

Now...let's get on with this. If you aren't aware every Friday until Jan 31st I'll be hosting this giveaway on my blog courtesy of the awesome peeps at Romance at Random. Drop by every Friday and join in the fun to be entered for a chance at winning a romance novel from Romance at Random. The catch here is you won't know what romance novel you are trying to win! It's a guessing game! :) Giveaway is open only to US residents.

Now for this week's question: What are some romance books that you re-read over and over?

RULES AND DETAILS

Open to US residents only
You MUST leave a comment with your e-mail address if it's not on your profile so I can contact you if you win.
You MUST answer this question above.
Giveaway ends Feb 1st

Q&A + GIVEAWAY WITH SARAH GRIMM AUTHOR OF AFTER MIDNIGHT

2012-01-26T06:47:00.000-06:00

Ing: Welcome Sarah, to the blog! We are here to pimp out After Midnight. Can you tell the readers in your own words a bit about the book and what they can expect plot, sexiness, length wise.

Sarah: Plot: She wants to forget her past. He wants to reclaim his. Sometimes the moment that changes everything comes After Midnight.

Length: Around 80,000 words

Sexiness: Well, the publisher rated it HOT which has the warning that includes words like explicit and detailed, but I prefer:

Warning: this book contains hot as hell rock stars and sex that will straighten your hair.

Ing: Can you tell us about the sexy Noah Clark? What about this sexy musician do you think will draw the readers in and make them love him?

Sarah: Who doesn’t love a sexy rock singer? LOL Seriously, Noah Clark is the ideal romance hero: sexy, patient, and totally committed to Isabeau. However, that doesn't mean he's perfect -- Noah is also stubborn, bull-headed and determined to save Isabeau from herself, even if it's the very last thing she wants.

Ing: Now tell us a bit about the heroine Isabeau Montgomery? What about Isabeau do you think will draw the readers in and make them love her?

Sarah: Isabeau Montgomery is the owner of Izzy’s Bar, a child prodigy, piano phenom—a woman who is hiding behind a lie of her own making. She's just so very tortured, her past so full of tragedy it's hard not to connect to Isabeau. Yet she's strong, stronger than even she realizes -- you'd have to be to survive what she's been through.

Ing: Why are these two perfect for each other? What about them individually
makes them so drawn to each other? Why do you think the readers will fall
in love with this couple?

Sarah: Noah and Isabeau are drawn to each other right from the first moment they set eyes on each other. It’s not just sexual attraction, though God knows they have that in spades, but something else, something neither of them can name. Isabeau is wounded, in some ways nearly broken by her past. Noah is older, has lived the crazy rocker life and is over it. He’s patient enough to break through her walls, and mature enough to handle her past.

Ing: What was a scene that stood out or was memorable for you when
writing After Midnight? Why did this scene stand out for you?

Sarah: The most memorable scene for me when writing After Midnight was the scene where Isabeau’s step-father (for lack of a better name) sits Noah down and tells him about losing Izzy’s mother in the car accident, followed by immediately losing Izzy in a court battle and how those events shaped Isabeau into the woman she is today. Putting myself in her step-father’s shoes, feeling what he must have felt as he told about knowing, deep in his gut knowing, what was happening to her after the court took her away and not being able to do anything to stop it…it was a traumatic scene that was emotionally draining for me to write.

Ing: What is a character that you are getting lots of e-mails about? Any
plans to write a story for this character?

Sarah: I get a lot of emails and comments about Noah’s best friend and bassist, Dominic Price. I have to admit that I fell hard for Dominic myself while writing After Midnight. Hard enough that I knew I had to give him his own happily-ever-after, which I’m writing now.

Ing: What else can we look forward to from you for the rest of 2012? Could
you give some details on these upcoming projects?

Sarah: I’ve been getting such positive feedback, not just on Dominic but also on another of the book’s characters. So what began as one book has expanded into four – the Midnight series. I’m a writing Midnight Heat (book two) right now and hope to have it released by the end of 2012, followed closely by Chasing Midnight & Midnight Shadow.

Ing: Now on to questions about you. We want to know more about Sarah
Grimm. What are some of your auto buy authors that you read now?

Sarah: Linda Howard and Tess Gerritsen are auto buys. Other authors I enjoy are Sandra Brown, HelenKay Dimon, and Rachel Gibson.

Ing: What was the first romance book you ever read? Do you still have the
book on your shelf?

Sarah: I’m not certain if Forever by Judy Bloom is considered a romance, but to my pre-teen self, it was. I don’t have a copy, no.

Ing: What was the best advice that you ever got from anyone in the writing
industry that has stuck with you?

Sarah: It’s impossible to please every reader. Sooner or later you’re going to get a bad review. When that happens just remember, bad reviews are not the end of the world, but part of the game.

Ing: If you could be one of your heroine for a day which one would you be
and why?

Sarah: During the book or after its completion, because it definitely makes a difference. I wouldn’t want to be any of my heroines at the beginning of my books. I’m cruel to my characters. Downright mean to them. The things I put them through before they get their happily-ever-after—the heartache and loss, the physical suffering—I wouldn’t switch places with any of them.

If I can choose to be one of my heroine for a day after the stories completion, then it would be Isabeau Montgomery. Having Noah Clark all to myself for 24 hours? Oh, yeah!

Ing: If you weren’t writing what else would you be doing right now for a
career?

Sarah: My day job is Office Manager/Bookkeeper at a local farm. Eight months out of the year I also oversee the farm store and the college kids that work there.

Ing: Sarah thanks so much for stopping by today! I really appreciate you taking the time to answer my questions. Do you have any last words or questions you would like to pose to the readers of this blog?

Sarah: Thanks, Ing, for having me. I’m so happy to have had the chance to chat! My question for the readers is this, with the huge selection of books out there, how do you discover authors you’ve never read before, and what makes you give them a chance?

Blurb:

Thirteen years—that's how long Isabeau Montgomery has been living a lie. After an automobile accident took her mother's life, Izzy hid herself away, surviving the only way she knew how. Now she is happy in her carefully reconstructed life. That is until he walks through the door of her bar...

Black Phoenix singer/front man Noah Clark came to Long Island City with a goal--one that doesn't include an instant, electric attraction to the dark-haired beauty behind the bar. Coaxing her into his bed won't be easy, but he can't get her pale, haunted eyes nor her skill on the piano out of his head.

Can Noah help Isabeau overcome the past? Or will her need to protect her secret force her back into hiding and destroy their chance at happiness?

Warning: This book contains hot as hell rock stars and sex that will straighten your hair.

Purchase Links: Amazon / WildRose Press / B&N

About Author:

As a young girl, Sarah Grimm always had a story to tell. At times they were funny, other times scary, but they were always happily-ever-after.

Sarah spent years scribbling in notebooks, filling the pages with partial chapters and the margins with titles and story ideas. She told friends that the characters spoke to her, and that she was compelled to get their stories on paper. Eventually, she sat down at a computer and wrote her first tale of dangerously sexy suspense. That book, Not Without Risk, is a 2011 Readers Favorite Award Winner.

Sarah lives in West Michigan with her husband, two sons and three miniature schnauzers. Between mom's taxi service, parts runs, and answering the phone for the family marine repair business, Sarah can be found curled in her favorite chair, crafting her next novel.

Website / Facebook / Twitter / Blog / E-Mail

Giveaway Details:

Open to US & International
Two e-book copies of After Midnight for grabs
MUST leave e-mail address and answer the authors question in the comments field
MUST answer Sarah's question: With the huge selection of books out there, how do you discover authors you’ve never read before, and what makes you give them a chance?
Giveaway ends Feb 1st

MONDAY MAN CANDY #37

2012-01-23T06:52:00.000-06:00

Happy Monday morning folks. Another start to a long ass work week. Today I'm over at Zina's blog Sea Witch Reviews from the bookshelf. I'm helping her celebrate her hubby's retirement from the Navy and their move to West Virginia. Be sure to stop by I'm offering ONE lucky commenter a copy of Changing the Game by Jaci Burton, Immortal Rider by Larissa Ione, The Viper by Monica McCarty, and Scandalous Desire by Elizabeth Hoyt.

For this week I have one guest stopping by. Be sure to drop by on Jan. 26th to get to know author Sarah Grimm as we pimp out her book After Midnight. Now onto the candy for this morning. I offer you Jonas Sulzbach. He's a hottie from Brazil. He has the cutest smile. I hope you all enjoy and that you have a fantastic Monday.

GIVEAWAY - IT'S BACK: SPARTACUS - VENGEANCE SEASON 2

2012-01-22T12:20:00.000-06:00

So one of my favorite shows is back, for it's long awaited second season. That's right Spartacus - Vengeance is back. Season 2 will premiere on the Starz network on January 27th. We last left Spartacus and his brothers in the ludas after they killed literally everyone in the House of Batiatus and made their bloody escape.

Season 2 will pick up and tell the story of how Spartacus and his fellow gladiators deal with their freedom. Season 2 is set to bring back all the things that fans have grown to love such as the gruesome and bloody fighting, scorching in your face sexuality, and bad ass villains and unorthodox heroism.

In celebration of Season 2, I'm offering 2 readers of the blog a chance to fall in love with this show. I'm offering the first season up for grabs.

Giveaway Details:

Open to US residents only (Sorry to the international followers I can't afford the shipping fee for this)
You MUST leave a comment with your e-mail address if it's not on your profile so I can contact you if you win.
Giveaway ends Jan 27th

Now enjoy some images from the second season:

MYSTERY GIVEAWAY WITH ROMANCE AT RANDOM PUBLISHING #8

2012-01-20T17:30:00.000-06:00

Welcome to week #8 of the Romance at Random mystery giveaway! If you aren't aware every Friday until Jan 31st I'll be hosting this giveaway on my blog courtesy of the awesome peeps at Romance at Random. Drop by every Friday and join in the fun to be entered for a chance at winning a romance novel from Romance at Random. The catch here is you won't know what romance novel you are trying to win! It's a guessing game! :) Giveaway is open only to US residents.

Now for this week's question: Tell me who your top 5 romance novel heroes are?

I'm getting ready for My Book Boyfriend Hop and I'm having such a hard time figuring out who are some of my favorites. Too many heroes I tell you so I would love to hear who some of yours are.

RULES AND DETAILS

Open to US residents only
You MUST leave a comment with your e-mail address if it's not on your profile so I can contact you if you win.
You MUST answer this question above.
Giveaway ends Jan 25th

WINNERS OH WE HAVE LOTSA WINNERS!

2012-01-19T08:02:00.002-06:00

WINNERS! OH WE HAVE WINNERS!

Winners of Crash Into You by Roni Loren are:

Judi L (e-mail starts off boomer...)
Francesca (e-mail starts off fmg_2...)

Winners of A Lady Awakened by Cecilia Grant are:

Filia Oktarina
joanne (e-mail starts off e.bali...)

Winner of Callum by Melissa Schroeder is:

BookAddict (e-mail starts off eliza...)

Winners of Amazon Heat by Rayna Vause and Melinda Leigh are:

ReneeRearden
*yadkny*

Winner of week #6 and #7 random romance novel from Random House Publishing:

paranormalromancefan (week #6)
romance reader enthusiast (week #7)

E-mails will be sent out. If you don't see an e-mail from me by tomorrow morning go ahead and e-mail me at asthepagesturn@gmail.com. You have until Jan. 22 to respond back with an address. Be sure to check your SPAM or JUNK box if you do not see any e-mail from me.

Thank you everyone who participated. Big congratulations to the winners.

NOTE: Winners were picked by using random.org

GUEST POST WITH BRANDON MORETTI OF STRIPPED BY TORI ST. CLAIRE

2012-01-18T07:59:00.000-06:00

What Not to Do When Undercover in Vegas

For years, I worked the Strip, mingling with the trash and dealers as a narcotics agent. You’d think I’d know the rules. That I would know how to avoid complications. Particularly complications that come with never-ending legs.

But Christ Almighty, Natalya’s legs could kill a man.

And that’s where the trouble began.

Rule One: Never date the strippers.

I lived by this rule, I deviated only once. Which I was still paying for when Natalya showed up in my new club, Fantasia. Knowing exactly what kind of complications that could be, I amended the rule. If you want to date the stripper, give her a different job.

Rule Two: Never sleep with your lead suspect

Now, I’ve put away more scumbags than I can really count. And I’ve bent some other protocols to get the job done. But any good cop knows that getting mixed up with the suspects makes it hard to see the truth. And damned if that wasn’t the case here. I didn’t just blur the truth – I missed it by a mile. All because I couldn’t get beyond the physical need to satisfy myself with those… amazing… legs. (Brandon coughs.)

Rule Three: If you can’t abide by rule 1 or 2, for God’s sake don’t flaunt the
involvement in front of everyone.

Another mistake I should have known much better about. Complications that already exist get a hell of a lot worse. All I’m saying.

Rule Four: Er… I can’t talk about rule four. Not in polite company. Just take my
advice, men – always wear a glove. Otherwise, you’re damned.

Rule Five: If an ‘ordinary’ stripper carries a customized Tactical Operations Sig because it’s “Pretty”… be very, very wary.

It’s okay for a woman to concealed carry. Hell, I never leave without my own gun. But that’s a little extreme, and it should have been my first clue that the lies I was hearing were far worse. Don’t let one of those guns pass you by without getting answers. Solid, informative answers.

Rule Six: If someone’s face looks familiar, you better believe it is familiar.

Again, at the risk of jeopardizing someone else’s cover, I can’t go into details there. Just don’t ignore that sixth sense if it stands up and tickles the back of your mind.

Rule Seven: Never, never, never let Natalya Trubachev wield a gun. Damn it.

Those are just a few handy pointers. But I’m pretty sure my team saw enough crap to fully realize my mistakes. And, as embedded as I now am with the Black Opals, I’m certain I’ll never have cause to screw up on those levels again.

For those of you who might be working undercover, one last piece of advice. Don’t just accept the things you see for what they are. Dig deeper. Look beyond the shadows. For I can promise, if a Black Opal is around, nothing is what it seems.

~Brandon

Blurb:

Body of secrets…

As a member of the CIA’s elite, Black Opals, Natalya Trubachev must live a lie, working undercover as the lover of Dmitri, a Russian mob boss. His business is trafficking vulnerable Las Vegas strippers overseas for twisted sex games. Natalya’s business is to blow the ring wide open and bring down Dmitri and his American contacts. But the stakes are raised when she learns that the next target is her own sister Kate, a dancer in the famed club Fantasia. Only now does Natalya realize how personal her mission has become, and how far she’s willing to go to complete it.

Body of lies…

The manager of Fantasia is Brandon Moretti, an undercover detective who keeps a close eye on his girls, and an even closer one on his sinfully sensual hire. For Natalya, working the club could be the break she’s been waiting for. But for Moretti, Natalya is a possible link to a killer. Only he never counted on her being so lethally seductive or so dangerous to get close to. As every forbidden pleasure between them is stripped away, his own secrets threaten their security, but it’s Natalya’s that could destroy them both.

Click HERE and HERE to read excerpts from the book.

Purchase Links: Amazon / B&N / BAM

About Author:

Tori St. Claire grew up writing. Hobby quickly turned into passion, and when she discovered the world of romance as a teen, poems and short stories gave way to full length novels with sexy heroes and heroines waiting to be swept off their feet. She wrote her first romance novel at seventeen.

While that manuscript gathered dust-bunnies beneath the bed, she went on to establish herself as a contemporary, historical, and paranormal author
under the pen name, Claire Ashgrove. Her writing, however, skirted a fine line between hot and steamy, and motivated by authors she admired, she pushed her boundaries and made the leap into erotica, using the darker side of human nature and on-the-edge suspense to drive grittier, sexier, stories.

Her erotic romantic suspense novels are searingly sensual experiences that unite passion with true emotion, and the all-consuming tie that binds -- love.

Website / Blog / Twitter / Newsletter / E-Mail

Tour Giveaway Details:

Tori will be giving away a $25 Amazon GC to one randomly drawn commenter during the tour as well. The more comments you leave the better chance you'll win. Be sure to visit the other blogs that are a part of this tour. See other blogs participating below and click on their name.

January 2: AsianCocoa's Secret Garden
January 3: Rachel Leigh - Erotic Romance
January 4: It's Raining Books
January 5: The Forbidden Bookshelf
January 6: Riverina Romantics
January 10: Romancing the Book
January 11: Seductive Musings
January 12: Immortality and Beyond
January 13: Ramblings From This Chick
January 16: Carrie Ann Ryan's Blog
January 17: Sexy Lady
January 18: As The Pages Turn
January 19: Book Travels
January 20: Love To Read For Fun
January 23: Words of Wisdom from The Scarf Princess
January 24: Roz Lee Contemporary Erotic Romance Author
January 25: Beyond Romance
January 26: Kacey's Kreations
January 27: Erotica For All
January 27: Stop #2 Adventure Into Romance

GUEST POST + GIVEAWAY WITH AUTHORS JODIE BECKER & SIDNEY BRISTOL

2012-01-17T00:38:00.000-06:00

Are you series?

Jodie: I love the journey toward happily ever after, but you know what I also love? What happens after the HEA. It used to be an epilogue was enough, but now with series of books I get to see a hero or heroine from a previous book as a secondary character. I get to see them again and know, yes, they are still happy. Another awesome thing about series is the introduction of a character. We might follow this character through several books before we find out how he or she achieves her very own HEA. And the beauty of it all, I'm already invested. Yep, I have to say I'm a series gal. What about you, Sid?

Sid: The continuing relationships and stories are really awesome. I do like to see how they grow and change. Some of my favorite series feature a growing relationship. I think that once upon a time, we saw that moment when two characters came together at the end of the book as the point in their lives where they were inseparable. Culture changes and now we live in a time when two people, madly in love, won't spend the rest of their lives together. Seeing that relationship grow, the people going through some bumpy times and succeeding really gives me more belief that their HEA is real. What series come to mind that show good growth, Jodie?

Jodie: *shifty eyes* I haven't read those ones that followed the hero and heroine as the main protagonists across several books. But, most books I'd read the growth happened during their book and I enjoyed seeing them still be gloriously in love years later. My fave series, would have to be Julia Quinn’s Bridgerton series, and most recently I got to see the Smith-Smyths have their Happily Ever After, which is so deserving of them and it's been at least 8 years in the making. LOL That's dedication for ya. I also love series that are so complex (paranormals/urban fantasies) where the world isn't fully realized to the reader until a few books in and you get invested in all these other characters and wonder who they are going to end up with and when. As I understand it, Flirting with Rescue is going to be part of a series. What inspired you to make it into a series?

Sid: Hopefully, yes. I have some ideas for the rest of Cody-Lynn's siblings. Altogether the Parker family has five children, all of whom are single -- except Cody. Flirting with Rescue started out with the idea of throwing together two dissimilar people over a mutual desire to save the horses. This one story snowballed into Cody's sister, Natalie-Joe and I knew I wanted to use the tragic story of my old show mare as inspiration. From there it was a simple leap to wanting to hook up the other siblings and explore the world of modern day rodeo, since it's something I lived for so long. There is an overall plot to the stories that ties them together, but I can't spoil that now. You'll have to read Flirting with Rescue and the subsequent books. Jodie, I know you've talked about the inspiration behind Dirty Beautiful, but what made you want to do a follow up to it?

Jodie: My initial idea was to tackle the adult film industry as a backdrop, but with Dylan being a former adult actor I was able to introduce a small bunch of characters and set it up for subsequent stories. I also didn't want to have a cliché cast and understood that there were many reason why people got into
the industry and what it does to them. Some thrive and some don't, but one thing is for certain, it changes them. The next book already contracted with Ellora's Cave *yey* is Max's story. He had different reasons for entering the film industry and again, as always I wanted to put him up against someone his complete opposite. Max a porn actor has met his match in his neighbor, cellist and lover of gnomes, Bridget.

Both ladies: What about you guys, do you like following the romance after the Happily Ever After? For two commenters we are giving away a bracelet.

Blurb:

Sparks—and clothes—fly when hot veterinarian Cody-Lynn Parker shows up at Scott Carillo’s animal shelter. Scott’s had a bad run with women, but he can’t keep his hands off Cody’s luscious curves.

Cody’s trying to be professional, but she can barely concentrate on work thanks to her craving for the tall, dark and sexy Cuban. She kisses caution goodbye and Scott hello when his shirt comes off.

Between naked star-gazing and naughty massages, their steamy fling turns into an affair of the heart. But when thieves target Cody, she finds herself flirting with danger, and Scott wants to rescue her whether she thinks she needs it or not.

Purchase Link: Ellora's Cave

Blurb:

Disillusioned by love, Erica has tasted the bitter pill of betrayal and wonders if she’s enough for one man. When a hot guy moves in next door, Erica decides to settle for good old-fashioned lust. What starts out as a simple seduction quickly evolves, and Erica is fast finding out Dylan is dangerous not only to her libido, but her heart as well.

Recently retired from the adult-film industry, Dylan hopes for a fresh start in Templeton where his porn persona, Drake Van Wulf, is unknown. His new neighbor is unlike the women he’s accustomed to, but she stirs his blood nonetheless. His rule not to get involved is quickly tested by Erica and her lush curves. Unable to withstand her allure, Dylan finds himself wanting more from Erica than just her body. He wants her heart also.

With the secret of his past hanging in the shadows, Dylan’s about to find out if love truly conquers all.

Purchase Links: Ellora's Cave / Amazon

About Authors:

Jodie Becker -

I believe in love and redemption. I really do. And that’s probably why I write romance. Sure, I tried my hand at epic fantasy and literary pieces, but you know, my passion remained with romance. My *virtual* bookshelf is overflowing with them. With so many sub-genres I can go anywhere and I do! So it’s no surprise that I find myself comfortable here.

I’ll write anything that tickles my fancy, from the sassy contemporary all the way to the dark urban fantasy. As long as there is romance, I’m a happy camper.

Website / Facebook / Twitter / E-Mail

Sidney Bristol

It can never be said that Sidney Bristol has had a ‘normal’ life. She is a recovering roller derby queen, former missionary, and tattoo addict. She grew up in a motor-home on the US highways (with an occasional jaunt into Canada and Mexico), traveling the rodeo circuit with her parents. Sidney has lived abroad in both Russia and Thailand, working with children and teenagers. She now lives in Texas where she splits her time between a job she loves, writing, reading and belly dancing.

Website / Facebook / Twitter / Blog / E-Mail

Giveaway Details:

Open to US and International
Two bracelets up for grabs (see pic below)
MUST leave e-mail address and answer the authors question in the comments field
Giveaway ends Jan. 25th

Q&A + GIVEAWAY WITH SARAH BALLANCE AUTHOR OF FAMILIAR LIGHT

2012-01-16T08:25:00.000-06:00

Good morning ATPT peeps. Please help me welcome author Sarah Ballance to the blog this morning. Sarah is stopping by on her blog tour to tell us a bit about her book Familiar Light.

Ing: Hi Sarah! Welcome to the blog! Could you tell the readers about Familiar Light? What can they expect plot, pace, sex, etc from this book?

Sarah: Hi, and thanks so much for having me! FAMILIAR LIGHT is a fast-paced novella, the latter by necessity because it was written for the Noble Romance authors blog tour and word count was a tight requirement. It made for an interesting challenge, though, especially when it came to adding a suspense element (which was not a requirement, but something I love dearly). In the story, Laney comes back to town after a long absence, hoping to rekindle things between herself and Bridger. He initially refuses her, but then she becomes the victim of a nasty attack and he realizes there's no hiding the love he still has for her, no matter how much he wants to pretend he's moved on. From there, things happen quickly. One man's obsession turns deadly, and no one is prepared for what happens next. While there is some sexual content, it's not explicit. Rather, I consider this a sensual romance, or what readers would find in a mainstream novel.

Ing: Can you tell us a about the hero Bridger Jansen? What about Bridger do you think will draw the readers in and make them love him?

Sarah: Bridger followed in his father's footsteps, serving as the lighthouse keeper, but at one point in the story he laments his position as a glorified maintenance man, crediting that for the reason Laney never came back to him. He lives a simple life, but he lives it big. He's open, no holds barred, and when he loves he loves with his whole heart. He's also got a great sense of humor and bit of a wry internal voice. He can laugh at himself, but he knows when it's time to get serious. He's a hard guy to resist.

Ing: Now tell us a bit about the heroine Laney Kent? What about Laney do you think will draw the readers in and make them love her?

Sarah: She made a mistake not going back to Bridger years ago, and she not only realizes it, but she faces it head on. He takes her breath away, then breaks her heart by asking her to leave. She believes his initial reaction to be anger, but through a crack in his armor she sees the pain she's caused. And she respects it, because when he asks her to go, she does. She strikes me as an incredibly brave woman, but she's also vulnerable here are no walls between her and Bridger, which leads to some great moments, funny and passionate. They're just real, and that's what I love most about them.

Ing: Why are these two perfect for each other? What about them individually makes them so drawn to each other? Why do you think the readers will fall in love with this couple?

Sarah: They share an easy, playful banter that just feels good. You can tell they really enjoy being around one another, and in the face of the love you really feel the pain and despair when a killer comes between them. They're just so genuine, it's hard not to pull for them.

Ing: What was a scene that stood out or was memorable for you when writing Familiar Light? Why did this scene stand out for you?

Sarah: The first scene was so hard for me! I had a hard time putting myself in Bridger's head. When Laney shows up out of the ever-loving blue and wants to talk to him, how does he feel? What's really behind that mask he wears? I struggled with his emotions until I skipped to the second scene, which is from his POV. I only had to write the first couple of paragraphs to figure it all out. I was able to go back to finish that first scene, and the rest of the story flew from there.

Ing: I like knowing and hearing the back story about how a book or series came about. Can you tell us where the idea for Familiar Light came from? Is this book going to be part of a series or is it strictly a stand alone?

Sarah: It was written for the Noble Romance Authors Blog Tour, and for that so I had to stick to a certain length and the story had to fit a theme, which was "Timeless Desire." I used that element when I brought back old lovers, but I also added the darker "desire" theme with my bad guy, who has a deadly obsession with one of my characters. The story moves fast, and it ends with a revelation I hope will have readers turning in for the novel-length follow-up, TIDE OF LIES. Readers meet its hero, Holden Whitlow, as he works to solve the case in FAMILIAR LIGHT. In TIDE, he picks up a new crime scene. The identity of this latest victim absolutely stuns him, but that's only the first of a trio of devastating twists that change everything for Holden. Although TIDE OF LIES follows FAMILIAR LIGHT, TIDE actually stands alone and ends the two-book series.

Ing: Can you tell or give us a peek at what you have up your sleeve next? What else can we look forward to from you? Could you give the 411 on these upcoming projects?

Sarah: In addition to TIDE OF LIES,I have another romantic suspense entitled LAST CALL on the way. Here's the blurb for that one, coming this spring to For the Muse Publishing:

An accidental witness to a murder-for-hire, ex-cop Rhys Clark becomes the target of ruthless killer, one determined to silence her at any cost. Playing dead seems to be the most likely way to stay alive, but when her protection comes in the form of mega-sexy former adversary Nick Massey, Rhys can think of a few fates worse than death.

Nick Massey may have walked away from his troubles, but he never got past wanting Rhys. Once paired undercover, they'd been nothing but fireworks until a botched assignment ended her career, sending his into a tailspin. Now a mysterious client is willing to pay Nick anything to keep Rhys safe, but it isn't until fate takes a critical turn that he realizes the devastating truth: he's been her greatest threat all along.

Ing: Sarah thanks so much for stopping by today! I really appreciate you answering all these questions. Do you have any last words or questions you would like to pose to the readers of this blog?

Sarah: Thank you so very much for having me! I'd like to let readers know I offer a weekly giveaway on my blog and all email subscribers are automatically eligible. The winner gets their choice of a $10 gift certificate to Noble Romance or $5 to Amazon, with the drawing courtesy of random.org. There's a new winner every weekend, so join us over there and, um, brace yourself. We get a little crazy sometimes! Head over to sarah@sarahballance.com to sign up. :c)

Blurb:

Seven years of longing comes down to just one night.

Laney Kent returns to Barrier Shoals hoping to reunite with her first love, Bridger. She anticipates his reception might be chilly, but what she doesn’t expect is to become the victim of a deadly obsession . . . or that this night with Bridger could be her last.

Bridger Jansen tangled a lot of sheets trying to forget about Laney, but his heart knew what the rest of him refused to admit: he could love no one else. He’s determined not to forgive her for leaving him without explanation, but when he fails to protect her from a viscous attack, the person he can’t forgive just might be himself.

Click HERE to read an excerpt

Purchase Links:

Noble Romance / Amazon / B&N

About Author:

Sarah lives a charmed life as the mother of six incredible homeschooled children, all of whom are completely adorable when they're asleep. Her husband of many years (long, long years, he calls them) is the kind of guy who could teach those heroes from the books a thing or two about romance, not that he'd readily admit it. Completely supportive of her love for writing fiction, he's generously offered to help with any necessary research for "the good parts." She's never had to ask twice.

Although the idea of writing romance and romantic suspense initially intimidated Sarah, it has morphed into a favorite pastime since her characters, unlike her kids, actually listen to her. Er, sometimes.

Website / Facebook / Twitter / Blog / GoodReads / E-Mail

Giveaway Details:

There is a giveaway being done as part of this tour. Sarah is offering FOUR e-copies of this book. Winners will be picked at the end of the tour and announced at Sizzling PR Facebook Page. Click the link below and fill out the form to be entered. Good luck!

Sarah Ballance Giveaway of Familiar Light

MONDAY MAN CANDY #36

2012-01-15T22:30:00.000-06:00

Happy early Monday Man Candy. The candy comes to you a bit early since I have an author dropping by tomorrow. It has been a crazy couple of weeks or so with the holidays this past month. Things have finally slowed down, thank goodness. I didn't get to wish you all a Happy New Year so I'm doing it now. I hope the new year has been good to you all.

Now onto this week's schedule. We have the following guests stopping by:

Q&A + Giveaway with Sarah Ballance author of Familiar Light
Guest Post + Giveaway with Jodi Becker author of Dirty Beautiful and Sidney Bristol author of Flirting with Rescue
Guest Post + Giveaway with Tori St. Claire author of Stripped

For this week's candy I offer you Radek Kruczek. This cutie is a Polish personal trainer and part time model. He is pretty--seriously pretty. Enjoy and be sure to clean up after yourself.

Oh man - yea that's just beautiful

Love the look on his face

MYSTERY GIVEAWAY WITH ROMANCE AT RANDOM PUBLISHING #7

2012-01-14T10:51:00.000-06:00

Welcome to week #7 of the Romance at Random mystery giveaway! If you aren't aware every Friday until Jan 31st I'll be hosting this giveaway on my blog courtesy of the awesome peeps at Romance at Random. Drop by every Friday and join in the fun to be entered for a chance at winning a romance novel from Romance at Random. The catch here is you won't know what romance novel you are trying to win! It's a guessing game! :) Giveaway is open only to US residents.

Now for this week's question: Tell me what is your favorite storyline? Is it eniemies to lover, best friends, rich girl / poor guy..etc.?

RULES AND DETAILS

Open to US residents only
You MUST leave a comment with your e-mail address if it's not on your profile so I can contact you if you win.
You MUST answer this question above.
Giveaway ends Jan 18th

My Book Boyfriend Giveaway Hop: February 1st - 5th (Sign-Ups)

2012-01-13T07:09:00.001-06:00

My Book Boyfriend Giveaway Hop

Hosted by As the Pages Turn & Reading Between the Wines Book Club

Giveaway hop will run from 12:01 AM February 1st through to 11:59 PM February 5th, 2012.

What better way to celebrate the month of LOVE then with your favorite book boyfriend? Whether you have a valentine or not, the swoon worthy heroes we find in romances can’t be matched anyway! So why not put on those naughty underwear and curl up with one of these steamy reads this year instead? Make you Valentine’s Day perfect by joining the My Book Boyfriend Giveaway Hop where fellow bloggers offer you the chance to win some of their favorite book boyfriends!

The lowdown:

All bloggers and authors are welcome to sign up, please make sure that your giveaway is book related though. i.e. Books, digital books, gift cards, book swag, ect.
You are responsible for providing your own prize(s) and the shipping of such prize(s).
Make sure to grab the badge located at the top of this post and posting it on your blog sidebar and your giveaway post as well.
Please make sure to clearly label your giveaways as International, US/Canada or US Only on your giveaway post.
Keep your entry guidelines easy, no one likes to jump through hoops when entering giveaways and I know that I myself will skip over giveaways that read like short novels. Hardee har har ;) Please keep your entries to a maximum of 1 mandatory entry and 5 available entries total.

When setting up your post please include the linky list of all participating blogs or a link back to the main list here. Crystal will email you the code closer to the giveaway hop date.

The linky list will close at 11:59pm on February 5th.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact me, Ing at asthepagesturn@gmail.com or Crystal at Readingbetweenthewines10@gmail.com

Sign-up:

Add your blog to the linky below by entering your URL, name and email address. Also, please included whether your giveaway is US, US/CA or INT. Ex: Ing@AsthePagesTurn (INT)

GUEST POST + GIVEAWAY WITH RAYNA VAUSE & MELINDA LEIGH - AMAZON HEAT

2012-01-12T07:54:00.000-06:00

AMAZON HEAT by Melinda Leigh and Rayna Vause

10 Fun Facts About Amazon Heat, Melinda & Rayna

1. Melinda and Rayna agree that Wonder Woman wore the coolest boots in superhero history.

2. Melinda and Rayna also agree that wearing knee high boots make every girl channel her inner Amazon.

3. Amazon Heat was outlined in a New Jersey diner.

4. For those not lucky enough to have eaten in a NJ diner, the souvlaki is nearly always superb.

5. According to legend, the Amazons of Greek mythology were a matriarchal warlike tribe of females who kicked major ass across Asia Minor. In South America, Spanish explorers named a fierce tribe of female warriors they claimed to encounter in the jungle after the Greek Myth. The great river was named in these warriors’ honor.

6. The Amazon Rainforest covers a billion acres and generates 20% of the world’s oxygen.

7. Though the original Amazons reined in Asia Minor, we chose the Amazon Rainforest as our story’s location because it contains some of the most isolated places in the world. In fact, the area that straddles the borders of Peru, Brazil and Bolivia, is still home to uncontacted indigenous tribes.

8. Some legends say that the Amazons of Greek mythology cut off one breast to improve their aim with a bow.

9. Lynda Carter played Wonder Woman aka Diana Prince on TV from 1975 to 1979.

10. Wonder Woman’s powers included super strength, The Lasso of Truth, an invisible plane, bullet-deflecting bracelets, and a tiara that doubled as a boomerang-type weapon.

AMAZON HEAT released January 9^thfrom Carina Press.

Blurb:

Two years ago, ethnobotanist Dr. Elizabeth DeMarco, driven by grief to finda cure for cancer, left her lover mid-proposal to accept a position on aresearch expedition to the Amazon Rainforest. Kidnapped by guerrillas, she wassaved by warriors from the secret all-female civilization of the ancientAmazons. She has been kept prisoner since in the Amazon’s supernaturally hiddenvalley.

Despite Elizabeth’s rejection, anthropologist Logan Spencer never stoppedsearching for her. While consulting on a mass grave uncovered in the remoteBrazilian interior near the place Elizabeth was kidnapped, Logan falls from acliff. On the brink of death, he is collected by the Amazons andmagically healed. When Logan wakes, the first person he sees is his belovedElizabeth. Unfortunately, their reunion is less than joyful. The mysticalmedicine is changing Logan. But there’s no time to study theside-effects. The Amazons plan to steal Logan’s DNA, then kill him. Loganand Elizabeth must escape before dawn or Logan is doomed. Getting him outof the hidden valley won’t be easy. The Amazon’s supernatural powers makethe task all but impossible.

Buy it at: Amazon| Barnes& Noble | AllRomance EBooks

Left to Right - Rayna & Melinda

Melinda Leigh is amom, a dog lover, and a second degree black belt in kenpo karate. In additionto writing paranormal romance for Carina Press, she is also the author of SheCan Run, a kindle bestselling romantic suspense released in November 2011 fromMontlake Romance.

Find out more Melinda: website / facebook / twitter

Rayna Vause isfascinated by the paranormal and she loves a good romance as well, whichprobably explains why these two elements perpetually crop up in her writing.When she takes off her writer hat she is a martial artist, video game lover,Disney enthusiast, and a Pop Tart aficionado.

Find out more about Rayna: website / facebook / twitter

Melinda and Raynablog together at http://AttackingThePage.com

Giveaway Details:

Open to US & International
TWO E-Book copies up for grabs

MUST leave an e-mail address in the comment

Giveaway ends Jan. 18th

GUEST POST + GIVEAWAY WITH MELISSA SCHROEDER - THE CURSED CLAN SERIES

2012-01-11T08:06:00.000-06:00

Hello! My name is Melissa Schroeder and I write all kinds of romance. From historical to futuristic and everything in between. I also write from various heat levels from sensual to erotic, but always with romance. I also write under the name Kiera West exclusively for Siren.

I want to first thank Ing for hosting me on her blog!

I am here today to talk about my newest release, The Cursed Clan: Callum. The series is based on a curse that started years ago after the Battle of Culloden. The wife of the now deceased former Laird of the McWalton Clan pays a witch to cast a spell on the Clan Lennon. Now, in the 21st century, Callum Lennon might have the key to release them from the curse. A diary might hold the secret they need. Unfortunately, it is written in several different dead languages, and while Angus Lennon, Callum’s younger cousin, is considered genius, he is not a linguist. For that they need Dr Phoebe Chilton.

Phoebe is a genius. More, she is a super genius. Two PhD’s, a stellar reputation in her field of archeology, and many publications behind her name, Phoebe needs something to excite her. Her love of Celtic legends, along with her ability to translate dead languages, makes her perfect for the job. She jumps at the chance to spend time in Scotland but the moment she meets Callum Lennon, she realizes it might not be that fun of the a job. They butt heads immediately, but their attraction overwhelms them both and they are soon unable to resist their desires.

Callum has been protecting the clan for years. The duty weighs heavy on his shoulders. It allows for no spontaneity until Phoebe comes into his life. He becomes obsessed with her, and is powerless to keep his hands off her. Both of them are keeping secrets from the other but one person wants to keep them from breaking the curse, and he will do anything to keep them from succeeding.

Each cousin will have his/her own book. While the clan discovers just how to break the curse in the first book, every Lennon has to play their part and do their duty to break the curse. As they move further along, each cousin will find their greatest weaknesses put to the test. Conquer them, they can solve the curse and find true love. Fail, and their clan will continue to suffer.

This was such a different book for me to write. I had done some futuristics throughout the years and under my Kiera West name, I have done shapeshifters. But I started writing this years ago, 2007 to be exact. Delving back into the world has been a joy these past few months and I hope readers love the Lennons as much as I do.

Get to know Melissa around the web!

Harmless Addict Group

Here is a little tidbit from The Cursed Clan: Callum

Blurb:

As Laird, Callum Lennon feels he has always failed to protect his cousins. Callum’s impulsiveness caused the death of his father and the experience has scarred not only his body, but his soul. From that point on, he made sure to always go with the more logical choice in every matter. When his younger cousin Angus finds clues that might help break the curse, Callum begrudgingly hires Phoebe Chilton to investigate. Callum doesn’t like bringing outsiders into their family affairs. Their life would become fodder for the tabloids if anyone were to find out about the curse. It doesn’t help that the instant he meets Dr. Chilton he’s attracted. But, he doesn’t really have a choice because she might be their last hope.

An expert in archeology, Phoebe has always been dwarfed by her parents’ shadow. Their high standards had her in college by thirteen and earning a second PhD by twenty-two. But her career and her broken marriage have left her needing something more than just diplomas and degrees. She wants to prove that her interest in legends, especially Celtic legends, is as important as her parents’ work. When the Lennon family contacts her, she sees the opportunity to win a massive research grant. With a long-time rival breathing down her back, she jumps at the Lennons’ offer her, hoping it will ensure her the grant. But uncovering the Lennon family secrets, and her attraction to Callum, could prove more than she can handle.

Forces outside the family are determined to ensure that they fail. When an old enemy threatens both the well being of the clan and the fragile new love, Callum will have to choose between believing his mind or his heart.

Excerpt:

“I protect what is mine. I’ll not allow you to use Angus.”

She moved away from the counter, her body tense with anger. “I have never used another person, especially in that way. You’ve convinced yourself that I decided to somehow use my considerable wiles on your cousin to somehow gain who knows what.”

When she said it like that, he felt juvenile and petty.

“Don’t worry, Mr. Lennon. I’ll avoid your cousins from now on.”

Which is what he wanted, but at the same time he felt like the lowest form of scum even if it was the best choice. The diary could hold their secrets, and the less she connected to them, the better. They just needed it translated, and for her to leave. As soon as that happened, he would be free of this affliction, he was sure.

“I’ll do my work and take my meals in my room.”

He heard the hurt in her voice. His need to banish Phoebe was as unexplainable as the need to ease her pain. She attempted to brush past him, but he stepped in front of her, blocking her one exit.

“I didn’t say you needed to avoid my cousins.” It was what he wanted, needed, but here he was contradicting his own thoughts, again.

When she looked at him, there was no humor in her gaze, no studied interest as he’d seen before. Now, all he saw was loneliness and he ached.

“No. I’ll finish my task and leave. I know you must have a very good reason, although I can’t understand what it could be. I will respect your wishes.”

Again, she tried to move past him, but he refused to budge. That same fresh scent of her reached his senses, seducing him. Even as he was reaching for her, his mind was screaming stop. He ignored it, and every other protective instinct. The only thing roaring through his head was to take, to claim.

“It isna my family that has me worried, lass.” The moment he wrapped his hand around her upper arm, her head shot up, surprise lighting her eyes her mouth falling open in surprise. “It seems being around you is no’ good for my peace of mind.”

He jerked her against him. She gasped, the sound filled with both fear and excitement. Arousal spiked and his body craved—demanded—more intimate contact. Knowing it was wrong, even knowing it was dangerous, he bent his head and took possession of her luscious mouth.

Giveaway Details:

Open to US & International
ONE E-Book copy up for grabs

MUST leave an e-mail address in the comment

Giveaway ends Jan. 18th