Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Review: Infatuation: A Military Romance by Melissa Schroeder

To prove her love and save her man, she has to go above and beyond the call of duty.

Francis McKade is a man in lust. He’s had a crush on his best friend’s little sister for years but he has never acted on it. Besides that fact that she’s Malachi’s sister, he’s a Seal and he learned his lesson with his ex-fiancĂ©. Women do not like being left alone for long months at a time. Still, at a wedding in Hawaii anything can happen—and does. Unfortunately, after the best night of his life, he and Mal are called away to one of their most dangerous missions.

Shannon is blown over by Kade. She’s always had a crush on him and after their night together, it starts to feel a little like love. But, after the mission, Kade never calls or writes and she starts to wonder if it was all a dream. Until one night, her brother Mal drags him into her bar and grill and Shannon gets the shock of her life.

Kade isn’t the man Shannon knew in Hawaii, or even the last few years. Losing a friend and being injured, especially one who had never felt so vulnerable. He still can’t shake the terror that keeps him up at night. Worse, he is realizing that the career he loves just might be over.

Shannon is still mad, but she can’t help but hurt for the man she loves. He is darker, a bit more dangerous, but beneath that, he is the Kade she's known for so many years. When he pushes her to her limits in the bedroom, Shannon refuses to back down. One way or another, this military man is going to learn there is no walking away from love—not while she still has breath in her body.

Warning: This book contains two infatuated lovers, a hard-headed military man, a determined woman, some old friends, and a little taste of New Orleans. Of course, there is a Dom who wants to be in a charge and a sub who wants to challenge him. As always, ice water is suggested while reading. It might be the first military Harmless book, but the only thing that has changed is how hot our hero looks in his uniform—not to mention out of it.




Kade aka Francis McKade, is a seal who has had a crush on his best friend's sister for many years. But if he has learned one thing, it is that your friend's little sisters are off limits. That is until, a Hawaiian wedding has brought them together. Shannon has had a crush on the big, strong, military friend of of her brother's for a long time. Whenever he so much as looks at her she melts on the spot. She sees heat in his eyes but he has never acted so she decided to take matters into her own hands. One night in a Hawaiian hotel room will change their lives forever, oh so they thing, until Kade is called away on one of his most dangerous missions yet. After loosing all contact for 4 months, Kade returns, and is not the same man he was when he left. Now it is up to Shannon to put the peices of her lover back together again.

This story is an excellent addition to the Harmless world. Kade is...sexy...to say the least. He is alpha, dominant, tortured, and also very sweet. He is loyal to the core and will protect those he loves with his dying breath. I absolutely loved him and truly felt sorry for him. Shannon is no softy either, she is confident, powerful, and will not let anyone tell her what to do. She was the perfect heroine for Kade. She did not let him sulk and forced him to face his demons and heal.

The plot was amazing and flowed very well. You got to see characters from the past and also got to see some secondary characters that we have met in the past. Even thought this is a separate series the story rang true to the other Harmless books and is connected very well while still being held separate. I loved how you could almost feel the emotion while reading. The chemistry between the characters was explosive and you will not be disappointed with the sex. It is burning up the sheets HOT! I cannot wait for future installments in this amazing and exciting world that Melissa has built for us. 

Kudos to you Melissa for another great story!


If you like what you see here, head over the Melissa Schroeder's Website and see what else she has in store for you. I guarantee you won't be disappointed.


Monday, January 30, 2012

Winners!



I have chosen the winners for last weeks contests 


First up is our winner of the GC from Jenna Bayle-Burke. She is offering a $5 Amazon Gift Card


Our winner is...


Hyppster's Board 

Second up we have the winner of the copy of Inferno's Kiss by Monica Burns.


Our winner is...


Maria D


Congrats Ladies!!!!


I have emailed you both. Please visit the Claim Your Prize page and reply to the email within 3 days.


Thanks for visiting!


Until we meet again,
Leagh

Review: Rogue Pirate's Bride by Shana Galen, Interview and Giveaway

Today I am pleased to announce that we have the talented Shana Galen with us to talk about her upcoming release ROGUE PIRATES BRIDE. 

Welcome Shana, I am so happy you could join us today.
Thanks so much for having me. It’s a pleasure.

Lets start off today with you telling us a bit about yourself.
I’m a wife, a mom, and a writer. I’ve been married for almost six years to a man I like to call Ultimate Sportsfan because he never met a sport he didn’t like, except plane racing, and I didn’t even know that was a sport. I have a two-year-old daughter, who is exhausting and wonderful. I’ve been writing since 2000, and I published my first book in 2005. I live in Houston, Texas, and write during naps and in the wee hours of the morning.

I understand that you have written many different things from contemporary to historical but today we are going to focus on your upcoming release, THE ROGUE PIRATE'S BRIDE. This is the third installment in a trilogy about 3 brothers that were separated very young. Why don't you go ahead and tell us a little about it, without giving too much away of course.

Bastien, the pirate (although he prefers to be called a privateer), in THE ROGUE PIRATE’S BRIDE is bent on revenge. As a child, he escaped the horrors of the French Revolution by signing on aboard a ship. As the book opens he’s an adult, his mentor has been killed by the Barbary Corsair, Jourdain, and Bastien wants to sink Jourdain’s ship.

Raeven is the daughter of a British admiral, and she also wants revenge. Her target is Captain Cutlass, a pirate responsible for the death of her fiancĂ©. Have I mentioned Bastien’s sobriquet is Captain Cutlass? It’s a wild, adventure-packed, fun love story.

These historical romances are a little nontraditional, in a sense, would you mind telling us where you came up with the idea to write these books? Why did you decide to focus more on the action and adventure vs the regency or historical portion?

I came up with the idea as an homage to one of my favorite books, which is Dickens’s A Tale of Two Cities. Julien’s story in The Making of a Duchess is a little like Charles Darnay’s story, and Armand’s story in The Making of a Gentleman is reminiscent of Dr. Manette. There aren’t any pirates in A Tale of Two Cities, but I always wanted to write a book with a pirate in it.

Writing is one of those things that improves with practice. My first few books were written blindly in that I wrote whatever I wanted and had no idea what I did well and what I did poorly. Of course I had an editor who helped me shape the book, but no one ever came right out and said, “Shana, you write action scenes well. Shana, you can write humor well.” But over time I began to find my ideas leaned in the direction of adventurous stories, and those always seemed to be readers’ favorite scenes in my books. There are lots of authors who write Regency drawing room scenes well and know more than I ever will about all the minutiae of the nineteenth century. I read many of those authors and enjoy their work. But my favorite authors have always been those who have a lot of action in their stories, like Marsha Canham and Joanna Bourne. And I’m always happiest when I’m writing an exciting fast-paced scene.

As stated above THE ROGUE PIRATES BRIDE is the third in the trilogy. I chose to read all three in a row in order to get the full affect and to hear the story from the very beginning. Was it your intention to write three books that have to be read in order or would you say these are all stand alone.

I try to be intentional about writing every book as a stand-alone because most readers don’t buy everything an author writes. They hear about one good book or see a cover they like and buy the book. They don’t want to open that book and realize they have to read two or three or seven other books first to understand what’s going on. They just want to enjoy a good story. Of course, this series of books is related, and the books build on one another. Characters from the first book show up in the second and third books, and hints about the third book are scattered in the first and second. That’s fun for readers who want to read the series in order, but if you’re a reader who doesn’t care that much about that sort of thing, you aren’t missing anything.

Ok so now that we got that stuff out of the way, let’s talk a bit about yourself, if you don't mind.

When did you decide to become a writer? Was this your intention all along or was it something you decided later?

It’s definitely something I decided later. I didn’t even know writing was a career when I was growing up. Sometimes I’m still not sure it is! But I always loved writing and making up stories, even from a very young age. When I discovered romance novels, I had the urge to try and write one myself. As soon as I started writing what later became When Dashing Met Danger, I knew I had found my passion and what I wanted to do for the rest of my life.

If you weren't a writer, what would you be doing?

I was a teacher before I was a full-time writer, and while I did enjoy that, there were some aspects, like discipline, I didn’t love. I have always wanted to work with animals, though, so if I wasn’t a writer, I might work in a veterinary hospital or for an animal shelter.

Are there any certain things that you need when writing?

Not really. I can write pretty much under any circumstances. I guess if I had my choice, I’d want quiet, a cup of chai, and some chocolate nearby. I think I can count the number of times that’s happened on one hand!

If you could marry any one of your heroes, who would it be and why?

I fall in love with every one of my heroes when I’m writing their books. I really do have a soft spot for Bastien because he’s so charming and pirates are really very sexy. But I don’t want to live on a boat, so I couldn’t marry him. Right now I’m writing a book I’m calling The Marchioness of Mystery (you can be sure my publisher will change that title. Marchioness is never going to fit on a cover), and the hero is kind of dark and edgy and dangerous. He’s a spy, and he’s not always a nice guy. But as I write his story, I’m finding out why he is the way he is, and I’m falling in love with him. I think he would make a great husband because he’s ready to give up being a loner and wants a family.

If you could visit any place or any time period, where would you go?

I would definitely go to Regency England. There are a lot of time periods I would like to visit, but I have researched the Regency so much that I would want to see it for myself. I think I’d be like one of the tweens screaming for Justin Bieber if I spotted Beau Brummell or Lord Byron. I would only want to visit, though, because they didn’t have very good plumbing or hygiene. I can gloss over that in a romance novel but not in real life!

Thank you so much for sparing your time to talk with me today. I really appreciate it.

Thank you! I’ll be stopping by all day, so I’d love for your readers to post comments or questions, and I’ll be happy to answer or respond.

Shana Galen is the author of numerous fast-paced adventurous Regency historical romances, including the Rita-nominated Blackthorne’s Bride. Her books have been sold worldwide, including Japan, Brazil, Russia, Spain, Turkey, and the Netherlands, and have been featured in the Rhapsody and Doubleday Book Clubs. A former English teacher in Houston’s inner city, Shana now writes full time. She’s a wife, a mother, and an expert multi-tasker. She loves to hear from readers: visit her website at www.shanagalen.com or see what she’s up to daily on Facebook and Twitter.


Another thrilling adventure from Ms Galen!

ROGUE PIRATE'S BRIDE is a bit different then the first two books but no less exciting. This book takes place on a "pirate" ship in the middle of the ocean. Sabastian Harcourt better knows as Captain Cutlass, is a privateer sailing with the Spanish flag. After being forced to flee his home during an attack on his family, he went in search of a place to stay. He found himself on a ship working to pay his way. His father figure taught him everything he could which resulted in Cutlass gaining a ship of his own, The Shadow.

Raeven Russel is the daughter of the Admiral of the British Navy and a spit fire. She is out for Cutlass' head. She is under the impression that Captain Cutlass was responsible for her fiance's death. Come hell or high water she is going to avenge his death. That is...until she meets Cutlass for the first time. He is not only huge but he is also unbelievably handsome. Now she is at war with herself. Kill him? Or kiss him?

This was a fantastic read. The book basically starts off with a fight scene between Cutlass and Raeven and it doesn't slow down after that. Ms Galen does a fantastic job of sucking you in right from the first page. The plot was fast paced and exciting with twists and turns the whole way through. The characters were amazing. I absolutely loved Raeven. She was so full of fire and so determined to get what she wanted. She was witty, mouthy, and talented. Cutlass was dreamy. He was your typical pirate that radiated power and authority, yet he was sweet and caring. 

I would definitely recommend this entire series to anyone looking for a fantastic adventure.

I am serving this one up with 4 martinis!!!





Now for the contest! Shana has generously offered up a signed copy of the entire trilogy to one random commenter. That is three books!!! So leave a meaningful comment below and fill out the form to be entered. 


Friday, January 27, 2012

Want to be a part of our team

Romance Book Craze is looking for reviewers to join our team. 


Review: The Making of a Gentleman by Shana Galen

Twelve years in a French prison have left the once dashing Armand Harcourt, Comte de Valère a hollow shell of his former self. Though safely back on English soil, Armand remains locked in a prison of his mind, unable to interact with the glittering social world that was his rightful place. When his family hires the beautiful and determined Felicity Bennett to teach Armand, he is shaken by the onslaught of desire Felicity awakens in him. As Felicity slowly helps reclaim Armand, their passion begins to blossom into a transcendent love capable of healing the scars of both their pasts.




Excerpt:



Felicity Bennett stood in the park in the center of Berkeley Square and stared at the mammoth town house before her. She had never seen a house with so many windows, and in this gray, dreary city, she had never seen one so white. London's morning fog had yet to burn off and hovered oppressively around the other town houses, shrouding them in gloom. But the fog did not deign to touch this house. The white facade glittered in the shaft of sunlight, just emerging from the fortress of low-hanging clouds.
Felicity took a deep breath. It was not like her to be intimidated, and if she did not muster her courage soon, walk across the park, and knock on that door—that mammoth door with the golden lion's head door knocker—she was going to be late for her appointment.
Late for what was to be her first day of employment.
That would not do, especially after all the pains she had taken to arrive punctually. There was the hour-long walk from the rectory to the posting house, the eight hours on the mail coach—crushed between a portly woman and a man who sounded as though he might cough up his lung—and the harrowing hansom cab ride to her present location.
She had traveled all night without sleep and with little more than a small wedge of cheese and some three-day old bread for sustenance. She was exhausted and ravenous, but she would not allow those feelings to surface. She pushed the fatigue and the hunger down and focused on the time ticking away.
Her father always said that there was no time like the present, and Felicity always agreed. But that was because she did not mind cooking dinner or studying her mathematics or sweeping the floor. She did very much mind going to work for some snooty aristocrats who, if they were like all the others she had known, would be condescending and hypocritical. In short, Felicity did not look forward to a life of servitude.
But really, what choice did she have? The alternatives...
She almost jumped when she saw a movement to her right. She turned sharply when a man dressed in tight breeches, a fitted coat of navy superfine, and a stark white shirt with a perfectly tied cravat stepped out from one of the trees in the park and beckoned to her. Felicity blinked at him, certain he was an illusion—fervently hopedhe was an illusion. Could she ignore him? Could she pretend she hadn't seen him?
He beckoned again, this time adding an impatient glare, so with a furtive glance at the town house, she hurried to meet him. "What are you doing here?" she whispered stepping behind a tree and hoping she was out of sight of the house. "You shouldn't be here."
"My fiancée finally arrives in Town, and I'm not allowed to see her? Rubbish." His words were only slightly slurred, which was a good sign. And his fine clothes another good sign. Perhaps he was winning at the tables. Perhaps he would leave her in peace.
"How did you know where I would be? I haven't even met the family or secured the position."
He winked at her. "I have connections." He tapped the jaunty hat tucked under his arm. "Don't you forget that." He reached out, probably to poke her arm, but she quickly moved out of his reach.
He chuckled and gave her a long perusal that made her want to pull her pelisse tighter over her bosom. "They'll like you." He nodded. "And they're rich. Very rich. Just what we're looking for."
That was not at all part of her criteria, but she didn't contradict him. "I only hope the pay will be adequate. How much did you say you owe the creditors?"
He grinned. "Anxious to get rid of me, are you?" He leaned closer, and she could smell the spirits on his breath. "I told you. For twenty-five pounds I will make our little agreement go away." He snapped his fingers, and she jumped in spite of herself. "If you can't pay up by the first of the year, well, then, prepare to have the banns called, darling."
She shuddered. Once the idea of marrying Charles St. John had been her favorite fantasy. Now, she would avoid it at all costs. Why hadn't her father seen through him? Why hadn't she? Twenty-five pounds might as well have been a million, but she had to find a way to earn it.
"I understand the conditions. And you stay away from the house." She gestured to the town house behind them. "If they see you with me—"
"Yes, yes." He waved a hand. "A—" He squinted at her. "What's your position again?"
"Governess," she said through clenched teeth. Would he not just go away!
"A new governess should not be engaged. The quality don't like it." He leaned in again, and she held her breath. "The quality won't like me. Pay up or I might just knock on the door and introduce myself. See how long your fancy position lasts then."
"I'm certain that won't be necessary," she said, but he was already moving away.
"I'll find a way to speak to you in a day or so. I'll send a note or prowl around the garden."
"Charles, no—" She was wasting her breath. He was already too far away to hear her. She sighed and swallowed back the frustrated tears that stung her eyes. How she wished her father was still alive. How she wished she could have been there at the end, snatched her father's pen away, done something, anything to prevent her betrothal to that—oh! She couldn't think of a word bad enough.
She watched Charles St. John stroll away, his hat now on his head at a rakish angle, and tried to pretend that this would not end in disaster. Of course, that was no way to think before she went into that elegant town house. She had to be confident. With that in mind, she lifted her small valise, squared her shoulders, and began marching toward the huge structure. It grew larger the closer she came, towering over her like an alabaster oak. Her heart began to pound and her legs wobbled like jelly, but she grit her teeth and kept walking. She was no coward, and she bore her gaze into that ornate door knocker.
Finally she stopped before it, her eyes level with those of the gold lion's. He looked friendly—in a violent, hungry sort of way. She reached toward the open mouth, complete with sharp golden teeth, grasped the heavy ring dangling there and rapped three times. Hard.
Her hand dropped to her side, and belatedly she wished she had a basin of water with which to wash the grime from her face. Surely she could not look as bad as she felt...
No matter. The wealthy and titled rarely stooped to acknowledge the likes of her—daughter of a poor vicar. She heard the sound of a lock being turned, and the door yawned open to reveal a tall, distinguished man in black.
"Good day," he intoned. His voice sounded as friendly as the lion's teeth looked.
"Good day." Felicity's voice came out in a squeak, and she automatically cleared her throat. "I mean, good day. I'm Felicity Bennett. I'm here to see—"
Oh, Lord. What was the name of the lady of the house? The meeting with Charles had flustered her, and now she could not remember the details of the letter of employment.
One would have thought she had committed it to memory, given the number of times she read that letter, but the small, vital detail of the lady's title had apparently danced away.
The butler raised his eyebrows, and Felicity smiled tightly. "I have an appointment with Lady—" She drew the word out, hoping the title would come to her. But, no, her mind remained a fresh slate.
Curses!
"Duchesse," the butler corrected, and immediately Felicity remembered. "TheDuchesse de Valère."
"Felicity Bennett." Her tight smile did not waver. She was probably not as obsequious and fawning as the usual visitors to the house, but neither was she an imbecile. She knew the correct forms of address. "I'm here to see Her Grace."
The butler nodded, his expression giving nothing away. "Her Grace is expecting you."


Wow, what a fantastic read. The second installment to an amazing series and it has got me chomping at the bit to read the third. 

THE MAKING OF A GENTLEMAN starts off with Armand when he was 11 yrs old in his home as it is being raided by peasants. He cannot get to his other family, cannot find his twin brother, and is forced to escape on his own only to find himself in a french prison to be forgotten and left for dead. In THE MAKING OF A DUCHESS you hear the story of how he was found and rescued by his older brother the Duc de Valere. Now it is time to hear how he is saved and changed back into the person he once was.

Armand is basically mute, he is able to talk but after 12 years of not talking and only getting beaten every time he did talk, he has forced himself to forget how. He has been raised in solitude and in extremely horrible surroundings so he has absolutely no knowledge of how to act or what is proper. In comes Falicity. She is hired by the Duchess to help teach Armand to behave properly and to talk again.

This story was so intense right from the first page that I was unable to put it down. It starts off strong and you can't help but want to know what happens next. Armand is an amazing character. Ms Galen has managed to create a man who is intelligent and cunning that has no manners and cannot talk but without making him out to be like a child. There is no doubting that he is a man. I loved how his instincts were pretty much driving him through the story. In the beginning he doesn't know what is "proper" but towards the end, he knows, but frankly doesn't care.  Falicity was a good charcter for the role that she played. At times I felt she was kind of an over thinker and things would have been a lot easier if she wouldn't have talked herself out of every solution only to come up with the worst of her choices. But for the most part she was very good interacting with Armand and did a good job adjusting to a difficult situation.

Again Ms Galen grabbed me in the beginning and didn't let go. This story is action packed, thrilling, passionate, and suspenseful while still holding onto the feel of a regency historical. I would definitely recommend this series and this author to anyone!


I am serving this one up with 4 martinis!!!





Buy THE MAKING OF A GENTLEMAN at Amazon




For more information about Shana Galen and her novels please visit her website.



Thursday, January 26, 2012

Review: The Making of a Duchess by Shana Galen

Twelve years after fleeing their burning chateau, Julien Harcourt, Duc de Valère, searches for his lost twin brothers. His frequent travels between England and France at a time when the exiled Napoleon is reported to be marshalling his troops raises the suspicions of English authorities who set secret operative Sarah Smith on his trail. A risky game of cat and mouse leads the two from the ballrooms of London to the prisons of Paris and into a fragile love that neither dares to hope for.
The first in a trilogy of three brothers struggling to reconnect and restore their noble heritage in the aftermath of the French Revolution, each losing his heart along the way.


Excerpt: 

A moment later, the duchesse was gone, and Sarah was alone in the ornate drawing room. She turned this way and that, afraid to touch anything. Oh, how she hated all of this lying and playacting! But the faster she completed this mission, the sooner she could return to life as a governess. Perhaps she could find the evidence Sir Northrop wanted now, and then she would be able to tuck Anne and Edmund into bed tonight.
With new purpose, she moved about the room, looking for a desk or table with a drawer—anything that would hold or conceal papers. She passed a large painting of an Italian noblewoman and then halted and whipped back around. Was that a—no.
She leaned closer. Was that a Titian?
Oh, Lord. Oh, my. Just how wealthy was this family? An actual Titian! And then another thought occurred to her—with wealth came power. What would happen if the Valères discovered she was not who she claimed? Would she be thrown in prison?
Even worse, what if the Duc de Valère was a spy? If he realized she had found him out, he might see the need to be rid of her. Permanently.
She put a hand to her belly to still its roiling. She could not worry about that right now. She had to keep her chin up and her wits about her. She tried focusing on the Titian.
She wished she could put her spectacles on in order to read the signature, but The Widow had forbid her to do so unless absolutely necessary. So Sarah squinted and leaned in close, lifting one hand toward what looked like a scribble.
"I wouldn't touch that if you want to keep my mother's favor," a deep voice said from behind her.
Sarah swung around, knocking a bowl off a nearby side table. It shattered loudly when it hit the gleaming wood floor.
"Oh!" She looked from the shattered bowl to the man standing in the drawing room's entrance.
It was him. She knew it.
This was the Duc de Valère. The spy. The traitor. The man who might kill her if he knew what she had been sent to do.
Her stomach clenched again, and grabbing the vase nearest her, she promptly cast up her accounts.


This is the first book is a series of thee and in my opinion the beginning of a wonderful adventure. This is not your typical historical romance. Yes there are aristocrats and balls and certain manners and rules but there is also action, suspense, and intimacy. In THE MAKING OF A DUCHESS you meet Julian and Sarah. Sarah is a governess that was orphaned as a child so she is seeking family and a home. She doesn't feel she is very beautiful and she thinks of herself as quite plain. Julian is a French Duc. He is intelligent, noble, and extremely duty bound. When he was a young child, him and his mother were forced out of their home and forced to leave two brothers unaccounted for. He did his father proud and protected his mother until they could reach her family in England. 12 years later, he is still searching and determined to find his brothers.

The plot was very well put together. The story flows nicely with no noticeable plot holes. There were a few times when I felt it was a bit jumpy but it evened out quickly and very nicely. I enjoyed the level of suspense and action that kept me sucked in from the very first page and sitting on the edge of my sea. I also enjoyed the humor and whit. There were quite a few times when Ms Galen had me chuckling. The love scenes were well written and very appropriate for the time period and characters. I thought the chemistry and passion were explosive and I couldn't wait to read more of the interaction between the two characters. I absolutely adored the characters in this book. I felt they were realistic and well written and the banter between them was a pleasant addition to an already great book. The one thing I must compliment Ms Galen on is her ability to make you feel like you are in the story. Her description is so vivid that you can almost smell the scents and see the scenes like a movie being played out in front of you. I truly enjoy getting lost in this historical romances and can guarantee this will not be the last romance I read by this author. She is definitely an auto buy!


I am serving this story up with 4 martinis!!!



Buy THE MAKING OF A DUCHESS on Amazon

For more information about Shana Galen and her book, please visit her website

Thanks for stopping by!
Hugs
Leagh



Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Coming soon from Author Monica Burns

Coming Feb 2012 - Mass Market Reprint

It was a gamble she was born to make…
Raised in a brothel at a young age, Allegra Synnford quickly learned that survival meant taking charge of her destiny. Now, a renowned courtesan skilled in the pleasures of the flesh, she chooses her lovers carefully—vowing never to be vulnerable to any one man. Until a mesmerizing Sheikh strips that control from her… 

With a man who wasn’t used to losing.
 Sheikh Shaheen of the Amazigh has been hiding from his past for a long time, but not enough to forget how another courtesan made him abandon his life as the Viscount Newcastle. It’s why the yearnings this dangerous temptress ignites within him are so troubling. Worse, thoughts of Allegra pervade every fantasy, threatening to undermine his cover. With old enemies circling, experience tells him he must resist her charms at all cost. In fact, he’s betting on it. That’s a risky wager when it comes to a woman of pleasure. But Allegra has her own reasons for playing games…with a man who can’t afford to lose. 

What happens between them is Kismet…

Read an Excerpt here


Buy KISMET at the following retailers:
The Book Depository (International Readers/free shipping)


Bio
An award-winning author of erotic romance, Monica Burns penned her first short romance story at the age of nine when she selected the pseudonym she uses today. From the days when she hid her stories from her sisters to her first completed full-length manuscript, she always believed in her dream despite rejections and setbacks. A workaholic wife and mother, Monica believes it’s possible for the good guy to win if they work hard enough.





Connect with Monica:

For more about Monica Burns, you can visit her website

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Interview with Author Monica Burns and Contest!!!

A big welcome to the fabulous Monica Burns!!! She is here today talking about Inferno's Kiss #3 in the Order of the Sicari Series.


Hello Monica. How are you today?

Not bad. Happy to be visiting here with you today Leagh.

Tell us a little about yourself

I get asked to do this a lot, and I never know what to tell people about myself. I’ve been writing since I was nine, and my first book was published in 2005. From ePub I  sold up to Penguin Berkley, and now I’m coming full circle with my Indie self-pub venture in reissuing some of my original ePub work. I work a day job so I write when I can, wee hours of the morning, lunch time, early morning, weekends, in the car on trips, whenever I get a chance. Okay, okay, that’s an exaggeration. I hard-working, even a workaholic, but I do know how to play hard. Give me a day at Busch Gardens or Disney World and I’m pumped up with energy!

Inferno's Kiss, #3 in your Sicari Series is available now. Would you mind telling us a little about it? 

Inferno’s Kiss is Cleo and Dante’s story, plus it also wraps up the story of Atia and Marcus, Cleo’s parents. It’s got the usual action-packed adventure that I’m known for along with the really steamy scenes. Kitchen counters are popular in this book. Cleo was a great character to work with. I really liked her a lot. I think she grew quite a bit in the book, and I loved the way she and Dante came together.

The laws of desire…
 Dante Condellaire, heir apparent to the Sicari Lords, knows that being a true leader means sacrifice. For Dante it was relinquishing all erotic pleasures. But he never expected his willpower to be tested so fiercely by Cleopatra Vorenus, expert assassin of the Order, and daughter of the man he is positioned to succeed. 
The rules of battle…
 Cleo prefers working alone—until she meets Dante who shares her goal: to destroy a Praetorian stronghold where Sicari women are imprisoned for devious purposes. Bringing the mission off without a hitch pumps up more than their resolve. It sets off a sexual spark too combustible to ignore. 
Are all made to be broken.
 As their attraction flares like an inferno, the stakes are raised. So are the risks. Before the mission is over, Dante and Cleo will be plunged into a dangerous conspiracy where a traitor threatens the very foundation of the Order, as well as the fiery bond between Dante and Cleo—warriors and lovers now torn between duty and desire.

Where did you get the idea for this series?

I was watching the HBO Series ROME and being lazy. I was eating a hot fudge sundae and needed to pause the show for a moment, but the remote was across the room on my desk. I thought, ‘wouldn’t it be great if I were telekinetic and could just make the remote jump into my hand?’  It was at that moment that the whole series hit me over the head.

Are there gonna be more books in this series? If so, how many?

Inferno’s Kiss wraps things up from the previous two books. At this time Berkley has not asked for any further stories in the Sicari world, but if I’ve time down the road, I’d like to revisit the world and put out a couple more books on my own. I keep getting asked about them enough. 

Do you need any special stuff to write? When do you write usually?

The only thing I really need special is comfort. I like a comfortable keyboard, and a monitor, and a good chair. I just got a new one. The DH literally gasped when I told him the price. He balked, but I persuaded him to get me an Herman-Miller Aeron chair like I have at work. $1000 is a lot of money, but they’re specially designed for comfort, and it’s a great chair. I do like my wireless head set for blocking out the family noise and ice water. PLENTY of ice water. I drink to avoid eating. I can easily go through 3-4 quarts of water a day.

Wow $1000 for a desk chair ~ but when you sit and write for a living, you need to be comfortable so I understand.

Ok so now that we got the seriousness done...lets have some fun!

Beer or Wine?

Depends on the brand being served. Stella on draft is wonderful on the tongue. For spaghetti, it’s GOT to be Lambrusco. I don’t drink very often as my meds are such drinking can be a bit risky, but then I’m a risk taker and believe that living life to the fullest is important. I’ve had a few regrets that make me think twice about NOT doing something, even if it’s stupid. J
  
Chocolate or Potato Chips?

If I had to choose because my life is on the line, probably chocolate, but as a rule I don’t eat either. Wait, milk chocolate maple creames they are to die for. They melt in your mouth with this sinfully, rich taste that gets sweeter when the maple touches your tongue. I can go through a pound in one sitting. Then my hips protest. LOL

Night out on the town or quiet night home?

Any more I prefer a quiet night at home watching a movie. I don’t like how rude people are anymore. Talking at the movies, talking to loud in a restaurant or shoving their way into line at this or that event.

Print book or e-book?

eBook hands down. I love reading on my iPad. I can boost up the font size, and then lay it in my lap to read. No more hands hurting from holding a paperback.

Favorite genre to read?

Action adventure with historical elements. I really love to read what I write.

Favorite music?

I am all over the map on this one. I have a few playlists that suit my mood and or the mood of the story I’m writing.

Well that's all for today! 
Thank you so much for joining me Monica, I appreciate your time today.

Buy INFERNO'S KISS at the following retailers:
The Book Depository (International readers/free shipping)


Bio
An award-winning author of erotic romance, Monica Burns penned her first short romance story at the age of nine when she selected the pseudonym she uses today. From the days when she hid her stories from her sisters to her first completed full-length manuscript, she always believed in her dream despite rejections and setbacks. A workaholic wife and mother, Monica believes it’s possible for the good guy to win if they work hard enough.



Connect with Monica:

For more about Monica Burns, you can visit her website


Monica has added a prize!!!! She is willing to give away a copy of INFERNO'S KISS to one lucky commenter. Leave a meaningful comment and fill out the form to be entered. 



Be sure to stop by tomorrow to find out what Monica Burns has coming up!!!


Until Next time,
Leagh

Books I've Read and Enjoyed!

Renegade
Nauti Boy
Reno's Chance: A Navy Seals Story
Rescue Me
Honk If You Love Real Men: Four Tales of Erotic Romance
Long Hard Ride
Wild Card
Dangerous Games
Hidden Agendas
Killer Secrets
Maverick
Heat Seeker
Black Jack
Loving Lies
Cowgirl Up and Ride
Tied Up, Tied Down
Rough, Raw, and Ready
Rode Hard, Put Up Wet
Branded as Trouble
All Jacked Up


Leagh's favorite books »
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