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Review:

If a blogger friend hadn’t recommended Worth the Fall, I would have skipped it.  The pregnant heroine and all of those little kids… yeah, not my cup of tea.  Despite my reservations, the characters managed to charm me within the first few pages.  I breezed through this book and had a hard time putting it down, so if you decide to give it a try, plan your time accordingly

Matt, a sexy SEAL, is on leave, and he’s bored out of his mind. The only reason he’s on this stupid beach vacation is because his cousin lassoed him into it.  His female companion is irritating the hell out of him, and he’d rather be working on his fixer-upper house, not wasting time with an air-headed beauty.  During a jog along the beach, he’s pelted in the back by a water logged football, and his life changes forever.

Jack, the young boy who threw the football at him, desperately wants someone to play catch with.  When Matt learns the boy’s father is dead, he feels sorry for him.  He comes from a large family, and he can’t imagine not having his parents there for him.  When he sees Jack’s gorgeous and very pregnant mother, he’s fascinated.  She’s like a mother duck with a flock of ducklings; Abby has four young children and another on the way.  She’s sweet and funny and he wants to get to know her better.

Abby has had a tough life.  Orphaned when she was a young girl, she’s only known heartache as she was abandoned time and again by the adults in her life.  She met her husband, thought she was in love, and married young.  It didn’t take long before she realized that Josh didn’t love her, and she didn’t love him.  He was hardly ever home, and she was left to raise their kids by herself.  When he died six months ago, nothing really changed.  She was still alone, still taking care of herself and her children.

Then along came Matt.  I have to say, Matt is the perfect guy.  As Abby referred to him, he’s a hero, always ready to dart out to save someone.  He’s a man of his word, he’s honorable, and he’s honest.  He also feels empty and he knows that something is missing from his life, but he doesn’t know what it is.  Then he meets Abby and her flock of ducklings and it’s crystal clear to him – he wants a family and he wants it to be them.

Abby is suffering with serious trust issues.  Never having had a stable home and then having an emotionally distant husband, she has erected walls around her heart that at first seem insurmountable.  How is Matt going to get her to trust him and make her believe that he wants nothing more than to be with her?  He’s a handsome young guy with so many more options than a woman who is six months pregnant!  Before starting Worth the Fall, I was skeptical.  How could the author convince me that dashing Matt would make the perfect match for Abby?  I was convinced about a third of the way through the book, and I wanted to shake Abby and make her get over herself.  Then I wanted to pat her on the head and tell her everything would be okay if she would just give Matt a chance. 

Worth the Fall is a feel good romance with a hard won HEA.  I thought it dragged a little near the end, but I did enjoy meeting Matt’s large family, as well as the wedding finale.  Both Matt and Abby helped each other work through their issues and learned to step outside their comfort zone.  The kids didn’t even annoy me!  I liked this so much I have the next book in the series, Worth the Risk, cued up on my Kindle.

Grade:  B / B+

Review copy provided by publisher

From Amazon:

Prepare to be swept away by a talented debut author with a passionate, powerful story to tell.
They meet on a beach. . . . Abby Davis isn’t wearing a skimpy bikini or sipping umbrella drinks, not when she’s busy chasing around four little ones. And Matt McKinney isn’t looking for fun—he’s a Navy SEAL, a grown man with a long list of missions . . . and fallen brothers.
They only have a week. . . . Abby has brought her children to this beach to start over, to give them the enjoyable memories they deserve. Matt’s been sidelined by a combat injury, and haunted by the best friend he lost and the promise he made: to remain a SEAL—focused and dedicated. This leaves no time for what he’s always wanted: a family.
But a week is all it takes. . . . Matt opens her heart while Abby soothes his soul. And though they plan to say good-bye when the week is over, something magical happens on that beach, something neither can forget. Something utterly, completely worth falling for.

The post Review: Worth the Fall by Claudia Connor appeared first on Manga Maniac Cafe.

[Manga Maniac Cafe] Good morning, Patricia!  Describe yourself in five words or less.

[Patricia Rosemoor] Creative but able to multi-task.

[Manga Maniac Cafe] Can you tell us a little about your book?

[Patricia Rosemoor] Camille’s past drives her as a homicide detective until she gets put on administrative leave. She can’t get let the case go — a 14 year old girl’s life may be at stake — and so agrees to work with the man with whom she’d had a one night stand and who then went to jail for punching out a prosecutor. Now a P.I., Drago has never forgotten Camille, but he knows she sees things in black and white, while he has always operated in shades of gray…

[Manga Maniac Cafe] How did you come up with the concept and the characters for the story?

[Patricia Rosemoor] I started with a premise. An internet predator who kills young women. A female detective with a past who can’t let the case go when it’s taken away from her. Who better as a love interest than someone who grew up fighting to stay out of gangs, with no help from the cops.

[Manga Maniac Cafe] What did you enjoy most about writing this book?

[Patricia Rosemoor] The sometimes adversary relationship between Camille and Drago.

[Manga Maniac Cafe] What gave you the most trouble with this story?

[Patricia Rosemoor] Keeping a high level of sensuality while having my hero and heroine focused on finding the missing girl.

[Manga Maniac Cafe] If you had a theme song, what would it be?

[Patricia Rosemoor] Satisfaction, Rolling Stones.

[Manga Maniac Cafe] Name one thing you won’t leave home without.

[Patricia Rosemoor] My Smartphone — I rarely make phone calls, but I use it as a computer away from home.

[Manga Maniac Cafe] Name three things on your desk right now.

[Patricia Rosemoor] I have a desk, but a friend calls my office a “storage room” because I write on a laptop in my living room — so there’s nothing personal ON the desk. But the office is filled with things I love — stained glass hanging in the window, artwork and photos of friends on the walls, and especially the shelves and shelves of Patricia Rosemoor books

[Manga Maniac Cafe] If you could trade places with anyone for just one day, who would you be?

[Patricia Rosemoor] Kathryn Bigelow. I would love to direct movies.

[Manga Maniac Cafe] What are some books that you enjoyed recently?

[Patricia Rosemoor] Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins, Brilliance by Marcus Sakey (a former grad student who started his writing career in my Suspense-Thriller class), Archetype by M.D. Waters, the Fever series by Karen Marie Moning. One of my all time favorite books is Dark Horse by Tami Hoag.

[Manga Maniac Cafe] What do you like to do when you aren’t writing?

[Patricia Rosemoor] I love gardening. Unfortunately, it will be another 4 months before the weather will allow me to get back to working on it.

[Manga Maniac Cafe] How can readers connect with you?

[Patricia Rosemoor] Website: http://PatriciaRosemoor.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PatriciaRosemoor and https://www.facebook.com/PatriciaRosemoorAuthor

Twitter: @PRosemoor

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/prosemoor/

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Dangerous

By: Patricia Rosemoor

Releasing January 6^th, 2015

Loveswept

Blurb

Fans of Linda Howard will love Dangerous, the story of a driven female cop who teams up with an irresistible ex-con to bring a killer to justice—and discovers that breaking the rules is hotter on the wrong side of the law.

Chicago homicide detective Camille Martell will stop at nothing to track down “Angel,” a sexual predator who has already butchered two young victims—even after her off-the-books investigation leads to her suspension. But when her relentless attempts to contact Angel online puts her teenage neighbor in mortal danger, Camille’s worst fears are realized. Panicked and overwhelmed with guilt, Camille needs help—even if it comes from the one man she swore she’d do anything to forget.

After serving time for a trumped-up charge, private investigator Drago Nance doesn’t trust cops. Nothing will change that, not even the steamy weekend with Camille that burned itself into his memory. But with an innocent girl’s life at stake, Drago can’t ignore the need in Camille’s eyes, or the heated promise in her touch. He agrees to help—if she’s willing to play by his rules. He just never suspected that seducing his partner could be just as thrilling as chasing a madman.

Link to Follow Tour: http://www.tastybooktours.com/2014/11/dangerous-by-patricia-rosemoor.html

Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22890016-dangerous?from_search=true

Buy Links Amazon | Barnes | iTunes | Kobo

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Dangerous-Patricia-Rosemoor-ebook/dp/B00LRIUK22/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1416101685&sr=8-1&keywords=dangerous+by+patricia+rosemoor

B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/dangerous-patricia-rosemoor/1120019671?ean=9780553392548

iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/dangerous/id898614802?mt=11

Kobo: http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/dangerous-35

Author Info

With 90 novels and more than seven million books in print, Patricia Rosemoor is fascinated with “dangerous love” – combining romance with danger. She has written various forms of romantic and paranormal romantic thrillers, even romantic horror, bringing a different mix of thrills and chills to her stories.

Patricia has won a Golden Heart from Romance Writers of America and two Reviewers Choice and two Career Achievement Awards from RT BOOKreviews, and in her other life, she teaches Popular Fiction and Suspense-Thriller Writing, credit courses at Columbia College Chicago. Three of her Columbia grad students and two students from other venues are now published in novel-length fiction

Author Links: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Website: http://www.patriciarosemoor.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PatriciaRosemoorAuthor

Twitter: https://twitter.com/PRosemoor

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/65795.Patricia_Rosemoor

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The post Interview and Giveaway: Patricia Rosemoor, Author of Dangerous appeared first on Manga Maniac Cafe.

[Manga Maniac Cafe] Good morning, Sidney!  Describe yourself in five words or less.

[Sidney Halston] Mother, reader, daring, playful, dreamer

[Manga Maniac Cafe] Can you tell us a little about your book?

[Sidney Halston] Chrissy Martin left her hometown of Tarpon Springs, Florida 11 years ago and has been practicing medicine overseas. She gets a call from her brother Slade, a professional cage fighter, that he’s been arrested. After her decade long avoidance of the town, Chrissy comes back to bail Slade out of jail. But, the first person she runs into (literally), is Jack, Slade’s best friend, and her childhood crush. She soon discovers that Slade is not only a cop, but also a professional cage fighter, something she is adamantly against. The story has a mix of humor, small town life, romance, loads of sexual tension, and the grittiness of the MMA world. Chrissy must decide whether she can accept Jack and his love for MMA or if the violent world he lives in is just too much for her to handle.

[Manga Maniac Cafe] How did you come up with the concept and the characters for the story?

[Sidney Halston] My husband is a black belt in jiu-jitsu. I absolutely love the brotherhood between the men at his Academy, and noticed the same kind of camaraderie even with the opponents at matches. It gave me the idea of building this world based on Worth the Fight Academy, where the men have grown up together, and regardless of whether they are tearing each other apart in a cage or hugging it out after a grueling match, at the end, they can all go out and have a beer together. It’s the two sides of these strong males that I love. And, Chrissy reminds me of me. She’s kind of clueless about some obvious things, especially sports-related things, but has a strong sense of what she wants and doesn’t want. Is super hard-headed, and is, at times, a mess and a procrastinator, just like me.

[Manga Maniac Cafe] What did you enjoy most about writing this book?

[Sidney Halston] Sitting with my husband while he helped me write the fight scenes.

[Manga Maniac Cafe] What gave you the most trouble with this story?

[Sidney Halston] The fight scenes!

[Manga Maniac Cafe] If you had a theme song, what would it be?

[Sidney Halston] Talk Dirty to Me, by Jason Derulo. HEE HEE.

[Manga Maniac Cafe] Name one thing you won’t leave home without.

[Sidney Halston] My Kindle

[Manga Maniac Cafe] Name three things on your desk right now.

[Sidney Halston] Coffee

Yellow Legal Pad

Photo of my family.

[Manga Maniac Cafe] If you could trade places with anyone for just one day, who would you be?

[Sidney Halston] Hmmm… this is a tough question. I’m not really sure. My life is so great and interesting right now, I’m not sure I’d want to trade it with anyone. There are some characters in some of my favorite books, that make me want to jump into the book and be that character for like a day, but that’s fiction. Maybe Kristen Ashley, I want to get into her brain and discover how she comes up with these fabulous characters and if they exist— where are they??!!

[Manga Maniac Cafe] What are some books that you enjoyed recently?

[Sidney Halston] I read a lot! There is never a day I don’t read at least 2 chapters of a book. Recently, I fell in love with Jessica Clare’s Hit Man series. That has been my recent addiction. Before that, I was in a Toni Aleo stupor. I love her Assassin’s series. (Okay, Hit Man series and Assassins series. Hee hee Looks like a trend doesn’t it? Assassin’s is the name of a Hockey team, just in case you haven’t read it. But the Hit Man series is, well, about Hit Men. Hee hee) Both series I loved. Oh, and I love the Hard Ink series by Laura Kaye. I just ‘one clicked’ on The Will by Kristen Ashley (she’s my favorite!!). I’m going to stop now because I can do this all day….

[Manga Maniac Cafe] What do you like to do when you aren’t writing?

[Sidney Halston] READING!! Okay, I am a mom and wife…I do that too. Oh…and I’m an attorney. But really, I read a lot!

[Manga Maniac Cafe] How can readers connect with you?

[Sidney Halston] Twitter: @sidneyhalston

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Sidneyhalston

Blog: http://sidneyhalston.blogspot.com/

Google+ https://plus.google.com/u/0/+SIDNEYHALSTON/posts

[Manga Maniac Cafe] Thank you!

AGAINST THE CAGE: Worth the Fight Series

Loveswept Contemporary Romance

Written by Sidney Halston

Releasing May 27, 2014

In her Loveswept debut, Sidney Halston turns up the heat as a sexy cage fighter shows a former bookworm how delicious a few rounds between the sheets can be.

For Chrissy Martin, returning to her Florida hometown always seems to bring bad luck. The day starts with a breakup text, followed by a jailhouse phone call from her troublemaker brother. Now a routine traffic stop has ended with her accidentally punching an officer . . . in a delicate place. Then Chrissy realizes that the hot cop on the receiving end of her right hook is none other than the man from her teenage fantasies.

Jack Daniels knows how to take a hit. After all, when he’s not chasing reckless drivers, he’s kicking ass in a mixed martial arts ring. So what takes his breath away isn’t the low blow, but the woman who dealt it: a gorgeous knockout with legs Jack wouldn’t mind being pinned under—who just so happens to be his best friend’s nerdy little sister, all grown up. Soon their instant chemistry leads to a sizzling affair, but Jack and Chrissy are fighting an uphill battle if they want to make love last beyond the final bell.

Buy Links

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00H12A1UY?ie=UTF8&tag=randohouseinc-20&linkCode=xm2&camp=1789&creativeASIN=B00H12A1UY

B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/against-the-cage-sidney-halston/1117539162?ean=9780553390964&itm=1&usri=9780553390964&cm_mmc=Random%20House-_-Against%20the%20Cage-RandomHouse-9780553390964-_-Against%20the%20Cage-RandomHouse-9780553390964-_-Against%20the%20Cage-RandomHouse-9780553390964

iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/against-the-cage/id770267777?mt=11

More Buy Links: http://www.randomhouse.com/book/239243/against-the-cage-by-sidney-halston

Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/19082071-against-the-cage?from_search=true

Author Info

Sidney Halston lives her life by one simple rule: “The secret of getting ahead is getting started” (Mark Twain). Or even simpler: “Just do it” (Nike). And that’s exactly what she did. At the age of thirty, having never written anything other than a legal brief, she picked up a pen for the first time to pursue her dream of becoming an author. That first stroke sealed the deal, and she fell in love with writing. Halston lives in South Florida with her husband and children.

Author Links

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6916557.Sidney_Halston

https://twitter.com/sidneyhalston

https://www.facebook.com/Sidneyhalston

http://sidneyhalston.blogspot.com/

Link to Follow Tour: http://tastybooktours.blogspot.com/2014/02/now-booking-tasty-virtual-tour-for_9674.html

Rafflecopter Giveaway (Grand Prize: $25.00 E-retailer Gift Card or Prize Pack with AGAINST THE CAGE and Loveswept Swag)

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The post Interview with Sidney Halston, Author of Against the Cage and Giveaway appeared first on Manga Maniac Cafe.

Laugh: The Burnside Series by Mary Ann Rivers

May 6th, 2014

Blurb

Mary Ann Rivers continues her Burnside family series—perfect for readers of Kristan Higgins, Jill Shalvis, and Ruthie Knox—as two people try to share their hearts without losing their cool.

Dr. Sam Burnside is convinced that volunteering at an urban green-space farm in Lakefield, Ohio, is a waste of time—especially with his new health clinic about to open. He only goes to mollify his partner, suspecting she wants him to lighten up. Then Sam catches sight of Nina Paz, a woman who gives off more heat than a scorcher in July. Her easy smile and flirty, sizzling wit has him forgetting his infamous need for control.

Widowed when her husband was killed in Afghanistan, Nina has learned that life exists to take chances. As the daughter of migrant workers turned organic farmers, she’s built an exciting and successful business by valuing new opportunities and working hard to take care of her own. But when Sam pushes for a relationship that goes beyond their hotter-than-fire escapades, Nina ignores her own hard-won wisdom. She isn’t ready for a man who needs saving—even if her heart compels her to take the greatest risk of all: love.

Excerpt:

Excerpt from Chapter One of LAUGH by Mary Ann Rivers

She stepped forward and stuck out her hand, streaked with dirt. “Nina Paz.”

He took her hand, surprising himself by not caring about the dirt. “Sam Burnside.”

“I know.” She didn’t let go of his hand, which suited him. “Lacey told me she was sending me an uptight ginger doctor and not to go easy on you.”

He squeezed her hand and tugged it two millimeters toward him, which was proof of his showing just a little restraint, for once.

She was pretty close now, and there were little beads of sweat along her upper lip.

She was pretty close and she was also pretty. It felt like the two of them were caught in slow, thick seconds, the air actually green and live, something growing.

He felt good, on the verge of laughter and a little helpless.

He didn’t really know Nina Paz, he reminded himself. He didn’t know her, and if her eyes seemed knowing, he didn’t have to keep holding her hand and looking her over, just to find out what she knew.

He just wanted to do a good job, here, and go home. Charge his phone. Check in with Lacey, his brother and sisters. Do his laundry.

He could feel the sweat slide down his own spine, under the waistband of his shorts. Looking right into her shiny eyes, the lashes winged and dark, he had a flash of slick bodies bent over convenient sawhorses, muscles moving along his.

He gripped her hand tighter.

She pressed her thumb, just a little into his hand, to tell him she noticed.

What did she notice?

He lowered his eyes from hers, shy, suddenly, of her seeing either his crass or tender thoughts.

“I’m surprised she gave me such a glowing recommendation, actually.”

“She also said you were bossy, rude, a control freak, would probably bring the wrong thing and to not let you come back to the office today or borrow my phone. Then she promised to take me out to that new barrel bar downtown and buy me a twenty-dollar Scotch.”

“I would’ve held out for bottle service.”

“The day’s young, Dr. Burnside.”

“I look forward to it, Farmer Paz.” He was surprised to realize that he was: looking forward it. Her eyes had softened at the corners. Her skin was golden and flushed. Her hair was dark and curled up in the sweat all along her forehead and cheeks.

“You have freckles, too,” he heard himself say, helpless again. They were the smallest nevi across the bridge of her nose, just a shade deeper than her skin.

“Yeah?”

“Yeah.” He smiled, feeling something give way in his shoulders, his neck. Warmth filled in where all the tight places unsnapped.

He loosened his grip to turn her hand into a different kind of hold. To search out her wrist, her arm, with his fingers. Her eyelids drifted, just a little bit, and he watched his fingertips start a first stroke along her inner wrist with his thumb.

Then he suddenly lost her gaze to the ground, and she stepped back, pulling her hand with her.

He watched her look over into her plants, and he fisted his hands to keep from fidgeting, from finding something to worry on his clothes, from patting his pocket for his phone.

She looked back at him.

“You ready to work? How’s your back? Or are those shoulders just for show?”

He studied her face, and it was serene. But there was color, up high, under those big brown eyes, and he didn’t think it was from the sun.

“I’m sorry,” he said.

“No you’re not.” She grinned, but with no laugher behind the grin.

“No.” He wasn’t sorry. Being sorry didn’t work.

“Don’t ever say you are, if you aren’t.”

“It seems like the thing to do, when I’m a jackass. What people need to hear.”

“You should have it printed on a card.”

“Maybe I should. One of my sisters works at a letterpress. I could get a deal.”

“If I was your sister, I’d charge you double for I’m Sorry cards.”

He laughed, and Nina Paz smirked at him—dirt on her forehead, sweat in a V between her beautiful breasts, the sun glossed in her braids. “You’re right, she should. Her, most of all.”

She looked down at the ground again. But he could see her smile. “You ever picked tomatoes before, Opie?”

“Nope. City boy, through and through.”

“Grab a crate and one of those bales of straw. Watch and learn.”

He kicked his flowers to the side and followed her to the stack of crates, enjoying the view of her Thoroughbred legs bending and lifting and crouching.

A fine way to spend the morning—sun at your back and by the side of a beautiful woman who really knew how to laugh.

He closed his eyes.

Thought, Nina.

Buy Links

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00GL3RLXY?ie=UTF8&tag=randohouseinc-20&linkCode=xm2&camp=1789&creativeASIN=B00GL3RLXY

B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/laugh-mary-ann-rivers/1117366887?ean=9780804178228

iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/laugh-the-burnside-series/id770285885?mt=11

Author Info

Mary Ann Rivers was an English and music major and went on to earn her MFA in creative writing, publishing poetry in journals and leading creative-writing workshops for at-risk youth. While training for her day job as a nurse practitioner, she rediscovered romance on the bedside tables of her favorite patients. Now she writes smart and emotional contemporary romance, imagining stories featuring the heroes and heroines just ahead of her in the coffee line. Mary Ann Rivers lives in the Midwest with her handsome professor husband and their imaginative school-aged son.

Connect with Mary Ann Rivers: Facebook | Twitter | Website

Link to Follow Tour: http://tastybooktours.blogspot.com/2014/02/now-booking-tasty-virtual-tour-for_12.html

Rafflecopter Giveaway ($25.00 E-giftcard to Book Retailer of Choice, Loveswept Mug and Tote Gift Pack, or Copy of THE STORY GUY and LIVE from Mary Ann Rivers)

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The post Spotlight and Giveaway–Laugh by Mary Ann Rivers appeared first on Manga Maniac Cafe.

Today I have a spotlight and giveaway for LIVE by Mary Ann Rivers!

Mary Ann Rivers kicks off a new contemporary romance series—sure to please readers of Ruthie Knox, Kristan Higgins, and Jill Shalvis—where love can be found unexpectedly.

If there’s an upside to unemployment, Destiny Burnside may have found it. Job searching at her local library in Lakefield, Ohio, gives her plenty of time to ogle the hottest man she has ever laid eyes on: the sexy wood-carver who’s restoring the building. But as the rejection letters pile up, Destiny finds an unexpected shoulder to cry on. With his rich Welsh accent, Hefin Thomas stirs Destiny so completely that, even though he’s leaving soon, she lets herself believe the memory of his scorching kisses will be enough.

Hefin can’t help but notice the slender, confident woman with ginger hair who returns each day, so hopeful and determined. So when the tears start to fall, his silence—penance for a failed marriage—finally cracks. Once he’s touched her, what Hefin wants is to take her back to Wales and hold her forever. But Destiny’s roots run too deep. What they both need is each other—to learn how to live and love again.

READ an excerpt here

Also, LAUGH, the next book in the series, hits stores May 6!

I’ll have an excerpt and giveaway for LAUGH on Wednesday, so please check back.

Does LIVE sound like something you would like?  Enter the giveaway for your chance to win a digital copy! 

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The post Spotlight and Giveaway–Live by Mary Ann Rivers appeared first on Manga Maniac Cafe.

Please give Sharon Cullen a warm welcome! She’s visiting the virtual offices to chat about her new Loveswept release, The Notorious Lady Anne.  After the interview, enter for your chance to win a digital copy of her book!

[Manga Maniac Cafe] Describe yourself in 140 characters or less.

[Sharon] Taxi driver to 3 busy kids, chef, laundress, mediator, beauty addict (eyeshadow and lip glosses are my vice) & historical romance author.

[Manga Maniac Cafe] Can you tell us a little about The Notorious Lady Anne?

[Sharon] The Notorious Lady Anne is about a strong-willed lady pirate bent on vengeance against the father who left her destitute. Her revenge has been eleven years in the making and nothing will stand in her way. Except for an arrogant, sexy nobleman who is trying to regain his life after a near fatal accident. He doesn’t believe in vengeance. She doesn’t believe in the goodness of people. Together they will prove the other wrong.

[Manga Maniac Cafe] How did you come up with the concept and the characters for the story?

[Sharon] When I first started writing Lady Anne, there weren’t many stories out there about strong-willed, alpha heroines. I wanted to explore the concept. Except Nicholas refused to be put in the role of the beta hero. He became just as headstrong and obstinate as Anne. That’s when the story really took off and the sparks flew.

[Manga Maniac Cafe] What three words best describe Anne?

[Sharon] Headstrong, obstinate, dangerous

[Manga Maniac Cafe] If Nicholas had a theme song, what would it be?

[Sharon] Shipping off to Boston by the Dropkick Murphys. While Nicholas didn’t lose his leg, like the sailor in the song, he did almost lose his life in a naval battle.

[Manga Maniac Cafe] Name one thing Anne is never without.

[Sharon] Her dagger

[Manga Maniac Cafe] What three things will you never find in Nicholas’ pockets?

[Sharon]  This was a tough question. I’ve never really thought about what he would have in his pockets let alone what he wouldn’t have. So I asked my kids the question and this is what they came up with: iPhone, iPod and makeup. I laughed so hard that I thought I’d share with you.

[Manga Maniac Cafe] What is Anne’s greatest regret?

[Sharon] That she was never enough for her mother. After Anne’s father left them, her mother’s health and mental well-being were never the same. Anne always believed that she was never enough to keep her mother alive.

[Manga Maniac Cafe] What are your greatest creative influences?

[Sharon] Reading is a great influence. My family and my fellow writers are my other influences.

[Manga Maniac Cafe] What three things do you need in order to write?

[Sharon] Time, time and more time. LOL. Seriously, I can write with pen and paper, chalkboard and chalk, computer, whatever. But what I really need is the time to write.

[Manga Maniac Cafe] What is the last book that you read that knocked your socks off?

[Sharon] Ken Follett’s Winter of the World. I love, love, love that series–the historical wrapped around the fiction as he follows the lives of a few families–and am sad he can’t write faster so the next book will come out

[Manga Maniac Cafe] If you had to pick one book that turned you on to reading, which would it be?

[Sharon] Black Beauty. When I was ten I read the entire series and fell in love with reading. I was unstoppable after that, grabbing anything that had words in it. 

[Manga Maniac Cafe] What do you like to do when you aren’t writing?

[Sharon] I like spending time with my husband and kids. The kids are getting older now and aren’t home as much so a lot of the time its just my husband and I. It’s like we’re dating all over again.

[Manga Maniac Cafe] How can readers connect with you?

[Sharon] I’m addicted to social networking. You can find me on Facebook, Twitter, my website and my blog

Facebook – http://www.facebook.com/pages/Sharon-Cullen-Author/243329341691

Twitter – http://twitter.com/SharonCullen

Website – http://sharoncullen.net/

Blog – https://sharonwritesromance.wordpress.com/

[Manga Maniac Cafe] Thank you!

GIVEAWAY TIME!!

Ready to enter for your chance to win a Netgalley preview copy of The Notorious Lady Anne? Just fill out the widget below! Earn extra entries for following.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Didn’t win? You can purchase The Notorious Lady Anne from your favorite bookseller or by clicking the link below.

About the  book:

About the author:

After earning a degree in journalism from Ohio University, Sharon found the stories inside her head were more interesting than what was going on in the world around her. Yet, it wasn’t until years later that she decided to pursue her secret dream of writing a romance novel. Since then she’s been published in romantic suspense, paranormal romance and contemporary romance and historical romance.

Sharon’s other job descriptions include chauffer, laundress, cook and mediator to her three very busy kids, her husband and two dogs. She lives in southwest Ohio with her brood although her dream is to someday retire to St. Maarten and live on the beach.

If you’d like to find out more about Sharon and her books, you can visit her at her blog or her website. She’s addicted to social networking so you can find her on Facebook and Twitter. Friend her! Like her! Follow her! She’d love to hang out with you and talk about her passion—books.

Cover Shot! is a regular feature here at the Café. I love discovering new covers, and when I find them, I like to share. More than anything else, I am consumed with the mystery that each new discovery represents. There is an allure to a beautiful cover. Will the story contained under the pages live up to promise of the gorgeous cover art?

This is another YUM! cover!  And since we didn’t get much hockey this season, I may as well read about it.  Taking the Shots by Toni Aleo will be available in May.

Title:  How to Misbehave Author:  Ruthie Knox

May Contain Spoilers

From Amazon:

Review:

How to Misbehave didn’t click for me because of the length.  This 96 page novella is hot, but I never connected with the characters.  Ruthie Knox has a wonderful way of painstakingly developing her characters, and they were just getting interesting when the story screeched to a halt.  My favorite aspect of Ruthie’s writing was missing, and that’s the careful unraveling of her protagonists’ strengths and flaws; by the end of her two longer novels, I was so invested in her characters that I wanted, no, demanded, that they have their HEA.  The emotional depth was absent here, and though it is a fun, quick read, I was a bit disappointed when I reached the last page.

Amber is attracted to hunky construction worker Tony, but because she’s a good girl, she hasn’t acted on her attraction.  A tornado and a few hours in a darkened basement change things for both Amber and Tony, and desire blazes between them.  Tony tries to resist, though, because he isn’t one for a long-term relationship, and he knows that Amber won’t be happy with a one-night stand.  She convinces him otherwise, finally finding release with Tony after two previous disastrous sexual encounters.  Tony is a walking woman pleaser, and sure enough, Amber is devastated when he won’t even look at her afterwards.  Oh. My.  Talk about a heartbreaker!

Tony is suffering from guilt after a tragic incident in his past.  He has convinced himself that he doesn’t deserve to be happy, and so he keeps himself aloof and never allows himself to have a serious relationship.  He will just let his partner down, so why even risk it?  Without more buildup, he just seemed a bit whiny and self-indulgent.  His emotional flip-flop after meeting Amber wasn’t convincing and was too easily won.

While I wasn’t completely satisfied with How to Misbehave, I did enjoy the author’s writing style, and I am looking forward to the rest of the series, which is comprised of full-length novels.  This novella is only .99, so if you’d like a taste of Ruthie Knox’s writing style, this isn’t a back place to start. 

Grade:  C+

Review copy provided by publisher

I’m excited to welcome Samantha Kane to the virtual offices today.  Samantha is the author of The Devil’s Thief, a new release from Loveswept, one of my favorite romance imprints.  Say “hi” to Samantha, and after the interview, enter for a chance to win a digital copy of The Devil’s Thief!

[Manga Maniac Cafe] Describe yourself in 140 characters or less.

[Samantha Kane] I’m a 45 year old mom, writer, wife. I’m a bit introverted, laid back in some ways and high strung in others. I like to knit and bake and sit outside on beautiful days. I do not multi-task well. I don’t understand how the internet works, or my cell phone, but I use them just the same. This can be said of a lot of things in my life. I drive a minivan by choice, and I am a cat person.

[Manga Maniac Cafe] Can you tell us a little about The Devil’s Thief?

[Samantha Kane] The Devil’s Thief is the first book in a new Regency historical romance series called The Saint’s Devils. The series is about a group of rakes who’ve been friends since their school days. Their unofficial leader is Sir Hilary St. John, a sort of brilliant, hedonistic Sherlock Holmes character. The Devil’s Thief is about Alasdair Sharp, a well to-do gentleman whose famous family heirloom The Stewart Pearl is stolen by Miss Julianna Harte, a quiet lady who needs the money from the pearl to save the foundling home she sponsors. When Alasdair catches Julianna stealing the pearl she lies about her identity and he thinks she’s an experienced thief, a product of the underworld. So he offers her a bargain–one night in his bed for the pearl. He never means to keep the bargain, however. He plans to pay her off with something else in the morning and make her his mistress. But when morning comes Julianna has disappeared with his pearl and Alasdair has to enlist the aid of his friends to find her and his family heirloom.

[Manga Maniac Cafe] How did you come up with the concept and the characters for the story?

[Samantha Kane] Many years ago I came up with the concept of the Alasdair and Julianna characters, but in a different series context. Another author and I discussed doing that series together. That idea fell through because of schedules and prior commitments, so I shelved it. Then came Robert Downey Jr. as Sherlock Holmes, and the Sir Hilary St. John character came to me, and Alasdair and Julianna and their story fit so well with his character The Saint’s Devils were born.

[Manga Maniac Cafe] What three words best describe Julianna?

[Samantha Kane] Guarded, sincere, misguided.

[Manga Maniac Cafe] If Alasdair had a theme song, what would it be?

[Samantha Kane] King of Diamonds by Motopony.

[Manga Maniac Cafe] Name one thing Julianna won’t leave the house without.

[Samantha Kane] Her lock picks.

[Manga Maniac Cafe] What three things will you never find in Alasdair’s bedroom?

[Samantha Kane ]Pajamas, anything out of place, another woman after Julianna.

[Manga Maniac Cafe] What are your greatest creative influences?

[Samantha Kane] Music, movies, the outdoors.

[Manga Maniac Cafe] What three things do you need in order to write?

[Samantha Kane] Music, isolation, a computer (I can’t write free hand. I block.)

[Manga Maniac Cafe] What is the last book that you read that knocked your socks off?

[Samantha Kane ]Lord of the Abyss by Nalini Singh.

[Manga Maniac Cafe] If you had to pick one book that turned you on to reading, which would it be?

[Samantha Kane] Watership Down by Richard Adams.

[Manga Maniac Cafe] What do you like to do when you aren’t writing?

[Samantha Kane] Hang out with my kids and husband.

[Manga Maniac Cafe] How can readers connect with you?

[Samantha Kane] website: http://samanthakane.us

twitter: skaneauthor

Facebook: authorSamanthaKane

[Manga Maniac Cafe] Thank you!

GIVEAWAY TIME!!

Ready for a chance to win a digital copy of The Devil’s Thief?  Thanks to Random House and Samantha, I have one to give to one of you! Just fill out the widget below to enter! Earn extra entries for following.

Didn’t win? You can order The Devil’s Thief from your favorite bookseller or by clicking the widget below.

Excerpt:

http://www.scribd.com/doc/103080466/The-Devil-s-Thief-by-Samantha-Kane-Excerpt

May Contain Spoilers

From Amazon:

Review:

I read Until There Was You because it is an original Loveswept release. Loveswept has been a favorite series of mine for years, and I am delighted that Random House is releasing older titles in digital, as well as new titles. Jessica Scott’s first release, Because of You, looked intriguing, but I was swamped when it came out, so it kept getting shuffled to the bottom of the review pile. When I had the opportunity to hop onto a blog tour for Until There Was You, Jessica’s follow up, I eagerly hopped on. I haven’t read many military romances, so I wanted to give myself a little more exposure to them, and after learning that the author is in the Arm has Army experience, it became that much more interesting.

Claire Montoya is a career soldier, and after years of dedicating herself to the military and the war efforts in the Middle East, she was promoted in rank. Now an officer, her current assignment is to prep a newbie unit for the rigors of warfare. They will be deployed in five weeks, and Claire’s good friend, Sarah, is in charge of the unit. With her best friend, Reza, an enlisted man, Claire must get these young soldiers ready for their convoy duties. The task seems impossible; Claire’s superior officers are focused on skills that Claire and Reza deem unimportant to the survival of the troops. With great despair and trepidation, Claire must set aside her personal views about the training and stick to the program, or risk being disciplined and tossed out of the Army.

I found this an fascinating read because I know so little about military life. The story is set after the Surge, when US troops were supposed to provide more of a support function to the fledgling Iraqi government. Life for the deployed soldiers was still frighteningly dangerous, and Claire had been faced with many decisions early in her career that left soldiers injured or dead. She doesn’t want to see any more lives lost, so she is frantic to prepare Sarah’s troops for the dangers they are about to face. She is constantly clashing with Evan, a West Point officer she has been sparring with for years, about the appropriateness of the training schedule. She calls Evan Captain America because of his unwavering dedication to rules and his job duties. Claire is a bit of a rebel, and she’s paid a price for her outspokenness. She has not been promoted as quickly as she might have been otherwise, but she won’t back down when she thinks she’s in the right and that soldiers will be needlessly killed. The conflict between Evan and Claire seemed insurmountable to me. How could either one of them ever compromise on this very basic but personality defining stance? Follow the rules to the letter, or bend them in order save lives.

Until There Was You is a book about conflict and conflict resolution. When we meet Claire and Evan, neither of them is able to adequately work through the conflicts in their life. Claire is driven to train Sarah’s troops as best she can with Reza’s help, but Reza, having seen several deployments, is suffering from PSTD. To keep his demons at bay, he has taken to drinking excessively, partying and hooking up with women indiscriminately. He’s two steps away from being court-martialed, but Claire is skilled at running interference for him. This adds to the tension between Evan and Claire. He doesn’t see how she can, in good conscience, keep covering up for him. Reza is going to get people killed one day, if he doesn’t kill himself first. Claire already tried to save her father from the demons lurking in the bottom of a liquor bottle. Her failure haunts her, and she isn’t ready for a repeat of that.

Evan hasn’t had an easy life either. He feels responsible for his sister’s death, and his guilt has driven him away from his family and away from close relationships. He and Claire make for a sympatric couple because both of them are so damaged. Neither of them can trust themselves to care for someone else for fear of being hurt again, so it’s easy to get behind their relationship and hope that they will somehow find a way to be together, even as messed up as they both are. It is Evan who takes that first, frightening step of accepting his feelings, and of having to face his fear of Claire’s rejection.

One thing that frustrated me about this story was my lack of understanding  of military protocol. I was confused by the chain of command, and about why some of the events would have such disastrous outcomes for the characters. The pacing of the story was also uneven in parts; I found the training sequences fascinating, but found some of Evan and Claire’s missteps irritating in their frequency. Overall, this is an emotional, satisfying read, and I will have to dust off my copy of Because of You for another military romance fix.

Grade:  B/B-

Review copy provided by publisher

Jessica Scott is the author of Until There Was You, which is the follow-up to her debut title Because of You.  Both books are published under one of my favorite imprints, Random House’s Loveswept line.  I was delighted when Jessica recently dropped by the virtual offices to chat.  She even brought along a present for one of you  to win– a digital copy of Until There Was You! 

[Manga Maniac Cafe] Describe yourself in 140 characters or less.

[Jessica Scott] Slightly neurotic, hyperactive mom, writer, solider, wife. 

[Manga Maniac Cafe] Can you tell us a little about Until There Was You?

[Jessica Scott] Until There Was You is the story of two army captains who must overcome their differences to save a mutual friend from self destruction. I love that it not only features a man in uniform but a woman in uniform, too. Both are seasoned combat veterans with a whole lot of emotional scars.

[Manga Maniac Cafe] How did you come up with the concept and the characters for the story?

[Jessica Scott] I wanted to write a story where the hero had to overcome the heroine’s tough exterior. Strong heroines are tough to write and still make them sympathetic but in Claire, I wanted to find a way to heal the damage from her past.

[Manga Maniac Cafe] What three words best describe Claire?

[Jessica Scott] tough, damaged and deeply loyal  

[Manga Maniac Cafe] What are three things Evan would never have in his rucksack?

[Jessica Scott] panties. No just kidding (there’s more to that story in the book). Wow, tough question. He’d never have pain medication because he’s so stubborn, he’d never have something not on the packing list. So if the list said no pogey bait, you better believe he would not have any pogey bait.

[Manga Maniac Cafe] If Claire had a theme song, what would it be?

[Jessica Scott] Rescue Me by Digital Summer. It’s 100% Claire’s song. 

[Manga Maniac Cafe] If Evan started a campfire, what would he cook over the flames?

[Jessica Scott] He’d probably have some rations, properly packed and sealed. An MRE. He’d cook an MRE (Meal, Ready to Eat)

[Manga Maniac Cafe] What are your greatest creative influences?

[Jessica Scott] Music, honestly. I get some really crazy ideas from music. Otherwise, while it may seem like I’m wrapping myself in the flag, the soldiers around me. There’s so many stories to tell. I only help I tell them in a way that’s respectful and meaningful.

[Manga Maniac Cafe] What three things do you need in order to write?

[Jessica Scott]  my MacBook (with scrivener), a song stuck in my head and a character that will not leave me alone.

[Manga Maniac Cafe] What is the last book that you read that knocked your socks off?

[Jessica Scott] it’s a toss up between Amber Lin’s Giving It Up and Nalini Singh’s Archangel’s Blade. Such incredibly damaged characters. 

[Manga Maniac Cafe] If you had to pick one book that turned you on to reading, which would it be?

[Jessica Scott] You know, I don’t ever remember not reading. I’ve always loved reading. I can tell you that authors like Anne McCaffrey are a big part of my inspiration and why I write but I can’t pick just one book.

[Manga Maniac Cafe] What do you like to do when you aren’t writing?

[Jessica Scott] um, that would imply that I have a life outside of the army and my family, which I don’t. Writing is my me time, you know?

[Manga Maniac Cafe] How can readers connect with you?

[Jessica Scott] Twitter is probably the easiest. I’m @jessicascott09. I check Facebook pretty regularly (facebook.com/jessicascottauthor and I’m on goodreads though sometimes not every day. Email is the best way to reach me.

Thanks so much for having me here! I’d love to give away a copy of UNTIL THERE WAS YOU to one lucky commenter!

[Manga Maniac Cafe] Thank you!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Didn’t win? You can preorder Until There Was You from your favorite bookseller or by clicking the widget below.

Thanks to Random House, I have an excerpt from Samantha Kane’s The Devil’s Thief to share.  This Loveswept release will be available digitally November 12.  Enjoy!

If you enjoy the excerpt, you can pre-order a copy by clicking this Amazon link: The Devil’s Thief: A Loveswept Historical Romance

The Devil’s Thief by Samantha Kane, Excerpt

May Contain Spoilers

From Amazon:

Review:

I have mixed feelings about Blaze of Fire, and most of them are because I have a love-hate relationship with Theo.  Of all the Grayson brothers, he somehow ended up my least favorite.  I don’t know why, exactly.  Maybe I don’t find bespectacled authors of historical yarns intriguing.  Maybe I’m jealous that he was able to live in a bed and breakfast indefinitely,  never having to worry about making his bed or cleaning the bathroom.  Or maybe it’s because I found him a bit too inconsistent.  For most of the book, he is sweet and mild-mannered, with infinite amounts of patience to support Avery during her moments of insecurity.  But like Clark Kent, once those glasses come off, he changes, but not always for the better.  He could be a smug jerk, and I didn’t feel quite so fond of him then.

I did enjoy the tempo and tone of this story.  Avery is emotionally bruised after finding one of her therapy patients dead from an overdose.  Upset with herself for not realizing that she was being lied to and not able to forgive herself for not being able to keep Mia from harming herself, Avery is hiding out in Star Harbor.  Helping run her aunt’s business while the older woman recovers from her battle with breast cancer, Avery is moving from one day to the next, trying to stay on the fringes of Star Harbor society.  It drives her nuts that everyone in the small community knows everyone else’s business, and she doesn’t like feeling like she’s under a microscope.  She just needs to be left alone so she can come to terms with her feelings of inadequacy, and figure out what to do with the rest of her life.

Theo is struggling, too, but his internal strife is based on his inability to write.  He’s under pressure to complete the next volume in his privateer adventure series, but he’s stuck.   He can’t write a word.  He has no inspiration, and he feels empty.  Leaving his meaningless life in San Francisco behind, he heads back to his childhood home to rediscover his writing roots.  Instead, he discovers Avery, and one glimpse of her vibrantly hued hair has him captivated.  He has discovered his muse, and he’s not going to let her out of his sight.

I liked Theo when he was gently wooing Avery, giving her the emotional support she needed so desperately, but backing away when she needed space.   He taught her how to have fun and take risks, while teaching himself how to open his heart at the same time.  His courtship methods were occasionally questionable, and I didn’t know whether to be amused or appalled as he basically stalked her to her favorite hangout in Boston.  That was a little creepy.  He also showed an epic lapse in judgment that almost destroys his relationship with Avery, and for such a smart guy, I was disappointed with his behavior.  Of course it’s all set up so the good folk of Star Harbor could meddle in his business, but for him to completely disregard everything he knew about Avery and to push back like he did didn’t make sense to me.

The drug runner plot thread had a bigger role in Blaze of Winter than in the previous book in the series, and I am assuming it will be played up even more in Val and Cole’s books.  They are my favorite characters, but they didn’t get much page time here, only serving as backup for Theo.  I was a little disappointed that they didn’t get to play a bigger part in the story, but that just gives me something to look forward to in the future when they get their own 200 pages.  Bring those on! 

Blaze of Winter is a quick read with a (mostly) sweet hero who occasionally displays a lack of common sense.  Avery is an emotionally wounded heroine who needs a lot of handholding to get through the train wreck in her past that has her questioning every decision she makes.  It was gratifying to see her finally set her fear aside and embrace the love Theo, and her own family, were desperate to give her. 

Grade:  B/B-

Review copy provided by publisher

Creativity: It’s Everywhere, All Around by Elisabeth Barrett

“Oh. My. God.”

These are not the words you want to hear in the delivery room when you’re giving birth. But they were indeed the words spoken by my ob/gyn as she helped to bring my little son into the world.

“What?” I gasped, still in the throes of agony. “What?!”

Alarmed, I looked over to my husband, who was staring, wide-eyed at the baby. It was several long minutes before our son was handed to me, and as soon as I got him, I was staring too. Like most babies, he had ten fingers, ten toes, and the cutest little mouth I’d ever seen. He was remarkably normal looking in every way but one—he had a huge swath of bright orange hair covering his head. I’m talking day-glo, like someone had taken an orange highlighter and colored in each strand. I’d never seen anything like it, and apparently, neither had the doctor. Here’s a picture of him a few days later (although this shot doesn’t do his hair justice):

Over time, it’s morphed into the deepest, most beautiful shade of orange/red you can imagine, and his long, lustrous eyelashes are a perfect match. Here’s what it looks like now:

One day as I was staring at the marvel that is my son’s hair, it hit me. It was the perfect color hair for a character I had percolating in my brain—Avery Newbridge, the gentle social worker who returns to town to help out her aunt at the Star Harbor Inn. Avery’s had a setback at work and is taking some time to figure out her career and her life. Unfortunately, she keeps getting distracted by sexy author Theo Grayson, who has taken a room at the inn. Avery spends most of the book trying to keep up her defenses, while Theo spends his time trying to tear them down. Of course, no one can resist intelligent, quiet, and rugged Theo…not even Avery.

Avery’s hair was also the inspiration for the title: Blaze of Winter. She’s a flash of passionate color in the otherwise-winter-white landscape. But there’s where my real-life inspiration ends. There is no facet of my toddler’s personality in that of my romance novel heroine (fortunately for Theo and Avery), but just using the hair color was a great way for me to get the ball rolling.

A few months ago, Manga Maniac Café’s Julie interviewed me as part of my blog tour for Deep Autumn Heat, the first book in my Star Harbor series. During that interview, she asked me one very interesting question: What are your greatest creative influences? I gave a long-winded answer that concluded with: “life observations.” I was telling the truth. My creative influences are all around me, and it’s just a matter of figuring out which ones I can use to tell a great story!

About Elisabeth:

Raised in a sleepy little Connecticut town, Elisabeth draws on her upbringing to write small-town romances. Her summers spent living and working on Cape Cod and Martha’s Vineyard were the inspiration for the Star Harbor series, which kicked off with Deep Autumn Heat and continues with Blaze of Winter (coming September 10, 2012). Currently, Elisabeth lives in Northern California with her husband and three children. Find her online: Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

About Blaze of Winter:

Winter heats up in this hot new Star Harbor romance, as another sexy Grayson brother, a wickedly handsome writer, plots his happily ever after with a sweet stranger.

Frustrated with her job in Boston, social worker Avery Newbridge welcomes the opportunity to reassess her life when family asks her to help manage the Star Harbor Inn. Trying to figure out her future is overwhelming enough, but she doesn’t count on distraction in the form of one Theo Grayson, the gorgeous, green-eyed author who she knows is trouble from the moment he saunters into the inn.

Not only does he have a talent for writing swashbuckling adventures, but Theo also has a soft spot for big-hearted damsels in distress, especially a woman who’s great at helping everyone—except herself. Avery’s demons challenge him, but for desire this hot, he isn’t backing down. With every kiss and heated whisper Theo promises her his heart . . . if only Avery is willing to open up and accept it.

View an excerpt of Blaze of Winter on Scribd: Click here.

Pre-order Blaze of Winter: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or the iBookstore (Apple)!

Giveaway:

One commenter will be randomly selected to win a NetGalley preview of BLAZE OF WINTER. Contest ends September 10th at midnight (EDT).You’ll need a NetGalley account, and to answer the question below: What are your creative inspirations?

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Didn’t win? You can order Blaze of Winter and Deep Autumn Heat from your favorite bookseller or by clicking the widget below

Cover Shot! is a regular feature here at the Café. I love discovering new covers, and when I find them, I like to share. More than anything else, I am consumed with the mystery that each new discovery represents. There is an allure to a beautiful cover. Will the story contained under the pages live up to promise of the gorgeous cover art?

This cover? Yum.  I missed this book the first time around, so I’m looking forward to reading the digital release in February 2013.

Thanks to Random House, here is an excerpt from Jessica Scott’s Until There Was You.  If you enjoy military romances, this one is right up your alley.  You can order the book from your favorite bookseller, or by clicking here:  Until There Was You: A Loveswept Contemporary Military Romance

There is a plot description:

Random House is celebrating the release of Elisabeth Barrett’s Blaze of Winter by holding the Labor Day Giveaway hop!  They are giving away:

May Contain Spoilers

From Amazon:

Review:

I don’t think I have read many romances featuring chefs.  Either they didn’t make an impression on me at all, or my innate dislike of cooking has steered me away from books with chefs.  I just don’t find them very sexy.  Sure, it would be divine to have a culinary artist at my beck and call, preparing mouth-watering dishes to please my taste buds and tame my wild heart, but then I remember what a glutton I am, and I realize that if I did find a sexy chef of my own, I would soon weigh as much as my horses.  Like, both of them put together.

In Deep Autumn Heat, both protagonists make a living by cooking.  Lexie runs a small restaurant in Star Harbor, a tourist town on the East coast, and Seb is a glamorous and wealthy chef. His New York restaurant is popular, expensive and five-stars in every way, and his skill in the kitchen has made him rich.  His good looks has landed him a TV show, and, well, this guy has an ego the size of a houseboat.  His first opinion of Lexie’s place is that it’s quaint and a step or three beneath him.  He makes a terrible impression on Lexie; first, he treats her like she’s “just” a waitress, and then he acts as though being in her place should be an honor for her.  He’s THE Sebastian Grayson, after all, and he is eating in HER restaurant.  Then he tries a slice of her coconut cake and it’s all over for him.  He loves her cake and wants to know what’s in it.  After sizing her up again, he decides that he wouldn’t mind getting to know what’s in her pants, either.

Lexie, for her part, is too busy and too focused on making her business successful to give Seb much more than a second glance.  OK, so she gives him a third and a fourth glance, because he is drop dead gorgeous.  Of course he is!  He’s rich, dresses in black, and rides a motorcycle, too, which makes him like a bad boy chef.  A bad boy chef who knows how to clean pots, pans, and various cooking implements, and has a smile that makes every woman’s brain go numb when he flashes a great big smile her way.  Kind of like gulping down a gigantic Slurpee and getting a case of brain freeze.  That is Seb’s effect on all women, including Lexie, though

I am spending most of the weekend chillaxing with the family, so please enjoy this excerpt from Ruthie Knox’s About Last Night. I’ll have a review of the book up closer to the release date in June. Let me know what you think of the excerpt! ABOUT LAST NIGHT by Ruthie Knox, Excerpt

May Contain Spoilers

From Amazon:

Review:

I have mentioned before how much I loved the Loveswept imprint of category romances.  I was tickled when Random House revived the line, with plans to re-release older titles, as well as introduce new stories to the line.  Ride with Me is the first original book that I have read in the Loveswept line, and I found it very true to the older books that I read and loved.  It’s sexy and funny and told with breezy prose.  I ate this one up very quickly.

Lexie has dreamed of biking in the TransAm for as long as she can remember.  The only problem? Her riding partner on the long trek from Oregon to Virginia had to back out because of an injury.  Not looking forward to the long journey by herself, Lexie puts out a few ads for a riding partner.  When Tom’s sister responds without his knowledge, she poses as Tom and makes plans for Lexie and her brother to ride together.  Tom is furious with her when he finds out, but his sister guilts him into at least meeting Alex.  Then Tom is furious to discover that Alex is actually Lexie.  One thing he doesn’t need is a woman holding him back on the ride.

I was actually afraid that the story would bore me, because I have zero interest in biking.  Now, if Lexie and Tom were going to ride horses across the country, you wouldn’t have been able to keep me away. After about two pages in, though,  my fears were put to rest.  I loved Tom right away.  He is cranky and aloof, and still stinging after discovering that his wife was cheating on him, his social skills have become decidedly rusty.  Lexie, on the other hand, is bubbly and vibrant and fun to be around.  Everyone loves her, and she has the ability to engage complete strangers in conversations, quickly making friends with them.  Lexie and Tom couldn’t be more different, and their different personalities clash for almost the entire book.  They are both strong people, which is a good thing, because Tom can be downright awful.  There were a few occasions that he had me so angry with him that I wished I could grab him by the scru

May Contain Spoilers

From Amazon:

Review:

I was so excited to learn that Random House would be reviving the Loveswept line and offering both old favorites and new titles as eBooks.  I’m certain that even the neighbors heard my screams of joy.  I was a huge fan of the series, and I discovered many favorite authors there.  Jennifer Crusie, Janet Evanovich, Iris Johansen.  I liked some of their category books better than their NY Times bestsellers!  I knew what to expect when I picked up a Loveswept title – a love story with a happy ever after, and that formula is still my favorite.  When I am experiencing a lot of stress in my life, and believe me, the last 12 months have been very, very stressful, that is a formula that I want to read more of.  A little  bit of angst, a lot of sparks, and the belief that the protagonists will live the rest of their lives blissfully in love.

Carol Lawson is suffering on an emotional roller coaster.  She made a devastating decision nine years ago, and she has lived with the consequences of her actions ever since.  She can’t forgive herself, and she refuses to forget.  Even though she was young and naïve, she still won’t allow herself to find any happiness or to put her unwise past behind her.  When Cody Briggs strolls into her life, the good-looking tour guide won’t take no for an answer.  The sparks fly from their first meeting, and soon Cody won’t leave her alone.  He forces her to re-evaluate the direction of her life and her inability to look forward, instead of constantly beating herself up about the past.

I enjoyed this story of self-forgiveness.  Carol has driven herself mercilessly since a foolish decision almost knocked her life completely off track.  Now the successful assistant manager of a prosperous hotel chain, she’s just arrived in Arizona to head up guest relations at the Ocotillo branch.  Never one to shy away from hard work, she absorbs herself in her new job duties.  She works long hours and she takes her position very seriously, all in an attempt to keep the past at bay and to keep herself isolated from others.  She will never trust again, and she vows that she will never let her guard down again.  When Cody enters her life, he is as damaged as Carol.  He has experienced betrayal, too, and he has lost his