Monday, August 26, 2013

[Book Release] 1,000 Sleepless Nights by Connie Ann Michael



1,000 Sleepless Nights
By
Connie Ann Michael

Book Synopsis:

There are two rules in war. First: People get killed. Second: You can’t change rule number one. Nineteen year old Corpsman Emme Sawyer doesn’t follow rules. She’s always been the best and no one will die if she has anything to say about it.

Emme refuses to hang around the hospital waiting for the wounded to come to her and joins a Marine unit heading into Helmand Providence, the largest opium producer in Afghanistan. Shutting off her emotions, Emme focuses on what she does best…keeping her men safe. When her best friend is obliterated by a roadside bomb, Emme
begins to realize she can’t save everyone. Seeking comfort from Raven, her commanding officer, Emme develops feelings that don’t belong in a combat zone where each step could be your last. As Raven reciprocates, Emme learns you can’t choose when and where love finds you

Author Biography:

Connie Ann Michael was raised a city girl but was converted to a country girl after college and now resides in a speck of a town in Central Washington State.  She is a Second Grade Bilingual teacher.  Connie is married to her former boss as she worked at the local Pizza place and has two college age boys that provide endless material for books.  She loves the outdoors and can be found mountain biking, kayaking, or camping with her family.  Being a busy family she can be found working on edits and her newest novel while on long road trips.   



Author Links:
Blog:



“Sawyer you in there?” Raven banged on the door. The lock held firm against his protests. “Dammit, Sawyer, open the door.”
            With a crack, his foot hit the door. It splintered and flew open. He stood in the threshold and took in the scene. Without a word, Raven walked to the shower and stepped into the spray. He pushed Sawyer forward, slid behind her, and wrapped his arms around her.

“He’s gone,” Sawyer choked.
            “I know,” Raven whispered.
            “He disappeared,” she sobbed.
            “It’s okay.” He rocked her, repeating the words. “It’s okay.”
            Raven unbuckled the harness around her chest. Drawing it down her arms, he released her from her extra ammunition and radio, tossing it on to the floor outside the shower. Sawyer wasn’t sure how long they stayed like that. Raven held her tight until she started to shiver from the cold instead of her grief. The water turned cold long ago. He slid around her to shut the water off and then grabbed her hands to pull her up. “Okay. That’s enough.”
            Numb, she let him help her step over the edge of the shower stall.
            “I’m sorry. You’re wet.” Sawyer stated the obvious.
            “Nothing to be sorry about.” Raven slid his hands up and down her arms. 
            Sawyer's teeth began to chatter as they stood dripping. She longed for Raven to pull her into his arms. To take away the pain that held a vice on her heart, but he just continued to run his hands over her arms.
            “Raven?” her voice cracked.
            His gaze dropped to hers. The pain in his eyes was more than she could take. With a choked sob, Sawyer wrapped her arms around his waist and buried her face into his chest, letting out a pained sob. 
            Slowly, Raven brought his arms around her and held her tight. “It’s okay, baby.” He buried his face into her hair and kissed her behind her ear. “We’re going to be okay."




[Audiobook Tour] The Best Man by Ana Blaze


Title: The Best Man
Author: Ana Blaze   
Narrator: Traci Odom
Length: 3 hours and 14 minutes
Publisher: Entranced Publishing
Genre: Contemporary romance
Release Date: August 8, 2013

Blurb:
Beth Chase is too busy planning perfect weddings to worry about the lack of action in her own love life. But if she was looking for a man, she wouldn't be looking at Colin Pratt. Her boss swears that Best Man Colin is a quiet scholar and science fiction writer who couldn't possibly cause a fuss at his own brother's wedding. He's clearly never met the man in question.
Snarky, sexy, and more than a little inebriated, Colin is the final obstacle between Beth and the last perfect wedding she needs in order to make partner. Of course, when she helps him into a taxi at the end of the night, she has no idea that he's only just begun to poke holes in her professional exterior. Colin might have the skills to seduce a romance professional, but can he convince her that he's the best man to share her happy ever after?

Purchase the audiobook here: iTunes | Amazon

Or check out the ebook at Amazon | Kobo | B&N | Goodreads

About the Author:


Ana lives just outside Washington DC with her very supportive husband and three rather demanding cats. She loves the ocean, Indian food, Ikea, and cooking. Ana admits to watching too much television and she swears that someday she’s going to learn how to play the guitar resting on the bookshelf in her office. 

Author Social Media Links:




Friday, August 23, 2013

[Cover Reveal] Love and Other Games by @MelindaDozier @Ariakane @AnaBlaze @KaraLeighMille1 #SwoonRomance

I absolutely LOVE my new cover! Swoon Romance has outdone themselves! So happy to have this anthology released on October 1.

Love and Other Games is a collection of four sexy new adult stories centered around athletes competing in the Winter Games by Ana Blaze, Melinda Dozier, Aria Kane, and Kara Leigh Miller. It releases October 1st from Swoon Romance in all major electronic formats.



Worth More Than Gold by Ana Blaze

Amy Pierce, the klutzy sister and manager of America’s Skating Sweetheart, is used to being invisible. But when a friend drags her to a party near the Olympic Village, Amy catches the eye of a sexy Norwegian ski jumper. It’s a magical night, but an awkward next morning has her running.

Everyone knows Erik Andresen’s best shot at an individual medal was back in 2010, before an injury pulled him from the competition. He’s there for his team, but a hot night and a remarkable final training session have him wondering if a gorgeous good-luck charm could give him another chance at the podium. With a little bit of luck, these two might have a shot at something worth more than gold.

Ana Blaze's: Website | Twitter | Facebook

Trouble With Gold by Melinda Dozier

US snowboarder and notorious prankster, Ty (Trouble) Madsen is only getting a taste of his own medicine when his Olympic teammates shackle him to a fence wearing nothing but his boxers.

Reception and protocol volunteer, Nadia Hoffman, gets up close and personal with the sexy snowboarder to rescue him, but she's not the kind of girl who lets her hormones get in her way. A professional performance could help her land her dream job at Olympics Committee Headquarters, but her new assignment supervising the rambunctious US Snowboarding Team is making that difficult.

Can she see behind the snowman in the community center bathroom and into the warm heart of the man everyone calls Trouble?

Melinda Dozier's: Website | Twitter | Facebook

The Girl Behind the Gold by Aria Kane

Greek aerial skier Lia Milonas’s parents are about to lose the family farm. Saving it means medaling and landing a huge sponsor. While her no-nonsense attitude has her well on her way to a medal, it hasn’t won her a place in fans' hearts.

“Come back with a story that will make readers cry, or don’t come back.” This is what Brandon James’ boss told him before he left New York to cover the Winter Games for Moment Magazine. With a wink and a smile, he can charm his way into any invite-only party, but that career-making story is nowhere to be found – until he meets Lia.

The two strike a deal that should get them both what they want - but neither would have guessed they’d also find what they need.

Aria Kane's: Website | Twitter | Facebook

Ice Gold by Kara Leigh Miller

Colton Campbell thrives on the fast paced, adrenaline rushed lifestyle of being an Olympic hockey player. Despite Brenna Jessup's abhorrence for the games and the athletes, she's hand-picked as the official photographer for the U.S. Olympic Hockey Team. When a faux pas by Brenna almost costs Colton his career, she owes him. Too bad for her, Colton doesn't want apologies -- he wants retribution! And he knows just how to get it -- and her -- in the process.

Kara Leigh Miller's: Website | Twitter | Facebook


To celebrate the cover reveal, the authors are giving away a $20 gift card to the bookstore of the winner's choice. Check out the rafflecopter below to enter!

a Rafflecopter giveaway Rafflecopter direct link


Thursday, August 22, 2013

[Book Tour] Going Home by Abby Cavenaugh #review

Title: Going Home Again
Author: Abby Cavenaugh
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Going Home Again Book Blurb:
In high school, it was doubtful Michael Day knew Alyssa Jones existed. 

Twenty years later, when the now-famous pop star returns home to coastal North Carolina, Alyssa gets a second chance to make a first impression on Michael. 

On sabbatical from his failing marriage, Michael agrees to an interview with Alyssa, a journalist for the local tourist magazine. 

When the chemistry between them ignites, Alyssa and Michael are hit with the harsh reality that he isn't yet free to love her. 

With Michael's wife and son still very much in the picture, can Alyssa hold out until he ends his marriage for good? Or will she risk it all for a second chance with the one who got away?

About Abby Cavenaugh
Abby Cavenaugh is a writer of romantic women's fiction and YA paranormal. She is a newspaper editor by day, but dreams of someday retiring to the North Carolina coast to write books full-time. She lives near Charlotte with her twin sister, also a writer, six-year-old niece and crazy cat, Gus, and is driven by dreams, Diet Coke and chocolate

Social Media
Swoon Romance (publisher) site: http://www.myswoonromance.com/
Where To Buy

Going Home AgainGoing Home Again by Abby Cavenaugh
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

What a sweet romance! How many of us have thought back to our high school crushes or first loves and wondered what happened? Well, Alyssa's crush turned into a bigtime heartthrob musician. Lucky for her, Michael returns to their NC town in the midst of a "seperation" from his wife and the two find a true love that is hard to ignore -- even when they fight it.

Becoming "the other woman" is not easy for either of them, but they fight through it and realize that what matters most is how they feel.

I truly enjoyed this read and often found myself wanting to pick up my Kindle in the middle of the day instead of working. I also liked how the story is told in three parts -- interchanging the points of views. Both characters were real which is always important to me.

I'll be reading Abby Cavenaugh again. This was a great read!

View all my reviews

Tuesday, August 20, 2013

[Book Tour] Hyde by Laura DeLuca & Look Beyond the Facade


Hyde, Dark Musicals Book #3



Rebecca Hope has looked death in the face twice and lived to tell her tale.

She and the love of her life, Justyn Patko, land a summer internship at a local dinner theater, performing the musical Hyde. While they are excited about their first paid acting gig, they soon find themselves surrounded by more experienced cast mates, jealous of their success. As if the tension isn’t bad enough, they soon discover that the business might be a front for something much more sinister.

When Justyn is accused of a crime that she knows he would never commit, Rebecca must decide if she wants to follow her head or her heart. While trying to prove his innocence, she makes a shocking discovery of her own.

Everyone has something to conceal in the grand finale of the Dark Musicals Trilogy. Rebecca has to look beyond the façade to discover the true Hyde or face her final curtain call.



Excerpt: 

The act ended with Hyde grabbing hold of a scantily dressed Lucy and pulling her into his arms. Then the lights on the stage were extinguished, and the silent crowd suddenly burst into thunderous applause—even some of the cast was clapping. Rebecca couldn’t help but notice Steve was watching the fanfare with a frown, especially when Fernando, dressed for the next scene as the butler, clapped Justyn on the back with undisguised approval and pride. Rebecca had the distinct feeling Steve was plotting something sinister and definitely Hyde-worthy.

From that point on, Justyn scarcely had a moment out of the spotlight. Rebecca didn’t even get a chance to tell him how fabulous he was. It felt as though the show had only begun when Rebecca found herself decked out in the splendid Victorian wedding gown signaling the final act was about to begin. The dress came complete with realistic bell sleeves, an excessive bustle, and a long, flowing trail embroidered with delicate lace. The elaborate wardrobes and happy wedding guests gave the audience the illusion that it might be a happy ending after all, but for Dr. Jekyll and Emma, that wasn’t meant to be. As soon as the reverend began to recite the vows, Hyde made his final deadly appearance.

At the beginning of the scene, it was sweet and romantic. Justyn started out holding her hand, looking happy, almost ecstatic to be with his true love. Then he suddenly started to sway. Tom, in his role of John, the best man, tried to steady him, but there wasn’t anything he could do to stop the transformation. Dr. Jekyll doubles over in agony and tries to run before Emma can see him change into a monster. Justyn was supposed to head toward the back of the stage where Rebecca would pursue him and eventually become Hyde’s captive. But they should have known no opening night could ever go exactly as planned, especially when it was obvious at least half the cast was out to get them.

Just as Justyn stumbled across the stage, Steve, who was blending in with the other guests on the sidelines, stuck out his foot. It was doubtful anyone else observed the sabotage, aside from Petya, who was smirking at her husband’s side. But Rebecca was at the perfect vantage point to see the intentional attack. Unfortunately, Justyn was so wrapped up in the role he didn’t notice the danger, especially since his loose hair was dangling in front of his eyes. Before Rebecca could cry out a warning, Justyn’s foot was caught in the snare. With a grunt, he tumbled off the side of the stage. Even over the background music and the gasps from the audience, Rebecca heard the loud thump as he hit the ground. She raised her hands to her mouth and couldn’t help but scream.


Buy Links:    
Amazon      Smashwords    Barnes &Noble


Look Beyond the Facade - Meet The Real People Who Inspired the Characters in Hyde
The third book in the Dark Musicals Trilogy, Hyde, was inspired by the musical Jekyll and Hyde. In the musical, the Dr. Jekyll isn't the only one with two faces--everyone has a few secrets. As they say in their signature song, everyone hides behind their facade. Today I wanted to give my readers a chance to look beyond the facade and meet the real people who inspired some of the characters in Hyde.
Lord Justyn
If you've read the whole series, you've probably met him before, but the real Lord Justyn is definitely worth another mention.  It was his unique personality and remarkable acting abilities that inspired the series more than five years ago. Don't let the leather and fishnet fool you. Lord Justyn is one of the sweetest guys I've ever met and like his namesake he's super talented. An actor, a musician, and a writer, he has it all in one swoon-worthy package.

Carmen
When I started writing Phantom, Carmen was supposed to be based on my friend Viv. That's where she got her ethnic beauty and her Cuban descent, but even in Phantom she started to develop a tough personality that wasn't anything like Viv, who I've never heard utter an obscenity. In Hyde,  Carmen got even tougher, and I think I was channeling another lovely Latina, my editor Tara. Carmen has the same grit and no-nonsense, tell-it-like-it-is attitude.




 Fernando
There are lots of new characters in Hyde. One of them is Fernando, who's based on my own stepfather. He owns the dinner theater where Rebecca and Justyn will be making their professional debut. In real life, he owns Duffy's On The Lake. If that name sounds familiar, it might be because the gang stopped there for dinner in the first chapter of Demon



Steve and Petya
You'll love to hate them in Hyde, but this real life couple are a lot nicer in reality than they are in my book. Meet Steve and Petya. They are servers at our family restaurant, but Steve is also an actor. The one true fact about them, aside from their physical descriptions, that you'll read in Hyde is that Steve really was in a few episodes of Beverly Hills 90210 when he was a teenager. He's hoping to play himself if the books are ever made into movies and he wanted a fun role, so I made him and his wife both have...colorful personalities.
Officer Weston
If you read Hyde, you're going to meet a pair of law enforcement officers. One of them is based on my fellow Pagan Writers Press author Andrew Paul Weston. He is retired now but was a cop in England for many years. Andrew helped me iron out some forensic details in Hyde.



Officer Cusella
And this is Officer Nino Cusella. He plays Andrew's rookie partner in Hyde. He was also my neighbor growing up. When we were kids, he helped me learn to ride my bike without training wheels and we used to try and catch to seagulls with homemade traps. He also introduced me to my ex-husband, but I forgive him for that. LOL Today Nino is is patrolling the streets of our hometown of Wildwood. He helped me iron out the legal details of a few scenes in Hyde as well as appearing as a character.

Darlene & Matt
Darlene AKA Tempest, is Justyn's mother in the Dark Musicals Trilogy. The real Darlene was my High Priestess before she moved out of state. I also made her friend Matt into Justyn's hippie stepfather. While Darlene's personality in the series fits the real Darlene to a tee, the fictional Darlene also shares some of the traits of my friend Tempest, a professional Gothic belly dancer. Tempest is Darlene's stage name in the Dark Musicals Trilogy.





Sherry & Bruce
Sherrie is a little camera shy, so I don't have a photo of her, but I think I painted a pretty accurate picture in Hyde. She stepped into the role of Justyn's grandmother because her feisty Irish spirit, lust for life, and unique style seemed to fit perfectly into this non-traditional family. She is actually the mother one of my old high school classmates, and she's one of the wisest and most caring woman I know. She's has taught me many things, including he fact that your bra makes an excellent storage area. But with her flame red hair and her fierce protective nature, you can believe she's a force to be reckoned with if you get on her bad side. I also gave her husband Bruce a small part as Justyn's grandfather, and while I made his physical appearance similar to Darlene and Justyn, I stayed true to the quiet, conventional nature Sherry has always described when she spoke of her husband.

Dash
Last but certainly not least, there was a very special cameo appearance in Hyde. This little guy is Dash, and he is my publisher Angie's son. Of course, I had to age him a little to fit him into the story, but I  gave him his mom's red hair and a little of his father's personality.

Well, that about wraps up the real faces of Hyde. The story wouldn't be what it is with the help all of these wonderful people provided. This is their story as much as mine and I thank them all for the inspiration.  To get to know them and their alter ego's better, be sure to pick up your copy of Hyde today.

About The Author:

Laura “Luna” DeLuca lives at the beautiful Jersey shore with her husband and four children. She loves writing in the young adult genre because it keeps her young at heart.  In addition to writing fiction, Laura is also the editor of a popular review blog called New Age Mama. She is an active member of her local pagan community, and has been studying Wicca for close to eight years.  Her current works include Destiny, Destiny Unveiled, Phantom, Morrigan, Player, and Demon.



Author Links:  Website      Facebook      Twitter     Goodreads  



Giveaway:
Laura is giving away a signed copy of Phantom, Geode, Incense, sterling silver pentacle charm, natural stone pendant, crystal point, and Lavender Purification Bath Salts. 









Wednesday, August 14, 2013

Lovestruck Giveaway Hop #giveaway #win #ebook


Have you ever been lovestrucked? I'm afraid I have been TOO many times. Yes, I have a list of fictional book boyfriends. They get me every time! Lovestruck! 

I'm happy to say that I am officially lovestruck by my heroes in my novels. So, here's your chance to win one of those novels and to fall instantly in love. 

Your choice between:

Breaking the Rules - Dr. Colin Calaway is a single father, busy raising his son on his own. When he meets Hope Robinson, he is instantly attracted. Having learned the hard way that life is too short to let anything pass him by, he'll do anything to tempt Hope to break the rules and follow her heart!




Time Changes Everything - Jake Edwards is the boy-next-door turned hotshot lawyer. When Amanda and Jake meet up again in New York City, their teenage crushes turn into something much more steamier.








Follow the hop for more chances to win:

Tuesday, August 13, 2013

[Book Tour] Heart Trouble by Jenny Lyn #giveaway #guestpost


Blurb:
Dr. Erin Taylor would rather be strapped to a gurney in her ER than prowling Jacksonville’s newest nightclub in a tight dress and high heels. Forced to do that very thing after losing a bet to a friend, she’s surprised by the sparks flying between her and sexy police detective Sean Rembert.

Sean is supposed to be scoping the bar for leads that might help him catch a serial killer, not letting his neglected libido lead him astray. But the minute he sees the gorgeous blonde headed his direction, all thoughts of work go out the window. Until he discovers Erin is a possible target.

Their connection is red-hot and undeniable, but Erin is in serious danger and Sean will do anything in his power to protect her. Passion explodes between them, then a secret destroys it. Can they overcome the hurt and resentment to find their way back to each other before the killer closes in?



There was something different about Erin, something that didn’t quite mesh with the sex-kitten outfit. The clothes didn’t suit the girl who wore them. She was smart, quick on her feet. She was flirty, but not in an over-the-top, in-your-face kind of way. She didn’t reek of expensive, over-applied perfume and there wasn’t a piece of flashy jewelry to be found on her. Her makeup was tasteful and minimalist. Even her nails were bare of polish, trimmed short and neat.
The pulse at the base of her neck beat rapidly too, belying her calm outward demeanor. Why would a woman who looked like her—who could have any guy in the place with one crook of a finger—be nervous talking to him? It didn’t add up.
“I’m not sure yet,” she said. “I’ll answer that after we’ve talked for a bit.”
He grinned to hide a wave of disappointment. “Okay, I guess that’s fair.”
“Married?” she asked.
The directness of her question caught him a little off guard, since they were flirting with each other, but then he knew there were women out there who wouldn’t be deterred by the presence of a wedding band, or the indention left behind by one hidden away in a pocket. Some of them even sought married men out. She wasn’t one of those women. There was no doubt in his mind if he said yes, Erin would spin on her high heels and leave him choking on her dust.
“No. You?”
“Oh, God no,” she said, as if she found the idea repulsive. “Ever been?”
“Got close once. Caught her in bed with our neighbor and his brother.”
Erin grimaced. “Ouch.”
“Yeah, it hurt for about a day, until I realized they’d done me a huge favor. How ’bout you? Ever been close?”
“No,” she said, glancing down at the drink she held in her hand.
“How’s that possible?”
“I’m a workaholic.” She tapped her temple with a finger. “Kind a have a hard time shutting down, ya know?”
Sean got that. He suffered from the same affliction. “What do you do?”
Her mouth twitched before she took a sip of her drink. “What do you think I do?”
So they were going to play that game. Well, all right then. Normally he wasn’t into games when it came to women. It turned him off faster than a light switch, no matter how beautiful she was. It would take a hell of a lot more than that for this woman to turn him off.
Sean let his eyes drift over her body again, cataloging every curve and freckle. He’d been good up to this point, keeping his gaze trained on her face like a gentleman should, when he wanted to stare at her chest till his eyes bled.
“Lingerie model?”
She smirked. “Not even close.”
“Mechanic?”
She laughed then, a deeply genuine sound that made him want to feel it with his mouth pressed against her throat. “That’s closer than you might think. What about you?”
He grazed the back of her hand with his fingertips. “Wait a second. You dodged an answer.”
“Did I?” she asked, feigning innocence. “I’d rather ask you questions.”
He sighed and shook his head in frustration. Maybe he had to pass some crazy female test. “I’m a cop.”
Her eyebrows shot up, something like wonder filling her eyes. “Cool! Can I see your badge?”
He reached into his front pocket and pulled it out, flipping it over in his palm. When she pursed her lips and nodded, he tucked it away.
She leaned closer until their shoulders touched, lowered her voice to a sexy murmur. “Are you wearing a gun right now?”
Good thing the bar didn’t allow smoking inside. He breathed deep, catching her soft scent. She smelled like…honey? He’d be willing to bet she’d taste like it too. Everywhere.
“Yeah, I’m packing.” Christ, was that ever a loaded statement, considering his dick had been half hard ever since she’d walked up to him.
Her eyes turned smoky. “Oddly, I’m quite turned on by that.”
It was Sean’s turn to laugh out loud at her directness. She sure didn’t pull any punches. He wanted to kiss her right then and there, among other things. “Well, that’s a new one.”
If he wasn’t mistaken, she blushed. “Seriously? A woman has never said the thought of you packing heat is a huge turn on? What’s wrong with the women you’ve dated?”
For one thing, none of them were anything like you. He grew somber, studying her incredible smiling face. The desire to get closer to her was palpable, both physically and intellectually. “You want to get out of here? Go grab a cup of coffee someplace quiet, so we can talk some more?”
Her pretty lips parted to reply. Unfortunately, that was when all hell chose to break loose.

Buy Link:
Available at Loose-iD


GETTING IT RIGHT

As a writer, I owe it to my readers to be as completely authentic with my characters as I can possibly be. This means I have to do my research, and no, looking something up on Wikipedia won’t really cut it.  Occasionally it might suffice for a minor detail, but if I want the reader to believe in my story and my characters, I have to dig a little deeper than that. This is especially important when it comes to my hero’s and heroine’s profession.

For me, one of the most important aspects of drawing a reader in and keeping them turning the pages is believability. Showing them I know what I’m talking about. That I didn’t just pick a random job out of a hat and make up a bunch of nonsense to go along with it. Nothing will jar me out of a story faster than a lack of effort in getting it right by the author. It’s lazy writing, and it’s disrespectful to your reader who most likely paid money to read your work.

In Heart Trouble, my hero, Sean, is a police detective, and my heroine, Erin, is an ER doctor. Those two professions share a few similarities—long work hours, exhaustion, frustration, sometimes even blood—but they are in no way interchangeable. I couldn’t have Sean sewing up a cut on someone’s arm any more than sending Erin after a bad guy with a gun.

Now I will say that when writing cops, you do have a little more wiggle room than you do with doctors. Cops, especially detectives, spend a lot of time policing themselves, if you’ll pardon the pun. They get assignments and they have a set of ethics they’re supposed to abide by, rules they have to follow, but there are no specific guidelines they can use to solve every case because each one is different. In other words, it’s easier to write cops. It also helps if you have cop friends who are willing to answer lots of questions and be interviewed occasionally, which I do.

Doctors, on the other hand, have no room for error. So when I chose to saddle Erin with being an M.D., I knew I was going to have to really up my research game if she was to be believable.  I had to ask questions, write, ask more questions, tweak, confirm facts and procedures and instruments.

There’s one particular scene early in the book where Erin has to act quickly. She’s at a bar with a friend, out of her element, she’d just met an incredibly hot cop, so she’s swimming in a fog of lust, then bam! I hit her over the head with an emergency. She couldn’t ignore it and pretend she was somebody else just so she could keep flirting with Sean, now could she? No, because if she did, you the reader would roll your eyes so hard you’d sprain your eyeballs. You would lose the momentum of the story too. And if by chance you still kept reading and she approached the medical situation all wrong—like say performing an appendectomy with a spork—well, then I’ve truly let you down and I deserve to lose you as a reader.

I guess I could’ve avoided having Erin do anything remotely doctor-like, but for me that’s taking the easy way out. I want you to experience her in all of her glory saving lives, because that makes you empathize with her later when she’s tired or cranky. It might make you more willing to forgive her for certain character flaws as well, because she has a few. After all she’s human underneath those wrinkled scrubs.

I hope you like Erin and Sean in Heart Trouble, and I hope I honored both their noble professions. They work hard and love harder. I think they’re relatable that way. And at the end of a long hard shift, they just want a soft place to land and a warm body to share it with.

Thanks for reading!

Jenny


Jenny's Bio
I started reading when I was four, thanks to a babysitter who found out the only way to get me to sit still (and shut up) was to put a book in my hand. By the time I entered kindergarten, I’d blown through just about every Little Golden Book ever printed. Ten years later, much to my mother’s dismay, I found her stash of paperback romance novels. She tried to divert me back to something more chaste by buying me Harlequins, but I still snuck copies of her Kathleen Woodiwiss’s and Johanna Lindsey’s when she wasn’t looking. Shanna, The Flame and the Flower, and Fires of Winter will always hold special places in my heart because they introduced me to roguish heroes, headstrong heroines, and the trouble they could get into together.

I live with my family in a swampy little corner of north-central Florida, close to the Gulf of Mexico and the historic Suwannee River. It’s hot, humid and full of mosquitos, but I wouldn’t trade it for… actually, I would trade it for a cottage on the beach somewhere in the Keys.

In addition to my website, I can be found saying inappropriate things on Twitter as @JennyLynwrites; on Goodreads; and Amazon at http://www.amazon.com/author/jennylyn.




Heart-Trouble


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Wednesday, August 7, 2013

[Book Review] Knock Love Out by Pella Grace #SwoonRomance #5Stars

Knock Love Out by Pella Grace


"I want to have an affair. Rolling across bed sheets. Pinned against the wall." --Lilla King

This Adult-New Adult mash-up is an extremely steamy contemporary romance that tells the story of Cash, a 24-year-old grocery clerk and Lilla, a 30-something unhappily married woman who fall for one another.

Warren Cash Valentine is an artist moonlighting as a cashier in his family's failing grocery store. 

On the surface he appears to be your typical smart ass, cocky 24 year-old, but underneath lies a man who is highly gifted and passionate about embracing life to the fullest.

Lilla King is a woman stuck in the winter of her life.

At 39 years-old, her marriage and career are failing which leaves her desperate to find a spark that will jump-start her woeful heart and get her back on course to finding her passion for life. 

One man's wife is another man's lover. 

Can you keep a secret?


Knock Love OutKnock Love Out by Pella Grace
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Wow! Just. Wow! I didn't know what to expect when I picked this book up. I don't normally like to read "Cougar" stories or about someone cheating on their spouse. BUT I am SO SO SO happy I bought this. From page one, it had me hooked!

"I want to strangle my husband and slam the door as I leave." Words that I think many women can relate to, but Lilla actually lives through a tough marriage feeling unimportant and unnoticed.

Until Cash steps in. Cash, a much younger guy, is the complete opposite of Lilla's husband and exactly who she needs, so she can be who she needs to be.

Cash is so full of life. So unexpected. Young, yes, but as he would say, "Who gives a fuck?" He embraces life day by day and isn't afraid to love his "honey-girl." He's every woman's fantasty - romantic and real, artistic and full.

"I'm trying to make you see. You're just like the colorful sky, Lilla, this beautiful creation, forgotten. Hidden wonders unseen, by those who don't bother to look any longer. I look. I can see them."

I highlighted so many great words in this book that I can't share them all. It was deep. It was sexy. It was sensational!

Do NOT miss reading this. It's so worth it!



View all my reviews

Monday, August 5, 2013

[Cover Reveal] Rekindled Dreams by Linda Carroll-Bradd



Title: Rekindled Dreams
Author: Linda Carroll-Bradd
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: 7 October 2013

 When museum curator Vena Fenton returns to her small Montana hometown, she’s forced to live under the same roof as the star of her teenage dreams. Enter Finnian Quaid, an environmental lobbyist who is contemplating a run  for state representative.

Finnian needs a more settled image if he wants to progress - he needs a wife. With Vena living under his roof, the answer seems clear. But when the romantic sparks fly, will the just-for-show engagement stay pretend, or deepen into a love that will unsettle both their lives?

About the Author:


As a young girl, Linda was often found lying on her bed reading about fascinating characters having exciting adventures in places far away and in other time periods. In later years, she read and then started writing romances and achieved her first publication--a confession story. Married with 4 adult children and 2 granddaughters, Linda now writes heartwarming contemporary and historical stories with a touch of humor from her home in the southern California mountains.

You can find Linda here: