Category: Books & Authors

Kensington historical romance author Christie Kelley visits the blog tomorrow. Christie and her family recently underwent a major house remodeling, so naturally she’s writing about Writing in Hell. I’ve been in Christie’s position before, although as an unpub, so I kinda know what she’s talking about. I can’t imagine writing to a deadline while undergoing a major remodel, however. Yikes.

Yes, we’ll share the Before and After photos of her house. As if that’s not enough incentive to drop by, Christie’s also giving away a copy of her March release, EVERY TIME WE KISS.

Here’s the back cover copy:

It’s been five years since Lady Jennette Selby’s fiancé died. Each courting season since has been filled with suitors eager to win her affection. But Jennette’s guilt has prompted her to swear off marriage. For her secrets are as dark as she is beautiful, and the accidental death of her fiancé was tainted by a forbidden attraction…

Matthew Harris, the new earl of Blackburn, has been scorned by the ton for unintentionally killing Lady Jennette’s fiancé. Forced to sell his estates and abandon his tenants if he does not marry a wealthy, respectable woman, Matthew turns to Lady Jennette to help him find a suitable wife. But sharing such close quarters only re-ignites an all-consuming desire neither can resist-even as every shadow of the past threatens to tear them apart.

About Christie:

A former software developer, Christie Kelley is the author of two historical romances for Kensington. EVERY NIGHT I’M YOURS was a February 2008 release and EVERY TIME WE KISS is a March 2009 release. She is a former Golden Heart finalist and won the 2008 Golden Leaf Contest for Best Historical. Christie lives in Maryland with her husband and two sons.

To learn more about Christie and her books, please visit her website.

Please join me tomorrow to welcome Natale Stenzel, author of funny paranormal romances for Dorchester Love Spell, to the blog. BETWEEN A ROCK AND A HEART PLACE, Natale’s third in a series, recently received 4.5 Stars from Romantic Times BOOKReviews! Whoot-whoot, Natale.

The reviewer says BETWEEN A ROCK AND A HEART PLACE is “full of magic, familiar faces, some humor, some mystery, hot sex and wonderful characters. This is a story created to be read quickly yet savored slowly….” Yum, yum. Don’t mind if I do.

Also, please note that Natale really loves E’s. She loves ’em so much that somehow, while still in utero, she convinced her mother to spell Natale without a dratted I, thereby drawing attention to the E. Yes! A woman after my own heart (I had to get a plug for Procter spelled with an E in there somewhere).

But enough about E’s. Here’s the back cover copy for BETWEEN A ROCK AND A HEART PLACE:

Daphne Forbes always knew the world was an odd place. Unlike most CPAs, she grew up the daughter of a druid. Unlike her father, she eschewed the supernatural. But magic was coming to trip her up. In the form of an enchanted cornerstone, it was set to knock Daphne’s socks off—or at least one of her shoes—and the rest of her clothes were soon to follow.

Magic filled Daphne, empowered her, shifted her shape and raged wild as a summer storm. Enter Tremayne. Whether the tormented newcomer was truly her guardian or something more sinister, one thing he wanted was clear. Daphne wanted him, too. She had spent her whole life with control but little power; this was just the opposite. She was suddenly between a magic stone and…someplace harder. And we’re not (just) talking about Tremayne’s abs.

Natale’s blog, Must the Shoes Also be Caught BETWEEN A ROCK AND A HEART PLACE?, is a hoot. Not to be missed. Says me. And you all know I must be obeyed.

Tomorrow, please leave a comment or question for Natale to enter to win a copy of your choice of either PANDORA’S BOX or THE DRUID MADE ME DO IT, both prequels to BETWEEN A ROCK AND A HEART PLACE.

About Natale:

An avid reader and an incurable writer, Natale Stenzel has sold seven books for publication so far. The latest three are a series of funny paranormal romances published by Dorchester Love Spell. PANDORA’S BOX, the first book in the series, was released in February 2008; THE DRUID MADE ME DO IT was an August 2008 release; and a third book, BETWEEN A ROCK AND A HEART PLACE, is scheduled for release in March 2009. Prior to the paranormal romance series, she wrote four books for Harlequin’s now defunct Flipside line of romantic comedies. Born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri, Natale earned degrees in English literature and magazine journalism from the University of Missouri-Columbia. Currently, she resides in Richmond, Virginia, with a husband, two kids and a shamefully spoiled hound.

To learn more about Natale and her books, please visit her website.

A weekend post! This is a rare occurrence, indeed.

Tomorrow, I welcome Superromance author Susan Gable to the blog. Susan is one of those rare individuals who sold the second book she wrote to a major publisher. (Yes, for non-writers reading this, it’s rare to sell a first or second book to a major house. Many romance writers write 4 or 5 or even 10 complete manuscripts before they make their first sale). That story, THE BABY PLAN, went on  to become a RITA finalist for Best First Book in 2003. Now Susan’s back with her 5th Superromance, A KID TO THE RESCUE, which she’s giving away tomorrow during her blog on Hero Shopping.

Here’s the Back Cover Copy for A KID TO THE RESCUE:

You can’t lose what you don’t try to keep…

Shannon Vanderhoff learned early that everything in life is fleeting. That’s why she won’t let herself get attached to anything. Or anyone. Not the traumatized little boy in her care. And definitely not art therapist Greg Hawkins, who seems as determined to care for her as he is to heal her nephew.

Like a character from one of his comic books, Greg has swooped in to their rescue, empowering the child…and loving the woman. But it takes the two of them to turn the boy’s life around. And it takes a kid with special powers all his own to create a loving family.

Tomorrow, leave a comment for Susan to enter for a chance to win A KID TO THE RESCUE. Entries will be accepted Monday, February 9th, until midnight, PST.

About Susan:

Susan Gable has five books with Harlequin’s Superromance line.  Her books have been Rita and Golden Heart Finalists, she’s been a Waldenbooks Bestseller, been twice nominated for Romantic Time’s Best Superromance of the Year, and she’s won numerous other awards, including the National Readers’ Choice Award.  Her new book, A KID TO THE RESCUE, on shelves now, got 4.5 Stars and a Top Pick from RT. Visit Susan’s website at www.SusanGable.com.

That’s tomorrow, February 4th!

I couldn’t put “Tomorrow” in the blog title like I usually do, because it’s a long title and I don’t know how to format it to left justify. If my blog titles are too long, they full justify, which annoys me to no end. Sooner or later, I’ll get into my style sheet and permanently change the full title justifying to left, but Elle won’t let me play with the blog style sheet until I finish my WIP.

Enough about me! I’m here to introduce my first-ever co-author guest bloggers, Karen Tintori and Jill Gregory. Authors of the international bestseller, THE BOOK OF NAMES, Karen and Jill are blogging about superstitions and the research behind their new thriller, THE ILLUMINATION. It’s a great blog, too. They wrote it just like they write their books—together. The format reminds me a lot of my old Girl Talk columns with Jamie Sobrato, so of course I think it’s spectacular and very effective.

Here’s the back cover copy for THE ILLUMINATION:

It gleamed up at her like a small golden egg encrusted with jewels of lapis lazuli, carnelian, and jasper. The classic eye, one of the most ancient symbols of protection.

Natalie Landau, a museum curator with an expertise in Mesopotamian protective amulets and magical beliefs, has received a puzzling gift from her sister Dana—a necklace with a blue evil eye pendant on it. The Evil Eye is a symbol of protection common throughout the world, with a history connecting it to many religions.

When Natalie learns Dana was murdered only hours after sending the gift, she begins to think her evil eye amulet had something to do with her sister’s death. As she races to discover the origin of the pendant, Natalie is sucked into an international battle between powerful religious factions, each battling for the eye, which turns out to be far more valuable?and far more powerful—than she could ever imagine.

Tomorrow, ask a question or leave a comment for Karen and Jill to enter for your chance to win a copy of THE ILLUMINATION. Entries will be accepted until midnight, February 4th, Pacific Standard Time.

ABOUT KAREN & JILL:

Karen Tintori and Jill Gregory are writing partners and long-time best friends who’ve collaborated together on five books and are also multi-published separately. Their recent thriller, THE BOOK OF NAMES, became an international bestseller published in 22 countries. They return this month with THE ILLUMINATION, another page-turning thriller based on the quest for a little known biblical artifact that has the power to transform—or destroy—the world.

To learn more about Karen and Jill, please visit their websites by clicking their names.

See you tomorrow!