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romance writer

Belated Releases Giveaway!

I have two sweet friends who released books last week–and I completely missed their release days!

Life has gotten away from me, but I don’t want these great books to get away from you! So I’m celebrating these releases with a big giveaway! All you have to do is help us spread the word about these saucy new books and you could win 1 of 10 books or 1 of 5 gift cards!


The first new release I’d like to tell you about is one I’ve read myself. CAN’T GO WITHOUT by Angelisa Stone, is book two in her Oasis Waterfall series. This book is an emotionally riveting read. Angelisa creates characters to die for and a hero to drool over.

 

cgwCAN’T GO WITHOUT
“What’s the one thing you can’t go without?”

Tristan O’Donnell has money, women, and all the luxuries that cold hard cash can buy. Tristan’s been sucking sunshine right from the monogrammed silver spoon his life was served up on since the day he was born. And quite frankly, he wouldn’t want it any other way. He’s his mother’s pride and joy, his father’s right-hand-man, and the envy of every guy around. All Tristan has to do is flash his million dollar smile, give his trademark wink, and he gets what he wants, when he wants, anytime he wants.

Leah Franchetti grinds her fingers to the bone; sculpting, painting, recreating treasures from trash—the very sentiment that defines her life. Her inventive, vindictive, lucrative, and seemingly unforgivable plan allowed her to shortcut her way into the life she always imagined, owning an art gallery, surrounding herself in the comfort of her passion and dreams.

When circumstances force Leah and Tristan to come face-to-face with the past and with Leah’s devious manipulation, truths come flooding forth, destroying those in the present and possibly jeopardizing both of their highly anticipated futures. Can Tristan overcome Leah’s slander and deception—despite how dangerously close he comes to losing the one thing he can’t go without—money? Will Leah be forced to come clean, knowing she’ll have to live her life with the one thing she can’t go without—her dignity?

Pick up CAN’T GO WITHOUT at Amazon | Barnes & Noble

 


 

And the second release is CATCH ‘N’ KISS by Rhian Cahill. Are you game?

CatchNKiss300CATCH ‘N’ KISS

In this game of chase, a kiss isn’t the only reward.

Are You Game? Book 2

Divorced with two teenage daughters, Jody Walsh doesn’t need any more complications in her life, and Dan O’Conner is proving to be a big one. His pursuit may give her bruised ego a much-needed boost, but Jody’s learned to guard her heart and trust is something she isn’t willing to give another man no matter how well he kisses.

One kiss and Dan knows what he wants. He isn’t about to walk away from the kind of chemistry he and Jody have. Unfortunately, the more he chases the more she runs. If only he could get her running in his direction.

When a night of passion doesn’t convince her they’re meant to be, Dan is left with no choice but to prove he’s worth taking a risk on, no matter how much he complicates her life.

Warning: Story contains a woman not willing to put her heart at risk and a man determined to persuade her otherwise—and he’s willing to use his washing machine to show her why he’s worth it.

Pick up CATCH ‘N’ KISS at Amazon | Barnes & Noble

 


 Now…Enter to WIN book 1 in these two series’ or 1 of 5 gift cards! Easy entry!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Career Author Jackie Braun Celebrates 25th Release!!

>Welcome my guest author today — Jackie Braun. Jackie She sold her first book to Silhouette Romance in late 1999 and started writing under the Harlequin Romance banner with the release of her third book in 2004.

Today’s release, MR. RIGHT THERE ALL ALONG is Jackie’s 25th published novel — yes, you read that right! 25th! And today she answers interview questions about longevity in publishing and her own writing style. Plus, we’ve got an excerpt AND a giveaway!!

Comment to enter to win a copy of Jackie’s August release,
MR. RIGHT THERE ALL ALONG

Jackie, you worked as an award winning journalist for 17 years before leaving to write full time. Can you talk a little about that transition?

It wasn’t as difficult as I expected from a creative and time-management standpoint. I had a 3-year-old at the time and was already very good at multitasking. The big transition was getting used to not having a regular paycheck. That was hard — going from getting paid every week to wondering when the next check would come or, in the case of royalties, how much it would be. I did a lot of freelance for the newspaper still, including writing a weekly column. I invoiced them monthly. So that helped. The really big help, though, was my husband. He’s in charge of our household budget. If you could see the Excel spreadsheets he keeps to determine where every penny goes, you’d be green with envy. The man is a god. (And he has a cute butt!)

You worked for 5 years as both a full time journalist and a full time writer. As an author struggling with this very problem – day job and writing – what tips can you give for maintaining sanity while progressing as authors?

Ah, you assume I maintained my sanity. Ha! And double ha! Seriously, I got up early every day – we’re talking 4 a.m. There was no other way around it.

This is your 25th book! Happy Anniversary! What are the key character elements writers need to stay successful in this business for that long?

Gosh, I’m not sure I know. I will say I wasn’t willing to fail or give up. Life has a way of raining on your parade. During the time I wrote those 25 books I lost my brother to cancer, my grandmother, my mother-in-law to cancer, my dad and my father-in-law to cancer. My husband and I built a house. I left a career and became self-employed. We adopted two children, including a so-called “special needs” toddler from China. My husband was diagnosed with cancer and beat it. On and on and on … People talk about writer’s block, but when you’re a professional writer, you don’t have that option. You just write.

Your books often contain humor. I’ve found humor very difficult to write. Is there a trick to writing humor?

I don’t know. My husband and I like to laugh. We find it preferable to the alternative. I can remember times in our marriage when it felt like the world was falling apart and laughter saved us. So, in addition to writing about people’s struggles, humor just naturally leaks into my stories.

What, in your opinion, are the most important elements of good writing?

Believable characters even when they are doing the seemingly unbelievable. Readers need to relate to your characters.

How do you develop your plots and characters? Do you use any set formula?

Nope. I’m a fly-by-the-seat-of-my-pants kind of gal.

What were your feelings when your first novel was accepted/when you first saw the cover of the finished product?

Immense satisfaction and pride.

What tools do you feel are must-haves for writers?

A room of your own and quiet time to work.

What dreams have been realized as a result of your writing?

I’m able to be home with my kids. This makes me crazy during deadlines, especially in the summer, but it’s worth it. My boys are 6 and 11 now. I’m going to blink and they’ll both be grown and gone.

How long does it take you to write a book?

Depends on the book. Some books all but write themselves, in which case we’re talking two to three months. Others, four or five months.

What is your work schedule like when you’re writing?

I write every day. I currently do about 24 hours a week of freelance as a journalist. Since the deadlines for that are pretty much daily, I fit my book writing around that.

What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?

I don’t know that I have one.

What do you like to do when you’re not writing?

In the summer I like to poke around in my flowerbeds. I love gardening, even though it’s a constant battle to keep the bugs and critters from mowing down all of my perennials.

What does your family think of your writing?

They are really proud of me. I’m blessed to have such great support.

What was one of the most surprising things you learned in writing your books?

Sometimes my characters take off and do something I wasn’t planning. I always follow their lead.

Which is your favorite of the books you have written? 

“In the Shelter of His Arms.” It came out in 2005 and was named Harlequin Romance of the Year by RT.

What do you think makes a good story?

Believable characters, great conflict and an emotional payoff for readers.

What are you reading now?

You mean besides children’s books with my kids? I’m reading “Bed of Roses,” the second book in Nora Roberts’ Bride Quartet series.

What new author has grasped your interest? 

None at the moment, but then my TBR pile is overflowing.

What are the hardest/easiest scenes to write?

For me, the hardest scenes are love scenes. The easiest, those that include humor.

What are your writing strength/weaknesses?

Really? You’re asking me that? I plead the Fifth.

Who are some of your favorite authors and what really strikes you about their work?

I love Nora Roberts, Susan Elizabeth Phillips, Sandra Brown, Barbara Delinsky, LaVyrle Spencer (Gosh, I wish she hadn’t retired), Jennifer Weiner, Liz Fielding … Again, it comes down to characters for me. They all write amazing characters.

Can you share a little of your current work with us?

When she spied the invitation amid the pile of bills and junk mail, Chloe McDaniels’s lips pulled back in a sneer. She’d been expecting it, but that didn’t make her reaction any less visceral.

Tillman High School’s Class of 2001 was set to celebrate its ten-year reunion.

Chloe did not have fond memories of her New Jersey high school. In fact, she’d spent her four years at Tillman ducking into bathroom stalls and janitors’ broom closets to avoid the unholy trinity of Natasha Bradford, Faith Ellerman and Tamara Kingsley.

She’d known the girls since grade school. They’d never been friends, but neither had they been enemies… until the start of their freshman year when, for reasons that had never been terribly clear to Chloe, she’d become their favorite target.

Literally.

Somehow on that first, already awkward day of high school, they managed to attach a “Kick Me” sign to the back of her shirt just before the start of first period. It was the last time Chloe ever accepted a friendly back slap without taking a gander over her shoulder afterward. As cruel pranks went, it wasn’t terribly original, but it was effective. She’d taken enough sneakers to the seat of her favorite jeans to feel like a soccer ball.

Then, between third period and lunch, Simon Ford had happened along.

“You might not want to wear this,” he’d said simply, removing the sign and handing it to Chloe. That was his way. Understated.

Good old Simon. He always had her back. Or backside, as the case had been. They’d been friends since his family had moved into her family’s apartment building at the start of third grade and their friendship continued to this day. Thinking of him now, Chloe picked up the phone before realizing the time. It was well after five on a Friday. He was probably out with his girlfriend.

Chloe realized she was sneering again. Well, it couldn’t be helped. She didn’t like Sara. The long-limbed and lithe blonde was too…too…perfect.

She glanced down at the invitation. Perfect Sara would never find herself in this position. Perfect Sara would have been the homecoming queen and the prom queen and the every other kind of queen at her high school. Unlike Chloe, whose only class recognition had come in the form of “curliest hair” and “most freckles.”

Yeah, that was what a girl wanted to be remembered for, all right.

Her gut told her to ball up the invitation in a wad, spit on it and, with expletives she knew in four languages, send it whizzing into the trash can. Her heart was a different matter. It was telling her to reach for a spoon and the pint of mint chocolate chip ice cream in her freezer.

Diet in mind, she went with her gut. Sort of.

She lavished the invitation with every foreign epithet she could think of before heaving it in the trash. But, while she bypassed the ice cream, she booted up her computer and downloaded a recipe from her favorite cable cooking show, Susie Kay’s Comfort Foods. If it was all but guaranteed to clog the arteries and contribute to heart disease, Susie Kay made it.

Tonight’s dinner selection was a case in point. Macaroni and cheese with not one, but four kinds of cheese and enough butter and calories that Chloe swore her clothes fit tighter just reading the ingredients. Not good considering she was already wearing her fat pants.

Actually, the pants were elastic-waist exercise gear that she didn’t exercise in but instead reserved for days when she felt particularly bloated. Today was just such a day. Strap a few cables to her and she would be right at home gliding down Sixth Avenue like one of those huge helium balloons in the annual Thanksgiving Day parade. Even so, that didn’t keep her from making the mac and cheese and eating half of the six servings.

The wine she poured for herself was an afterthought. She’d been saving the pricey bottle of cabernet sauvignon for a special occasion. This definitely was not it, but three glasses later, she didn’t care.

Chloe set the wine aside and went to her stereo. Music. That’s what she needed now. Something with a wicked beat and a lot of bass. Something she could dance to with reckless abandon and maybe work off a few extra calories in the process. She chose…Celine Dion.

As one weepy ballad after another filled Chloe’s Lower East Side studio apartment, her willpower wilted like the water-deprived basil plant on her kitchen windowsill. Again muttering foreign curses, this time aimed at herself, she fished the crumpled invitation out of the trash. When the telephone rang, she was still sitting on the kitchen floor smoothing out the wrinkles.

It was Simon.

“Hey, Chloe. What are you doing?”

Anyone else—her older and uber-chic sister, Frannie, for instance—and Chloe would have felt compelled to come up with some elaborate reason why she could be found home alone on the official start of the weekend.

Since it was Simon, she confessed, “Drinking wine, wearing Lycra and listening to the soundtrack from Titanic.”

“No ice cream?”

How well he knew her. Despite her best intentions, the mint chocolate chip was next on her list. “Not yet.”

“Want some company?” he asked.

Did she ever. She and Simon always had a good time together, whether it involved going out or just hanging out. Still, his question surprised her. Wasn’t he supposed to be with his girlfriend tonight? She liked thinking he’d throw over Perfect Sara to be with Comfortable Chloe. Liked it so much that she immediately felt guilty. She was a terrible friend. To make up for it, she would share her ice cream and what was left of the wine. “When can I expect you?”

“Right now. I’m standing on the other side of your apartment door.”

If he were a boyfriend—not that Chloe had had one of those in several months—this news would have sent her into a panic. Her apartment was a mess. For that matter, so was she. Her red hair was a riot of curls thanks to the day’s high humidity. And what little makeup she’d applied that morning was long gone. But this was Simon. Simon, she reminded herself, after a glance down at her unflattering attire had her wanting to flee to her bedroom and change.

It was sad to admit, but he’d seen her looking worse. Much worse. Such as when she came down with the chicken pox in the sixth grade or the time in high school when she’d succumbed to salmonella after her cousin Ellen’s bridal shower. Aunt Myrtle made the chicken salad, which was why, henceforth, the woman was only allowed to bring paper products or plastic cutlery to family gatherings. The coup de grace, of course, was last December. Three days shy of Christmas, the guy Chloe had been dating for the previous six months dumped her.

Via text message.

And she’d already bought him a gift, a Rolex watch, which she couldn’t return since the street vendor who’d sold her the incredibly authentic-looking knockoff had moved to a new location.

So, now, she flung open the door, feeling only mildly embarrassed by what her hair was doing, by the mac-and-cheese stains on her shirt or the fact that her lips had probably turned a slightly clownish shade of purple from the wine she’d enjoyed.

“Hey, Simon.”

Where can we find you online?

Website: www.jackiebraun.com
Facebook: as Romance Author Jackie Braun 

Remember: Comment to enter to win a copy of Jackie’s August release, MR. RIGHT THERE ALL ALONG
**US/Canada shipping only**

*MUST leave a contact email to win*

>Career Author Jackie Braun Celebrates 25th Release!!

>Welcome my guest author today — Jackie Braun. Jackie She sold her first book to Silhouette Romance in late 1999 and started writing under the Harlequin Romance banner with the release of her third book in 2004.

Today’s release, MR. RIGHT THERE ALL ALONG is Jackie’s 25th published novel — yes, you read that right! 25th! And today she answers interview questions about longevity in publishing and her own writing style. Plus, we’ve got an excerpt AND a giveaway!!

Comment to enter to win a copy of Jackie’s August release,
MR. RIGHT THERE ALL ALONG

Jackie, you worked as an award winning journalist for 17 years before leaving to write full time. Can you talk a little about that transition?

It wasn’t as difficult as I expected from a creative and time-management standpoint. I had a 3-year-old at the time and was already very good at multitasking. The big transition was getting used to not having a regular paycheck. That was hard — going from getting paid every week to wondering when the next check would come or, in the case of royalties, how much it would be. I did a lot of freelance for the newspaper still, including writing a weekly column. I invoiced them monthly. So that helped. The really big help, though, was my husband. He’s in charge of our household budget. If you could see the Excel spreadsheets he keeps to determine where every penny goes, you’d be green with envy. The man is a god. (And he has a cute butt!)

You worked for 5 years as both a full time journalist and a full time writer. As an author struggling with this very problem – day job and writing – what tips can you give for maintaining sanity while progressing as authors?

Ah, you assume I maintained my sanity. Ha! And double ha! Seriously, I got up early every day – we’re talking 4 a.m. There was no other way around it.

This is your 25th book! Happy Anniversary! What are the key character elements writers need to stay successful in this business for that long?

Gosh, I’m not sure I know. I will say I wasn’t willing to fail or give up. Life has a way of raining on your parade. During the time I wrote those 25 books I lost my brother to cancer, my grandmother, my mother-in-law to cancer, my dad and my father-in-law to cancer. My husband and I built a house. I left a career and became self-employed. We adopted two children, including a so-called “special needs” toddler from China. My husband was diagnosed with cancer and beat it. On and on and on … People talk about writer’s block, but when you’re a professional writer, you don’t have that option. You just write.

Your books often contain humor. I’ve found humor very difficult to write. Is there a trick to writing humor?

I don’t know. My husband and I like to laugh. We find it preferable to the alternative. I can remember times in our marriage when it felt like the world was falling apart and laughter saved us. So, in addition to writing about people’s struggles, humor just naturally leaks into my stories.

What, in your opinion, are the most important elements of good writing?

Believable characters even when they are doing the seemingly unbelievable. Readers need to relate to your characters.

How do you develop your plots and characters? Do you use any set formula?

Nope. I’m a fly-by-the-seat-of-my-pants kind of gal.

What were your feelings when your first novel was accepted/when you first saw the cover of the finished product?

Immense satisfaction and pride.

What tools do you feel are must-haves for writers?

A room of your own and quiet time to work.

What dreams have been realized as a result of your writing?

I’m able to be home with my kids. This makes me crazy during deadlines, especially in the summer, but it’s worth it. My boys are 6 and 11 now. I’m going to blink and they’ll both be grown and gone.

How long does it take you to write a book?

Depends on the book. Some books all but write themselves, in which case we’re talking two to three months. Others, four or five months.

What is your work schedule like when you’re writing?

I write every day. I currently do about 24 hours a week of freelance as a journalist. Since the deadlines for that are pretty much daily, I fit my book writing around that.

What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?

I don’t know that I have one.

What do you like to do when you’re not writing?

In the summer I like to poke around in my flowerbeds. I love gardening, even though it’s a constant battle to keep the bugs and critters from mowing down all of my perennials.

What does your family think of your writing?

They are really proud of me. I’m blessed to have such great support.

What was one of the most surprising things you learned in writing your books?

Sometimes my characters take off and do something I wasn’t planning. I always follow their lead.

Which is your favorite of the books you have written? 

“In the Shelter of His Arms.” It came out in 2005 and was named Harlequin Romance of the Year by RT.

What do you think makes a good story?

Believable characters, great conflict and an emotional payoff for readers.

What are you reading now?

You mean besides children’s books with my kids? I’m reading “Bed of Roses,” the second book in Nora Roberts’ Bride Quartet series.

What new author has grasped your interest? 

None at the moment, but then my TBR pile is overflowing.

What are the hardest/easiest scenes to write?

For me, the hardest scenes are love scenes. The easiest, those that include humor.

What are your writing strength/weaknesses?

Really? You’re asking me that? I plead the Fifth.

Who are some of your favorite authors and what really strikes you about their work?

I love Nora Roberts, Susan Elizabeth Phillips, Sandra Brown, Barbara Delinsky, LaVyrle Spencer (Gosh, I wish she hadn’t retired), Jennifer Weiner, Liz Fielding … Again, it comes down to characters for me. They all write amazing characters.

Can you share a little of your current work with us?

When she spied the invitation amid the pile of bills and junk mail, Chloe McDaniels’s lips pulled back in a sneer. She’d been expecting it, but that didn’t make her reaction any less visceral.

Tillman High School’s Class of 2001 was set to celebrate its ten-year reunion.

Chloe did not have fond memories of her New Jersey high school. In fact, she’d spent her four years at Tillman ducking into bathroom stalls and janitors’ broom closets to avoid the unholy trinity of Natasha Bradford, Faith Ellerman and Tamara Kingsley.

She’d known the girls since grade school. They’d never been friends, but neither had they been enemies… until the start of their freshman year when, for reasons that had never been terribly clear to Chloe, she’d become their favorite target.

Literally.

Somehow on that first, already awkward day of high school, they managed to attach a “Kick Me” sign to the back of her shirt just before the start of first period. It was the last time Chloe ever accepted a friendly back slap without taking a gander over her shoulder afterward. As cruel pranks went, it wasn’t terribly original, but it was effective. She’d taken enough sneakers to the seat of her favorite jeans to feel like a soccer ball.

Then, between third period and lunch, Simon Ford had happened along.

“You might not want to wear this,” he’d said simply, removing the sign and handing it to Chloe. That was his way. Understated.

Good old Simon. He always had her back. Or backside, as the case had been. They’d been friends since his family had moved into her family’s apartment building at the start of third grade and their friendship continued to this day. Thinking of him now, Chloe picked up the phone before realizing the time. It was well after five on a Friday. He was probably out with his girlfriend.

Chloe realized she was sneering again. Well, it couldn’t be helped. She didn’t like Sara. The long-limbed and lithe blonde was too…too…perfect.

She glanced down at the invitation. Perfect Sara would never find herself in this position. Perfect Sara would have been the homecoming queen and the prom queen and the every other kind of queen at her high school. Unlike Chloe, whose only class recognition had come in the form of “curliest hair” and “most freckles.”

Yeah, that was what a girl wanted to be remembered for, all right.

Her gut told her to ball up the invitation in a wad, spit on it and, with expletives she knew in four languages, send it whizzing into the trash can. Her heart was a different matter. It was telling her to reach for a spoon and the pint of mint chocolate chip ice cream in her freezer.

Diet in mind, she went with her gut. Sort of.

She lavished the invitation with every foreign epithet she could think of before heaving it in the trash. But, while she bypassed the ice cream, she booted up her computer and downloaded a recipe from her favorite cable cooking show, Susie Kay’s Comfort Foods. If it was all but guaranteed to clog the arteries and contribute to heart disease, Susie Kay made it.

Tonight’s dinner selection was a case in point. Macaroni and cheese with not one, but four kinds of cheese and enough butter and calories that Chloe swore her clothes fit tighter just reading the ingredients. Not good considering she was already wearing her fat pants.

Actually, the pants were elastic-waist exercise gear that she didn’t exercise in but instead reserved for days when she felt particularly bloated. Today was just such a day. Strap a few cables to her and she would be right at home gliding down Sixth Avenue like one of those huge helium balloons in the annual Thanksgiving Day parade. Even so, that didn’t keep her from making the mac and cheese and eating half of the six servings.

The wine she poured for herself was an afterthought. She’d been saving the pricey bottle of cabernet sauvignon for a special occasion. This definitely was not it, but three glasses later, she didn’t care.

Chloe set the wine aside and went to her stereo. Music. That’s what she needed now. Something with a wicked beat and a lot of bass. Something she could dance to with reckless abandon and maybe work off a few extra calories in the process. She chose…Celine Dion.

As one weepy ballad after another filled Chloe’s Lower East Side studio apartment, her willpower wilted like the water-deprived basil plant on her kitchen windowsill. Again muttering foreign curses, this time aimed at herself, she fished the crumpled invitation out of the trash. When the telephone rang, she was still sitting on the kitchen floor smoothing out the wrinkles.

It was Simon.

“Hey, Chloe. What are you doing?”

Anyone else—her older and uber-chic sister, Frannie, for instance—and Chloe would have felt compelled to come up with some elaborate reason why she could be found home alone on the official start of the weekend.

Since it was Simon, she confessed, “Drinking wine, wearing Lycra and listening to the soundtrack from Titanic.”

“No ice cream?”

How well he knew her. Despite her best intentions, the mint chocolate chip was next on her list. “Not yet.”

“Want some company?” he asked.

Did she ever. She and Simon always had a good time together, whether it involved going out or just hanging out. Still, his question surprised her. Wasn’t he supposed to be with his girlfriend tonight? She liked thinking he’d throw over Perfect Sara to be with Comfortable Chloe. Liked it so much that she immediately felt guilty. She was a terrible friend. To make up for it, she would share her ice cream and what was left of the wine. “When can I expect you?”

“Right now. I’m standing on the other side of your apartment door.”

If he were a boyfriend—not that Chloe had had one of those in several months—this news would have sent her into a panic. Her apartment was a mess. For that matter, so was she. Her red hair was a riot of curls thanks to the day’s high humidity. And what little makeup she’d applied that morning was long gone. But this was Simon. Simon, she reminded herself, after a glance down at her unflattering attire had her wanting to flee to her bedroom and change.

It was sad to admit, but he’d seen her looking worse. Much worse. Such as when she came down with the chicken pox in the sixth grade or the time in high school when she’d succumbed to salmonella after her cousin Ellen’s bridal shower. Aunt Myrtle made the chicken salad, which was why, henceforth, the woman was only allowed to bring paper products or plastic cutlery to family gatherings. The coup de grace, of course, was last December. Three days shy of Christmas, the guy Chloe had been dating for the previous six months dumped her.

Via text message.

And she’d already bought him a gift, a Rolex watch, which she couldn’t return since the street vendor who’d sold her the incredibly authentic-looking knockoff had moved to a new location.

So, now, she flung open the door, feeling only mildly embarrassed by what her hair was doing, by the mac-and-cheese stains on her shirt or the fact that her lips had probably turned a slightly clownish shade of purple from the wine she’d enjoyed.

“Hey, Simon.”

Where can we find you online?

Website: www.jackiebraun.com
Facebook: as Romance Author Jackie Braun 

Remember: Comment to enter to win a copy of Jackie’s August release, MR. RIGHT THERE ALL ALONG
**US/Canada shipping only**

*MUST leave a contact email to win*

New Year’s Giveaway: Day 8, Addison Fox

>Addison Fox is … you guessed it … another Twitter buddy. We have never met in person, but I have enjoyed her camaraderie on-line.

When I saw WARRIOR ASCENDED in the bookstore and popped the book open to somewhere about the first third and started reading (my typical habit with an author new to me), I was immediately taken my the cadence of her voice.  Then I read the jacket copy and I was hooked.  Then I found out that WARRIOR AVENGED is the first of her series and I had to buy it…because I never read out of order.

Needless to say, I’m a fan.  After today, I hope you’ll be a fan, too, because Addison has generously donated 4 — yes FOUR — copies of her books to give away.  2 copies of WARRIOR ASCENDED & 2 copies of WARRIOR AVENGED.

Up For Win Today:
2 copies of Warrior Avengened
2 copies of Warrior Ascended

To enter:
Follow me on Twitter: @joanswan & send me a tweet with #newyear in the message. (Tweet Here)

Book Summary:
Warrior Avenged
Book 2: The Sons of the Zodiac

For ages, the goddess Nemesis has sought divine vengeance against mortal man, as she awaits her chance for retaliation against Mount Olympus. Now, after making a deal with a dark wizard, she has reinvented herself as a female spy with her own sinister agenda…

Immortal warrior Kane Montague is as lethal as a Scorpion – like the one that marks his powerful form. As an assassin for MI-6, he was an ace gun-for-hire until someone very close burned him. Now on the outs with his former colleagues, Kane knows all too well who’s to blame: a sexy secret agent named Ilsa.

When their paths cross again, the passion between Kane and Ilsa is irresistible…and possibly lethal. But they soon realize that Ilsa is simply a pawn in a conspiracy aimed at the heart of the Zodiac Warriors. Can Kane trust her? Or is Ilsa the only one who can save him, body and soul?

Warrior Ascended: Book 1: The Sons of the Zodiac
Millennia ago, the Goddess of Justice created a race of fierce Warriors, each imbued with a special power of the Zodiac, charged with protecting humanity from the darkest of evils.

Charming, proud, and impulsive, Leo Warrior Brody Talbot is fighting what may be his final battle. Enyo, the Goddess of War, plans to fulfill an ancient prophecy to destroy humanity by harnessing the dark power of the Summoning Stones of Egypt—and there’s only one person who knows enough about the stones to help Brody diminish their strength.

Since her father’s murder, museum curator Ava Harrison has continued his research of Egypt’s ancient treasures. She’s just landed the exhibit of a century, displaying the Summoning Stones at New York’s Natural History Museum. Used to working alone, Ava is suspicious of the arrogant archeologist who’s been brought in to ensure the stones safekeeping–but his presence ignites an unexpected blaze of attraction.

Never in all his centuries has Brody met a woman who enthralls him like Ava. But, bound to protect her, he struggles to deny his passion as they are drawn into a dark and dangerous final reckoning between good and evil.

Upcoming Releases:

  • 2011, Warrior Betrayed – Book 3 in the Sons of the Zodiac series
  • 2011, The Bachelor Game – Book 1 of the Alaskan Nights Trilogy

“I’m really excited to be writing the dark, sexy paranormals and fun, hot contemporaries. There will be another Zodiac book in 2012 along with another Alaska title as well (all titles are still TBD).”
~Addison Fox

Works In Progress:
2012, Book 4 in the Sons of the Zodiac series, Title TBD
2012, Book 2 of the Alaskan Nights Trilogy, Title TBD

Contact Info:
Website
Twitter
Blog
Email

Tomorrow, Larissa Ione, New York Times Bestseller of paranormal romance!

>New Year’s Giveaway: Day 8, Addison Fox

>Addison Fox is … you guessed it … another Twitter buddy. We have never met in person, but I have enjoyed her camaraderie on-line.

When I saw WARRIOR ASCENDED in the bookstore and popped the book open to somewhere about the first third and started reading (my typical habit with an author new to me), I was immediately taken my the cadence of her voice.  Then I read the jacket copy and I was hooked.  Then I found out that WARRIOR AVENGED is the first of her series and I had to buy it…because I never read out of order.

Needless to say, I’m a fan.  After today, I hope you’ll be a fan, too, because Addison has generously donated 4 — yes FOUR — copies of her books to give away.  2 copies of WARRIOR ASCENDED & 2 copies of WARRIOR AVENGED.

Up For Win Today:
2 copies of Warrior Avengened
2 copies of Warrior Ascended

To enter:
Follow me on Twitter: @joanswan & send me a tweet with #newyear in the message. (Tweet Here)

Book Summary:
Warrior Avenged
Book 2: The Sons of the Zodiac

For ages, the goddess Nemesis has sought divine vengeance against mortal man, as she awaits her chance for retaliation against Mount Olympus. Now, after making a deal with a dark wizard, she has reinvented herself as a female spy with her own sinister agenda…

Immortal warrior Kane Montague is as lethal as a Scorpion – like the one that marks his powerful form. As an assassin for MI-6, he was an ace gun-for-hire until someone very close burned him. Now on the outs with his former colleagues, Kane knows all too well who’s to blame: a sexy secret agent named Ilsa.

When their paths cross again, the passion between Kane and Ilsa is irresistible…and possibly lethal. But they soon realize that Ilsa is simply a pawn in a conspiracy aimed at the heart of the Zodiac Warriors. Can Kane trust her? Or is Ilsa the only one who can save him, body and soul?

Warrior Ascended: Book 1: The Sons of the Zodiac
Millennia ago, the Goddess of Justice created a race of fierce Warriors, each imbued with a special power of the Zodiac, charged with protecting humanity from the darkest of evils.

Charming, proud, and impulsive, Leo Warrior Brody Talbot is fighting what may be his final battle. Enyo, the Goddess of War, plans to fulfill an ancient prophecy to destroy humanity by harnessing the dark power of the Summoning Stones of Egypt—and there’s only one person who knows enough about the stones to help Brody diminish their strength.

Since her father’s murder, museum curator Ava Harrison has continued his research of Egypt’s ancient treasures. She’s just landed the exhibit of a century, displaying the Summoning Stones at New York’s Natural History Museum. Used to working alone, Ava is suspicious of the arrogant archeologist who’s been brought in to ensure the stones safekeeping–but his presence ignites an unexpected blaze of attraction.

Never in all his centuries has Brody met a woman who enthralls him like Ava. But, bound to protect her, he struggles to deny his passion as they are drawn into a dark and dangerous final reckoning between good and evil.

Upcoming Releases:

  • 2011, Warrior Betrayed – Book 3 in the Sons of the Zodiac series
  • 2011, The Bachelor Game – Book 1 of the Alaskan Nights Trilogy

“I’m really excited to be writing the dark, sexy paranormals and fun, hot contemporaries. There will be another Zodiac book in 2012 along with another Alaska title as well (all titles are still TBD).”
~Addison Fox

Works In Progress:
2012, Book 4 in the Sons of the Zodiac series, Title TBD
2012, Book 2 of the Alaskan Nights Trilogy, Title TBD

Contact Info:
Website
Twitter
Blog
Email

Tomorrow, Larissa Ione, New York Times Bestseller of paranormal romance!

New Year’s Giveaway: Day 6, Lauren Dane

>I first learned of Lauren Dane through my critique partner, Elisabeth Naughton.  I have followed and chatted with Lauren on Twitter and will participate on a workshop panel with Lauren and several other authors at the RWA Conference in New York 2011 (if RWA approves the proposal, that is).

Lauren is one of the most prolific authors I’ve ever met.  Her work is quality entertainment.  Her covers frame-worthy!  So don’t miss your chance to miss this one!

Up For Win Today:
Lauren’s most recent release, INSIDE OUT, book three in the Brown Siblings erotic romance series.

To enter:
Follow me on Twitter: @joanswan & send me a tweet with #newyear in the message. (Tweet Here)

Book Summary:
Ella Tipton is a survivor. In the wake of an attack that left her nearly dead, she’s spent each day putting her life back together. Once vibrant and outgoing, she’s needed to reclaim the best parts of who she was while retaining the hard won lessons. There hasn’t been room for any romantic entanglements, even if she were ready. Still, it didn’t mean she had to stop sneaking looks at Mister Tall, Dark and Tattooed himself.

Security professional Andrew Copeland isn’t quite sure when his jones for the lovely and decidedly skittish Ella developed. He’s known her for years, has watched her triumph over the pain she’d been dealt. Cope is no stranger to women, but he knows the nervous flush he gets every time he talks to her is different than any attraction he’s had in the past. Determined to get Ella to let him in, Andy does the one thing he can think of to get close: he offers her hands-on training in self-defense.

While Ella’s sure he’s just being nice, the prospect of being able to touch him and gain the tools to push away the last vestiges of her fear is more than she can resist. Soon enough, Cope shows Ella his feelings are far more than friendly and re-ignites something deep inside her. Before long desire and love turn them both inside out.

Works In Progress:
This woman makes me dizzy!!!

  • MESMERIZED, Berkley Heat, Phantom Corps #2/Federation Chronicles #4, April 2011
    This is a futuristic and the next in the Phantom Corps series and features Andrei Solace and his childhood love/sweetheart Piper who also happens to be a badass mercenary.
  • Dirty/Bad/Wrong in the THREE TO TANGO Anthology, Berkley Heat, May 2011
    This is a small town, menage romance, set in Petal (those fans of the Chase books will recognize one of the hero’s family business as the Honey Bear, the cafe in town and Polly Chase even makes a brief appearance)
  • GODDESS WITH A BLADE, Carina Press, June 2011
    Lauren’s first urban fantasy
  • ONCE AND AGAIN, Samhain Publishing, August 2011
    Lauren’s return to Petal with Nathan Murphy’s book – a second chance at love/reunited lovers story
  • NEVER ENOUGH (Book 4 in the Brown Siblings series), Berkley Heat, September, 2011
    The last in Lauren’s Brown Siblings books and Adrian Brown’s story
  • HEART OF DARKNESS: BOUND BY MAGIC Series, Berkley Sensation, November 2011
    This is the first in a brand new paranormal romance series.  It’s set in the same world I wrote my novella Sensual Magic in and features Meriel Owen, a witch and Dominic Bright, an outclan bad boy who is also a witch in a very dark world where witches run themselves like corporations.

Contact Info:
Website
Twitter
Blog
Email

Tomorrow, Cynthia Eden, Paranormal and Romantic Suspense Author.

>New Year’s Giveaway: Day 6, Lauren Dane

>I first learned of Lauren Dane through my critique partner, Elisabeth Naughton.  I have followed and chatted with Lauren on Twitter and will participate on a workshop panel with Lauren and several other authors at the RWA Conference in New York 2011 (if RWA approves the proposal, that is).

Lauren is one of the most prolific authors I’ve ever met.  Her work is quality entertainment.  Her covers frame-worthy!  So don’t miss your chance to miss this one!

Up For Win Today:
Lauren’s most recent release, INSIDE OUT, book three in the Brown Siblings erotic romance series.

To enter:
Follow me on Twitter: @joanswan & send me a tweet with #newyear in the message. (Tweet Here)

Book Summary:
Ella Tipton is a survivor. In the wake of an attack that left her nearly dead, she’s spent each day putting her life back together. Once vibrant and outgoing, she’s needed to reclaim the best parts of who she was while retaining the hard won lessons. There hasn’t been room for any romantic entanglements, even if she were ready. Still, it didn’t mean she had to stop sneaking looks at Mister Tall, Dark and Tattooed himself.

Security professional Andrew Copeland isn’t quite sure when his jones for the lovely and decidedly skittish Ella developed. He’s known her for years, has watched her triumph over the pain she’d been dealt. Cope is no stranger to women, but he knows the nervous flush he gets every time he talks to her is different than any attraction he’s had in the past. Determined to get Ella to let him in, Andy does the one thing he can think of to get close: he offers her hands-on training in self-defense.

While Ella’s sure he’s just being nice, the prospect of being able to touch him and gain the tools to push away the last vestiges of her fear is more than she can resist. Soon enough, Cope shows Ella his feelings are far more than friendly and re-ignites something deep inside her. Before long desire and love turn them both inside out.

Works In Progress:
This woman makes me dizzy!!!

  • MESMERIZED, Berkley Heat, Phantom Corps #2/Federation Chronicles #4, April 2011
    This is a futuristic and the next in the Phantom Corps series and features Andrei Solace and his childhood love/sweetheart Piper who also happens to be a badass mercenary.
  • Dirty/Bad/Wrong in the THREE TO TANGO Anthology, Berkley Heat, May 2011
    This is a small town, menage romance, set in Petal (those fans of the Chase books will recognize one of the hero’s family business as the Honey Bear, the cafe in town and Polly Chase even makes a brief appearance)
  • GODDESS WITH A BLADE, Carina Press, June 2011
    Lauren’s first urban fantasy
  • ONCE AND AGAIN, Samhain Publishing, August 2011
    Lauren’s return to Petal with Nathan Murphy’s book – a second chance at love/reunited lovers story
  • NEVER ENOUGH (Book 4 in the Brown Siblings series), Berkley Heat, September, 2011
    The last in Lauren’s Brown Siblings books and Adrian Brown’s story
  • HEART OF DARKNESS: BOUND BY MAGIC Series, Berkley Sensation, November 2011
    This is the first in a brand new paranormal romance series.  It’s set in the same world I wrote my novella Sensual Magic in and features Meriel Owen, a witch and Dominic Bright, an outclan bad boy who is also a witch in a very dark world where witches run themselves like corporations.

Contact Info:
Website
Twitter
Blog
Email

Tomorrow, Cynthia Eden, Paranormal and Romantic Suspense Author.