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We do it for the love

C.J. Barry | October 4th, 2011

When I started writing science fiction romance, I had no idea what I was doing. No clue about markets or distribution or craft. I didn’t even know that the genre I was writing had a name. One day, I just decided that I wanted to write a book, and since I grew up reading science fiction and romance, the combination worked for me. I was so excited and passionate about every word. Plus, hey, I’d read so many books, how hard could it be to write one?

Cohl slid forward another meter. Instinctively, he whipped the laser pistol sights toward a small black object that sailed silently through the air and landed in a heap ten meters from his feet. He squinted under the dimmed lights. It didn’t move. Looked like cloth.

Then another dark object dropped a few meters from it. Was that a sock? He lowered his weapon. What the hell?

The sock’s mate landed next to the first one. Cohl stepped out from his cover and stared at them. He looked up just in time to snag a pair of pants out of midair aimed at his head.

Tess emerged from behind a nearby container, smiling triumphantly and sporting nothing but a black lace bra and matching panties. It took a while for him to notice her weapon pointed at his chest. His was hanging limp from his hand, much like his jaw.

“Gotcha,” she said smugly.

Her breasts peeked luridly from behind the lace. His gaze skimmed down the slender waist and firm legs in direct proportion to his rising body temperature.

He tossed his laser pistol to the floor. “I surrender.” (Unearthed)

Over the next few years, I learned that writing was the hardest job I’ve ever done, my genre was called SFR, the market is quite small, and the readers are fiercely loyal. I also learned that love is love, no matter what planet you set it on or where your characters are from or what kind of craft they drive/fly.

He looked ready to kill as he tossed the suit down and stepped toward her. She stepped back.
“Is that damn plate all that matters to you?” He wasn’t even blinking.

She raised her chin. “Yes.”

“Just so you can become a Majj?” He took another step toward her, the heat of his anger reaching her.

“Now you’re getting it,” she shot back.

“There’s nothing else to you?”

“No.”

“You’re wrong,” he charged, his voice steely.

She blinked at him in surprise. Then shook her head. “My work is my life, it’s who I am. It’s all that I am.”

“Wrong,” he repeated, taking another step and backing her to the wall.

“Ask anyone,” she stammered. “If I lose my career, I lose everything I am. I lose myself.”

“Wrong.”

His mouth closed over hers and if she’d had anything else to say, it was quickly forgotten in the great rush of blood from her brain. (Unraveled)

Love truly is the universal language. It’s why we are here. It’s why we sacrifice, how we connect, and how we keep going when all seems lost. These stories, they are you and me and every soul on this planet. We all tell our love stories in different ways—through music, literature, art, song, food, volunteering, nursing, gardening, and in all the many jobs we hold every day.

“I’ll help you across,” he said quietly.

Lacey shook her head. That meant “No, I’m not going.” He as an intelligent life form, he should be able to figure that out.

Zain took her clenched fists in his hands. He looked down, frowned and carefully pried open one of her fists. She winced and realized blood creased her palm where her fingernails had dug in.

She heard him say something softly, and hen he pried open her other hand.
Slowly, his gaze rose to hers. She waited for him to tell her that her fears were stupid and ridiculous. To tell her in a lengthy, humiliating lecture how she should be able to conquer them like a normal person.

Just like Robert.

Instead, he wrapped her fingers in his and gently pulled her toward him.

“Look at me,” he whispered, and she promptly lost herself in his dark eyes. (Unleashed)

The thing about love is that you don’t know what you’re doing. There’s no guide book, no classes, no training. Sometimes, you just have to hold your breath and jump. How hard could it be?

“You can’t hold it in forever,” Torrie whispered.

A hard shudder shook Qaade’s body as if her words gave him permission to release. He took a deep breath and held it.

She waited as long seconds passed, almost afraid of what might happen when he finally let go. And then he threw his head back and roared like a wounded animal. The plaintive howl pierced her soul and brought tears to her eyes.

Over and over again he roared, unleashing his anger and grief for his lost people.

She wrapped her arms around his torso and held him tightly, trying to get through to the man beneath the pain.

Steam rose from his skin with each tormented outburst, and her tears soaked the back of his shirt. It was like watching him be torn apart from the inside.

How could she have doubted him even for a moment? (Unmasked)

Here’s to jumping.

CJ Barry
www.cjbarry.com
The series on Carina Press
http://www.facebook.com/pages/CJ-Barry-Readers/300678919146
http://twitter.com/#!/cj_barry

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Posted in Authors, Books, Carina Press, Excerpt | 5 Comments »

What did I do on my summer vacation?

Cindy_Pape | August 31st, 2011

In a word, wrote. Now I know this might seem like work—and it is, but it’s the best possible job in the world, so I mind a little less that I didn’t take any long stretches off. I just sent Motor City Mage (Urban Arcana Book 4) and now it’s on to other projects.

Now that my kids are out of high school, there’s less delineation of “summer” in my house, although since my husband works for a university, some people are surprised to hear that. However he’s one of those non-classroom type employees, so his schedule is a normal business one, not based on the academic calendar. Therefore summer means hotter days, and more cooking on the barbecue, but otherwise, there’s not much to set it apart from spring and fall anymore. And while I kind of miss the distinct seasonal cycle in our lives to some extent, the steadier flow is certainly more productive for me as a writer.

So here we are, on the very last day of August, looking autumn in the face, and I have to say, I didn’t do much with summer. No overnight trips, a few day jaunts to Renaissance Festivals and other local events. I love live music and shopping at craft fairs, plus in my world, dressing up is always a bonus. I think these kinds of trips are great for story inspiration. We’d hoped to hit a couple museums, but I think those will have to wait until fall—not a big problem. Of course the local library is a frequent stop. When I do take a break, I love to sit outside and read. Now that I have an e-reader, that’s even easier. I’ve been devouring my fellow Carina authors’ work. It’s very good stuff! I promise.

But if you happen to be looking for one last summer read of your own, or an early fall mental getaway, I’d love for you to take a look at Motor City Wolf. Greg is one of my all-time favorite heroes, and Fee was a hoot to write. Romantic Times Book Reviews called it “charming and original” and “imbued with fun.” I’ll be giving away one free download to a random commenter at the end of this post, so let me know what you did on your summer vacation to enter the contest. (don’t forget to leave an email so I can reach you if you win.)

Thanks for reading and have a great autumn!

~Cindy  (www.cindyspencerpape.com)

Motor City Wolf

Urban Arcana Book 3

By Cindy Spencer Pape

Buy link: http://bit.ly/nv0Tlm

Blurb:

Motor City Wolf Cover

Less than a year ago, Fianna Meadows was a pampered noble in the Faerie court. Then she was exiled, turned mortal and forced to work for a living—in a werewolf bar in Detroit, no less! Still, Fianna has to admit her new life isn’t so bad…particularly when it comes to Greg Novak, the bar’s sexy owner.

For Greg, keeping his hands off Fianna has been a challenge. But his sense of honor won’t let him get involved with a woman put in his care, even if Fianna is eager to explore her new feelings of lust. Resisting the temptation to claim her gets even harder when Greg’s grandfather, the region’s Alpha, orders him to marry and Fianna agrees to pretend to be his chosen mate.

Fighting his attraction to Fianna isn’t Greg’s only problem. Someone is killing werewolves and attacking other paranormal beings in Detroit. He vows to do whatever it takes protect both his pack and Fianna—even if that means giving her up…

Excerpt: (PG-13)

With a loud, metallic clang, the door at the top of the steps slammed shut.

“What the fuck?” Greg ran up the stairs two at a time. “Not funny, assholes.” He pounded on the steel door with his fist. “Let us out.”

Fianna dropped the box of garbage bags and clutched the pole of a shelf. “What’s going on?” She was only faintly claustrophobic, she reminded herself. And surely, Greg would have them out in no time.

“I swear, if this is Vince or Lana playing a prank, I’m going to rip their tails off with my teeth,” he snarled, throwing his shoulder into the door to no effect.

“Why would they do that?” It didn’t make any sense at all.

“To throw us together, princess.” His voice softened at the nickname, which he’d originally used in such a derogatory tone when she’d first come to work for him. “I believe my brother and cousin think we ought to be a couple.”

“Really? Lana hasn’t said anything of the sort to me.” Although the other woman had been urging Fianna to wear tighter jeans and lower necklines, and she had gone out early tonight, leaving Greg and Fianna alone. “Can’t we phone someone for help?” She pulled her cell phone from her pocket.

Greg shook his head. “No signal. We’re too far underground. Sorry, Fee, I think we’re stuck here for the duration.”

Posted in Authors, Behind the Scenes, Books, Carina Press, Contest/Giveaway, Cover Art, Excerpt, Random conversation | 27 Comments »

Athletes Make The World Go Round

Jeanette_Murray | August 30th, 2011

PhotobucketIn my first release for Carina, The Game Of Love, my hero and heroine are high school athletic coaches. Brett Wallace is a football coach (and a former pro). And Chris St. James is the new girls’ tennis coach at the same high school. Oh, and of course, she was a former pro too. Quite the complex situation, right?

They say write what you know. I don’t know who “they” are, but I think they have a good point here. I know sports. I was, in every sense of the word, a total JOCK in high school.

Okay, here’s your warning. I’m about to shamelessly show you a few pictures from said high school jock days. This is your chance to turn back. If you continue, you can’t say I didn’t warn you. Oh, and it’s okay. Feel free to mock me. Everything from high school is mock-worthy, if you ask me.

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I played varsity volleyball and tennis, and I loved every minute of it, especially tennis. Tennis was a huge part of my life. I have some fantastic memories from my time on the varsity tennis team…like our run for the state title my sophomore year. Or playing doubles with my best friend our senior year. And some disappointments…like losing in three sets in the state finals our senior year. But those disappointments only molded me into a better athlete, and a better person.

Not to mention…look at my legs! Yeah. Playing sports definitely keeps you in shape! Ah, to have my eighteen year old body again… And have you seen my hero on my cover? Uh, yeah. I’m not gonna be kicking him out of my bed anytime soon. Let’s face it. Athletes are hot. There’s nothing wrong with a character with a permanent case of the “dropsies” who couldn’t catch a beach ball if their puppy’s life depended on it. But something about a life-long athlete just really revs my engine.

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If you want to see how Brett gets Chris’s engine revved up, you can check out my campy book trailer HERE. (Hey, I never claimed to be Sophia Coppola!) You can get a taste of the story HERE with an excerpt reading by yours truly. Want more than just a taste? You can get the whole story right HERE!

To celebrate my two fictional coaches making their debut, I’ve put together a very real Coaching Kit (pictured below). It includes a cute clipboard, a stopwatch, whistle, football, can of tennis balls, The Tennis Lover’s Book of Wisdom, and The Game of Love Playbook. And you can win this bundle by simply answering one question: What sport (and its athletes) gets your motor running? Do you have a secret lusting for a man who can swing a (golf) club? A major desire to go ruck with a rugby star? Feverish dreams of playing tonsil hockey with a goalie? Can’t stop watching the women’s beach volleyball…uniforms? Leave a comment, and one lucky winner (via random drawing) will receive this entire package! Contest ends August 31st, 11:59pm Eastern time.

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Jeanette Murray is a contemporary romance writer who lives with her sweet & sassy little girl, a dumber-than-expected Goldendoodle and her husband. She loves to post pictures on Facebook, she tweets whatever’s on her mind, and she blogs on the regular. Head on over to www.JeanetteMurray.com to find out more about the author, the books, the dog, or all the above.

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Posted in Carina Press, Contest/Giveaway, Excerpt | 12 Comments »

Have You Ignored an Important Call?

Bonnie_Paulson | August 24th, 2011

Take that call next time.

Telemarketers always bug me during my writing time – afternoonish when my kids are sleeping. One or two a da. You’d think I was rich.

November 4th I sat down to write a particularly difficult scene and my phone rang. I glared at the offending buzz and shook my head.

Buzz. Buzz. Buzz. I groaned and answered. “Hello?”

“Is Bonnie Paulson available?” Super sweet voice which makes it even harder to say “no, not interested”.

“This is.” Mama taught me manners and I use ‘em.

“Hi, Bonnie. This is Angela James from Carina Press. I’m calling about the manuscript you submitted.” At this point, my eyebrows scrunched together. Had I done something wrong?  I’d never heard of an editor calling an author. Maybe I’d offended someone. Still wasn’t 100% certain she wasn’t a telemarketer.

But Ms. James continued on and I realized she was offering me a contract. I’d said “Uh hunh” to her comments and she paused, asking if I had any questions so far.

My response? Yeah, she tweeted about it. I said, “I think I’m gonna throw up.”

And you know what? I didn’t, but that sense of surreality hasn’t left.

Mallory Braus proved to be as sweet and romantic-at-heart as Breathe Again needed.

Angela James has been more than accessible and supportive at every turn – even when I sent her interview questions for my own blog that were less than professional.

My cover artist took my breath away.

The copy editor made me smile and taught me a thing or three.

But Mallory worked my story over and in my developmental edits she made a suggestion that, as I worked it out, brought me to tears. I finished the scene sobbing, closed my laptop and looked around. The only think I wanted to do involved an empty wineglass (I don’t drink), a fireplace (green of course) and me looking for tissues around the apartment/house.

Mallory and the Carina Press team made me feel like Joan Wilder discovering my stories all over again.

Here’s a favorite part of mine from Breathe Again.

How could one man be sweet and genuine while the other lacked all sense of manners? Maybe the brute was raised on a farm where he never had the opportunity to see normal people and acted like a bull because he was raised among the cows. Maybe my sheep reference hadn’t been far off… Shampoo bubbles filled my hair and a chuckle escaped at the thought of Brodan in denim overalls slinging muck.

Ryan, on the other hand, seemed smooth and courteous, fun even. He’d made me laugh and that hadn’t happened in a long time.

But if I could put Ryan’s personality into Brodan’s body, it might have been just what I would be looking for, or not looking for, since the idea was strictly shower thinking. I’d gotten in trouble before, pursuing thoughts generated in the shower.

I lathered my body, trying to push the images of the men from my head. Aided by my hunger, I switched easily to considering menu items, with thoughts of pancakes smothered in syrup and crisp sizzling bacon ruling my mind.

By the time I finished washing, my stomach growled in earnest. I wouldn’t make it another two hours. Rather I left for the 24-hour one-stop shop ten minutes farther.

Beside my adorable VW van, blue with a white top from the early 70s, I drew in a deep breath. I loved when the rest of the world slept and it felt like I was the only one awake. Opening my door, I tossed my purse onto the seat beside the driver’s side. Before I climbed in, the blue paint glinted, reminding me of Brodan….

Dang. I’d have to retrain my attraction guide. The man’s similarities to Dean should have been the only repellent I needed. Add his rudeness and the fact we couldn’t be in the same room together, I should feel nauseated just thinking of him. Get him out of your head, Maggie.

I wrote Breathe Again while I was pregnant and you’ll notice I involve food a lot in my story. I’d write about the lasagna (recipe to follow) Maggie makes for Brodan and of course, finished the scene and had to make some. I ate most of it – much to my Hubs distress.

I drew my husband in with this recipe I developed – my own personal creation. You can find it at the bottom of this post. Maybe make it for you and your *wink* friend or eat it while you read Breathe Again.

Breathe Again Cover
Don’t you love this cover? Maggie leans against Brodan. The skyline reminds me of a Montana sunset. Carina Press artists captured the mood perfectly. I literally gasped when I saw it – and teared up.

I hope you enjoy Breath Again. Another book I would direct you do – well, two actually – Craving Perfect by Liz Fichera and Endless Night by Maureen A. Miller OH and Man Law by Adrienne Giordanno, so three.

They capture the essence of what Carina has to offer – exceptional authors with a phenomenal team backing them. Harlequin is so awesome I used superlatives that aren’t slang.

Knock-Your-Socks-Off Lasagna OR Dip-It Lasagna

  • Sauce Ingredients: One large can of tomato sauce, 1 large can diced tomatoes, 1 TB of minced garlic (with oil), chopped onions, italian sausage, 2 TB dry/fresh parsley, 2 TB sugar, 1 – 2 TB salt with pepper:
  • Everything but the sauce and diced tomatoes brown in a pan keeping the sausage oil. Add the tomato sauce and tomatoes. Simmer until the rest of the ingredients are ready.
  • Cheese ingredients: One small ricotta cheese, one medium cottage cheese, 2 cups mozzarella grated, garlic salt (about 1 TB).
  • Mix all and set aside to be layered.
  • Layering ingredients: Fresh spinach, fresh sliced mushrooms, sliced olives, anything else you like in your lasagna – like noodles – but don’t prepare too many, this is a less-pasta-more-fun-stuff dish.
  • Start your layers. Best to start with something like mushrooms then top with pasta, sauce then cheese. Next, olives, spinach, pasta, sauce then cheese. You should have a fairly thick dish with few layers. Cheese tops it and you’ll cook it in your pan (whatever kind you love) at 350 F for 30 to 40 minutes. This is SLOPPY and great to dip your garlic bread in. I love garlic.
  • Also, play with this recipe. You can’t ruin it because it’s a subjective dish. Like it sweeter? Add more sugar. More noodles? Add more. The sauce and the bread is the only reason I make it.

Bonnie R. Paulson

Enjoy and please! Please! Please! email me and let me know how you liked it! bonnierpaulson@gmail.com

Come find me on Twitter – @bonnierpaulson

And my blog: www.bonnierpaulson.com

I’m offering a $10 gift card to a randomly selected commenter on today’s post. To another a copy of BREATHE AGAIN – Woot!

I’d like to know who has supported you throughout your life? It’s all about people and the roles they play to our hearts. Maggie and Brodan help the other heal… Who do you have? This is your “I’d like to thank the Academy” moment. What would you say?

Oh, sorry? Did you say you wanted to know how you can purchase Breathe Again?

Carina Press (of course!), Amazon, Nook,Lybrary.com.

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Posted in Authors, Books, Carina Press, Contest/Giveaway, Cover Art, Excerpt | 32 Comments »

If It Feels Right

Cathy_Pegau | August 10th, 2011

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“I’m more of a go-with-my-gut person.”

Liv Braxton says this to Zia Talbot in Rulebreaker after Zia starts to over-think their budding relationship. As a thief, Liv has to plan jobs and consider possible outcomes, but if it feels right, she does it. Even when she has time to mull and realize some things aren’t meant to be, she does it anyway. Which explains why she gets herself into a bit of a mess in the story.

I’ve had a fair share of go-with-my-gut moments. Times when the thought hit my brain and my immediate reaction was “Yes!” Moving from New York to attend school in North Dakota then Alaska. Deciding to room or share a house with people I didn’t necessarily know well, one of whom became my BFF and another who later became my husband.

Sticking with the characterization of Rulebreaker was one of those “Yes!” moments.

I knew Liv’s rules would be foiled by her feelings for the person she’d be stealing from. That was a given in the plot. So who would fit the bill? Almost immediately, Zia popped into my brain, a no-nonsense executive with an underlying vulnerability (as well as her own secrets) to keep Liv on her toes. The fact she was a woman gave me pause for about a nanosecond. This was new territory for me, but it felt right.

Along the way, I was asked more than once, wouldn’t it be easier to make Zia’s character a man? Easier for the purpose of marketing, maybe, yes. But the story in my head—and gut—was about these women finding each other. So I wrote the story I wanted to write. What my gut said was the story I needed to tell. I’m glad I did. And I’m grateful no one asked me to make Zia a guy.

Sometimes you have to rein in your immediate reaction or response, sit back and consider ramifications. Sometimes going for it is the best option. Granted, we don’t always feel that way if things go awry, but over-thinking can be detrimental too.

When have you just jumped right in and gone with your gut? How’d it go? Have you ever over-thought yourself out of something and regretted it?

Leave a comment with your “gut” story (or just a “Hello”) and I’ll randomly choose one to win a copy of Rulebreaker or some canned salmon. Your choice : )

Here’s the bit that leads up to Liv’s line from above. Enjoy!

“You think you’re ready.”

“I know I am,” I lied.

“Maybe I’m not,” she said softly.

Now who was lying?

I brushed her hair back off her shoulders. As my fingers grazed the silk covering her skin, Zia closed her eyes. When I skimmed my palms down her arms and pressed my lips to the spot under her left ear, she moaned. The sound sent a spark from my belly to my groin. I kissed along her jaw, her chin, took in the wine-scented breath she exhaled, and continued across to her other ear as I grasped her hands in mine. She squeezed tight.

“Do you know,” I whispered then nipped her ear, “what I find most attractive about you?”

“What?” Her voice was barely audible.

“Your brain.”

She gave a low chuckle and canted her head to give me better access to her slender neck. “That’s a line if I ever heard one.”

“No, it’s true.” I flicked my tongue along her soft skin, gently blowing across the damp spots. Zia moaned again. She pressed her breasts against mine, and I gave a groan of my own. God, she felt good. “The way you think things through, how you make decisions. Very methodical, but with instincts to guide you.”

I lifted my head so I could see her face. She opened her eyes. A thin ring of green circled her expanded pupils. Her breath came fast through full, parted lips.

“I’m more of a go-with-my-gut person,” I said. “And my gut says, no more waiting.”

**********************
Cathy lives in Alaska with her husband, kids, critters and the occasional black bear roaming through the yard. There are no street signs in her neighborhood, so it’s easiest to find her at her website, blog, on Facebook or on Twitter.

Grab your copy of Rulebreaker here!

Posted in Authors, Books, Carina Press, Contest/Giveaway, Excerpt | 10 Comments »

Oh, look! A Bride!

Fiona Lowe | August 9th, 2011

In my town on spring, summer and autumn weekends, when I’m walking along the waterfront, I often see a bride with her newly-minted groom having their photos taken, and I always stop for a longer look. There’s something about a bride that makes me smile.

Maybe it’s the thrill of two people starting out life together and the hope I have for them. Perhaps it’s because they (usually) look so very happy or maybe it’s just because I’m a sucker for a bridal gown. I love bridal dresses and you know, I don’t think I’m alone in that. Remember the ‘Friends’ episode where they all cheered themselves up by wearing a wedding dress around the house and eating icecream, including a heavily pregnant Phoebe?

When I was a kid, I would haul out my mother’s wedding album on wet and rainy afternoons and gaze at the black and white photos. Then I’d go find her dress. I so wanted to wear that dress when I got married, but my aunt who is shorter than me had also worn it and had heaps cut off the hem. I was too tall for the dress (sob!).

Given the buzz I get whenever I see a bride, I suppose it isn’t any wonder that when I wanted to try my hand at writing a different kind of book from my Harlequin Medical Romances, an idea featuring a bride popped into my head.  Only it wasn’t the picture of a beautiful bride posing for photos, it was a modern bride dressed in a sixty-year-old wedding dress, holding a cake and staring into a vacant shop window in small town USA.

And so the story of Boomerang Bride evolved, pushed along by a song about an Australian World War Two bride who ‘married her Yankee sailor’ and sealed by my love and affection for Wisconsin, and the wonderful people of that state.

Why is the book called Boomerang Bride? Because much to Marc Olsen’s dismay, Matilda Geoffrey, the woman he meets standing on a street corner holding a wedding cake and looking like a cross between Miss Havisham and the bride from the Rocky Horror Picture Show, just keeps coming back.  Every time he thinks he’s free of her, she turns up again, and much to his chagrin he feels honor-bound to help her. Only she doesn’t want his help at all, and he isn’t totally certain why he feels so compelled to get involved in her chaotic life when he’s got enough on his plate with his sick sister and a moody teenage nephew.

I had so much fun writing this book and then I started looking for a home for it. Carina Press had just published its debut books so I bought one of their contemporary romances— Unexpectedly Yours— by an author I’d never heard of called Shannon Stacey. I loved the book and immediately knew that Carina Press was the perfect place for Boomerang Bride. Fortunately for me, Carina Press agreed!  I’ve been blown away by the entire experience starting with the support of my wonderful editor, Charlotte Herscher, the professionalism and support of the company, and the enthusiasm of my fellow Carina authors.

So it’s time to celebrate now that Boomerang Bride is on sale at Carina Press and that lends itself to a contest! I have two fabulous boomerang magnets decorated with Aboriginal dot paintings to give away, along with signed postcards of the cover of Boomerang Bride and a BB magnet too. So to enter, read the excerpt on my website and then leave a comment here telling me something about Matilda or Marc and something memorable about a wedding you’ve attended. Remember to call back on August 12th to see if you’re one of the two lucky winners.  Thanks for helping me launch Boomerang Bride!

Fiona Lowe is an award-winning, multi-published author of romance fiction with Harlequin Mills & Boon and Carina Press.  Whether her books are set in outback Australia or the USA, they all feature small towns with big hearts, and warm, likeable characters that make you fall in love.  When she’s not writing stories, she’s a weekend wife, a mother of two boys and she’s trying really hard to instill in them heroic characteristics like cooking and ironing.  She’s an avid reader, a guardian of 80 rose bushes, attempts to stay fit and is often seen collapsed on the couch with a glass of wine.  A previous Romantic Book of the Year finalist, Fiona is currently writing her 18th novel and says, ‘it doesn’t get any easier.’  You can find her at her website, her blog, confused on Twitter and a bit more together on Facebook . She loves hearing from her readers.

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Posted in Books, Carina Press, Contest/Giveaway, Excerpt | 22 Comments »

Writing in Paradise

Rebecca York | August 3rd, 2011

DARK MAGIC Cover

It’s a hot afternoon, but I’m outside on the screened porch, enjoying the world around me.  Cone flowers and tall phlox sway in a gentle breeze.  A dove is eating the birdseed I put out a while ago.  Cat birds have come to splash in the birdbath.  The koi in the pond glide in and out of the cascading waterfall.  Two of my cats are sleeping nearby.

This is the perfect place to write.  If I’m trying to think of a word or a sentence or struggling to figure out a plot point, I can look up and enjoy the garden for a few minutes.

I think most writers have other creative outlets as well.  One of mine is gardening.  I love putting in plants and flowers and watching them grow.  I love moving rocks around the pond until I get their placement just right.  Weeding the flower beds isn’t as much fun, but it’s part of the job.

I edited a lot of my August Carina novella, DARK MAGIC, while sitting here in my little Eden.  That story took me away to another world entirely–one I’d made up for my own pleasure.  I started with the idea of a kingdom under siege and a virgin princess who thinks she can save her father’s people by sacrificing herself to the dragon who saved them long ago.  She doesn’t know her plans aren’t going to work out the way she expected.  A dark, mysterious, sexy stranger has taken the dragon’s place, and he wants to awaken Princess Devon’s sensuality rather than ravage her while she’s tied to a stake.

I had a lot of fun with this story–with Devon’s sexual awakening and also with her courage in choosing a heroic way to save her people–rather than the shameful fate her father had planned for her.

This isn’t contemporary romantic suspense, which is what I usually write.  Instead, I get to explore a fantasy realm where women are only pawns in the games that men play.  Of course Devon’s not willing to stick to her assigned role, which is what made her fun to write.

You can read an excerpt of DARK MAGIC here .

What kind of heroines do you like best?  Or do you care, as long as she’s the right match for the hero?

On August 8, I will give away an autographed copy of my classic Harlequin Intrigue, NOWHERE MAN, to a randomly selected reader who comments on my above heroine questions.

A USA Today Best-Selling Author, Rebecca York is a 2011 recipient of the Romance Writers of America Centennial Award.  Her career has focused on romantic suspense, often with paranormal elements.

Her 16 Berkley books and novellas include her nine-book werewolf “Moon” series.  KILLING MOON was a launch book for the Berkley Sensation imprint. She has written over 50 books for Harlequin Intrigue, many in her popular 43 Light Street series.

She has written for Carina Press, Harlequin, Berkley, Dell, Tor, Kensington, Tudor, Scholastic, and Pageant Books.

Her many awards include two Rita finalist books. She has two Career Achievement awards from Romantic Times:  for Series Romantic Suspense and for Series Romantic Mystery. And her Peregrine Connection series won a Lifetime Achievement Award for Romantic Suspense Series.

Many of her novels have been nominated for or won RT Reviewers Choice awards.  In addition, she has won a Prism Award, several New Jersey Romance Writers Golden Leaf awards and numerous other chapter awards.

Web site:  www.RebeccaYork.com

Twitter:    @rebeccayork43

Facebook: www.facebook.com/RuthGlick

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Posted in Authors, Behind the Scenes, Books, Carina Press, Contest/Giveaway, Cover Art, Excerpt, Writing/Submissions Advice | 7 Comments »

Mixing Romance With Politics STILL Can Be Fatal

Marie Force | July 19th, 2011

By: Marie Force

Happy launch week for Fatal Consequences, book 3 in the Fatal Series! Sam, Nick and their cast of supporting characters are back for another installment in the series that pairs a Washington, D.C. homicide detective with a U.S. Senator. In this third book, Sam and Nick are thrust into another high-profile murder case in which his world bumps up against hers, causing no end to the fireworks as our favorite couple also try to plan a wedding in the midst of mayhem. Here’s a little bit about Fatal Consequences:

The murder of two members of the Capitol Cleaning Service might’ve been just another homicide investigation—that is if one of them hadn’t been romantically involved with a married senator from Arizona. Lt. Sam Holland and her team are plunged into another complex case that at first seems open and shut. But as Sam tugs on the threads of the investigation she uncovers a deep, dark Washington secret that threatens the careers of some of the government’s highest-ranking officials. Racing to catch a killer before he can strike again, Sam and her fiancé, U.S. Senator Nick Cappuano, attempt to plan a wedding while her colleague Detective Tommy “Gonzo” Gonzales faces life-changing news.

Here’s a brief excerpt:

Nick approached her from behind, resting his hands on her shoulders and massaging the tense spots. He knew exactly where her stress collected, and it was all Sam could do to remain standing as his talented fingers hit all the right places. “It’s getting late, babe.”
“Did you clean up my desk again?”
“Maybe.”
“It’s a sickness. You have a sickness.”
“Guilty as charged.” He laughed softly and planted a kiss on her neck. Desire rippled through her. She was so easy where he was concerned, and he knew it. “What’s up with the case?”
The facts ran through her mind like a silent movie. “Until I get Lindsey’s report, I’m at a standstill.”
“Then let’s go home.”
Back in the day, Sam would’ve waited all night—if necessary—for the autopsy report and lab results. Now, though, she had a good reason to go home. She looked up at him. “Sorry for letting work invade our day off. Maybe one of these days we’ll succeed in actually scoring a full day off.”
“We can dream.”
She let him help her into her coat and lead her from the office. “I know you really needed the break.”
“Not your fault, and besides, I did get a day off from campaigning, so it’s all good.”
“We missed out on our early Valentine’s Day,” she said once they were in the car.
He reached for her hand, laced his fingers through hers. “Every day with you is Valentine’s Day.”
Sam smiled at him. “Even if we end up on different sides on this case?”
“We may not always agree, Sam, but we’re always on the same side.”
She relaxed into the heated leather seat and enjoyed the companionable silence. That was one of her favorite things about her relationship with Nick. Even in the quiet spaces between words, she was always in tune with him. In the past, when she’d been unhappily married to a manipulative man who wanted to control her every thought, she’d often been lonely even when he was sitting next to her on the sofa or lying next to her in bed. She had never once felt that way with Nick.
“What’re you thinking about over there?” he asked.
“I’m thinking about us.”
“What about us?”
“Could I ask you something and will you tell me the truth?”
He glanced at her. “Of course you can and of course I will.”
“When we’re together, do you ever feel lonely?”
“Lonely?” He released a short laugh. “That is one thing I never feel when I’m with you.”
“Good,” Sam said, relieved. “That’s good.”
Nick parallel parked on Ninth Street, killed the engine and turned to face her, reaching out to caress her cheek. “What’s that all about?”
“Sometimes, well…a lot of the time when I was with Peter, I remember being lonely even when he was right there with me. I was thinking that I’ve never felt that way with you, and I was hoping you hadn’t either.”
“I’ve never felt that way, and I’m glad you haven’t.” He reached for her, and she leaned into his embrace. “If you’re ever lonely, will you tell me?”
She nodded. “Will you?”
“I promise.”
“I doubt it’ll ever be an issue between us. Everything about this is different.”
“Yes,” he said, kissing her. “It is. Come on, let’s go in.”

I’m really excited to get Fatal Consequences out to readers this week! You can find it at Carina Press and everywhere ebooks are sold. Sam and Nick’s big year continues on Aug. 22 when we begin to reveal the choices readers made back in February for the Fatal wedding. Watch my blog, http://mariesullivanforce.blogspot.com, for the grand reveal over the 14 days leading up to the launch of the wedding novella, Fatal Destiny, on Sept. 5. As we reveal the wedding choices, we’ll have all new prizes and chances to win copies of the books.

I’m happy to take any questions readers might have about plans for the Fatal Series. Sam and Nick told me they are also happy to take questions. I’ll give away a copy of Fatal Consequences to the respondent with the best question, so fire away!

Marie Force is the bestselling, award-winning author of the Fatal Series from Harlequin’s Carina Press. The series includes FATAL AFFAIR, FATAL JUSTICE, FATAL CONSEQUENCES and FATAL DESTINY, which is out Sept. 5. “This novel is ‘The O.C. does D.C.,’ and you just can’t get enough.” (RT Book Reviews, 4.5 stars for FATAL AFFAIR). In its July 2010 issue, RT Book Reviews named Marie a “Future Star of Romantic Suspense.”

Marie is also the author of the following contemporary romances: EVERYONE LOVES A HERO, LINE OF SCRIMMAGE, LOVE AT FIRST FLIGHT, TRUE NORTH, THE FALL and THE WRECK as well as her popular McCarthys of Gansett Island Series: MAID FOR LOVE, FOOL FOR LOVE and READY FOR LOVE.

Since 1996, Marie has been the communications director for a national organization similar to RWA. She is a member of RWA’s New England and Published Author Special Interest Chapters.

While her husband was in the Navy, Marie lived in Spain, Maryland and Florida, and she is now settled in her home state of Rhode Island. She is the mother of two teenagers and a feisty dog named Brandy.

Find her at www.mariesullivanforce.com, on her blog at http://mariesullivanforce.blogspot.com, where she runs the weekly Romance & Oreos Book Club, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/pages/Marie-Force/248130827909, and on Twitter @marieforce. Marie loves to hear from readers. Contact her at marie@marieforce.com.

Posted in Books, Carina Press, Contest/Giveaway, Excerpt | 9 Comments »

Clang, clang, clang went the trolley…

Michael_Merriam | June 29th, 2011

Last Car to Annwn Station started life as The Phantom Streetcar Novel. Actually, it started life as the The Phantom Streetcar short story, but it took on a life of its own and morphed into a novel. It became The Dark Urban Fantasy Relationship Driven Paranormal Romance Revenge and Redemption Supernatural Horror Novel with Fairy Tale and Mythological Overtones and Lesbian Protagonists Featuring the Ghost of the Defunct Twin Cities Streetcar System and was eventually titled Last Car to Annwn Station. In many way it was written as two different books: a short urban fantasy/paranormal romance novel with Mae and Jill as the protagonists and a long horror novelette in diary format featuring Fay.

It was my second novel written and is my first one published. With Last Car to Annwn Station I had a lot more seasoning as a writer, with several pieces of published short fiction behind me and a whole load of shiny new things in my Writer’s Toolbox. The novel has phantom streetcars, Minneapolis / St. Paul magic, and Welsh mythology. This was also the novel where I learned about tight plotting and really digging in and doing deep rewrites, and it was good.

And there were rewrites. Before I ever submitted the novel to Carina Press, I worked on it diligently. I rolled a few characters together and cut others completely. There was a consensus from my early readers that it started too slowly and in the wrong place. It fell apart at the end and at no point had I explained why the phantom streetcars were helping Mae. When my editor at Carina (Melissa Johnson) handed me the developmental edits, there was even more rewriting and tightening, including trimming some excess play-by-play, making the point-of-view consistent, and bringing a character that had been hovering near the edges closer to the center of the story.

I discovered on a closer read all the unintentional echoes of early Arthurian myth and stories from Mabinogion. There is bit of the Mabon ap Modron myth, heavily disguised, but it is there. A champion receives a sword from a Gwaragedd (a female lake spirit) to aid in the rescue of her love. No one received wisdom from a salmon, but they did receive wisdom from a fey-creature, so I get partial credit. There’s a kidnapping, stolen identities, talking to animals, dark betrayal, and a descent. There’s a triple death that ends with the character hung from a tree. All I really needed was a cattle raid, symbolic or otherwise, to round it out. I even accidentally named my main character after a Celtic warrior-queen.

I had a blast writing it, and I hope you have as good a time reading it. I really can’t thank everyone at Carina Press enough. I’ll leave you with a little taste.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Jill’s eyes lit up. “You said there was a story.”

Mae looked down at her half-eaten cheesecake. “I think it might be more of a—”

“Third date story?” Jill supplied. “Because if that’s the case, then what say we go out to dinner tomorrow night and you can tell me all about it.”

Mae frowned. “I was going to say it was more of a ‘one year into the relationship’ kind of story, and did you just ask me out?”

“That must be some kind of story and yes, I did.” Jill scooped up another huge bite of cheesecake on her fork. She paused before popping it into her mouth. “So?”

Mae rested her elbows on the table and laced her fingers together in front of her. She settled her chin on top of her fingers and tried to keep her expression as neutral as possible. She thought Jill was interested in her, but Mae also knew she was lousy at reading signals. “I thought you liked the ‘hot, hot boys’ down at the Fine Line.”

Jill swallowed her cheesecake and gave Mae a little smirk. “I do.”

Mae sat up straight in her chair in an attempt to, as a friend from college once said, “Get the girls up where they can draw attention.” Mae was not sure if the effort was having the desired effect, but it was the best she could do short of taking off her blouse. She could not stop a slight smile from forming on her lips.

“In case you haven’t noticed, I’m not a boy. I mean, I realize I’m a little—”

“Waif-like?”

“I was going to say ‘boyish’ but that works as well. However, I am not a boy.”

Jill rolled her eyes and took a drink of her coffee. “Yes, Mae, I realize that. Did it ever occur to you that maybe I like hot, hot girls as well?”

Mae’s posture relaxed and she leaned back on the table again. “Oh. Well, then…”

“Or maybe I like hot, hot lawyers.”

“I could introduce you to some, if you’d like.”

Jill reached across the small table and placed her left hand on top of Mae’s right one. “Maybe I like hot girl lawyers named Mae.”

Mae gave her a soft smile. “Jill—”

Jill released Mae’s hand and leaned back. “This is the part where you tell me you’re not interested in me as girlfriend material, and I get to feel like a damned fool, right?”

“Actually, this is the part where I tell you I’m terrible at relationships, and that right now may not be the best of times for me to start something new.”

Jill’s face broke into a wide grin. “So you are interested!”

Mae looked straight into Jill’s pale blue eyes. “Jill, I’m not going to lie to you. There is a lot of—weirdness—going on in my life right now.” Mae sighed. “There are things I’m not sure I can talk about, not without sounding like a complete loon.”

Jill crossed her arms. “Try me. I’m into weird.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Purchase Last Car to Annwn Station at the Carina Press website!

Posted in Authors, Books, Carina Press, Excerpt | 10 Comments »

Free Book!

Cindy_Pape | April 27th, 2011

Photographs & Phantoms cover

Ah, I thought that would get your attention. :-) It certainly would mine. And it’s true. Carina Press is giving my novella, Photographs & Phantoms away free as a special promotion for Steampunk Week. It’s a real honor to be part of such a great lineup, and I urge you to check out the other great steampunk titles available.

My Gaslight Chronicles series is a mash-up of steampunk, romance, and fantasy.  It’s England in the 1850’s but not the way our history books remember it. You see, in this world, computers, driven by steam and clockwork, already exist. Imagine Dickensian London with robots and dirigibles. Oh yeah—there’s also magick, and the vampyres here aren’t the sparkly kind. They’re gross and smelly, and they want you dead.

To combat evil wizards and vampyres and other things that go bump in the night, a venerable British institution still exists, undercover, but charged by the crown with protecting the realm from all threats mortal and otherwise. The Order of the Round Table is still mainly composed of the descendants of Lancelot, Merlin, Tristram, Kay, and all the others. They’re trained to fight with pistol, sword, technology and magick. And sometimes, they fall in love.

If you enjoy your free taste of the Chronicles, I hope you’ll also check out book 1: Steam & Sorcery.  Now here’s a little excerpt of Photographs & Phantoms whet your appetite.

Excerpt (PG):

They wove among the tourists and barrows and tents. “Sergeant Peterson built me a steam barrow to carry my equipment and a small canopy. It even has feet rather than wheels to accommodate the steps.”

“Very thoughtful of him.” Kendall’s tone was utterly neutral. “Are you and the sergeant…an item, perhaps?”

“What? No, of course not.” While Michael Peterson was a nice enough young man, and relatively attractive despite his missing arm, he was far too…traditional for Amy’s taste. He’d hinted in that direction a time or two, but she knew he’d never tolerate a wife or even a lady friend with a profession of her own. “Whatever gave you that idea?”

“Just something in his demeanor. Whether you believe so or not, the man has a definite interest in you, Amy.”

“I’ve never given him any reason to. I’m not looking for a husband—or a lover, for that matter. Certainly not unless I find one who understands my need to work.”

“Your photography is a part of you—not just the way you make your living—is that what you mean?” He spoke as if he actually understood. “I’ve a cousin who’s a concert pianist. She feels much the same way. Her husband has learned to cope, so I imagine there are other males out there who can adapt.”

“If you happen across one, send him to Brighton,” she replied. “But I’m not going to hold my breath. I’m happy with my life the way it is.” Except—in the last few hours, she’d realized there were parts of the male-female relationship she wouldn’t mind exploring further. Kendall Lake did something funny to her insides in a way no other man ever had. He made her think of things, wish for things, that could certainly never be. He was a marquess, for heaven’s sake, and the heir to a dukedom. No good could come of imagining herself in his arms, his lips upon hers.

Posted in Authors, Books, Carina Press, Excerpt | 11 Comments »

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