Author Post and Giveaway: Vivien Jackson

Today's post is by Vivien Jackson. There is a giveaway of her new book at the end too.

Welcome!

I’m nervous about this. I’m a--oh dear, how to say it?--a romance writer. In love with science fiction. Deep love, big L. We’ve been seeing each other on the sly for a long time, science fiction and I, and when two grown-up genres love each other very much, sometimes they … oh, hell, I wrote a book. A mixed-genre one. Now I have to introduce my family to his and decide who sits on which side of the aisle, and what do we tell the children?

I’m not worried about his family. I love them almost as much as I love him. They’ve let me hang out at all their family reunions (cons), even the few, back when, where I was the only girl in the room. But I never brought a plus-one from romancelandia to a spec-fic shindig before.

Not because I was ashamed of my roots, mind you. Because whatever folks may or may not know about romance fiction, it’s crammed full of some awesome stuff, even some common ground. So, future in-laws, may I introduce a few romance novels I think you might enjoy?

Because, honestly, even though sci fi and romance don’t have much in common materially, they do have this: both genres, when done properly, reveal the human condition. They’re about characters growing, becoming wiser, about forcing us to see our world and all its ugly, blurry issues through a fresh lens. The chief difference, in my opinion is that romances conclude that all that darkness is going to get better, eventually, if we just have a lot of sex love each other.

1. First Grave on the Right, by Darynda Jones. Speaking of urban fantasy, Darynda Jones’s Charley Davidson books might be shelved with romance, but if you dig UF, grab First Grave and hold on for the ride. If you can get through the shower scene right off without burning up from blushes, you’ll do fine. This series is funny, sassy, edgy, dark and light, win-some lose-some. True to UF, it doesn’t skimp on action scenes or general badassery, but it also includes some lovely nuanced characters and plenty of humor. Oh, and Reyes Farrow. Rowr.

2. Must Love Breeches, by Angela Quarles. This is a time-travel romance. It’s witty, sparkling, and beautifully researched. Steampunk fans will enjoy appearances by historical characters, like Ada Lovelace. The tone here is solidly romance, but the research and care given to the 19th century high-tech crowd will earn respect from folks who enjoy early SFF like Verne and more modern alternative histories, like The Difference Engine.

3. Slave to Sensation, by Nalini Singh. Now on its 19th book, Ms. Singh’s Psy/Changeling series started with this one. In a futuristic world where people are broken into three groups—emotionless almost-robot Psys, preternatural shifter Changelings, and regular old clueless humans—this story pokes at the edges of those differences, illuminating the bits of baked-in humanity that could run amuck in a future of science and magic and science-magic. Sexual tension is off the charts, Sasha’s hack of the psy-net is one of best action scenes involving hacking that I’ve read, and Singh is a magnificent storyteller.

4. Breeder, by Cara Bristol. I won’t lie, this book is steamy. That means a lot of hot sex. And yes, people kiss each other. And profess their love. What? It’s a romance. Know what else it is? An alien society where heterosexual relationships are taboo. Where women are purchased for the purpose of procreation. So right off it echoes some of the things that made us wince in The Handmaid’s Tale. But then Breeder goes on to do this weird thing that specifically romance novels do. It takes characters to the darkest of dark pits…and then brings them all the way back out, into hope, to achieve the requisite happily-ever-after. So basically, Breeder brings a whole bunch of issues we deal with out in to the open and makes us look at them. And then it offers us hope, despite. 

p.s. – NPR put out a list of the best 100 romance novels-- --and I was pleased to see several of my picks here make that list. Check it out, if you wish. It contains some real gems. 

Vivien Jackson writes stories with robots, grenades, pixies, and always,  always  down-home salacious kissery. She's an unrepentant fangirl of many fandoms and would love to discuss your favorite ships  here or here or here.

Thank you!

GIVEAWAY
1 copy of Wanted and Wired

1. US only
2. Ends April 4th
3. Enter by telling us about a romance novel you loved

That's all :)

Title: Wanted and Wired

Author: Vivien Jackson

Series: Tether, #1

ISBN: 9781492648161

Pubdate: April 4, 2017

Genre: Science Fiction Romance

A rip-roarin’ new snarky, sexy sci-fi paranormal romance series with the perfect balance of humor, heat, and heart. Now that Texas has seceded and the world is spiraling into chaos, good guys come in unlikely packages and love ignites in the most inconvenient places…

Rogue scientist • technologically enhanced • deliciously attractive

Heron Farad should be dead. But technology has made him the man he is today. Now he heads a crew of uniquely skilled outsiders who fight to salvage what’s left of humanity: art, artifacts, books, ideas—sometimes even people. People like Mari Vallejo.

Gun for hire • Texan rebel • always hits her mark

Mari has been lusting after her mysterious handler for months. But when a by-the-book hit goes horribly sideways, she and Heron land on the universal most wanted list. Someone set them up. Desperate and on the run, they must trust each other to survive, while hiding devastating secrets. As their explosive chemistry heats up, it’s the perfect storm…

VIVIEN JACKSON is still waiting for her Hogwarts letter. In the meantime, she writes, mostly fantastical or futuristic or kissing-related stories. When she isn’t writing, she’s performing a sacred duty nurturing the next generation of Whovian Browncoat Sindarin Jedi gamers, and their little dogs too. With her similarly geeky partner, she lives in Austin, Texas, and watches a lot of football.

Social Networking Links

Website: http://www.vivienjackson.com/

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

Twitter: @Vivien_Jackson

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6517244.Vivien_Jackson

To Buy:

http://www.vivienjackson.com/p/books.html

Book Giveway: Katie Ruggle bundle

To Celebrate the October release of In Safe Hands by Katie Ruggle, I got the chance to host a giveaway to win the series.

The chance to win a bit of romantic suspense to keep you company when Fall Season has arrived.

As the captain of Field County's ice rescue dive team, Callum Cook is driven to perfection. But when he meets new diver Louise "Lou" Sparks, all that hard-won order is obliterated in an instant. Lou is a hurricane. A walking disaster. And with her, he's never felt more alive...even if keeping her safe may just kill him.

Lou's new to the Rockies, intent on escaping her controlling ex, and she's determined to make it on her own terms...no matter how tempting Callum may be. But when a routine training exercise unearths a body, Lou and Callum find themselves thrust into a deadly game of cat and mouse with a killer who will stop at nothing to silence Lou-and prove that not even her new Search and Rescue family can keep her safe forever.

As a Motorcycle Club member and firefighter, Ian Walsh is used to riding the line between the good guys and the bad. He may owe the Club his life, but his heart rests with his fire station brothers...and with the girl he's loved since they were kids, Rory Sorenson. Ian would do anything for Rory. He'd die for her. Kill for her. Defend her to his last breath-and he may just have to.

Every con in the Rockies knows Rory is the go-to girl for less-than-legal firearms, and for the past few years, she's managed to keep the peace between dangerous factions by remaining strictly neutral. But when she defends herself against a brutal attack, Rory finds herself catapulted into the center of a Motorcycle Club war-with only Ian standing between her and a threat greater than either of them could have imagined.

George Holloway has spent his life alone, exploring the treacherous beauty of the Colorado Rockies. He's the best survival expert Search and Rescue has, which makes him the obvious choice to lead Ellie Price through deadly terrain to find her missing father. There's just one problem-Ellie's everything George isn't. She's a city girl, charming, gregarious, delicate, small. And when she looks up at him with those big, dark eyes, he swears he would tear the world apart to keep her safe.

With a killer on the loose, he may have no choice.

Ellie's determined to find her father no matter the cost. But as she and her gorgeous mountain of a guide fight their way through an unforgiving wilderness, they find themselves in the crosshairs of a dangerous man in search of revenge. And they are now his prey...

Coming October 4,  It's all come down to this...

Daisy Little has lived in agoraphobic terror for over eight years. Trapped within a prison of her own making, she watches time pass through her bedroom window. Daisy knows she'll never be a part of the world...until the day she becomes the sole witness of a terrible crime that may finally tear the Search and Rescue brotherhood apart for good.

US Only

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Pssst. The prequel novella, On his watch is free right now on Amazon! Hurry.

If the Earl only Knew Excerpt and Giveaway

Is anything in your book based on real life experiences or is it all purely imagination?

When my first book was published I was so proud to have my mom read it for the first time. Only later I realized the mother character in the book was a complete shrew, which might have made my mom wonder. I had to reassure it had nothing to do with her. My books are pretty much out of my own head and any similarity to real life is purely coincidental.

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An Excerpt

“Are you ready for this?” asked her brother, pulling on his worn wool greatcoat.

“Quite.” Lady Kate chose to misinterpret his meaning. “I have prepared an accounting for each one of our investors, providing details of their original investment and return.”

Robert Ashton, Earl of Darington, took the large ledgers from her hands. “Not what I meant.”

“I shall never be ready. But let us do it anyway,” she said crisply. She had developed a keen accounting for each one of their investors, but such a meeting brought the prospect of seeing one particular investor. A man she never wanted to see again.

Ever.

Would he be there? Would he dare come?

Lady Katherine has no beauty, no fashion, no conversation, and no accomplishments save being the sister to an earl, and an impoverished one at that. Years later, his voice still rang in her head.

It had begun innocently enough. While at university, Robert had become acquainted with Tristan Arlington, the second son of the Earl of Wynbrook, who had invited them to spend the Christmas holidays with his family. Tristan’s mother had been particularly kind, and for a brief moment Kate had thought she had finally been accepted. But it was not to last.

Kate closed her eyes and remembered her fateful visit. She had heard voices coming from the open library door and stopped. She knew she ought not to eavesdrop, but she could not help pausing outside the door and listening to the conversation between Tristan and his elder brother.

“Darington might not be so bad—one can forgive lack of conversation in a gentleman—but you must admit the sister is poor company indeed,” drawled Tristan’s elder brother.

“Dash it, John! What a gudgeon you are,” exclaimed Tristan. “Kate’s not had the advantages of feminine company is all. Their mother died bringing them into the world.”

“Perhaps, but is that any reason for Mother to sponsor her coming out with Jane this spring?”

“Why should Mother not bring out Kate with our sister?” cried Tristan. “Quite kind of her.”

“Because it may prove an embarrassment to Mother. I do not mean to offend, but your friend’s earldom was only recently created. Darington’s father must have done something quite heroic in his naval career to rise from a baronet to an earl. You know how society disdains social climbers.”

Social climbers!

Six years later, the words still ground like grit in her teeth. How she had hated him!

They came to a stop with a jolt and Kate opened her eyes to the intimidating sight of rising colonnades of the Bank of London. Her pulse pounded in her temples as they were led to a sitting room designed for meetings of the rich and the even richer. Dark mahogany paneling lined the hall, and all the furnishings from the curtains to the chairs were resplendent in rich jewel tones. Everything around her spoke of wealth and power.

Surely he would not be here. He would send his solicitor, not come in person. There was no need. She had almost convinced herself of his certain absence when they entered the room.

He was there.

The bastion of society stood warming himself by the fire, dressed impeccably in a dark blue, double-breasted suit that was tailored to perfection. She could not help but drink in his form. His broad, square shoulders revealed a powerful build, yet he had a trim waist and muscular thighs that were on the edge of indecent in his skintight buckskin breeches. With his chestnut hair, green eyes, and square jaw he was the very definition of a handsome man.

It was him.

John Arlington, the Earl of Wynbrook.

The only man she had ever kissed.

Title: If the Earl Only Knew

Series: The Daring Marriages, #1

Author: Amanda Forester

Pubdate: July 5^th, 2016

ISBN: 9781492605492

The chase is on in award-winning author Amanda Forester’s brand-new Regency romance series!

A sizzling scandal just waiting to happen…

Orphaned at a young age, Lady Katherine Ashton and her brother have spent most of their lives on the high seas, seeking to restore their family fortune through somewhat dubious means. After that kind of adventure, Kate knows she won’t ever be accepted as a proper society lady.

To the annoyingly clever, temptingly handsome, and altogether troublesome Earl of Wynbrook, society ladies are a dead bore. Kate, on the other hand, is scandalous, alluring, and altogether fascinating. And Kate can’t decide which she relishes more, the thrill of chasing fearsome pirates, or having Wynbrook chase after her…

Amanda Forester holds a PhD in psychology and worked many years in academia before discovering that writing historical romance was way more fun. A Publishers Weekly Top Ten author, her books have been given starred reviews from Booklist, Publishers Weekly, and a Top Pick from RT Book Reviews. Whether in the rugged Highlands of medieval Scotland or the decadent ballrooms of Regency England, her novels offer fast-paced adventures filled with wit, intrigue, and romance. You can visit her at www.amandaforester.com.

Buy Links:

Amazon

Books-A-Million

Barnes & Noble

Chapters

iBooks

Indiebound

Victoria Roberts post and Giveaway

8 Little-Known Facts about Victoria Roberts

Thank you so much for having me here today.

I never read a single romance novel until my thirties.

Oh, the horror. But yes, it’s true. My dear friend had her face buried in them, and I teased her relentlessly because who would ever read such a thing, right? One day, she had enough of my jesting, slammed one of those books on my desk and said, “I don’t want to hear another word until you read one.” That book was a Scottish historical romance. Imagine my surprise when the story had a plot, beautiful descriptions of the Highlands, and those alpha-male men in kilts. You know what happened from there. I’m still writing them. And that friend? She’s my critique partner and cherished friend.

My first book signing was with Nora Roberts.

 If it wasn’t bad enough I was a bundle of nerves with my first release, my first signing was with   Nora Roberts. I was lucky enough to attend one of Nora’s signings at Turn the Page Bookstore and was happy that I “sold out.” My little lad sat kilted up beside me and I’ll never forget the proud look on his face.

I’ve never been to Scotland.

This is sad, but true. Everything I’ve learned, obsessed about, has been through books, the internet, and my dear Scottish friends across the pond. I know one day I’ll have the trip of a lifetime. 

I do not have a single drop of Scottish blood.

But…I’m Scottish at heart. On the other hand, my husband is exactly like the Ancestry commercial. He’s always been told he’s 100% German, but not according to his DNA! We discovered he’s 50% German and 50% Scottish. Do you know how happy that made this Scottish historical romance writer? In fact, he recently bought his first kilt for my next event.

I’m learning Gaelic.

Before ever reading Diana Gabaldon or watching Outlander, the Gaelic language has been a very important part in my writing. Readers can find bits of Gaelic in all my books. As an author of this particular genre, I thought—and still think—it’s very important to keep the Scottish heritage alive. I like to honor that tradition in my work. My kids also know Gaelic greetings, and my German—now Scottish—husband just rolls his eyes at us.

I rode my husband’s motorcycle on a drag strip.

Call me crazy. In your twenties, you think you’re indestructible. I was no different. My husband had a Honda Nighthawk at the time, and I ran it on a drag strip at 70 MPH. It wasn’t long before that inner voice asked, “Are you crazy?” Yeah, that was the first and last time I ever tried something as foolish.

 I have a custom Ace Frehley (from the band KISS) Les Paul guitar.

Prior to becoming a romance author, yours truly had been playing the electric guitar since 10th grade. Oh, yes. I drove my poor neighbor’s crazy with my Marshall amp too. *grunts like Tim “the tool man” Taylor.

I’m writing a novella with my 15-year-old daughter.

We started this project when she was 14-years-old. She wanted to write something with me and even came up with the idea herself. We’re very proud to announce that Snakes in the Garden is now available for pre-order.

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Kill or Be Kilt by Victoria Roberts

Highland Spies, Book 3

ISBN: 9781402292064

Release Date: May 3, 2016

Genre: Historical Romance

About the Book

It’s been three years since Lady Elizabeth Walsingham ended her childish crush on Laird Ian Munro, the fierce Highlander who scared everyone but her. She’s a grown woman now, heading to London to find a proper English gentleman. But when the wild Highland laird walks through the door, she’s that breathless youth all over again.

Ian tries hard to avoid the young lass who’s confounded him for years. But now that they’re attending court, he must keep watch on her night and day. Danger is at every turn and advisors to the Crown are being murdered. Ian soon realizes the girl he’s been protecting is a beautiful lady who needs his help, almost as much as he needs her.

Take this quiz to find out which Highlander hero is your soulmate!

Buy the Book

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1Vmx2Jm

Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/1VABG6I

iBooks: http://apple.co/1pffAYZ

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Indie Bound: http://bit.ly/1qD4LAZ

About the Author

Victoria Roberts writes sexy, award-winning Scottish historical romances about kilted heroes and warriors from the past. Prior to ever picking up a single romance novel, she penned her first young adult novella at 16 years old. Who knew her leather-studded motorcycle hero would trade in his ride and emerge as a kilt-wearing Highlander wielding a broadsword? Victoria lives with her husband and their two beautiful children in western Pennsylvania. 

Connect with Victoria

Website: http://www.victoriarobertsauthor.com/ 

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

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/jcvr1867/ 

Blog: http://victoriarobertsauthor.blogspot.com/ 

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5763317.Victoria_Roberts 

Love Walks in Tour and Giveaway

Today I have an excerpt from Samantha Chase's new book, and a  giveaway :)

Excerpt #1

“Knock, knock.” Aubrey peeked her head inside Hugh’s office with a smile. “Is this a bad time?”

He couldn’t help but smile back. “It’s the perfect time. Come on in.”

She stepped in and closed the door behind her, walking toward Hugh’s desk. He met her halfway and immediately took her into his arms and kissed her breathless. “Oh my,” she said when they broke apart. “That’s quite a greeting.”

“Get used to it.” He took her by the hand and led her over to the sofa. “How was your morning?”

“It was good. Jacques was amazing. He was very open to my menu suggestions. He’s going to work on it and we’ll keep in touch via email to finalize everything. He’s very sweet.”

Hugh knew he was blessed with some of the finest chefs, but he’d never heard anyone describe Jacques as being sweet. He was moody, temperamental, and could be out and out indignant at times. But clearly, Aubrey knew exactly how to handle him. “I’m glad. I can’t wait to hear all about it.”

“How about you? Are you okay?”

He looked at her quizzically. “Yeah. Why?”

“Well, Riley left. I know the two of you don’t get to spend a lot of time together and this was a really short visit. I wanted to make sure you were all right.”

He leaned in and kissed her again. “I’m fine. This is how it normally goes. Out of all of us, Riley’s schedule is the hardest to work with. The fact that he took the few days he had and came here was great. I think he just needed the rest more than anything. It isn’t often he gets to step out of the spotlight and just chill out.”

Aubrey squeezed his hand. “It’s pretty awesome you can do that for him. He’s lucky to have you.”

“Would you mind telling him that the next time you see him? Because he seems to think we’re all lucky to have him.”

“I’m sure you all feel you’re the MVP of the family at one time or another.” She rested her head on his shoulder. “Not that I would know, but it would be my guess.”

“You’re pretty much spot-on there.” He turned and simply inhaled. Damn, he even liked the way she smelled—like clean clothes and sunshine. Maybe sex did make him act a bit girly.

“So, ready for lunch?” he asked.

“I’m famished. Jacques may have been open to talking with me and sharing ideas, but he would not let me taste anything.”

“He’s like that. Don’t take it personally.”

“Oh, I didn’t. I’m not normally a big breakfast person. I had some yogurt before I went over there, but I am definitely ready for something better now.”

Hugh stood and helped Aubrey to her feet. “So what are you in the mood for? We can eat here or if you want we can go into town or we can…”

“Do you have the ability to special order whatever you want for lunch like you do for dinner?”

He nodded. “Of course.”

She considered it for a moment. “What do you normally have?”

“Well…” Friday was normally a turkey club, but again, he wasn’t going to lock her into his crazy food OCD. “You know, a sandwich. Nothing major. Why? What were you thinking?”

“Quiche.”

“Quiche?”

She nodded.

“Those take a while to make, don’t they?”

Again, she nodded.

“Um…sure. We can call over to Jacques and ask him to get started on it, and we’ll be in there in around…what? Thirty minutes? Forty-five?”

Aubrey stepped in close to him and took his hands in hers. “Or…” she began, “we can give him the order and have it delivered to your room.” She closed the distance between them and looked up innocently. “Your choice.”

“You really do come up with the best ideas,” Hugh replied. Reaching over to his desk, he grabbed his cell phone and quickly led Aubrey from the room. “I’ll call him on the way and tell him to take his time.”

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The Shaughnessy Brothers are back

He lives by a schedule

Aubrey Burke is on the run from an about-to-be-disastrous mistake when resort owner Hugh Shaughnessy catches her climbing through his office window. Until Aubrey tumbled into his life, Hugh had relied on work and discipline to safeguard a heart damaged by family tragedy. Now his careful world will never be the same.

She lives for the moment

Hugh’s approach to life and love is the opposite of Aubrey’s, but she soon finds herself falling hard for the handsome hotel mogul. There’s a darker reason behind her “live for today” attitude than Hugh could possibly know, but for the first time Aubrey dares to hope this man’s love might make it worth taking a chance on the future.

About Samantha Chase:

Samantha Chase, a creative writing teacher, released her debut novel, Jordan’s Return, in November 2011. Since then, she has published seventeen more titles and has become a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author. She lives with her husband of twenty-four years and their two sons in North Carolina. http://www.chasing-romance.com/

Love Walks In Buy Links:

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1o4opUI

Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/1o4orw7

iBooks: http://apple.co/1o4ox6H

Kobo: http://bit.ly/1o4ozLY

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Quick Book Giveaway: The Best Laid Wedding Plans

To celebrate the May release of Every Bride Has Her Day, the second in Lynnette Austin’s Magnolia Brides series, Sourcebooks Casablanca is giving away a free copy of The Best Laid Wedding Plans via iBooks!

And more Lynn Austin will be on my blog in May, but here is a giveaway to keep you all until then ;)

I will make this quick:

GIVEAWAY

1 ecopy of The best laid wedding plans from iBooks

1. US only

2. To enter, well just say that you want to enter!

3. Remember if I can not find your profile, or email, then I can not contact you. So either leave it in a comment or be sure to see that I can find it in your profile

4. Ends April 8th.

The Best Laid Wedding Plans by Lynnette Austin

First in the new Magnolia Brides series

ISBN: 9781492617976

Release Date: November 3, 2015

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca

About the Book

SOME DREAMS ARE WORTH WHATEVER IT TAKES

Jenni Beth Beaumont left her broken heart behind when she took her dream job in Savannah. But after her brother's death, Jenni Beth returns home to help mend her parents' hearts as well as restore their beautiful but crumbling antebellum mansion. New dreams take shape as Jenni Beth sets to work replacing floors and fixing pipes to convert the family homestead into the perfect wedding destination. However, some folks in their small Southern town are determined to see her fail.

Cole Bryson was once the love of Jenni Beth's life, but the charming architectural salvager has plans of his own for the Beaumont family home. As the two butt heads, old turmoil is brought to the surface and Cole and Jenni Beth will have to work through some painful memories and tough realities before they can set their pasts aside and have a second chance at their own happily ever after.

About the Author

The luxury of staying home when the weather turns nasty, of working in PJs and bare feet, and the fact that daydreaming is not only permissible but encouraged, are a few of the reasons middle school teacher Lynnette Austin gave up the classroom to write full-time. Lynnette grew up in Pennsylvania’s Alleghany Mountains, moved to Upstate New York, then to the Rockies in Wyoming. Presently she and her husband divide their time between Southwest Florida’s beaches and Georgia’s Blue Ridge Mountains. A finalist in RWA's Golden Heart Contest, PASIC's Book of Your Heart Contest, and Georgia Romance Writers' Maggie Contest, she’s published five books as Lynnette Hallberg. She’s currently writing as Lynnette Austin. Having grown up in a small town, that’s where her heart takes her—to those quirky small towns where everybody knows everybody...and all their business, for better or worse.  Visit Lynnette at www.authorlynnetteaustin.com.

Connect with Lynnette

Website: http://www.authorlynnetteaustin.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Lynnette-Austin-253370174807116

Twitter: https://twitter.com/LynnettAustin

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/romwriter/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6456915.Lynnette_Austin

..................................................................

Every Bride Has Her Day by Lynnette Austin

Magnolia Brides, Book 2

ISBN: 9781492618003

Release Date: May 3, 2016

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca

About the Book

CAN LOVE REVIVE A WILTING HEART?

Cricket O’Malley can’t wait to plant roots back home in Georgia, where she’s returned to restore an abandoned flower shop to its former glory. The only blemish? Her neighbor’s house is even more neglected than her old flower shop, and its occupant seems as surly as he is darkly handsome.

Devastated body and soul after a tough case went south, New York City detective Sam DeLuca thought he’d have no trouble finding solitude in the quiet Georgia town of Misty Bottoms, but his bubbly neighbor seems determined to shine happiness into Sam’s life. Sam is equally determined to close himself off, but his heart says otherwise…

Buy the Book

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1ZS3QsB

Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/21XD0yF

Apple: http://apple.co/22WC3wu

BAM: http://bit.ly/25BFmb6

Kobo: http://bit.ly/1RRK4dL

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Indie Bound: http://bit.ly/1RS7LWk

Author post and Giveaway: Gini Koch

Today I have Gini Koch over! Give her a warm welcome *applauds* Her new book is out in December (my review will be posted a bit closer to the date ;) 

And not to forget, there is a giveaway too where you can win one of the first 9 books, your choice.

Now to her guest post, I wanted to see who would play the Martini...cos I looove him.

Gini Koch’s Top 10 Hotties to Play Martini

In reality, half of the actors in this list are already too old to play Martini. But all of them could do it, and that’s what counts, right? Oh, and they’re all hotties, and that counts, too. List subject to change based on a new hottie appearing on the scene.

By the way, Chris Evans, Ryan Reynolds, and David Boreanaz are not on this list – not because I don’t think they’re hotties (I do, trust me, Evans in particular), but because I already see them as other leading characters in other series I have out there and I just can’t bring myself to cross-pollinate. (For who I see them, and others, as, check out my See the Characters board on Pinterest -- http://www.pinterest.com/ginikoch/).

But now, on with this list!

10. Patrick Dempsey (FAR too old, but he HAS Martini’s hair.) (And Martini wants his hair back. Heh.)

9. Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson (Also too old, sadly, but he has Martini’s body build and smile.)

8. Hugh Jackman (Wolverine would be perfect with Kitty “Wolverine with Boobs” wouldn’t he? Sadly again, also too old.)

7. Ben Affleck (Probably the most likely suspect, since he has the hair, the build, the looks, and the ability to do pathos and humor. However, just a tiny bit too old. But I could ignore it for Ben!)

6. Karl Urban (I’d cast Karl Urban as every single male character if I was allowed to. In every single thing, not just mine. But, sadly, I do not have this power.)

5. Theo James (Probably a better choice for Christopher, but still, he’s worthy. And I was running low on younger guy options.)

4. Channing Tatum (He’s hot AND he can do humor…potentially a great choice.)

3. Josh Duhamel (What I said for CT, only I think he’s hotter than CT, so he rates higher.)

2. Henry Cavill (I think he’d be far better as Martini than as Superman, but I could be biased.)

1. Chris Hemsworth (Right now, the best choice, as long as they died his hair brown and gave him brown contact lenses. It’s Hollywood, they can do anything.)

Thank you! :)

Giveaway: 

Gini is offering one winner the choice of one of any of the first 9 books in the Alien/Katherine “Kitty” Katt Series (Touched by an Alien, Alien Tango, Alien in the Family, Alien Proliferation, Alien Diplomacy, Alien vs. Alien, Alien in the House, Alien Research, or Alien Collective), signed and personalized. 

1. Open internationally.

2. Ends Nov 30th

3. Check your profiles so I can find you if you win. Seriously, check, some profiles lead to nothing...

Good luck!

Blurb:

Being the wife of the Vice President isn’t easy. Especially when your talents lie in kicking butt and rocking out…

Jeff and Kitty Katt-Martini find out just how easy it is for the wife of the Vice President of the United States to unintentionally insult an ally. Now they have to smooth things over with the Australian Prime Minister, pronto, or risk creating an international incident the worldwide anti-alien coalitions will be able to use to force Jeff to resign and the A-Cs to leave the planet.

But before Kitty can make things worse, a cosmic congruence and a little help from some powerful beings shoves her into another world -- one where she’s been married to Charles Reynolds for years and aliens don’t exist. She’s also landed in the middle of a huge conspiracy and is marked for death…but at least that’s business as usual.

Kitty’s not the only one confused, because the Kitty from that world has taken her place in this one. Now Alpha Team and the Diplomatic Corps have to make sure that no one spots that there’s been a switch, while keeping World War III from happening. And they have to do so while keeping this new Kitty in line, because she has views about what to do and how to it, and time is running out.

Can both Kittys save their respective days before it’s too late to go home to the universes they belong to? Or will one Kitty decide to keep the other’s life…forever? 

Author Bio: 

Gini Koch writes the fast, fresh and funny Alien/Katherine “Kitty” Katt series for DAW Books, the Necropolis Enforcement Files series, and the Martian Alliance Chronicles series. Alien in the House, Book 7 in her long-running Alien series, won the RT Book Reviews Reviewer’s Choice Award as the Best Futuristic Romance of 2013. As G.J. Koch she writes the Alexander Outland series and she’s made the most of multiple personality disorder by writing under a variety of other pen names as well, including Anita Ensal, Jemma Chase, A.E. Stanton, and J.C. Koch. Currently, Gini has stories featured in the Unidentified Funny Objects 3, Clockwork Universe: Steampunk vs. Aliens, and Two Hundred and Twenty-One Baker Streets anthologies, and, writing as J.C. Koch, in Kaiju Rising: Age of Monsters, The Madness of Cthulhu, Vol. 1, and A Darke Phantastique anthologies. She will also have a story in the first book in an X-Files anthology series coming out in 2015. Gini can be reached via her website: www.ginikoch.com 

Author Interview and Giveaway: Lillian Marek

Today's interview is with Lilian Marek. And there is a giveaway too :)

Welcome!

1. Tell me about yourself?

Oh dear. Not my favorite subject, and not terribly exciting. I write books, and when I’m not writing, I think about writing. There is usually music playing in the background, and I like practically all music—except for rock. Even when I was a teenager I didn’t like rock music. Although I like lots of different things, what I am listening to depends on what I am doing. While I’m writing, I can’t listen to anything with words. They interfere. And I prefer something calm, so it’s likely to be something from the Baroque or Classical period. I play a lot of Haydn and Bach. On the other hand, when I’m cooking or doing housework, I want something upbeat. I often clean house to Theodore Bickel singing Russian gypsy songs. Or country music. I love George Strait.

2. What is your new book,  Lady Elinor's Wicked Adventure, about?

Love and adventure. But I expect you’d like a somewhat more detailed answer. Well, in 1856 the Marquess  and Marchioness of Penworth travel to Italy to study Etruscan ruins. With them are their two older children, Elinor and Pip, and Pip’s old schoolfriend, Harry. Harry is in love with Elinor, but he thinks his disreputable family makes him unworthy of her. She eventually prods him into the realization that his family doesn’t matter, at least not to her. Along the way, they explore Etruscan ruins, defeat some antiquities thieves, and smuggle a Garibaldi supporter out of Rome to help Pip’s romance along.

3. Who would play Elinor and Harry in a movie?

Hmm. That requires a bit of thought. I’m an old movie buff, and I especially like the screwball comedies, so I think I’ll pick Joel McCrae and Claudette Colbert. He’s very good at projecting comically solemn determination to do the right thing, even if it hurts, and she has the kind of impish self-confidence Elinor has. If you ever watch them in Palm Beach Story, you’ll see what I mean.

4. What made you set your book in Italy?

I’ve been to Italy a few times and just love it, so I figured my characters would like it too. Besides, during the 19th century, Italy was full of visiting Englishmen who were there for their health or to study or just because they liked it. The same excuses people use today. *Grin*

5. And last what are you working on right now?

The second book in the Victorian Adventure series takes place in Assyria. In this one, Lady Emily—Lady Elinor’s sister—gets to visit the ruins of ancient Nineveh and meets a French adventurer who isn’t all that he seems! Writing these books is such fun that it doesn’t seem right to say I’m ”working” on them.

Thanks!

And thank you for the invitation. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Harry de Vaux, Viscount Tunbury, has loved Lady Elinor Tremaine for as long as he can remember—but is convinced that his past makes him unworthy of her. He agrees to accompany the Tremaine family to Italy to explore Etruscan ruins, even if it chips away at his resolve to stay away from the delightful woman he loves.

The intrepid Lady Elinor is caught up in the Victorian fervor for exploring distant lands. But during her travels she is thrown back into the company of an old friend, Harry de Vaux. Amid the sightseeing and treasure hunting, Elinor comes to realize that she wants far more from Harry than friendship. But when a dangerous discovery leaves them fighting for their lives, it might just be too late...

About the author:

Lillian Marek was born and raised in New York City (the center of the universe). At one time or another she has had most of the interesting but underpaid jobs available to English majors. After a few too many years in journalism, she decided she prefers fiction, where the good guys win and the bad guys get what they deserve.

Available Now:

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1rNzW7e

Apple: http://bit.ly/1t9yhv6

BAM: http://bit.ly/1n1LS2d

B&N: http://bit.ly/1oJDF8n

Chapters: http://bit.ly/1p6aEmz

Indiebound: http://bit.ly/1yRbaWv

Kobo: http://bit.ly/1tOj1ar

Author Interview and Giveaway: Victoria Vane

Today I have an interview with Victoria Vane, and a rafflecopter giveaway :)

Welcome!

1. Tell me about yourself?

I consider myself a southern fried Yankee as I was born in Maine but have lived all of my adult life in the south (Florida, Georgia, Texas and South Carolina). We currrently call South Carolina home. I have been a horse lover all of my life. I have owned thirteen of then and trained and shown them. I currently own one beautiful Arabian geldign named Princeton. I am also happily married for thirty-one years and have two grown sons.

2. What is your new book, SLOW HAND about?

SLOW HAND is a contemporary Western romance set primarily in Montana. My heroine is a damsel in distress who loses her ID on her way to bury her dead father, and my hero is a total prince charming in a cowboy hat and a pick up truck. He’s also a workaholic laywer who has an ongoing battle with his older brother over the family ranch. The story is sexy and flirty and scorching hot. Link to book trailer: 

3. What is it with cowboys? Why do we like them so much?

I think the appeal is very much centered in their old fashioned manners. Cowboys are extremely tough and stoic but they also usually have big hearts and gentlemanly ways. They know how to treat a lady like a lady. My hero Wade is very much this kind of cowboy.

4. Three important things to know about Wade?

He’s charming witty and has an incredible chin dimple!

5.  Three important things about Nicole?

Nikki is a little bit lost in many ways. She desperately needs an anchor, someone she can count on like Wade. She’s fiercely independent because she’s had to be, and she’d been burned several times by cowboys.

6. And last what are you working on right now?

I have totally taken the plunge into contemporary romance with seven hot contemporary cowboy romances. Over the next eighteen months I have 4 novels coming from Sourcebooks (Slow Hand, Rough Rider, Straight Shooter and Silver Tongue) and 3 novellas from Kensington in a hot Las Vegas set series called Hotel Rodeo. Both publishers have left the option open to add more to these series if they do well. 

Thanks!

Slow Hand

By Victoria Vane

Sourcebooks Casablanca

ISBN: 9781492601128

$7.99/£5.99 Mass-Market Paperback

Summary

In rural Montana…

Wade Knowlton is a hardworking lawyer who’s torn between his small-town Montana law practice and a struggling family ranch. He’s on the brink of exhaustion from trying to save everybody and everything, when gorgeous Nicole Powell walks into his office. She’s a damsel in distress and the breath of fresh air he needs.

Even the lawyers wear boots…

Nicole Powell is a sassy Southern girl who has officially sworn off cowboys after a spate of bad seeds—until her father’s death sends her to Montana and into the arms of a man who seems too good to be true. Her instincts tell her to high tail it out of Montana, but she can't resist a cowboy with a slow hand…

Author Bio

Victoria Vane is a multiple award-winning romance novelist and history junkie whose collective works of fiction range from wildly comedic romps to emotionally compelling erotic romance. Her books have received more than twenty reviewer awards and nominations including the 2014 RONE Award for Treacherous Temptations and Library Journal Best E-Book romance of 2012 for The Devil DeVere series. Victoria also writes historical fiction as Emery Lee and is the founder of Goodreads Romantic Historical Fiction Lovers and the Romantic Historical Lovers book review blog.

Social Media

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Pinterest | Email | YouTube

Buy Links

Amazon | Apple | B&N | BAM | !ndigo | IndieBound

 a Rafflecopter giveaway Direct link: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/07c2363f48

Author Interview and giveaway: Sally Orr

Today I interview Sally Orr :) And there is a giveaway too.

Welcome!

1. Tell me about yourself?

Thanks for inviting me today. I’m a recovering academic scientist, now novelist. My head has been in the ivory tower so long, I’m surprised my right brain works at all. A friend challenged me to write a book, and once I started, it’s a hard habit to break—just too much fun.

2. And your new book, what is The Rake's Handbook about?

It’s about the man who wrote the manual on love: The Rake’s Handbook: Including Field Guide. He’s a jaded raked who believes his heart is incapable of romantic love. After a family tragedy, he moves to the countryside and vows to reform. But persuading females using words alone is a little harder than he thought it might be.

3. What is with rakes? Why do we adore them so much?

Because of their vulnerability perhaps? That tiny bat squeak (heard only by women) of a wounded heart that implies they may fall in love and fall hard.

4. How about Ross? Three reasons why my readers will fall in love with him?

He is a very naughty, naughty gentleman when it comes to innuendo. 

5.  How about a telling us one rake rule? ;)

Never discuss your ruffled sleeves with a rake when he is engaged in discrete bodice watching. 

6. And last what are you working on right now?

A light-hearted book about a rake that enters a daring race to Paris. He hires a balloon piloted by a lady of science, who performs atmospheric experiments. Experiments like tasting spices to determine if they lose flavor at high altitude. What could possibly go wrong when a pinch of spice falls on her lip? 

Thanks!

Thank you, it’s been fun.

The Rake’s Handbook (Including Field Guide)

By Sally Orr

Sourcebooks Casablanca

November 4, 2014

ISBN: 9781492602118

Mass Market Paperback $7.99/£5.99

Synopsis

The definitive guide to seduction…

The Rake’s Handbook was written on a dare, and soon took the ton by storm. Now its author, Ross Thornbury, is publicly reviled by the ladies—who are, of course, forbidden to read the handbook—but privately revered by the gentlemen. Unfortunately, Ross’s notoriety is working against him and he flees London painfully aware of the shortcomings of his own jaded heart.

Spirited young widow Elinor Colton lives next to Ross’s country estate. She’s appalled not only by his rakish reputation, but also by his progressive industrial plans. Elinor is sure she is immune to Ross’s seductive ways. But he keeps coming around…impressing her with his vision for England’s future and stunning her with his smiles.

How does one resist the man who wrote the manual on love?

Author Bio

Sally Orr worked for thirty years in medical research, specializing in the discovery of gene function. After joining an English history message board, she posted many, many examples of absolute tomfoolery. As a result, a cyber-friend challenged her to write a novel. Since she is a hopeless Anglophile, it's not surprising that her first book is a Regency romance. Sally lives with her husband in San Diego, surrounded by too many nerdy books and not enough old English cars.

Buy Links

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | BAM | !ndigo | IndieBound | iBooks

Social Media

Author Website http://www.sallyorr.com/

Twitter @OrrSally

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

Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5268402.Sally_Orr

 a Rafflecopter giveaway