Horny Hump Day 11/20/13: Betrayal

Posted on November 20, 2013 by Jenna Jaxon

WARNING:  MATERIAL NOT SUITABLE FOR THOSE UNDER THE AGE OF 18!

NOT SAFE FOR WORK!

Participating authors in Horny Hump Day post three sentences from their published works or WIP, hot like a firecracker! LOL

Today I have a little sneak-peek at my current WIP, soon-to-be released Book 2 of Time Enough to Love,

Betrayal

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Here we have a glimpse of Thomas on his wedding night:

Thomas seized her lips, pressed them open easily, and slipped his tongue inside the warm depths, moaning along with her. His groan deepened—damn but she was sweet—as his cock strained toward her, bumping into her hip insistently. Oh, but this would be true torture soon.

Hope you enjoyed this little tease from Betrayal. 🙂   It’s set to release before the end of the year and I can’t wait!

Look for the cover reveal and an extra treat in early December!

Please continue to the Horny Hump Day blog site for additional sites on the hop and go check out the other hot authors.

Thanks so much for visiting the Journal once more for Horny Hump Day!

7days

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Posted in Betrayal, Blog Hops, On Horny Hump Day, On Time Enough to Love, Promotion, WIP | Tagged , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

Interview with Paranormal Author Dani Jace

Posted on November 18, 2013 by Jenna Jaxon

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Today I’m really thrilled to have a fellow RWA chaptermate and fellow author from New Dawning Bookfair, Dani Jace with me on the Journal.  Dani’s latest novella, White Doe, is an erotic paranormal that takes place down at my vacation mecca, the Outer Banks of North Carolina.

Tell us a little bit about your new release. White Doe is an erotic, paranormal novella about a shape-shifting hawk living a secret life until his first love returns to the Outer Banks of North Carolina. Their connection deepens when he discovers her unique animal nature.

What was your inspiration for this story? Most of what I write is set on the Outer Banks which has a rich history and at times steeped in mystery…The Lost Colony, pirates, shipwrecks and the like. I believed a paranormal would work well there. While researching, I ran across a Native American legend about a phantom white deer said to be the spirit of Virginia Dare. I wrote my characters as shifters who descended from the Croatans and from there the story fell into place.

I am a fanatic about my character names. Are the character names in this novel special in any way?  I’ve always loved the name Shane. Cheyenne worked because I could hear him calling her Chey (Shy) for short. For some reason I always tend to give my main characters a pet name.

What was your process for writing your book?  Is this different or the same as other books you’ve written?  My first two novels were total pantsers. I plotted most of this one, but my subconscious threw in a couple of surprising twists.  I love when that happens.

Who is your favorite romance hero or heroine and why?  What qualities do they possess that make them memorable? Maximus in Gladiator. I love the strong, silent―never say die type.  My heroes tend to be men of few words, probably because I live with a chatter-box.

If you could have one wish granted just for you (not world peace, LOL), what would you wish for? For my son to live a long, healthy and happy life. 

Now, Just for Fun:

What is your favorite amusement park ride? Whiskey takes me as high as I want to go without a jet engine.

Tea or coffee?  Coffee – black

Would you rather vacation in Hawaii, Vegas or London?  Hawaii, baby!

Do you prefer to sleep in frilly lingerie or a tee shirt?  I love cotton.

Boxers, briefs or commando?  My heroes wear boxer briefs.  Me―that’s a secret.

Blond, brunette or redhead? (preferred men’s hair color) Usually dark hair, but of late, I’m imagining more sandy-haired heroes akin to Aussie, Chris Hemsworth and Charlie Hunnam of SOA.

Would you rather skydive or scuba dive? Scuba―but only in crystal clear water.

What’s the one thing you would never do? Never say never, it’ll come back and bite you in the a$$.

LOL Dani!

Blurb for White Doe:

A descendant of the Croatan Indians, Shane is a shape-shifting hawk living a secret life on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. When a dark-haired beauty from his past returns for their chieftain’s funeral she opens Shane’seyes and heart to his denied heritage. Cheyenne’s long held affection for her former lover is rekindled, but she is afraid to reveal the reason for her departure years ago. But can she trust him with the truth and will their journey to love lead Shane to his ultimate destiny?

 White Doe is available at:

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

All Romance Books

Smashwords

Kobo Books

 Excerpt from White Doe:

Cheyenne gripped the counter behind her. He’d never believed the bit about her mom changing jobs. If she revealed the real reason they’d left Manteo, he’d think her insane. “I’d never betray you, Shane.” Her words spilled out sounding breathless.

The back of his knees hit the chair.It skidded backward and tipped over as he closed in on her like a predator. His eyes darkened to molten caramel as his nostrils flared. Over two hundred pounds of sinewy muscles trapped her against the counter while large hands rested at her lower back.

Stunned, she froze. Anger and passion mixed. The pungent aroma of whiskey wafted from masculine lips hovering inches from hers.

In mocked defiance she lifted her chin. The act forced him to pause, but only for a second. Then he claimed her mouth.

Savagely.Branding her.As he had when she was sixteen.

Freewill gone, she melted into his hard embrace and prodding erection.His tongue swept past her teeth with hunger as he lifted her onto the counter.

“God, Chey,” he hissed, squeezing her ass making her wet with need.

His hands roved under her skirt, skimming the tops of her thighs, until his fingers caught the band of her silk thong. Like a hunter, he shredded the flimsy barrier.

Her head fell back in surrender as her hips bucked forward. Far better than whiskey, his touch drugged her, weakened her defenses. Nothing had changed.

Posted in Author/Character Interviews, Book Spotlights, Guest Bloggers, Interviews, New Release, Promotion | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 19 Comments

Sweet Nothings–11/16/13 Only Marriage Will Do

Posted on November 16, 2013 by Jenna Jaxon

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“Let me whisper sweet nothings in your ear.”

Sweet Nothings is back!  It’s a little shadow of Sweet Saturday Samples, until that sweet treat starts back up.  Until that happens, here’s a little weekly blog where you can post a “sweet” excerpt  (PG 13 or milder) from one of your works.  Remember: please  hold the excerpt to 350 words or less. But if your cutting needs just a few more words, that’s okay too.  I won’t be counting. LOL

Today’s “Sweet Nothing” is the beginning of the second book of the House of Pleasure series, Only Marriage Will Do. I’m finishing up my revision to this work this week.

397px-John_Everett_Millais_The_Black_BrunswickerThe maid who answered the door gasped and took a step back into the house. 

Amiable Dawson assumed she had been unprepared for the sight of his grim face as he stood on the marbled stoop of Dunham House. He’d been in a foul mood ever since the news about Katarina had reached him. Blast it to hell. The girl’s eyes widened and she glanced to her right, wringing her hands. 

“Who may I say—”

“No! I do not believe you!”  The maid got no further when a man’s harsh voice from within overpowered hers.

“I do not care what you believe. It is true, I tell you!” A woman’s voice, raised and sharp with terror, sent a chill through Amiable. 

Katarina. What in God’s name?

Used to making quick decisions, he barged past the stunned girl and strode down the hall toward the source of the commotion. He burst through the doorway, expecting to defend the woman he loved, only to stop dead at the sight of pursed lips and frowning brows set in the lovely face of a complete stranger.

            Her big brown eyes widened and she gasped as if in relief. Her honey-blonde hair, swept up beneath a fashionable lacy mob-cap, straggled into fetching wisps. Dressed in a deep pink striped gown that made a man want to take her in his arms and squeeze, she motioned him toward her.

“Here he is.” The charming creature flung the words at the scowling man who stood before her. “Now you will have to believe me!”

A sullen young man of medium height, foppishly dressed in a robin’s egg blue satin coat, dripped with too many layers of frothy lace at throat and wrists. Then the enchanting blond ran to his side, reached up, grazed a kiss over his cheek and whispered the frantic words, “For God’s sake, help me!  Just agree with whatever I say.”

Okay, now it’s your turn to share a “Sweet Nothing.” 🙂

Posted in Only Marriage Will Do, Promotion, Sweet Nothings, WIP | Tagged , , , , , , , | 15 Comments

Spotlight: The Secret Life of Miss Anna Marsh by Ella Quinn

Posted on November 14, 2013 by Jenna Jaxon

The Secret Life of Miss Anna Marsh

“Let yourself be seduced by this sexy mix of spies, smugglers, and happily ever afters.” —USA Today Bestselling author Sally MacKenzie

Since she was a young girl, Anna Marsh has dreamed of Sebastian, Baron Rutherford asking for her hand in marriage. But that was in another life when her brother Harry was alive, before she vowed to secretly continue the work he valiantly died for. Now as Sebastian finally courts Anna, she must thwart his advances. Were he to discover her secret, he would never deem her a suitable wife…

Sebastian has always known Anna would become his wife someday. He expects few obstacles, but when she dissuades him at every turn he soon realizes there is much more to this intriguing woman. Somehow he must prove to her that they are meant to be together. But first he must unravel the seductive mystery that is Miss Anna Marsh…

Excerpt for The Secret Life of Miss Anna Marsh:

“I hope you have a wonderful time at the wedding, my dear,” Lady Marsh said. “I was so pleased to hear that Lady Phoebe is finally marrying. She certainly has taken her time settling on someone.”

“Yes, Mama. We are all delighted for Phoebe.” Mama had in no way approved of the license Phoebe had been given and could not fathom any lady’s waiting for a love match. Mama’s match had been arranged, and she and Papa had got along very well until Harry died. Then it all seemed to fall apart.

Lady Marsh frowned. “I don’t understand why Lady Phoebe had to pick the most eligible gentleman available this Season. Really, Anna, I think you could have done something more to interest him.”

Anna valiantly forbore sighing. Lord Marcus Finley, Phoebe’s intended, had been the topic of conversation since early September. “Mama, I’ve told you. He formed an attachment for Phoebe years ago,” Anna said. “The only reason he danced with me, that one time, was to aid her. I never had a chance, and I would have looked ridiculous trying to set my cap at him.”

“Please do not use that vulgar term,” her mother replied. “There is Rutherford, my love. He is very eligible, and his mother told me that since he didn’t do a good job attaching Lady Phoebe . . . ”

“Mama,” Anna interrupted. “Phoebe had no interest in Rutherford. They are friends. That is all.”

“As I was saying, my dear, Lord Rutherford is free and in need of a wife. I am sure, if you would only make yourself agreeable to him, he’d be happy to make you an offer.”

Anna resisted the urge to cast her eyes upward. She missed the intimacy she’d had with her mother before Harry’s death. Everything was so different now. Anna certainly wasn’t going to tell her mother Sebastian had proposed. Trying to turn the conversation away from marriage, Anna said. “Mama, why do you call him Lord Rutherford, when you’ve known him all his life?”

“That is what we do, my dear. You would be well advised to remember he is no longer a schoolboy, but rather a very eligible gentleman.”

Ella will be giving away a copy of The Secret Life of Miss Anna Marsh to one commenter on the blog today.

Ella QuinnAbout the Author:

Ella Quinn lived all over the United States, the Pacific, Canada, England and Europe before finally discovering the Caribbean. She lives in St. Thomas, Virgin Islands with her wonderful husband, three bossy cats and a loveable great dane. Ella loves when friends connect with her:

Website: www.ellaquinnauthor.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/EllaQuinnAuthor

Twitter www.twitter.com/ellaquinnauthor

Blog http://ellaquinnauthor.wordpresscom

Posted in Book Spotlights, Guest Bloggers, Promotion | Tagged , , , , , , | 41 Comments

Malicious Mischief by Marianne Harden

Posted on November 13, 2013 by Jenna Jaxon

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Is it strange to have the unemployment office on speed dial? Not for twenty-four-year-old college dropout Rylie Keyes. However, her current job at a small retirement home is worlds more important than all her past gigs. Fact is, if she loses this job, she’ll fail to stop the forced sale of her grandfather’s home, a modest lakeside bungalow that has been in the family for ages. But to keep her job she needs to figure out the truth behind the death of a senior citizen found murdered in her care.
 
The victim was thought to be a penniless man with a silly grudge against Rylie. However, his enemies will do whatever it takes to keep their part in his murder secret.
 
Forced to dust off the PI training she must keep hidden from her ex-detective grandfather, Rylie has to juggle the attentions of two very sexy, very different cops who both arouse and fluster her at the same time. And as she trudges through the case, she has no idea that along the way she just might win, or lose, a little piece of her heart.

Marianne is giving away a Nook HD, so enter the Rafflecopter to win!

Author Bio:

I love making people laugh. True, I should probably spend time on an analyst’s couch, but I’d rather spill loads of fun into my books. I’m rarely at a loss for words, which is wicked cool for a writer. And it would be poppycock to say I didn’t laze away my wonder years dreaming of far-off places.

Over the years, I’ve traversed the insanely fun back roads of Australia and New Zealand, trekked the wildly exotic landscapes of Asia and Africa, soaked up the blistering Caribbean sun, survived bitter Arctic cold to witness the Northern Lights, and lost a wee bit of my heart to the awesomeness of Europe.

My goals in life are simple: do more good than harm and someday master the do-not-mess-with-me look. I roost in Washington State with my husband and our two children.

Website Twitter Facebook Pinterest Goodreads

Malicious Mischief Trailer

 

And if that didn’t whet your appetite, perhaps this will!

Excerpt from Malicious Mischief:

I managed to look down. Froze. Zach’s jacket had somehow twisted to the front, leaving my butt out in the open. I started to tug it back into place, spied a huge pool of blood nearby, and keeled over. Splat.

“Isn’t that somethin’, you’re wearing a pink thong.” Cokey Bill’s voice sounded distant.

“Doris won’t wear one, on account of her incontinence.”

Dizzily, I struggled to my knees, staggered a little, then righted with a hand to one of the orange boxes for support. “Mr. Oley—we need to get—help. Doris needs—help.”

“Ah, that’s the sweetest thing, you moving over like that. I got a nice view now.”

I lapsed into a moment of stillness, hand to my heart. I had a strong feeling nothing could be done for Doris, so I wanted to give Cokey Bill a moment with his wife.

“Rare and beautiful thing, a nice ass,” he said.

Omigod! “Are you kidding me? You pervert. You’re looking at my butt!”

“I’m a simple man,” he said.

“You should be ashamed—” I broke off when his eyes went glassy. “Mr. Oley, are you all right?”

He sunk lower in his seat, grinned, and sagged against the steering wheel, making the horn blare with his pointy nose.

I couldn’t move, couldn’t blink. This wasn’t happening.

Solo popped his head inside the open passenger door. “Holy crap!”

“Where have you been?” I managed.

“Watching some bunnies in the bushes.” He looked from Cokey Bill to Doris and back to me. “What did you do, whisper them to death?”

“No!” I said, gulping air. “Check his pulse.” Then I closed my eyes to the blood and straddled Doris to do my best with CPR. It didn’t matter that I thought it was useless, I couldn’t give up on her or Cokey Bill. A minute later, I eyed Solo. “How’s he doing?”

He shook his head, shoulders slumped. “Dead.”

The blood left my face, I felt it go, drip by bloody drip. “You sure?”

He nodded. “Pretty darn.”

I dragged my eyes off Cokey Bill and went back to work on Doris. The shock and effort made me woozier. My panting and the footsteps outside sounded as one. When the truck’s rear doors flew open, my heart skipped a beat.

“Holy Mother Mary!” Zach said.

Fish and guts streamed out in a silver wave. Zach leaped back. I grabbed for something, anything, but my hands were slimy. The truck’s sharp angle made it worse. I missed a hand strap, but fisted some of Doris’s shirt. She wasn’t moving, probably caught on something. I heard a ripping noise. Ack! She was on the loose. A jaunty slippery-slide over the rear bumper whipped me higher than a bucking horse.

We bounced onto the pavement, bounced again. It turned out Doris was kind of springy. Even so, we went splat, a bouncy splat that whipped me onto my back, my knees heavenward, and my arms above my head. I opened one eye, peered up at Zach; his eyes were steely.

“I can explain.”

Malicious Mischief - Marianne Harden - Banner (1)

Posted in Book Spotlights, Promotion, Sizzling PR Blog Tours | Tagged , , , , , | 12 Comments

Horny Hump Day 11/13/13: Only Marriage Will Do

Posted on November 13, 2013 by Jenna Jaxon

 

WARNING:  MATERIAL NOT SUITABLE FOR THOSE UNDER THE AGE OF 18!

NOT SAFE FOR WORK!

Participating authors in Horny Hump Day post three sentences from their published works or WIP, hot like a firecracker! LOL

 I’m Back!  And with a teaser from my current WIP

Only Marriage Will Do

the second book in the House of Pleasure series 

 

Only Marriage Will Do follows just after Only Scandal Will Do and is the story of Lady Juliet Ferrers, Duncan’s sister, as she flees the arms of one man only to find herself ensnared in those of another.  Here’s a sexy little snippet, where Lady Juliet is dreaming–of the man of her dreams. 

479px-Francois_Boucher_Heracles_and_OmphaleShe tugged and his hair flowed free around his shoulders, like a Norse god come to life at her touch. Raining liquid kisses from her mouth, to throat, to shoulder, to breast, he drove her mad with his silky lips. She moaned with delight and moved her hips against the hardness pressing her legs—seeking, prodding, parting her thighs. . . .

I bet she doesn’t want to be awakened from this dream any time soon. 🙂   Thanks so much for visiting my return to Horny Hump Day!  I missed the heat. LOL

Please visit the Horny Hump Day blog site for the other sites on the hop and go visit the other hot authors.

Thanks so much for coming by the Journal once more for Horny Hump Day!

7days

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Posted in Blog Hops, House of Pleasure Series, on Georgian Romance, On Horny Hump Day, Only Marriage Will Do, Promotion, WIP | Tagged , , , , , , | 7 Comments

A Perilous Journey: Sharon Cullen ~ Loving The Earl

Posted on November 12, 2013 by Jenna Jaxon

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My hero and heroine of LOVING THE EARL take quite the journey together through three countries. But the most perilous journey takes place in the Swiss Alps as they travel the  Great St. Bernard Pass.

There are only a few ways to travel through the Swiss Alps, or there were in the 18th Pass is only open during certain parts of the year because it’s in the mountains and we all know what happens a lot in the mountains—snow.

At first I thought it wouldn’t be that big of a deal, having them travel the pass but the more I researched it, the more I realized what a tricky thing this pass was and how I had to carefully plan their adventure.

I was a little disappointed because I wanted my couple to reach Venice during the festivals but the festivals took place in February and there was no way they could go over the pass in the middle of winter. So the festivals had to be shelved (maybe for another book? Hmmmm. Possibly).

But the more I researched the Great St. Bernard Pass, the more interested I became in it. century. The Valais, where Nathan and Claire embark on their journey through the Alps There is a hospice way up there in the pass. In this instance hospice means a place for travelers to find refuge. The hospice has been there since the 9th century and was named for St. Bernard Menthon in the 16th century. Napoleon Bonaparte marched his troops through the pass.

Originally the St. Bernard dogs were bred there to provide protection to the monks but it was soon discovered that they were excellent at search and rescue so they were later bred for that. Now the pass has a tunnel and the roads have been greatly improved which makes the dogs’ presence almost obsolete but apparently the kennels are still there and you can still see the dogs running around the property.

In Sharon Cullen’s sizzling novel of scandal and seduction, a headstrong beauty is pursued across Europe by London’s most notorious rake.

Having vowed never to wed again, widowed Viscountess Claire Hartford is about to do the unthinkable: travel unaccompanied across the continent in search of a lover. Her adventure begins sooner than expected, when she meets a magnificent cloaked stranger on her ship’s gangplank. He is Lord Blythe, a man whispered about in London’s ballrooms and drawing rooms, a scandalous rogue hell-bent on seduction.

Nathan Ferguson curses the day he agreed to look out for his best friend’s wayward sister. The charismatic earl is traveling to Paris to uncover the truth behind his father’s death, but his desire for Claire threatens to be his undoing.

From France to Italy, on a journey of passionate discovery and danger, Nathan is honor-bound to protect her—from himself most of all. What can he offer Claire? Only love, as he sets out to prove to the woman of his dreams that she belongs to him—body, heart, and soul.

Advance praise for Loving the Earl:

“Loving the Earl is charming and fast-paced. It’s filled with passion, intrigue, a resourceful heroine you’ll love, and a delicious hero you’ll fall in love with. An absolute delight!”—New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Jacquie D’Alessandro

“Sharon Cullen is a natural-born storyteller. Her twists and turns will keep you turning the pages.”—Margo Maguire, bestselling author of The Highlander’s Desire

“With its bad-boy hero and spunky heroine, Sharon Cullen’s Loving the Earl is sure to please readers looking for more than the typical Regency come-out story. Intrigue and romance fuse seamlessly in this adventurous romp that takes the reader from Dover to Paris to Venice and finally to a sigh-worthy happily ever after.”—Shana Galen, author of True Spies

sharon blk and whiteIIISharon Cullen is the author of the historical romance, THE NOTORIOUS LADY ANNE, LOVING THE EARL, and PLEASING THE PIRATE (available February 2014). She’s also published in romantic suspense, paranormal romance and contemporary romance. Her other job descriptions include chauffeur, laundress, cook and mediator to her three very busy kids, her husband and two dogs. She lives in southwest Ohio with her brood although her dream is to someday retire to St. Maarten and live on the beach.

If you’d like to find out more about Sharon and her books, you can visit her website. She’s addicted to social networking so you can find her on Facebook, Tumblr and Twitter. Friend her! Like her! Follow her! She’d love to hang out with you and talk about her passion—books.

Links for LOVING THE EARL:

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Loving-Earl-Loveswept-Historical-Romance– ebook/dp/B00CQZ65N8/ref=sr_1_1ie=UTF8&qid=1383861206&sr=8-1&keywords=loving+the+earl

Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/loving-the-earl-sharon– cullen/1115688094?ean=9780345540065

Random House: http://www.randomhouse.com/book/221562/loving-the-earl-by– sharon-cullen

Posted in Book Spotlights, Guest Bloggers, Guest Posts, Promotion, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | 15 Comments

The Vixen and the Viking: A Review of Viking Fire by Andrea Cooper

Posted on November 9, 2013 by Jenna Jaxon

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856 Ireland is a wild and barbarous time for Kaireen, daughter of a Laird, about to be married to a Viking invader she’s never met.  The fiery red-head is determined to avoid her fate and tries at every turn to persuade her barbarian she will not marry him.  But when his rugged good looks and superior fighting skills begin to sway her heart, Kaireen must work hard to guard herself from falling for the Viking.

Bram, the ultimate hot, hunky hero, is easily attracted to his reluctant bride.  He puts up with her attempts to discourage him and mounts a subtle but constant campaign to win Kaireen’s heart–even offering to set her free from the arranged marriage.  Does she take him up on this offer?  Read Viking Fire to find out!

I don’t think I’ve ever read a Viking romance before, so Viking Fire was a wonderful introduction to this era in Irish history.  I adore all things Irish and this book gave me a fascinating glimpse into an earlier period than I’ve encountered before. 

It’s a fast paced historical that will keep you on the edge of your seat and turning pages into the night.  These two feisty lovers will absolutely capture your heart as they encounter marauders, hostile clansmen, and a bit of magic during their struggle to find a way to their HEA.

Two things I’d like to have seen more of:  deeper POV for Kaireen so I could feel her emotions better and more POV period for Bram.  He’s such a hot hero I wanted more “face time” with him!  Otherwise, another fantastic romance from Andrea Cooper. 

BTW–Will Shay get her own story?  I’m dying to know!

Blurb for Viking Fire:

856 CE, Ireland is a land of myth, magic, and blood. Viking raiders have fought the Irish for over half a century. Rival Irish clans promise only betrayal and carnage.

Kaireen, daughter of Laird Liannon, is suddenly forced into an arranged marriage with her sworn enemy, a Viking. She refuses to submit. With no mention of love, only land and the protection of her clan, she endeavors to get her betrothed banished from her country. Will love find its way around her stubborn heart?

Bram, the Viking, finds himself without future or inheritance as a younger son in his family. A marriage to the Laird’s daughter would grant him land if he swears fidelity and if his men will fight along with the Liannons against any foe—Irish or Viking. However, the Laird’s feisty daughter only holds animosity for him and his kind. Is marriage worth the battle scars of such a relentless opponent?

With the blame for a rival laird’s death treacherously set against the Liannons, Kaireen and Bram must find a way to lay aside their differences as an unforeseen darkness sends death snapping at their heels.

Excerpt from Viking Fire:

 

Ireland 856 CE

“I renounce Father for this.” Kaireen threw the elderberry gown. Dressed only in her leine, she glared at the new gown on the stone floor.

“Shame on you and your children for speaking such.” Her handmaid, Elva, gathered the damask and then dusted off the rushes. “It’s a wonder one of the clim has not scolded you from your hearth for such talk.” She wore her white hair twisted in a chignon, underneath a linen head cloth. Strands of white hair poked out the sides of her covering.

“No, curse Father for a fool.” She plopped on her bed and a goose feather floated away. With a huff, she leaned against the oak headboard. Red curtains puffed like a robin’s chest around oak poles supporting her wooden canopy.

Her bare feet brushed against the stone floor. Why was she not born plain like her two older sisters? Already they had married and expected their second bairns by spring. Well, at least so far she had enjoyed twenty years of freedom. Neither of her sisters had had matrimonial dreams of love matches. Both were arranged marriages.

“You know your da arranged a marriage within a season.” Elva smirked.

Kaireen shook her head. “To another land holder,” and waved a hand in disgust, “not t-this heathen. Twice they raided our land in the last month alone. Many a raid has come from them. Now father wants me as wife to one of them?” She clenched her fists. “No, I will not marry this Viking.”

Elva smiled, reminding Kaireen of the rumors of her handmaid’s uncanny foresight.

Whispers of Elva making strange things happen and often blamed as the cause of Kaireen’s stubborn refusal to behave as a laird’s daughter should.

“You’ve not seen him yet.” Elva wiggled her brows.

“So?” Kaireen shrugged. “I would like to never see him.”

“Well then, would you not like to know if you have a handsome husband or not?” She waited for her response, but Kaireen scowled at her. Elva chuckled. “I would rather get a good look at him now than the morning after.”

Kaireen’s ears heated. “I am not marrying.” She shook her head for emphasis. “So there will be no morning, nor night, nor wedding.”

“If he is handsome, I may fight you for him.” Elva smiled, deepening the wrinkles around her eyes.

“Welcome to him either way.” Kaireen laughed.

0736c1574a650ac1d188b0_L__V372245506_SX200_Andrea’s Bio:Growing up in Houston, Texas, Andrea has always created characters and stories. But it wasn’t until she was in her late twenties that she started writing novels.

What happened that ignited the writing flame in her fingers? Divorced, and disillusioned by love songs and stories. They exaggerate. She thought. Love and Romance are not like that in the real world. Then she met her husband and realized, yes love and romance are exactly like the songs and stories say. She is now a happy wife, and a mom to three kids (two boys and a girl).

Andrea writes paranormal and historical romance. When not writing or reading, one may find Andrea dancing in Zumba.

She believes in the power of change and counting each moment as a blessing. But most importantly, she believes in love.

Viking Fire is her second forthcoming novel with Crimson Romance and is a historical romance. Her debut novel, The Garnet Dagger, is a paranormal romance and is now available.

Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/AndreaRCooper.author

Twitter:@AndreaRCooper

Website:www.AndreaRCooper.com

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Viking-Fire-ebook/dp/B00DV0XJ9U/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1373923714&sr=8-1&keywords=viking+fire

Buy Links: Crimson Romance ebooks | Amazon | B&N | iTunes

 

Posted in Book Spotlights, Promotion, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , | 13 Comments

Interview with Elf Ahearn ~ Lord Monroe’s Dark Tower

Posted on November 5, 2013 by Jenna Jaxon

I am delighted to have my friend and fellow author, Elf Ahearn (just love her name!) here with me today talking about herself and her latest release Lord Monroe’s Dark Tower.

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Can you tell us a little bit about your current release?

It’s kind of a psycho-thriller, which probably isn’t done all that much in Regency romances. The villainess is heavily involved in the plot—in fact, her madness is what keeps the lovers apart. Claire Albright, the heroine, tries to use herbal remedies to cure the villainess’s hoarding and psychotic tendencies. Action, adventure and high drama ensue, capped by a happy ending.

I am a fanatic about my character names. Are the character names special in any way?

My hero’s name is Flavian, after a cat we had when I was growing up. My brother-in-law brought him home as a kitten, saying he appeared to be the shelter’s “special of the day.” Shortly thereafter the little fluff ball got very ill and wouldn’t eat. My sister Jenny (upon whom the heroine, Claire, is based) nursed him day and night until one day he indicated an interest in my peanut butter and jelly sandwich. I gave him a bite and then fed him the whole thing. After that he was fine, and he and Jenny fell in love.

You asked who influenced me most to write; well, that was Jenny. She told me to write Regency romances because that’s what she likes to read. In return, I made her favorite kitty into a dashing hero.

Do you have plans for a sequel to this book?

Yup. Lord Monroe’s Dark Tower is the second in a planned series of four books about the Albright Sisters. The girls are all loosely based on my siblings and me.

You are invited to a dinner party.  On your right sits Genghis Khan and on your left sits Oscar Wilde.  Who do you talk to for most of the evening?

Once upon a time I was an actress and my favorite part was Cecily Cardew in The Importance of Being Earnest, therefore I would have to say Oscar Wilde. However, Genghis Khan apparently spread his seed around the globe, so he’s probably a cousin.

I love finding fellow theatre folk!  And I absolutley adore The Importance of Being Earnest!  We would have heaps to talk about if we were at a dinner party together!

What is the most exciting/daredevil thing you’ve ever done?

When I was a kid I used to hang by my heels like a trapeze artist, but I’d have to say getting drunk with a gun-toting pimp was probably the most “exciting” thing I’ve ever done.

My girlfriend and I were at a bar on the Upper West Side of Manhattan when this middle aged paunchy guy started talking to us. He called himself Marty Diamond and said he was a practicing gynecologist. A few drinks later, he said he was a second-story man and his name was actually Marty Valentine.  A pitcher later, he asked us to accompany him downtown. We were so toasted we actually got in the cab. At a midtown bar, he left us while he “transacted some business.”

When a guy hit on me, Marty appeared suddenly with a gun in his hand. Fortunately the guy skedaddled and my girlfriend and I hailed the first yellow car in view.

Now, Lightning Round:

Beach or mountains?

Beach. Love them waves.

Boxers, briefs or commando?

Old lady u-trou. The kind that come up over your hip bones and bag in the back. Oh, you meant on him! Briefs.

Blond, brunette or redhead? (preferred men’s hair color)

The hubby is gray, so I’m going to go with that.

Would you rather skydive or scuba dive?

Scuba. You won’t catch me leaping out of a plane.

Would you rather vacation in Hawaii, Vegas or London?

London. Old places speak to my soul.

Coffee, Tea, or Hot Chocolate?

Tea all day every day.

Favorite Food?

Ben & Jerry’s Cherry Garcia FroYo

Cats, dogs, or exotic (please share the type)?

CATS! Though I used to be nuts for horses and I can’t walk past a dog without petting it.

Thanks so much for coming by and hanging out, Elf! 

And now here’s the blurb for Lord Monroe’s Dark Tower:

Two years of bewildering silence have passed since Claire Albright’s passions were first inflamed by powerful, brooding, Lord Flavian Monroe. On the brink of her London debut he unexpectedly summons her, asking for help to cure his ward’s hoarding. Embroiled in a desperate attempt to curb the child’s destructive madness, Claire struggles to understand why Flavian’s kisses veer from burning desire to icy rejection. Can she reach his heart before the child’s insanity undoes their chance at love?

When he was fourteen, Flavian made a mistake so devastating it ruined all hope for happiness. Years later, he’s still paying for his sin. But before his ward’s troubled mind destroys his home and family, he must see Claire once more. Vowing to keep their relationship professional—she the healer, he the guardian—he finds the bonds of his resolve snapping. Somehow, he must content himself with the love that could have been, but he cannot resist . . . one final embrace . . .

Lord Monroe’s Dark Tower is available at Amazon and other e-tailers.

 

 

 

 

Posted in Author/Character Interviews, Guest Bloggers, Interviews, New Release, Promotion | Tagged , , , , , , | 32 Comments

Sunday Social: My Favorite Scary Movies

Posted on October 27, 2013 by Jenna Jaxon

My last pre-Halloween topic for Sunday Social is scary movies, not that I’ve seen a lot.  Despite my love of all things Stephen King, I’m the world’s biggest wimp when it comes to watching scary movies.

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I tend to like the ones that are tongue in cheek, like Tremors, or American Werewolf in London, or Theatre of Blood (a psycho actor kills critics according to the ShakespeareanFrankenstein-Poster-classic-movies-19761154-324-500 plays they panned him in.  I LOVE this movie!).  And I’ve seen and love the classics:  Frankenstein, The Mummy, The Wolfman, Dracula, The Creature from the Black Lagoon.

And I’ve seen some straight horror films:  Carrie (original), The Shining, Final Destination 2 (hubby and I went by mistake), The Sixth Sense, and downloadThe Exorcist.  I saw the latter one when I was in undergrad school and slept with the light on for a week! LOL

But my best story surrounding a scary movie was the time I watched The Ring.  I posted about this on Halloween two years ago, but it is my favorite Halloween story, so I’ll tell it to you it again.

My kids were probably 8 and 10 and I had taken them trick or treating in our neighborhood.  My husband decided to take them out in the car and continue the candy fest, so I’m left home alone to watch a scary movie people had been telling me to watch:  The Ring.

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I put the VHS tape I had rented in and started watching.  If you’ve seen it you know creepy is an understatement.  And I’m alone in the house watching a movie on tape about a tape that people watch, then they get a phone call and seven days later they die.  Maybe not the best movie to watch under these circumstances.

About half-way through the movie my husband and children arrive home.  The kids go off to OD on chocolate and my husband says he wants to watch the movie with me.  I re-wind and start to watch again, still creeped out.  Hubby promptly falls asleep but I keep watching–in a very quiet house.

I am at the point in the movie where the reporter has discovered the little girl and wakes up her son to tell him that the girl had been removed from the well.  The little boy looks at her, terrified, and says “You shouldn’t have done that.”

At that moment my house telephone rang.

I stared at the cordless phone, sitting beside my husband, thinking “Don’t answer it.”  My hubby rouses from his sleep, grabs the phone and answers it.  Still half asleep, he thrust it toward me and said, “It’s for you.”

I looked from the phone to the screen, grabbed for the remote to try to stop the movie, grabbed for the phone all the while  yelling, “Oh, sh*t! Oh, sh*t!” My hand hit the phone, sending it flying into the foyer so I scrambled after it, still cursing.  I picked it up, put it cautiously to my ear and said, “Hello?”

“What the hell is going on over there?!”  It was my cousin calling to see how things were going with the kids’ Trick or Treating.  Relieved that she hadn’t said “Seven days,” I started to laugh, then told her what had happened.  Later I finished watching the movie–even more creeped out–and vowed NEVER to watch a horror movie on Halloween again.  It was scary as hell when it happened, but it makes a great story several years afterwards. LOL

What’s your favorite scary movie?

 

Posted in Social Sunday | Tagged , , , , , | 25 Comments