Custom Cover Contest!

Posted on October 15, 2012 by Jenna Jaxon

Here’s a fantastic way to start a week!  My fabulous editor and cover designer, Danielle Fine, is having a cover contest for the next two weeks.  I have two covers she’s designed for me that are entered in the contest:

and

For all the details on the contest visit my good friend and fellow Lyrical author Karen Bynum’s blog today.  But I can tell you that if you vote in the contest, you’ll have a chance at winning a fabulous cover designed by Danielle.

So check out Karen’s post–which includes an exclusive interview with Danielle– or simply go directly to Danielle’s website, Definition by Danielle Fine, and vote for your favorite cover!

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Six Sentence Sunday–10/14/12 Time Enough To Love: Betrothal ~ “Carnal Knowledge”

Posted on October 14, 2012 by Jenna Jaxon

Happy Sunday! For my Six Sentence Sunday post today, I’m changing my WIP to my medieval romance Betrothal, about to go into edits!   Will keep you posted about a release date.

I’m continuing from my Sweet Saturday Sample of yesterday (which you can view here).  Lady Alyse de Courcy is a waiting gentlewoman to Princess Joanna, youngest daughter of King Edward.   Alyse is less than happy with her arranged marriage to Geoffrey Longford, a knight in the king’s service, and is infatuated instead with his best friend, Thomas, Lord Brayton.

This scene occurs the night after the betrothal. Geoffrey has drawn Alyse over to his table, hoping to talk to her in private.   His group of friends, led by Thomas, attempt to make sport of the couple. Thomas makes the suggestion (in jest) that Alyse should know him before she is wed.  Geoffrey, piqued that Alyse still shows an interest in his friend, asks her to answer the lewd statement. But when she acquits herself credibly in wordplay, she draws Geoffrey’s ire–and something else.  He reminds her that she has promised to “know” him better, and presses her to make good on that promise.

“How so, sir?”

“Why with conversation, my lady, how else?”

Alyse breathed a sigh of relief and Geoffrey chuckled, for he guessed the bent of her mind. Would that such carnal knowledge could be gained tonight. An image flashed through his mind of Alyse, in his bed, licking. . .tasting. . . touching those red lips to his. . . . He shook himself and suppressed the pleasant daydream.

Some dreams are too good to give up. LOL

Thanks so much for visiting me today.  Now pop over to the Six Sentence Sunday list and check out the rest of the snippets.  See you there!

Posted in Betrothal, On Six Sentence Sunday, On Time Enough to Love | Tagged , , , , , , , | 24 Comments

Sweet Saturday Sample: 10/13/12 Time Enough To Love–Betrothal: “The Promise”

Posted on October 13, 2012 by Jenna Jaxon

Welcome back to Sweet Saturday Sample!  All excerpts here are rated PG-13 or milder. Here’s another post from my new WIP, my medieval trilogy Time Enough To Love.

Part 1 is called Betrothal and I’m so excited!  I still have a tentative release date of late-October, and I will keep you informed.

The series is set in England and France in 1348.  Betrothal takes place at the court of King Edward III.

This excerpt is UNEDITED.  Please be kind.

Lady Alyse de Courcy is a waiting gentlewoman to Princess Joanna, youngest daughter of King Edward.  After receiving the news that the new courtier, Sir Geoffrey Longford, is her betrothed, a dazed Alyse is less than happy with her arranged marriage.   I’m skipping ahead to the following night, at dinner, Geoffrey has drawn Alyse over to his table, hoping to talk to her in private.  He is met, however, with his group of friends, led by Thomas who think to make sport of the couple.  Thomas makes the suggestion (in jest) that Alyse should know him before she is wed.  Geoffrey, piqued that Alyse still shows an interest in his friend, gives her leave to answer the lewd statement. But when she acquits herself credibly in wordplay, she draws Geoffrey’s ire–and something else.

A strange, almost glaring, look passed between the two men, then Lord Brayton shook his head. “I concede the day, Geoffrey, and the table. Make the most of your time with your lady, if you dare. I fear your ‘repentance’ has already begun.” He paused, appraised her, as if he saw her for the first time. Uncomfortable with such scrutiny, Alyse turned to see Geoffrey’s scowl had deepened even more. The evening had turned into more of a trial than she had anticipated.

Recalling himself, Lord Brayton began to shoo the other courtiers toward another table in the Hall. As he passed close to Sir Geoffrey, he leaned in and spoke for his friend’s ear only, though his voice carried enough for Alyse to hear him as well. “Your father may have just done you the greatest service of your life, Geoffrey. Take care you cherish it.” He clapped a hand to the tall man’s shoulder, then left to join his companions.

The end of the table nearest the royal dais was now deserted. Geoffrey seated her with her back almost to the king, though the angle of her seat still saved her from disrespect. He sat himself on a bench beside hers, then leaned his back to the wall, arms crossed over his broad chest, his eyes mere slits. He hadn’t spoken a word to her since her exchange with Lord Brayton. That did not bode well, considering his current surly attitude.

She glanced around, unnerved to discover they were all but alone together. Shaken at the thought, she looked to him for reassurance but instead found smoldering eyes staring straight into hers. The menace she had seen before, however, was now replaced with unmistakable desire. Alyse gasped at the power of that look and a wave of panic washed through her. She tried to rise, to flee the dangerous animal beside her, but his hand shot out and gripped her arm, forcing her to sit once more.

“You would leave me so soon, my lady?” Geoffrey’s voice sounded silken, but she heard danger in it. “You have declared I am to know you better, Lady Alyse.” His eyes gleamed wickedly in the candlelight. “I think you must make good on that promise.”

I hope you enjoyed this latest sample from  Time Enough to Love.  Stop by SSS tomorrow for more six sentences from Betrothal.   And today be sure to click here to visit more Sweet Samples.

   

Posted in Betrothal, On Sweet Saturday Sample, On Time Enough to Love | Tagged , , , , , | 23 Comments

A Blade in Her Hand–Lady Katarina’s Unusual “Hobby”

Posted on October 12, 2012 by Jenna Jaxon

Many historical romance novels of the Georgian period (and before) make use of swordplay, one of several reasons I am drawn to the earlier periods.  In Only Scandal Will Do, I set up my heroine, Lady Katarina Fitzwilliam, to be an excellent swordswoman. One, because I wanted her to be feisty and a bit different from most period ladies and, two, because I  took fencing lessons in high school and loved the “romance” of the weapon and wanted to share that affection with my readers.

To that end, I gave Kat something of a “tomboy” background that lends credence to her penchant for a sword.  And during the course of the novel, she takes sword in hand to defend herself several times.  I loved writing these sequences because I could endow my heroine with all the skill I never had myself. 🙂  She’s quite National Championship material and beyond, able to hold her own against the hero and various other opponents.

The most challenging part of writing these scenes, however, was figuring out what exactly Kat would wear to fence.  Eighteenth century women’s fashion hardly allowed for the free movement necessary for such exercise.  Men usually wore breeches and a loose shirt to afford them a wide range of motion.  I thought Kat didn’t deserve a handicap, and so I came up with her “fencing costume,” and a justification for her wearing it. (Having her father be a colonel in the British Army was a great help!)

Then I went looking for a model for this outfit, never thinking that I would run across the exact thing I was looking for.  On Sharon Ann Burnston’s website, “At Home” in the 18th Century, I found the perfect model for Lady Katarina’s fencing garb. Ms. Burnston regularly costumes 18th century re-enactors and happened to have created a fencing costume for a young woman.  So Ms. Burnston came up with the very outfit I needed.   If you are at all interested in authentic period clothing, you should check out her website.  It is truly remarkable.

Having found this picture of a woman dressed in men’s clothing, I decided to have a little fun at Duncan’s expense.  Here’s the excerpt where he and Katarina are about to fence for the first time:

“Will you come meet my opponent?” Duncan grinned and led the way across the floor to where Manning stood beside Matthews, talking to a young man he did not recognize.

Duncan bowed to the men, as did Lord Trevor, but he darted glances about, looking for Katarina. Perhaps she was in another room with her maid, making last-minute preparations. “Lord Manning, may I make known to you Viscount Trevor, my second. Lord Trevor, you have already met Mr. Matthews. Good of you to come. But will you be so kind as to introduce me to your friend here, Manning?” He gestured to the young man he had come up behind, but who had not turned to greet him. “I did not know you were bringing another witness.”

“I would say we have already been introduced several times, Lord Dalbury,” said the youth, finally turning. “Do you not recognize me, my lord?” Katarina smiled merrily as she tugged on her shirtsleeves, easing them down under the coat sleeves.

Duncan’s mouth slackened with shock. The well-fitting garments that, from the back, had hidden her form showed absolutely every one of Lady Katarina’s lovely curves. His attention kept straying to the fawn colored breeches. Neatly buckled below the knee, thank God. What would he have done if she had shown her knees? The breeches hugged her hips–her hips!–defining the curvaceous body he remembered so vividly.

He forced his eyes up, relaxing somewhat at the coat that resembled a lady’s riding costume. It was, however, a man’s garment, a sleeved waistcoat, in cherry-red worsted with silver buttons down the front, over a plain linen shirt. No evidence of stays. Sweet Christ, her breasts would be unconfined during the duel. What if he injured them?

Her magnificent auburn hair was pulled back from her face, but he’d seen no evidence of locks down her back when he approached her. “What have you done to your hair?” His uneasiness at her costume became full-blown panic. God, had she cut her hair for the duel?

“It’s braided and tucked under her jacket, my lord.” Jack’s voice broke Duncan’s stupefying horror. “She does that when she fences.”

She continued her unhurried toilette, checking buttons, straightening the jacket’s shoulders, adjusting her breeches, paying him no mind. Then she dipped her fingers to her stocking and smoothed it along her calf. Like steel to a magnet, mouth slightly open, he stood enthralled by the soft, sensual look of legs he had only glimpsed before. He could no more tear his eyes away from her than a fish could walk on dry land.

My description of Katarina’s waistcoat is based directly on a photograph of a “1750’s  youth’s or small man’s sleeved waistcoat in the collection of the Society for the Preservation of New England Antiquities” and on the recreated garment. This jacket was Ms. Burnston’s inspiration for the re-enactor’s garment.

I always picture Lady Katarina in this clothing, advancing on Duncan down the ballroom floor, cheeks rivaling her jacket in color and her eyes bright with excitement at having a blade in her hand once more.  Her passion for the sword was one of several that made Only Scandal Will Do a pure pleasure to create.

Have you used a particular piece of clothing as inspiration for part of your story?  Has clothing or the need for specific clothing played a major role in your research?  And for readers, how much attention do you pay to the description of clothing in romance novels? Would you rather we paint it with a broad brush, or a fine tip?  Thanks so much for visiting my blog today! 🙂

Only Scandal Will Do is available from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, All Romance E-Books, and the Lyrical Store.  If you like a blade-wielding heroine, you’ll want to check it out. 🙂

Posted in On Only Scandal Will Do, On Research, On Writing Historical Romance | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 30 Comments

Debut Author Jennifer Lowery and Hard Core

Posted on October 11, 2012 by Jenna Jaxon

I’m so pleased today to have Jennifer Lowery with me on The Journal!  Jennifer’s debut novel, Hard Core, released this week from Lyrical press–in both e-book and print!  So she’s here to talk a little bit about her book and about a necessary evil that comes along with a new release:  reviews.  So without further ado Heeeeeeere’s Jennifer!

Hi Jenna and all you fabulous readers out there *waves* Thank you so much for having me today! My debut book, Hard Core, released this week so I’m very excited to be here! Thank you so much for sharing it with me!!

In honor of my release I am offering a copy of my debut romantic suspense, Hard Core, in either e-book format or signed print copy to one lucky commenter so please leave me a comment with your EMAIL and gift choice to be entered to win!!

As I was contemplating what to write for a blog post a question came to mind. One I’d like to ask my readers! Since I have you here today I would love it if you would help me out and let me know how you feel about this: As a reader, do you put much stock in book reviews? Would you pass on a book because of a negative review? Or would you read it for yourself and form your own opinion?

I’m curious because there are so many ways a writer can get a bad review from a reader. Good reviews speak for themselves and don’t we love those! But, there is always a bad one or two to go with the good. We know as writers we can’t please everyone and someone simply isn’t going to like our book or our writing style. But, it makes me curious as to how important these reviews are to readers? And if you read them and base your purchase decision on them at all?

Thanks so much for taking the time to weigh in! I look forward to reading your responses!

Thank you for having me today, Jenna!! I just want to send out a big THANK YOU to all my readers out there! Without you I wouldn’t be here. My wish is to one day meet each and every one of you so I can personally thank you for your generosity and support!

All my best,

Jennifer

Hard Core/Romantic Suspense

Blurb:

Tag: He takes lives. She saves them.

A supposedly hassle-free job for mercenary Cristian Slade becomes a mission of mercy when he saves a life instead of taking one. Slade’s new mission might be his most dangerous yet, because the danger is to his heart.

Tragedy has sent esteemed surgeon Alana O’Grady to a remote a remote Nicaraguan island where she immerses herself in the lives of a native American tribe, using her talents for goodwill instead of wealth and prestige. But life turns upside down when her work requires she protect a rugged mercenary who commands her attention when she’s awake and dominates her dreams while she sleeps.

Doctoring Cristian puts her entire tribe in danger from the man who’s hunting him. Is it her professional oath or her unprofessional attraction to him keeping her from sending him away to heal on his own? Alana’s fire warms Cristian’s heart, but he’s a hardened assassin and has no business falling for someone like her. Can they fight hard enough to keep what they might have together?

Content Warning: Sexual content.

Excerpt:

Prepared to start an IV, she picked up a needle. She had it in position when his other arm shot out and he clamped her wrist in a bone-crushing grip. Startled, she met his panicked gaze.

“I said no needles.”

Her heart banged against her ribcage as she let the needle slip out of her hand. It hit the floor with a small ting. Alana opened her hands in surrender, her patient’s fingers digging into her flesh. For a man half-dead, he had amazing strength.

“Okay,” she said to placate him. “Relax, I don’t have it anymore. It’s your choice, but I recommend you let me start an IV for meds.”

“No. Just fix me.”

Alana pinned him with a no nonsense stare. “I’m not impressed with Superman heroics.”

Face pale and drawn, he said gruffly, “I’m not Superman. Learned not to trust people with needles.”

Her fingers were going numb. “If I remove the bullet without pain medication or anesthetic, you’re going to be sorry.”

He studied her. “You’re really a doctor?”

Alana bristled. “Technically, yes.”

“Technically?”

She didn’t have time to explain herself with the amount of blood seeping from his gunshot wound. “I went to med school. You can let go of my arm now. I won’t use any needles.”

He looked down and immediately released his grip. She rubbed her wrist to soothe away the ache. “Can I get to work now, or do you want to question me more about my credentials while you bleed to death? I don’t have a blood bank, so you’re screwed if you lose too much.”

Her blunt statement received a curt nod. She normally didn’t talk to her patients like that. Her patients didn’t normally countermand her either.

“Do it,” he said.

“Without anesthetics?”

“I don’t need them. Just get it over with.”

Stubborn, stupid, or both? Insane, yes, but there wasn’t time to argue with him.

“Okay. The offer stands if you change your mind.”

“I won’t.”

She doubted that, but didn’t comment. Instead, wiped her forehead with her forearm, and picked up gauze pads to clean the wound.

“Here goes,” she warned and dabbed his skin.

Her patient didn’t move or even wince as she cleaned the angry wound. Either he had a will of steel or he’d passed out again. Hopefully, the latter. Sweat rolled down her back as she finished cleansing the area around the bullet entry. Red flesh puckered with the first signs of infection. In this environment infection was guaranteed.

With a steady hand that would have made her father proud, she picked up her instruments and took a deep breath.

“You still with me?”

He murmured a response, turning his head slightly so he could see her. The stark beauty of his profile, despite the bruises, struck her again. The lines of his face were chiseled, unforgiving. The kind of man she’d glance at twice if she passed him on the street.

A man associated with a criminal.

“Still here, Doc. What are you waiting for?” Husky with pain, his deep voice brought her out of her thoughts.

She gave herself a mental shake. “Want something to bite down on?”

A small, wry smile touched his lips and his lids closed. “You won’t hear a peep out of me. Just fix me, Doc.”

“I can hit you so you’ll sleep through it,” she muttered.

That drew a low chuckle from him. She didn’t expect him to have a sense of humor. He seemed too…hard. His chuckle turned into a grunt of pain. “You probably hit like a girl.”

Alana grinned. “Yes, I do. Rest assured it won’t feel like it.”

“Appreciate the offer, but, no.” His words slurred together, his muscles tense as he fought his body’s demands.

“You got a name, Superman?”

His head rolled to the side, his chest rose and fell slowly. She thought he was out but he murmured, “Cristian.”

“Nice to meet you, Cristian.”

Then she dug into the wound for the bullet.

Author Bio:

Jennifer Lowery grew up reading romance novels in the back of her math book and on the bus to school, and never wanted to be anything but a writer.  Her summers were spent sitting at the kitchen table with her sisters spinning tales of romance and intrigue and always with a tall glass of ice tea at their side.

Today, Jennifer is living that dream and she couldn’t be happier to share her passion with her readers.  She loves everything there is about romance.  Her stories feature alpha heroes who meet their match with strong, independent heroines.  She believes that happily ever after is only the beginning of her stories. And the road to that happy ending is paved with action, adventure, and romance. As her characters find out when they face danger, overcome fears, and are forced to look deep within themselves to discover love.

Jennifer lives in Michigan with her husband and three children.  When she isn’t writing she enjoys reading and spending time with her family.

Find Jennifer:

Author Website   Facebook   Twitter   Romance Recipes

Buy Hard Core:

Amazon

Lyrical Press

Barnes & Noble

Bookworld

iTunes 

And don’t forget to post a comment and be entered to win a copy of Hard Core!

Posted in Book Spotlights, Guest Bloggers, Reader's Corner, Release Party | Tagged , , , , , , | 49 Comments

Only Scandal Will Do for Horny Hump Day 10/10/12

Posted on October 10, 2012 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

Thought I’d change it up this week, going to my historical novel Only Scandal Will Do that had its release only three short months ago.  This nibble is from later in the book, as Duncan is trying out some “rakes’ tricks” on Katarina.

He ran his hands across her smooth, rounded buttocks and up her back. She arched into his caress, and he knelt behind her, cupped her full breasts, fingers open so the nipples peeked through. Slowly, he slid his fingers closed, pinching her nipples, teasing them until they formed hard peaks against his palms.

Remember, my site’s tagline is “Historical Romance–Not for the Faint of Heart.” LOL

Please check out the Horny Hump Day blog site for the other sites on the hop and go visit the other hot authors.   The site also gives the details of how to sign up for next week if you’d like to play with us. 🙂

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

Only Scandal Will Do is available for purchase on Amazon, Barnes & Noble,  iTunes, ARe and the Lyrical Press store.

Posted in Blog Hops, On Horny Hump Day, On Only Scandal Will Do | Tagged , , , , , | 12 Comments

Six Sentence Sunday–10/07/12 7 Days of Seduction: Day 6 “A Special Treat”

Posted on October 7, 2012 by Jenna Jaxon

Happy Sunday! For my Six Sentence Sunday post I’m once again giving you a taste of  7 Days of Seduction, an erotic novella that is now in final edits! Will keep you posted about a release date.

I’m continuing with Day 6– Ashley, Hunter and Sam, her ex-boyfriend, are about to get down to business, when they discover Sam has brought an extra little treat.

“I got special ones, just for this,” he said as he tore the package, rolled a condom onto his dick and flipped the light switch off. “Glow-in-the-dark.”

The eerie sight of Sam’s glowing erection, bobbing as it came toward her in the dark, mesmerized Ashley. The ghostly dick hovered above the bed as Sam sat.

The lights flashed on, leaving her and Sam blinking at the brightness, when Hunter said “Sorry, guys, but we really need to see this and the condom’s going to be invisible in a minute anyway.”

“Aw, man, I was hoping to see that glowing going in and out of her.” 

It’s the little joys in life. LOL

Thanks so much for visiting me today.  Now pop over to the Six Sentence Sunday list and check out the rest of the snippets.  See you there!

Posted in On Seven Days of Seduction, On Six Sentence Sunday | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 20 Comments

Sweet Saturday Sample: 10/06/12 Time Enough To Love–Betrothal: “Wordplay”

Posted on October 6, 2012 by Jenna Jaxon

Today is the final day to buy Only Scandal Will Do at the

Sale Price of $3.99 at Amazon

Now, welcome back to Sweet Saturday Sample!  All excerpts here are rated PG-13 or milder. Here’s another post from my new WIP, my medieval trilogy Time Enough To Love.

Part 1 is called Betrothal and I’m so excited!  Because my brand new cover for Betrothal can now be posted with my sample! I still have a tentative release date of late-October, and I will keep you informed.

The series is set in England and France in 1348.  Betrothal takes place at the court of King Edward III.

Lady Alyse de Courcy is a waiting gentlewoman to Princess Joanna, youngest daughter of King Edward.  After receiving the news that the new courtier, Sir Geoffrey Longford, is her betrothed, a dazed Alyse is less than happy with her arranged marriage.   I’m skipping ahead to the following night, at dinner, Geoffrey has drawn Alyse over to his table, hoping to talk to her in private.  He is met, however, with his group of friends, led by Thomas who think to make sport of the couple.  Thomas makes the suggestion (in jest) that Alyse should know him before she is wed.  Geoffrey, piqued that Alyse still shows an interest in his friend, gives her leave to answer the lewd statement.

At his suggestive tone, Alyse sent Geoffrey a questioning glance. She had expected him to put Lord Brayton in his place or at least admonish him for such ribald talk. But perhaps he wished to test her mettle.

Flattered that he thought her so capable, she turned her attention to Lord Brayton and gave him her best courtier’s face:  head leaned just so to the right, eyelids seductively half-closed, trace of a smile. The man had never given her this much regard before, and she aimed to make him sorry for the slight.

“My Lord Brayton, you do me honor to request my simple conversation, as do all you gentles.” Her voice high and light, Alyse nodded to the men at the table, who all stopped speaking and appeared to hang on her every word. “I fear, however, that I must, regrettably, decline your wish to know me better at this time.  For I am charged to wed this man,” she laid her hand on Geoffrey’s arm, “and it is right that only he should have most knowledge of me as can be rendered before the wedding.” 

She leaned forward and continued in a mock whisper to Lord Brayton. “For I am sure you know, my lord, that knowledge can be a dangerous or delightful thing, depending on the skill of the scholar and how he is willing to impart it.” The stunned look on Thomas Knowlton’s face filled her with delight. He had apparently underestimated her. Perhaps he regretted that her father had not accepted his suit. Her heart beat a little faster at the thought. “Therefore, it is right that I accept my learning solely from my intended lord.”

After a moment of shocked silence at the table, Lord Brayton threw back his head and laughed, long and hard. “Oh-ho, Lady Alyse, I see you have not only a golden wit, but a tongue of quicksilver as well.” With an exaggerated flourish, he made her a courtly bow, then took her hand and kissed it. “Indeed, your price is above rubies.”

Gratified by Lord Brayton’s compliment, Alyse turned to seek similar approval from Sir Geoffrey, but caught instead a scowl of disapproval. What on earth had she said to draw this response? Her delight at her first successful attempt at courtly wordplay faded, leaving her instead angry and bewildered. She had passed Lord Brayton’s test, but seemed to have failed her betrothed’s. What had she done wrong now? He had made it clear he wanted her to answer his friend’s teasing words. So what had displeased him?

And why do I care? The answer to that question might have far-reaching consequences.

I hope you enjoyed this latest sample from  Time Enough to Love.  Stop by SSS tomorrow for six sentences from one of my works.   And today be sure to click here to visit more Sweet Samples.

   

Posted in Betrothal, On Sweet Saturday Sample, On Time Enough to Love | Tagged , , , , , | 18 Comments

An Historical Treat Today: Interview with Lenore Wolfe

Posted on October 5, 2012 by Jenna Jaxon

I have western historical author Lenore Wolfe with me today, talking about the first of the three books in her Dark Warrior series, Dark Warrior:  To Tame A Wild Hawk.   Welcome, Lenore!

Tell us a little bit about your new release Dark Warrior: To Tame a Wild Hawk.

Dark Warrior: To Tame a Wild Hawk is a journey into the Wild West with Hawk where you first meet a six-year-old boy who witnesses his father and renegade friends kill every single one of their friends on the wagon train with whom they were traveling west. You next follow the boy on a journey, set in motion that day, as he meets his destiny when a Cheyenne warrior finds him and adopts him into their clan. And get a glimpse of that destiny through the warrior’s eyes, when he witnesses the way the boy looks out across the prairie grasslands at his dead friends littering the ground whose sightless eyes stare up into the deep blue sky, and knows–the boy would not rest–until his friends no longer cried out to him in his sleep.

Do you only write in this genre?  If not, what other genres/sub-genres do you write in?

I also write dark fantasy, YA fantasy and paranormal fantasy and romance.

What was your inspiration for this story?

My father was an old mountain man. His love for the real Wild West came though to me when I was very young. I loved the feel of what he described. My great-grandmother was a true pioneer woman of the old Wild West, born in 1886, and a mid-wife and healer in a very small town that no longer exists in Montana, and she used to tell me stories when I was a child. Then I began reading romance, and the two seemed to me to be the perfect lovers.

Titles are one of the most important things to an author.  How did you come up with your title?  Was this the only title, or did you have a working title as well?

The story is about a man named Hawk. Mandy is the love of his life, and he has become embroiled in revenge, using gun-fighting, the White eyes way of his childhood. It seemed the perfect title for it from the start. 🙂

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

Yes, in the prologue, a boy had just lost all of his friends in his wagon train and had been discovered by a Cheyenne warrior. When a hawk landed and looked the boy directly in the eye, the warrior saw this as an omen, and he named the boy Hawk.

What was your process for writing this book?  Is this different or the same as other books you’ve written?

I let the characters tell me their story:) I’ve tried a more organized structure since then, and both of these books did not have near the success.

Do you have plans to turn To Tame a Wild Hawk into a series?  Why or why not?

Yes. I’m already working on Dark Warrior: Kid. It is about another couple introduced in Hawk’s story.

Who is your favorite hero or heroine and why?  What qualities do they possess that make them memorable?

James Mallory in the Mallory series by Johanna Lindsey. And also Angel. They were both true alpha males. I like them that way. You can tell that reading about Hawk. 🙂

Oooh, I love James Mallory!  A hero’s hero for sure!

What was the first author and book you read in this genre?

LOL There have been way too many to remember, and I started reading this genre way too young.

Who has been the greatest influence on your writing?

Johanna Lindsey in the Mallory Series

An excellent series!

If you could have one wish granted just for you (not world peace, LOL), what would you wish for?

To win the Pen and Quill Award. But I’m afraid I’d better break into Literary Fiction one day for that. 🙂

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

I rode along in a two-man ultralight. It was amazing!! Like floating above the fields!

OMG! I’m deathly afraid of heights, so I’ll have to take your word for it. LOL  But what a cool thing to do!

Thank you so much, Lenore, for coming to the Journal today!  And best of luck to you with To Tame A Wild Hawk and your whole Dark Warrior series. 🙂

Blurb for To Tame A Wild Hawk:

Amanda Kane has always had visions of the man she’s destined to marry—a cowboy who will help her save her ranch. But Hawk is no ordinary cowboy. He carries a powerful secret. A secret that leads to betrayal. She spent years with a secret society of Lakota women, who taught her the ancient ways. Now, she must seek the Grandmothers, from beyond the veil, if they are stop a man behind a mask.

Amanda Kane has spent years with a secret society of Lakota women, who taught her the ancient ways. She has sought the help of the Grandmothers, from beyond the veil, to help her stop the man behind the mask. They point her to the visions she has always had of the man she’s destined to marry—a cowboy who will help save her ranch. But Hawk is no ordinary cowboy. He carries a powerful secret. A secret that leads to betrayal.

About the Author:

Lenore writes dark fantasy, paranormal romance, fantasy, historical romance. She grew up in Montana and Alaska, and currently lives in the central US. She holds a BA in Sociology from the University of Northern Colorado, with a minor in writing and is a student of the Shaman path.

Website / Blog

Excerpt:

He was magnificent—standing there, waiting for her to reach his side. And soon after she did, their lives became irrevocably woven together. Mandy likened it to a silvery, invisible thread, joining their hearts.

And she knew the Grandmothers smiled.

She felt rebellious right now with their sure vision of her path. A path with Hawk … their lives entwined. Her heart pounded—fanciful thoughts. But her mind soon followed down the path her heart had taken, with what would have been—could have been—had she not insisted this marriage be in name only.

“Second thoughts already?” his whisper caressed her face.

She shook her head at Hawk. “No, the marriage has its merits,” she answered, trying for a neutral tone.

He let that jab slide, grinning. “I wasn’t talking about the marriage—exactly.”

Startled, she looked up and was captured, completely off guard, by the intense look in his gold eyes. He’d read her mind again, drat the man; or was her body giving her away?

She should look away—really she should—but suddenly she couldn’t remember why.

“Give over, Mandy,” he whispered. His gaze refused to release her from the fine thread he was weaving around her. She was caressed by it—captured by it. And each time, the web grew stronger. “You want this marriage in every way, every bit as much as I; admit it, Mandy.” His low voice fanned the flames.

Mandy opened her mouth, then shut it. She fought for control, lost, and opened her mouth again, but the words of denial wouldn’t come.

His hand touched the side of her face, his thumb sliding possessively over her lips, stroking her bottom lip again and again until she thought she would faint with pleasure.

She’d made a fatal mistake with her heart, thinking she could control this. She should have listened to the danger signs—to all the warnings, and now it was too late. There was no holding back—any part of her; at least, not anything strong enough to hold back this tide of love—and desire. Even though the love part lay only on her side.

She’d been a fool.

And her heart was going to pay the price; but she couldn’t stop now.

Hawk’s intense, green-gold eyes searched her face, and knew the exact instant she surrendered, and only by iron will did he wait to hear the words.

Words avowing her complete surrender.

She nodded.

He shook his head. “Say it,” he softly commanded. “Tell me what you want.”

Mandy’s tongue darted out to moisten her lips and heard Hawk groan. She swallowed, her eyes closing for a moment with her body’s reaction to that simple sound. The fires were rapidly burning out of control. “You.” She looked into his golden gaze. “I want you.”

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Spotlight on Kathy Lynn Harris and “Blue Straggler”

Posted on October 4, 2012 by Jenna Jaxon

Please welcome Kathy Lynn Harris to Jenna’s Journal.

A blue straggler is a star that has an anomalous blue color and appears to be disconnected from those stars that surround it.

But this is not a story about astronomy.

Bailey Miller is “disconnected” from the cluster of her rural south Texas family. She has never quite fit in and now in her early 30s, she finds herself struggling with inner turmoil and a series of bad choices in her life.

“… The characters made me laugh, cry, and wish that the story
went on forever.”

Bailey’s drinking too much (even for a member of her family), has a penchant to eat spoonfuls of Cool Whip, works in a job that bores her beyond description and can’t keep a relationship longer than it takes for milk to expire in her fridge.

Even with the help of her two outspoken friends, Texas lass Idamarie and her quirky college pal Rudy, she’s having a hard time.

“… every single Texas reference Kathy Lynn Harris made was so descriptive that I knew exactly what she was talking about. I felt as if I was living the story.”

So she packs up her Honda and heads out of Texas in search of herself and answers to secrets from her great-grandmother’s past. The novel takes readers on a journey from San Antonio, Texas, to a small mountain town in Colorado and back again, as Bailey uncovers not only the secrets of her great- grandmother’s life, but also some painful secrets of her own. All while finding love along the way.

“… both thoughtful and laugh-out-loud funny! I also hope that the author is working on a sequel.”

“… I laughed till I cried, then cried till I laughed. This is one I will read over and over again.”

If you have ever wondered why you got stuck with the family you did, what you are doing with your job and your life, or had a sudden desire to run off to the mountains, sit back and join Bailey for this laugh- out-loud, yet poignant ride.

“… Ms. Harris I’m ready for the next installment!”

Kathy grew up in rural South Texas — and comes from people who work hard, love the land and know how to have a good time on a Saturday night. As a writer, Kathy was lucky to have been surrounded by exceptional characters throughout her life, many of whom have lived their lives exactly the way they wanted. The rest of the world could take `em or leave `em! Inspiring, to say the least.

In 2001, Kathy made the move from Texas to the Colorado Rockies to focus on her writing and soak up All Things Mountain.

By day, she works for a relationship marketing agency. By night, she lives in an authentic log cabin near the southernmost glacier in North America, at 10,500 feet above sea level, with her husband and son, plus two fairly untrainable golden retriever mixes.

Mountain lions, bears, foxes, coyotes and other high-country animals are her neighbors, and she wouldn’t have it any other way. It is there that she writes — Kathy has completed two novels and three children’s books. She has also published hundreds of magazine articles, poetry, short fiction and essays. Her work has appeared in numerous published anthologies. Blue Straggler is her debut novel.

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