Interview & Contest with Sally MacKenzie

Jen: I am excited to have Sally MacKenzie as our guest today as I absolutely adore her Naked series. Sally, will you please share a short bio with us?

Sally: Sure--and thank you for inviting me to be here, Jen.

I was born in Washington, D.C., and still live in the Maryland suburbs. I did go away for college and a brief stint in law school--and I married a fellow from upstate New York--but other than that, I’ve always lived within a ten--or less--mile radius. Is that a little boring? One of my first published pieces--excluding my work that appeared in the Federal Register, LOL--was an essay in The Washington Post taking issue with the popular “wisdom” that D.C. is made up of transients. After leaving law school, I worked for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service writing regulations for the school nutrition programs. (Anyone remember ketchup as a vegetable?) I “retired” to stay home with my four sons and got back to writing when the oldest was getting ready to leave for college. And now, here’s my “official” bio:

Interview and contest with Pat Bertram

Jen: We welcome Pat Bertram to Romancing the Book today. Pat, will you please share a short bio with us?

Pat: I’m the author of four books, A Spark of Heavenly Fire, More Deaths Than One, Daughter Am I, and Light Bringer, all of which have been published by Second Wind Publishing. I’m also the moderator of two online writing discussion groups: No Whine, Just Champagne, a live chat that takes place every Thursday evening at 9:00pm ET at http://nowhine.gather.com/, and a discussion group on Facebook, which has just been moved to my page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Pat-Bertram/47117252623%20

Excerpt: Light Bringer by Pat Bertram

The light flooding her bedroom wakened her.

Morning? Already?

Rubbing sleep from her eyes, Becka went to the window and pushed aside the thin white curtain.

The full moon hung low in the sky, dimming the stars.

No wonder she felt tired—it was still night. She was about to climb back into bed when she remembered what Luke had said about the setting moon illuminating the outlines of the houses where the white tribe had lived. Afraid of missing the phenomenon, she didn’t even take time to snatch a robe to throw over the long T-shirt she wore, but dashed to the front door, yanked it open, and stepped out onto the porch.

Contest winners for the week of May 30 - June 5

For a long time we did winner announcements in a post like this one... and then we went to just posting the winner in the comments of the contest post.  But since we do have some rules about our contests (the one that really applies here is that you can have only one win per month -- every 4 weeks -- although there are some exceptions to the rule.  Complete rules are found at the "footer" of the site.), I've decided to return to  a weekly "congrats to our winners" posting.

Every Sunday evening after the contest winners for the week are chosen and announced, we'll post them in a single post (they will still be announced in the comments as well). All winners have been contacted about their wins.  And now here are our winners for this past week:

Name our YA Feature -- Audra
Night Road -- bradunwanted@
Splash into Summer blog hop -- Kate
Violette Dubrinsky contest -- Keisha, Cheetahgr07 (please email me!), uresk1
C.C. Hunter contest -- Rhonda
Melanie Milburne contest -- runner10
Melissa Schroeder contest -- Twisted Haute Mess

New Releases for the Week of June 5

Each week we highlight some of the books that are being released during the coming week.  If you'd like for us to feature your upcoming release, email us at promo.bookblog@gmail.com or fill out this form.  Include the book blurb or a trailer, along with information on where the book can be purchased.  If it is not available via Amazon, please also include a .jpg of the cover.

And now, here are this week's highlighted releases:

Interview & Contest with J.F. Jenkins

Jen: Our YA spotlight continues as welcome J.F. Jenkins to the blog. J.F., will you please share a short bio with us?

J.F.: I'm 26, and I live in Minnesota with my husband, son, and two cats. When I'm not writing I'm either playing a video game, or working my other job as a Barista.

Jen: Tell us about Legend of the Oceina Dragon and where is can be purchased.

J.F.: Legend of the Oceina Dragon is a Young Adult, fantasy, romance story about a girl named Tai who is chosen to be sacrificed to the great dragon lord of the water. What she doesn't realize is this sacrifice is in reality a wedding ceremony between her and the dragon. The dragon, Darien, can shape shift into a human form. He claims to have loved her for a long time, but Tai isn't so easily convinced. If things couldn't get worse, a rival dragon species is planning war against the water dragons. Together, they discover what it means to be in love, and how to rely on each other's strengths in their time of need.

Excerpt: Legend of the Oceina Dragon by J.F. Jenkins

He wanted to be with her, to be one with her, and it was the only thing he’d been looking forward to for months since the day he decided she was it for him. But as much as he wanted to be with her, he couldn’t help but be weary of the idea. He couldn’t tell if she meant it, and he wanted this moment to mean something. This would be the first time for them both. It was supposed to be special. The atmosphere was perfect though, and they were married. What could make it more special than that?

“Of course I’m sure.” she said. She stared up into his eyes and he was completely swept away in hers. They were filled with certainty, and when he looked into them he did not see a dreamy, dazed, or confused look. Her pupils appeared normal, even her smell suggested she was recovered from the spell well and returning to her right mind. Her smell told him she lusted for him. If anything, she looked determined. Love at first sight? He’d heard a lot of stories about it, and while he had been hoping for it, he was also a little skeptical about the idea. Love at first sight had worked for his brothers, but it seemed too good to be true. Now he realized how much he worried over nothing. His dreams from the past six years were now coming true. That reassured him, and so did her words.

“If you’re my husband, that means I love you more than life. I need you to love me. I want you. I feel safe now. Love me and protect me from the dragons.”

Interview and Contest with Viviane Brentanos

Jen: Please help us welcome Viviane Brentanos to Romancing the Book.  Viviane, will you please share a short bio with us?

Viviane: Oh dear, I always shiver when folk ask me for a short bio. I have led such a complicated life. The official bio can be found on my web site and up at my publisher’s site but allow me to add a few details about moi. Yes, I admit it; I am a control freak. I am a perfectionist when it comes to certain things {as my writing} but laid back about others.

I am British born but I know reside on the glorious Greek island of Corfu. Although Greece is in the throes of a difficult recession, I cannot imagine living any place else.

Excerpt from Cold, Cold Heart by Viviane Brentanos

“I'm calling to let you know I can't have Alexander this Sunday.”

Rachel slumped into her chair. A cozy morning tête-à-tête with Richard was the last thing she needed. Arrogant as always, he hadn't even bothered to wish her good morning. He just dropped the little bombshell on her.

“How surprising,” she said. “What does that make it, three in a row?”

“It can't be helped.”

Tone indifferent, he'd no thought for the little boy he would let down. Alexander didn't enjoy spending time at the Thompson family home but Richard had promised to take him to Silverstone to watch Lewis Hamilton race.

Review: A Little Harmless Addiction by Melissa Schroeder

A Little Harmless Addiction by Melissa Schroeder

Series: Harmless (#5)

Release Date: June 7th, 2011

Publisher: Samhain

Source: Provided by author for review

Falling in love might not be the smart thing, but it might be the one thing they both need.

Jocelyn Dupree has come to Hawaii to heal. After a horrific experience with her last boss, she is on the mend and ready to start again. She is focused on rebuilding her life and her career as a pastry chef. She definitely doesn't need a man in her life, or so she thinks.

Kai Aiona has always been the guy to mend a broken heart. Unfortunately, the last heart that was broken was his. He has sworn off damaged women, but he can't resist Jocelyn's sad eyes, not to mention her determination to succeed.

One little date turns into several and soon, Jocelyn finds herself easily addicted to Kai's sensual nature. Resisting him becomes impossible, but Jocelyn isn't ready to trust completely. When Kai discovers she hasn't been telling him everything, Jocelyn is left with two choices: trust her heart, or let the one man she has ever loved go.

Interview & Contest with Melissa Schroeder

Jen: We are excited to have Melissa Schroeder as our guest today. Melissa, will you please share a short bio with us?

Melissa: I’m a former military brat and now military wife, who has always wanted to write. When I found romance by accidentally picking up a Linda Howard book. I have two girls, and one adopted dog daughter. Hubby is AF and we pretty much follow him around. I’m an avid reader and like any good Italian, I love to cook.

Review: A Little Harmless Lie by Melissa Schroeder

A Little Harmless Lie by Melissa Schroeder

Series: Harmless (#4)

Release Date: ebook available now, print coming in November 2011

Publisher: Samhain

Page Count: 256

Source: Provided by author for review

Falling for her might be easy, seducing her may be damned hard, but keeping her alive might just be deadly.

Coming from nothing, Micah Ross now has more than he knows what to do with. His Hawaii BDSM club is flourishing, and he has his pick of women. Except one. Dee Sumners is cute, sexy, feisty…and, since she’s on his payroll, off-limits. Plus, she insists she isn’t into the life. Until one heated kiss hints that his head bartender secretly hungers to be his sub.

Life on the run doesn’t allow Dee to indulge in long-term relationships. Still, Micah manages to work his way through her tough armor and under her skin. Yet even as she succumbs to his skilled seduction, her survival instinct forms a plan to leave the island she has grown to love—and the man she’s in danger of loving.

When Dee disappears, Micah’s anger turns to fear when he realizes she didn’t leave willingly. Calling on his skills as a former bounty hunter, he tracks her to the mainland only to discover she is entangled in a web of lies and deceit that not only threatens their love, but her life.

Review: A Little Harmless Obsession by Melissa Schroeder

A Little Harmless Obsession by Melissa Schroeder

Series: Harmless (#3)

Release Date: September 21, 2010, print coming in August 2011
Publisher: Samhain

Page Count: 240

Source: Purchased for pleasure

What begins as a quest for submission becomes an unrelenting need for love.

May Aiona’s crush on sexy Evan Chambers is a bad habit that should be easy to break. It’s not like he’s ever noticed her. Looking for a safe place to release the reins of control and explore her curiosity about BDSM, May takes a friend up on an invitation to visit an exclusive bondage club—all she has to agree to is a public submission.

Evan can’t help but notice the exotically beautiful May. But despite his success, the dirty secrets of his past whisper that he’ll never be good enough for her. When Evan sees her standing in his club ready to submit to his best friend, he gives in to the thing he wants most—May as his sub. After their session, he knows one night will never be enough. But loving May isn’t easy for a man always ready to take charge. She might like to submit in the bedroom, but she doesn’t like anyone telling her what to do outside of it.

When May insists she’s not in any danger from the person seemingly obsessed with her, she ends up in the sights of a deranged stalker—with Evan possibly too far away to help.

Review: A Little Harmless Pleasure by Melissa Schroeder

A Little Harmless Pleasure by Melissa Schroeder
Series: Harmless (#2)
Release Date: December 29th, 2008
Publisher: Samhain
Page Count: 232
Source: Provided by author for review

Cynthia Myers meets Chris Dupree at her former fiance’s wedding. After a little dancing, and champagne, she ends up back in Chris’s hotel room. For one night of down and dirty sex. That’s it, that’s all. He lives far away, and she has other things to do…like get a life.

Chris is a switch. He likes to dominate but he also likes to play the role of a submissive from time to time. His last relationship with a sub turned nasty and since then, he has shied away from anything but straight vanilla sex. When he meets Cynthia, he finds a woman who could change his mind. His mate. The only problem is he has to convince her.

In a carefully orchestrated seduction, Chris teaches Cynthia about submission and dominance, allowing her take the reins. As he leads her through pleasures she thought she’d never experience, Cynthia’s self confidence soars and she finds herself falling in love with him. But, when he asks for submission in the bedroom, can she surrender to prove her love or was it all about a little harmless pleasure?

Review: A Little Harmless Sex by Melissa Schroeder

A Little Harmless Sex by Melissa Schroeder
Series: Harmless (#1)
Release Date: August 1st, 2007
Publisher: Samhain
Page Count: 200
Source: Provided by author for review

Is it love, or just a little harmless sex?

Max has always been Anna's knight in shining armor. But Max has always seen her as a charming, and very sexy, little sister. Until Max's cold fianc dumps him, Anna unloads another of her many conquests and she invites him over for margaritas and Mexican food. Too much tequila, too much flirting, and too many years of fighting the attraction-Max loses control and has mind-blowing sex with Anna on her couch. And in her shower. And in her bed. When the sun rises the next morning, both of them must face that their night together is just the first of many. For Max, he knows he wants Anna forever, but convincing a commitment-phobe like Anna is no easy task. For Anna, she can't believe she has finally slipped beneath Max's steely self-control. He is every woman's dark, wet fantasy come true. But what happens when the Max pushes Anna for more than just A Little Harmless Sex?

Guest Blogging and Contest with Melanie Milburne

Writing from the Heart

The purpose of all storytelling is to elicit emotion from the reader. It doesn’t matter what genre you are writing in the main purpose you have as a writer is to make your readers feel something.

This is the biggest challenge for a romance writer. So many submissions get rejected because of the lack of emotional punch. Of course emotional stakes are linked to conflict. In fact, you have no story if you have no conflict.

Excerpt from One Last Night by Melanie Milburne

MAYA looked at the dipstick in shock. Her throat closed over as if a hand had locked around her neck as the two blue lines appeared.

Positive.

She sat on the edge of the bathtub, her legs shaking so much she had to clamp her knees together. Hope flickered brightly and then just as quickly waned.

It couldn’t be true.

She took a deep breath and looked at the stick again. She blinked once, twice, three times but the lines were the same as before.