Jen @ RtB

Interview & Contest: Sara Humphreys

May 232013

Jen: Please help me welcome Sara Humphreys to Romancing the Book. Sara, will you share a short bio with us?
Sara: Sara is a graduate of Marist College, with a B.A. Degree in English Literature & Theater. Her initial career path after college was as a professional actress. Some of her television credits include, A&E Biography, Guiding Light, Another World, As the World Turns and Rescue Me.

She is the President of Taney Speaker Training, which specializes in public speaking, presentation development and communication skills training. She has trained executives at Verizon, Bristol-Meyer Squibb, Westchester County and the United States Navy. Her speaking career began with Monster’s Making It Count programs, speaking in high schools and colleges around the United States to thousands of students.

Sara has been a lover of both the paranormal and romance novels for years. Her sci-fi/fantasy/romance obsession began years ago with the TV Series STAR TREK and an enormous crush on Captain Kirk. That sci-fi obsession soon evolved into the love of all types of fantasy/paranormal; vampires, ghosts, werewolves, and of course shape shifters. Sara is married to her college sweetheart, Will. They live in Bronxville, New York with their 4 boys and 2 insanely loud dogs. Life is busy but never dull.

Book Spotlight and Contest: Karyn Gerrard

contest, spotlight 5 Responses »

May 232013

The Scarred Hero

Considering I am a voracious reader, I came to romance reading late, about seven years ago. One of the first books I read was the historical, Simply Love by Mary Balogh. Both the H/H were wounded souls, but the hero, Sydnam Butler, had outer scars as well (The blurb says severely maimed, and yikes, he was.)

I immediately became drawn to this hero, his nobility and bravery in the face of his liabilities and the vulnerability he tried so hard to hide. This book made me cry, and I not only became hooked on the romance genre, (especially historical) but scarred heroes in general. I also love the concept of the heroine seeing beyond the physical outer shell and physical impediments to the man underneath. It’s what we all want really, for someone to see the real you.

Review: The Kashmir Shawl by Rosie Thomas

historical, Maria, review, romance, Rose that Rules All 1 Response »

May 232013

The Kashmir Shawl by Rosie Thomas
Release Date: January 10, 2013
Publisher: Harper Collins
Pages: 400
Source: book provided by NetGalley for review

An epic tale of doomed love and family secrets, set against the stunning exotic backdrop of 1940s Kashmir.

Within one exotic land lie the secrets of a lifetime…
Newlywed Nerys Watkins leaves rural Wales for the first time to accompany her husband on a missionary posting to India. Deep in the exquisite heart of Kashmir lies the lakeside city of Srinagar, where the British live on carved wooden houseboats and dance, flirt and gossip as if there is no war.

But the battles draw closer, and life in Srinagar becomes less frivolous when the men are sent away to fight. Nerys is caught up in a dangerous friendship, and by the time she is reunited with her husband, the innocent Welsh bride has become a different woman.

Years later, when Mair Ellis clears out her father’s house, she finds an exquisite antique shawl, a lock of child’s hair wrapped within its folds. Tracing her grandparents’ roots back to Kashmir, Mair embarks on a quest that will change her life forever.

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Review: Embraced by a Warrior by Marisa Chenery

Crystal, erotica, Lovely Rose, paranormal, review, short story 1 Response »

May 232013

Embraced by a Warrior by Marisa Chenery
Series: Warrior Hunger (# 1)
Release Date: February 22, 2012
Publisher: Ellora’s Cave
Pages: 91
Source: book provided by the publisher for review

As a warrior of Anubis, Darius always believed he was destined to be alone. Never to come into contact with others like him, or experience passion in the arms of a woman for more than just one night. After eight hundred years alone, he begins to question what he’s always known when he finds a woman who stirs not only his desire, but his heart as well.

Brisa’s not blind, so she’s very much aware of the hot man who frequents the bar where she works. But he’s always been aloof. Throwing caution to the wind, she approaches the sexy stranger and finds herself completely swept away. But a shocking secret and an unsavory demon stand between them. Brisa must decide if she can love a man like Darius…for eternity.

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Review: Spy Games: Lethal Limits by Mia Downing

contemporary, erotica, Lovely Rose, Melissa D, review, romantic suspense 1 Response »

May 232013

Spy Games: Lethal Limits by Mia Downing
Series: Spy Games (# 2)
Release Date: October 4, 2012
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press, Inc.
File Size: 490 KB
Source: book provided by the publisher for review

Secret Agent Jake Anderson would rather have the measles than love his best friend’s wife. So when she gives him a mission–to find his own woman to love–he knows just the woman to target. Exotic beauty Tia Richards–his new partner–is wild, twisted, and has no limits when it comes to adventure, in bed and out. She’s perfect for him. Now he just has to get Tia and his heart to agree.

Sexy spy Tia Richards has a problem, and the solution is Jake. The last time they hooked up, he left her bound and begging, unfulfilled, so close to finally getting the fireworks she deserves. But Jake loves his former partner, and Tia refuses to be second best. Will she listen to the ache in her heart that whispers she has what it takes to be first in Jake’s life, or will lethal limits separate them forever?

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AAD Interview & Contest: Cherise Sinclair

AAD Featured Author Spotlight, contest, interview 27 Responses »

May 222013

Thank you so much for inviting me to join you today on Romancing the Book. It’s an honor to be here.

I was planning to interview one of the Masters for my time at Romancing the Book, but—typical Doms—they refused to keep their language and innuendos at a PG level. (Why am I not surprised?)

So, since I’ve been getting email questions about writing, I thought I’d talk about a writerly sort of subject—the theme of a book. (Doesn’t that make you cringe with memories of book reports?)

Excerpt: This Is Who I Am by Cherise Sinclair

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May 222013

When trying to save a woman from slavers, Sam screwed up. Royally. Now Linda wants nothing to do with him. Or with BDSM. She won’t even admit she’s a masochist. As a dominant and sadist, he can give her what she needs, and when an opportunity arises, he slips into her life, intending to make amends. She’s everything he knew she would be…except for her bullheaded determination to be ‘normal’.

Now the horrible time is past, Linda just wants to return to her small conservative town, pick up her quiet life, and be normal. But how can someone who likes pain be ‘normal’? To her dismay, when someone spray-paints her home with obscenities, Sam shows up to rescue her. Again. Doesn’t he understand that the last thing she needs in her life is a sadist? He’s amused by her objections. But his dry sense of humor can’t disguise that he’s tough as nails and dominant and stubborn. He’s not going to let her drive him off this time. Soon she realizes she wants him to stay.

When he takes her to the Shadowlands, she feels as if she’s found a home…until she hears a voice from out of her nightmares.

Review: Released by Amber Polo

Allison, mystery, paranormal, review, romance, Rose in Bloom No Responses »

May 222013

Released by Amber Polo
Series: The Shapeshifter’s Library (# 1)
Release Date: July 8, 2012
Publisher: Blue Merle Publishing
Pages: 313
Source: book was received for a contest judging

Welcome to the strange and wonderful world of Shipsfeather, Ohio, where an ancient race of dog-shifters has been charged with curating the knowledge of the world, and with protecting civilization’s libraries from the machinations of evil, book burning werewolves. For years a curse has imprisoned the dog-shifters in the basement of the Shipsfeather library—where they have made the best of things with a gym, a spa, a Starbarks, and, of course, their wildly successful internet company, Zoogle—but now, thanks to librarian Liberty Cutter and her zany staff, they may actually have a chance to break free again. If only they can convince her to believe in magic…

THE SHAPESHIFTERS’ LIBRARY: RELEASED is the first in a charming new series that will have dog lovers and book lovers alike howling out loud with delight. With a generous sprinkling of “Dewey-speak” and “dog-speak”, clever literary references and some of the most unforgettable canine characters since “Lady and the Tramp”, Amber Polo takes you into a world you will never want to leave. The Shapeshifters’ Library series is destined to be a classic.

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Review: The Practice Proposal by Tracy March

contemporary, Rachel, review, romance, Rose that Rules All, sports 1 Response »

May 222013

The Practice Proposal by Tracy March
Series: Suddenly Smitten (# 1)
Release Date: March 11, 2013
Publisher: Entangled
Pages: 166
Source: book provided by the publisher for review
sportsICON

Liza Sutherland isn’t looking for love. Not from a charity-auction date she didn’t even bid on and especially not with Nationals first baseman Cole Collins, the guy she obsessed over as an awkward teenager. She won’t get involved with a notorious player, no matter how attractive Cole is.

Cole Collins is up for contract renegotiation, but after too many late-night parties, he’ll need some positive publicity before he can make the roster. His agent, Frank, pitches Liza as the perfect prop…only Cole didn’t account for Liza no longer being just a teenager with a crush. She’s gorgeous and smart and he’s instantly hooked.

When Frank makes Liza a deal she can’t refuse—a bet she will fall in love with Cole or a cool half mil goes to charity—the game is on. But neither bet on the real feelings that surface. Could a fake fling turn into an official forever?

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Review: Catching a Cougar by Jan Graham

BDSM, contemporary, erotica, Lori, Lovely Rose, review, short story No Responses »

May 222013

Catching a Cougar by Jan Graham
Series: Sydney Cougar Series (# 2)
Release Date: March 16, 2012
Publisher: Secret Cravings Publishing
Pages: 57
Source: book provided by the publisher for review

Justin Davies is twenty-eight. He manages Rubens nightclub, affectionately referred to as The Cougar Club. His life is good, except for one thing. A sexy little cougar has dumped him and Justin wants her back. He knows she is the only woman that can make his life complete, he also believes he can do the same for her. When Justin recruits some friends to help him catch his commitment phobic cougar, the fun begins.

Katie Swayne is thirty eight, an artist who’s finally started to achieve the success she always dreamed of. She doesn’t need anything to interfere with that, especially a relationship. Katie’s rule when it comes to men is, love them and leave them, never get emotionally involved. Then she met Justin Davies. Once Katie realized she cared for Justin, she didn’t merely walk away. Katie ran, as fast as she could, determined to never look back.

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