Release Day for Secrets for Seducing a Royal Bodyguard!!

SECRETS, SEDUCING,BODYGUARD

Hooray!! Secrets is finally out in the wild! I’m so excited about this book, which is the first full-length title in my new series, The Renegade Royals.  And I’ve been both thrilled and relieved that it’s getting great reviews, including this prestigious starred review from Publishers Weekly:

“If the remainder of Kelly’s Renegade Royals series is as arresting and entertaining as this kickoff, then Regency romance fans are in for a royal treat…Kelly combines diverting dialogue, delightful surprises, and finely tuned pacing to make this a winner.”

You can read an excerpt from Secrets on my Books Page, and here are some handy buy links:

Amazon

B & N

iTunes

Kobo

Book Depository

I’m also blogging today.  Please join me at Heroes & Heartbreakers, Romancing Rakes, and Ex Libris.  You could win some books, including an ARC of book two in my series, Confessions of a Royal Bridegroom.

Confessions of A Ro#14B6A95

Finally, don’t forget to join me for my facebook release day party! It’s taking place tonight from 7:30 to 9:30 pm EST, on my facebook Events page.  I’ll be giving away prizes all through the party, and hosting some fab guest authors–who will also be doing giveaways!  Just click here to RSVP and join in the fun.

See you around the blogosphere!


Guest Author: Kris Kennedy & Giveaway!

Historical romance fans, don’t you just love a good, juicy medieval romance?  I do, which is why I’m particularly delighted to be featuring one of today’s best medieval romance authors on my blog.  She’s Kris Kennedy, and she writes sweeping, adventurous and very sexy historical romance.

Kris burst onto the romance writing scene when she won the prestigious Golden Heart Award from the Romance Writers of America.  Her first published book was The Conqueror, put out by Kensington Publishing, which received great reviews and was a Recommended  Read from the influential romance blogger, Dear Author.

Her second book, The Irish Warrior, which was her Golden Heart manuscript, came out in 2010 to a whole boatload of acclaim.

And I do mean boatload!  The Irish Warrior ended up on numerous top ten lists for the year – including The Romance Dish, Wendy the Super Librarian, and The Book Binge.  It was a Desert Island Keeper from All About Romance and a Fresh Pick from Fresh Fiction.  Whew!  I’ve read every one of Kris’ books and I can tell you that the accolades are well deserved.

Luckily for her readers, Kris has a brand new book out.  It’s called Deception, and it’s awesome (yep, I got to read this one early, too!).  As expected, the reviews are great and the book has already earned a coveted 4-1/2 stars from RT Book Reviews and a Top Pick from Night Owl Reviews.

Now, Deception is not just the same old thing, and that’s one of it’s many strengths.  Here’s how Kris explains her new book:

Deception isn’t your typical medieval romance.  It’s less about knights and chases across the countryside, and more about cons.  And dirty money.  And the powerful men who want it, and what they’ll do to get it. 

And of course, the person who will risk everything to stop them.

Oh, and Sexytimes.  Lots of that.

I can vouch for the sexy times, folks!  And I loved the fact that it was a medieval caper – one with a super cool and very hot hero.  Here’s the blurb for Deception:

A dashing con man

Breaking and entering to reclaim her corrupt late father’s ledger comes surprisingly easily to Sophia Darnly. But is it mere coincidence that her misdeed unexpectedly reunites her with Kier, the outlaw lover who abandoned her years ago?

A lady skilled in trickery

Time has not erased Sophia from Kier’s heart, nor tamed her fiery spirit. She boldly insinuates herself into his plans. But Kier is on a mission of revenge, and can’t allow even the woman he once loved to stop him.

A game that could get them both killed

The danger mounts as they lure the leader of a powerful consortium who needs the fabled Darnly ledger—and all its damning details about the wealthiest merchants of England— to execute his nefarious plan. Their rekindled passion burns hot, but when they discover they too are the targets of a deadly deception, the fate of their love, and of England itself, lies in the balance.

Seriously, folks.  If you love intrigue, adventure, and a smart heroine and a sexy hero, this is the book for you!  No one writes medieval romance quite like Kris Kennedy.

For my readers today, Kris is giving away copies of her previous books, Defiant and The Irish Warrior.  Let’s talk about thrillers and capers.  What’s your favorite thriller or caper TV show, movie or book?  Robin HoodMission Impossible?  Let us know for a chance to win one of Kris’ fabulous books!

And don’t forget to visit Kris’ website to read excerpts from all her books and for samples of her many reviews!


Launching Rock*It Reads!!

It’s here!  The launch day of Rock*It Reads, the exciting new project I’ve been working on with a group of fabulous writers whose names you will surely recognize.  Here’s the scoop:

Rock*It Reads is a group of New York-published authors who are also self-publishing romance.  We’re not a publisher—more like a coop or a brand, and we’ve made a commitment to put out only high-quality self-published works.  No second best at Rock*It Reads!  Our RIR logo, featured at the top of this post, will appear on the covers of all our self-published books.  It’s our ‘seal of quality’  and our commitment to readers that we care as much about writing great stories as you do about reading them.

My Rock*It Read partners are:  Pamela Clare, Cheryl Holt, Elisabeth Naughton, Monica Burns, Kris Kennedy, Margo Maguire, Lila DiPasqua, Sharon Page, Joan Swan, and Mia Marlowe.  What a lineup of talent, eh?  I’m thrilled and honored to be included in this group.

For all the details and a list of our books, please stop by our beautiful new Rock*It Reads website.  We’ve got gorgeous covers and some of the best-indie published romance on the market.  I know you won’t be disappointed with the fantastic selection of books we’ve already got listed.

In fact, I’ve got a new book up this week, all bright and shiny for the RIR launch.  It’s called Hot Number, and it’s another one of the sexy contemporary romances I write with my hubby under the pen name of VK Sykes.

In Hot Number, a geeky math professor determined to have a wild week in Las Vegas soon runs into trouble with a hard-nosed but very sexy casino security chief.  The ensuing mayhem leads to a whole lot of fun and romance.  I love this book, and my husband and I had a great time writing it.  For more details, check out my VK Sykes website.

But, wait!  There’s more news.  The Rock*It Reads gang will also be doing a twice-a-month column with Barnes & Noble, which will spotlight indie-published romance.  We’ll help you sort through the tidal wave of books to find the quality reads that really stand out.  The column is called Love Rocks and it launches April 23, 2012, at Barnes & Noble Review.com.

Now you know the scoop, so drop on by the Rock*It Reads website and let us fill up your Nook, Kindle, cellphone, or e-reader with all the best in indie romance.  I guarantee you won’t regret it!

And for my visitors to the blog today, I’ll be giving away three copies of Hot Number to celebrate its release.  Just tell me what books you’re looking forward to reading this month – three people who comment will win a copy of my new book!


Guest Author: Heather Snow & Giveaway!

One of the best things about reading romance is the opportunity to discover debut authors–writers who bring something fresh to the game, and who take some of those tired old tropes and stand them on end.  I have one such debut author featured on the blog today:  historical romance writer Heather Snow.

Heather, interestingly enough, has a degree in Chemistry, but she discovered she much prefers creating chemistry on the page rather than in the lab.  I love that!  She also says it’s a challenge to wrangle her left and right brain to work together, but she fortunately loves challenges…she just goes about solving them analytically.  Well, the results of her experiments in developing chemistry between her hero and heroine have certainly paid off in her debut book, Sweet Enemy.

Heather’s book has only been out for a few weeks, but it’s already garnered an impressive list of reviews, including this one from BookPage:

Sweet Enemy pairs a strong, independent heroine with a compassionate, politically active hero. The heroine’s unique knowledge of chemistry provides for some interesting twists, which combine with a solid plot, well-developed characters and deftly drawn setting to make an excellent first novel. Readers will be delighted to add Ms. Snow to their list of must-read authors.”

And how about this one from The Book Reading Gals?

“Whenever I read a debut book from an author I go into it a bit excited and a little hopeful that I will have found a new favorite, only to be disappointed too many times to count when it did not quite hit the spot for me. Well I am happy to say this is not one of those times! I picked up Sweet Enemy and at first thought it sounded a little familiar but that feeling ended after page 3, the next thing I know I am almost done with the book, could not put it down!”

Here’s the book blurb for Sweet Enemy:

Geoffrey Wentworth, a war hero and rising political star, never wanted to be the Earl, but when his brother dies, he knows his duty—take up the responsibility for his family’s estates.  His mother’s definition of duty differs from his, however, and can be summed up in one word—heirs.  When Geoffrey rushes home to answer her urgent summons, he finds himself host to a house full of women, all vying to become the next Countess of Stratford.  But his love is Parliament, where he wields his influence and reputation to better the lives of ex-soldiers, until a tempting houseguest and a secret from his past threaten his freedom…and his heart.

Liliana Claremont, a brilliant chemist, doesn’t want to be any man’s wife, much less a countess.  If she had tuppence for every time she’d been told her place was filling the nursery, not experimenting in the laboratory, she could buy the Tower Bridge.  However, when she receives a coveted invitation to the Earl’s house party, she trades in her beakers for ball gowns and gladly takes on the guise of husband hunter—for the chance to uncover what the Earl had to do with the murder of her father.

Liliana believes the best way to get the answers she needs is to keep her enemy close, though romance is not part of her formula.  But it only takes one kiss to start a reaction she can’t control…

Doesn’t that sound fabulous?  I love the fact that Heather’s heroine is a chemist!  To read an excerpt of Sweet Enemy just hop on over to Heather’s website, where you can also watch her book trailer.  While you’re there, be sure to check out the other stops on her blog tour.  Heather is a lovely person, and I think you’ll enjoy spending time with her!

For my readers today, Heather is giving away a copy of Sweet Enemy.  After watching the conclusion of Downton Abbey last night, I’m definitely in the mood to talk about historical clothing.  Didn’t you just love the outfits on the women of Downton?  So, tell me what your favorite period is for clothing–one person who comments will win a copy of Sweet Enemy.

 


Guest Author: Cynthia Eden & Giveaway!

One of my favorite writers (and people!) is featured on my blog today:  she’s Cynthia Eden, and she writes sexy, action-packed paranormal romance and romantic suspense.  Cynthia is one of those authors that fairly early on was dubbed by critics and readers as a rising star.  I can attest to that – Cynthia is a dynamite writer and her books are fast-paced, exciting, smart, and oh-so-sexy.

But don’t take my word for it.  Here’s what Christine Feehan (yes, THAT Christine Feehan) had to say about Eternal Hunter, the first book in Cynthia’s Night Watch series

“It hooked me from the first page.”

Trust me.  That short quote says it all.  And then there’s this quote from a starred review given by Publisher’s Weekly about another one of Cynthia’s paranormal books, Never Cry Wolf:

“Nonstop action from the first page to the last makes this sexy paranormal romance a winner.”

Take it from me.  Cynthia’s books are a high octane mix of danger, suspense, and romance that pull you in from page one.  And they’re smart, which is one of the things I like about them.  Check out Cynthia’s bookshelf for the blurbs, excerpts, and reviews for all her books.  And make sure to read about her romantic suspense trilogy starting with Deadly Fear, which was nominated for the prestigious RITA Award.  If you like romantic suspense, I think you’ll love Cynthia’s trilogy.

Cynthia currently has a new paranormal romantic suspense book out, called Angel of Darkness.

This book has gotten great reviews, including this one from A Bookworm’s Haven:

“Cynthia Eden has quickly become one of my favorite adult paranormal authors and Angel of Darkness just reaffirms why I love her books so much! It was filled with all the elements we have come to expect from her, fast paced action, intriguing mythology and an alluring romance that will leave you craving more.”

Here’s the blurb for Angel of Darkness:

As an angel of death, Keenan’s job is to collect the souls on his list. He’s carried out his duty for two thousand years and never faltered once. Until he meets Nicole St. James.  When the moment of death comes, Keenan hesitates, and instead of taking Nicole, Keenan touches the vampire who’s attacking her.

Cast out of heaven for disobedience, Keenan plummets to earth. Six months later, he finally manages to track Nicole to a bar in Mexico. He’s stunned to discover that the woman he remembers has undergone a dramatic change—she’s become a vampire. And when he realizes that she’s the target of all manner of enemies—other vampires, demons, even shifters—he’ll do whatever it takes to protect her, even if all hell breaks loose…

Sounds exciting, doesn’t it?  Be sure to check out Cynthia’s website to get all the details.  And don’t forget to stop by her blog to get her latest news and read great interviews and guest blogs by some fab authors.

For my readers today, Cynthia is giving away a copy Angel of Darkness.  Since we’re talking paranormal, let’s keep with that theme.  Who’s your favorite paranormal character on TV or in movies.  Mine’s Buffy–who’s yours?  Curious minds want to know!  One person who comments will win a copy of Cynthia’s fab book.

And don’t forget that I’m participating in the Romance at Random Reader Rally

Just click on this link  to participate and for chances to win some fabulous books.  Or go directly to the Romance at Random contest page!

 


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