Harlequin Intrigue

Great weekend reads & a giveaway!!

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What are you folks reading this weekend?  I’ve got three great books to recommend:  one a historical romance and the other two, romantic suspense.  First up is a luscious historical by the talented Monica Burns.  Monica writes award-winning, sensual romance, often with a bit of a twist.  She has a new book out–Loves Revenge, and you can see at the top of the post that she’s got a gorgeous cover, too!  If you like lush, sensual historical romance, I can heartily recommend Monica’s new book.  Blurbs, info, and buy links are on her website.

I can also recommend Cynthia Eden’s new book, Guardian Ranger, which is the second book in her Harlequin Intrigue series, Shadow Agents.  Cynthia is a master of dark and sexy romantic suspense–I simply love her books!

Check out Cynthia’s website for all the info on Guardian Ranger and her other fab romantic suspense and paranormal romances.

And, finally, I can recommend another great book from Harlequin’s Intrigue line, this one from the talented Lena Diaz.  Lena’s a rising star in romantic suspense, with the emotional thrillers she writes for both Harlequin and Avon.  Her latest book is The Marshall’s Witness, and you can get all the details on her website.

And just for fun, I’m giving away a copy of The Marshall’s Witness.  Just tell me what you’re reading this weekend for a chance to win Lena’s book!

Guest Author: Cynthia Eden & Giveaway!

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I’m thrilled to be hosting one of my favorite writers (and people!) on the blog today – Cynthia Eden, who writes FANTASTIC paranormal romance and romantic suspense.  Cynthia is a national best-selling author whose books have received a great deal of acclaim, and have been published in several foreign languages.  Her publishers include Kensington Brava, Harlequin Intrigue, and Grand Central.  She’s here today to tell us about Angel Betrayed, the latest wonderfully dark and sexy book in her current paranormal series.

Angel Betrayed is your second Book in the Fallen series.  Why do you think angels have become such a popular figure in paranormal romance, especially fallen angels?

I think angels are interesting because they are powerful figures that can both offer hope…and promise some serious danger.  Angels can be good, they can be bad, and they can be all sorts of things in between. My angels tend to fall more on the “darker” side since they are Angels of Death, and I think (hope!) that readers are enjoying reading about this new breed of paranormal bad boys.

Tell us a bit more about your Fallen series, and this book in particular?  Sam sounds like an unrepentant alpha male, which is just how I like them!

Thanks so much for asking about the series! In my Fallen books, my angels do not feel any emotions until the moment they lose their wings. So when they become cast out from heaven, they plummet, their wings burn away—and with that burn, they lose their immunity to emotion. As they hit earth, they are also hit with every emotion that humans feel…love, anger, hate.  Sometimes, these emotions can drive a fallen angel insane.

Sam is a definite unrepentant alpha. A tough guy with some serious bad-ass powers.  He’s the fallen that most paranormals fear.  And I loved writing about him!

Why did you pick New Orleans as the setting for this book?

New Orleans is one of my favorite cities. I try to visit the Big Easy at least 2-3 times each year.  Because I am so familiar with the city, I knew I could incorporate some great landmarks in the books, and I was looking forward to doing that. New Orleans is also a city that just seems magical. Whenever I’m there, it’s all too easy for me to imagine that paranormal creatures are lurking in the nearby cemeteries.

Can you also tell us a little bit about your self-publishing ventures and anything else you’re working on right now?

I’d be happy to chat about them!  I am working on several projects right now (I like to keep busy!).  I will be releasing four books with Harlequin Intrigue (2 are completed, 2 will be done by the end of the year), and I will also be releasing a new phoenix shifter series with Kensington Brava (2 are completed, 1 is in the works). On the indie front, I hope to have at least 2, maybe 3 more, releases by the end of the year.

These indie titles will be paranormal stories. I’ve gotten a lot of great fan mail from readers asking me to write a full-length Bound story (vampires & werewolves) so that is something I am strongly considering. Another one that I am working on is an altered reality story—in this story, humans are the endangered species, and the vampires and the werewolves are the ones battling for dominance.

Thank you very much for taking the time to interview me! It has been a pleasure!

Cynthia, thanks so much for joining us today.  Lady, you are a powerhouse!  I can’t wait to read your latest book, and I’m also very intrigued the by idea of your upcoming phoenix shifter series.  Readers, Cynthia is kindly giving away a copy of Angel Betrayed to one person who comments today.  Just tell me what you think about angels as heroes for a chance to win a copy of Cynthia’s new book!

Guest Author: Rebecca York & Giveaway!

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I’m absolutely honored to feature Rebecca York on the blog today, a best-selling author of romantic suspense and paranormal romantic suspense.  A New York Times, USA Today, and Publishers Weekly best-selling and award-winning author, Rebecca has written over 125 books and novellas. In 2011 she became the dozenth author to receive the Romance Writers of America Centennial Award for having written 100 romantic novels.  Rebecca has authored or co-authored over 65 romantic thrillers, many for Harlequin Intrigue, and many with paranormal elements.

Her slew of awards include two Rita finalist books. She has two Career Achievement awards from Romantic Times: for Series Romantic Suspense and for Series Romantic Mystery. And her Peregrine Connection series won a Lifetime Achievement Award for Romantic Suspense Series.

Wow!  Talk about an impressive resume!

Some of Rebecca’s most popular books are in the Moon Series, which feature werewolves, elements of urban fantasy, and a truly cool parallel universe.  The Moon Series is available from Berkley Publishing in paperback or trade, but Rebecca is also expanding the series with a new group of digital books featuring the operatives of Decorah Security.

Dark Moon is the first book in this new e-series.

Cole Marshall is near the age of werewolf bonding and fighting his attraction for Emma Richards.  When Decorah Security sends them on a mission to rescue kidnap victim, Karen Hopewell, they’re forced to play the role of lovers with nothing on their minds but enjoying the pleasures of the Windward, an ocean liner converted to a floating resort for the rich and kinky.  It’s owned by millionaire Bruno Del Conte who runs the ship like his private kingdom.  Cole and Emma are threatened by a mutiny in progress and also by Del Conte’s security chief who digs into their backgrounds to find out who they really are and why they’re on board.  As Cole and Emma try to rescue Karen, they struggle with the intensity of the personal relationship neither of them thought they wanted.  

Sounds very sexy and very intense, doesn’t it?  Rebecca also has a short story in the series called Ambushed, and an e-novella, as well.  The novella is called Chained, and it sounds great.

Political refugee Isabella Flores is forced to run for her life when political operatives from her native San Marcos try to capture and kill her. When she hides out at her father’s old ranch, she’s threatened by a ghost guarding the property. It’s Decorah Security agent Matthew Houseman.  Isabella and Matthew fell in love when he was guarding her family. Now they’re together again, only the relationship they longed for can never be because Matthew Houseman was killed in the line of duty, and his ghost is haunting the ranch.  Still, the passion Isabella and Matthew could never acknowledge draws them closer together, and as they explore their relationship, Matthew becomes more real to himself and to Isabella.  After the ranch is attacked and Matthew helps save Isabella’s life, she learns that there may be hope of bringing her ghost lover back–if she dares to take the risk.

For fans of the Moon Series, I already know how happy you are that Rebecca is writing these new books.  If you’re new to Rebecca but you love romantic suspense and paranormal romantic suspense, then I encourage to check out the Decorah Series and Rebecca’s other books.  Visit her website for details on all her books, including her cookbooks.  Yes, Rebecca writes cookbooks too!  She’s truly a fascinating person.

For my readers today, Rebecca will be giving away a copy of one of her Harlequin Intrigues, Solid as Steele.  Let’s talk shapeshifters, shall we?  Do you read shapeshifters and paranormal romance?  If so, what’s your favorite kind of shifter?  Or is it vampires and demons who turn your crank?  One person who comments will win a copy of Solid as Steele.

Happy Holidays Contest!

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It’s the season of giving, and I’m running a wonderful Happy Holidays contest for the month of December – four Christmas-themed books by acclaimed authors Eloisa James, Christie Kelley, Susan Mallery, and Jennifer Haymore. Everyone of these books is a winner and will be sure to put you in the Christmas spirit!  To enter, simply go to my facebook page and follow the instructions.

And we have a winner today, too.  Stacie D has scored one of Dana Marton’s fast-paced and sexy Harlequin Intrigues.  Congratulations, Stacie!  I’ll be in touch.

Thanks to everyone for stopping by the blog.  My guest author next week will be historical romance writer Margo Maguire!

 

Guest Author: Dana Marton & Giveaway!

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I’m pleased as punch to have romantic suspense author Dana Marton back on the blog.  She’s here to tell us about her latest release, which is another sexy, suspenseful romance from Harlequin Intrigue.  Take it away, Dana!

Christmas is almost here! That I like. But other than Christmas, my favorite part of winter is winter vacation. Not the skiing kind. Scratch snow and cold. When the cold wind whistles outside, I dream about someplace tropical. And if I can’t go there, at least I can read about it. Three hurrays for books! Best invention ever.

Last year, I actually had a Christmas release, THE SPY WHO SAVED CHRISTMAS.

This year, my Christmas release is more of a winter break, set in the tropical jungle. Love the publisher’s tag line for the book: “In the wet, hot jungle, it’s every spy for himself.” Pretty much describes LAST SPY STANDING. Love my editor who comes up with great stuff like that! I hope it’ll intrigue readers enough to check out the book. And, hey, having a cover hot enough to melt snow doesn’t hurt either.

The book is getting the most amazing reviews I’ve ever gotten, so that’s a lovely Christmas present. It’s nice when a plan comes together. Which is not something Mitch Mendoza gets when he goes off to the jungle for a rescue mission. His plans get all messed up by a long-legged CIA agent who has an agenda of her own, one that interferes with Mitch’s plans in a big way. These two were fun to write. I wasn’t sure at times if they were going to make it out of the jungle alive or strangle each other first. Definitely enough sparks to cause a forest fire.

Here is a quick snippet:

“Who are you?” Megan turned the question on him. “Definitely not a hiker from Panama.” She shoved one weapon into the back of her waistband, pulled a plastic cuff from her back pocket, then gestured toward the water pipes in the bathroom behind him.

Mitch stepped back, knowing no help would be coming. In a place like this, people knew enough to walk away from gunfire, not toward it.

She tossed him the plastic tie. “The pipe.”

He swore under his breath, not taking his eyes off her for a second. He’d been had. He couldn’t remember the last time that had happened.

“The money I have on me ain’t worth it, honey. I’m going to track you down. That’s a promise.”

She gave him a cocky smile, keeping her gaze above his shoulders, then turned away, leaving him handcuffed. And naked.

See? Lots of heat. You can practically turn down the thermostat while reading LAST SPY STANDING.

I hope everyone gets to read all sorts of fun books over the holidays. I always put books on my Christmas list. What’s on your list? I wish you great reads and the time to read them, love, romance, health and the kind of happiness that exists in romance novels.

Do you read Christmas topic books around Christmas? Or do you read to escape from the cold? Post a comment for a chance to win a free book with some chocolate. (Second best invention ever.) And if you’re in the mood for more prizes, stop by my FB page. I’m raffling off two Christmas gift packs.  Happy Holidays!

Thanks so much, Dana!  And now, readers, let’s hear from you.  What kind of books do you like to read over the holidays?  One person who comments will win a copy of one of Dana’s fabulous suspense novels.

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