Harlequin Intrigue – Page 2 – Vanessa Kelly, Author

My guest author today specializes in intrigue – Harlequin Intrigues, to be exact. She’s Carol Ericson, and she writes fast-paced romantic suspense novels for Harlequin. Her heroes are often soldiers or lawmen, and they’re all strong alpha defenders determined to protect the women they love. Yum!

Carol’s books consistently get great reviews. Here’s what RT Book Reviews had to say about her first book for Intrigue:

“Carol Ericson’s The Stranger and I takes opposites and lets them do more than attract: They explode…” Romantic Times Book Reviews

She’s won awards – like the prestigious Holt Medallion Award of Merit – and her books have placed in Nielson Bookscan’s Top 100 Romances list, and in the Borders Top 10 Series Romance list.

In March 2011, Carol launched a new series called Brothers In Arms with Navy Seal Security. The third book in the series, Top Gun Guardian, hits stores on Nov. 30.

Here’s the blurb for Top Gun Guardian:

HIS MISSION WAS CLEAR—AND FAILURE WAS NOT AN OPTION.
BECAUSE THIS TIME, IT WAS PERSONAL

Buzz Richardson survived as a navy pilot and a covert operative by following one rule: handle the unexpected. Partnering up with Raven Pierre, his ex-fiancée, who’s still his sexiest fantasy come true, might be against all the rules. Buzz had already learned the hard way that a family…a husband…had no place in Raven’s well-thought-out future. But even with an unknown assassin threatening to take down Raven and the little girl she’d risked her life to hide, Buzz saw a side of the UN translator he’d never thought possible. Keeping this new Raven safe only resurrected the desire between them…and letting her go this time was the one thing he wasn’t willing to handle.

I’m happy to say that Carol is joining us today to answer a few questions. Please join me in welcoming Carol to the blog!

What kinds of books or genres do you read to fill the creative well?

My favorite types of romance novels are historical romances. I would love to write one (or work on the two Victorians I already did write!), but I don’t have the time to do the research. I don’t actually read much romantic suspense. For inspiration for my own romantic suspense books, I read true crime and action thrillers like Robert Ludlum and Brad Thor. I get the best ideas from reading true crime!

You’re a suspense author married to a cop. Does your husband look over your shoulder to make suggestions to your manuscripts?

Ha! My husband doesn’t read my stuff anymore. He’s a car theft investigator, but he works on a taskforce with some former robbery/homicide cops so when I need answers, I have an available resource. My last question to him involved mug shots. Occasionally, he’ll tell me something I don’t want to hear, something that won’t quite fit in my story, so I just ignore him.

And now for the Gilligan’s Island question – you’re stranded on a deserted island. You can only bring two luxury items with you. What would they be?

Hmm, do they have to be luxury items? I’d bring my Kindle loaded with books, of course, and ten cases of Diet Coke.

Ha! I would think that many writers find Diet Coke a necessity! Readers, be sure to check out Carol’s website for all her latest news, and to get a sneak peak at the next book in the Brothers in Arms series, Green Beret Bodyguard.

For my readers today, Carol is giving away a copy of Top Gun Guardian. Since it’s Thanksgiving weekend and some of us are probably thinking of Black Friday deals, let’s talk about that. Are you going shopping this weekend? If so, what do have on your list to buy? One person who comments will win a copy of Carol’s book!

Frequent visitors to my blog know I love romantic suspense, which often vies with historical romance as my favorite genre. So I’m really pleased to be featuring the wonderful Dana Marton on the blog today. Dana writes fast-paced, action-adventure romances for Harlequin Intrigue. Her books get great reviews, she’s finaled in many contests—including in the Rita Awards of the Romance Writers of America—and she’s won the prestigious Daphne du Maurier Award of Excellence.

Here’s what Noveltalk had to say about Dana’s books:

I have read nearly every book Dana Marton has ever written and I am amazed by her superb stories that just keep getting better and better with each book she writes. I have not been able to put down any one of her books until I have finished them in a matter of hours. Her stories intrigue me!

RT Book Reviews has consistently given Dana great reviews, including a Top Pick for Sheik Protector, which RT called “action-filled and riveting.”

I don’t know about you, but I love me a good sheik story—especially one with suspense and danger—and Dana is a master at writing these kinds of books. Make sure you check out her Books page to get a full listing of her books, including those with her sexy sheiks!

In addition to her Intrigues for Harlequin, Dana has three new digital novellas she’s recently released, all part of her Agents Under Fire series. The first in the series Guardian Agent.

Here’s the blurb for Guardian Agent:

When Gabe Cannon’s commando team is tasked with bringing down a rogue solider, he doesn’t expect to come face-to-face with the target’s sister at the showdown instead of the man himself.

Jasmine is trying to lead the team away from her injured brother. Recognizing one of the hunters as her teenage crush is definitely a shock to her system. To save her family, she must convince Gabe that her brother was framed. But can she stop from falling in love with him all over again?

Sexy commandos and first crushes—count me in!

The second book in the series is Avenging Agent, and the third book, Warrior Agent, was just released this month.

Here’s the blurb for Warrior Agent:

Troy Hill has been tirelessly working for months to bring down a corrupt congressman. When the man’s goons capture him and lock him up, he knows they can’t afford to leave him alive. His only chance at escape is the congressman’s new security guard, Claire Montgomery. He expects he’ll have to either manipulate her into setting him free or kill her. He doesn’t expect to fall in love with her.

You can’t go wrong with a story that New York Times bestselling author Susan Mallery calls “action packed and breathtakingly romantic!” If you haven’t ever read any of Dana’s books, these novellas are the perfect opportunity to try them out.

For my readers today, Dana will be giving away copies of her novellas. Since we’re talking about suspense books, let’s stick with that. Who are some of your favorite suspense or thriller authors? Do you like Karen Rose or Brenda Novak, or do you go more for the thriller type book by someone like Lee Child or John Grisham? Inquiring minds want to know! Three people who comment will each win one of Dana’s fab novellas.

Guest Author: Carol Ericson & Giveaway!

Guest Author: Dana Marton & Giveaway!