Jennifer Ashley – Vanessa Kelly, Author

Some New Books for Your E-reader!!

March 15, 2016April 17, 2014 by VanessaKelly

I always enjoy alerting my readers to some great books when they hit the shelves, virtual or otherwise. There are three out this week I’d like to let you know about.

The first up is a historical romance by the wildly talented Megan Mulry, called Bound to be a Groom. It’s her first historical standalone, and it’s playful, passionate, and…well, really hot! If you like your historicals extra-spicy, I strongly suggest you try out Megan’s new book.

If you like your historicals mixed with suspense, you need to check out Robyn DeHart’s new book, The Temptations of Anna Jacobs.

First of all, isn’t that an amazing cover? Second of all, Robyn is a fantastic writer, and this book has a real twist with its Jack the Ripper, Victorian-era suspense plot. You can get all the deets on Robyn’s website. (BTW, I’m running a Kindle giveaway of the book on my facebook page, if you want to check it out.)

Finally, there’s a new paranormal romance anthology in town, and it’s ripping up the charts. Dark and Deadly: 8 Bad Boys of Paranormal Romance, features stories by wonderful authors like Jennifer Ashley, Laurie London, and Erin Kellison. It’s currently on sale for a short time for ONLY 99 cents, so you definitely want to check this one out.

Happy reading!

Dark And Dangerous Now On Sale For Only 99 Cents!

March 15, 2016October 30, 2013 by VanessaKelly

Boy, have I got a great deal for you today! Three stories by fellow Rock*It Reads authors Bonnie Vanak, Laurie London, and Erin Kellison are featured in a new paranormal romance anthology that also includes other fantastic authors like USA Today Bestseller Jennifer Ashley. Even more exciting, this collection is now on sale for ONLY 99 cents! Trust me – I’ve already downloaded my own copy.

Here are some of the stories included in this anthology:

THE MATING HUNT by Bonnie Vanak
After a childhood trauma left Arianna Sanders terrified of sex, the only man the pretty Lupine werewolf desires is her fiercely protective guardian. But the sexy, mysterious shifter harbors a dark secret, one he’s determined to hide from Arianna.

Kyle Morgan hungers for the voluptuous Arianna and dreams of consummating the passion smoldering between them. When he’s forced into mating with her to save her life, he must tame the savage, sexual beast inside him before taking the virgin he’s vowed to protect from those hungering to claim her, including himself…

ASSASSIN’S TOUCH by Laurie London
Two worlds. Two enemies. One fated touch.

Former fashion designer Neyla Trihorn had the perfect life until a deadly accident revealed her latent para-abilities–now she’s the army’s hottest asset in their fight against invaders. Rickert D’Angelus, the dangerously sexy assassin from Cascadia, leads a group of warriors into New Seattle to stop enemy soldiers from finding the Iron Portal into his world.

When he captures the beautiful Protection-Talent, a passionate vision appears and stirs something deep inside him. Rickert must decide if it’s a Talent trick, designed to foil the enemy…or the answer to his deepest desires.

SHADOW BOUND by Erin Kellison
Dark fantasy meets modern fairy tale…

Adam Thorne founded the Segue Institute to study and destroy his monster of a brother, but the key to its success is held in the pale, slender hand of a woman on the run. There is something hauntingly different about Talia O’Brien, her unknowing sensuality, her uncanny way of slipping into Shadow. Twilight is the place between life and what comes after–a dark forest of fantasy, filled with beauty, peril, mystery. And Talia is about to open the door.

HARD MATED by Jennifer Ashley
Spike, a wildcat Shifter and the champion fighter of Shiftertown, is stunned when Myka, the best friend of a dying human woman, announces that Spike has fathered a cub. What’s more, the mother is giving the boy to Spike to protect and raise.

Spike is torn between the cub and his duties as tracker to the Shiftertown leader, and begs sassy and sexy horse-training Myka, the only person who understands, to help him. When Spike’s job puts his cub and Myka in danger, Spike is forced to choose between those to whom he’s pledged his loyalty and his need to protect the woman and cub he’s come to love.

***

Wow! What a great collection, and there are two other stories contained in this anthology as well. If you love sexy paranormal romance, you really shouldn’t let this deal pass you by. You can find Dark And Dangerous on Amazon, B & N, Kobo, and most e-retailers.

Enjoy!

Guest Author: Shana Galen & Giveaway!!

March 15, 2016September 3, 2013 by VanessaKelly

It goes without saying that readers can choose from a rich pool of historical romance writers these days, from Anna Campbell and Elizabeth Hoyt, to Katharine Ashe and Jennifer Ashley, and my eternal fan-girl crush, Loretta Chase. But to my mind, one of the best historical authors currently writing is Shana Galen.

Shana writes fast-paced, adventurous Regencies that are also wonderful romances with a lot of emotional depth. One of my favorite historical books in the last few years was Shana’s Lord and Lady Spy, which was a corking good adventure and also a truly sigh-inducing romance.

Lord and Lady Spy also happened to be one Publisher Weekly’s top romantic picks for 2011.

Shana has a brand new book in her Spy Series, in stores today. It’s called True Spies and I can’t wait to read it! Here’s the blurb:

He’s weary of deception…

Baron Winslow Keating is honor-bound to finish one last mission as an elite spy for the Barbican group even though he just wants to go home and be with his family. But after years of secrecy and absence, his daughters hardly know him and his wife has given up on him. . .

She wants to try a little intrigue . . .

Elinor has had enough of domestic boredom. She contemplates an affair with a rakish spy, only to discover a world of intrigue and treachery that she never knew existed. Even more shocking, her neglectful husband is suddenly very attentive – quite the jealous type – and apparently there is much more to him than she ever knew . . .

Sounds great, doesn’t it? True Spies has already been getting great reviews, including this one from Gourmonde Girl:

“True Spies is written for those who’ve been looking for a great romance that doesn’t involve a society come out or stereotypical ‘May-December’ romances but instead: a little action, a little sex and a lot of wooing and romance. This is a true love story for grown-ups and as such it exceeds my expectations.”

If you like your historical romances with depth, adventure, and characters with a lot of strength and heart, I suggest you treat yourself to Shana’s True Spies. I guarantee you won’t regret it!

For my readers today, Shana is giving away a copy of True Spies. To win a copy, simply tell us who your favorite spy is–in books, movies, or real life!

Guest Author: Bronwen Evans & Giveaway!

March 15, 2016May 4, 2012 by VanessaKelly

I’ve got a wonderful guest with me today. She’s Bronwen Evans and she writes lovely and sensual Regency-set historical romance for Kensington Brava. Bronwen is on her Invitation To Romance Blog Tour, and she’s graciously stopped by with us today.

Take it away, Bronwen!

The World of Romance Authors – Who Influenced Me to Write and Who keeps Me Sane

Hi Vanessa! Thanks for letting me visit with you today, all the way from New Zealand. Please bear with me for the time differences. I might be a little behind you!

The most common question I get asked is how I come up with my story ideas, followed closely by what motivates me. I really don’t have any problem finding ideas for stories. Sometimes, if you’re like me, Vanessa, you live most of your life with characters in your head. It’s crowded with loads of different characters all screaming to be heard. Sometimes it’s hard to order the characters’ traits, fears, and the conflicts they find themselves in.

Sometimes the answer to ‘where do I get my stories from’ leads to a discussion about what’s happening in the world around me. I often hear some lyrics, or watch a movie, world events, or something that happened to friends in real life triggers something in my head. I think about what would be different about this in the Regency era—and voila a story idea germinates.

However, these sources of inspiration help me with stories ideas. So what inspired me to write in the first place and what keeps me writing?

Well, it has to be other authors! It’s my love of reading romance that sparked the desire to write it. Especially historical romance, but really I read across all genres.

I remember crying, and laughing and smiling after reading a Penny Jordan book; I decided on the spot that was what I wanted to do. I didn’t really know how to start so I joined RWNZ and RWA and began to learn.

Now that I’m a published author, I still find inspiration through other authors. Reading a great book still sends me straight to my computer to write my own stories. Also being able to dive into other author’s characters gives my head a well needed rest.

I love that we all have different voices and different strengths in our writing. I’m constantly learning from other authors, how to be a better writer.

If you’re wondering which authors influenced me to write INVITATION TO SCANDAL, there are many. However fellow author Elise Rome always told me to give credit where it’s due.

So, these are just a few of the authors I return to again and again who I can count on to awe and inspire me, my auto-buys: (including Vanessa Kelly of course!)

Even if you’re not a writer, you likely have a list of authors who continually awe you when you read their books. Who are your favorites that you would passionately recommend to any fellow romance reader?

One random commenter will be chosen to win a copy of my newest book, INVITATION TO SCANDAL (open internationally)!

PLUS: Find out how to win the INVITATION TO ROMANCE Book Tour Grand Prize of a $200 Gift Card from Amazon or B&N PLUS 30+ ‘signed by the author’ romance novels by visiting www.bronwenevans.com

There will be a one WORD hidden in each blog post [WHO] in brackets (the word ‘WHO’ is the first clue from Shana Galen’s post on 26^th April). There are 30 words altogether. These words will spell a paragraph related to my May release INVITATION TO SCANDAL.

Zounds! Vanessa, here. Bronwen, what a great contest! Readers, be sure to check out Bronwen’s website. And don’t forget to answer her question in today’s blog for a chance to win a copy of AN INVITATION TO SCANDAL.

Update: Hey, folks! I’m on Bronwen’s blog today. I’m talking about current and future releases, and giving away a copy of My Favorite Countess. Stop on by!

Guest Author: Lila Di Pasqua & A Midnight Dance

March 15, 2016July 18, 2011 by VanessaKelly

Today’s guest author is Lila DiPasqua, who writes lush and sexy historical romance with a fairy tale twist. In fact, she writes “Fiery Tales,” classic fairy tales cleverly reimagined into sensual and sophisticated romances. The first in her Fiery Tales collection is Awakened by a Kiss, which retells Sleeping Beauty, Puss In Boots, and Little Red Riding Hood. This debut collection got great reviews, including a 5 star review from The Romance Dish:

“Every now and then a debut author knocks my socks off with her first novel. . . AWAKENED BY A KISS is a magnificent debut!!!! …Purchase it right now!!!” — The Romance Dish

I have to tell you, I love the idea of taking classic fairy tales from our childhood and retelling them as sensual and romantic adult tales. It’s one of those great high concepts that makes a writer think…damn, I wish I’d thought of that!

Here’s the book trailer for Awakened By A Kiss, which gives you a sense of what these stories are about.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qoNZ9In935c&feature=player_embedded]

Lila’s second collection of Fiery Tales is The Princess in His Bed, which got phenomenal reviews including this one from Publishers Weekly: “Ripe with steamy affairs, these lusty stories are hot enough to warm the coldest winter night.”

Wow! Or steam things up on a hot summer night too, eh? Romance Junkies gave the collection a coveted 5 ribbon review:

“Lila DiPasqua weaves another sumptuous collection. The heroines are ladies in every way, the heroes just rakish enough to be adored… I recommend this to all adult fairytale lovers. – 5 RIBBONS!

For historical romance lovers, what could be more enticing than all those handsome princes from days gone by, coming back to life as sexy romance heroes between the pages of Lila’s books – fun!

Lila has a new book coming out in August. A Midnight Dance is a full-length historical romance, inspired by the tale of Cinderella.

Of all the fairy tales we know, Cinderella is perhaps the most romantic and just perfect for Lila’s unique talents. Here’s the blurb:

Born into wealth, Sabine Laurent and her twin sister lived a life of luxury, their father’s prestigious theater frequented by royalty and aristocracy alike. And Sabine dreamed of her own prince charming—the devastatingly handsome Jules de Moutier.

That was before the loss of her sister and her family’s fall from grace—a disaster Sabine blames on the Moutier family. Now, with her father’s death, she’s inherited his sizable debt and the responsibility of caring for his spoiled long-time mistress and her two wastrel daughters. But with the help of Sabine’s eccentric friends—the balance of her father’s acting troupe—she plans to get very close to her old infatuation, seduce the rake—and make away with a fortune.

Resisting Jules’s skillful mouth and tantalizing touch is not as easy as Sabine supposed. And soon she must decide whether her desire for vengeance is greater than her desire for her one and only prince…

Doesn’t that sound great? Jennifer Ashley, the acclaimed New York Times bestselling author of The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie would agree:

“A MIDNIGHT DANCE is a fun, spicy, historical romp that’s sure to delight! A lovely twist on the Cinderella fairy tale, with a deliciously dark hero and a heroine who’s more than a match for him.”— Jennifer Ashley, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author

A Midnight Dance is available for pre-order on Amazon, and at all your favorite booksellers. You can find more info about the book, including an excerpt, on Lila’s website. And while you’re on Lila’s website, be sure to check out her amazing contest for her upcoming blog tour and party. And here’s another one of Lila’s interesting and totally fun twists – the blog party is being hosted by her husband, and will feature interviews with the husbands of romance writers, including mine! Yes, DH will be appearing on Lila’s blog on July 21. Mr. DiPasqua will also be hosting the husbands of Sophie Jordan, Kris Kennedy, Kate Noble, and Kieran Kramer, among many others. The whole thing sounds like a riot, so you’d best get yourself over to Lila’s blog and check out the details.

Lila has very graciously donated a copy of A Midnight Dance, which I will give away to one person who stops by the blog today or tomorrow morning. Just tell me what’s your favorite fairy tale, either as a child or as an adult.