Guest Author: Phoebe Conn & Giveaway!

I have a very interesting and accomplished writer featured on the blog today.  She’s Phoebe Conn, and she writes contemporary, historical, and paranormal romance.  Phoebe has 34 books to her name, having written for Kensington, Dorchester, Warner Books, and Silhouette.  She’s a New York Times bestselling author, with more than seven million books in print under her own name as well as her pseudonym, Cinnamon Burke.  On top of all that, she’s won several RT Reviewer’s Choice Awards and has been nominated as Storyteller of the Year.

Whew!  Pretty impressive writing resume, wouldn’t you say?

Currently, Phoebe writes contemporary romance for Samhain Publishing, and Samain will also be releasing some of Phoebe’s previously published historical romances.  In addition, she’s taken on the world of indie publishing, writing new contemporaries and re-releasing some of her backlist.  To get all the details, stop by her website and check out her previous and upcoming releases.  Make sure you have a look at some of her backlist books, with their wonderful old-school covers.  They’re absolutely gorgeous!

And while visiting her website, check out the About Me page to find out how Phoebe got her start in the romance writing business.  I’ll give you a tantalizing hint:  it involves Ricardo Montalban!

Phoebe has a new book that’s just been released in print from Samhain.  It’s the wonderfully titled Defy The World Tomatoes.


Here’s the blurb for Defy The World Tomatoes:

She knew he was trouble, but she’s no coward.

Darcy MacLeod’s Army brat childhood drives her to sink roots as deep as the plants with which she works. As part owner of a nursery/gift shop in Monarch Bay, she’s well on her way to her dream. Though she’s haunted by the lingering fear that her one chance for true love has come and gone.

When Griffin Moore asks her to landscape his sumptuous new estate, she’s entranced by the internationally renowned pianist’s air of mystery. Yet as she is inexorably drawn into his bed, her instincts tell her that secrets lurk behind his sophisticated mask.

With her carelessly styled hair, grubby overalls, and hands that see more dirt than an earthworm, Griffin finds Darcy a refreshing ray of light in his shadowy world. His globe-trotting concert schedule makes him the perfect Interpol informant-and makes a permanent relationship too dangerous to risk.

Their passion rivals the music of the great classical masters, but even as Darcy dips a toe into Griffin’s extravagant world, darkness reaches out to strike a dangerous chord. And Darcy must fight to keep her second chance at love-and her lover-alive.

Warning: Contains meddling friends, high adventure, down and dirty sex, and a couple who make beautiful music together-in bed and out.

Doesn’t that sound great?  And I love the fact that the hero is a world-famous pianist.  I can drool over Navy Seals and tough cop heroes as much as the next gal, but that’s a really cool twist to have a musician as the man to capture the heroine’s heart.

For my readers today, Phoebe has graciously donated a copy of Defy The World Tomatoes.  Since the hero of Phoebe’s novel is a musician, let’s talk about that.  What’s your favorite kind of music, and why?  One person who comments will win a copy of the book.

 

 


Guest Author: Angela Benson & Giveaway!

My guest author today is an incredibly interesting, talented, and accomplished woman.  She’s Angela Benson, and she’s an award winning author of both contemporary romance and faith-inspired fiction.  Angela has published twelve novels, two novellas, and a nonfiction writing book, all for top-notch publishers.  Her books have appeared on national and regional bestseller lists, and she’s won a number of awards, including the Romantic Times Award for Best Multicultural Romance, and she was also a finalist for the Romantic Times Lifetime Achievement Award in Multicultural Romance.  On top of that, she was also nominated for the prestigious RITA Award, sponsored by the Romance Writers of America.

Wow!  That is one heck of a writing pedigree, isn’t it?

Angela’s writing creds are certainly distinguished, but the other parts of her life are equally impressive.  She majored in both math and industrial engineering, and holds two Masters Degrees AND a Ph.D. in instructional technology from the University of Georgia.  Angela is currently an associate professor of educational technology at the University of Alabama.  My goodness—when does the woman even find time to write books?!

Like many romance writers with established careers, Angela is moving into digital publishing.  Three of her previously published, out of print books are now available as e-books.  The Way Home and The Nicest Guy in America were originally published with Pinnacle Arabesque, both to great reviews.


The Way Home was an RT Reviewers Choice winner, and was also a finalist for the prestigious Holt Medallion.  Here’s what the Literary Times had to say about it:

“A realistic, romantic tale of regaining lost love! Ms. Benson writes from the heart and it is reflected in her characters. Readers will be thrilled with Angela Benson’s newest love story!”

Here’s the blurb for The Way Home:

Marlena Rhodes returns to her hometown of Gaines for a visit only to discover that the past she left behind is still fresh in her memory. As a successful attorney in Washington, D.C., Marlena has made a name for herself and the wealthy black society people of Gaines are clamoring to meet her. They may be dazzled by her name and her reputation, but deep down Marlena is still Josie Rhodes’ daughter and Josie hadn’t been accepted by most of the people in Gaines. When she comes face-to-face with her ex-love, Marlena remembers why she loved Winston Taylor so much and why she’d said goodbye . . .

Doesn’t that sound like a great read?  To check out an excerpt of The Way Home, take a hop to Angela’s website.  While you’re there, you can also read the blurb, excerpt, and reviews for her other book, The Nicest Guy in America.

And just in time for Christmas, Angela has a holiday novella called Friend and Lover.


Here’s the review for the novella from RT Book Reviews:

Angela Benson’s “Friend and Lover” is a hilarious, sensual romp of friends turning into lovers. Reed Lewis has loved his best friend, Paige Taylor, for years. In a determined effort to make his New Year’s dreams come true, Reed pulls out all the stops. Paige tries to fight her attraction to Reed, but when he brings in his secret weapon-his 80-year-old, 5-foot-nothing, 80-pound grandmother named Big Momma-she loses her heart to the incorrigible grandmother/grandson duo.

Sounds like fun, doesn’t it?  Stop by Angela’s website to get all the details and to read an excerpt of Friend and Lover.

For my readers today, Angela is donating a copy of The Way Home.  Since Angela’s just released a Christmas novella, let’s talk about the holidays.  What’s your favorite thing about the holiday season—family, food, or all those fabulous books you’re going to get as presents!  One person who comments will win a copy of Angela’s book.


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