Series it Is!

After last week's post, I realized that series is the way to go. I also realized that just because a book is a part of a series, doesn't mean it isn't an awesome, standalone book on it's own. So now that that's settled...did you know I have two series right now? One erotic romance series is complete. My contemporary royalty romance series is ongoing. So for those of you who like series...

Paolo's Playhouse - erotic romance

Her Royal Romance - contemporary romance

The Paolo's Payhouse series is complete, but there are more to come in Her Royal Romance. Next up is Her Royal Mistake, to be followed by more sexy royalty romances in the future. Along with other series I have planned. All contemporary. All sexy, emotional and romantic. Because that's the way I like it. How about you?

Natasha
www.natashamoore.com

Guest: Carol Burnside - Her Unexpected Family

Her Unexpected Family by Carol Burnside

When I wrote the first novel in the Sweetwater Springs series, A Suitable Wife, I had no thoughts of a series. I was a green writer learning the ropes and writing simply Sam and Rosie’s story. But as the story progressed and morphed, Rosie’s best friend began to steal the show. She caught the attention of my critique partners and got rave reviews. She was funny and quirky and had crazy hair colors.

Editors wanted me to tone Claire down in ASW, and rightfully so. She was the sidekick to Sam and Rosie’s story. By then I’d learned a lot and completely re-wrote the book. I was okay with pulling her back in ASW because I knew she had to have her own book.

I also knew she had secrets and was sparse with details of her family. Was this the character that many authors talk about? The one who isn’t willing to let the author in? And why was Claire, at 22, completely on her own?

Girded and expecting the Tough One, I was surprised when Claire gave me answers like a kid shooting marbles squirreled away in her fist. She released them into casual dialogue in such a way that I had to catch my breath a time or two. To be honest, Travis responded to her revelations with much more self-control than I exhibited, seeing as his love and admiration grew with each of those released marbles.

If the initial reviews are an indication, Claire is winning other’s hearts too. I hope you will give her story a try.

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Blurb:

This book is the second in the Sweetwater Springs series of stand-alone books by this author.  

Former bad boy, Travis Baxter, has a reputation to live down, a job to do fast, and one woman he can’t seem to avoid. He’s starting a 24/7 renovation flip on Claire’s beauty salon when a surprise appears at his door . . . a three-year-old son. Immediate custody brings Travis a major problem. He needs a nanny.

Claire Larkin glimpsed a rare and appealing side of Travis during one ill-fated date, but her personal policy is no involvement, no strings. Not even a pet until she’s pronounced cancer free. With free time until her salon is done, Claire pitches in to help the grieving little boy and stunned father. Despite her best efforts to resist, she and Travis succumb to their attraction.

When it appears Claire’s cancer has returned, she pulls away and Travis is faced with a seemingly impossible decision. Protect his son from another loss or support the woman he’s come to love?

Warning: This book contains hair salon gossip, hunky construction workers, sex in the shower, sudden humor and it might tempt you to gorge on pizza and brownies. Even so, at certain points the reader may wish to keep tissues handy.

Fans of Marie Ferrarella, Tanya Michaels, Leanne Banks and Susan Mallery will enjoy this series, which contains sensual romance against a backdrop of family and community. 

Book 1: A Suitable Wife (Rosie and Sam), January, 2014

Book 3: His Small Town Princess (J.T. and Cass), Coming soon

Other titles are planned for this series.

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Review snips:

“I laughed at the humor, cried with the heartbreaking parts and sympathized with their plight as they tried to find their lasting love. Well written characters meshed with a well developed plot for true reading pleasure. Real page turner. I look forward happily to the next book in the series.” – Shirley Buchanan, Romance Book Haven  5/5 star review

~*~*~

“I recommend this read for readers that don't mind pulling out the tissues and looking like a fool when crying over a book and if you don't mind laughing out load in the middle of nowhere whilst reading.” -- Desere 4/5 star’s 

~*~*~

“Be prepared to have tissues at hand. This is one roller-coaster of an emotional story. It is tender, heart-warming and at times heart-breaking. But I loved it.” – Laura 5/5 star’s

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Carol Burnside is an award-winning author of the Sweetwater Springs series of contemporary romance with serious sizzle. Her personal second-chance-at-love story resulted in a marriage to her high school sweetheart of thirty-plus years. Also published in short stories, Carol’s novel length manuscripts have placed in numerous contests and won five, including the prestigious Maggie Award for Excellence.

Writing as Annie Rayburn, she produces soft sci-fi and lite paranormal erotic romances which have been favorably received. Talk about cross-genre! Enjoy excerpts, review snippets, and more about her sexy Crainesian characters on her website  or connect with her on www.PetitFoursAndHotTamales.com.

Connect with her online via Website / Facebook / Twitter / Newsletter / Goodreads / Pinterest  or email her at Carol@CarolBurnside.com

Read 1st chapter here: http://wp.me/P1e7XX-XY

Buy on: Smashwords / AmazonUS / UK / AU / BN.com / ARe / iTunes / Kobo / Diesel

Carol is giving away an e-copy of Her Unexpected Family. You must comment to enter. Winners picked by random.org. (Please remember to leave your email address so we can contact you.)

New Release! My Brave Highlander

Hi everyone, I'm happy to announce that My Brave Highlander (the third book in my Highland Adventure Series) is out now and available at Amazon, Barnes and Noble and Smashwords. It will be available at other booksellers such as iTunes and Kobo soon.


A man long believed dead, Dirk MacKay returns home to a den of murderous conspirators in Durness, Scotland. Along the icy trail north, he rescues Lady Isobel MacKenzie from a snowstorm. He would never steal the neighboring chief's bride, would he? The tantalizing lady fires up his passions, testing his willpower and honor at every turn, even as some of his own clansmen plot his downfall. 

Reviews: "I REALLY enjoyed My Brave Highlander. Lots of action and sensuality--Dirk is so intense and yet when he's near Isobel the heat crackles and his defenses fall. The scenery is vivid and magical. I felt like I was in the midst of the Highlands, the snow falling and melting on my cheeks. Beyond the sizzling sensual tension (which Ms. Sinclair is an expert at weaving!) the adventurous plot had me on the edge of my seat. And Dirk's enemy--HATED with a passion. Ms. Sinclair has the unique ability to pull an emotional response from her reader on every single page.

Filled with romance, I had a constant smile to my face, I got chills, the whole nine yards! This might be my favorite of all three books in the Highland Adventure series. Well done, Ms. Sinclair--I highly recommend this book! And I can't wait to read the next one!" Eliza Knight at History Undressed

"I loved MY BRAVE HIGHLANDER! An intriguing tale of Love, Loss, Betrayal and heart stopping romance! A story you definitely DON'T want to miss! You gotta love those Highlanders!"  A.L. Snider

Excerpt from My Brave Highlander
(On their journey north, not long after he rescues her from a snowstorm, Dirk and Isobel end up having to spend the night together in a small cottage. He knows that Isobel sleepwalks sometimes.)

"Isobel?" Why on earth would she open the door and allow the winter wind to blast into the cottage, especially wearing naught but her underclothing? Dirk hurried across the room, drew her back and closed the door. "What are you doing?"

Her eyes were open but she wasn't looking at him. Was she asleep?

"Go back to bed, Isobel." With his hands on her upper arms, he gently turned her toward the bed.

She resisted and reached for the door. "Going home."

He could understand that, for he wanted to go home, himself. But neither of them could do that at the moment.

Knowing she wasn't going to obey him, he lifted her into his arms. She was light as a wee thistle flower but not near as prickly. He'd helped her mount the horse a few times, but he'd never held her like this, in his arms with her curvy body leaning against him.

When he turned with her, she giggled. The playful sound wound through his body in a heated swirl of excitement. She slid her arms 'round his neck and held on tightly while he carried her back to the bed. One of her soft breasts rubbed against his chest, only the thin fabric between them. She snuggled her face against his neck, her warm breath teasing his skin.

Arousal surged through him, but when she kissed his throat, he thought he might go up in flames. Saints! He wanted to do the same to her, trail kisses down her throat, untie her smock and… He shook his head, trying to clear it.

Standing by the bed, he remained still, though his instincts raged at him to crush her sweet body beneath his on the mattress.

He drew in a deep breath, fighting to calm his desires.

"Are you awake?" he whispered.

She hummed a sleepy sound and placed another wee kiss against his neck. Restraining a moan, he glanced down at her. In the dimness, he couldn't see if her eyes were open or closed. But she smelled heavenly, like lavender and woman.

Just put her in the bed and leave her be!

He lowered her to the mattress but she did not relinquish her hold on his neck. He knew he should simply remove her slender arms, but he couldn't seem to make himself do it. Her breath tickled his face. Her mouth, no less than an inch or two from his, tempted him, made him crave just one taste.

Surrendering to the enticement, he brushed his lips over hers… silky-smooth warmth. She released a soft moan and pressed her lips more firmly to his. It was a chaste kiss, but the raging need storming his body urged him to make it carnal, compelled him to part her lips and slide his tongue between.

Nay. She's asleep.

Lifting his head, he dragged her arms from around his neck and covered her with the blankets. She protested with a petulant moan.

Damn, she seemed near as needy as he was. But was her need for him, or would any man do?

It didn't matter.

"Go to sleep," he said in a low but firm tone, even though she already was.

She turned over and her breathing deepened.

Saints! That was one time he wished she'd done the opposite of what he said. The sensual feel of her lips was now burned onto his.

Nay. He couldn't have her. He couldn't kiss her. She belonged to another man.

My Brave Highlander - Vonda Sinclair

Thanks for checking it out!! :)

Vonda

www.vondasinclair.com

Plaything Releases May 8th!

One taste of everything she ever wanted…how can she walk away?

When I first sold my Paolo's Playhouse series and the four stories were scheduled out over a year, the release of the last story, Plaything, seemed so far away. I've celebrated the release of each story in the series, drooled over the great covers, enjoyed the reviews and reader's reactions. Suddenly...here we are, at the end of the road. At least for these four short stories that make up the Paolo's Playhouse series.

Blurb:

Julianne’s the epitome of a successful businesswoman. But where her boardroom reality is full of decisions, her bedroom fantasy is the exact opposite—allowing a lover who knows what he’s doing to strip her of the need to make any decisions at all.

When she reads an ad for Paolo’s Playhouse, her long-ignored need twists inside her, too sharp to ignore. Trembling, she picks up the phone, and Paolo’s charm, lyrical accent and empathy soothe her fear just enough to agree to be the Playhouse’s bondage toy. One look at Paolo the following night, and she wishes she’d struck a different bargain. To be his alone.

Paolo can’t take his eyes off the brave and beautiful woman with hair like the fire he sees in her soul. Her sexual need to be bound matches his own powerful need to be the one to bind her. Tonight and always.

Except Julianne agreed to only one perfect night. Now he must convince her it could be the first night of many for them—if only she will trust him.


Excerpt:

Paolo’s Playhouse. A new playground for consenting adults. Playrooms for every interest or desire. Bring your own plaything or we can provide one for you. We’ll help your fantasies come to life. Inquiries, phone…

The newspaper in Julianne’s hands rattled and she dropped it to the table as if it had burned her trembling fingers. The discreet ad at the bottom of the page grabbed her attention and wouldn’t let her go. Her heart raced and her nipples prickled. Words seemed to flash before her eyes.

Playhouse. Plaything. Fantasies.

She flipped the paper over and pushed away from the table. The marinated chicken breast and tossed salad sat, uneaten, in front of her. She didn’t feel like dinner any longer, didn’t even want the Chardonnay she’d poured to try to relax. The jumbled nerves in her stomach left no room for food. But the words kept running through her mind.

Playhouse. Plaything. Fantasies.

Sure, she had fantasies. Who didn’t? Leather cuffs and silky ropes, sweaty skin and long-fingered masculine hands were the images that danced behind her closed eyes each night when she used her trusty vibrator. Sometimes she thought her fantasies were the only things that kept her sane. But that didn’t mean she’d ever try to act them out in real life. Not again.

Julianne paced her apartment, restlessness buzzing through her system like an itch she couldn’t scratch. What was wrong with her? She didn’t have time to think about her sexual fantasies now. She had work to do. Work was what kept her sane. Work. Not fantasies.

She took refuge in the spare bedroom she’d converted into her workshop. Usually she felt happy there, but tonight the room seemed smaller, darker. The air was stale and stagnant. Still, she flipped through sample after sample, searching for the perfect drapery fabric for her current project. Nothing seemed right tonight. Everything felt flat, boring. But she couldn’t admit that work wasn’t enough anymore.

What would she have then?

She finally found a beautiful gold-and-green brocade that would be ideal for the draperies in the Olsons’ new dining room. And she had the perfect drapery ties to go with it. She’d gotten them on sale months ago, waiting for the right project. She opened the cabinet drawer and pulled out a length of braided cord.
Her breath caught as she ran the silky gold cord through her fingers. Slowly, without even realizing it, she wrapped it around her wrist, once, twice, and pulled tight. She stared at the dark gold cord wrapped around her pale skin as if wondering where it had come from. She tugged it again. Illicit thrills shivered over her skin, prickling her nipples and sending her sex throbbing.

We’ll help your fantasies come to life.

Bondage. She could admit to herself that being tied up during sex had always been her secret fantasy, but could she admit it to someone else? She’d tried once, with a guy she thought she could trust. She’d gathered up all her nerve and timidly asked him to tie her wrists to the headboard before they had sex. Bill had recoiled in shock, horrified that she would think he’d ever want to abuse a woman in that way. He’d stared at her as if there were something wrong with her and had refused to listen as she’d tried to explain about fantasies and consensual kink.
She’d never mentioned it again to another soul.

In fact, she’d buried it so deep she’d thought it had been forgotten, but the emotional scars from that disaster had probably colored every lousy relationship she’d had since then. She’d never again dared ask for what she wanted in the bedroom. Never dared believe she could actually experience real bondage, even once. She’d resigned herself to a boring sex life and inventive fantasies of her own making.

Somehow Julianne found herself back at the kitchen table, the cord still wrapped tightly around her wrist. She flipped the paper back over and read the words again. Could this be her chance to live out her fantasy? She grabbed the glass of wine still sitting on the table and drank in down in several long gulps. Then before she could think twice, she snatched up her phone and punched in the number.

“This is Paolo’s Playhouse. How may I help you?”

Another excerpt can be found on the Samhain website.

And just because this is the end of the Playhouse series doesn't mean there won't be other hot, sexy stories coming. I've sold another novel to Samhain about an erotic artist and his former lover titled Silken Canvas that should be out by the end of the year.

And I've just started writing a bigger story with Paolo and Julianne so I hope you'll be seeing that book on down the road.

Plaything is available for pre-order now and will release tomorrow! I'm so excited to have Paolo's story released, the one that gave me the idea for the entire series. Have a great week!

Natasha
PLAYTHING
BIRTHDAY GIRL
RISK IT
FLAUNT IT
www.natashamoore.com

Guest Interview: Carol Ericson

Today our special guest is a fabulous former member of Fierce Romance, Carol Ericson!

Welcome, Carol! Please tell us about your latest release.

My September Harlequin Intrigue, The McClintock Proposal, is the third book in the McClintock Brothers series, which includes Circumstantial Memories, The Sheriff of Silverhill, and the 4th book, A Silverhill Christmas, which will be available in December.

Here is the back cover blurb for The McClintock Proposal: The moment Rod McClintock spots the disheveled bride on the side of the road, he knows life is about to become a lot more complicated. Callie Price is on the run and in need of his protection. She's also the answer to his financial woes, if they're both willing to say "I do."

A marriage of convenience is Callie's sole shot at inheriting the ranch that'll help her rebuild her life. All she needs is a husband in name only. Her smoldering cowboy rescuer fits the role perfectly. Too perfectly. As they struggle to escape a killer's obsession, peril and passion tie them together. And before long, someone is putting "till death do us part" to the ultimate test.…

Sounds wonderful! I love marriage of convenience stories! How are the books in this series connected and do they need to be read in order?

The books in this series are connected through the four McClintock brothers. The fourth brother, Rio McClintock in A Silverhill Christmas is illegitimate and didn't grow up with his brothers, which is a source of much bitterness for him. The books themselves aren't connected by an overarching story and can be read out of order, although the various brothers make appearances in each other's books and they all come together in the fourth book.

What do you like best about writing a series?

The best part about writing series is visiting old friends! We meet some of the same characters across the books, and if you've read the other books there are some inside jokes about those characters and shared history. Also, series give you a chance to check in on the heroes and heroines of the previous books to see how they're doing. :) That's my favorite part about reading series as well.

For me too! What is hardest about writing a series of this type?

The hardest aspect to writing a series is keeping elements of the characters or the setting straight. At least a portion of each book is set in Silverhill Colorado and when writing subsequent books in the series, I had to check back through the previous books to make sure I had the right name for a particular cafe or street. It keeps you on your toes! And with a series that's connected by an overarching story, you have to keep the elements of that story alive and progressing through each book.

Absolutely! For an unpublished author who would like to write for Intrigue, what advice would you give?

Advice I would give to an unpublished (or published!) author targeting Intrigue would be to use hooks. In category romance, hooks are very important, elements like secret babies, amnesia, women in peril, marriage of convenience, cowboys, brides--these are all very common and desired hooks for category romance. Also, for Intrigue you need to pack a lot of action into a little book. This means almost every chapter must end with....a cliffhanger! Finally, reading a lot of Intrigues will give you an idea of the types of story lines, heat level, and ratio of romance to suspense that the line is looking for. Before I sold my first Intrigue, I read a lot of Intrigues, which was enjoyable as well as educational!

Super advice! What is your writing process like?

I like to plot out somewhat before I start writing, except for the beginning of the book. Usually the opening scene of a book just comes to me and I'll sit down and write out the first few chapters, just letting the ideas from that initial spark flow onto the page. Then I sit back, look at what I have, and start sketching out a plot. I like to use the method in Discovering Story Magic, which focuses on character development to move your story along.

What's next for you?

Next up for me is the 4th book in the McClintock Brothers series, A Silverhill Christmas, which is coming out in December. Then for 2011, it's another 4-book series for Intrigue called Brothers in Arms and it's about three ex-military covert ops team members who are pulled back into their jobs to disrupt a drugs for arms deal that involves one of their missing team members. This series is connected by one major story, the missing covert ops member, who gets the fourth and final book all to himself. The first book in the series, Navy SEAL Security, will be out in March '11 and the second book, Mountain Ranger Recon, will follow in April '11. The other two books will be out later in the year.

In addition to my upcoming releases, I'm running a contest in September. To celebrate the release of my September Intrigue, The McClintock Proposal and to launch my revamped website at www.carolericson.com, I’m having a contest! The prize or I guess the prizes are the first three books of the McClintock Brothers series, Circumstantial Memories, The Sheriff of Silverhill, and The McClintock Proposal. And all you have to do to enter is answer some fun questions from my website. I will pose the questions on the Intrigue Authors Blog at eHarlequin on Wednesday, September 1st. So drop by the blog for the questions, and then check out my revitalized website for the answers. The first person to email me all of the correct answers at carol@carolericson.com wins the three books! I will be posting the winner on the Intrigue Authors Blog on Tuesday, September 7th.

Thanks for having me back at Fierce Romance. Hope to see some new visitors at the Intrigue Authors blog for a chance to win the first three books in the McClintock Brothers series.

Carol, congratulations on your latest release and newest sales! Thank you for coming back for a visit!