#Author Rachel Leigh, Sexy Settings and #Romance #Giveaway!

Happy Friday, everyone! Today I'm honored to have fellow Wild Rose Press author Rachel Leigh with me today! Rachel has written several erotic romances for the Scarlet Rose line and has hosted me on her blog a few times. I'm so happy she agreed to be with me here today and let me ask her five nosy questions. What's more, she's offering one of her books to a random commenter, so PLEASE be sure to leave a comment that includes your email address. Let's get started! 

        1.    Hi Rachel! Thanks so much for being here with us today. What made you decide to write contemporary erotic romance as opposed to paranormal, historical or sweet romance?

It was more a case of the heroine in my first novella, “Explicitly English” deciding for me! I started writing what I thought was a mainstream contemporary romance but whilst writing the “train scene” things heated up out of my control. I soon realized that this was not AT ALL suitable for mainstream… after that I was addicted J

2.   Some writers write for years and suffer many rejections before being published while others hit the jackpot on the first try. What was your road to publication like?

I’m from the UK and started out with the aim of getting published in British women’s magazines. After many rejections and feeling very low, an online friend suggested I try The Wild Rose Press. The first story I sent them was accepted––I was ecstatic! Since then, I have enjoyed working with my editor so much, I haven’t yet submitted to another publisher.

3.  In your book Explicitly English your heroine Laura leaves the city to try a new start in the countryside. Are you a city girl or a country girl at heart?

Definitely a country girl! I live in a small English town, which is perfectly located, and in easy access to a busy city in one direction and acres of countryside in the other. It’s my dream to one day own a huge farm with horses and lot of dogs running around as I write all day long. Ahhh…

4.  That sounds like an awesome dream, and I hope it comes true for you.Your book Hot Summer Sands is a sexy romance that's set in Greece. Where's the sexiest place you've ever been?

The sexiest place I’ve been is actually Zante where the book is set. It’s a beautiful place, where lots of rich people moor their yachts and spend time sitting at tables outside glamorous restaurants. The sea is crystal clear and the heat is always a huge aphrodisiac to me. Lord only knows why I live in England, lol! :D

5.    Sounds like a wonderful place to visit and it really must have provided a lot of inspiration! Your upcoming romance Teach Me to Ride takes place in the world of show jumping. Sounds like a fascinating setting for a story. Do you have any personal experience with with horses and show jumping? Please tell us more about this story!

I have hardly any experience with horses! I used to ride my friend’s horse as a child and loved it. I won a couple of gymkhana rosettes and learned the basics of riding and jumping before I was thirteen years old. After that, we lost contact and I haven’t rode since L. I would love to own a horse one day as I feel a special connection with them, but as far as the world of show jumping goes, everything in “Teach Me to Ride” is from my imagination. Oh, and a huge chunk of inspiration from one of my favorite writers, Jilly Cooper.

           

If you love horses, I highly recommended you read her Rutshire Chronicles, starting with book one, “Riders”. Fabulous ‘80s bonkbusters with lots of scandal, sex and intrigue…

Wow, thanks for the recommendation, Rachel. I've loved horse stories since I read Black Beauty as a girl, and I'm always looking for new books and authors to read. And thanks so much for stopping by today! It's been great!

Rachel’s latest release is Hot Summer Sands and available now from The Wild Rose Press. Here’s the blurb & buy links:

Chef Michelle Hutton flees her controlling mother in the UK for the sun and freedom of Greece, longing for a new beginning and maybe just a bit of Zante’s local heat. Sexy, pro-bono lawyer Sam Clarke might just be the one to teach her to let go. He's sexy, capable, and totally in control. And too damn hard to resist.

Sam Clarke and his best friend had once been the baddest boys to hit the local party scene— sex, booze, and more sex—until his friend is killed. Sam turned his back on the blatant sexuality of the island years ago, but can’t resist Michelle’s desire to bask in the sun and explore the need that grows between them.

Available at: The Wild Rose Press  Amazon  Barnes & Noble

Rachel’s Links:

Website Blog Facebook Twitter

Giveaway:

Rachel is giving away a free download of any of her three novellas (reader’s choice), to one lucky commenter! You can tell us about your favorite vacation spot, whether you love horses, if you're a city or a country mouse, or a book you've recently enjoyed. Or just say hi!  Don't be shy--please leave a comment!

Have a wonderful weekend, all!

Nona Raines
Hot Contemporary Romance
Edgy ~ Emotional ~ Erotic
www.nonaraines.com

Facebook, Twitter, Blog

Sneak Peek Sunday with Rach

Hello all,

Welcome to our first Sneak Peek Sunday. A special thanks to Krystal Shannan for taking up the torch and continuing within the vein of Six Sentence Sunday! I'm so happy this is continuing.

And now on to the Sneak Peek.

This week's excerpt comes from my latest release, a lesbian erotic romance titled Queen of Hearts. This is when Maya spots Erica from across the club one night.

            Oh, God. It was the woman. The one she’d been thinking about for seven days. “Her.”

“What?” Jake leaned closer. “Who?”

“Her,” she said, nodding toward the woman as she bellied up to the bar.

“Who, her?” Jake said. But Maya ignored him. As she walked away, she heard Jake say something else, but she waved him off. Maya had to talk to the mystery woman from the commercial. 

Queen of Hearts is on sale now! 

Amazon: http://amzn.to/VdWejF

Smashwords: http://bit.ly/YftYl9

Barnes & Noble : http://bit.ly/10cUqaU

               All Romance Ebooks: http://bit.ly/XYumAN


Thanks all for joining us today. Enjoy!

~Rach

#Author Jill James Does #Romance and #Zombies!

Happy Friday, all! Today at The Divas of Desire we're thrilled to welcome romance author Jill James. She's published with The Wild Rose Press and is self-published as well. She's also a great sport who's kindly agreed to let me ask her five nosy questions. So let's get started!

Hi, Jill! It's great to have you with us today. You've written across the genres from Contemporary Romance (Tempting Adam) to Paranormal shapeshifter romance (Dangerous Shift). Do you have a preference?

I love the whole make-your-own-world fun of writing paranormal. I’m a science fiction fan going back to Buck Rogers, Battlestar Galatica (the original), and Star Wars. The idea that there could be something else out there is enticing. There could be a veil between us and this Other world, a world of vampires, werewolves, and shapeshifters.

My daughter was just the right age to watch Buffy the Vampire Slayer with me. I loved telling her that the show might seem like it was about demons and monsters, but it was more than that, deeper, just like excellent science fiction.

That must have been cool for your daughter, watching Buffy with her mom! You mention reading being very important to you—can you name a book that's had an important influence on you as a reader or writer?

The Little House on the Prairie books by Laura Ingalls Wilder. The idea that you could just write about your life and someone would like to read it was eye-opening.

Save The Cat by Blake Snyder. I was able to meet him in person at RWA National before his death. I’ll never forget how he broke films (books) into manageable pieces. The idea that books were a product was so surprising. I think I put authors and books up on a pedestal and hadn’t understood that we need to think of them as art when we create them and something to market once they are done.

I love both those choices. Little House on the Prairie is still so popular with children all these years since it's first publication. And Save the Cat is such a wonderful tool for writers.

You have another book, Love in the Time of Zombies coming soon—what made you decide to write about Zombies?

I’ve been on a zombie watching/reading kick for about 18 months now. The Walking Dead is my favorite show right now. I have this theory or idea about apocalypse books and movies. It comes down to finding someone to love, because if you don’t have someone to care for, what is the purpose of surviving? If you can do that in the middle of the world ending, renegades trying to seize what is left, and zombies wanting to eat you, how hard does it have to be in the ‘normal’ world. Don’t just sit around, go search for The One.

You have a three book series available—The Lake Willowbee Series. What is it about writing a series that appeals to you?

LOL Actually, I didn’t start out with the idea of writing a series. I had an idea of a divorced couple working their way back to each other but my publisher didn’t do married couples working out their problems or a divorced couple getting back together. But, I loved the idea of what would it take to forgive and forget infidelity if the love was still there. Now, I always get asked, would you forgive and forget? Ain’t no way and my husband knows it. So once I had one story in Lake Willowbee I wanted to stay there and put some other stories in my fictional town. I’m going to return to Lake Willowbee with The Single Mommies Club series this year.

Do you have a recent or upcoming release you'd like to tell us about? Please give us all the deets!

Lined up for this year is Love in the Time of Zombies, The Single Mommies Club (again in Lake Willowbee and a series), a sequel to Dangerous Shift, and a sequel to Tempting Adam.

I’m most looking forward to the zombie book. The characters are Emily Gray, a former neglected housewife who finds her strength with the apocalypse, along with the truck-driving, poetry-writing Seth Ripley. For zombie book lovers, be warned; there is sex and romance. For romance book lovers, be warned; there is ooey-gooey gore and scary zombies and evil renegades.

Whoa, sounds like an awesome story—sex and guts! LOL! Sounds like you've planned something for everyone in your upcoming books.

Thanks again for joining us today, Jill, and much success to you!

Jill refers to these little cuties as her "muses"!

Dangerous Shift by Jill James:

HE IS MR. BY-THE-BOOK, WITH A SECRET...

Shapeshifters live among us but remain unknown to most people except for the highest echelons of law enforcement, the military, science, and medical fields—until now.

SHE IS A LOOSE CANNON WITH AN ATTITUDE PROBLEM...

When a fatal virus strikes Shapeshifters all over the West coast, including members of the Shapeshifter Task Force in San Laura, California, reinforcements are called in from around the United States.

TOGETHER, THEY JUST MIGHT CATCH A KILLER.

Lt. Nikki Hill of Missouri comes to San Laura and is partnered up with Lt. Sean Evans. They quickly butt heads on everything from proper police procedures to the moral ethics of euthanasia. They can’t seem to get a lead on the serial killer even as members of their own families are stricken with the virus. In their grief they turn to each other and hope they have time to discover if their relationship stands a chance or if they might just be the next victims of the species extinction disease.

Dangerous Shift is available at: Available at Amazon, BN.com, Smashwords, All Romance eBooks, Kobo, iTunes

and available in print at Amazon and BN.com

About Jill:

Jill James didn't start out wanting to be an author. Along the way she wanted to be an astronaut, President of the United States, a lawyer, and a doctor. Once married with children she realized she could be all those things in the pages of the stories she wrote.

She lives in Northern California with her husband, who is the inspiration for all her romance novel heroes.

Find Jill here:

Website: http://www.jilljameswrites.com

Blog: http://www.jilljameswrites.com/blog

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Jill.James-author

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/jill_james

Group Blog: http://authorsofmainstreet.wordpress.com 

Co-Blog:   http://twoindieladies.wordpress.com 

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/jill_james

Have a wonderful weekend, all!

Nona Raines
Hot Contemporary Romance
Edgy ~ Emotional ~ Erotic
www.nonaraines.com

Facebook, Twitter, Blog

Revenge of the Mad Scientist by Lara Nance

Hi folks,

We have a special treat for you today. A spotlight, review, and excerpt of Revenge of the Mad Scientist by Lara Nance.

When Lady Arabella Trunkett’s father, the High Lord Minister of Urbannia is kidnapped, all clues point to the mysterious country of Gandiss and the world is thrown into political upheaval.

Arabella is convinced the more sinister nation of Carabarras is to blame, urged on by a mad scientist seeking revenge. So, she sets out on a perilous airship journey across a variety of exotic locales to save him, and halt the potential world war.

But airship pirates, secret assassins and slave traders aren’t her only trials. The fickle hand of fate has made the captain of the only airship available for charter, the man who left her at the altar. For eight years she's wished him dead. Now he's her only hope.  

And just a little excerpt from the book:

Another scream sounded and then another. A group of people blocked her view and she didn’t hesitate in pushing them aside. She gasped when she reached a body sprawled on the floor and noted a trail of red blood tracking from a side room. She recognized the injured man as Conrad Bellows, her father’s assistant. Horrified, her champagne glass slipped from her fingers and shattered on the marble.

She pushed another man out of her way. What the hell was wrong with everyone standing around like statues while a man needed help? She knelt at Conrad's side. A knife protruded from his back but when she put her fingers on his neck she found him still alive, thank God. He struggled to his side and blinked as he looked up at her.

“Gone,” he whispered. “So…sorry, My Lady…gone.”

“Who is gone, Conrad?” She put a hand on his shoulder as panic shot through her.

“You’re, fa, fa, father…they took him.”

“What? Who took him?”

“Ahh, all in black, don’t know…” He closed his eyes and then slumped on the floor, unconscious.

Belle sucked in a sharp breath. She jumped to her feet and spun around. “Someone call for a doctor and help Mr. Bellows. Where’s my father?”

Rach's Review: Five out of Five Divas!
                        I loved this book. It was go from page one. Packed with adventure and charming characters, it was a fast and enjoyable read. I particularly loved how many fun people Lady Arabella encounters on her adventures. There's a romance between Belle and Rett, pirates, espionage, kidnapping. This book is chock full of excitement and enjoyable from start to finish. Belle is a relatable, strong heroine who kicks butt and never backs down. I also really love her charge Benji. He's a great secondary character and sometimes steals the show when he's on the page. This is the first book in Nance's Steampunk series and I for one, can't wait for book two.



Lara will be awarding an autographed original map of Arabella's steampunk world to a randomly drawn commenter, and a $50 Amazon gift card and an original steampunk necklace to a randomly drawn commenter during her tour.  

If you sign up for her newsletter on her website from Jan 29 - Feb 3, you will also be entered for an autographed copy of her book as well as an original steampunk necklace. 

Lara Nance grew up and lived in many cites throughout the South. She loves to write in a variety of genres, but the basis of all of her stories is a great tale that will take you on an adventure of imagination.

If you want to escape and lose yourself in a novel, you've come to the right place. Choose your genre and settle in to be entertained. From thrilling mysteries and steampunk tales, to paranormal romance and adventure, she's willing to explore a variety of compelling stories full of danger and suspense, along with a touch of romance.

Having been on the fencing team in college and now living on a sailboat convinces her that she was a pirate in another life, or possibly kin to Errol Flynn… However, due to the unfortunate demise of the romantic pirates of the past, she lives out her fantasies, thrills and adventures in her stories. Lara loves to weave interesting true historical tidbits into her fiction which invite the reader to explore further after the novel is finished.

Currently docked in Norfolk, Virginia (until the wind changes) Lara enjoys living on her sailboat and spends time reading, of course writing, indulging a variety of artistic endeavors, cooking and sailing with her husband, Joe and their Yorkie, Rio.

You can visit Lara here: www.laranance.com 

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/Lara_Nance

Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Lara-Nance-Author/164262596944196?ref=hl

Buy link at Amazon:  http://www.amazon.com/Revenge-Mad-Scientist-Book-ebook/dp/B008XJ8LJ2/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1353853847&sr=1-1&keywords=revenge+of+the+mad+scientist+by+lara+nance

Blade Dance - Official Cover!

 Why does a killer want to disturb our heroine's hot and sexy menage a trois?

BLADE DANCE -- coming soon from Decadent Publishing

 -- stay tuned for the official release date!

Danica St. Como

www.DanicaStComo.com

Danica@DanicaStComo.com

#Interview with #Paranormal #Romance #Author Lisa Hannah Wells!

Happy Friday, everyone! I'm honored to have author Lisa Hannah Wells with me today. Lisa has a new book out with The Wild Rose Press, Be Still My Lover's Heart, the first in the Memory Makers series. Just check out the gorgeous cover! 

Hi, Lisa! Thanks so much for being here at the Divas of Desire today. And thanks for agreeing to let me ask you five nosy questions. Let's get started!

1. You have a book that's available for free download at Goodreads—Queen of Hearts, a paranormal romance featuring vampires. Why do you think vampires fascinate people and what is it about them that appeals to you? 

I think vampires fascinate people because of what they can do. They are generally faster and stronger many times over than ordinary people, immortal, can give or take life by blood and most are very erotic due to the ability to control another’s mind. In the world of my vampires, there are certain rules, a treaty that allows them to live in the world of humans. In Queen of Hearts, Lucius learns how to love and has to make critical choices because of that. All my vampires can fly and this is what, to most of them, is their most favorite part of being what they are. I hope you’ll get to check out this book, since it is a free download and catch a glimpse into my vampires.

***Note to readers--you can download Lisa's free book here.

2. Your recent work from The Wild Rose Press, Be Still My Lover's Heart, is set in space and you describe it as a paranormal romance with futuristic and Science Fiction elements. Do you enjoy blending genres? 

Absolutely! I’ve always loved paranormal romance above any other romance genre. However, I love what Science Fiction allows in the development of technology and as to the other, I enjoy creating the worlds in which my characters live, setting the history for future books and/or series.

3. Whether a romance is set in outer space, New York City, or the Old West, the most important element is the connection between the hero and heroine. What characteristics do you think are important for a hero and heroine to possess?   

I think being able to take chances, to want to change whether for themselves, family or someone else, strength deep within themselves even if they are unaware of it and the willingness to make sacrifices. Finally, the willingness to overcome past hurts even if they are afraid to love and try anyway.

4. In your biography on your blog, you mention having a Barbie Doll collection. I love Barbie! Can you tell us more about your collection? 

Some of Lisa's Barbies--I'm jealous!

I always loved Barbie when growing up and could hardly wait to play with my little girls. Wouldn’t you know it that neither of them was interested? LOL! Just my luck! I began collecting in 1990 and had kept many of my own from when I was a little girl. Every year, I add to the collection, including dolls from Disney Movies, Popular fads like Twilight, and the more expensive (only once in a while) from Bob Mackie and other famous designers. I don’t like to collect dolls that resemble one another, so my collection fascinates those who come to see it.

These must be from "The King and I", right?

What an awesome collection! I could spend hours admiring them all!

Ahem...okay, back to the interview...

5. What are you currently working on or planning for the future? Please share! We can't wait to hear.   

I currently have three works in progress. One is for this upcoming Holiday Season and is my first contemporary romance. The second is another Vampire story, but everyone is going to love this one. He’s so full of character, humorous, loving and claustrophobic. The heroine is the world’s top Cardiologist so the mix is very funny. It is very sensuous, too.  The third is the second book in The Memory Maker’s Series.     I have complete books I’ve written years ago that I’m working on getting into shape, including Time Travel with Ghosts and Witches and a Werewolf story that will steal your heart.  Every one filled to the brim with romance!

I want to thank you for having me on your Five for Friday today and I had a lot of fun.

Thanks so much for being with us today, Lisa. It's been great!

TITLE: BE STILL MY LOVER’S HEART

Blurb:

Ethereal beauty Shea, a Lieutenant in a Universal military, has spent the last four years protecting Colony supply freighters on a small space station. If not for her partner and the hopes of a better assignment, the loss of her husband and a devastating illness would leave her little desire to live.

That is until she meets Tempest, an alien whose species is rumored to be the origin of the vampires,  a man who makes her feel alive in ways she's never felt before.

Tempest has prayed to the Divine One for countless years for his bondmate.  Shea is his long-awaited answer and so much more.  One night will not be enough for a man who has waited a lifetime, but he is determined to make Shea his forever.

With a madman out to destroy them and certain death nipping at their heels, will Tempest and Shea outwit Remi and survive to share a future together, or die protecting all they hold dear?

Excerpt:

“Who is the dark-haired young woman in the red dress?”

“Sir, she is the one who started the entire mess.”

Fierce pride welled up within Tempest, and he grinned. Teo looked at him, his head cocked to the side, puzzlement in his eyes.

“Do you know her name?”

“I believe I heard the other one call her Shea. Is there anything else, sir? If not, I have a few others to round up and toss out.”

“No, but do not throw her or her friend out.”

Teo nodded and hurried to get the remaining people to be escorted to the door. In the last group, among those to be tossed out, a man with blood crusted on his face was yelling loudly about something being unfair. Teo dragged the man to the door then slammed it shut after pushing him outside. Rivera said something to the two females then joined Tempest across the room.

“The two ladies argue that they be allowed to stay, my lord. Aveal is interested in the blonde woman, and the two came together. If I let one stay, the other would also have to stay. What should I do?” Rivera grinned.

“Since you have decided to include me in this decision, I believe you should allow them to stay. I will be in the bar having my third meal. Please have Teo bring the tall one to me there, telfaro.”

Rivera studied his face for a moment then nodded. “Very well, my lord.” He gave a curt bow and went back to the women.

Tempest grinned as Rivera drew out the tease then went to his favorite table in the empty bar and sat down. Sergio, their part-time bartender, brought his meal and a glass of Sacri.

“Thank you, Sergio, you may go now.” Tempest watched the small human male leave his apron on the bar and hurry to the door where Teo still stood in case anyone he tossed out attempted to get back in.

Although it was difficult to concentrate on his third meal, that, for the first time, disinterested him, he had to prepare, to make sure when Teo brought her into the bar that she was who he thought she was. Tempest had just taken the last bite of his meal when Teo escorted the tall human female into the bar. Teo pointed to the table he occupied before leaving. The young woman looked around as if nervous. Tempest stood, took his empty dishes to the bar, and approached her. She appeared fearless as she looked up into his eyes with glittering emerald green ones. Taking her elbow, he led her to the table and seated her on the bench opposite him. Her eyes followed him as he sat down and drained the remainder of his Sacri.

This was the moment of truth. Tempest pitched his voice to a frequency his bondmate would instinctively know. Either she would respond, or she wouldn’t.

“You must be Shea,” he purred, deep in his chest.

BUY LINKS:

Be Still My Lover's Heart Amazon
Barnes&Noble
http://www.bookstrand.com/be-still-my-lovers-heart

Check out Lisa's blog here and her Facebook page here.

Guest blogs, Giveaways, and Interviews, Oh MY!

Hi there folks,

Just a quick note letting everyone know that I'm all over the internet this week.

I have a guest blog and giveaway at the Bootheel Cotton Patch  - come comment to win a FREE copy of An Affair Across Times Square (the post has the cover for Spicy with a Side of Cranberry Sauce, but it's really for Times Square) - the contest will run through Friday, so tell all your erotic romance loving friends!

I'm also being featured on Kacey's Konnections - Check that out for excerpts from both Spicy with a Side of Cranberry Sauce and An Affair Across Times Square. 

And I was interviewed over at Books N Kisses - Because you know you're DYING to learn more about Rachell Nichole. :-p

Thanks,

~Rach