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Saturday, September 10, 2011

150 Follower Giveaway Winners


Congratulations to:
Megan G.
My Dangerous Pleasure-Carolyn Jewel
Emily Tardy
Warrior-Zoe Archer
Melanie Adkins
AAD Swag Pack
Anna
AAD Swag Pack
Carol L. 
Beyond The Night-Joss Ware

All Winners have been contacted via email. Thank you everyone for participating and celebrating with me. Be on the lookout for lots more giveaways to come. =)

ARC Review: Take Me Down by Lauren Hawkeye

**Review**
Take Me Down by Lauren Hawkeye is the first book in the Erotic Me series. This was actually my first story that I've read by Lauren Hawkeye and I have to say that it definitely won't be my last. It was very good and even though it was a short it didn't feel as if anything was missing or left out. I got a real sense of the characters and this book was HOT! It was just full of punch and I can't wait to see what else this series has to offer.
RATING:


TAKE ME DOWN

By Lauren Hawkeye
Pub date: September 1, 2011
ISBN: 978-1-426-87894-7

Evie may feel like she doesn’t measure up to her prettier, younger sister, but she still knows what she wants—Lucas, her cousin’s sexy roommate. She’s dreamed about being with him for a long time, and on the sweltering night of her sister’s wedding, it’s clear he shares her lust. Now Evie is determined to take what she desires—even if it’s just for one night….

Book One of Lauren Hawkeye’s Erotic Me series.



Lauren Hawkeye is a writer, theatre enthusiast, knitting aficionado and animal lover who lives in the shadows of the great Rocky Mountains of Alberta, Canada.

She’s older than she looks—really—and younger than she feels—most of the time—and she loves to explore the journeys that take women through life in her stories.
http://www.laurenhawkeye.com

Friday, September 9, 2011

Winners for Ashley March Giveaway



Congratulations to:
 Librarypat for winning a copy of Romancing The Countess and Seducing The Duchess for a friend 
Melanie Adkins for winning the eBook copy of Romancing Lady Cecily. 

Both winners have been contacted. Thank you all for participating in the Ashley March giveaway. If you didn't win here, you still have many chances to win following Ashley on her EPIC blog tour which ends in November.


Follow Friday #9

Feature and Follow Friday is a blog hop put together by two hosts:  Parajunkee and Alison Can Read as a way to help bloggers become aware of other blogs and bloggers. It's a great way to make new blogger friends.


Q. Have you ever wanted a villain to win at the end of a story? If so, which one?

Good question! When I was younger I remember there were a couple of books that I read where I had wanted the villain to win, now as to which books those were, I have no clue. Since I began reading adult books I haven't wanted any villains to win. Now I will say there are a few that I have found myself sort of sympathizing with. 



  1. (Required) Follow the Follow My Book Blog Friday Host {Parajunkee Alison Can Read} and any one else you want to follow on the list.
  2. (Required) Follow our Featured Bloggers- Pedantic Phooka & Drying Ink
  3. Put your Blog name & URL in the Linky thing on Parajunkee's blog.
  4. Grab the button up there and place it in a post, this post is for people to find a place to say hi in your comments
  5. Follow Follow Follow as many as you can, as many as you want, or just follow a few. The whole point is to make new friends and find new blogs. Also, don't just follow, comment and say hi. Another blogger might not know you are a new follower if you don't say "HI"
  6. If someone comments and says they are following you, be a dear and follow back. Spread the Love...and the followers.
Thanks for stopping by. =)

Thursday, September 8, 2011

ARC Review: Her Kilt-Clad Rogue by Julie Moffett

I really enjoyed this story, that is until I got to the last chapter. From there everything just felt so phony and not believable at all. There were many things in this story that I felt didn't really need to be there. Certain story-lines weren't necessarily needed and some that weren't fleshed out enough. I felt as if the author just wanted to add things to make conflict but they weren't all needed.

I really enjoyed the characters of Genevieve and Ewan. I understood where they were coming from and I loved watching their relationship as governess and pupil progress into a much strong bond. We were able to see the growth of both characters especially with Ewan.

As for Connor, I never got a real good sense of his character. I was able to get to know him as much as the others and it was hard to see where he was coming from at times. Instead of learning about his character and his behavior from him, we learn all about him from others. I would have liked to have seen him expressing his thoughts and feelings more.

I do appreciate that the author took the time to explain both Connor and Genevieve's shared past. She explored what had occured between them and I didn't feel lost or confused by it at all. I know that at times with shorter stories or novella's authors sometimes skip over these details in an effort to fit everything in but not the case with this author.

All in all, this was an enjoyable story despite the last chapter. Maybe if the story was a little bit longer the author could have fleshed out everything a bit more and I would have enjoyed it all that much more. Regardless, I still liked it.

**ARC copy provided by NetGalley**

RATING:

Review originally posted at Tigris Eden's Garden of Books

Wednesday, September 7, 2011

Guest Post with Author Natasha Blackthorne and Giveaway


Today I'd like to welcome author Natasha Blackthorne to the blog. Natasha is currently celebrating her new release Grey's Lady. So please give a warm welcome to Natasha. 

Philadelphia was holding its collective breath. President Madison had signed the Embargo Act and set America on ninety-day countdown to war with Great Britain. This is springtime in the year 1812 and Grey Sexton, a merchant prince from New York, has come to Philadelphia to gather investors for his privateering voyages. Because of the depredations of both the French and the British, especially with the upcoming war and current embargo, privateering, and shared risk of investors, became even more attractive. Besides, it was the patriotic thing to do. 

All business, Grey lives his life free from emotional attachments and drama. He is in total control of his personal world and likes it that way. 

But he's about to be broad-sided by a force he cannot control.

To her family, Beth is a respectable young unmarried woman who works hard to help her older half-brother, Charlie and her half-sister, Ruth run their shop. But her family would never dream that she has a secret life as a temptress who seduces wealthy, powerful men for the thrill of it. In this era, women from the Lower Sort sometimes gave sexual favors to gentlemen from the Better Sort in exchange for monetary gains. A sort of freelance prostitution when they needed to make extra money. Even "nice" women might find themselves in the position of temporary mistress when their financial situation called for it. But they would do what they had to do and keep it secret and protect their good name. 

But for Beth it's not about money. She wants to prove to herself that even though she's poor and lacks social position, she can attract and enchant powerful, dynamic gentlemen. There are deep, painful reasons why she's driven to do this and that's something the sequel to Grey's Lady, White Lace and Promises goes into deeper detail. And yes, it's risky behavior, if she were caught there would be terrible consequences. This is a time of duels and fighting over matters of honor. A man like her brother, who is poor but proud, would have little else but his honor and being protective of his family to feel good about. Beth knows this but the excitement and challenge of the hunt is something she uses to cover over a deeper need that she cannot admit to herself. She loves her family and does not want to shame them. So she tricks herself into believing if she follows certain rules--only meet a gentleman once and always leave them burning for more--she won't get caught.

Yet Grey's appeal is too strong. Beth can't help herself. She breaks her own rule and meets with him a second time. But can the deep sexual intimacy they share work a miracle and lead to the opening of their hearts? 


Flouting the moral standards of Jeffersonian America, temptress Beth McConnell lets no man touch her heart. Her motto is love them once and leave them burning. 

But when she boldly seduces Grey Sexton, a self-controlled merchant prince from New York, she finds herself too fascinated by his ice-over-fire nature to stay away. His possessive determination to own her, body and soul, threatens to expose her secret erotic life to public shame.

But Beth will only surrender her love to a man she can trust. And Grey's materialistic approach to relationships leavers her little reason to believe he can ever give her what she truly needs .

For these two cynical yet lonely people, can deep sexual intimacy work a miracle and lead to the opening of their hearts


**Excerpt**

Impulse seized her and she caught hold of his lapels. "Kiss me."

He leaned closer. Heavens, anyone could come along and catch them. Oh the risk...But her breath quickened and her nipples stiffened, straining against her stays. She closed her eyes, tilted her head up. Waited.

And waited.

"How many men since me?" He laid his large hand at the base of her throat and a thrill went through her. "Look me in the eye."

He lids fluttered open and his gaze pieced into her with such intensity she gasped. "It has only been two weeks." 

"Answer me, Beth. "

Another thrill trembled through her. Fear of anticipation? She couldn't say. "None."

Still holding her throat, he studied her for several long moments. She set her jaw, refusing to waver under his scrutiny. 

He bent and his mouth pressed hers, hard and hasty. Passion spiralled, took her soaring to the stars. Lassitude weakened her and wetness seeped between her legs. He lifted his head. She tightened her hands on his lapels, trying to pull him back. He resisted, his eyes trained on her like a stag with a doe. 

Kiss me. Just kiss me, you arrogant jackanapes. 

"Now, go." He released her, set her veil back in place and left her there. 

She gaped at his departing back, watching how he moved, so tall and proud. Over-proud. Did he have any idea what a rarefied class he found himself in? She didn't go around asking just any man to kiss her. She had very high standards and she shared herself with only a select few. She was bestowing quite on honor on him and yet he reacted as if she were the one who ought to be grateful. And to add insult to injury, he hadn't even kissed her. Not truly. 

About the author:

I have always been a daydreamer who told myself stories of love and romance set in other times and places for my own pleasure. Eventually my story worlds became so real, they demanded to be brought out of my imagination and onto the page. It gives me great joy to finally share them with you. I hope you enjoy my story world.

I am married to my own hero and we share our life with a very quirky calico cat. I hold a BA in History and I especially enjoy studying social history and biography and this is where most of my story ideas come from. I like to know my characters from the bones outward, the air they breathe, the food they eat, the thoughts and social movements and morals that were influencing them in their times. 

I also enjoy reading psychology and sociology and literature. I enjoy music from many different genres. 

I write emotions, evocative, Erotic Historical Romance from the Georgian and Regency Eras, set in both England and America. Whether they are bold or shy, my heroines' strong desires and deep emotions drive the plot--and drive their heroes to the point of no return.

You can usually find me hard at work researching and writing my next story. 

http://natashablackthorne.blogspot.com

Twitter: @Nblackthorne



**Giveaway**
Thanks Natasha for sharing. This book definitely looks like something I would love to read. Everyone, Natasha will be giving away a $15 Amazon.com gift card to one randomly drawn commenter during her book tour. So make sure to check out all of Natasha's tour stops to greater you chances of winning. 

*Must leave a comment to be entered
*Must leave an email address
*You don't have to be a follower, but it is appreciated
*Giveaway open until September 09

Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Interview with Author Jenn LeBlanc and Giveaway

Today I'd like to welcome author Jenn LeBlanc to the blog. Jenn is the author of the awesome illustrated book The Rake and The Recluse. If you haven't checked out this book do so now. It's awesome and filled with lots of yummy pics! Jenn was kind enough to let me ask her a few questions and I'm super excited to share them with you. So without futher ado here's Jenn.

Hi Dani! Thank you for having me on your blog! I love chatting with you over Twitter so this should be fun.

1. First off, can you tell us a bit about you?
Hi! My name is Jenn LeBlanc and I am an author and professional photographer. I live in the beautiful state of Colorado and spend most of my days running kids around town, editing stories and images and writing or shooting new stuff. My first novel THE RAKE AND THE RECLUSE came out in the spring and has been picking up speed and fans ever since.
2. Where did you come up with the idea of illustrating a novel?
I actually came up with the idea while I was shooting the cover. The man who plays Gideon, Derek Hutchins, and I had such great chemistry on opposite ends of my lens I just kept shooting, and we planned more shoots, and it was right before the first iPad was set to be released and I thought, why not illustrate the whole thing? Publish as an eBook only? So...I did.

3. Do you plan to illustrate all of your future books?
That is the plan, though I am part of an anthology right now and that one I will not be illustrating within the book because I think it might detract from the other authors' stories.

4. Did you always want to be a writer?
No. I never wanted to be a writer. I always wanted to tell stories, and I always wanted to write a book or ten, but I never actually wanted to be a writer.

5. Why plan a book in the Victorian era? What about this era draws you in?
I LOVE Sherlock Holmes and the mystery of Jack The Ripper, and the incredible clothing and the amazing advances in technology (if you can call it that.) I just think the era speaks of so much change, and that is what is inherently beautiful about it. We all have this capacity for change, and this time period proves our ability to embrace it.

6. Where do your ideas come from?
Easy answer? From my dreams. I woke up with the first line of the book in my head as well as the image. "She ran as though the hounds of hell were on her." I wanted to know why she was running, and from whom or what. So I figured I had better sit down and find out.

7. Ala Twitter style can you describe your book in 140 characters of less.
A passionate, powerful, romance with a hero who meets the woman he was destined to love, only to become the man he was meant to be.

8. What are some of your favorite kinds of stories to read?
I am a historical romance junkie. I absolutely love the time period and the rules of engagement (so to speak) the fact that everything DOESN'T go and a little bit of ankle can send the strongest man into palpitations.

9. Do you have a favorite book and if so what is it?
My favorite book in the history of the world is Alice In Wonderland, which proves with a little imagination, all things are possible. There is always something new to discover. And it is illustrated, which was probably my favorite thing as a kid. I actually collect editions of this book, and currently have about ten. My current favorite romance is THE IRON DUKE. I don't know what it is about this book but I am in love with it and Rhys Trahaearn.

10. Have you ever fallen for another author's hero? If so, who and why?
Oh goodness yes, I fell for Devil Cynster in a bad way. That man *sigh* simply announces that she is to be his wife. I grew up fantasizing alpha heroes before I ever read about them. I also fell for Teresa Medeiros' Julian. He was actually my first romance novel hero and I recently fell for Rhys Trahaearn from Meljean Brook's THE IRON DUKE.

11. Human, Vampires, Demons, or Shifters-which are your favorite and why?
I love humans for their fallibility. But of the otherworlders I would have to go with Vampires, because I'm not much for hairy, horny, sticky or whispy men. I like them with two arms and two legs and all the other recognizable parts.

12. Belle of the Ball, Wallflower, or Widow?
Personally I'm the watcher, the wallflower. So I identify with them much more. I love a good strong widow though and believe wholeheartedly in second chances and possibilities.

13. If you could have dinner with any three book characters, who would you choose and why?
Can I say Gideon, Francine and Perry? I shouldn't should I. But I love to hear them banter. They are all so sneaky and cunning. OK so I will say...The Mad Hatter, The Cheshire Cat and Devil Cynster, because I would LOVE to see how he handles that little ménage!

14. If you could have dinner with any three authors, who would you choose and why?
Oh goodness, Ashley March because she is a dear friend and even though we live close we NEVER have time to get together, Meljean Brook because I fell HARD for Rhys in The Iron Duke, and Teresa Medeiros because she was my first and she looks hilarious.

15. What do you like to do in you free time?
I spend my free time writing and taking pictures. I know that sounds ridiculous, but I am a very lucky girl. If I have free time I try to do what I love and shooting is my ultimate passion.

16. What is your favorite place to shoot?
That's a hard one. I absolutely fell in LOVE with the Gulf when I was shooting down there during the Gulf Oil Spill last year, but ultimately my favorite place in the world to shoot is along the PCH in California from Muir Wood to Big Sur. I am just swept away by it as a Colorado native. It amazes me.

17. Favorite movie?
Ugh. I love Star Wars and Indiana Jones, but the New Star Trek was fan-freakin-tastic. Though I love Firefly above all things, so perhaps I should say Serenity, however the TV shows were so much better than the movie which was really just a wrap up and apology. Not that it wasn't good. It just doesn't stand alone. Labyrinth is up there, always has been, as has The Princess Bride, of course. Perhaps it's The Princess Bride, I mean 'AAAASSSS YOOOOOOUUUU WIIIIIISSSSHH!!" How can you go wrong with that? 

18. Favorite song?
Right now? Sail by AWOLnation. LOVE. In the long run? Gosh, Trip Through Your Wires? No With Or Without You. In Your Eyes. Midnight. Only You. Goodness. There can't be only one, which reminds me of Somebody by Queen, and I could go on forever. Final answer? Sugalumps by Flight Of The Concords. Just because I want to throw it out there. 

19. Favorite color? 
Pink with Green as a close second.

20. Last question, are you working on anything right now?
OMGoodness so much. Twitchy is a novella I'm writing for a new anthology, The Rake is the follow up to my current novel, and I also have Oranges, which is the second series after The Rake And The Recluse. I am also working on a cookbook with Derek, as well as illustrations and covers for some other authors. It's really exciting around here right now.

Thank you so much for having me Dani! I had a great time! I would love to give away an eBook copy of THE RAKE AND THE RECLUSE to one lucky commenter.

The novel is available for only $2. 99 on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, All Romance eBooks and on iBooks for your iThingy.

If you read it please track me down on Twitter, Facebook, or my blog to let me know what you think! I LOVE LOVE LOVE to hear from readers, both the good and the bad. That way my next book will only get better.

Thanks again for having me! I will leave you with an image from the book!

Thank you so much Jenn for all of the great answers! You were actually my very first interview and I was really nervous, so thank you! So I hope you all are excited for this book. Since this book is so awesome I am also going to be giving away a copy. So that makes 2 eBook copies of The Rake And The Recluse that are up for grabs today. So make sure to fill out the Rafflecopter thingy.

Sunday, September 4, 2011

150 Follower Giveaway

I am so beyond thankful to have reached 150 followers. As a thank you I'd like to have a giveaway to show my appreciation for everyone. Up for grabs are:

Beyond the Night by Joss Ware (paperback)
My Dangerous Pleasure by Carolyn Jewel (paperback)
Warrior by Zoe Archer (paperback)
2 AAD Swag Bags


This giveaway will run from Sept.04 12:01AM - Sept.10 12:01AM
Open to USA residents only
Must be a Follower
Must leave a comment with an email address
Don't forget to add what prize you would like to win-can be as many that you want
Winners will be emailed within 48 hours

5 Winners-
First Winner-1st item of choice from the lot
Second Winner-Gets to choose from what is left
Third Winner-Gets to choose from what is left
Fourth Winner-Gets to choose from what is left
Fifth Winner-Gets last remaining item