Weekly Winners

Below is a list of all of the winners from the past week.

Lori
Book of Choice from Mandy Harbin

Olga
The Highlander's Warrior Bride by Eliza Knight

Yadira
Thrown by a Curve by Jaci Burton

Lily
Private Practice by Samanthe Beck

Olga
Down For The Count by Christine Bell

Susana
Anything For You & Because of You by Jessica Scott

Linda
The Reluctant Rancher by Roxanne Snopek

Mary
A Tale of Two Djinns + swag by Mina Khan

All winners have been notified via email. Thank you to everyone that stopped by and entered. =)

Guest Post with Author Erica Hayes and Giveaway

Today I would like to welcome back to RFTC, author Erica Hayes. Erica is celebrating the release of her book Redemption and has stopped by to chat. Please give Erica a warm welcome.

Erica Hayes was a law student, an air force officer, an editorial assistant and a musician, before finally landing her dream job: fantasy and romance writer.

She writes dark paranormal and urban fantasy romance, and her books feature tough, smart heroines and colourful heroes with dark secrets.

She hails from Australia, where she drifts from city to city, leaving a trail of chaos behind her. Currently, she's terrorizing the wilds of Northumberland.

Places to find Erica:

| Site | Blog | Facebook | Twitter |

Interview with Author Stephanie Rowe and Giveaway

Today I would like to welcome author Stephanie Rowe to RFTC. Stephanie is celebrating the release of Darkness Arisen and has stopped by to answer a few questions. Please give Stephanie a warm welcome.

Four-time RITA® Award nominee and Golden Heart® Award winner Stephanie Rowe is the nationally bestselling author of more than twenty published novels with major New York publishers, including Warner/Grand Central, HarperCollins, Harlequin, Dorchester & Sourcebooks. Stephanie has received starred reviews from Booklist and high praise from Publisher's Weekly. Stephanie writes romance (paranormal, contemporary and suspense), teen fiction, middle grade fiction and motivational nonfiction, including her bestselling dark paranormal Order of the Blade series.

Places to find Stephanie:

| Site | Facebook | Twitter |

ARC Review: Down and Dirty by Christine Bell

I really wanted to like this book and in a sense I did enjoy it but compared to the first book this book just did not hold up as well for me.

I think part of my problem was with Cat, the heroine. I was never able to connect with her, which is sad because I loved her in Down and Dirty. At times I found her aggravating and highly annoying. Her emotions are just so all over the place and I hated the way she was with Shane. She's so damn indecisive and it was annoying. I understand her being afraid of being hurt but seriously, make up your mind. The whole book is her going back and forth and by the end I honestly didn't care about her feelings or what she wanted.

As a whole I really liked Shane. I found him sweet and I like that he knows what he wants. Though at the same time I wanted him to wake up and find someone better than Cat. Someone deserving of his love. I just never felt like he and Cat were it for each other. I just didn't feel the chemistry between them. Don't get me wrong, some of their scenes together were hot but it just felt like sex to me. Where's the love? The tenderness? I just didn't feel it between them and that's a total bummer. Also, I thought that the conflict between them at the end was forced and not at all needed. It felt like it was thrown in as an after thought. It came out of nowhere and was gone just as fast.

All in all, Down and Dirty was just okay for me.

**ARC copy provided by publisher**

Purchase: | Amazon | Barnes & Noble |

Interview with Author Lara Adrian and Giveaway

Today I am super excited to welcome one of my most favorite authors to the blog, Lara Adrian. Lara is celebrating the release of her most recent book in the Midnight Breed series, Edge of Dawn and has stopped by to answer a few questions. Please give Lara a warm welcome.

As a child, Lara Adrian used to sleep with the covers up around her neck, afraid she might become the midnight prey of deadly vampires. Later on, under the influence of Bram Stoker and Anne Rice, she had to wonder if her fear wasn't actually something else: a secret desire to walk in a darker world, to live a dangerous and sensual dream with a man of seductive, preternatural power. It is that twining of fear and desire that fuels Lara's own fantasies today, and the idea that she explores in her New York Times bestselling Midnight Breed series of vampire romance novels from Bantam Dell Books.

With an ancestry stretching back to the Mayflower and the court of King Henry VIII, Lara Adrian lives with her husband in coastal New England, surrounded by centuries-old graveyards, hip urban comforts, and the endless inspiration of the broody Atlantic Ocean.

Places to find Lara:

| Site | Facebook | Midnight Breed Series Facebook Page | Twitter | 

Feature and Giveaway: Wrecked by Shiloh Walker

In the nineties, Abigale Applegate and Zach Barnes were the most beloved sitcom child stars in the world. Then they grew up and left Hollywood behind…

Whatever happened to Abigale Applegate?

She’s been wondering the same thing.

With her Hollywood dreams long gone, Abigale now has a nice, neat, uncomplicated life—until the day her perfect fiancé needs to talk. Dumped, a little more than shattered, and totally confused, Abigale turns to Zach, her best friend since forever, to help her pick up the pieces. He does it with a gift—a copy of Wreck This Journal. She can vent her frustrations, and sketch out a new plan. Zach just hopes he’s part of it. Because he’s been in love with Abigale his entire life.

When the journal falls into Zach’s hands, he discovers Abigale wants a new man. And fast. Nothing more than a hot distraction. Zach has a strategy, too. He’s going to be that man. It’s his last chance. Abigale might be out to shake up her life, but Zach’s out to reinvent it. Now, all he has to do is convince Abigale that life can go as planned.

Purchase: | Amazon | Kindle | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository |

Upcoming Event: My Favorite Book Boyfriend

Are you ready for another fun and exciting event? This April I will be celebrating my 2nd Blogoversary and I wanted to do something super fun. So I decided to invite a bunch of my favorite authors to come by and participate in the My Favorite Book Boyfriend Event. Beginning April 1st, a new author will be stopping by each day to share their favorite book boyfriend, but that's not all. Each day you will be able to enter to win goodies from the visiting author as well as have a chance to enter to win the Grand Prize giveaway.

The fun and excitement starts April 1st.

Guest Post with Author Heather Snow and Giveaway

Today I would like to welcome back to RFTC, one of my favorite people author Heather Snow. Heather is gearing up for the release of the third book Sweet Madness and has stopped by to chat. Please give Heather a warm welcome.

Heather Snow is an award winning historical romance author with a degree in Chemistry who discovered she preferred creating chemistry on the page rather than in the lab. The final book in her Veiled Seduction series, SWEET MADNESS, hits shelves April 2, 2013. RT Book Reviews Magazine gives it 4 ½ stars, saying “In this emotional, compassionate romance...the powerful love story will sweep readers away." RT also gave her hero a K.I.S.S. designation, saying he “makes you weak in the knees as he accepts the healing power of love.” Book Obsessed Chicks gave it 5 stars, saying, “Heather Snow is cutting edge…a master storyteller. Sweet Madness is a magnificent story.” And Night Owl Reviews chose it as a top pick, saying, “Fresh and unique…sweet and heart-wrenching, with characters so complex, flawed, and emotionally scarred that they feel flesh and blood real.”

Places to find Heather:

| Site | Blog | Facebook | Twitter |

Interview with Author Grace Burrowes and Giveaway

Today I would like to welcome back to RFTC, the super awesome Grace Burrowes. Grace is gearing up for the release of her newest book, Darius (out April 2nd) and has stopped by to answer a few questions. Please give Grace a warm welcome.

Grace Burrowes is the USA Today and NYT bestselling author of The Windham series of Regency romances, one of which, "Lady Sophie's Christmas Wish," was nominated for a Regency RITA, and another of which, "Lady Louisa's Christmas Knight" was chosen as a Library Journal Best Book of 2012.

Places to find Grace:

| Site | Blog | Facebook | Twitter |

Guest Post with Author Tessa Bailey and Giveaway

Today I would like to welcome author Tessa Bailey to RFTC. Tessa is celebrating the recent release of Protecting What's His and has stopped by to chat. Please give Tessa a warm welcome.

Tessa lives in Brooklyn, New York with her husband and young daughter. When she isn't writing or reading romance, Tessa enjoys a good argument and thirty-minute recipes.

Places to find Tessa:

| Site | Blog | Facebook | Twitter |

Guest Review: No Greater Glory by Cindy Nord

I was recently given a copy of No Greater Glory to evaluate for a contest. I was initially a little disappointing to find that I had been given a Civil War historical to read. I am more of a Regency/Victorian England type of girl. BUT...was I ever wrong. This book was beautifully written. It gave an accurate portrayal of the time. The story was compelling and the characters were believable. Most importantly, I have continued to “live” the story in my mind hours after finishing it. That's impressive.

It is not hard to have dramatic conflict in a Civil War story. Drama is inherent in the regional conflict between fellow Americans. Thirty-five year old widow Emaline McDaniels is distraught when Yankee soldiers commandeer her land, house, and livestock. She has been struggling to hold her house and property together with only a few loyal servants. Emaline is surprised and dismayed to find that she is attracted to Colonel Reece Cutteridge, the leader of the Yankee battalion. Reece has a tragic past, having lost his wife in an Indian raid. He is attracted to Emaline, too, but feels he is too damaged to offer her anything. Besides, they are in the middle of a war and on opposite sides.

The events that Emaline and Reece encounter are realistic for their situations. Yes, there is a little bit of coincidence involved, but it wouldn't be a great story without it. Reece finds little ways to look out for Emaline, even when he is off fighting battles. Emaline holds everything together at her home while finding ways to help injured Yankee soldiers. They both come to believe the war is nothing but senseless death and destruction. I liked that they didn't fall into bed immediately - Reece was a truly honorable man - but the steamy scenes were quite satisfying.

This was an extremely well written book. The use of descriptive language painted pictures that were easy to visualize. The best part for me was that the characters were so believable. Author Nord made me understand who they were. Their behavior was completely consistent with backgrounds and personalities. Their love for each other was deep and genuine. I cared about them. One important measure of the quality of a romance is the degree to which we are emotionally invested. I was totally invested in this story from beginning to end. It doesn't get much better.

Purchase: | Amazon | Kindle | Barnes & Noble |

Guest Post with Author Valerie Bowman and Giveaway

Today I am very happy to welcome back to RFTC, author Valerie Bowman. I simply adore Valerie and her books are simply quite amazing. Today Valerie is celebrating the release of her most recent book, Secrets of a Runaway Bride and has stopped by to chat about crushing on fictional heroes. Please give Valerie a warm welcome.

Valerie Bowman is an award-winning author who writes Regency-set historical romance novels aka Racy Regency Romps! Secrets of a Runaway Bride has been named a 4.5 star TOP PICK! by RT Book Reviews. It's been called "Too Delightful Too Miss!" by New York Times bestselling author, Lisa Kleypas, and New York Times bestselling historical romance author Sarah MacLean says it's, "Everything a romance should be—sexy, quirky, fun...once you start reading, you won't be able to stop!" Valerie's debut, SECRETS OF A WEDDING NIGHT, the first in the Secret Brides series from St. Martin's Press, was nominated by RT Book Reviews for Best Debut Historical for 2012!

Valerie has a B.A. in English Language and Literature with a minor in history from Smith College. By day, she is a technical editor at a computer software company. By night, she combines her love of writing, history, and romance to craft stories about people falling in love.

Originally from Rantoul, Illinois, Valerie lives in Jacksonville, Florida with her rascally rescue dog, Roo. When she's not writing, she keeps busy reading, traveling, or watching Downton Abbey and Hoarders.

Places to find Valerie:

| Site | Blog | Facebook | Twitter |

Interview with Author Paige Cuccaro and Giveaway

Today I would like to welcome author Paige Cuccaro to RFTC. Paige is celebrating the recent release of From Here to Eternity and has stopped by to answer a few questions. Please give Paige a warm welcome.

Writing was never a foregone conclusion for me. I once had dreams of being a psychologist, a pediatrician, a school teacher, a photojournalist, a bartender, and/or an EMT. And then I met my husband and my world came into focus. Being wife and mother are my highest priorities and greatest joy. But escaping to the fanciful, sexy worlds twirling through my mind is an absolute necessity. Putting those worlds, and the cornucopia of characters that people them, on paper is just plain fun.
​
Paige lives in Ohio, with her husband, three daughters, three dogs, three cats, a parakeet and a bearded dragon named Rexy, in an ever shrinking house. When she’s not writing she can be found doing the mom thing with a book in one hand and a notepad and pen in the other. Ideas come without warning and the best way to stimulate your imagination is to enjoy the imagination of someone else.

Places to find Paige:

| Site | Blog | Facebook | Twitter |

Guest Post with Author Eliza Daly and Giveaway

Today I am happy to welcome back to RFTC author Eliza Daly. Eliza is celebrating the recent release of her book Identity Crisis and has stopped by to chat. Please give Eliza a warm welcome.

Eliza Daly’s first attempt at creative writing was in fourth grade. She and her friends were huge Charlie’s Angels fans and she would sit in her bedroom at night writing scripts for them to act out at recess the following day. She was Kelly Garrett. Fast forward to the present, she’s still writing stories about beautiful women who always get their men. The journey from fourth grade script writer to published author wasn’t an easy one, but it was always an adventure and the final destination was well worth it.

When Eliza isn’t traveling for her job as an event planner, or tracing her ancestry roots through Ireland, she’s at home in Milwaukee working on her next novel, bouncing ideas off her husband Mark, and her cats Quigley and Frankie.

Places to find Eliza:

| Site | Goodreads | Facebook | Twitter |

Interview with Author Donya Lynne and Giveaway

Today I would like to welcome back to RFTC author, Donya Lynne. Donya is celebrating the anniversary of her book Rise of the Fallen and has stopped by to answer a few questions. Please give Donya a warm welcome.

Donya resides in Indiana, with her husband and a small zoo of cats and dogs. In fact, her writing buddy, Lucky, might become more famous than she is, based on the feedback the ever-present feline receives on her Facebook page.

As a little girl, Donya always had a book in her hand. As she got older, the books became pens and notebooks, which she filled with stories and poetry. For as long as she remembers, she has been writing and dreaming up stories. Seems writing was her destiny.

Donya loves music and often finds inspiration for her stories in the wide range of music she listens to. Nothing like a little Korn to propel the angst in a scene, or Enya to evoke softer and more romantic storylines.

Places to find Donya:

| Site | Blog | Facebook | Twitter |

Guest Post with Author Christi Barth and Giveaway

Today I would like to welcome back to RFTC author Chrisi Barth. Christi is celebrating the release of her book A Fine Romance and has stopped by to chat about secondary characters. Please give Christi a warm welcome.

Christi Barth earned a Masters degree in vocal performance and embarked upon a career on the stage.

A love of romance then drew her to wedding planning. Ultimately she succumbed to her lifelong love of books and now writes contemporary romance.

Christi lives in Maryland with her husband.

Places to find Christi:

| Site | Blog | Facebook | Twitter |

Interview with Author Suzan Butler and Giveaway

Today  I would like to welcome author Suzan Butler to RFTC. Suzan is currently on tour celebrating the release of her book Off Her Game and has stopped by to answer a few questions. Please give Suzan a warm welcome.

Suzan Butler is a romance author, both contemporary and fantasy with a penchant for Dr. Pepper, ice hockey, and world domination.

You can also find her on Twitter (often tweeting inappropriately!) and Facebook or watch her ramble incessantly on her blog about various things like hockey, shoes, online dating, and even her mad picture-taking skills from time to time. Sometimes, she talks about writing and social media.

Places to find Suzan:

| Site | Blog | Facebook | Twitter | 

Guest Post with Author Robyn DeHart and Catherine Hemmerling and Giveaway

Today I would like to welcome back to RFTC authors, Robyn DeHart and Catherine Hemmerling. Both have stopped by to chat, so please give them a warm welcome. 

A life-long lover of stories and adventure, it was either become a stuntwoman for the movies or live out those adventures from the safety of her PJ's and computer. Award-winning author, Robyn DeHart chose the latter and couldn't be happier for doing so. Known for her unique plotlines and authentic characters, Robyn is a favorite among readers and reviewers. Publishers' Weekly claims her books as "sizzling romance" while the Chicago Tribune dubs her "wonderfully entertaining." Robyn is an award-winning author as well as being a four-time RT Bookclub Reviewers' Choice award nominee, and a three-time RomCon Reader's Crown nominee. Look for Robyn's new trilogy on forbidden love coming from Entangled: A Little Bit Wicked (fall 2012), A Little Bit Sinful (spring 2013) and A Little Bit Scandalous (summer 2013). Also in 2013, she'll launch a new historical romantic suspense series with NAL, the first in the series is The Secrets of Mia Danvers (2013). Robyn lives in Texas with her brainy husband, two precocious little girls and two spoiled cats.

Places to find Robyn:

| Site | The Sisterhood of the Jaunty Quills | Facebook | Twitter |