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Saturday, September 1, 2012

Weekly Winners

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


Izz
Yadira
I Love The Earl by Caroline Linden

Shadow Kohler
Swag Pack from Sheri Fredricks

Tessa
One Night Stand by Parker Kincaide

Lori
Tina
Mel Bourn
50 Ways to Play by Debra + Don Macleod

Lindsay A
Some Like It In Handcuffs by Christine Warner

Jessica
Bound By Pleasure by Lacey Wolfe


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

Guest Post with Author Ava Archer Payne and Giveaway

Today I would like to welcome to RFTC author Ava Archer Payne. Ava is celebrating the release of her book Out of Her League and has stopped by to chat. Before I give the floor over to Ava, let's get to know her a bit.

What exactly is a ‘Hot Historical’?
A ‘Hot Historical’ is a classic historical romance—only shorter and steamier! Hot Historicals are perfect for fans of traditional romance who occasionally like to spice things up. One of my readers calls them a secret indulgence ;)

Many of your novels are set in Victorian England. What attracts you to that time period?
I love playing with the exquisite manners of the day. What does our heroine do when she finds herself completely in lust with an utterly unsuitable man? That creates such lovely sexual tension.

How long have you been writing romance?
I’ve been writing historical romance for 15 years under a variety of pseudonyms. I’ve been published by several mainstream houses, but with the advent of ebooks, I’m able to place my work directly in the hands of readers. What a fabulous privilege for an author!

Places to find Ava:
Email | Facebook | 

Random Acts of Kindness: August Wrap Up

R.A.K, otherwise known as Random Acts of Kindness is put together by the lovely ladies from Book♥Soulmates. It's a way for fellow bloggers to get together and give eachother items on their wish lists. I love participating in R.A.K. It's so much fun and rewarding to give others items from their wish list and it's exciting to see if anyone is going to give you something too.


Received: 

Sent Out:

Here's how to participate:
  • Sign up each month you would like to participate
  • Show off that you are a R.A.K. participant by grabbing the button
  • Create a wish list(on Amazon, Goodreads, on your blog etc) and post it in the Google Doc located in each R.A.K. post for the month
  • If you choose to do a R.A.K. for someone, check out their wish list and contact that person for their address
  • If sending an eBook you must gift through AmazonKobo, or Barnes and Noble
  • If you receive any items during the month you participate in, please email or tweet @Bookbrunette so she can update the Google doc.
  • At the end of the month SHOW US YOUR R.A.K! Make a post saying "Thank you" to whomever granted one of your wishes and then share it with Book Soulmates 

OPEN TO EVERYONE!
Let's keep our International bloggers in mind and in our hearts.
Remember, there is always Book Depository and they offer FREE shipping!
Simple and easy!

Friday, August 31, 2012

Romance at Random Labor Day Blog Hop


Beginning today and going all the way through till September 15th, Romance at Random along with myself and the blogs below are celebrating Labor Day and giving away a bunch of goodies.


Check out what's up for grabs:
  • 10 winners will win a FREE Romance Book
  • 5 winners will win a prize pack from author Elizabeth Barrett
  • Grand Prize $25 eGift Certificate

To Enter:
  • Just fill out the Rafflecopter form below. 
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Happy Hopping =)



ARC Review: Playing To Win by Jaci Burton

I'll admit that for the first half of this book I was a little on the fence with this book. It was moving a little slow for me and I was having the toughest time connecting with the hero Cole. But once I hit the half way point things really started to pick up and I ended up devouring this book. Jaci Burton has done it yet again, with Playing To Win. Like I said before, once I got the middle this book was golden and it became everything I wanted and more.

I loved the chemistry between Cole and Savannah. Right out of the gate you can feel the sparks between these two. Their relationship might have taken a little while to get going, but once things heated up between them, there was no cooling down what so ever. And now that I've finished, I appreciate that they didn't jump into bed so quickly. I liked that there was a slow burn between the two and that we were able to see the attraction growing between them both.

Neither Cole nor Savannah wanted anything to do with a relationship. Cole is known as a ladies man. Every night there is a new woman on his arm. In fact, once he's sealed the deal he's usually gone. He doesn't have time for relationships and he doesn't want them. While Savannah just wants to focus on her career. Neither expected anything to come out of their working relationship.

Savannah is an image consultant who has been hired to clean up wide receiver Cole's image. Cole is known as the ladies man with a horrible temper with the press. If Savannah isn't able to change Cole's image, there is a possibility that his football career will be over. Once Savannah begins working with Cole, she's begins to see a side of Cole that isn't portrayed in the media. She see's a man that is caring and thoughtful. Yes, he does seem to have a temper when provoked but that's more because he doesn't take the time to think before he reacts. Savannah also didn't realize just how sexy Cole would be in person. Yes, she knew he was attractive, but the more closely they work together the harder she's finding it to keep her hands to herself.

Once Cole spotted Savannah he knew he wanted her. She's sexy and he feels an instant connection with her. What Cole doesn't like is the fact that she's been hired to make over his image. Cole thinks his image is fine and there is nothing wrong with him. The media prints nothing but lies about him and there is no stopping them. But once Cole starts working with Savannah and he starts to listen and take her suggestions, he's finding that maybe he was wrong. But one thing Cole isn't wrong about is the attraction that is brewing between him and Savannah.

Though neither wanted to start a relationship, both are finding it impossible to be away from the other. Both Cole and Savannah are opening up and sharing pieces of themselves that no one has seen before.

I loved these two together. They are both stubborn, independent and lonely. Though they mask it well with others, both Cole and Savannah are afraid to latch on to anyone. I loved that they were able to find love and acceptance in each other's arms. Also, these two are HOT together. Wow! Some of their scenes together definitely had me blushing beet red.

Like I said before, Playing To Win is another winner from Jaci Burton and I can't wait to get my hands on more from her.

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


Interview with Alexandra Ivy and Giveaway


Today I am so happy to welcome one of my favorite authors to RFTC, Alexandra Ivy. Alexandra is the author of the Guardians of Eternity series and is celebrating the release of her newest book Fear The Darkness. Alexandra has stopped by today to answer a few questions and I hope you all give her a very warm welcome.

I’m not exactly sure when I fell in love with books. Probably on my mother’s knee listening to her read Dr. Seuss to me. I do remember that I was barely old enough to cross the street by myself when I discovered the delights of the local library.

Could anything be more wonderful than spending summer days surrounded by stacks of Nancy Drew mysteries? Over the years I fell in love with Victoria Holt, Jane Austen, Agatha Christie, and J.R.R. Tolkien just to name a few. I read poetry, essays, biographies, and plays. In fact, I read anything I could get my hands on.

Years later (no, I’m not admitting how many) I’m still an avid reader, and my tastes are still as varied as they were in my youth, which I suppose helps to explain why I enjoy writing regency historicals under the name of Deborah Raleigh, as well as my contemporary paranormals as Alexandra Ivy. For now that is enough to keep me busy, but who knows what the future might hold!

I do have a few other loves in my life besides reading and writing, the most important being my unbelievably patient husband, David, and my two sons, Chance and Alexander. Without their constant support and belief in me, I never could have been able to follow my dreams. They are truly my heroes.
Places to find Alexandra: 

Thursday, August 30, 2012

Guest Post with Author Shana Galen and Giveaway


Today I am super happy to welcome back one of my favorite authors, Shana Galen. Shana is gearing up for her newest release When You Give a Duke a Diamond, (out Sept. 1) and has stopped by to chat. I hope you all will give her a very warm welcome.

Shana Galen is the national bestselling author of numerous fast-paced, adventurous Regency historical romances, including the Rita-nominated Blackthorne's Bride. Her books are published all over the world and have been featured in the Rhapsody and Doubleday Book Clubs. She taught English at the middle and high school level off and on for eleven years. Most of those years were spent working in Houston's inner city.

Now she writes full time. She’s happily married to an incredibly supportive man she calls Ultimate Sportsfan, and she has a beautiful little girl she calls Little Galen.

Places to find Shana:

Happy Release Day Twitter Party with Katie Reus

Are you ready for Katie Reus's Primal Possession Twitter Party?

Wednesday, August 29, 2012

Guest Post with Author Amanda Arista and Giveaway

Today I would like to welcome to RFTC author Amanda Arista. Amanda is celebrating the upcoming release of her book Nine Lives of an Urban Panther and has stopped by to share an interview with Chaz Garret. Before we get to the interview, let's get to know a bit about Amanda.

Amanda was born in Illinois, raised in Corpus Christi, lives in Dallas but her heart lies in London. Good thing she loves to travel.

During the summer after second grade, she read every book in the young adult section of the library, much to the surprise of the local librarian. So she started making up her own stories and hasn’t stopped.

She has a husband who fights crime, one dog who thinks he’s a real boy, and another who might be a fruit bat in disguise.

When not writing, Amanda often dreams of co-opening an evil bakery and sell despicable desserts. Her particularly favorites are larvaceous lemon bars and sinful cinnamon streusel.

She spends her weekends writing at coffee shops, practicing for the day that caffeine intake becomes an Olympic sport, and plotting character demises with fellow writers Wolvarez, Killer Cupcake and Keith (names have been changed to protect the not-so-innocent).

Places to find Amanda:

Guest Post with Author Kaylie Newell and Giveaway

Today I would like to welcome author Kaylie Newell to RFTC. Kaylie is celebrating the release of her book Teaching Office Lonesome and has stopped by to chat. Before I give the floor over to Kaylie, let's get to know her a bit.

For Kaylie Newell, storytelling is in the blood. Growing up the daughter of two gifted writers, she knew eventually she’d want to follow in their footsteps. While she’s written short stories her whole life, it wasn’t until after her kids were born that she decided to shoot for the moon and write her first romance novel. She hasn’t looked back since!

Kaylie lives in Southern Oregon with her husband, two little girls, an elderly Chihuahua mix, and two indifferent cats.

Places to find Kaylie:

Tuesday, August 28, 2012

ARC Review: Loving Lady Marcia by Kieran Kramer

I really enjoyed this book. I thought that it was a cute read and I really liked the characters. Though while I did enjoy it, the similarities to the actual Brady Bunch show were a bit much at times. Instead of enjoying the nods to the iconic show, I just found it to be too much. Similarities to the show aside, I really liked the characters and the world that the author created. I liked that she took a different approach the both the hero and heroine. Both characters had depth and I liked the chemistry between them.

When Lady Marcia was sixteen she thought herself in love and gave her heart along with her virginity to the man she thought she was to marry, Finn Lattimore. Then just as quickly as she fell in love, Finn was gone. Sent to America by his overbearing older brother Lord Chadwick. Marcia has never gotten over the loss and despite her families wishes that she wed, she has spent her time at a girl's boarding school working as a head mistress. She knows that she can never wed and if anyone were to find out her secret, not only would she be ruined, but so would her family. While out on an errand for the school, Marcia runs into the man who ruined all of her dreams, Duncan Lattimore, Lord Chadwick. Marcia has never been able to forget or forgive Duncan for sending away Finn. It's because of Duncan that she wasn't able to wed Finn and she wants nothing to do with him

Duncan can hardly believe the woman Lady Marcia has turned into. Gone is the overly sweet and happy child he met four years ago. Now before him is a beautifully independent woman and Duncan finds himself fascinated with her. So much so that he chases her down the street just to talk with her. After their encounter, Duncan can't get Lady Marcia out of his head. He finds that he is fascinated by her and the attraction he feels towards her. He knows that she feels the sparks between them too and he will do everything that he can to persuade her to take a chance on him.

Marcia may feel the connection between them, but she can never marry, especially not to the brother of the man that ruined her. The more she tries to stay away from Duncan the harder it is. He's quickly becoming too much to resist and if she's not careful she could lose her heart to him and that is something she does not want to do.

I found that I really liked both characters. I loved that they both had flawed pasts and didn't really care what others thought of them. I love that Marcia is a head mistress at a girl's school. She's so different from your standard heroine. She truly cares about her students and their needs. But it doesn't stop there. She cares about everyone and I loved, loved, loved how she was with Duncan's son. She doesn't treat him differently just because he was born out of wedlock. She treats him like an equal. She is such a good natured and kind person.

As for Duncan, I LOVE him. He is truly the best of men and the relationship between him and his brother broke my heart. All he wants is what is best for his brother, and Finn continually craps on him. Duncan is constantly cleaning up after Finn and his messes even though everyone has told him to stop. He just can't help that he loves his brother and wants to help him. I found that so commendable. I also, loved his relationship with his son. He was so caring with him, it was just so sweet. Honestly, I can go on an on about how much I loved Duncan. Seriously, he was great.

Another thing that I enjoyed with this book was all of the secondary characters. I loved getting to know the rest of the Brady's and I honestly can't wait to see what's in store for the rest of the bunch.

**ARC copy provided by NetGalley**

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

Feature and Giveaway: Serafina and the Silent Vampire



Silence has never been so sinful…

Welcome to Edinburgh's unique psychic investigation agency, Serafina's.

Serafina MacBride is psychic - but not strictly honest. While staging a hilarious vampire attack at a client's party, Sera is stunned to encounter a real vampire - annoying, gorgeous and inaudible to everyone but her. When her client's son is found dead with puncture wounds in his neck, she tracks the silent vampire to his lair.

But the amoral and seductive Blair is also on a mission - to find and kill a nest of young vampires who've invaded his territory. Soon Sera is drawn into the bizarre world of the undead, where danger lurks in the shadows along with forbidden sensual delights - and a murderous conspiracy to flood the world with financially astute vampires who talk.

Supported and hindered by Blair's eccentric, undead friends, and by her own motley crew from Serafina's, Sera and Blair uncover surprising truths about each other and about the mysterious Founder from whom all vampires are descended.

In the end, Sera draws on powers she never knew she had in a frantic fight to defeat the forces of evil and preserve the strange, complicated being she's trying so hard not to love.

Purchase: | Amazon | Barnes & Noble |

Monday, August 27, 2012

Guest Post with Author Kristin Miller and Giveaway

Today I am happy to welcome back to the blog author Kristin Miller. Kristin is currently on tour celebrating the recent release of Last Vamp Standing and has stopped by to answer some questions. Before I get to the interview, lets get to know a bit about Kristin.

Kristin Miller has had a passion for language and literature her whole life. Born and raised in Small Town USA, she often made up stories about faraway places and edge-of-your-seat adventures.

After graduating from Humboldt State University with a degree in psychology, Kristin realized there is no scarier place than the warped human psyche. Wanting to combine her love of writing with her desire to paint twisted villains, Kristin wound up in the unlikeliest of places—the classroom. She taught high school and middle school English before giving in to the desire to create her own world, where villains can be sympathetic and heroes can be devilishly good.

Place to find Kristin:
Site Blog Facebook Twitter |

Forever Blog Tour: Interview with Author Christie Craig and Giveaway


Today I would like to welcome to RFTC author, Christie Craig. Christie is on tour celebrating the release of her newest book Blame It On Texas and has stopped by to answer a few questions. Before I get to the interview, let's get to know a bit about Christie.

Christie Craig, an Alabama native, is an award-winning, multi-published writer, multi-published photo journalist, motivational speaker, and writing teacher.. Her non-fiction articles and photography have appeared in almost three thousand national magazines. A Golden Heart finalist, and a finalist in more than fifty RWA-sponsored contests, she has gained a well-deserved reputation for writing romance fiction that has both witty humor and a suspenseful, sexy tone. Published by Silhouette in the 90s, she recently broke back into fiction in a big way, making four book sales in one day. Her seventh humorous single title romance novel, published by Dorchester, will hit the stands in June 2010. Her non-fiction book, co-authored by Faye Hughes, released September 08, is The Everything Guide To Writing A Romance Novel and their second non-fiction book, a humorous self-help relationship book, Wild, Wicked and Wanton: 101 Ways to Love Like You Are in a Romance Novel is scheduled to be released December 2010. Craig's latest writing adventure is the sale of a young adult paranormal romance series, Shadow Falls Camp, that will be published by St. Martins Press in the near future.

Places to find Christie:

Sunday, August 26, 2012

Can't Beat Kindle Deals!

So there are so many different eBook deals going on right now that I just had to share with you all. Lots of different books in many different genres, enjoy!

**FREE**


**$.99**


**$1.99**


**$2.99**


**$3.99**


Guest Post with Author Bethanne Strasser and Giveaway

Today I would like to welcome to RFTC author, Bethanne Stasser. Bethanne is the author of For Love or Duty and has stopped by to chat. Before I give the floor over to Bethanne, let's get to know her a bit.

At the age of 22, I got married, got pregnant and started reading romance… real romance, like Susan Elizabeth Phillips and Nora Roberts. I’d grown up reading Nancy Drew, Trixie Belden and a few really great historical fiction authors like Brock and Brodie Thoene. After studying English Literature in college, this was the break I needed. I fell in love with it. The conflict, the humor, the Happily Ever Afters.

I didn’t always want to be a writer. It never even occurred to me I could write a story until I was 26. But once I got started, I was peanut butter who’d finally found its jelly.

I’m inspired daily by life and love. When I’m not writing, I’ll be hanging with my husband and five kids. Whether it’s just chillin’ in the garage with the music on, camping, hiking, cooking in the kitchen or watching television, my family comes first [aside from deadlines, haha].

Places to find Bethanne: