Cover Reveal: Wild Card Undercover

It is my great pleasure to be able to share the details of my incredible CP Kari Lemor's first release. I've been fortunate enough to read the drafts of this book and know that it's just the start of an incredible series. If you're a fan of romance with a hint of suspense, be sure to jump in with the series. Pre-orders are available now and the book will be out in March 2017. Congrats Kari!!!

WILD CARD UNDERCOVER

#1 in the Love on the Line series

By Kari Lemor

Published by Kensington Lyrical Underground – March 2017

 All that glitters in Miami is not gold…

Lured in by a bad ex-boyfriend and the moonlight of Miami, Meg O’Hara is trapped in a nightmare situation, waiting tables for a crime boss and fearing for her life. When undercover FBI agent Christopher Shaunessy offers her a way out, she seizes it. Getting the goods on Salazar Moreno might not be easy, but she’ll do anything to be freed from her servitude and Moreno’s sexual advances, even if it means moving in with the charismatic agent.
 
Chris Shaunessy pretends to be Meg’s lover in order to keep her safe, but he steels his heart against further involvement. Passion has no place in the sordid world of organized crime. And yet, the closer they get to cracking the case, the stronger his feelings for the spirited waitress shine. It’s a dangerous game he’s playing, and taking Meg in his arms for real could prove a fatal misstep . . .

Excerpt

Chapter 1

“Does that man never have a day off?” Margaret Kathleen O’Hara grumbled, grabbing her tote bag and sarong to move surreptitiously along the chairs by the pool. If the hotel manager saw her here again she’d be toast. He’d more than toss her out. Threats to call the police had been thrown at her for months now. Although in her case, that might be a better deal.

With her eyes trained on his location and the Miami sun beating down on her exposed skin, Meg backed along the water’s edge attempting to leave the area before he spotted her. She needed to shower the chlorine out of her tangled hair and change for work soon. He looked in her direction and she rushed behind the closest object. It was six-foot-plus of blond-haired gorgeousness. The man’s eyes were glued to something on the upper deck. Her boss was sitting there with one of his expensive bimbos. Did Blondie like that type? Maybe he wouldn’t notice her little game of Hide and Seek.              

She leaned around him, ducking back when she saw the Pool Nazi still present. Getting caught was not an option. She already owed more than she could ever repay.

“Are you okay?” Forest green eyes stared down at her, puzzled. Would he buy that she was simply looking for shade? He was big enough to provide it.

With strong hands, he reached for her shoulders and Meg reflexively batted them away. She got enough of people groping her at work. Scorching curses froze before erupting from her mouth as the hotel manager moved, staring in their direction. Her mind kicked into overdrive, scrambling for a way to hide in plain sight.

“Sorry,” she squeaked. Grabbing the man’s head, she planted her mouth solidly on his. Short, thick strands of hair tickled her fingers. Firm lips yielded no resistance to the increased pressure of her mouth. Better make this look good.

An electric current skittered over her skin causing her heart to race. Maybe too good? Slowly he pulled her closer with his muscular arms. Her eyes flew open and she broke the connection. His hair-covered chest was too close for comfort. And much too tempting. Distance, she needed distance.

Her eyes darted around, seeing no signs of the manager. A sigh escaped. Time to make her exit as well.

“Sorry,” she mumbled again, looking up. Big mistake. The stranger’s curious eyes captivated her. They were soft and tender and filled with something she could…trust? If she still had any of that left in her. His hands were gentle as they held her. A tiny smile played about the full lips she’d brazenly kissed. She couldn’t believe she’d done it. Her mother would be appalled. But it had worked.

The chlorine scent from the pool faded into the background as sweat and suntan lotion wafted off the man’s damp skin. Her stomach did cartwheels followed by a few back flips. Dangerous.

“Let me go,” she hissed as reality returned. She gave a swift shove at his well-defined pectorals, rushing to get past, to escape from this distraction and the possibility of being caught. Her head whipped around at the sound of a splash and water droplets from behind. Gorgeous was just breaking the surface of the pool. Had she pushed him that hard?

“Oops.” No time for apologies. He looked like the forgiving type. She had to blow this joint before the Pool Nazi came back. Grabbing her fallen sarong, she ran across the deck to hustle inside the luxury hotel.

“Damn.”

The manager stood sentry near the front door. A crowd appeared at her back making that way impossible. The stairwell to the left would have to do. She’d go up a few floors then down to the side entrance. She wrapped her sarong around her as she carried out her plan to avoid being seen…and caught.

Meg should stop coming here to use the pool: this proved it. Sneaking in was adding to her already hellish life but swimming always helped work out the stress and the pool here was more accessible than any other on the strip. Pretending she had money to stay in a place like this, rubbing elbows with all the beautiful people, yeah, that got her through too. She’d learned the best times to come and not be seen. Well, for the most part. It was well worth the risk to get away from her dump of a room and its enchanting neighborhood. She’d leave this all behind her soon. She kept telling herself that. Had to believe it for her own sanity.

Footsteps behind her pushed those thoughts away. Her bare feet padded silently along the lushly carpeted hallway. Heart racing, she ducked into the ice machine alcove, her sigh echoing in the silence. She glanced down. Her bag? She must have dropped it as she rushed off. How had she not realized? It couldn’t have been the threat of being arrested. Or the crooked smile of the handsome stranger she’d kissed. The one with the kind eyes and gentle hands. No, she couldn’t allow herself to be led astray by a pretty face. Not again.

She continued down the hall, her trip cut short when someone grabbed her by the arm and spun her around.

* * * *

Links to all pre-order retailers can be accessed on the Kensington site

http://www.ekensingtonbooks.com/book.aspx/34406

For more information on Kari Lemor or her Love on the Line series from Kensington Lyrical Underground, follow her on social media:

http://www.karilemor.com/

http://www.facebook.com/Karilemorauthor/

http://twitter.com/karilemor

http://www.pinterest.com/karilemor/

Guest Author: Stefanie London

I was fortunate to meet Stefanie through the Harlequin forums and was not at all surprised when she landed a contract with the Harlequin KISS line. This lady knows how to write! Her debut novel Only the Brave Try Ballet is fantastic and I'm pleased as punch that she was able to stop by and share a bit about what being a writer means to her.

I've always wanted to be a writer. It sounds so cliche, but it's true! I took as many English subjects in high school as were available, and I crammed a for English Lit subjects into my Bachelor of Business. I claim this was a move to protect my sanity from the accounting and economic subjects that were part of the core curriculum.

Writing a book is no easy task. It takes hours and hours of work, it eats into your social life and it keeps you awake into the wee hours of the morning. But writers have this drive that surpasses the need to keep a clean house or the need to get adequate sleep. 

Here are five signs that you've got a writer's mind:

1. You constantly think 'what if'...' and follow the thread of thought until a scenario builds in your mind

2. You lay awake at night thinking about imaginary things

3. You listen in to conversations on the train/in the office kitchen/at cafes and make up histories for the people talking

4. You hear voices (and they don't tell you to kill people...or maybe they do?)

5. You get invested in characters (whether they're from TV, movies, books etc) and you wonder about them past the conclusion of the series/show/book. 

If you've always wanted to write, if you've wondered why you imagine strange things, if you love telling stories then put pen to paper or fingers to keyboard. You never know where it might take you.

Only The Brave Try Ballet:

Step up, Grant Farley…not your typical ballet student!

Football pro Grant Farley is nursing an injury and needs to get back into shape—fast. Ballet wouldn’t be his first or even his last choice, but he’s desperate. Enter tantalizingly prim teacher Jasmine Bell—one disapproving arch of her eyebrow and Grant knows he’ll enjoy getting her tutu in a flutter!

But it’s not only Grant’s flexibility that Jasmine’s pushing to the limit! He knows she feels the heat between them, so why won’t she give in to it? Time to convince Jasmine that if she’s brave enough to dance en pointe she can certainly handle a fling with him!

Purchase from: Amazon (US | UK | CA | Aus), Harlequin Mills & Boon (US | UK | Aus)

Excerpt:

‘Once more from the top.’

As the music started he followed her lead, bending with his feet in first position. The teacher in her couldn’t ignore the fault of his technique, as he bent his hips moved out of alignment and his feet rolled inwards. She instinctively reached out to correct the error but retracted her hand when her brain kicked into gear.

‘I don’t bite.’

His wolfish grin seemed at odds with the promise of safety, but Jasmine wasn’t going to let some arrogant joker mess with her head. Shewas the teacher; she was the one in charge here.

‘You need to keep your hips steady.’ She stepped forward and placed a hand on each hip. His muscles were tight and flame-hot beneath her palms. He bent down into plié once more and she guided him, ignoring the frisson of electricity that shot through her.

‘Make sure your core is pulled in. It will increase balance and stop you rocking forward.’

‘Like this?’ He grabbed her hand and placed her palm against his stomach. She could feel the ripple of each muscle through his T-shirt. His sports tights moulded every curve of his muscle, every bulge…

Jasmine gulped, her blood pounding as though she’d run a marathon. Get it together.

‘Yes, like that.’ She withdrew her hand, the heat of him still burning her fingertips.

She was going to strangle Elise, her soon to be former best friend, for roping her into this disaster waiting to happen. She was going to—

‘Earth to Bun-Head.’ Grant waved a hand in front of her face, chuckling when she returned her focus to him. ‘I don’t see how this is helping my hamstring. Shouldn’t we be stretching or something? We need to speed up this flexibility thing. I’ve got an important game coming up.’

He shook his leg and rubbed at the muscle.

‘Flexibility is a slow process. You can’t turn up to one ballet lesson and expect to be a contortionist. It takes time.’

‘I’d settle for being injury-free,’ he replied. ‘But if you want to show me how you can put your ankles behind your head then be my guest.’

‘This is not Cirque du Soleil.’ Jasmine bit each word out through gritted teeth.

Stefanie London

Sparkling, contemporary romances with a pinch of spice

ONLY THE BRAVE TRY BALLET (Harlequin KISS) - now available

| Website | Twitter | Good Reads | Facebook |

Guest Author: JM Bray

I am a lucky gal. Why? you ask. Well, despite his crazy busy schedule celebrating the release of Mending the Shroud (the second in the Shroud trilogy), author JM Bray dropped in with me to chat about his books, his writing process, and the 1980s. 

Let the interview begin!

You've mentioned in the past that your inspiration sometimes comes from dreams. How often does this happen?

Great question. Not as often as I’d like, and usually a ton come at the wrong time. Most often the dream ideas come when I’ve let a story idea stew for a while, and the pressure of it wanting out builds. Unfortunately, that usually happens while I’m working on another piece. I’ve finished the first draft of Shrouded (book three) and am editing a first pass so I can send it to critique partners. To stay focused, I don’t let myself write another story. Of course that’s exactly when the new novel starts waking me up with ideas via dreams. I’ll have about 4-5 day where it happens repeatedly, then nothing for a couple of weeks. It’s sort of an all or nothing kind of thing


Speaking of all or nothing, you've been working on the novels from the Shroud trilogy with great diligence. Since it's set in a different time period and features fantastical elements, did you have to do any research? 

Gobs! 

What kind? 

Whew...that could go a lot of ways. Here’s a few examples:

• Astronomical: I needed to know how often Jupiter aligned with the Pleiades constellation and was visible on moonless nights. That’s 11.8 years by the way.
• Location: If someone were going to commit suicide from the Coronado Bridge in San Diego, what would they see? 
• Spiritual/Personal: How does someone in a same sex relationship, who also is a Christian, align their beliefs with the God of the Bible? I took a swing at a possibility, then interviewed a gay friend and let him read it. He loved the scene.

[Interviewer's Random Note: If you ever need to gather information about South California, you now know the expert. Seriously, this man knows a ton and has connections...]

Okay, so you've earned your research badge...But you're not off the hook yet! In your books you're having to balance a number of characters, from strong heroes to kick-ass heroines. Since you've had to work with both, do you find the male or female perspective easier to write? 

Male.


Why's that?

As a guy, it fits the ‘write what you know” mantra. But I’ve run into interesting situations with this, because I write what I and other male friends would actually say or how we might react. However, readers are used to reading male perspectives written by females and what they believe men are thinking...the two are not necessarily the same. At times I’ve had to adjust the “actual” male perspective to meet the readers “expected” male perspective.

I’d give examples, but the idea is to attract readers, not piss them off. Right?


Right. And, those of you reading this, please note his willingness to compromise, a most valuable trait. 

Okay, JM, it's time for the hard questions now! If you could steal one author superpower from a famous writer, who would you steal from and what power would it be?

The ability to pound out large amounts of quality words each day. My very best day writing, I hit 4k words, but usually it’s around 1K. To have the kinetic power of Steven King and write a seven hundred page manuscript in six months...Oh yeah.


Favorite 80s movie quote...go!

Only one? There are so many good ones. Since I’m limited we have to go with the classic: “Hello! My name is Inigo Montoya! You killed my father! Prepare to die!”


If you had an archnemesis, what would he or she be like?

I’d love to say the Kurgan, from the movie the Highlander. Best villain ever! How can you not love a guy who rattles off lines like he does? Notice how self-controlled I am, not listing them. But actually, since I try to get along with everyone, my archenemies would probably be more like Sean Connery’s character, Juan Sánchez Villa-Lobos Ramírez, a friend who I knew I’d eventually have to defeat.


Ouch! And while facing that enemy, what kind of battles would you two have? 

Sword fights that lasted for half an hour, so we’d have to take a break, have a drink and a laugh or two, then go back at it.


Of course, you would win said battle. Excellent job answering in that speed round!

Before we finish up here, let me pick your brain one last time. With book 2 of 3 complete and that final third story going through revisions and edits, have you thought about the projects that are sitting in your To Be Written pile?

Two are currently waking me up. One is a time travel story, that involves the post office Dead Letter Department, a woman motorcycle racer in 1930, the election of FDR, Randolf Hearst plus a lot more.

The second is about a guy who’s been alive for the past two thousand years, but isn’t a vampire. It starts in the first century near Jerusalem and includes chases on camel-back, sea battles, shipwrecks and sibyls.

Thanks for taking time out of your busy schedule to stop by and chat, JM!

If you have any other questions for JM Bray, feel free to ask here, or stop by his Twitter (@jmbraybooks) or Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/JMBray.books) account.

Release Day Celebration: Mending the Shroud

The second in the fresh, exciting romantic fantasy Shroud trilogy takes up where Tearing the Shroud leaves off – with the lives, the loves, and the mythical world beyond our own. 

After accepting bodily possession and saving the world, Vincent thought his life would get easier. He thought wrong.

The Shroud may not have torn wide open, but it did tear a little, and the retribution for the failure is coming hard, fast, and directly at Vincent and the people he loves.

His only hope is to once again accept possession from Coleman and do battle with the deformed, terrifying Kafla. But this time, he's not alone. Jule, the woman he loves and hopes to marry, is possessed as well, and together the four of them become a formidable team.

Together they hope to stave off the invasion and take the fight to the Realm, but only a supreme sacrifice can mend the Shroud and save both their lives and their worlds.

Mending the Shroud Links

Goodreads - Amazon - AmazonAU - iBooks - B&N (coming soon!)

About the Author

J.M. Bray lives in Southern California with his college sweetheart and their two dogs. After a lifetime together, they are happier than the moment they met. When not writing or working his "day job", he loves to cook, play the guitar, and travel with his wife. Every chance he gets, he races an old Porsche named "Tuffy" at tracks in the southwest.


Connect with JM
Twitter: @jmbraybooks
Email: jmbray@jmbray.com
Website: www.jmbray.com
Blog: http://blog.jmbray.com
Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/JMBray.books
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/jmbraybooks/

Mending the Shroud Cover Reveal!

The exciting sequel to Tearing the Shroud is coming July 1, 2014 and here's the cover! Once again Escape Publishing did an amazing job on the artwork and tying the two books together visually. JM is hard at work on the third book, so keep a lookout for it.

When you’ve learned to take possession in stride, love should be easy. Right? It might be if your life and the lives of people you loved weren’t threatened by an invasion of monsters.

Vincent thought saving the world once was a challenge, he didn’t figure on retribution putting a price on his head. It means college takes a back seat again as he’s possessed by Coleman to fight a new battle with the Kafla. But this time he’s not alone, Jule, the woman he loves is also is possessed.

Together they hope to stave off the invasion and take the fight to the Realm, where only a supreme sacrifice can Mend the Shroud and save their worlds.

About the Author

J.M. Bray lives in Southern California with his college sweetheart and their two dogs. After a lifetime together, they are happier than the moment they met. 
When not writing or working his "day job", he loves to cook, play the guitar, and travel with his wife. Every chance he gets, he races an old Porsche named "Tuffy" at tracks in the southwest.

 Buy book one, Tearing the Shroud 

Twitter: @jmbraybooks

Email: jmbray@jmbray.com

Website: www.jmbray.com

Blog: http://blog.jmbray.com

Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/JMBray.books

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/jmbraybooks/

First Lines: Jennie Jones

Today's visitor is my soul-sister from Australia!

Jennie Jones

Jennie Jones is hard at work on The House at the Bottom of the Hill, a sequel to her Escape Publishing hit The House on Burra Burra Lane. I can't wait to read the next book about Swallow's Fall!







Jennie's favorite first lines comes from Sara Donati's Tied to the Tracks:

"Summer in Georgia, sweet and ripe and heavy with heat at a quarter to nine in the morning."

Always one to look under the surface, Jennie's reasoning for this line:

Well, I know from the back cover blurb that this is going to be a modern, grown-up love story and the first line puts me instantly into the ambiance and mood of the setting. It’s a slow morning; there’s a heat wave and everything about this place is welcomed and loved. What can happen to disturb this?

Keep up with Jennie's releases:
Author webpage
Facebook
Twitter
Goodreads

Learn more about the plans for Swallow's Fall:

I’m working on a follow up to my debut novel The House on Burra Burra Lane. Book #2 in my rural/country-town series is entitled The House at the Bottom of the Hill and introduces two new characters as the heroine and hero. We renew acquaintance with some of the Swallow’s Fall townspeople from book #1 and discover a few new and slightly eccentric members of newly formed town committee who are about to give the heroine and hero a number of problems they didn’t foresee. 

First Lines: Kendall Talbot

We've got another Escape Artist joining us today!

Kendall Talbot

Kendall Talbot's first release Lost in Kakadu was released with Escape Publishing earlier this year. She's a true adventurous spirit and it shows in her writing.







Kendall's favorite first line comes from Garvis Graves's book On The Island:

"I was thirty years old when the seaplane T.J. Cullahan and I were traveling on crash-landed in the Indian Ocean."

Why this line, you may ask?

I love survival stories and this sentence gets the story off to a cracking start.

Be sure to check in on Kendall to hear about her adventures and future stories:
Author webpage
Facebook
Twitter
Goodreads

If you don't know about Lost in Kakadu:

When a small plane crashes into an ancient Australian wilderness the survivors think they’re lucky to be alive…until rescuers never come. ‘Lost in Kakadu’ is an action adventure novel set in Kakadu National Park where two unlikely people prove just how attractive opposites can be. Fate brought them together, but they’ll need more than luck to escape Kakadu alive. Could the letters of a dead man hold the key to their survival?

First Lines: J.M. Bray

Today's author is an Escape Artist who's going to be making a big splash with his November release!

J.M. Bray

J.M. Bray's debut release Tearing the Shroud will be available with Escape Publishing on November 1st. It's high fantasy with a twist of romance, and some wicked twists that will keep you on your seat.

His favorite first line comes from William Goldman's classic The Princess Bride:

"This is my favorite book in all the world, though I have never read it."

The reason this is J.M.'s favorite line?

To me, this line is an implied promise. That can be a dangerous thing, and though it isn’t my favorite book of all time, it does deliver an unforgettable story. The sentence made me wonder why. What would make the story so special? As I read it, my mind’s voice extends the words ‘in all the world,’ admittedly it’s also in Peter Falk’s voice. Strange that they changed the line in the movie, isn’t it? In general, I prefer my romances on the sweet side and this feels like the opening of a fairytale, which again, the story delivered.

Keep track of J.M. Bray and his releases:
Author webpage
Author blog
Facebook
Twitter

Want to know more about his debut release?

Tearing the Shroud centers around Vincent, a third year college student in San Diego, CA in 1984. Like most young guys, he’s trying to step into adulthood and break away from his parents. He’s even falling in love for the first time…then he starts to have visions. They warn of a coming evil from an unseen Realm. He can try to stop it entering his world, but only by letting a warrior’s spirit from that Realm possess him.

First Lines: Stefanie London

Today's guest is a newly published author and another up-and-comer!

Stephanie London

Stefanie London's first published erotic short story will be coming out in an anthology from Cleis Press. She's also hard at work submitting fun, flirty, contemporary romances which you'll probably see on a shelf near you soon!




Her favorite first line is found in Janet Evanovich's One for the Money:

"There are some men who enter a woman's life and screw it up forever. Joseph Morelli did this to me - not forever, but periodically."

As a writer with great voice, it makes sense that that is what she looks for:

I think it really sets up the voice of the main character, Stephanie Plum, and it shows clearly that the relationship between Stephanie and Joseph is not a smooth one. 

Keep up with the whirlwind that is Stefanie's new career:
Author webpage
Facebook
Twitter

And here's the news about her newest project:

I’m working on a story about a headstrong ballerina and a commitment-phobic CEO who embark on a fake marriage. It’s a friends to lovers story with lots of spark and sizzle, these two can’t keep their hands off each other! This story is a follow on from my first manuscript, which was about a ballerina and a football player. If you can’t tell, I love writing about dancers. 

First Lines: Melinda Lane

Today's guest is an up-and-comer you need to be on the watch for!

Melinda Lane is an unpublished author who's got several projects going (I'm lucky enough to have read them, and let me tell you, I can't wait to see them in print!). She's an entrant of this year's So You Think You Can Write with "The King's Choice," and is also working on a historical based around the French Revolution.

Melinda's favorite first line comes from Lynn Kurland's Stardust of Yesterday:

"Damn you, man!" Kendrick of Artane exclaimed. "Have you no idea who I am?"

Melinda's love of character is responsible for her love of this line:

Rather than a description, you are plunged into the dialogue, the action.  This line says so much about Kendrick, who is actually the hero—the first line of the book, spoken by the hero just sets so much for what follows and what you start out knowing about him.  

Watch for great things to come from Melinda:
Author webpage
So You Think You Can Write

Want to know more about Melinda's French Revolution tale?

Severus Huntington, an English spy in Revolutionary France, is torn between his conscience and his duty as the Reign of Terror begins. Accustomed to his solitary life, he believed relationships were something he could not have. When he comes face-to-face with an Englishwoman in Paris, he finds new purpose and unexpected love.

Catherine Williamson, an Englishwoman stranded by the Revolution, is shocked when a mysterious Frenchman rescues her and returns her to England. Certain she will never see him again, she is shocked when he arrives in London and she soon learns that all is not as it seems.

First Lines: Sarah Daltry

Today I was lucky to bring back another of my writing buddies to join in!

Sarah Daltry has written a variety of books. Her most recent release is Lily of the Valley, a companion novel to her new adult erotic release Forget Me Not. In December, Escape Publishing will be release the first of her Eden's Fall series, titled Bitter Fruits.

Sarah's favorite first line comes from Graham Greene's The End of the Affair.

"A story has no beginning or end; arbitrarily one chooses that moment of experience from which to look back or from which to look ahead."

Sarah's love of this line comes from its depth:

It isn’t just an amazing and tragic love story. This line is simply fantastic. It addresses the idea of perception, the idea that each moment could be the moment that defines us. We always seem to think it’s one particular moment, but really, as Greene says, the choice is arbitrary.

Join Sarah as she prepares for her release date:
Author webpage
Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest

Want to know more about Jack's side of the story?

You met them in Forget Me Not. Now, hear Jack’s story. (Although this is from the same series, both novels work as standalone stories.)

Plagued by a dark past, Jack sees college as a way out. Desperate to escape the area where he grew up, the people who know his secrets, and his own family, he deals with his problems through alcohol and sex. 

When he first sees Lily, she’s the epitome of everything he hates. Yet something about her makes Jack rethink everything he knows and assumes about other people. Now, with the help of his best friend and lover, Jack has to decide if he wants to pursue something that he knows will only end badly.

Can Lily be one of the few people who can see Jack for who he really is – or will his darkness be too much for her to handle?   

First Lines: Ros Baxter

Today's visiting author always brings a party with her.

Ros Baxter

Ros Baxter's hit Fish Out of Water is the latest release from an author who is always writing. She posts short stories on her website, which is a great way to get your fix as she works on her next book. 

Her favorite quote comes from Anne Tyler's Back When We Were Grownups.

"Once upon a time, there was a woman who discovered she had turned into the wrong person."

As she explains, this is the kind of line that every author aspires to:

I love this line because it has huge emotional punch. Not because it's my favourite book, but because it's my favourite sentiment. Simple words, complex emotion. If I write even one first line that good, I'll be happy.

Stop by to visit Ros and read her shorts:
Author webpage
Facebook
Twitter
Goodreads

Haven't heard about Fish Out of Water?

Janet Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum meets Splash in a sexy, smart-talking debut about a mermaid in a desert, a city under water, and the secret that no one is supposed to uncover.

Dirtwater's straight-talking Deputy Sheriff Rania Aqualina has a lot on her plate: a nicotine addiction that's a serious liability for a mermaid, a soldier-of-fortune ex who's hooked on her Mum's brownies, a gorgeous, naked stranger in her shower, and a mysterious dead blonde with a fish tattoo on Main Street.

Heading home to Aegira for a family wedding, Rania has a sinking feeling that's got nothing to do with hydroporting seven miles under the sea and everything to do with the crazy situation. Now, if she can just steal a corpse, get a crazy Aegiran priest off her case, work out who the hell's trying to kill her, and stop sleeping with the fishes, she might be able to unravel the mysteries. And maybe even save her own ass while she's at it.

Fish Out of Water is Stephanie Plum meets Splash, and the first book in a trilogy about Aegira, an underwater kingdom based on the historical Norse legend of Aegir.

First Lines: Susanne Matthews

My next guest is visiting from Canada and popped in to update us on the madness that is SYTYCW.

Susanne Matthews

Susanne Matthews has written three books: Fire Angel, In Plain Sight, and The Captain's Promise. She is also an entrant in this year's So You Think You Can Write competition with "Just For The Weekend," a fun a flirty romance about a kindergarten teacher who attends a sci-fi convention and finds herself accidentally married to a millionaire who is not what he appears.  

Like one of my earlier guests, Susanne's favorite first line also comes from the classic Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier.

Last night I dreamt I went to Manderley again.

Her explanation of this line's importance ties back to her childhood. 

"Rebecca,  written in 1938, was given to me to read when I was  fifteen. At the time, I’d been captivated by historical novels; I wasn’t sure I wanted to read a Gothic romance. I procrastinated a bit, but sat down and began to read. The minute I did, it aroused my curiosity. The first sentence, nine simple words, drew me right into the story. What or where was Manderley? Was this a good dream or a nightmare? Was it a recurring dream as the use of again suggested, or did the author mean she’d returned to Manderley? As I read on, I wasn’t disappointed. The book lived up to its promise and more.To this day, Rebecca continues to be one of my favorite novels." 

Stop by to visit Susanne and show some love for her SYTYCW entry:

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So You Think You Can Write

Curious about Susanne's current projects?

I am currently working on my submission for the So You Think You Can Write 2013 contest with Harlequin. Just For The Weekend is my attempt at a fun and flirty romance. Kindergarten teacher Cassie James craves excitement and fun. Attending a sci-fi convention isn’t what she has in mind; neither is falling in love with a guy she thinks is a male stripper. It’s just for the weekend, right? When she wakes up apparently married, she panics.

Millionaire Sam Mason believes Vegas is the last place to find love. Dressed as an alien, he’s blind-sided by a green-skinned slave girl. One kiss and he’s hooked. A whirlwind courtship leads to an alien-themed wedding chapel, but before he can reveal himself, the bride vanishes. Finding her may be harder than he suspects.

First Lines: Magen McMinimy

I'm thrilled to have this author back to visit!

Magen McMinimy

Magen McMinimy is kept plenty busy with her two series: The Immortal Heart series (she's currently hard at work at Immortal Promise) and her North American Pack series. Her current release from the latter is Primal Calling and is coming out later this month!











Magen's favorite first line comes from Laura Wright's Eternal Captive: Mark of the Vampire #3.

"Her fangs had been inside him only once, and yet they had left an unseen mark on his skin, his blood, even his breath."

Her explanation is one all fangirls understand:

Well, it’s sexy. I love this series and I am obsessed with Lucian, this line is from his POV and again I say sexy. I could think of no better book to choose. I love Laura Wright and so far everything of hers that I’ve read I have fallen in love with. She writes amazing characters and I fall easily for them. Plus this blog is giving me the opportunity to share something from one of my favorite series and authors, so I’ve given you a little Lucian and let me assure you… you want more!

Be sure to keep up with Magen's releases and show her some love; she's incredible!
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First Lines: Juanita Kees

Today's lovely guest is visiting from Australia, and is one of my fellow Escape Artists.

Juanita Kees

Juanita Kees is currently working on Under Cover of Dark, which features characters from her popular Escape Publishing release Under the Hood. Her previously published release Fly Away Peta is still available from Eternal Press.

Juanita's favorite line comes from Loretta Hill's The Girl in Steel-Capped Boots.

We'd like you to go to the Pilbara.

Juanita's love of Australia is clear when she explains why this line is so important:

Immediately I know I’m going on adventure filled with glorious scenery, set against an Australian background. I can lose myself there and allow my senses to take control, become totally immersed in a story full of love for the land and the characters. I’m in for a treat to Aussie humour, rich characters and snappy dialogue.

Be sure to visit Juanita so you can keep up with her releases.
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Want to know more about Under Cover of Dark?

When Mark Johnson continues his investigation into the murder of Tiny Watts and the Under Cover of Dark involvement of the teenage gang, the Tag Raiders, with sleazy lawyer, Gino Bennetti (Under the Hood), the last thing he expects is to be interviewing Gino’s widow. And it seems she’s in a world of trouble.

With her husband’s blood on her hands, Lily Bennetti has her son to protect and secrets that run deeper than the scars she bears. Mark Johnson is the last person she wants uncovering those secrets. Especially the truth about her son Luke’s involvement in Tiny Watts’ murder.

As the investigation continues and Lily’s scars heal, she finds the gorgeous detective easy to trust and the friendship between them blossoms into more. But the secret Lily holds is placing them in very real danger. She stands to lose her son, the man she loves, her freedom and her life.