INTERVIEW - CARESSED BY NIGHT

Niina : Welcome to For The Love of Reading, Amanda, I’m glad have you come over again!

Amanda J. Greene : Thank you so very much for having me here today.

Niina : Let’s get started! Can you tell my readers here 4 fun unknown facts about you so we can break the ice?

Amanda : This is hard...but here we go:
- I enjoy pilates
- I think Humphrey Bogart is awesome
- I can water ski
- I want to find a life size cutout of John Wayne to put in my game room/ my husband’s man cave

Niina : Water skiing skills, huh? Awesome. ;) Now, tell us something about your book Caressed by Night that we wouldn’t know just by reading the blurb?

Amanda : I think of Caressed by Night as my informant book. Questions from the first novel within the Rulers of Darkness series are answered and the lore of vampires and witches that I created is explained.

Niina : How do the vampire deviate from the norm ( traditional vamps ) in Rulers of Darkness series?

Amanda : The vampires in my series stray from the traditional vampire in some ways. Examples: Those that are extremely powerful can walk in the sunlight, a vampire’s need for the intake of blood grows less as they age, and their powers/abilities also increase over time.

Niina : Very cool! Are there more novels coming in the series? You have to say, yes, btw. ;)

Amanda : Yes! :-) And just last week I decided there will be a total of six books within the Rulers of Darkness series. I had originally planned five, but after some thought I figured a certain character (who will remain nameless for now) deserves/needs to that their own book.

Niina : Yay! So excited, I loved the two first books and can’t wait to read more! Getting composure…  and… Which vampire in your series is a the best dating material, and why?

Amanda : Best dating material...Gannon. He is fun loving, always down for a good time, nice, sweet, and, oh yeah, hot! He is laid-back and cool, an easy guy to get to know.

Niina : I wouldn’t mind dating Gannon. ;) Now to more personal questions! What’s the biggest turn on in a guy, fictional or real life?

Amanda : I have a thing for eyes and smiles. I love a man with expressive eyes, the color doesn’t matter ( my husbands are super green ) and a charming smile. You can learn a lot about someone from their eyes and their smiles - maybe that is just the psychologist/anthropologist/behaviorist in me...I also prefer my men to be tall, both fictional and real ( my husband is 6’4” ).

Niina : Totally agree! What’s the sexiest article of clothing on a guy?

Amanda : Basketball shorts. I like the way they sit low on the hips and show off the backside...I think I’ll stop there.

Niina : Yes, don’t get too graphic. ;) What is your favorite guilty pleasure?

Amanda : I try my best to stay away from cheesecake...but it keeps finding me! I love it!

Niina : LOL! As you write erotic romance, what does it take to write a really hot love scene?

Amanda : Silence.  I never really thought about this before, but I need silence when I write “love scenes.” I have distractions or interruptions and those are the only scenes I ever sit and write all the way through - Usually, I write whenever I find the time, constantly leaving off at one point or another. The erotic romance needs to have some planning, I try to make every scene a little different and I want them all to help develop the romance between the characters. These scenes need to be charged with tension, passion, and emotions and for all of that, I need to focus - put the dog outside and tell my husband to pick something up for dinner because I am working.  :-)

Niina : Total focus in silence, cool. If Caressed by Night were made into a movie who would you cast as the leads?

Amanda : For Dimitri I would pick Chris Hemsworth and for Kerstyn, Ashley Greene - with light red hair.

Niina : Great choices! What’s the number one thing you like to do when you are not writing?

Amanda : I like to hang out with the family or hit the beach with friends - tan while I read a good book.

Niina : Now before we finish, here are some Quick Fire Questions:

Night or day? Night
Pick-up or Mini-van? Pick-up
Beer or Wine? Wine
Boots or Heels? Heels...or heeled boots :-)
M&Ms: With or Without Peanuts?  With peanuts
Treats: Sweet or Salty? The sweeter the better!
Pizza or Burger? Pizza
Date: Going to Park or Going to Movies? Park
Friends or Will & Grace? Will & Grace
Drama or Comedy? Comedy
Winter or Summer? Winter ( We don’t have much of a winter in Southern California )
Jewels or Chocolates? I don’t care much for chocolate and I don’t wear much jewelry, but jewels
Men: Alpha-male or Submissive? Alpha-male
Men: Clean Shaven or Stubble? A little bit of a shadow - stubble
Men: Bad boys or Good guys? Love bad boys
Tattoos or Piercings on a guy? Tattoos
Brunettes or Blonds? Sorry, I don’t discriminate - if a guy is hot, he is hot
Romance: Vampires or werewolves? Vampires
Romance: Fallen Angels or Sexy Demons? Sexy Demons
Romance: Cops or Cowboys? Cowboys
Time-Travel or Sci-fi? Sci-fi
Romance or Erotic Romance? Erotic Romance
Male POV or Female POV (Point Of View)? Male
Times New Roman or Courier? Courier
Pens or pencils? Pens

Niina : Thanks for visiting the For The Love of Reading, Amanda! Any news would you like to share with your readers, or websites they can check out?

Amanda : Thank you again for having me. I will be posting information/news on my third book, Caressed by a Crimson Moon, on my website www.amandajgreene.com, be sure to stop by.

"IMMORTAL BECOMING" CHARACTER INTERVIEW

Niina : Welcome to Shane and Jess, I’m glad you could make it!

Shane :  Sorry we are a little late.

Jess : ( Elbows Shane in the ribs ) If it were up to you we'd have never made it.

Shane : I wanted to conserve water. ( Shane grins at Jess innocently )

Niina : LOL! No problem! What 4 words would you use to describe each other?

Shane : Beautiful, compassionate, resilient, strong, loving, sexy, amaz-- ( Jess snaps her had up with four fingers extended ) Oh ... right, pick any four.

Jess : Honorable, frustrating, passionate, loving

Niina : Revealing. ;) Shane you’re a Volaticus Warrior, what does that entail?

Shane : I have been lucky to have lived during relative peace between our species and the others. Today's warriors are focused on eliminating the rogue element, terminating the prolific Morsdente killers and aiding humanities strife without direct interference. To that end I have served time as an Army Ranger while maintaining an active status within the SOSC warrior rolls. There will always be those in every species that place value on personal fanaticism and agendas to the detriment of others. Those incapable of realizing we are all connected. A warrior faces any threat to his kind and will stand behind all allies.

Jess : Plus his ass looks yummy as hell in fighting leathers.

Niina : LOL, yes let's not forget the leathers. Jess, being psychic must have been hard growing up?

Jess : I felt natural ... until my mother died. I didn't have anyone to teach me to manage and shield them as they developed. When in crowds I'd seize from empathic overload. I missed out on a lot--clubbing, concerts, restaurants yet I feel I made a decent life for myself.

Shane : I've tried to drop my mental shield a few times to gain perspective on how difficult it was on Jess. After a few seconds the pain becomes too much. I am awed by the level of determination it took her to face that every minute of everyday.

Niina : How did you two meet?

Shane : By the grace of Fate!

Jess : ( Jess bites her bottom lip and smiles at Shane ) My friend and I own a mixed martial arts school. Maybe you've heard of it, it's called The Ryu. We have a contract with the locale police academy to teach self-defense and martial arts basics to the cadets. Meeting Shane truly was Fate. Before that day I personally had never taught those classes ... too many people for me. He wasn't even a cadet, he went to watch over his protege Jerika and make sure she didn't reveal herself as Volaticus.

Niina : Okay let’s get bit more personal! What is your favorite guilty treat?
Shane : Does it have to be food? ( Shane quirks an eyebrow, Jess rolls her eyes ) Is it my fault your Oleander scent is making me hungry? ( Shane gives Jess another innocent look ) Guilty pleasure ... err ... treat-- Red rope licorice. Definitely.

Jess :  I'm a starch girl. I buy Lay's potato chips by the truck load.

Niina : Good choices bot of you! What is your signature dish?

Shane : Coffee

Jess : Take-out

Niina : Err... not into cooking I see... What’s your significant other's sexiest article of clothing?

Shane : I don't care what she wears Jess is sexy. Her mating gown is probably my favorite article of clothing on her. Of course it still looks best rumpled in the corner leaving her naked.

Jess : I already mentioned the leathers. He also looks hot as hell with scarves tied at his wrists

Shane : You know those bond aren't really holding me, right?

Jess : I've warned you, first time you break free I'm buying platinum & lead handcuffs. They might not restrain you but the threat sure as shit does.

Shane : Indeed, Beauty.

Niina : LOL! Your most outrageous night out?

Shane : I made the mistake of taking Jess with me to poker night. She cheats by the way! Luckily she is also very proficient at charming her way out of trouble.

Jess : I won didn't I? Besides that wasn't the most outrageous night out. The night we went out with Eric, Jerika & Aymee was way more outrageous. You and Eric bickered with each other all night like old women in a Bingo parlor. While treating a game of pool  & beer pong like an Olympic sport. Then it took Jerika, Aymee & I working together to get your drunk asses home.

Niina : That would do it! Now, M&Ms: With or Without Peanuts?

Shane : Both.

Jess : Peanut

Niina : Women:  Curvy or Slim? Men: Clean Shaven or Stubble?

Jess : Since Volaticus are unable to grow body hair I kind of like it when Shane's face get's stubbly though he's handsome clean shaven too. I think I'll take an indecisive pass on that question.

Shane : Curvy. Jess is a perfect model. Stand up, Beauty, wiggle your hips. Niina needs visual aid, don't you, Niina?

Niina : Don't include me in this! LOL! Okay, next, live a thousand years alone or ten with your true love?

Shane : Ten

Jess : Yep, Ten.

Niina : Correct! Puppies or kittens? Also any plans on getting any?

Jess : I like puppies. Our life is too crazy with duel careers to get a puppy right now. I want our kids to have pets though ... someday.

Shane : Can't we just hire a Tellus nanny? Then the nanny could shift ( book two spoiler alert ) into a pet and still not require me scooping piles off the lawn. I have to admit Niina I'm not much of a pet person. As a warrior my life has never been suitable to give the kind of attention a pet would require.

Niina : Thought your nanny idea was great though. :) Thanks for visiting the For The Love of Reading, Jess and Shane! Any news would you like to share with my readers here?

Jess : I'm pregnant. ( Shane's mouth drops open ) Haha, Just kidding! April Fools a day early.

Shane : That it. ( Shane grabs Jess's hand and drags her out of the room ) I'm taking you home. You need a spanking. ( Jess's giggle fades down the hallway )

***

Come over to see My 4.5 Star Review of Immortal Becoming

or buy the book right away at Amazon.com for $3.99!
Or visit Wendy @ Wendy S. Hales

INTERVIEW WITH DAVID J. CORD - "MOHAMED 2.0: DISRUPTION MANIFESTO"

This will be a small detour from my usual genre, but the author is a very very close friend of mine. ;) And I wanted to share his new book Mohamed 2.0: Disruption Manifesto that comes out in this month, April 19th!

Niina : Welcome to For The Love of Reading, Mr. Cord, I’m glad you came by.

David J. Cord : Thanks for having me. What’s with the "Mr. Cord"? Are we role-playing? Am I the horny, brooding writer and you the horny, hot junior reporter at a major metropolitan newspaper?

Niina : LOL! Behave! Let’s get started! Can you tell my readers here 4 fun unknown facts about you so we can break the ice? ( though with that asnwer, not much left to be broken! )

David : Let’s see. 1) I don’t like to read most romance books. Okay, maybe I shouldn’t have mentioned that. I do like the effect they have on my wife, though, but that is a different story. 2) As a child, I was terrified of Bigfoot. Still am, in fact. 3) I always read the first and last words of a book to see if they make sense together. ( This works in my book, by the way, but I didn’t plan it. ) 4) The first story I ever wrote, when I was about seven, was a rip-off of the Hobbit. I had Bengals that lived in trees, instead of Hobbits that lived in holes.

Niina : Luckily no bigfoots in Finland. ;) Tell us little about your book Mohamed 2.0 Disruption Manifesto, what’s it about?

David : Mohamed El-Fatatry moved to Finland to study and ended up creating Muxlim, an online social network for Muslims. His plan was to better the world by using it as a channel for dialogue between Muslims and the West. Mohamed became one of the most famous immigrants in Finland – being featured on the likes of the BBC and meeting the President – but his company ended up collapsing. The book details his story, the story of Muxlim, and explores issues like racism, immigration, entrepreneurship, and the digital revolution.

Niina : Tell us something about your book that we wouldn’t know just by reading the blurb?

David : I didn’t want to write a 60,000 word press release. The façade of the Mohamed and Muxlim story are very well known in Finland, but the truth isn’t.

Niina : Ah! Nice teaser! What type of research do you have to do to get a book like this done properly?

David : I interviewed Mohamed for hundreds of hours, but I also talked to his investors, his employees, his friends and even academics who were experts in different fields that were relevant to the story: immigration specialists, politicians, racism experts, and historians, for example. I also spent a lot of time online, seeing how Muxlim worked and reading hundreds of articles that had been published about Mohamed and Muxlim.

Niina : What chapter did you most enjoyed writing and why?

David : Probably the last chapter. It is a summation of what happened to Muxlim, from the point of view of Mohamed and his rather-annoyed investors, but also my own opinions. I use some vivid symbolism and imagery throughout the book, but especially in the last chapter. My editorial director at the publisher told me: “This isn’t journalism. This is literature.” I was very happy when he said that, because that was exactly what I wanted.

Niina : Any big projects for 2012?

David : Yes, but I can’t talk about it yet. It is rather sensitive, and there are non-disclosure agreements involved. Sorry, it isn’t romance.

Niina : Dang it! Now to more personal questions! How did you find your cover and if you didn't take part in the making, what is your opinion of it?

David : The cover was done by Anders Carpelan. I wasn’t involved with it, but evidently it was quite difficult, because Mohamed wasn’t happy. The publisher eventually had to make a decision and put a stop to the process. I’m very happy with it. I think Anders did a great job.

Niina : What makes you feel like you are reading or have read a truly amazing book?

David : The way it rips you out of your comfort zone and moves your emotions. I remember the first time I read Kurt Vonnegut’s Slaughterhouse-Five. I was about ten pages in and came to the realisation that I was reading something special, something unique, something that wasn’t churned out by some hack. ( Although Vonnegut did his share of hacking and churning back in the day. ) This was not entertainment, although it was entertaining; it was a piece of art that made the heart thump and soul expand, like standing in front of the Mona Lisa. I stopped, went back to the beginning, and started reading again. I wanted to prolong and re-experience that feeling of amazement and wonder.

Niina : If you could only read 5 novels for the rest of your life what would they be, and why?

David : 1) Kurt Vonnegut’s Slaughterhouse-Five, because it is darkly beautiful and subversive. 2) Ernest Hemingway’s The Old Man and the Sea, because it is so simple and elegant, like a minaret or a Gothic spire. 3) The Hobbit, by Tolkien, because it started the fire that is my love of literature. 4) Karl Knausgård’s My Struggle, because it is the most intimate work I’ve ever read. My editor said that I needed to open myself up more, and Knausgård lets it all hang out. He’s a good example for me. 5) Finally, I would pick John Updike’s Rabbit series. It defines the “Great American Novel.” Anything that aims for that title, like with Jonathan Franzen nowadays, are measured against Updike.

Niina : What’s the best and the worst advice for writers you have received?

David : The best advice came from my editorial director, who said to put more of myself into my writing. The worst advice was to do exactly the opposite.

Niina : Heh, there's advice for you. ;) What would you say is your most interesting writing quirk?

David : This book is non-fiction, so I couldn’t work on plot development or characterization, for example, because that was already there. So I had to do other things to distinguish it, like subtly saying that the hype over Mohamed manifested itself in the writing of the book. The author, and the writing of the book, were inserted into the story. It was almost like meta-nonfiction. The proofreaders and editors were very taken by this.

Niina : What’s the number one thing you like to do when you are not writing?

David : Reading. Or getting laid.

Niina : Naughty! ;) Were in public, honey, lol! What is your signature dish?

David : Bread.

Niina : Before we finish, here are some Quick Fire Questions: 

Night or day?  Day
Pick-up or Mini-van? Pick-up
Boots or Sneakers?  Sneakers. Got to be comfortable.
Beer or Whiskey? Beer
Cocktails or Shots? Shots
M&Ms: With or Without Peanuts? With
Treats: Sweet or Salty? Salty, most of the time.
Date: Going to Park or Going to Movies? Park. Hollywood movies only use a very small number of standard plots and continually use all the same tricks. It really frustrates me, because it wastes my time.

Winter or Summer? Summer. Summer in Scandinavia is the best in the world. Winter in Scandinavia is the worst. It’s unfortunate that winter is 10 months long here.
Jewels or Chocolates? Chocolate.
Women: Talkative or wallflowers? Talkative. I’m quiet myself, so they need to carry the conversation.
Women: Curvy or Slim? Slim.
Tattoos or Piercings on a woman? Sure. Oh wait, I’m supposed to pick. Piercings.
Brunettes or Blonds? Blonds. Did I mention summer in Scandinavia was the best place on Earth? There are several reasons for this, one of which are those Nordic blonds who think bikini tops are optional. It takes a lot of effort to pretend to be nonchalant and un-noticing, but believe me, Nordic ladies, we notice.
Time-Travel or Sci-fi? I thought time travel was science fiction? I suppose sci-fi.
Romance or Erotic Romance? Erotic. No need to pussyfoot around. Get to the good stuff.
Male POV or Female POV (Point Of View)? Male POV. I find it difficult to get interested in the female point of view, except with some really talented writers, like Jennifer Egan. She is fucking brilliant. I was in continual astonishment as I read A Visit From the Goon Squad.
Times New Roman or Courier? Times New Roman.

Niina : Slim blonds huh, and you married a curvy brunette. ;) LOL! Thanks for visiting the For The Love of Reading, David! Any news would you like to share with your readers, or websites they can check out?

David : Mohamed 2.0: Disruption Manifesto is released in English on 19 April. Swedish will follow by summer, and probably Finnish before the end of the year. You can check it out at www.disruptionmanifesto.com.

Mohamed 2.0: Disruption Manifesto
What do Muslims do online? Plot suicide bombings and complain about women who demand the right to vote? Mohamed El-Fatatry knew better. An Egyptian national who grew up in the United Arab Emirates and moved to Finland to study technology, Mohamed knew that most young Muslims were like anyone else in the Western world. To demonstrate, at the age of twenty-one he created Muxlim, which became the largest Muslim lifestyle network in the world.

Mohamed 2.0: Disruption Manifesto is the story of Mohamed El-Fatatry, what happened in the private corridors of Muxlim, Inc. and what he plans for the future.

Twitter / Website / Blog / Facebook

David J. Cord spent fifteen years in the investment industry, as salesman, administrator and hedge fund manager. He has been a contributor to the Helsinki Times newspaper since its foundation, reporting on business and authoring its most popular column, which includes an eclectic mix of investment tips, angry policy recommendations and laconic observations about the economy.

David’s prose relies heavily upon declarative simplicity, vivid imagery and symbolism, interspersed with unexpected misdirections and wry editorial comments.

An American by birth, David married a Finn and moved to Finland in 2005. He lives in Helsinki with his beautiful wife Niina and his globe-trotting dog Orion.

 Twitter / Google+ / Website 

SEXY SATURDAY.. ERR... SUNDAY COVER!

Seem someone forgot yesterday was a saturday! Yes, me. But who says we can enjoy some skin on Sunday!

You might be aware of my preferance to cowboys... well Michelle's newest Bad in Boots novel comes out in June, and the cover is just drool worthy, so I had to post it! I mean the abs, the chest, the black stetson, low slung pants... yummy... ;D

REVIEW - IMMORTAL BECOMING

"He never expected to meet Jess Reed. A female living amongst humanity completely unaware that she is a human/Elven hybrid race of Volaticus, or that she is on the cusp of Becoming into her Elven traits. Shane should turn Jess over to the Symbiosis of Species Council."

Author: Wendy S. Hales
Published: Self Published on March 2012
Pages: 261 Pages
Form: E-book (from a tour for an honest review)
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Series: The Enlightened Species #1
Amazon: Buy / $3.99 (Kindle) ( EU price, click to see US price )
Barnes & Noble: Buy / $3.99 (Nook)
Smashwords: Buy / $3.99 (Ebook)
Excerpt: Teaser

"Shane Einar is a five hundred year old Volaticus Elven warrior, sworn to duty and honor. His species has inhabited the earth since the beginning of time. The sources of vampire, elf and fairy myths, Volaticus are in reality something altogether different.

He never expected to meet Jess Reed. A female living amongst humanity completely unaware that she is Hulven, a human/Elven hybrid race of Volaticus, or that she is on the cusp of Becoming into her Elven traits. Shane should turn Jess over to the Symbiosis of Species Council, SOSC. His attraction to her along with her ability to enrapture him with a smile bars him from it. He rightly suspects that this female is his bloodmate.

Jess had always been psychic, a painful and confusing fact of her life. With Shane’s loving support she learns to control her abilities and discovers the psychically enlightened species that share this world.

Together they sacrifice the power of their bloodmating in the battle to save females from breeding cages under the control of an Elven rogue."

Wonderful new world, unique setting, believable characters and romantic action, this novel was a pleasant surprise! I literally couldn't stop reading this novel until I was done, it's addictive. Hales does a great job in hooking the reader with a fresh paranormal world, new species and twist of all things old a legend - loved it!

Jess and Shane worked so well together, all that yummy tension turned to entertaining reading! Jess was lovely, kind but had a really good attitude at times when she needed it - compliments of juvie and being a foster kid. And I have to give props for her not being a stupid heroine, you know the kind who makes dumb choices under stress... well not Jess, it's nice to see that. Shane was cocky, funny, arrogant and I loved it, he was also sexy as hell in 6 foot 2, dark, handsome and did I mention arrogant and witty... so sexy!

The plot I liked a lot, the decision Shane has to make, the world Jess has to face, aunt Moira, the rogue Elven, the council this book was filled with interesting scene after scene. If you're a fan of paranormal romance then this is a must read for you!

Now what could be improved: the blurb, it's an info load it doesn't have to be, I'd remove words like Volaticus Elven, Hulven and SOSC, and it needs some work to make it clearer, there are changes of tone, and mood. It needs a rewrite to truly draw a reader in ( see below the review ). The cover is gorgeous and the girl reminds me of Kendra ( anyone else? ).

Rating :

"Shane Einar is a five hundred year old warrior, sworn to duty and honor. His species has inhabited the earth since the beginning of time. The source of vampire, elf and fairy myths, Volaticus are in reality something complitely different.

Shane never expected to meet Jess Reed, a female living amongst humanity completely unaware that she is  a human/Elven hybrid race of Volaticus, or that she is on the throws of Becoming into her Elven traits. Shane should turn Jess over to the Symbiosis of Species Council, but his attraction to her along with her ability to enrapture him with a smile holds him back, and his suspicion that Jess is his bloodmate doesn't help the matter.

Jess had always been psychic, a painful and confusing fact of her life, but with Shane’s support she learns to control her abilities and discovers the psychically enlightened species that share her world. Together they sacrifice the power of their bloodmating in the battle to save Elven females from the control of an Elven rogue."

Come check out Jess & Shane Fun Character Interview!

( See what Jess and Shane think are each other's sexiest article of clothing? 

And what's Shane's guilty pleasure... err... treat! ;) )

CROSSFIRE OF LOVE - REVIEW AND GUEST BLOG

"Lorenzo wants nothing to do with his father's shady side of business, and to protect Gabriella's heart he marries her to save her father, not that his motives are all innocent, he's had his eyes on Gabby for three years and now that he has a chance to have her he's not too ashamed to take it..."

Author: Ella Jade
Published: Beachwalk Press on March 2012
Pages: 85 Pages
Form: E-book (from a tour for an honest review)
Genre: Contemporary Romance / Romantic Suspense
Amazon: Buy / $8.04 (Kindle) ( EU price, click to see US price )
Barnes & Noble: Buy / $4.99 (Nook)
Beachwalk Press: Buy / $4.99 (Ebook)
Excerpt: Arranged marriage...

An arranged marriage to Lorenzo Martinez, a mobster's son, might be worse for Gabriella if she hadn't live in Carlo Martinez's compound with her father most her life - and if she hadn't fallen in love with Lo since setting her eyes on a boy seven years her senior.

Still she fights tooth and nail in being married and even when Lorenzo begins to make her feel cared for she still puts up a fight, she will be no one’s charity case. She's wanted Lo all her life but she refuses to have him in a loveless marriage.

Lorenzo wants nothing to do with his father's shady side of business, and to protect Gabriella's heart he marries her to save her father, not that his motives are all innocent, he's had his eyes on Gabby for three years and now that he has a chance to have her he's not too ashamed to take it - and now that he has Gabby he has all the time he needs to make her feel something for him too.

Ella Jade writes intense, passionate and temptation filled romance! Have a you ever wondered what it would be like to be loved by a mafia king's son, the danger, the seduction, the temptation... oh yes, I've been waiting to read a romance like this! We girls love the element of danger, but we also want security, loyalty and passion and Crossfire of Love has them all! Exciting read with all the marshmallow softie emotional cuteness and the sexy as hell seduction of a woman who can't bring herself to resist.

I totally loved Gabby and Lo together, they had sizzling hot chemistry when together, and all that temptation and seduction was delicious to read. I loved Lorenzo's jealous streak too, he wanted to take care of Gabby protect her and love her and when Gabby's FBI friend Andy got in the picture it was yummy to see his temper flare. I absolutely got flutters in the bottom of my tummy with his line on their marriage not being an open one. Talk about burning hot!

I really enjoyed the plot, the suspense and threat of it - Carlos' rivaling family picked up the heat, and made things dangerous for all involved with the Martinez family, and that gave the romance and extra kick. The book was a nice mix between contemporary romance and romantic suspense - all about the romance but with a twist of danger.

With that said if you like watching arrange marriage turn from threat to lust then this is for you, and if you like your heroine's seduced slowly, passionately to love then this really is for you!

Don't miss the Guest Blog "Why I owe my erotic fiction career to my grandmother…" below from the author, Ella Jade!

Rating :

Why I owe my erotic fiction career to my grandmother…

Yes, you read that right. I owe it all to a woman named Stella. A little history to set the stage...

Let's go back to 1981 when Ella Jade was only eight years old. What was she doing on a typical Friday night? She was camped out on her grandparent's family room floor watching Dallas and Falcon Crest. Her parents worked in the restaurant industry, and so she and her brother spent the weekends with her grandparents. They didn't have multiple TV's in every room, no Nickelodeon or Disney Channel and definitely not a DVR to be found. They didn't have VCR's yet! And, let's not even talk about the lack of internet access or Xbox.  So, while her brother played legos, she watched soap operas.

***

It became our Friday night ritual for many years. I couldn't wait for the weekend. I was always so consumed with what J.R. Ewing was going to do next. How was he going to outsmart poor Cliff Barnes? Oh, and I'll NEVER forget that sexy and conniving Richard Channing. Is it any wonder why I have an obsession with older men? And, my son's name is Cole ( a character from Falcon Crest ). Now, of course it took me many years to "mature" with the shows adult themes. In the beginning, I had no idea what was going on. I just knew it was something I shared with my grandmother. It's a time in my life I always look back on with such warm and happy feelings. That was our Friday night line-up until I graduated high school in 1991 and both shows ended their run.

It wasn't just a weekend thing either. As I got older, I would watch Dynasty on Wednesdays and we'd discuss it when I got to her house. I spent entire summers with her and we'd indulge in Young and the Restless and General Hospital. Even though I don't watch them anymore, Sonny Corrinthos will always hold a special place in my heart. We'd spend rainy or snowy Saturday afternoons watching American Movie Classics...Greta Garbo, Gary Grant, Rock Hudson and Grace Kelly fueled the romantic in me.  Put that together with all the soaps I was watching and a writer was born. I learned how to spot the drama and the angst and figured out how to balance that with the right amount of love and the HEA. And, the cliffhanger! My favorite story element. Throw in the sex and you've got Ella Jade...Erotic Fiction Author.

Today, Stella is 82. She now sits in my family room and watches her soaps ( or "stories" as she likes to call them ) while I feverishly type in the dining room or kitchen. Occasionally, in between her naps, she'll call to me, "Are you writing another one of those dirty books?"

Yes, Gran, I am and I owe it all to you.

http://ellajadeauthor.blogspot.com

Ella

REVIEW - RELUCTANT PROTECTOR

"Cassie’s learned to shrink from kindness and to never trust anyone. She knows the day Peter finally captures her will be the day she dies. To elude her brother and save the others, she’ll have to risk her body and her heart. What she doesn't expect is a chance at a normal life."

Author: Nana Malone
Published: Self Published on December 2011
Pages: 62 Pages
Form: E-book (from a tour for an honest review)
Genre: Urban Fantasy Romance
Series: The Protectors #1
Amazon: Buy / $5.47 (Kindle) ( EU price, click to see US price )

"For five years, Cassie Reeser has been her brother’s personal lab rat. Peter’s experiments have made her a stronger, faster, better human. And she’s not the only one - he’s been experimenting on others as well. For five years, escape has eluded her. Until now. When she finds out he plans to sell her as a human weapon she knows it’s now or never. To make her escape she’ll sacrifice family bonds and leave behind the one person who’s ever helped her. Cassie’s learned to shrink from kindness and to never trust anyone. She knows the day Peter finally captures her will be the day she dies. To elude her brother and save the others, she’ll have to risk her body and her heart. What she doesn't expect is a chance at a normal life.

Seth Adams is used to sifting through lies to find the truth. As a former war correspondent he knows what evils lurk in the world. When he finds Cassie hiding out in his car trunk, her story sounds like a fantastical dream. But, before long, he witnesses firsthand what she’s talking about when they’re attacked by a group of Peter’s soldiers. As a result, he goes through his own transformation into a super human and realizes the extent of what Cassie is running from. Cassie might not think she needs his protection, but he’ll die before he lets her brother have her back." ~From Goodreads

Fast pace, interesting and dark, Reluctant Protector has a cool Dark Angel feel with its modified human weapons, escaping a facility and generally kicking ass - but it's more than that too, adding up all Cassie's abilities might ruin the plot so I won't do that. ;) The story has a modern urban fantasy feel with suspense and violence woven into it to get an exciting mix.

Sheltered Cassie was an interesting read when she begun to have emotional reaction to Seth, beginning to blush, get hot and bothered and begin to get attached. She still had the cool and collected side that had come with being isolated most of her childhood and imprisoned by her brother who was supposed to love her - but it was interesting to read her come out of her shell.

Seth came off as just a passenger on a ride in the beginning, but then you began to know more about him, about his strength, his skills, being a marine and he suddenly he felt capable even next to Cassie who was nothing to sneer at at 5 foot 2. I really enjoyed reading about Seth and seeing Cassie from his point of view.

The plot was very interesting, I have loved the human weapon stories since Dark Angel and Reluctant Protector didn't disappoint. I liked the action, the fight scenes and the warmth and coldness balance with the characters. Liked it plenty enough to pick up the second book when it comes out!

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REVIEW - DEACON'S TOUCH

"Deacon begins to warm up to Jessica, but that also means his other dormant desires surface, his desire for control in the bedroom, and he knows it would send a good girl like Jessica running the other way - but Jessica has few fantasies of her own and one of them just might include a cowboy tying her to bed."

Author: Callie Croix
Published: The Wilder Roses Publishing on August 2011
Pages: 110 Pages
Form: E-book ( from the publisher for an honest review )
Genre: Erotic Cowboy Romance (18+ Only)
Series: Cowboy Kink
Amazon: Buy / $5.18 (Kindle) ( EU price, click to see US price )
Barnes & Noble: Buy / $2.50 (Nook)
The Wilder Rose Press: Buy / $2.50 (Ebook)
Excerpt: Pushing boundaries

Jessica really doesn't want to be at her friend's fiancée’s bachelorette party, she's swamped with work ( just like she likes it ) and squeezing this in last minute is giving her a headache. She misses her plane and has to be picked up late by one of the Dumen boys, one of the seriously hot brothers who run Ranch where the bachelorette weekend is taking place.

Deacon, an Ex-Air Force Pararescueman, has a hard time keeping up his walls around Jessica, the girl's reserved and bit snappish, but when he catches her off guard she's warm and kind - and lights up all kind of fires inside him that he hasn't paid attention to since his divorce and injury.

Deacon begins to warm up to Jessica, but that also means his other dormant desires surface, his desire for control in the bedroom, and he knows it would send a good girl like Jessica running the other way - but Jessica has few fantasies of her own and one of them just might include a cowboy tying her to bed.

Deacon's Touch is a keeper, I sure am going to read it again! Nothing was missing, it had it all, romance, emotions, danger and little bit of kink! It started off as a sweet romance city girl meets hot and injured ( both emotionally and physically ) cowboy, they dance around attraction, finally give in, meet danger and then we get on the kinky side of the romance with some light bondage and bossy Dom attitude, yummy! For a novella it wasn't at all too short, and even managed to get me teary eyed at the end - after all you really really want Deke and Jessie to make it.

I loved Jessie and Deke's chemistry, it was real and believable instead of the insta-love ( which works well in paranormal romance mind you ;) ) that makes me cringe at contemporary romance genre. They had that dancing around each other feel where they both wanted more but didn't think their attention would be necessarily returned and keeping emotional distance was the way to go - but like always one kiss changes it all. Bossy Deke was delicious to read, he had the whole ex-special ops way about him and when spiced with a little Dom and whole lot of cowboy he was irresistible!

This book definitely wet my appetite to read more Dumen brother books, getting to know the brothers a little during the novella gave a great sneak peak at things to come, and I was hooked. Callie Croix has a way of writing sexy, determined and yummy ex-soldiers ( like in Touch Me ) and she gets to the details of things without it harming the story. She can write delicious romance and very hot erotic romance with a light bdsm twist. Having read only two novellas by Callie Croix, I think I can still call myself a fan!

I highly recommend this to cowboy lovers who aren't shy around a little light bondage and erotic play. This is so worth reading!

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REVIEW - HER COWBOY STUD

"What Trace sees is a gold-digger, he can't fathom why his Uncle left her anything at all in his will - but now she's come to collect month after his uncle's death. The attraction is immediate and he doesn't like it, she's out get money so he has to keep a cool head about it. But when Macy acts truly shocked about what Silas left her he begin to have mixed feelings and having her warm his bed seems more and more like a stellar idea even if she is after money."

Author: Randi Alexander
Published: The Wilder Roses Publishing on March 23rd 2012
Pages: 67 Pages
Form: E-book ( from the publisher for an honest review)
Genre: Erotic Cowboy Romance (18+ Only)
Series: Cowboy Kink
Amazon: Buy / $4.59 (Kindle) ( EU price, click to see US price )
Wilder Rose Press: Buy / $1.99 (Ebook)
Excerpt: Kiss Me, Trace

Macy's come to Houston not only to get what a nice older man decided to leave her in his will but also to meet his nephew Trace. She's had a crush on him since seeing his picture that one shared plane ride with Silas - and now she's got her sexy heels on and she's ready to play a little game of seduce with Trace.

What Trace sees is a gold-digger, he can't fathom why his Uncle left her anything at all in his will - but now she's come to collect month after his uncle's death. The attraction is immediate and he doesn't like it, she's out get money so he has to keep a cool head about it. But when Macy acts truly shocked about what Silas left her he begin to have mixed feelings and having her warm his bed seems more and more like a stellar idea even if she is after money.

Macy's about to get what she wanted, Trace, and she's got a bag full of sexy goodies to try out with him, thanks to her job at marketing and selling adult toys. But when she discovers Trace's view on her she's shot down from her rose colored cloud, reality isn't what fantasies are made of.

Her Cowboy Stud is quick pace, entertaining and oh so definitely sexy read! Not a dull moment in it. If you're looking for a don't-put-me-down cowboy romance then this is it! Of course if you are squeamish about adult toys then look away - this cowboy had a sexy dominating streak in the bedroom, and a girl to match his desires.

Macy and Trace made odd bed fellows at first, a cowboy and adult toy saleswoman, not really a sentence you hear a lot, but they have great chemistry, Trace's mistrust and lust for her, and Macy's naive crush on Trace makes for good and entertaining reading, especially when the facts come out and feathers are ruffle one way and another. One of the most delicious scenes is interrupted by the "truths" coming out and even the reader is left sexually frustrated - now that's good romance writing!

I like the cover, I just wish the girl didn't have obvious double D ( maybe even E )  implants it's distractive and makes Macy look cheap, that's my only qualm about the cover. The blurb was great at drawing the reader in, and Alexander writes great, her characters have emotions that are real and not forced and her playful style in the lighter areas is fun to read.

You'll like this if... you like your cowboys in control, your woman daring and misconception ruining a perfectly sexy/great day ( but knowing it will be all fixed and good later )!

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REVIEW - HARM'S HUNGER

"Harm's well and satisfied after the tint with a stranger in the elevator, too bad it had to be so short, but when he walks in to get the papers signed he's shocked to see Jena in the room with all her brothers, talk about little awkward. When Jena refuses to sign he takes her to Sally's ranch to persuade her, but a storm and crash change all plans."

Author: Patrice Michelle
Published: Self Published on December 2011
Pages: 75 Pages
Form: E-book (from the author for an honest review)
Genre: Cowboy Romance
Series: Bad in Boots #1
Amazon: Buy / $4.59 (Kindle) ( EU price, click to see US price )
Barnes & Noble: Buy / $1.99 (Nook)

Excerpt: Chapter 1

Jena has come to Texas to sign off her part of the ranch to Harmon Steele Great Aunt Sally's neighbor - or so her brothers think. With a mind of her own she wants to see the ranch first, what she doesn't expect seeing is a hot cowboy in the elevator who grants her one of her fantasies. Too bad it's going to be quick because she has a "signing" to go to.

Harm's well and satisfied after the stint with a stranger in the elevator, too bad it had to be so short, but when he walks in to get the papers signed he's shocked to see Jena in the room with all her brothers, talk about little awkward. When Jena refuses to sign he takes her to Sally's ranch to persuade her, but a storm and crash change all plans.

Jena knows it's not polite but she decides to give Harm one fantasy, just like he gave her one, he didn't know he had, as the crash causes a temporary memory lapse Jena tells Harm she's his girlfriend and they are talking marriage. Commitment phobic Harm sure gets a lot to think about, but Jena also begins to think maybe playing Harm wasn't the best of ideas, the man has a sexy possessive streak a mile wide and as his girl she's inside that mile.

Harm's Hunger is one sexy short novella! It's my introduction to Bad in Boots series and I sure am sold! Staring off with a hot scene in the elevator is not a bad way to kick things off in my book, establishes undeniable attraction well and sets a sexy tempting tone for the rest of the book. Michelle writes completely believable characters and her use of dialogue is great nothing corny of fake about it - which makes for great reading!

Jena was a little sneaky and I loved her for it! Her pretending to be Harm's girlfriend was a nice little walk on the naughty side, and her dilemma when he wanted to have sex was so much fun to read! Harm you just can't help falling for, he's a big built guy, strong, capable, caring, possessive and passionate - and okay I so have a thing for cowboys who don't take no for an answer. ;) Harm was a delicious mix of alpha male and cowboy in the best possible mix, and I loved seeing him begin to get out of his afraid of relationships mode as he contemplates what it would be like to be married to Jena.

So why not 5 stars? Mainly because it was tad bit too short, I loved it a ton but I would have loved it even more if it had had more basic everyday stuff, they were isolated in the ranch during the storm and I would have loved some non-storm time after the storm passed maybe some cold feet on Jena and Harm going after her.

The second book Ty's Temptation is out and I have a chance to read it as well and I have high expectations! But after all Patrice Michelle writes so well it's an absolute joy to read her work, so I'm not worried! ;)

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