trueromance

Setting:Moscow in the near-future (a very dark, dystopian Moscow)
Subgenre: Paranormal romance
Hero: Bad boy fallen angel Brends Duranov
Heroine: Always-in-control good girl Mischka Baran

One sentence summary: Mischka Baran temporarily sells her soul to fallen angel Brends Duranov in exchange for his help finding her missing cousin—only to get more than she bargained for when Brends decides he’s playing for keeps and Mischka is his pre-destined soul mate.

Scene you like most and would never cut:
When my editor and I were discussing Bond with Me, she suggested giving Mischka Baran’s missing cousin her own romance with a fallen angel. Mischka’s cousin, Pell, has a very naughty side and her angel stages a very wicked seduction. The Fallen can make wishes come true. All a woman has to do is accept the Fallen’s dark offer: bond with him, swear to serve his every desire, and receive one favor. Whatever she names, he’ll deliver. All she has to do is serve him, in bed and out, letting him drink of her soul through their bond. Of course, the greater the favor, the longer the bond will last. Name too large a request and you’ll serve forever. Pell and Dathan bond in a bathhouse—in a very steamy, very sensual seduction that sets the stage for their growing relationship.

Thing your heroine would never be caught dead doing/saying:
Whatever you say, dear. Mischka is a strong, independent woman—she’s not used to handing over control and letting someone else drive her life. She has her hands full dealing with an alpha male like Brends.

What celebrity is your hero like:
Ah… the dreaded compare-your-hero-to-a-movie-star question. Honestly, I don’t watch too many movies that aren’t animated children’s movies (I have an incredibly low tolerance for bloodshed and violence in my movies) and Mr. Incredible just isn’t my idea of sexy. Large. Dark. Predatory. The vampire king in Underworld, perhaps.

What celebrity is your heorine like:
When I was searching for a face for Mischka, I wanted her outward appearance to be beautiful and serene. Outwardly, she’s a classic dark-haired Russian beauty like Oxana Federova. She’s a self-composed woman—who hates to lose control. Secretly, however, she’s always wanted to give up that control and to explore some of her darker sexual fantasies. She’s looking for a bad boy who can tempt her to turn over the reigns to him temporarily—and Brends Duranov is more than up to the challenge. The first time he sees her walking towards him, he wants to unwrap her and all of her secrets.

What is your heroine’s occupation, or if unemployed, what should she be doing: Mischka is a restaurant hostess. When Brends shows up and demands to be seated, sparks fly between them. She’s torn between doing the responsible thing—her job—and giving in to her feelings and demanding he hit the road.

What is your hero’s occupation, or if unemployed, what should he be doing: Brends Duranov is one of the Fallen, an elite band of former warrior angels. When he’s not defending his sire and hunting down fallen angels gone bad, he runs an extremely popular club. The human residents of Moscow love G2’s—it’s a damn sexy club, the sort of place you visit when you’re in the money and feeling very, very lucky. Put on your best dancing clothes, flash your cash, and get ready to bargain very, very hard—because only the select few are allowed inside.

What you think readers will like best about this book: The fantasies. Mischka is a very sensual woman and, like many of us, she has a number of secret fantasies. When she decides to give herself permission to explore those fantasies, watch out! Brends wants to make all of those fantasies come true for her—so there are plenty of extremely sexy scenes in the book.

The person that readers want you to write about but you haven’t yet:
Two names have been popping to the top of the list: Zer and the archangel Michael. I’d love to write Michael’s story, but next up is Zer.

What’s next:
Next up for me is Zer’s story. The leader of the Fallen, Zer believes he’s way past redemption—so, when he meets a woman who is a potential soul mate, he believes she must be a match for one of his brothers. He doesn’t deserve her and he’s going to run far and fast from his forbidden attraction to her. Zer’s story, His Dark Bond, will be published by Kensington Brava in early 2012.

Do you enjoy stories about fallen angels? Recommend a great fallen angel story for me to add to my To Be Read pile and one commentator will win a $20 Borders gift card.

Do you know about Borders Rewards Plus?

Surrender to an Irish Warrior by Michelle Willingham

Setting: Ireland, 1180

Heroine: Morren Ó Reilly

One sentence summary: A grieving Irish warrior with a thirst for vengeance rescues a wounded woman, and they heal the scars of each other’s past.

Scene you like most and would never cut:
There’s a scene where the hero and heroine are working in the field together to salvage some of the burned harvest grain. Due to rain the night before, they start slipping in the mud. It’s the first time in almost a year that Morren has laughed, and when Trahern carries her to safe ground they share a tender moment.

Thing your heroine would never be caught dead doing/saying:
“Come here and kiss me.”

What celebrity is your hero like: Sam Worthington (Perseus from the remake of “Clash of the Titans”). He’s strong-willed and a fighter.

What celebrity is your heroine like: Liv Tyler (Arwen from Lord of the Rings). She’s endured a horror no woman should have to face, and yet she has the inner strength to overcome it.

What is your heroine’s occupation, or if unemployed, what should she be doing:
Morren is good at making things grow, whether it’s crops or herbs. She has a connection with the land.

What is your hero’s occupation, or if unemployed, what should he be doing:
Trahern is a bard who travels across Ireland telling stories.

What you think readers will like best about this book:
As the last book in my MacEgan Brothers series, it’s an emotionally-driven story that gives a shocking twist about Trahern’s past. It does stand on its own (any new reader can join in on the story), but I hope readers who have read the other books will enjoy the character reunions to learn what happened to the other romance couples. You can visit my website at http://www.michellewillingham.com to read an excerpt.

The person that readers want you to write about but you haven’t yet:
Prince Karl from my Accidental series (set in the Victorian era).

What’s next: First, I have a sequel novella called “Pleasured by the Viking” that tells the story of Gunnar, a secondary character from Surrender to an Irish Warrior. It’s available now in e-book form through the Harlequin Historical Undone! imprint. Next, I have a new series of Scottish medieval books coming out in the spring of 2011, beginning with Claimed by the Highlander. It’s a reunion story of a prisoner-of-war who returns to the woman he loved seven years ago and how they rekindle their romance.

The MacEgan Brothers series is set in medieval Ireland, and I spent a week this past summer doing more research there (You can visit my Facebook page at www.facebook.com/michellewillinghamfans to see the photos I took of Ireland, Scotland, and London). Do you have a favorite setting for historical romance? If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go? Three lucky winners will be selected from the comments for a signed copy of Surrender to an Irish Warrior, a free download of “Pleasured by the Viking” or a $10.00 Borders gift card. Good luck!

Ck this out:
Dominic of the Dragonseeker Carpathians is on a desperate mission, in the very heart of enemy territory. Solange Sangria is one of the last jaguar people. She has long been fighting to save women who are able to shift from the hands of the man who slaughtered her family. They are two warriors who have lived their lives alone. Now, at the end of their time, they find each other, a complication neither saw coming.

Those of you that are Carpathian fans you know that Christine Feehan excels in the emotional depth she gives her characters — don’t worry about not being in order with this series . . . I have not been consistent but when I pick up her books I want to read & read them all over again. Put her on your list

& what about:
Elite Ops agent Nikolai Steele, code named Renegade, is on a special assignment involving a beautiful woman. But his involvement is about to go beyond the call of duty–and into the realm of dangerous desire.

One thing I look for when reading Lora Leigh is a fast paced, sexy (make me blush kind of sexy) story that makes my day. If you’ve not tried Lora, now is the time to include her on your list.

“New York Times”- and “USA Today”-bestselling author Macomber returns to Cedar Cove in the tenth novel of her beloved series.

WOW — #10 for Debbie? Couldn’t happen to a nicer author — Debbie’s stories are sweet & the characters are endearing . . . these contemporary stories are written about people you & I have met — you’ll be amazed, but, it is best if you start at the beginning with 16 Lighthouse Road.

A bestselling and multiple award-winning author sets her new story in the town of Fool’s Gold . . . where a planned pregnancy and an unplanned proposal will change two people’s lives forever.

This is Book 3 in Susan’s Series & each book is better than the last — you’ll want all 3: Chasing Perfect & Almost Perfect.

Praise for Carly & her second book in her Bachelor Blog Series:
The perfect catch is about to fall for the the one woman he’s always resisted … until now!

Carly’s writing is just fun — great characters, nice pacing — no dragging here! You’ll finish the book before you know it!

A “New York Times”-bestselling author continues her beloved vampire series starring the Argeneau family.

I think this says it all:

The follow-up to “White Heat” continues Novak’s series of romantic suspense featuring Department 6, a small but effective private security company that is investigating the murders of illegal aliens in a small town along the Arizona/Mexico border.

Looking for good Suspense? Brenda delivers — action & romance, you feel like you’re there. A personal favorite.

The author of “Cutting Loose” and “Bending the Rules” wraps up her sizzling Sisterhood Diaries series with this final installment.

Susan heats up the pages in this series — readers who like Susan Elizabeth Phillips will enjoy this Susan too!

& so much more:

BURN , by Linda Howard - Reissue of last years suspenseful Hardcover

GHOST MOON, by Heather Graham - Bk # 3 in Ghost Island Trilogy!

KISS ME KILL ME, by Maggie Shayne - Final book in her back to back suspense trilogy

VIKING TAKES A KNIGHT, by Sandra Hill - Funny historical - Sandra Rocks!

WICKED DELIGHTS OF A BRIDAL BE, by Tracy Ann Warren - Fourth book in the Byrons of Braebourne series

PRIMAL INSTINCTS, by Susan Sizemore - Spin off in Susan’s Paranormal world

MAYBE THIS TIME , by Jennifer Crusie - Jennifer at her bset — a book you won’t want to miss it’s laugh out loud funny!

HAWK, by Monica McCarty - Book 2 in her Highland Guard series - luv’d it!

WHEN BLOOD CALLS, by JK Beck -If you only buy one book, this is it — beginning a new series in a sexy, dangerous other-world - WOW!

JUST ONE TASTE, by Louisa Edwards -Next installment of the Recipe of Love series

MIDNIGHT CRYSTAL, by Jayne Castle - Book 3 in the clever Dreamlight Trilogy

YOU ONLY LOVE ONCE, Caroline Linden -Sexy historical romp!

LAST TO DIE , by Kate Brady - Readers who enjoy Karen Rose will be fans of Kate Brady too.

SEDUCED BY A HIGHLANDER, by Paula Quinn - Just a darn good romance!

MY SOUL TO KEEP , by Sharie Kohler -Book 3 in the Moon Chasers series.

HELLFIRE , by Kate Douglas - Book 2 in the Demonslayers series.

NEVER TRUST ROGUE, by Olivia Drake -Continues with the Crompton Sisters series

For a complete Shopping List, click here

What an exciting week & just in time for Labor Day reading! Tell, me which of these books is a must buy for you & why —- 4 randomly chosen bloggers will win a copy of Crusie’s, MAYBE THIS TIME!

Good luck!

- - - - - - - - - - HOT OFF THE PRESS, NEW! BORDERS PLUS, click here for Details! - - - - - -

Primal Instincts by Susan Sizemore

Setting: Contemporary Los Angeles

Heroine: Francesca Reynard, Vampire female

One sentence summary: Tobias Strahan is blackmailed into seducing the woman of his dreams while trying to save the supernatural inhabitants of Los Angeles.

Scene you like most and would never cut:

The scene I like most is the scene that was the hardest for me to write, which is an airplane crash. It was a very emotionally difficult scene to write, very challenging. That makes it important to me. Also, the hero acts very heroic and brave and is hurt terribly in this scene, physically and emotionally. A good hurt the hero scene is to be treasured.

Thing your heroine would never be caught dead doing/saying:

My heroine is a shop on Rodeo Drive, perfect hair and makeup sort of girl - uh, vampire. She’s not one for getting dirty or breaking a nail - uh, claw.

What celebrity is your hero like: Since I cast my books I know exactly who he looks like: Eric Bana.

What celebrity is your heorine like: Catherine Zeta Jones in Mask of Zorro.

What is your heroines occupation, or if unemployed, what should she be doing:

One of the frustrations of her life is that she’s the heir to vampire clan and doesn’t get to have an occupation. Vampire females are rare and over-protected by their Prime males. She doesn’t find her purpose in life, or the courage to free herself from traditional roles, until she meets the hero.

What is your heroes occupation, or if unemployed, what should he be doing:

Tobias is a the leader of a group of supernatural special forces operatives. He’s also the father of an adopted teenage human daughter. So he’s a pretty busy guy.

What you think readers will like best about this book:

Action, adventure, romance, humor, all that good stuff. I know that I am deeply in love with the hero. He’s an alpha male warrior out to save his world, a determined suitor determined to have the woman he desires, a fantastic lover, and a great dad.

The person that readers want you to write about but you haven’t yet:

The heroine of this book (Primal Instincts), Flare Reynard. Flare appeared in one scene in the first Primes book, I Burn For You, and I’ve been asked to write her story ever since. I’m delighted that it’s finally Flare’s turn.

What’s next: Next for the Vampire Primes will be a novella featuring two more members of the Dark Angels special forces unit. I’m writing a new book for my other vampire series, Laws of the Blood. I’m also writing a fantasy novel.

I’d like to know if readers are as interested in vampire heroines as they are in vampire heroes?

I’m offering a $25.00 Borders gift card to two of the readers that post comments.

Follow me at http://twitter.com/SusanSizemore

Setting: Bordertown, Arizona (a fictional town based very loosely on Douglas, Arizona)
Subgenre: Romantic Suspense
Hero: Hot, hot, hot Roderick Guerrero!
Heroine: Up to her eyeballs in deep shit Sophia St. Claire (LOL!)

Short (Ha! Changed this!) summary: Police Chief Sophia St. Claire finds herself out of her investigative league when someone starts shooting people at pointblank range and leaving them to rot in the desert sun just outside her small town. Help arrives in the form of California’s Department 6 Roderick Guerrero, but as far as Sophia’s concerned that only makes things worse. As the half-breed bastard of a wealthy local rancher, he has a history he can’t get past–a history that includes her.

Scene you like most and would never cut:
I don’t want to give too much away, but the scene I love most is where Sophia and Rod first meet up (after having known each other in high school years before). I love that the power has shifted from Sophia to Rod and watching her grapple with the change (and what Rod has become) is a lot of fun. The humor in this scene makes me smile every time I read it.

Thing your heroine would never be caught dead doing/saying: That she loves her stepfather. LOL Their relationship forms some of the conflict in the story. She can’t stand him—and for good reason.

What celebrity is your hero like: Oh boy. I’m notoriously bad at this because I don’t watch TV and don’t remember the names of the stars I see in movies. He’s taller than Tom Cruise and not as stocky as Gerard Butler. I guess he sort of resembles Ricky Martin but his personality is very different.

What celebrity is your heroine like: Another tough one. If I had to cast someone to play Sophia, it would be someone closer to an Angelina Jolie than a Jennifer Aniston.

What is your heroine’s occupation, or if unemployed, what should she be doing: Sophia is chief of police, but she’s new and the way she got the position was rather political. She has a lot to prove.

What is your hero’s occupation, or if unemployed, what should he be doing: Rod works for a security contractor called Department 6 that specializes in undercover ops inside the U.S.

What you think readers will like best about this book: The chemistry between the hero and heroine! It’s my favorite of the HEAT books for just that reason. The hero and heroine came to me so clearly when I was writing and are so perfect for each other—without knowing it, of course. I loved seeing them work through their conflicts and find what the reader believes almost from the start—they need to be together.

The person that readers want you to write about but you haven’t yet:
I probably get the most requests for a sequel to my second Superromance—SNOW BABY. I just got one today! The heroine’s sister, Stacy, meets a guy at the end of the story. I did this to show that things were hopeful for her, too, and that was my only intention. But readers really want me to write that romance so they can see Stacy become happy. Next would probably be a sequel to the Stillwater Trilogy. I’ve had a lot of people email me to see if I’m going to write the last sister’s story (even though the mystery is solved after Book 3 and there really isn’t anywhere to go).

What’s next: KILLER HEAT comes out September 28th and will complete the Department 6 trilogy. In KILLER HEAT, the remains of seven women have been discovered in Skull Valley, Arizona. It’s up to Jonah Young, from Department 6, to assist the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Department in solving these murders. But he doesn’t anticipate the complications that arise when he’s forced to work with an old flame. Then everything grows more complicated—and far too personal. They quickly zero in on the most likely suspect, but betting on the wrong man might be the last thing they ever do….

I received a note from one of my fans that she was “disappointed” that I was writing a book about the illegal immigration problem (she hadn’t read it yet—just the excerpt on my web site, which only gives the first chapter). This book is definitely NOT about illegal immigration. It doesn’t get involved in the politics of it or try to sway people one way or another, but it does use the tension and problems along the border as a backdrop for a juicy murder case. Do you find yourself biased against books you perceive as incorporating problems that are currently in the media? Or do you find such stories more intriguing because they feel so real and show characters dealing with today’s problems?

Giveaway - Brenda Novak tote filled with autographed copies of WHITE HEAT, BODY HEAT & KILLER HEAT - Good luck!

Yours for Eternity

Alexandra Ivy:

Setting: London, England
Subgenre: Historical Paranormal
Hero: Victor, Marquis DeRosa
Heroine: Juliet Lawrence

One sentence summary:

Victor is a vampire who is accustomed to getting what he wants, and what he wants is Juliet in his bed, and ruling at his side, if only he can convince the stubborn female she’s his destined mate.

Scene you like most and would never cut:

The scene where they’re battling the Jinn beneath the London docks. It reveals the depth of emotion between the two and how much they’re willing to sacrifice for one another.

Thing your heroine would never be caught dead doing/saying:

Staring into the mirror to see how pretty she looks.

What celebrity is your hero like:

Darcy in Pride and Prejudice…only with fangs.

What celebrity is your heroine like:

Sandra Bullock

What is your heroines occupation, or if unemployed, what should she be doing:

She is half-fey, half-witch with the unique ability to sense magical objects.

What is your heroes occupation, or if unemployed, what should he be doing:

Clan Chief of England.

What you think readers will like best about this book:

The combination of action, horror, and humor.

The person that readers want you to write about but you haven’t yet:

Levet, the tiny gargoyle who makes life hell for my vampires 

What’s next:
Tane’s story in Devoured by Darkness. This is the seventh book in my Guardian of Eternity series.

If you could have any book made into a movie, which would it be?

I’ll be happy to give away a book of the winner’s choice.

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Hannah Howell:

Setting: Medieval Scotland
Subgenre:Paranormal/Vampire romance
Hero: Adeline Dunbar
Heroine: Lachann MacNachton

One sentence summary:Lahcann MacNachton is hunting for the lost members of his clan when he finds Adeline Dunbar and the child, Osgar, a MacNachton, and together they fight to get the child to the safety of Cambrun, the MacNachton fortress, as Lachann overcomes his mistrust of human women and falls for Adeline.

Scene you like most and would never cut: The prologue. It was one of those scenes that just came to me when I was struggling to come up with a better beginning than I had. The beginning was good but I felt it didn’t have the snap I wanted and then, suddenly, I wrote the prologue and it fit. It’s the satisfaction I felt that also makes me like it the best.

Thing your heroine would never be caught dead doing/saying: She’d never say - ”You can just leave me here.” And she would never, never leave Osgar.

What celebrity is your hero like: Maybe like Clive Owen in Child of Man where he does so much to save the child and the woman. In truth, I never think of celebrities when I draw my characters, although I will give them some bits of actors or actresses that I like, such as one’s eyes, or another’s mouth.

What celebrity is your heroine like: Here comes that problem of never thinking of a celebrity when devising my characters. Maybe a little like the Sarah Connor character in the Terminator movies where she does all she can to save her son. Adeline might not be able to kick butt like that, but she has the spirit to do anything she can to save those she loves.

What is your heroine’s occupation, or if unemployed, what should she be doing: She’s a healer/midwife, an expert with herbal remedies. She does what her mother did and that gets her marked as a witch.

What is your hero’s occupation, or if unemployed, what should he be doing: He is a soldier for his clan and one of the ones hunting down the Lost Ones, people with MacNachton blood. They are the descendents of the clans’ forefathers that the clan has only recently learned about and the ones who have survived are now being hunted so the clan is working hard to gather them all together.

What you think readers will like best about this book: I hope they like the way these two completely different people come together to save the child Osgar and both learn to trust despite pasts that have taught them not to.

The person that readers want you to write about but you haven’t yet:
There’s a character in my late-Georgian psychic tales(If He’s Wicked, …Sinful, …Wild) that people have already said they want me to write about – Modred, the head of the Vaughn and Wherlocke families, who has telepathic powers and an empathy that’s so strong he has become a complete recluse. Unfortunately, he needs to be a lot older than he is now to get his own story but I have a few ideas. I do know that he will get his story if the series continues long enough for he just won’t stay tucked away in his castle on the border of Wales like a good little duke and constantly gets mentioned or appears in the stories of his family. So he is definitely demanding one.

What’s next: I just turned in the manuscript for the next Murray tale – HIGHLAND PROTECTOR – that is Sir Simon Innes’ story. I found the perfect Murray lass for him. And now I’m working on another tale of the Wherlockes and Vaughns. Sir Argus is in trouble and he’s going to get help from an unexpected source, a lovely young woman his ‘gift’ has no effect on. Such an arrogant fellow deserves a strong woman who can look him in the eye and say – Hah, I don’t think so, sir.

I like to write about strong women who do what’s needed in extraordinary circumstances and don’t let the hero walk all over them. Is there a strong woman in your life that you admire?

I have contests on my web page: www.hannahhowell.com where I give away signed copies of my books and other goodies. Come and try your luck at the various ways my webmistress comes up with to test you.

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YOURS FOR ETERNITY, Immortal Dreams

KAITLIN O’RILEY

Setting: Victorian London
Subgenre: Paranormal Romance/vampire novella
Hero: Lord Radcliffe
Heroine: Grace Sutton

One sentence summary: What’s more romantic than finding the man who has been in love with you for over a century?

Scene you like most and would never cut: That’s tricky to answer without spoiling the plot, but there’s a sexy dream sequence that I love. Dreams play a big part in this story.

Thing your heroine would never be caught dead doing/saying: Grace is independent and strong-willed at heart, but she would never kick-box anyone who got in her way.

What celebrity is your hero like: Lord Radcliffe is very handsome, intense, secretive, and has a dark past, so I’d say he’s a little like a Victorian version of Jon Hamm’s Don Draper character, just without all the drinking and smoking and cheating!

What celebrity is your heroine like: Grace is beautiful with auburn hair and probably physically resembles Rachel MacAdams.

What is your heroine’s occupation, or if unemployed, what should she be doing: Of course a Victorian lady did not work, but if she had a career, I think Grace would be a writer because she keeps a journal.

What is your hero’s occupation, or if unemployed, what should he be doing: He’s a sexy vampire and has amassed a fortune over the years. He doesn’t need a job.

What you think readers will like best about this book: This was my first venture into the paranormal genre and Immortal Dreams is a very haunting and romantic story. A love that endures the physical realm is what everyone longs for.

The person that readers want you to write about but you haven’t yet: Readers are waiting for the next in my Hamilton sisters series. Lisette’s story will be out in October 2011. And yes, the younger sisters will get their stories told too!

What’s next: I’ve a steamy novella coming out in February in An Invitation to Sin, along with Jo Beverley, Sally MacKenzie and Vanessa Kelly.

Who do you think is the sexiest vampire out there in TV or movies?

Hope you all enjoyed our ROMCON Winners week - many of you have won various giveaways & to make sure you get your prize please email SueG at sgrimsha@bordersgroupinc.com — Now, for the winners:

Sunday’s Winners with Sophia are AnneF; Virginia C; MinnChica

Monday with Sandra - MarleneB
Sue’s Stash is for domestic winner only

Tuesday with Jory - Ladytink; JacquelineC

Wednesday with Cindy Gerard - SusanT

Thursday with Jennifer Ashley -Heather

Friday - Robyn’s winners - TracyD

Saturday w/Mary Sullivan - LaurieG; TamsynT

Congrats!

Now for this week — Romcon winners + MORE!

Sunday with Carly Phillips

Monday with Livia Dare

Tuesday with Sheri WhiteFeather

Wednesday is SJ Day

Thursday - Abby Gaines

Friday with Hannah Howell, Alexandra Ivy & Kaitlin O’Reilly!

Saturday is with The Book Faery!

Another line up of fun — hope to C U this week & bring your friends

Happy Romance -
SueG

No Oridinary Cowboy, by Mary Sullivan
Hi everyone, I’m so glad to be here today. Thank you to Sue Grimshaw and Borders for this opportunity!

My reading habits went through a change this summer. I used to do the bulk of my reading in the winter. There’s nothing like sitting tucked up cozily indoors with a good book on a cold winter evening while a storm rages outside. That feeling of safety, and of delving into a book and drifting away from the cares of the world, is precious to me.

The summer usually finds me out and about, and doing much less reading; however, this summer has been unusually hot where I live, and the humidity insufferable. At the beginning of the summer, I ended up sitting in front of the television every night because it was too hot to go outside, even in the evening. I eventually grew pretty disgusted with myself, turned off the tv and picked up a book. I’ve been plowing through them ever since.

My focus has been on historicals, which I loooove. Most often that means Regencies. Lately, though, I’ve been having a blast reading Western historicals. I’ve enjoyed it so much that I signed up for a course through one of the RWA chapters about gamblers and prostitutes in the American West in the 1800s. It’s been fascinating!

I’ve been reading contemporary Westerns, too. It follows that I would like them, since I write them! So odd considering that I grew up in and currently live in the city.

When I decided to write books about cowboys and ranchers and wanted to set them in Montana, I had to do a lot of research. The Internet was invaluable, of course. Also, though, I ordered books about Montana and the ranching lifestyle—one by a reporter who left the city and went to live on a ranch for a year, immersing himself in the lifestyle and then writing about his experience. What an eye-opener. It’s a hard life and the people engaged in it, tough. Hardy.

I can’t imagine a complainer lasting long on a farm or a ranch. There is something appealing to me about the kind of people who see that a job needs to be done, say, “Right, let’s get at it,” and then do it.

As well, I bought a couple of large coffee table books full of stunning photographs of gorgeous landscapes that took my breath away. A few of the cowboys in the photos took my breath away, too

The facts about time and place and people are out there for any of us to access, whether present day or historical, but what I admire is that these same facts and figures can be used by talented authors in so many different ways to write so many original stories. I have immersed myself in those stories throughout the summer.

When do you like to do the bulk of your reading? In which season? What kinds of stories inspire you?

I have two copies of my August Superromance, THIS COWBOY’S SON, that I would love to give away to a couple of you who leave a comment.

Hey all. Love, love, love the crew at the True Romance blog and I’m so excited to be back again. Only this time, I want to make you work – just a little bit. :o) So, can I pick your brain? There’s a book in it for one of you who posts so it might be worth your while.
Here goes. As writers, in addition to writing what we love and always attempting to write the best book we can write, we also try to build an audience in a certain part of the genre so that when a reader picks up one of our books, they pretty much know what they’re getting. For instance, if you pick up a Kristan Higgins book you know you’re in for a fun, quirky, touching romance that involves family and most likely a dog and a fresh, witty take on love. If you pick up a Christine Feehan book, you count on a deeply emotional and dramatic paranormal read from a master storyteller. If you pick up one of, oh, say … MY books :o), you’re going to get a sexy, emotionally satisfying romance wrapped up in an action, adventure plot staged around a hot alpha male who is a mix of good, bad and somewhere in between. At least that’s what I work really hard at creating for you.
Having set the stage, so to speak, now comes the ‘picking your brain part’. If you’re a diehard fan of historical, or vampire, or contemporary romance , or even my fav :o) romantic suspense, what does it take to compel you to wander outside of your ‘sweet zone’ and try either a new author or a new subgenre? Is it reviews posted on line? Word of mouth? Appearances on best-seller lists? Advertising? Suggestions from our wonderful Sue?
Additionally, I’m wondering if anthologies that feature multiple stories by multiple authors have ever introduced you to a new author you wouldn’t have tried had it not been for one of your favorite authors also participating in the collection.
I’m asking specifically because on September 28th, Pocket books is releasing a romantic suspense anthology entitled DEADLY PROMISES which is headlined by Sherrilyn Kenyon and Dianna Love, but which also features novellas by Rita award winner Laura Griffin and (drum roll please) ME. :o)
DEADLY PROMISES is a collection of 3 novellas that feature a hot hunky hero from Sherrilyn and Dianna’s B.A.D. series (JUST BAD ENOUGH), a totally amazing Navy S.E.A.L. from Laura’s UN series (UNSTOPABLE) and a sexy CIA agent and unofficial B.O.I. (LEAVE NO TRACE) from my Black Ops. Inc. series. (Sidebar: I’ve read both Sherrilyn and Dianna’s and Laura’s novellas and they totally rock! So I’m really excited about the upcoming release)
So, please be honest. When you buy an anthology, do you read only the novella by your favorite author or do you read (or at least try to read) all the stories in the collection? Or do you even buy anthologies and if not, why not?
I’m also wondering if you have you ever stumbled upon a ‘favorite new’ author as the result of buying an anthology that featured one of your auto-buy authors in the collection.
That’s it. Not so bad, was it? I’ll have Sue pick one name from the comments and send you an advance readers copy (very rare!!) of DEADLY PROMISES so you can read it over a month in advance of its official release date. Thanks everyone – oh and if you have any specific questions for me about anything feel free to ask away. I’ll be happy to answer.
Many hugs
Cindy

Congrats to all — thanks for blogging with us at Borders True Romance — don’t forget to check out our 2 new pages for Sue’s Must Reads & our famous True Romance Videos!

& our Shopping Guide is updated so ck it out to make sure you don’t miss any new release romances!

Now, if you’re a winner, contact SueG - sgrimsha@bordersgroupinc.com & we’ll get you your prize — ready?

Sunday - Pamela Palmers winner is JoannaT

Monday - reminder to enter Kira’s sweepstakes - If you’d like a chance to win the gold vermeil necklace featured on the cover of Captured by Desire, come to www.glynnis.net/KiraMorgan and enter my monthly sweepstakes!

Tuesday - reminder of Mariah’s Drawing - I’m running a drawing on my website for a Bloomsbury Bookbag from Levengers (one of my favorite on-line places!). Everyone who emails me through my website between now and August 13 will have their name tossed into the hat. The drawing will be on August 14, and the winner will be notified by email.

Wednesday - CJ’s winner is Caitie

Thursday - Deborah’s winners - Karen W; Marlene B; DianaT; Estella; Kelly

Friday winners of Sue’s Stash are LynnR; Natalie; Santa; CherylC; JenniferR

& Saturday with JaneP - Sharon; Emmanuelle; Kris; ToniA; Marilyn

& now, line up for this week is:

ROMCON MANIA! Yes, Readers Crown Winners will be your featured posts this week, beginning with:

Sunday - Sophia Nash

Monday - Sandra Hill

Tuesday - Jory Strong

Wednesday - Cindy Gerard

Thursday - Jennifer Ashley

Friday - Robyn DeHart

Saturday - Mary Sullivan

Giveaways every day so stop on buy to meet new authors, or your current fav’s, or a chance to win a romance book!

Thanks for blogging — Happy Romance, SueG