trueromance

“The Amoveo Legacy”

Setting: Present day on the misty summer shores of Rhode Island.
Subgenre: Paranormal Romance
Hero: Malcolm Drew
Heroine: Samantha Logan

One sentence summary: The Amoveo People an ancient race of dream-walking, telepathic, shape shifters, made up of ten different animal clans, whose very existence depends on finding their one true soul-mate.

Scene you like most and would never cut: My absolute favorite scene is when Samantha and Malcolm come face to face for the first time. She’s spinning around in her new art studio with pure, childlike joy. Although the freedom of the moment is fleeting, it’s a crucial experience for both of them.

Thing your heroine would never be caught dead doing/saying: Samantha would never be caught dead belonging to a Country Club. She’s a no nonsense woman who has no interest in social climbing. It’s the complete opposite of everything she believes in.

What celebrity is your hero like: Alexander Skarsgaard—from “True Blood”. He’d be absolutely perfect to portray Malcolm. His hair would have to be a deeper auburn but the build is spot on. Yummy.

What celebrity is your heroine like: I’d have to say a younger Jennifer Aniston.

What is your heroine’s occupation, or if unemployed, what should she be doing: She is an artist but like most artists makes her living as a waitress.

What is your hero’s occupation, or if unemployed, what should he be doing: He runs the family Import/Export business—trading primarily between the USA and Italy.

What you think readers will like best about this book: I think Samantha is a heroine that most women can relate to. She’s a beautifully flawed woman with a familiar set of insecurities.

The person that readers want you to write about but you haven’t yet: I dropped a few crumbs about Dante and Kerry in Book 1. I’ve been getting emails about a possible romance between the two of them. I hope readers will hang on until Book 2 comes out…I don’t think they’ll be disappointed.

What’s next: What’s next? Ah…that is the Million Dollar Question. Book 2: Amoveo Heart is finished and I am currently working on Book 3 in the series. I hope that readers will hang in there and check back to my website—from time to time– so they can find out what’s going on with this unique species of shifters.

Additionally, my favorite charity to support is ASMBA-STAR—a great charity for Vets and their families. Each year I donate a portion of my book proceeds to ASMBA-STAR. As a matter of fact, I have unique contest running all summer long for US Military Families.
How do you enter?

Send an email to sarataneyhumphreys@hotmail.com with a picture of you and your family member in uniform. Tell us a bit about what branch he/she serves in, where you’ve been stationed, challenges you’ve faced, experiences you cherish, and so forth.

2nd Annual Military Families Contest:

Once a week, beginning Memorial Day weekend, Sara will choose one entrant to be highlighted on her blog. These weekly entrants are contest semi-finalists. Three winners will be selected over the Labor Day weekend, with prizes awarded as follows:

Second Prize: A $25 Amazon Gift Card, a signed copy of “The Amoveo Legacy” and a Team Amoveo T-Shirt.

First Prize: A $50 Amazon Gift Card, a signed copy of “The Amoveo Legacy” and a Team Amoveo T-Shirt.

Grand Prize: A book signing event at their local bookstore with the winner as Sara’s special guest of honor; FIVE free signed copies of “The Amoveo Legacy” (1 for them and 4 of their friends); a $100 Amazon Gift card and a Team Amoveo T-Shirt.

Spread the word about this contest. You can support our veterans and their families by purchasing a copy of “The Amoveo Legacy” or by donating directly to the ASMBA STAR Foundation.

Thank you for your support and for your service to our country!
Read my article about in contest in The Huffington Post

You can go to http://sarataneyhumphreys.com and click on CONTESTS to find out more! Do you have a family member who serves in our Military? If so…tell me about them! I’d love to hear their story.

My apologies for the late winner’s post — I thought I had everything up & ready to roll for late Sunday release however, that was obviously not the case However, you’re going to get more than you bargained for because now you are not only going to find out who last weeks winners were . . . but . . . I’m going to tell you about ROMCON! & anyone, who comments today will be included in a random drawing for one copy of WATERBOUND by Christine Feehan! Thanks for your patience - you know the program, email SueG, sgrimsha@bordersgroupinc.com with your snail mail so we can get you your winnings!

&, the winners R . . . .

Sunday - Kate’s Winner is Mary

Monday- Jennifer Ashley’s winner - Stacy Smith

Tuesday - Shiloh’s winners - LindaH; SueA; SaraC; BarbaraE; TheresaN

Wednesday - Patricia’s winners - EllannaBeth

Thursday - JoAnn’s winners - Janet; KarenH; Ranearia

Friday - Shannon - Harlequin Series - Beth; MaryK; MelK

Saturday - Sharon’s winner - Sue Brandes

Congratulations everyone!

Don’t miss this weeks Blogger Line Up:

* Monday:Eileen Dryer
* Tuesday: Dee Davis
* Wednesday: Amanda Scott
* Thursday: Jeaniene Frost
* Friday: Shannon
* Saturday: Cynthia Roberts

Now, ROMCON recap:

ROMCON Rocked! We stayed at the beautiful Crowne Plaza in Denver just down the road from the airport. The rooms were great, service fine but the WIFI sucked & that is why my Winners post is late That is my story & I’m sticking to it.

The entire trip was a whirlwind — flew in late Thursday, had dinner & went to bed! Friday AM we started filming Borders True Romance Blog & that went very well — our film crew consisted of Keith, Pat & Kristen, our rockin’ producer — these people are seasoned professionals. The authors were great — Christine Feehan is the most gracious woman I know — I love her books as much as her! Don’t miss WATER BOUND, in stores 7/27; Elizabeth Hoyt stopped by, Elizabeth Boyle & Julia Quinn too. Brenda Novak made an appearance; Susan Mallery & more — can’t wait to get the video’s up for you to view! After all of the interviews I checked in with our fabulous bookstore, Jeff, Wanda & team & they had everything you’d want to buy & more! Dinner was fab with keynote speaker, Lori Foster!

The Readers Crown Awards were then announced . . . & the winners are:

Sophia Nash- Four Dukes and a Devil
Sandra Hill - VIKING HEAT
Jory Strong - Ghostland
Jennifer Ashley- The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie
Robyn DeHart - Seduce Me
Mary Sullivan - No Ordinary Cowboy
Abby Gaines - The Groom Came Back
Carly Phillips - Lucky Break
Livia Dare - In The Flesh
Cindy Gerard - Whisper No Lies
Sheri WhiteFeather - Protecting Their Baby
S. J. Day - Eve of Darkness

Congrats to all these lucky ladies!

Saturday was just as eventful with workshops, filming & fun! Borders awards were given out at dinner Saturday evening, & our winners are:

Bestselling Historical Romance - Mary Balogh

Bestselling Contemporary Romance - Susan Mallery

Bestselling Multicultural Romance - Brenda Jackson

Bestselling Paranormal Romance - Gena Showalter

Bestselling Romantic Suspense - Jayne Ann Krentz

Greatest Sales Growth Achievement - Robyn Carr

I had a wonderful time, met lots of wonderful authors & hope to see you all in Denver for ROMCON 2011!

Pictures from Dear Author:
Anna Campbell & Nalini Singh (love their accents!)

Elizabeth Boyle (what a sweetie!)

Elizabeth Hoyt & Carolyn Jewel

ROMCON Book Store by Borders (Jeffrey & Wanda ROCKED!)

FORBIDDEN ROSE:
Cover blurb:
Marguerite de Fleurignac, once a glittering aristocrat, is on the run disguised as Maggie Duncan, British governess. William Doyle, England’s top spy, has a cunning plot to foil and a score to settle with the de Fleurignacs. When he pulls Maggie from the charred ruins of her chateau, he knows her for what she is — the final, dangerous flower of a noble line. As they’re drawn inexorably into the intrigue and madness of Revolutionary Paris, they gamble on a love to which neither of them will admit. When the dance of deception and desire is over, which one of them will betray the other?

Setting: Paris. But this is the Paris of the Terror. In France it was Year Two of the Revolution, the month of Thermidor. For the rest of us, it was July 1794.

Subgenre: Historical Romance.

Hero: William Doyle, spy. They call him the best field agent in Europe. He’s not the enemy you’d pick if you have any choice in the matter. Unfortunately for Maggie, he’s in France hunting de Fleurignacs.

Heroine: Marguerite de Fleurignac. Maggie. When the Revolution turns bloodthirsty, Maggie puts her life on the line to save the innocent.

One sentence summary: An English spy and a French patriot meet in the chaos of the Revolution . . . hoping they can stay alive long enough to fall in love.

Scene you like most and would never cut:
Well . . . there’s that scene in the fashionable public baths of Paris. Maggie’s meeting a fellow conspirator. To make it look like an assignation — instead of a secret conspiracy — they strip down a bit. He’s unbuttoning his shirt. She’s wearing nothing but a thin linen bathrobe.
And Doyle walks in.

Thing your heroine would never be caught dead doing/saying:
“Of course. We’ll do it your way.”

What celebrity is your hero like?
I’d like to compare Doyle to Odysseus; tough, canny, and practical. Unwaveringly loyal. In all his wanderings, he’s always headed home.
But talking ‘celebrity’ . . . I thought about this for a while and asked around and spent some time looking at pictures on the web. You know, there are some really cool actor guys out there.
I decided Doyle might maybe look a bit like Bruce Willis. You do not get much more forthrightly tough than Bruce Willis. You get a feeling of integrity and grit.

What celebrity is your heroine like?
And for Maggie? Maybe Jessica Biel. That’s an actress who’s not so much ‘pretty’ — Maggie isn’t ‘pretty’ — but who has great appeal. I see her as capable of toughness, but with an underlying vulnerability.

What is your heroine’s occupation, or if unemployed, what should she be doing:
Maggie’s an aristocrat right down to the tip of her fingers. To her, that means taking care of folks . . . and running their lives. Wherever she found herself, she’d just naturally walk up front and start organizing.

What is your hero’s occupation, or if unemployed, what should he be doing:
William Doyle is born to be a spy. As Maggie would put it — ‘his work is to travel about, poking and prying into the affairs of the world; to bring balance to the fate of nations and spin peace out of his own strength.’
If he hadn’t been an Eighteenth Century spy, I could see him as a wily diplomat.

What you think readers will like best about this book:
I hope they like my people. My Maggie and Doyle. My secondary couple, Adrian and Justine..
I’ve tried to create a sense of Paris in this time and place, as if the city itself were another character in the story. You know, the first thing the British did when there was a lull in the fighting was go visit Paris. They loved that city. And this historical period — the French Revolution — is just fascinating. It surely does liven up politics if you don’t just get your argument cut off. You also get your head cut off, too.

The person that readers want you to write about but you haven’t yet? What’s next?
Ah. That would be Adrian. I do not know why, but many folks say they want to read his story.
So let’s do this. Adrian is a strong secondary character in Forbidden Rose. All right, he’s about twelve which means he’s not quite a Romantic hero, but he’s still Adrian. And the next book, as yet unnamed, is Adrian’s.

I write about writing and a writer’s life at my blog
http://jobourne.blogspot.com/
Drop my anytime to say hello.

When I was imagining my Maggie and Doyle, I knew exactly what they looked like. Do readers want to see one picture that says — This is Maggie. This is Doyle.
Or would you rather imagine the faces for yourself? Does the cover image bring the story to life? Or is it just disconcerting when the hero or heroine don’t fit the ones you’ve created in your mind?
Do you have a favorite book where the cover model made you grit your teeth and say, “No. That is not what he looks like?’
I’ll be offering copies of Forbidden Rose to three folks randomly chosen from the comment trail.

DARK DECEPTIONS
Setting: Colorado, New York, Cyprus
Subgenre: Romantic Suspense
Hero: Nash Brennon
Heroine: Annie Gallagher

One sentence summary: Bold, bad ass, and seemingly bulletproof, the men and women of A-Tac are charged with keeping America safe.

Scene you like most and would never cut: The book opens in the past, when Nash and Annie were partners and lovers. The scene starts with the two of them indulging in a little alone time, and ends with an enemy’s attack and the two of them working in tandem to save their lives. The scene wasn’t in the original version of the book. It was added after my agent suggested that we needed to know Annie and Nash from the very beginning-even though in the present day they don’t actually come together until later in the book. The opening was my answer to that concern and I really do think it works beautifully. (That said, I also love the climbing scene in Cyprus toward the end of the book—talk about living vicariously)

Thing your heroine would never be caught dead doing/saying: “I need your help.” Although Annie does eventually say it, she does so through gritted teeth, her only attempt at trusting someone—Nash—ended in disaster. And she’s learned the hard way that she functions better on her own.

What celebrity is your hero like: People always ask this question and for me it’s almost impossible to answer. I just don’t think that way. The men I write are real to me. So it’s like asking who my husband resembles. But I do find Clive Owen, Pierce Brosnan, and Sean Connery irresistible. So that probably says a lot!

What celebrity is your heroine like: Again, not usually good at this question but Annie is a fiery red-head – so I can actually do this one. A young Julianne Moore.

What is your heroine’s occupation, or if unemployed, what should she be doing: Annie is ex-CIA, a trained assassin,but her main purpose in life at the moment is raising her son, and protecting him from the shadowy world of espionage she’s inhabited for so long.

What is your heroes occupation, or if unemployed, what should he be doing: Nash is career CIA. The second in command of the American Tactical Intelligence Command which is made up of the best and the brightest gathered together to deal with the intelligence community’s most difficult operations, under the guise of an ivy league college and the professors who work there.

What you think readers will like best about this book: The book is a fast moving thriller with a second chance for love at its core. 24 with two people who have lost everything but are able find each again against all the odds.

The person that readers want you to write about but you haven’t yet: Harrison Blake from the Last Chance Series. And readers are going to get their wish. Harrison appears in the third A-Tac book, Desperate Deeds, coming out in August and I think he’s going to be hanging around for a while. Look for more of him in 2011 and 2012 and the next three A-Tac books.

What’s next:
Dangerous Desires, Drake’s book, is coming out in July. And Desperate Deeds, Tyler’s book, is coming out in August. And as I said there will be three more A-Tac books coming in 2011 and 2012.

So obviously, I love suspense novels. Who are some of your favorite romantic suspense authors? Or better yet, who are some of your favorite characters in romantic suspense????
One randomly chosen commenter will win an autographed copy of Endgame - Good Luck!
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Breath of Heaven, by Cindy Holby

Setting: Medieval England
Subgenre: historical romance with fantasy elements
Hero: Rhys De Remy
Heroine: Eliane Chandler

One sentence summary: A knight who has known honor but never love enters into an arranged marriage with a huntress with a closely guarded secret.

Scene you like most and would never cut: Oh there is so many.If I could choose only one I would say the scene where Rhys see’s Eliane for the first time. It really defines both of the characters even though it is seen through his eyes.

Thing your heroine would never be caught dead doing/saying: Does this bow and quiver full of arrows make my butt look big?

What celebrity is your hero like: I think with any other book I could have answered this question because usually I have someone in mind. But with this story I am stumped for both of them They just are Rhys and Eliane, fully formed in my mind and hopefully in yours too as you read.

What is your heroines occupation, or if unemployed, what should she be doing: Guardian of Aubregate and all the secrets within its forest.

What is your heroes occupation, or if unemployed, what should he be doing: Honorable knight and ladies man.

What you think readers will like best about this book: I’m hoping the sensuality. This is the first time I’ve ever written sexy. I also hope they love the relationship between Rhys and Eliane. The story is about two people finding each other and how their love develops.

The person that readers want you to write about but you haven’t yet: Zander. Zander was to be the next book in my Star series but it has yet to happen. Also Marcus from the Wind books and the next generation of the Duncan family from the Wind books.

What’s next: That’s a good question. I’m trying to decide that right now. I would love to write a contemporary. Also do more YA’s. I’ve got several books in the works and will just have to see what happens and move forward from there.

I’ve mixed genre’s in this book. A historical with a fantasy element. Would love to know if the readers enjoy that type of surprise in a story.

Giveaways will be chosen randomly!

Happy Romance!!

MASK OF THE BETRAYER
Book one in the sequel series

Setting: Red Rock Canyon, Nevada, present day

Subgenre: suspense/thriller

Hero: Diego Santiago

Heroine: Margot Montgomery

Villain: Michael DeVeccio

One sentence synopsis: When the whispers in the night, the whispers of her lover, are the whispers of a killer, will Margot escape before she becomes the next victim?

Scene you like most and would never cut: There are actually three scenes that I wouldn’t dream of cutting

Scene one: a masquerade in the grand ballroom of the DeVeccio mansion on New Year’s Eve. At the stroke of midnight, all the lights go out during a blackout. Zorro is the bell of the ball, dancing footloose and fancy free with every man at the party. But when the lights go out, one of the masked guests thrusts the Zorro sword straight through her heart and props her up in a satin-lined coffin.
A scream cuts through the manor, bringing in a stampede of drunken masqueraders. Out of morbid curiosity, they touch the corpse, track blood, and break into utter chaos. When Michael DeVeccio identifies the victim as his ex-wife, Margot takes off her rose-colored glasses and sees the man behind the mask.

Scene two: Caught between duty and desire, Detective Diego Santiago tries to keep a distance from Margot, the woman he has fallen hopelessly in love with while investigating the serial killings. Although he’d bet his badge the killer is Michael DeVeccio, Margot’s husband, he can’t prove a thing. Frustrated, he writes a love song “My Sweet Margarita” and strums it on his flamenco guitar. This scene really pulled at my heart strings.

Scene three: When Santiago teaches Margot how to use a gun to defend herself. In a trap to catch a killer, he sends her into a lion’s den and berates himself. The departing kiss they share sizzles with passion, knowing it may be their last. Afterwards, silence hovers between them, knowing the one thing they want most is the one thing they may never have.

Thing your heroine would never be caught dead doing/saying: When Margot marries billionaire tycoon Michael DeVeccio after a whirlwind romance, she never dreams anything would come between them. But when she realizes she is married to a demented psychopath, a serial killer, she turns to Diego Santiago, the homicide cop investigating her husband and finds her destiny, her soulmate, her one true love.

What celebrity is your hero like: No one comes to mind, but I’ll do a character sketch of Detective Diego Santiago:
Part Spanish and part Navaho Indian, mahogany hair pulled back in a ponytail, dark, brooding eyes, muscular body of medium height, fiercely determined with a “Don’t mess with me attitude”, soft voice with steely edge, bound and determined to prove billionaire tycoon Michael DeVeccio, the arrogant billionaire tycoon with brilliant blue eyes and not a hair out of place is the killer.
What celebrity is your heroine like: If I had to compare Margot to a celebrity, Julie Roberts comes to mind. Margot is a green-eyed strawberry blonde, polished and sophisticated, poised and elegant, a woman who has no idea what she is made of until push comes to shove. In a race against time, she must outwit a madman who is master at the game of deception.

What is your heroine’s occupation or if unemployed, what should she be doing: Margot is head curator for an art museum. But once she marries Michael DeVeccio, he lays down the house rules. Her only job is to keep him happy and produce his son, the heir to his vast domain. And if she fails, she’ll be the next victim with a blade in her throat and a death mask on her corpse…

What is your hero’s occupation: Detective Diego Santiago is a homicide cop for the Las Vegas Police Department. Deep in the foothills of Red Rock Canyon, a serial killer stalks. He leaves his signature—a skull mask on the corpse. But when the homicide cop realizes the crimes are the reenactment of a case never solved ten years ago–all fingers point to Michael DeVeccio.

What you think readers will like most about this book: I hope they will feel Margot’s pain, the unquestionable courage it took to hang onto her own sanity, and the sheer torture of living with a madman in a seemingly no win situation. From a psychological point of view, I want readers to get a glimpse into Michael’s twisted mind and feel a pang of sorrow for the reasons that led to his insanity. What is it about serial killers that hold such a macabre fascination? Why are readers drawn to them and want to read all about them to learn what makes them tick? Is their disturbed psyche stemming from something so dark in their childhood that they have dissociated in order to block it out? But mostly, I want readers to cheer for Margot and Diego to outwit the killer so they can share in the happily-ever-after. I must warn you, though. Mask of the Betrayer, book one in the sequel, ends with a cliff hanger. So my biggest hope is that readers will anticipate the sequel.

The person that readers want you to write about but you haven’t yet: Sophia Andretti, Margot’s best friend. She’s zany, as loud and rambunctious as Margot is quiet and sophisticated. Her quirky sense of humor cracks me up. She adds spice and fun to the story.

What’s next: The sequel is halfway done. That’s all I’m saying without giving the ending of book one away!

Now for the fun part! Answer any or all of the following questions for a chance to win an autographed copy of Mask of the Betrayer. I look forward to reading your comments. Thanks for having me as your guest today, Sue! It’s been loads of fun.

QUESTIONS: If you realized the man you had just married was a serial killer, what would you do? Do you have a knight in shining armor story in real life? What was your favorite romantic suspense/thriller of all times? If you discovered your engagement ring, a gorgeous rose-shaped rock surrounded by emeralds was the same ring your fiance had given to two other women, what would you do? Did I mention both women fell victim to the demented serial killer stalking the foothills of Red Rock Canyon?

To read an excerpt of Mask of the Betrayer, visit my website. And don’t forget to sign up for my newsletter and enter my Zorro Contest.
www.sharonadonovan.com

Setting: The fictional Lost Nugget Ranch in Gold Fever, Montana. Present day.
Subgenre: Contemporary romance - Western.
Hero: Jesse McCord
Heroine: Amy Parrish

One sentence summary:
After the death of his beloved grandfather, Jesse McCord must adapt to the presence of two cousins who decide to remain on the family ranch to search for the legendary lost fortune, as well as the presence of his first love Amy Parrish, who, years earlier, broke his heart when she left town without a word.

Scene you like most and would never cut:
I love a scene between Jesse and Amy on her porch at night. In town he learned that her father is seriously ill and he has come to offer sympathy. After some awkwardness, they kiss, but instead of this leading to a love scene as he would like, this tough cowboy realizes that what she needs is tenderness. And though it costs him dearly, he fights back lust to give her what she needs. She falls asleep in his arms on the porch swing, and wakes in the dawn light with a new awareness of Jesse, and he of her.

Thing your heroine would never be caught dead doing/saying:
Asking for help. She is determined to be an independent woman.

What celebrity is your hero like:
An early Clint Eastwood. Tough, brash, always ready to fight or to love. And though Colin Farrell could never be thought of as a cowboy, he’s tough enough and cocky enough to play Jesse.

What celebrity is your heroine like:
I think Kristin Bell. Sweet, pretty, but tough enough to hold her own against our hero.

What is your heroine’s occupation, or if unemployed, what should she be doing:
Amy is a teacher

What is your hero’s occupation, or if unemployed, what should he be doing:
Jesse is a hard-working rancher

What you think readers will like best about this book:
Well rounded, believable characters, plenty of danger and sexual tension. And, of course, cowboys.

The person that readers want you to write about but you haven’t yet:
I can’t think of any particular character, but I hope my readers will want more Western romances from me. Of course, I’m also asked often about writing more Scots Highlanders. I guess readers never get enough of rugged, independent, sexy heroes.

What’s next:
Book 2 MONTANA DESTINY (Wyatt’s story) in May, and Book 3 MONTANA GLORY, (Zane’s story), in Nov. I think my readers are going to be really pleased with the rest of this trilogy.

Also, I write an annual novella with pals Nora Roberts writing as J D Robb, Mary Blayney, Patricia Gaffney and Mary Kay McComas. This year’s novella, to be released in November, is entitled THE OTHER SIDE. My story, ALMOST HEAVEN, is quite a change, and so much fun. I hope my readers agree.

What is it about cowboys that causes such a stir among readers? I’ve noticed that my readers are really happy with my return to the Western. Personally, I can’t think of anything much sexier than a rugged cowboy. I’d appreciate hearing what readers think.

GIVEAWAY: 2 Randomly chosen commenters below will win a Free book — good luck!

Visit Ruth at www.ryanlangan.com

Setting: El Salvador
Subgenre: Romantic action adventure Suspense
Hero: Wyatt – Papa Bear - Savage
Heroine: Sophie Baylor

One sentence summary:
Scene you like most and would never cut:
I wrote a short flashback scene in this book that took Wyatt and Sophie back to the time they first met. I LOVE this scene as it shows a younger, gentler, more romantic side to Wyatt that even I hadn’t expected to find inside him.

Thing your heroine would never be caught dead doing/saying:
“Yes, I’d love to jump off that cliff.” :o0

What celebrity is your hero like:
I loved the TV series, The Unit – especially the first year episodes. Scott Foley played Bob Brown in that series. He was the ultimate warrior, husband, and passionate lover.

What celebrity is your heroine like:
A combo of Juliana Margulies’ character, Alicia Florrick on The Good Wife, and Kira Sedgwick’s character, Dept Chief Brenda Johnson in The Closer. Both of those women have warrior hearts but epitomize femininity and strong moral character.

What is your heroine’s occupation, or if unemployed, what should she be doing:
Sophie is the administrator of a school she established in San Salvador that offers scholarships to underprivileged El Salvadorian children.

What is your hero’s occupation, or if unemployed, what should he be doing:
Wyatt is a covert operative for the private securities firm, Black Ops., Inc. He’s former CIA and a former member of an elite team, Task Force Mercy where he served with his other BOI members.

What you think readers will like best about this book:
Personally, I love the romance in this book because reunion romances are my favorite to read and to write. I’m hoping my readers will like it too. In addition, there are very high stakes in this book – a child’s life is in danger – and the action and adventure are off the charts. Many of the Black Ops, Inc. team make appearances and I always hear from my readers that they love catching up with the boys.

The person that readers want you to write about but you haven’t yet:
Hands down, it’s Luke – Doc Holliday – Colter. He’s the slow talking, easy going team medic with an irreverent sense of humor and tons of cowboy charm. I’m writing Doc’s book right now so hopefully, I’ll deliver a story everyone wants. So far, I’m loving it :o)

What’s next:
After Risk No Secrets this month, next up is DEADLY PROMISES, a romantic suspense anthology featuring Sherrilyn Kenyon and Laura Griffin. My story, LEAVE NO TRACE, features a secondary character we all met in Whisper No Lies when the team traveled to Jakarta on the trail of a Human Trafficking ring. Known only as Cavanaugh, this CIA operative just had to have his own story and he gets it in LEAVE NO TRACE.

I’d love to hear what kind of heroes and heroines endear themselves most in reader’s hearts. Conversely, what behaviors will have you slapping a book shut and slamming it against the wall? Or, in the case of e-books, powering down and NOT going back to that book. Make sure you comment because 2 of you will be selected at random to receive an autographed book of your choice from my list.

SEX & THE SINGLE EARL

Setting: Bath, England
Sub-genre: Regency-set historical
Hero: Simon St. James, 5th Earl of Trask
Heroine: Sophie Stanton

One Sentence Summary: Sophie wants to save the world, and Simon wants to buy it.

Scene you like most, and would never cut: The ending. Simon grovels before Sophie in public in order to prove how much he loves her, and he still manages to come off as both funny and sexy.

Thing your heroine would never be caught dead saying: “I could never do anything like that. What would people think?”

What celebrity is your hero like? Christian Bale: I see Simon as similar to his character in Batman — tough, smart, relentless, driven. And the muscles. Can we talk about muscles?

What is your heroine like? Naomi Watts: I love Naomi. She seems like the essence of sweetness without being sappy or dumb. And pretty without being flat-out model gorgeous. That’s how I see Sophie: sweet, smart, and everybody’s best friend.

What is your heroine’s occupation? If unemployed, what should she be doing? Sophie is a daughter of the aristocracy and a lady of reluctant leisure. She should be doing charity work. In modern terms, she should be a social worker.

What is your hero’s occupation: Simon is an earl, and a businessman.

What do you think readers will like best about this book: Simon’s unexpected and disconcerting fall into an all-consuming, crazy-making love for Sophie.

The person that readers want you to write about, but you haven’t yet: The two characters readers really wanted me to write about were Simon and Sophie, so now they’re getting their wish!

What’s next: My third book is another Regency-set historical. The heroine in that book is the villainess in Sex And The Single Earl, and her hero is someone who is totally unexpected.

Question: I’m always interested in finding out what kind of Regency story readers like to read. How dark is too dark? And can you ever put your heroine in too much danger?

GIVEAWAY! 3 books to random commenter’s below!

Nothing But Trouble, by Rachel Gibson
Setting: Contemporary Seattle
Subgenre: Contemporary single title
Hero: Mark Bressler
Heroine: Chelsea Ross

One sentence summary: Irascible hockey player meets tenacious out of work actress.

Scene you like most and would never cut: The scene when the hero finds out that the heroine is not a home health care worker but an out of work actress sent by his hockey team to baby sit him.

Thing your heroine would never be caught dead doing/saying: Well, she thinks she would never be caught dead having a sexual relationship with her employer. Of course, she’s never worked for any man as hot as Mark or any man as maddening as he is tempting.

What celebrity is your hero like: When I think of Mark, I think of Hugh Jackman in the X-Men series. Really hot and angry.

What celebrity is your heroine like: She’s kind of a blonde Alyson Hannigan. Unconventionally pretty with a really fun personality.

What is your heroines occupation, or if unemployed, what should she be doing: Chelsea Ross is a personal assistant/actress. She’s never had a big break and has to settle for walk-on parts in soap operas and slasher movies. Usually playing slutty girl number. The first to get the axe, literally.

What is your heroes occupation, or if unemployed, what should he be doing: For six years Mark Bressler was the Captain of the Seattle Chinook’s hockey team. His whole life he has dreamed of winning the Stanley Cup. Just as the play-offs season is set to begin, he is in a car accident that ends his career. He watches his team win the Stanley Cup without him.

What you think readers will like best about this book: I think readers will like the interaction between Mark and Chelsea. He’s tough and angry and wants her out of his life. She’s used to dealing with difficult stars and isn’t intimidated by him.

The person that readers want you to write about but you haven’t yet: I actually get lots of emails with lots of different requests for the stories of secondary characters. The most requested is Lily from Daisy’s Back In Town. Lily is Daisy’s sister and was going through a rough divorce. People want to know what happened to her. Also, Dixie from True Confessions. Which always shocks me because Dixie wasn’t all that likeable a character.

What’s next: The next book is hockey player Sam LeClaire’s story. He’s arrogant and cocky and is forced to deal with an angry woman from his dark past. After Sam’s story, I’m not sure. I like to play around with different plots and themes. I know that I am a huge sucker for secret-baby books. Some readers really hate them. I also like man-from-the-past plots.

I’d be really interested in hear what plots and themes readers like most. Comment below & three commenters will be randomly chosen to win, NOTHING BUT TROUBLE - good luck!

AND MORE!!!