trueromance

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

Time certainly flies! I just celebrated my 15 years at Borders & we’ve turned over our first year with Borders True Romance Blog! How exciting is that?

To celebrate, I would love to hear from you all what you like about our blog; what you think we could do better; & what you totally hate - k? Be honest — I can take it This site is for all of us to enjoy & it is important to me that you like visiting as much as I do! So leave your comments below - Thank you!

Now for our winners - congratulations to all!

Carly Phillips Winner 4 Sunday is April; & Sue’s Stash Winner is Rachel C

Livia Dare’s Monday winners are Kate Marcille; Lisa Alexander Griffin

Sheri Whitefeather’s Tuesday Winners are Zina; Cories; Susan Leech

SJ Day’s Winner Is on Wednesday, Diane Sadler

Thursday Winner with Abby Gaines is Maree Anderson

Friday Winners are for Alexandra Ivy Jenny is her winner; & Sue’s Stash winners are: Anne; Cynthia N

**Remember, if you are a Sue’s Stash winner you must live in the US.

Now, for next week — come visit us & meet:

Sunday w/Brenda Novak

Monday with Susan Sizemore

Tuesday is ME! Today is a BIG romance release week & I’ve got a list of books I think you’ll want to buy . . . .

Wednesday with Sue & her Book Report!

Thursday with Michelle Willingham

Friday with Anne Marsh

& Saturday with the lovely, one & only, Teresa Medeiro’s - Devil Wears Plaid

Thanks again for being part of Borders True Romance Community — see U soon!

SueG

ENJOY : )

ROYAL MOCHA CHOCOLATE CHIP CHEESECAKE

Ingredients:
2 (8 oz.) pkg. cream cheese, softened
2/3 c. sugar
3 T. coffee liqueur
2 eggs
1 c. mini semi-sweet chocolate chips, divided
1 ready-to-use chocolate cookie crumb pie crust

For Garnish:
Whipped cream
Instant coffee crystals

Directions:
Mix cream cheese, sugar and coffee liqueur at medium speed with electric mixer until well blended. Add eggs; mix until blended. Stir in 1/2 cup of the chips. Pour into crust. Sprinkle with remaining 1/2 c. chips. Bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes or until center is almost set. Cool. Refrigerate three hours or overnight.

Garnish with thick, sweet whipped cream sprinkled lightly with instant coffee crystals.

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Chicken & Broccoli Casserole

2 chicken breasts, cooked and cubed
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 cup grated cheddar cheese
1 pkg. (10 - 16 oz.) frozen broccoli, thawed & drained
Durkey’s French fried onions
1 egg
1 cup Bisquick
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup cheese

Mix together chicken, soup, 1 cup of cheese, and broccoli,
Spread in 8×12 casserole dish or equivalent. Sprinkle fried
onions on top. Mix together egg, Bisquick, and milk. Pour
over top of casserole. Sprinkle remaining cheese on top.

Bake at 425º for 30 minutes.

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Coconutty Oatmeal Cookies
1 cup shortening
1 cup sugar
1 cup packed brown sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups old fashioned oats
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
2 cups flaked coconut
1 cup chopped walnuts (or pecans)

In large mixing bowl, cream shortening and sugars. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in the vanilla. Combine the flour, oats, baking powder, baking soda, and salt; gradually add to creamed mixture and mix well. Stir in coconut and walnuts.

Drop by rounded tablespoonfuls 3 inches apart onto greased baking sheets. Flatten slightly. Bake at 350 for 11-14 minutes or until golden brown. Cool for 2 minutes before removing to wire racks. Store in an airtight container. Yield 5 ½ dozen.

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Beef and Cabbage Soup

1 1/2 pounds lean ground beef
1/2 head medium cabbage, rough-chopped
2 ribs celery, sliced
1 large onion, rough-chopped
1 (16 ounce) can kidney beans
1 (28 ounce) can diced tomatoes
1 (32 ounce) carton beef broth
1/2 tsp garlic powder
several bay leaves
salt and pepper to taste

Brown ground beef and drain. In a large stock pot, combine remaining ingredients and add ground beef. Bring to a boil, stirring frequently. Reduce heat and cover, simmering for one hour or until vegetables are tender. Remove bay leaves before serving.

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Three Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies
Ingredients
1 cup peanut butter
1 cup white sugar
1 egg
Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
Combine the peanut butter, white sugar and egg. Mix until smooth.
Drop spoonfuls of dough onto the prepared baking sheet. Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 6 to 8 minutes. Do not overbake! These cookies are best when they are still soft and just barely brown on the bottoms.
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BROWN SUGAR MEATLOAF

Ingredients:
1 1/2 pounds lean ground beef
1 large onion, chopped
salt to taste
ground black pepper to taste
garlic powder to taste
6 slices white bread, cut into cubes 1/2 cup milk
1 egg
3 tablespoons yellow mustard, divided
1/2 cup ketchup, divided
3 tablespoons brown sugar

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2. In a large bowl, thoroughly mix ground beef, onion, salt, pepper and garlic powder. Mix in bread, milk, egg, 2 tablespoons mustard and 1/4 cup ketchup.
3. Press the meat mixture into a 9×5 inch loaf pan. In a small bowl, stir together remaining mustard, ketchup and brown sugar; pour on top of the meat loaf.
4. Bake in preheated oven for 1 1/2 hours or until done.

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Simply Good Salad

1 small box jello (strawberry, cherry and lime are all good)

1 small can (11 oz) mandarin oranges, well-chilled, undrained

whipped topping

In refrigerator dish, dissolve jello in one cup boiling water. Stir well so that powder is dissolved. Add undrained mandarin oranges and stir until combined. Refrigerate until set. Top with whipped topping to serve.

If desired, you can substitute sugar-free gelatin and sugar-free whipped topping for a “lite” version.

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COOKIES ‘N CREAM PARFAITS

In a tall parfait glass, place one scoop of your favorite ice cream. Crumble some cookies of your choice (good way to use broken pieces), and add enough cookie pieces to cover ice cream. Top with a little of your favorite syrup. Repeat. Top off with whipped cream, nuts, sprinkles, candy, cookie pieces…whatever you like. Just be sure to put a cherry on top : )

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E-Z BEEF FAJITAS: In large skillet, brown one pound ground beef along with 1 coarsely chopped onion and 1 coarsely chopped bell pepper. Drain grease and add one 14.5 oz. can “Mexican Style” diced tomatoes. If desired, add extra cumin, chili powder, red pepper flakes & etc to taste. Heat through, stirring well. Spoon desired amount into center of each pre-warmed tortilla. Top with shredded cheese and sour cream. Fold tortilla to form fajita.

Wow… How on earth do I give the awesomeness of this book justice in my review? I think it’s taken me three hours, at least, to finally think of something to say.

I enjoyed SIN UNDONE. I adored Sin and Con and the dynamics of their relationship. I loved the way Larissa skillfully weaved problem after problem into the book without ever making me sick of all the drama. (Let me tell you, there was a lot. I actually gave a sigh in relief when everything was finally resolved.) And most importantly: I love how Sin’s origins–how she’s the only female Seminus demon–is explained. Yeah, it was brief, but it worked.

But primarily? I adored Sin and Con.

I’ll admit, I was curious about how the two were going to connect as a couple and resolve all their issues. Con had to have issues, otherwise, the pairing wouldn’t have been convincing. Not when Sin’s past was so messed up. In this regard, readers are not let down. Con’s got emotional baggage up the wazoo, just like Sin. It definitely made for an interesting read, that’s for sure.

Unlike other paranormal romance series, Larissa continually reconnected readers with her past couples. That is something I find fairly important while I’m reading. Usually, when I’m reading other series, I start to ask myself questions such as: are these past couples dead? Is the current couple living on a deserted island away from civilization? What the hell happened to the past heroes I used to drool over!?  (okay so maybe I don’t think so much about the first two questions… but the last one is fairly important)  I mean, older characters/couples were painstakingly created, why not bring them back for a quick scene or two? Well, Larissa did that, and so much more. They became an integral part of the storyline… much like every other book in this series.

There was sap with the reunions, yes, and usually sap will make me cringe, but I felt it was necessary for SIN UNDONE… especially because this book was also the end. We, as readers, participated in a family’s journey. First with Eidolon, then with Shade, Wraith, Lore, and finally with Sin. And I must say, the journey was draining, heartbreaking, heartwarming, gut wrenching, holy-shit-I’m-going-to-bite-all-my-nails-off dramatic, sappy, lovey dovey, and AMAZING.

For some reason, though, I wanted to see more fighting in this book. Especially because Sin’s the leader of the Assassin’s Den. I mean, there was a lot of fighting, but I wanted a little bit more. I think it’s because I had a True Blood marathon for three days straight. Right before reading this book… Yeeah.

Oh and before I forget: Luc’s in this story! If you’re like me and you were rooting for this poor were’s HEA, prepare yourselves, because you’re gonna get it.

SIN UNDONE is a stellar finish to a wonderful series that I am somewhat sad to see go. I say somewhat because, while I will miss the Demonica series, I cannot WAIT for Larissa’s spinoff series with the Horsemen of the Apocalypse. If you buy this book, I highly suggest checking out the preview of ETERNAL RIDER, book 1 of the Lords of Deliverance series coming out in March 2011.

As for SIN UNDONE? Well, I already think highly of this series, and Sin and Con’s story is one you would regret missing out on. All five books were definitely worth their price and time.

Overall verdict: 5/5 Stars

I hope you all enjoy this as much as I did!

-Tori
Check out my paranormal book review blog, Book Faery (http://book-faery.blogspot.com/).

Abby Gaines -

Let’s hear it for the heroines

Romance readers have strong views about romance novel heroes. We may not always agree, but we know what we like. (For me: no beards, no guys who need mothering, no one who’s had sex with a thousand women)

Heroines don’t seem to get an equal share of the debate. But when I read a romance, it’s just as important (well, almost) that I like the heroine. Love her, even. After all, she needs to be worthy of that fantastic hero, and I want to be sure she’ll make him as happy as he makes her. Which isn’t going to happen if she’s, say, whiny. Or selfish. Or dull. Or pathetic. Ouch! Of course, one reader’s dull is another reader’s sparkling….

There’s a theory that when you read a romance novel, you “become” the heroine. Subconsciously, you put yourself in her place, experience her trials and her delights. Which makes it all the more important for the heroine to be someone you like.

I like my heroines strong, but with a sweetness of character that reminds the hero just how churlish he’s being. A great heroine knows what she wants and is willing to work for it. Intelligent – very! Honest and principled, too (though she may at some stage have to fake an engagement, pretend her marriage of convenience is for real, or pose as a billionaire’s girlfriend…all in a day’s work for even the most honest heroine). Pretty? Hmm, maybe. When you like someone you tend to think they’re nice-looking, so quantifiable prettiness isn’t essential .

What I don’t want is a perfect heroine: never having a mean thought, always sacrificing ungrudgingly for others, endlessly patient. Those gals just show me up! And as for the heroine who refuses to accept the gorgeous designer dress purchased for her by the super-rich hero…what’s that about? No, my kind of heroine is also a pragmatist…one who likes nice clothes even if she’s not always sure how to choose them.

So who are these non-paragons I love to read about?

Susan Elizabeth Phillips has written a couple of my favorite heroines, Daisy in KISS AN ANGEL and Jane in NOBODY’S BABY BUT MINE. I loved Maggie in Kristan Higgins’ CATCH OF THE DAY, and Callie, the heroine in Higgins’ new book ALL I EVER WANTED, shapes up well in the preview. Karina Bliss wrote a wonderful librarian in WHAT THE LIBRARIAN DID. Liz Talley’s librarian in VEGAS TWO-STEP is also fun. Try BLACK WIDOW BRIDE by Tessa Radley for a heroine who’ll keep you guessing (and cheering). Sandra Hyatt’s Alexia, in HIS BRIDE FOR THE TAKING, wants to be a princess and ends up just that.

Becky Brandon nee Bloomwood (aka SHOPAHOLIC) is a heroine I loved more in the subsequent books than in the first one, but I’ve adored her through five books. Ruth Logan Herne nailed a compassionate do-gooder who was far from perfect in WINTER’S END. Maddy in FLOWERS FROM THE STORM by Laura Kinsale is a long-time favorite of mine and many other readers. Emilie Richards wrote a fun, real woman called Tracy in HAPPINESS KEY.

Georgette Heyer’s heroines deserve a special mention. She wrote so many delightful women (or girls). Warm and funny Arabella and Venetia in the eponymous novels, Mary in DEVIL’S CUB (feistier than the hero could ever have dreamed), wry and creative Hester in SPRIG MUSLIN, courageous Phoebe in Sylvester.

But enough about my preferences. Recommend a great heroine whose story I can add to my To Be Read pile, and one commenter will win a copy of THE GROOM CAME BACK, winner of the short contemporary award in the Readers Crown Contest and available now in Borders stores. The book’s heroine, Callie Summers, married secretly as teenager so she could escape a custody dispute. Now her groom, Dr. Jack Mitchell, has come home for a divorce—and he doesn’t even recognize his own wife! Unlucky for him, Callie has no intention of signing off on that final decree….

Writing Herstory

Hi, all! It’s me (Sylvia Day) again. Back as one of my other selves (Sylvia Day, S. J. Day, Livia Dare).

The idea for the Marked series came to me while I was in the shower. This is actually where a lot of my new ideas begin. Also, when I’m driving. I think this is because my brain goes into standby mode at those times, and my subconscious can take over. Sometimes, it rears its head somewhat ferociously, which is what happened with the Marked series. A scene unfolded in my head and it was so vivid and so different from anything I’d ever written before, I knew I couldn’t stand losing it. I hopped out of the shower with soap still in my hair and dashed off a few paragraphs of notes on my laptop, which was–very luckily–sitting on my bed.

After I finished my shower and got dressed, I sat down with the notes and realized the Marked series begins as a woman’s story, not a couple’s journey. It’s an urban fantasy tale, but it came to me in third person and with multiple points of view–the heroine’s and the two heroes’. There are angels and demons, vampyres and werewolves, and a host of somewhat lesser known creatures from the lore of various cultures around the world. Set in Orange County, CA–home of the Happiest Place on Earth (Disneyland)–it’s not so much urban gritty (crime-ridden metropolis at night) as it is urban sunny (affluent tourist destination with lots of sunshine) . Just as IN THE FLESH is a little of this and a little of that, so too is the Marked series.

Focusing on one character’s adventures was awesome for me. I’m grateful to my character, Evangeline Hollis, who made it fun to spend a year writing the first three books in her story. She’s far from perfect. As a Mark (one of thousands of sinners drafted via the Mark of Cain to hunt demons on God’s behalf), she’s supposed to be kick-ass, and she is, but her greatest weapon is her brain. She’s horrible with a sword and knives, which–go figure–are the two primary weapons of Marks. She doesn’t deal well with celestial bureaucratic red tape, and she definitely doesn’t tolerate the ultra alpha tendencies of the two men in her life–Cain and Abel.

Because all three of the main characters have separate agendas, switching point of view among them was part of the process of sharing the many facets of Eve’s story. Seeing her through the eyes of those around her is important to knowing who Eve is. One of those facets is her love for the two heroes, which brought in the romantic elements I love so much as a reader and writer. I can say without reservation that the Marked series, while so very different from anything else I’ve written (hence the pseudonym), is very dear to me. There’s a lot of my history in the locations used in the books (I’m a SoCal native), so in some ways, it’s very personal. From my heart to your hands, you could say.

I have a FREE Marked series story, “Eve of Sin City,” that is available for your downloading pleasure (in multiple popular e-reader formats). You can enjoy the short story without having read the first three Marked books. For those of you who are already fans of the series (thank you!) the next original Marked story is in THE MAMMOTH BOOK OF PARANORMAL ROMANCE 2 (with Lara Adrian, Karen Chance, Ava Gray, Gail Carriger, and many more!), which releases in October. “Eve of Warfare” picks up where EVE OF CHAOS left off.

So, my question for you is this: have you found books set in places where you’ve lived or live now? Does that increase your enjoyment of the story or not? What’s a particularly good example of book set near you?

One commenter will win a $25 Borders gift card!

Have you ever been to a psychic? Had your cards read? Wondered about past lives? Some of my books have dealt with these subjects. In fact, my current erotic romance, PRIVATE DANCER (Berkley Heat), delves into past life regression, and my Reader’s Crown winner, (Silhouette Romantic Suspense), includes a secondary character who aids the plot with her psychic skills.

My first experience with a psychic was in Los Angeles in the early 1990s. I was sitting in on someone else’s reading so I didn’t expect any of the information to be directed at me. But the psychic kept glancing my way until she finally said, “I’m getting a strong feeling about you.” She proceeded to tell me that she sensed a major career in my future, something that would change my life. At the time, I wasn’t pursuing anything “major.” It made no sense to me. Then, about three years later, I got the bug to write and the prediction came true.

In 2001, I attended a writer’s conference in New Orleans. I was published by then and was writing regularly for Silhouette Desire (my first sale was to Desire). I brought my teenage son to the conference with me, and both of us fell in love with the French Quarter. It was there that I had my second psychic encounter. I asked questions about my career, but the reading went in another direction. I was told that an unknown family member was searching for my husband (my current ex) and that this person was extremely important. An unknown family member? Sounded odd. But months later we discovered that my ex had a daughter from a previous relationship and she was searching for him. Yes, our son had a sister and we had a nearly grown daughter! It doesn’t get any more important than that.

Present day. My third psychic reading. This time in Portland, Oregon. I was with a girlfriend and we were staying downtown. We were itching to get a reading, but the psychic near our hotel had gone out of business. Determined to follow through, we found an artsy little bookstore in the Northwest District that was hosting spiritual readings.

Once again, I asked about my career, but most of the reading was focused on a man who has become my dearest (and sexiest!) friend. The psychic told me things about our relationship that were very specific and very true. She also said that we knew each other in past lives and keep reconnecting. I’ve never been absolutely certain about the existence of past lives, but about a year ago, I told this friend that I felt as if I’d known him before, maybe in a past life. He felt familiar to me, as if I recognized his soul.

I was also told that in my past lives I lived in Europe and have always been bohemian. This resonated with me because it’s exactly how I would see myself in a past life. According to an internet source the term bohemian, of French origin, was first used in the English language in the nineteenth century to describe the non-traditional lifestyles of marginalized and impoverished artists, writers, journalists, musicians, and actors in major European cities. Funny thing, too. In THE ART OF DESIRE, one of my erotic romances written under the pen name Cherie Feather, the heroine was a nineteenth century bohemian artist.

So, based on your feelings about yourself and if you could choose a past life, what would it be? What era and lifestyle do you feel connected to?

Author Giveaway: Three copies of WEDDING FAVORS—an erotic and magical anthology set in New Orleans that Sheri WhiteFeather wrote with Nikita Black and Allyson James.

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

Seduce Me by Robyn DeHart
Ever since I was a little girl I’ve been enchanted by history. The thought of being an archeologist and digging up antiquities tempted me. I could sit and imagine the old tombs, ancient relics and hidden treasures that were just waiting to be unearthed by my hand. And then I grew up and realized that such a job would involve actual digging around in an underground crypt or a bug-infested room and I was cured pretty quickly of that fantasy. But the fantasy endured and I found myself falling in love with movies like Romancing the Stone and Indiana Jones and The Mummy. The combination of romance, intrigue and adventure was intoxicating and I couldn’t get enough.
These romanticized fantasies are what ultimately led to the idea for my Legend Hunters series. What if I wrote about a group of men who, like so many in the Victorian era, had a fascination with ancient myths and legends? What if I set the group against the typical backdrop of a gentleman’s club that so many historical romance readers are familiar with. Sure they could meet in their club and smoke their cigars and drink their brandy, but they could also study maps and ancient texts and there could be a secret room where the most dangerous of the antiquities could be kept for safekeeping. Thus Solomon’s and my Legend Hunters were born.
So when I started brainstorming which popular myths I wanted to write about, of course the first one I thought of was Pandora’s Box. How could I write a romantic adventure novel without the legend, which is so steeped in lore? And it has such a naughty connotation to it; I knew it would be a veritable playground of material for me.
The legend of Pandora is the Greek equivalent to the Biblical Adam and Eve. We have a woman who is tempted with the things of the world and she brings about man’s fall. With Pandora, there were a few versions of the story, but one in particular that I liked, said that when she opened the box she released all the terrible things into the world, famine, disease, greed, hatred, etc. and then slammed the lid closed leaving one thing remaining in the box – hope. I loved the image of that and the possibilities. The what ifs ran through my mind like proverbial wild fire. I knew though that for my own Pandora’s Box, I needed these plagues, so to speak, to have a tangible form. And so I created the cursed bracelets of SEDUCE ME.
Enter the heroine and hero of the book. Esme Worthington fancies herself a scholar of all things Pandora’s Box and would like nothing more than to hold the antiquity in her hands. But when her fascination gets her kidnapped, she’s not prepared to come face-to-face with her life’s ambition nor the handsome devil who rescues her. Fielding Grey has been hired by Solomon’s to retrieve the fabled box and the last thing he’s interested in is saving a damsel in distress. But when it comes down to it, he can’t walk away and leave Esme with the wastrels who’ve taken her, especially when she’s manacled to a dungeon wall. The problem is, once she’s in his protection, he can’t keep his hands off her.
Once these two got on the page together, the sparks flew, and I don’t think I’ve ever laughed so hard while writing a book. Esme is a handful and she definitely keeps Fielding on his toes. And boy do they get into a lot of trouble. They have to hide from a criminal mastermind while trying to discover the secret to undoing an ancient curse (because wouldn’t you know that the moment Esme is alone with the box, she has to take a little, tiny peek inside…) There’s also murder and mayhem and enough chemistry to make the pages singe.
Let me seduce you with my tale of love, passion and adventure. And then don’t forget about DESIRE ME, the second book in the Legend Hunters series, which is all about the lost city of Atlantis and is also in stores now.

Giveaway - $20 Borders Gift Card to one lucky commenter!

I’m a closet cowgirl.
I like to look pretty but underneath I need to be tough, and I need to be able to hold my own. Personally. Professionally.
I’m not the only girl in my family with this need for gritty toughness. It’s a family trait, inherited from Depression era grandparents who had to fight hard to make their dreams come true. My Texas grandfather had big dreams, too, and it fell to my quiet, articulate, educated grandmother to help him turn his dreams into reality.
My grandfather was handsome. My grandmother was not. But Grandpa knew something about my grandmother Elizabeth that not everyone knew—she was smart, she was exceptionally loyal and she worked very, very hard.
So Grandpa married Elizabeth and swept her away from her books, her music, and her family to a remote drought stricken valley in California. And there, with her assistance, he started his first company. My grandmother, while pregnant with her first child, became his office manager, accountant and receptionist.
She learned to ride horses to help with the cattle roundups on the ranch.
She was his co-pilot on long cross country flights when he flew his own plane.
And she did all this in the forties and fifties, combining the roles of wife, mother, business partner into the role of capable woman.
And then in the early sixties when my handsome Texan grandfather died tragically on the Parkfield ranch during a roundup, my grandmother who majored in college in French and PE, rolled up her sleeves and took over my grandfather’s construction company, and assumed management of the three cattle ranches.
I love this about her.
I love that she was plain and practical and yet had fallen in love with a gorgeous, swashbuckling Texan. I love that once my grandmother took over the company, she became chairwoman of the board, and continued to work into her 90’s.
went to the office every even into her 90’s.
And on a very personal level, I love that my immensely practical grandmother always, always believed in impractical me.
From the time I was a little girl, I knew this strong, quiet, seemingly unemotional woman absolutely adored me. Why? I still don’t know. But how lucky I was. How lucky I still am.
And this is why I write for women, and this is why my new release, SHE’S GONE COUNTRY, is such a special book for me. It’s an ode to Texas and family and handsome, rugged ranchers. It’s also an ode to strong women, remarkable women, like my late grandmother Elizabeth, who do what they have to do with grace and spirit and humility.
Were you close to your grandmothers? Did either of them play a significant role in your life? I’d love to hear about the women in your family, and have 5 special Texas themed prizes to give away to those who share.


Giveaway: for 5 lucky commenters - signed copy of SHE’S GONE COUNTRY tucked in a fun Texas theme tote bag filled with Texas cookbooks, BBQ stuff and more.