The Darkest Whisper by Gena Showalter

Available August 25, 2009.

I Do Not Want To Wait Until Then, I Want The Book Now!

Available for pre-order at:

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Books-A-Million | Borders

Book without a home :(

I never heard back from one of the winners Close Encounters of the Sexy Kind by Karen Kelley. So using list randomizer at random.org the new winner is

Booklover1335

There were 35 items in your list. Here they are in random order:

1. Booklover1335
2. Crystal B
3. scottsgal
4. Ilona
5. Linda Broday
6. Terri W
7. Suzette
8. I Heart Book Gossip
9. kh
10. Lyoness 2009
11. Dottie
12. Estella
13. Frana
14. Blodeuedd
15. Maija P
16. Ann Marie
17. Flygirl
18. Karen H in NC
19. marybethlee
20. Bethany
21. Marial
22. Chris
23. Elaine G
24. Barb P
25. Elisa Jankowski
26. Teresa W
27. Fedora
28. RachaelfromNJ
29. Karin
30. Cybercliper
31. Cheryl McInnis
32. Armenia F
33. chey
34. Heather Brewer
35. Lori T

Timestamp: 2009-07-05 18:26:19 UTC

Please e-mail me at gw12cats03 @ charter.net with your mailing address no later than Wednesday, July 8 or a new winner will be chosen. Please include “Karen Kelley Book Winner” in the subject line.

Marie Force is visiting today

Marie, Thank you so much for agreeing to be a guest on my blog.

Hi, Greta, thanks so much for having me!

Can you tell everyone a little bit about yourself?

Let’s see… I live in New England with my husband and two children, a daughter who will be 14 this month, and a son who is 10. I work as the communications director for an organization a lot like RWA. I love to spend time on the water, whether it’s on my father’s boat or at the beach. And I love to read almost as much as I love to write.

How long have you been writing?

I’ve always been a writer, but my path to fiction writing was somewhat long and winding. I majored in journalism in college and spent a couple of years working as a reporter on a small community newspaper before I got married. My husband was in the Navy so I traveled with him for 10 years, and continued to use my writing skills in a variety of jobs. I landed the job I have now almost 14 years ago when we were stationed in the Washington, D.C. area. When we were due to transfer, they asked me to stay, and I’ve been a full-time telecommuter for 11 years now, which has been a great setup while my kids were young. The fiction writing was always in the back of my mind, and I started to write my first book about seven or eight years ago. I finally finished it four years ago, and have written several since then. Fortunately, that first one was the only one that’s taken a ridiculous amount of time to write!

What is your writing process like?

I’m definitely what’s known as a “pantser.” I make it up as I go along. Because I have a busy day job and two active kids, the writing has to get done when there’s time, which usually means late at night, on weekends, holidays, and vacations. Luckily, I write fairly quickly so the time constraints haven’t held me back—yet. I have an office for the day job in my house, but I don’t want to be there after hours, so I write in my living room with my laptop, feet up, Diet Coke handy, the Red Sox on TV, and chaos all around me. Whenever I travel for work, I always think I’m going to get so much done in the quiet hotel room, but I never write a word under those conditions. I’ve discovered I need the chaos!

Can you tell us about your newest release Love at First Flight?

I love this book! It all began with a conversation I overheard in the Baltimore-Washington airport in 1999. A guy and a girl, not together, were on their way to visit their significant others in Florida for the weekend. They were discussing the perils of long-distance relationships, and discovered they were on the same flight home on Sunday. They agreed to meet up again to compare notes on how the weekend went for both of them. Wouldn’t it be cool, I thought, if they fell for each other? So I wrote that book! Love at First Flight is an unconventional romance in the sense that we see our hero and heroine with other people at the beginning, and when I say “with,” I mean with, if you catch my drift! I thought it would be fun to have this couple come together in the wake of two failed relationships and for them to find each other in the aftermath of disaster. They both thought they had found their “one,” but they discover together that love can sometimes find you in the oddest of places and at the worst of times. My hero, Michael Maguire, is a prosecutor for the city of Baltimore and is about to embark on the murder trial of his career when he meets Juliana, a hairdresser, in the airport. The trial descends into mayhem, putting both of them at risk as their respective exes pull out all the stops to get them back. It’s a fun book, and I hope readers will enjoy it. So far, the reviews have been terrific, with reviewers surprised by how much they enjoy the unconventional aspects of this romance!

Do you have any other books coming out this year?

I don’t have any other scheduled to come out this year, but I do have several irons in the fire that I’m hoping will come to fruition eventually!

What are you currently working on?

I’ve just begun a series about four brothers and their manipulative mother who wants to get each of her “boys” happily settled. As she picks out a potential mate for each of them, she will find out that the “boys” have ideas of their own about happily ever after and those ideas do not include the women their mother thinks are perfect for them.

Where do you get your ideas for your books?

The ideas are everywhere! I’ve learned that the most important thing is to be open and receptive to them so you’ll recognize a good one when it comes to you. I’ve found inspiration in the newspaper, in a song, driving in the car, and in an airport! The idea for my first published book, Line of Scrimmage, came to me in an odd way. I heard boots dropping in a marble foyer and somehow knew those boots wouldn’t be welcome. From that came the idea for my NLF quarterback Ryan Sanderson to arrive home in the midst of his soon-to-be ex-wife’s dinner party for her new fiancé and his parents. From there, I decided that Ryan would blackmail Susannah into spending their last ten days as Mr. and Mrs. together. During the ten days, they right some of the terrible wrongs that drove them apart in the first place and begin to put their marriage back together. All that came from boots dropping in a foyer. I don’t question it anymore. I just run with it!

As an author, you must be an avid reader. What books do you enjoy reading? Who are your auto-buy authors?

I’m a voracious reader! I love anything by Nora Roberts and her alter ego J.D. Robb. I’ve become a big fan of Lisa Kleypas’s contemporaries. I absolutely loved Sugar Daddy and Blue-Eyed Devil. I’m hoping someone takes the hint and gets me Smooth Talking Stranger for my birthday. I’ve been reading Lisa’s Wallflower series recently. I’ve never been much for historicals until I read one I loved by my fellow Sourcebooks author: Lady Flees Her Lord by Michele Anne Young. That book whetted my appetite for more from the regency era. I also love my friend Kristan Higgins’ romantic comedies. She is seriously FUNNY!

What books are on your keeper shelf?

The entire J.D. Robb series, which I read from start to finish a year or so ago. I had read one here and there, but never from the beginning. Reading that series inspired me to want to write a suspense series featuring the same couple throughout. I’m shopping book one of that series now and finished the second book earlier this year. It’s been so much fun so far to writing a continuing romance for a committed couple, and I hope I get the chance to bring that story to readers.

What was the first romance book you read or the first romance book that has stood the test of time?

I’d have to say it was The Thorn Birds. I remember reading that book over a summer after 8^th or 9^th grade, and it really stayed with me for years afterward. I’ve never forgotten the forbidden love of Meggie and Father Ralph or the sweeping setting of the Australian Outback. In fact, it might just be time to re-read that wonderful story. I also remember spending a whole summer reading John Jakes’ North and South trilogy, which was full of romance and Civil War-era intrigue.

If one of your books’ was made into a movie, which book would you like it to be and which actors would like to see as the lead characters?

Line of Scrimmage would make for a great movie. I picture Matthew McConaughey as Ryan and Reese Witherspoon as Susannah. Matthew would play Ryan’s intentionally obtuse character very well!

If you could switch lives with one of your characters who would if be & why?

Hmmm, I love my characters, but I’m pretty happy with my own life just as it is—relatively drama-free and filled with fun, interesting people. Since I like to torture my characters as much as possible, I’m probably better off not switching lives with any of them!

If you were not writing, what would you be doing?

I’d love to be an editor at a publishing house. Even though their lives sound crazy, it looks like it would be a lot of fun.

When you are not writing or reading, what do you enjoying doing in your spare time?

Beach, boat, water . . . I love anything to do with spending time on the water with family and friends.

If you could ask readers anyone question, what would it be?

What makes a book or character unforgettable for you?

****Marie has graciously offered up a signed copy of Line of Scrimmage and a signed copy of Love at First Flight to two lucky commenters. To be considered for either book just answer Marie’s question and state “I would love to have a copy of …”.  Good Luck

For more information on Marie Force and her books, please visit her website at: www.marieforce.com.

Contest: Starting Friday

more about “Contest: Starting Friday“, posted with vodpod

 

Cyber Party at…

Nalini Singh’s blog. She giving away lots of goodies in celebration of her upcoming release Branded By Fire on July 7, 2009.

Stolen Heat by Elisabeth Naughton coming July 28

What is everyone reading – looking for recommendations?

So what is everyone reading? I’m looking for recommendations. I need some suggestions of authors books who write: Shifters (wolves, cats, dragons), Highlanders or Vikings, time travel books?

Winners: Karen Kelley guest interview

Congratulations!

Using List Randomizer at random.org the winners of a copy of Close Encounters of the Sexy Kind by Karen Kelley are:

Barbara Monajem

&

Natasha A

There were 37 items in your list. Here they are in random order:

1. Barbara Monajem
2. Natasha A
3. Ann Marie
4. Maija P
5. Lori T
6. scottsgal
7. Flygirl
8. RachaelfromNJ
9. Frana
10. Fedora
11. chey
12. Bethany
13. Karen H in NC
14. Cybercliper
15. Chris
16. Heather Brewer
17. Marial
18. Suzette
19. marybethlee
20. Armenia F
21. Dottie
22. Teresa W
23. Cheryl McInnis
24. I Heart Book Gossip
25. Elisa Jankowski
26. kh
27. Elaine G
28. Lyoness 2009
29. Estella
30. Terri W
31. Barb P
32. Booklover1335
33. Ilona
34. Karin
35. Crystal B
36. Blodeuedd
37. Linda Broday

Timestamp: 2009-06-23 23:18:44 UTC

Please e-mail me at gw12cats03 @ charter.net (without the spaces) with your mailing address so I can forward the information on to Karen Kelley. Please include “Karen Kelley Book Winner” in the subject line. Winners will have seven days to contact me or new winners will be drawn.

Kari Thomas is visiting today

Kari, Thank you so much for agreeing to be a guest on my blog.

Can you tell everyone a little bit about yourself?

K:  THANKS for the great opportunity! I am a multi-published author in the Paranormal Romance genre. At present I have five books, and I’m working on book #6 now. I live in Arizona and I’m the caregiver for my dad. Between my writing and taking care of dad, I stay BUSY! (grin)  I also do Freelance Editing for a small press publisher, and Book Reviews on my site under “Kari’s Korner Reviews”.

How long have you been writing?

K:  Actually since I was old enough to start writing! My mother was a writer too. And she taught me to read and write before I started school. And being blessed with an over-active imagination just fired the need to create my own stories. Officially, I started writing for publication about five years ago after I joined my local Romance Writers of America branch.

What is your writing process like?

K:  My writer friends shake their heads and say its CRAZY! I’m not disciplined at all. I can’t plot — it takes away my creativity. So, I’m a definite seats-of-the-pantser. I usually write very early morning while dad is at dialysis. On good writing days I can get out a couple thousand words. Then, in the afternoon I edit those pages before I finally allow myself to go online and do Promoting.

Can you tell us a little bit about your books?

K:  GRIN! Don’t get me started!  Seriously, though, they are all Paranormal Romances because it’s my favorite genre and because I absolutely love a hero who can be so sexily Alpha and still be, so incredibly loving, too. And if the “Beast” in him comes out a few times, then it’s all the more sexy!

 

HUNTED MATE (http://www.blacklyonpublishing.com/ ) has a Cat Shifter as the hero. Logan Cross owes a life debt to Wolf Prince Damien and finds himself assigned with the daunting task of bringing Damien his missing Mate. When he kidnaps her, he thinks he’s got everything under control. But he doesn’t count on having to deal with his feelings or the feisty heroine who is determined she wants him — not Damien!

 

 

TEMPTATION UNLEASHED ( http://www.mybookstoreandmore.com/ ) also has a Cat Shifter for the hero but this story is very different from the norm. Aiden Calhoun is the very perfect example of the word ALPHA. Head of his shapeshifting family, his only goal is to protect them when an Evil strikes bringing death to one of his brothers. When the heroine, a witch, comes into his life, Aiden finds himself falling in love with her.

 

 

HER HEART HIS SOUL ( http://www.bookstrandpublishing.com/ ) is a darker paranormal, and instead of shifters, the hero is a rare being: he’s half Angel, and half Demon. He fights the battle of both his souls on a daily basis. When he has to protect the woman who holds his entire future in her hands, everything he believes in is called to explain. A battle of Good and Evil is on the horizon and Drake must protect the humans — first. Even if it means losing Sara. And his soul.

 

 

SEDUCING THE HERO ( http://www.eternalpress.ca) is actually a Novella length (also available in Print at Amazon) very sensual love story that isn’t entirely paranormal. The heroine is a kitchen witch, and there’s a “touch of magic” throughout the entire story, but the hero is a human male. Colt is an ex-detective-turned-cowboy and he takes on the assignment to protect Baylie from a dangerous stalker. With the help of her “magically blessed” animals, Baylie decides that Colt has to learn to trust love again — and fall in love with her.

PREY FOR THE WOLF (http://www.eternalpress.ca) is also Novella length and will be available in Print when it comes out in the next few months. The hero is a Wolf Shifter, very Alpha, and very determined to make sure his brother doesn’t marry the too-human woman who has come so mysteriously into their lives right when they’re facing danger from their enemies. Poor Kane doesn’t stand a chance of backing away once he meets the heroine. She’s his Lifemate. This one is VERY hot for so short a story (approx 26,000 words).

Do you have any books coming out this year?

 K:  One in the next few months —- PREY FOR THE WOLF. Then, my HER HEART HIS SOUL (already available in Ebook) will be out in Print in late August. I’m in the middle of another book, but I don’t know if I’ll finish it in time to come out this year.

What are you currently working on?

K:  Another Paranormal Romance, of course! This one is one of those books authors call “the-book-of-my-heart”, so it’s probably going to be my longest length. HER HEART HIS SOUL is the longest to date at 83,000 words. This one MIGHT be longer, but I don’t know yet! LOL!

Where do you get your ideas for your books?

K:  (GRIN!) it all comes back to that way-too OVER-active imagination!

As an author, you must be an avid reader. What books do you enjoy reading? Who are your auto-buy authors?

K: I’m a professed BOOK-A-HOLIC! I own over 3,000 books in my personal library AND I buy more every week!  I love ALL romance genres. And I enjoy reading Non-Fiction as well. Some of my auto buy authors are Christine Feehan, Lora Leigh, Cheyenne McCray, Shannon Leigh, and oh soooo many more!

What books are on your keeper shelf?

K:  “Gone with the Wind” (which I read at age 10!), ALL of the JRR Tolkien “Ring” books (read during my second grade of school and have re-read a thousand times since then!), and there are others but I’d have to go check and that would distract me!

What was the first romance book you read or the first romance book that has stood the test of time?

K: Definitely “Gone with the Wind”. I’m a Southerner and that book was REAL to me!

If one of your books’ was made into a movie, which book would you like it to be and which actors would like to see as the lead characters?

K: I’ve been told — many times — that HUNTED MATE would be great for a movie. I do have a Trailer for it (see my site). Hmmm. I’d have to think about who would act in it. The characters are so special, and they’d have to be just perfect for the parts. Too bad the Model (Sean) who is on the book Cover isn’t an actor — he’s so perfect for Logan!

If you could switch lives with one of your characters who would if be & why?

K: OH NO! That’s one of those “sneaky” questions, huh! So, I’m going to tease and say I would definitely choose the heroine from the book I’m writing now. She’s got a lot of me in her! (GRIN!)

If you were not writing, what would you be doing?

K: Not-so-quietly going insane! Honest! LOL! My life is so crazy at times I know that if I didn’t have my writing I wouldn’t survive the constant ups and downs. But, if I did have another career choice I think it would be to be an Archeologist.

When you are not writing or reading, what do you enjoying doing in your spare time?

K: Sleeping! Okay, that’s not true because I’m an insomniac and have been for years. Being dad’s caregiver pretty much takes up A LOT of time otherwise.

If you could ask readers anyone question, what would it be?

K: Is there any other genre you’d like me to write, or do my Paranormals keep you happy? LOL—that’s sappy isn’t it!

THANKS for having me here! You can visit my site at: http://www.authorkari.com or write me at authorkari@yahoo.com

Please Welcome – Karen Kelley

Karen, Thank you so much for agreeing to be a guest on my blog.

Can you tell everyone a little bit about yourself?

My life is actually a Cinderella story.  You know, from rags to…wait a minute, where are my riches?  Truthfully, I wouldn’t want to change anything about my life except maybe being able to shop more, having oodles of money, maids to clean my house….

How long have you been writing?

I sold my very first book in 1999 and I wrote for 6 years before I sold.

What is your writing process like?

Like pulling teeth sometimes, and when the words are flowing and the characters are speaking, it’s the most fantastic feeling in the world. 

As far as actually writing, though.  I’m doing something writing related every day.  I don’t think it’s anything that I can turn off.  Even on vacation I’m soaking up descriptions, ideas for new plots etc.

Can you tell us about your newest release How To Seduce A Texan?

I was raised on a small farm so I thought it would be funny if I took a big city reporter and put her undercover supposedly researching a story about pioneer days.  Except the sexy football player in hiding on his brother’s dude ranch discovers her deception and introduces her to the old haunted homestead, the crazy-assed rooster, the outhouse from hell and the stupid cow.  I think I laughed the whole time I was writing How To Seduce A Texan. 

Do you have any other books coming out this year?

How To Seduce A Texan came out this month.  And I’m really excited that my Planet Nerak series is being brought out in mass market starting with Close Encounters of the Sexy Kind in June, Earth Guys Are Easy in July, and The Bad Boys Guide To The Galaxy in Aug.  Then in Dec is the brand new Dating Outside Your DNA.

What are you currently working on?

I’m just finishing the second book about shapeshifting aliens.  The first book will be out in April 2010, The Jaguar Prince.  These books are also connected, but stand-alone.

Where do you get your ideas for your books?

Everywhere.  Newspaper articles, a conversation I might overhear, growing up on a farm :-)

As an author, you must be an avid reader. What books do you enjoy reading? Who are your auto-buy authors?

Sharon Sala is my all time favorite author.  I love Lori Foster’s books.  PC & Kristin Cast’s YA series.  I’ve just discovered Jennifer Lyon’s book Blood Magic and I devoured it.  She’s definitely an auto buy for me now.  You should see my bedside table.  In fact, everywhere you look in my house you’ll find a stack of books. 

What books are on your keeper shelf?

You know, I have so many I couldn’t list them all. 

What was the first romance book you read or the first romance book that has stood the test of time?

Rosemary Rogers, Sweet Savage Love.  But a lot of the earlier romance authors were so much inspiration. Kathleen E. Woodiwiss, Johanna Lindsey….

If one of your books’ was made into a movie, which book would you like it to be and which actors would like to see as the lead characters?

How To Seduce A Texan.  It’s a steamy romantic contemporary comedy.  The hero would have to be rugged.  The heroine feisty and ready to tackle a challenge.  Hmmm, I think I’ll let everyone’s imagination run wild

If you could switch lives with one of your characters who would if be & why?

I don’t think I would switch.  I absolutely love my life and being able to write stories.  I would steal some of their energy, though

If you were not writing, what would you be doing?

Nursing, probably, since I still have my license.

When you are not writing or reading, what do you enjoying doing in your spare time?

Traveling.  My husband and I love the coast, so anywhere near the ocean.  I love watching movies.  Visiting with family.  Shopping.  Tearooms and antiques.

If you could ask readers any one question, what would it be?

I’d ask them who their favorite author was and why? I love hearing other people talk about the authors they love.  Especially if it’s one of mine.  It’s like instant bonding. 

Thanks so much for doing this interview, Greta!  I loved answering the questions.

Karen

To find out more about Karen Kelley and her books you can visit her website at http://authorkarenkelley.com/

***Karen has graciously offered up a copy of Close Encounters of the Sexy Kind to two lucky commenters. So leave a comment answering Karen’s question. Good Luck ***