Nalini Singh Winners!!

I hope everyone is having a great weekend so far :)

Here are the winners from Nalini's week:

Winner of

Slave to Sensation:

Dawn M (dawn7411@)

Winner of

Visions of Heat:

Kim W (rwestgaard@)

Winner of

Caressed by Ice:

Bonnie F (bonnieferguson@)

The two winners for a signed copy of Bound by Marriage will be posted later today :)

**Update: Winners of Bound by Marriage are:

acdaisy95

&

Eva

Winners can contact me at simplyaliblogspot@yahoo.com

Simply Interviewed: Nalini Singh

I want to thank the wonderfully kind Nalini Singh for being with us here this week :) I hope you've all had a chance to check out Nalini's site and her latest release Caressed by Ice. This is one series you will definitely lose yourself in and won't be able to wait for the next one.

**Ali: Nalini, I know you must do a lot of research for your stories and it must be so interesting to find out so many new facts. Do you enjoy the research you do?

Nalini: Sure! I've found out so much stuff through my writing. But whatever research I do, I try to be sure I don't go overboard in putting it in the book - sometimes, it's so tempting to share a little bit too much research info but that risks slowing down the story. Necessity is the keyword.

*Ali: How do you come up with such compelling characters... especially your heroes? ;) Do your characters come to you before their stories, or does the story idea come first and then the characters?

Nalini: I write character based stories, so I start with the characters. They're real people to me, with their own strengths and weaknesses, complete individuals. Writing this way is a very instinctive process - I try to listen to the needs of the characters, write the story that suits them.
As for the heroes, I always want to write men readers will fall in love with - they might be tough, might be alpha, but for the women they love, they'll move heaven and earth. I think stroking them a little in return is only fair, don't you? *grin*

*Ali: Your first releases were contemporary romances with Silhouette Desire, do you have any upcoming contemporary romances? Or are you more focused on writing paranormals right now?

Nalini: At the moment, my focus is on paranormals. (My most recent Sil Desire came out in Feb of this year.)

*Ali: Can you let us in on what stories you're working on or have planned?

Nalini: Clay's book (Mine to Possess) will come out in Feb 08. Right now I'm working on Dorian's book, which will be released around Sep next year. I've also got a novella due soon, plus I'm working on the first book of my new series (Angels' Blood).

*Ali: Nalini, I know you must be busy writing, but, when you do find time to read (and I hope you do:)) what are some genres you like to read? What was your last favorite read?

Nalini: I'm an eclectic reader but of course, I love romance. I also like sf/fantasy, and thrillers. My last favorite read...Silver Master by Jayne Castle. I absolutely adored it!

*Ali: Nalini, thank you, again, for being taking time out of your busy schedule and spending this week as our guest :)

Nalini: Thanks for the invite, Ali. I'm having fun chatting to your readers.

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There you have it reader :) I hope you've enjoyed this week with Nalini as much as I have.

Excerpt: Caressed by Ice

Excerpt from CARESSED BY ICE (Sep 2007) by Nalini Singh

A fist crashed into Judd’s cheekbone. Focused on eliminating his opponent from the field, he barely noticed the impact, his own fist already swinging out. Tai tried to evade the blow at the last second but it was too late—the young wolf’s jaw slammed together with a thick sound that spoke of damage on the inside.
But he wasn’t down.

Baring teeth stained red from a cut on his top lip, he rushed at Judd, clearly aiming to use his heavier build as a battering ram to smash his adversary into the hard stone wall. Instead it was Tai who ended up with his back slammed against the stone, his mouth falling open as air punched out of his lungs in an uncontrollable blast.

Judd gripped the other male by the throat. “Killing you would mean nothing to me,” he said, tightening his hold until Tai had to be having trouble breathing. “Would you like to die?” His tone was calm, his breathing modulated. It was a state of being that had nothing to do with feeling, because unlike the changeling across from him, Judd Lauren did not feel.

Tai’s lips shaped into a curse, but all that materialized was an incomprehensible wheezing sound. To a casual observer it would have seemed that Judd had gained the advantage, but he didn’t make the mistake of lowering his guard. So long as Tai hadn’t conceded defeat, he remained dangerous. The other male proved that a second later by using the changeling ability to semi-shift—slicing up hands turned to claws.

Those sharp talons cut through leather-synth and flesh without effort, but Judd didn’t give the boy a chance to cause him any real injury. Pressing down on a very specific pressure point in Tai’s neck, he slammed his erstwhile opponent into unconsciousness. Only when the changeling was completely out did he release his hold. Tai slumped down into a seated position, head hanging over his chest.
“You’re not supposed to use Psy powers,” a husky female voice said from the doorway.
He had no need to turn to identify her but did so anyway. Extraordinary brown eyes in a fine-boned face topped by a choppily cut cap of blonde hair. Those eyes had been normal and that hair hadn’t been short before Brenna had been abducted. By a killer. By a Psy.

“I don’t need to use my abilities to deal with little boys.”

Brenna walked to stand beside him, her head just reaching his breastbone. He’d never realized how small she was until he’d seen her after the rescue. Lying in that bed scarcely breathing, her energy had been contracted into a ball so tight, he hadn’t been sure she was still alive. But her size meant nothing. Brenna Shane Kincaid, he had learned, had a will of pure, undiluted iron.

“That’s the fourth time this week you’ve been in a fight.” Her hand rose and he had to stop himself from jerking away. Touch was a changeling thing—the wolves indulged in it constantly and without thought. For a Psy it was an alien concept, something that could ultimately foster a dangerous loss of control. But Brenna had been broken by an evil spawned of his own race. If she needed touch, so be it.
Faint imprints of heat on his cheek. “You’ll have a bruise. Come on, let me put something on it.”

“Why aren’t you with Sascha?” Another renegade Psy, but a healer not a killer. Judd was the one who had blood on his hands. “I thought you had a session with her at eight p.m.” It was now five past the hour.

Those stroking fingers slid to linger on his jaw before dropping off completely. Her lashes lifted. And revealed the change that had taken hold five days after her rescue. Eyes that had once been dark brown were now a mix he’d never seen on any sentient being—human, changeling or Psy. Brenna’s pupils were pure black, but surrounding those dots of night were bursts of arctic blue, vivid and spiking. They jagged out into the dark brown of the iris, giving her eyes a shattered look.
“It’s over,” she said.

“What is?” He heard Tai moan but ignored it. The boy was no threat—the only reason Judd had allowed him to land any of his punches was because he understood the way wolf society worked. Being beaten in a fight was bad, but not as bad as being beaten without putting up a solid resistance.

Tai’s feelings made no difference to Judd. He had no intention of assimilating into the changeling world. But his niece and nephew, Marlee and Toby, also had to survive in the network of underground tunnels that was the SnowDancer den, and his enemies might become theirs. So he hadn’t humiliated the boy by ending the fight before it began.

“Is he going to be alright?” Brenna asked, when Tai moaned a second time.

“Give him a minute or two.”

Glancing back at him, she sucked in a breath. “You’re bleeding!”

He stepped away before she could touch his shredded forearms. “It’s nothing serious.” And it wasn’t. As a child he had been subjected to the most excruciating pain and then been taught to block it. A good Psy felt nothing. A good Arrow felt even less.

It made it so much easier to kill people.

© Copyright 2007 Nalini Singh

Guest Blogger: Nalini Singh

Behind the Silence

What if the flip side to incredible mental abilities like telepathy and telekinesis, was insanity of the worst kind, the kind that led to murder?

That’s the question behind Slave to Sensation, the first book in my Psy/Changeling series. Mine is a world made up of three races—the humans, the shapeshifting changelings, and the mentally gifted Psy. It’s the Psy that I want to talk about today.

I’ve always been fascinated with the idea that we have hidden secrets in our brain, that what is now considered extraordinary, might one day become ordinary. Wouldn’t it be amazing to be able to talk mind-to-mind with others? Or to close your eyes, bring up an image of Paris, and find yourself next to the Eiffel Tower?

But we all know that extraordinary gifts often demand a price. In the case of the Psy, this powerful, amazing race, that price is insanity and violence. The minds of F-Psy—foreseers, shatter as they witness the future. Telepaths scream to cut out the deluge of voices in their head, while the telekinetics turn to violence.

Is it any wonder then that in a desperate bid to save their race, they embraced the Silence Protocol, a system of conditioning, that wiped all emotion from their lives? The Psy survived, but now they are a cold, pitiless race, one that knows nothing of love, or joy. Yes, they’re alive and yes they control much of the world...but was the bargain worth it?

What do you think? If someone told you that you could have any psychic ability you wanted, but that in a certain number of years, you would go mad from it, would you agree? What about Silence—would you embrace it if you knew the only other choice was madness and violence?

~Nalini Singh

CARESSED BY ICE - Out Now!

AN ENCHANTED SEASON - Oct 07http://www.nalinisingh.com

Giveaway of the Week: Change what you're currently reading...

When I first read Caressed by Ice by Nalini Singh, I was immediately pulled into this new world Nalini created filled with Psy and Changelings. I look forward to her next books in this series and want to give others a chance to read about these fascinating characters, too. So, for this week's giveaway I have books 1, 2, and 3 in the Psy-Changeling series. I'll be giving one book away to three seperate winners.

I'm having another scavenger hunt for this giveaway :) You can find all answers on Nalini Singh's website, www.nalinisingh.com. Please e-mail all answers to simplyaliblogspot@yahoo.com, with Nalini Singh Scavenger Hunt in the subject line.



Here are the questions:



1. What is the title of the next book in the Psy-Changeling series?



2. Who's been living in L.A. for a year?



3. Which book did Nalini recently announce would be available as an ebook?



4. Where was Nalini raised?



5. When is book 5 of the Psy-Changeling series scheduled to come out?



6. How many vices does Nalini have? And what are they?



7. Finally, after looking through Nalini's site, which book caught your eye?





Now, as an added giveaway, Nalini has offered two of her February Silhouette Desire release, Bound by Marriage. To be entered into that giveaway, just comment on any post this week :)

Tomorrow, Nalini's guest post will be posted up so be sure to come back ;)

This Week's Guest: Nalini Singh

This week, please help me in welcoming author Nalini Singh!

Nalini Singh recent works include her Psy-Changeling series, some of the hottest paranormal romances out there now. Nalini is also author of some steamy Silhouette Desire novels... you can check out all her works on her website, www.NaliniSingh.com.

Nalini Singh's bio:

On Writing Romance

I've been writing as long as I can remember and all of my stories always held a thread of romance (even when I was writing about a prince who could shoot lasers out of his eyes). I love creating unique characters, love giving them happy endings and I even love the voices in my head. There's no other job I would rather be doing. In September 2002, when I got the call that Silhouette Desire wanted to buy my first book, Desert Warrior, it was a dream come true. I hope to continue living the dream until I keel over of old age on my keyboard.

On Me

I was born in Fiji and raised in New Zealand. However I spent the past three years living and working in Japan, returning home to NZ only recently. If you’d like to see what I got up to over the years away, have a look at the Travel Diary page (updated every month).

So far, I've worked as a lawyer, a librarian, a candy factory general hand, a bank temp and an English teacher and not necessarily in that order. Some might call that inconsistency but I call it grist for the writer's mill.

Nalini's latest release:

Caressed by Ice

Book 3 in the Psy-Changeling series

Blurb:

Explore new heights of sensuality in this return to the world of the Psy—where two people who know evil intimately must unlock the good within their icy hearts…

As an Arrow, an elite soldier in the Psy Council ranks, Judd Lauren was forced to do terrible things in the name of his people. Now a defector, his dark abilities have made him the most deadly of assassins—cold, pitiless, unfeeling. Until he meets Brenna…

Brenna Shane Kincaid was an innocent before she was abducted—and had her mind violated—by a serial killer. Her sense of evil runs so deep, she fears she could become a killer herself. Then the first dead body is found, victim of a familiar madness. Judd is her only hope, yet her sensual changeling side rebels against the inhuman chill of his personality, even as desire explodes between them. Shocking and raw, their passion is a danger that threatens not only their hearts, but their very lives…

********************

Stop by everyday this week to find out more about Nalini and Caressed by Ice. Also, get a chance at some goodies... come back tomorrow for more information on that :)

Surprise Giveaway! :)

For today, I'm giving away a print copy of:

Secrets, Volume 4

With novellas from authors:
Jeanie Cesarini
Emma Holly
Desiree Lindsey
Betsy Morgan & Susan Paul

I've had some very nice authors send me bookmarks to add to my packages for my blog winners :) Most recent authors who have kindly donated bookmarks or more are Megan Hart, Arianna Hart, & Michelle M Pillow. Please help me thank them by visiting their websites and looking around. Authors Megan Hart and Michelle Pillow are upcoming guest bloggers here so stay tuned.

Just leave a comment letting me know that you've stopped by their site and your entered.

Winner will be announced on Tuesday, on this same post, so come back here :)

Don't forget, starting tomorrow, author Nalini Singh will be our guest blogger and we'll be checking out her recent release Caressed by Ice, book 3 in her Psy/Changeling series.

*****************

***The winner of this giveaway is ThatBrunette :)

Send me an e-mail at simplyaliblogspot@yahoo.com :)

Maya Banks Winners!!

I hope everyone is having a great weekend! :)

As promised, here are this week's winners during Maya Banks visit.

Winner of 3 print releases by Maya Banks; Seducing Simon, Caught by Cupid anthology, and Colters' Woman:

Linda H (readingissomuchfun)

5 Winners of Maya's print book For Her Pleasure (Actually 6. I couldn't help it, lol):

Cynthya P
Laura K
Christy (hawkes@)
Amy S
Joy I (jwisley@)
Chris R (jrobe10689@)

3 Winners of Maya's ebook Brazen:
Jane C (janie1215@)
Cathy M (caity_mack@)
Crystal B

1 Winner for choice of one print copy of any of Maya's giveaways:
Phyllis

Winners, be sure to e-mail me at simplyaliblogspot@yahoo.com with your snail address for print giveaways, and e-mail address to send ebooks to. On subject line please have Maya Banks Winner.

Now, for those who didn't win, don't worry, there'll be plenty of more chances and plenty of more guest bloggers :) Starting tomorrow, we'll have over author Nalini Singh!

Also, look out for my surprise giveaways... like the one I'll have on my next post :)

~Ali

Update

Winners will be posted on Sunday morning :)

Stay tuned for another weekend giveaway :)

~Ali

Simply Interviewed: Maya Banks

Today, I'd like to end this great week with Maya Banks, by first, thanking her for being here. Big Thanks!! and now getting down to the nitty-gritty *spotlight on Maya*
lol

**Ali: Maya, you just had your first release, For Her Pleasure, with a New York publisher... how did it feel the moment you heard the news you had sold to Berkley?

Maya: It was a bit surreal. I had just sold my first ebook (Seducing Simon) and this sale came right after, so in a very short time, I went from not having sold anything to selling to Samhain and Berkley in short order. And then came the panic. Wow, they're going to PAY me to write? What if no one buys my stories?? lololol

**Ali: Currently, three of your books deal with menage relationships, plus, you have one upcoming, with Love Me, Still... did these stories start out with the idea that there would be three or more in the relationship, or is that just how things worked out?

Maya: I can't say that any of my stories have ever been "just the way things work out" because the nuts and bolts of the story always come to me in the beginning, and once it does, I can't bear to change it around. With Colters' Woman the image of these three really gorgeous brothers having a really tender relationship with Holly just grabbed me and wouldn't let go. Yes, there was a lot of sex in the book, but the story wasn't about the sex. At least not to me. It was totally about the love that developed between them all.

**Ali: What does your family think about having a writer in the family? Do any of them read your books?

Maya: My children, particularly my oldest son thinks it's the coolest thing ever. My husband has read a lot of my books, not all, but his favorites are my historicals. He really loved Her Majesty, My Love, but then I'm not surprised lol. It had all the stuff guys like. Action, adventure etc.

**Ali: When you're not writing (and for my sake, I hope that doesn't happen too often, lol) what do you like to do?

Maya: I read a lot. I binge read kind of like I binge write. I also love to hunt and fish. In fact, today, I'm not really here lol. I'm out in El Campo dove hunting with the hubby and kids. (I'll be around later in the weekend though to answer any questions!)

**Ali: Maya, I'm just so excited that you've written a werewolf story, which is currently a theme that I just crave, lol. How did you feel about writing a werewolf story, and would you do it again?

Maya: Hmm, I never set out to write a certain type of story. Meaning I didn't just decide one day to write a werewolf story. Again, it was one of those things that just came to me. Love Me, Still has an old west quality to it. I purposely didn't assign a time period so the reader can immerse themselves in the story and decide. I don't know that I'll write another werewolf story. I won't say no, but I can't say definitively yes either *g* How's that for a non answer? If a werewolf story grabs me by the throat, then yeah, I'll be all over it. I have some other shifter stories coming out next year, but none of them are werewolves ;) I have a heroine who is a cheetah. I'm launching a new paranormal action/adventure series in February with "Into the Mist" and the hero is an elemental shifter who can take the form of mist, water, smoke, etc. There are two secondary characters who are cat shifters and they'll get their story (think menage here *g*)

**Ali: Finally, when are some of your recent favorite reads and why?

Maya: I haven't actually gotten a lot of recent reading done :( Been busting hiney on the writing. The last binge I went on, though, I read Hannah Howell's entire backlist. I happened to pick up Beauty and the Beast and was hooked. Wonderful story. So I sorta went nuts on her backlist. I have some ebooks piled up that I really want to read, but I won't have time for a few more weeks. It's rare for me to actually have a To Be Read Pile, but right now I do. I have at least half a dozen ebooks waiting on me. *sigh*

**Ali: Ugh, I could go on and on asking you questions, lol... There's just so much I'd like to know :) But, I'll give others a chance to post any questions they may have for you :) Thanks again, Maya. I hope you come back here as a guest again sometimes soon... mmm, maybe around December to talk about your werewolf story, Love Me, Still? Just an idea, lol

Maya:For you? Of course *g* I won't be around today but I'll check in tomorrow afternoon and answer any additional questions. Thanks for having me!

********************

I also want to thank all the visitors on my blog for stopping by :)

Be sure to ask Maya any questions you have and remember that'll count as an entry into this weeks giveaway of one of her print books :)

Winners will be announced this weekend.

~Ali

Excerpt: Sweet Surrender

A SimplyAli Exclusive!!

Today, we have a special treat :) Maya Banks has graciously offered to share with us a sneek peek into Sweet Surrender, her March 2008 release with Berkley HEAT. This excerpt hasn't even been posted on her website!

Sweet Surrender By: Maya Banks Release Date: March 2008

Sweet Surrender March 2008 Berkley HEAT

Sometimes the first step in taking control is surrendering.

Under Faith Malone’s deceptively soft exterior lies a woman who knows exactly what she wants. A strong man who’ll take without asking—because she’s willing to give him everything…

Dallas cop Gray Montgomery is on a mission: find the guy who killed his partner—and bring him to justice. So far, he’s found a link between the killer and Faith—and if Gray has to get close to her to catch the killer, so be it.

Faith is sweet and feminine, everything Gray wants and desires in a woman, but he suspects she’s playing games. No way she would allow a man to call the shots in their relationship. Or would she?

Faith sees in Gray the strong, dominant man she needs, but he seems determined to keep her at a distance. So she takes matters into her own hands to prove to him it’s no game she’s playing. She’s willing to surrender to the right man. Gray would like to be that man. But catching his partner’s killer has to be his first priority. Until Faith is threatened and Gray realizes he will do anything to protect her.

Faith shoved the coffeepot under the spout just as the first drops of hot liquid seeped through the filter.
Once a week, Pop held a morning meeting to discuss jobs and divide up duties. Mondays would have been logical, but then Pop tended to be rather illogical about the little things. Meetings such as this were called at random and usually precipitated by a 5:30 A.M. phone call from Pop asking everyone to come into the office before seven.
Faith always rushed in ahead of the guys so she could pick up donuts on her way in and make a fresh pot of coffee.
Not surprisingly, Gray was the first to arrive. He glanced appreciatively at the donut box when he walked into her office and took a seat on the other side of her desk.
“Mornin’,” she said cheerfully. “Feeling any better today?”
He grunted in return but reached eagerly for a donut when she shoved the box across the desk at him.
“There’s fresh coffee made,” she said.
“You’re a goddess,” he said as he rose and made for the pot.
He tugged one of the mugs from the neat row she’d arranged them in and poured a steaming cup of the potent brew.
“Want some?” he asked after he’d taken a sip.
She shook her heard. “I don’t drink it.”
He sauntered back over and slouched in the chair. “Not drink it? I’m pretty sure that’s listed as a cardinal sin somewhere in the Bible.”
She wrinkled her nose. “Never could stand the stuff. Once I drove all night from Louisiana to Kansas. Kept drinking coffee to stay awake. By the time I got to where I was going, I puked my guts up. Just the smell of it now makes me queasy.”
“Yet you still make it for us,” he observed.
“I’m a regular saint,” she said with a saucy wink.
His gaze drifted lazily up and down her, and her cheeks warmed under his scrutiny. She positively loved the way he looked at her, like he wanted to undress her, touch her, explore every inch of her.
“I’d give an entire paycheck to know what you’re thinking right now,” he drawled.
She blinked out of her reverie to see him watching her, his blue eyes flickering with undisguised interest. She managed to control her blush—barely.
“A woman has to keep a few secrets,” she said.
He chuckled and took another gulp of his coffee.
Faiths’ gaze averted to the door as Micah strolled in, followed closely by Connor.
Micah did a quick survey of the room. “Nathan not make it in yet?”
“Obviously not,” she said dryly.
Micah grinned. She recognized that gleeful gleam for what it was.
“I don’t even want to know what you two have been up to now,” she said with an exasperated sigh.
“Mornin’,” Connor said as he leaned against her desk, coffee mug in hand.
“Morning,” she intoned sweetly.
Connor took a long swallow his coffee then closed his eyes and sighed. “I swear you make the best coffee, Faith.”
“That ain’t no lie,” Micah said. His back was to them as he poured himself a cup.
“It is damn good,” Gray agreed. “What kind is it? I’d like to get some for the apartment.”
Connor grinned, and Micah let out a hoot of laughter. Gray looked at them both in confusion.
“We’ve asked her to tell us for the last two years,” Connor explained. “She won’t. All we know is that she orders the shit from somewhere.”
Faith chuckled. “If I told you guys, you’d all buy your own coffee, and then you’d never come to my office to get any, which means I’d never see you.”
Micah snorted as he walked over to join the others. “Not see us? Hell, you run this place. Most of the time it’s you telling us when to jump and how high.”
She glared over at him. “You were supposed to say that you couldn’t possibly go a day without seeing me.”
Connor reached over to tousle her hair. “Well, that goes without saying, kiddo.”
A tiny spark of irritation ricocheted up her spine. It wasn’t the first time Connor had ever called her kiddo, but now, in front of Gray, she didn’t want to draw attention to the disparity in their ages. Not that it was huge or anything, but the last thing she wanted him to see her as was a kid. Or even worse, a kid sister.
She glared her annoyance at Connor.
A shuffle at the door directed their attention in that direction, and Faith’s eyebrows lifted as she watched Nathan walk in wearing an Astros baseball cap. Not that the cap was an oddity, he was a big fan after all, but there was no hair sticking out from under it. None!
She let out a gasp at the same time Micah snickered and Connor muttered, “What the hell?” She stood and hurried around her desk, not stopping until she stood directly in front of Nathan. She reached up on tiptoe and yanked the cap off.
She stood there stunned and let the hat fall from her fingertips. It landed with a soft thunk on the floor about the time her mouth did the same.
“What the hell have you done?” she demanded.
Nathan sighed then ran his hand over his head, his very bald head. Micah escalated from snickering to outright howls of laughter. He was soon joined by Connor and finally Gray.
Nathan bent down to retrieve his hat and slapped it back on his head. “Well, hell, Faith, you said I needed a haircut.”
Micah started howling all over again.
“I didn’t mean for you to shave it all off,” she squeaked.
Connor walked up behind Faith and slid a hand over her shoulder. “He’s dicking with you, Faith.”
“Yeah, tell her why you really shaved your head,” Micah said gleefully.
Faith yanked Nathan’s cap off again and took a step back to study him. Now that the initial shock had worn off, she had to admit he didn’t look bad at all. His goatee was freshly trimmed and neatly groomed. Without all the shaggy hair flopping over his ears, he looked damned sexy.
“Shut the hell up, Micah,” Nathan muttered.
Faith whirled around and eyed Micah. “If you know so much, then spill it.”
Micah grinned like a loon. “Oh no. I wouldn’t miss hearing this from Nathan himself for anything.”
She turned back to Nathan, who wore a resigned expression. Gray still sat slouched in his chair, an amused grin on his face.
“Yes, do tell,” Connor said.
“I lost a bet,” Nathan said tightly.
Faith’s mouth sagged opened. “A bet?” Then she rounded on Micah, her finger up and wagging. “Why on earth would you make him shave his head because of a lost bet?”
Micah’s eyes widened innocently. “What makes you think I had anything to do with it?”
She put her hand on her hip and narrowed her eyes. “Oh please. You can’t tell me this isn’t payback for the time he made you go out with the governor’s daughter.”
Connor and Nathan both dissolved into laughter. Connor had to put his cup down on Faith’s desk as he wheezed and his eyes watered. Micah scowled, and Gray’s eyebrows went up in question.
“Governor’s daughter?” Gray asked. “I didn’t know she could get a date. Last I heard, her daddy was pulling some serious strings to get her an escort.”
Nathan laughed harder. “She can’t. Well, except Micah there. He tripped all over himself to go out with her.”
Micah glowered at Nathan. “Shut the fuck up, bald boy.”
“Now this I gotta hear,” Gray said.
Faith cleared her throat. “Not that I don’t enjoy seeing Micah squirm, but we already know about the governor’s daughter.” She looked apologetically at Gray as she spoke. “I’m sure Nathan will be more than happy to fill you in later. What I want to know is why Nathan had to shave off all his hair.”
“Because he bet me the Astros wouldn’t lose yesterday afternoon,” Micah said smugly.
Connor regarded Nathan with an incredulous expression. “Dude, you bet they’d win with their best batter out with a torn rotator cuff?”
“I didn’t know that when we placed the bet,” Nathan said tightly.
“Oh, but I bet Micah did,” Faith said.
“How would he know?” Nathan asked.
Micah slid an arm around Faith and squeezed her shoulders. “How indeed. Just a lucky thing I guess.”
“You know something we don’t, Sis?” Connor asked.
“Just that Micah happens to be very good friends with the team doctor. Micah was the one who replaced his security system last year.”
“You son of a bitch!” Nathan exclaimed. He launched himself at Micah, who ducked and backed away just as Nathan flew past Faith to grab Micah’s head in a lock. “You knew. You knew the whole time. That’s why you made the bet with me.”
Micah laughed even as Nathan flipped him to the floor. “The stunt you pulled with the governor’s daughter was far worse, so don’t give me that shit.”
“He’s got you there,” Connor said with a laugh. “I’d rather shave myself bald than have to endure what Micah did.”
“You guys really have me curious,” Gray grumbled.
Micah picked himself up off the floor, and Nathan clapped Gray on the back. “I’ll tell you all about it over lunch today.”
“Asshole,” Micah muttered.
“Well, if it’s any consolation, I think you look hot,” Faith spoke up.
Nathan looked at her in surprise. “Really?”
She laughed. “Yeah, I like it. I’d definitely do you.”
“Well, hot damn, let’s blow this joint and go back to my place.”
Connor scowled at Nathan. “Not funny, man. Not funny at all.”
“All you need is an earring,” Faith said.
He gave her a horrified look. “An earring? Are you serious? So I can look like sissyboy over there?” he said with a flip of his head in Micah’s direction.
Faith shrugged. “I think his earring is hot. You’d look great with one. Shaved head, goatee, a diamond stud or even a gold hoop, a small one. Mmm, I get all quivery just thinking about it.”
Nathan massaged his earlobe between his fingers. “Are you shitting me? You really think I’d look good with an earring?”
Faith nodded. “Yeah, and all you’d need is a little sun on that lily-white skin of your scalp, and you’ll be a regular lady killer.”
“Give it to me straight, Faith. Speaking as a woman. Quit trying to make me feel better. You honestly think the bald look is hot?” Nathan asked doubtfully.
“Vain bastard,” Connor teased.
“Well shit, if Faith’ll do Nathan because he’s bald, I think I’m gonna go make an appointment with the barber,” Gray said with a sly grin.
Connor and Micah both turned around, frowns on their faces. Even Nathan eyed Gray through narrowed lids.
Faith cleared her throat again. “Yes, Nathan,” she began, pretending she hadn’t heard Gray’s provocative statement. “Bald looks very good on you. I never did like the shaggy look. I wouldn’t have thought I’d like a bald guy, but you look seriously hot.”
Nathan grinned and gripped her by the shoulders before planting a sloppy kiss on her face. “You’re a sweetheart.”
“Get your damn hands off my daughter,” Pop grumbled as he walked through the door.
“Mornin’, Pop,” Faith said as Nathan dropped his hands off her shoulders.
Pop laid a hand on her shoulder as he walked by her en route to the coffeepot.
The others voiced their greetings, and Pop nodded his acknowledgment as he poured his coffee. Cupping the mug in his hands, he looked over at Faith. “You got that schedule printed out for me?”
She walked around the back of her desk and reached inside her drawer to pull out the pages she’d printed off earlier. She handed them over to Pop.
“We have a couple new jobs,” Pop said. “Nothing that should be too much trouble. But we have a couple queries that could be a bigger deal. Nathan, I want you and Connor to take the first. It’s an entertainment gig. Some bigwig performer is coming to town in a couple of months. They want to line out security well beforehand so that everything goes off without a hitch. I want you to listen to what they want then come up with a proposal to throw at them.”
Connor nodded. “No problem, Pop.”
Pop eyed Micah and Gray. “I want you two to take the other two queries, meet up with the prospective clients and do what it takes to land the deal. Then I want you to tackle jobs A and B on the list. I’ll take C and D and Nathan and Connor can take the remaining one. That should keep us all busy for the next week or so.”
He paused and looked over at Faith with a soft smile. “And you’ll keep us in line as always.” He glanced around at everyone else. “Be sure and keep in contact with Faith. Update her regularly so she can stay apprised of our progress. If there are any problems, let her know immediately so she can relay them to me.”
Then as if just noticing, he stared at Nathan and shook his head. “What the hell happened to you, son? Get into a fight with a lawnmower?”

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

There you have it, the first look into Sweet Surrender! What do you think?

I'm even more excited (if that's even possible, lol) and can't wait to read about Faith and Gray... and all those other hunks ;)

To read excerpts from Maya's other releases, be sure to go to her website, http://www.mayabanks.com/.

~Ali

Guest Blogger: Maya Banks

Why readers are the bestest evah

Ali suggested I write about men. You know, heroes. Eh, they’re men. Ok so, in most cases, the romance hero is a to-die-for hunkolicious loooove factory. I’ve gotten reader email telling me how much my men frustrate them *snicker* and I’m guessing it’s because they fall into the category of, you know, a real man. Irritating, stubborn…you can guess the rest.

Wes from Undenied. Yep, he irritated people. Seth from Brazen? Lots of comments about his stubborn, ornery self.

I try to reach a balance between my heroes being “too perfect” and without faults and still being someone we wouldn’t mind having for our very own. I like my men with faults, and I like women who love them *in spite* of those faults, annoying traits etc.

Trust me when I say my husband annoys the living PISS out of me. There is no one who can aggravate me like him and also no one I love more on this earth ;)

Okay but I’m straying off topic, but I did want to give Ali a little dish on my heroes ;) And hey, if you want more dirt, just holler in the comments. But now on to why I think readers are just the bestest.

I went to the Romantic Times conference in Houston this past April. I was scared shitless, and I’m not exaggerating in the least. I was dying to meet Ali, but we never seemed to be in the same place at the same time.

Finally, one night, I’m in the bar, in the corner (my favoritest spot ever) and this really gorgeous, quiet woman walks over and starts to talk to me. Now, my gaze skated downward, and I saw what I thought was her name. I recognized it as an author who wrote for the same house I did, but it threw me because A. I had no idea she was coming to the conference and B. I’ve never spoken to her in my life online or off.

So she sits and is talking and I’m racking my brain because I’m completely befuddled at this point. She asks me if I was going to be participating in the signing and me trying to be polite and not having a clue what else to say return the question and ask her whether she’ll be signing books as well.

She gives me this “what the hell are you smoking” look and then says, “Who do you think I am?”

Long story short, it was ALI. (She was carrying around author swag which is why I saw the author name and thought it as her. In my defense I was TIRED and losing my mind lololol) OMG. I then squealed like girl and pounced on her, loving and hugging and petting. Heh.

Poor Ali. I know she thought I was on drugs. But she forgave me anyway. We spent a terrific evening chatting and then went to lunch the next day in the spooky underground abyss.

RT was cool. Was I terrified and overwhelmed? Uhm, yeah. But readers like Ali, so many terrific, way cool readers, made that conference memorable. So much so that I’m actually going to buck up and go back next year *g*

Hopefully this time I won’t forget my brain.

*************

Wow, I want to thank Maya Banks for agreeing to be here this week :) I couldn't believe it when she said yes, lol. She's the bestest evah!! :)) Whether she's writing as Maya Banks or Sharon Long, you've just got to love her stories.

roflol, yup, that's how I met her... I still get a laugh from thinking of that moment.

OMG, did she just say that she's going to RT next year?! Now I must definitely go :)

*sigh* And I just love, love her heroes... they're great because they're so real. Ugh, and I was one of those who wanted to knock Seth up the head, too, lol

Now, don't forget to check out the rest of this weeks posts for news on how to win a book by Maya :) Leave Maya any comment here and come back for excerpts tomorrow and her interview on Friday :)

~Ali

Giveaway of the Week: What's Your Pleasure?

If you haven't had a chance to read a story by Maya Banks, you're missing out on some of today's hottest, sensual, emotional, loving stories that'll grab you from beginning to end.

It's not hard to realize that I'm one of the biggest Maya Banks fan, and because of this, I love to get others as addicted as I am, lol. So, this week, I'll be giving out 5 print copies of For Her Pleasure and 3 ebooks of Brazen... with more participation, I may be enticed to giveaway more ;)

This week, I'm going to be doing things a little different. I'll be having a scavenger hunt, where all answers can be found on Maya's site, http://www.mayabanks.com/. You'll have to search through current and coming soon releases to find the answer.

SEND ALL ANSWERS TO SimplyAliBlogspot@yahoo.com, with MAYA BANKS SCAVENGER HUNT on the subject line :)

Here are the questions:

1. Which of Maya's title will be coming out on March 4, 2008?

2. What's the title of the romance that feature two wolves as the heroes?



3. Which title features the brothers Adam, Ethan, and Ryan?

4. In Undenied, what does Payton do in Houston?

5. What is the name of the anthology featuring Maya's story Overheard?

6. Which title feature the flag of where I currently live?

7. Finally, after looking through Maya's site, which title caught your eye?





Now, as an added giveaway, participate any day this week and I'll enter you in another giveaway for any one of Maya's current print releases, winner's choice :) So be sure to come back everday this week :)





~Ali

This Week's Guest: Maya Banks

This week, we have one of my very favorite authors, Maya Banks!!
Maya Banks is the author of some very hot southern romances that'll have you turning up the a/c and turning down the lights. I can also attest to the fact that her stories are packed with such emotion and will get you all choked up if not teary eyed.

Maya's latest releases include:

Brazen

Length: Novel
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Published By: Samhain Publishing

Blurb:
One woman’s campaign to win the hearts of the two men she loves.
Jasmine left the Sweetwater Ranch and the Morgan brothers, no longer able to bear the painful dilemma of loving them both. After a year away, in which she gains new perspective, she returns home with one goal. To make Seth and Zane Morgan hers.

Jaz may have left an innocent girl, but she’s returned a beautiful, sensual woman. Seth and Zane aren’t prepared for the full on assault she launches and each battle an attraction they’ve fought for years.

She wants them both, but Seth has no intention of sharing his woman. It’s up to her to change his mind because she can’t and won’t choose between two men she loves with equal passion. For her, it’s all or nothing.



For Her Pleasure

Length: Single Author Anthology
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Published By: Berkley HEAT
Blurb:
What a woman needs...

It was a nice setup: one spirited woman like Kit Townsend and two good buddies like Ryder and Mac. Kit never did follow the rules--especially nonsense like "three's a crowd." So, for awhile, everything was easy and hot--a no-strings threesome in and out of the bedroom. Kit never thought she'd be giving the edge. And Ryder never thought he'd secretly be head over heels for Kit. When love puts a kink in sex, is there such a thing as a happy ending?

What a woman craves...

Mia Nichols was a sweet Dallas girl with big dreams for the future when she first met Texas Ranger Jack Kincaid. A lot has changed since that fairy tale. Framed for drug possession, Mia's being forced to work in a strip joint where several girls have disappeared into the sex-slave underworld. Then, into the club walks jack, who's got one more chance to prove himself as Mia's protector, savior and lover...


****************

Now, for a surprise giveaway, I want help in spreading the news around of Maya's visit. So, tell anybody you know to come stop by SimplyAli's blog and you'll get entered into a drawing to win all three current print books Maya has with Samhain Publishing. These books include:

Seducing Simon

Caught By Cupid: Overheard

Colters' Woman


For those you invite, just have them write in their comments in any post this week that you invited them. For example:

Alex invited me here this week.

And, you're entered.

Winners! Winners!

Okay, after doing research and getting nothing done, lol, I'm taking a quick break to post the winners :)

Giveaway #1 Winner

for

Fangs for the Memories by Kathy Love:

RachelfromNJ

Giveaway #2 Winner

for

Secret Fantasy by Cheryl Holt:

CherieJ

Giveaway #3 Winner

for

The Templar Knights 2: Sinful Pleasure by Mary Reed:

Cathy

Giveaway #4 Winner

for

$5 Gift Certificate to Samhain Publishing:

tetewa

Giveaway #5 Winner

for

$5 Gift Certificate to Amazon.com

atomic kitten

Winners, just e-mail me at simplyaliblogspot@yahoo.com, and I'll get those prizes out to you as soon as possible :)

To those who didn't win, don't despair, this week I'll be giving away several copies of Maya Banks newest releases Brazen and For Her Pleasure. Also, get others to stop by and I'll enter you in a giveaway for all current releases that Maya has with Samhain Publishing. These releases include; Seducing Simon, Colters' Woman, and Caught by Cupid. Information on this contest will be posted tomorrow.

See you all tomorrow :)

~Ali

Giveaway! Giveaway! #5

One last giveaway for this week :)

This time, the prize is a $5 Gift Certificate to Amazon.com (one of my favorite websites to shop at :)).

Okay, so next week (I've got my fingers crossed), Maya Banks will be visiting us here! We'll be celebrating her latests releases of For Her Pleasure and Brazen The week after, it should be Nalini Singh, when we'll be talking about her latest release Caressed by Ice. Also, coming soon, we'll have Shayla Black, Michelle Pillow, Sherrill Quinn, Beth Williamson, and more (I hope, lol).

Now, when I have my weekly guests I usually like to have a mini-interviews... this is where I need your help... to enter this giveaway, just post a question you'd like me to ask our guest authors :) Each question will get you a chance for the Gift Certificate prize :)

This weeks giveaways will run until Saturday night :) Winners will be posted on Sunday.

Be sure to come back on Monday when we'll spotlight Maya Banks and I'll have a special giveaway of Maya's current Samhain print books :)

~Ali

Giveaway! Giveaway! #4

Three more hours and I'm home free, lol

Well, I have a surprise giveaway here for a $5 Gift Certificate to Samhain Publishing

They just recently released their I Dream of Dragons ebooks, with novellas from authors; Kathleen Scott, Nina Mamone, Bianca D'Arc, Marie Harte, and Summer Devon.
Be sure to check those out if you get a chance :)

Now, to be entered into this giveaway, just leave a comment and let me know what you'll be reading this weekend.

Myself, I'll be *sob* reading research for a paper I have due in my class... so I can't wait to hear what others will be reading :)

~Ali

Giveaway! Giveaway! #3

Okay, I'm running short on time, so I'll make this fast :)
For today's giveaway, it's a historical romance, Mary Reed McCall's The Templar Knights 2: Sinful Pleasures



Visit Mary's website, www.MaryReedMcCall.com, and check out her other books in The Templar Knights series. Just browse her site and let me know what you think... come back in case I have another surprise giveaway today :)

Have a great Friday!

~Ali

Giveaway! Giveaway! #2

Okay, for today I'll be giving away a hardback copy of Cheryl Holt's Secret Fantasy.

Author of 19 books, Cheryl Holt is a best-selling novelist with some very steamy books to her name. Find out more at Cheryl's website, www.CherylHolt.com, and browse through her current releases. There you can click on any book cover and read their blurb and get a sneak preview (excerpt).

Let me know which one caught your eye ;) What caught my eye were the covers with those chest *sigh*. Yes, I'm a cover whore... but, seriously, can you blame me? lol

So, to be entered into this giveaway, like I wrote earlier, just visit Cheryl's website and tell me which book caught your eye.... for either cover or blurb... or excerpt :)

~Ali

Giveaway! Giveaway!

Okay, this week I won't be having a guest, but, next week I'll have amazing author Maya Banks... and due to my studies I didn't have anything planned. But, while I'm reading all this literature for my English 1302 class, and trying to find meaning in each and every word... lol... I figured I'd do a giveaway!

So, from today until Friday, I'll be doing one giveaway a day... unless I'm in the mood to do more, so keep your eye out :)

So, for today's giveaway, I have a signed book, Kathy Love's Fangs for the Memories, first in her Vampire series. This book was one I got from Kathy while I was at the booksigning in New Orleans recently.

I must mention that there was someone else's name written on it... it was already there... but, if that's okay with you, just visit Kathy's site at, www.ReadKathyLove.com, and tell me what you think of Kathy's books.

Giveaway Winners

Here are the winners:

Winnner of ebook Demolishing Mr. Perfect by Ashlyn Chase

Pamk

Winner of ebook Perfectly Wicked book 1: Main Attraction by Anna J Evans

lrwirum

Winner of ebook Perfectly Wicked book 3: Sinfully Sweet by Anna J Evans

jennifer l.

Winner of $15 Gift Certificate to Serene Dreaming

ChristyJan

Winners, please contact me at simplyaliblogspot@yahoo.com and I'll get those prizes out to you right away :)

Come back on Monday for the next Book of the Week to be announced :)

Winners..

will be announced later on this afternoon for the past three contest (Ashlyn Chase, Anna J Evans, and Serene Dreaming). Please stay tuned :)

~Ali

Simply Interviewed: Serena

Today, we have the very serene Serena her for an interview. Let's see what I can find out...

*Ali: Thanks for being here with us this week Serena :) It's been great looking at your jewelry and reading about what inspires you... although, not too great on my purse pocket, lol.

Serena: Thanks so much for having me Ali, it's been fun seeing which pieces have been picked. I feel truly honored to have been asked (yeah, I know, sounds all butt-kissy and stuff, but it was COOL!)

*Ali: How long does it usually take you to create one of your jewelry pieces?

Serena: As much as it sounds like a cop-out, it depends. The Cleo's Collar set took me well over 9 episodes of Enterprise, er hours to make. While the simpler pieces like Tumbling Wisteria can take me from five to twenty minutes depending on how long it takes me to pick the beads.

*Ali: I remember that you mentioned you've found inspiration through Stella and Audra Price's Eververse characters. Have you found inspiration through other stories as well?

Serena: Funny you should ask that, I actually have a set that I started to make with a gorgeous copper theme. As I worked on it I kept hearing a name and visualizing a character, well, after asking permission Rhotina's Treasure was born. Rhotina is a gorgeous dragon from Bianca D'Arc's Dragon Knights series at Samhain Publishing. It's not up on the site yet because having kids at the same time as trying to anything quasi-delicate can be hazardous to my projects, let's just say I have a little restringing to do.

I also have a necklace that is SO Rene Lyon's Templars, Templar Dreams I saw the cross pendant and went, I gotta go play.

*Ali: What are some of your favorite colors or types of beads to work with?

Serena: I LOVE the feel of semi-precious stones, but I don't always like to work with them, I like to hoard them. My favorite colors are definitely natural colors, browns, tans (yes I know, same, but not quite), blues, and greens. I also LOVE silver.

*Ali: Since you're always making new pieces, do wear something new everyday? I know I would, lol.

Serena: Strangely enough, I don't. I don't wear earrings unless I'm going to a wedding (2 last year and that was it) otherwise, I only wear my wedding ring. I will wear a new piece (not earrings, just weird that way) for a day or so to test it's wear-worthiness, but other than that. Nope.

*Ali: And finally, because I love shopping for new books, what is a book you'd recommend reading? Or one of the last books you've read?

Serena: Well, ok, I thought this would be hard, but I have to say the best book I've read in a while was Been There, Bit That by Marly Chance from Ellora's Cave. It was so cool to see her come out with something new!

There's also Bianca D'Arc's Hara's Legacy from Samhain Publishing, how the woman does it, I dunno. Rene Lyons' Templar Knights series at Samhain is also a great series to check out. And I really liked Fire in His Eyes by Stella and Audra Price. I think that's at Tease Publishing now.

If you want to truly feel the pain and the love, and the hate in a character, take a look at Ruby Storm's Keeper Series at Cerridwen Press. Or for the paranormal fan who thinks they've seen it all, Nalini Singh has an AMAZINGLY unique series out that starts with Slave to Seduction from Berkley. Um, can you tell I review as well? (eency promo, go check out Fallen Angel Reviews for my reviews.

Thanks again for letting me crash and babble, I had a blast!

*********************

I want to once again thank Serena for being with us here this week. I really love her jewelry pieces and hope that you get a chance to buy something for yourself or as a gift ;)... Especially with the September sale Serene Dreaming is having. And, as an extra incentive, if you purchase anything from http://www.serenedreaming.com/ between now and next Sunday, September 16th, and let Serena know that Ali sent you I'll put you in a drawing for your choice of print or ebook copy of Sugar and Sin, book 1 in Stella and Audra Price's Eververse series.

So be sure to visit Serene Dreaming and look around. Also, check out Serena's reviews at Fallen Angel Reviews for more recommendations.

Feel free to leave any questions and I'll see if I can drag Serena back :))

~Ali

Guest Blogger: Serena from Serene Dreaming

Hi Ali, thanks SO much for letting me bend your ear!

My name is Serena and I am the owner and main designer of Serene Dreaming, an online jewelry website. I started Serene Dreaming after having made jewelry for my family and friends for a few years. When I got more and more requests and found some seriously cool beads I started making more than what was requested and then chatted with a website designing friend about 'hey, what do you think of…' Serene Dreaming was born. Not only do I have jewelry on the site, but my kids do too! My then 4 year old and 6 year olds always enjoy playing with my beads (helping me sort etc.) and I let them make their own bracelets. You can see them under the heading Beth and Jon They haven't made any complete ones since, but I think the newness has worn off.

Ali suggested I talk a little bit about where I find my inspiration. Most of the time it's all about the beads; I'll find a bead I like and will build from there. Other times I'll find an intriguing technique in a book or magazine and then adapt it to what I have on hand, or to what mood I'm in. Then there're the times that I start something with an idea in mind and things go a totally different way, a great example of this is the time I was watching a movie with my husband (most of my beading gets done in front of the television). We were watching 'A Night with Kevin Smith' I love him, he's hilarious, I was playing with a bunch of beads and was amazed to see that while I was watching this guy go on about Jay and Silent Bob I was making some of the prettiest and daintiest things I had ever made. Sweetheart, Strands of Amaranth, and Tamarisk Charms are three that I made that night. (It was a long DVD and a Friday night)

I've also found inspiration in Stella and Audra Price's varied Eververse characters. Stella has worked with me on a few, but it seems that some of my forays into my stash just make her characters scream 'That's mine!'.

I'm looking forward to this weekend when I plan on playing with my, by now, quite large stash. I've decided against buying anything new until it actually fits on my table/work area downstairs.

Little promo here, I am going to be running a sale throughout the month of September, a little 'Yay, school's back!!' sale. I'll be running 10% off all items on Serene Dreaming all month. Just email me with any questions or comments! I'm also willing to make commission pieces.

Thanks again for letting me chatter on here Ali, I really appreciate it!

********************

Much Thanks to Serena for being a guest blogger here at Simply Ali today :)

Be sure to leave any questions or comments here for Serena and maybe I can bribe her to come back, lol. Remember, any comments or question left will enter you in a drawing for a gift certificate for Serene Dreaming.

Oh my gosh, did Serena really mention having a sale on Serene Dreaming? Oh my, more shopping for me, lol.

Seriously, if you have not visited Serene Dreaming do so now. .. especially since there's a sale going on. I just recently bought Desert Trail from Serene Dreaming, and I've got to tell you, it's another stunning piece I'm adding to my slowly growing Serene Dreaming collection ;)

~Ali

Giveaway of the Week: Serene Dreaming Gift Certificate

This week I'll be giving away a $15 gift certificate to Serene Dreaming.

To enter for this, just visit Serena's site, http://www.serenedreaming.com/, and tell me about any pieces you found interesting :)

For more chances at the gift certificate stop by Wednesday for Serena's guest blog post and leave a comment there.

Don't forget that on Friday I'll have a mini-interview with Serena herself :)

Serene Dreaming

~Ali

Guest Blogger of the Week: Serena

This week's Guest Blogger is

Serena

from

Serene Dreaming

Serene Dreaming is a great site if you want to find beautiful and unique jewelry. The jewelry from Serene Dreaming is custom designed and created for individuality. Here's a peek at some of Serene Dreaming's pieces:

Bookmark - Daisy Chain

Sets-Eververse - Keegan's Spirit

Necklace - Sweetheart

Sets - Cleo's Collar

Earrings - Golden Sun

Bracelets - Blushing Roses

Men's - Breacan's Brace

********************

This Wednesday, Serena will be guest blogging with us about her jewelry so be sure to come back :)

I'll have this weeks giveaways posted shortly... one winner will even get a gift certificate to Serene Dreaming.

~Ali