Happy Hump Day and a Contest

Good Wednesday to all :)
I'm in an unexplainable good mood today, whoo-hoo... I actually got one post up already *bg* Be sure to read the last post which includes a contest and news on an upcoming release :)

Now, since I'm in such a good mood, I thought I'd have another giveaway *yay*

*GIVEAWAY*

You see, another one of my favorite authors, Candice Havens, is on a Final Round poll at Bitten By Books for 2009 Favorite Paranormal Author! You can click on their site and it will be on the right hand side if you scroll down a bit. Right now she's a bit behind this author lady named Kim Harrison, lol j/k

I'm asking you guys to help me and put Candice at the top where I think she deserves to be *bg* So, please stop by http://www.bittenbybooks.com/ and give a vote for Candice :) There's not registering to do. You just click and submit ;)

Whenever I got to a signing I love picking up extra books to share with friends, book club members, and my blog readers... yet, for some odd reason, recently whenever I see Candice Haven at a signing, I seem to pick up her title Dragons Prefer Blondes. This is her second title featuring the Caruthers sisters... and I guess my favorite :)

To win a copy of this book, just comment on this post and let me know you voted for Candice... now, I know some may not prefer to start with book #2, so I'll send you out any available backlist title of Candice's from Amazon :)

Now, if Candice wins 2009 Favorite Paranormal Author, I'll be sure to not only give the winner their choice of a book, but a $5 gift card to their choice of Barnes and Noble's or Amazon.com!

Go ahead and spread the news... for anyone that comments letting me know you sent them and they voted, I'll give you an extra drawing into this contest!

This poll ends around noon Saturday 31st, so I'll post winner on Tuesday!

Dragons Prefer Blondes
By: Candace Havens
Published By: Berkley
Released: July 2009
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Available in print here
ISBN 13: 978-0425227800

BLURB:

Second in the paranormal series featuring the Caruthers sisters, party girls who save the world -- between cocktails.

Alex Caruthers is a sassy socialite who knows when it's time to turn in her dancing shoes and kick some serious dragon booty. But when Ginjin -- the dragon warrior who's tried to kill her numerous times -- chooses her as his mate, Alex finds herself in a situation that's too hot to handle.

For help she turns to Jake, head of Caruthers security -- and a total hottie in a suit -- and asks him to pose as her boyfriend. Their relationship might be fake, but Alex can't deny that one touch from Jake makes her burn hotter than any dragon could.

© Candace Havens

Upcoming Release: Wild Heart by Lori Brighton and a Contest

I must share with you an upcoming release that I'm looking forward to :) Author Lori Brighton will have her debut release from Kensington Books this November 3rd! I am definitely all for supporting debut authors... especially with a book that looks like it's going to be one great read :) Wild Heart is part of the Special Price program for new books by debut authors and will be available for only $4.99.

Wild Hearts

By: Lori Brighton

Published By: Kensington Books

Released: November 2009

Genre: Paranormal Historical Romance

Available in print here

ISBN 13: 978-1420108651

BLURB:

WANTON…

Leo Roberts is next in line for an earldom and the power and fortune that come with it, but he is uncultured, unrefined—and completely untamed…until governess Ella Finch arrives upon the scene. Can so young and inexperienced a woman tutor him in the manners and mores of his class? Leo’s mysterious past has rendered him an outsider, too wild for polite society. But he finds her innocence most intriguing…

WILLING…

What manner of man he may be, Ella does not know. Yet he fascinates her and she must know more. Capturing Leo’s reckless heart is about to free her in ways she never dreamed of…and his sensual touch releases the deepest yearnings of her body and soul…

©Lori Brighton

**********

**Lori Brighton will be a guest today on the blog 'Book girl of Mur-y-Castell', where three winners will win a signed copy of Wild Heart!

But, if you don't win there, go ahead and stop by author Beverley Kendall's forum HERE where Lori Brighton's book is up on a poll for their next Book Club Selection. If you get a chance to vote for Lori's book, just leave a comment here and I'll choose one winner for a copy of Wild Heart by Lori Brighton :) It comes out next week and I'll have it shipped from Amazon. Voting closes October 29 on the forum, so I'll announce winner on Friday :)

Latest Release from Shayla Black: Possess Me At Midnight

Possess Me At Midnight

Doomsday Brethren Series, Book 3

By: Shayla Black

Published By: Pocket Books

Released: October 2009

Genre: Paranormal/Urban Fantasy Romance
Available in print here

ISBN 13: 9781416578468

BLURB:

An apocalypse approaches in the new novel from bestselling author Shayla Black’s electrifying Doomsday Brethren series, as a magical warrior and a spirited witch ignite a smoldering passion that could destroy them both.

As a mysterious dark cloud drains the life of her beloved brother, Doomsday Brethren leader Bram, Sabelle Rion can think of little else. Still, every time she meets Ice Rykard’s intense green gaze, her body aches with need for the sexy warrior. Their attraction is explosive, incredible—and forbidden. As dangerous as he is unpredictable, Ice is her brother’s sworn enemy. But as Bram weakens, a more sinister force is gaining power. Evil Mathias and his ruthless Anarki army are on a bloodthirsty hunt for the Doomsday Diary. Sabelle must guard the potent book with her life—and Ice vows to protect the beautiful witch with his. Duty demands that Sabelle deny her lover’s fiery call of possession and mate with a man who can sway the magical Council against the impending rebellion. With the fate of magickind hanging in the balance, will she forsake the burning desires she can’t ignore or turn her back on her people for the courageous man she can’t resist?

(c) Shayla Black

EXCERPT:

Chapter 1 can be read on Shayla Black's website here

Blog Stops Here...

Today...

*Be sure to stop by my cousin's, Eli's, blog: Ramblings of a nice/snarky girl and read about last month's trip to the DFW area where we got to attend the Buns and Roses Tea for Literacy 2009. While it may be over a month, lol, she actually created a post before I did, hehe. This girl even added pics *bg*

*Also, stop by and say 'hi' to one of my favorite authors, Melissa Schroeder, at the Naughty Edition blog here. She's talking about her Harmless books... which is how I became addicted to Mel in the first place ;). There's also a giveaway there for one lucky commenter.

New Release: Hot As Sin by Bella Andre

Hot As Sin
By: Bella Andre
Published By: Bantam Dell
Released: October 2009
Available in print here
ISBN: 978-0440245018

Blurb:

Sam MacKenzie is a wildland firefighter with few peers. He's utterly fearless - there's no one waiting for him at home, no reason not to risk it all. Out of the blue, the only woman he's ever loved - the same one who ground his heart to dust ten years ago - shows up begging him for help. Dianna's sister is in big trouble somewhere in the rugged Colorado Rockies, and he's the only person Dianna knows with the skills to track her sister down.

Working together on their quest to find Dianna's sister, they soon realize there's a killer on the loose and his true target isn't Dianna's sister...it's Dianna herself. Using his extreme outdoor skills, Sam needs to track down the killer, before he loses the woman he loves forever.

New Books Sunday....

I thought I'd share with other readers what I've been adding to my TBR pile, both print and ebooks... maybe you'll want to check them out....

Tie Me Down

By: Tracy Wolff

Published By: NAL Heat

Released: September 2009

Available in print here

ISBN: 978-0451227881

BLURB:

Homicide detective Genevieve Delacroix demands respect. As the only woman on her squad, she maintains a tough-as-nails attitude that keeps men at arm's length. Never giving in to her secret fantasies ... until she meets a mysterious stranger who teaches her how little control she really has-- over her mind and her body.

Cole Adams arrives in New Orleans believing star investigator Geneveive is his last hope for solving the murder of his younger sister. He just doesn't expect the hard-assed detective to look like a blonde bombshell. Once he breaks through her inhibitions, he soon finds an unexpected obsession-- driving Genevieve right to the edge of desire ... and beyond.

But when a serial killer who has been terrorizing the streets of the French Quarter sets his sights on Gnevieve, the lovers realize they've both let down their guard. And losing control could have fatal consequences.

**I actually got to meet Tracy Wolff at Lora Leigh's RAW event this past September :) She is just awesome all around. Now, I also got this book for my friend, Alberto... and I will definitely have to post his thoughts when he finishes reading his copy, hehe.

Recently, I was lucky enough to win a RomantiCon Goodies from entering a contest on author Tilly Greene's newsletter. This was wonderful because I had actually planned on attending RomantiCon, but when my car broke, gr, I had to change plans *sigh*... but, when I received my goody package this week it brightened my week *bg* In it, I got some fun author promo items and also some Ellora's Cave and Cerridwen books :D

These are the books I received:

2009 Collector's Edition: Scintillating Samples anthology from Cerridwen Press
2009 Collectro's Edition Vol. 2: Naughty Nooners anthology from Ellora's Cave
Dark Promises I: Midnight by Elisa Adams
The Price of Pleasure by Joanna Wylde
The World According to Ali by T.L. Gray (um, can I just say I love this title, hehe)
His Fantasies, Her Dreams anthology by Sherri L. King, S.L. Carpenter, and Trista Ann Michaels

Blog Stop: Eve Cassidy & Operation eBook Drop...

I recently stopped by a blog post on author Eve Cassidy's blog. This was my first time on her site and/or blog. I follow her on twitter and saw her write about her latest blog post regarding Operation eBook Drop. This program is for deployed troop members and getting ebooks to them... I'm always interested in anything that will help our soldiers.
Read more about Operation eBook Drop on Eve Cassidy's blog, http://evecassidy.wordpress.com/blog

Since I was already on Eve's site, I decided to check out her books *bg* She currently has one out, G.I. Jamie, published with eXcessica Publishing. Lucky me, this is a short story so I've already purchased and downloaded onto my Kindle *bg* and will definitely read this weekend in between work and chores :)


G.I Jane
By: Eve Cassidy
Published: eXcessica Publishing
Released:
Available in ebook here


BLURB:

She's hot, she's sexy and she can kick some ass!

Jamie is in the middle of becoming a trained soldier in the Marine Corps when she literally bumps into a man that sparks her fire. With her focus lost she does what any red-blooded American woman would and takes matters into her own hand…literally.

When that's not enough she throws caution to the wind and takes a second chance encounter with a hot, sexy stranger for all that she can.

New to bookshelf: Holiday Brides anthology

With mid-term due... and my procrastinating self taking it's sweet time to complete it, I thought I'd share with you some of the books I've just added to my shelf :)

Hopefully, by this weekend, I'll have my studies over with and can give you my thoughts on The Sweetest Tatto by Cameron Dane and Sounds to Die By by Nikki Duncan... until, then... here's one book that I was fortunate enough to receive as a prize for being a subscriber to author Farrah Rochon's newsletter... it's definitely being added to my November/December reading list to get me in the mood for the holidays:

Holiday Brides
By: Jewel Amethyst, Farrah Rochon, Stefanie Worth
Published By: Leisure Books
Released: October 2009
Availabel in print here
ISBN: 9780843963199

BLURB:

The holidays aren't so festive when you're celebrating by yourself. But with a little luck and a lot of love, three single women find their soulmates and get the holiday wedding of their dreams.

"No Ordinary Gift" Farrah Rochon

Kemah and Tyson come from different sides of the tracks. They had the start of something real, buy Tyson got scared. Now that a special Kwanzaa celebration has thrown them together again, he's determined not to let go until she says, "I do."

"HeavenSent.com" Stefanie Worth

Brenna has a list, and she's checking it twice. But unfortunately for her coworker Evan, she just doesn't seem to see him as anything more than a friend. Can an online dating site and two guardian angels change her mind before the clock strikes midnight on New Year's Eve?

"From SKB with Love" Jewel Amethyst

Venetta David had never dreamed she would find love on her winter getaway to tropical St. Kitts. But a whirlwind affair with islander Sean Kevin Bryan would lead to a romance to remember and a Christmas morning ceremony on the sparkling white sands.

New Release: Dancing With Danger by Desiree Holt

Dancing With Danger
By: Desiree Holt
Published By: Ellora's Cave
Released: October 2009
Available in ebook here

BLURB:

Rachel Windsor knew nothing about Gabriel Peralta except that he was walking sex appeal. He blew into her life without notice, here today then always gone on a puff of wind. But each time he appears, he does things to her body that even her fantasies haven’t conjured up, driving her to orgasms that shake her like a raging storm. His mouth knows every inch of her body. The imprint of his intimate kisses linger long after he disappears.

Now he’s back again, his life unexpectedly on the line. But even in the danger zone his sexual demands are more scorching than ever and this time, Rachel is determined not to lose him—or the erotic lifestyle that binds them.

EXCERPT:

The party had been going on far too long. It was a weeknight so dinner had been scheduled for six o’clock. The hosts had spoken and made their plea, things should be wrapping up now. The room should have been at least half empty. But it seemed no one was the least bit interested in leaving. The din of conversation competed with the sound of the orchestra, which segued from one rhythmic tune to another and people continued to jam the dance floor as well as both bars.

Standing quietly in one corner, Rachel Winters looked glanced over the room. She couldn’t quite conceal a smile of satisfaction. Another successful fundraiser for The Harris Foundation. Despite tough economic times, the people who had the money couldn’t seem to give it fast enough to Sam and Loraine Harris, people with old money and a very old social position. People everyone wanted to curry favor with.

Now the Harrises were mingling with their guests, discreetly collecting checks, their bodyguards in tuxedos and guns never more than inches away. Two years ago Sam had been kidnapped by a terrorist cell who wanted an enormous ransom to fund an arms purchase. Rachel remembered that time vividly. A very black ops agency contacted by one of Sam’s close friends had taken over, faceless men moving soundlessly around the offices, interrogating everyone while a hand-picked team went in to retrieve Sam. Now the same agency provided security 24/7. It had been a difficult time for all of them and Rachel still worried about their vulnerability.

Rachel smoothed a hand down the silken fabric of her signature black cocktail dress. She always wore black, convinced it minimized the flaws in her figure. She saw her hips as too wide, her thighs as too chunky, her tummy as too rounded, especially for someone as short as she was. Now she wished she could kick off the four-inch heels she used to boost her five-foot-two-inch height. Her thick honey-colored hair was pulled up in a sophisticated arrangement that added yet another inch or two. Anything to make her feel less like a chunky miniature lost at an adult function.

Casually she stole a look at her watch. Eight thirty. Should she find some way to signal people the party was over? Sam and Loraine weren’t so young anymore and these functions were always grueling for them. She loved her job and the Harrises treated her like family, which made her take a more personal interest in their welfare. Serving as director of The Harris Foundation filled her days and nights.

Too bad it couldn’t take care of her heart, which she was sure destined to remain unfulfilled. Why did she have to go and fall for a mystery man anyway? One who appeared without warning and then was gone like a wisp of smoke. No matter how sexy he was, how good in bed, how he drove her to the highest plains of pleasure, he never stayed. Never gave her more of himself than one night at a time and those were few and far between.

She didn’t even know what he did. They’d met at a barbecue given by mutual friends and fallen into bed within hours of “hello”. But even those friends couldn’t—or wouldn’t—give her any information about him.

She knew his name. Gabriel Peralta. That was it—if that was even his real name. She also knew he was six foot four of lean hard muscle with thick silken black hair she loved to run her fingers through, a hawk nose and eyes like onyx. Hands that could make a woman’s body writhe in pleasure and a magnificent cock that stretched her to capacity and made her explode with its friction.

And scars whose origin he refused to discuss.

Just as he refused to discuss anything else. Whenever she tried to lead the conversation in that direction, he artfully distracted her with his talented mouth and hands and body. In seconds she would be a writhing mass on the bed and any thought of questions disappeared as if it’d never occurred to her.

Weeks would go by without her seeing him, weeks in which she imagined every type of situation her brain could conjure up. He was a spy. He was covert military. He was a mercenary. On the worst days she even wondered if he was married and had a wife—maybe a family—that he spent his time with between his visits to her. But she always dispelled that idea quickly. No man could be so sexually intense with her if he had another woman in his life.

Sometimes she thought what an idiot she was, living for the rare visits with nothing in between. A smarter woman would tell him to go to hell and get on with her life. But no man she met came even close to measuring up to him. In any way. So there didn’t seem to be anything to get on with. She’d stopped circling the dates of his visits on the calendar, just focused on her work and accepted the pleasure he brought when he magically appeared.

She was imagining him in her head, wondering when he’d appear out of the darkness again, when a smooth male voice cut into her thoughts.

“I would love to have one dance with you, Miss Winters. If you don’t mind.”

She shook herself from her reverie to find Lincoln Harris standing in front of her with an expectant smile. Dancing with him was last on her list of things she wanted to do. Just being with him gave her a headache. She didn’t like the man. The fact that he was handsome in a classical sense and kept himself in top condition didn’t offset his personality. He was egotistical, self-involved and arrogant.

Unfortunately he was also the heir to the family fortune, CEO of Harris Industries since his father’s semiretirement and president of the foundation board. He wasn’t someone she could easily brush aside. Or god forbid, offend in any way. Any imagined slight on her part could make her life very difficult. Board meetings that he ran gave her fits but she’d learned long ago how to deal with the Lincoln Harrises of the world. She just wished Sam and Loraine weren’t quite so blind to him.

Rachel rubbed her forehead. Tonight for some reason she was edgy and Lincoln Harris wasn’t a recipe for calm. However, she put on her public smile and held out a hand to him, reminding herself it was just part of the job. Even if she couldn’t stand the guy, her paycheck obligated her to be nice to him.

“Of course.” She forced her lips into a smile. “It would be my pleasure.”

Rachel, what an accomplished liar you are.

The orchestra swung into an old familiar ballad and Lincoln led her onto the dance floor. He would have pulled her tightly against him but she put her free hand on his shoulder, ensuring at least an inch or two of space between them.

“You’ve done an excellent job tonight,” he complimented her. “I believe this is our best turnout yet.”

“It took a lot of people to make this happen,” she demurred, turning her face away from his. The scent of his cologne was overpowering. “You and your parents have really carried your message to people. The right people.”

“Don’t be so modest. You deserve a lot of credit for the work you do.” He tightened his arm around her slightly. “I’ve been watching you for a long time, you know. You’re smart. You have elegance and grace, always know just the right thing to say to people. An asset to the foundation. Perhaps when this is over we can share a quiet drink together. Talk about…things.”

And I know just the kind of things you’ve got on your mind, you repulsive lecher.

While she was searching for a polite way to turn him down a hand touched her shoulder and a familiar voice broke into the conversation and she knew what that edgy feeling tonight had been—her radar working overtime. “Sorry. The lady has other plans.”

Even after all this time, after so many long absences, Gabriel Peralta’s honey-smooth baritone could still make her knees wobble and her pulses pound. She was stunned that he’d showed up at a place like this, an event with so many people. Usually he slipped into her house in the dark of night and left the same way.

Lincoln glared at the man behind Rachel, anger and outrage chasing briefly across his face. “I’m sorry. Have we met? I’m Lincoln Harris. And you are…”

“A close…friend of Rachel’s.” Gabe’s hand tightened on her shoulder. “I’m sure you’ll excuse us. I’m only in town for a short while and we have a lot of catching up to do.”

In a smooth maneuver he slipped her from Lincoln Harris’ arms and into his and began moving them away, his feet catching the rhythm of the music. She glanced over Gabe’s shoulder and caught the controlled anger on Lincoln’s face before he melted back into the crowd. She hoped there wouldn’t be a price to pay.

Rachel realized suddenly he was wearing what she considered an unusual outfit for him. All she’d ever seen him in were jeans and t-shirts, sometimes with a leather jacket if the weather was cool. But tonight he had on an expensively tailored charcoal gray suit, white shirt with gold cufflinks and a conservative tie. He looked exactly as if he belonged with the invited guests. It added a new dimension to her impressions of him.

With her face pressed to Gabe’s chest, she inhaled his distinctive scent, all male with a hint of the outdoors and something citrusy. She would never tell him that she still had a t-shirt he’d left several months ago that she slept with every night, holding the smell of him close to her.

“I’m impressed with your outfit,” she told him. “Did you have to borrow it?”

His chuckle rumbled against her body. “Believe it or not I actually own real-people clothes.”

“How did you get in here, anyway?” She had committed the extensive list to memory and she knew for sure his name hadn’t been there. “The guest list is completely vetted and our security is top notch.”

He chuckled softly. “Yes, I know that. But I have connections.”

“How long do you have to stay here?” he murmured in her ear.

“The Harrises usually expect me to stay until the bitter end. How long are you here for this time?”

“Two days. Can you leave early?”

The orchestra had segued into another slow, romantic tune and their bodies moved in perfect harmony. He danced with an unexpected grace, the muscles in his thighs flexing as he moved. She could feel his heart beating where he enfolded her hand against his chest and the thick ridge of his cock pressed against her soft flesh through the fabric of their clothing.

His hand caressed the nape of her neck, sending shivers down her spine and he pressed his cock more tightly against her. “Rachel, I have to see you naked. I’m so hard for you right now I’m doing my best not to lose control here in a public place.”

“I can’t leave,” she protested weakly, although she wanted nothing more than to run out the door with him. “What would I tell my bosses?”

They continued to move in time to the music, his pelvis grinding against hers, the sleek muscles of his thighs flexing with each step. One hand drifted down to cup the cheeks of her ass, pressing the light fabric of her dress into the cleft.

“People can see us.” She tried to reach back and rearrange the dress but he grabbed her hand and pulled it against him, trapping it between their bodies.

“They’re all too busy being seen by other people.”

(c) Desiree Holt

It's Here: Sounds To Die By by Nikki Duncan

Sounds to Die By
Sensory Ops, Book 1
By: Nikki Duncan
Published By: Samhain Publishing
Released: October 2009
Available in ebook here

I have got to quickly mention that this has got to be one of my favorite Romantic Suspense novels right now *sigh*

I have a lot of work on my plate right now *blah*... have homework and tax mid-terms due... but, afterwards, I'll be sure to tell you more about Sounds to Die By...

One thing I will say is that you must definitely go out and buy this now! I think Nikki Duncan has just taken the place of my Current Favorite in Romantic Suspense ;)

Happy Readings!

I 'Heart' Romance: Beneath Bone Lake by Colleen Thompson

Happy Hump-Day Everyone... although, by now it's more like night, hehe

I wanted to share with you a book my book club just finished discussing... yes, shy little ole me decided to start a book club here in the Humble-Houston area, because I wanted a book club close to me, where other romance readers could get together and share and talk about the romance books we love so much. I named my book club I 'Heart' Romance :D

I'll admit, the first few meeting... and even sometimes now, lol... I wanted to run away. I was scared to death of taking charge and leading this readers group. But now, it's so much fun :) I have a great time getting together with this group of ladies, talking about everything from our latest book pick, other books we've read, favorite authors, movies, and anything else that may be going on.

Here's our latest read:

Beneath Bone Lake
By: Colleen Thompson
Published By: Love Spell
Released: May 2009
Available for purchase here

Blurb:

Ruby Monroe knows she’s way out of her depth the minute she lays eyes on Sam McCoy. She’s been warned to steer clear of this neighbor, the sexy bad boy with a criminal past. But with her four-year-old daughter missing, her home incinerated and her own life threatened by a tattooed gunman, where else can she turn? Drowning in the flood of emotion unleashed by their mind-blowing encounters, Ruby is horrified to learn an unidentified body has been dredged up, the local sheriff is somehow involved, and Sam hasn’t told her all he knows. Has she put her trust in the wrong man and jeopardized her very survival by uncovering the secrets…

(c) Colleen Thompson

EXCERPT for Beneath Bone Lake:

Available here

**********

Beneath Bone Lake by Colleen Thompson starts out with a mystery as Ruby Monroe returns to her Texas hometown after a year spent in Iraq, working as a bus driver. She impatiently waits at the airport for the arrival of her sister, Misty, and four-year-old daughter, Zoe, holding with her a secret she's itching to get rid of. Only someone else seems to have gotten a hold of not only her secret, but her family, as well.

Arriving at her house with dangerous and drugged strangers in residence, Ruby calls the local law enforcement for help. Before anyone arrives, Sam McCoy, her neighbor and late husband's foster brother, is on the scene and as trouble escalates, Sam tries to help Ruby as much as he can without getting too involved. After all, it wouldn't do well for someone with a criminal past to be tangled up in drugs, shootings, missing people, and an unidentified body that turns up in Misty's car in Bone Lake, would it?

Ruby Monroe is a woman who simply wants her family back. What should have been a happy reunion with her sister and daughter, turns into a nightmare as she fights against gunmen, corrupt cops, and even those she thought she knew best, with secrets that are starting to unravel.

Sam McCoy is a hero who always seems to be getting caught doing the wrong things for all the right reasons. While trying to stay away from the trouble surrounding Ruby's return, he is nonetheless drawn to her and to helping her cause. Before he realizes it, he's willing to go to any lengths to help secure Ruby and her family's safety, even if that means breaking the terms of his parole.

Beneath Bone Lake is different from other books in the Romantic Suspense genre that I've recently read. This is a complex story with more mystery, action, and suspense in the plot than romance. I do applaud the way Colleen Thompson concocted the mystery, never letting you know what is really going on or who is behind it all. While this story may have moved slowly for me during the first two-thirds, I was glued to the pages towards the end in... well, in suspense.

Beneath Bone Lake would not be a book I'd recommend for those looking for more romance in their novels, but for those who enjoy a good mystery and suspense with just a dash of romance, this should be one to check out. Find out more about Colleen Thompson and her novels on her website, http://www.colleen-thompson.com/ .

*psst* Guess what?

I'm Back!!!

Yes, after being away for... well, for too long, to say the least, I'm ready to get things back on track and start sharing with everyone the books I've been reading, the ones I can't wait to get my hands on, my favorite authors, new to me authors, authors whose debuts I've been anxiously waiting for (that would be you Nikki Duncan ;) hehe) and anything and everything I can share about the romance community.... and maybe, just maybe, I'll share a bit about my story and how I've fallen head over heels for my very own hero ;)

First of all, I want to share with you the news that I was recently lucky enough to win an ARC of Sensory Ops Book 1: Sounds to Die By by Nikki Duncan, on her blog. This book was something I was extremely looking forward to since the day Nikki mentioned it during a group lunch get-together. Finally, next week, Tuesday, October 13, everyone will be able to purchase their own copy from one of my favorite e-publishers, Samhain Publishing!!

Here's a peek:

Sounds to Die By
Sensory Ops, Book 1
By: Nikki Duncan
Published By: Samhain Publishing
Released: October 2009
Will be available in ebook here

BLURB:

Between her eyes and his ears, there’s a world of sensory overload…

Sensory Ops, Book 1

Rookie FBI Agent Kieralyn Beckett is in a delicate position. Her team refuses to buy into her theory that a string of kidnappings is connected. If she pushes too hard, they’ll discover the latest victim was her college roommate and boot her off the case. A garbled recording is the only evidence, and there’s only one man who can decipher it. The hard part will be convincing him to take the case.

Blinded as a child, NSA “listener” Ian Cabrera spends the majority of his time analyzing data while secretly searching for his father, a missing CIA operative. His plate is full, but Kieralyn’s passion and determination, as well as the erotic beat of her heart, spark his interest. So does the mention of his father’s code name on her recording.

There’s only one way to follow this new crumb-trail of clues without tipping her off about what he’s really after. Convince her she needs him to be her undercover partner, despite his handicap. Between her eyes and his ears, they make one beautifully orchestrated team. Every time they touch, though, the arousal they generate creates one red-hot element of distraction…

© Nikki Duncan


EXCERPT for Sounds to Die By:

Can be found here

**********

Until next time, Happy Reading!