Sizzling Summer Nights Giveaway Winners

Thanks to Random.org I have the three winners of the Sizzling Summer Nights Giveaway by Hachette Books/Forever Romance. Winners are:

Melanie L (#8)

Simply Stacie (#16)

&

Meljprincess (#21)

*These winners have been contacted. I will give them until Thursday to contact me, before a new winner must be chosen.

Blog Tour Q&A: Seduced by a Highlander by Paula Quinn

I had a chance to ask author Paula Quinn a few questions... take a look at her answers & leave a comment for a chance to win a copy of Ravished by a Highlander, book #1 in The Children of the Mist series, by me personally, from Amazon.

First of all, I'd like to thank Paula Quinn for taking the time out to answer some of my questions *bg* It's an honor to be one of the blog hosts on her blog tour, in celebration of the release Seduced by a Highlander

1. All your books are currently part of different series, including Seduced by a Highlander. What do you enjoy about writing books in series?

What I enjoy most about writing books that belong to a series is that I get to revisit some of my favorite characters and bring them back to the reader. It's like creating an entire generation, growing with them, knowing them the way we might know a good friend.

2. Have you ever considered writing in a different genre?

I love paranormal romances and would love to do a few paranormal historicals. Whatever I do write in the future though will always be historical, as I love the past.

3. If you could only write a short blurb on what your books are about, what would you say?

Hmm, writing anything short about one's books is always a little difficult. I think I would say that my books are about real romance and honor. They are about heroes who can be dangerous if needed, yet tender and compassionate. Heroines who are strong, yet vulnerable, and a true kind of love that encompasses time.

4. As I'm always on the lookout for another good read, what's your latest favorite read?

I'm so behind in reading anything new, but the last wonderful book I read was Till There Was You By Lynn Kurland.

5. And, finally, because I have such a sweet tooth, what's your favorite dessert?

Oh, I love dessert too! I can only choose one? Ok, then it would have to be strawberry shortcake.

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Thank you, Ms. Quinn for stopping by and Congratulations on the release of Seduced by a Highlander!

How funny is it that I actually had strawberry shortcake today, too? *yummy*

Blog Tour Spotlight & Giveaway: Seduced by a Highlander by Paula Quinn

Want to be Seduced by a Highlander?
Is so, then join us for today's book spotlight on author Paula Quinn's blog tour for her upcoming release Seduced by a Highlander...

Seduced by a Highlander
Book #2, Children of the Mist series
By: Paula Quinn
Published By: Forever
Release: September 2010
Genre: Historical Romance
Available for purchase here
ISBN: 978-0446552370
Length: Novel

BLURB:

His kiss is her undoing...


SINS THAT CAN’T BE FORGIVEN

Tristan MacGregor is famed throughout the Highlands as a silver-tongued seducer and an unrepentant rogue. Bold and charming, he’s dallied with many women, yet none as beguiling and mysterious as the lass he steals a kiss from at the king’s court. Little does he know this beauty is one of his clan’s greatest enemies.

PASSION THAT CAN’T BE DENIED

Isobel Fergusson has despised the bloodthirsty MacGregors ever since they murdered her father. When she learns the handsome stranger who melted her resistance is a MacGregor, she vows to forget him. But Tristan means to possess her at any cost and Isobel’s body turns traitor at his touch. Can a man she’s sworn to hate be the only one she can ever love?

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Giveaway

Thanks to Anna at Hachette Books, I have 5 copies of Seduced by a Highlander to giveaway to 5 of my readers.

To Enter:
Leave a comment and tell me what you like about novels with highlanders. Haven't read any? Tell me why you'd like to try one.

Bonus Entries:

1. Follow my blog on Google Friend Connect.
2. Follow Paula Quinn on Twitter.

Open to US & Canada. No PO Boxes.

Giveaway ends on September 6, 2010 at 11:59 pm CST. The winners will be selected by random.org and notified by email and will have 48 hours to reply back before a new winner is selected.

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PAULA QUINN MAY STOP BY THIS BLOG ON AUGUST 23, SO ASK HER A QUESTION FOR ANOTHER ENTRY :)

Blog Hopping: Melissa Schroeder

I love stopping by other reader and author blogs. There are so many interesting and great ones out there that it's sometimes hard to keep track. Although, at times, it's probably best I can't read them all... Some have caused me serious damage to my bank account, lol. I have found out about books I may have never even heard about had I not gone blog hopping.

I still have my favorites that I try to make sure to visit... whether it's because they're a reader that tend to like the same books I do, and I trust their recommendations... or it's a favorite author, like the one I've been visiting now...

http://melissaschroeder.blogspot.com

Melissa Schroeder has recently revamped her website and blog and I'm loving the look :) It's so pleasing to the eye and I love the model's red dress... I just love it when someone with a dark look wears red. And do you see that couple in the back left corner? Hawt! This look is definitely saying sweet but naughty, to me.

Right now, Ms. Schroeder has been having a Summer of Love blog party with different guests and giveaways all throughout the summer. You msut definitely stop by... especially today, as she talks a bit about her Once Upon an Accident series.

If you have not tried a book my Ms. Schroeder yet, what are you waiting for?! She writes all across the romance genre, from historical, contemporary, to futuristic. So, there's something for everyone.

Want a suggestion? My all time favorite Melissa Schroeder title is A Little Harmless Sex from her Harmless series... a must read, I say :)

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Don't forget, I still have my contest for a signed copy of Sounds To Die By by Nikki Duncan here

And, for every comment left on a post, you're entered to the Sizzling Summer Nights Giveaway

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I believe I've asked before, but tell me, are there any blogs you frequent more than others?

September Spectacular Reading Challenge...

I was blog hopping when I came upon the blog 'The Thoughts of a Book Junkie' and saw that she was having a Summer Spectacular Reading Challenge + Giveaway. I don't remember ever participating in a blog challenge, so I thought I'd give this one a try.

It goes on from September 1st to September 30th, giving you plenty of time to complete the challenge. It's a five book reading challenge that I hope will help me get started on my tbr pile. Find details about the challenge by clicking on the button below.

 

I'll be picking my books this weekend and hope to come up with five different genres of books to read... not like I don't have plenty to choose from, heh. In fact, I need to purchase a couple more bookshelves, eek. My father did not look too impressed when he opened one of my closet doors to find piles of books (among other things) hidden there, lol.

I'll be sure to share my list with you next week :)

Let me know if you'll be participating in this reading challenge, too. Or, is there another challenge you're currently participating in?

I 'Heart' Romance book club pick & Giveaway: Sounds To Die By by Nikki Duncan

This past Sunday I had my latest book club meeting. We chatted about our last book club pick, Shut Up and Kiss Me by Christie Craig, other books we had read, movies we've watched, and just about everything else under the sun. Readers enjoyed Shut Up and Kiss Me, saying that it was both funny and cute, and other members will definitely be checking out Ms. Craig's backlist. How awesome is that?

I also shared with everyone the latest book club pick (one of my favorite parts of organizing my book club, hehe). What is it, you ask?

*drumroll*

Sounds To Die By

Sensory Ops Series, Book #1
By: Nikki Duncan
Published By: Samhain Publishing
Print Release: August 2010
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Available for purchase here
ISBN: 978-1605047959
Length: Category

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…

I'm very excited about this book pick, not only because it's a fantabulous read, but it's my book club's first e-Book to Print from an e-Publisher. I've enjoyed being able to share new authors and genres of romance with my book club members... and from the feedback I've gotten, they've enjoyed it, too (thank goodness :-).)

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Want to win a copy of Sounds To Die By by Nikki Duncan? I actually have an extra copy or two, signed by the lovely Ms. Duncan herself! I'll pick one winner on Thursday... Again, there's only one stipulation *dun, dun, dun* lol. My book club meets on the 12th of September... at that time, I'll have a post here on Sounds To Die By, and all I need you to do is stop by and leave your comment/thoughts on the book.


If you think you can do that, leave a comment in this post letting me know you'd like a chance to read Sounds To Die By along with your e-mail address and you are in the draw *bg* I'll be picking the winnerSunday so I can send out asap, giving you a chance to read :)

Monday, Monday...

Every other day, every other day
Every other day of the week is fine, yeah
But whenever Monday comes, but whenever Monday comes
You can find me cryin all of the time

Yes, this Mamas & The Papas song lyric captures my mood on Mondays perfectly. I'd much rather fast forward to Friday... especially this Friday, since I'll be headed back to Colorado for my nephew's 1st birthday! *yay*

Okay, this past weekend was a whirlwind for me. I went out of town with my cousin, Eli, on Saturday and headed to the DFW (Dallas-Fort Worth) area to meet with author Nikki Duncan. Recently, her novel 'Sounds To Die By' released in print. I bought a few (your version and mine of 'few' may differ, lol) extra copies of the book to take to Ms. Duncan and have signed. As usual, she was super awesome and a hoot to hang around. I'll actually get to see her again at the end of the month when I return for her booksigning.

I made a last minute decision to spend the night in Dallas, as I was too tired to drive back. Imagine that. Sunday morning, though, we had to wake up early and head back to Houston because I had my book club meetings. And guess what our latest book pick was? If you said 'Sounds To Die By' you'd be absolutely correct... ah, the pleasures of organizing my own book club, lol.

So, later on today, I'll have my post up about my I 'Heart' Romance book club meeting and be giving away a signed copy of 'Sounds To Die By' so stay tuned... I'll also be posting winner of the historical book giveaway :)

Historical Books Giveaway

One of the best parts about going to a romance readers convention? Getting more books, of course. I love to get a book by an author I haven't yet tried... it's always fun reading something new. Sometimes, I do get two copies of a book or a copy of a book I already own... what do I do with those? Why, give them away for others to enjoy, of course ;)

Up for grabs today:

To enter, just Name one of your favorite Historical Romance authors. You have until Sunda night, and winner will be posted Monday ;)

I'll say one of mine is Jo Goodman. If you've never read the Price of Desire by Jo Goodman, I'd definitely recommend. This story was very emotional and gave me that 'lump in my throat' feeling. Both main characters have hidden scars from their past and when these things come to light, just wow. *sigh* Just writing about it makes me want to re-read it now.

Winners for... Mind Games by Carolyn Crane

Huh... I know I said morning meant afternoon, but I didn't really mean this late. My only excuse is that I thought I said I'd post winner Saturday. Thank goodness I re-checked ;)

Thanks to everyone who left a comment... I really wish I could share this read with everyone (it's just that awesome), alas I only have so many extra copies. But, because I really can't help but share this book, I will be picking more than one winner. One winner will get the autographed copy, while two others will get a copy from Amazon.com. Winners were picked by Random.org...

Here goes:

Winners of a copy of Mind Games by Carolyn Crane from Amazon.com are:

Jules@OneBookShy

&

Raonaid Luckwell

Winner of signed copy of Mind Games by Carolyn Crane is:

Daniel L Carter

Congratulations to all winners! Please send me an e-mail (simplyaliblogspot@yahoo.com) with your address and I'll get your copy of Mind Games out to you asap ;)

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To help ease my weekend blues (I was supposed to head out of town, but plans changed) I'll have another giveaway up tomorrow, so please tune in. And, since I'll be staying in town this weekend, I plan to catch the movie The Other Guys. It looks freaking hilarious and I just love their tweets on twitter (@OtherGuysMovie). What about you, any plans for the weekend?

Giveaway: Mind Games by Carolyn Crane

During my recent trip to RomCon I got to meet awesome author Carolyn Crane *bg* I actually met her in passing at RT through @Limecello, but once I saw that she was going to be at RomCon I thought I'd give her book, Mind Games, a try.
Oh. My. Gosh. I'm so glad I did! If you got a chance to read my review of Mind Games, then you know how much I fell in love with this Urban Fantasy. This is one book that stuck with me long after I finished reading it. I still think about the plot and characters and wonder what's going to happen next. I'm ecstatic that the next book in this trilogy, Double Cross, should be out September 21st *bg*

Much to Carolyn Crane's delight, I'm pretty sure, I didn't really get to stalk her much at RomCon, lol. In fact, now that I think about it, I don't think I got to take a pic with her, either :( Hopefully, next time. But, I did get to buy several copies of her books (in love with her book much? nah, lol) and have them autographed. I got a new signed copy for myself (since my original copy was a used copy... yeah, I'm seriously not addicted or anything, lol), a couple for my book club, I 'Heart' Romance, and a couple for my blog readers!

Which brings us to the announcement of another giveaway for the day. This one will end Thursday night and winner will be posted on Friday morning. Morning for me probably means afternoon for you. Got it? lol.

This giveaway is open to all readers in the US and other countries where not prohibited. I think everyone should have a chance at this fab book ;)

Now, what do you have to do? Just answer the question, on the bottom of this post, in the comments section.

Mind Games

By: Carolyn Crane

Published By: Spectra

Released: March 2010

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Available for purchase here

ISBN: 978-0553592610

Length: Novel

Blurb:

JUSTINE KNOWS SHE’S GOING TO DIE. ANY SECOND NOW.

Justine Jones has a secret. A hardcore hypochondriac, she’s convinced a blood vessel is about to burst in her brain. Then, out of the blue, a startlingly handsome man named Packard peers into Justine’s soul and invites her to join his private crime-fighting team. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime deal. With a little of Packard’s hands-on training, Justine can weaponize her neurosis, turning it outward on Midcity’s worst criminals, and finally get the freedom from fear she’s always craved. End of problem.

Or is it? In Midcity, a dashing police chief is fighting a unique breed of outlaw with more than human powers. And while Justine’s first missions, including one against a nymphomaniac husband-killer, are thrilling successes, there is more to Packard than meets the eye. Soon, while battling her attraction to two very different men, Justine is plunging deeper into a world of wizardry, eroticism, and cosmic secrets. With Packard’s help, Justine has freed herself from her madness—only to discover a reality more frightening than anyone’s worst fears.

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Question: Have you read any Urban Fantasy novels? If yes, any favorites? If no, why not?

I can honestly say that I was hesitant to try this book out because of it's genre, but I was surprised at how addicting this story was. Anytime I put it down, I could not wait to get back to it. So, if you haven't tried Urban Fantasy before, I'd definitely suggest this one to try ;-)

Sizzling Summer Nights Giveaway

Get ready for a chance to make your summer nights hotter, all thanks to Hachette Books/Forever Romance. This month, I have the opportunity to give away 3 sets of these hot summer reads!

These sets include:

FORBIDDEN PASSION

By: Rita Herron

Format: MASS MARKET

Price: US$6.99/CAN$8.99

ISBN: 9780446199490

DEADLY FEAR

By: Cynthia Eden

Format: MASS MARKET

Price: US$6.99/CAN$8.99

ISBN: 9780446559249

DARE TO SURRENDER

By: Lili Feisty

Format: MASS MARKET

Price: US$6.99/CAN$8.99

ISBN: 9780446541930

TO SURRENDER TO A ROGUE

By: Cara Elliott

Format: MASS MARKET

Price: US$6.99/CAN$8.99

ISBN: 9780446541312

RAVISHED BY A HIGHLANDER

By: Paula Quinn

Format: MASS MARKET

Price: US$6.99/CAN$8.99

ISBN: 9780446552387

Rules/How to Enter:

1. Only residents of the U.S. or Canada are eligible to win. No P.O. Boxes, please. You must be 18+ to enter.
2. To enter, leave a comment to this post with a way to contact you if you are a winner.

*Extra Entries:
+1 Be a Google Friend Connect follower of my blog.
+1 On Twitter, tweet about this contest and leave a link.
+1 Comment on any of my posts for the month of August.

3. Contest ends at 11:59 pm Central Time on 8/30/2010. Three winners will be chosen using Random.org. Each of the 3 winners will receive a set of the 5 books.
4. I will send the winners' mailing information to Hachette Books, and the prizes will the shipped directly from them.

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Good luck! I wish I were in the running... these all look like fab books. A couple are either in my TBB or TBR pile, hehe. I already have my copy of Deadly Fear by Cynthia Eden, and know I can't wait to get started on that ;)

August is going to be Awww-some!

I can't believe another month is about to end... but, I'm excited about August being here *bg*
Besides the fact that this means we're that much closer to winter (I was not born for the Houston heat and humidity), August means I'll be having tons of giveaways!
Why, you ask? Because this is my blog and I can, lol.
Also, because I'm finally trying to get this going here again... so, check back daily as you never know what I'll be up to.

In fact, stop by later today as I announce a big giveaway I'm having for August ;)

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This weekend, I went out of town and didn't get any reading done, gr. What about you? Any fun activities this past weekend? Any good reads?