Pimping Out the 2009 Books- Day 3!

It is day 3 and my final presentation for the must read books for 2009 as your island book pimp. I have recovered from another long night in my bedroom handcuffed... erm ...reading in bed!

Today's presentation will be the must read books in Urban Fantasy, Paranormal Romance and Fantasy.

This post looks like it may be a big one, so sit back and enjoy the nice island sun as I give you even more book picks to make you go broke: .

1. Angels' Blood by Nalini Singh. Coming March 3 from Berkley. A naughty angel and a vampire type slayer fight crime in New York City. There is a hot bathtub scene that will have you melting while you read. I sure did.
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2. As Shadows Fade by Colleen Gleason Coming on March 3 from NAL. Technically this one can be considered a historical, but it is about a vampire slayer, and the final book in this series. Will Victoria choose the sexy, give her great sex in a carriage, Sebastian or the broody, I have issues, boo-hoo I can't love you Max? Can you figure out who I want Victoria to choose?

3. Passion Unchained (February 24) and Passion Unleashed (April 1) by Larissa Ione. Coming from Forever. Hot demon sex.
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4. Blue Diablo by Ann Aguirre. Coming April 7 from ROC. This is a new series from Ann and I adore her big time.

5. White Star by Elizabeth Vaughan. Coming April 7 from Berkley. This is the sequel to Dagger-Star and takes place in a fantasy type world with magic and strong female characters.

6. NO COVER YET: Branded by Fire by Nalini Singh. Coming July 7 from Berkley. Mercy's and Riley story. And if you have read the excerpt, you will understand why you must buy this book!
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7. Lover Avenged by J.R. Ward. Coming April 28 from NAL. THIS IS MY MUST READ MOST LUSTED AFTER BOOK OF THE YEAR. A book pimp needs her sexy pimp to keep her company and I have the feeling this book will deliver. (Hopefully Ward will not make Rehv into a ghost and give us a good reason why he is sleeping with his skanky half-sister)

8. Eve of Darkness by S.J. Day. Coming April 28 from Tor. This is the first book in a new series from Day also known as Sylvia Day who writes wonderful historicals. I have been pimping out this book like crazy. The next two in this series come out over the summer.

9. Scarlett by Jordan Summers. Coming June 2 from Tor. I was such a big fan of the first novel, Red, in this trilogy about werewolves in the future. Gritty, dark and sexy. .

10.Queen of Song and Souls by C.L. Wilson. Coming June 2 from Leisure. This is the last book in her incredible fantasy series.

11. NO COVER YET: Hunting Ground by Patricia Briggs. Coming July 28 from Ace. If you have read Cry Wolf, you will understand why this is one anticipated read. .

Have I given you enough or are you hungry for more? What other books are you lusting for?

This concludes our presentation on the favorite books for your TBR pile for 2009. Hopefully my bosses on the DIK island have been pleased with my recommendations and will invite me back for more books to add to your TBR pile.

For more fun that you can shake a pimp cane at, come visit me at my blog Babbling About Books, and More!

Kate

Pimping Out the 2009 Books! Day 2 *Historicals*

It is day 2 of the best books you should place on your TBR pile for 2009. Historical Romance is my favorite genre to read. Instead of giving you just 5 books to choose from, I will be giving you so much Historical Romance you must have.

Seeing as I am your island book pimp, I have the top Historicals to tickle your fancy. Just as I was tickled by Rico last night...

*AHEM*

Without further ado, your top Historicals to buy for 2009:
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1. To Beguile A Beast (The Legend of the Four Soldiers) by Elizabeth Hoyt. Coming April 28 from Forever.

2. Memoirs of a Scandlous Red Dress by Elizabeth Boyle. Coming April 28 from Avon

Synopsis: At the end of the last book, "Confessions Of a Little Black Gown", Pippin made a heart-wrenching decision: In order to save Captain Dashwell's life, she agreed to marry Viscount Gossett. Twenty years later, a young American sailor passes her and stops her entire world. The man is the spitting image of Dash, and is in fact, Dash's son, Nate. Pippin, now a widow, decides to right the mistake she made all those years ago - she wants to see Dash and discover if the love she's carried in heart for all these years is nothing more than a fiction or if it is possible to find it a second time around.In disguise, she books passage on Dash's ship, and after three days at sea, reveals herself. When Dash sees Pippin on the deck of his ship wearing a red gown, he swears she's still as breathtakingly beautiful as she was the first time he saw her, but at the same time, he's furious over the years they've lost. But he can't simply return her to England, for she left a note that claims Dash has kidnapped her for a huge ransom. Can he make it across the Atlantic before the British Navy catches up with him, or worse yet, before Pippin claims his heart again?

3. Not Quite a Husband by Sherry Thomas. Coming May 19 from Bantam

NO COVER YET 4. What Happens in London by Julia Quinn. Coming June 29 from Avon
Synopsis: Olivia Bevelstokemight be falling in love.
Harry Valentinemight not be who he says he is.
And they both might be in very big trouble, indeed...
Julia Quinn brings youthe sequel to The Secret Diaries of Miss Miranda Cheever.

NO COVER YET 5. Don't Tempt Me by Loretta Chase. Coming June 30 from Avon
Synopsis: Spunky English girl overcomes impossible odds and outsmarts heathen villains. That’s the headline when Zoe Lexham returns to England. After twelve years in the exotic east, she’s shockingly adept in the sensual arts. She knows everything a young lady shouldn’t and nothing she ought to know. She’s a walking scandal, with no hope of a future...unless someone can civilize her.
Lucien de Grey, the Duke of Marchmont, is no knight in shining armor. He’s sarcastic, cynical, easily bored, and dangerous to women. He charms, seduces, and leaves them--with parting gifts of expensive jewelry to dry their tears. But good looks and charm, combined with money and rank, make him welcome everywhere. The most popular bachelor in the Beau Monde can easily save Zoe’s risqué reputation . . . if the wayward beauty doesn’t lead him into temptation, and a passion that could ruin them both.

6. Bound By Your Touch by Meredith Duran. Coming June 30 from Pocket

7. Written on Your Skin by Meredith Duran. Coming July 28 from Pocket.

I would love to add so many more but then my list would take over the whole island! Which Historical Romances are you excited for?

Tune into tomorrow for my final day of pimpin books for 2009. Tomorrow's presentation will be the most desires Urban Fantasy/ Paranormal Romance/ Fantasy... and any others that I can think of!

Excuse me now because I must get ready for my date with Miguel, the sexy cabana boy. I think it is going to be another long night ahead!

Kate

Please Be Patient

The next installation of "Upcoming Books" will be here today - probably this afternoon! Thanks for being patient! And don't forget to check back later!

Pimping Out the 2009 Books! *Contemporary*

This is Kate your friendly island book pimp. Pull up a beach chair and relax with a drink of two because for the next 3 days I am going to be pimping out the books you all should have on your radar for 2009.

Day 1 of this presentation are the 5 most wanted Contemporary Romances:

1. Practice Makes Perfect by Julie James. Coming on March 3 from Penguin.

Synopsis
When it comes to the laws of attraction, there are no rules The battle between the sexes is about to make these two lawyers hot under the collar. Opposites collide when two lawyers try to make partner at the same firm. Payton Kendall is a feminist to the bone. Cocky J.D. Jameson was born privileged. But when they're asked to join forces on a major case, they gain a newfound awareness of each other's personal assets. The partnership spot will be offered to only one of them, though. The competition heats up. Sparks fly. Let the games begin.

WHY: Opposites attract leads to great sexual tension! Julie's first books, Just the Sexiest Man Alive made quite the splash on the Contemporary Romance scene.

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2. Smooth Talking Stranger by Lisa Kleypas. Coming on March 17 from St. Martin's Press.

Synopsis
Jack Travis leads the uncomplicated life of a millionaire Texas playboy. He makes no commitments, he loves many women, he lives for pleasure. But no one has ever truly touched his heart or soul. Until one day, a woman appears on his doorstep with fury on her face and a baby in her arms. It seems Jack is the father and this woman is the baby's aunt. The real mother abandoned the child to her more responsible sister. And now, Jack is being called upon to take responsibility for the first time in his life.With delicious romantic tension, characters so real they walk onto the page and into your heart, Lisa Kleypas delivers the kind of novel that makes you laugh, love; cry and cheer.

WHY: if you read either Sugar Daddy or Blue Eyed Devil, you know why. Hello, it is Lisa Kleypas who can so no wrong in my eyes!

3. Hard and Fast by Erin McCarthy. Coming on May 5 from Penguin.

Synposis

An experiment in romance...New to Charlotte, stock car racing country, graduate student Imogen Wilson meets Ty McCordle, a driver who inexplicably has her pulse racing. After an encounter at the track with a woman whose main goal in life is to marry a driver, Imogen realizes she’s hit on the perfect thesis for her Sociology degree. If she follows The Rules on how to get a man, can she steer her way to into the hearts of the drivers and establish their dating—and mating—patterns?That’s testing the limits of passion.Although sexy and reckless Ty is the ideal test subject, she knows she can’t pursue him for the sake of science. Yet he’s the one who’s chasing after her, and Imogen realizes that she actually wants to be caught. A southern gentleman like Ty won’t fail to disappoint, will satisfy all her curiosity—and make all the risks worthwhile…

WHY: Erin McCarthy writes some of the best Contemporary Romances. She takes chances with her characters, which we saw in Flat-Out Sexy.
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4. Under Fire by Jo Davis. Coming May 5 from Penguin.
Synopsis
it doesn't get hotter than this! Zack fights fires and saves lives, yet his own thirst for life has run dry—until he comes to the rescue of a sharp-tongued exotic dancer named Corrine Shannon who soon has the normally shy hero burning out of control.But just as they are consumed by flames of passion, they find themselves under fire from two relentless enemies with fifty million reasons to succeed. Can they withstand the heat while trying to save their own lives—or will their newfound romance be extinguished as fast as it began?

WHY: HOT VIRGIN FIREMAN HERO!! Nuff said.

5. Black Hills by Nora Roberts. Coming on July 7 from Putnam.

Synopsis:

Lil Chance fell in love with Cooper Sullivan pretty much the first time she saw him, an awkward teenager staying with his grandparents on their cattle ranch in Montana while his parents went through a messy divorce. They spent every summer together, treking in the Black Hills, tracking cougar and falling in love. Then Cooper broke her heart and moved back to New York City. Ten years later and Cooper has given up his job in the police force to run the ranch after his grandfather is injured in a fall. Lil has stayed true to her love of cougars and of the Black Hills and opened an animal sanctuary. She has been targeted by animal rights campaigners in the past but this time someone seems intent on murder. As hikers are killed, animals mutiliated and a family member goes missing, Lil knows that she has no choice but to turn to Cooper for help in her fight for survival ...

WHY: Because it is Nora Roberts, the face of the Romance genre.

These are your must read Contemporaries for 2009. If anyone has any suggestions, raise your hand and leave a comment here. Tomorrow's presentation will be the must read Historicals for 2009.
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Now excuse me because Rico the bartender and I have a date. Tomorrow's presentation will not be first thing in the morning because I am going to have a very late night. *wink*

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Kate

What the Hell was That??

Today I'm sitting down to chat with the one and only Phineas Tucker.

Thanks for sitting down with me Phin. I asked all the other guys to sit for a strange, eclectic, completely off the wall, non sequitur question/answer session and they ran for the beach like the friggin devil was after them. What’s up with that? You’d think after everything they’d been through this would be no prob.
Phin: Hey, my pleasure. As long as I’m with you it’s all good.
Me: Phin, you’re gonna get some whether you brown nose or not so cut it out.
Phin: I’m just messing with ya. Ok, let’s get started.
Me: Right. On to the questions…and let me warn you – there’s no rhyme or reason here.
Phin: That’s cool, I’m used to that with you.

What was your first impression of the island?
Phin: Well I thought there were a lot of men here that were kind of strangely dressed, especially from that chick Tumperkin’s hut, but I figured what the heck – maybe they’ll share their clothes.
Me: Uh, Phin – your not allowed to wear clothes remember?
Phin: oh yeah, my bad.
Me: And those men in T’s hut are from historical times and ya ain’t wearin their bloomers!
Phin: Dammit! Ok, whatever.

We’ve all (everyone in our hut that is) gone out on several dates and it’s been a bit of an argument each time because we all like to do different things. What is your idea of a truly romantic evening?
Phin: Staying at home with candlelight, good food and music. Gotta have the music.
Me: That sounds really nice but don’t you think it might get a little crowded in there with everyone hanging out?
Phin: I’m thinking we can probably loan them all out for a night, don’t you?
Me: I don’t know, they’re all pretty attached to me. Especially Z – he’s doesn’t really play with others well.
Phin: Ok, Z can stay but the others can go find their own fun.

Apart from the most obvious one, which other two areas of your body are the most sensitive and responsive?
Phin: Wow – you’re going right to the personal questions, aren’t you? Why don’t we just go find out? *waggles eyebrows*
Me: *laughing* Come on, it’s not like I don’t already know – this is just for the other ladies to know.
Phin: Well in that case, I’d have to say the arch of my foot – man it feels good when it’s kissed or stroked and right behind my left ear. Not so much my right though.
Me: Yeah, I noticed, what’s up with that?
Phin: I think someone hit me with a pool cue there once, I can’t remember though.
Me: Makes sense

Which fruit/vegetable do you think I resemble and why?
Phin: Do I really have to answer that?
Me: Yes, and be honest.
Phin: All right…a pear. There I said it, do you hate me?
Me: LOL Hell no! If you’d said anything else I’d know you were lying.
Phin: *wiping sweat from brow* That’s a relief.

Little CJ - funny or creepy?

Phin: Oh definitely funny...in a creepy sort of way.

Me: I understand completely.

If someone told you they saw me with another guy (besides the ones in the hut), what would your first reaction be – she’s cheating on me, he’s probably an old friend or I need to get to the bottom of this?
Phin: It would be – can I join?
Me: God I love you!! Good answer!

Have you ever found yourself attracted to someone of the same sex?
Phin: um, well…
Me: Come on, it’s cool.
Phin: Ok, that guy in Sarai’s hut I've been corrected: Lisabea's hut, Jake Riordan.
Me: *laughing hysterically* yeah, good luck with that one honey!
Phin: Yeah, I know, he said he’s not gay.
Me: *laughing while holding sides* He what? Ok, I’ve gotta stop laughing! Oh that was funny!

Ok, thanks for answering my questions – strange as they were. I’ll meet you down at the dock and we’ll gather the guys for a naked beach party.
Phin: I’m there!

Anyone who wants to join us for the naked beach party grab the rum and come on!

Little CJ interviews LB Gregg!

Gobsmacked, the first novella in LB Gregg's Men of Smithfield series comes out on February 6th, and LB Gregg is here on DIK Island! (At least part is. We'll get to that in a moment.)

First off, the blurb:

No more Mr. Nice Guy.

Mild mannered Mark Meehan’s good judgment flies out the window when he finds his lover banging another man. Things go from bad to worse as Mark’s crazy revenge scheme uncovers shocking secrets—sending him straight into the arms of hunky lawman and old friend, Tony Gervase, a man of limited patience and secrets of his own.

Little CJ: LB Gregg, thanks for making time in your busy day for me! Okay, you know what? I love your picture - you are so hot and masculine, but I'm mad we don't we get to see the rest of you. What's up with that? I want to see what you LOOK like!

LB Gregg: That’s not my picture, that’s a Man from Smithfield. You know…he’s a strapping New Englander. The yummiest kind of man. It’s obviously the height of summer, otherwise he’d be wearing long johns, a henley, a flannel, a polar fleece, a down jacket, a toboggan…. You’re supposed to imagine the face, little one. IMAGINE.

Little CJ: I'm supposed to imagine the face? What are you talking about? I meant the BOTTOM HALF of the picture. Who can think about the face when you have your pants unbuttoned and you cut the picture off there?  Dude, I have been hanging on a wall for over three decades! Come on, give it up.

LB Gregg: Stony silence.

Little CJ: Okay, let's get right to it. Is there any hot sex in Gobsmacked?

LB Gregg: No beating around the bush with you, is there? Of course there’s hot manloving m/m action. Plenty of tension and some smooching. And other things that you'll enjoy.

Little CJ: You mean, the cop in the story will wear only a cop hat and utility belt during the hot action and say sexy things in a walkie talkie voice?

LB Gregg: Er. No. ::scribbles that down for future book::

Little CJ: Hey, I read your excerpt. Twice. I love how Tony the cop gets all stern and sort of cop-like with the main character Mark. It's super hot. Why are cops so hot?

LB Gregg: Oh that's an excellent question! Cops represent justice, right from wrong, black and white. So when they break the rules, or in this case, make mistakes, it humanizes them. I find it makes for a good character dynamic. They are straight shooters, plus they always have handcuffs.

Little CJ: I am liking the sound of this. Okay, this cop has a secret. Why is that even hotter? Can you tell us what the secret is?

LB Gregg: No. Sorry, doll, you'll have to read the book. But his secret will take you by surpise. Which is the point of a SECRET.

Little CJ: *sniffs* Okay. *stops sniffing, smiles prettily.* I read the blurb. OMG, these two characters are really different from each other! How would they even, ever, like, agree on a restaurant?

LB Gregg: Mark and Tony have been friends for a long time, and like most friends, they enjoy many of the same things while being very different people. As Mark’s life spins out of control and he gets deeper into hot water, Tony becomes the voice of reason. He’s actually rather bossy but…he’s decided now is the time to make his move on Mark. He’s not entirely heroic here. I like him even more for it.

And hey, sweetie, everybody likes pizza. My guess is that Tony would order sausage, and Mark would get a meat lovers special.

Little CJ: My kinda man! Now, there has been tons of buzz about the first scene. Where did you get the idea for it?

LB Gregg: Tons of buzz. Hm. Sometimes I get divine inspiration, in this case quite literally. Most of the time, ideas come when I'm driving around town.

St. Joe’s, the church where the opening scene is set, is a combination of my own Parish and the Parish next door. Yes. Next door. I was sitting in church one Sunday, looking at the stained glass window, and I thought about how restrained everyone is while they’re in the sanctuary. I thought….what if someone lost their cool, picked up a bible, and beaned their spouse for some act of stupidity? It would be dramatic, unexpected, horrifying….and because I’m irreverent…it would be pretty damn funny.

Little CJ: What's your favorite part of the book?

LB Gregg: I think the ending, when Mark has to make the decision to help someone he doesn't like. Mark's had a few difficult days and for the first time we see him as proactive, instead of reactive. I also love the scene with Mark and his sister, Sarah, because Mark, unlike many m/m heroes, has a great relationship with his family.

And, naturally, all the lovin' with Tony, particularly in the bedroom. Tony is a great guy and he likes to lead.

Little CJ: Why Smithfield?

LB Gregg: I can’t think of any series that takes place in the Northeast, never mind gay romances. This place is filled with lonely, hunky available men! Men in plaid jackets! And work boots! And preppy boys who like to row on the lakes (and if that isn't what God intended Preppy Men to do, I don't know what is), and scholarly boys at our fine Ivy League Colleges, and all those wonderful men in Provincetown. Men who sail. Men who hike. Men who chop wood. And let us never forget, the men who ski. Basically? Write what you know. I know this place like the back of my hand.

Little CJ: Cool! Thanks for coming, LB Gregg!! You are the best.

Okay, the dirt: The ebook comes out February 6th from Aspen Press, and the print edition comes out from MLRP in March.

Learn more about LBGregg and sign up for the newsletter here.

I Ask Myself Why

I was just kind of sitting in my office today and for some reason staring at my bookshelves and I thought to myself - why do I read the kinds of books I do? What's the appeal? I normally read contemporary, historical, paranormal, & urban fantasy romance. I used to read medical thrillers like they'd stop writing them the next day. The same goes for courtroom dramas - loved them, couldn't get enough of them. These days I pretty much am a romance only girl. Yes I throw suspense in there from time to time but out of my norm the others just don't hold the allure. Why is that?

I like contemporary romance because I can feel like it's really in the here and now, maybe it could even happen to me - which is silly since I'm very happily married and don't plan on that changing any time soon. But it could have happened...when I was younger, and less saggy. lol I also like the fact that even though most of the heroes are hotter than hell there are those that are just a little off (gotta love the broken nose syndrome) but yet, still incredibly attractive to the heroine. It also seems that the heroes can go for the not-so-model-like girl and I love that.

With a really wonderful historical it's the gowns and the balls and the titled men, because of course the majority of them are titled...or will be soon. And there's such a variety of heroines...meek and mild one minute, tough and brave the next or there's the women who are barracudas and have to take care of their family (gambler anonymous would have made a killing in the regency period that's for damn sure). Or God forbid the ones that have been given away in a poker game *shudders*. And then there's the horses and the carriages and the simpler yet sometimes more complicated life. It's all a fascination for me. I won't even get into how much I love Scottish historicals...let me just say men. in. kilts.

Paranormal and urban fantasy romance takes me into a whole other world where anything is possible. My hum-drum little life is suddenly exciting with my Guardians and vampires and were-wolves and were-other things. Most if not all of the heroes in these stories are abnormally gorgeous. I have no idea where these men are coming from but I can tell you - not from my town! The heroines are kick-ass and don't take shit from anyone and I love it.

So those are a few of the many, many, many reasons I read the types of books I do. What are your favorite types of books and why do you love them?

I completely forgot....don't forget to drop by tomorrow for a special, special, special guest. Actually 2 special guests.

And the winner is????

Alright ladies the winner of the Lips contest is Kaitlin!!!!!!!!!! (AKA Bridget Locke) Kaitlin please send your request to Katie on if you want ebook or print of City of Secrets. You can reach her at KatieReus@yahoo.com I believe or just forward your request to me and I will pass it on.

Now the answers:

1. Hugh Jackman
2. Vin Desel (spelling is it right or not?)
3. David Beckham
4. Johnny Depp
5. Colin F.
6. Will Smith
7. Denzel Washington!!!

Alright ladies have a fantastic week!

Its our final day with Katie

I know, I know we are all very upset about that. But Katie has elected to give us a glance at Everything to Lose. So here it is! And don’t forget to pick up your copy of Everything to Lose by going to Katie’s author page at Ellora’s Cave: http://www.jasminejade.com/m-459-katie-reus.aspx

And on with the excerpt
“How long are you here?” He took a step closer so she forced herself to stand her ground.
“A few weeks. I’m not sure… That’s not important though. I came here to give you this.” She held out the manila envelope and when his eyes darkened, it was obvious he understood what was in her hand. Hell, if he didn’t know by now why she was here, then he needed his head examined. She’d only been sending him the same familiar packet for the past twelve months.
“What the hell is this?” He snatched the envelope from her hand but didn’t open it.
“Don’t start that. You know exactly what it is.”
“I’m not signing these.” He started crumpling and twisting the pack in his hand.
“I don’t understand why not. It was your idea in the first place.” She felt as if her insides were literally shaking but she managed to keep her voice even.
“Damn it, Caitlyn! You know I didn’t mean it.”
“Then you shouldn’t have said it.” She crossed her arms over her chest. Her heart pounded against her rib cage with such force she was fearful he could hear it.
“I shouldn’t have said a lot of things,” he murmured.
She rolled her eyes. “You’re right about that.” She couldn’t keep the hint of anger out of her voice. She wasn’t one to hold a grudge but he’d never actually apologized for the things he’d said a year ago and that just pissed her off even more. How hard was it to say the words ‘I’m sorry’?
“Listen, I—”
The door flew open, causing them both to turn toward the disruption. After a cursory nod in her direction, a young man in uniform she didn’t recognize spoke to her husband. “Sullivan, Captain needs to see you now. It’s important.”
Sean turned to her. “Wait right here. I’ll be back in few minutes.”
Without waiting for a response he strode from the room. If she’d had anything handy, she’d have thrown it at his retreating figure. His behavior was so typical. He didn’t ask her to wait. No, he ordered her to.
“I don’t think so,” she mumbled under her breath. When she opened the door, the hall was empty. She half walked, half sprinted back down the hallway toward the elevators. Once she finally made it out of the building, she expelled a breath of relief.
She squinted against the afternoon sun and her throat tightened when she didn’t see the cab. Just as she was about to panic, the bright yellow car pulled out of a parking space and picked her up at the curb. She slid into the back seat, ignoring the smell of old takeout food. She heard her name being shouted, but instead of following her instinct and turning around, she pulled the door shut and rattled off the address of her hotel.
“Uh, Miss, I think that man wants to talk to you.” He motioned behind her but she still wouldn’t look.
“Just go! I’ll pay you extra.”
That got his attention. He turned around and a second later, the car jerked to life. Before they left the parking lot, she risked a glance through the rearview window and immediately regretted it. Sean had always been in good shape but he looked leaner, as if he wasn’t eating right. Not that it took away anything from his warrior stance. Nope. One hand was on his hip and the other clutched the brown manila envelope. Maybe this would get her message across loud and clear. She was through taking orders from him.

Also don't forget to enter the lips contest for your chance to win a copy of City of Secrets in eformat or print. Winner announced tomorrow!!!

Its Contest time Ladies!!!

So break out those pencils and paper (or computer microsoft works) and get ready to right down the answers. I'm looking for the person with the most correct! Winner gets a prize from Katie herself.

Your mission should you accept is to match the lips to the actor/guy that's it. Simple as pie.

Then shoot me an email at saraijohnson@hotmail.com
I will tally up the points one with the most wins (if there's a tie random.org will pick the winner baby!)

Alright here we go!

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

Alright that's it you have until midnight tonight psyche you have until midnight tomorrow winner announced Sunday! to give me your answers. Good luck!!!!

It's Author time!!!

Alright everyone lets welcome one of our favorite authors Katie Reus!!!!

She has been generous enough to pop back by to visit us and share with us her release of Everything to Lose (look for it tomorrow from Ellora’s Cave!!) *clears throat* okay where were we?

Oh yes questions for our favorite author!

How does it feel to have a new book out? (I have always admired those TV reporters that ask the obvious questions, so please bear with me as I take on that role!)
It’s exciting, but with a small dose of nervousness about potential reviews.

What do you do to celebrate a new release or what do you do when you find out you’ve sold a story? Any special traditions, toast, dinners you have to celebrate?
I try to have drinks with friends, some of whom have never read my erotica and probably never will, but are still my ‘biggest’ fans. They have no clue about the publishing industry or writing in general and that’s one of the reasons I love them! I’m definitely blessed to have wonderfully supportive friends.

After you’ve sold a story how long do you take before you jump back into writing another?
I’m usually already plotting out and/or have already started another story before I’ve submitted my most current one so there really isn’t an in-between time. Example of what my writing ‘schedule’ looks like now: Working on a new manuscript tentatively titled ‘The Deal’, also working on edits for Finding Hope (contracted with TWRP), and should be receiving edits for Dangerous Deception (contracted with EC) fairly soon. And, I’m currently plotting out two pieces: the first I hope to turn into a contemporary single title and the second is a sci-fi erotic novella I hope to get to my editor with EC in the next couple months. I’m sure that might change in a couple years, but for now I don’t feel the need to take a break.

I have noticed in your writing most of your stories take place in sunny Florida (Gawd I have to come visit b/c it always sounds like heaven down there minus those hurricanes.) have you ever wanted to write about a different part of the world? If so where would you set a story in?
It’s actually not too far from Florida, but I’d love to set an entire story in Cuba. Maybe now that Obama is in office he’ll open up trade with them and I’ll get the chance to visit. (crossing fingers). I’d also really love to set a story in Greece. Actually, I’d just love to visit there, but if I convince my husband I need to go for research….

Staying in those lines how hard would it be to set a story in a place other than you’re familiar with? How much research do you think that would take?
I imagine it would take a lot of research to make it realistic so that’s why I prefer either writing what I know or using fictional towns. (Dangerous Deception is set in a fictional beach town in North Carolina & my current WIP is a fictional town in Florida). A few of my upcoming stories will probably be set in NC since I used to live there.


I known you’ve said that in order to be a writer you must write. Any other advice you would give aspiring authors?
Always be professional, whether on your blog, a loop, or a writing forum. You never know who might be watching. The publishing industry is small and people talk.

Okay on to fun questions (du-du-duh! *insert me singing that in a low tenor*)

What do you put on your waffles?
Butter, syrup, & fresh blueberries. Why do you always ask me food questions? Now I’m hungry, lol! (IDK maybe b/c I'm always hungry which could explain that gaining of 10 pounds over the holidays YIKES)

What’s your favorite thing to do at a spa?
I love getting massages! I also like facials, but my last one hurt worse than my tattoo so I’m swearing them off for a while!

What is your favorite name minus your own, your husbands and mine *cheeky grin*?
I think the name Yelena is vera pretty and I also love the name Sophie.

What is the best quality in a man/hero?
Willingness to communicate and LISTEN. I lurv me some alpha males, but I hate it when alpha turns into asshole. A good hero knows when to take charge, but he also knows when to listen to and support his woman.

What is more important passion or comfort in a relationship?
I think passion is very important, but I also think trust is too. (Is that what you meant by comfort?) (Sortof... I was thinking along the lines that you get along together, your personalities match, the conversation is great)

How old is your oldest hero (that you’ve written about?)
37

Do you prefer older heroes or younger?
Totally depends on the story. For the most part, I’ve always written heroes between the ages of 35-37, but my current hero is 30. I don’t think I’d ever go younger than 28/29 though in terms of my own writing. IMHO, men emotionally develop slower than women.

Chest hair or bare chest?
Chest hair! (I think I mentioned this on one of Jenre’s blog days, lol). I don’t care for the pretty boy metrosexual types ;)

Scottish accent or Italian?
Scottish all the way *sigh* Ask me to do anything in a Scottish accent and you’re pretty much guaranteed to get it.

And last but not least (LOL b/c you didn’t have enough to answer) If you weren’t a writer what other job would you like to be doing?
Hmmmm, either a trained spy or a dolphin trainer. Is being a goddess considered a job? If so, that trumps the other two.


Okay everyone give a big round of applause to our Katie for coming out and playing with us! Look for an excerpt of Everything to Lose tomorrow! And don’t forget to pick up your copy of Everything to Lose tomorrow by going to Katie’s author page at Ellora’s Cave: http://www.jasminejade.com/m-459-katie-reus.aspx or you can just visit her website at http://www.katiereus.com/

Tell me how you feel

There are many reasons that we read romance novels. The sexy, strong heroes. The independent, resourceful heroines. The sexual tension. The intrigue. The romance. For me it is a combination of all these elements, with the romance taking the lead. When two people (who often start out at odds with one another) come together at a deep emotional level, my romantic heart is soothed. The first moment they meet is electrifying. The HEA is satisfying. There is one moment, though, that stands out above all others: the romantic declaration. More than any other scene in a book, this one stands out for me. The raw emotion, the heartfelt need, suddenly put into words. In this moment the hero does more than tell the heroine that he loves her, he lays himself bare. He allows himself to be vulnerable. The stronger and more stoic the hero, the more I love his romantic declaration.

This must be handled correctly. Too often the build up leaves you wanting more than the author delivers. Then there are those times when the words, emotion, and story all come together to deliver a perfectly magical moment. It is these times that I sit back and say, “This! This is why I read!”

I think the Queen of Romantic Declarations would have to be Jane Austen. The woman had a gift. How could you not melt at these words?

"You pierce my soul. I am half agony, half hope. Tell me not that I am too late, that such precious feelings are gone for ever. I offer myself to you again with a heart even more your own than when you almost broke it, eight and a half years ago. Dare not say that a man forgets sooner than woman, that his love has an earlier death. I have loved none but you. Unjust I may have been, weak and resentful I have been, but never inconstant."  ~ Persuasion

"In vain have I struggled, it will not do. You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you." ~Pride and Prejudice

Recently published authors aren’t letting us down either!

“All the fire of hell could burn for a thousand years and it wouldn’t equal what I feel for you in one minute of the day. I love you so much there is no pleasure in it. Nothing but torment. Because if I could dilute what I feel for you to the millionth part, it would still be enough to kill you. And even if it drives me mad, I would rather see you live in the arms of the cold, soulless bastard than die in mine.” ~ Merripen, Seduce Me at Sunrise by Lisa Kleypas

Our own Katie delivered this gorgeous gem:

“You want me to spell it out for you, Jade? I want you. Plain and simple. To clarify, I want to make love to you until we can’t walk. I want to spend every second possible inside of you. I want everything. I want you to take my last name. For the rest of my life, I want to wake up every morning and see your face. I want you to have my children, and I want to grow old with you.” ~ David, City of Secrets by Katie Reus

Sometimes real life even gives us these moments.

“You are enthralling.”

“I feel like I have been waiting for you for a long time. I tend to think I’m very lucky these days.”

Even the movies can provide a perfect moment of romantic declaration.

"I love that you get cold when it's 71 degrees out. I love that it takes you an hour and a half to order a sandwich. I love that you get a little crinkle above your nose when you're looking at me like I'm nuts. I love that after I spend the day with you, I can still smell your perfume on my clothes. And I love that you are the last person I want to talk to before I go to sleep at night. I came here tonight because when you realize you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible." ~When Harry Met Sally

There are so many great moments out there. Please share with me your favorite ones.  Help to keep my romantic heart beating.

Insert Word A into Slot B

The polls are closed. Further suggestions will not be take. The time has come. It is MAD LIBS TIME!!!!

I would like to quickly take a moment before the entertainment begins to send out a HUGE thank you to the fabulous Katie Reus for allowing me to chop up her writing. Without her, you all would have been forced to read an excerpt from my unedited WIP. Instead, we are lucky enough tonight to read a (drastically) altered excerpt from Katie's book City of Secrets. If you haven't read it, you need to! Unrequited Love and Friends to Lovers. ::sigh:: What more can you ask for?

So without further ado, pull up a chair, grab that glass of wine (or Goldschlagger), and enjoy!

He hovered THROUGH her, TWIDDLING both nipples until they were taut and BULBOUS underneath his BELLY BUTTON. "Tell me what you want," he said in her ARMPIT, GLIBLY tugging on the sensitive lobe as he GARGLED his length against her clit.

"I want you BEYOND me," she rasped, surprised she could even speak.

David DRIFTED the head of his penis in, SELF-RIGHTEOUSLY at first, but when she opened her ELBOWS wider and moved her hips to meet his, he thrust hard. She let out a tiny WOOF, and he momentarily stilled. She was wet and willing, but still STALWART. When she started grinding her body in tune with his, he gripped her TOES and began WILTING, barely containing the lust demanding to be unleashed. She was so incredibly tight he knew their first time would not be as long as he liked.

Her hands moved around to his WEIRD LITTLE SPOT BEHIND THE KNEES THAT HAS NO NAME , gripping and SINGING, as if she couldn’t get close enough to him. Her eyes might be closed, but the pleasure that played across her features filled him with pure, male APPREHENSION.

She DROOLED underneath him, eyes half closed as if drugged, and he drank in the sight of her movements, trying to memorize every inch of her HAIRY, ENGORGED form. AQUAMARINE hair pillowed around her face, over her small, WONKY PUCE
breasts, and onto the TANGERINE sheets. Jade arched her body to meet his, and he inhaled her scent. BLEACH and SANDLEWOOD surrounded him, pulling him deeper into the tangle that was pure Jade.

He wasn’t going to last long the way things were going. He was inside Jade. That thought alone almost caused him to EAT on the spot. He knew it wasn’t a dream because dreams didn’t feel this good.

Give me a...

As a child, my family moved quite often. From Chicago to Arizona, then on to Oregon. A short stint in Colorado led us right back to the Chicago area. In order to visit family, we would have to travel cross country. Sometimes we would take a plane, but often that meant a road trip. Ah, the road trip. Hours and hours and hours trapped in the back seat with my brother. My little brother. My stinky, annoying, obnoxious little brother. There were only a few things that kept all out war at bay: books, travel sized board games, and Mad Libs.

Something about Mad Libs was wildly entertaining. The sillier the word combinations, the better. When a randomly chosen noun or verb fit logically into the story, you were disappointed. It just wasn’t as much fun. Apparently, part of me is still that same 9 year old girl, because the Mad Libs have not decreased in entertainment value. These days my friends and I have been known to write our own. There was the Mad Libs story of how my best friend met her soon-to-be husband for her bridal shower. There was the raunchy erotic Mad Libs we whipped out for the bachelorette party. Add a few glasses of wine (or tequila) to that scenario and you have the makings for laughter induced tears.

Don’t believe me? Well, here is your chance to experience it first hand. Today I need your help to complete my post. By 5:30 tonight I need suggestions for the following:

2 prepositions
3 verbs ending in “-ing”
5 adjectives
body parts (3 plural, 2 singular)
2 adverbs
1 verb
3 past tense verbs
1 sound
1 emotion
3 colors
2 scents

Once I have your suggestions I will plug them into my pre-selected story excerpt and share the results. Tonight you can pour that glass of wine (or Jagermeister) and chuckle along with me.

Romance Domination!

It’s my turn? I’m in charge? You all have to do what I say? Sweet! Muah hahahaha!!!!

Ehem. So sorry. I’m not quite sure where that came from. I don’t normally crave world domination. Perhaps classroom domination. My students better believe I am the queen of all within those four walls. In the rest of my life, though, I don’t hold such strong ambitions.

But what if I could take over the world? Where would I begin? OK, sure, I could be altruistic and revamp education funding. Take money from the disgustingly wealthy and give it to the poor. Feed the hungry, house the homeless. That would all be well and good, but let’s be serious here, folks. If I held that kind of power I would grow drunk with it all. My ability to make decisions would become questionable, and I would likely come to a bad end.

Before that happened, though, it is very likely I would go the route of Doctor Frankenstein. I would attempt to engineer the perfect hero, even the perfect book. I mean, how could I resist? Taking the best characteristics from my favorite brooding Alpha men, I could create the FrankenHero. Utilizing elements from my favorite books, the FrakenRomance would be born!!!

Mmmmm... FrankenHero! What would he be like? Well, let me tell you! FrankenHero would have the brooding intensity of Derek Craven. His humor would be taken straight from Sam Donovan (Mr. Perfect). He would possess the wealth and power of Roarke (In Death series). Adam Hauptman (Mercy Thompson series) would be the source of his leadership skills. My FrankenHero would share Sam Starret’s (Troubleshooters) love of chocolate syrup and Kev Merripen’s (Seduce Me at Sunrise) undying love and devotion. His stamina would be that of a member of the BDB (as would certain anatomical proportions.) My gorgeous hero would be a cross between Gerard Butler and Richard Armitage, with the eyes of Jonathan Rhys Meyers. Once I finished creating this perfect creature you would find me, like Jayne (Firefly/Serenity) “in my bunk.”

After my FrankenHero has finally reached the end of his stamina (many days later), I would sit back and begin piecing together the FrankenRomance. Since I am a Chicago gal, it would have to be set here. Sam Donovan (Mr. Perfect) would be cast to star along with Lilith (Demon Angel). Dialogue would be written by Linda Howard. Suzanne Brockmann would write the action scenes. Elizabeth Hoyt could pen any sex scenes that include a chair. I suppose we need an antagonist. I will call in Patricia Briggs for that one. Her vamps are creepy as hell and you truly feel her “bad guys” are Bad. Cameo appearances would be made by Cam Rohan, Jessica Trent, Colin Ames Beaumont, Mercy Thompson, and Jules Cassidy. There would be tension and intrigue, steamy sex and emotional depth. It would be mine!

Power drunk and satiated, I would lay back and see what I had created, and it would be good. I would be able to do no more. My work would be done, and so I pass the baton to you. It is your turn. Tell me about your FrankenRomance. Share with me your FrankenHero, but guard him well, else he may suddenly disappear. If you need me, I’ll be in my bunk.

Guest Blogger: Jenre

Hello, my name is Jenre and I'm thrilled to be guest blogging today amongst such illustrious company.

What is your perfect hero...?

One of the best parts of this marvellous blog is where all you DIK ladies pick your favourite heroes from romance. But what if you could take one aspect from your heroes to create the ultimate hero? What parts would you choose to use in building your own hero?

Here are the attributes of my perfect hero:

Let’s start with the physical shall we? I’m not bothered about hair colour or how tall they are or even the size of his package (although, as we all know, every hero is very well endowed), but there’s one element of physical form which has me swooning every time and that is body hair – specifically chest hair. Now I’m not talking about a rug, but rather enough hair to run your fingers through, giving a texture to my hero’s chest. I know that not everyone likes this, but for my hero it’s a must.

Next on my list is intelligence. I like my hero to be a very clever man who isn’t afraid of using his brains rather than brawn to get what he wants. A man who can reason his way out of a tricky situation is much sexier than one who just uses his fists – although I do appreciate that sometimes a show of masculine strength can be very sexy when defeating the powers of evil.

Onto my next attribute - the ability to withstand pain/illness without complaint. In this time of ‘manflu’ I have to have my hero as a man who doesn’t whine when he gets shot/hit/fall ill. He has to be a terrible patient and demand to be released early from hospital despite the severity of his injuries. This is the ultimate show of strength and makes me fall into a puddle at his feet for being so manly.

The final attribute might be a bit surprising but given that I’m British is one that I have to insist on. It is having a ‘stiff upper lip’ as it were, or to put it more plainly not showing your emotions to all and sundry. My hero must remain aloof and impassive. He must not wear his heart on his sleeve and let everyone know what he is thinking. Then when he finally falls in love with me, I am the one who will see the cracks in the aloof exterior to the closely guarded emotions beneath. Sigh, it’s just so sexy to be able to break through the defences of a hero like that.

So there you have it - the attributes of my perfect hero. Would you choose the same qualities that I have, or are there some others that are more important to you?

Because She Would Ask Me...

Hey all! Shannon C. was up Thurs. thru Saturday but unfortunately RL is getting in the way. I hate it when that happens! Shannon will join us again when school slows down for her. Good luck with your studies Shannon!

So that left us winging it. So this is me...winging it. Not original but nice (hey, it's 7am and I've had no coffee). Enjoy.






Because She Would Ask Me Why I Loved Her
a poem by Christopher Brennan

If questioning would make us wise
No eyes would ever gaze in eyes;
If all our tale were told in speech
No mouths would wander each to each.

Were spirits free from mortal mesh
And love not bound in hearts of flesh
No aching breasts would yearn to meet
And find their ecstasy complete.

For who is there that lives and knows
The secret powers by which he grows?
Were knowledge all, what were our need
To thrill and faint and sweetly bleed?.

Then seek not, sweet, the "If" and "Why"
I love you now until I die.
For I must love because I live
And life in me is what you give.

My Six DIK's Heroes Edition

Yay! It’s that time again. Time for more heroes! I wasn’t in on the original rounds of the hero pickings so I will do my best not to choose someone else’s man. Something you should know about my hut. There is a strict no shirt (and sometimes no pants) policy. That’s right. We are all National Geographic channel up in here.

First dude into my hut is: Sir Kenric of Montague from The Warlord by Elizabeth Elliott. Kenric is a Baron. A scarred and fearless warrior known as the Butcher of Wales, he fought in the Crusades and the Battle of Wales. Brave, ruthless and powerful, he will kill you dead. Twice. But he’s honorable and loyal to his family, friends and King. He is treated like crap by his family, his own father tried to have him killed, his sister treats him with cold disdain, but through all that, he remains faithful to them. Larger than life, I love having him in my hut. Paging Elizabeth Elliott…where have you been since 1995?

Next is Lucas Davenport from the Prey series of books by John Sandford. This is a really long running series and JS’s website says he will only write 3 more books with Lucas. Lucas is a man’s man. He’s tough, smart, oh so sexy and can be a real mean dick. He is an investigator in the Twin Cities where the weather almost matches his coldness. (I have never been to Minn/StP but it must be cold there year round because it’s cold in almost every book). He kills people all over the damn place and fucks like a bunny all over the damn place (early books) until he meets Weather (later books) who takes some of the coldness away from his heart. He’s rough and battle scarred but has great taste in music and cars. He will be the designated DJ of my hut. Check out Lucas’s 100 top rock songs on his iPod in the book Broken Prey. He’s got some Dylan, AC/DC, The Hollies, The Stones, Clapton, Zeppelin, Steppenwolf… so if our hut is rockin’ don’t come knockin’. (Shit. If that phrase and music doesn’t date me…nothing else will).

Third is Maddox from The Darkest Kiss by Gena Showalter. I love Maddox. He’s noble and chivalrous. A protector of Gods and humans, he longs for peace. He dies and suffers in hell every night because his body plays host to the demon of Violence. Then he wakes up and has to do it all over again and again. He is growly and possessive and will twist off if someone threatens his woman. You don’t want to make him mad. Hopefully we can rid him of his curse before he gets to the island. I would really, really hate to have to gut him every night. It’s messy and will attract insects.

Fourth is Rydstrom from IAD series by Kresley Cole. His book is coming out soon! I can’t wait. Rydstrom is the demon King, bitches. He’s noble, steady and reliable. He wants to take the throne so he can take care of his people and restore honor to his family name. Plus, the horns are hot. I am looking forward to this book and learning more about Rydstrom. But for now, he is in my hut.

Fifth is Cougar McKinley from Promises Keep by Sarah McCarty. Oh Cougar. As Sarah, from NZ says, “Merow”. Which I think is antipodean for “You’re a sexy cat and I want to lick your face” or something like that. Cougar is big and dangerous. He’s especially skilled with his big honkin’ knife. That may or may not be a euphemism. He kills things with it and shaves, um, certain things with it…whew, is it hot in here? If you haven’t read this book you really, really should. Even though he is deadly to his enemies, he’s kind, compassionate and gentle to the woman he loves. I love it when he gets all possessive and protecty. Ms. McCarty is doin’ it right when it comes to writing heroes.

Last, but not least. Drake Vireo from the Aisling Grey series by Katie MacAlister. Everyone and every island needs a fire breathing dragon. Drake is the wyvern of the Green dragons. An unrepentant thief, he is sexy, smart, determined and stubborn. He’s got this cute little curl of smoke that comes out of his nostril when he’s miffed. So adorable! I’m going to have to put flame retardant material around the hut. But just think how handy he’ll be when we have bonfires.

That’s it for me. I have to go mop up all the testosterone in my hut. That shit gets everywhere. Enjoy the rest of your week!

My Six DIK's

Ok, yeah. I lost the list of my DIK books somewhere. Probably it is in the same place as the other stuff I lost when I had to reinstall Windows on my computer in December. Damn you Internet Explorer and your virus vulnerabilities. ‘Course maybe if I didn’t click on those pron links….oh well, anyhoo. Please don’t hate me. I’m going to try to wing it here so if I duplicate someone’s pick please don’t pull my hair and stomp my Barbie. Maybe we need a library page that lists all the books in the island library. We probably have the biggest and awesomest freaking island library in the history of island libraries. The library to rule them all. So, anyway, I hear the weather is kinda bad in the plain states right now, so this is a good time to break out that Snuggie you got for Christmas, a cup of Godiva Dark Chocolate hot cocoa and hunker giu con un buon libro. Why are we speaking Italian, you ask? Why, to honor that lovely man up there, Francesco, of course. Now, without further ado, here are my additions to the keeper shelf.

HONOR’S SPLENDOUR By Julie Garwood. I love all Julie Garwood historicals. They were the first romances I read and the only ones I re-read over and over again. This is the story of Madelyne and Duncan. Madelyne saves (well, at least she thinks she is saving him. He had a plan; he is the hero after all.) Duncan from her evil brother and he repays her by kidnapping her as retribution for her douchebag of a brothers treatment of Duncan’s sister. One of my favorite scenes of this story is when Madelyn warms Duncan’s frozen feet before she finds out he is there to kidnap her. One of my favorite lines is from Duncan. He says it at the beginning of the book and again towards the end. “I have come for you, Madelyne.” Put in context, it is a very swoonworthy line.

SAVING GRACE By Julie Garwood. I know I had another Julie Garwood and I think this was it, but it might have been The Prize, or The Wedding or The Secret or well you get the idea. I like them all. This is the story of Johanna and Gabriel. Johanna is English, is young and has endured a lot of abuse from her first husband. Gabriel is a Scottish Laird of the MacBain clan. Being English, Johanna has a lot to learn about Scottish customs, people and her huge intimidating husband, but she also teaches them a lot as well. I think this book is one of Ms. Garwood’s funniest. The secondary characters are well written and hilarious. JG writes smart heroines who are funny and quirky but never weak. Her heroes are strong and passionate. I recommend her to newbies of the genre more than any other author. Pssst, JG… run to the keyboard and write some more historicals. Pleeeeeaassse.

THE LAST HELLION By Loretta Chase. I really wanted LOS but someone is already bringing it to the island, so I chose the sequel to it. The H/H in this book is Lydia and Vere. Lydia is firmly on the shelf at 28 years old and **gasp** has a job. I know! She also has an awesome dog. Vere is the tortured Duke of Ainswood, a somewhat cursed title. This book, like LOS, has its share of dark moments and loss, but it’s also a lot of fun. Lydia is a strong, smart and compassionate heroine. She has decided to forego marriage for a journalism career and she doesn’t think very highly of men. Vere is mad at the world for taking everyone he loved away from him, and forcing a title on him that he never wanted. He does everything he can to disparage his name and title and wait… what’s this…he doesn’t think very highly of women. They are perfect for each other! Their personalities clash repeatedly in public and in private, their sarcastic banter is hilarious, but Vere can’t seem to stay away from Lydia. He realizes how much he needs her to save his soul and she sees through all his pretense to see the noble man he is. There are a lot of twists in the plot that keep everything interesting and the book moves at a fast pace. There are a few surprises at the end as well. Dain and Jess are back and Bertie even gets and HEA.

HEARTS AFLAME By Johanna Lindsey. Wow. This is becoming a list of old school romances isn’t it? I believe this is the second book in a trilogy. It’s really hard to tell when the author doesn’t have a web site. This book has a lot of the old ‘80s romance themes like “woman disguised as a man”, “captivity”, etc so if you are not a fan, then this book is not for you. This is the story of Kristen, a Viking, captured and given as a slave to Royce a Saxon Lord. Kristen is one tough cookie and I loved her for it. Royce is strong, proud and stubborn. He fights his attraction to Kristen and he treats her like crap (I think he spanked her once or twice, but she didn’t mind… if you know what I mean) a few times but he makes up for it in the end. A lot. :)

THE DARKEST KISS By Gena Showalter. This is book one in the Lords of the Underworld series. The H/H is Ashlyn and Maddox. I love Ms. Showalters writing. The main and secondary characters are well written, the pacing is perfect, and the plot is well thought out and believable. Maddox is an immortal warrior for the Greek gods who was cursed with the demon Violence. Ashlyn is a human with a supernatural power which torments her. She seeks out the warriors in hope that they can help her with her “gift”. The warriors have secluded themselves and are trying to live with their curses as best they can and trying to protect humans from their demons. The suffering that these warriors endure is intense, and the story with the inclusion of Greek mythology is interesting. I can’t wait for the next book in this series to come out!

THE DEVIL IN WINTER By Lisa Kleypas This is a book in her wallflower series. The H/H is Evie Jenner and Sebastian St. Vincent. When we meet Evie, in the first wallflower book, she is a sweet girl with a stutter, who is suffering abuse at the hands of her mother’s family. When we see her again in this book, her situation has reached critical mass and she has to take her future in her own hands immediately. Sebastian is a rake in desperate need of money. The book opens with Sebastian nursing his wounds from a fight and feeling rather sorry for himself when Evie walks in and offers to marry him. She will give him her inheritance in exchange for his protection and freedom from her family. Evie tries to keep her feelings walled off from Sebastian. She has some serious trust issues. Sebastian also has some trust issues but is less reluctant to acknowledge his feelings than Evie is. Watching them learn to trust each other and fall in love is a beautiful journey.

Good Tuesday to you! Tomorrow, I will introduce the men in my hut.

Check "Yes" or "No"

Truly, Madly, Deeply (Savage Garden)
“I’d be your dream
I’d be your wish…
I’d be your fantasy…
I’d be your hope…be your love…
Be everything that you need…”

Good Monday morning everyone! This is my first day on the DIK island so I thought we would talk about love letters.

Love letters are awesome. We love to write them, we love to receive them and like the voyeurs we are, we like to read love letters from fictional characters in books and from people in real life. I like to call them, Passive Emotional Artistry or PEA for short. Heh. Love letters can bring two people closer, help to smooth over bad mojo, facilitate a little bedroom action and if we have learned nothing else from romance novels, we have certainly learned love letters are a powerful blackmail tool. If you are reading a romantic suspense they can also be a reason for murder and mayhem. Tribute anyone?

We can learn a lot about people and our past by reading their PEA’s. You can read a bunch of famous peoples love letters here, ( Click it. Don't be lazy DIK's) James Joyce wrote some dirty, dirty, naughty love letters to his wife Nora, here.

Here is the first sentence of one of his letters:

"Dublin 2 December 1909 …………………………. My love for you allows me to pray to the spirit of eternal beauty and tenderness mirrored in your eyes or fling you down under me on that softy belly of yours and fuck you up behind, like a hog riding a sow, glorying in the very stink and sweat that rises from your arse, glorying in the open shape of your upturned dress and white girlish drawers and in the confusion of your flushed cheeks and tangled hair.”

Holy canoli! Cue the pron music. I wonder if she was flattered. Nothin’ says lovin’ like talking about the stink and sweat of your wife’s arse, or comparing your making sexy time, to farm animals while doing her from behind. Apparently he also had a panty fetish. If he was still alive today, he could shop here.( Prolly should not click that if you are at work) See how much we learned about James Joyce and his wife in just one sentence?

I love it when the books I read have love letters in them written to and by the H/H. Some of them are quite beautiful like the one from Wentworth to Simone in Persuasion by Jane Austen. This is my favorite part of that letter:

“You pierce my soul. I am half agony, half hope. Tell me not that I am too late, that such precious feelings are gone forever. I offer myself to you again with a heart even more your own, than when you almost broke it eight years and a half ago.”

In Naked In Death by JD Robb, Roarke leaves Eve a PEA in the form of a message cube. Sort of a high tech form of love letter, and very few words, but no less touching and meaningful to Eve. I am reading At Grave's End by Jeaniene Frost, in it Bones gave Cat a PEA but I won’t spoil it for those who have not read it yet. Read it. It's good!

My husband and I used to write love letters to each other on full sheets of paper or stationary when we were dating and when we were first married. Now, after 25 years of marriage, we write post-it-notes. Why just the other day, I stuck a post-it-note to his wallet that had one word on it. “Trash”. He wrote back, “I might be easy, but I’m not trash”. Ha ha. He’s so clever. See what I did there? I was just reminding him to take out the trash and I actually wrote a PEA and didn’t know it. Moving, isn’t it? I think we should save it and pass it down to our grandkids and great-grandkids. Okay, maybe not. But my point is, is that PEA’s can come in all shapes, sizes and mediums. For our 20th anniversary, my hubby made a CD or DVD, I don’t know, for me. He scanned in pictures of our engagement, wedding, our children growing up and all the milestones of our 20 years together and put it to music in a Power Point (nerd) slide presentation. It made me cry buckets and I loved it. I still pull it out to watch it from time to time and I still cry buckets each and every time. I think it’s the best gift he ever gave me.

And to men who think writing a love letter is “girly”, I say this, romantic gestures do not make you less manly and the man that told you that is sad on the inside.

So tell me, what is your favorite PEA? Is it from a book, from a lover, lyrics in a song, or is it the note you got in Kindergarten from Tommy R. whose love you spurned when you checked “no” and then he threw a chair at you? And then you wanted to choke the little SOB because nobody throws a chair at you and lives... OR was that just me?

Tomorrow I will list my books I brought to the island and Wednesday we will talk about the heroes. Have a great day!

*Disclaimer- The formatting of this post may be wonky. I don't know what the hell I'm doing.