Lisa Marie Rice's Desert Island Keepers

Please welcome back Lisa Marie Rice for her second day on the island! Today she’s sharing her five desert island keepers! Since two of her books (technically three since I have one under her other name) are part of my desert island keepers don’t worry that she won’t be bringing her own books! I promise to share. :) Without further rambling from me, here is Lisa’s fabulous list!

Well, this isn’t an easy one. Not at all. I have moved around a lot in my life and changed many houses and even countries. Whenever I moved, all my books went into boxes, most of which I never opened because even in the time it took to move, I’d started buying so many new ones that the shelves started filling up immediately. So I’ve got thousands of books in the garage and what’s on my shelves right now reflects my current tastes, which are different from my tastes say, four years ago in the last house. Which were totally different from my tastes eight years ago in the house before that. See where I’m going with this? So I’ve got vast sections of science fiction and romance which aren’t on my shelves any more, but down in the garage. And what’s on my shelves now are mainly thrillers and mysteries, some romantic suspense, lots of soldier memoirs and lots of non fiction on current events. When I glom on to things I’m like a terrier. I bite down and don’t let go.

Doubtless my Kindle is going to change all of that, because all my books will be in one place.

So without further ado, let me list my five favourite things to read, in no particular order.

1. Anything by Lee Child. Jack Reacher has got to be one of fiction’s greatest creations. A former Army MP with a stellar reputation, he is now a loner and a drifter. But he is also a man with an implacable sense of justice. Like Shane, only taller and stronger and tougher and meaner and better with a gun. Like Shane, he always rides into the sunset at the end of the story, leaving some kind of order behind him (and a few dead bodies). The thing I love about Jack Reacher is his fearlessness. So okay, yeah, he’s ginormous. Six five and two hundred fifty pounds of pure muscle. And, well, a sharpshooter. And he’s also smart. But he’s often facing armies of well-trained, armed men, with no backup. You know how in movies and books the bad guys always threaten the good guy? They threaten a loved one, threaten a job loss, threaten their standing in the community. There’s nothing you can threaten Jack Reacher with (and indeed one of the Jack Reacher books is entitled Nothing to Lose). He’s a loner, doesn’t have a job, doesn’t have any standing. So he cannot be intimidated. He’s an enormous, implacable justice machine. Ladies, if you’re looking for a husband, a breadwinner, a family man, he’s not your guy. But if you’re looking for someone who will stand by you in times of great trouble and never, ever back down from danger, that’s the guy for you.

Jack Reacher also exerts an ungodly pull and appears in other novels, as well. I just finished reading Stephen King’s Under The Dome (excellent by the way) and Reacher is mentioned several times, a go to guy for Colonel Cox and described as the best, toughest Army cop ever. It’s as if Jack Reacher actually exists, because he’s written so well. On my desert island, Jack Reacher would be sure to keep my spirits up and provide a helping hand.

2. A couple of years ago I happened upon Black Hawk Down and was instantly mesmerized and since then I’ve read a number of soldiers’ accounts of the ongoing war on terrorism and I follow military blogs. There’s just an amazing amount of good writing going on. I remember reading books by Vietnam vets and they were hallucinatory, impressionistic, a little crazy at times. The writing about the war in Iraq and Afghanistan – by the soldiers at least – is sober and reflective and very intense. Officers tend to write the best analyses, and grunts the best on-the-ground reporting. For example, First In by Gary Schroen is this amazing tale of derring-do, the very first SpecialOps guys into Afghanistan after 9/11, and every word is true. For thrills, you can’t do better than Chris Hunter’s Eight Lives Down, the story of a bomb disposal operator in Iraq. There are lots of books, too many to list but they are all this fascinating juxtaposition of the very essence of modernity fighting the ancient heart of darkness. Our soldiers are equipped with just so much power, firepower, the ability to see in the dark, surveillance satellites, the ability to call in an airstrike to within a foot of a painted target and most times all that power is useless. It would drive me nuts and yet the officers who write keep their cool and their analytical ability, and even—crazy as that sounds—their sense of humour.

I also really enjoy military novels by men who’ve walked the walk, like Andy McNab, Chris Ryan and that old reprobate, Dick Marckinko.

On that desert island, any soldiers’ memoir would be full of ‘intel’ on how to extract water from plants, trap small animals and build a raft.

All this being in soldiers’ heads has also had an effect on my own writing, as my heroes now tend to be laconic, no-nonsense hard-headed realists (except when they fall head over heels in love), courageous and honourable.

As a reader I definitely agree! I love the way you write men. I’ve given a couple of your books to my husband (former Marine) to read and he just grins at some of your heroes' smartass attitudes and the way they view the world because they’re written the way military guys should be.

3. I don’t like ‘nice’, sexy vampires (a nice, sexy blood-sucker? Please) and the whole appeal of them passes me right by. If anything, vampires should be like the ones in Justin Cronin’s The Passage, who destroy the world. (fabulous book, by the way).

However, having said that, I love love love the Black Dagger Brotherhood, the series of vampire books by J.R. Ward. So go figure.

I’ve read every single book in the series and am now reading the last one, Lover Mine, enjoying it, and I don’t even like Xhex! But J.R. Ward’s writing is so amazingly alive and vivid, the characters just leaping off the page to grab you by the lapels and shake you up and make you pay attention, that you can’t resist. One chapter of Dark Lover and I was hooked. You forget the silly names and forgive her some of the silliness because the writing is simply so compelling. And the Brothers – so noble and suffering and so dedicated to their women! What other man would carve your name in his back? And though they are all badasses not one does anything dishonourable or mean, not even Vishous and not even, really, Zsadist.

Taken all together, the Black Dagger Brotherhood novels form a remarkable epic tale of love and danger, of loss and bravery.

I’m so glad you’re bringing the BDB books! As someone who just this year discovered the awesomeness of them, I don’t think I could live without Zsadist’s book! Or Lover Mine for that matter! Excellent choices :)

4. Though I’m not wild about historicals, I do enjoy some, particularly Lisa Kleypas’s books. My favourite is the first of the Wallflower series – Secrets of a Summer Night, which is a series that not only celebrates romance but also female friendship and solidarity, something I believe in with all my heart. It’s a book that pulls no punches in the prospects for a smart, beautiful but poor woman in 19^th century England (none, unless she marries well). Some have commented on Annabelle Peyton, the heroine, being a gold-digger but I don’t read it that way at all. She has a younger brother who needs to go to school and a fragile mother and they have no money nor any prospect of having any. She can’t work because there are no jobs for a well-born young woman. She has one way out—to marry into the aristocracy. Who can blame her for her single-mindedness? And yet on the way, she becomes fast friends with Evie and the Bowman sisters and slowly learns to appreciate Simon Hunt. It’s a romance where there is real development of the heroine’s character, a true maturing process. It’s a book that bears re-reading and I have, several times.

On my desert island, this book would help me to never give up hope.

5. All the Harry Bosch books, by Michael Connelly. Like J. R. Ward, Michael Connelly has created a series of books forming an almost epic tale, of only one man in this case, Harry Bosch. Harry’s mother was murdered when he was a young boy. No one cared about the murder and he grew up feeling that everyone deserves justice. There are very few literary creations as tenacious as Bosch when on the trail of a killer. Unlike Reacher, Harry has something to lose—his job, which he is ferociously attached to because of his crusade for justice. In one interesting book in the series, he quits in disgust (a few seconds before being fired) and tries to work as a private investigator. But Harry’s not motivated by money, but my justice and a PI’s goal is earning well. We all heaved a sigh of relief when he could get back to being a thorn in the side of the LAPD, Hollywood Division and finding justice for the dead ones, particularly the lost dead ones, the ones no one else cares about.

On my desert island, Harry will teach me tenacity in the face of overwhelming odds.

This is a weird list of DIKs I know, and of course there are more than 5 because when I read one book in a series I won’t rest until I’ve finished them all. But I should imagine the point of DIKs is to provide comfort and solace and distraction on your desert island and all the characters in the above books definitely do.

These are my favourite books, today. Tomorrow? Who knows.

Absolutely love your list! I still haven’t read Michael Connelly’s books or Lee Child’s but I plan to change that asap after your wonderful descriptions! Jack Reacher sounds like someone I'd want to have my back in any situation! Thanks for sharing your fave reads and for hanging out with us today.

To all you wonderful bloggers, don’t forget to leave a comment and be entered to win a copy of Dangerous Passion! And please come back tomorrow for a sneak peek into Lisa’s upcoming book Into the Crossfire, which will be available July 27 from Avon Red.

If you'd like to check out more about Lisa, please click here to be directed to her Harper Collins author page or here, for her Ellora's Cave author page.

Please Welcome Lisa Marie Rice!

Please welcome guest author, Lisa Marie Rice to the island! I’m very excited to have her here for so many reasons. **Warning…fan girl alert** She doesn’t know this, but LMR is the author who ‘introduced’ me to ebooks, Ellora’s Cave and inadvertently erotic romance in general. Years ago I somehow stumbled across her trio of ‘Midnight’ books with EC and discovered I could download books right to my computer! That alone opened up a new world to me. Of course I still bought all her books in paperback because the digital version was not enough. I wanted those books on my shelf. From there I devoured everything I could find by her and this month, she’s got a new book coming out from Avon Red! Into the Crossfire is the first in another hot trio of books called ‘The Protectors’ and it will be out July 27. Okay, that’s enough rambling from me! Please welcome the fabulous Lisa Marie Rice. She’s going to be here for the next three days and she’s been wonderful enough to answer all my questions and she’s giving away a book a day! (Dangerous Lover, Dangerous Secrets, & Dangerous Passion)

Since this is your first time on the island, there are some things we must know about you.

1. If you were stuck on a desert island what 3 things would you bring with you?

Well, that’s easy and hard. Hard because there are so many things necessary to a civilized life, lots more than just three, but if we’re going to have to strip down to basics, I guess I’d absolutely have to have my Kindle, an endless supply of sunscreen SPF 50 (I burn easily) and my computer with wi-fi. Those would be the essentials. To be able to read, to connect and not burn myself to a crisp.

2. Boxers, Briefs, boxer briefs, kilt, or commando:

This is for heroes right? Hmmm, I’m not too sure I have a definite Underwear Doctrine. Boxer Briefs, probably. Commando sounds sexy but uncomfortable. Like thongs.

3. Favorite Heroine and why: A couple of favorite heroines – one heroine from way, way back: Lindsay Danner of Tell Me No Lies by Elizabeth Lowell. She’s an incredibly appealing heroine of one of the best romantic suspense novels ever written. Annabelle Peyton of Lisa Kleypas’s Secrets of a Summer Night. I usually don’t like historicals because beyond the Vaseline over the lens of romance writers, it’s quite clear to me what the position of women was in the past, and it wasn’t pretty. Annabelle keeps her dignity intact under horrendous circumstances and shows intense loyalty to her friends at the same time. And, oddly enough, Beth Randall of J. R. Ward’s Dark Lover. It is really interesting to see her struggle with her dual nature. Those are my favorites for now. Maybe next year, or certainly in five years’ time, the list will differ.

I love that you included Beth Randall as one of your favorite heroines. Some of the women in the BDB books get overshadowed but Beth is one of my favorites too!

4. How old is your inside voice?

About 27.

5. If you could be any hero, who would you be?

Choosing some of mine – I wouldn’t mind being, say, Jack Prescott of Dangerous Lover. My men have no fear, though they’ve been in scary situations. I myself am a wuss and admire anyone who is fearless (without being stupid).

Hmm, I wouldn’t mind being with Jack Prescott! Definitely one of the hottest alpha males of all time.

6. Favorite book set on a tropical island?

Jayne Anne Krentz’s Silver Linings

7. Favorite drink to bring to the DIK party?

Prosecco, a nice dry Italian spumante/sparkling wine. Or, if we’re being fancy, a Chateauneuf du Pape.

Oh, Prosecco sounds good! Where I am it’s hot hot hot right now so that sounds very refreshing.


Thank you for visiting us today! One lucky commenter will win a copy of Dangerous Lover (check out the German cover above!) so leave a comment to be entered. (Winners for all three days will be announced Sunday morning) Tomorrow Lisa will be telling us about her five desert island keepers so don’t forget to come back!

PLEASE NOTE: It is likely that Lisa will be traveling some during her blogging days so if you have questions and/or comments and she doesn’t respond right away, have no fear, she will be checking in later.

Ain't No Cure For the Summertime Blues (Or Is There?)

Ahh, summer. A time of relaxation, long days at the beach or by the pool. Barbecues and picnics. Vacations to far away destinations. Who doesn't love summer?

Me.

Yes, I have a confession to make. I hate summer.

In theory, summer is wonderful. See the aforementioned barbecues, picnics, vacations, &c. But theory and practice are often two very different things.

I think my dislike of summer began fairly early, soon after I became too old for day camp. Slumber camp didn't work out (I wasn't really ready yet to spend so long away from home), which left me with huge swaths of time and nothing to do. I started having summer jobs when I was 13. So it wasn't exactly fun in the sun for me. Plus, my expectations for the summer were always very high. I expected adventure, transformation. How many times have we read or seen, It was a summer I'll never forget, the summer where everything changed. Summer lovin'. A magical summer. Blah, blah, blah. The only thing magical about summer for me was how my summer school teacher made world history magically boring. (NB: I write paranormal historical romances.)

Some people love summer for the weather. Sunshine and warm days. I grew up and continue to live in Los Angeles. We have sunshine and warm days 90% of the year. Summer just means it's unpleasantly hot and smoggy, plus my apartment doesn't have air conditioning, so the cat and I stretch out on the floor, hoping for a cool breeze.

I had summer jobs all through grad school, and then, when I did finally get all my degrees and joined the regular workforce, summer meant nothing except going to the office and sweating in my business clothes. I'd drive home and see kids outside their houses, playing on their Slip-N-Slides, drawing on the sidewalks, or else being dropped off from camp. It's like they were taunting me from their Big Wheels. Summer fun, and you're not having any!

Oh, one other problem with summer? My birthday is right at the end of it. No one is ever in town, and it often coincides with Labor Day. Birthday parties have always been sparsely attended. Happy Birthday to me. Here's a cupcake with a single candle in it. Now I'll go weep into my Hi-C punch.

Okay, I'll admit it. I've had some good summers. I went to Ireland in the summer between my junior and senior year of high school. Backpacking through Europe with a friend during grad school. Hiking and canoeing with my husband in Glacier National Park last year. Fun can be had during the warmer months. But I like autumn better. Better weather. Better clothes.

Admittedly, this summer is going to be extra-long and difficult for me. Why? Because my new romance series, The Blades of the Rose, launches in September, with successive titles being released each month through December. That's right, four books, no waiting! This series has been long in the making. The launch title, Warrior, is definitely the book of my heart, combining adventure, magic, romance and action in an unusual setting. As a lifelong lover of the Indiana Jones movies and other high adventure tales, I had wanted to write a romance in that same vein for years.

Now, my dream is finally coming true. But not until September.

If only summer was over!

So tell me, in the comments: how do you feel about summer? Do you love it? Hate it? How do you cure the summertime blues? And is there anything you're looking forward to this autumn?

Have a gr8 summer, c u at the beach, KIT,
Zoe

We're all stalkers on the road to love

Good morning! Thanks Tracy for inviting me over to guest blog! For those of you who don’t know me, I’m Sabrina Darby, a romance author, mostly historical and erotic historical. (You can find me online at SabrinaDarby.com or Twitter.com/SabrinaDarby)

My first book has been out for almost a year but my husband hasn’t read it yet (At least its published form). The other day, he picked up a copy, read four pages and then said it reminded him of the movie Sabrina. It took me a few seconds to figure out what he meant, because I would never have linked my erotic regency novellas with Audrey Hepburn hiding in a tree.

Then I asked, ”because she’s watching him?” Yep.

Now, voyeurism is loosely defined as gaining sexual pleasure from watching someone else do sexual things. I think Sabrina watching David kiss another of his many women might have given her some sexual pleasure even if it isn’t stated outright.

Voyeurism always sounds so illicit, but many a romance starts from observation. For example, check out this snippet featuring Richard Chamberlain in The Slipper and the Rose, an amazing musical retelling of Cinderella.

Watch how Cinderella scopes out the Prince’s manly display of athleticism ;-)

Do you have a favorite moment of voyeurism in a romance novel or movie?

Cops versus Firemen

Happy Monday!

The craziest thing happened this weekend on my blog. For those who don’t know, I write a purely naughty series with heroes who are narcotics detectives in the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. My new release, Star Spangled Kiss (out today) takes place on the Fourth of July. During the story, the characters play a pool-volleyball game. I decided to use pictures to bring the scene to life. I asked the blog-tour visitors to choose a team to support during the match. The most unexpected thing happened.

Almost all my visitors chose THE FIREFIGHTER over the cops.

How is that possible? Cops are just delicious, intense, and sexy. Plus, they have hand-cuffs. Okay, I admit, I am not the least unprejudiced. We are a cop family.

So, I’m bringing this debate here to you. I want to know who you prefer. I hope you don’t mind helping me. Depending on the results, I just might end up writing a companion story to the Kissin’ Cops. Something hot, dangerous and all about Gabe the fireman!

First, for your viewing pleasure and contemplation are the narcotics detectives. They are on Tyler’s team and ready to serve up a heated game. Determined to win, they hold nothing back.

Now for the fireman, he is on Gavin’s team. Those commenting on my blog have chosen to call him Team Gabe. I can’t believe he has his own team now!

Do you have a preference? Who would you want to play in the pool with? The cops or the fireman? Leave me a comment with your choice. One lucky commenter will be selected to win a digital copy of Star Spangled Kiss.

Before I go, I thought I would share with you a little bit of fun. I have witnessed, first-hand, the rivalry between the hose-hoppers and the fuzz. Bryan Erwin has a comedy series called Policeman Versus Fireman and he captures the hilarity with his puppets. When the boys get together and watch Erwin's clips, everyone laughs in harmony despite what badge they happen to wear.
Here is the cleanest vid I could find. I think it sums up the jovial contention perfectly! (The swearing is bleeped out on purpose!) For more of the videos check out Fireman Jake and Policeman Perry (Warnings for mature content!)




If you would like to see which team won the volleyball match or ride along with Tyler and Sophie in their romantic journey, Star Spangled Kiss releases today at Liquid Silver Books.

I hope you had a wonderful holiday weekend.
Thanks for blogging with me today.

Christa
P.S. to check out my other series, The Blood-Vine: paranormal romance, or to see excerpts of all my stories visit www.christapaige.com