Giveaway & Interview with Berkley Sensation Author, Lucy Monroe.

Award-Winning Paranormal Romance author, Lucy Monroe has dropped by to chat and give a copy of her latest Berkley Sensation release, "Moon Craving".  To enter please leave Lucy a comment including email.  Giveaway is open to all and runs until March 7, 2010.  Happy Reading!

Title: MOON CRAVING

Children of the Moon Book 2

Author: Lucy Monroe

Publisher: Berkley Sensation

Genre: Paranormal Romance

ISBN-13: 978-0425233047

Release: February 2010

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If it were up to him, Talorc—laird of the Sinclair clan and leader of his werewolf pack— would never marry. But when the king orders that Talorc wed an Englishwoman, the lone wolf is shocked to find his mate in the strong-willed Abigail. And after an intensely climactic wedding night, the two fiercely independent souls sense an unbreakable bond…

Deaf since childhood, Abigail hopes to keep her affliction from Talorc as long as possible. And for his part, he has no intention of telling her about being a werewolf. But when Abigail learns that the husband she’s begun to love has deceived her, it will take all of his warrior’s strength—and his wolf’s cunning—to win his wife back. And Talorc will have to face his biggest challenge yet: the vulnerability of a man in love…

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Interview with author, Lucy Monroe.

CSM: Please help me welcome Sexy, Suspenseful Romance author, Lucy Monroe to Over the Edge. Lucy, my readers and I are so psyched that have dropped by to spend time with us. Thanks so much!

Thank you tons for having me! I love the opportunity to connect with readers.:-)

CSM: Tell us more about yourself. Readers love learning new and interesting things about an author, and this would give you a chance to make them feel close.

Would love to.

CSM: Besides being a total book junkie I’m also a music junkie. When I’m writing I have a sound track playing either in my mind or in my cd player. What’s your sound track? What type of music is on it?

Oh man, I just answered this for another interview and I’ll tell you what I told her...I listen to a huge collection of eclectic music. Music is a huge part of my writing process and picking the right “soundtrack” can be really key, but it can be anything from jazz to genre rock. When I need to get into my zone, I’ll often start my playlist with the Soundtrack from Sahara and go from there. Cher is a favorite for writing love scenes and I really like 1940s music for editing.

CSM: How would readers find out more about you?

I’ve got lots of places I keep current online:

Author Site (http://lucymonroe.com)

Blog (http://www.lucymonroeblog.blogspot.com)

MySpace (http://www.myspace.com/lucymonroe)

Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/lucymonroeauthor)

Twitter (http://twitter.com/lucymonroe)

CSM: When did you write your first book?

I started writing my first romance about 16 years ago. My first published novel (which was incidentally my 13 finished manuscript) came out 7 years ago this September.

CSM: Where and when do you write?

I write full-time, which means pretty much all day, every day. No, I don’t often take weekends off. At least not completely. ;-) I have an office in my home, but I also like to write on my Neo downstairs in the greatroom and I’ve got a chair in my bedroom I’ll retreat to for uber-quiet.

CSM: What is your must-have book for writing?

Any fabulous and well-written romance. I believe you learn a lot by reading good fiction. I learned story structure from Lynne Graham, plotting from Debbie Macomber and Christine Feehan, gorgeous love scenes from Helen Bianchin, realistic character development from Lori Foster, the use of dry humor from Jayne Ann Krentz, and the list goes on.

Although I’ve read dozens, I’m not a huge fan of ‘writing’ book per se. Too often I find myself arguing with the author in my head, or modifying their suggestions to fit my own dynamic process.

CSM: What is your advice for aspiring writers?

Never give up. It can’t be said enough. You cannot allow rejection or disappointment to stop you doing what you love. Not all authors are going to be the next ‘big thing’, but that shouldn’t stop any of us from trying. As I pursued publication, I wrote this personal mantra and posted it where I could see it: you cannot guarantee success, but you can guarantee failure – by giving up!

CSM: What genre(s) do you write?

Contemporary romance, series romance, romantic suspense, historical, & paranormal.

CSM: Tell us more about your recent release, “MOON CRAVING”.

Moon Craving was an incredibly challenging and conversely entertaining story to write. With a deaf heroine hiding her “affliction” and a werewolf hero hiding his full nature and a supporting cast of characters set to both help and hinder, the story takes a lot of twists and turns to find that happy beginning we all love to read so much.

CSM: Any new projects, works in progress?

I’ve always got projects in the pipeline. :-) The joys of contracts and deadlines. LOL Right now, I’m working on Close Quarters, my next Brava, where I introduce the Atrati, the pseudo-merc black-ops agency that will be my next series for Brava.

CSM: I want to take this time to thank Lucy Monroe for stopping by and sharing with my readers and myself a little bit about yourself. This sure has been loads of fun. I hope you enjoyed being here as much as we enjoyed having you.

I did! Thank you so much, Christine!

Giveaway & Interview with New York Times Bestselling Author, Larissa Ione

New York Times Bestselling author Larissa Ione has dropped by today to chat and give two (2) copies of her recent Grand Central Publishing January 2010 release, "ECSTASY UNVEILED" away. To enter please leave Larissa a comment including your email. Giveaway is open to all and runs until February 28, 2010. Happy Reading!

Title: ECSTASY UNVEILED

Demonica Book 4

Author: Larissa Ione

Publisher:  Grand Central Publishing

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Release: January 26, 2010

ISBN-10: 0446556823

ISBN-13: 978-0446556828

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A Demon Enslaved…

Lore is a Seminus half-breed demon who has been forced to act as his dark master’s assassin. Now to earn his freedom and save his sister’s life, he must complete one last kill. Powerful and ruthless, he’ll stop at nothing to carry out this deadly mission.

An Angel Tempted…

Idess is an earthbound angel with a wild side sworn to protect the human Lore is targeting. She’s determined to thwart her wickedly handsome adversary by any means necessary—even if that means risking her vow of eternal chastity. But what begins as a simple seduction soon turns into a passion that leaves both angel and demon craving complete surrender.

Torn between duty and desire, Lore and Idess must join forces as they battle their attraction for each other. Because an enemy from the past is rising again—hellbent on vengeance and unthinkable destruction.

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Learn more about the Author of the Day.

Interview with author Larissa Ione.

CSM: Please help me welcome New York Times Bestselling author, Larissa Ione to Over the Edge. Larissa, my readers and I are so psyched that have dropped by to spend time with us. Thanks so much!

LI: Thank you! It’s great to be here.

CSM: Tell us more about yourself.

LI: Well, I’ve been writing since I was a child, but I made my first sale in 2006, and I haven’t looked back. My husband is in the Coast Guard, so we move around a lot, and writing has given me the opportunity to be able to work from home and not have to worry about finding a job every time we move. I used to work in weather – I worked for the FAA and NWS at various airports – and since it’s such a small community and specialized job, it was always hard to find work when we moved. So thank goodness for writing!

On a more personal level, I’m a mom with an almost-teenager, I have a cat we rescued after her owners (our neighbors) moved away and left her behind, and I love movies, reading, cheese, beer, and bowling! : )

CSM: Besides being a total book junkie I’m also a music junkie. When I’m writing I have a sound track playing either in my mind or in my cd player. What’s your sound track? What type of music is on it?

LI: You know, I’m really not much of a music person. I do have an iPod, but I usually only listen to it when I’m doing housework. Mostly, I listen to music in the car…country is my favorite, but I do enjoy some pop. When I’m working on a fight scene or a really dark scene in my books, I do have a tendency to jack myself up with something by Seether, though!

CSM: How would readers find out more about you?

LI: Go to my website, www.LarissaIone.com and check out my FAQ page or blog. Lots of stuff there!

CSM: When did you write your first book?

LI: When I was 13. It was a handwritten novel about wolves in the Alaskan wilderness. Very Jack London-esque.

CSM: Where and when do you write?

LI: Well, right now I write from about 8 AM to 3 PM during the weekdays, and whenever I can get time on weekends. I write on the couch in the living room, but that’s temporary. We’ll start construction on our basement this spring to put in an office for me.

CSM: What is your must-have book for writing?

LI: The Writer’s Journey: Mythic Structure For Writers, by Christopher Vogler. I try to re-read it about once a year. It always sparks ideas.

CSM: What is your advice for aspiring writers?

LI: Keep at it. Don’t give up. I nearly gave up after hurricane Katrina, but thanks to the writing community and great friends and family, I picked myself up and got back on the writing horse. I sold a few months later. If I’d quit, I’d not be where I am now, which is basically a dream come true.

CSM: What genre(s) do you write?

LI: Mostly dark paranormal romance, but I also have three contemporary stories published, and I write with writing partner Stephanie Tyler as Sydney Croft – those books are erotic action-adventure s/f.

CSM: Among that you’ve written which is your favorite book and why?

LI: Wow, that is a really, really hard question. I love all my books, but for different reasons. I think my favorite Sydney Croft book is Unleashing The Storm because I love the heroine – she’s an animal lover to the extreme, so she has a lot of me in her.

My favorite Ione book? Yikes. I love Pleasure Unbound because it was the first Demonica novel, and Eidolon, the hero, is the glue that holds the characters and the underworld hospital together even into future books. But overall, I guess I’ll go with Passion Unleashed, the third book in the series. The hero, Wraith, is a bit of a special case – very troubled, very sarcastic, and just a pleasure to write. The book itself wasn’t easy to write, but Wraith always has been. His book, tone-wise, is the lightest of the five, and it was just…fun. Plus, a lot of it is set in Egypt, which I’m fascinated by.

CSM: Tell us more about your latest release, "ECSTASY UNVEILED”.

LI: Ecstasy Unveiled is the fourth book in the Demonica series, and it’s about a demon assassin named Lore who has recently found a family he didn’t know about. But he’s pitted against them when he is forced to kill a family friend in order to save Lore’s sister’s life.

This family friend also happens to be protected by an angel named Idess, and she needs to keep the target alive as badly as Lore needs to kill him.

The two go up against each other, and as they grow closer, they become torn between what they must do and what they want to do.

CSM: Any new projects, works in progress?

LI: I’m currently working on the sixth Sydney Croft book, and since I just turned in the fifth Demonica book, Sin Undone, I’m now starting work on the first book in the new spinoff series about the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. VERY excited to get going on that.

CSM: I want to take this time to thank Larissa Ione for stopping by and sharing with my readers and myself a little bit about yourself. This sure has been loads of fun. I hope you enjoyed being here as much as we enjoyed having you.

LI: Absolutely! And thank you again for having me!

Giveaway & Interview with Urban Fantasy & Romance Author, Alicia Dean

Urban Fantasy & Romance author, Alicia Dean has dropped by to chat and give a copy of her her recent Dorchester release, "HEART OF THE WITCH". away to one lucky commenter.   To enter please leave Alicia a comment including your email. Giveaway is open to all and runs until February 28,2010. Happy Reading!

Title: HEART OF THE WITCH

Author: Alicia Dean

Publisher: Dorchester

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Release: February 2010

Format: Paperback

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There's a monster on the loose, a serial killer murdering women in Oklahoma City. On each corpse he writes his name in blood:
THE TIN MAN

But while the villain claims to be heartless, he's not beyond making a mistake. This time he left his prey alive, and ex-homicide detective Nick Lassiter plans to use her to crack the case wide open. Yet Ravyn Skyler is nothing like he expects. She remembers little of the crime, and for a victim, she has a deep reserve of quiet strength. In her eyes he sees both helpless waif and merciless vigilante, and in her kiss he tastes both passion and power. With a tale of a Tin Man, it only seems fair that there's a witch. And the witch guards a secret that threatens not only their lives, but their souls. read more...

Read excerpt.

Learn about the Author of the Day.

Interview with Urban Fantasy author, Alicia Dean.

CSM: Alicia,tell us about your recent release, “HEART OF THE WITCH”.

AD: Heart of the Witch is a paranormal Romantic Suspense published by Dorchester. It’s set in the Oklahoma City area and it’s about Ravyn Skyler, a witch who is attacked by a serial killer, the Tin Man. She survives but the killer gets away. She wants to stop him to prevent him from hurting other women, so she teams up with a broken, wounded alcoholic PI, Nick Lassiter, who is already on the Tin Man case. She has to hide the fact that she’s a witch to keep from endangering her coven. She also has to struggle with her growing attraction to a man who is wrong for her in every way. Added to her problems, her ex-lover, a powerful male witch, wants to possess her and destroy Nick. There’s a kind of cool Wizard of Oz threat throughout the book that was really fun, even though the book itself is pretty dark and creepy.

CSM: If you could compare “HEART OF THE WITCH” to your other books, how would you say it is different?

AD: My other books have been romantic suspense, but this one is a paranormal and it’s perhaps a little more sinister and spooky than the others.

CSM: Which do you think is more important in romance writing, voice or story?

AD: I think they are equally important. If you have a good voice, but your story doesn’t grab the reader, people aren’t going to want to read your stuff. On the other hand, you can have the greatest story of all time, yet if you can’t tell it in a compelling way, your reader won’t stick with you long enough to find out how incredibly awesome your story is.

CSM: Who is your favorite author?

AD: That would be impossible to say. I have read and loved many wonderful writers over the years and I continue to find new ones to add to my collection. I like such a wide array of genres that it might be easier if I picked one favorite out of each genre. But then again, it would still be impossible to narrow it down. When I think of naming just a few, I feel guilty for leaving so many out. My bio on my web site gives a pretty thorough list, although there are countless others I could have added to it.

CSM: Are you a punster or a plotter?

AD: I am definitely a plotter. First thing I do is write a thorough, (although crappy) rough draft of the entire book, plotting as I go. I’ve found that the plot invariably changes as I develop the story, although for the most part, the central issues remain the same.

CSM:Your book covers are amazing. Do you have a say in them?

AD: Thank you. I’m very proud of them. My publishers, both Wild Rose Press and Dorchester, ask for my input, but then the brilliant cover artists use their own talent, combined with what they know about my story, and create these wonderful covers. I have truly been amazed at how well the covers depict my characters and my stories.

CSM: What is next for you and when will readers expect to see it out on bookshelves?

AD: I don’t have anything scheduled for release at the moment, but my agent is currently shopping my latest book, a suspense titled Dead Escape. I’m hoping to learn something on that in the near future.

Giveaway & Interview with Award-Winning Urban Fantasy Author, Kim Harrison

Award-Winning Urban Fantasy author, Kim Harrison has dropped by to chat and give a copy of her upcoming February 23, 2010 release, "BLACK MAGIC SANCTION" away. To enter please leave Kim a comment including your email. Giveaway is open to all and runs until February 21, 2010. Happy Reading!

Title: BLACK MAGIC SANCTION, Rachel Morgan, bk 8

Author: Kim Harrison

Publisher: Harper Collins

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Release: February 23, 2010

Format: Hardcover

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The eighth bewitching but overly dense Hollows adventure (after 2009's White Witch, Black Curse) updates the travails of Rachel Morgan, delectable magical jack of all trades. Having recently learned that Rachel is a witch-born demon whose children would be demons, a white magic coven is shunning her and accusing her of black magic. They offer her a terrible choice: sterilization or imprisonment in Alcatraz. Trent Kalamack, drug lord and elf in hiding, offers to get the coven off her back, but her double-crossing ex-rat ex-boyfriend, Nick, shows up and lands her in more hot water. As Rachel battles those she thought were on her side, her survival depends on a paranormal cornucopia of elves, demons, vampires, gargoyles, pixies, and even a leprechaun. This thrill ride celebrates the can-do spirit of one of urban fantasy's most charming witches. (Mar.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

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Learn more about the Author of the Day.

Interview with Paranormal Award-Winning author, Kim Harrison

CSM: Please help me welcome Award-Winning author, Kim Harrison to Over the Edge. Kim, my readers and I are so psyched that you’ve dropped by to spend some time with us. Thanks so much!

Kim: Thank you, Christine! It’s always a pleasure to connect with readers, and I was pleased when you asked.

CSM: Tell us more about yourself. Readers love learning new and interesting things about an author, and this would give you a chance to make them feel close.

Kim: That question always throws me, because really, I’m a very boring person. I have cats who are more interesting than me. In fact, now that I think of it, a cat is a good comparison. I spend most of my days sitting in one warm spot, staring at a spot a few feet in front of me, lost in a daze of activity that goes on between my ears and no where else.

When not at my computer, I spend time in the garden or kitchen. My latest accomplishment there is homemade pretzels, and I think I’ve made about four batches in as many weeks. Good thing my husband and boys like them—even the bad ones.

Shopping, too, has become a favorite pastime as I try to polish my skills at home decorating. Er, that’s not going so well as the baking. (laugh)

CSM: Besides being a total book junkie I’m also a music junkie. When I’m writing I have a sound track playing either in my mind or in my cd player. What’s your sound track? What type of music is on it?

Kim: Music has often pushed me into delving deeper into a character’s past, and what’s in my player is usually dependent upon who I’m working with. Lately I’ve had channel 21 on my Sirius playing a lot (Alternative rock) Cold Play is a favorite of mine, and Death Cab for a Cutie, but anything with a good beat and lyrics that aren’t whining will bring the keyboard to a standstill for a quick listen.

CSM: How would readers find out more about you?

Kim: I’m very active with readers at my blog, http://kimharrison.wordpress.com/

Or readers can find out just about everything they need about upcoming releases or view past tour pictures at the website, www.kimharrison.net

CSM: What genre(s) do you write?

Kim: I’m currently writing in urban fantasy and young adult, urban fantasy, but I’ve written traditional fantasy with dragons and wizards before, and am always trying to find ways to stretch my writing skills.

CSM: Tell us more about your recent AVON release “ DEAD WITCH WALKING ” and "BLACK MAGIC SANCTION.

Kim: My latest release is actually BLACK MAGIC SANCTION, which is the eighth title in the DEAD WITCH WALKING saga. It is the ongoing story of a witch in modern day Cincinnati, solving crimes with her vampire partner and pixy backup. She’d be doing okay if it was for the demons trying to make her one of their own. The demons are winning at this point, and Rachel, my protagonist, isn’t happy.

CSM: Any new projects, works in progress?

Kim: I’m working on the rough draft of the tenth book right now, and I’m about ready to do an editorial rewrite on the third Madison book, which is my young adult series, starting with ONCE DEAD, TWICE SHY. This is a completely different world from my adult series, where I play with grim reapers, fallen angels, and time keepers. The main character, Madison, is dead, which makes for interesting first-date conversation.

CSM: I want to take this time to thank Kim Harrison for stopping by and sharing with my readers and myself a little bit about yourself. This sure has been loads of fun. I hope you enjoyed being here as much as we enjoyed having you.

Kim: It was my pleasure, Christine! Thank you for asking me.

BLOG TOUR: Giveaway & Interview with CATCH OF A LIFETIME Author, Judi Fennell

RITA/Golden Heart Nominee author, Judi Fennell has stopped by to talk about and giveaway two (2) copies of her February 2010 release, "CATCH OF A LIFETIME". To enter please leave Judi a comment including your email. Giveaway is open to all and runs until February 21, 2010. Happy Reading!

Title: CATCH OF A LIFETIME

Author: Judi Fennell

Publisher: Sourcebooks, Inc.

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Release: February, 2010

Format: Mass-market/Paperback

ISBN#:9781402224287

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She’s on a mission to save the planet…

Mermaid Angel Tritone has been researching humans from afar, hoping to find a way to convince them to stop polluting.

When she jumps into a boat to escape a shark attack, it’s her chance to pursue her mission, but she has to keep her identity a total secret…

When he finds out what she really is, they’re both in mortal danger…

For Logan Hardington, finding a beautiful woman on his boat is surely not a problem—until he discovers she’s a

mermaid, and suddenly his life is on the line…

Read excerpt.

Learn more about the Author of the Day.

Interview with author Judi Fennell.

CSM:. Judi, please tell us about your recent release, CATCH OF A LIFETIME.

JF:  Catch of a Lifetime is the third story in my Mer series and it’s Angel’s story. Angel is the second daughter and fourth child of the ruling Tritone family – a classic middle child. She wants to become someone; be known for who she is as a person, not just a princess. Since she’s always been fascinated by Humans, she wants the Directorship position of the Mer-Human Coalition her brother, Rod, the High Councilman, is setting up. But Rod doesn’t want to risk his family to exposure to Humans. When he forbids her to even apply for the job, Angel sets out to show him she can do it.

Unfortunately, things don’t quite go as planned.

Escaping from a killer shark, she ends up on a Human’s boat and has to pretend that she’s one of them. The fact that the Human is one gorgeous Logan Hardington who has an adorable six year old son Michael, makes that prospect rather nice.

Until Logan finds out what Angel is, and the angry shark comes back, putting everyone’s life on the line.

CSM: . If you could compare CATCH OF A LIFETIME to your other books, how would you say it is different?

I tried to make each of the stories different from each other so that a reader could pick up any story and instantly know the world; that you don’t have to read them in order to understand what’s going on. I also wanted them to be different in that, in In Over Her Head, the first book, I had Erica, a Human, going into the water and meeting Reel, a merman. With Wild Blue Under, book two, I had merman Rod coming on land to meet half-Mer/half-Human (not that she knows it), Valerie. So in Catch of a Lifetime, I have a mermaid, Angel, coming on land to meet Human Logan, and then Logan heading into the sea with her.

CSM:   Which do you think is more important in romance writing, voice or story?

JF:  That’s an interesting question. I’ve read plenty of great stories that just weren’t well-written, but they’ve become huge sellers. I don’t know that I can recall any greatly written stories that didn’t have a story that did. And the fact that I can’t remember them, shows that obviously, the story sticks with me.

But the best of both worlds is what I hope for every time I open a book.

CSM:   Who is your favorite author?

JF:  I can honestly say that I don’t have one favorite author. I have a lot of “I’ll buy those”-type authors. And I have my favorite books. Plus, since I read so many genres, I have must-haves in each one.

My favorite book is Bewitching by Jill Barnett. I love Romantic Suspense by Allison Brennan, Mariah Stewart, Cindy Gerard, Roxanne St. Claire. I love paranormals by Alesia Holliday, Gena Showalter, Katie MacAlister. I love contemporaries by Robin Kaye, Carly Phillips, Susan Mallery. Historicals by Julia Quinn, Eloisa James, Sabrina Jeffries. I love Jason Bourne-type stories. Love Stephen King, Dean Koontz, James Patterson, JK Rowling.

And, actually, going back to the previous question, I’m going to say that it all comes down to the story for me.

CSM:   Are you a panster or a plotter?

JF:  Overall I’m a pantser, but since becoming published I’ve had to become somewhat of a plotter because I sell my books in series and my editor wants to have some idea of what they’re about. I do, too, so it’s kind of nice to have that direction, even if it’s only a page and a half outline.

I’ve tried outlining the entire book and it just doesn’t work with me. Case in point, Catch of a Lifetime had a totally different villain when I was pre-plotting it for the proposal. The one who ended up being the villain was never in that original story, and the original villain never made it into the final version.

I love the journey of discovering the story along with the characters as I write it and hope that it leads to a thrill of discovery for the reader as well.

CSM:  Your book covers are amazing. Do you have a say in them?

JF:  I have been truly blessed by the cover gods. And artist Anne Cain. She’s done all three and, frankly, there’s been no need for me to have any say in them. These are pretty much what I saw when I opened that first email from my editor. They have each taken my breath away.

My publisher, Sourcebooks, has some pretty amazing covers across the board. Check out any of our titles and you’ll find masterpieces.

I do provide the art department with a written “sketch” of my stories: what they’re about, key elements or scenes. Maybe some of the colors. I love when those things show up on the covers, like the lavender on Catch of a Lifetime’s cover – that’s the color of Angel’s tail.

CSM:   What is next for you and when will readers expect to see it out on bookshelves?

JF:  I’m currently working on the second book of my next series which is about genies. I pitched it as “I Dream of Jeannie meets Indiana Jones.” That first one, I Dream of Genies, which will be out in January 2011, was one heck of a wild ride to write!

CATCH OF A LIFETIME BY JUDI FENNELL—IN STORES FEBRUARY 2010!

She’s on a mission to save the planet…

Mermaid Angel Tritone has been researching humans from afar, hoping to find a way to convince them to stop polluting. When she jumps into a boat to escape a shark attack, it’s her chance to pursue her mission, but she has to keep her identity a total secret…

When he finds out what she really is, they’re both in mortal danger…

For Logan Hardington, finding a beautiful woman on his boat is surely not a problem—until he discovers she’s a mermaid, and suddenly his life is on the line… The third novel in Judi Fennell's mermaid series, a fresh, exciting, and different entry in romance fiction!

About the Author

Judi Fennell is an award-winning author. Her romance novels have been finalists in Gather.com's First Chapters and First Chapters Romance contests, as well as the third American Title contest. She spends family vacations at the Jersey Shore, the setting for some of her paranormal romance series. She lives in suburban Philadelphia, PA. For more information, and a chance to win a romantic ocean getaway, visit www.judifennell.com.

CSM:  I'd like to take this time to thank Judi Fennell for stopping by and sharing her amazing work with us today.

Giveaway & Interview with "FALLEN ROGUE" Author, Amy Rench

Debut paranormal romance author, Amy Rench has dropped by to chat and give a copy of her debut release from Dorchester Publishing, "FALLEN ROGUE" away. To enter please leave Amy a comment including your email. Giveaway is open to all and runs until February 21, 2010. Happy Reading!

Title: FALLEN ROGUE

Author: Amy Rench

Publisher: Dorchester

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Release:  November 2009

Format: Mass-Market/ Paperback

Order Now!

What you don’t know can kill you

Harper Kane was well on her way to an Olympic gold medal in swimming. But now she’ll never pass the doping test. Oh, it’s not steroids. She doesn’t know what exactly she was injected with—something so secret her brother died to protect it, something that’s suddenly given her deadly psi abilities she can’t quite control.

Special Agent Rome Lucian’s instructions are clear: Find Kane and bring her in. She’s a threat that needs to be terminated. What’s not clear is exactly who’s giving the instructions. Rome can’t trust anything anymore, and his only ally is the woman he’s been sent to kill, a woman who can cause massive devastation with only her mind.

It’s sink or swim as the pair is caught in the murky waters of a dark conspiracy the depths of which they can’t even begin to fathom.

Read excerpt.

Learn more about the Author of the Day.

Interview with author, Amy Rench.

CSM: Amy tell us about your recent release, “FALLEN ROGUE”

Thank you so much for having me here!

I am very excited about my debut novel FALLEN ROGUE. It’s about an Olympic swimmer who is accidentally injected with a serum which gives her psionic powers. Immediately, she’s on the run for her life and must team up with a special agent, whose mission is to kill her. Together they must discover who is after her and determine the secret behind the serum. The story is filled with high action and romance. I’m so grateful to my wonderful editor at Dorchester, Leah Hultenschmidt, for helping make the book hit the shelves.

CSM: If you could compare “FALLEN ROGUE” to your other books, how would you say it is different?

FALLEN ROGUE is my first published novel, but it’s not that much different than anything else I’ve written. I write action romance, so all of my stories have action, adventure, high stakes, and of course, romance. My heroines are always strong and fearless women who are a match for my tough and honorable heroes.

CSM: Which do you think is more important in romance writing, voice or story?

I think voice and story are equally important. I think you need to have a good story and be able to tell it your own way. A unique story idea will pull the reader in, but it’s the author’s voice that will keep them there. They are intertwined and complement each other.

CSM: Who is your favorite author?

That’s a tough question. There are so many fantastic authors out there. Linnea Sinclair is one of my favorites. I admire the way she is able to combine science fiction, adventure, and romance. The depth of her stories and characters are amazing. I truly feel like I’m in the story when I read her books.

CSM: Are you a punster or a plotter?

I think I’m a combination of both with an emphasis on plotting. When starting a new story, I create a rough outline/synopsis. I need to know where the story begins, where it ends, and some of the major twists and scenes. From there, I start writing from page one to the end, filling in scenes along the way. My first draft comes out pretty rough then I go back and layer in character and story details.

CSM: Your book covers are amazing. Do you have a say in them?

My publisher did a fabulous job in creating the striking cover art for FALLEN ROGUE. I think it thoroughly captures the action theme of the story. I gave a few descriptions, but I really didn’t need to do anything.

CSM: What is next for you and when will readers expect to see it out on bookshelves?

Right now, I am finishing my revisions for my next story. It is the first book of a new series I have planned featuring more action romance with an urban fantasy twist. I hope to have more details soon. I’ll be sure to keep everyone posted.

Giveaway & Interview with New York Times Bestselling Author of the Demon Slayer Series, Angie Fox

New York Times Bestselling author of the "Demon Slayer" series author, Angie Fox has stopped by today to chat and give a copy of her latest release, "A TALE OF TWO DEMON SLAYERS" away. To enter please leave Angie a comment including email. The giveaway is open to ALL and will run until February 21, 2010. Happy Reading!

Title: A TALE OF TWO DEMON SLAYERS

Author: Angie Fox

Publisher: Love Spell

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Release: January 26, 2010

Format: Mass-Market/ Paperback

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In the ultimate showdown for survival, may the best demon slayer win.

Last month, I was a single preschool teacher whose greatest thrill consisted of color-coding my lesson plans. That was before I learned I was a slayer. Now, it’s up to me to face curse-hurling imps, vengeful demons, and any other supernatural uglies that crop up. And, to top it off, a hunk of a shape-shifting griffin has invited me to Greece to meet his family.

But it’s not all sun, sand, and ouzo. Someone has created a dark-magic version of me with my powers and my knowledge—and it wants to kill me and everyone I know. Of course, this evil twin doesn’t have Grandma’s gang of biker witches, a talking Jack Russell terrier, or an eccentric necromancer on its side. In the ultimate showdown for survival, may the best demon slayer win.

Read the first chapter.

Learn more about the Author of the Day.

Interview with New York Times Bestselling author, Angie Fox.
 

CSM: Please help me welcome New York Times Bestselling Romance author, Angie Fox to Over the Edge. Angie, my readers and I are so psyched that have dropped by to spend time with us.

Thanks so much!

CSM: Tell us more about yourself. Readers love learning new and interesting things about an author, and this would give you a chance to make them feel close.

Let’s see. Well, I’m a former advertising writer. I used to write about Coke, Mrs. Paul’s Fish and Bud Light beer. Now I write about biker witches, demon slayers and a talking dog. Ironically, how I approach my work really hasn’t changed much!

I also like to read a lot. Some of my favorite authors are Charlaine Harris, Jim Butcher and Malcom Gladwell. When I was just starting out, I actually met Charlaine Harris at a writers conference and she critiqued the first few chapters of one of my early (unpublished) novels. It was a fantastic experience and helped me learn what I needed to know to write the books I do now.

I am also the owner of a chocolate poodle named Moxie who talks to me, only without words. She is a smart mouth.

CSM: Besides being a total book junkie I’m also a music junkie. When I’m writing I have a sound track playing either in my mind or in my cd player. What’s your sound track? What type of music is on it?


You know what? I think I’m one of the few writers who can’t write to music. I’ve tried. I’ve had writer friends make me sound tracks based on the series. Nada. I can’t focus unless it’s quiet.

CSM: How would readers find out more about you?

Well, I’m addicted to Facebook, so you can always visit me there. I’m also at www.angiefox.com.

CSM: When did you write your first book?

That’s a toughie. I used to write short stories back in high school, but nothing for publication. These stories centered around my friends doing silly things and were for our own amusement.

I wrote my first serious book about seven years ago. It took two years to complete and I still have it in a box in the basement. I pulled it out over the holidays when my critique partner and I agreed to “gift” each other with the first chapter of the first book we ever wrote. It’s actually a pretty fun read, but it’s all character and no structure – like getting a big plate of spaghetti dumped over your head.

CSM: Where and when do you write?

I write in the mornings when my kids are in preschool and my brain is fresh. On days I can’t do mornings, I do afternoons when they’re asleep. The short, joke answer I like to give to this question is that I write when my kids are unconscious, but that’s kind of the truth!

I’m a crazy busy mom who used to write during naptime to amuse myself. All the sudden the books sold, they hit the NY Times list and now I find what time I can. But the key for me is to write every day, so I can stay immersed in the story. Besides, it’s a lot of fun. And when things get crazy busy with the family, I need a little “me” time with my books.

CSM: What is your must-have book for writing?

I really love both The War of Art and also Stephen King’s book On Writing.

CSM: What is your advice for aspiring writers?

Make the story big. I had an agent tell me that if I wanted to sell, my characters had to take bigger chances, have more to risk and lose. It’s easy to say, but a hard thing for a writer to do. It’s a vulnerable, risky place to be. I knew my first book was big enough when instead of ending my writing sessions thinking, “I hope that’s good enough to impress an editor.” I ended them thinking, “No. I didn’t not just write that. I did not just make my character defend herself with a toilet brush and a can of Purple Prairie Clover air freshener.”

CSM: What genre(s) do you write?

I write funny paranormal romances, think Katie MacAlister, Charlaine Harris, Dakota Cassidy.

CSM: Among that you’ve written which is your favorite book and why?

Oh wow. That’s like asking which one of my kids is my favorite. Can I pick my favorite writing moment? That had to be when I sat down to write The Accidental Demon Slayer. I had no notes about a sidekick for my heroine. But in the second chapter, when Lizzie learns she’s a demon slayer and there are some very scary, very angry creatures on her tail, she takes comfort in her dog. As I was writing, I thought, ‘This is a sweet moment. Now how do I throw her off?’

I made the dog say something to her. Nothing big. After all, he’s only after the fettuccine from last week. And he knows exactly where Lizzie can find it (back of the fridge, to the left of the lettuce crisper, behind the mustard). It amused me, so I did it. Thanks to her unholy powers, Lizzie can now understand her smart-mouthed Jack Russell Terrier. I ended up having a ball with it. Pirate can say and do things that my heroine can’t. He’s such a kick to write.

CSM: Tell us more about your LOVE SPELL release “A Tale of Two Demon Slayers”

A Tale of Two Demon Slayers is a funny paranormal romp featuring ancient magic, a hot sexy griffin and a preschool teacher turned demon slayer who not only has to learn more about her powers, but she has to do it while vanquishing an evil slayer who has all of her strength and none of her self doubts. And the book takes place in the Grecian Islands, which I love because, er, it’s quite snowy and un-islandy in St. Louis right now.

Here’s the official book blurb:

Last month, I was a single preschool teacher whose greatest thrill consisted of color-coding my lesson plans. That was before I learned I was a slayer. Now, it's up to me to face curse-hurling imps, vengeful demons, and any other supernatural uglies that crop up. And, to top it off, a hunk of a shape-shifting griffin has invited me to Greece to meet his family.

But it's not all sun, sand, and ouzo. Someone has created a dark-magic version of me with my powers and my knowledge--and it wants to kill me and everyone I know. Of course, this evil twin doesn't have Grandma's gang of biker witches, a talking Jack Russell terrier, or an eccentric necromancer on its side. In the ultimate showdown for survival, may the best demon slayer win.

CSM: Any new projects, works in progress?

Sure. I just signed on to write two more demon slayer books, featuring Lizzie and the biker witches. I also have an anthology out called My Zombie Valentine.

CSM: I want to take this time to thank Angie Fox for stopping by and sharing with my readers and myself a little bit about yourself. This sure has been loads of fun. I hope you enjoyed being here as much as we enjoyed having you.

REVIEW: NICE GIRLS DON'T LIVE FOREVER by Molly Harper

Title: Nice Girls Don't Live Forever

Author: Molly Harper

Publisher: Simon & Schuster/Pocket Books

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Release: December 2009

Book Rating: 4 1/2 STARS

Book Heat: HOT

Format: Print

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Book Description:

Nothing suck the romance out of a world travel like a boyfriend who may or may not have broken up with you in a hotel room in Brussels. Jane Jameson's sexy sire Gabriel has always been unpredictable, but the seductive, anonymous notes that await him at each stop of their international vacation, coupled with his evasive behavior over the past few months, finally push Jane onto the next flight home to Half moon Hollow--alone, upset and unsure whether Gabriel just ended their relationship without actually telling her.

Now the children's-librarian-turned-vampire is reviving with plenty of Faux Type O, some TLC from her colorful friends and family, and her plans for a Brave New Jane Step One: Get her newly renovated occult bookstore off the ground and. Step Two: Support her best friend, Zeb, and his werewolf bride as they prepare for the impending birth of their baby...or litter. Step Three: Figure out who's been sending her threatening letters, and how her hostile pen pal is tied to Gabriel. Because for this nice girl, surviving a broken heart is suddenly becoming a matter of Life and undeath....

Read my interview with author Molly Harper.

REVIEW: NICE GIRLS DON'T LIVE FOREVER by Molly Harper

NICE GIRLS DON'T LIVE FOREVER by Paranormal Romance author, Molly Harper is the third book in her "Nice Girls Don't" series. I have to admit I am a sucker for a good vampire story, especially one that makes me laugh from the first page until the end.

Newbie vampire, Jane Jamison is on a world wind travel excursion when notes are being left for her sexy-erotic-undead boyfriend, Gabriel. To say that the notes have drained the fun out of their getaway is putting it mildly. Gabriel has taken it upon himself to leave Jane at the hotels and returns late warn out, weary and grumpy. A girl can only take so many times switching hotel rooms at the drop of a hat before she starts to wonder what’s going on. Jane and Gabriel are so edgy it's no surprise she's on a plane heading home to Half Moon Hallow--alone. The only thing that mystifies Jane is the fact that Gabriel just let her walk out the door. Has Jane just been dumped by her undead boyfriend and she doesn’t know it?

Home at last Jane tries to pull herself together. Ready to make a life with or without Gabriel is hard at first for Jane, but her friends rally around in hopes to distract her. Jane’s best bud, Zeb and his werewife are expecting and the crazy Courtney Clones of the Chambers of Commerce have placed Jane in charge of getting the door prizes for the annual carnival. Well, that should be enough to put Gabriel out of her mind. At first it works until mysterious and creepy letters start to arrive. Letters that claims Jane’s vampire lover isn’t at all what he’s cracked up to be. Besides these cryptic notes, Jane now has to deal with the GOD fearing nephew of the shop’s resident ghost whom left the shop to her. “Hell and Brimstone” has arrived planting his butt at her store chasing paying customers away. Now stir in her dysfunctional family that really hasn't come to terms with Jane being a vampire and you have one rip roaring read.

Paranormal romance author, Molly Harper writes with wit and sincerity which are two combinations that I love. The moment I read the back cover I was drawn to the concept of a meek and mild librarian falling in love and being turned into a vampire. Honestly, I'm use to reading about kick-ass heroines who fight demons, warlocks, witches and the undead—which she does. But it was refreshing in the fact that Jane isn’t your normal Vampire-Slayer. She’s still getting use to the idea of being a vampire and all that comes with it. The comedy of the story is in watching Jane try to come to terms of being in the undead community of Half Moon Hallow along with everyone around her. The heroine is truly loveable from the moment you meet her.

"GOOD GIRLS DON'T LIVE FOREVER" was so fun to read and its characters are strong and alive and seem to jump off the page. Jane Jameson might not be your rough and tumbled vampire that you’re used to, that's okay with her. Be forewarned though, you still don't want to mess with her because she would drain you before you could strike a match.

Giveaway and Interview with Author, John Wareham.

Author-Poet John Wareham has dropped by to talk and give a copy of  his upcoming VALENTINE'S DAY release, "SONNETS FOR SINNERS, Everything One Needs to Know About Illicit Love".  To enter please leave John a comment including email.  Giveaway is open to all and runs until February 14, 2010.  Happy Reading!

Title: SONNETS FOR SINNERS: Everything One Needs to Know About Illicit Love

Author: John Wareham

Publisher: Welcome Rain Publishers

Genre: Poetry

Release: February 14, 2010

Format: Hardcover

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In this startling collection of forty nine sonnets, hidden meanings and insights are unveiled by John Wareham, who also distills and dissects sonnets from the infamous Charles and Camilla cell phone conversation, lines from Diana Spencer, the text messages that trapped Tiger Woods, e-mailed love missives from the Mark Sanford Appalachian Trail affair, and transcripts from the John and Elizabeth Edwards meltdown. Former U.S. president Bill Clinton and First Lady Hillary also make cameo appearances.

These lessons from these pop-culture personalities, appear within a mix of classic and modern poets—from the sublime William Shakespeare to the incandescent Elan Haverford—chronicle the typical journey from attraction and fever to anguish and enlightenment. A forbidden drama unfolds in just twelve lines, then a two-line heroic couplet delivers a startling message, a veritable epiphany.

To absorb this startling compilation is to share the delights and despairs of a stunning phalanx of brilliant poets, including ardent Mary Wroth, mordant Michael Drayton, shameless Alfred Douglas, mystical W. B. Yeats, rebellious Edna St. Vincent Millay, unrepentant Edna Worthley Underwood, and puckish Chandler Haste.

Learn more about the Author of the Day.

Interview with author, lecturer, psychologist and poet, John Wareham.

CSM: Please help me welcome author, John Wareham to Over the Edge. John, my readers and I are so psyched that have dropped by to spend time with us. Thanks so much!

All my pleasure, thanks for inviting me.

CSM: Tell us more about yourself. Readers love learning new and interesting things about an author, and this would give you a chance to make them feel close.

I’ve spent a lifetime in leadership consulting. I’m paid to help corporate leaders understand themselves, deal with their personal issues, and achieve their goals. In the course of my career, I’ve learned that not all corporate leaders are angels in their private lives. As a volunteer, I also run a class for prison inmates, many of whom are serving time for crimes of passion, including murder. I’ve written ten books, including two novels, dealing with these themes.

CSM: Besides being a total book junkie I’m also a music junkie. When I’m writing I have a sound track playing either in my mind or in my cd player. What’s your sound track? What type of music is on it?

My musical tastes are eclectic. I played Orf Carmine Burina—very loud—when writing my first book, Secrets of a Corporate Headhunter. When writing my novels, I played opera. And when writing Sonnets for Sinners, I liked to mix Mozart with Country and Western. The sentiments in country songs —Stand By Your Man, Strangers When We Meet, My Secret Love, and so on—are remarkably similar to those in sonnets of illicit love.

CSM: How would readers find out more about you?

For openers, by checking my Author’s Guild website, www.johnwareham.com, then pulling up www.sonnetsforsinners.com and www.thepresidentstherapist.com , both of which contain neat videos. Amazon.com also has a profile.

CSM: When did you write your first book?

I arrived in New York in 1977, and thought to myself, “Well, you’ve got no excuses, John—if you really want to be a writer there’s no better place to do it than New York. So I sat down and started, and then, without the benefit of an agent, managed to find a home with Atheneum Scribners.

CSM: Where and when do you write?

It depends on the project. My first preference is a regular nine to five day. I mostly wind up writing from 3.00 a.m. to 7.00 a.m., however,, then heading off to my other calling . But once I am started on a project, come what may I force myself to turn out a thousand words every day, until the thing is finished. For me, this is the hardest part of writing. After I have a completed first draft (or something that seems like one), I take a break for a week or so, then come back and start edit—which I thoroughly enjoy.

CSM: What is your must-have book for writing?

I’ve never had such a book, but when I was twenty I worked in an advertising agency, and admired a silver-headed copywriter. He kept a plaque on his desk at all times, engraved into which were these words: “They Don’t Want to Read It.” Now, whenever I write, I remember those words, and make a conscious effort to hold the reader’s attention.

CSM: What is your advice for aspiring writers?

I would say three things: first, and this is incredibly hard to do, just go to your desk sit down and begin writing; second, and this ever harder—don’t quit! The first stuff you write can look lame and hopeless—and often is!-- so there is a powerful temptation to just give up in disgust. But DON’T. Trust your brain instead. By pressing forward consciously, you stoke the unconscious mind and engage the intuitions that will ultimately lead you to the place your story needs you to be. Third, finish the job! Don’t succumb to the urge to walk away at the last minute. People do this because they don’t want to show what they fear is a less than perfect work of art. It is only when by pressing to what seems to be the finish line, that the real finish line comes into view. In both my novels, I “knew” in advance what the ending would be. When I got there, however, my brain (as distinct from me) came up with infinitely more creative and satisfying endings—both of which shocked and amazed me.

CSM: What genre(s) do you write?

I don’t have a genre. I always wanted to be a novelist and poet, but I had to make a living, and so I fell into business—so my first book, Secrets of a Corporate Headhunter, shared what I knew about the human side of business. When it became a bestseller, my publisher wanted more of the same. I reluctantly went down that road, but gravitated to psychological self help. Finally, one day, I said to myself,” I simply must write a novel! And I did, turning out a love triangle with a business background. To begin with it was pretty awful, but I just kept on improving it. Then I added in some poetry—and day by day, week by week, and month by month the whole thing seemed to get better. Then, one day, a publisher, who I met quite by accident, liked it enough to publish it. A that time I was also working on a self-help book, How to Break Out of Prison, in which I shared what I had learned from helping both prison inmates at one end of the social spectrum and “corporate inmates” at the other. After that, calling on my experience in working with corporate leaders, I decided to write a “psycho-political” thriller, The President’s Therapist (and the Secret Intervention to Treat the Alcoholism of George W. Bush). My prison work had taught me so much about alcoholism, that I was able to get this book down in a matter of weeks. I was very happy with the final product, even more so when it went to(a) number three on the Amazon hardcover politics/fiction list, and (b) number five on the Kindle non-fiction / applied psychology list. So was that book fiction or non-fiction? Who’s to say.

CSM: Among that you’ve written which is your favorite book and why?

I like both my novels. I like Chancey On Top because it seamlessly moves from comedy to something deadly serious—and because I got to include six lovely sonnets. And I like The President’s Therapist because it blended serious self-help—and some nice little poems-- into a thriller format. As of right now, of course, my favorite book is Sonnets for Sinners.

CSM: Tell us more about your VALENTINE’S DAY release “SONNETS FOR SINNERS”.

The sonnets in Chancey On Top got a lot of praise, so I thought about creating an anthology of love poems. There was no collection focused on illicit love, so I decided to make that my focus, and, drawing upon my professional life, include a page of analysis and advice on the facing page of each poem. Then, the Mark Sanford love affair suddenly hit the headlines and the emails to and from his mistress got published on the internet. They seemed so heartfelt, that I decided to try to tinker them into sonnets. This worked well so I did the same with public domain material from other pop-culture icons, including John and Elizabeth Edwards, Prince Charles, Princess Diana, and Camilla Shand. Finally, just as we were about to go to press, the Tiger Woods scandal broke and his texting to Rachel Uchitell was too revealing not to make the cut.

CSM: Any new projects, works in progress?

Yes—but I never talk about a work in progress; if I do so, I start to lose interest.

CSM: I want to take this time to thank John Wareham for stopping by and sharing with my readers and myself a little bit about yourself. This sure has been loads of fun. I hope you enjoyed being here as much as we enjoyed having you.