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5/22/2012

Welcome debut romance author Tina Vaughn! CONTEST!


A huge welcome to debut romance author Tina Vaughn! She's super sweet and I have her first book, NO SWEETER LOVE, on my TBR! It sounds amazing, doesn't it? Read Tina's awesome list of most frequently asked questions and leave her a question/comment of your own to be entered into the drawing to win her book! Now go forth and comment!


When I first announced that I was writing contemporary romance, those who knew me best weren’t surprised. I mean, I’d been reading romances for nearly twenty years.

Co-workers and acquaintances, however, looked at me like I’d grown horns. Not cute Cari Quinn horns, either.

They stared at me like I was a gnat floating in their lemonade. I guess they couldn’t reconcile that the serious, introverted news hound who spent her weekends tracking five-year trends in newspaper circulation was also a—gasp—romance author. 

In the months between “The Call” and my debut release, the initial shock has worn off, to be replaced by unabashed curiosity.

Oh, my. The questions, they just keep a comin’.

So, here they are. The top ten questions I get asked along with the best answers I can give. 

Where do you find inspiration for your stories? Anywhere and everywhere. Song lyrics, news articles, a couple walking down the street or fighting in a restaurant.

Why romance? Guaranteed happy endings. Life is full of dark, depressing news. When I read and write I want to know that my “once upon a time” ends with “and they lived happily ever after.”

Your husband must be really lucky, huh? (Usually some snickering dude asks this question.) Humph. Yes, he is. I’m a really good cook, if I do say so myself. And, though I refuse to iron, I do some laundry. My snoring is infrequent, and I don’t hog the covers. Yep. He’s living the good life.

What are you going to do with all that money? Wait. Writers get paid?

How do I get published? If I knew the answer to that, then I probably would be a millionaire. There are many paths to publication, so do your homework. Research is important and key to finding a path that is right for you. The only thing I can tell you with surety is this—read and write. Write what you love. And don’t give up.

How long have you been writing? I’ve been writing short stories ever since I learned to spell “cat.” In elementary school, I used to write my friends’ love letters to their boyfriends in exchange for Mickey Mouse ice cream bars. I actually got my first job as a newspaper reporter when I was only seventeen years old. I’ve been reading romance since I was twelve, but I finally started writing it in September 2009.

When do you write? Mostly late nights and weekends. I work a full-time job as a newspaper editor. Combine that with all the responsibilities of a wife and mother…shew. Most days I’m hanging on by the tips of my in-desperate-need-of-a-manicure nails.

How long does it take you to write a story? It depends. I can write a novella in about a month, a category-length in about three months. If I stayed off Twitter and Facebook, then I could probably reduce that time by half.

Have you read Fifty Shades of Grey? No. I haven’t. I’ve added it to my TBR pile though.

Can I have a free book? Well, one reader can. Answer this question: Why do you read romances? Just leave a comment to be entered into a drawing for an e-copy of No Sweeter Love, a novella from Ellora’s Cave. Please be sure to leave your email address so I can contact the winner.

Blurb
Blush sensuality level: This is a sensual romance (may have explicit love scenes, but not erotic in frequency or type).

Welcome to Union
Population: 994
Town motto: Where no secret goes untold

His father’s death forces Dr. Ryan Williams to return to the home—and the woman—he’d left behind ten years earlier. Ryan knows it’s best to avoid Union sweetheart and police officer Emily Winters during his visit. But how? Stuck in this small town, fighting an attraction that hasn’t diminished over time, the sparks are unavoidable—and so are the rumors. The same rumors that made him leave Union in the first place…

Experience taught Emily to keep her guard—and her panties—up. Until Ryan returns as suddenly as he left, tempting her with promises she already knows he can’t keep. Or so she thinks. This new adult Ryan is one capable of forever and, God-willing, forgiveness. Because even as they learn to trust and love each other again, Emily knows once she reveals her secret, heartbreak is inevitable.






Twitter: @tinaevaughn

5/19/2012

Six Sentence Sunday, Virgin Territory style, part 3



Woot, it's Six Sentence Sunday! This is my third Six Sentence Sunday from VIRGIN TERRITORY, my most recent release that came out 4/13 from Decadent Publishing. Hope you enjoy!

Kiki didn’t notice Vincent had stepped toward her until his sneakers bumped her bare feet. Wet snow gushed between her toes as her gaze snapped up to his. Whoa. What she saw simmering there—namely blatant, undisguised lust—had her fingers clenching around the knob.

Unless she was very mistaken, he hadn’t stopped by for a neighborly pinch of sugar. No, the sugar he wanted was a different substance entirely.

Check out VIRGIN TERRITORY's buy link and excerpt at Decadent Publishing HERE (also available at Amazon, ARe and B&N!)

Find more Six Sentence Sunday goodness HERE

5/15/2012

Sinful Siren Blog Hop!

*peeks out of deadline cave* HELLLLO hoppers! FYI - if I owe you a prize, it's coming soon, promise!

My apologies for getting this post up late - Blogger doesn't like me lately! - but I'm so excited to be part of this blog hop! Thank you so much to the sponsors Under The Covers and Guilty Pleasures Book Reviews! Click on the graphic below to return to Under The Covers blog and the linky list so you can head to the next stop!

I'm giving away an ebook of the winner's choice...and guess what? You can even pick one of the upcoming ebooks I haven't released yet (any of the ones mentioned as coming soon on my website: www.cariquinn.com) as your prize if you so desire and I'll send it to you once the book has released! Pretty cool, huh?

So what do you have to do to win?

1) Become a follower of this blog

2) Tell me in the comments (and please leave a way to contact you) who your favorite sinful siren is...what woman do you admire or have a girl crush on, in either fiction or reality?

For me, right now it's Kate Beckinsale, the inspiration for my heroine Alexa in my current work-in-progress, No Flowers Required! Kate's so incredibly beautiful and so kickass, just like Alexa!



Happy hopping...and good luck!

5/03/2012

Welcome paranormal author Carrie Ann Ryan! And CONTEST!

Welcome to Carrie Ann Ryan! She's a super sweet person and an amazing author and I'm thrilled to have her here today. Check out her post on alpha wolves and then leave a comment for your chance to be entered into her swag giveaway!

Alpha Wolves

Why is it that I love Alpha wolves? Is it the way the take control? The way they growl? Their protective instincts? All of it?
For me…its everything. I love the way Alpha wolves are the leaders and try and get what they want to protect their Pack. Though, as most Alpha’s know, they don’t usually get what they want. They get what they need. Their overwhelming instincts to protect those they care about drive them. And sometimes it drives them to the brink of happiness.
Plus, since we’re here talking about it, Alpha wolves are dammed sexy. Am I right? I mean come on. The way they growl, swoon, strut, and prowl. Yummy.
Is that just me? Oh…well this is embarrassing LOL.
In A Night Way, you’ve already met this Alpha wolf, Kade, in An Alpha’s Path. He and Kade have already had their HEA. But this time we get to go back and see what happens after writing THE END. Because Kade and Mel have been busy in the war against the Centrals and helping their Pack. Plus, they have their baby boy, Finn. It’s time for them to just be Mel and Kade the couple, not the Heir to the throne.
Kade is just as Alpha here as he always was. All growly and swoon-worthy. What is your favorite part of Alpha wolves? Come on over and tell me!

Giveaway Info: Carrie Ann is giving a signed swag pack to a lucky commenter who leaves their email address.


Author Bio:
Carrie Ann Ryan is a bestselling paranormal and contemporary romance author. After spending too much time behind a lab bench, she decided to dive into the romance world and find her werewolf mate - even if its just in her books. Happy endings are always near - even if you have to get over the challenges of falling in love first.
Her first book, An Alpha's Path, is the first in her Redwood Pack series. She's also an avid reader and lover of romance and fiction novels. She loves meeting new authors and new worlds. Any recommendations you have are appreciated. Carrie Ann lives in New England with her husband and two kittens.
Carrie Ann loves hearing from readers. You can find her at:

Twitter: @CarrieAnnRyan | Tumblr

An Alpha’s Path Amazon  Barnes & Noble ARe A Taste for a Mate Amazon Barnes & Noble ARe Trinity Bound Amazon Barnes&Noble ARe




A Night Away
Book 3.5 in the Redwood Pack Series


Kade Jamenson has been mated to Melanie for almost two years. They’ve been through mating circles, battles, loss, misunderstandings, and finally, the birth of their son, Finn. The world is in turmoil around them as the Redwoods engage in war with the Centrals. But for Kade and Melanie, the turmoil is also happening at home. The responsibility of a restless baby and their Pack has taken a toll and they need a break.
Not from each other. But from their Pack. Just for a night.
Kade takes Mel away for a romantic getaway and leaves Uncle Maddox alone with baby Finn. The Omega of the Redwood Pack may be adept at emotions but the idea of a baby may be beyond his immense capabilities.
Author’s Note: This is a novella set between books 3 and 4 to give you a taste of Mel and Kade. It is best that you have already immersed yourselves in the Redwood Pack world, however even new readers will enjoy a glimpse of one of the Redwood’s favorite couples.

A Night Away Excerpt

Kade Jamenson closed his eyes and prayed for resolution. A piercing shriek startled him, making him jump to his feet.
Finn.
Finn. His eleven-month-old son, who wouldn’t stop screaming, no matter what they did. The kid always needed something, either to be fed, changed, held, burped, played with, or just stared at. It seemed never ending. Even now that he was older, he still screamed or babbled constantly.
Dear God. How the hell did humans do this? Kade had more endurance than any human, witch, and most werewolves out there. Yet a tiny fifteen-pound baby with big blue eyes took every ounce of strength he possessed. Not to mention sleep time.
Kade groaned and rolled his neck before he walked into his son’s room. He and Melanie had painted the room in a soft green to match the Jameson eyes and added cream borders to break it up. Dark wood furniture filled the room along with cream linens covered with frog princes and bumblebees. Stuffed animals of every sort covered the tops of most pieces of furniture, gifts from his Pack and family, who cherished Finn like their own son. He took another step in and realized he hadn’t been the first one to answer his son’s call.