Ready to be Tied Up?

Well, it's here! Get Tied up in March!

Diana and Tanya are having an awesome event for the whole month of March called "Tied Up."  Thirty-two (32) authors are scheduled to participate (Shayla Black, Annabel Joseph, Joey W. Hill, Eden Bradley, Cherise Sinclair & many more!) from March 1 to April 1.  There will be interviews, guest posts and lots of giveaways throughout March.

Win awesome prizes and book giveaways!

Check out The Forbidden Bookshelf now!

FEATURE and GIVEAWAY: Treasure Me by Robyn DeHart

The Legend Hunters . . .

The Men of Solomon's meet in secret, their very existence only a rumor among the best of Victorian society. They are treasure hunters, men of wealth and title, seekers of myths and legends. And no legend is as captivating as the Loch Ness monster . . .

Graeme Langford, Duke of Rothmore, has always been torn between his beloved Scottish homeland and his duty to the English Crown. Yet his is truly an adventurer's soul-and he's determined to find a long-lost stone hidden near Loch Ness.

Bookish Vanessa Pembrooke heads to the Highlands to prove the existence of the legendary beast. Instead she finds the first man who has ever shared her hunger for adventure. Soon Graeme and Vanessa are fighting a dangerous battle as well as their own simmering attraction. As their passion grows, so does the danger. Ultimately, they must risk everything to keep the cursed stone out of a murderer's hands. But can they survive without losing the greatest treasure of all-their love?

Check out Robyn's website for more information on her books!

Review for Desire Me.

GIVEAWAY:

Hachette very kindly offers up 3 sets for giveaways! US/Canada only. No P.O. Boxes, please.

Note: Winners will be subject to the one copy per household rule, which means that if you win the same title in two or more contests, you will receive only one copy of the title in the mail.

CONTEST RULES:

1. Be a follower! (GFC, Facebook, Twitter, TRR review site)

2. Leave a question or a comment for Robyn, who will be dropping by the blog! You must then submit your email address here to enter the contest.

CONTEST ENDS:  March 8, 1159 pm EST

CONTEST WINNER ANNOUNCEMENT:  March 2011

Winners will be selected randomly by the system. Good luck!

ANNOUNCEMENT!

Check out The Romance Review's Grand Opening from March 1 to 31 at http://www.theromancereviews.com/ Over 100 participating authors! Over 200 prizes worth over $2,000 waiting to be won. Block out March 1 to 31 on your calendar now!

THE ROMANCE REVIEWS GRAND OPENING

You’re invited!

From March 1 – 31, 2011

at http://www.theromancereviews.com/go.php

THE ROMANCE REVIEWS' GRAND OPENING!

Play the games. Explore new books.

Chat with authors. Vote for Best Books of 2010.

Rack up your points!

CAN YOU UNLOCK THE PUZZLE?

Tip: Visit everyday to increase your chances to win awesome prizes!

Over 200 prizes waiting for you!

PRIZES

Weekly Prizes

$10 Gift Cards – 32 winners!

(8 winners each week)

Over 150 Book Giveaways in total

(paperback, hardback, ebook)

Major Prizes

Grand Prize: $100 Gift Card

2nd Prize: $70 Gift Card

3rd Prize: $50 Gift Card

For Authors

(based on results of book votes)

Grand Prize: $200 TRR Advertising Package

2nd Prize: $100 TRR Advertising Package

3rd Prize: $50 TRR Advertising Package

 
*** For Bloggers only:
 
Want to be entered for a chance to win $20 Gift Card? Help us promote this event from now until March 31, 2011!
 
1. Post about TRR's Grand Opening and link to http://www.theromancereviews.com/go.php (You may post a portion or the entirety of this post on your blog.)
 
2. Place the poster (with link to http://www.theromancereviews.com/go.php) on your sidebar in a prominent place.
 
3. Come back to this post and give us your link in the comments!
 
For additional chances, every tweet or Facebook post gets 1 chance each. Come back here and give us your link in the comments!
 
 

THE ROMANCE REVIEWS GRAND OPENING

 

Main Sponsor

Dorchester Publishing

Participating authors

Kat Martin                   Beth Kery                    Susan Lyons
Madison Blake             Ashley March               Karen Rose Smith
LK Rigel                     Gini Rifkin                     Sandra Edwards
Grace Elliot                 Suzanne Barrett             Jessica Chambers
Maeve Greyson           Sable Hunter                 Josie Arlington
Tanya Stowe               Laura Tolomei               Kristen Painter
Renee Rearden            Elaine Cantrell               Susanna Ives
Amy Corwin                Keta Diablo                   Suzette Stone
Suzanne Tyrpak           TL Schaefer                  Monique Martin
Kari Gregg                  Susan Meier                  Laura Moore
Susan Roebuck            Kathy Carmichael          Brita Addams
KT Grant                    Winslow Eliot                 Ingela F. Hyatt
Jan Scarbrough            Victoria Blisse               Sharon Buchbinder
PG Forte                     Bronwyn Storm             Patricia Preston
Alice Gaines                Cate Rowan                  Ann Tracy Marr
Joan Beth Erickson      Tara Lain                      Terri Reid
L.J. McDonald            Lucinda Brant                Eden Baylee
Hayley B. James         Jason W. Chan               Pat Amsden
Linda Morris                DH Starr                       Kaylea Cross
Lee Benoit                   Kayelle Allen                 Eliza Gayle
Beth Trissel                 Viviane Brentanos          Morgan Rice
Ashley Ladd                Jennifer Labelle              LaVerne Clark
Sibel Hodge                 Darcia Helle                  Rita Hestand
Mahalia Levey             LK Below                     Gale Stanley
Sarah J. Bradley          Joanne Troppello            Rhonda L. Print
Pamela Jackson           Jenny Schwartz              Mary Manners
Eve Silver                    Jennifer Crusie               T.C. Archer
Jocelyn Modo               Sloan Parker                  Kerri Williams
Elaine Hopper               Stacey Espino                Linda Mooney
Victoria Howard           Heather Matthews         Marcia James
Cherie De Sues            Savannah Chase             Simone Eden
Lauren Fraser              Annie Nicholas               JoAnne Kenrick
E.D. Walker                Rachel Haimowitz           HP Mallory
Suzanne Rock              Andrea Speed                 Elle Amery
Nichelle Gregory          Eden Bradley                  Shermaine Williams
Berengaria Brown        Tina Donahue                 Taryn Kincaid
Red Haircrow              Virginia Cavanaugh         Hailey Edwards
Elle Druskin                  Rachel Brimble               Frances Pauli
Nancy J Cohen             Tarah Scott                    Em Petrova
Heather Wardell            Cara Marsi                    CJ Archer
Mary Eason                  Skhye Moncrief              Jana Richards
Jill James                      Alison Chambers             LoRee Peery
Gail Pallotta                  Alison Henderson            Nicki Greenwood
Alianne Donnelly           Tiffany Ashley                Michael Davis
Gem Sivad                    Stacy Juba                      Tory Richards

FEATURE and GIVEAWAY: Pleasure Bound by Opal Carew

 

 

Book Interview on February 2011

 

Hi, Opal, thanks for this chance to get an in-depth look at PLEASURE BOUND.

 

Q: What was your inspiration behind writing PLEASURE BOUND?

 

My inspiration for writing PLEASURE BOUND was the idea of a man (Ty) who gives up his "bad boy" ways, then falls for the girl next door (Marie), who turns out to want exactly the type of guy he used to be. Everything went from there. Of course, I needed another man to be the bad boy Marie falls for, to make Ty rethink what he really is, and that's when I came up with Zeke, the motorcycle riding, tattooed, pierced, sexy badass, who has a heart of gold.

 

Q: You are known for your deeply erotic work, and this book is no exception. But you also have such intense emotion and vulnerability tied into the story. How do you find the balance for the emotional and sexual aspects of your stories?

 

Thank you! Usually I start with a story idea that hints at the growth the characters must go through in order to find happiness.

 

In PLEASURE BOUND, from the most basic idea, it was clear to me that Ty is denying who he is inside. Not just the bad boy persona, but the deeper issues of what he wants from life and who and how he loves.

 

Falling for his neighbour Marie, at first seems straightforward, and almost safe, to him. She is his idea of the kind of woman a bad boy would not fall in love with: a sweet, home-loving, girl-next-door type. When he finds out what she wants in a man is exactly what he has given up being, however, it puts him in conflict with wanting to leave his bad boy tendencies in the past and his desire to win Marie.

 

To push Ty even more (and ramp up the emotion and excitement...

 

Read more.

 

Opal is giving away a copy of PLEASURE BOUND!

 

Mechanics of the contest: You can do either or both of the following to enter the drawing:

 

1. Write a comment or question to Opal in the comment box on the review site (3 chances to win) from now to February 28; [Click here to comment]

 

AND/OR

 

2. Check out our contest page from February 23 to 25 to enter your email address (1 chance to win). [Click here to enter]

 

The winner will be announced in the comment box and on this blog in March.

 

Other Featured Book Interviews in February:

 

Legend of Goddess

Pleasures of a Notorious Gentleman
Enchanted No More
First Grave on the Right
Darkness Dawns
Lust
Caressa's Knees

FEATURE and GIVEAWAY: Highland Master by Amanda Scott

When eighteen-year-old Lady Catriona Mackintosh discovers a wounded man in the forest near her Highland home, little does she know that he has sworn a sacred oath to kill her father and other members of the powerful Highland confederation known as Clan Chattan. Nor does she realize that she has met her soul mate. Independent, competent, intelligent, fiercely proud of her heritage, determined always to live near her own family, and known to her family as the "wee wildcat" because of her quick temper, Catriona is the daughter of a Highland chieftain and granddaughter of the even more powerful Chief (or Captain) of Clan Chattan. But her life changes forever when she persuades Sir Finlagh Cameron to return with her to her home to recover from his wounds.

Sir Finlagh "Fin" Cameron is on a mission for the heir to Scotland's throne, who has sent him to the Highlands to persuade the Chief of Clan Chattan to arrange a secret meeting for him with two other great lords (the Lord of the Isles and the Lord of the North). Until Fin meets Catriona, however, he has no idea that her father was the Clan Chattan war leader who led them in the battle that wiped out many of Clan Cameron's best warriors, including Fin's own father. The sole survivor of that battle, Fin accepted a bequest of vengeance from his dying father, providing him with a dilemma to face as he begins to fall in love with Catriona. He is not the only one enticed by her charms, either. There are two other contenders, one of whom is his own master, the heir to Scotland's throne. With royal mischief afoot, if Catriona and Fin are ever to find happiness, they must first avoid disaster that could change Scotland's history, and find ways to be open and honest with each other.

Bio:

Amanda Scott, best-selling author and winner of the Romance Writers of America's RITA/Golden Medallion and The Romantic Times' awards for Best Regency Author and Best Sensual Regency, began writing on a dare from her husband. She has sold every manuscript she has written. More than twenty-five of her books are set in the English Regency period (1810-1820), others are set in fifteenth-century England and sixteenth-and eighteenth-century Scotland. Three are contemporary romances. Amanda lives with her husband and son in northern California.

Check out Amanda's other books!

Check out our Feature and Giveaway on Seduced by Destiny by Kira Morgan. Contest ongoing until March 1, 2011.

GIVEAWAY:

Hachette very kindly offers up 3 sets for giveaways! US/Canada only. No P.O. Boxes, please.

Note: Winners will be subject to the one copy per household rule, which means that if you win the same title in two or more contests, you will receive only one copy of the title in the mail.

CONTEST RULES:

1. Be a follower! (GFC, Facebook, Twitter, TRR review site)

2. Leave a question or a comment for Cynthia, who will be dropping by the blog! You must then submit your email address here to enter the contest.

CONTEST ENDS:  March 1, 1159 pm EST

CONTEST WINNER ANNOUNCEMENT:  March 2011

Winners will be selected randomly by the system. Good luck!

ANNOUNCEMENT!

Check out The Romance Review's Grand Opening from March 1 to 31 at http://www.theromancereviews.com/  Over 100 participating authors! Over 200 prizes worth over $2,000 waiting to be won. Block out March 1 to 31 on your calendar now!

FEATURE and GIVEAWAY: Seduced by Destiny by Kira Morgan

All her life, Josselin Ancrum has been trained for combat, hoping to exact vengeance for her heroic mother, who was killed fighting the English. When asked to spy for the Scottish Queen, Jossy joyfully accepts. But when a handsome stranger rescues her from sudden danger, his charm distracts her from her mission.

On the surface, Drew MacAdam may appear to be nothing more than a carefree champion, but his heart harbors a dark secret: This Highland hero is actually a skilled English soldier with a hatred for war and for the Scottish. Yet from the moment he meets the feisty Jossy, he's captured by her fiercely loyal heart. He's determined the honey-haired lass will be his ultimate prize - until the tragedy of their entwined legacies is revealed. Are these star-crossed lovers to be divided by their pasts? Or will they be...seduced by destiny?

Find out more about Kira and her books! Click here.

Check out this bonus content from Sue-Ellen Welfonder, Kira Morgan and Margaret Mallory!

Also check out the feature and giveaway of Highland Master by Amanda Scott!

GIVEAWAY:

Hachette very kindly offers up 3 sets for giveaways! US/Canada only. No P.O. Boxes, please.

Note: Winners will be subject to the one copy per household rule, which means that if you win the same title in two or more contests, you will receive only one copy of the title in the mail.

CONTEST RULES:

1. Be a follower! (GFC, Facebook, Twitter, TRR review site)

2. Leave a question or a comment for Cynthia, who will be dropping by the blog! You must then submit your email address here to enter the contest.

CONTEST ENDS:  March 1, 1159 pm EST

CONTEST WINNER ANNOUNCEMENT:  March 2011

Winners will be selected randomly by the system. Good luck!

ANNOUNCEMENT!

Check out The Romance Review's Grand Opening from March 1 to 31 at http://www.theromancereviews.com/ Over 100 participating authors! Over 200 prizes worth over $2,000 waiting to be won. Block out March 1 to 31 on your calendar now!

GIVEAWAY: Kismet's Kiss by Cate Rowan

 

* * KISMET'S KISS is a two-time RWA Golden Heart? Finalist and a winner of the Duel on the Delta, Molly, and Put Your Heart in a Book contests. * *

In the desert realm of Kad, a deadly epidemic strikes the palace of Sultan Kuramos. Only a magical healer from an enemy land has the skill to save his royal household, but Kuramos never imagined the healer would be a woman.

Healer Varene finds her own surprises in Kad. She expects the sultan's arrogance, but not his courage or his selfless care of the ill?or the possibility that the epidemic is the curse of a vengeful goddess.

Kuramos's culture condemns Varene's mystical talents. Her presence triggers an insurrection, yet as he and the healer toil for a cure, he loses his heart to her. She falls for him as well, but how can she relinquish her homeland and her principles?especially when he already has a harem and his family may be cursed?

Contest ends February 28. Click here to enter.

Check out our other contests.

GIVEAWAY: Absolution by Kaylea Cross

A lifetime of regret?

After legendary CIA contractor Luke Hutchinson unknowingly trained the man who would become the world's most dangerous terrorist, he has no choice but to hunt him across the globe. Driven to complete that final mission, he fears his enemy has targeted the only woman Luke has ever loved. Unfortunately for him she's his ex-wife, and already facing another deadly threat he can't protect her from.

A lifetime of pain?

Emily always hoped Luke would find his way back to her, but she's finally given up on that impossible dream. Now that she's fighting her own life and death battle, the last thing she wants is to get entangled with the man who ripped out her heart and left her to raise their son on her own.

One final chance at absolution?

Undeniable sparks fly when they're forced to share a roof, but unless Luke can get Emily to trust him, they won't get the second chance they've waited over two decades for. And time is running out. The monster Luke created is on the move again, bent on destroying him and anyone who gets in the way.

Contest ends February 20, 2011.  Click here to enter.

GIVEAWAY: Talk Dirty to Me by Tory Richards

 

Lilly has been in love with her brother's best friend Blake for years. She lost her virginity to the oil driller on her eighteenth birthday, only to wake the next morning to find him gone. After he pulled that stunt twice more, she swore never to see or talk to him again. But now he's back for her brother's wedding, and he's as irresistible as she remembers.

Blake thinks Lilly's even sexier than ever. Unable to resist one another, they don't make it out of the airport parking lot before taking up where they left off. As the two rediscover their passion for each other, nothing and nowhere is off-limits!

Contest ends February 19. Click to enter here.

Check out our other contests.

Yippee! My First Interview

Hey, check me out at Belinda's Passion Palooza, where I spilled the deets on The Romance Reviews.

FEATURE and GIVEAWAY: Caressa's Knees by Annabel Joseph

Book Interview on February 2011

Michelle: *raises eyebrow to give Kyle the evil eye* Well, from what I hear it wasn't quite that pretty. I can understand you want to keep the down and dirty private, but admission is the first step, my dear.

Kyle: Oh, you mean?oh. Yeah. You're talking about the alcohol, cocaine, and loose women. Okay, yeah, that part of it was pretty ugly. I was fighting a lot of demons during that time. Unsuccessfully. I was working through the trauma of watching Nell and Jeremy ride off into the sunset, and then the guilt about shooting Nell's assailant, and guilt about a lot of other stuff I did as his assistant. It was a lot to deal with at once.

Michelle: *puts hand over his and pats in comfort* Hun, why didn't you fight for Nell? Why did you just sit back and watch her be swept away?

Kyle: You know, I think even then I knew there was no point in it. It was obvious from the start that she was lovesick for Jeremy, and Jeremy?well?I knew him better than anyone, and I knew how much he loved her even before he did. He would have fought me tooth and nail for her, and he would have won. They belonged together. A lot of the arguing and sniping I did with Nell was just my frustration about that fact...

Read more.

Annabel is giving away a copy of CARESSA'S KNEES, winner's choice of print or ebook!

Mechanics of the contest:

You can do either or both of the following to enter the drawing:

1. Write a comment or question to Annabel in the comment box on the review site (3 chances to win) from now to February 28; [Click here to comment]

AND/OR

2. Check out our contest page from February 16 to 18 to enter your email address (1 chance to win). [Click here to enter]

The winner will be announced in the comment box and on this blog in March.

Other Featured Book Interviews in February:

Legend of Goddess

Pleasures of a Notorious Gentleman
Enchanted No More
First Grave on the Right
Darkness Dawns
Lust
Pleasure Bound

GIVEAWAY: Half Hearts by Sherri Desbois

 

A promise broken

Losing her family at a young age, and then broken promises from the man she'd loved all her life, Charlie McCarty rarely allows anyone to get close to her. Resolved to live her life without love and determined to become a top-notch Veterinarian, she begins her residency in Redfield. Fate, however, has a way of stepping in to change even the most obstinate set plans and forces Charlie to face her past, push the boundaries of her control and her heart to the brink of destruction.

A passion fueled desire

It started out as a celebration, a chance for Charlie to let her hair down and just let go of her firm control for just one evening, but meeting a sexy as hell cowboy--and his familiar best friend--ambush everything. With relentless determination, both cowboys set out to show her that she is everything they want to complete their lives. Charlie begins to dream, once again, for the future she thought lost to her years ago.

A Journey of the Heart

When a terrifying figure from the past steps into their fragile romance, is their love enough to overcome the horror about to be unleashed or will it leave them with hearts broken in half?

Contest ends February 16. Click here to enter.

Check out our other contests.

FEATURE and GIVEAWAY: Darkness Dawns by Dianne Duvall

 

 

Book Interview on February 2011

 

DARKNESS DAWNS is an awesome story! Thanks so much! I'm so glad you enjoyed it. And thank you for having me here at The Romance Reviews!

 

Q: What aspect of your book most excited you - well, aside from seeing it in print? What's the most awesome thing you want to brag about?

 

Many of those who have read DARKNESS DAWNS have commented on the fresh approach it takes to the vampire romance genre. Since this was one of my goals, I'm thrilled that readers are enjoying it. I'm also very excited about the great reviews DARKNESS DAWNS has been getting, beginning with The Romance Reviews giving it five stars and deeming it a Top Pick!

 

Q: Vampirism being caused by a virus - ie. a scientific reason as opposed to a strictly paranormal source - is a new spin. What led you to that premise?

 

I wanted to do something that would make DARKNESS DAWNS and the Immortal Guardians series stand out in the genre. I also didn't want my immortals and vampires to be undead. I knew historians believed some of the myths and folklore surrounding vampires arose from misunderstandings regarding illnesses like porphyria and thought that would be a good place to start. There are quite a few illnesses and diseases that produce symptoms characteristic of vampirism (extreme photosensitivity...

 

Read more.

 

Dianne is offering an awesome giveaway -- a print copy of DARKNESS DAWNS!

 

Mechanics of the contest:

 

You can do either or both of the following to enter the drawing:

 

1. Write a comment or question to Dianne in the comment box on the review site (3 chances to win) from now to February 28; [Click here to comment]

 

AND/OR

 

2. Check out our contest page from February 13 to 15 to enter your email address (1 chance to win). [Click here to enter]

 

The winner will be announced in the comment box and on this blog in March.

 

Other Featured Book Interviews in February:

Legend of Goddess

Pleasures of a Notorious Gentleman
Enchanted No More
First Grave on the Right
Lust
Caressa's Knees
Pleasure Bound

TRR GRAND OPENING

Get ready for loads of fun activities!

Meet new and favorite authors!

Chat with fellow book lovers!

Vote for the Best Book of 2010!

Over 90 participating authors!

Over 100 winners with

Over $1,500 worth of cool prizes to be won!

PRIZES

Weekly Prizes

$10 Gift Cards – 32 winners!

(8 winners each week)

Hundreds of Book Giveaways

Major Prizes

Grand Prize: $100 Amazon Gift Card

2nd Prize: $70 Amazon Gift Card

3rd Prize: $50 Amazon Gift Card

For Authors

(based on results of book votes)

Grand Prize: $200 TRR Advertising Package

2nd Prize: $100 TRR Advertising Package

3rd Prize: $50 TRR Advertising Package

Join us at THE ROMANCE REVIEWS on March 2011 (http://www.theromancereviews.com/ )

Help us spread the word!

You may use the poster above, or any of the two below. Link back to http://www.theromancereviews.com/



FEATURE and GIVEAWAY: First Grave on the Right by Darynda Jones

 

Book Interview on February 2011

 

Congratulations on your debut, Darynda! You must have been over the moon getting such high praise from authors like J.R. Ward, Gena Showalter, and Kresley Cole on your very first published work. It was a great read!

 

Q: Please tell us about FIRST GRAVE ON THE RIGHT, your debut book, in your own words.

 

Wow, thank you so much! I'm so glad you liked it. I was definitely thrilled to get such a positive response from some of my favorite authors on the planet. It was quite the fan-girl moment. Surreal doesn't begin to describe it.

 

FIRST GRAVE ON THE RIGHT is about Charley Davidson, a female private investigator who was born the grim reaper. Since she was small, she has been helping the departed solve the mysteries of their deaths so they can cross. In FIRST GRAVE, three lawyers from the same law firm are murdered, and they come to Charley to find their killer. At the same time, she's dealing with a being she calls the Big Bad. He's more powerful, and definitely sexier, than any specter she's ever come across. With the help of some living and some not-so-living friends, Charley sets out to solve the highest profile case of the year and discovers that dodging bullets isn't nearly as dangerous as falling in love.

 

Q: The story is told in the first person point of view from Charley Davidson. Why did you name her Charley Davidson? Let's face it, that's a pretty unusual name for a girl.

 

Okay, confession time. She was originally named Harley Davidson. Yeah, it was worth a shot. While I thought it was ultra cool, my editor thought it was, well, cheesy. Haha. So, Harley became Charley. I wanted a name that would reflect her not-so-girlish attitude toward life. While she likes designer shoes as much as the next girl, she definitely has tomboy side to her...

 

Read more.

 

Darynda is giving away a signed hardback copy of FIRST GRAVE ON THE RIGHT!

 

Mechanics of the contest:

 

You can do either or both of the following to enter the drawing:

 

1. Write a comment or question to Darynda in the comment box on the review site (3 chances to win) from now to February 28; [Click here to comment]

 

AND/OR

 

2. Check out our contest page from February 13 to 15 to enter your email address (1 chance to win). [Click here to enter]

 

The winner will be announced in the comment box and on this blog in March.

 

Other Featured Book Interviews in February:

 

Legend of Goddess

Pleasures of a Notorious Gentleman
Enchanted No More
Darkness Dawns
Lust
Caressa's Knees
Pleasure Bound

Valentine's Day Party!

You're invited!!!

Forever Romance

Grand Central Publishing

Cordially invites you to the

Valentine’s Day Twitter Party

Be on @ForeverRomance and hashtag your tweets #4evrloveday to join the fun.

 

February 14th

9:00AM to 5:00PM

Authors will be at the party and they can’t wait to meet you.

Everyone is invited!

 

See you there!

WINNERS & INTERVIEW: Notorious Pleasures by Elizabeth Hoyt

Before anything else, here's a link to the interview with Elizabeth Hoyt at BlogTalkRadio! I'm listening right now as I prepare this post, and it gives us a deeper insight into NOTORIOUS PLEASURES! Click on this link to listen!

The winners are:

janie1215@...
smccar1@...
michellelisamcleod@...

CONGRATULATIONS!

Send me your name and mailing address at carole @ theromancereviews.com . Please note that each household is only entitled to win one copy.

Coming up soon: Cynthia Eden Winners
                             Blog Celebration Contest Winners
                             Featured Book Interviews for January Winners

TRR's GRAND OPENING is in March -- more fun activities and cool contests!

SAVE THE DATE and JOIN IN THE FUN!!!

WINNER: Romantic Holiday Giveaway

 

 

The winners are:

LLM96@...

niteofblu@...

patman1770@...

CONGRATULATIONS!

Send me your name and mailing address at carole @ theromancereviews.com . Please note that each household is only entitled to win one copy.

Coming up soon: Blog Celebration Contest winners
                            Notorious Pleasures winners
                            Featured Book Interview for January winners

Whew! So many winners to come!

And in March, we'll have our GRAND OPENING, with even more fun activities and cooler prizes!

Stay tuned!

FEATURE and GIVEAWAY: Lust by Charlotte Featherstone

Book Interview on February 2011

Hi Charlotte, thanks a lot for taking time for this interview!

Q: Sins and Virtues -- what a unique idea! How did you come up with the idea for this wonderful series?

Well, thanks! :) I knew I wanted to write a series based on the Fey, and I wanted it to have a bit of a fairytale feel. The easiest way to begin, I thought, was to start out with a curse--so common in fairytales! I knew I wanted the series to be primarily about the Unseelie Fey because they were always the fairies that interested me most.

My family is Scottish and my gran used to tell us stories of the fey all the time, and threaten us with them when we didn't want to stay in bed! Lol! I was always intrigued by the darkness of the 'bad' faeries, so I decided to go with them.

I can't quite remember how the sins and virtues came along. It just filtered into my mind while I was brainstorming, and voila, I didn't look back!

Q: What goes into deciding the order of the books? What made you ultimately decide to do LUST first?

I suppose it didn't really matter who I started with, because I could have tailored future events to suit the remaining Sins, but Lust, he was always there, and I had this great visual of him turning into mist, and weaving his way into that perfume bottle! :) Ultimately, I knew that he would be fun to start off with, and his virtue, Chastity would be a good framework to introduce the virtues.

Their story is not very angsty, which I'm mostly known for in my books, and because it's a first book in a series, and the world building needed to be there, I opted for Lust because I knew their conflict was a tad lighter than the later sins who have much more baggage to carry around...

Read more.

Charlotte is offering an awesome giveaway – a print copy of LUST!

Mechanics of the contest:

You can do either or both of the following to enter the drawing:

1. Write a comment or question to Dianne in the comment box on the review site (3 chances to win) from now to February 28; [Click here to comment]

AND/OR

2. Check out our contest page from February 9 to 11 to enter your email address (1 chance to win).

The winner will be announced in the comment box on the review site and here on the blog in March.

Other Featured Book Interviews in February:

Legend of Goddess
Pleasures of a Notorious Gentleman
Enchanted No More
First Grave on the Right
Darkness Dawns
Caressa's Knees
Pleasure Bound

FEATURE and GIVEAWAY: Pleasures of a Notorious Gentleman by Lorraine Heath

 

Book Interview on February 2011

Hi Lorraine, thanks for this in-depth view of Stephen and Mercy!

Q: How did the idea for this series--London's Greatest Lovers--came about?

As strange as it may seem, I first envisioned the duchess and her story. However, she was an older character and her story involved most of her life. I decided I wanted to tell it through the eyes of her sons. It didn't quite work out the way I'd planned as her sons were quite strong characters and they wanted their own stories told, but I did manage to weave hers throughout the series. Plus I love writing about brothers; these were a little different since two of them held titles. And while they all had the same mother, were raised in the same household, they still managed to be very different from each other, and that made them fun to work with.

Q: What can you tell us about Stephen and Mercy that would enable us to understand and sympathize with them?

Stephen begins as the playboy type who is all about fun...[while] Mercy has always been responsible, but also a bit of a dreamer...

I enjoyed working with these characters because Stephen is desperate to regain memories that Mercy longs to forget. So it sets up a different dynamic for them than anything I've ever written about before. Stephen has to be willing to give up his quest into the past in order to bring happiness to Mercy. He has to be put her needs above his. Yet she holds the key to unlocking many of his memories. She has to be willing to go through the pain of that for him. What price do you pay for...

Read more.

Lorraine is offering an awesome giveaway! Winner's choice of an autographed copy of both "Passions of a Wicked Earl" and "Pleasures of a Notorious Gentleman" or a $20 gift card to Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble or Borders!

Mechanics of the contest:

You can do either or both of the following to enter the drawing:

1. Write a comment or question to Lorraine below in the comment box on the review site (3 chances to win) from now to February 28; [Click here to comment]

AND/OR

2. Check out our contest page from February 6 to 11 to enter your email address (1 chance to win). [Click here to enter]

The winner will be announced in the comment box on the review site and on this blog in March.

GIVEAWAY: The Dimensional Shift by Frances Pauli

 

Chloe came to the Three Lakes area for the peace and quiet. She happily abandoned the world of retail management, suits and promotions to work as a hotel maid catering to the local tourists. Until Andrew Paige showed up--a suit of the worst kind, the kind that makes her knees tremble.

When Andrew offers her a job at his hotel, Chloe is hell bent on resisting, but the Dimensional Shift is no ordinary hotel, and Chloe is immediately tossed into the world of inter-dimensional tourists, their odd accommodations, and a string of thefts that threaten to ruin her chances at romance.

While learning the ropes, dealing with the Shift's unusual guests, and trying to determine if the boss' interest in her is strictly professional, Chloe uncovers a plot to steal the hotel's dimensional keys. With the help of the town gossip, her alien abductee neighbor, and her new invisible best friend, Chloe confronts an inter-dimensional crime ring and a host of complications that make romancing the boss look like the least of her troubles.

Contest ends February 10. Click here to enter.

FEATURE and GIVEAWAY: Enchanted No More by Robin D. Owens

Book Interview on February 2011

Hi Robin, welcome to The Romance Reviews and thank you for this insight into ENCHANTED NO MORE.

Q: Fairies aren't really anything new in Urban Fantasy, but YOUR fairies aren't like any I've seen before. What made you think about linking your world so closely to the elements?

LOL. I'm not sure how to answer that question, except in magic and myths certain beings are considered elementals -- like fire salamanders, water mermaids, etc. So I used that. Also, I read a fair amount of Urban Fantasy, and it seems to me that there are a slew of magical beings out there and you don't really know what might pop up next in the same world -- a selkie, a dragon, etc.

So I decided that I would only have eight magical races, four major and four minor and all elementals. Dwarves/Brownies, Earth. Djinns/Firesprites, Fire. Merfolk/Naiads(ers), Water. Elves/Airsprites, Air. These magical beings would have lived a long time on Earth but not be native. Native magical beings are Treefolk, i.e. Dryads and their offspring.

There are mixtures, of course, but any human who has magic will have a touch of this heredity somewhere in their family line.

Q: What kind of research went into building your world?

Well, first of all, this was not the story I envisioned or sold. After editor input and much gnashing of my teeth, I realized the story that I wanted to tell simply wouldn't work. It wouldn't work because the magic I wanted Jenni to have was a "timeshifter", able to go back in time...

Read more.

Robin is offering an awesome giveaway! Winner's Choice: Choice of any backlist book, Heart Series or Luna, e-book or print, OR choice of an ARC of one of the "Heart" stories coming in December 2011 or Heart Search.

Mechanics of the contest:

You can do either or both of the following to enter the drawing:

1. Write a comment or question to Robin in the comment box on the review site (3 chances to win) from now to February 28; [Click here to comment]

AND/OR

2. Check out our contest page from February 7 to 9 to enter your email address (1 chance to win). [Click here to enter]

The winner will be announced in the comment box on the review site and this blog in March.

GIVEAWAY: A Dead Man's Debt by Grace Elliot

A Dead Man's Debt - a story of blackmail, duty and an unexpected love.

After publically humiliating a suitor, Miss Celeste Armitage is sent from the Ton in disgrace and resolves never to marry. But when she finds a sketch book of nude studies and discovers the artist is her hostess's eldest son, Lord Ranulf Charing, she finds herself dangerously attracted to exactly the sort of rogue she is sworn to avoid.

Nothing is as it seems. Lord Ranulf's life is a facade and he is being blackmailed over his late brother's debts. But just as the darkly restless Ranulf unexpectedly learns to love, the vengeful fury of his nemesis unleashed. In order to protect Celeste, Lord Ranulf faces a stark choice between duty and true love...

However Ranulf has underestimated Miss Armitage's stubborn resolve to clear his name, and in so doing places the woman he loves in mortal danger....

Contest ends February 7, 2011. Click here to enter.

GIVEAWAY: Relentless by Kaylea Cross

 

Former Delta Force operator Rhys Sinclair defied the odds by recovering from a traumatic brain injury that should have killed him. Given the chance to repay the beautiful doctor who saved his life by guarding hers, he can't say no--even if it means facing an unknown threat from the cunning terrorist his CIA-sanctioned team had been hunting in Afghanistan. The catch is, she can't know about it without blowing their cover.

Trauma surgeon Neveah Adams is finally putting her life back together after her horrific experience in Afghanistan. Giving the keynote speech at a medical conference in Vancouver is her starting point. With Rhys there to watch over her she feels safe for the first time in months, and her biggest problem is trying to hide her intense feelings for him.

But Rhys knows something Neveah doesn't. The terrorist who targeted her in Kabul is coming after her again, and he's relentless enough to ensure all his past mistakes are erased with one final strike. Now that the nightmare from her past has resurfaced, Neveah has no choice but to put her trust in the one man who has the ability to break her heart, never knowing an assassin is closer than they realize.

Contest ends February 6, 2011. Click here to enter.

FEATURE and GIVEAWAY: Goddess of Legend by P.C. Cast

Book Interview on February 2011

Hi PC, welcome to The Romance Reviews and thanks for taking the time to answer our questions.

Q: When you decided to write another book in your Goddess series, what made you choose the legend of Arthur, Guinevere and Lancelot?

All of the Goddess Summoning books touch on retelling my favorite myths or legends. I've loved stories about Camelot since I was a little girl and saw the Lerner and Loewe musical, so it just seemed like a natural fit to return to King Arthur and his realm.

Q: Isabel was a great character to get to know and one of the things I love most about your series is that you choose your heroines to be somewhat older and more mature than what's generally shown in other books. Was there a particular reason why?

There are a couple of reasons I prefer to create romance heroines who are older:

1) It has been my life experience that women get more interesting and attractive as they get older.

2) I don't like the TSTL heroines (Too Stupid To Live), and those tend to be 20-somethings. In fiction and in real life, they're coming off as wise and experienced, but the opposite is often the truth. I mean, seriously, when I was 20-something, I made the stupidest decisions of my life, even though I thought I was being uber-smart and mature. Ugh, not hardly!

3) I believe it empowers all women when we respect and revere those who are older, instead of discounting them because of a few laugh lines and gray hair.

Read more.

There are 3 copies of GODDESS OF LEGEND to be won! Only residents of US/Canada are eligible to win.

Mechanics of the contest:

You can do either or both of the following to enter the drawing:

1. Write a comment or question to PC in the comment box on the review site (3 chances to win) from now to February 28; [Click here]

AND/OR

2. Check out our contest page from February 1 to 9 to enter your email address (1 chance to win). [Click here]

The winner will be announced in the comment box and on this blog in March.

GIVEAWAY: Paramour by Margaret Ethridge

 

Two men: one living, one dead, and both vying for her love.

Camellia Stafford has never been alone in her room. For twenty years, she's been engaged in a fierce power struggle with her bedroom's previous tenant, Frank DeLuca, the ghost trapped in the light fixture above her bed.

Caustic and cranky, Frank has one soft spot--Cam. Over the years, their feelings for one another have evolved from grudging friendship to an enduring love that burns white-hot until Frank puts his feelings for Cam on ice.

When she suffers the loss of her beloved father, Cam returns home to say good-bye, and confront her feelings for Frank. She finds an unexpected shoulder to lean on in neighbor, Bradley Mitchum. Cam falls hard and fast for the handsome ad man's charming smile and passion-ate nature, but Brad's easy-going exterior masks a steely backbone tempered by adversity.

Now Cam must choose? Is her heart strong enough to determine which dream could lead to a love that will last a lifetime?

Contest ends February 6. Click here to enter.

BlogTalkRadio Invite: Elizabeth Hoyt

An INVITATION to an INTERVIEW

with

ELIZABETH HOYT

author of

NOTORIOUS PLEASURES

On BlogTalkRadio

Wednesday, Feb. 2, 2 PM ET

Publisher: Vision, an imprint of Grand Central Publishing

BlogTalkRadio/HBG Program:

Elizabeth Hoyt joins us again on the Grand Central Publishing BlogTalkRadio channel, this time for her latest book, NOTORIOUS PLEASURES. Elizabeth Hoyt is a USA Today bestselling author of historical romance. She also writes deliciously fun contemporary romance under the name Julia Harper. Elizabeth lives in central Illinois with three untrained dogs, two angelic but bickering children, and one long-suffering husband. Please visit her websites for chapter excerpts, book extras, and author appearances: http://www.elizabethhoyt.com/ and http://www.juliaharper.com/ .

Call-in with your questions during show time to participate in the live interview @ (646) 378-0039

Listen-in or chat on the Grand Central Publishing channel on BlogTalkRadio.

If you would like your questions to be read on air by the host or if you would like to give advanced notice of your participation during the live call, email anna.balasi@hbgusa.com .

Other links:

About NOTORIOUS PLEASURES

Listen to an Excerpt

Check out ElizabethHoyt.com

"Like" Elizabeth Hoyt on Facebook

Follow @ElizabethHoyt on Twitter