Taste of Kiwi

I’m thrilled to have author, Debra Kayn as my special guest today. Debra is taking about her newest release, Ride Free, which is book two in The Chromes and Wheels Gang series. If you like motorcycles and sexy heroes along with your romance, this is the series for you. Over to Debra…

Thank you for letting me guest blog today, Shelley. I’m bouncing in my seat, because you have one of my favorite places to visit in blog world.

Do you think there is one special person out there in the big world that is perfect for you? Are you willing to wait for that person knowing you might never cross paths?

I’ll admit that there are days where I believe my hubs is THE perfect man for me. He reads my mind, finishes my sentences, and predicts what I need. I can tell when something is bothering him, guess how he’ll react to bad news/good news, and I just “click” with him. Then there are those times when he leaves his dirty socks laying in the living room, or he’s too stubborn to admit that he’s wrong and I’m right. Those days I wonder what planet he came from!

I love the idea of soul mates, to know instantly that you’ve met the perfect person for you with no doubts or hesitation. That is what happened to my character Sarah in Ride Free, Book Two of The Chromes and Wheels Gang. She knew from the start that biker bad boy, Reefer, was the man she’d love for the rest of her life. He wasn’t such a big believer in fate, but Sarah knew exactly what she had to do.

Here is an excerpt for you to enjoy that shows Sarah knowing exactly what she wants.

Sarah grinned. “You have to realize I’ve dreamed about riding a motorcycle of my own around the country forever. It’s the way I escaped…”

“Go on, sweetheart.” He linked his fingers with hers and brought her hand up to kiss. “Tell me what you needed to escape.”

Her nose wrinkled. “You’ve met my da, remember?”

“What about your mom?”

“She drank right alongside him. She died from cirrhosis of the liver a few years ago.” Sarah twisted her mouth. “I imagine my da is going to follow in her footsteps soon. He won’t quit for anyone.”

Reefer pulled her back down to his chest. “But why fantasize about becoming a biker?”

“To ride from one place to another with the wind on your face. All the outside noises muffled by the roar of the engine. It’s musical, don’t you think?” Sarah sat up again. “It’s strange, but the comfort I get off the drums at the reservation is the same rush I get when I hear your bike.”

His lips tightened. She smiled.

“It beats in here.” She placed her hand on his chest.

“But, your family…” he reminded her.

She shook her head. “No, it is only my da, and he is better off without the reminder that he has a daughter. He drinks more when I am around.”

“But, you have steady employment—”

“That doesn’t matter. Listen to me, Reefer. There is nothing in my life to tie me to this place.” She placed her hands on his cheeks. “I want to live the life of a biker, to sail away and live one day at a time.”

“Jesus, Sarah…” He set his forehead against hers. “I’m bad news, sweetheart.”

“Don’t talk about yourself that way.” She wished somehow his doubts might flow out of him and he’d soak up her confidence.

“The only family I have is the other bikers, Sarah. I promised myself when I was sixteen that I would never ever leave them.” Reefer’s breath caught. “I don’t know if it is fair to take you away from everything you know, away from the only relative you have. Tell me what to do, sweetheart.”

“Take me with you. Let me love you.” She wound her arms around his neck and pulled his lips towards her. “Let’s ride the wind together.”

Buy Link for Ride Free by Debra Kayn

You can find out more about the books I write at www.debrakayn.com. I love to talk to readers, so stop by and say hi!

CONTEST: Debra is giving away a copy of Ride Free to one lucky person today. All you need to do is post a comment and you’re in the draw! The winner will be announced later tonight.

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Alice from Fancy Free is on tour again. I’m visiting Smexy Books today where I’m talking about Fancy Free and doing a giveaway.

I’m also blogging at The Romance Studio today.

Warning: Condoms were tested and a few harmed during the writing of this story.

It’s not every day a girl inherits a condom company, and to say accountant Alice Beasley is astonished and out of her depth is putting it mildly. For an almost virgin, she needs a quick education in all things condom because her inheritance is in danger. Someone is intent on sabotage and playing nasty, trying to destroy her new company.

Alice is suddenly getting down and dirty with charismatic James, the factory manager, all in the name of business, testing new condom designs. The sex is hot. Mind-blowing. It’s a dark thrill and an erotic journey. Yeah, it’s a hard job, but a girl’s got to do what a girl’s gotta do.

The testing turns personal. Alice wants James. She craves his talented touch and sultry kisses, she desires passion and physical pleasure on a permanent basis but first she must convince bad-boy James to give up his fancy-free ways…

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The Scarlet Woman tour continues. I’m at Literary Escapism talking about why I like paranormal romance. As usual, there is a giveaway so come over and say hello.

And a reminder of what Scarlet Woman is about:

Emily Scarlet’s husband left her for his secretary and died in a car accident—all on the same day. Now, six months later, Emily has emerged from her chrysalis of painful memories. And to prove she has what it takes to attract a man, she’s determined to experience one perfect night of passion.

Feline shape shifter, Saber Mitchell has a problem with his four boisterous younger brothers. They’re out of control. It’s too late for him, but he hopes to get his brothers mated and settled, and the ball is the place to introduce them to marriageable women.

Unbridled sex is the last thing he plans on, but one glimpse of Emily Scarlet changes his mind. Sex with her is a necessity. They dance. They make love.

One thing is clear—a single night isn’t enough. Saber must have her for his mate, but Emily isn’t so easy to convince…or trust.

It’s time for my guest column at The Raven Happy Hour blog. Today, I’m exploring wormholes—what are they and do they really exist?

Tea For Two is up for the 5 Heart Sweetheart Award for 2009 at The Romance Studio. Vote here for my book or one of the other worthy titles nominated for the award.

Wild Child is out today! Do your bit for charity and purchase a copy of Wild Child or one of the other books in the 28 Days of Heart series. All proceeds go to the American Heart Association.

And speaking of health, I’m on a diet. I decided it was time to take action after I noticed my clothes were much tighter. It was all that Christmas food that did me in! I’ve been dieting for a week, and it hasn’t been too bad so far. Do you have any diet tips for me?

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The Tea For Two tour continues today with a stop at Smexy Books where I’m talking about names and the weird thing I encountered with my heroine’s name after Tea For Two came out at Samhain Publishing. As usual, I’m doing a giveaway, and you won’t have a chance of winning if you don’t visit!

I’m also visiting Alternative-Read.com. I’m discussing tea leaf reading here, an age-old method of fortune telling. Hayley, my heroine in Tea For Two reads tea cups. There’s a giveaway here too.

Scroll down to the next post because Karen Erickson is visiting me today and talking about her new release.

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My special guest today is fellow Samhain Publishing author, Karen Erickson who is talking about her new release. Karen’s Tangled is another hot and steamy story, perfect to provide some heat in your life if you’re suffering through a cold Northern winter.

I must confess something. I’m normally not a big fan of romance books featuring couples who start out hating each other and end up falling in mad passionate love. I find it kind of unbelievable and sometimes even annoying. Why the heck would you want to be with someone who drives you nuts?

Yet…in my new release Tangled from Samhain Publishing, my heroine starts out hating on the hero. She’s been chasing after another guy. The problem? The other guy has a major crush the hero. Now you can see that’s where the name Tangled came from.

You see, Scarlett can’t stand Trevor. She thinks he’s arrogant, overbearing and he’s a known heartbreaker. He’s crazy about her and he doesn’t shy away from letting her know it which she can’t help but find flattering. It doesn’t hurt that he’s gorgeous and charming and sweet.

She tried to resist. To the point where I’m afraid some readers might find her a complete pain. She was just so stubborn and it was as if I couldn’t control her. Some might even wonder why Trevor would put up with her. He even tells her at one point why does he like her so much when she treats him so badly.

I couldn’t make her any other way. Poor Trevor. He didn’t deserve the bad treatment from Scarlett but she uses her anger and stubbornness like a shield. To protect herself from being hurt because she knows she’s falling for him and in a big way. Then she goes ahead and throws Drake into the mix which is kind of confusing. A sexy and naughty too. *wink*

I hope everyone who reads Tangled enjoys it – and understands where Scarlett is coming from. I’m curious to see the reaction toward her. She’s by far one of the most complicated heroines I’ve ever written – and I wouldn’t have her any other way.

Blurb:

The girl can’t help herself…until she helps herself to a triple-hot fantasy.

Playing With Fire, Book 2

Always wanting what she can’t have. Scarlett learned this the hard way, and this time is no different. Drake, the one guy she’s hot for, isn’t hot for her. Nope, he’s hot for Trevor, the gorgeous, arrogant actor she works with. Maybe it’s time she let loose and let the right man capture her, for a change.

Trevor wonders why she can’t see that the right man is right under her nose. He’s crushing big time on the quirky, sexually confident Scarlett—a huge turn-on for a guy who’s not your standard looking-for-vanilla-sex kind of guy.

When an argument with Trevor explodes into the hottest sex of her life, Scarlett thinks nothing has ever felt so right—until Drake joins in and kicks it into white-hot gear. Trevor is astounded that she trusts him enough to make her three-way happen for her. But suddenly he’s not so sure he wants to share…

So let’s take a poll. Do you like romances where the characters start out not liking each other? Maybe feel a little wary or non-trusting of one or each other? Let me know what you think.

~ Karen
http://karenerickson.com
http://karenwritesromance.com/blog

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This is a shot of Albert Park (named after Prince Albert) in Central Auckland. It’s not far from the university and on a fine day, it’s the perfect place for students to eat their lunch.

Mystery writer JA Konrath has a very interesting post about e-books and what he predicts will happen during 2010 in the e-book/e-reader world.

I’m actually feeling very positive about e-books at the moment. I love the freedom of writing for e-publishers, although the pirate issue does worry me. It’s truly disheartening when pirates put up books for free download on release day. It’s not only the e-authors who have a pirate problem though. The pirates have no compunction in making e-copies of paperback books and giving those away free too.

I think the increased competition in the e-reader market can only mean good things, driving the price down. Like Mr. Konrath, I’d like to see a standard industry format. What do you think will happen in the e-book world during the next year?

I’m guest blogging at the Samhellion blog today and talking about diaries and my upcoming release, The Bottom Line. While you’re there don’t forget to check out the special Christmas scavenger hunts to win either a Kindle reader or a Sony reader.

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I’m doing a guest spot at Erotic Muses today. My post is about the things women look for in a man plus there is a short excerpt from Soldier of Fortune.

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The other day when hubby and I visited his mother we ended up talking about gyms. Hubby and I said we were going to the gym.

My MIL immediately said, “You must go together. My neighbor went to the gym to get fit and lose weight. She met someone and now her marriage has broken up. You MUST go to the gym together.”

After a startled silence hubby and I both grinned at each other and burst out laughing. The gym we were talking about is in our spare bedroom. Heck, I could go naked to our gym and no one would notice! And about the comment – I’m still deciding whether to be insulted or not.

My MIL’s comment made me think about where people met their partners.

Emily Scarlet met Saber Mitchell at the Middlemarch Single’s Ball – Scarlet Woman.

Anna Tietjens met Sebastian Brady at the airport when their plane was delayed – Wanderlust.

Hayley Williams met Sam Norville at her girlfriend’s work function – Tea For Two

Joanna McGregor met Louie Lithgow during a holiday in Fiji – Soldier of Fortune.

Rafi Mura met Roberto Azam when they were kids in Melbourne, attending the same school – Fallen Idol.

I met my husband in a bank. I was a bank teller, and he was a customer. I’m not sure where I’d look for a partner if I was in need of one. Maybe the gym!

Where did you meet your partner? If you were looking for a partner, where would you search first?

In Soldier of Fortune tour news, I’m doing a guest spot at Love Romance Passion today and talking about contemporary romance. I’m also doing a giveaway.

Tracy at Bootstrap Marketing has been very busy organizing book tours for me. I’m trying something new with my promo and taking some of my backlist books on tour.

See my sidebar for full details of the upcoming tours for Tea For Two and Fancy Free.

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The campaign continues at:

Smexy Books.

I did an oops with the dates yesterday, and I’m guest blogging at Smexy Books today about Judging a Book by its Cover, and how I love my Ninja Turtle cover.

I’m doing a giveaway here, so do come along and say hello.

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My special guest today is Ari Thatcher, a fellow author with Ellora’s Cave. In fact, we shared a release date last week. Today Ari is talking about one of my favorite character types–the reformed rake. Over to Ari…

My first love in romance novels is historicals, preferably Regency era. The plots are basically the same, he’s in his thirties, has had his share of lovers, and is ready to settle down. She’s younger and more innocent – well, in a Regency she is innocent, unless we’re talking erotic Regency romance. With as many of those stories as I have read, it’s no wonder I had to write Kyle’s Redemption.

Since it’s a contemporary romance, we know what Kyle’s redeeming himself from, right? But we’ll be nice and call it shallow relationships. A shallow relationship offers all the benefits of a relationship without the involvement of his heart. If the woman/partner on the other end of the deal isn’t expecting more, then he’s not a bad guy.

Face it, in many of us there is a turning point where we realize we’re ready to commit. In real life, experts say it’s often a matter of timing if you’re lucky enough to stumble upon the perfect guy when he’s made the mental shift. In romance, it’s more fun to think he sees the error in his ways once he meets the heroine.

In Kyle’s Redemption I took it a step further and made Kyle understand what a…well, prick, he’s been in the past. Since today we no longer have society’s pressure to marry and beget an heir, our modern-day heroes need a lightbulb moment when they realize the heroine is worth making the extra effort for, something that forces them to look inside and admit they need to grow as a lover.

Now, the ultimate fun is when you take that moment, have your hero bend over backwards to make an impression, and your heroine is unimpressed. A strong woman knows she’s worth working for. She expects it. And she won’t be swayed by pretty words and acts.

A strong heroine will settle for nothing less than her lover’s whole heart offered sincerely, and she’ll make him sweat until he realizes it. Hopefully I’ve accomplished that with Lily, and the reader is fully satisfied by the ending. I know Kyle and Lily were!

Kyle’s Redemption Available at Ellora’s Cave

Blurb

Six years ago, Lily Astor looked forward to establishing herself in the Los Angeles art world. In one painfully public moment, those dreams were shattered. Now she has the chance to try again, but the invitation to exhibit comes from a gallery owned by Kyle Ventura. The man who should have cleared her name.

After a night of eyebrow-singeing sex, Kyle realizes who Lily is, and his role in her downfall. Now, as his heart falls deeper for Lily, he needs to make amends. But Lily doesn’t want his help, just his body.

For the first time in his life, sex isn’t enough for Kyle. He wants to show Lily he’s not the man he was six years ago. But first, he has to prove it to himself.

Ari Thatcher

Do you enjoy reading stories with reformed rakes? Do you prefer historical or modern-day ones?

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