A while back, I wrote a post about the bathtub breaking me.  For some reason, my handsome, hardworking, artistic husband decided to raid the century-old family company’s land holdings and…decorate our back yard.  We live in a normal subdivision, and he put scales, windmills, and a freakishly heavy cast iron tub.

I know how heavy it is because I tried to freakin move it out of there.  While I appreciate creative gardeners who plant flowers in such items as tubs, toilets, and bedsprings…I am not one of those gardeners.  I planted tulips about ten years ago and am happy each spring when they pop up.  It’s a war between me and the local deer with those tulips as the spoils, but that’s a post for another day.  (The bathtub is still there, BTW).

Today, I’d like to show you what was outside my front window when I returned from a conference.  How much do you think it costs to park in my driveway?  I’ve been asked by friends, and all I can do is shake my head.

Big Tone has assured me that it’s moving somewhere else, but just between you and me, I don’t think he has a plan.  I think it amuses the heck out of him that it’s right there.  Why, you ask?  I have no freakin clue.

For now, he’s chuckling, and I’m digging for quarters to park in my own driveway.  Good thing I love the man. 

Hi All!  I am sooooo excited to announce that UNDER THE COVERS is live today and ready for downloading.  This is the second book in the Maverick Montana series, and it features Sheriff Quinn Lodge and art gallery owner Juliet Montgomery.  Here’s the back cover blurb…and a link to an excerpt as well as purchase links.  Enjoy!

Opposites don’t attract. They ignite.

The small Montana town near the Kooskia reserve seemed like the perfect place for Juliet Montgomery to hide from her not-so-law-abiding family. But when her peace is shattered by a break-in and threatening phone calls, it’s clear someone back in New York knows where she is. It’s time to plan her getaway, and fast—but first, she needs to tie up a few loose ends. Namely, finding out exactly what the town’s sexy cowboy sheriff is hiding in his holster…

Sheriff Quinn Lodge has enough demons of his own to know when someone’s hiding something. Clearly, he needs to do a thorough investigation to uncover what’s beneath Juliet’s uptight, city-girl exterior—preferably one piece of clothing at a time. But when their chemistry goes from fizzy to full-on explosive, things start getting complicated. How can Juliet stay beneath the covers with Quinn, when doing so means blowing her cover?

CLICK HERE FOR AN EXCERPT and for PURCHASE LINKS. 

1)       Authors with NY Publishers have no say in the price point of the books. None-zippo-zilch.  I have no clue how much my book is priced at until I either see it in a store or check online retailers. 

2)      Those of us with traditional publishers don’t create our own covers.  I see the cover after it’s pretty much ready to go.  Having said that…I’ve LOVED my covers!  The graphic arts departments at Kensington, Entangled, and Grand Central seriously rock.

3)      We have no say in whether a book gets printed or not.  Or whether it’s available in e-book or not.  These type of things are never guaranteed in a contract.  Of course we want them in both e-book and print.  Always.  So far, I’ve been fortunate.

4)      We know not to read reviews…yet we do.  And yeah, sometimes we take them personally…and wish year-long yeast infections on the reviewer.  Yeah, I’m talking to you—mean reviewer.  And…we can tell if it’s a personal issue and not something to do with the book…even if somebody tries to mask it.

5)      When someone gives us a poor rating on Amazon or GoodReads because the price of the book is too high…we think she’s a moron.  (See number one above.)

6)      Once we get several reviews…we realize that the EXACT same thing one reviewer just loved is the reason another reviewer didn’t like the book.  This is a great thing…because then we realize we can’t please all the people, and we should just go write the next book…and stop reading reviews. 

7)      We’re taken aback and overwhelmed by the kindness of readers and how they’re willing to go out of their way to help promote our books.  (Yes, FB street team… I mean you.)  It’s very humbling, and I hope I express how much this means to me and how much I appreciate all of my readers.

8)      Reading fan mail is the best part of many days.  Thanks for sending fan mail!

9)      There’s no magical muse.  Honest.  We just have to sit down and write when we’d rather be doing laundry sometimes.  This actually is a job.

10)   We feel an incredibly strong loyalty to our readers and really, really, really don’t want to let you down.  Ever. 

First, I’m part of a scavenger hunt where readers will get a sheet, find all of the authors, and then be entered into winning the prizes below.

I’m also going to have fun giveaways for readers who find me after I tweet as part of the Entangled Scavenger Hunt!

To enter to win in the Scavenger Hunt, you’ll need to pick up a game form at our table in Promo Alley or during the Entangled Spotlight and then find all 23 of us so we can affix a special sticker to the game form.

You’ll know who’s participating because our book covers are on the form – and we’ll all be wearing one of our stickers on our nametags to help you pick us out. You’ll want to find author Christine Bell last, because she’s the keeper of the grand prizes – and the first 3 people to show her they’ve gotten all 23 authors’ stickers will win BIG! (Keep an eye on the #EntangledHunt hashtag during the convention for more details!)

PRIZES!

1st Prize: $300 Amazon/BN/Kobo/any e-book retailer gift card. Can be used for anything the winner would like, including an e-reader, tablet, books and more.

2nd Prize: A Kindle Fire & e-books from all the participating authors. Kindle will be given to the winner at RT. Winner will provide an email address so that each author can gift a copy of their e-book via Amazon to them (See all the books included on the back of this flyer).

3rd Prize: $50 Gift Card from e-book seller of winner’s choice.

Spot Giveaways: In addition to the above prizes, each of the 23 participating authors will be doing two spot giveaways during RT. Follow our hashtag on Twitter (#EntangledHunt) as each day, more than a dozen authors will tweet their location at the conference and a directive. Find the author first and follow their directive and YOU WIN! Prizes range from signed book copies, to handmade personalized gifts, from gift cards to fun-filled baskets and more.

UPDATE:  We threw all the names in a hat, and CONGRATS to Laura Fredrickson for winning!  I’ve contacted you with details.  Enjoy!

Hi all!  My deadlines have been crazy with the three series going, and every once in a while I have to take a break and read something that isn’t written by me.  So, I took a break and read a book called The Baby Bargain because I’m a big fan of Jennifer Apodaca’s books.  (The Samantha Shaw series is nothing short of phenomenal.  I re-read those books often).  Jennifer also writes under the name, Jennifer Lyon, and those of you paranormal fans have already read her, I’m sure.  So, anyway, I just fell in love with her new book and thought I’d share.

And I’d like to share by giving away an e-book copy to a commenter here.  Once I pick a winner, just let me know what e-reader you favor, and I’ll email a gift copy from that store.  If you don’t have an e-reader, choose a free computer program from one of the online retailers, and you can read on your computer.  I have the free “kindle for PC” from Amazon, and I read on my laptop all the time.  So, here’s the scoop on the book:

Seeing Adam Waters is the last thing veterinarian Megan Young expects. Ex-Marine. Ex-boyfriend. And still extremely dangerous territory. But Adam doesn’t know the secret Megan has been keeping from him. The secret that was created three years ago, after their last night together…

Adam returns to Raven’s Cove to sell his home in a final break with the town and memories that haunt him. The problem is that his attraction to Megan is as blazing hot as it ever was. But when a vicious smear campaign against Megan turns ugly, Adam learns the truth he never knew—he has a son.

Now the only way Megan can protect her child is to strike a bargain with Adam. And it’s a bargain that looks a lot like blackmail…

This book provided me with such a great escape from reality for a while that I truly wanted to share.  So leave a comment for a chance to win.  I’ll probably choose a winner next Monday, so you have plenty of time.  Do you believe in reconnecting with lost loves?  Or, what do you have planned for this spring or summer?  Or…just say  hi for a chance to win. 

UPDATE:  CONGRATS to Mel Joe Laney for winning the cup and notebook.  Thanks to all who entered!

Hello all!  Welcome to the blog hop!  You know, I had a fun one with this because in my newest release, the hero fights the heroine about a golf-course design in order to preserve land.  So, I thought a quick excerpt from AGAINST THE WALL would be a good way to celebrate this earth friendly blog hop!  (BTW, there’s a giveaway at the bottom.  WHOO HOO!)

This wasn’t happening. Sophie shut her mouth on a scream as the powerful animal gracefully leaped over a fallen log and her captor pulled her into his solid body. He moved as one with the animal. Her hands fisted the silky mane like it was a lifeline to reality.

Maybe it was.

Screw this. She threw back an elbow and twisted to the side, fear and anger finally galvanizing her into action.

“Stop.” A deep voice issued the command as warm breath brushed her cheekbone.

With a mere tightening of his thighs on the great animal, they skidded to a stop. The arm trapping her shifted so she slid easily to the ground and stayed around her waist until she regained her footing. With a sound that was more growl than gasp, she backed away from man and mount until she collapsed against the bark of a towering tree. The horse tossed his head and snorted at her retreat.

The man sat straight and tall on the animal, dark and curious eyes considering her.

The smell of wet moss surrounded her. She gulped in air and studied him. He was huge—and packed hard. Scuffed cowboy boots pressed down on the stirrups while a dark T-shirt outlined impressive muscles. Long lashes framed incredible eyes, and she could swear a dark eyebrow lifted in amusement.

Two more horses charged suddenly through the meadow, sliding to a swift stop behind her captor. One animal was a pretty white, the other a spotted paint, and both held powerful cowboys complete with boots, jeans, and Stetsons. All wore black hats—like the villains in every Western movie ever filmed.

“Unbelievable,” she muttered under her breath.

At her voice, her captor jumped gracefully off his mount and stepped toward her.

“What should we do with her?” the man on the white horse asked. His gravelly voice contrasted oddly with the glint of humor in his tawny eyes. Filtered sunlight illuminated the gold, brown, and even black hair flowing unchecked around his shoulders. He was a symphony of twilight, where the other men wore the ominous tone of midnight.

“I caught her. I get to keep her,” her captor said, his eyes intent as he took another step toward her, firm muscles bunching in his upper arms.

“Another step, and you get to land on your ass.” Sophie readied herself to target his knees as fear uncoiled in her stomach. He stood at least a foot taller than her own five foot four.

His grin was quick and unexpected.

So, in addition to the overall bloghop prizes, I’d love to give away an AGAINST THE WALL coffee mug and spiral notebook to one commenter on my blog here.  I’ll draw a name when the blog ends.  So…do you think opposites attract?

Congrats to A. Bradley for winning! 

Hi all!  Today is the release day of Against the Wall!  Yay!  To celebrate, I’m giving away an ATW mug as well as a cool journal.  I’ll draw a name of one commenter a week from today!  Good luck!

Also…I’m on a blog tour with the overall prize is either a Kindle Fire or $199 at Amazon to spend on whatever.  The Blog Tour Banner is below to take you to the blog tour if you’d like to enter. 

Never challenge a cowboy in the courtroom…

Surveying the proposed site for a high-end golf course should have been a breeze for spunky Landscape Architect Sophie Smith. But when this born-and-bred city girl is suddenly—and quite literally—swept off her feet by a sexy cowboy on horseback, she realizes that the country life has some serious (and seriously steamy!) possibilities. That is, until she finds out exactly who her smokin’-hot wrangler really is.

Cowboy and Tribal lawyer Jake Lodge is desperately trying to block the development. And if that means playing hardball—and being every inch the shark lawyer—so be it. But Sophie is a distraction he didn’t expect. A distraction that makes his blood burn.

Two different worlds. Two opposing sides. And when they finally give into the exquisite temptation, the consequences will shake the foundations of both of their lives…

CLICK HERE FOR PURCHASE OPTIONS

So, what do you think about a cowboy in the courtroom?  Or the cover of the book?  Or the spring weather?  Just leave a comment to be entered into the drawing for:

CONGRATS to Melissa J for winning the drawing!  I’ve contacted you with information. 

Click here to check out what the other authors are giving away during the Entangled In Love blog hop!

Welcome to the Entangled blog hop! My first Entangled book, AGAINST THE WALL, will be released this month. The book features a spunky golf course designer who butts heads with a stubborn lawyer who moonlights as a cowboy. Never challenge a cowboy in the courtroom! As soon as I can post the cover and buy links, I will.

For now, Happy Valentine’s week! I met my husband when I was six years old and he taught me to play Red Rover so he could hold my hand. He was a sweet kid—dark hair with huge brown eyes. We lost touch for a while, and in my twenties, I walked into a bar.

Yes, my love story starts with…I walked into a bar. Leaning against the bar was this six-foot-five tall Italian with a tattoo, leather jacket, and motorcycle helmet. My sister nudged me and said, “Hey. That’s Tony Zanetti.”

And I thought, “Meow.” Of course, my first words were, “What the hell happened to you?”

He’d gone from a sweet little kid to the guy your mama never wants to see you bring home. Of course, Tony is Tony…and my mama loves him. Always has, always will. Our first date was a motorcycle ride. Of course, he let me wear the helmet.

He may have had to sell the motorcycle to pay for our son’s hospital bill when Gabe was born, but fifteen years and two kids later, Tony is still sexiest thing I’ve ever seen. And he is SO going to roll his eyes when he reads this.

I hope your Valentine’s Day is full of romance and fun! Have a great time on the hop, and I hope you win a prize or two.

Oh – for my prize…leave a comment on the blog here, and I will send you the first PDF file of AGAINST THE WALL that I receive. We usually get PDF copies to send to reviewers, so I’ll send one to a randomly drawn name from commenting here. Thanks for stopping by!

Sergej Khakimullin
Shutterstock

Hello, folks!  Sorry about my lengthy absence…I’ve been busy.  I requested time to interview Kane Kayrs, but he just couldn’t make the time.  I guess being the smartest guy in the Universe tends to keep one busy.  So I contacted Amber, Kane’s mate, and she said they’d love to sit down with me.  This time I chose a brand-new coffee shop in town.  They haven’t heard of us there, which is a good thing.  Those Kayrs men get me kicked out of places every darn time.  Here’s the transcript of the interview, with a couple of my thoughts thrown in:

Oh, wait a minute.  I guess I should give you some quick background.  I arrived early and found a nice booth toward the rear of the shop.  Then, since I’ve hung with the Kayrs men before, I sat with my back to the door and left the chair that faced the door for Kane.  Yeah. Not my first rodeo. 

Kane and Amber arrived, both carrying tons of shopping bags.  Kane wore his customary black slacks and silk shirt, while Amber wore a long, flowing skirt and lots of Celtic jewelry.  They reached the table, Amber scooted in, and Kane took the chair I figured he’d take.

ME:  Thank you so much for meeting me here!  I know how busy you are.  Been shopping?

KANE:  You could say that.  He gave Amber a look.  Apparently my mate loves after Christmas sales.

AMBER:  Oh, I really do.  You have to check this out.

At that point, she reached in a bag and pulled out the most adorable little hoodie with a picture of Einstein on it.  I got all excited…OMG – a Kayrs baby?  My heart actually leapt into my throat.  Honest.

AMBER:  Isn’t this the cutest?  It’s for Walter.

I coughed.  Yeah.  I coughed.

KANE:  Walter is the monkey I use in my lab.

ME:  Um, yeah.  Okay.  So…how about any Kayrs babies?  You know?  I’m just curious.

AMBER:  I think a baby would be wonderful!  But, it usually takes vampires quite a while to procreate for some reason.  Usually a century or two.  Well, except for Talen.

KANE:  It’s probably because we’re mostly immortal.  I mean, since we live so long, it makes sense that there shouldn’t be too many of us.  From a universal perspective, that is.

ME:  I see.  But I notice you’re not saying no.

At this point, three waitresses wandered into view from behind the counter.  As one, they all saw us, and they all sucked in breath.  Then, not caring of their associates, they all tried to rush forward at the same time.

Two of the waitresses smacked into each other and went down.  The other leaped several feet to land at our table. 

TRIUMPHANT WAITRESS (to Kane):  Hi.  What can I get you?

He lifted that eyebrow in total Kayrs fashion.

KANE:  Are your friends all right?  (She nodded and didn’t take her eyes off Kane).  Okay.

AMBER:  Maybe we should help them get off the floor.

KANE:  Stay put, sweetheart.

Yep.  Kayrs male all the way.  Then Kane smiled at the waitress.  Her eyelids fluttered, but to her credit, she didn’t swoon.

KANE:  Izzy will have a double caramel latte, Amber will have an organic bean, all natural, vegan Bobby Bill, and I’ll have a cup of coffee–black.

ME:  Um…how did you know what coffee I like?

A Kayrs eyebrow rose.  Oh yeah.  Smartest.  Guy.  On.  The.  Planet.  He probably actually knew what I’d had for breakfast, how much money I had in the bank, and my secret dreams nobody else had ever guessed.

AMBER:  Kane remembers everything.  So, how are things with you, Izzy?

ME:  Um, fine.  Thanks.  How’s life as a vampire mate?

AMBER:  Terrific.  I mean, Grandma Hilde is getting along fairly well with the vampires, though she does try to run things sometimes.

Kane flashed her a look.

ME:   So how is life at Realm Headquarters? 

Just then, the outside door jingled.  Always a bad sign when meeting the Kayrs men.  So I turned…and it wasn’t Talen or Jase, the two who usually cause me problems.  It was a large, hulking, sexy, dark-haired guy.  I’d never met him.  But the air vibrated around him in a way I’ve come to recognize as shifter-tension.

Kane instantly stood and planted himself between the table and the door.  Yeah.  The big guy wasn’t going to let anything happen to little ole me.  Well, and Amber.  I’m sure he wanted to protect Amber, too.

The guy prowled forward, his gaze on Kane.

KANE:  Terrent. 

Terrent:  Kane.

Oh.  I figured out quickly that the guy must be Terrent Vilks, the sexy as hell wolf shifter who’s the hero in TWISTED.  I began to stand because hey, I needed to interview him.  One look from Kane (over his shoulder no less) had me sitting back down.  Darn it.

KANE:  Why are you here?

TERRENT:  I need your help.  Maggie’s in trouble, and it’s time for her to move to wolf headquarters.

KANE:  We can keep her safe.

TERRENT:  Not like I can…and you know it.

Kane rubbed his chin.  Have you talked to Dage?

TERRENT:  No.  I figured I’d get you on my side first.

KANE:  Good plan.  But I can’t guarantee I’ll agree.  Let’s talk.

TERRENT:  I’d love to.  But there’s a cadre of werewolves just outside of town, and I figured…

KANE:  We’ll talk while we hunt.  He looked at me and gently drew Amber out of her chair.  Izzy?  I enjoyed our chat.  We’ll meet again after we take care of the werewolf problem.  Pure anticipation lit his sizzling eyes.  Yeah, the guy wanted a good fight.

AMBER:  I’ll just stay and chat with Izzy.

KANE:  No.

Just as easy as that, all three of them disappeared through the door.  I felt a little bereft until I noticed a hulking shadow by the door.  Gathering my courgage, I marched over to a huge, blonde guy with eyes the color of a midnight storm.  “Who are you?” I asked.

HUGE, BLONDE GUY:  Your bodyguard.  The king wants you safe.

Well, now.  It rocks to be Izzy, doesn’t it? 

Hi all!  Just a short blurb here to let everyone know that the Dark Protector series won as favorite series of the year over at GraveTells.  Kane Kayrs won as sexiest geek, and Provoked won as well.  It was a great year!

I plan on blogging once a week this year, and next week…it’ll be one of Izzy’s interviews.   You’ll have to drop by to see who she talks to. 

Until then, have a wonderful week!