Personally, I think it’s the familiarity of going back to visit places and people who are as recognizable to us as our next-door neighbors and friends. Being able to immerse ourselves in a world where we know bad things can and do happen, but there will be retribution and a happily ever after at the end. Sometimes when the world’s gone crazy, it’s a nice escape to visit one of these make-believe worlds.

Like most readers, I have my favorite writers and I am thrilled when they start a new series. (Nora Roberts, Christine Feehan, Sherrilyn Kenyon, and Laurann Dohner immediately come to mind.) I know I’m going to be treated to some wonderful reads for as long as the series last. Some series are finite—a trilogy or quartet—while others go on indefinitely. It depends on the author and the world they are creating. I’ve done both. I have the Project Alpha series and the Spells, Secrets & Seductions series, and I knew both would be a trilogy going in. But other series, like my Jamesville, Dalakis Passion, Tapestries and the Legacy series have had more books and most are still ongoing.

The same reasons I love series are also the same reasons I love to write them. In fact, I can’t seem to not write them. Every time I start to write a book, before I’m done I’m already thinking about one or more of the other characters and I know they have to have their story told. That’s what happened when I wrote Alexandra’s Legacy. I knew long before I’d finished that it would be a series. What surprised me was the books I wrote weren’t about the characters I thought I would.

After the first book, I thought the series would focus mostly on the Wolf Creek Pack, but it quickly became apparent to me that the Haven Pack in Chicago was demanding their story be told. I couldn’t resist. And while Legacy Found takes the reader back to Wolf Creek, the rest of the books in the series take place in Chicago.

Quinn’s Quest is the fourth book, and while it can be read as a stand-alone book, readers will recognize characters from past books, and an ongoing mystery that’s threaded through several of them. Watch for Finding Chrissten and Damek’s Redemption, books 5 & 6 in the series later in 2012.

Blurb:

Quinn’s Quest

Legacy, Book 4

Kidnapped and held in a crazy doctor’s underground laboratory, Bethany Morris only manages to escape because Chrissten, one of her fellow abductees, creates an opportunity—by shifting into a werewolf.

Bethany’s desperate for help, but who’ll believe her story? The police? That’ll just buy her a one-way ticket to a padded room—because here’s the kicker: she’s discovered she’s a half-breed werewolf. Her only hope is to find Chrissten’s brother.

Quinn Lawton’s long, grinding search for his missing twin has turned up nothing…until Bethany rekindles his hope. Something else catches flame too—her heat cycle and a searing attraction branded with the word mate. Yet with so much blood on his hands, any future he might offer is already tainted beyond redemption.

Desperate for Quinn’s touch alone, Bethany has no choice but to take Quinn up on his offer to quell her terrifying need, no strings attached. And hope that as the search for Chrissten intensifies, the battle with their personal demons doesn’t destroy their razor-thin chance at forever.

http://store.samhainpublishing.com/quinns-quest-p-6656.html

And on another series note, I also have another Tapestries book releasing in 2012 from Ellora’s Cave. Watch for Fabric of Fate coming soon.

What are some of your favorite series?

N.J. has always been a voracious reader, and now she spends her days writing novels of her own. Vampires, werewolves, dragons, time-travelers, seductive handymen, and next-door neighbors with smoldering good looks—all vie for her attention. It’s a tough life, but someone’s got to live it.

Visit me at:

Website: http://www.njwalters.com

Blog: http://www.njwalters.blogspot.com

Newsletter Group: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/awakeningdesires/

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/people/Nj-Walters/714113604

~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~

For a chance to win a PDF copy of Quinn’s Quest, leave a comment below answering N.J.’s question. Good luck!

As a second daughter, Grace Andreas never had to worry about the intrigues of the Elder Races. But when her sister, Petra, and Petra’s husband are both killed, Grace inherits the Power and responsibilities of the Oracle of Louisville, as well as her sister’s two young children – neither of which she is prepared for.

Yet, she is not alone. Khalil, Demonkind and Djinn prince of House Marid – driven by his genuine caring for the children – has decided to make himself a part of the household both as their guardian and as an exasperating counterpoint to Grace’s impudence toward the Elder Races.

But when an attempt is made on Grace’s life, she realizes that Khalil is the only one who can protect her – and offer her more than a mortal man…

~~~~*~~~~*~~~~

The review:

How do I write this review without it sounding like a gushy, slightly stalkerish, fangirl squee? After trying to rewrite it half a dozen times, I’ve realized that I can’t. It is what it is; I’m embracing my inner fangirl.

Dear Ms. Harrison,

Last year, I fell in love with Dragon Bound. I bought and read the next installments in the Elder Race series on release day and while I enjoyed them, none of them came close to my love for Dragos and Pia. And then, oh happy day, an ARC of Oracle’s Moon arrived in my mailbox. Khalil intrigued me when I read about him in previous books and by the end of chapter 3, he owned me. His adorable confusion with why Grace acts the way she does and his total devotion to keeping the children safe totally melted me.

As the book progressed, I saw a side of Khalil I wasn’t expecting. He wasn’t a centuries old Djinn bored with life, he was desperate to experience the new feelings Grace and the children gave him. The unconditional love of the children while he still felt like he failed his own child, his curiosity and delight in feeling sensations as a human would. Watching a Djinn go on his first date was both touching and hilarious. And the sex scenes…ohmygod. Khalil was my first Djinn hero but if they all have that kind of mad skill, I’ve obviously been missing out.

I can’t leave Grace out of my letter of love. So strong, so flawed, and so realistically human. Grace and Khalil together were just perfect. Struggling to understand each other, willing to sacrifice anything to keep the other safe and happy, and Khalil’s reaction when Grace is in danger? I can’t say much since it is a huge spoiler but that was the moment when I declared Khalil to be my favorite hero. Ever.

In conclusion, thank you for giving me my new book boyfriend. He’s my #1 and I promise to keep him safe and revisit him frequently.

Sincerely,

The Unexpected Fangirl

My favorite quote from Khalil:

Not everything that happened was a disaster. You had fun up to a certain point. You laughed and were happy. I was watching you. I understand the stories your face tells so much better than I did before. I know what your happiness looks like now.

The Tease

She laid her hand against the bathroom door, then knocked softly. “Hunter? It’s me.”

The sound of pacing footsteps gave way to harsh breaths, each one a seeming effort. “Ophelia?”

She closed her eyes and rested her forehead against the wood. “Open the door, honey.”

Something thumped against the wall to her right. A fist, maybe, or Hunter’s body. His snarl was low and rough. “I don’t want her. I won’t take her.”

“She’s gone. It’s just us now.”

Hesitation. She could almost taste his suspicion in the heavy silence between them. Then the lock clicked and the door edged open, revealing a glimpse of his bare chest and wild hair hanging over stormy blue eyes. “Just us?”

She could give him words, gentle and reassuring. Instead, she reached through the open door and trailed her hand down the center of his chest. “Come out, Hunter.”

The door vanished, thrown open with such force it bounced against the inside wall. But he was already there, falling on her like a bird streaking from the sky. He gripped the back of her neck, his fingers digging into her hair as he forced her body over his other arm in a vulnerable arc.

For an endless moment he only stared at her, breath whistling through his teeth as the heat of him wrapped around her. “Say yes.” Not a command. A shaking plea.

It didn’t matter that she already had. All that mattered was this moment, and him knowing he wasn’t demanding something she didn’t want to give. “Yes.”

He swallowed the word with a rough kiss that laid claim to more than her body, and for more than the new moon. His teeth closed on her lip with a growl, only to be replaced by his tongue, stroking in an imperious demand for entry.

She opened her mouth with a shudder, her head spinning. It was only a kiss, full of more hunger than skill, but her body responded with a shaky need she hadn’t anticipated.

That was when she knew. Hunter had been lying to himself, but so had she.

Her ready obedience seemed to soothe some of his madness. The fist in her hair relaxed enough to cradle the back of her head, and he eased her closer, until her body was pressed tight to his chest.

But the kiss went on and on, the kiss of a starving man grasping at sustenance he’d denied himself too long. She smoothed her fingers through his hair and down to his shoulders, testing the strength beneath his heated skin.

Tension hardened the muscles, and a warning growl vibrated against her lips.

Still fighting for control, even now, when no such thing existed for either of them. Ophelia worked her hands between them and tugged at the buttons securing her bodice.

This time he drew back and nipped at her jaw as he released her hair and wrapped his fingers around her wrist. “I won’t be managed. Don’t say yes if you want to manage me.”

“I’m not. I don’t want to.” She twisted far enough to lick his earlobe. “I need you.”

He shook. “Put your hands behind your back.”

She closed her eyes and obeyed. “Am I not allowed to touch you?”

“Not yet.” The arm around her waist moved to trap her wrists, and he smiled against her cheek. “Give your body to me, pretty Ophelia. I’ll do wonderful things to you.”

She didn’t want to lie passively as he pleasured her. She wanted to share it with him, give him back the same pleasure in turn—but only one thing was really important right now. “What do you need from me?”

“Open your eyes.”

His voice had turned to a growl, more untamed beast than man. Ophelia looked up, met his gaze.

Dark, dark blue, like a frozen pond, except there was nothing cold about him. His mouth burned as he brushed his lips over hers. “Come to bed with me.”

He still had her hands trapped behind her back. She stretched up, chasing his mouth, and shivered when her tongue touched his. “Anything, Hunter.”

His teeth caught the tip of her tongue in a playful nip, only to release as he laughed, dark and hungry, and swept her off the floor. “Anything?”

She’d never made such a promise before, and wouldn’t have done it lightly. “Anything.”

Instead of tumbling her to the bed, he sank to the edge and let her body slide to the floor between his knees. “Undress.”

Her hands shook on the buttons of her dress. She’d never been so clumsy, so undone by the heat in a man’s gaze that she’d fumbled this badly. The world faded as Hunter watched her, leaving her starving and impatient.

She shrugged out of the sleeves and her dress fell to her hips, baring the skimpy French silk basque she wore beneath.

He touched her. Gently enough, though the roughened tips of his fingers abraded her skin as he traced the swell of her breast. “You’re beautiful on your knees.”

“Thank you.” Ophelia pushed off her shoes and rose, letting the dress drop to the floor. She brushed the pile of linen and leather aside and knelt before him again.

“Beautiful,” he echoed, and for a moment, he almost sounded like himself. Calmer, at least, for all the heat in his roving gaze. Then he stood. “Undress me.”

His chest was already bare, so she licked her lips and reached for his trousers. “Just undress you?”

He stroked her hair, ran his fingers through the loose strands before sinking deep to wrap the length around one fist. “For now.”

Ophelia rubbed her head against his hand, relishing the firm tug of his fingers in her hair as she left his trousers hanging open and pulled off his boots, one after the other. Then she returned to his pants, easing them down, drawing her fingertips slowly over hot skin and hard muscle.

Arousal threatened to cut off her breath. “I don’t know how long I can do this.”

He pulled her head back until her eyes met his. “Which game do you wish to play, Ophelia? Sweet submission, or wild domination?”

The Blurb

Ophelia retired from life as a prostitute, but her new position is even more complicated. Managing the bloodhound manor in Iron Creek is difficult and time-consuming, a job she enjoys less with each passing day. Then there’s her inconvenient attraction to Hunter. The newly turned hound seems eager to enjoy her company, but wary of anything more intimate.

Having survived the violence of his first full moon out of a cage, Hunter isn’t looking forward to his first new moon. Ophelia offers to be the woman who sates his needs during the three long days of sexual fury, but he can’t abide the thought of hurting her in a state of mindless lust. Especially since she longs to settle into a respectable life, and his needs are anything but respectable.

Their mutual goal is simple: avoid entanglements. It’s a solid plan, at least until a vampire drug lord and a couple of nosy Guild representatives force them to work together to defend their friends and everything they hold dear–including each other.

Warning: Contains a mostly feral, vampire-hunting hero and a tough survivor of a heroine whose retired-hooker heart is more steel than gold. Also included: dangerous frontier intrigue, fancy brothels, mad-scientist weapons and a good dose of wicked loving in an alternate Wild West.

Available March 6, 2012

moirarogers.com

]]> http://rrahnovelthoughts.com/2012/02/21/teaser-tuesday-hunters-prey-by-moira-rogers/feed/ 4 lillie80 hunter-400 http://rrahnovelthoughts.com/2012/02/21/celebrity-in-death-by-j-d-robb-giveaway/ http://rrahnovelthoughts.com/2012/02/21/celebrity-in-death-by-j-d-robb-giveaway/#comments Tue, 21 Feb 2012 08:00:24 +0000 lillie80 http://rrahnovelthoughts.com/?p=9827 ]]>

Lieutenant Eve Dallas is no party girl, but she’s managing to have a reasonably good time at the celebrity-packed bash celebrating The Icove Agenda, a film based on one of her famous cases. It’s a little spooky seeing the actress playing her, who looks almost like her long-lost twin. Not as unsettling, though, as seeing the actress who plays Peabody—drowned in the lap pool on the roof of the director’s luxury building.
Talented but rude, and widely disliked, K. T. Harris had made an embarrassing scene during dinner. Now she’s at the center of a crime scene—and Eve is more than ready to get out of her high heels and strap on her holster, to step into the role she was born to play: cop.

~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~

For a chance to win a hardcover copy of Celebrity in Death, just leave a comment below. The winner will be drawn on Sunday. Good luck!

*Giveaway sponsored by Novel Thoughts

wins His Dark Bond by Anne Marsh

*

becky jean

wins Sweet Stuff by Donna Kauffman

*

Alaina

wins Matthew by Emma Lang

*

Nina Pierce

wins Angel’s Flight by Nalini Singh

*

ladymilano

wins the candle bundle from Christine Blevins

*

Pamela

wins Cassandra’s Dilemma by Heather Long

*

Winners of signed Taking a Shot postcards:

debbie

Aemelia

seawitchreviews

Melissa Stevens

lisaione

Blanche

Bridgett

Heather U

Jacquie Biggar

Shaly Ramirez

Dawn Sumner

cynditefft

Sara Buchan

Kimberly B.

Anne Stone

*

Congrats! To claim your prize, please email Fatin at mad @ romancereaderatheart.com (without the spaces). You have 48 hours to email before a new name is chosen.

NT: I’m very excited to introduce our special guest today, Jason Vendryes, the cover model of Taking A Shot by Jaci Burton!

Welcome to Novel Thoughts, Jason. How long have you been modeling? Was it something you’ve always wanted to do?

Jason: I’ve dabbled in modeling since I was 8 or 9 years old. I have been modeling more seriously for about 3 years now. It’s always interested me, but I actually went to school for computer science.

NT: Other than the cover of TAKING A SHOT, how many book covers have you done so far? Is a book cover photo shoot any different than an average shoot?

Jason: I’ve only done one other book cover other than TAKING A SHOT; hopefully I’ll have a lot more. Every shoot is different no matter what type it is. For example, my first cover shoot took about 20 minutes. We shot TAKING A SHOT over four hours. We tried every hockey combination: pads, hockey sticks, pucks, gloves and helmets. I was leaving and saw the skates and asked to do a few with them, which is why I’m in jeans. So it was more like a sport catalogue shoot.

NT: Have you done a “couples” cover yet? Which is easier?

Jason: I haven’t done a “couples” cover yet. I have shot “couples” style ads before though. It’s more fun to work with someone else because you just play around while the photographer shoots. It is a bit more work and time consuming to get that perfect shot though.

NT: What do you like to do in your spare time?

Jason: I enjoy music. I play guitar myself and like going to concerts. I love traveling, the outdoors, and doing things like hiking, rock climbing, and camping. Nothing really beats spending time with friends and family though.

NT: The romance genre tends to be looked down on by some. What did you first think when you were approached about doing a romance cover and how does your family feel about it?

Jason: I actually loved it! Usually when you shoot something, it is only out for a limited time. A magazine is out for a month or so and an ad runs for only so long. I think it is so fun to be apart of something that is available for years to come. My family always gets excited about everything I do and can’t wait for the release of the new book. They’ve always been very supportive and are my number one fans.

NT: What is your favorite thing about modeling? What’s the most memorable event you’ve attended?

Jason: The best part is all the great people you meet and work with. Everyone is so creative and it causes this wonderful cycle where you start inspiring each other.

NT: Name one of your guilty pleasures.

Jason: I love Cold Stone’s Cake Batter ice cream with white chocolate chips and sprinkles mixed in!

NT: Describe yourself in three words.

Jason: Adventurous. Eco-friendly. Mellow.

NT: What do you have planned next? Upcoming projects? Events?

Jason: I’m finishing up a week long project for Builder magazine today. Next week I have some VoiceOver work for Universal Studios in Orlando. Then I’ll be taking a few weeks off to vacation in Singapore.

NT: I can’t let you go before asking you the following question….I know our readers will want to know the answers!

Since this blog is all about romance, what do you consider a romantic evening?

Jason: That’s a rough question! I think romance is something that shows you really know the person you’re spending time with. How about I tell you about my last romantic day? We went to an Italian resort and spent the morning relaxing by the pool and playing bocce ball. That afternoon, we went over to the spa and got a couples massage. To top the day off, we got all dressed up and took a boat over to a world famous chef’s restaurant where we had a wonderful 3 course meal and wine. Then we took a boat back and went to bed.

Cassandra Belle is about to break the story of the century. But one well-placed bomb devastates her plans and leaves her on the run and in a fight for her life and her heart. Caught between wild allure and primal need, Cassie is torn by the desire to submit to both of them.

Two enemies on a mission.

The sexy Fae lord Helcyon wants to protect her, but his pleasure leaves her quaking at the loss of control. The dangerous Wizard Jacob wants to save her, but his war with the Fae frightens her even as he captivates her with passion.

With her enemies closing in, Jacob and Helcyon must challenge everything they’ve ever known to work together or risk losing her.

~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~

An Interview with Heather Long

Questions Provided by Cassandra Belle, Media Consultant

Belle: Hi there, thanks for taking the time to sit down with me. I made notes for this conversation, as I’m sure you already imagined, I have a lot of questions.  But in case we get ahead of ourselves, why don’t we start at the beginning?  Oh and happy release day!

HL:  Thanks, I appreciate it and that plan sounds good to me.

Belle:  Glad you think so.  Where did the idea for Cassandra’s Dilemma come from? Why did you throw me under the bus for this one?

HL: Well, it comes from my love of Urban Fantasy. I love stories where fantasy meets contemporary whether it’s Wizards hanging a shingle in Chicago, or witches banishing Aztec gods in Dallas or Elves that race cars.  I devoured those kinds of books when they were first gaining popularity in the late 80s and early 90s.  But few show us what happens in the immediate aftermath of that revelation, we always see them either still in hiding in that contemporary setting or a few years later after the dust is settled

Belle: But I get blown up in the first few pages.  Could your dust have been a little less painful?

HL: I was always told what doesn’t kill you, makes you stronger.  It’s also true that not everyone wants the Fae out in the world.  If you were able to make the announcement with no flack, it wouldn’t be much of a story, would it?

Belle: But I run into so many other problems, you’d think that press conference could have gone off without a hitch.  Not to mention it completely killed my Donna Karan. Smoke and blood do not come out.

HL: True, but look at whom you met because of the explosion.  That explosion changed your life. You want readers to be invested in your journey and nothing earns you sympathy like life threatening danger, despair and loss.

Belle: Now that you mention it, did you have to introduce me to two great looking guys in the space of as many pages?

HL: I didn’t, you’d known one for months before you met the other.

Belle: Well, yes I know. But you made it very difficult for them. They don’t even like each other.  It was like being in the middle of this constant push-pull between them.

HL: Because having two, totally hot guys pant after you is such a hardship.

Belle: Well, no.  They really do take my breath away; it’s so difficult to even think clearly around them.  All I want to do is…

HL: *snaps fingers* Eyes on the prize, there chica. Let’s get back to the Q&A.

Belle: Of course, you’re right.  So let’s talk about the Fae.  Why are they so secretive?

HL: Sorry. You have to save some things for the readers to learn.

Belle: Okay, what about the Wizards? Why so much animosity with the Fae? Why couldn’t things have worked out there?

HL: Nope. Sorry.  Why don’t you tell me what solution you would have suggested?

Belle: *frustrated sigh* they are so hard headed, but they didn’t hesitate to defend me.

HL: So you think a common cause can overcome centuries of animosity and conditioning to hate each other?

Belle: Maybe. Jeopardy does seem to pave the way to potential solutions.

HL: So, you think creating more problems is the way to solving that issue.  Good to know. *takes notes*

Belle: Wait a minute, you blew me up, shot at me, bli–

HL: I gave you Helcyon and Jacob.  You needed to deserve them.

Belle: Not that I’m complaining, but they needed to deserve me, too.

HL: Do they?

Belle: Oh yeah. I think so. *grins* Why are you writing that down?

HL:  Just making notes for the next book.

Belle: You better not hurt them.

HL: And if I do?

Belle: You’re going to have to deal with me.

HL: I think I can handle that.  Go back to counting your blessings, they start with H and end with J.

Belle: *grins* you do realize no one likes a smart ass.

HL:  So I’ve heard.

Cassandra Belle will be happy to answer any questions you might have, at least those not covered by a non-disclosure agreement.   Cassandra’s Dilemma is available exclusively from Siren today!

Heather Long – Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter

~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~

For a chance to win a digital copy of Cassandra’s Dilemma, leave a comment below. Good luck!

*Giveaway sponsored by the author

Many romance authors have donated items to an auction to help finance the girls’ trip. ARCs, book bundles, Kindle Fires, character namings, and meetings with authors are all available. The auction will start on March 1, 2012 but the site is up now with a list of items.

http://bunaunleeshed.wordpress.com/

You can browse the site now and get your list ready!