Update: The winner of THE CLAIMED is…Suzieq. Congrats!!!

I hope you’ve enjoyed the various book spotlights and guest posts today! I tried to include a mix so that readers of all romance sub-genres can find titles that might be interesting.  For my final spotlight of the day (final spotlight–not final post–be sure to check back for the last giveaway…hint…there’s an ARC coming in that giveaway!), I wanted to return to a spotlight on paranormal romance.  This spotlight focuses on THE CLAIMED by my friend Caridad Pineiro.

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Victoria Johnson loves her life. She’s her own boss in a quaint beachside town, and has great friends who keep her grounded. If only they knew who she really is: an heiress to an ancient race who possesses astonishing superhuman powers. It’s Victoria’s duty to restore her clan of Light Hunters to their former glory by choosing the perfect mate. In Christopher Sombrosa, she just may have found him. Strong, smart, and successful, Christopher exudes a powerful energy. Their connection is sensual, irresistible-and forbidden.

A member of the Shadow Hunter clan, Christopher has defied his own father to lead his people away from affliction and violence. Yet he cannot ignore his duty to carry on his ancient bloodline. Stunningly beautiful and brimming with an erotic life force, Victoria is everything Christopher ever hoped for in a mate . . . but as a Light Hunter, she’s his mortal enemy. Together, they could unite their warring tribes. But murderous factions on both sides don’t want peace-and they’ll stop at nothing to keep light and darkness apart forever . . .

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Think the book sounds good?  Then how about a copy? I will pick one commenter to win a copy of THE CLAIMED (print or digital).  Just tell me your favorite romance genre or leave a question for Caridad.

And…Caridad sent this teaser over for readers. I hope you enjoy it:

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Victoria ambled beside Christopher along the hard-packed sand at the water’s edge, her insides in knots as attraction and common sense battled it out. There was no denying the strong pull of something elemental between them.

She narrowed her eyes to try to make out the faint hint of energy surrounding him. In the dark it was less visible than before, but nevertheless registered against her aura. She had to try to find out more about him and if he was aware of his abilities. “So you say you moved here permanently from the city? You can do that just with your programs?”

A casual shrug rippled across his broad shoulders. “The royalties for using the software are quite generous.”

“It must be nice to live a life of leisure and enjoy the nature around you.” She hit a watery patch of sand where her foot sank deep, making her wobble and bump up against him. The moment her skin met his, the buzz of his power radiated throughout her, awakening desire along her sex, which quivered in reaction.

Totally not a human life force. Caught off guard, his energy was clearly discernible and much more powerful than what she had expected.

He stopped walking and shifted away, but kept a gentle hand on her arm to stabilize her. From that point of connection, warmth and energy continued to travel between the two of them, making it impossible to deny the Hunter blood in him.

“What are you?” she asked, looking into his eyes. It was clear as she met his gaze that he understood her question had nothing to do with his home or employment or anything else two normal people would discuss on a first date. That lack of confusion confirmed she was not off in her observations.

“What’s more important to you: What I am or who I am?” he replied, his grip tightening on her arm for a moment before he relaxed it and instead brushed his hand from wrist to elbow in a simple caress. But beneath the physical touch came one of energy.

 ***

Caridad Pineiro is donating a portion of her royalties for sales of her paranormal romance THE CLAIMED to HOPE FOR THE WARRIORS, an organization that seeks to enhance the quality of life for U.S. service members and their families who have been adversely affected by injuries or death in the line of duty. If you’re one of the first fifty (50) to e-mail Caridad with a proof of purchase of THE CLAIMED or proof of a donation to HOPE FOR THE WARRIORS, Caridad will send you either a HOPE FOR THE WARRIORS pin or tote bag along with other swag.

Update: The winner of the $10 Amazon.com gift certificate is…Cindy W.  Congrats!!!

Congrats to Cynthia Eden on her new release of “Angel Betrayed”! After reading “Angel of Darkness” and nearly every other book she’s written, I am bubbly excited to get my copy.

Cynthia is a friend of mine and a very admired role model for other writers. I have learned so much from her and I’m very proud of her accomplishments.I would also like to thank Cynthia for inviting me to be a part of her release party.

By the way, My name is Janet Breakfield. I am also a Paranormal Romance writer. You can check out my website at www.janetbreakfield.com.

My new release in “The Bayou Series” is book 2. “Sacred Bayou’s” plot takes place in southern Louisiana and is riddled with non-stop action, excitement and romance. The preceding novel and first in the same series is “Bayou Legend”. Here’s a short description of each book:

“Bayou Legend”
Passion, Voodoo and Curses abound in this thrilling,supernatural story of life in the swamps and bayous of South Louisiana.

The responsibility of being the newest “Treater” rest solely on Emily’s shoulders. She has never loved a man until she reunites with her childhood friend, Tanner Guidry. Little does she know that she is his salvation made flesh.

The curse of “Loup Garou” is like a second skin attached to Tanner thanks to Ursulla, the wicked Voodoo witch that cursed his family when she couldn’t have his Grandfather years earlier. Now all of the men in Tanner’s family carry the curse. Will Emily’s love and magic be enough to save Tanner from the curse and the Witch that wants to destroy him? Will Ursulla’s secret be revealed as she tries to destroy Tanner and Emily?

Or will her love spell using Tristan to seduce Emily be enough temptation to tear them apart?

“Sacred Bayou”
Betrayed by passion and the only man she’s ever trusted, Emily Bourgeois finds the comfort she needs in the arms of a sexy Nephillim. He’s everything she never knew she ever wanted. After having destroyed one generation of Voodoo, now the next stands in her way disguised as her friend and Voodoo priestess, Ameliana. It will take all Emily’s courage and supernatural strength to defeat the evil that reins over the skinwalkers of Bayou Lafourche, while in the process saving the sacred burial mounds of the Houmas Indians from destruction. Nothing can stop Emily from helping to protect the sacred burial grounds, even as her life seems to be falling apart around her. She must battle the anger toward her ex-lover, magical and evil beings bent on her destruction, and meanwhile establish a new love with the very addictive, Merrick. Torn between the two unbelievably sexy men may be the death of her, buy damn, what a way to go.

Thanks to everyone that has bought my books in hardback and also on eBooks!

You can find all my books online at these links: Smashwords, Amazon, or my website.

You can also find me on Facebook or follow me on Twitter.

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Thanks for sharing your book info with us, Janet!!  I like that Janet’s books are about a different “type” of shifter–I am such a loup garou fan!  What types of shifters do you enjoy reading about?  Tell us or leave a question for Janet and you will be entered in the giveaway for a $10 Amazon.com gift card.

Update: The 5 lucky FLASH HEAT winners are…Carlyn McKechnie, Lora Patten, Vanessa N, Fedora, and Winnie. Congratulations!!

My next guest is DOUBLE RITA finalist Joyce Lamb. Joyce writes some incredible romantic suspense, and I am thrilled to have her visiting with me today. Welcome, Joyce!!! And congrats on your new release!

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Congratulations, Cynthia, on the release of Angel Betrayed! I hope you’re partying your heiny off. I’m lifting a virtual toast to you as we speak. (Mm, chocolate martini!)

So now I’m going to ride your very impressive coattails (whee!!) with news that I have a new release, too. FLASH HEAT, a never-before-published e-book, is now available for Kindle and Nook. This book features one of my favorite couples. Bailey and Cole’s banter constantly made me smile while I was writing. I’d like to think that’s because they’re so very entertaining, rather than I just happen to really amuse myself.

Here’s a snippet:

“Come on,” Cole said “You’re not chicken, are you?”

“Don’t even go there.”

“Don’t make me cluck.”

“God, I can’t stand it when grown men cluck.”

And another snippet:

“If you backpedal any faster, you’re going to leave a Cole-shaped hole in the wall.”

He grinned. “Kind of like the Road Runner, huh?”

“If you make that meep-meep sound, I’m going to be creeped out.”

“I try to keep my meep-meeping to a minimum.”

Here’s some info about the plot of FLASH HEAT:

Photographer Bailey Chase and reporter Cole Goodman only tolerate working with each other at a Southwest Florida newspaper. Cole knows Bailey’s ex, and he’s told Cole lots of lies about her. Not that Bailey cares. She’s still healing from that disastrous relationship and has far more important issues on her plate: such as keeping her recovering drug addict brother on the right track as a single dad to his 6-year-old son.

When Bailey gets slightly injured during a mugging while on assignment with Cole, she’s shocked that he sticks around to help her out. He’s kind and warm and caring … and when it soon becomes clear that the mugging wasn’t random, he reveals a protective streak that quickly turns into far more.

Cole has never loved a woman who didn’t let him down. His mother abandoned him as a child. His sister hasn’t been there for her own kids. And his ex-wife did something he can never forgive her for. So he has no interest whatsoever in getting involved with Bailey Chase, a woman who already has way too much baggage. Except he can’t seem to help himself. She’s just … so … hot. And exasperating. And amazing.

Now, someone is after a photo in Bailey’s possession, and he’ll clearly stop at nothing to get it. Worse, it appears her brother’s shady past is connected.

Cole and Bailey team up to crack this mystery before someone ends up dead. While they’re at it, they let the sparks fly …

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If you wanna read an excerpt, you can find one at my blog, http://joycelamb.blogspot.com/. (My poor website is in the ICU at the moment.)

And, hey, if you love romance novels as much as I do, you might be interested in the blog I do for USA Today (the Nation’s Newspaper!) that’s dedicated entirely to romances. Happy Ever After celebrates all genres, from erotica to inspirational, and all methods of publication, including self-pubbed. HEA’s contributors include best-selling authors Pamela Clare, Michelle Monkou and Virna DePaul. I hope you’ll stop by Happy Ever After (happyeverafter.usatoday.com) and decide to visit regularly.

So, readers, are there romance heroes and heroines who’ve made you giggle? J.D. Robb’s Eve and Roarke never fail to make me smile. And, of course, all of Susan Elizabeth Phillips’ couples make me laugh out loud. You?
(Five commenters here will win a digital copy of FLASH HEAT! Please be sure to leave your e-mail address.)

Update:  The winner of SECRETS OF AN ACCIDENTAL DUCHESS is..Lucy Nina!

I’m trying to vary my book spotlights…sometimes featuring paranormals, romantic suspense tales, and…historicals.

Because she is one of my favorite historical authors, I wanted to spotlight Jennifer Haymore now.  And if you haven’t read Jennifer, then here is your chance!

Blurb time:

With her pale hair and slim figure, Olivia Donovan looks as fragile as fine china, and has been treated as such by her sisters ever since a childhood bout with malaria. But beneath her delicate facade, Olivia guards a bold, independent spirit and the kind of passionate desires proper young ladies must never confess…

It was a reckless wager, and one Max couldn’t resist: seduce the alluring Olivia or forfeit part of his fortune. Yet the wild, soon-to-be Duke never imagined he’d fall in love with this innocent beauty. Nor could he have guessed that a dangerously unpredictable rival would set out to destroy them both. Now, Max must beat a Madman at his own twisted game–or forever lose the only woman to have ever won his heart.

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Sounds awesome, huh? Want to win a copy?  (Winner’s choice–print or digital.)  Tell me…if you could go back and live in any historical period,  when and where would you go?  One winner will be randomly selected to win. Good luck!!!

Update: The winner of the $10 Barnes & Noble gift card is…Connie T!

Our next guest is very busy author Norah Wilson–Norah, thanks so much for coming by! I can’t wait to learn more about your vamps!

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First let me say I’m thrilled to be here during Cynthia’s launch of Angel Betrayed. Her paranormal romances rock out loud!

And I’m thrilled to share with you an excerpt from one of my own paranormal romances. Nightfall is the second in my Vampire Romance series. Nightfall really seems to be finding its audience, which makes me happy. Aiden and Sam might just be the best match I’ve ever made.

Here’s the blurb:
Aiden Afflack (a vampire) is as charming, sexy and easy-going as he is gorgeous. Unless you happen to be a rogue vampire, in which case he’s apt to be the last thing you see. Sam Shea is a wildly successful nature photographer whose prescient dreams lead her to some of the world’s most turbulent, awe-inspiring weather phenomena.

When their paths cross and Aiden discovers that his proximity to Sam warps her psychic power, causing her to hone in on vampire violence instead of violent weather, he knows he’s found a priceless tool in his fight to rid the world of rogues.

Sam has a deep-rooted aversion to having her powers exploited, but once her eyes have been opened to the lives she can help save, she can’t withhold her cooperation. But she can deny Aiden the other thing he wants from her, which makes her unique among women. And absolutely irresistible to Aiden!

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And an excerpt:

She looked tired, he thought, as she swung the door open. Still beautiful, of course, but tired and nerved-up and edgy. Good. She’d been having the dreams.

“May I come in?”

“Good of you to ask, since we both know you could have been inside waiting for me.”

Oh, yeah, she was definitely feeling chippy. But she stepped aside and let him enter.

She locked the door and leaned back against it. “By the way, how did you get in here last time without setting off the alarm?”

“Second story window. They’re not wired into your security system.”

She lifted an eyebrow. “You’re sure you can’t fly?”

Read the rest of this entry–>