Guest Author: Lora Leigh featuring Heat Seeker & Hot for the Holidays

***This giveaway is now over. Thanks for entering!***

Wednesday, is the second most dreaded day of the week after Mondays....unless your reading this, then today has been the day you've been waiting for. Today is the day Lora Leigh will be visiting! Woo hoo! I couldn't be more excited.

I don't remember exactly how I found Lora's first book that I read, but I definitely remember which one it was. They always say you remember your firsts :) My first was Forbidden Pleasure and to this day remains my favorite from the Bound Hearts series. From there I had to read the rest of the Bound Hearts series. I then graduated to the Men of August series...I now own all of Lora books that have been published (some of them are even signed). Like Lori Foster, Lora Leigh occupies a large space on my keeper shelves. I don't think I could ever part with them.

Her books are an addiction for me. I love the intense, seriously sexy, and emotional novels that she writes and count the days until every new release. Thankfully she is a prolific writer! This week marks the release of a new Breed novella in the anthology Hot for the Holidays, which consequently is hot on the heels of her latest Elite Ops novel, Heat Seeker. Happy Days!

First off I just want to thank you for giving me the opportunity to answer the blog questions! This is a very hectic time for me and I know that you have waited patiently for my response. I’m hoping that these answers satisfy not only you, but each and every reader that will be viewing and responding to them.

I’m overwhelmed and genuinely ecstatic that I have the opportunity to have the readers that I do. They keep me going, keep me writing, and inspire me to keep doing what I love to do. Not everyone enjoys waking up everyday to do something they love. I have that opportunity and I embrace it. It’s my fans, my readers; that brought me to the place in life that I’m at. So, for that I’m grateful for them and the passion they have to keep reading and keep enjoying the books that I write for them.

Welcome Lora! I can’t even begin to tell you how honored I am to have you as my guest at Seductive Musings. I know that you are an extremely busy writer so taking the time to answer these questions is greatly appreciated. I am a HUGE fangirl of yours. Each of your books that I have read has made its way to my keeper shelves. Wild Card, Loving Lies and Sarah's Seduction hold special places in my heart. Who are some of your favorite authors, and what’s on your keeper shelves?

My absolute favorite authors are Linda Howard and J.D. Robb. At the moment, my two favorite books are Linda Howard – Shakes of Twilight and J.D. Robb – Naked in Death. These are a must have for me.

I have to say that I've never read any books by either of these authors...now I'm wondering what I've been missing. For readers who have not read one of your books before, which is unfathomable to me but know it is true, can you tell us what you think makes a great love story, and what readers should expect when they read one of your novels? What is it about writing romance that appeals to you?

You know, there are many factors involved when it comes to a great love story. There has to be a certain intensity level that sparks my interest and pull on those sometimes very sensitive heart strings. But, if you can grasp my attention and make me want to feel for the characters and the emotions they are feeling then I’m very satisfied.

My readers should expect a depth of emotion and sensuality combined with an adventurous plot when they pick up one of my novels. I write for my fans. I try to appeal to what I believe they will enjoy. Because there are so many different tastes out there, I try to mix up the emotions, the writing style and flow of the novels so that maybe if the first book in the series didn’t grab their attention then maybe they’ll fall in love with the second or third. Because, if I fail to please my fans, then not only have I let them down; but also myself.

For me, writing romance is appealing because it gives me and my readers the ability to live the ultimate emotional adventure. Whether it be a sensual yet erotic love scene or the passion that I feel between the characters when I write their story.

An emotional, sensual, and passionate adventure is a great way to describe your stories. What book(s)are you most proud of, or feel is/are your biggest personal achievement(s) when you don’t take into account sales, reviews, reader comments, or awards & why?

This is a very complex question! It’s very simple yet very difficult to answer all at the same time. I feel that I’m connected with every novel that I write. Once the novel has gone through it’s many different processes of making it onto the bookshelves; each and every one of them are achievements. However, I believe every author has a favorite story they’ve told that gave them a sense of accomplishment they’ll never forget. For me those books are Elizabeth’s Wolf and Wild Card. These are my favorites because they both have an emotional depth and sensual awakening beyond what I’ve felt come from any of my other characters.

Oh, Nathan Malone (the hero from Wild Card/Elite Ops series #1) is one of my all-time fav heroes!! He ranks right up there with Jamie Fraser. Heat Seeker is your newest release in your fantastic Elite Ops series. I absolutely love this series; the men live half lives of secret soldiers with nothing to lose and sometimes very few reasons to live until they find or renew relationships with their forbidden loves. Tell us about John your hero in Heat Seeker, what you think makes his story so compelling, and what you love most about him?

John’s story was so compelling because despite the fact that he was supposedly dead; his love for Bailey in an amazing undying love. No matter the resistance; the love he has for her will never die.

Now, what do I love most about John? His devotion. John was willing to do whatever it took to be with Bailey. The intensity of emotion that I feel from him makes me love him even more.

I couldn't agree more. His devotion to Bailey is portrayed in both words and actions. What's your favorite scene or moment from Heat Seeker, and why? Mine is a steamy one (literally) where John and Bailey are in the shower and he says to her:

"I remember, love" he whispered as a soft sob tore from her lips. "I remember every touch, every kiss. I remember you like a dream that saves my soul."

….sigh this is such a moving and tender moment for these two lovers who have lost so much. It’s one of my favorites and I think is a great example of John's devotion to Bailey.

Well, I have to admit, it’s my favorite scene too. I thought about trying to give you another scene that I could mark as my favorite; but it would be a complete lie. When I could visually see John and Bailey sharing this moment together I immediately knew that it was by far my favorite in this novel. I’m pleased to see that others share that opinion with me as well.

You also have a new Breed novella in Hot for the Holidays, and anthology with Anya Bast, Angela Knight, and Allyson James(just released yesterday) Can you tell us about your paranormal romance novella?

Yes, I believe I could elaborate a little for you. The Christmas Kiss is telling the compelling story of Hawke; who is a wolf breed and Jessica who is a human. In Aiden’s Charity, Jessica was believed to have betrayed the breeds. In The Christmas Kiss, she has just been released from confinement. Hawke decides that he cannot and will not wait any longer to claim is mate and protect her from the danger that stalks her.

You are one busy writer! One of my fav books is Loving Lies from the Men of Summer series. I have heard some rumors online that you are writing the sequels to the first novel. Crossing my fingers that this is true :)

Who are some of the most requested characters that readers want you to write stories for? You have commitments to the Breed, Pleasure, and Elite Ops series, but is there a book or character's story that you are dying to write once you find the time?

I think that everyone will agree with me when I say there aren’t many requested “characters” that the readers are wanting to snatch up. There is ONE character story that everyone wants to have their hands on. Who is this you ask? Jonas. Yes, after making everyone want him, love him and lust for him; his story will finally be told. Jonas’ story will be told in “Lion’s Heat” set to release April 2010. I know you all are very excited to hear about this. But, I’m even more excited to finally be able to tell his story as only Jonas would allow.

So, you want to know if there is a book or character’s story that I’m dying to write whenever I have the free time to do so? Well, I won’t ruin it for you too much, but I’m dying to write a historical “Men of August” book. I’m not sure when or how this is going to come about. But,it’s definitely something that I can’t get out of my head.

Jumping up and down....I love love love Jonas! And a revisit to the Men of August....I think I am in Booklover heaven. What are some of your other upcoming releases fans can look forward to? What seeds of brilliance are you working on now? Give us the insider’s scoop, we’re dying to know!

Well I’ve already let the cat out of the bag that Jonas’ story will be told in “Lion’s Heat”. I know everyone’s thrilled for that to be hitting the shelves. But, there’s also “Guilty Pleasure”, telling the story of Khalid and Marty and Nauti Deceptions which will give you the story of Rogue and Zeke. There’s a few others, but I’m sure that this will more than satisfy your curiosity. ;)

Yep it's official, I'm a goner :) To get Jonas, Khalid and Zeke's story all in one year may be more than I can handle. This year was the 3rd annual RAW weekend (which was Sept 25-27) How did this weekend come about, will you celebrate this event again next year, and what can readers enjoy if they attend?

RAW came about for my readers. I am so thankful and appreciative of my readers. In more ways than they could ever imagine. Initially it was just a weekend get together of a few authors and readers in a small event where we could mingle, talk to each other and find out a little more about what they love about us. There are too many events where the readers don’t get a chance to talk to their favorite authors other than a quick signing of their books. I wanted to steer away from that and give them a personal experience. From that weekend, it grew to something I never would have imagined. And that’s a great thing!

As announced during the RAW event, I will be hosting RAW again next year. The theme is yet to be decided. However, I can tell you that registration will open earlier and end later. There will also be a larger cut off number. So those readers that missed the deadline this year will hopefully be able to register in time for next year’s event. The readers can expect to meet with the authors that attend, dress up and have a great time during our evening events, and just have a chance to meet the people that they’ve come to love on the forum. As always there will be a hot breakfast in the morning, book signing in the afternoons, meet and mingle time with all of the authors during the dinner and unique themed events of the evening. During the days and nights there will be raffles sold for certain causes. This year we sold raffles for author unique gift baskets that will help support the “Bay’s Mountain Wolf Preserves” and funding for the library at Star Elementary School in Rush, KY.

I am saving my pennies in hopes of being able to attend RAW next year. It sounds like so much fun and so many of the authors that I read attended this year. If you could ask readers a question, what would it be?

Well, I’m going to take this opportunity to ask a few questions actually. The most important questions I have:

• What is it about my novels that touch you, what keeps you wanting more and leaving you emotionally satisfied?
• What Breed book is your favorite, or which one are you most looking forward to? 
• Aside from Jonas’ story, which character’s story would you most want to read next? 
• If you had the chance to name a breed child, what would you name it?

I can’t wait to read the responses to these questions!

Finally, just for fun…if you could write the “fortune” in a fortune cookie what would it be?

“Caution! A Breed is in your future.”

A former Elite Ops captain with a dark past meets his match in a female ex-CIA agent who’s dead-set on revenge. And this time, the action—and the attraction—is more adrenaline-pumping than ever…

DARE TO DESIRE

John Vincent has always led a life of danger, and now he has every reason to want to remain as dead as the obituary in the Australian papers had proclaimed him to be. He’d left nothing behind in the life he had once led—except for one woman, and one night of unforgettable passion. Now, both will return to haunt him…

SEDUCE TO DESTROY

Bailey Serborne is still tormented by a past she can’t change and a man she hasn’t been able to forget. A man who was supposed to dead.. But now, a stroke of fate has revealed that sometimes, a woman is given a second chance to heal her heart—and exact the sweetest revenge…

Read an excerpt

Something passionate. Something mysterious. Something sexy.  And something totally inviting. It's the perfect gift for the holidays.

Four bestselling authors invite readers to spend the night with these never-before-published novellas spiced with sexy romance and paranormal passion. So come in out of the cold and experience the thrill of a soul-stirring new tale of the Breeds from Lora Leigh, a return to the beguiling world of the Mageverse from Angela Knight, and two more mesmerizing and unexpected stories of sensual surprises and seasonal spirits from Anya Bast and Allyson James.  Includes A Christmas Kiss by Lora Leigh

Read an excerpt

 

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My many thanks to Lora and her daughter who helped make this possible (you really do deserve a raise). If you haven't read any of the Elite Ops series then I highly recommend you start with Wild Card. It is my favorite, but really all of them are good reads, especially Heat Seeker. And don't miss out on the free novella Night Hawk! (the link will be to a form to sign up for the novella which will then be sent to you in a separate email).

You can find Lora at her website, or on MySpace. Please take a moment to answer Lora's questions to her readers. You never know, something you say may end up in a book! (and it's possible that if there are more than 50 comments I might be persuaded to giveaway my own *SIGNED* ARC of Heat Seeker). Have a great Wednesday!

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Share the Love: Songs for Sexy & Seductive Heroes

Welcome to Share the Love Wednesday!  I have a lot of love to share this week, but before we get to that I want to let you know that I have a special guest today.  Lora Leigh, one of my fav authors, is here for an interview, a bonus excerpt from Heat Seeker, some exciting news for fans of her books....there might even be a giveaway, and did I mention that there is a link for a free novella :)  Definitely make sure you check it out.

This week Seductive Musings has so many great authors (Shayla Black, Lora Leigh, Sarah McCarty and more) guesting that I am almost on love overload....almost :)  And the heroes....we're talking sexy alphas, and cowboys.  It doesn't get any better than that!  

Which brings me to my Share the Love pick for this week.  I listen to all types of music, but these two songs by Dierks Bentley and Billy Currington remain favorites.  I think they might have come out at the same time because whenever I listen to one, I immediately think of the other.  For me they go hand in hand.  If you don't like country music, or don't know the songs....give these a try.  They are love songs that stand the test of time (at least for me) and the videos are seductively sexy which reminds me alot of the heroes being featured this week.  Enjoy!

If you are so inclined you can click on either album to learn/listen or buy.  You can also help Dierks Bentley support the Children's Miracle Network and download his song "Beautiful World" for free.

*Learn more about how to participate in Share the Love meme each Wednesday

 

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Guest Author: Shayla Black featuring Seduce Me in Shadow & Giveaway

***This giveaway has ended. Thanks for entering***

Today I have a special treat for you all! Shayla Black's hero and heroine from her new paranormal romance novel in the Doomsday Brethren series, Seduce Me in Shadow, are here to help us celebrate the release of this new novel in an interview where they tell us how they met and fell in love.

I've had the pleasure of being introduced to Caden and Sydney by reading the first 3 chapters of Seduce Me in Shadow and it promises to be even better than Tempt Me with Darkness, the first book in this series. But before we get to the interview here's a little background to their story:

When a villainous wizard escapes from exile, the devastatingly sexy Doomsday Brethren must defend all magickind in the spellbinding second book in bestselling author Shayla Black’s seductive new paranormal series.

Ex-Marine Caden MacTavish has shunned his magical heritage all his life, but he will do anything to heal his desperately ill brother, a Doomsday Brethren warrior in mourning for his missing mate. Posing as a photographer, Caden must convince firecracker tabloid reporter Sydney Blair to reveal the source of her recent exposé on a supernatural power clash. Unfortunately, keeping his hands off the sizzling redhead proves as hard as getting them onto the potent and mystical Doomsday Diary he discovers at her bedside. A bloody rebellion led by an evil, power-hungry wizard is imminent. If Sydney divulges the book’s existence, she will jeopardize magickind’s most deeply guarded secrets and become the ruthless wizard’s number one target. Caden has never trusted magic’s cruel and dangerous powers, but he will protect Sydney with his life and magic—even if it means risking his heart.

Read the first chapter, and keep reading for a bonus excerpt later

Welcome to Seductive Musings Sydney and Caden. It is a pleasure to have two people so much in love as our guests. How did you two meet? Tell us your “When Harry Met Sally” story.

Caden: “I went to work at a paranormal tabloid newspaper as a staff photographer—”

Sydney: “Pretended to.”

Caden: Smiles. “Right. Pretended to. I really hired on at Out of This Realm to shut you up. As a human, she knew too much about magickind, and I’d been given an assignment to discover her source of information and put a stop to her revealing articles.”

Sydney: “You were partially successful.”

Caden: “Yes. I discovered your source of information, a bit too late for my needs. As for shutting you up…”

Sydney: “Good luck with that.” Grins.

Caden: “Oh, I’ve given up, love. On the bright side, that big mouth does have some delectable uses…”

You both worked at the same newspaper? I so love an office romance. What were your first impressions of each other? Was it love at first sight, kindred spirits, or opposites attract?

Sydney: “Gorgeous, and totally disinterested in me. He seemed to have a one track mind that revolved around my magical war story and who was feeding me details.”

Caden: “Little did you know how much I was pretending not to want you and how badly I did.” Smiles. “My first impression of Sydney? Besides being beautiful, she had the kind of moxie that makes my heart go boom. She’s total woman and never afraid to be herself. It’s one of the things I love about her.”

What was life like for each of you before you met?

Sydney: “Normal…if dull. Magickind is a whole new place. Scary at times. War is never good. But I learn more each day. It’s really fascinating.”

Caden: “My life was normal, as well. I liked it that way. But it wasn’t meant to be. I have a bigger destiny, and while I loved Texas, my home is England, so here I’ll stay.”

Describe each other with five words, and also tell us what you think is each other’s best attribute.

Caden: “Smart, sexy, stubborn and…slightly insane. My mate’s best attribute—and sometimes her worst—is her gumption. She’s a never-say-die kind of girl.”

Sydney: “Talk about stubborn…” Raises brow. “Caden is also loyal, brave, loving and a surprisingly good listener.”

During my research about the two of you I heard rumors about a magical book that Sydney got for a birthday gift…you know the one that grants sexual fantasies. Where can I buy one *grins* because it obviously worked for you Sydney. Tell us more about it.

Caden: “Oh, no. No more of the Doomsday Diary in human hands. Sydney’s antics were more than enough. The book was originally created by King Arthur’s half-sister, Morganna le Fay, and she used it ruthlessly to punish people who, in her mind, crossed her, like poor Marrok. After Bram’s botch up that allowed Sydney to get her hands on it, we’ve got much better safeguards on it now.”

Sydney: “But between you and me, it was loads of fun.” Winks.

What is the greatest obstacle you’ve had to overcome as a couple, and what do you think was the defining moment in your relationship?

Caden: “The greatest obstacle? We had so many… You want a list?”

Sydney: Giggles. “It could be when you realized I had the Doomsday Diary. Because at that point, I had no idea what it was or what it did.”

Caden: “Could be that I was ordered to steal it from you, which proved impossible. Dodgy thing…”

Sydney: “I didn’t enjoy, um…meeting Mathias. That’s one evil git! Then there was your transition.”

Caden: Winces. “From human to wizard, yes. Terrible time.”

Sydney: “The resulting parlor tricks have been…interesting.” Grins.

Caden: “Indeed. But I think our defining moment was when we officially formed our mate bond.”

Sydney: “True. Leave it to you to pick such a romantic location.” Rolls eyes.

Caden: “I know, I know… That didn’t stop you from Binding to me.”

Sydney: “Nothing would have stopped me from Binding to you.” Kisses him softly.

When did you each realize you were in love?

Sydney: “When Caden realized that I was his true love and that being with me would tie us both to magickind, he resisted.”

Caden: “That’s true. Though I was born to magic, it always felt alien to me. Sydney helped me accept who I really am: a red-blooded man and a full-fledged wizard.”

Sydney: “I suspected that I loved him after our first night together. That diary really works!” Winks. “But I knew it for sure once I stepped into magickind. I saw you and us belonging there. Just took you a while…”

Do you have a song…you know one that identifies you as a couple?

Sydney: “The Fray’s You Found Me because we found each other.”

I love that song! Thank you so much Sydney and Caden for telling us a little bit about your story. If your like me your dying to know more about their rocky road to romance and Shayla was kind enough to provide a bonus excerpt, yeah!

Bonus Excerpt:

“Who is it?”

“Caden. Open the door, Sydney. Now.”

His voice quickly washed away her surprise. A bit angry. Insistent. And dripping sex. She shivered.

Her jittery fingers closed around the lock and unlatched it, then fumbled to grab the knob. Before she could turn it, the door flew open.

Caden filled the doorway, breathing hard, his entire body tense. Those blue eyes lit on her mouth like a laser. Hot. Sydney tingled.

Clearing her throat, she struggled to find her voice. “Why—”

He kicked the door closed. The crash boomed in her little foyer, resounding in her ears, echoing her racing heart as he reached behind his head, gathered his baggy white shirt in his fist, and yanked it off. Tossing it to the floor, he stood silently. Watching. Primed. His muscled chest and shoulders rose and fell with each hard breath. His abdomen rippled. Veins and tendons stood out across his forearms and hands.

Her mouth was agape, and she couldn’t stop staring. Oh my Lord, she’d known he was gorgeous, suspected he was well put together. But this male animal was far more than she bargained for. Dangerous. Pushed to the edge.

Sydney swallowed.

“You know why I’ve come.”

If she hadn’t guessed by now, his sexual growl told her everything.

Had he reconsidered her proposition? Or was it even possible the magical book had persuaded him?

“What about a fling being unfair to me because you’re returning to Dallas?”

Those burning eyes of his lit a path of fire from her face to her breasts, then…between her legs. She felt his stare like a physical caress, as if he’d reached out and rubbed his fingers over her flesh. Sydney steadied herself on the table beside her. Her robe, once slung over her arm, floated to the floor.

“I…can’t stay away. God knows I tried. Do you want me?”

She shouldn’t. This was mad. Dangerous. “Yes.”

His gaze skated over her lingerie once more. “Take it off. All of it.”

“Here?” Her voice squeaked, and she cursed herself. She was never meek, never backed down, and rarely showed vulnerability. She also didn’t sleep with men she’d never dated. But Caden… apparently, she had a whole new set of rules for him.

He lifted a brow, stepped closer, and reached for her. Sydney got the distinct impression that if she didn’t get her silky things off fast enough, he’d dispense with them quickly—and without a lot of care, just like the fantasy she’d written in the magical diary. Her womb clenched at the thought.

It took her two tries, but she plucked at the tie between her breasts and loosened the soft corset. Breathing ragged, she shimmied it over her hips, exposing her breasts to the cool night air and his rapt gaze.

He zeroed in on the hard tips. His possessive stare made her ache.

“The rest,” he growled, eyeing the nearly transparent thong with malice.

A thrill zipped up her spine…

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Happy Release Day, and a big thanks to Shayla Black for helping me put a special interview together to feature Seduce Me In Shadow for my Seductive Musings readers. Find out more about Shayla Black's titles and upcoming releases on any one of her three websites: Shayla Black, Shelley Bradley, and Doomsday Brethern.

I wanted to do something a little bit different this time since Shayla was here not too long ago during "Submit to Your Desires" week (if you missed it you can find it here), and even though she was short on time she wrote the interview responses especially for us.

Being the generous person that she is, today everyone is a winner! Yep, you read me right. Shayla wrote a Doomsday Brethren novella titled "Fated" to celebrate her upcoming release of Seduce Me in Shadow and you all can download it for FREE! Woo hoo! In addition, one lucky commenter will win Tempt Me With Darkness (Doomsday Brethren book #1) as well as a tote! Woo hoo again! ( I know...enough already with the exclamation points, but I just can't help myself!).

How to enter the Tempt Me With Darkness & tote giveaway:

To enter you must do two things. First leave a meaningful question/comment to Shayla or about Seduce Me in Shadow in your comment, and second you MUST answer one of these four questions in the form embedded in the post below. Please do not include your answers to the question(s) in your comment. The answers to all of the questions can be found in Chapter 1 of Seduce Me in Shadow. Here are the questions:

Rules and disclaimers:

• This contest is open to US residents only
• In order to qualify you must leave a meaningful comment, and successfully answer one of the four questions listed above 
• The contest will end Saturday October 3rd at 11:59 pm EST 
• Winner will be selected using Random.org from all of the eligible entries with a comment and correct answer 
• The winner will have THREE days from the date their name has been posted as the winner to provide the requested information. If you do not email me within three days a replacement winner will be selected. NO EXCEPTIONS 
• The book(s) will be mailed directly from the publisher or author and no substitutions are allowed 
• Seductive Musings is not responsible for prizes that are not honored, distributed in a timely manner, lost, stolen, or damaged during transit 
• ll giveaways are subject to change/cancellation without prior written notice

Good Luck!!!

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Teaser Tuesday: Seduce Me in Shadow & To Wed a Wicked Earl

"Sydney looked at him from beneath the veil of her ginger-shaded lashes.  Cunning shone in those brown eyes.  And desire.  the seductive sight was a blow to his gut.  Bloody hell, that was the kind of look that made him ache to give her everything she desired."    p. 19 Seduce Me in Shadow (Doomsday Brethren series #2) by Shayla Black

*Shayla Black is my special guest today featuring Seduce Me in Shadow, and she will be giving away Tempt Me with Darkness (book #1 in the Doomsday Brethren series) and a tote to one lucky commenter!

"While she batted her lashes at Tristan for six years, never sparing Rothbury a single glance, he chased other women so that hopefully, one day, one of them could chase away his regard for her. Make him forget her, forget that she was in love with his best friend." p. 50 To Wed A Wicked Earl by Olivia Parker

 

If you are so inclined you can click on either cover to learn more about these books and/or purchase them.

*Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read. Open to a random page. Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

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Monday's Muse

Sorry, but the image containing the Monday's Muse has been removed from this blog so as not to violate any copyright issues.  Thanks for your understanding!

Happy Monday everyone!  I know, I know....just grab your cuppa of whatever gets you going, take a sip and take a nice long look at Monday's Muse.  Now don't you feel just a little bit better :)  I know I do! 

For some reason whenever I look at our muse today I think bad boy AND good boy.  I don't know what it is about him....the smirk, the gleam in his eyes, the tattoos, the body... but to me I think he is both a seducer and a hero and that thought makes me smile *big grin*.  He also brings to mind Caden, a hero we will be featuring from Shayla Blacks new paranormal romance, Seduce Me in Shadow.  Monday's Muse can feel free to seduce me in shadow or daylight...I won't mind either way :)

Here's what happening at Seductive Musings this week:

• Monday:  Muse day
  

• Tuesday:  Shayla Black and her hero and heroine will be  my guests for an interview and a giveaway, and let's not forget Teaser Tuesday

• Wednesday: Lora Leigh will be my guest to talk about Heat Seeker, her new anthology Hot for the Holidays and other goodness, and I also have a new Share the Love pick for you....do you have yours?  Find out how to participate in the Share the Love meme.  

• Thursday: Skylar Kade and her fellow authors will be here to feature their new anthology of BDSM erotic romances.  

• Friday:  Sarah McCarty will be my guest with an interview and a giveaway of Tucker's Claim. I've been waiting a long time for Tucker :)
  

Somewhere in there I hope to post at least two reviews...I hope. Anyways have a great Monday, and hope you join me this week.

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Winners of the Lucan by Susan Kearney giveaway & Kreative Blogger Award nominations

It's Sunday, yeah!  Where I live you can feel fall in the air.  Today it was sunny, the air is crisp, and the very tops of some of the trees are beginning to change color.  It's a beautiful day.  Fall is my absolute favorite season.

Today I have the winners from the Lucan by Susan Kearney giveaway and another blog award to re-gift :)

The Lucan giveaway winners are:

1. CherylS22 * Cheryl was already a lucky winner so the alternate winner is Jane!

2. booklover0226

3. chey

4. Wanda

5. Book Junkie

Congrats to all of the winners, and thank you for everyone who entered!  Please email me using the link in the sidebar no later than Wednesday 9/30 with your snail mail info, otherwise alternate winners will be selected. 

Finally I have an award to re-gift:

The rule for ths award is that if you accept it, you are supposed to list seven of your favorite things and nominate seven blogs that deserve this award.

These are a few of my favorite things:

1. My family!  I may be short on money, but I'm rich in love :)
   
2. Fall, as I stated above it is my favorite season
3. Chocolate, I think this one is self explanatory, and is the one food I don't think I could give up...ever
   
4. Romance books, another obvious one hence this blog.  Short ones, longs ones, new ones and old ones.  Tales of love are my passion.
   
5. Sunday...I love Sunday mornings.  I sleep in and then watch CBS Sunday Morning.  It's one of my must see TV shows every week.  It has music, art, books, biographies, news and nature, and human interest stories.  Usually uplifting and creative. I love this show, but I also love Sunday's because it is the day I choose Monday's Muse.  Sunday is my day to relax and recharge and is my favorite day of the week.
6. My Sony E-Reader.  I bought one earlier this year on Ebay and have loved it.  Completely opened up a whole new world of ebooks.  Before I got this little beauty I hardly ever read ebooks, because I would have to read it on the computer and I hated reading them on the computer.  There are some fabulous authors that are only published digitally so my e-reader is definitely one of my favorite things.
7. My three favorite movies are the Pride and Prejudice miniseries, and You've Got Mail, and the Bridget Jones' Diary movies.  These are my comfort movies and will watch them whenever I find them on TV.  Like books, I don't have very many movies that I will watch more than once, but these....I never get tired of them.  And somehow I don't think it's a coincidence that all of them are based (even if somewhat loosely) off of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice.
   

Since the award is the Kreative Blogger award I have chosen seven author blogs to nominate.  They are creative writers and blogs that I visit often, so who better to deserve the Kreative Blogger award, than these seven authors :) (my apologies to anyone who has already received it).  My nominees are (in no particular order):

Courtney Milan
Jackie Barbosa
Jill Shalvis
Leah Braemel
Donna Grant
Emily Bryan
Where Dreams Become Reality (Vivan Arend)

Hope you enjoy what remains of your weekend!

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Hidden Gem: At the Bride Hunt Ball by Olivia Parker

My Hidden Gem of Romance this month was another accidental library find.  Matter of fact I believe it was the same trip that I discovered Anne Gracie.  Obviously I was in the romance section, and at the time I was reading only historical romances, mainly set in the Regency period.  What can I say I love Regency romances just about as much as I love Highland romances :)   Anyways, I guess I was feeling adventurous because I picked up two new to me authors, Anne Gracie's because of the title, and Olivia Parker's....well I can't really tell you why I decided to pick it up.  The cover is certainly not anything to write home about (I actually really detest it), the back blurb is like so many others, and the title...meh.  Nothing it would seem to make it stand out.  Maybe it was "divine intervention", I don't know.  One thing I do know is that I would have missed out on one of my absolute favorite Regency romances if I wouldn't have taken it home.  That's saying a lot I know considering some of the great authors out there.  I thought At the Bride Hunt Ball was so refreshing and reminded me of the earlier Julia Quinn novels that I also love. 

Olivia Parker's debut novel At the Bride Hunt Ball is a light-hearted and sexy historical romance filled with lots of witty dialogue between her hero and her heroine, Gabriel and Madelyn. I found myself laughing several times, especially in a scene where Madelyn's inherent clumsiness results in a comedic moment due to a bee and a lily pond.  I think you can imagine what happens next :) But then, I found myself enraptured in a sexy archery lesson, in addition to a very  poignant scene in which Gabriel and Madelyn share a private waltz. 

I love Olivia's style of writing because not only does she write endearing H/h characters, and dialogue, but she also adds fabulous secondary characters like Charlotte, Tristan, Rosalind and Rothbury.  These characters add so much to the story that I can only hope that they will all receive their own stories in due time.  I am currently reading Olivia's second book To Wed a Wicked Earl (Charlotte and Rothbury's story) and while I am not very far into the book, I am loving it just as much as I thought I would. 

At the Bride Hunt Ball is a fun and witty Regency romp that is, at times, very reminiscent of an early Julia Quinn novel.  Which is why I think it is amusing that Julia gave this quote for the cover of To Wed A Wicked Earl:  

"Utterly charming!"  Julia Quinn.  

Another quote that I think reveals a lot about Olivia Parker and the kind of books she strives to write is the one she has on her website on her "about" page:

"I dearly love a laugh....follies and nonsense, whims and inconsistencies do divert me, I own, and I laugh at them whenever I can."  Miss Elizabeth Bennet in Pride and Prejudice.

Ok so now you have an "if you like Julia Quinn I think you'll really like Olivia Parker", a quote from Julia herself stating how "charming" Olivia's books are, and you have an author who quotes Elizabeth Bennet. I ask you what more of an endorsement do you need? My answer: None, read it. I just adore her books, and if you haven't read At the Bride Hunt Ball then I would urge you to do so. I don't think you'll be disappointed, and while your at it go ahead and pick up To Wed a Wicked Earl.  I promise that you are going to love the secondary characters enough that you will want to read their stories too :)

To Snare a Bride...

To Gabriel Devine, Duke of Wolverest, the bonds of marriage are nothing more than shackles. He has shocked the ton with his declaration that he will not be taking a bride.  But if he's to remain a lifelong bachelor, that leaves only his younger brother to carry on the family name. Inviting the ton's seven most eligible ladies to an elegant ball and ensconcing them in his ancestral castle where one would be picked for the esteemed position at the end of a fortnight, Gabriel is certain any one of them would be all too eager to become the next duchess and provide an heir -- leaving Gabriel to continue his ecstatic pursuit of pleasure.  But trouble comes in the form of Miss Madelyn Haywood--the only woman in England who doesn't want to be included in this scandalous bride-to-be elimination.

To Catch a Rogue...

Her social-climbing stepmother would give anything to have Madelyn Haywood betrothed to a future duke. But Madelyn believes the brothers Devine to be nothing more than heartless rogues -- especially Gabriel, whose rakish reputation precedes him. He is nothing more than a slave to passion, and she will not be conquered by his caresses­ -- and yet his wicked ways tempt her so...

Read an excerpt

If you are so inclined you can click on the photos above to purchase these books.  And you can learn more about Olivia Parker on her website. 

*Want to participate in the Hidden Gems meme? Find out more here.

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