Guest Author and Giveaway: Beth Kery featuring Release

***This giveaway has ended, but you should still read the post...it's worth your time:)

Thanks for joining the fun!***

My guest today is Beth Kery!  She was one of my favorite author finds of 2009, better know to me as "the year of new authors" :) 

The thing I love the most about her writing is that she is consistently good....not to mean that her books are all alike, because that is far from the case.  I have enjoyed each and every one of her books that I have read, and I can't say that about all of the authors that I've read...unfortunately.  I don't think I will have to worry about that happening with Beth's newest book, RELEASE.  I've been anxiously awaiting it's release for quite a while now, and am very excited that the day has finally come!

Welcome to Seductive Musings Beth! I am so glad to have you as my guest today.  You were one of my favorite new author finds in 2009 even though you’ve been published since 2007...where was I for two years? But I guess it only matters that I eventually found your books :) 

Thank you. And I’m very glad to be here.

For you, what makes a romance novel a great love story?

It’s a great romance novel when you hurt a little when the characters in love aren’t together…and you can’t stop reading until they unite for good.

That’s a perfect way to describe a great love story.  What aspects of being a writer do you enjoy the most, and the least?

I enjoy finishing a book the most. That has never changed for me. It’s so angsty, every damn day that I’m not done. It really is like a long, prolonged labor :)  I get euphoric when I finish. Truly happy.

Hardest part? Worrying about whether or not readers will like your book.

Well, I don’t think you should worry too much, because I KNOW that I am not alone when I say we’ve loved each and every one of them that we have read.  

You have a new novel out today titled RELEASE. Congratulations!   Can you give us some insight what the book is about?

Thanks!

RELEASE is an intensely erotic romance between two people who are madly in love but have been ripped apart by violence. Sean and Genny fell in love practically at first sight, but she was married to another man at the time—a clever, manipulative man…the consummate spy. When Genny’s husband, Max, is murdered following the night Max offers to share Genny with Sean in bed, Genny and Sean are both terrified the other committed the crime. They would do anything to prevent the other from being sent to prison. The two are split apart, and the story itself is about their reunion years later. Sean and Genny have to fight against a rising threat, a dead man’s manipulations and their own insecurities in order to win their happily ever after. RELEASE is a suspense, and it’s very erotic, as well. But it’s first and foremost a passionate love story.

That description gives me tingles... I so can’t wait to get my hands on this book (cursing Amazon a little right now).  Many readers are becoming much more discerning in their reading choices, so grabbing their attention right away is more important than ever.  Can you share the first few sentences from RELEASE, and/or Can you give us a two sentence teaser that you think would intrigue readers the most?

First few sentences of RELEASE:

Genevieve ripped open the sealed envelope and withdrew the slip of paper. The security code to enter Sauren-Kennedy Solutions Inc. had been written in a bold, slanting hand. She recognized Sean’s writing. She clenched her eyelids.
Slowly, the pain faded.

Teaser:

It’d all been innocent . . . on the surface anyway.

Until that New Year’s Eve three years ago, when Max had suggested the three of them indulge in a night of pleasure.

Until five nights later, when Sean had murdered him.

I LOVE that teaser!  I really can’t wait to read the rest.  Speaking of love...what characteristics, traits, or actions do you think will make readers fall in love with your hero Sean?

Sean’s pretty easy to fall in love with, at least I think. He grew up really poor, friendless and fatherless, and made a career for himself through his reckless bravery in the Army, and later in Army intelligence. He doesn’t think he deserves much, as he’s never completely lost that identity as the “lost” boy. He doesn’t think he really deserves Genny, but the stubborn streak in his nature fights for her anyway. She’s the one beautiful thing in his life, and although he never admits it per se, I think deep down he believes that Genny would make his life worthwhile…that he must be blessed if she’s with him. So, sure, Sean looks amazing in jeans, and even better out of them, and he’s got a sexy N’ Awlin’s drawl and this slow smile…but the thing that I find so appealing about him is how crazy he is for Genny.

The undeserving hero….one of my favs.  I think I could easily fall for him.

What's your favorite scene or moment from RELEASE, and why? Can you describe it for us, or give us a brief excerpt from it without giving too much away?

I think one of my favorite scenes in the book is the one that I chose for you …when Sean comes to claim Genny. It’s my favorite scene because it highlights both of their characters very well, in addition to being tender and sexy as hell. :)

OK, normally I include any bonus excerpts when I feature the book a little bit later in the post, but after that tantalizing description I’m sure you all are just as anxious to read it as I am, so here it is….

Tantalizing Bonus Excerpt

What are some of your upcoming releases we can look forward to...any new exciting projects in the works?

I’m very enthusiastic about my upcoming Samhain novel Velvet Cataclysm. (May 4) It’s my first vampire book, although it’s a ‘vampire with a twist.’ It’s the first in a series I’m doing for Samhain called Princes of the Underground.  The other novel I have coming out this year is called Explosive, from Berkley Heat. Explosive is another erotic contemporary with some psychological suspense elements.

That should keep us happy for awhile :)  How can readers connect with you?

They may write me at: bethkery@aol.com

Website: www.bethkery.com

Yahoo Group: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/TotalExposure/

Twitter: http://twitter.com/bethkery

If you could ask readers a question, what would it be?

I would probably ask them if there is any genre or topic they’d like to see me write more of, and why.

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

You will enjoy a hugely successful writing career and keep readers entertained (and falling in love) for many years to come.

I'm all for that!

His need for her was so absolute, he agreed to share her with another man in order to possess her.

Genny loved her husband Max, but something was missing—a sexual charge that was instead ignited by his business partner, Sean. He was ruggedly handsome, with a heart-stopping smile and a slow, sexy New Orleans drawl that made Genny weak. The more time they spent together, the stronger the attraction between them became and when her husband offered to share her with Sean for one intoxicating night, both Genny and Sean were too tempted to refuse.

That night in the company penthouse, Max and Sean showed Genny the heights of ecstasy. But it was Sean who scored her very spirit, and one-on-one, they were red hot. But as Genny learns, there’s a price to pay for such impulsive pleasure. What began as a night of forbidden desire spirals into a whirlpool of murder, sensual submission, secrets, and a scorching passion that threatens to consume everyone it touches.

Read an excerpt

(amazon widget)

Congratulations Beth! RELEASE looks to be an amazing love story, so thank you for being here today to share it with us.

Beth is celebrating the release of RELEASE by giving away your choice of either WICKED BURN, DARING TIME, SWEET RESTRAINT, or PARADISE RULES in print, or the winner can also choose to receive an electronic download of Beth's latest story from Samhain publishers, HOLIDAY BOUND.  Personally, I would have a hard time choosing, which is why I am so glad that I don't have to.  But, if you would like the dilemma of choosing  one of these titles...here's how you can enter to win...

Ways to earn entries:

• Mandatory: Answer the question Beth posed to readers in the post (good for 1 entry) 
• Mandatory:  You MUST be a Google Friend Connect (GFC) follower in order to be eligible to win (unfortunately an email subscriber, or subscription in Google reader, and a follower are not the same thing so make sure you are signed up as a follower if you'd like to win this book)
• Blog about this author's giveaway on your blog and leave a link with your comment (good for 15 entries)
• If you don't have a blog, don't worry you can earn extra entries by telling your friends. If they leave a comment on this post and mention that you sent them you can each earn extra entries (good for 5 entries for the referrer and the commenter for each friend) 
• Purchase any item from the Seductive Musings Amazon store by using this link, or the Amazon widget contained within this post and email a copy of your purchase receipt to me no later than the deadline to enter (email available in sidebar). Sorry purchases made prior to this date do not apply, and link contained in this post must be used. No faxes or snail mail copies are allowed. No purchases are necessary to win. (good for 25 entries, or 50 entries if a purchase is made from the featured author's available titles)

How to enter:

• You can choose to enter as many different ways that you want, but please place all of your entries in ONE comment
  

Rules and disclaimers: 

• This contest is open to anyone
• Must be at least 18 yrs old, or of legal age in your country to be eligible to win due to mature content
  
• The contest will end on February 6th at 11:59 pm EST and winner will be posted after they have been selected
  
• Winner will be selected using Random.org
• The winner will have THREE days from the date they are posted to provide a mailing address. If you do not contact 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 
• All giveaways are subject to change/cancellation without prior written notice 

Good Luck!

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