Recipe For Love

Book Giveaway: Enclave

2012-01-26T11:09:00.000-05:00

Is there a kid in your life who doesn't like to read? Check out this handy Top Ten list from the Young Adult Library Services Assoc of quick picks for reluctant readers. And look who's #1 on the list! My friend, and truly fabulous author, Ann Aguirre, with the first book in her dark, addictive, post-apocalyptic YA series, Enclave.

In honor of her inclusion on this very cool list, I'm giving away a signed copy of Enclave today! So if you've got a reluctant OR an eager reader of YA books in your life (or if you are one, yourself) this is definitely the giveaway for you. And in case you need more convincing about how awesome Enclave is, check out the extremely cool book trailer:

THE RULES

So here's what's going to happen. Pay attention, this is how you win!

1. Answer the question posted on my Facebook wall. Just put your comment right under my post on my fan page here. OR if you don't have an FB account, answer the question on this blog, in the comments below.

2. If you haven't already, you can feel free to "Like" my Facebook Fan Page, but it's not a requirement to enter the contest! I'd also love it if you followed me on Twitter @LouisaEdwards. Because then we can chat!

3. Check back tomorrow morning on my Facebook Fan Page to see if you’ve won–I’ll post the winner’s name here on the blog, too, so make sure to come back and look for it. You’ve got one week to claim your prize, or I’ll have to give it to someone else. So be sure to check back!

4. This contest is open to international residents, but the prize for an int'l winner will be an unsigned copy of the book.

Book Giveaway: Devil's Kiss

2012-01-11T11:24:00.000-05:00

It's Wednesday, and I feel like giving something away. And have I ever got a treat for y'all! Two, count them, TWO, signed copies of Zoe Archer's Devil's Kiss--the very first book in her brand new, scorching hot, fast-paced historical romantic adventure Hell Raisers series.

The Hell Raisers are the ultimate bad boys: a group of 18th century rakes who will stop at nothing in the pursuit of pleasure--even if it costs them their souls! In the first book, which got the coveted Top Pick rating from RT Book Reviews, we meet...

A HANDSOME DEVIL

1762. James Sherbourne, Earl of Whitney, is a gambling man. Not for the money. But for the thrill, the danger—and the company: Whit has become one of the infamous Hellraisers, losing himself in the chase for adventure and pleasure with his four closest friends.

Which is how Whit finds himself in a gypsy encampment, betting against a lovely Romani girl. Zora Grey’s smoky voice and sharp tongue entrance Whit nearly as much as her clever hands—watching them handle cards inspires thoughts of another kind...

Zora can’t explain her attraction to the careless blue-eyed Whit. She also can’t stop him and his Hellraisers from a fiendish curse: the power to grant their own hearts’ desires, to chase their pleasures from the merely debauched to the truly diabolical. And if Zora can’t save Whit, she still has to escape him…

In addition to the fabulous signed copies of the book, I've also got two sets of Zoe's gorgeous Hell Raisers romance trading cards to give away! Keep reading to find out how to enter:

THE RULES

So here's what's going to happen. Pay attention, this is how you win!

4. This contest is open to international residents, but the prize for an int'l winner will be an unsigned copy of the book.

Book Giveaway: Model Marine

2011-12-21T11:17:00.000-05:00

I could hardly drag myself out of my warm bed this morning. It's actually *cold* here in Austin! Like winter, almost! DO NOT LIKE. So to get myself revved up, I'm offering a sizzling hot read for our giveaway today: Model Marine by the fabulous Candace Havens!

Just take one look at that cover, and you will NEED to get your hands on it. Yum! And what's inside is just as sexy and delightful:

Subject: Captain Will Hughes, US Marine Corps
Current Status: On assignment in NYC-suddenly recruited to shed the uniform!
Mission: Serve as model, muse and man-toy without running afoul of the General.
Obstacle: Hannah Harrington, fashion world It Girl.

Hannah narrowly escaped Fashion Week disaster by hijacking gorgeous Will for her runway show: after all, rock-hard abs are the ultimate accessory. His good deed nearly lands him in the brig, but he'll risk anything to get back into her bed....

Hannah can't figure out how this model Marine got under her skin-they're complete opposites! But sexy Will not only ignites her senses, he fuels her creativity: an irresistible combination, even if it can't last. Can two steamy weeks together satisfy their lust...or will they have to extend this mission?

If you've never read Candy's books before, or if you've never tried a Harlequin Blaze, this is the one to start with! Come and get it.

THE RULES

So here's what's going to happen. Pay attention, this is how you win!

4. This contest is open to international residents, but the prize for an int'l winner will be an unsigned copy of the book.

Book Giveaway: The Secret History of the Pink Carnation

2011-12-20T08:43:00.000-05:00

Changing gears a little for today's giveaway! I've got award-winning author Lauren Willig's first book in her popular swashbuckling romantic mystery series. The Secret History of the Pink Carnation was called "a deftly hilarious, sexy novel" by Eloisa James; Meg Cabot pronounced it "pure fun!" You definitely don't want to miss the book that started it all.

Nothing ever goes right for Eloise. The day she wears her new suede boots, it rains. When the subway stops short, she's the one thrown into some stranger's lap. And she's had her share of misfortune in the way of love. So, after deciding that romantic heroes must be a thing of the past, Eloise is ready for a fresh start.

Setting off for England, Eloise is determined to finish her dissertation on two spies, the Scarlet Pimpernel and the Purple Gentian. But what she discovers is something historians have missed: the secret history of the Pink Carnation-the most elusive spy of all time. As she works to unmask this obscure spy, Eloise has more and more questions. Like, how did the Pink Carnation save England from Napoleon? What became of the Scarlet Pimpernel and the Purple Gentian? And will Eloise Kelly escape her bad luck and find a living, breathing hero of her own?

I've got a signed copy right here, and this book would make the perfect holiday read!

THE RULES

So here's what's going to happen. Pay attention, this is how you win!

4. This contest is open to international residents, but the prize for an int'l winner will be an unsigned copy of the book.

Book Giveaway: Intertwined

2011-12-19T10:06:00.000-05:00

It's going to be another fabulous week of free books here on my blog and Facebook page, so let's get it started off right! Today, I have the fantastic, amazing, gorgeous Gena Showalter's Intertwined. It's the first book in her hugely popular young adult paranormal series, and if you haven't read her, this is a great book to start with. She's a #1 New York Times bestselling author for a reason, y'all!

Most sixteen-year-olds have friends. Aden Stone has four human souls living inside him:

One can time-travel.

One can raise the dead.

One can tell the future.

And one can possess another human.

Everyone thinks he's crazy, which is why he's spent his entire life shuffled between mental institutions and juvie. All of that is about to change, however. For months Aden has been having visions of a beautiful girl - a girl who carries centuries old secrets. A girl who will either save him or destroy him.

Together they'll enter a dark world of intrigue and danger . . . but not everyone will come out alive.

I know, right?! You want it. Here's the deal:

THE RULES

So here's what's going to happen. Pay attention, this is how you win!

4. This contest is open to international residents, but the prize for an int'l winner will be an unsigned copy of the book.

Book Giveaway: Threading the Needle

2011-12-13T12:20:00.000-05:00

Today I'm feeling extra generous, so I'm giving away a signed copy of the lovely Marie Bostwick's absolutely GORGEOUS new book, Threading the Needle. It's a big, beautiful trade paperback with fancy edges to the pages, French flaps (sounds naughty, right?) and a stunning cover. What's inside isn't too shabby either! The book tells the heartwarming story of a woman who loses everything--only to discover a brand new sisterhood and a wonderful new life thanks to her long lost childhood best friend.

To read an except, click here!

Here's the blurb:

The economic downturn has hit New Bern, Connecticut, and Tessa Woodruff's herbal apothecary shop, For the Love of Lavender, is suffering. So is her once-happy thirty-four-year marriage to Lee. They'd given up everything to come back to New Bern from Boston and start their business, but now they're wondering if they made the right decision. To relieve the strain, Tessa signs up for a quilting class at the Cobbled Court Quilt Shop, and to her surprise, rediscovers the power of sisterhood - along with the childhood friend she thought she'd lost forever...Madelyn Beecher left New Bern twenty years ago and never looked back. But when her husband is convicted of running a Ponzi scheme and she's left with nothing but her late grandmother's cottage, she is forced to return to the town she fled. Unfortunately, the cottage is in terrible shape. Madelyn's only hope is to transform it into an inn. But to succeed, she'll need the help of her fellow quilters, including the one friend she never thought she'd see again - or forgive. Now Madelyn and Tessa will have to relive old memories, forge new ones, and realize it's possible to start over, one stitch at a time - as long as you're surrounded by friends...

I know you all want to win this one! What could be better than friendship, forgiveness, and a little quilting? So check out the rules below:

THE RULES

So here's what's going to happen. Pay attention, this is how you win!

4. This contest is open to international residents, but the prize for an int'l winner will be an unsigned copy of the book.

Book Giveaway: All Fall Down

2011-12-12T10:16:00.000-05:00

Time for another giveaway! This time I've got Megan Hart's taut, emotional look at what it's like to live in a cult. Fascinating, no?

Here's the blurb:

In the midst of a chaotic midnight assembly, Sunshine is forced out into the darkness. Holding a scrap of paper scrawled with a stranger’s name and address, Sunny grasps the hands of her three small children and begins her escape.

Liesel Albright has dreamed of starting a family. She never bargained on inheriting one already in progress…or one so deeply damaged. When nineteen-year-old Sunshine appears on the Albright’s doorstep claiming Liesel’s husband Chris is her father, all they can think to offer is temporary shelter. The next day, they’re stunned by the news that the Family of Superior Bliss, led by a charismatic zealot, has committed mass suicide. Sunny and her children haven’t just left the compound–they’ve been left behind.

Now, instead of a baby of her own, Liesel must play mother to the four survivors while Chris retreats into guilt and denial. For Sunny, however, a lifetime of teachings is not easily unlearned. No matter how hard she tries to forget, an ominous catechism echoes in her mind, urging her to finish what the Family started.

If you want to read an excerpt, go here. To put your name in the hat for the drawing, check out the rules below!

THE RULES

So here's what's going to happen. Pay attention, this is how you win!

4. This contest is open to international residents, but the prize for an int'l winner will be an unsigned copy of the book.

Book Giveaway: If You Give a Girl a Viscount

2011-12-08T16:26:00.000-05:00

This is my week to get into the spirit of the season--we're buying the tree, baking goodies, and hosting a couple of holiday parties in the next couple of weeks. With all that going on, I need a jump start! And what better way to get into the spirit than to give out gifts?

Today I'm offering up a copy of the hilarious, adorable Regency romp If You Give a Girl a Viscount, signed by author Kieran Kramer!

This is the fourth in her Impossible Bachelors series, and it might just be my favorite of all. To read an excerpt and watch a super cute book trailer, click here!

Here's what the book's all about:

All the single ladies want him.
If life were a fairy tale, Daisy Montgomery’s stepmother and two stepsisters would surely be cast in the wicked roles. For years, they’ve made life miserable for Daisy. But when she discovers she has a godmother, she’s determined to ask her for help. Little did Daisy expect her godmother to play matchmaker with her very own grandson—who happens to be a viscount!

Is he ready to put a ring on it?
A freewheeling playboy, Charles Thorpe, Viscount Lumley, is bored with his wealth-seeking female admirers. Not only that, he’s been cut off from the family coffers. One day, on a bet, he rids himself of what little money he has left in his pockets and vows to solve problems using his wits alone. But when the Impossible Bachelor is confronted with Daisy’s plan to save her castle, the payoff is more than he could have bargained for. Sometimes, if you give a girl a viscount, you just might find love….

THE RULES

So here's what's going to happen. Pay attention, this is how you win!

4. This contest is open to international residents, but the prize for an int'l winner will be an unsigned copy of the book.

Making the Rounds

2011-12-05T10:14:00.000-05:00

There's a lovely review of Some Like it Hot up at Heart to Heart, the fabulous romance blog at Barnes & Noble's website! Among other nice things, the reviewer calls the book "a unique, witty, and romantic read" and she gives it the thumbs up for detail on the realty television side, from her own background as a producer! Very cool. Read the review here.

And I also wanted to mention that I'm leading a class through RWA University this week called Everything I Need to Know About Being an Author, I Learned as an Editor. The title kind of speaks for itself, but here's the blurb:

In this five-day course, multi-published contemporary romance author Louisa Edwards will share the lessons she learned when she made the transition from junior editor at Berkley Publishing Group to full-time writer. Discussions will address market trends, finding your voice, craft tips, the query/submission process, an insider’s look at what happens to your manuscript after you submit it, and a final Q&A.

The class will be discussions led by me followed up with questions from the people subscribed to the course--and I promise to answer as truthfully as possible! It's completely free to all RWA members, easily accessible through the myRWA portal on the main RWA site. Should be a fun week! I hope to see some of you there...

Snippet Saturday: Family

2011-12-03T04:33:00.031-05:00

So I'm hopping into a group of authors who post free, short snippets from their of my books on Saturdays, all of us snippeting on a common theme. This Saturday's theme is "family"--so of course I have to highlight the Lundens!

Some Like it Hot by Louisa Edwards
Copyright December 2011, Louisa Edwards
All Rights Reserved, St. Martin's Press

Danny had to push hard to get his dish finished, but once he'd gotten his brainwave, it was all downhill work from there.

He'd watched Theo haul his daughter out to the metaphorical woodshed, clearly pissed as hell, and when they came back in, Eva had that look. The too-perfect, put together face that hid everything vibrant and real about her behind a façade of serene professionalism.

It was Eva’s game face.

Danny felt an unwilling tug of sympathy. He knew, from personal experience, nobody could tear into you, make you bleed and cry, like family. And he had what he considered a really good relationship with his parents.

From what he could tell, Eva would say the same. She obviously loved her father. As much as he held her position in the family company over her head or hurt her feelings or fucked around with a lot of women, she adored him. And it made sense. Theo was all she’d had, ever since she was little.

It made Danny remember the story she'd told him, about her dad cooking French pancakes for her when she was a kid. The memory had been a happy one, he knew, a moment in time when she and her father had been in perfect harmony, the sweet and bitter of life balanced and blended, rolled up in a crisp-tender, golden crepe and dusted with confectioner's sugar.

French pancakes, he thought, a grin tugging at his mouth. He loved that she still called them that, even after a lifetime of five-star French meals and trips to Paris.

And then, as if Eva had waltzed over and whispered it in his ear, Danny knew exactly what he was going to make.
_____________

Don't forget to check out the other family-style snippets today!
Eliza Gayle
Lauren Dane
Rhian Cahill
Anne Rainey
Jody Wallace
Lissa Matthews
Mari Carr
McKenna Jeffries
Myla Jackson
Selena Blake
Taige Crenshaw
Vivian Arend
Alison Kent
Delilah Devlin
HelenKay Dimon
Shelli Stevens
Shiloh Walker
TJ Michaels

Blog Tour: Romance Around the Corner

2011-11-30T11:18:00.001-05:00

Check me out! I answered some really cute probing questions over at Romance Around the Corner today, and we're giving away copies of the book. The giveaway is open to domestic AND international readers, so get in there!

Release Day: Some Like it Hot!

2011-11-29T10:40:00.000-05:00

“In the latest toothsome addition to her Rising Star Chef series, Edwards delivers an emotionally engaging love story, expertly spiced with love scenes hot enough to caramelize crème brûlée. As the icing on this literary cake, the mouthwatering descriptions of the dishes prepared and realistically rendered kitchen scenes prove Edwards is as gifted at writing about food as about romance.” --Booklist on Some Like it Hot

And now it's finally here! Happy book birthday to Danny and Eva, the hero and heroine of Some Like it Hot. I can't wait for all of you to read their story and follow along with their kitchen exploits in the second installment of my Rising Star Chef trilogy.

Some Like it Hot is my scorching follow-up to last August’s Too Hot to Touch…and my first ever pastry chef hero! Danny Lunden stole scenes (and readers’ hearts!) when he first appeared, and I’m thrilled to share his story of love, family, and fabulous confections with all of you. Especially since reviewers are already licking their lips over it! RT BookReviews gave SLiH four and a half stars, saying “Edwards gives readers exactly what they’re looking for: a great storyline and wonderful characters, some of them loveable, some of them smoking hot.” Rowr!

Want to hear about the story? Well, as RT puts it, “Danny Lunden is a take-care kind of guy and he will go to the wall for those he loves. Competing in the Rising Star Chef Competition is a great way to get publicity for his family restaurant, and focus all his attention on the job he loves best. Eva Jansen has taken over running the competition from her father and she is determined to do it right. Danny intrigues her; he’s kind, caring and not impressed by her or her money, and when they get together, sparks fly. But with the competition beginning to spiral out of control and her father breathing down her neck, Eva has no time for a relationship and Danny agrees. Still, they are drawn together, until Eva’s bid to keep the contest dramatic threatens to destroy their fragile trust.”

Some Like it Hot is available at Barnes & Noble, Amazon, Books-A-Million, and indie bookstores near you!

To keep up to date with new releases, giveaways, recipes, excerpts, and other fun stuff, you can sign up for my newsletter here, connect with me on Facebook, or follow me on Twitter! I hope to see you around, and if you read Some Like it Hot, let me know your reaction by dropping me a line at Louisa@LouisaEdwards.com.

Book Giveaway!

2011-11-08T13:54:00.000-05:00

Want to win a free early copy of Some Like it Hot? Check out this contest my publisher is running! Super easy to enter, and the contest runs through November 29th, when the book comes out. So get on over there and enter!

Birthday Giveaway

2011-11-04T10:34:00.000-04:00

Happy birthday to me! And since it's my special day, I get to make the rules--and I say, you lovely readers out there are the ones who deserve a present. So I'm giving away an advance reading copy of Some Like it Hot (which won't be available on shelves until 11/29) to one lucky reader!

A sizzling blend of food, passion—and searing romance—the Rising Star Chef competition brings together the world’s hottest chefs for an all-star cook-off that’s sure to stir up excitement…and melt some hearts.

HE’S FEELING THE HEAT

Sexy, single, and even sweeter than the treats he bakes, New York pastry chef Danny Lunden is trying to stay focused on food—not females. With the Rising Star Chef competition approaching, he doesn’t have time to get all steamed up over the gorgeous woman he encounters on the plane to Chicago. Even if she is Eva Jansen—the billionaire heiress in charge of the contest…

SHE TAKES THE CAKE

Danny assumes that “Eva the Diva” is a spoiled rich girl who doesn’t share his passion for food. But when the two meet up again in an elevator—alone—they share more than just passion. They share a kiss hot enough to start a kitchen fire—and they’re hungry for more. To indulge their new secret craving, Eva and Danny have to break every rule in the cookbook. But—like chocolate and caramel—some ingredients are are so sinfully good together, one scrumptious bite is never enough...

Sounds pretty tasty, right? So to win it, all you have to do is tell me your favorite kind of cake. Easy peasy lemon squeezie! Oooh, lemon cake...

THE RULES

So here's what's going to happen. Pay attention, this is how you win!

4. Due to contest restrictions between countries, this giveaway is only open to U.S. residents and U.S. military. Sorry!

Book Recommendation

2011-11-01T10:12:00.000-04:00

I've got something spicy and delicious for you, my lovelies! Check out this smokin' hot book trailer for Mina Khan's debut...an action-packed paranormal starring a half-djinn assassin:

Rukh O'Shay, half-djinn and assassin, is used to taking out the bad guys. But his latest assignment, Texas Journalist Sarah White, is nothing like he expected. A glimpse of her bright aura reveals her gentle spirit, while her beauty makes him long for only one thing—to taste her.

Sarah shares the raw desire to connect with Rukh. He can turn her on with a glance, and satisfies needs she didn't even know she had.
But Rukh had been hired to kill her—and the only way to save her is to find out who wants her dead before someone else finishes the job….

Available for preorder: B&N Amazon

Author Bio:Mina Khan is a Texas-based writer and food enthusiast. She daydreams of hunky paranormal heroes, magic, mayhem and mischief and writes them down as stories. Between stories, she teaches culinary classes and writes for her local newspaper. Other than that, she's raising a family of two children, two cats, two dogs and a husband.

She grew up in Bangladesh on stories of djinns, ghosts and monsters. These childhood fancies now color her fiction.

You can find her at :
www.facebook.com/Mina.Khan.Author
http://minakhan.blogspot.com/
http://twitter.com/SpiceBites

Starting Over

2011-10-11T13:47:00.000-04:00

Now that I've turned in the draft of Hot Under Pressure to my editor, all I technically have to do is sit around and wait for revisions. But instead, I've got this IDEA. A really fun, fresh, sexy idea keeps flashing snippets of dialogue and interactions between some truly fascinating people through my brain. So I'm not sitting around anymore...I'm writing the next trilogy!

Starting a new trilogy is always exhilarating--equal parts exciting and terrifying. But the best part, hands down, is discovering and getting to know a whole new crop of characters. One of the first things I like to do is to find inspiration for the physical features of each characters--and, predictably, I always start with the heroes.

For the new trilogy, the current incarnations of my heroes (which could all change in the writing, as I find out more and more about them, so don't take this as a promise or a spoiler) include:

A wounded FDNY fire fighter, Irish-American, black hair and blue eyes. Rough around the edges, but decent and honorable to his bones. Not a "bad boy" type.

A total bad boy! Basically the Indiana Jones of investigative journalism, with blond hair, green eyes, and a killer smile.

An ex-NYC chef, bitter and sarcastic, with a core of hidden vulnerability and decency. He'll also be my first almost-ginger hero! I'm thinking reddish-brown hair, gray eyes, and enough of a scruff to almost constitute a real beard.

Those are my current visions of the heroes to come! If you have suggestions for other hotties with the right stuff, I'm happy to hear them, though. Inspire me!

Happy Monday!

2011-09-19T13:01:00.000-04:00

It looks like my website was nominated for one of AAD's Bookies awards! Thanks, y'all--that site takes work to update and keep fresh and fun, so it's really nice to know readers are actually using and enjoying it. If you feel like voting, here's the link! Lots of great authors nominated in all sorts of categories, mostly paranormal.

And in other news, I'm working on my September newsletter, and y'all, this is a good one! I'm so stoked about how well Too Hot to Touch is doing, I want to thank all my lovely, adorable readers by offering lots of cool freebies and chances to win stuff.

This next newsletter will include the blurb and cover for Some Like it Hot, plus a link to an all-new, loooong excerpt from the book, which comes out 11/29. I'm also offering a chance for one newsletter subscriber to win an advance reading copy of the book! Plus a sneak peak at one of the hero, Danny's, pastry chef specialties (yay, recipe!) and a way to get your hands on a free set of my Romance Trading Cards!

Whew. So if you haven't signed up for my mailing list yet, now would be a good time...

Click here to sign up!

Some Like it Hot ARC Contest

2011-09-16T10:29:00.000-04:00

Or, as one of my beta readers put it, You Better Like it Hot. That's Danny's book, boys and girls, and it's smokin'! As you can probably tell by the oh-so-sexy cover. Sadly, that cover didn't make it onto the advance review copies this time around, but I promise, the book is just as yummy on the inside. ; )

Would you like to read it early? Before it hits shelves on November 29th? If so, just answer this one question: What's hotter...a guy who can cook you a gourmet dinner? Or a guy who can whip up a decadent dessert?

THE RULES

So here's what's going to happen. Pay attention, this is how you win!

4. Due to contest restrictions between countries, this giveaway is only open to U.S. residents and U.S. military. Sorry!

The New Hotness!

2011-09-14T17:26:00.000-04:00

I've got fun news today--I'm unveiling the gorgeous, bitable, likable, delicious cover of the third book in the Rising Star Chef trilogy! Meet Beck, the hottest thing any kitchen has ever seen:

I know, right?! I could just squeeze him. This might actually be my favorite cover yet...but what do your think?

Goodreads Q&A

2011-08-27T11:43:00.000-04:00

Hi y'all! Hope my East Coast friends are someplace safe and dry, hunkered down and waiting out the storm. That's basically our plan, too--we're in New Jersey for a wedding this weekend. Our flight back to Austin has already been cancelled, so it looks like we're going to be here for Irene! Heading to a friend's house in Pennsylvania tomorrow, if the roads are safe enough.

In the meantime, I wanted to let you know about a Q&A I'll be doing on Goodreads next week! I'll be answering questions and hanging out with readers from August 28th through the 30th. Come on by and say 'hi'! I promise I'll be as honest as possible, no matter what you ask me...and, of course, we'll be doing a giveaway. I've got signed copies of Too Hot to Touch, and rumor has it there are a few advance reading copies of Some Like it Hot heading my way...

Here's the link! Everyone, be safe this crazy weekend, and I'll see you on the flip side...

Blog Tour: Reader I Created Him

2011-08-22T11:03:00.000-04:00

The lovely Kat of Reader I Created Him did a great interview with me for her blog today. Not the same old same old questions! Check it out, and comment for a chance to win a signed copy of Too Hot to Touch, plus a set of my Rising Star Chef romance trading cards.

Blog Tour: Murder She Writes

2011-08-16T10:15:00.000-04:00

Think there's no suspense in a straight contemporary romance? Well, you're wrong. And I'm over at my BFF Roxanne St. Claire's group blog today to talk about how even if there are no car chases or assassination attempts, there's still plenty of pulse-pounding, nail-biting tension in Too Hot to Touch.

So come over to Murder She Writes and tell me what was the last non-romantic suspense book you read, and you'll be entered in the drawing to win a signed copy of THtT!

Blog Tour: Leontine's Book Realm

2011-08-15T11:03:00.000-04:00

Leontine is doing a super fun series on her blog called Cooking with the Characters--and guess which sexy Zen chef hero is up? That's right, Max Lunden is in the house! I'm sharing a snippet from late in the book so you can see Max in action. And if you comment on the post, you'll be entered in a drawing to win a signed copy of Too Hot to Touch! So what are you waiting for? Go!

Blog Tour: Plotmonkeys

2011-08-12T06:05:00.002-04:00

I'm so excited to be spending time in the jungle today! Plotmonkeys is the famous (infamous?) group blog of some of my favorite authors and people in the entire romance pantheon: Julie Leto, Carly Phillips, Leslie Kelly, and Janelle Denison.

Come see what all the fuss (and fun!) is about! Whenever I'm hanging out with the Plotmonkeys, I promise a wild time for everyone...and the chance to win a signed copy of Too Hot to Touch!

And speaking of winning signed copies of the new book, today is your last chance to enter the BIG giveaway over at Free Book Friday! Click here and comment to be in the drawing...five copies of THtT are up for grabs...

Blog Tour: Queenie Takes Manhattan

2011-08-09T10:25:00.000-04:00

Queenie Takes Manhattan is the gorgeous, delicious food blog of my best friend and partner-in-crime, Meg! Check the acknowledgments of every one of my books, and you'll see Meg's name. In addition to indescribable moral support and encouragement, she's also the one who most often gets stuck with helping me dream up, develop and test the recipes that appear in my books. An accomplished home cook, Meg is the perfect kitchen companion--adventurous and interested in new techniques, but not taking anything too seriously. We have so much fun!

So when I tried to think of what to write about for my guest post on her blog today, all I could think was that no one wanted to hear me go on and on about how fabulous Meg is for an entire blog post. Especially longtime fans and readers of her food blog, who already know darn well that she's amazing! Instead, I decided to post a never-before-seen excerpt from Too Hot to Touch...a scene from the Lunden's Tavern kitchen!

Check it out, and comment for a chance to win a signed copy of the book. And if you love awesome recipes, and pretty pictures of food, check out the rest of Queenie Takes Manhattan, while you're at it...

Blog Tour: Chicklets in the Kitchen

2011-08-08T11:37:00.000-04:00

I'm sharing another recipe from Too Hot to Touch at Chicklets in the Kitchen today, and giving away a signed copy of the book! Come on by and talk food cravings with us for a chance to win.

Blog Tour: Writerspace

2011-08-05T16:01:00.000-04:00

Want a chance to win a signed copy of Too Hot to Touch? Go check out (and comment on) my guest post for Writerspace today. It's all about coming home...

Here it is!

Blog Tour: Susan Mallery's Cooking Blog!

2011-08-04T11:57:00.000-04:00

One of my all-time favorite authors, the fabulous New York Times bestselling Susan Mallery, invited me onto her cooking blog for a guest post! How could I refuse? Especially since I love giving sneak peeks at the recipes my characters work so hard on...

I shared something from Too Hot to Touch, and it's one of the recipes that wins a crucial challenge in the Rising Star Chef competition.

Check it out! Easy, delicious, no-cook dish for these hot summer days...

Release Week Continues

2011-08-03T10:53:00.000-04:00

Wow, what a day I had yesterday! So much good stuff happened, it's hard to remember it all. Too Hot to Touch was mentioned by one of my all-time favorite romance authors, Eloisa James, in her monthly romance newsletter for B&N...my parents took me out for lunch at a cool new Mexican place and I had sangria in the middle of the day...an awesome blogger and avid romance reader, Marisa O'Neill, did a fabulous, insightful analysis of all my heroes on Heroes & Heartbreakers.com...I had about 40 amazing readers and author friends show up at my live chat last night...my fabulous husband brought me pink champagne and cupcakes to celebrate...and today, the San Angelo Standard-Times published a very cool article highlighting my books and sharing a couple of recipes! Oh, and I got my giant box of author copies of Too Hot to Touch.

But the very best thing about yesterday was all the readers who emailed, Facebooked, or Tweeted me that they were already devouring Too Hot to Touch. Y'all are incredible (and very fast readers, wow)--the wind beneath my wings, seriously! You are why I write, and nothing makes me happier than hearing from you.

THANK YOU for making my day.

As for today, I'm the Spotlight Author over at Fresh Fiction, and am also their guest blogger. Leave a comment on the blog for a chance to win a signed copy of Too Hot to Touch and a set of my Rising Star Chef romance trading cards!

Release Day: TOO HOT TO TOUCH

2011-08-02T10:50:00.000-04:00

Happy book birthday to Too Hot to Touch! The first installment in my new Rising Star Chef trilogy has been released into the wild. See if you can catch it at a Barnes & Noble or Target near you! And if not, there's always Amazon or B&N.com...

I'm celebrating the way I always like to--with friends! The fabulous Dakota Cassidy invited me onto her Facebook page to hang out, and she was even nice enough to post a brand new, never-before-seen snippet from Too Hot to Touch in her Notes section! It's from Jules and Max's very first kiss--trust me, you want to check it out. ; )

You should also come comment on Dakota's FB page because it'll give you the chance to win a signed copy of Too Hot to Touch and a $25 B&N gift card! All the rules are here on her website, so read through to make sure you're eligible, then come on over...

For more chances to win a signed copy of the book, and to hang out with moi, you're all invited to my live chat tonight! 9:00 pm, EST at Writerspace, be there or be square. We'll be talking about the new book, I'll answer any question--I mean it, ANY question--and we will definitely have a blast. Here's the link, just head over at 9!

I'm so excited to finally introduce all of you to my new kitchen crew. I love them a lot, and I hope you fall for them as hard as I did! Can't wait to hear what you think of them...

Blog Tour: Book Addicts

2011-08-01T11:00:00.000-04:00

There's a fun little interview with me up over at Book Addicts today, which is an adorable site. You should definitely check it out! The interview was a wrap-up of their Series Fix featuring the Market trilogy, where they reviewed all three books back to back, but there are some tidbits about Too Hot to Touch in there...

Read the interview

Heroes & Heartbreakers

2011-07-28T11:01:00.000-04:00

It's a weird feeling to read other people's thoughts on a book you've written. Weird and wonderful, even if not all the thoughts are positive, because it makes the whole experience come alive in the way that only happens if multiple people engage with the idea and the characters and the story.

And sometimes, a reader will see things in your writing that you didn't consciously intend, or will make connections you didn't make as you were writing--and that's even more amazing. Because whether I intended it or not, those connections are there, in black and white.

Take today's Heroes & Heartbreakers article about Too Hot to Touch by the fabulous Marisa O'Neill of RomanceNovelTV. Reading that post gave me chills, because everything in it is absolutely true and her observations are keen and insightful--but the way she thinks about Max and Jules isn't a precise echo of the way I thought about them as I was writing them.

But I'm not writing them anymore. Max and Jules have their own life now, and as more and more people read their story once it comes out next week, I'll relinquish more and more ownership of those characters. Sure, they belong to me in a legal sense. But in the way that matters, they belong to you, to everyone who goes with them on their journey towards their happily ever after. They belong to the reader.

Read Marisa's article if you want a sneak peek at what's going on with Max and Jules and all their kitchen drama. And if you want Max and Jules to come alive for you? Read Too Hot to Touch when it comes out August 2nd, and they're all yours.

Desert Island Keeper

2011-07-20T10:05:00.000-04:00

All About Romance is known for not being marshmallow pushovers when it comes to their reviews. Every author I know braces herself before opening up the AAR page. I've never gotten less than a B- from them, but I've never gotten higher than a B+, either.

Until today!

I'm so pleased and proud to announce that not only did the lovely, adorable, wonderful, intelligent AAR reviewer give Too Hot to Touch an A-, she also gave it the coveted and elusive DIK rating.

DIK stands for Desert Island Keeper--as in, if she were stranded on a desert island, Too Hot to Touch is one of the books she'd want to have with her, sustaining her through her troubles until she could be rescued. How cool is that??

Read the rave review here, then tell me: if you were stranded on a desert island, what five books would make your keeper pile?

Breaking the Rules

2011-07-14T10:47:00.000-04:00

Y'all know I love me some subplot romance. (Frankie and Jess, anyone?) The secondary romance provides an amazing opportunity to bend and break those unwritten rules that govern our beloved genre. For my new trilogy, for example, I chose to push the envelope in two directions with Claire and Kane. Claire is an older (over 40) heroine (who is also French!) and Kane is younger (in his 20s) and (gasp!) a rock star. Yes! Cougar romance with a rock star twist. And maybe that doesn't sound great to you, right off the bat--the same way some readers have confessed to me that the abstract idea of two guys falling in love didn't appeal to them...but once they met Frankie and Jess, the subplot heroes from my Market trilogy, they were hooked.

Give Claire and Kane a chance to hook you! And think about what other romance rules you've noticed, and that you would maybe like to take a sledgehammer to. Plus-size heroines, for instance! Virgin heroes, interracial couples...what else?

The Bounty of Summer

2011-07-08T09:35:00.000-04:00

I have a confession to make: I'm addicted to farmer's markets. It's true! If I could go every day (and if we could possibly eat enough produce to keep any from going to waste) I'd be thrilled. As it is, I make it about once a week. Lately I've been buying fresh eggs, local peaches, swiss chard with pretty rainbow stems, tiny little shallots, and the sweetest, juiciest tomatoes imaginable.

Peaches are Mr. Louisa's favorite fruit, next to strawberries. I'd probably have to go with raspberries, myself, but peaches are right up there. As for vegetables, it changes with the seasons. In summer? I can't get enough tomatoes. It's like my body is craving them! (And yeah, I know they're technically a fruit. But come on, do you really think of them that way when you slice them up with fresh mozzarella and basil and drizzle them with balsamic vinaigrette?)

So what's your favorite fruit and vegetable?

Back to the Grindstone

2011-07-05T12:02:00.000-04:00

I'm home from the Romance Writers of America conference!

Okay, technically I've been home since Saturday afternoon. But I needed time to recover from having way too much fun, and getting way too much business accomplished in NYC. Plus, 4th of July festivities! Which, in my family, mainly consist of eating ethnic food to celebrate the fact that America is a nation of immigrants. This year, since I'd been in NYC for the previous week, I was craving Mexican food and sangria! Yum.

Today I'm back at my desk, about to dig into the revisions for Some Like it Hot. I can't wait to see how it turns out! Revisions are always nerve-wracking, but believe it or not, they're also my favorite part of the writing process. That sense of possibility opening back up in front of you, that ability to take the story and these characters you finally know well in a whole new direction--it's kind of magical. And a lot of work! But I'm ready.

What's the first thing you do when you get home from a long trip? I kiss these guys:

Great Deal

2011-06-28T08:19:00.002-04:00

I'm in NYC at the Romance Writers of America conference! Already having a blast with my writer pals, but what I'm really looking forward to is meeting and talking to readers tonight at the Literacy Autographing. If you're in the New York area, I hope you'll stop by and say 'hi!' I've got lots of fun, free stuff to hand out, like chapter excerpt booklets for Too Hot to Touch, and full sets of Rising Star Chef romance trading cards.

But the big news of the day is that I found out that the publisher is offering a special promotional price for my first foodie romance, Can't Stand the Heat! For the month leading up to the August 2nd release of Too Hot to Touch, you can try out my first trilogy (and hopefully get hooked on my writing!) for just $2.99!!!

I'm so excited about this deal, so I hope you'll tell all your friends! Here are some links.
Kindle
Nook
Sony E-Reader
Kobo
Should be in the iBookstore, too, but I can't link to it.

In case you've never seen or heard anything about the book, here's the blurb:

For sharp-tongued food critic Miranda Wake, the chance to spend a month in Adam Temple’s kitchen to write an exposé is a journalistic dream come true. Surely Miranda can find a way to cut the hotshot chef down to size once she learns what really goes on at his trendy Manhattan restaurant. But she never expected Adam to find out her most embarrassing secret: she has no idea how to cook.

Adam’s not about to have his reputation burned by a critic who doesn’t even know the difference between poaching and paring. He’ll just have to give the tempting redhead a few private lessons of his own—teaching her what it means to cook with passion…and doing more with his hands than simply preparing sumptuous food.

Giveaway: WINNERS POSTED

2011-06-25T00:03:00.000-04:00

The three WINNERS of my So Close Giveaway are:

Alcott
Christiana
Sherie

Email me at louisa @ louisaedwards . com with your physical address, and I'll send your prizes out! Congrats to the winners, and thank you to everyone who commented.

If you weren't one of the lucky winners of the Too Hot to Touch excerpt booklets, don't despair you can see two full chapters on my website here. Check it out and get to know wandering Zen master chef, Max Lunden...

Giveaway: So Close...

2011-06-21T12:20:00.001-04:00

We're so close! To so many things. Close to the Romance Writers of America national conference in a week (come see me at the Lit Signing,) close to the release of Too Hot to Touch on August 2nd, and...close to hitting 1,000 fans on my Facebook fan page!

I wanted to celebrate these almost-milestones with a giveaway...and I've got the perfect gift for my readers. Books! All you have to do is post a comment to this blog that answers this question:

If you were trapped on a deserted island and had only one book with you, what book would you want it to be?

I'm going to randomly choose three winners from the answers below. Each lucky winner will get one of the books below, plus a full set of my Rising Star Chef romance trading cards and a chapter excerpt booklet that contains the first THREE full chapters of Too Hot to Touch!

The other prizes are:

Face of Danger by Roxanne St. Claire

Blurb: Private investigator Vivi Angelino loves living life on the edge, but stepping into the shoes of a movie starlet to bait a serial killer isn't just a thrill . . . it's a ticket to the big time for her fledgling security firm. That is, as long as a certain risk-averse FBI agent stays out of her way-and out of her fantasies.

Assistant Special Agent in Charge Colton Lang isn't above using his well-worn rulebook to stop Vivi's latest walk on the wild side. But when they learn her client is involved in something far more insidious than bad acting, Vivi and Colt must work together despite the electrifying attraction arcing between them. For each new clue is bringing them closer to a high-profile crime with a dark and deadly truth at its core . . . and a cold, calculating murderer with nothing left to lose.

Already Home by Susan Mallery (Autographed trade paperback!)

Blurb: After nearly a decade as a sous-chef in a trendy eatery, Jenna is desperate for a change. She's supported her ex-husband's dreams for so long that she can't even remember her own. Until she sees a for-lease sign near her parents' home and envisions her very own cooking store.

Her crash course in business is aided by a streetwise store manager and Jenna's adoptive mother. But just as she's gaining a foothold in her new life, in walk her birth parents—aging hippies on a quest to reconnect with their firstborn.

Now Jenna must figure out how to reconcile the free-spirited Serenity and Tom with her traditional parents, deal with her feelings for a new love interest and decide what to do about her ex's latest outrageous request. In the end, Jenna will find that there is no perfect family, only the people we love….

Tempest Rising by Tracy Deebs (Autographed hardcover!)

Blurb: Tempest Maguire wants nothing more than to surf the killer waves near her California home; continue her steady relationship with her boyfriend, Mark; and take care of her brothers and surfer dad. But Tempest is half mermaid, and as her seventeenth birthday approaches, she will have to decide whether to remain on land or give herself to the ocean like her mother. The pull of the water becomes as insistent as her attraction to Kai, a gorgeous surfer whose uncanny abilities hint at an otherworldly identity as well. And when Tempest does finally give in to the water's temptation and enters a fantastical underwater world, she finds that a larger destiny awaits her-and that the entire ocean's future hangs in the balance.

If you're not already a fan of my Facebook page, please consider going over there and clicking 'Like'! It's not a requirement to enter the contest, but it would make me happy. : )

And apologies to my international readers, but due to contest regulations in other countries, this giveaway is only open to U.S. residents.

Leftover Lunch

2011-06-20T13:10:00.000-04:00

Leftovers are my favorite! Especially when they're this delicious. I used up some of my farmer's market booty last night--roasted the poussins and sliced the baby zucchini super thin, along with some avocado, and marinated it in olive oil and lemon juice. A little salt, some pistachios, and voila! Delightful summer salad, recipe courtesy of the grande dame of simple French cooking, Patricia Wells.

What did you have for dinner? Do you like to recycle dinner into lunch, or are you one of those people who hates leftovers?

Home From the Market

2011-06-18T14:05:00.000-04:00

Today's trip to the Austin Farmer's Market yielded quite a haul! I got two bunches of beets, these baby zucchini that are so adorable, I have to call them courgettes, farm fresh eggs, the sweetest gold cherry tomatoes, mixed greens, and a couple of heirloom poussins--French for hens. Maybe I'm feeling so French today because the hens were sold to me by a morose Frenchman...I don't know!

Either way, whatever you call them, I'm planning to roast the hens and probably do this delicious, no-cook zucchini "carpaccio" dish with the squash. This Patricia Wells recipe makes a perfect hot weather appetizer or light lunch! Prettier and tastier than you would believe.

What on your agenda for the day?

Some Dogs are Simple

2011-06-16T12:10:00.000-04:00

I have two Border Terriers: Oscar and Hunter. I adore them, and the feeling is mutual. They're cute, funny, sweet, loyal(ish), and...one of them is smart! The other one? Not so much. Which is why I looove this hysterical Hyperbole and a Half post about what it's like to have a simple dog.

Do you have pets? Are they brainiacs, or...simple?

Chapter Excerpt Booklets!

2011-06-14T13:59:00.000-04:00

I've got my excerpt booklets for Too Hot to Touch, and OHMYGOSH are they adorable! I'm so pleased with them, and I can't wait to start putting them in the hands of readers.

Of course I'll have them with me at the RWA national conference at the end of June, and probably at the Readers 'N 'Ritas conference in Dallas this November, but first I plan is to do a big giveaway through my newsletter in the next couple of weeks. I'll be giving my newsletter readers lots of chances to win an excerpt booklet AND a set of my Rising Star Chef romance trading cards.

So...are you signed up for my newsletter? If not, click here!

It's super easy, just plug in your name and email address, and you're all set. I don't send one every single month (don't want you to get sick of me!) but when I've got really fun news, like a new free read or chapter excerpt posted, appearances and signings, and other cool stuff, I send one out. And I always include a recipe!

Summer Camp

2011-06-13T14:29:00.000-04:00

I'm baking today, putting together care packages to send to a couple of my favorite girls in the world while they're at summer camp. I loved sleep-away camp when I was a kid...and I vividly remember the joy of getting a care package full of goodies!

So I'm making these raspberry oatmeal bars (they travel well and are always a huge hit,) as well as regular old chocolate chip cookies. The classic version from the back of the Tollhouse chocolate chip package. I've never found a better version of those cookies anywhere. Have you?

Did you go to summer camp when you were a kid?

RWA 2011: Times Square Restaurants

2011-06-11T15:18:00.001-04:00

For the past month, I've been searching around for great restaurants within walking distance of the Romance Writers of America 2011 conference hotel, the Marriott Marquis in Times Square (at 45th and 7th.)

It's not the best neighborhood for amazing food, but there are some gems, and some spots I'm excited to try! So here's my list. If you live in the city and have more knowledge than I do about what's hot and happening in the Times Square area, feel free to add to the list! I'd love some more recommendations. This is where I'm planning to eat while I'm in town for the conference:

Esca: Mario Batali's fancy new coastal Italian place that's getting raves all over town. (Ruth Reichl tweeted about her experience there!) I've never been , and am thrilled to be taken there for my editor/agent dinner. Will report back!

Ruby Foo's: We used to go to the one on the UWS all the time. so when a group of us rowdy, raucous romance authors plan to get together for dinner, I knew it would be the perfect choice. Solid pan-Asian cuisine, fun atmosphere, very group-friendly due to the family-style menu of shared dishes, and all the silly drinks you can imagine. So it won't matter how lively the party gets...and this one is just three short blocks from the hotel, straight up Broadway, so it'll be easy to stumble home afterward!

Tenpenny: Two and a half avenue blocks from the hotel is this little spot that the NYT gave a star, and that showed up on Eater NY's list of top pasta dishes to taste in the city! Also, they have an afternoon cocktail list. How perfect is that for a conference lunch?

DB Bistro Moderne: The 'DB' in the name stands for Daniel Boulud, so you know this is going to be good. I've never been to this place, but I've eaten at a bunch of the other restaurants in his empire, and never been disappointed. This is where I'm taking my agent for a fun catch-up/strategy session lunch; we'll chow down on updated bistro classics like steak frites and salade lyonnais, but with Daniel Boulud's signature touch. Can't wait for this one! And at 44th and 6th, it's super close by.

'wichcraft (46th & 5th): If I get a chance to leave the conference for another lunch, but need to be quick about it, I'm going to try to make my way to this sandwich joint. Yes, it's technically part of a chain, but when the head of the business is Tom Colicchio, I'm okay with it. ; ) I've never been to a 'Wichcraft, but my husband swears by them. And it's convenient, only two avenue blocks away, just a little closer than Tenpenny. Or if I don't have time to walk over, I could always place an order online and have a sandwich delivered right to the hotel. Good God, I miss New York!

And then there's St. Andrews Restaurant & Bar. Which used to be (maybe still is?) the only true Scottish pub in the city. The food is...not great, although there are some wonderfully wacky UK imports like buffalo calamari and curry fries, and the cocktails are just so-so--but the atmosphere! Pure gold. And on Fridays and Saturdays? Free, live celtic music that will make you feel totally transported to Edinburgh! So it makes the list, because my friends and I used to be regulars, it's a fun place to grab a drink, they have a great Scotch list if you're into that, and it's literally around the corner from the hotel.

That's my list so far! Please feel free to add anything you think of, only keep in mind that many of the ladies who will be using this list will most likely be wearing incredibly stupid high heels and aren't used to walking the city in them. And for my fellow conference attendees, I hope you'll let me know if you try any of these places! I'd love to compare notes...

Calling All Readers

2011-06-09T10:42:00.000-04:00

As much as I'm enjoying spending all my days with hottie chef Beck, I'm looking forward to finishing his book so I can get back to reading for pleasure again! The minute I wrap up Hot Under Pressure, I'm diving into my TBR pile. Can't wait!

And just because I'm curious and I love to tease myself--tell me the last book you read and loved. Was it a new-to-you author or an old favorite? Something you'd been panting for, or something you stumbled across?

Romance Trading Cards: Get Some!

2011-06-08T11:12:00.000-04:00

I've had a lot of readers writing in to ask how they can get their hands on my romance trading cards! (One lady even asked if she'd be able to buy them. Um...sure! LOL) It's so cool that y'all are into them, I'm really thrilled--so I'm going to give you a few different ways to grab up sets of the cards.

1.) Enter this month's contest on my website. You may or may not know this, but every month I do a fun giveaway on my site, and for June and July, it's a full set of Rising Star Chef romance trading cards, plus a $25 gift certificate to Amazon.com! You know, in case you haven't pre-ordered Too Hot to Touch and Some Like it Hot yet... ; )

2.) Sign up for my newsletter. I don't send one out every single month, but when I do, I promise it will be chock full of fun news like signings, giveaways, extras like free reads and excerpts posted on my website, and recipes. For the next couple of months, I'll also be offering ways to win romance trading cards, so tune in! You won't regret it.

3.) Come see me! I'll be signing (along with five hundred of your favorite romance authors) at the Literacy Autographing in New York City on Tuesday, June 28th, from 5:30 to 7:30. You'll find the whole huge crowd of us at the Marriott Marquis in Times Square, signing books and greeting readers and giving away cool stuff in the Broadway Ballroom. It's completely free (except for whatever books you buy--and the proceeds go to a great cause!) and open to the public, so stop by. Say 'hi'! And walk away with a full set of romance trading cards, for free. I'll even sign them for you!

Romance Trading Cards: Eva Jansen

2011-06-07T11:29:00.000-04:00

Here's the very last of my romance trading cards! For now, at least. I've already gotten requests to go back and do some for the Market trilogy...and, of course, there's still Beck's mysterious heroine in Hot Under Pressure.

Right now, though, we've got the heroine of Some Like it Hot! Eva Jansen is the billionaire playgirl who's taken charge of the Rising Star Chef competition, which her father founded years ago. All she cares about is impressing her dad and proving she's got what it takes to run his huge restaurant empire--until she sees Danny Lunden.

Romance Trading Cards: Danny Lunden

2011-06-06T10:49:00.000-04:00

The last two romance trading cards are actually for the second book in the Rising Star Chef series, Some Like it Hot--but the characters are introduced (to readers and each other) in Too Hot to Touch. Danny Lunden is Max's younger brother...the one who stayed home and took care of his parents and his responsibilities as pastry chef of their family restaurant when Max took off for parts unknown. So Danny's got some brother issues, for sure. In fact, he doesn't really have time to think about anything other than his family--until he meets Eva Jansen...

Romance Trading Cards: Winslow Jones

2011-06-04T15:47:00.000-04:00

Since it's Saturday, I have a very special Romance Trading Card reveal for you! This is Winslow Jones, one of the most fun to write characters ever to steal every scene I try to write. There's just something about him--he's funny, sweet, with hints of a dark past that he somehow hasn't allowed to dim the brilliance of his smile and the zing of his personality. And did I mention he's a bit of a player? Yeah...

Here he is:

Romance Trading Cards: Kane Slater

2011-06-03T11:23:00.000-04:00

Yesterday we saw Claire Durand...and today, we've got her love interest and co-judge in the Rising Star Chef competition: Kane Slater!

Kane is a rock star, a famous foodie, and one of the hottest and most fun characters I've ever written. Maybe because he's secretly, in the movie in my head, played by Chris Pine? At any rate, he's someone I really can't wait for all of you to meet.

Here's your sneak preview:

Romance Trading Cards: Claire Durand

2011-06-02T12:23:00.000-04:00

Today's Romance Trading Card reveal will be a familiar face to those of you who've read my Market trilogy (Can't Stand the Heat, On the Steamy Side, and Just One Taste)!

Remember Claire Durand? The elegant, distinguished, acerbically French editor in chief of one of the world's premier food and lifestyle magazines is back--this time as the head judge of the Rising Star Chef competition! Of course. Who else could we trust to choose the best, most innovative, refined, and delicious of all the dishes put forth by the different teams of talented chefs?

Claire knows everything there is to know about food...but she's about to discover there are a few things she has yet to learn about love. Specifically, how hard it is to control who she falls for when she meets her co-judge, the extremely unsuitable and much younger Kane Slater...but that's a story for another day. ; )

For now, here are Claire's basic stats!

Romance Trading Cards: Jules Cavanaugh

2011-06-01T14:59:00.001-04:00

I've had several readers ask me if I ever planned to write a chef heroine. For all of you who wanted to see a tough, competent woman in the kitchen, Jules Cavanaugh is your girl!

As I said in this month's newsletter, she's a super talented chef in her own right--in fact, Executive Chef of Lunden's Tavern, and the leader of the Lunden's team for the Rising Star Chef competition. Which is a position she's not willing to give up...even for the guy she's had a red-hot crush on since high school.

Take a peek:

Romance Trading Cards: Max Lunden

2011-05-31T16:12:00.000-04:00

I did my first ever set of Romance Trading Cards, the adorable little tradeable, craveable, collectible cards that got written up in USA Today's article about the Romantic Times Convention.

And I adore them! It was so freaking fun to find the perfect image for each of the characters who have, so far, lived only in my brain and on the page, and to print them up for the whole world to see. I'm going to post them here and on my Facebook page, and I'll be giving them away at the Romance Writers of America conference in New York City at the end of next month!

Here's the first. My hero, the wandering chef, Max Lunden--whose Zen poise will be tested like never before when he comes home from his world travels to help his family enter the biggest culinary competition in the U.S., and finds the team being run by tough, gorgeous, surprisingly vulnerable Jules Cavanaugh.

BEA or BUST!

2011-05-25T08:31:00.000-04:00

I'm back in New York! God, I love this town. And I especially love it when it's overrun with authors, booksellers, librarians, publishers, and various other people who adore books as much as I do. This week is the big BookExpo America convention, where the whole publishing world comes together at the Javits Center to get totally geeked about the books that are coming out this year. And for the first time ever, I'll be there! Really looking forward to walking around and seeing all the different booths and running into friends.

And if you're planning to be at BEA yourself, please come see me! I'll be signing the Market trilogy at the RWA booth today from 12:30 to 1:30...and I'll have my Romance Trading Cards to give out, to start introducing my new Rising Star Chef series to the world. I'd love to see you, and show you pictures of my hot, hot chef heroes!

Guest Blog: Book Addicts

2011-05-23T13:13:00.000-04:00

I'm over at the fabulous Book Addicts site today, sharing the secrets of how I got started reading romance--and why it's the only thing I can imagine writing. Come on over and tell us your story! What do you love about romance novels? How did you get started reading them? And what keeps you coming back for more?

Beautiful

2011-05-20T11:41:00.000-04:00

I've got so much fun stuff to share as things gear up for the release of TOO HOT TO TOUCH in August! For instance, I decided to get in on the Romance Trading Cards fun, and (of course) went a little overboard--I did a card for each member of the team in my new culinary competition trilogy, plus the subplot romance hero and heroine! I'll be sharing those with you soon, but first, the Big Reveal:

My new, gorgeous, hotter-than-a-red-hot-skillet cover for SOME LIKE IT HOT! This one won't be on sale until November 27th, but until then, feel free to stare at this guy and daydream. I've barely stopped looking at him since he first appeared in my inbox. And if he inspires you to pre-order the book, well, good. It's already up on Amazon, BN, Borders, and more!

Let the drooling begin...

A Hero By Any Other Name

2011-05-19T12:04:00.000-04:00

I had to name a new character over the weekend. He's not exactly the hero of this particular story I'm writing, although he is heroic--and who knows what his future might hold? So I wanted his name to be *good*, the kind of name that gives you a clue about the character and makes you want to know more about him, all at the same time.

Names are important. How could you not fall in love with a guy called Sebastian Ballister, Marquess of Dain? Or Sam Starrett? Dean Robillard? Colton Lang? And let's not forget Adam Temple, Devon Sparks, and Wes Murphy. ; )

So what are some memorable hero names that stick out in your mind?

Fall Forward

2011-05-18T12:48:00.000-04:00

My husband and I were in Philly this past weekend for his graduation from his Penn masters program, and Denzel Washington was the speaker. Mr. Washington was very charming, self-deprecating and funny...but he also gave some great advice.

Rather than focusing on the nice, but somewhat unrealistic, rah-rah-you'll-take-the-world-by-storm attitude of most commencement speakers, Mr. Washington came right out with the truth: You will fail. Especially if you take risks, which you should, you will fail sometimes. In his words, if you never fail, you're not really trying. And in his wife's words, to get something you've never had, you've got to do something you've never done. So risk is good--but it doesn't guarantee success.

Accept that failure will occur. And accept that failure doesn't mean you quit.

I loved the sincerity of his speech, and his theme of persistence in the face of failure really resonated with me. Getting published can feel like that, getting shot down over and over, but as Mr. Washington also said (he was very quotable!) if you hang around the barbershop long enough, you're bound to get a haircut.

Keep at it. Be determined. Try new angles and push the limits of your own comfort and accept that it won't be easy.

The truth is, from where I started, getting published looked like the finished line. Having my books in print! And an agent and an editor and reviewers and real actual people who aren't my mom reading them. After that, what more could there be?

A lot, it turns out. As grateful as I am for every person whose hands and mind touch my books before they go to press, and every single reader who takes a chance and picks my book up, hoping to be moved and entertained, there's always more just over the horizon.

For instance, that next book. I was sure writing them would get easier as I figured out my process and refined my storytelling skills--but no. Not true. If anything, it feels harder now, six books in. Do you know how many times I've rewritten the first fifty pages of HOT UNDER PRESSURE, the third book in my upcoming Rising Star Chef trilogy? Well, I'm currently on the seventh version of the manuscript. And it's not over yet; I know there will be at least one more revision after my editor looks at it.

And that's ok. Those earlier versions were failures, in one sense of the word--but they weren't wasted effort. I learned something about my characters and their conflict with every iteration of the first few chapters. And that brought me to Mr. Washington's last big point: when you fail, don't fall back on anything--fall forward.

That's what revising is--falling forward into the next version of your book, knowing that it will be tighter, cleaner, more intense than the last version.

So thank you, Mr. Washington, for renewing my energy and getting me excited about what's ahead! And all of you out there, writers, readers, moms, students--don't be afraid to fail.

In the words of one of my favorite playwrights, Samuel Beckett:

Fail. Fail again. Fail better.

Rainy Day Joy

2011-05-12T14:43:00.000-04:00

We had huge storms this morning, lots of torrential rain--and boy, have we needed it. So I'm glad, even though Austin drivers are insane in the rain. Lots of slow, shocked driving by people staring up at the sky and wondering what the heck that wet stuff is.

In addition to filling our creeks and watering our greenery, the rain is good for other things. For instance, writing. A rainy day is a great day to hole up in my house with a cup of hot tea and while my laptop and I do sexy things to each other. I love to bake on rainy days (although I'm trying to resist--I can't afford to eat an entire batch of snickerdoodles by myself) and I love to read. But writing is my #1 rainy day activity (especially when I'm on deadline; funny how that works) so that's what I'm up to this afternoon.

How about you? How do you like to spend your rainy afternoons?

Rising Star Reader

2011-05-09T14:10:00.000-04:00

So the big culinary competition in my new Hot series is called the Rising Star Chef competition--and I'm thinking of running a contest for my readers to launch the trilogy. Still looking for ideas, though! What do you think?

How far would you go for a brand new Kitchen-Aid Stand Mixer? (Not that red one, that's mine--but maybe a hot pink one, like I hear Williams Sonoma carries now...)

Would you send in your favorite recipe? Would you make a video of yourself cooking it? Would you take a picture of yourself with your favorite local chef?

What would you be willing to do for a contest like that?

ENCLAVE: The Giveaway

2011-05-06T10:44:00.000-04:00

I'm giving away a copy of Ann Aguirre's stunningly intense, gritty post-apocalyptic young adult novel, ENCLAVE, today on my Facebook page. To reward the folks who've been fans of the page for a while, the giveaway is only open to people who are *already* following me. If that's you, run check it out!

And if it's not, take a look at this insanely gorgeous video trailer for the book, and think about buying your own copy of ENCLAVE. Seriously, you won't regret it. This book has everything: fast-paced action, crazy fight scenes, young love, and a kick-ass heroine!

Romance Around the Corner

2011-05-04T11:42:00.000-04:00

Have y'all seen the Romance Around the Corner blog? They do a Waiting On Wednesday feature every week. It's a really cute idea, all about sharing opinions and info on upcoming romance releases that the blogger is excited about. And today, she featured me! Well, TOO HOT TO TOUCH. At least partly because of Hotty McHothot on the cover, there, if I'm reading between the lines correctly. ; ) She had some great things to say and I lapped up every word like it was a bowlful of slightly melty dulce de leche ice ream. Check it out!

And then tell me, other than THtT (obviously!), what books are you looking forward to? What have you already pre-ordered?

Mother's Day Approaches

2011-04-27T13:03:00.000-04:00

Are you tired of giving your mom bath salts and scented candles? Looking for something exciting and new to share with her? First, obviously, you should grab her a copy of my fun, sexy Recipe for Love series. : )

But if she's already read those, here are a few more ideas! I love this gift list--it makes me wish I had kids, so I could ask for the adorable canvas chalkboard jars or the Tartine Bread Cookbook. Something on here is bound to jumpstart your creativity, and make this the happiest Mother's Day ever for the maternal-type-person in your life.

Happy shopping!

New Books are Out!

2011-04-26T12:55:00.000-04:00

I love Tuesdays! Every Tuesday, a whole bunch of brand new books are released into the wild, ready to be caught and devoured by ME. And today is an extra special release day, because it's the first day I'll be able to get my grabby hands on Face of Danger by Roxanne St. Claire.

FoD is the third installment in the Guardian Angelinos romantic suspense series, about an Italian-American family of private investigators in Boston. This one happens to focus on a character I've been obsessed with since she first appeared in the free prequel to the series! Vivi Angelino, the heart and soul of the organization--and one of the most vivid, memorable, exciting heroines to cross this reader's path in years. Don't believe me? Check out this excerpt from the book. I guarantee you'll understand immediately why I've been dying to read FoD for months now.

I've already ordered my copy, but if you want one of your own, you can get it at Amazon, B&N, Borders, wherever hot, sexy, exciting page-turners are sold!

What's at the top of your TBR pile?

Easter Menu

2011-04-25T11:40:00.000-04:00

Hope everyone had a lovely weekend full of fun and family! I definitely did. We got together with my parents and my sister, and cooked up a storm.

We had:

Gruet Sparkling Wine

Grilled Shrimp and Avocado Salad with Creamy Champagne Vinaigrette
Courgettes (Baby Zucchini) and Avocado Carpaccio with Pistachios

Lamb chops with Lemon
Moroccan Spiced Baby Carrots
Roasted Easter Egg Radishes with Brown Butter
Minted Mashed Peas

Fresh Berries with Whipped Cream

Follow the links to see the recipes we used! I'd highly recommend all of them, especially the lamb and the zuchinni and avocado carpaccio. Really special. And by making the vegetables the focus of the meal, with just a little taste of meat, we had a hugely satisfying Easter dinner that didn't make me feel like I needed a nap afterward.

What did you eat this weekend? Feel free to share your favorite recipes!

Swimsuit Season Ahoy!

2011-04-20T14:24:00.000-04:00

For most of the country, the days of fun in the sun are still far off, but here in Austin, they've pretty much arrived. Guess I should've started thinking about this months ago, but I'm finally feeling the need to get back to eating right and working out! Better late then never.

My current plan is to count calories, avoid all processed foods, including white sugar, and focus on Michael Pollan's healthy eating goals: Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants.

Real food, portion control, nearly vegetarian (but I plan to eat seafood, to keep my protein up.) Sound good? Anyone have any deliciously light recipes they'd like to share? I'll post the ones I make that turn out well...

Spring Cooking

2011-04-18T15:53:00.000-04:00

This Huffington Post article on ham made me wonder what most people eat for Easter dinner. In my family, we usually jump all over the chance to have lamb. But I'm open to new ideas! What do you like to serve as your main dish?

Blood, Bones & Butter

2011-04-12T10:34:00.000-04:00

I'm really into memoirs right now--especially memoirs by chefs I admire, like Gabrielle Hamilton, the famously straightforward, tough chef/owner of Prune in Manhattan. Her new book, Blood, Bones & Butter, is a beautifully written, unflinchingly honest window into the evolution and life of a restaurant. The stories from her unconventional childhood and young adulthood provide glimpses of the inspirations for some of her more iconic dishes at Prune, and it's fun to watch her destiny unfold. But mostly, the writing is great and totally sucks you in.

After this, I plan to read Grant Achatz's Life on the Line, and follow it up with a switch to the world of pro tennis for Andre Aggassi's memoir.

What's your favorite kind of book to get lost in, other than romance?

Musical Man

2011-04-11T11:48:00.000-04:00

I'm not a huge musical theater fan (at least, not compared to some people I know) but I do enjoy it. Especially when it's done as well as this past weekend's staged reading (and singing!) of Sondheim's classic Company with the NY Philharmonic! Neil Patrick Harris (swoon) played Bobby, the main character, a single guy whose married friends are always trying to convince him to get serious about relationships. The best couple was Stephen Colbert and Martha Plimpton, who delighted the audience with some extremely physical humor and acrobatics, and basically stole every scene they were in. What a blast! The performance also featured the powerhouse diva of divas, Patti LuPone, singing the iconic "Ladies Who Lunch" and blowing us all away.

It seems to be my week for unforgettable theater experiences. What's your favorite musical or play?

Pickle This

2011-04-08T11:03:00.000-04:00

My husband got me the best gift this year--a two-day class at the French Culinary Institute in NYC! All our plans are in place, we have hotel reservations and dinner with friends and theater tickets...and we get a call yesterday that the class is cancelled. BOO.

But do we cancel our trip? Hell to the no! We soldier on. And find a new class to take! Slightly smaller, more intimate and hands on--and all about pickles.

That's right, pickles. They're not just those limp, yellow-died spears of ex-cucumber anymore! You can pickle just about any vegetable, and some fruits too, with very interesting, delicious effects. I've been curious about the process for a while, and now I'm going to unlock its mysteries with Bob McClure's class! Can't wait. I'll definitely report back on what I learn, and maybe share a recipe or two.

What's the cooking technique you're most interested in mastering?

New Excerpt Posted!

2011-04-07T13:56:00.000-04:00

The countdown to the Rising Star Chef series continues! To tide you over until August 2nd, here's a brand new, never before seen excerpt from the first chapter of Too Hot to Touch. If you've been wondering about the smokin' hot hero on the cover, this is your chance to meet Max Lunden! And his heroine (and rival chef) Jules Cavanaugh. Check it out and let me know what you think. Below is a tidbit to get you going! Click on the snippet to read the rest of the chapter...

Chapter 1

The dining room was deserted, the cracked red leather of the banquettes sagging sadly over the snowy white, tablecloths.

From here, she couldn’t tell that those linens were all fraying at the edges, but she could see every chip, every indelible scuff mark, in the gorgeous black and white tiles covering the floor.

Jules Cavanaugh peered out the round glass window cut into the kitchen door and remembered another night when Lunden’s had been empty, just like this. Only tonight, there was no blizzard. No storm. No snow.

And no customers, either.

Mind full of the worries that had become all too common over the last year and a half—is it time to talk Gus into shutting down lunch service? Do we really need four servers on Thursday nights if we don’t get more than ten covers all night long? What am I going to tell Gino when he calls about next week’s beef order? They’re not going to extend our credit forever, even if Gino’s great-grandfather supplied the first steaks ever cooked at Lunden’s—Jules had managed to tune out most of the commotion behind her.

A kitchen full of chefs with nothing to do was a recipe for trouble, and the Lunden’s crew was no exception...

2011-04-02T14:20:00.000-04:00

These tired guys are my Border Terriers, Hunter and Oscar. We just finished the Mighty Texas Dog Walk, a 3-mile trek to benefit the Texas Hearing & Service Dogs! Here's hoping we managed to break the world record for number of dogs on a walk, too.

We saw a lot of great dogs today, including a 182-pound Great Dane, a dachshund in a Batman t-shirt, and a Pomeranian groomed to look like a lion.

Tell me about your pets!

Dedication

2011-03-30T14:45:00.000-04:00

One of the coolest things that ever happened to me was when I worked at Berkley Editorial, at Penguin USA. I loooove coming up with the titles for books (other people's books, not mine--that's way harder!) and I must have been decent at it, because other editors would come to me all the time for help brainstorming titles. Too many to name or remember now, but one will always stick out for me, because the author was the fabulous, talented, smart, NYT bestseller Jayne Ann Krentz.

And she loved the title I came up with so much, she actually dedicated the book...to ME.

That's right! Take a look at the first few pages of Falling Awake (cool, right? ; ) and you'll see my name, and Jayne's kind, wonderful, never-to-be-forgotten words:

To Louisa Edwards, with thanks for the title. Yep, you were definitely cut out for a career in publishing!

Music to my young editorial assistant ears. Of course, life swerved a bit and my career in publishing hopped the editorial tracks and is heading down a slightly different path, but hopefully the sentiment will hold if I'm a writer instead!

Today, I get to write the dedication for my fourth published novel, Too Hot to Touch, and I'm a little stumped...I've already dedicated books to the obvious suspects: my husband, my parents, and my sister. This time, I get to branch out, which is fun, but poses its own problems.

So help me out! If you wrote a book, who'd get your dedication page?

Book into Movie

2011-03-16T13:23:00.000-04:00

I'm getting really excited for the new movie version of Jane Eyre! That's one of my favorite books of all time, and I've never been entirely satisfied with any movie based on it, so my hopes are high. Michael Fassbender seems like a great choice for Rocherster--dark, dangerous, handsome, a little cruel. I know less about Mia Wasikowska (didn't see Alice) but the reviews so far make it sound like she's perfect for Jane.

Movie adaptations of beloved books are very tricky--we, as readers, form such close attachments to our own ideas of the characters that if the movie doesn't conform to the original, it can be very jarring. I don't personally feel that a movie has to be word for word, to-the-letter faithful in order to be a good adaptation. In fact, sometimes that's a detriment, because what makes a great book isn't the same as what makes a satisfying movie experience. So long as the movie catches the spirit of the book and transports me to the same emotional place, I'm happy!

So what's your favorite movie adaptation of a book?

It's Coming

2011-03-04T10:02:00.000-05:00

With January and February over, we're finally moving out of the months designated as Hollywood's landfill, where they dump all the movies they can't believe they ever spent money on--but that they DID spend too much money on just to can. Rule of thumb: if a movie is released in the first two months of the year, you don't want to see it. Spend your ticket money on a good book!

Okay, I'd be happy if everyone did that all the time, anyway, but also I'd be a hypocrite, because I love going to the movies. *Almost* as much as I love to read. And we're getting closer and closer to the great movie months of the year--spring, before the big brainless blockbusters of summer (which, let's be honest, are sometimes awesome, too.)

And this spring, the movie I'm most looking forward to, hands down, is The Adjustment Bureau. Ever since I first saw the preview...and now, after the great review in the Washington Post? I'm even more excited than before! Apparently, Matt Damon and Emily Blunt have sizzling chemistry together. I think you can see it even in this short trailer:

What movies are you looking forward to?

Cookbook Giveaway

2011-03-02T11:13:00.000-05:00

I woke up this morning feeling like spreading the love, so I'm giving away a copy of last year's edition of Cooking for Two, the fabulous hardcover from America's Test Kitchen that cuts all their delicious recipes down to a manageable size. If you're tired of being held hostage to a fridge full of leftovers, this is the cookbook for you! It's a really useful book with a lot of yummy, foolproof recipes; I have a copy on my own shelf.

To be entered for a chance to win, head over to my Facebook fan page and comment on the original post about the giveaway. You must live in the U.S./Canada AND 'Like' the FB page in order to be eligible. Good luck!

2011-02-24T14:24:00.000-05:00

I want to share a sneak peek at my friend Voirey Linger's newest release! Voirey's writing is the kind I love to savor--scorching sexual tension, high emotion, and enough gritty realism to her characters to make them completely unforgettable. Take a look!

Voirey Linger writes stories designed to ruffle your feathers. Her second angel book, Forsaking Eternity releases February 25th from Ellora's Cave Publishing, and this summer she will be launching a new series of erotic shorts called The Mansion series. She's also the founder of The Summer Reading Trail, a collection of free reads from authors of all genres. For more information about Voirey's stories or the Summer Reading Trail, please visit her Website at www.voireylinger.com.

Sequel to Risking Eternity.

There are some things an angel shouldn’t do…

Renatus is a legalist and knows the rules better than most. But knowing the Law doesn’t stop him from imagining the press of a hard male body against his, or remembering one forbidden kiss that left him hungry for more. He leaves Heaven to mingle with mankind, hoping that satisfying curiosity will quell desire. He finds Adam, a college professor who has given up on love.

Adam once dreamed of finding the perfect man and settling down. His dreams and trust were shattered when he found out the truth about his ex. Meeting Renatus seduces Adam into taking another chance on love. But Ren is keeping secrets, and the only promise he will make is that he will leave.

Now the Most High has commanded Renatus to retrieve the Law of Men and Angels, and a vengeful demon is circling, waiting for her opportunity to strike. Staying is impossible, leaving unbearable, and Ren wants to succumb to temptation, forsaking eternity for a life on Earth with Adam.

Excerpt:

An Excerpt From: FORSAKING ETERNITY

Copyright © VOIREY LINGER, 2011

All Rights Reserved, Ellora's Cave Publishing, Inc.

“Do you work nearby, Adam?”

“Fairly. I’m a professor at the university. I’m farther away than most of the lunch crowd but still close enough to walk. And you?”

“I do not work nearby.” That line of questioning used up his conversational repertoire. Ren picked up his coffee mug and took a nervous sip.

The hot brew hit his mouth and Ren’s eyes watered. Merciful Heavens, it was vile. The heat of it singed his mouth and the bitter taste made him recoil. Even the packets of sugar he had used did nothing to improve the flavor. His eyes watered and he forced himself to swallow. How could Maggie drink this? From her blissful reaction to a simple cup of coffee, he’d expected it to taste, well…good.

“What’s wrong? Too hot?”

Ren gasped and cleared his throat before speaking. “The taste was not what I was expecting.”

“Are you one of the connoisseurs who likes their coffee to be just so? I have to admit to being underwhelmed by all the special blends. To me, coffee is just coffee.”

“No, it’s not that. I don’t believe I like coffee at all, actually.” Could this trip have possibly been a bigger failure? No doubt he looked like a fool.

“Ah, ordered the wrong thing then. What did you want? Hot chocolate maybe?” He turned to flag down a waiter.

“Please, do not be concerned. I do not need anything.” He reached across the table and placed his hand on Adam’s arm to stop him. His fingers tingled where they touched the tweed of the jacket. The power flowing through their bodies shifted, aligned once more. Never before, in all the eons of his existence, had he ever experienced anything of the like.

Adam’s hand eased back down and he stared at Ren’s fingers on his sleeve. His lips parted, his breath caught for one brief moment before he drew a shuddering gasp.

Adam felt it, too.

The knowledge went to Ren’s head in a giddy rush. Flustered, he pulled away. Clutching his coffee for dear life, he stared into the faint wisp of steam escaping it and tried to make sense of what just happened.

Was this attraction? Something more? The beginnings of…what, exactly?

“Adam?” Another man stopped by the table, claiming the human’s attention. “Sorry to interrupt, but we need to go or we’ll be late.”

Adam checked his watch and grimaced. “Head back without me. I’ll be right behind you.”

“He is a friend?” Ren asked as the man walked away.

“Tom is a longtime friend and colleague. And I’m afraid he’s right. I have a lecture and need to get back to campus.”

Adam gave Ren a thoughtful look before standing. “Do you have anywhere you need to be? If you have time I’d like it if you would walk to my office with me.”

Ren examined the small brown bubbles floating in his coffee cup, flustered. His face felt unaccountably hot and he didn’t know where to look. “I am available and would like to accompany you.”

Ren braved a glance at Adam’s face and was struck by the pleasure the human radiated. Had he done that, made Adam so incredibly happy just by agreeing to walk with him? The other man’s happiness seemed to spark an answering joy deep in Ren, a joy he hadn’t felt in seven thousand years.

He stood, leaving his coffee on the table, and shoved his hands in the pockets of his jacket. Adam gestured in the general direction of the campus and the two of them started down the sidewalk.

“You are an educator. Do you have many students?” he asked Adam as they walked.

“Not really. The college is a small one, and ancient language studies aren’t very popular. Students take my classes because they need them, not because the subject interests them. I enjoy teaching, but translation work is more interesting to me.”

“Translation?”

“We’re sometimes sent old texts. Oftentimes it’s something that’s been translated before and we’ve been asked to confirm the interpretation. Other times it’s a new find. We’ve had a few partial texts to handle and identify but those usually go to larger universities.”

“That sounds like interesting work.”

“It is. What about you?”

“I am not from here.”

Adam chuckled, and the sound sparked a warm glow of what might have been happiness in Ren.

“Yeah, I did notice that.”

Ren stopped, confused. “How did you know?”

“The vaguely European accent, formal speech patterns, some of your word choices.” Adam smiled indulgently. “Your American accent is good but not perfect.”

“I’ll have to work on that.”

“No. Don’t. I like it. Come on, we’re almost there.” They began walking again, but this time there was a companionable silence, the simple satisfaction of being close to each other. How odd to have such comfortable familiarity when they’d only just met. He didn’t feel this at ease with beings he’d known since before time.

They reached the college and Adam took him on a slow tour of the grounds, pointing out various buildings and bits of architecture. At almost two hundred years, the campus was old by American standards. Well-maintained lawns were framed by cobbled walkways and neat shrubberies graced beds laid to rest in anticipation of the coming winter. Trees, thick with the vibrant shades of autumn, overlooked red brick buildings which displayed a level of craftsmanship long dead.

They reached the language studies building and Adam led Ren inside. Adam’s office held the same quaint charm and timeless appeal as the grounds. Dark wood floors squeaked under their feet as they entered. Two large windows dominated the wall opposite the door, stretching from knee-high to a handsbreadth of the high ceiling. Wooden shelves, their stain nearly black with age, lined the walls on either side of the room and matching wainscoting graced the bare walls. The plaster was a plain white which gleamed in the midday light streaming through the glass.

“Is it too bright for you? I can close the blinds if you’d like.” Adam took a stack of books from a battered chair and set them on his overfilled desk. He began shuffling papers, straightening the desk. “I like the light so I keep the blinds up most of the time. Natural light is much better for working, at least it is for me, but if you don’t like it…”

Adam stood still as a statue for a hesitant second. “I’m rambling, aren’t I?”

“Perhaps a little.” Ren ducked his head and smiled.

“Please, make yourself comfortable. I don’t have much time, unfortunately.”

Ren didn’t move. He couldn’t. His feet were firmly planted on those aging boards, held captive by this man, this simple human. After an eternity of living among wonders beyond this or any man’s comprehension, how was it that Adam, in all his base humanity, could fascinate him so?

“I don’t really wish to sit.” He peeked up at Adam and his gaze caught on the expression on the human’s face.

Adam slowly circled the desk once more until he stood close in front of Ren, closer than socially acceptable, closer than comfortable. Something deep in Ren’s chest responded. It pulled at him, tugged him toward Adam until he swayed.

“Why did you come, Renatus?” The words were a whisper, their speaker so close Ren could feel them ghosting over his own lips.

“I wanted to be with you, if only for a few more moments.”

Ren couldn’t say which one of them moved, or if maybe they both had. He just knew that in the next moment his jacket brushed against the tweed of Adam’s, the near-contact of their bodies so overwhelming that he could feel every fiber as they caught and clung. Adam’s breath fell hot and fast against his face. Ren’s lids grew heavy, his head tilted and he began to lean in.

Forsaking Eternity by Voirey Linger

Buried Treasure

2011-02-23T12:30:00.001-05:00

This is so nice! One of the most respected romance review sites out there, All About Romance, mentioned On the Steamy Side in their post about 2010 books they hoped more readers would find. Thanks, guys!

According to the post, "Reviewer Dabney Grinnan [my new favorite person!] particularly enjoyed On the Steamy Side by Louisa Edwards and thought it deserved more attention. Of this novel, she says, 'This is the second book in a series set in the restaurant world of New York City. The lovers in this one, Devon–the bad boy celebrity chef– and Lilah Jane–ex-high school drama teacher–, are very sexy and funny together. Plus the book–and the series–features a m/m love story that is lovely and sexy in its own right. I like all three books in the series, but this is my favorite.'"

The whole list is very interesting, especially if you're looking to add some new-to-you authors to your TBR list. I'm honored to be in such illustrious company! Check it out.

What are some of your "buried treasures" from last year?

Hottest Chef in America

2011-02-16T16:22:00.000-05:00

If you're as obsessed with chefs as I am, you know there are a lot more hotties out there than just the ones you see on the Food Network. And every year, food enthusiast website Eater runs a competition to choose the hottest of the real-life chefs! This year's line-up is stellar.

Check it out and make your voice be heard! Taff Mayberry (the cutie on the middle left) is my pick--and he would be, even if he weren't a chef in my new hometown. But Vikas Khanna gives him a run for his money. That accent! *swoon*

Who gets your vote?

Beta Heroes

2011-02-15T12:44:00.000-05:00

There's a very interesting challenge going on over at RomanceBooksForum. They want to prove the existence of the Beta Hero! If you're not 100% sure what that is, check out their post--they offer a good link to explain it.

I love beta heroes--always have. A couple great examples are Robin from Mary Jo Putney's wonderful ANGEL ROGUE, and Davy from my very favorite Jennifer Crusie novel, FAKING IT.

And it made me wonder. Do you think any of my heroes can be classified as betas? The only one who's been published so far that might fit the bill is Wes, from JUST ONE TASTE. Adam and (especially) Devon are both pretty alpha! But for those of you who, like me, love the quiet, calm confidence and intelligent leadership of the beta hero, I can't wait to introduce you to Danny Lunden, the hero of SOME LIKE IT HOT, the second book in my next trilogy. You're going to adore him!

Happy V-Day!

2011-02-14T13:01:00.000-05:00

It's hearts and flowers time again, kids! Personally, I'm spending the Day of Love working on my current manuscript, slaving away over revisions and polishing until the story shines as brightly as a brand new diamond drop necklace! Because that's how much I adore you all.

What are your romantic (or anti-romance) plans for the day?

Facebook Giveaway: Three Signed Books!

2011-02-04T11:33:00.000-05:00

In honor of the fabulous authors I was lucky enough to see at the Southern Florida Romance Writers conference last weekend, I've got three of their signed books to give away!

Edge of Sight, first in the new Guardian Angelinos romantic suspense series by Roxanne St. Claire, The Perfect Dish, sweet culinary romance by Kristen Painter, and Hard to Hold, a real life romance by Julie Leto! All autographed by the authors. And the luck winner will also get one of my hot new cover flats as a bonus...

Comment on the original Facebook post to be entered in the drawing. Only US/Canada residents who are fans of my official page are eligible.

Good luck! These are some fun, steamy reads to warm up your chilly winter nights!

It's Officially A Cover

2011-02-03T13:17:00.000-05:00

I got my cover flats for Too Hot To Touch today! They are mouthwateringly gorgeous, I have to say. Until I saw them, I didn't know what color the spine and back of the book were going to be, and my only reaction is: Way to GO, St. Martin's! Can you come decorate my house next? Because it's exactly the right color. Sizzling red!

For those without a magnifying glass who want to know what the back cover actually says, here it is:

Welcome to the Rising Star Chef competition, where today’s hottest chefs battle it out on national TV for a chance at fame, fortune and culinary supremacy. Every contestant hungers to win, but only one will take the prize…

HE’S GOT THE SIZZLE

When it comes to competitive cooking, Max Lunden is no stranger to winning…though he’s never been great at working with a team. A master chef—and major hunk—he’s traveled the world, picking up new cooking techniques as well as beautiful women. But when the prodigal chef returns home to his family’s Greenwich Village restaurant, he discovers one too many cooks in the kitchen—and she’s every bit as passionate as he is…

SHE’S GOT THE FIRE

Juliet Cavanaugh used to have a crush on Max when she was just a teenager, hanging out at Lunden & Sons Tavern, hoping to catch a glimpse of the owner’s oldest, and hottest, son. Now a chef herself—competing in the biggest culinary contest in the country—Juliet will be cooking side by side with the one man she’s always admired…and desired. But despite their simmering attraction, Juliet is determined to keep her cool—no matter how hot it gets…

Naughty

2011-02-01T16:39:00.000-05:00

For a spicy trip down memory lane, check out the Cityroom blog today at the NYT--they're showcasing The Gentleman's Directory, an 1870 guide to the brothels and whorehouses of Manhattan. It's a fascinating look at a slice of history that's usually hidden away, swept under the carpet. It's interesting to think of people back then as real and flawed, rather than the quaint, idealized picture painted by most history books.

Enjoy!

Who Likes a Good Poll?

2011-01-27T10:40:00.001-05:00

I know I do! So go ahead and cast your votes for the best romance novels of 2010 over at All About Romance.

And while you're at it, don't forget about these two! ; )

Let your voice be heard! Vote vote vote!

Beans, Beans, the Magical Fruit...

2011-01-17T11:00:00.000-05:00

I'm about to head out to the grocery store for provisions. It's still chilly enough here that I want to make soup or stew, maybe something with beans. Especially after the success of that yummy chickpea & spinach stew last week! Anyone have a great bean recipe to share?

Cover Hotness!

2011-01-14T13:01:00.000-05:00

So exciting--I can finally share my new cover with you all! TOO HOT TO TOUCH, first in the Hot Trilogy, will be out August 2nd, and let me tell you, it's not just the title that's hot. I'm in lust...

What do you think? Does it make you eager to meet my new crop of sexy, talented, passionate chefs as they battle it out in the Rising Star Chef competition?

The Perfect Dish by Kristen Painter

2011-01-12T10:45:00.000-05:00

THE PERFECT DISH by Kristen Painter is now out! Who doesn't love a hot chef hero?

Blurb: Texas-born Kelly Spicer is not just one of Manhattan's hottest young chefs, he's also one of the city's most eligible bachelors. Desperate to help his grieving sister, Kelly uses the magic cookbook passed down through his family's generations to conjure up a recipe of chocolate-laced persuasion to enlist the help of the only woman he thinks can reach his sister.

Psychologist Meredith Black has buried two husbands,an experience which has made her an expert in grief and pushed her to pen two books that landed her on the Oprah show and the best seller list. A cynic in matters of the heart, her success does nothing to ease her belief that she's a jinx. She vows never to love again and when she makes that sentiment public, dating Kelly becomes her best damage control.

You can find it on Amazon or B&N.

Doesn't that cover make you want to drag that guy into the kitchen and...bake a cake? Rowr!

Baby, It's Cold Outside

2011-01-11T10:04:00.000-05:00

It is COLD here in Austin today. Does it make me a hypocrite if I kind of like it? I know, I know, I complained a lot about the bitter, looooong winters in Ohio, and I was stoked to live someplace warmer. But here, there's no snow to shovel, I made a hearty stew last night (chickpeas, spinach, and tomatoes, with a garlicky aioli dolloped on top,) and have a fire in the fireplace. It was kind of awesome. Maybe I'm just not a fan of 5-month winters with lots of icy, slushy, snowy mess.

What's your favorite thing about winter weather?

New Year's Resolutions

2011-01-07T10:04:00.000-05:00

I know it's a little late, but I thought I'd post about those tricky beasts, New Year's resolutions. There's an art to them, you see. You want to them to stretch you, to propel you further than you've managed to go before--but you also want them to be achievable. Quick hint: don't word them like "I'll NEVER do x and such" or "I'll do x and such every single day!" Unless you were already working hard on that goal, you're not going to be able to make such a drastic, complete switch.

But it's just as dangerous to word your resolution too vaguely. "I'll try to do x and such more." More than what? "More" could mean once, or it could mean three times a week. Be specific, but reasonable.

My goals are these: I will work toward being able to swim a mile three times a week by February 15th. I will take advantage of living in Austin by going out once a week (to a bar, to listen to live music, to take a class, to a museum, etc) and I will read fifty books this year.

That last one is my favorite! I was a voracious reader long before I was a writer, and I miss it. The activities are so closely linked in my head; I tend to feel like if I'm reading, I'm slacking, and should be using that time to write. But reading is actually a part of writing--it's how I expand my vocabulary, not just of word definitions, but of ideas and emotions and personality traits and settings.

Plus, I just plain love to read.

So I'm off to a good start, beginning with AS ALWAYS, JULIA, the collected letters of Julia Child and her first publishing contact and dear friend, Avis DeVoto. I'm about a quarter of the way through it, and it's every bit as charming as you think it is. I'd be glad for some book recommendations from all of you! I'll ask again, don't worry. And I plan to keep track of my progress right here on this blog, so you can all help keep me honest!

What were your New Year's resolutions this year?

Holiday Treasures

2010-12-18T10:45:00.000-05:00

I finally put my Christmas tree up yesterday. I know! Better late than never, though, right? The only thing missing is the popcorn and cranberry garland. May have to watch The Ref tonight and string some!

Oscar wants to know why he can't go tearing through the living room the way he usually does.

Anyway, I had a lovely time cooing over old family ornaments with my mom. Perhaps unsurprisingly, I've collected a lot of fruits and vegetables over the years--like this cute green tomato! What's your favorite holiday keepsake?

Cover Art News!

2010-12-16T13:16:00.000-05:00

Oh my gosh, you guys! I've got the cover art for my next book, Too Hot to Touch, and I'm DYING to share it with you...but I can't yet. Sorry! While we make sure we have final approvals, everyone chime in--what are some of your favorite book covers of all time?

Here are a few of mine:

TKA Blog Party

2010-12-14T12:17:00.000-05:00

Come one, come all!

An invitation to the event of the season, hosted by The Knight Agency Blog:

HO HO HO! It's the most wonderful time of the year, and that means it's time for TKA's annual online holiday party! Join our agents, authors and TKA Santa for an hour of non-stop giveaways. This is our most fun, relaxed chat of the year. No worries about what to ask a guest author or waiting your turn to speak -- it's literally a free for all! This year Gena Showalter, Nalini Singh, Maria Geraci, Keith R.A. DeCandido, Shannon K. Butcher, Linda Gerber, Michelle Celmer, Louisa Edwards, Lydia Dare, Joey W. Hill, Jessica Andersen, Lauren Baratz-Logsted, Chris Marie Green and Shirley Jump are all giving away signed copies of their releases. Plus we're raiding our book closets and giving out titles by Rachel Caine, Marley Gibson and Cecil Murphey, among others. Oh yeah, and there's a Christmas stocking prize stuffed with books and holiday treats.

Don't forget to mark your calendars!

WHAT: Knight Agency Annual Holiday Lunchbox Chat
WHEN: Thursday, December 16th @ 12:30pm ET
WHERE: The Knight Agency Chat Room, http://client1.sigmachat.com/sc.php?id=115545
HOW TO CHAT: Enter any combination of username and password. Login. Your computer must be Java enabled to chat.

Holiday Recipe: Mississippi Nut Cake

2010-12-10T14:18:00.000-05:00

Otherwise known, by the more upfront, less teetotalling side of my family, as Whiskey Cake! This is one of my all-time holiday favorites, and it's one of those that proves how delicious simple recipes can be. It's the fruitcake for people who hate fruitcake! I make miniature loaves as neighborhood gifts and wrap them in cute, holiday-printed cloth and clear plastic wrap, then tie a ribbon around it, and attach a miniature airline-sized bottle of Jack Daniels. Sometimes I think about trying something new, but I get people begging me for their whiskey cakes year after year, so I never do!

Try it. I guarantee you'll love it!

Whiskey Cake

1 lb. chopped pecans
½ lb. golden raisins
1 ½ C. flour, separated (see below)
1 tsp. baking powder
¼ tsp. salt
½ C. butter
1 1/8 C. sugar
3 eggs separated
2 tsps. Freshly grated nutmeg
2/3 C. good, sweet bourbon plus ½ C. (I usually use Jack Daniels or Wild Turkey)

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.

Sift the flour and measure 1 ½ C.

Mix ½ C. of the flour with the nuts and raisins. Sift the remaining flour again with the baking powder and salt.

Cream butter and sugar and add 3 egg yolks. Mix the nutmeg and whiskey together and add little by little , alternating with dry ingredients. Add nuts and raisins; finally beat egg whites until stiff and fold them into the batter.

Pour into 2 regular-sized loaf pans or four mini-loaf pans and let stand for a few minutes to settle. Bake at 325 for about 1 ¼ hours.

Remove the cakes from the oven and let stand in the pans for 1 hour before pouring an extra half cup of bourbon over the whole thing and taking them out of the pans to finish cooling.

Wrap in clean cloth and continue "watering" with bourbon. You can't put too much! The cake just gets better and better...

Book Club

2010-12-09T09:38:00.000-05:00

Who's got the wine and cheese plate? It's Book Club Day! Over at Marie Force's blog, we're all gabbing about Just One Taste. How fun is that? I'm also giving away a signed copy of the whole Market Trilogy, Can't Stand the Heat, On the Steamy Side, and Just One Taste. Plus, there are several great recipes! You seriously don't want to miss it. Pop on over and put in your two cents on the book. I'd love to chat with you!

Facebook Giveaway: The Boyfriend of the Month Club

2010-12-08T16:28:00.000-05:00

I blogged about Maria Geraci's warm, fun, funny women's fiction novel The Boyfriend of the Month Club yesterday, and now's your chance to experience it for yourself! I'm giving away a copy to one lucky follower of my official Facebook fan page. To be entered in the drawing, comment on the Facebook post with the name of your very first boyfriend, and I'll pick one lucky winner! (You must be a fan of my official FB page, and a resident of the U.S. or Canada to win.) Good luck!

Here's the blurb for the book, in case you missed it:

This sexy, funny new novel asks: Can a woman find a modern-day Mr. Darcy in Daytona Beach?

At thirty, Grace O'Bryan has dated every loser in Daytona Beach. After the ultimate date-from-hell, Grace decides to turn her dwindling book club into a Boyfriend of the Month Club, where women can discuss the eligible men in their community. Where are the real life twenty-first century versions of literary heroes such as Heathcliff and Mr. Darcy?

Could it be successful and handsome Brandon Farrell, who is willing to overlook his disastrous first date with Grace and offers financial help for her parents' failing Florida gift shop? Or maybe sexy dentist Joe Rosenblum, who's great with a smile but not so great at commitment? Unfortunately, like books, men cannot always be judged by their covers...

"Romance readers will revel in the Austen-perfect happy ending and the warm friendship among members of the club." --Publishers Weekly

Fresh Apple Cake and a Fresh Book Pick!

2010-12-07T11:12:00.000-05:00

If you want my grandmother's recipe for Fresh Apple Cake, check out my guest post today at Romancing the Book! This is a great cake for the holidays because it's one of those that actually gets better and better a few days after baking, so it's perfect to keep around the house for when those unexpected guests drop by.

And today, finally, my friend Maria Geraci's newest book is out! I can't wait to get my copy of The Boyfriend of the Month Club (and is that not the cutest title ever?) because Maria's a wonderful, funny, warm writer whose characters always stick with me long after I finish the book. Love the cover for this one, don't you? It looks like the perfect escape from all this cold winter weather! Head out to a bookstore or order it online right away. You don't want to miss this one!