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….
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.
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?
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?
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!
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?
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 Eternityreleases 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.
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.
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!
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.
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!
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!
Or is it just Jax Cassidy's new release? Whew! If you live someplace cold and currently buried under a foot or more of snow, and need to warm up, this is the book for you. Guaranteed to raise your temperature by at least five degrees!
BRUSH STROKES by Jax Cassidy Release date: January 10, 2010 Publisher: Amber Heat ISBN-13: 978-1-60272-627-7 (Electronic) *Heat warning: erotic, explicit sex scenes, language
For Sage, attending the Parisian sex club, Plaisirs Sombres, was the ultimate fantasy. So when the conservative gallery assistant is cloaked behind the velvet mask, she never expected to be the object of the club owner's desire. Spurred on by D.S. Gregoire's erotic and sensual brush strokes of the exclusive club, she gives into a brief liaison that leaves her breathless and wanting.
For Damien, known to the art world as D.S. Gregoire, his art has always been an adrenaline rush. But when an exotic and mysteriously uninhibited 'sex club virgin' enters his establishment, he is willing to break his club rules for another taste of the dark pleasures she brings him.
Author Bio: Jax Cassidy followed her dreams to Paris, then Hollywood to pursue a film career but managed to fall in love with penning sexy romances and happy endings—finding Mr. Right was just an added bonus. She writes contemporary, paranormal, and multi-ethnic romances and is Co-Founder of Romance Divas, and award winning writer’s website and discussion forum. Jax is also known as one-half of the retired writing team of Cassidy Kent.
We've talked movies and baking, but another way I like to get into the holiday spirit is by reading holiday-themed stories. My mom started this tradition when I was little by having us all read Charles Dickens's Christmas Carol aloud as a family, and to this day, when December rolls around I start getting the itch for books featuring miracles, mistletoe kisses, and holiday cheer.
I've seen several people asking for recommendations of favorite holiday-themed romances lately, so I thought I'd share a few of mine! Weirdly, they're all historical--but that's purely a coincidence. I'm sure there are some great Christmas contemporaries, and if you know of one, I'd love to hear about it!
The Shadow and the Star by Laura Kinsale Strictly speaking, not a holiday-themed romance, but a large, important stretch of the book takes place at a Christmas house party. There are surprisingly intoxicating brandied cherries, a game of Victorian-era Secret Santa that goes horribly wrong--or right?, and basically it's one of the best books ever. It was the first big historical romance I read, and it hooked me on romance for life. I even made brandied cherries last year! If you haven't read this yet, you're missing out. It's a classic for a reason. An Affair Before Christmas by Eloisa James This was one of James's Desperate Duchesses novels, and I enjoyed it immensely. It gave a real sense of the time period, down to some of the less pleasant details most historicals gloss right over, and in fact, those details were pivotal to the characters and the plot. Highly unique and very satisfying.
This Wicked Gift by Courtney Milan A novella in the Heart of Christmas anthology, this is Courtney Milan's debut. Her first full length novel, Proof by Seduction, will be out January 1st, and based on this novella? I'm pre-ordering that sucker. Milan is good! This not your standard bored society lady/ravishing rake/Almack's-and-Hyde-Park historicals. The lack of wealthy dukes is enough to make this book stand out, but what really affected me was the amount of sensual detail. The prose appeals to every single one of the reader's senses, and it's enough to make you feel like you're right there. I loved it.
I grew up in Virginia, went to school in Philadelphia, spent five years in Manhattan, then moved to a teeny town in Ohio. Now I live in fabulous, funky, fun Austin, Texas, which is very inspiring...
Once an editor of romance novels, now I'm writing my own. My Recipe for Love series combines contemporary romance with my love of food, restaurants, and smokin' hot chefs!
