Book BIN Friday - Married By Morning

So I'm rounding out Book BIN week with yet another fabulous-sounding historical, Married By Morning by Lisa Kleypas. I love Lisa's books, and am really looking forward to diving into this one. Here's the blurb:


He is everything she wants to avoid…

For two years, Catherine Marks has been a paid companion to the Hathaway sisters — a pleasant position, with one caveat. Her charges’ older brother, Leo Hathaway, is thoroughly exasperating. Cat can hardly believe that their constant arguing could mask a mutual attraction. But when one quarrel ends in a sudden kiss, Cat is shocked at her powerful response — and even more so when Leo proposes a dangerous liaison.

She is not at all what she seems…

Leo must marry and produce an heir within a year to save his family home. Catherine’s respectable demeanor hides a secret that would utterly destroy her. But to Leo, Cat is intriguing and infernally tempting, even to a man resolved never to love again. The danger Cat tried to outrun is about to separate them forever — unless two wary lovers can find a way to banish the shadows and give in to their desires…

*****

Sounds great, doesn't it? So why not pick up some new reading material for the weekend and Buy It Now?

Book BIN Wednesday - One Dance With A Duke

Squeee! Tessa Dare has a new book out - the start of a brand new trilogy! Here are the deets:

True temptation begins at midnight…

A handsome and reclusive horse breeder, Spencer Dumarque, the fourth Duke of Morland, is a member of the exclusive Stud Club, an organization so select it has only ten members — yet membership is attainable to anyone with luck. And Spencer has plenty of it, along with an obsession with a prize horse, a dark secret, and, now, a reputation as the dashing “Duke of Midnight.” Each evening he selects one lady for a breathtaking midnight waltz. But none of the women catch his interest, and nobody ever bests the duke — until Lady Amelia d’Orsay tries her luck.

In a moment of desperation, the unconventional beauty claims the duke’s dance and unwittingly steals his heart. When Amelia demands that Spencer forgive her scapegrace brother’s debts, she never imagines that her game of wits and words will lead to breathless passion and a steamy proposal. Still, Spencer is a man of mystery, perhaps connected to the shocking murder of the Stud Club’s founder. Will Amelia lose her heart in this reckless wager or win everlasting love?

****

Doesn't it sound great? So why not go Buy It Now?

Book BIN Tuesday - Knight of Passion

I'm so excited! 2010 RITA finalist Margaret Mallory has a new book out today! It's called Knight of Passion and it's the 3rd book in her All The King's Men series. Here's the scoop:

HOW CAN THIS PASSIONATE KNIGHT…

Renowned beauty Lady Linnet is torn between two desires: revenge on those who destroyed her family or marriage to her childhood sweetheart Sir James Rayburn. One fateful night, she makes a misguided choice: she sacrifices Jamie’s love for a chance at vengeance.

TRUST A BEAUTY WITH A PAST?

Jamie Rayburn returns to England in search of a virtuous wife—only to find the lovely Linnet as bewitching as ever. Their reckless affair ignites anew, even hotter than before, although Jamie vows to never again trust her with his heart. Then just as Linnet begins to make amends, she’s tempted by one last opportunity to settle old scores. But a final retribution could cost her Jamie’s love – this time forever.

****

If you live in Western Washington, you can pick up a copy of the book TODAY, at the Olympia Borders near the Capitol Mall, signed by the author! 5:30-7:30 pm.

Otherwise, you can find it online and in your local bookstore! So be sure to put it on your list to head out and Buy It Now!

It's a Book BIN Week!

Just a head's up that there will be a LOT of Book BIN recommendations this week, because it's just filled with fabulous new releases and I can't choose! So keep an eye out, be sure to comment, and there may be a prize or two at the end of the week!

Also, the winner of last week's tote bag contest will be announced near the end of the week as well. So be sure to stop on by!

Kate's Current TV Crush - Eric Sheffer Stevens

Yes, it's true. I've fallen for another man.

And so has Luke Snyder. :)

Over the past few months I've gotten sucked into another fandom. This time it's As The World Turns, which kind of sucks because the show's been cancelled and will end its 54-year run in September. On the one hand, I'm clearly not an early adopter; on the other, I'm thoroughly enjoying the ride to the end of the line.

One of the biggest reasons? This fella right here.

Seriously, guys, Eric Sheffer Stevens is one of the best actors I've ever seen on US daytime television, hands down.

No, scratch that. He's one of the best actors I've ever seen, full stop.

Yes, the character is fantastic. Yes, the dialogue is crackling and hilarious. But in the hands of a lesser actor, it wouldn't have the same impact, the same quality, the same SPARK it has once ESS has gotten ahold of it.

I'm a former theater nerd. And there are moments when watching Eric on the show that I have to actually pause the DVR and marvel over his choices. The line readings! He's got the best dialogue on the show, hands down, but even simple lines are powerful in his hands. My personal favorite? It's from the episode where Luke and Reid are discussing Luke's relationship with Noah (over an unconscious Noah, in the hospital following brain surgery. Hey, it's a soap.). Luke says he never thought he'd ever be with anyone but Noah. Reid nods and says, "that explains a lot."

(Right now you're thinking, this poor writer has gone around the bend, because how in the hell is that an interesting line? Believe me when I tell you, thanks to his interpretation of it, that line MAKES THE ENTIRE SCENE. I've been flailing over it for weeks. Don't believe me? Take a peek at the episode.)




(You may also note the kissing at the beginning of the episode. Um, rowr. This is US daytime television? Not German? Amazing. Also, Chemistry 101, in action.)

In the few short months Eric Sheffer Stevens has been on As The World Turns, I've become an unabashed Reid fangirl. The character is nuanced, interesting, challenging, and fun to watch. He's cranky and arrogant on the outside, but with enough hints of vulnerability and gentleness to balance out the character (and make the audience understand how Luke could fall for him).

So the character is fantastic, the actor is amazing, and the storyline is outstanding. Why is As The World Turns being cancelled, again? Oh, right. Because they didn't hire Eric Sheffer Stevens early enough.

No matter. As long as ESS is on screen, I'm along for the ride. Here's hoping he stays through to the very end - and goes on to a wonderful, long-lasting career once it's done.

(And I'm not crushed that I wasn't able to get a "Hi Kate" picture of him from Soapfest to add to my photos of soap actors holding a "Hi Kate" sign. Well, maybe a little. Fingers crossed that he makes it to at least one more fan event so I can find someone to take one for me--or go myself!)

Book BIN Tuesday - In and Out

Fabulous m/m author LB Gregg has a new book out, and it sounds fantastic!

Former television sensation and renowned world explorer, Holden Worthington, is held prisoner by crippling agoraphobia. When a sexy young laborer arrives to set his property to rights, a ray of light glimmers in Holden's dark and narrow world.

A grisly discovery throws the two men together, and Holden finds his world turned inside out by his inappropriate longing for his awkward, young employee, Adam Morgan, and by a threat growing around them both. All of Smithfield believes Holden has something to hide, and Adam is determined to bring everything--including Holden Worthington--into the open.

Doesn't it sound great? So why not head on over to Aspen Mountain Press and Buy It Now?

Contest Week - Win a Tote From RT!

So yes, I've been back from RT for a few weeks, but the day job has been on fast-forward since I got back and I'm just getting a chance to breathe again. I posted some photos on Nine Naughty Novelists, and held a contest on Twitter, but wanted to share the fun with you here as well.

So:

From now until Friday, May 21, at midnight PDT, all comments on the blog will be entries to win a tote bag full of goodies from RT. There'll be books, swag, candy - all sorts of fun stuff to enjoy. So comment on this post, on posts from the rest of the week, comment on all of them - each comment is an entry to win!

To kick off the contest, here's a topic to discuss:

What book are you most looking forward to being released soon?

Over at Nine Naughty Novelists Today!

Stop on by Nine Naughty Novelists today - I'm chatting about my new favorite thing, the triangle on As The World Turns. :)

This could have something to do with the guy on the left. Rowr.

Anyway, the topic is OTP vs New Romance - What Do Writers Owe? I'd love to get your take on it!