Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Guest Blogger Kelly Jamieson - For The Love of Hockey!

I grew up watching hockey with my mom and my grandma (her mom) on television every Saturday night – Hockey Night in Canada. Strangely my dad wasn’t all that interested in hockey and used to nap on the couch during games. As a teenager, my first boyfriend played hockey and I used to go watch some of his games. He also liked to go to live games, and our local team was the Brandon Wheat Kings (yes, we lived on the prairies J). I remember sitting in the Keystone Centre watching the Wheat Kings while my boyfriend patiently explained what icing was, why they just gave a penalty and what made a play offside. I think I tried to be interested mostly because I wanted him to like me, but it somehow turned into a real love of the game!

When I started writing romance, I wanted to write a story with a hockey player hero, but hesitated because I kept hearing you shouldn’t write about heroes who are professional athletes. Athletes are big and muscular and strong. When they’re successful,  they’re confident, wealthy and famous. Are these heroic qualities?

Well, big muscles and a sexy smile are important for a romance hero, but qualities of determination, passion, loyalty, dedication, sacrifice and courage are important for heroes too. And don’t professional athletes have all those?

One Man Advantage, out today, is the third book I’ve written with a hot hockey player hero. Logan Heller is the younger brother of Jason (Breakaway) and Tag (Faceoff). While he’s a talented hockey player in his own right, it wasn’t easy following in the steps of such superstar older brothers.

But a hero is brave enough to face his insecurities and flaws and steps up when life is difficult. In One Man Advantage, Logan gets traded to a new team and even though he knows it’s part of the business and not personal, it still feels like a punch in the gut. He’s faced with starting over, with a new team, in a new city. He feels bitter and resentful and it would be tempting to let those feelings out, to whine and complain. But that’s not the kind of guy Logan is. And when he falls in love, he’s the kind of guy who sacrifices his career to protect the woman he loves, even when she’s stomping all over his heart because of her own insecurities.

Here’s the blurb for One Man Advantage:

After her ex trashes her reputation in front of the media and it quickly goes viral, Nicole vows she’ll never get involved with another hockey player. Too bad her job with the Minneapolis Caribou puts her in contact with sexy hockey players on a daily basis, including the newly traded center, Logan Heller. Logan’s pretty sure Nicole is the perfect woman for him and he’s determined to have her—in and out of bed. Nicole is equally determined to never date another hockey player. But Logan has a one man advantage...he knows what she really wants. 

Kelly Jamieson is a best-selling author of over twenty romance novels and novellas.  Her writing has been described as “emotionally complex”, “sweet and satisfying” and “blisteringly sexy”. Where you can find Kelly:







Tuesday, April 10, 2012

Book BIN Tuesday - Spice and Smoke

You guys. YOU GUYS. I am so excited about this release, I can't even.

Bollywood? Forbidden passion? I'm so there. And you should be too! Just check it out:


When the cameras stop rolling, the real scene begins.

To their adoring public, Avi Kumar and Trishna Chaudhury are Bollywood’s sweethearts. Behind closed doors, their open marriage lets them freely indulge in all manner of forbidden passions. The arrangement suits them both, but as they begin filming on the set of their new movie, the heat of new and rekindled flames singes the pages of what they thought would be a fresh script.

When costars Michael Gill and Harsh Mathur arrive on set, the sexual temperature goes up exponentially—at least for Trish. She can’t take her eyes of Harsh, for whom she’s carried a torch for years. Avi’s instant attraction to Michael, however, bounces off Michael’s solid wall of resistance.

Meanwhile, ex-boyfriends Vikram Malhotra and Sam Khanna, cast as fictional enemies, are finding it harder and harder to control the very real demons that once cost them the love of a lifetime.

Once the music starts, though, they all have no choice but to dance . And pray the fallout doesn’t ruin all their careers…and destroy their love.

*****
Seriously, doesn't it sound fab? Why not head over to Samhain and Buy It Now?

Monday, April 09, 2012

Meet The Author Monday - Suleikha Snyder

NAME:  Suleikha Snyder

BLOG: http://suleikhasnyder.blogspot.com

TWITTER: http://twitter.com/suleikhasnyder

TITLE OF FIRST BOOK: Spice and Smoke

RELEASE DATE:  April 10

FAVORITE WRITING STORY/SAYING/MEMORY: “Brevity is the soul of wit,” from Shakespeare’s favorite windbag, Polonius. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve said it — both to myself and to people whose (nonfiction!) work I’ve edited. Whether it’s short, sweet, sexy or funny, never underestimate the effectiveness of getting right to the point.

FAVORITE NON-WRITING STORY/SAYING/MEMORY: I’ve never watched the U.S. version of The Office, so I don’t even know where I might have picked it up from, but I say “That’s what she said!” way more than is advisable. I overuse it to the point where some friends of mine have suggested I write a TWSS moment into a novella. (Don’t worry: I haven’t managed to fit one in yet.) (That’s what she said!)

COMFORT FOOD: Anything fried, particularly empanadas or samosas. I completely adore mac & cheese. In fact, the one thing more excellent than mac & cheese is fried mac & cheese.

COMFORT READ: A Ring of Endless Light, by Madeleine L’Engle

YOUR PERFECT DAY: Starts with coffee and ends with a smile. 

WHAT ARE YOU WORKING ON NOW?:  I’m currently working on the sequel to Spice and Smoke, Spice and Secrets. It’s a multicultural contemporary romance. Two couples — a pair of former sweethearts and a fiery talk show hostess and her producer — must work through lies, misgivings and past relationship baggage in order to find love. I also have a couple of other Bollywood/South Asian-themed romances up my sleeve. Let’s just say that I’m realllly excited about 2012!

Sunday, March 25, 2012

Monday Movie Musings - Silent House


Let me state upfront that I am not a fan of horror movies. When I have a rare opportunity to go to a movie in the theater and need to choose a genre to see, horror would pretty much be at the bottom of the list.

And yet I saw Silent House the first week it was released.

(I blame Eric Sheffer Stevens. And Maia Strong, who made me go see it with her.)

(Okay, maybe I dragged Maia to the movie so I wouldn't have to go alone.)

(Yep, it's all Eric's fault.)

I've been tracking the film since it was in pre-production, as soon as ESS was cast. The single-shot technique intrigued me, and it was fascinating to listen to Eric talk about how filming it was different from other film experiences. But it was HORROR. Sob.

So I settled into my seat at the theater with more than a little trepidation. I was fully prepared to fling myself under the chair if necessary.

But you know what? I actually liked it.

(Unlike a lot of horror aficionados, apparently. So maybe I'm more its target audience than they are!)

I loved the one-shot technique, even though from time to time it caught my attention to the detriment of the actual scene (how the heck did they light that shot? Where's the cameraman hiding in this one?). I loved Eric's portrayal of the somewhat creepy uncle (though I fully acknowledge I am incapable of being objective when it comes to him. The man could read the phone book and I'd be utterly engrossed). I thought Elizabeth Olsen did a great job carrying the vast majority of the film on her shoulders. And I enjoyed puzzling out the clues throughout the film.

Was it perfect? Heck, no. And I can see why a horror fan might feel betrayed by the twist ending. But as a psychological suspense film, it really worked for me. So if you're looking for something a little different in that genre, you might want to give it a shot.

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

Book BIN Tuesday - Everything You've Got by Erin Nicholas

Erin Nicholas has a new book out, and it's a scorcher!


A girl, a guy, a set of handcuffs… What more could happily ever after possibly need?

Anything & Everything, Book 2

Luke Hamilton’s requirements for the perfect woman are straightforward: live, work and play in his beloved hometown—and get along with his mother. Dr. Kat Dayton’s got it all. And Luke’s noticed. It’s obvious to him that his long-time friend belongs with him, especially after the world-rocking kiss she lays on him at his birthday party.

While Kat can’t deny she’s imagined a kiss like that—and more—for years, she’s less convinced they’re destined for happily ever after. Still, Luke figures that’s nothing a friendly kidnapping and a three-day road trip won’t fix.

Kat would love to let Luke in, but if he discovers the truth—that committee meetings bore her to tears and she’d rather have a root-canal than go to another potluck—his white-picket-fence dreams will be crushed.

Being stuck in an RV with Luke should be three days of flirtatious fun, but for Kat it’s heavenly hell. The close confines and good old-fashioned lust are making a mockery of her perfect-woman façade, and if he finds out about the mistake that might cost her job—and force her to leave town for good—it’ll take more than a sexy pair of handcuffs to keep him close.

Warning: Contains a man who's willing to do anything for the perfect woman, an RV and surprise road-trip to help him prove it, and a woman who's wondering just what the hell she's gotten into.


So don't delay - go on and Buy It Now!

Friday, March 16, 2012

Reader's Fitness Challenge - Join In!



Late last year, I got a new day job, which I love. But in the process, I also stopped walking every day, which had been part of my routine for almost nine months. I was working full time, with a major commute, and I wasn't always around when my husband/walking partner was able to get his walk in.

Then there was the office situation. Until I took this job, I worked from home, so it wasn't quite as hard avoiding unhealthy treats - I just didn't buy them! Unfortunately, my new office mates were quite generous with their candy bowls and homemade snacks.

The combination managed to undo the hard work I'd done last year. Since March, I'd lost almost twenty pounds. As of last week, I've gained almost all of it back.

So I jumped at the chance to become a team leader for Lucy Monroe's Fitness Challenge. There are some great prizes, of course, but more important to me was the opportunity to be more accountable for healthy living. And I just know my team is going to kick butt. :)

So why not join in? Head on over to Lucy's page and sign up, and on April 1 we can start cheering each other on in our weight loss/healthy lifestyle pursuits.

Tuesday, March 06, 2012

Ten Reasons To Watch IHMTD Tonight!

Tonight marks the return of I Hate My Teenage Daughter to the FOX lineup. Sandwiched between Raising Hope and New Girl, it'll be part of the new Tuesday comedy block. So why should you add it to your viewing schedule tonight?

2. A fantastic ensemble cast that obviously enjoys working together.
3. Guest star Mark Consuelos.
5. A mention of telenovelas!
6. The cast members who tweet are really nice (and interact with fans).
7. Eric Sheffer Stevens and Kevin Rahm are goofy.
8. If you attend a filming, you'll get pizza.
9. It's only half an hour of your day. You can spare that, can't you?
10. ERIC SHEFFER STEVENS.

Any questions? :)

I HATE MY TEENAGE DAUGHTER, Fox, Tuesdays, 8:30 pm. Be there!

Sunday, March 04, 2012

Six Sentence Sunday - Take A Chance On Me



Today's selection is from my January print release, Take A Chance On Me.

*****

Tom nodded. “It’s cold, but it’s not that cold.” He reached out and pulled her coat collar closer together, tucking the fringes of her scarf around her neck to block out the wind.


She stilled, her eyes darkening as she stared at him. Tom’s grip tightened on her coat, his fingers clutching the fabric. Slowly, deliberately, he lowered his head to hers.

*You can find more Six Sentence Sunday authors here.

Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Book BIN Tuesday - A Rogue By Any Other Name by Sarah MacLean

What a scoundrel wants, a scoundrel gets. . .


A decade ago, the Marquess of Bourne was cast from society with nothing but his title. Now a partner in London's most exclusive gaming hell, the cold, ruthless Bourne will do whatever it takes to regain his inheritance—including marrying perfect, proper Lady Penelope Marbury.

A broken engagement and years of disappointing courtships have left Penelope with little interest in a quiet, comfortable marriage, and a longing for something more. How lucky that her new husband has access to an unexplored world of pleasures.

Bourne may be a prince of London's illicit underworld, but he vows to keep Penelope untouched by its wickedness—a challenge indeed as the lady discovers her own desires, and her willingness to wager anything for them . . . .even her heart.

*****
I'm on a bit of an historical glom these days, so this one jumped out at me. Think I'll head on out and Buy It Now!