Double Pleasure, Double Fun #Kindle #Giveaway

We are so lucky to have here today Melinda Leigh and Robin Perini who are going to share with us some Thursday 13 facts about their new Amazon Bestselling releases! Plus …. drum roll…

Leave a comment on this blog for a chance to win a Kindle and some free books!

But first, to visit other Thursday 13 participants, you can click here.

Also, I’ll be picking the winners of the AMAZON AWAKENING release party later today and will announce the winners tomorrow!

Without further ado, here are Melinda Leigh and Robin Perini.

MELINDA LEIGH

In my debut novel from Montlake Romance, SHE CAN RUN (released November 28), Beth Baker is on the run from her violent and powerful husband when she takes refuge at a secluded mansion. There she finds herself under the watchful eye of former cop Jack O’Malley. Her secrets, his suspicions, and their desire clash when a killer strikes nearby.

Here are Thirteen random facts about me and SHE CAN RUN.

    1. SHE CAN RUN is the first book I ever wrote.
    2. It took two years to learn the craft and business of writing well enough to turn that crappy first draft into a marketable book.
    3. I wear pajama bottoms whenever possible. Everyone in my neighborhood has seen me in them, including the UPS guy, the mailman, and once, when my then eight-year-old suddenly remembered at 9 pm she needed 30 cupcakes for school the next day, the night shift at the local supermarket.
    4. After 20+ years on the police force, Jack is injured in a car accident.
    5. Five is the number of complete rewrites SHE CAN RUN went through before I was signed by an agent.
    6. I require, at minimum, half a pot of coffee in the morning before my brain is fully functional.
    7. I often have a hard time picking titles for my books. Some go through a dozen before I settle on one. Most spend months on my computer entitled, “Current POS.”
    8. Henry, the police dog reject in SHE CAN RUN, is named after Henry Tudor, who defeated Richard III in 1485 and won the crown.
    9. Beth’s first husband was a fire-fighter.
    10. I work best in organized clutter. Color coded note cards are strewn across my workspace. White cards are for character descriptions. Colored cards are for plot notes. I haven’t seen the surface of my desk since June.
    11. I watch The Dog Whisperer. A dog will likely appear in everything I write, and you can be assured the pup will alive at the end of the book. The human characters have so such guarantee. Just sayin’.
    12. In SHE CAN RUN, Beth is hiding from her violent husband. It’s estimated that 1.3 million women are abused by their husbands or boyfriends in the US each year.
    13. 50% of protection orders granted to domestic violence victims are violated, and one-third of female homicide victims are killed by their intimate partners.

Find out more about Melinda at MelindaLeighAuthor.com. Connect with her on Facebook & Twitter.

ROBIN PERINI

In my debut novel from Amazon’s Montlake Romance, In Her Sights, (released on November 29, 2011), Colorado’s lone female SWAT sniper finds herself in the crosshairs when her past is exposed and an old enemy returns with a vengeance seeking to destroy her—and everyone she loves.

So, thirteen unusual facts related to In Her Sights and author Robin Perini.

    1. There is actually a town named Truth or Consequences (aka T or C), New Mexico. The town’s name was changed from Hot Springs during a national contest to celebrate the 10th anniversary of a television show of the same name.
    2. Robin is training in small-bore silhouette shooting and has discovered holding a rifle as steady as Jazz is not as easy as it looks.
    3. Jazz’s favorite candy is Butter Rum Life Savers.
    4. Luke Montgomery, the hero, has five brothers: Seth, Zach, Gabe, Caleb and Nick.
    5. Robin’s ‘how-to-write’ workshops have been included on the Top 24 Workshops CD from the Romance Writers of America’s® National Conference CD five times (Bill Stephens Productions).
    6. Jazz played basketball at Metro State in Colorado.
    7. There were between 1000 and 2000 Russian female snipers in World War II. Approximately 500 survived the war.
    8. The windage knob on a rifle controls the movement of the scope setting, usually in minutes of angle or actual inches, to move the bullet’s point of impact to the right or left.
    9. The New Mexico state question is “Red or Green?” and refers to what type of chile sauce should be included with a meal. If you want both, simply ask for ‘Christmas’.
    10. Jazz moved from New Mexico to Colorado just after she turned sixteen.
    11. In Her Sights was a Romance Writers of America® Golden Heart® award finalist in 2011.
    12. Luke Montgomery was an Army Ranger before he became an investigative reporter.
    13. In Her Sights is Robin’s first published novel

Get more information about Robin on her website, robinperini.com. Connect with her on Facebook and Twitter.

66 Replies to “Double Pleasure, Double Fun #Kindle #Giveaway”

  1. Robin, I was just thinking about you yesterday! I was wondering how it was going at Amazon. I suppose that since you’ve got a second deal, it must be going well. Congratulations!

    1. Hi Jamie–

      Thanks so much. The Amazon adventure has been awesome. My next books are coming out from Harlequin Intrigue, though. Finding Her Son is out in March, 2012. It’s been an amazing and blessed year.

      Thanks so much for stopping by.

  2. And the book winners are…

    Karol & Kathy F – IN HER SIGHTS
    Karen & Melynda Andrews – SHE CAN RUN

    Karol & Kathy F, please email your mailing address to Robin(at)RobinPerini.com

    Karen & Melynda Andrews, please email your mailing address to melindaleighauthor(at)yahoo.com

    Note: substitute @ for (at)

    Congratulations! Remember, everyone who commented will go into the Kindle drawing. Thanks for sharing in the thrill of our debut releases.

  3. Well all, I’m turning into a pumpkin. I want to thank Caridad so much for hosting this Double Pleasure, Double Fun blog, and to everyone who posted today. Good luck in the giveaway. We’ll be announcing the winners soon.

    All my best…and keep your dreams in your sights.
    Robin

  4. congratulations Melinda and Robin,
    the covers on both books are absolutely gorgeous and the both sounds like wonderful books. i can’t wait to get started. now the only problem i have is trying to figure out which one to read first! LOL!
    are either of the books the 1st in a series and if so do you know how many are going to be in the series?
    congrats again and i wish you both a Happy Holiday Season.

    [email protected]

    1. Hi Tammy–

      So glad you liked the cover. I really loved how they both turned out.

      As to the series, several have asked, and though there are a lot of brothers, I don’t have those books written…yet. My next books are similar though…romantic suspense and are being released by Harlequin Intrigue.

      Thanks so much for stopping by. I hope you enjoy the books!

    2. Hi Tammy,

      Thanks for asking. I’m currently writing a book loosely connected, through location and secondary characters, to SHE CAN RUN. Police Chief Mike O’Connell is blindsided by a feisty horse trainer and her relentless stalker.

      Happy holiday to you, too.

  5. Yadira,

    I’m so glad you could join us today and add our books to your TBR wish list. I hope some one gets you a gift card for the holidays.

    Nice to meet you!

  6. Great Thirteen random facts about Melinda Leigh and Robin Perini and their books! I’m sad to say that I’ve not heard of either author, but I’m excited about this fabulous introduction and additions to my wishlist:)

    CONGRATS on both of your debut releases, Ladies!

    [email protected]

    1. We’re thrilled you stopped by Yadira! Blogs are such a great way to get to know new authors, and thanks SO much for the congrats and for stopping by today.

      I’m glad the lists intrigued you. 🙂

    1. Diane, thanks so much. It’s been a pleasure sharing the debut excitement with readers.

      1. Thanks so much, Larena. It’s been a dream come true…and being on Caridad’s blog is as well. I started reading her vampire books way back, so this is a great honor for me.

        Thanks for stopping by!

  7. I trust Caridad & have gotten all my new authors from her blog. I know your books will be great. I also love pajama pants. I am a stay at home mom & drive my kids to the corner in them & wear them all day if possible. I also love butter rum life savers, but hav’nt seen them sold near me in a long time. I hope you all have a great weekend. We are all anticipating a Buffalo storm. Stay warm.—-Rachel

    1. Rachel, every mom on my block goes to the bus stop in our PJs. Hope the storm isn’t too bad. Keep warm.

    2. Hi Rachel–

      Our low Tuesday was 7 degrees. I hear you about the storm! Take care.

      Butter Rum Life Savers…there’s a convenience store here that stocks them specially for someone…and you can get them Amazon. LOL…that’s partly where I got the idea.

      Thanks for joining us on the blog!

  8. Wow!!! Great blog. I love the unique idea of listing 13 facts about the books and authors. Very entertaining and enlightening. I already have In Her Sights, but haven’t had the pleasure of reading it yet. Now, I MUST have She Can Run. Sounds fantastic. Congratulations to both of you and here’s wishing you many, many sales.

  9. Congrats on your debuts! Both books sound like they are great reads… thanks for sharing with us and Happy Holidays!

    1. Thanks, Colleen. This blog was great fun to write, and I love everyone’s different perspective!

  10. Robin,

    do you plan to write additional books about any of Luke’s brothers?

    Also, how spicy are the red and green sauces in new Mexico? what kinds of chiles are used to make them?
    would you ever include details – like a recipe for a typical dish or for a sauce, in one of your books?

    1. Hi there Clara. Luke’s brothers. You’re not the first to ask me this question. Oh my, they are definitely drool-worthy. I have plans for them . Stay tuned :-).

      As to red/green chile…I actually wrote an article about it. Here: http://leanne109.blogspot.com/2011/12/author-robin-perini-who-wrote-in-her.html

      A quick overview – green are the unripened version of red. The hot factor can vary between mild and steam-coming-from the ears. New Mexican chile is very different from a lot of other places.

      Really interesting question about a recipe. I haven’t had the opportunity…but I do think that Luke’s mother might have to prepare green chile stew or something of the like when one of her sons has a cold…Nothing like Green Chile Stew to clean out the sinuses :-). Something I could use today LOL.

      Thanks so much for stopping by, Clara!!

  11. You’re learning to shoot, Robin? Cool!

    I was on the front page of The Orlando Sentinel shooting a gun at age seven, this itty-bitty blonde thing, looking rather out of place. I used to practice with my BB gun by shooting lily pads off their stems when they protruded out of the water. It was quite challenging when the wind was blowing!

    Did you know that Dr. Ruth Westheimer–yes, THAT Dr. Ruth!–was a sniper during the war years for Israel? It’s true!

    I’m soooo Jazzed about Jazz!!! I can’t wait to read it. She sounds like my kind of woman!

    1. Hi Melynda…yeah. My dad is a competitive silhouette shooter, and he’s teaching me the ropes. Way easier said than done. That’s for sure.

      Had no idea about Dr. Ruth. Wow. You never know!!

      Thanks, about Jazz. I hope you enjoy the story!

      So glad you stopped by. Thank!!! 🙂

  12. Melinda,

    Your book sounds very interesting – I’m looking forward to reading it. I think it’s wonderful that you include a dog in everything that you write and that you are a Dog Whisperer fan – i love when writers include parts of their own personal interests in their writing.

    1. Clara, it started out totally unintentional. Dogs have always been such a big part of my life that they just sneak into everything I write.

      Cesar rocks!

    2. Totally agree about Cesar!!! Love what he can do with our furry friends! You’ll love Henry, Clara. He’s a fantabulous character in Melinda’s story!

      Thanks for stopping by and commenting! We really appreciate it.

  13. Hi Maria, so glad you stopped by.

    Ditto on the PJs…I think we’ve all been there.

    Glad you enjoyed the small history lesson. I must admit that fascinated me.

    Hope you enjoy the books.

  14. Both of these books look great! I have to tell Melinda her post made me laugh about the pajama pants…my mailman, trash man and neighbors have seen me in mine too! Though I do draw the line at going to the grocery store in them…
    I had no idea there had been female Russian snipers during WW2, thanks for the info on that!

    1. I swear the grocery store thing only happened once. OK, maybe twice. I blame both instances on parental exhaustion.

      Female snipers, especially Jazz, are way cool!

  15. Both of these books are outside my “normal” reading sphere. However, the information here is sufficiently interesting that I plan to expand and give these a try. Who knows? I might have found some new favorites!

    1. I’m so glad to hear that Karen! It’s fun to expand your reading realm. Hope you love them both.

    2. Hi Karen. I’m glad you enjoyed the list. It’s always an adventure to read outside the normal sphere. I hope you enjoy the stories.

      Thanks for stopping by!

  16. Looks like a great book. It sounds like you worked very hard on the book.
    I am glad you got it published.
    I can relate to organized clutter I work best in it.
    The half of pot of coffee. Got to have that coffee.
    Love the fact that dogs are in your
    books and that they always live!!

      1. Hi Connie. Great to see you here! Thanks for joining us.

        I wish I had organized clutter. I’m sort of all-or-nothing. Either unbelievably organized or in chaos. Need to learn a thing or two from Melinda.

        And Henry is great! Love that dog!

  17. Henry VII! The best Tudor of all! Great inspiration for a dog. Hope he lives up to his name!

    And Robin, I didn’t know the answer to the Red or Green question could be Christmas! Will have to remember that next time I’m in NM! (Hope it’s soon!)

    1. Hi Kathy! Hope you get to visit soon! Yep…Christmas is the way to go!

      I have a vicious cold right now. It’s got me in bed…but hopefully I’ll get some Green Chile Stew to clean out my sinuses. Works wonders :-).

      As to Henry…you will LOVE him in Melinda’s book. He’s awesome!

    1. Liese, Henry was one of my favorite characters to write!

      And my answer to the red or green question is both. Yum!

      1. Whoops. Mixing up my replies. That was intended for KathyF.

        Guess I need more than half a pot today!

        Thanks for stopping by, Liese

  18. Both books seems to be a good fit for me. I am looking forward to reading them. The facts given will enhance the pleasure for me. I feel as if I already know these people. Thanks for sharing. Hugs.

    1. Hi Fannie–

      Wow…what a nice thing to say. It was a blast putting together Caridad’s list of 13! I hope you enjoy the stories.

      Thanks for joining us today!

    2. Thanks, Fannie. Putting together my 13 Fun Facts was a total pleasure. Hope you love the books.

  19. Both books sound great and I loved the facts for them! What was the most unusual thing you learned while doing research for the books?

    1. Great question, Amy! For In Her Sights, I learned that one of the physical requirements for SWAT is lifting a 100# shield with one arm. Very interesting. That’s why I gave Jazz a background in college athletics. I wanted a sport that she would develop her upper body strength.

      Then, the Russian Sniper point in the article was also fascinating. One of the female Russian Snipers I refer to was 17 when she went into combat. There’s a bit more info at the following link if you’re interested: http://wowfromthescarfprincess.blogspot.com/2011/12/book-tour-for-in-her-sights-by-robin.html

      Thanks SO much for stopping in! We’re glad you’re here.

    2. Robin definitely did her research. All the SWAT/sniper details give IN HER SIGHTS a very realistic feel. Jazz is awesome!

      For SHE CAN RUN, I researched serial killers. 3 facts: 1) SKs are typically males of above average intelligence. 2) They are not typically social misfits, but blend well into society. 3) Many were bed-wetters well into adolescence.

  20. I am currently reading She Can Run. Keep reading to find out what will happen next! Great debut novel!

  21. wow both books sound awesome… I love the fact that one has a dog in it and the other is a female sniper… Both will be on my to read list.

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