If I Were You by Lisa Renee Jones & #Giveaway

I am soooo excited to have with me today my good friend and fellow Dangerous Woman Lisa Renee Jones. Lisa is the author of a number of fabulous books and she is with us today to talk about her latest release, IF I WERE YOU.

So please welcome Lisa who has a very special giveaway for you also!

Thanks Caridad for letting me stop by today! I have a signed arc of IF I WERE YOU, a $10 gift card to your bookstore of choice, and a copy of Wicked Werewolf Passion. Just comment for a chance to win!

Inspired by a journal my fiancee found when buying and selling storage units (yes like the show but before the show) I call this my SHADES OF GREY meets BASIC INSTINCT. Why Shades of Grey? The dark, damaged characters and passion. Why Basic Instinct? Because the main character Sara finds an erotic journal and begins to read. Sara becomes as obsessed with the writer of the journal as the writer is with the two men in the journal, and they with her. She seeks out the woman to be sure she is safe and becomes absorbed in her life, where she meets two powerful men — one of which draws her into an intensely passionate affair. Here’s a little about IF I WERE YOU and a never seen before excerpt:

The Inside Out Trilogy Releases August 2012

Click here to read Ch. 1

Book 1: If I Were You
Book 2: Being Me
Book 3: Revealing Us

He is rich and famous, and dark in ways I shouldn’t find intriguing, but I do. I so do. I don’t understand why his dark side appeals to me, but the attraction between us is rich with velvety promises of satisfaction. Chris is dark, and so are his desires, but I cannot turn away. He is damaged beneath his confident good looks and need for control, and in some way, I feel he needs me. I need him.

A short excerpt from IF I WERE YOU:

His fingers knot in my hair and I gasp at the unexpected bite of his grip, holding me steady. “Is that all you got?” I demand, shocked at how much I want more. How much I want whatever is beneath his surface.

I’m not scared. I’m aroused. I’m ready.

His eyes probe mine, his expression hard, intense. “I thought you were a good little school teacher.”

“You’re corrupting me,” I declare, “and I seem to like it.” I barely issue the challenge before he’s pulling my mouth to his, and he is kissing me with unrestrained, burning passion. I taste the part of him I want to know, the part he’s afraid of, and I burn to know more. Maybe he’s right. Maybe I am playing with fire, but I cannot stop myself. Beyond reason, I will push him until he reveals everything.

NIGHT OF THE COUGAR Erotic Paranormal Romance June 2012

It’s Wicked Wednesday and that means it’s time for a little sexy teaser! Today I’m sharing something from NIGHT OF THE COUGAR, my June erotic paranormal romance novella for the Nocturne Cravings line.

This is a story of reunited lovers and I just love that kind of story line. I always wonder what made it not work the first time around and how this time things will be different, especially when the heroine, Jamie Morrison, is facing a very different man from the man with whom she first fell in love.

Here’s a little teaser for the story:

Reporter Jamie Morrison got the scoop of a lifetime when she snagged a meeting with bestselling author Galen Hawke, but their rendezvous didn’t end with an interview. Their immediate attraction led to a wicked night together and a plan to meet again—until an accident left Galen changed forever….

Now, one year later, Jamie is sent to interview Galen once more. When a snowstorm strands them together in his remote mountain lodge, they are both eager to explore their reawakened passion. But will Jamie stay by Galen’s side when she discovers what he’s become?

Also a little behind the scenes: Jamie was the original name of the heroine from THE CLAIMED. However, since there was already another woman with a man’s name – Sammie – there was some concern that readers might be confused. Sammie had appeared in earlier books in the series and so I couldn’t change her name. Instead, I changed the heroine’s name to Victoria. But I still loved the Jamie name and since NIGHT OF THE COUGAR is very much about a man and a woman, I decide to use that name for the heroine!

If you can’t see the excerpt below, you can click here to read the excerpt.

NIGHT OF THE COUGAR Erotic Paranormal Romance Novella

Dark Obsession with Terri Molina

Dark ObsessionWe’ve got a visiting kind of day today as I take a moment to guest blog with my friend and fellow author, Laura Kaye! Come check out some behind the scenes info on THE CLAIMED at Laura’s blog.

But that’s not the only visiting going on today. I’m lucky to have with me my friend and fellow author Terri Molina. Terri is a native Texan, born and raised in Southeast Texas. She is an active member of the Romance Writers of America, including the Northwest Houston Chapter and Desert Rose Chapter in Phoenix, Arizona. She writes multicultural romantic suspense, blending in the flavor of the Southwest with her Mexican heritage. After years of living a nomadic life with her Coast Guard husband, she now resides in Southeast Arizona with her husband, four children and two dogs. When she’s not writing she enjoys reading, singing karaoke with the kids, and spending time with family and friends.

Terri is here to share some tidbits with us about her new paranormal release DARK OBSESSION. Doesn’t that title just give you goosebumps?

So without further ado, here’s Terri with a little bit more about DARK OBSESSION!

Blurb

Ramon (Ray) Chavez, a 33 year old farmer from the Rio Grande Valley, doesn’t believe in visions or omens or the mysticism of his Mexican/Indian heritage. When he’s awakened by the spirit of his great-grandmother with a message that something is coming, Ray passes it off as a bad dream. But he may just reconsider his position when he finds Lexie stranded on the edge of town, in search of a new life. Ray feels an instant attraction, as well as a connection to the skittish young woman, and he pursues a relationship with her. But what Lexie doesn’t tell Ray or his family is that she is on the run from an abusive ex-boyfriend who may be more powerful than even she wants to believe. When Lexie is assaulted by an unseen force, they learn that the man she is hiding from is a master of the dark arts and his obsession with Lexie goes beyond his need to control her; he wants to possess her soul as well. As their past lives parallel, Lexie’s only hope for salvation is in Ray’s hands. But can he accept his destiny in time to save the woman he loves as well as his own life?

Excerpt

Sylvia dropped onto the kitchen chair and scowled at her brother. She’d rushed straight from work after her grandmother called and told her about their new visitor. She couldn’t help but wonder if it were the same visitor her cards had been warning her about for the past week and even after she voiced this concern Ray still had the nerve to patronize her.

“She’s not some stray puppy you picked up from the side of the road, Ray,” she said. “I’m just saying you don’t know anything about her.”

Ray leaned against the counter, crossing his legs at the ankles, and sent her a crooked grin. “Damn. And I was really looking forward to teaching her a few tricks.”

“Stop thinking with your glands and think with your head, Big Brother,” Sylvia snapped.

“I’ve been thinking with my glands since I was fourteen. It’s a hard habit to break.”

Sylvia curled her lip at him and turned to her grandmother for support. She had sensed a mal puesta in the young woman and performed a limpia to heal her. It was a ritual they often worked for the families in town who came to see them about their curses. The inflicted would lie on a small cot and her grandmother would wave an egg over them, chanting a series of novenas.

She did this same cleansing on the young woman in Ray’s old bedroom. When she finished she took the egg and cracked it into a glass of salt water. The egg sizzled and cooked, curling its way to the surface like a snake trying to escape the flames of hell.

Second Excerpt

The sky had darkened throughout the night,the glimmer of stars now concealed by an overcast sky. Although rain hadn’t been forecasted, a thick electrical charge hung in the air, bringing the foreboding feeling of a storm.

The music from the street dance faded as they moved farther away from the festival.

The streetlights hummed and flickered, casting long, daunting shadows in front of them. The breeze picked up, rustling the leaves in the trees.

“I didn’t mean to make you leave the festival so early,” Lexie said to break the awkward silence.

“You didn’t. I was getting a little tired myself,” Ray said. The warmth of her hand kindled a spark inside him that shimmered throughout his body.It was becoming an all too familiar sensation lately. He wondered if she could feel it vibrating through him.

“Besides,” he said as they reached his truck parked behind the Hidalgo Savings and Loan. “I’m more interested in spending time with you.” He circled his arm around her waist and edged her closer to him as he unlocked the passenger door.

She looked up at him and blinked. “You are?”

The husky whisper of her voice was like fuel to his fire. He swallowed hard against the knot in his throat, transfixed by the dark glint of Lexie’s eyes. Desire and need blazed so quickly through him, it was a wonder he didn’t melt from the heat. He didn’t notice he’d moved and was surprised to discover his hand on the curve of her cheek.She exhaled a shuddering breath. He drew his eyes down to her lips. Full and inviting. He curved his hand around her neck and urged her closer. His body tensed as her eyes fluttered closed. The anticipation of her taste pulsed through him. He lowered his mouth to hers and a low feral growl from behind broke the spell Ray had been positive he was falling under.

WOW! What a teaser! Thanks for sharing that Terri! If you want to find out more about Terri and check out her other releases, you can visit her at www.terrimolina.com.

#ManCandyMonday – Sneer if you ♥ Billy Idol

This morning there was no doubt in my mind that we needed something a little rough and dark and sexy.

Who better than Billy Idol, that very talented punk rocker Billy Idol. Who hasn’t bopped up and down to Mony, Mony, Rebel Yell or any other of his classic songs? And that lean pale body, sneer and attitude? Can we say perfect anithero inspiration?

Here’s Billy performing in concert. Thanks to Johnbrennan06@en.wikipedia.com for this awesome photo!

Billy still has all that sexiness from the looks of this photo! Also check out the video for one of my favorite songs, White Wedding.

If you can’t see the video below, you can click here to view it! Sorry for the ad at the beginning.

Adventures with Spottie & #Giveaway

On this Fun Friday, take a moment to visit with me at the Romance Author Hotspot! I’ll be sharing some fun stuff with you and we’ll pick someone from all the comments to win copies of NOCTURNAL WHISPERS and A VAMPIRE’S CONSORT erotic paranormal romance novella e-books!

But first . . . The winner of the Tuesday’s What’s Hot and What’s Not Giveaway is: Fannie! Please drop me a line and let me know which e-novella you’d like to receive.

Adventures with Spottie

My dear friend Michele knows that when I get good news I do the “Happy Dance” and so when I got the RITA Nomination for THE LOST, she got me this adorable beagle! It seems apropos not only because of the Happy Dance, but because the hero’s dog in THE LOST is named Spottie. Why Spottie? Well, my hubby’s childhood dog was a beagle named Spotty. Of course, by the time I got to know Spotty, he looked more like a big ol’ bassett hound than a beagle. LOL! Anyway, my new Spottie is going to accompany me for the next two months until the night of the RITA ceremony! Look for some fun posts and things with Spottie in the coming months.

Actually, look for Spottie Does Bamboozle in the next few days!

Spottie Beagle

My husband dug out a photo of Spotty and I scanned it. It’s a little grainy due to age. You can see Spotty’s a beagle even though he’d put on some weight. He was a funny dog. Spotty ate pasta every night and would rub his ears in it if you did not put parmesan cheese on the pasta.

Spotty the Beagle

May you all have a blessed Memorial Day weekend and to all our miltary men, women and families, thank you for your service and your sacrifices.

Manic Monday, #Giveaway & Some Amazing #ManCandy!

It’s a wet, dreary and depressing Monday, but I hope I can get you up and going with this little video to get you feeling better! But first:

Join me today at Froggarita’s Bookcase for an interview and giveaway! Also visit with me at the Forever Romance Summer Book Club which kicks off with a behind-the-scenes look at the SIN HUNTER mythology in THE CLAIMED and an 8 pm chat with me, hosted by the wonderful Cynthia Garner.

But now, if this Man Candy from Down Under doesn’t put a smile on your face, I don’t know what will! These Aussie footballers are stunning, but you’ll have to wait a minute or two until you can truly enjoy them. My favorite was John, how about you? He could be my Christopher any day!

And those accents. YUMMY! If you can’t see the video below, you can click here!

#Vampire Blog Hop Day 4 and the Caridaddicts Street Team!

Yep, I’ve taken the plunge and now you can also and join the Caridaddicts Street Team! As part of the street team you’ll get some exclusive content, swag and other goodies from time to time and help me out in spreading the word about my books and projects like the HOPE FOR OUR WARRIORS commitment.

It’s Day 4 of our Vampire Romance Blog hop! Take a moment to visit each blog over the next few days for a chance to win some awesome prizes, learn why we write vampire romance and find out more about us!

Wanna talk vampires? Wanna win vampires?? Follow along the Vampire Romance To Die For Tour all week for both!

Here’s the schedule:

Here’s what you can win:

    1) A grand tour-wide prize of a $60 amazon or B&N gift card!

    2) Each day’s blog hostess will give away one book of a vampire romance to a commenter at their blog

What are the rules?:

    1) You must comment to enter to win with your email address. Blog follows are appreciated but not required
    2) Contest is open until midnight EST Monday, May 21
    3) Winners will be announced on May 22
    4) Open to international
    5) Winners to be picked using random.org
    6) Participating authors not responsible for biting, blood loss, or swooning-related accidents