Guest Author: Zoe Archer & Giveaway!

I’m pretty excited about my featured author today.  She’s Zoe Archer, and she’s the definition of a rising star in the romance genre.  Zoe is not only talented, hard-working, and way smart, she writes innovative, adventurous romance that both readers and critics have clutched to their collective bosoms with enthusiasm.  And no wonder – I fell in love with Zoe’s writing just from reading her bio!

From that bio, you will learn that Zoe has been writing since she was knee high to a grasshopper.  Many years and many stories later, she found herself in a PhD program for 18th century English Literature, before deciding that what she really wanted to do was write fiction.  Her decision was partly influenced by the fact that she couldn’t read French or Latin, a requirement for attaining her doctorate.  If I may be allowed to digress for a moment, I understand EXACTLY how Zoe felt.  I, too, was once a PhD candidate in 18th century English Literature, and the thought of learning both French and Latin made me weep.  Like Zoe, I also left grad school and…ahem.  I guess I should really get back to Zoe.

Anyway, Zoe eventually found herself in the prestigious Iowa Writers’ Workshop at the University of Iowa.  She graduated with an MFA, moved back to L.A., and began writing.  Nose was applied to grindstone, books were sold, and she eventually made her way to Kensington Publishing, where a canny editor snapped up her totally cool adventure/romance series, Blades of the Rose.

Zoe describes her books as “high adventure.”  In her own words, the Blades are:

“Exotic settings.  Thrilling action.  Sexy men in waistcoats and tall boots.  Kick-ass women who carried rifles and knew how to use them.  Diabolical inventions made of brass, wood and leather.  And a bit of magic, just to keep things really interesting.”

Zounds!  Indiana Jones meets Victorian England – I am so there!

Zoe has received great critical acclaim for this series, including a Publishers Weekly Pick of the Week and starred review for Scoundrel, and a prestigious RITA nomination for Rebel. 

Isn’t that a fabulous cover?  Honestly, how can you resist it!  Here’s the blurb for Rebel:

On the Canadian frontier in 1875, nature is a harsh mistress. But the supernatural can really do you in…

A LONE WOLF

Nathan Lesperance is used to being different. He’s the first Native attorney in Vancouver, and welcome neither with white society nor his sometime tribe. Not to mention the powerful wildness he’s always felt inside him, too dangerous to set free. Then he met Astrid Bramfield and saw his like within her piercing eyes. Now, unless she helps him through the harsh terrain and the harsher unknowns of his true abilities, it could very well get him killed…

AND THE WOMAN WHO LEFT THE PACK

Astrid has traveled this path before. Once she was a Blade of the Rose, protecting the world’s magic from unscrupulous men, with her husband by her side. But she’s loved and lost, and as a world-class frontierswoman, she knows all about survival. Nathan’s searing gaze and long, lean muscles mean nothing but trouble. Yet something has ignited a forgotten flame inside her: a burning need for adventure, for life—and perhaps even for love…

There are four wonderful books and a novella in the  Blade series, so be sure to check out Zoe’s website for all the details.  While you’re visiting her website, take a look at her other books, including her Science Fiction novels and her backlist.

For my readers, Zoe will give away a copy of her RITA nominated book, Rebel.  Since Zoe’s books often take place in exotic settings, let’s talk about that.  Do you like historical romances that take the reader to settings like Mongolia, Canada, or Egypt?  Or do you prefer the glittering confines of the London ballroom and the gentility of the English countryside?  One person who comments will win a copy of Rebel.

And be sure to stop by the blog on Dec. 8.  Zoe will be back here to talk about her new series, The Hellraisers.

Guest Author: Elisabeth Naughton & Giveaway!

Do you love intrigue, danger, excitement, and lots of passion with a totally hot, buff guy?  Of course you do—at least between the pages of a book!  My featured author today brings all that, and then some.  She’s Elisabeth Naughton, and she writes sexy, adventurous romantic suspense, and dark, sexy paranormal romance.  With emphasis on the sexy!

Elisabeth blasted out of the gate with her first book, Stolen Fury, which got great reviews.  The Chicago Tribune said, “Naughton deftly distils deadly intrigue, high adrenaline action and scorchingly hot passion.”

Wait!  There’s more, including this review from Publisher’s Weekly:

“A rock solid debut…Naughton’s intelligent adventure plot is intensified by the blazing heat that builds from Lisa and Rafe’s first erotic encounter.”

I read Stolen Fury not long after the book came out, and I can tell you the reviews don’t lie.  This book—and the others in the Stolen series—are really great.  Dripping with suspense and passionate romance, this series will appeal to fans of Romancing the Stone and Indiana Jones.  I don’t know about you, but I love this kind of globe-trotting adventure story, and there’s just not enough of them written for female readers.

Be sure to check Elisabeth’s website for info and excerpts on the other two books in the series, Stolen Heat and Stolen Seduction.

But I did mention at the beginning of this post that Elisabeth also writes dark and sexy paranormal romance.  Her latest series is called the Eternal Guardians:

As unrest in the Underworld threatens, seven warriors descended from the greatest heroes in all of Ancient Greece may just be mankind’s last hope.

Doesn’t that sound fabulous?!  Here’s what NY Times bestselling author Larissa Ione had to say about the series:

“Gripping, dangerous, and sinfully sexy…Elisabeth Naughton combines dynamic dialogue and sizzling romance with a wicked cool world. Do NOT miss this series!”

The third book in the series, Tempted, was just released in September.

Tempted has been garnering raves, including this starred review from Publisher’s Weekly:

“Endlessly twisting plots within plots, a cast of complex and eminently likeable characters, and a romance as hot as it is complicated.”

Here’s the blurb for Tempted:

DEMETRIUS—He’s the hulking, brooding warrior his fellow Guardians avoid. Too dark. Too damaged. And given his heritage, he knows it’s best to keep everyone at arm’s length.

Isadora is missing. The words pound through his head like a frantic drumbeat. For her own protection, Demetrius did all he could to avoid the fragile princess, his soul mate. And now she’s gone—kidnapped. To get her back, he’ll have to go to the black place in his soul he’s always shunned.

As daemons ravage the human realm and his loyalty to the Guardians is put to the ultimate test, Demetrius realizes that Isadora is stronger than anyone thought. And finally letting her into his heart may be the only way to save them both.

There’s nothing better that a hulking, brooding warrior, IMHO.  You just know he’s going to fall hard for the heroine, and when he does it’s going to be a thing of beauty.  You can read all about the book on Elisabeth’s website, which includes an excerpt.  And be sure to check out her Extras page for some great background and extra goodies on the Eternal Guardians.

For my readers today, Elisabeth has graciously donated a copy of Tempted.  Since we’re already talking about adventure, let’s stick with that topic.  What’s your favorite adventure movie?  Is it one of the Indiana Jones movies, or Romancing the Stone?  How about something from Lord of the Rings?  One person who comments will win a copy of Elisabeth’s fabulous book!

 

 

Featured Guest & Giveaway: Elisabeth Naughton!!

Most of you know that I usually feature authors who write  historical romance.  Today I thought I’d mix it up a bit.  If you haven’t yet read her, I’d like to introduce you to Elisabeth Naughton, who writes sexy, globe-trotting romantic suspense and dark, seductive paranormal romance.  She already has one romantic suspense series in the stores – the Stolen Trilogy – which revolves around an antiquities gallery in Miami.  These books will definitely appeal to fans of Romancing The Stone and Indiana Jones, and what’s not to love about that?

The Stolen books have garnered fantastic reviews, including this one from the prestigious Chicago Tribune:  “Naughton deftly distills deadly intrigue, high adrenaline action, and scorchingly hot passion into a perfectly constructed novel of romantic suspense.”

Elisabeth’s latest story is now in stores.  It’s a novella called Acapulco Heat in the anthology, Bodyguards In Bed.  Is that not a most excellent title?  It sure makes me want to run right out and buy it!  Here’s the blurb for Acapulco Heat:

Sun, sand, skin and plenty of sex. That’s the name of the game in beautiful Acapulco.

Bodyguard Finn Tiernay’s new gig in the sultry city is nothing short of perfect. Too bad he can’t stand it. Hired to protect supermodel Lauren Kauffman during her very public, very sexy cosmetic shoot on the beach, Finn’s itching for a serious assignment and the chance to get away from the hot bod who’s set her sights set on him. Their mutual attraction has been brewing for some time, but he’s got no use for the super wealthy, isn’t about to become another diva’s boy toy. His no-fun-at-work motto might get him booted out of her bed, but when danger strikes, she won’t be able to shake him. And when he discovers things aren’t what they seem and that she’s more than a pretty face and smokin’ body, all bets are off. Lauren Kauffman’s about to take Finn for a ride he never saw coming. And there’s no telling who will survive.

You can read an excerpt from the novella on Elisabeth’s website.

The first book in Elisabeth’s new paranormal series, The Eternal Guardians, will be out in September.  It looks awesome, so I’ll be sure to feature it in a few months.

Bodyguards In Bed and Elisabeth’s previous books are all in bookstores or available at on-line retailers like Amazon.  To help Elisabeth celebrate the release of her novella, I’ll be giving away a copy of Bodyguards In Bed.  Just tell me what kind of romantic suspense you like to read – do you like stories with hot FBI agents and serial killers, police procedurals, or ordinary men and women caught up in dangerous situations?  Feel free to tell me your fave romantic suspense writers, too.  One person who comments will win a copy of the anthology.