Jennifer’s Random Musings

Okay, so this week’s question is actually a group a questions about…

…series or connected books.

I have noticed quite a few series popping up and several that seem to have been going strong for years.  This has made me curious about what my fellow readers think so I have a few (okay more than a few) questions for you…so many that I decided to break them up and post them on two seperate days.

Feel free to answer any or all of them…

• Do you like to read connected books (or a series)?  If so, why?
• Do you like series that are about a single character or couple?  Or do you prefer a different character or couple be the focus of each book?
• What is your favorite series of connecting books?

Check back on Thursday for Part 2 of my questions

P.S.  By the way, apparently someone thought I might make an interesting interview subject (I happen to disagree, but hey, I couldn’t say no)…Author Kelly Kirch interviewed me over on her blog today:  http://kkirch.blogspot.com/  So go check it out…I was really nervous about answering her difficult questions and I tend to ramble (or suffer from foot-in-mouth disease) when I am nervous, so it should be amusing if not interesting…LOL.  She was looking for a reader’s perspective and I hope authors and readers check it out.

Here’s a review of one of my recent reads…

SHELTER FROM THE STORM…
A blizzard blows Texas Ranger Jake McCain to Rachel Hudson’s cabin and trouble is right behind him. He’s badly wounded. Taking care of him is the right thing to do, but she knows the local gossips won’t see it that way. Suddenly, everything Rachel’s fought for is at stake—and the past she’d hoped to escape looms over her future. Still, when Jake turns his dark gaze on her, all she wants is his strong, seductive touch… 

A WOMAN TO CALL HIS OWN …
Jake McCain has never stayed in one place. A home and a family aren’t for the likes of a man accustomed to the rough life of the trail. But when he sees the trouble she’s in, he can’t leave her behind. Not when her innocent kisses burn straight into his soul, and the sight of her smile is the only bounty he cares to collect…

*** 

Filled with wonderful characters and a touching romance, Touch of Texas is a highly enjoyable western historical. 

Rachel Hudson has worked hard to put her past behind her and raise her little brother.  When a blizzard brings wounded Texas Ranger Jake McCain to her cabin, Rachel knows the right thing to do is to care for him even if his presence can damage her reputation.  However, Rachel’s growing attraction and thoughts of her guest make realize how risky it is to have Jake there. 

When the people in town find out about Rachel’s houseguest, not only is her reputation damaged, but she is also in danger of losing her job as a school teacher and life she has built for her brother.  And Rachel’s past just may have come back to haunt her. 

Accustomed to rough life on the trail, Jake McCain has no plans to settle down.  But he is drawn to the beauty that helped him in his time of need and when the townspeople turn against her because of his actions, he knows he must help her even if he risks losing his heart. 

However, the couple faces more trouble than the town gossips in the form of a group of dangerous outlaws who put their lives at risk.   As Jake works to keep Rachel safe, their relationship continues to blossom despite the fight they both wage against their growing feelings. 

Touch of Texas is a wonderful western romance that has more than earned its spot on my keeper shelf.   Rachel and Jake were an interesting couple whose relationship I enjoyed watching grow.  Rachel is a strong woman determined to make her own way and leave her past behind.  Jake is a strong hero who will do anything to take care of those under his protection.  Together they make a formidable team and couple…a perfect match whose romance was very touching.   

In addition to the hero and heroine, Touch of Texas also featured some fascinating secondary characters that added to the story.  I really enjoyed watching the interactions and relationships between all of the characters.  Both the characters and relationships seemed very real to me. 

But it was not the characters alone that made me love this story.  The suspense of the plot left me wondering what would happen next as I read.   There were definitely a few twists and turns as events unfolded that I thoroughly enjoyed and the vivid descriptions made me feel as if I were there.

With captivating characters and a suspenseful plot, Touch of Texas is a western historical that should not be missed.  I look forward to reading more by the author!

Okay, so I never heard from one of the winners from the Devyn Quinn giveaway…so I picked another name…

The winner of a copy of Eros Island is:

brownone (comment #5)

Please e-mail me using the addy in the sidebar and I will get your info to Devyn!
Remember, if you already own Eros Island, Devyn is willing to substitute another title.

And just a reminder for everyone…it is up to you to return to see if you are a contest winner as I have stated in the contest rules.
If that ever changes for some reason, I will make sure to state that when I post the contests.

Today’s guest is author Brynn Paulin! 

Please tell us about your books.
I have several books with both Ellora’s Cave and Total-e-bound.  

The Ellora’s Cave books:
Wedding Jitters is a contemporary fantasy about a fairy who’s trying to hide who she is and the man who’s trying to make her come to terms with who she is.
On Your Knees, All Chained Up and Master Me are all BDSM books focusing on the Cress Brothers. While each book has elements of BDSM, I focus heavily on the emotional aspect of the lifestyle. The 4^th book in this series, Gentle Control, is coming out May 14. I’m writing the 5^th now. 

At Total-e-bound:
Fallen was my first book with Total-e-bound. It was part of their Fallen Angels group that came out at Christmas. It’s the first in the Redemption series and is about a…fallen angel (bet you didn’t see that coming, lol).
Tribute for the Goddess is a contemporary fantasy. It’s about a goddess who flees to earth to escape another god who’s after her. She seeks help from one of the overlords in her service, a man who’s wanted her for two hundred years. He agrees to help her only if she agrees to let him be her god until the end of her ordeal. As you can imagine, a great deal of tension ensues as both struggle to be in control.
Incubus is the second book in the Redemption series and was part of Total-e-bound’s Valentine grouping. It’s about an incubus and the woman he falls in love with. Unfortunately, his nature will probably kill her.
My next book with Total-e-bound will be out April 21. It’s my first ménage book, titled Tempting Tamera. For those who like series, it’s the first of a new series. 

Which book would you like to see made into a film?  Who would you cast in a film adaptation?
I’d love to see Tribute for the Goddess made into a movie. I’d cast Heather Graham as Jett and Wes Ramsey as Thad. Those are actually the two people who inspired the cover. 

What is your favorite part of being a writer?  Least favorite?
Creating characters who touch people. I love to write and craft stories. I completely dislike having to work my writing time around real-world distractions. 

What would you like to tell aspiring writers?
Don’t give up! It took me six years to get published. Once I did, I contracted eleven books in a year. Your opportunity is out there waiting. 

Who has inspired you as a writer?
My mom writes for magazines. She also writes books though she hasn’t published any novels. Growing up, I always wanted to be a writer too. 

Describe a typical day for you.
I get up at 6:30 and switch on the computer. Then I drag my kids out of bed and get them ready for school while I check email and swig down some coffee. After I take them to school, I work until I pick them up in the afternoon. 3:30 to 7 is homework patrol. If I can I post to my blog and catch up on more email. Afterward, I work or do promo activities (like chats) until about 12:30. I fall into bed. 

Describe yourself in 3 words.
Three? Um… Driven, pragmatic, teacher 

What do you like to read?
When it comes to books, I primarily read romance. If I read anything else, it’s usually a biography or a reference book. For romances, I run the gamut and will read just about anything but romantic suspense. I love paranormal. I adore vampires. 

What’s next for you?
Tempting Tamera comes out April 21 (I’m still writing it). Boy Toys comes out May 12 (I’m still writing it). Legend comes out June 30. These are all with Total-e-bound.Gentle Control will be out May 14 with Ellora’s Cave. I’m currently writing Finding Francesca which is the 5^th Cress family book. 

Is there anything you’d like to tell readers?
You can find me at:
www.brynnpaulin.blogspot.com
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BrynnNBronwynBooks/
www.brynnpaulin.com
brynnpaulin@comcast.net
Stop by and say hi! I love to hear from readers. 

Thank you Brynn for taking the time to answer my questions!

Okay so I know this isn’t the scheduled day for the “Question of the Week,” but I didn’t have time to write up a blog post.

 So today’s questions are:

What is your favorite TV show? 
What is your favorite TV show to watch in reruns?
And because I wanted to make it book-related….any book or series that you think would be a good a tv series?

So what is everyone reading?

I have been trying to catch up on some backlists of some authors whose books I recently discovered (Jaci Burton, Sydney Croft, and others) and reading quite a few ebooks.  I am slowly making a dent in the TBR Mountain Range.

How about you?

E.T.A  I still haven’t heard from one of Devyn Quinn’s winners…Valerie…if I don’t hear from her by Friday I will choose another winner.

Today I welcome author Bronwyn Green!
Bronwyn graciously agreed to complete the sentences!
So here are Bronwyn’s responses… 

I am:  Silly, crafty, creative, laid back and easily distracted by shiny things. 

I like: Salt and vinegar potato chips, dark chocolate truffles and Coke. 

I love: My family and friends, music, nature, the act of creation and laughing ‘til I can’t breathe, faeries, cats, books. 

I dream: Of a world without prejudice against race, gender, sexual orientation and religious preference. 

I wish: More people recycled and made an effort to live green. 

I pretend: That I have more confidence than I really do. 

I fear: Anything bad happening to the people and animals I love, clowns, ventriloquist dummies and spiders. 

I appreciate: All the blessings in my life. 

I hope: People enjoy my stories. 

I read:  Everything, but my favorites are paranormal romance, erotic romance, YA fantasy and I’m a sucker for kids’ picture books – especially fairy tales. 

I want: A clean house. No…really. 

I need: Music…and a lot of it. 

I will: Go to RT this year, take a vacation with my family this summer and write more books. 

I can: Sew just about anything, knit slippers, make jewelry, draw, paint, cross stitch, make things from clay, but please don’t ask me to cook! 

I cannot live without: Vanilla flavored lip balm, essential oils and ren faires…yeah, I’m a geek. J 

I am happy when: The words are flowing easily, I’ve got a cat or three curled up with me, my favorite songs playing and full cup of tea. 

I would like to meet:  Joss Whedon, Brian Froud, Ani Difranco, Amy Brown, Kate Rusby and Dar Williams. 

I am annoyed by: People who take poor care of their kids and animals, pompous know-it-alls, slow moving traffic, potholes and litter. 

I have always wanted: A cottage in the forest and a vacation to the British Isles and Ireland. 

I think it would be cool if: I never again had to cook or do dishes. 

I write romance because:  There’s so much negativity in the world. I want to create something that focuses on the positive and what’s more positive than love? 

Thank you Bronwyn for those great answers! 
I loved reading all of your responses!

Readers you can learn more about Bronwyn and her books by visiting the following sites:
http://www.myspace.com/bronwyn_green
http://bronwyngreenblog.blogspot.com/