Happy Anniversary Red Sage!

As I mentioned yesterday, Red Sage is celebrating their 15^th anniversary and they are having a mini-party here with us.

 To kick things off here is a little something special they are doing this month to celebrate…

 Kidnap This Logo!

 

And You Could Win!

 To celebrate its Fifteenth Anniversary, Red Sage is throwing a party! Every party needs presents, and here’s a gift that might help you win the July Secrets anthology and Calista Fox’s new novel, Object of Desire!

 Here’s how to play the party game:

 Anyone can play! All you have to do is “kidnap” this logo and post it on your blog or website. Copy and paste the jpg image of the anniversary gift to your own blog or website to kidnap it. Be sure to include these instructions so people know how to play!

 Invite your readers and friends to send an email with the subject line “Ransom Note” to eRedSage@gmail.com. Inside this email, they must include a link back to your kidnapped logo.

Then you and your friend will both be entered into a drawing to win free trade paperbacks! Every time one of your readers sends a ransom note with a link, you will be entered again! Each Ransom Note is worth two entries in the drawing — one for the person who sends the Ransom Note, and one for the linked blog or website. And you both can win!

 Want more chances to win? Invite your readers and friends to kidnap this logo, and then you can enter again by sending a Ransom Note linking to your friend’s blog or website!

The more times you enter, the more chances you have to win!  But get your entries in by June 30. Winners will be drawn July 1!

Group blog or website? No problem! Just be sure to sign your post so we know who the winner should be!

Good luck, and have fun!

Okay, readers, if you’d like to enter (and help me enter):
 Send an email with the subject line “Ransom Note” to eRedSage@gmail.com. Inside this email, you need to include a link back to this post!!!

You can also post the logo on your own site along with the instructions (if you can’t copy and paste them, e-mail me and I’ll send them to you).

***

In addition to the above contest, there is also another great giveaway this week just for my blog readers!

 Each day this week will feature a different eBook from Red Sage and you have the chance to win all FOUR of the featured eBooks.

 

 

 

 

 

All you have to do is leave a comment this week on any of the Red Sage posts and you’ll be entered to win.
Every comment counts as an entry so don’t be shy!

ONE winner will be randomly selected from all the comments and announced on Saturday, June 20.
Be sure to return to see if you won and to leave a valid e-mail addy so we’ll know where to send the prize.

 Happy Anniversary Red Sage and thanks for allowing me and my blog readers to help you celebrate!

To learn more about Red Sage visit: 
http://www.eredsage.com/

Be sure to check back tomorrow for the first Red Sage feature:  High Voltage by Calista Fox

Q&A with Michelle Lauren…

Today my guest is author Michelle Lauren!

 Here’s a little bio for Michelle to let you know more about her…

A former editor at Cobblestone Press, Michelle Lauren is now a freelance writer and columnist. Her articles have appeared in Cobblestone Press Quarterly and Romance Writers Report, the monthly international newsletter for Romance Writers of America. Her urban fantasy HOW TO TAME A HARPY is a Dorchester & Romantic Times’ American Title V finalist and her novel, STARSTRUCK: HUNTER, is available from Liquid Silver Books.

 And now here is my interview with Michelle…

Welcome, can you tell us a little about the book?
Sure! Thanks for having me Jennifer. Starstruck: Hunter is a sci-fi/urban fantasy novella available here from Liquid Silver Books. Below are a blurb and a teaser excerpt. Enjoy!

A woman on the run…
When twenty-four year old star Miranda Snow crash lands on Earth, a place where humans hunt and kill her kind for their life-prolonging energy, she doesn’t know who to trust. Danger is everywhere. Her only hope for survival lies in the unlikely arms of ex-star hunter Noah Benson. Tall, dark and jaded, Noah’s touch sparks her passion and melts her defenses.

A man with a dark secret…
Nine years ago, Noah lost everything in one night: his freedom, his friends and all hopes of a future in astronomy. Years later he is driven by revenge against the man responsible, a ruthless killer determined to claim Miranda – something Noah refuses to let happen. But when faced with an impossible choice, will he be able to protect Miranda or will he lose her forever?

EXCERPT

Noah’s mind returned to the fallen star. A dozen hunters were tracking the star’s energy trail. They would probably make a capture by dawn.

And I will have another innocent life on my conscience.

The knowledge weighed on Noah’s mind. After toweling off, he pulled on a pair of gray sweatpants and a black cotton T-shirt. On his way past the window, something in the motel building’s pool caught his attention. He looked closer and gasped.

A naked woman floated facedown in the water, long black hair spread around her. Instincts took over as he leapt onto the fire escape and rapidly descended the stairs. Water soaked all the outdoor furniture and chunks of concrete littered the ground.

Something more than her must have fallen in the pool to cause that much damage. He dove into the water and gasped. It was freezing. Grasping the woman around the waist, he pulled her to safety and stretched her body beside the pool.

Ignoring her nudity, he scanned her for injuries. She couldn’t have been in the water long because her cuts were still fresh. Blood trickled from a gash on her forehead and she sported a black eye. He checked her arms and relaxed slightly when he didn’t find the usual needle marks he saw on jumpers. At least this isn’t drug related.

“Hey lady, can you hear me?” Grasping her wrist, he felt for a pulse. Sluggish, but it was there. He pinched her nose and blew air into her lungs. He started chest compressions, but she didn’t respond.
“Come on, fight!”

He lowered his mouth to continue CPR. The soft lips came alive beneath his as the woman sputtered. Her body jerked, and she rolled onto her side, expelling water from her lungs. Noah reached out to steady her. He blinked in surprise when she shrank away from his touch.

“I won’t hurt you. Don’t move. I’ll go call an ambulance.”

Thick lashes fluttered and hazel eyes pinned him before he could move. She had the largest pupils he had ever seen, like those sported by characters in anime cartoons. When she tried to sit up, he overrode the effort by placing a hand on her stomach.

With the immediate danger over, Noah suddenly became aware of the intimacy of their position. His eyes drifted down her body, lingering on the swells of her breasts and the dark areolas of her nipples, visible through the cottony curls plastered to her chest.

“Is this heaven?”

Her voice, husky and rich, rolled over his senses. It took a moment before the question registered. It surprised a laugh from him. Noah shook his head. “Far from it, sugar. This is Neptune.”

“Oh. What constellation is that in?”

His blood froze. “What did you say?”

She touched her temple, drawing his attention to the ring glittering on her left hand. “Something hit me when I was leaning out the window. I must have fallen.” Her expression morphed from confusion to terror as she stared at him.

“Where do you live?”

She pointed a trembling finger at the sky, cementing his suspicion: she was the star. His eyes closed. Of all the places she could have landed, why here? Should he contact the police? At least they would place her in protective custody. Then again, that was worth about as much as Confederate money these days.

Noah knew from experience that Joel didn’t mind spilling a little blood to get what he wanted.

“Where am I?”

“Earth. I guess you’ve heard of it?” he said drolly when she gasped. He got the feeling that she would have run if she’d had the strength. He purposely gentled his voice. “Don’t worry; you’re safe with me. What’s your name?”

“Miranda.”

Leaning forward, he captured a tear as it slid down her cheek. It shimmered on the tip of his finger and crystallized. Amazing. “My name is Noah. Whoa!” He caught her as she fainted. He scanned the area, realizing for the first time how exposed they were. “Come on, sugar. Let’s get you inside.”

He carried her up the fire escape to his room and settled her on the bed. Moonlight streamed over her body, highlighting her delicate features. Unbidden, a memory leapt forward, that of pale eyes begging him for help. With grim resolve, he focused.

Ten years ago, he failed to protect a star. He would not fail again. He would protect this one no matter what. His lips ghosted over hers.

“You’re safe with me. I promise.”

Want more? Buy it here:

http://www.liquidsilverbooks.com/books/starstruckhunter.htm

* * * * *

What inspired the story?
The film Stardust, based on the book by comic book and fantasy writer Neil Gaiman, inspired me. The film is about a sentient star who is knocked from the sky and rescued by a local shop boy from the fictional kingdom of Wall. The two unlikely companions fall in love amidst swordfights, homicidal princes and jealous exes. If you haven’t seen the film or read the book, don’t wait! You won’t be disappointed.

Seeing the film made me wonder: what if that really happened? How would a sentient star adjust to living in the “real” world? What if the “real” world was a place where stars are hunted for their energy and other creatures that go bump in the night regularly clash with humans? What if she fell for someone she shouldn’t? Starstruck: Hunter was born. 

Can you tell us a little more about the main characters?
Miranda and Noah are the ultimate star-crossed lovers. Not only are they from different worlds, but on the surface, they should be enemies. Making their relationship believable was a rewarding challenge.

Miranda is a complex character, which made her lots of fun to write. At times she’s vulnerable, at times brave. Even when she is unsure, she isn’t afraid to take risks or go after what she wants. 

I spent a lot of time developing Noah’s character. He turned out to be one of my favorite heroes. The darker aspects of his personality – his drive for revenge and justice — are balanced by his sense of honor and his desire to do anything to protect the woman he loves. He’s also great with his hands.   

What was your favorite thing about writing this book?
Imagining all the cool ways to use Mirada’s powers. I asked myself: “What would I do with the power to manipulate energy? What could go wrong?” The possibilities were limitless.

Another perk included inventing scenarios that required Miranda to adapt her powers for everyday use, and also watching the hijinks that ensued when she misused those powers.

What is your favorite thing about being a writer?
I’m greedy; I can’t pick just one thing! In my experience, nothing compares to writing fiction.  It’s the only job that allows me to literally rule the world. :) I enjoy getting to know my characters and watching them evolve from ideas into fully-fleshed out creatures that demand my attention and beg me to write more stories for them to play in.   

Describe yourself in three words.
Innovative, driven and whimsical.

Is there anything that my blog readers might be surprised to learn about you?
I’m a major procrastinator. And I love reading fan fiction. 

What’s next for you?
Nonfiction-wise: I’m interviewing literary agent Michelle Grajkowski of 3 Seas Literary Agency for a future spot in my “Agent Spotlight” column in Romance Writers Report. 

Fictionwise: I have several projects in the works. I’m in the final revision stages on another novella. I’m also editing two urban fantasy short stories; I plan to post teaser excerpts from these to my next newsletter (available through my Yahoo group). 

Lastly, I am seeking representation for my novel, How to Tame a Harpy, which was a Romantic Times magazine American Title V finalist in 2009. I have a request for a partial from one literary agent, so I’m keeping my fingers crossed. 

Where can readers find you on the web?
Main site:
http://www.michellelaurenbooks.com
 
Yahoo Group:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/michellelaurenbooks/join

Group Blog:
http://thenaughtygirlsnextdoor.blogspot.com

Do you have any questions for my blog readers?
Yes! Today, I’m giving away a $5 Border’s Gift Card to one commenter.

TO ENTER:  Leave a comment on this post answering the following question: “What are your pet peeves (i.e. things that turn you off) in a heroine?”

Michelle’ll pick the winner by 10pm today and announce it in the comments. If she chooses you, please make sure to contact her promptly at this address to claim your prize: interactive@michellelaurenbooks.com.  

 Thanks Michelle for being my guest!

Readers, go ahead and answer her question to be entered in the contest and be sure to check out the comments later tonight or tomorrow to see if you won!

Special Guest Robin Kaye…

First I have a couple of winners to announce…
The winner of a copy of Coming on Strong is:  Afshan N
The winner of a copy of Going Down Hard is:  Susan
Please e-mail me with your mailing info to claim your prize!

***

 Now for our main attraction…

Today I am delighted to welcome author Robin Kaye to my blog.
Robin’s latest release Too Hot to Handle is in stores now.

Here’s Robin to tell you about her meeting with a very special person…

Hi, I’m Robin Kaye, the author of Too Hot to Handle. Annabelle Ronaldi is the one of the heroines of the Domestic Gods series and I thought it would be fun to talk with Rose, her nosy, slightly zany, and possibly psychic aunt. I made an appointment to meet Aunt Rose at her favorite place—the bench by the duck pond in the middle of Greenwood Cemetery. Granted it’s an odd place to meet, but since I used to play there as a child and my aunt and uncle got engaged on that very bench, it didn’t seem odd to me until I began writing up the interview.

As walked over to meet Aunt Rose, I realized she hadn’t notice my arrival so announced myself. I didn’t want to startle an old lady in a cemetery. “Aunt Rose? Is that you?”

Aunt Rose looked up from the newspaper she was reading, “Of course it’s me. You were expecting one of the residents? My husband, Vito, is right over there.” She pointed toward the graves over her left shoulder.

I tried not to laugh as I sat beside her. She took her time folding the paper and placed it in her humongous black pocketbook. “So how are you?”

“Fine, fine. Why did you want to meet with me? You need more material for those books you write?”

“No, I’m writing a blog and thought you’d be an interesting interview.”

She waved her hand. “An old lady? Interesting? You don’t get out much, eh?” She rummaged through her bag and pulled out a thermos. “Demitasse?”

“You have cups?”

She nodded. “Sure, you think I’m a gonna drink out’a the cap? What do I look like? A bum?”

“If you have enough, I’d love a demitasse.”

She poured the steaming liquid into insulated cups and handed me what looked like a homemade biscotti. Just before I took a sip of the coffee, she held up a small silver flask. “Zoom Zoom?”

For those of you who don’t know, Zoom Zoom is usually liqueur, like sambuca. I smiled, “Please.” With that she poured a shot in, just enough to have a kick and add sweetness. I took a bite of biscotti and was in heaven. “Thank you.” I washed it down with some incredible demitasse and waited for her to finish chewing. “Tell me about Annabelle and Mike.”

“Those two, they got a lot of things to work out. Annabelle, she just wasn’t right in the head for the last couple of years. She thinks she hid everything so well.” Aunt Rose tapped her temple. “But I know what I know, and I saw she needed to get past the death of that old boyfriend of hers.”

“Chip, right?”

“What kind of name is that? Chip, it’s a break in a cup, that’sa no name for a man. Not that he was much of one. Better that she ended up with someone who can appreciate her, like her Michael. He’s such a nice boy, and a good doctor too. Annabelle, she needs someone who will take care of her and believe in her. She’s a nice girl, my Annabelle.

“You knew about Chip and didn’t tell the rest of the family?”

“Why? I knew it was a passing phase. It was going to end soon enough. Death can’t be avoided.” She crossed herself. “My Annabelle takes after her mama, she don’t like dealing with the hard things in life. She tried to pretend it never happened. But that don’t work. It took meeting Mike to get her to mind straight again.”

I nodded, not sure what to say to that. “Everyone wants to know if you’re psychic.”

“Me? I’m a’ no gypsy. I just know things. I don’t know how I know, I just do.”

“You’re very close to your nieces and your nephew. How does that affect your relationship with your sister?”

“Me and Maria, we don’t talk about it. She don’t like it so she acts like one of those animals who sticks her head in the sand.”

“An ostrich?”

“Si.” Rose took a sip of her demitasse. “She tries to do right by her children, but she don’t know what they need. Just you wait until she finds she’sa not the only woman in Richie’s life.”

“Oh!” I sat straighter on the bench. News! “Then Richie and Gina will work things out?”

Aunt Rose gave me one of her you’re-too-stupid-to-live looks. “Richie needs a woman who will love him in spite of himself. Gina, she’sa not that woman. But then Richie’s not the man for her, either. You’ll see. It’sa gonna be an interesting fall. You mark my words.”

“That’s all you’re going to tell me?”

“What? You want me to write your next book for you? No, you’ll have to wait and see how it all turns out. Somebody is gonna turn Richie’s life up’a-side-down. He’sa not gonna know what hit him.” Aunt Rose took the last bite of her biscotti and drained her demitasse. “It’sa been nice talking to you, Robin. You come back and visit sometime soon. Maybe after you write Richie’s book, eh?”

I didn’t want to let her go, but she was obviously finished talking to me. She was halfway to the Cemetery gate before I could say, “yes, thanks for meeting me.”

Aunt Rose held her hand up as if to say, “No a’need to thank.” The gesture left me with more questions than when the interview began.

So what do you think? Is Rich going to end up with Gina, or is there really another woman? Who is she?

Thanks Robin! 

Readers, be sure to look for Too Hot to Handle and to check out Robin’s website: 
http://robinkayewrites.com/

We have a special giveaway today…one lucky winner will receive a copy of Too Hot to Handle.
Just leave a comment to be entered (US and Canada only…sorry).

I’ll announce the winner tomorrow (Friday) so be sure to return to see if you won!

Mother’s Day Giveaway!!!

Today in honor of Mother’s Day I have a great giveaway courtesy of Hachette Book Group!

 

FIVE lucky winners will each receive prize packs containing the following books!

Miracles of Motherhood By June Cotner ISBN: 1931722927

Odd Mom Out By Jane Porter ISBN: 0446699233

Mommy Grace By Sheila Schuller Coleman ISBN: 0446545414

Beginner’s Greek By James Collins ISBN: 0316021563

The Road Home By Rose Tremain ISBN: 0316002623

These look like great books to either keep or to give to a someone special.
To enter, just leave a comment below!
I’ll announce the winners Sunday (May 10) night so be sure to return to see if you won.

Sorry, but this one is only open to US and Canadian residents. No PO Boxes please. (This is at the request of the publisher).

I hope all the moms out there have a great Mother’s Day!  Thanks for all you do!

Kate Pearce tells us about her new release…

First, yesterday’s winner is:  Fedora

Please e-mail me to claim your prize!

 ***

Today my guest is author Kate Pearce.

Kate chose to do the “Complete the Sentences – Book Version” to tell us a little about her new release.

My book is titled:  Simply Shameless

It got that title because:  it is part of a series of Simply something books and it fits the heroine down to a ‘t’

My book is about:  Madame Helene Delornay who runs a very exclusive pleasure house in Regency London and Mr. Philip Ross, a gentleman from her past who reappears in her life with very interesting consequences.

The idea for my book came from:  Madame Helene being a secondary character in the first two books, Simply Sexual and Simply Sinful. I wanted to write about this interesting woman from the beginning and was glad to get the opportunity.

I think readers will like the hero because:  He is one of the only men in the world who is smart and sexy enough to deal with Helene and offer her the kind of love she really needs.

I think readers will like the heroine because:  she is a strong woman who has been through terrible suffering but has refused to let herself be dragged down and has triumphed in life on her own particular terms.

If I had to describe the hero and heroine’s relationship with one word, that word would be:  combustible! -is that a word?

My favorite character in the book is:  Helene

I like this character because:  she is not ashamed to own her sexuality and run her own business in a time when women were often treated like chattels. And she’s made mistakes but she is trying her best to redeem them.

My book is set in:  Regency England

I chose this setting because:  I love this time period above all others.

While writing this book, I:  found myself really loving how Philip handled Helene, his honesty, his humor and the fact that he ends up respecting and loving her, which is no more than she deserves.

The thing I enjoyed most about writing this book was:  the snappy dialogue, and the scorching sex scenes.

What surprised me most while writing this book is:  how hard it was to end it and let them be happily ever after. I could’ve gone on writing about them for at least another book

Readers can find my books:  every where-in stores, on Amazon and all listed on my website at
http://www.katepearce.com

Thanks Kate!

Readers, be sure to check out Kate’s books as well as her website!

Kate kindly donated a copy of Simply Shameless to one lucky winner.  I’ll randomly select and announce the winner tomorrow so be sure to check back to see if you won!
Just leave a comment below to be entered!

Beth Kery Completes the Sentences…

Today I am delighted to welcome back Beth Kery to the blog!
Beth’s latest release, Daring Time releases today!

 Here’s some info on the release…

 “A hauntingly beautiful and enduring love story.”
— 5 Bookmarks from Wild on Books

 He sees her, wants her, needs her…
Chicago Detective Ryan Daire has many secrets: a love for Shakespeare, an appreciation for the all the finer things in life, and an absolute lack of restraint in the bedroom. Now he has an even bigger secret. In every shifting shadow of the sprawling mansion he’s recently inherited he can see her—tempting, ethereal, and untouchable. Hope Stillwater inhabited that mansion in 1906. Raw desire has formed a conduit between these two passionate souls who are separated by the barrier of time.

Now he has to have her.
Intoxicated by each other’s presence, Ryan and Hope are closer than ever to crossing that inviting boundary between two worlds. But there is one grave danger: Ryan’s job has put him on the trail of a depraved criminal in an investigation that’s risking Hope’s eternal fate and happiness. Now he must do whatever it takes to change history, protect Hope from harm, and set his own desires free.

Read a Daring Time Excerpt by clicking here.
Order Daring Time at Amazon, Borders, or Barnes and Noble.

Beth was kind enough to complete the sentences for us today.   So here’s a little insight into Beth Kery…

I am Beth Kery

I like many things, but a few are a hot bath with scented salts, candles, fashion, art and books that are so romantic they take you to another place for a precious period of time.

I love my husband, writing and living life to the fullest.

I dream of writing the perfect romance…whatever that is.

I wish that I could eat all the carbs and chocolate I wanted and never gain an ounce.

I wonder how I could have such a rational, scientific brain and love romances so much.

I pretend that I’m not shy a lot of the time.

I know my own strengths and weaknesses, but I still know there’s more to learn.

I fear…hmmmm, catastrophe. I never fear classic things, like demons, aliens or ghosts. I just fear those awful, unexpected tragedies that inevitably strike many human lives.

I worry about being able to write my next book. Maybe the others were a fluke?

I appreciate when people are kind—giving an unexpected smile or a cheerful word. I can’t tell you how much it changes my day when someone chooses to smile instead of snarl.

I hope that my books reach the people who would really like them.

I look like I’m happy at this point in my life. I hope I look like it, anyway, because I am.

I read to treat myself, and to calm down after a hectic day.

I want so much. I just hope my wants are reasonable to my strengths, skills and luck.

I need not a lot. My husband, my computer, peace and quiet, my family.

I will more than likely be extremely nervous on May 5 when Daring Time releases and also on May 6, when I do my first book signing at a Barnes and Noble in Chicago’s loop.

 I can memorize people’s faces and the things they tell me almost perfectly, but I’m awful at recalling names.

 I think too much.

 I have never traveled to Egypt even though I’ve always wanted to.

I dance to have fun, but it’s great that I get to burn off so many calories while doing that!

I wish I had thought of poise speaking in public.

I cannot live without my air purifier. Not because it purifies the air, but because it’s my white noise maker. I live in the city, and it’s an absolute must. The city sounds would drive me crazy otherwise.

I am happy when I finish a book. Best feeling in the world.

I would like to meet Barack Obama, Stephen King, J.K. Rowling, Chris Cornell. I wanted to meet author Larissa Ione, and I got to meet her at RT recently. *grin*

I am annoyed by rigid routines.

I have always wanted to be an author.

I encourage people to think outside the box, take off the blinders and find ways to make their dreams a reality.

I think it would be cool if I could travel long distances without having to get on a cramped plane. (I’ve been getting more and more nervous about flying recently. Don’t know why.)

I love to lay in bed and read or write when no one is looking.

I write romance because it offers a wonderful escape.

I would love to know what readers think when they finish one of my books.

 Thanks Beth!

Readers, you can learn more about Beth and her books at:  www.bethkery.com

 Beth donated a lovely prize for today…

One lucky commenter will receive a signed copy of Daring Time (US and Canada only…if winner resides outside of the US or Canada he/she will receive a download of their choice from Beth’s eBook backlist).

I’ll randomly select and announce the winner tomorrow so be sure to return to see if you won.

Go ahead and leave a comment or question for Beth…

Karen Ranney Guest Blogs…

Today my guest is one of my favorite authors…Karen Ranney!

Karen’s latest release, A Scotsman in Love releases next month!

 

Here’s a blurb:

For three years, Margaret Dalrousie was the darling of the Russian Imperial Court, a painter renown for her ability to grant any subject beauty. When forced to flee Russia for home, she found refuge in a cottage on the edge of the abandoned Highland estate of Glengarrow.

 

Robert McDermott, Earl of Linnet, had remained in France following the deaths of his wife and daughter. Duty finally called him home to Scotland, but when he arrived, it was to find that not only had Glengarrow been allowed to fall into disrepair, but a strange and annoying woman insisted on disturbing his peace.

 

A Scotsman in Love is the tumultuous and passionate story of how two disparate souls find acceptance, then friendship, and finally love.

 

For an excerpt click here.

 

And now here’s Karen…

 

WHAT MAKES A GOOD BOOK?

 

What makes a good book? 

 

To me, it’s a plot that makes sense.  I’m a very pragmatic person, so if the heroine does something foolish, I instantly find myself distanced from her.  If the hero does something stupid, I find it difficult to think of him as a hero.

 

The heroine has to be someone with whom I can identify.  Is she human?  Does she have flaws? Okay, she might be pretty, but does she sweat?  Please tell me she sweats, because I’ve actually known women who were perfect at all times, never even sweating in a south Texas summer in a car with the air conditioning on the fritz.  I hate women like that.

 

The hero has to be someone with whom I could fall in love. He can’t be foolish or cruel, and please don’t let him be stupid.  Does he blame all women for a woman betraying him ten years ago? Please.  Does he hate all women because his mother was a ho?  Please.  In other words, if he has a conflict issue, is it reasonable?  Or is he Peter Pan?  (Never going to grow up.)

 

Is there a long separation?  People aren’t butterflies flitting back and forth.  I like books where the protagonists are together.  Frankly, I also like books where the emphasis is on the main couple, and not oodles of secondary characters.

   

The love scenes have to advance the story.  I, frankly, love dialogue during sex, and not just what you would think (yeah, baby, yeah).  I’ve always said that it’s easy to write a sex scene, but damn difficult to write a love scene.

 

Is the conflict real?  And is it solved in a realistic fashion?

 

Do the characters grow during the book?  Have they learned anything? 

 

I don’t think I’m any more demanding than the average reader.  We all want to be entertained, maybe informed, and if we’re inspired along the way, so much the better.

 

Now, as far as A Scotsman in Love: Margaret Dalrousie isn’t interested in love and she’s got enough flaws to render her totally human.  But she learns, and she grows from her experiences.  Robert McDermott is surfacing from a grief that nearly destroyed him, and learning to live again is a painful process, made both easier and more difficult by Margaret’s presence in his life.  They’re forced together, and find themselves passionately attracted.  Love, however, unexpectedly comes to each of them, changing their lives, and giving them a future about which they never dared to dream.

 

If you get a chance to read the book, please let me know what you think – karen@karenranney.com

 

Thanks, Karen!

Readers, you can learn more about Karen and her books at: 
http://www.karenranney.com

And while you are there be sure to enter her website drawing which can be found here.

 

In the meantime, Karen has donated a great prize today to one lucky commenter.  One winner will receive a copy of A Scotsman in Love (May, 2009) and a travel mug.

 

I’ll randomly select and announce the winner tomorrow (April 24) so leave a comment below and be sure to return to see if you won!

 

So Karen shared what makes a good book to her, what makes a good book to you?